I personally would not encourage new runners to train for a marathon in their first 6 to 9 months of running. Of course I don't know your situation, level of fitness, running background, sports history, etc. so take this as just one person's opinion.

However, you will find alot of experienced training advice that recommends a good solid 1 to 2 years of running before tackling the marathon. That is generally called having a good "base". The marathon distance can be VERY hard on your body and training for it can also be VERY hard on your body -- even for long-time runners.

If you are truly new to running, my advice to you is to realize that you have the rest of your life to enjoy the sport, so take your time and train up slowly, consistently, and injury-free! It will pay off in a BIG way if you invest your time in a slower, methodical approach to getting a good running base. You can truly ENJOY all of your runs! Put any stress or worry about distance or pace completely out of your mind -- you will, over time, go farther and get faster, there is no need to rush! There are many distances to run and all of them are fun! Enjoy them!

Edited to add: many new runners are anxious to rush the training process. They worry that if they alternate running and walking, or go slow, or don't go far enough that they aren't "REAL" runners. Trust me, the moment you commit to running and go out there and do ANY amount of it at ANY speed, you are a REAL RUNNER. The exciting thing about being a new runner is that you are going to have a boatload of FIRSTS almost every time you go out and train! Almost every week you are going to see dramatic improvements! It is thrilling. This is unique to being new to the sport, so really ENJOY it! Once you have been running for a long time, improvements in speed etc. come much slower and take much more work (in my experience) so really appreciate your experiences as a new runner!

You can count me in as a second opinion on this one! A full marathon is a very significant physical effort. Your body needs time to adjust to the demands of high-impact running. If you try to ramp mileage up too quickly, you risk injury and burnout. That's not to say that people haven't done it very successfully, it's just taking a risk, IMO.

I can share my own personal experience. I decided to run a full marathon after only a year or so of running. I had done a couple of half marathons and had a running mileage base of maybe 15-20 miles per week, tops. I did successfully train for and complete the marathon, but my knees were hurting, it was a real struggle, and almost burned me out on the sport of running. It ceased being fun for me. I ultimately ended up taking a 2 year break from running altogether. Thankfully I got over all that, started running again, and rediscovered my joy in running. In retrospect, I see that I was not ready and pushed my body past reasonable limits and paid a price for that.

There are so many shorter races that are just as satisfying and fun as full marathons. I'd suggest setting your sights on a half marathon first, and see how that goes. You still get the "event" excitement and a finisher's medal, but a half is MUCH less effort than a full. I totally agree that it's better to build gradually toward a lifetime of running enjoyment than to rush the process and get discouraged and possibly injured.

Just my 2 cents! (and I was over 40 when I started running too, so welcome to the adult-onset athlete club!)

+ 4.61 mile run today...

Third this.

I would spend 6 months - a year building a solid consistent mileage base before even considering STARTING a marathon training program ( a decent training program is 4-5 months).

And consider this. You still have weight you want to lose. For weight loss, the marathon is NOT the optimal distance, especially for a new runner. The overall intensity level HAS to drop in order to accommodate marathon training. Certain aspects of long run fueling can take a lot out of a weight loss program, and during the last month of marathon training weight loss can significantly hamper your training. Even experienced runners often struggle with weight gain during marathon training.

I would train now for 5K and 10K's and in 6 months maybe start a HM training program at most.

GAH, in my other running group I am on page THREE of the YTD mileage (there are people in that group who will end up with 5000 miles). I need to get my run in! Going to treadmill today and catch up on back episodes of Grey's Anatomy. I never watched the series until recently when Lifetime started over from the very beginning. I'm on season 2 now. But they broadcast 15 episodes a WEEK.

5000? That's awesome.

No that's crazy! Actually the guy who ended up at 5250 miles last year (and missed the last 2 weeks of the year) just found out he will be racing on the US 24 hour race team at the world championships in France next may. He ran 142 miles in a 24 hour race last year.

Oddly, even though I had no desire to run today it was one of my easier runs. 8 miles. Back on page 2 where I belong.

MTA: and 1 1/2 episodes of GA - thank goodness for DVR

+5 bike and + 4 run

41/1500 bike and 9.75/ 1000 run

I think I'll set my goal at 5,000 too...

After all I only missed it by 4,400 or so miles last year...

nah...then ENNAY would be pushing me....

16/1000 MILES

Haven't updated all week...
+5.15 on Wednesday, treadmill
+10 on Thursday, stationary bike
+4.5 today, treadmill

Am going to try to get outside Sunday even though it will still be darn cold. Will see.

I've been running now for a little over a year, and am thinking about doing a half marathon in March. It is hard enough thinking about 13.5, I wouldn't be able to conceive training for a full right now. I'm thinkig about moving the half date back to summer, actually. Afrid the weather will interfere with the training.

Will doing too many 10k races interfere with training for a half? I guess I my if they all take place on my long run days and shorten the long runs, hmm?

Good day everyone!

Thanks to everyone for your input about running a marathon in 6-9 months. I REALLY appreciate it. My thought after reading what you all had to say is to do the half marathon next January. I have some 5K and 10K's plotted out to do over the next few months since right now I am running btwn 4-6 miles a day depending on the day....I love to run.

Today's Distance (01/08/10)
Walk: 3.0
Jog: 2.5

21/1000

Okay. I know I'm starting late....but I'm in. Since I'm a newbie and know that I have no fitness level whatsoever.....I'll start out shooting for 1000 this year. If I set it any lower, I'll just say 'oohhh....I can catch up later!". I'll look at this as an experiment to see how far I can get.

Treadmill.......watch out!!!

7.5 today - this staying on the 2nd page thing is challenging....but the resolutioners should back off soon. right?

MTA: not the people here, the ones on my running board

3.2 in the foothills today. Amazing what hills and loose sand will do to make a run harder!