John Z - Are you any relation to the John Z who posted the same question on marathonguide.com about running a marathon after just training by riding his bike 45 miles a week this summer? See, it sounds like you, but the thing is that this other John Z is planning on running in Maine, not Milwaukee, and also claims to have run a 3:15 marathon two years ago, while this apparently will be your first one. Maybe you are planning back-to-back marathons in Portland and Milwaukee this fall?
Mr. Obvious, Sam Bell called it rigormortis before Cosby made it famous. Actually I made it famous as anyone who saw me run anything longer than a runway would remember.
Wejo can't even spell half the time anyway.
No, you should not RUN it this weekend. You are not able. Walking it will be difficult enough. Running it does not seem possible.
Only thing worse than trying to run a marathon on no training is trying to run a marathon on half-@$$ed training.
Speaking from personal experience: I felt like I had enough base training from a couple of years worth of solid running and 5K racing. Put in 35-45mpw on a very consistent basis. Ran three (hilly) long runs in the last month prior to the marathon, got sick over the winter holiday three weeks beforehand, and toed the line (Carlsbad Marathon) feeling a little too confident in my ability to BQ. Ran well (3:05 pace) until 17mi, when my mind got completely screwed by a archway of balloons at the top of the last hill on the course (figured that was the turnaround to head back up the highway toward the finish). Lost my focus, started cramping, shut it down at 19. Hurt like hell trying to start back up again until 22. Ran from 22 to 26, when I cramped again. Jogged the last .23 in. Depressed as hell for three days, which took a long talk from a friend to get me out from under...Coach (competed in 25 marathons) told me when I came back home I was a fool to run a marathon (in essence) on NO TRAINING. It took a year to *completely* recover from the damage I did.
Law of transfer does not apply. Bicycling is only good to train for bicycling. To run well you need to run.
My point is not to slam you. My advice: Have fun. Start slow, then taper off. Good luck. I think you'll have a bushel basket of hurt when it's all over. Hope you will learn to respect the distance like I did (Had Chinese symbol for 'respect' tattooed on R shoulder to remind me of experience.).
Javaman wrote:
...Had Chinese symbol for 'respect' tattooed on R shoulder to remind me of experience.
No you didn't... you had the Chinese symbol for "resect" tattooed on your R shoulder because you are a DOUCHE BAG!
well, did you run? how did you do?
I checked the results and found a john z. who finished in 5:10, about an 11:52 pace.
I have no idea if that is him, but the time and initials both sound about right. That John does not show up in a search at marathonguide.com either, so it appears he has not run a marathon since at least 2000.
Jeez, take it easy psycho. I think you miss the point...of everything.
Look... 5 years ago I ran the MCM 30lbs over weight with my fiance. She had ran it... I HAD NEVER RUN ONE. I had spent 9 years in the Corp and really had always wanted to do this. It killed me, but I ran it in 5 hours. The next year I TRAINED. I ran it again... 4 hours. This year, I am not in my best shape. I have not run in two years seriously, but have never had a problem running 10 miles any given day. I run for the spirit of running. I AM NOT COMPETITIVE IN THIS SPORT... I only enjoy it. I signed up late this year to help support the injured marines fund. I only worry about injury stopping me. Pain is something that you manage. I have found running great distances to be more mental than physical. I have run 7 marathons I am no expert... You can do this, but it will hurt. Do not listen to all these competitive "folks" Just have fun. Competition? Go to Boston where you have to qualify. You will not see us folks there...I hope you will not be in Washington...
Be sure to get behind a couple of ladies in spandex tights. It makes the time go by nicely.
Quit smoking at 28 and started running. Ran 3 half marathons in early my 30's. Coached and played some soccer and stayed fit. If someone finished a marathon, they earned the right to call themselves a marathoner for a few years. Been training for a marathon for 2 months. Longest training run is 12 miles. 10k's are most comfortable. I run a lot of hills, so barring injury, I will be at the starting line next month. Plan to wrap calves or wear long socks. Calves and chins tend to thwart my long runs. I will sport the 26.2 sticker even if I don't break 4:00. I don't expect any elite jerks nearby. For me, playing soccer prepares me more for running distance than my impossible marathon training schedule. Be an athlete first, a marathoner second.
CD123 wrote:
Jeez, take it easy psycho. I think you miss the point...of everything.
You bumped a this thread for what reason>
I;m with you man. It's not there problem if you didn't train, its yours. Also they really aren't racing anyone. All but the top few are really just trying to get through it. Anyway, you'll be fine, I suggest a 5 minute run 2 minute walk approach.
John Z wrote:
Dude, I know I am not properly trained. I signed up after a night of boozing with some buddies when we were arguing about how hard it is. He said it could not be done and that I would fall on my face. He is a vet marathoner since he has completed 3 of them. He said I would never finish under 5 hours since I do not run. I do work construction and have good upper body strength and I bike 1 or 2 times a week for a total of about 35-45 miles a week.
All I want is to finish so I can win the bet and tell people I am a marathoner. I plan to work it into my talk when I go searchin for the ladies. Actually I already tell them this, but soon it will be for real.
I am not hurting you or anyone else. I just wanted to know if there was any last minute training advice for a guy like me. I just plan to taper the rest of the way till race day.
John Z wrote:
All I want is to finish so I can win the bet and tell people I am a marathoner. I plan to work it into my talk when I go searchin for the ladies. Actually I already tell them this, but soon it will be for real.
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You are in this for all the wrong reasons and even if you finish, you still will not be a "marathoner". You will be able to say you finished a marathon, but probably not run a marathon.
I run 50-60 miles per week and have qualified for Boston at age 60 and still do not consider myself a "marathoner". Boston will be my 5th and I just am not well suited for that distance. Much better at shorter races. So go have fun and you might complete, and maybe you will learn to respect the distance and some day give it an honest try.
In line with all the "Go Slow" advice, strap on a heart rate monitor and dont exceed 70% of max. heart rate even if you have to walk to bring the HR back under 70%. It should be QED. Good luck!.
I love people whining about the penguins that fuel money for a sport they love.
dude, I hate to say it, but if you walk, it's not a MARATHON. it's a long walk or a bunch of short walks with a 20 miler.
i haven't read all the posts, but for all you that train hard and run hard, maybe even fast, you find the challenge in doing such because you have made that committment. It is an obvious challenge, that of trying to run as fast as possible after putting the hardest training you were capable of doing (either physically or mentally). It is interesting to me that going into the marathon completely untrained is not also percieved as an obvious challenge. Like some of you have indicated, anyone who trains can merely finish a marathon. But for that individual who doesn't train, is that not an equally obvious and difficult challenge as well? I'm not saying it is a smart challenge, but to belittle it or call it a disgrace to the sport is to attempt to quantify it without understanding the innate challenge in and of the task itself.
Just my two cents. Honestly, anyone who tries to run a marathon untrained is a moron (that goes for myself as well). However dumb it is though, it is one heck of a challenge, and should be levied at that which it exactly is- a challenge.
Enjoy your hike