I am considering training for a marathon. Please note my use of the word considering. I have found a training plan I think I could do (or at least attempt to do), and it is definitely something I want to do. My reservations are that running 26.2 miles is obviously insane (duh), and that I'm starting school in the fall, which training would overlap with. I counter these reservations by telling myself that people manage to run marathons, even people who aren't "runners," (heck, people manage to walk marathons), and that there will always be something in my life that causes me to be very busy and stressed out, and if I wait for it to go away I will never ever run a marathon. I'm already planning to continue working out seven days a week when school starts, so why can't some of those times be really long runs? Then my common sense kicks in and I think, "Why not train for a 10K or a half marathon?" Then again, why not go all the way?

I don't know what exactly I am expecting from you all with this post. I think I need to say it out loud and see how real live people who do not live in my apartment respond. I am appreciative in advance of your support, optimism, pessimism, sarcasm, statements of certain failure, and more!

hey there Paja!! have you ever ran a 10K or half before? right now i am training for a 5K in June and a 10K in August and hopefully a 1/2 marathon next year. I find it easier (and less frightening) to ease into it but if you want to do a full marathon then you go girl!! i believe you can do it!! if you do decide to ease into it though, don't lose the dream of eventually doing a marathon! best of luck to you!
Aubrey

I agree with PP. I'm currently getting ready to take my licensing exam but when I'm done in May I want to start training for a 10K this year, a half marathon next year and then I will reevaluate how I feel about a marathon.

There was a nice NOVA special on PBS about people who have never run before training for a marathon - so you can do it for sure. I say go for it. I personally like the half marathon distance, which works for me and fits in my life. I spend ample time running but it doesn't rule my life.

Other people fit marathon training in, and ironman triathalon training. Go for it!! You are totally correct when you say that your life will always have something that makes training "inconvenient." Personally, I have found the running community to be very supportive, and I like interacting with runners.

You can do it!

What is your base right now? Are you starting from zero or are you starting from a decent base.

I dont recommend starting on marathon training if you arent running or walking right now (whichever you intend to do, they are NOT interchangeable and neither is other cardio fitness) or havent been consistently for at least 6 months. Yes it can be done (and to be fair, I did it myself but I also ended up too injured to do much of anything for 6 weeks after the marathon.)

I can tell you for sure that regardless of pace the impact and recovery when you have a long term solid base before beginning a marathon training program is HUGE. Marathon #1 I did a couch to marathon kind of deal and as stated was fairly injured for several weeks and could barely function for several days going up and down stairs, tec.

I did my 5th marathon monday with inadequate training but a solid base and I did 4 miles of walking the day after, 2 sessions on the elliptical today, and I expect to be running again by this weekend. I could run right now, I just dont feel like it (mentally, not physically). But I chased my kids around the park.

MTA: also when you do choose one and are trying to figure your schedule remember that about 3-7 weeks before the marathon is the biggest training period, not the last weeks.

I would suggest starting out with a 10k or half. I thought that I wanted to do a full marathon (after doing several 5ks) but training for my first half marathon has made me re-evaluate if I want to go on for a full. A 15k or 21k will give you a good idea of the training/time commitment involved and if you enjoy the longer distances.