Marathon or Half Marathon? (Page 2)

I can do a 10k under 60 minutes.  What are you saying this is a good starting place for?  While I don't plan on just getting by for the full, I have no illusions that I'm going to run a 7 or 8 min. pace either.  I also didn't mean to suggest that a 10k is any "easier" to train for.  But I can't very well set a goal of 7min. miles when I'm currently running around 9:30.  I can't force my speed.  But I can put the time/distance in.  Does anyone know where you could find a plan that would incorporate marathon training into tri training in the off season?  Or have suggestions as to how much time for each sport?  This will be my first off season and I'm so afraid of losing what I've gained.

#1 - The ING this year was not your first marathon

#2 - You have a much more substantial running base to work from

I think many people underestimate the importance of a solid running base. I've seen people do their first marathon "just to finish" with very little volume in their training plans. I've seen them get through the race and then need a very long time to recover. While they did finish - often substantially over 5 hours - they were miserable afterward because the recovery took them away from being able to do much of anything for much longer than they expected. Since she is already concerned about what running a marathon will do to her HIM plans, IMO the best course of action is for her to build a substantial running base in preparation for the marathon. There is no doubt she can finish on less training, but doing so could very well have a negative impact on her other goals.

Most people would be better off training for a 10K the way they train for a marathon, and forgoing the marathon.

In the end, you do what you want.  The opinions are many.

My opinion on this issue...  Do the half.  Your recovery time after the marathon will affect your ability to train for the HIM, even if they are 6 months apart.

Beyond that, I don't think you're physically ready for marathon training.  I don't think 8 months will get you there, either.  You could go out and do it, sure.  But I would recommend against it.

Why does everyone want to rush into the marathon, anyway?  Why not skip the HIM and go straight for the IM?  Heck, skip the marathon, go for an ultra.

I'm not a cheerleader, I'm not the person who's gonna tell you that you can do anything you put your mind to.  I'd rather see you do the smart thing, and put in a little more time to get to the point where you can train for and run a marathon while being happy doing it, than to check something off some list.

As for training for a marathon on a bike...  Yeah.  I would NOT do that as first-timer.  Those who do it have years of running experience. 

This is a good question. Actually it will be my first off season from tri as well while before I was just a runner.

I tell you what is my plan: focusing on improving my PBs on 10k and HM on running, no marathons at all but keeping 2x swims (mainly tecnique sessions with the team) and 2x bikes (sometimes one of those in a spinning class) and strength training 2x.

Of course, if I had to prepare a marathon for my PB, I would skip completely the 2x bikes sessions keeping the swims.

But this is just my point of view. Nothing taken from any plan, only from my small experience. 

x2 Nice post

Ha.  I completely agree actually.  I see people all the time signing up for things they are not ready for.  I don't know why I thought this was different.  I know I COULD do it, but it's a matter of if I SHOULD.  Probably not, given my running history so far.  I guess waiting another year and getting a better running base would be the wiser thing to do.  Plus, I just realized that Powerman Alabama is going to be 2 or 3 weeks after it.  Definitely can't do that after a full marathon.  I guess that can be my motivator, try to run enough between now and then that I can handle a long course du 2 weeks after a half. lol.

I made a Spring 1/2-marathon my primary goal last winter.  I had run 1:52, 1:46 and 1:41 in 2007 for my first three efforts at that distance.  For 2008, I was training for a 1:35.  I only achieved a 1:36 on the course where 12-months prior I ran 1:52...  It was the most gratifying training and racing experience - lots of cold wintry runs.    The race was on 4/6/08.  The training and minimal recovery set me up nicely for Olys in May & June and my HIM on 8/2 where my 13.1 split dropped from 2:03 to 1:48.     I can tell you that I've gained lots by running consistently 20-30 mpw and focusing on the middle distances.

I've done 3 marathons and will be doing my 4th this November.  For each marathon I've run (4:30 in 2002, 4:00 in 2006 and 3:47 in 2007), I was undertrained and likely lost fitness due to the tough recovery - especially when you don't get up to the 40 mpw range (my max was 38 mpw achieved in 2007).  Marathons are a great challenge and I do get satisfaction by completing them.  However, I don't beleive they make me a better runnner; and certainly not a better triathlete...  I think I may have just talked myself out of my fall marathon...

Brian.