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Marathon Training!

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  • DOS
  • Training
  • iPod
Last response: in Sports & Wellness
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March 27, 2009 1:36:00 PM

Hey guys!

I'm training for my first marathon and I'm wondering if you guys have any tips? I have a great training program laid out for myself that's going to last eight months but I was wondering if any of you had run marathons before and had any dos/don'ts for me?

I'm also seriously considering the Nike+ iPod package and was wondering who had tried it and if it's worth buying?

Let me know!

Jane :) 

More about : marathon training

March 27, 2009 2:16:06 PM

Wear double layered socks ftw. Cost about a tenner and will save your soles from revealing the bones underneath. Something like this but without the low cut business.
Fartlek (dont laugh...swedish) training is good as well - plan your route to take advantage of various inclines and stick to a minute by minute plan where you change your pace from walking to sprinting and everything between.
Toughens you up pretty good.
March 27, 2009 2:37:45 PM

Yeah I have been although I'm wearing the low cut versions! For some reason when I wear full socks they end up partying with my toes, all crunched up at the top of my shoes!
Related resources
March 27, 2009 2:43:35 PM

Well whatever works for you.
Training is all well and good by the way but do not underestimate a good diet. I have a friend who fanicies himself as a bodybuilder (slightly different i know...) has been doing it for 2 years and looks pretty much the same today as he did when he started. Main reason for that is the ridiculous amount of fatty carbs and processed meat he wolfs down.
March 27, 2009 2:57:00 PM

Trust me, I'm well versed in the ways of the importance of a good diet and healthy nutrition!

I'm a bit of a fake vegetarian at the moment but I'm finding it quite difficult to get the amount of protein I need (about 40g for my weight, height, build etc.) so I occasionally resort to fish! Starting to wonder if I should look into protein shakes or bars just to be sure I'm getting what I need but I really don't want to go down that road. Before I know it I'll have a big tub of protein powder on the shelf and muscles to beat the band! :( 
March 27, 2009 7:20:56 PM

Protein shake isn't a wise choice for marathon training - if you do decide to do it I would advise against taking the massive amount they suggest. When I took it I put on a stone in a month by taking one shake on a non-gym day and two on a gym day - going to the gym about 3-4 times a week.
Each serving contained 25g of protein and some whey so anymore is way too much for your kidneys and you end up excreting the rest which is bad for you and is essentially pissing money away. I'm a big guy (6"3) (12.5 stone) so you'd definitely want to scale that down. Consult a doctor or dietician really for the best answer.
March 27, 2009 7:38:05 PM

well as loely a lady as u look dont u think this is the wrong forum not saying i mind u posting but im sure a running forum could offer much better advise :p  if u wana crack ur ipod or overclock ur running shoes im sure we can help though personally ive never done a marathon b4 :s do play judo but i dont think i can be much help

good luck with it anyways :) 
March 27, 2009 8:03:58 PM

Actually, it's technically the place, in that it's the correct subforum on the Tom's Hardware forums, while not the ideal place to get fitness advice there are (brace yourself for this) computer users who actually do like to keep in shape. Shocking, I know, the stereotype just got blown apart.

Anyway I'll second the point to stay away from protein shakes, they might have a lot of goodness but if I remember right there aren't any regulations as to what else can be put into the shakes, and they tend to have a high amount of carbs and lipids compared to equivalent high-protein foods. Also, going from low amounts of protein in a diet to a high amount plays havoc with your metabolism and your kidneys end up having to work pretty hard to filter the excess out.

Just like everything else in fitness, gradual change sees persistent results, extreme change sees short-lived results.

Good luck with your training, hope it works out well for you, show those 26 miles who's boss!
March 28, 2009 6:19:35 AM

haha i have never ran a marathon, 26 miles is long has hell!!! so instead i stick to martial arts :) 

i am currently learning, Kung fu ( choy lee fut ), Muay thai, and Brazilian Jiu jitsu.
i like all of them except jiu jitsu cuz when your wrestling other guys.. swordfights happen sometimes.
March 28, 2009 10:44:49 AM

stevensl2 said:
haha i have never ran a marathon, 26 miles is long has hell!!! so instead i stick to martial arts :) 

i am currently learning, Kung fu ( choy lee fut ), Muay thai, and Brazilian Jiu jitsu.
i like all of them except jiu jitsu cuz when your wrestling other guys.. swordfights happen sometimes.


dont u think u should train in just one then master it and move on in my judo club we always get ppl who try and learn them all and then quit them all, pick ur fav get a black belt and then move on or get another if u want to

as for jiu jitsu u could try judo as dependsing on the style of ur jiu jitsu u may enjoy that more

normal jiu jitsu tends to be slower and use things like swords ect u dont actually get to wrestel for real
and brazilian jiu jitsu is just all ground work and for begginers can feel like ur always cuddling men lol

judo has standing fighting and ground work
March 28, 2009 1:47:08 PM

Learning many has the advantages of creating free flowing self defense styles. Judo is good for using an opponents strength against them but not great at building reflexes, muay thai is good for taking a hit but not blocking and jiu jitsu has good hand to hand stuff so you get a nice balance.
If one class is significantly better taught however then that can make a big difference as technique is way more important than brute strength at first.
March 28, 2009 4:31:27 PM

I'm on a ton of running forums but a lot of the advice I got was from veterans who'd run about 11,000 marathons before. I'm basically looking for advice from someone else who's made the move from casual runner to serious runner. :) 

As for this being totally the wrong place, I disagree. I am an enthusiast who likes to talk to other enthusiasts. I'm fairly certain I'm not the only enthusiast who likes to run. :) 

I actually have done martial arts for years. Jiu jitsu for about a year and then I switched to Tae Kwon-do for 3-4 years before I finally stopped about two years ago. :) 
March 28, 2009 5:32:05 PM

spanner_razor said:
Learning many has the advantages of creating free flowing self defense styles. Judo is good for using an opponents strength against them but not great at building reflexes, muay thai is good for taking a hit but not blocking and jiu jitsu has good hand to hand stuff so you get a nice balance.
If one class is significantly better taught however then that can make a big difference as technique is way more important than brute strength at first.


no argument there but just saying when u start doing martial arts for the first time u should start small then get bigger ppl who try them all in one massive go right away never keep any of them up
March 29, 2009 11:37:43 AM

mildiner86 said:
dont u think u should train in just one then master it and move on in my judo club we always get ppl who try and learn them all and then quit them all, pick ur fav get a black belt and then move on or get another if u want to

as for jiu jitsu u could try judo as dependsing on the style of ur jiu jitsu u may enjoy that more

normal jiu jitsu tends to be slower and use things like swords ect u dont actually get to wrestel for real
and brazilian jiu jitsu is just all ground work and for begginers can feel like ur always cuddling men lol

judo has standing fighting and ground work


haha you do have a point there, but i work very hard at both Kung fu and MMA, and i also have great teachers.
il make time and try out judo though :) 

your right about the cuddling men part.. my balls actually felt funny after.
March 29, 2009 11:44:15 AM

spanner_razor said:
Learning many has the advantages of creating free flowing self defense styles. Judo is good for using an opponents strength against them but not great at building reflexes, muay thai is good for taking a hit but not blocking and jiu jitsu has good hand to hand stuff so you get a nice balance.
If one class is significantly better taught however then that can make a big difference as technique is way more important than brute strength at first.


haha and in my kung fu club, we also learn to take hits, block and also work on endurance even though it may not seem like it.
kinda like, hitting hard without using strength, a smaller guy can take on a bigger guy. but i workout and jog everyday so im pretty big already.
April 20, 2009 8:42:26 PM

A good pair (or two) of running shoes is key too. It's the most important piece of gear for training for a marathon.
February 3, 2010 8:41:33 AM

JMcEntegart said:
I'm on a ton of running forums but a lot of the advice I got was from veterans who'd run about 11,000 marathons before. I'm basically looking for advice from someone else who's made the move from casual runner to serious runner. :) 

As for this being totally the wrong place, I disagree. I am an enthusiast who likes to talk to other enthusiasts. I'm fairly certain I'm not the only enthusiast who likes to run. :) 

I actually have done martial arts for years. Jiu jitsu for about a year and then I switched to Tae Kwon-do for 3-4 years before I finally stopped about two years ago. :) 




Hi,
I don't know if you have done your marathon or not yet, but thought I would bring the topic back to the training. I have done only 5, but the time between the 4th & 5th was over 20 years so I had to begin a program all over again. Of course there are many running publications that will give first time marathoners advice on how to walk/run a race, but for me, I want to actually run the distance, walk only if I crash and suffer all the difficulties of finishing. When you do it that way and upon completing the marathon you get the greatest feeling of accomplishment imaginable. You know then that there isn't anything that you can't accomplish when you put your mind to it, because you were able to do 26.2 miles successfully.
I wouldn't put any special emphasis on the first 5-6 months of your program, just build up you miles slowly, no more than a 10% increase of mileage each week max. The most important day is your long run, build that up to at least 12 miles during this period. I suggest building up to 6 miles daily the rest of the week and if you feel fatigued or there is some pain, take a day or two off and rest your body, just get in your long run. Plan on another 18 weeks, building up your runs, and your long run to at least 2 hours, try to get in at least on 18-20 miler about 3 weeks prior to your marathon. The final 3 weeks gradually taper your training by 10-15 % and cut your long run down to give your body the rest it needs to recover for the race. The first 20 miles are the easiest, the last 6 is where you will find your character and courage. I hope this isn't too late and wish you the best of luck with your endeavor.
February 3, 2010 3:48:20 PM

Look at training programs like Hal Higdon's for first time marathon runners. Getting a good pair of running shoes is important and you will find divergent views on what makes a good running shoe. Most stores will try to sell you something that is quite expensive, even if you don't need it. Carbohydrates are more important for distance running than protien. After long or fast runs you should take something with a good carb/protien ratio. The best inexpensive solution is low fat chocolate milk and it's cheap.
February 3, 2010 4:09:26 PM

easy I used to sell fitness equipment and run a service department for the same chain of stores. run with your hands above you heart while training.
until a week or two before the marathon the bring them down to your sides .
1-2 % harder with your fists above your heart. usualy i would say this to people just trying to lose weight.
February 3, 2010 4:55:18 PM

Thanks for all this lads.

I actually successfully completed the 30th Dublin City Marathon in October. Hurray! :) 

That said, I'm already looking for the next one so this information is really helpful. Any handy tips you might have would be hugely appreciated!

J.
February 3, 2010 7:33:52 PM

I just recently signed on to this site, realized my response was most likely late but wanted to offer it anyway, maybe help someone. Anyway I would like to offer my congratulations on your completing the marathon. To make it easier to be ready for whatever distance I am going to be racing, I found that 6 miles a day will keep you fit and allow you to build up and prepare for longer distances easily. It also is short enough that injuries aren't as likely as long as you don't push it too hard. At least this is true at my age, lol! I don't run as fast or as far as I was once able to but do about 180 miles a month which allows me to do most distances with the exception of the marathon, which requires me to ramp up to about 80+ miles a week. Keep up the running, it's a life changer.

Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character. -T. Alan Armstrong

One of my favorite quotes. Duane
February 4, 2010 1:30:05 PM

keep runnin
April 6, 2010 6:30:15 PM

best way to train maraton... ye just like bhagat666sed. keep runnin girl.
August 2, 2010 4:53:59 PM

Lulz at the nike +. Just run at least 15 mi a day. AT LEAST!
November 14, 2010 6:02:55 AM

Hope you don't quit I been addicted to running since high school till now.
March 8, 2011 2:29:51 PM

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