22 year old female running marathon

I'm not sure, some pics would give me a better idea.

If you're doing a lot of projected marathon pace running and factors (weather, course, digestive system, you remember sun block if needed, etc.,), play out, then yes, i think you'll go under. Keep training. Those times are very similar to many people i know who consistently run 2:55 to 3:00. Get your half time down to 1:20-1:21 and those variables listed above become less of a factor.

MJP wrote:

As much as I think these predict-my-time posts are annoying, I'd really like...

Nope, sorry, that's not a good way to ask for it.

You would be better off spending the next 1-3 years building your mileage to 100+, running some more halfs, and actually focusing on the most important thing for the marathon, which you neglected to mention: the long run. The fact that you feel bad about the "lack of quality", while not even mentioning long run as part of your training, shows you are not ready for the marathon.

TRAIN for the marathon wrote:

the most important thing for the marathon, which you neglected to mention: the long run.

Myth.

Yes, I think you can break 3 and will probably run in the mid-2:50s.

My times in college were very similar to yours and I ran my first one, at 22, in 2:56. I lived in Upstate New York, so the weather was difficult for me, too. Do make sure you do some long runs, though.

I followed a prototype Pfitzinger program which basically had two long runs per week -- one in the 13-16 mile range, the other in the 16-22 mile range. The total mileage was about the same as yours, though it may have been a bit higher.

I remember doing a speed workout of 300s a couple times in the season and maybe some 800s, then doing some tempo-type stuff on other weeks. I think whatever you are doing in the "fast" department will be fine, but make sure you do the longer runs.

The other thing I will suggest is that you pay a lot of attention to how your body feels during the race, rather than going by the watch. It's a long race and it's better to be a bit conservative in the beginning and finish strong, than to hit the wall and die. It's really easy to push a tiny bit too hard at first and later on, those tiny bits add up to crashing.

Good luck!

a general rule is double your half marathon and add 6-7 minutes so in your case half marathon 123 x 2 = 246 + 6-7 minutes so i predict you will run 252-253

of course there are other variables if you trained through those races, how the weather is on marathon day etc. but good luck in your marathon.

pics

When a guy asks for advice do we require pictures? Treat her as a runner and get your kicks elsewhere.

Wow, my wife had identical times coming out of college. She ran 17:39, 37:39, and then we started incorporating some summer half marathons in which she ran 1:24 for the first one and then 1:22:34 for the second one before she debuted at Grandma's in 2:52:15.

I had her on a variation of Pfitzinger's Marathon plan, but truly the key to her success was her Sunday long runs with the Men in town, hammering out 2h-2:30 runs with the sub-2:50 crowd. Most of these longs runs ended up being a Marathon Pace and come race day, she just rolled a great one (perfectly split) for her 2:52.

perv alert wrote:

When a guy asks for advice do we require pictures? Treat her as a runner and get your kicks elsewhere.

sorry, due to the pressing nature of the post, this is not up for debate. pics please.

Don't use a watch for your first one. Just run it for the experience...seriously. That's what I'd do.

Your training seems at the very least quite adequate and your shorter distance times would lead me to believe you'll do ok, but don't put any added pressure on yourself.

Use the first one as a learning experience. No matter HOW FAST OR SLOW YOU RUN it's a PR no matter what.

Good luck, try to enjoy it.

Your half pr is a little soft compared to your 5k and 10k. If that is a trend, I would shoot for a 2:58. If you know for a fact that you are in better shape than when you ran the 1:23, then you can adjust your goal time accordingly.

Not wearing a watch would be stupid. What you do need to do is make sure you run the correct pace the first 18 miles of the race. Start off the first couple miles at a 7 minute pace and work your way down to a 6:52 pace. You should get to 18 miles in 2:03. At that point you can assess how you feel and pick it up the last 8 miles. A 6:37 pace will get you a 2:58. Based on your 1:23, you may even be able to get to a 6:32 pace for a 2:57 finish.

The one thing to remember is that if you run the first 18 miles of a marathon at a pace only 8 seconds faster than you should be running, you will bonk at 20 miles and have a slow painful last 6 miles to the finish.

Remember, if you know for a fact that you are a few seconds faster than when you ran the 1:23, you can adjust your goal times, but if you only think you are fitter and run the first part too fast, you will pay for it in the end.

O RLY? wrote:

TRAIN for the marathon wrote:

the most important thing for the marathon, which you neglected to mention: the long run.

Myth.

You want to bet?

Why, you like giving away money?

Lets hear your story of running a marathon without a long run.

I recommend listening to rippy cripple's advice. This is perfect information for running a sub-3 marathon.

Wearing sunblock in a marathon is such a rookie mistake...

Clapton wrote:

If you're doing a lot of projected marathon pace running and factors (weather, course, digestive system, you remember sun block if needed, etc.,), play out, then yes, i think you'll go under. Keep training. Those times are very similar to many people i know who consistently run 2:55 to 3:00. Get your half time down to 1:20-1:21 and those variables listed above become less of a factor.

I would also agree that pics are in order.

And can I have yer running shorts after the race.