I've been wondering what would happen if I just decided to go run a marathon. I'm doing some standard workouts and mileage at 50-55 mpw for an ncaa div. 1 team. I've always wanted to just go out and see what I could run a marathon in. What would happen if I decided to do it? Would I injury myself, just be unable to finish, or just run a bad bad time?
How long are your long runs?
you're ahead of most people who run marathons. You could definitely just finish if nothing serious went wrong, but you'd most likely have a pretty bad time and experience and could get a stress fracture. I don't really see why you'd want to do something like that.
No problem. Only the elite athletes need to train specifically for the marathon. One year I had been training for basically 5k road races. Then decided to run a marathon on the spur of the moment. Ran a 2:42 with no problem at all. It's not that big of a deal unless you're trying to win the race.
You could run a marathon but you would have trouble racing a marathon.
My long runs are usually 13-14 miles, which I realize is about half of a marathon.
Like you said whatevers, I think I would do just fine like you did. It doesn't really sound all that hard; its just running. I've never done it though so I could be totally wrong.
I guess the last thing I would want would be a stress fracture from running a marathon though...
Do a few in the 18-22 mile range and I think you'll do pretty well.
wanna be marathoner wrote:
It doesn't really sound all that hard; its just running. I've never done it though so I could be totally wrong.
The last 4-8 miles can be really tough on a bad day, much more difficult than the first 18. A gut check finish is something one almost needs to experience to fully grasp. At the same time, an experienced runner putting in 55 mpw is way more prepared than the vast majority of people lining up. You'll finish no problem if you run conservatively for the first half.
what is the perception of the preparation level of most people?
I didn't do enough long runs before my first marathon and ran 3:08.... really bad splits and I really lost it around mile 18.
I have done a few much faster since.
your head would explode.
athletics fan and runner wrote:
what is the perception of the preparation level of most people?
My perception is that a lot of people, especially the beginners, run 0 mpw for 8 months and follow 4 month programs that start really easy and peak at ~35 to 40 mpw with a single run comprising upwards of 50% of the weekly mileage. Every race ended the same: cramps, pain, cussing and walking. I came from a non-competitive running background and used beginner type programs for several marathons and ran times very typical for the average male, 3:30 to 4:00.
if you did the same training, but were on a div. 3 team - you would have to add on at least 30 min to your marathon time.
I've wondered this before, too. I do about 75-80 mpw, with a 15 mile long run that sometimes averages 6:20's no problem.
I'm guessing that without specific marathon training right now I could go out and run around 2:40 pretty easily.
Ticktock wrote:
I've wondered this before, too. I do about 75-80 mpw, with a 15 mile long run that sometimes averages 6:20's no problem.
I'm guessing that without specific marathon training right now I could go out and run around 2:40 pretty easily.
I don't think so. Maybe sub 2:50 (which is around 6:20-25/mile), but not easily. With your long runs at 15 miles tops, you would be hurting badly at 23 miles. Just go out and do one, then come back and report.
I was one of those "if I just go out and run one, I would easily run xx:xx" too. Well, I did go out and had a really bad bad day out there. As a sub 29 min. 10000m runner, I said I would break 2:25 without specific marathon training at the age of 22. I "ran" 2:59, walking the last 5 miles and twice fainting from hypoglycemia on a cold day. It took me 4 years to attempt another one- with specific training and I bettered my PR by almost 40 minutes. You heard it before, but marathon REALLY starts after mile 20-22. 15miles is not a long run and would not teach or prepare your body for the processes that start in the last 6 miles of the marathon. (BTW I ran much more than you with longer runs at the time of my 'debut')
Of course, ther are talented runners who can run respectable marathon times on non-specific training, but they are exceptions. BTW, for me, respectable time for a good runner starts at 2:30 and better. For those really untalented, I would say around 2:48. That requires some specific training and preparation of energetic systems.
youre a sub 29 min 10000m runner and you had to walk the last 5 miles?? thats crazy... haha. maybe marathons really are pretty grueling.
like many of you have said though, there are people who defintiely are not runners and can complete it. i guess the difference is that they don't run a good time though.
you'll get bad itbfs and then barely be able to run at all for the next 18 months. if you're going to do it, do it the smart way.
-experience
You'll probably have Hanson's-MmmBop in your head the whole time you race which would just be really annoying. I'd train for it, then you'll have Metallica in your head instead. Personal choice though--a lot of people likes Hanson.