Similar experience. Generally I can complete a half with barely any training (say, a couple of runs - the first of 3 miles, then another of 5 miles). Training for a marathon took me a good 3 months of progressively longer training runs. Even then, I still cramped up for the last 6 miles.
This sounds familiar. The training really is a huge commitment if youāve never done one. A half is no big deal imo. A full is orders of magnitude more taxing on your body and time. I was up at 4am running for a couple of hours just to get the miles in. Glad I did it once, but no need to do another.
I also cramped (in my left foot) at about mile 20 of the one I did. That last 10k was brutal.
never done a full, have completed at least 25 halfs. The first 2 I did with training groups, and then from there I have felt confident enough to be able to set my training plan, execute, and modify as needed. If you do pull the trigger, I would strongly encourage finding a group that meets regularly for a long run and helps you plan out the rest of your week as well. If I ever get signed up for one, thatās what Iām going to do, even though I have completed so many halfs, because I recognize that it is an order of magnitude different and I need both some leadership as well as accountability and community.
Started running a bit over a mile every other day in hopes of training for a half marathon. Having the nike app record the times helps with motivationā¦ seeing CS at the start of this thread doing something similar was funā¦ until he completed the half and said the running never felt betterā¦
Does running ever get to a point where itās not awful?
Yeah it turns out most people just run too fast when they start out. Try to run the slowest pace you can without walking and youāll find out you can go much further without getting tired.
Or try keeping your heart rate below 150.
Ah thanks for the tip, Iāll try that. At the moment I donāt have a way to track heart rate. I used to have a smart watch but just went back to my normal watch after a while. Any thoughts on something that would record data and monitor hr but isnāt super expensive?
Iām happy with my Garmin. Had it a few years now so the new models are probably significantly better. It gives me heart rate on the go and a chart of the heart rate (and altitude) from the run that I can look at after.
Running should feel better with practice. However, if you are running with injury it wonāt. How does it feel awful - where do you feel it?
The other thing you can do if you donāt have a monitor is to do the talk test. You should be able to talk while running and if you canāt, youāre going too fast.
1 Like
I used to play soccer years ago and weigh 180, height 5ā11 so Iām not especially overweightā¦ I think Iām just super out of shape.. I suppose it reminds me of early days of track when the coach used to say throwing up is normal.
1 Like
Maybe I should talk to myself out loud while I run lol
the other thing to do if you donāt have a monitorā¦ is to get one lol.
At least then someone will listen to you.
1 Like
I do this when I run up the mountain nearby with frequent bear sightings - lots of loud whistling too.
I have two friends who have both signed up for the full who have never done one either. Sort of leaning toward trying it. Itās not a huge fee if I have to downgrade.
2 Likes
You can also wait until the day before and buy race packages for fulls on FB. Thereās always a million people signed up for fulls that injure themselves and end up trying to downgrade to a half the day before.
Not really suggesting you do this, but yeah, thereās always a lot of them for sale the day before.
I hope you get to try it. From my experience, itās important that a week or two before you get a run in thatās at least 2/3 of the distance youāre aiming to do, so around 17-18 miles.
During the race, runners often hit the wall at 20 miles but if you have some nutrition (gels or electrolyte drinks, which I didnāt have the time I started to cramp) you should get through it.
The other thing I learned when doing longer distances, is to put band-aids on my nipples. Some guys start to get nipple chafing and it can start to get unbearable for the long runs.
Thanks for the advice! I used a few gels during the half and they definitely made a difference.
We just watched that episode of the office where they do the 5k run. The nipple thing is all too real. Was going to post the gif but then thought better of it 
treadmill this morning, after a 10 minute warm-up walk, I did 2 miles, first one in 9:35, second one in 9:05. Really happy with those. I think I could have kept the 9:35 pace for mile 2 and 3 if Iād gone for a 5k.
Saturday is an event, 5 miles (one loop) or 10 miles (2 loops) on the same trail I twisted an ankle on two weeks ago. There is a little snow on the ground, and itās cold, so very different conditions from then. Iām still planning to go, but havenāt registered yet.
Goal will be <60 minutes, on the trail and snow. Actually, first goal will be DONāT GET INJURED! Then I can go for a time goal. As long as the trail isnāt too slippery, itās not very hilly at all so shouldnāt be hard to keep a reasonable pace.
At about an hour, I donāt need band-aids on the nipples. I do want to develop a product called āNip Slipā thatās like a lubricant that goes on and will stick for something like 12 hours, much longer than band-aids will stay on, and then naturally comes off without pulling the chest hairs and such.
2 Likes
in my mind the marketing pitch is always in Clark Griswoldās voice, āItās a non-toxic lubricant that coats and seals the nippleā¦ā
3 Likes