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Couch to Marathon- Need advise

Posted on 10/28/22 at 5:09 pm
Posted by RocktownHog52
Little Rock
Member since Sep 2013
422 posts
Posted on 10/28/22 at 5:09 pm
Runners, how doable is starting Hal Higdon 18 week beginner program with little base?

For background, I used to run 5ks and have done 6 or so half marathons but never really was motivated to do a full. Best half time was 1:43. I got burned out on running about 3 years ago and haven’t done much since.

I’m 40 now, 6’ about 190 (when I was running I was about 180). I lift weights and do some intermittent HIIT.

My brother challenged me to do a marathon (19 weeks away) and if I decide to do it, I’ll be all in, but don’t want to ramp up so fast I end up hurt, or waste the time if it’s just a bad idea in this time frame.

Thoughts?
Posted by gizmoflak
Member since May 2007
11667 posts
Posted on 10/28/22 at 7:07 pm to
quote:

19 weeks away


Oof
Posted by The Implication
south philly
Member since Sep 2019
524 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 6:50 am to
I think it’s doable, I had a similar experience with 18wks and completed my first in a respectable time. The weight training and hiit will help too.

Do you have a specific time in mind?
Posted by RoyalWe
Prairieville, LA
Member since Mar 2018
3135 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 7:46 am to
Philippides did it without formal training, but he died at the end of his journey. So, I say go for it.
Posted by el Gaucho
He/They
Member since Dec 2010
53119 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 8:47 am to
Don’t do it bruh
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
35425 posts
Posted on 10/29/22 at 9:04 am to
What would David Goggins do?
Posted by TKLSUMD
Young Harris Georgia
Member since Oct 2011
1847 posts
Posted on 10/31/22 at 7:21 pm to
If you can run 4-5 miles currently, it is doable. Just increase your long run by 1 mile per week up until 20 miles, then start 3 week taper. Galloway run/walk makes it even easier.
Posted by BlackPot
Member since Oct 2016
2068 posts
Posted on 11/1/22 at 11:41 am to
From no running to 26 miles would be a hell of a challenge. If you do decide to do it, film it and slap that baby on YouTube with monetization. People would check in on that progress for sure. Especially if you do the full marathon.
Posted by kballa6
Houston
Member since Mar 2009
4081 posts
Posted on 11/1/22 at 12:54 pm to
It's doable and that's specifically what his beginner plan is for. I would suggest not aiming for a specific time and just to cross the finish line uninjured. A lot of people still do a run/walk method and get through without issues. You can do it. Good luck.
Posted by Aubie Spr96
lolwut?
Member since Dec 2009
41201 posts
Posted on 11/1/22 at 1:00 pm to
My man! Let us know how this goes. I thought the Couch to 5K was brutal. This ought to be amazing.
Posted by TAMU-93
Sachse, TX
Member since Oct 2012
898 posts
Posted on 11/1/22 at 1:30 pm to
I was in my mid-thirties when I tried something similar. I followed the program in a book called Four Months to a Four-Hour Marathon. I had been running 3 miles, 3-4 times a week when I started training. The program consisted of shorter faster runs during the week and longer slower runs on the weekend. When I got up to around 15-mile runs, my knees started hurting. I pushed through the pain only to end up injured with not enough time to recover before the race.
This post was edited on 11/1/22 at 1:48 pm
Posted by Tiger Ryno
#WoF
Member since Feb 2007
103158 posts
Posted on 11/1/22 at 3:31 pm to
I don't get the idea of running a marathon. It makes no sense to me.
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