Ever participated in a running marathon before?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I'm volunteering in the set-up for a local marathon event because of my recent interest in learning more about it. Participating in a true 42K marathon is something I'd MAYBE try for fun a few years down the line, but I've been thinking about 5k or a Half-Marathon for something I'd like to try for fun in the recent future.

Anyone here every participated in one? What time did you post? Did you do any strict preparation for it, or did you just train more lightly? And if the former, did you have any personal goals in mind beyond just participating?

I realize this board probably isn't the most fitness conscious around, but I know there are some athletes in here.

[Captain Highwind]

No, but I would like to someday.

I need to start training first of course, 'cuz I don't think I have the lung capacity right now. ^^;

As for training, I figure if I just gradually work my way up to a distance equal to that of the marathon without getting too tired, I'll be alright (similar strategy to strength training).

It seems like this is something that could really mess me up if I'm not prepared.

[purplehairedwonder]

I haven't (I'm an athlete, but I HATE running with a passion), but my older brother is really into running. He's run the Peachtree Road Race the last few years in Atlanta and he's doing a half-marathon on Thanksgiving that he's training for right now. He got a training plan off the internet--apparently this week is seven mile runs. I'm not sure about the details of his training other than having an 'easy' week every four weeks of the plan, but I know he also does workouts that just use his body weight, which, combined with all his running, have really slimmed him down.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

No, but I would like to someday.

I need to start training first of course, 'cuz I don't think I have the lung capacity right now. ^^;

As for training, I figure if I just gradually work my way up to a distance equal to that of the marathon without getting too tired, I'll be alright (similar strategy to strength training).

It seems like this is something that could really mess me up if I'm not prepared.

Yeah. It depends on how comfortable you are with the current state of your body too. Some people as young as 25 may struggle with asthma or weight problems or lingering injuries they suffered earlier in life. I don't have any of these problems, which is why I feel like trying it out. If I really start to feel beat up, I'd probably just slow down and walk and earn a DNF if I can't make it to the finish line before the time limit of the entire race, but that's not something you want to happen in a marathon.

Still, some people train to do well (have a certain time and placing in mind for a goal) and some people train to just be able to get through it at their own pace.

Currently, I'm nowhere near ready to do something like a 42k. I can walk a half-marathon (or so) distance in about 3-4 hours without many problems, aside from a blister or two on my feet, and I walk at a regularly faster pace for longer periods of time than most people (I'm always waiting for my family to catch up by 2-3 minutes whenever we go sightseeing in a walking area) but picking up my pace to a run is something I've historically never been good at.

Purplehairedwonder--That's pretty cool, I know a lot of "real" marathon runners pretty much train every day at various degrees of difficulty, with only 1 day off a week where they rest and do nothing.