I might make a long-term goal of running the New York Marathon.  Anyone out there ever run a marathon?  Any advice (length of time preparing, max height weight ratio, etc.).

I used to run 5k’s & 10k’s, but never a marathon.  It would be a great thing to be able to say I did.

Okay, thanks everybody and good night.

I have run the New York marathon and if you have the opportunity go for it! I put a report about it on my personal website:

http://www.enduranceandencouragement.com/nyc.htm

I didn’t qualify but got in through the lottery. Feel free to ask me any question. I hope you do it.

Wow Trekrider, what an amazing goal!!

I had a friend in Boston who lost over 80 pounds, started running and completed the Boston Marathon.  What an amazing accomplishment.  If you really want it, you can do it.

In answer to the questions you posted: expect to spend 18 weeks or more training. Most programs expect that you can run/walk minimally 3 miles. Here are links to two of the more popular programs
http://www.halhigdon.com/
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/
Some programs have the longest distance covered be 18 miles and I think you should try for a a little more than that. 
Height/weight ratio-start where you are! You will feel great when you complete it. Since you have already done 5 and 10k races you know what it takes to train to that point, you will just be tacking on more miles. You might consider doing a half marathon along the way. Good shoes are important and expect to replace your shoes every 300-500 miles. Hope that helps.

Trekrider,
Check out http://www.runnersworld.com.  They have lots of great advice on training, shoes, and all the other fun stuff for running a marathon.  I just caught the running bug myself, today was my first run.  I am training up for a 5k run in either September or October.  If I like it then I will continue on to a 10K and a half-marathon run next year.  Who nows maybe there will be a marathon in my future too??  We will see

Scooby

I found this book really useful - it just “clicked” with me where other’s hadn’t.  It’s based on the marathon class offered by the University of Northern Iowa, which has got 200+ first time marathoners through with only 1 failure over the 10 years.  The book talks a lot about the mental training needed too.

Have a look here

I looked at the excerpts and I think all the mental training aspects would really help. Did you do a marathon and read the book as you did it? I would think that even if you had done marathons before it would be benefitial.

It was my first marathon, had not run any distnce for over 10 years.  I just bought the book and used it solely for my training.  Will be using it again for 1/2’s and my next one.

I’m going to have to look for a copy of that book. Which marathon was your first and what one are you doing next?
Donna

Donna,

I ran London this year (April) and have registered for the ballot for next.  Doing a half in Feb as well, irrespective of getting a place in London.  Was troubled by ITB problems throughout training which resurfaced at mile 9.  So the day meant a lot of walking and a easy PB to beat

Great job doing your first marathon. Hey did you see this utube video of the day after the marathon?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-hCuYjvw2I

Do you have to do a lottery to get in?

Donna

Hey Donna, that brought a smile to my face, I remember feeling great on the Sunday and had planned to go to work Monday, but found that someone had riveted my legs to the mattress :-(

I ran for charity, so had a guaranteed place (in return for sponsorship money) I am in the lottery for next year’s though.

The day after your half marathon will be alot better. Hope all is well with your ITB while your training now.

I have an appointment with a podriatist Friday - hopefully some whizzy orthotics will correct problem otherwise I will struggle as miles rack up.

Let us know and keep us posted on your training progress.

Hi!  I am also training for my first marathon on December 14th.  I completed my first half marathon in April, using a run/walk program in the book Marathoning for Mortals.  This book gives you lots of info on what you need to be prepared.  It has training programs for half and full marathons...and range from walking, walk/run, run/walk, or running the whole thing (for full and half marathons).  It’s written by John Bingham “the penguin,” who is a “normal” person who is also a runner (he has a column in runners world magazine too). 

One piece of advice that was particularly helpful is to get in the bathroom line as soon as you get to the event, and as soon as you get finished in the bathroom, immediately get back in line.  I thought this sounded nuts when I read it, but I followed his advice and was SO glad I did!  It has a lot of practical info in it. 

Congrats and PYOTB to anyone and everyone involved in training for a race.  I started with a 5K a year ago and it truly changed my life.