Thinking about trying to run a marathon?

[muggs]

I'm no where near the shape I'd have to be in to run 26 consecutive miles...but I think I may shoot for the Cleveland Marathon in 2008. The race is run the 2nd week of May, so I'd have a little under a year to train for it.

Any joggers here? Anyone ever run a marathon? It's hard to imagine doing it, but I have a 9-month program I found that isn't really all that bad, all things considered. I think it would be a great feeling to actually finish a race like that.

[toddyboman]

Start slow first.

Maybe try some 1/2 marathons before the cleveland marathon.

Give your body plenty of time to recover.

Get yourself 2 good pair of running shoes. Alternate them every other day to help keep them fresh.

[muggs]

hmm...like the two shoes idea. Would not have thought of that.

I actually have this program that's fairly mild and builds over time. Right now I'm running 15-18 miles per week, 3 or 4 days a week depending on how busy I am.

Here's the program. Week 1 is:

Sunday: 4 miles Monday: off Tuesday: 4 miles Wednesday: off Thursday: 3 miles Friday: off Saturday 4 miles

It then builds from there over the next 9 months. Not too bad. I've seen some programs that are as short as 18 weeks.

[toddyboman]

That looks like a good approach.

I worked about 7 years in the athletic shoe business so I know a thing or two about shoes and running. If you get serious about it buy GOOD shoes. And rotate them. Your body will thank you later. If you want any advice on types of shoes let me know.

[muggs]

Yeah, what type of shoes? I'm sporting some $40 New Balances. They're not bad, but I've been considering getting some real running shoes.

[Tominator]

You realize that's like Cleveland to Elyria, right?

http://www.geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm?loadpage

Run that picture over to my dad's, eh?

[muggs]

Chris, my brother, I'll get you that pic soon, don't worry. You'll be pleasantly pleased with the results...but you're gonna have to trust me. Whohahahahaha:eek:

[toddyboman]

First you need to determine if you pronate or supinate excessively to the point of you need extra support to help this.

Pronation refers to the inward roll of the foot during normal motion and occurs as the outer edge of the heel strikes the ground and the foot rolls inward and flattens out. A moderate amount of pronation is required for the foot to function properly, however damage and injury can occur during excessive pronation. When excessive pronation does occur the foot arch flattens out and stretches the muscles, tendons and ligaments underneath the foot.

Supination is the opposite of pronation and refers to the outward roll of the foot during normal motion. A natural amount of supination occurs during the push-off phase of the running gait as the heel lifts off the ground and the forefoot and toes are used to propel the body forward. However, excessive supination (outward rolling) places a large strain on the muscles and tendons that stabilize the ankle, and can lead to the ankle rolling completely over, resulting in an ankle sprain or total ligament rupture.

A good sales person can see this in your walk or can look at the bottom of your current shoes and see the wear pattern and know.

A motion control shoe is one that will help you if you pronate excessively.

Not everyone pronates excessively.

BRANDS of SHOES

I do not believe one is a better brand than another.

I have wore Nike, NB, Adidas, Mizuno, Asics, Saucony, Reebok and others and have loved and hated each. The key is to find which one fits your foot the best.

I personal have been a bigger fan of the NB, Asics, Mizuno mainly because they fit my foot the best.

I could list hundreds of names of shoes that are good but I would suggest you to go try some styles first and see what you like.

Other things to think about.

Try shoes on in the socks you will be running in.

Remember your foot will swell some as you run. So try shoes on at the end of the day after you have been on your feet.

Walk around the store some in the shoe to make sure its good or check with the sales person if its ok to walk around your house indoors with the shoe.

Don't expect to walk right in and buy the perfect shoe.

Sorry to be long and drawn out. Most people never dream about all this info about just "buying shoes" but after years of selling shoes its all engraved into my brain to think this way.

If I can help you out with anything let me know.

[muggs]

First you need to determine if you pronate or supinate excessively to the point of you need extra support to help this.

Pronation refers to the inward roll of the foot during normal motion and occurs as the outer edge of the heel strikes the ground and the foot rolls inward and flattens out. A moderate amount of pronation is required for the foot to function properly, however damage and injury can occur during excessive pronation. When excessive pronation does occur the foot arch flattens out and stretches the muscles, tendons and ligaments underneath the foot.

Supination is the opposite of pronation and refers to the outward roll of the foot during normal motion. A natural amount of supination occurs during the push-off phase of the running gait as the heel lifts off the ground and the forefoot and toes are used to propel the body forward. However, excessive supination (outward rolling) places a large strain on the muscles and tendons that stabilize the ankle, and can lead to the ankle rolling completely over, resulting in an ankle sprain or total ligament rupture.

A good sales person can see this in your walk or can look at the bottom of your current shoes and see the wear pattern and know.

A motion control shoe is one that will help you if you pronate excessively.

Not everyone pronates excessively.

BRANDS of SHOES

I do not believe one is a better brand than another.

I have wore Nike, NB, Adidas, Mizuno, Asics, Saucony, Reebok and others and have loved and hated each. The key is to find which one fits your foot the best.

I personal have been a bigger fan of the NB, Asics, Mizuno mainly because they fit my foot the best.

I could list hundreds of names of shoes that are good but I would suggest you to go try some styles first and see what you like.

Other things to think about.

Try shoes on in the socks you will be running in.

Remember your foot will swell some as you run. So try shoes on at the end of the day after you have been on your feet.

Walk around the store some in the shoe to make sure its good or check with the sales person if its ok to walk around your house indoors with the shoe.

Don't expect to walk right in and buy the perfect shoe.

Sorry to be long and drawn out. Most people never dream about all this info about just "buying shoes" but after years of selling shoes its all engraved into my brain to think this way.

If I can help you out with anything let me know.

Dude. You know a lot about shoes. Thanks man. There's actually a new running shop that just opened up in Mentor, the neighboring city. I might head up there soon. I have really bad ligament damage in my ankles so this is something I think I should look into.

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

First you need to determine if you pronate or supinate excessively to the point of you need extra support to help this.

Pronation refers to the inward roll of the foot during normal motion and occurs as the outer edge of the heel strikes the ground and the foot rolls inward and flattens out. A moderate amount of pronation is required for the foot to function properly, however damage and injury can occur during excessive pronation. When excessive pronation does occur the foot arch flattens out and stretches the muscles, tendons and ligaments underneath the foot.

Supination is the opposite of pronation and refers to the outward roll of the foot during normal motion. A natural amount of supination occurs during the push-off phase of the running gait as the heel lifts off the ground and the forefoot and toes are used to propel the body forward. However, excessive supination (outward rolling) places a large strain on the muscles and tendons that stabilize the ankle, and can lead to the ankle rolling completely over, resulting in an ankle sprain or total ligament rupture.

A good sales person can see this in your walk or can look at the bottom of your current shoes and see the wear pattern and know.

A motion control shoe is one that will help you if you pronate excessively.

Not everyone pronates excessively.

BRANDS of SHOES

I do not believe one is a better brand than another.

I have wore Nike, NB, Adidas, Mizuno, Asics, Saucony, Reebok and others and have loved and hated each. The key is to find which one fits your foot the best.

I personal have been a bigger fan of the NB, Asics, Mizuno mainly because they fit my foot the best.

I could list hundreds of names of shoes that are good but I would suggest you to go try some styles first and see what you like.

Other things to think about.

Try shoes on in the socks you will be running in.

Remember your foot will swell some as you run. So try shoes on at the end of the day after you have been on your feet.

Walk around the store some in the shoe to make sure its good or check with the sales person if its ok to walk around your house indoors with the shoe.

Don't expect to walk right in and buy the perfect shoe.

Sorry to be long and drawn out. Most people never dream about all this info about just "buying shoes" but after years of selling shoes its all engraved into my brain to think this way.

If I can help you out with anything let me know.

dang man, your a regular al bundy when it comes to shoes

i think i pronate when i walk/run. good luck muggs, i'd probably pass out after the first mile

[toddyboman]

Thanks guys!

We just kinda scratched the surface.

If i can help you guys out anymore let me know.

[muggs]

I have a long way to go, that's for sure, but I have a lot of time. Right now I could probably force myself to do 9 or 10 miles, and I'd be dead tired for days after. To think that's still a long ways off marathon distance.

[Tominator]

I have a long way to go, that's for sure, but I have a lot of time. Right now I could probably force myself to do 9 or 10 miles, and I'd be dead tired for days after. To think that's still a long ways off marathon distance.

Yeah, not even half way. 9 or 10 miles would only get my picutre to Lakewood. And a sweaty buff guy does not want to stop in Lakewood.

[tp793]

You really really want to watch out and make sure to stretch your shins every time before you run and after you are done running. Shin splints will end any work out you plan on doing for up to three weeks. They come from running on really hard surfaces like pavement and such, but if you have a track nearby I would un on that as much as possible. Also, the shoes realllllly make a big difference on whether or not you are going to get shin splints and how bad. I had them this year during track and had to take IBUprofen before every race I ran (mid-distance) just so that I could run without pain and definetely paid for it the next day as I could barely walk, let alone run. Just a few things to think about and keep in mind.

[Ravin R10 man]

after looking at the foot exrays..think I'll stick to my wheeler..LOL

[Bachflock]

Eric... I'm a rookie runner but just finished reading an article in "Runner's World" about training for a marathon. I'd like to run one in 2008 also but I'm coming off a quad "injury" - overdoing it basically and its set me back. Here's the link to the article - hope it helps:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244-255-11932-0,00.html

[wildside]

Muggs,

Just be sure to go easy on the sports cream.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19208195/

How scary is that?

I've always enjoyed running. Come to think of it, I've been running for over 25 years. I enjoy the mental benefits as much if not more so than the physical. For years I did 10Ks and a couple of 10-mile road races. I also did a duathlon and was the biker on a triathlon team. My hope is to do a local triathlon next spring, but getting out there and putting in the time is a bit tricky with two young children. But, what do they say? - "If there's a will, there's a way!" Mental preparation is essential.

That toddyboman really knows his stuff! His advice on the shoes is great. I was hooked on the Nike Pegasus shoe for years. Then they revamped the model, and it just wasn't the same. I switched to Asics and have loved that shoe. So it really is all in the fit for you, regardless of brand.

Hope the training is going well for you. Good luck and have fun!

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

I've thought about doing a marathon for years... that's as far as I've gotten. use to be a very active runner and need to get back into it... might commit to a half marathon next year to get myself motivated... good luck!

[Guest swampfox]

I started training for a half marathon about 6 weeks ago. When I began looking into it, I was suprised at how little running was involved. I used to think that I would have to run 8-10 miles five days per week. Most of info that I have found recommends much shorter distances on several days per week, one long run, and 2-3 rest days every week. I can do this.

I have made up my own schedule of days and distances that suits me, but still closely mirrors the other programs found online. I based my schedule on these two programs:

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,sss6-238-244--6851-1-2X5X8-4,00.html

I did 8.5 miles today and it felt great. My biggest problem so far is that I cannot find a 10K or half marathon in my area for months. Maybe I will forge ahead and prepare for a full marathon in the fall when the races come around. Hopefully, I will have lost a few kilos by then.