One year to train. Am I nuts?

[Monorail Lime]

Hey all,

I've decided to run the Walt Disney World Marathon in January 2013. I'm a generally fit person but did not start running until the beginning of this year. My goal looks achievable on paper if I train consistently for the full year leading up to the event. I started the Couch to 5k program around the beginning of the year and it's kicking my butt so far but I'm sticking with it! :lol:

Everyone I know says I'm crazy for thinking that I can train for a marathon in one year's time with no prior running experience. Then again, none of them are runners, so I'm trying not to get too discouraged by their... discouragement. Do the experts here think I'm being too ambitious? Should I aim for a half marathon instead?

This is the regime I created for myself. Subject to change, of course.

January 9 - 13: Week Zero
January 16 - March 16: Couch-to-5k (9 weeks)
March - May: Maintenance running / Speed work
Saturday, May 12: Local 5k run
May - June: Maintenance running
July 10 - January 13: Jeff Galloway Marathon Training Program for
Beginning Runners (28 weeks)
January 13, 2013: Walt Disney World Marathon

 

[lukacseven]

A full year of training is definitely realistic. I hear the Galloway run/walk program is excellent, although I've never personally tried it.

The only recommendation I would have is to maybe consider a longer race such as a half marathon or 10K in the fall. This will help you get more accustomed to the logistics of the race - eating/drinking before & during the race, crowds, wake-up time, etc. - things you can't simulate during traing runs. Although it's hard to compare Disney races to any I've ever run - it is a unique experience, you'll be much better prepared having gone through a prior larger race.

 

[Ariel484]

I agree with lukacseven...you can definitely do it, and a longer race may be more beneficial to you. I think it's great that you are planning on doing a race at some point before Disney as sort of a shorter-term goal...and another benefit to doing a race 10k or longer is that you'd get a time you can submit to Disney for corral placement.

Here's another plan for you to consider...Hal Higdon's Novice Supreme program. I think the difference between this one and Galloway's is that it's 2 weeks longer, it's 4 days per week of running (compared to Galloway's 3 days per week) and it maxes out at a 20 mile long run, where Galloway's maxes out at 26 miles (I think?).

Whatever you do, as long as you stick to your training, you should be good! :sohappy: Disney is a great first-time marathon.

 

[dreamfinder]

Definitely doable, and an admirable goal. I agree completely that you should look to toss in a longer race as part of the program. You should be able to find a local half marathon that would correspond to a 12-14 mi training run. Just do that as your training run for the day. And heck, maybe look to throw in another 5k or two during your maintenance period. Really just so you can get used to the experience. Many people find that they run differently when they are at a race, start of faster, chase the person in front of them, etc. Doing a few more races can help you to realize what you do differently on a race day vs a normal running day. Or it may be something bizarre like you find out that when you do races, you need to hit up the port a pottie 3 times before you start, where on a normal running day you only need to stop once. Things like that will help you to plan your schedule on actual race day. Good luck!

 

[MKCP 1985]

I know a guy who is a member here who did what you are suggesting and did a good job in the full marathon.

The difference I saw in his training was more long runs later in the year. I've run a handfull of marathons and the big thing about preparing for 26 miles is getting your body used to being in motion for that long at a time. Plan now to do some 3 and 4 hour runs in the fall, at a minimum. I agree with the suggestion of entering a half marathon just for the flavor. When you are getting ready for a full marathon, your training runs may often be longer than 13.1 anyway.

Bottom line, you CAN do this. Set your mind to the training and stick to the plan - even if you miss a few workouts, get right back to them - and you will have that 20 year special finisher's medal next year! :king:

 

[daddyphat808]

I am doing the Princess 5k in less than a month and I am a fluffy guy. currently 253lbs. down from 290. I am doing the couch to 5k app and using loseit as well.

Also helps that DW is doing half ironmans and is quite an inspiration!

so knock it out!!

 

[enchanted_belle]

I agree with everyone here that you can definitely do it! I'm planning a similar attack for the 10-miler in September, and then a half or two next year. So I'm rooting you on and doing the same steps as you! :wave:

I am doing the Princess 5k in less than a month and I am a fluffy guy. currently 253lbs. down from 290. I am doing the couch to 5k app and using loseit as well.

Also helps that DW is doing half ironmans and is quite an inspiration!

so knock it out!!

Hi fellow loseit buddy!! :wave:

 

[Monorail Lime]

Thank you for the encouragement everyone! I'm feeling the magic now!

I will definitely look into picking up some longer races later in the year. There is actually a local half-marathon in October that will fit into the Galloway training program schedule nicely. Thanks for the suggestion! :wave:

 

[JillC LI]

It is absolutely realistic! Years ago I went from being to run 2 miles to completing the NYC Marathon in 7 months time (using the NY Road Runner's Marathon Training Plan for Beginnners). As long as your goal is to finish and not for a specific time, you've got plenty of time to train. I fell in love with mid-distance running as a result of my training. You might surprise yourself and discover a love of running in the process! Go fot it!

 

[Texas84]

In a year, yes you can, but I agree you should do a half first. Figure out how to pace distance.

 

[bkgrim]

Good luck! I am trying the same. I am currently using a marathon program on my iPad called marathon coach and love it. It is hard but I can do it. I ran the 1/2 last year and trying to get back in shape. I am trying to loose weight and get my blood pressure in check and this is the perfect carrot for me. Who knows, maybe it works out that I can try both races. goofy here I come:sohappy:

 

[JillC LI]

In a year, yes you can, but I agree you should do a half first. Figure out how to pace distance.

I think she said she'd be doing a marathon training plan, so I'm sure there are many long distance runs for her to learn pacing. I would respectfully disagree and say it's not necessary to participate in an actual half-marathon race before the marathon as long as you diligently follow the training plan. I didn't (do a half-marathon race before running marathon, that is).

 

[crystalight33]

It isn't necessary to do a 10k or half marathon before the marathon, but if do, you can use that race to submit a time to Disney. The last 2 or 3 corrals are usually for runners who didn't submit a time, and the sweepers are at the back of the last corral. If you submit a time, you are more likely to end up at least 2 corrals ahead of the sweepers. The corrals start 8 minutes apart (I think), so if you are 2 corrals ahead of the sweepers, you have a greater than 16 minute head start on them . My first half marathon was the princess half and I was terrified of getting swept (even though my average pace was 12 minutes per mile), so I ran a 10k five months before the princess half. I ended up in the second corral based on my time in the 10k! I felt so much better knowing that I could take my time and stop for all the characters I wanted to see and not worry about the sweepers.

In summary, you don't have to run a 10k or longer before the full, but it can't hurt. I think the 10k I ran was only $35 which helped as well .

Good luck with your training!

Krista

 

[Kristia]

You can def train for the marathon in a year. My husband and I started training for the 2011 Disney Marathon in Oct of 2009. During the winter we took a lot of time off and really started our training in the late winter/early spring. We did our first 5k at the end of April (used the Couch to 5k plan also) and threw in a few more 5k races during the training. Once I went to that first race, I was hooked! I planned to do a half marathon in the fall but had a knee injury which sidelined me for 3 months. I was really worried that I would miss the marathon, but I started training again and was up to 15 mile long runs by the time the marathon came. Our goal for our first marathon was to have fun and finish. We took some breaks and finished in 6:45. Not a stellar time but we had the most fun! I think we did ok for only completing 15 mile training runs and me running in a knee brace :lol: . Long story short, just stick to your training plan as best as possible but there may be hiccups along the way. You will do great!

Edited to add - I was also NEVER a runner. I decided to do this and once I mentioned it to my husband he made me follow through! So glad I did because now I have a new passion! I will never win a race, but I can constantly be bettering my times and beating myself!