DXchulo

I should probably go to a running forum, but you guys might get where I'm coming from with this cycling analogy. Most people seem to agree that if you can ride 70-75 miles in a relatively comfortable fashion, then you should be able to ride a century without much trouble. What would be the equivalent for a marathon? How many miles should I comfortably be able to run to be pretty sure I could do a marathon?

I would hope to finish somewhere between 3 and 3.5 hours, so does something like 2.5 hours make sense, or should it be higher?

TysonB

Way too many variable here to respond very well. BUT, if you can run comfortably for 18 miles and do it three or four times before a marathon, and IF you have the absolute willpower to run at only about 65% of your 10K race pace, you should be able to finish a marathon without two much trouble.

Remember, DON'T get cocky. For most people, the race doesn't really begin until mile 20.

Tyson

rplong

Most marathon programs have you run a 18 to 20 miler three weeks before the event. This gives you enough time to recover as runs that long cause micro tears in your muscles that need to be healed. For my first marathon I ran one 20 miler three weeks before. I am running one next weekend and I have ran two 20's and a 22.

What I would recommend is to run these long runs in the same amount of TIME you plan on running the full thing in. For example if you want to run a 3:30 marathon then do your 18 to 20 miler in that amount of time. You want to be ready to be able to run that long of a time. The feet time is the most important part for me. I worry about putting in the speed during the marathon. Good Luck and I hope this helps.

jrennie

+1 to rplong, your long weekend runs should be around 20+ miles. a 3 hour marathon is a pretty big goal, 7:15 is really fast if you aren't even up to the distance yet but durning races you can run alot faster with the motivation of others.
Personally, I have trouble during thoes last 5-7 miles, I just get sick of running and easily distracted(or focused on the pain)

Ironwoman

I agree with the 20 mile advice. Plus, I would advise putting in a lot of mileage per week in the months before your race. (unless it's a triathlon) If you run 40+ miles per week, you should be good to go.
In my training, I do one long run per week...from 12 miles building up to 20 miles (or perhaps more).
I also do one track workout per week for speedwork.
The "wall" seems to move further out with more mileage in the tank.

I have done the Ironman with practically no run training in the 6 months prior to the race (I was injured). I made it, but it is a lot more fun with the proper training. \

Be sure to do your taper before the race. You can start cutting back on mileage about 3 weeks prior to the race. ...then really cut back race week. (I do practically nothing race week - just some short runs...maybe some pick ups)

Good luck to you!

jrennie

While you may be able to "suffer" through a marathon on 40 miles a week, I would suggest double that. I try to log on average 40-50 miles per week for a half, better to be up to speed on the distance and be able to enjoy the time than limping in pain for 10 miles

TriBob

Yes, 40 is a minimum. But, 80 is a lot and for experience marathoners. 50-60 mpw with 2 or 3 cycling days is a comfortable range. Check out Hal Higdons programs. He has them broken out by experience level. https://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00index.htm

Ironwoman

Yes, 40 is the minimum (that is why I said 40+). ...but it is something to shoot for. If I'm training for a marathon, I will actually do 56-60 miles per week in the later months. But, shooting for 40+...and making sure to get in some long runs will get you there.

I've found for myself that training for Ironman - doing a lot of biking, swimming, and weight training - a lot of that transfers over for running, and I can do well with a lot less mileage than when I was just training in running.

jrennie

IronWoman touched on a good point, making sure to get a long run in each week is the most important part. You could start every morning off with a nice 10k run and get 45 miles a week but that wont prepair you enough

MHR

To just finish you could get by with 40-45/miles per week - your target time for a first timer is about 4:00 hours. Without a good running background or quality training build-up...3:00 - 3:30 would be a real long shot unless your the gifted type.
I tend to run 3-marathons/year and I am a 3:10 runner in a marathon only event on a pretty flat course like MCM in good weather conditions. I get there on 65/miles per week on a 8-12 week cycle peaking at near 90. I would recomend the book Advanced Marathoning as it will teach you all the necessary components you need to include in your training.

My training will change greatly depending on the event and the time of year. As an example - how I train for Chicago, Detroit or Disney (Flat and Fast) is very different that how I train for Boston or Pikes Peak which have very different demands.

There are 2-schools of thought on the need for long runs and the Hansons have proved you don't need the long run to be fast or finish strong in the marathon. In fact their longest run is near 16.

The other (and the most followed) is the need for some long run training. I believe the long run is important as I tend to run (4-5) 20-mile runs in a given build-up, along with at least 6-other types of run specific training sessions (such as speed work, general aerobic, tempo, short, middle-distance, hill repeats, etc...). Although I have run a few 3:20's on ZERO long runs and on 40/miles per week.
Then again - I have run about 16-marathons since January of 2000 and tend to peak and re-peak year round so I can get away from it here and there.
Don't forget - Mother nature has alot to do with the outcome.

The bottom line is build or follow a quality training plan that has a reasonable goal. Taper and go into race day knowing your are fit and strong and are ready for the challange.

dogpound

I actually find this training plan great:

https://www.furman.edu/FIRST/fmtp.htm

It was designed by triathletes for low milage marathon training.

rexford

The longest training run I did before doing the chicago marathon in October was 20 miles. It took me a long, long time- but finishing a marathon at 273 pounds seemed like a pretty good achievement. Several friends of mine warned me that you are half done at 20 miles and it is the truth.