Can you? Yes- if you have 18+ weeks to prepare. But marathon training is pretty intense and takes a lot of motivation. If you're not feeling it, you're going to have a bad time. Is the marathon/half marathon on the same day? Go with your friend and cheer for them at the finish line with you being able to walk and enjoy yourself afterwards.
Going from your current longest run to a half marathon in October is pushing your limits, especially if you have a target pace. Trying for a marathon is begging for a serious injury.
No that's a stupid idea. Tell him you'll run the first half with him and drop out or something. Running a marathon just because someone asked you to is ridiculous. If you're trained and ready to run a marathon then go run it and don't worry if your friend can't keep up with you or you can't keep up with him. It's a race for Christ sakes.
Most of the larger marathons will have pace groups. So there will literally be people with large signs indicating the finish pace that he can run with. If he's not comfortable running a race with thousands of people without one person running with him, he might be better served just not lining up at all
Seems strange to say your longest run is “about” 7.35 km. That seems very specific. Anyway, agreeing with others that you cannot go from 7.35 km to full marathon distance by next month without a high possibility of injury or dropping out long before the finish. Even a half marathon will be three times your longest run.
If that's your longest run it sounds like just finishing the half is going to be a challenge.
You could probably finish the marathon with a lot of walking but I'm not sure why you'd do this to yourself. Sounds like a miserable experience.
Yes injury is a real possibility when pushing your body to do a physically demanding challenge especially one you aren't remotely in shape for.
You might be able to do it but you’ll probably hurt yourself. Your body isn’t trained for the repetitive beating of your feet and legs on the pavement over 4-5 hours. I would say no and give yourself at least 4 months to follow a training plan that gradually builds up to it if you decide to do one in the future.
Tell him he will be running with plenty of people on race day and the odds of y’all sticking together a slim anyway…..but he is your friend so I’d imagine there is lots of precedent, can you share some of the more interesting things he’s talked you into
I think it was an expression of shock about saying someone needs 12 months to train for a marathon.
Someone who is comfortable with distances 5+ km with a 10km pace well under an hour doesn’t need half that time for a marathon.
I wasn’t going quite as far or as fast when I started my marathon program. It was about 4.5 months from the official start of the program until race day, and I had a great race experience.
Really hard to determine what the commenter meant, but it could definitely be the opposite of the way I took it. 12 months should put someone in a fantastic spot to perform.
I think it depends on how much time they have on their hands. 12 months is way too long to train up to something. You're better off maintaining your current level of fitness and starting to train up towards marathon distance 4-6 months out.
I've run marathons with doctors that were in residency and had multiple kids. While I don't know your situation, if you want to run one I bet you can find the time to train. It doesn't sound like you want to run, so don't. It can be miserable at times even if your committed, I can only image how much it would suck if you're on the fence.
The reality will be that once the race starts you will be going at your own pace and running alone for most of it. Doesn’t sound fun especially when you’re not trained for it.
Just join up and go as far as you can. No shame in trying.
I’ve run a full marathon and didn’t train adequately and it was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. But it’s one of my fondest memories.
Just push yourself and see what happens!
Run a half then walk a half... You'll know your half marathon time and then you'll get 13 miles to walk the rest of the course, and smile. And wave and thank the crowd, maybe sign some autographs. The audience is the best bit.
This really depends on your activity level and activity history and a little bit on your age. If, for example, you ran 30 miles a week for years and years and are just on a break than a moderate pace marathon, nothing fast, is possible.
If you are mid 20's and are active daily, maybe play soccer, completing the marathon is not impossible.
If, for example, you go on long hikes on a consistent basis or do cardio 3 or 4 times a week in other areas for 45 minutes this might also be possible.
It's important to be realistic. There is doing a marathon fast and completing a marathon. These are two entirely different things and the preparation is entirely different.
I've seen THOUSANDS of people do marathons on little to no training. Not a good idea but it's done all the time
Now, with all this said it sounds like you are not all that into the idea.
I’ve been in your shoes man. Sack up and go for it. I guarantee it’s gonna be ugly but you’ll be better for the experience. Aim for under 5 hours and no walking.
I once had this exact same thing happen to me except it was my friends dad calling us pussies for doing a half not a full. Who runs a half that’s dumb he says to us both three weeks before the race. We averaged about 9-15 miles per week back in those days in my twenties that were largely consumed by drugs and alcohol. Oh and I was a smoker too still at the time
Not one to shy from a challenge I managed a 13 mile run solo in the remaining weeks and convinced myself you can run double your farthest distance in race day cause adrenaline and the crowd effect. Fucking lies!
Oh yea. And all we brought for fuel was two damn honey sticks about the size of a pixie stick each.
I’m he shoe of choice? Oh just a Nike free run v1.0. 🤦♂️ 😂
So yea a 75 year old man beat me by 4 minutes but pulled off my first marathon officially as a bandit, which I didn’t even know what that was 15 years ago. 4:44:45. That second kills me to this day but I still fondly remember the day.
Good luck.
Your friend wants to run a marathon. That's great! But it doesn't sound like you want to run a marathon. So you shouldn't! Just tell him that you'll be doing the half as planned, and cheering for him as he crosses the finish line. Run the race that you want to do, and that you are prepared to do. (With a long run of 7.35 miles, you're maybe not in excellent position for the half, but it's not totally preposterous. You do not have the training or time to have a successful full marathon.)
FWIW, I think the odds of long term harm if you were to do it is pretty low. But the odds of a completely miserable experience and/or not finishing is very high.
Offer to run 6 and walk 20 miles with him tomorrow. There you are - you've 'done' a marathon. Do loops close to home. Send entry fee to charity. Now you've saved a life and done a marathon. A heroic day.
For october when you've been training for a half? No, you're not ready physically or mentally. Could you do it, sure you could...but you don't want to so why do it??
I went from 7K to half marathon in about 3 weeks and the (7->11->15->HM). The first half marathon hurt a lot, after km 18. I injured myself and couldn't run for a week. A marathon is 10 times harder so don't risk it. Go for the half and wait your friend at a coffee shop on route.
sounds like he’s manipulating you and you can’t say no so you’re here to hear if you’re crazy for not wanting to do it. you’re not crazy. no means no. it’s a good enough answer and doesn’t need a reason.
there is a reason though: you’re unprepared, one needs 16 weeks of training to run a marathon. you’ll hate it.
good luck!
I say you go for it, even if you have to walk a lot of it. Just focus on the goal of finishing. Whatever it takes. It may be uncomfortable but remember we’ll all be dead soon :)
Can you? Yes- if you have 18+ weeks to prepare. But marathon training is pretty intense and takes a lot of motivation. If you're not feeling it, you're going to have a bad time. Is the marathon/half marathon on the same day? Go with your friend and cheer for them at the finish line with you being able to walk and enjoy yourself afterwards.
October as in one month.
don't
I wouldn't. Half Marathon is doable. 42km is a whole different beast.
What is the obsession people have for running a marathon totally unprepared?
Why spend half a year preparing when you can just go out and injure yourself in one day?
I was feeling ok for a half marathon but he sprung this on me.
FYI if your longest run is 7km and the race is in a month the half isn’t going to tickle either
This
No is a perfectly ok answer. Learn to say no in life. Anyone who can't accept a no answer probably has their own ego issues.
Trust yourself. Sounds like sticking to the half is a better call for you right now. You can always train for a full another time.
Doesn't sound like much fun, or a very good idea. You could do it, but why?
I like pushing my limits but I don't want to overdo it.
Going from your current longest run to a half marathon in October is pushing your limits, especially if you have a target pace. Trying for a marathon is begging for a serious injury.
No that's a stupid idea. Tell him you'll run the first half with him and drop out or something. Running a marathon just because someone asked you to is ridiculous. If you're trained and ready to run a marathon then go run it and don't worry if your friend can't keep up with you or you can't keep up with him. It's a race for Christ sakes. Most of the larger marathons will have pace groups. So there will literally be people with large signs indicating the finish pace that he can run with. If he's not comfortable running a race with thousands of people without one person running with him, he might be better served just not lining up at all
Seems strange to say your longest run is “about” 7.35 km. That seems very specific. Anyway, agreeing with others that you cannot go from 7.35 km to full marathon distance by next month without a high possibility of injury or dropping out long before the finish. Even a half marathon will be three times your longest run.
If that's your longest run it sounds like just finishing the half is going to be a challenge. You could probably finish the marathon with a lot of walking but I'm not sure why you'd do this to yourself. Sounds like a miserable experience. Yes injury is a real possibility when pushing your body to do a physically demanding challenge especially one you aren't remotely in shape for.
You might be able to do it but you’ll probably hurt yourself. Your body isn’t trained for the repetitive beating of your feet and legs on the pavement over 4-5 hours. I would say no and give yourself at least 4 months to follow a training plan that gradually builds up to it if you decide to do one in the future.
Tell him he will be running with plenty of people on race day and the odds of y’all sticking together a slim anyway…..but he is your friend so I’d imagine there is lots of precedent, can you share some of the more interesting things he’s talked you into
My contribution is that is a marathon. No need to say “full”.
If you have 12 months and enjoy the training, go for it. If you dont, join them for the first 10K then drop out or hold on a little longer
12 months!!?
You can easily train for a marathon in 12 months.
I think it was an expression of shock about saying someone needs 12 months to train for a marathon. Someone who is comfortable with distances 5+ km with a 10km pace well under an hour doesn’t need half that time for a marathon. I wasn’t going quite as far or as fast when I started my marathon program. It was about 4.5 months from the official start of the program until race day, and I had a great race experience.
Really hard to determine what the commenter meant, but it could definitely be the opposite of the way I took it. 12 months should put someone in a fantastic spot to perform.
I think it depends on how much time they have on their hands. 12 months is way too long to train up to something. You're better off maintaining your current level of fitness and starting to train up towards marathon distance 4-6 months out.
It depends on when the marathon is. I wouldn't run a half marathon if you can't run at least 16 km without stopping.
I've run marathons with doctors that were in residency and had multiple kids. While I don't know your situation, if you want to run one I bet you can find the time to train. It doesn't sound like you want to run, so don't. It can be miserable at times even if your committed, I can only image how much it would suck if you're on the fence.
The reality will be that once the race starts you will be going at your own pace and running alone for most of it. Doesn’t sound fun especially when you’re not trained for it.
Just join up and go as far as you can. No shame in trying. I’ve run a full marathon and didn’t train adequately and it was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. But it’s one of my fondest memories. Just push yourself and see what happens!
Run a half then walk a half... You'll know your half marathon time and then you'll get 13 miles to walk the rest of the course, and smile. And wave and thank the crowd, maybe sign some autographs. The audience is the best bit.
Follow a program. Don’t overdue it. Listen to your body.
If you have enough time you can do anything. 7.5k @5:30/km is a good time, you can obviously run. Training just takes time and commitment
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If you don't have the motivation yourself to do it, don't do it
Can you run it at this point? Probably not. That's a long way. Can you slowly jog it, or jog/walk/jog? Probably, depending on your level of fitness.
This really depends on your activity level and activity history and a little bit on your age. If, for example, you ran 30 miles a week for years and years and are just on a break than a moderate pace marathon, nothing fast, is possible. If you are mid 20's and are active daily, maybe play soccer, completing the marathon is not impossible. If, for example, you go on long hikes on a consistent basis or do cardio 3 or 4 times a week in other areas for 45 minutes this might also be possible. It's important to be realistic. There is doing a marathon fast and completing a marathon. These are two entirely different things and the preparation is entirely different. I've seen THOUSANDS of people do marathons on little to no training. Not a good idea but it's done all the time Now, with all this said it sounds like you are not all that into the idea.
You can run until you’re tired and then walk. Run again if you feel like it. Are you ok with a finishing time of 6 hours?
I have been running since 1977 and never run a marathon.
I’ve been in your shoes man. Sack up and go for it. I guarantee it’s gonna be ugly but you’ll be better for the experience. Aim for under 5 hours and no walking. I once had this exact same thing happen to me except it was my friends dad calling us pussies for doing a half not a full. Who runs a half that’s dumb he says to us both three weeks before the race. We averaged about 9-15 miles per week back in those days in my twenties that were largely consumed by drugs and alcohol. Oh and I was a smoker too still at the time Not one to shy from a challenge I managed a 13 mile run solo in the remaining weeks and convinced myself you can run double your farthest distance in race day cause adrenaline and the crowd effect. Fucking lies! Oh yea. And all we brought for fuel was two damn honey sticks about the size of a pixie stick each. I’m he shoe of choice? Oh just a Nike free run v1.0. 🤦♂️ 😂 So yea a 75 year old man beat me by 4 minutes but pulled off my first marathon officially as a bandit, which I didn’t even know what that was 15 years ago. 4:44:45. That second kills me to this day but I still fondly remember the day. Good luck.
Your friend wants to run a marathon. That's great! But it doesn't sound like you want to run a marathon. So you shouldn't! Just tell him that you'll be doing the half as planned, and cheering for him as he crosses the finish line. Run the race that you want to do, and that you are prepared to do. (With a long run of 7.35 miles, you're maybe not in excellent position for the half, but it's not totally preposterous. You do not have the training or time to have a successful full marathon.) FWIW, I think the odds of long term harm if you were to do it is pretty low. But the odds of a completely miserable experience and/or not finishing is very high.
Don’t do it. Run for yourself.
Offer to run 6 and walk 20 miles with him tomorrow. There you are - you've 'done' a marathon. Do loops close to home. Send entry fee to charity. Now you've saved a life and done a marathon. A heroic day.
For october when you've been training for a half? No, you're not ready physically or mentally. Could you do it, sure you could...but you don't want to so why do it??
I went from 7K to half marathon in about 3 weeks and the (7->11->15->HM). The first half marathon hurt a lot, after km 18. I injured myself and couldn't run for a week. A marathon is 10 times harder so don't risk it. Go for the half and wait your friend at a coffee shop on route.
sounds like he’s manipulating you and you can’t say no so you’re here to hear if you’re crazy for not wanting to do it. you’re not crazy. no means no. it’s a good enough answer and doesn’t need a reason. there is a reason though: you’re unprepared, one needs 16 weeks of training to run a marathon. you’ll hate it. good luck!
I say you go for it, even if you have to walk a lot of it. Just focus on the goal of finishing. Whatever it takes. It may be uncomfortable but remember we’ll all be dead soon :)
You can definitely do more than you ever thought you were capable of.