NYC Marathon

So I have decided to do the NYC Marathon this year and am just looking for some support for anyone else who is doing it! This is my first full and and I think the training is pretty rough! This week I have to do 17 miles! I have done 15 and did pretty well but I am still nervous! Any tips???

Re: NYC Marathon

After much procrastination, I decided to give it a go myself. This is my 3rd and I honestly hate training for marathons, but something is making me do it a final time "again". I feel like it's a sign that I need to do it because I entered the lottery and got in, the chances are so slim, especially with all the deferrals from last year's marathon.

You seem to be right where you should be. I ran 16 last week and will drop down this week and go back up to 18 next weekend. My suggestion is that since this is your first full that you do "drop down" weeks in-between your longest runs. So if you do 17 this weekend, do 10-12 the following, then go up to 19 the week after. I find that allows your body to recover from the really long runs. Also, I think a 3-week taper works well for the marathon...meaning your last "very" long runs should be 3 weeks prior. Just experiment with food and hydration during your long runs - nothing new race day!!

The training is rough - I wish I could say otherwise. I'm also in my early 40's, so the body doesn't respond as well to this as it used to!! I have 2 young children and work full time, so I have to get creative with fitting it in. We went away this past weekend and I didn't know how I would get in my long run - so I ran it BEFORE work last Thursday, 16 miles!! Totally insane!! Just listen to your body and don't over do it, your first should be about finishing. My final tip is to respect the distance!! It's very hard to predict how you'll do...it's grueling, but very rewarding when you finish. Start out easy, don't get caught up in the hype too early (the first few miles in Brooklyn are flooded with spectators and it's easy to get caught up and waste energy). The course is crowded, there are some hills, but the experience is amazing and you'll do great!! Good luck!!

NYC Marathon

Thanks so much for your advice! The training is def rough luckily I am not working now and my son is 10 months so I do my weekday runs before he even wakes up! I thought doing 8 during the week was rough and you did 16!!! Last week I did 13 this week my plan calls for 17 then 18 then down to 12 then 19 then 20 then taper 12 to 8 then mararhon so it is pretty much exactly what you said! I didn't get in thru the lottery I fundraised! I've done several halfs and wanted to do it last year but I had a baby October 14th. I hope to just enjoy it am take it all in because I don't think I want to do this again lol. Training for a half is much easier! Good luck to you and yes you do have to do it as you got in through this years lottery because not many did! Good luck I'm sure you will do great!!!

Re: NYC Marathon

Thank you - sounds like you are following Hal Higdon's plan? I think you will do great and it will be such an accomplishment for you!! And great job on the fundraising, I did it one year, it's not easy.

NYC Marathon

Yes i am following the Novice 2 plan and one other good thing is i am training with 5 of my friends!! Thanks for your advice it makes me feel better:)

NYC Marathon

Whoa!!! Didn't you just have a baby?? You are my inspiration!! Good for you!!

NYC Marathon

I'm not running the NYC marathon- couldn't get in. But I am running my first full in November. I'm doing the Richmond marathon.

Currently in my training I did my longest run last week of 15 miles. This week it's 16 and then it's a dropback week before going to 18. It's definitely one of the more challenging things I've done. Marathon training is not easy and I find you have to be so consistent with the training. So that's the only advice I have- be consistent and make sure you follow drop back weeks. They really help me to push forward. But just know I feel the same. It's overwhelming and very challenging. But with training I feel anyone can do it. And I hear you about the weekly longer runs. 8 miles during the week while working full time and having 2 year old dd is hard to fit in. I usually run right when I get home before it gets dark or in the morning. And the kicker is my husband is also training for a full too so we sometimes have to get really creative with our schedules.

Good luck!!!!

NYC Marathon

I'm not running the NYC marathon- couldn't get in. But I am running my first full in November. I'm doing the Richmond marathon.

Currently in my training I did my longest run last week of 15 miles. This week it's 16 and then it's a dropback week before going to 18. It's definitely one of the more challenging things I've done. Marathon training is not easy and I find you have to be so consistent with the training. So that's the only advice I have- be consistent and make sure you follow drop back weeks. They really help me to push forward. But just know I feel the same. It's overwhelming and very challenging. But with training I feel anyone can do it. And I hear you about the weekly longer runs. 8 miles during the week while working full time and having 2 year old dd is hard to fit in. I usually run right when I get home before it gets dark or in the morning. And the kicker is my husband is also training for a full too so we sometimes have to get really creative with our schedules.

Good luck!!!!

NYC Marathon

I'm not running the NYC marathon- couldn't get in. But I am running my first full in November. I'm doing the Richmond marathon.

Currently in my training I did my longest run last week of 15 miles. This week it's 16 and then it's a dropback week before going to 18. It's definitely one of the more challenging things I've done. Marathon training is not easy and I find you have to be so consistent with the training. So that's the only advice I have- be consistent and make sure you follow drop back weeks. They really help me to push forward. But just know I feel the same. It's overwhelming and very challenging. But with training I feel anyone can do it. And I hear you about the weekly longer runs. 8 miles during the week while working full time and having 2 year old dd is hard to fit in. I usually run right when I get home before it gets dark or in the morning. And the kicker is my husband is also training for a full too so we sometimes have to get really creative with our schedules.

Good luck!!!!

NYC Marathon

I'm not running the NYC marathon- couldn't get in. But I am running my first full in November. I'm doing the Richmond marathon.

Currently in my training I did my longest run last week of 15 miles. This week it's 16 and then it's a dropback week before going to 18. It's definitely one of the more challenging things I've done. Marathon training is not easy and I find you have to be so consistent with the training. So that's the only advice I have- be consistent and make sure you follow drop back weeks. They really help me to push forward. But just know I feel the same. It's overwhelming and very challenging. But with training I feel anyone can do it. And I hear you about the weekly longer runs. 8 miles during the week while working full time and having 2 year old dd is hard to fit in. I usually run right when I get home before it gets dark or in the morning. And the kicker is my husband is also training for a full too so we sometimes have to get really creative with our schedules.

Good luck!!!!

Re: NYC Marathon

NYC Marathon

Okaay ladies So, I am running it to and haven't run more than 8 since my last marathon last October. But I am doing a long run this weekend. Hoopefully I still got it. LOL this will be my fourth so I am not too nervous but I am alittle.

NYC Marathon

I ran 10 today easily. Hope that's a good sugn

Re: NYC Marathon

NYC Marathon

Thanks. Next weekend I am participating in the CMC in Brooklyn which is miles and many obstacles. The following weekend I'll do 18. I think it should be okay. I am a group fitness instructor, I do Crossfit daily, I "should" be okay. We shall see I am not going for a PR. I want to enjoy this marathon. I've waited so long to get in.I am goingi to run my own race this time and just enjoy it.

Re: NYC Marathon

Re: NYC Marathon

Re: NYC Marathon

Re: NYC Marathon

NYC Marathon

I'm in West Islip as well!! I usually run to Amityville straight down Montauk Highway. Do you know of any intersting routes by us?

Re: NYC Marathon

Re: NYC Marathon

I'm doing NYCM too!

First - how is everyone getting there? I hear the Runner's Edge bus is the best way - I just have to call them to find out more about it. DH is going to drive me home.


15 miles for me is so the breaking point. Hate everything over 15. This year, my training plan is very different, since, I was training for a long triathlon. I haven't run over 13 miles. I am doing 16 tomorrow - but I'm breaking it slightly up, since I have to stuff mailboxes for Cow Harbor.

This is my 5th time training and mentally I can't do 20. I wasn't planning to run a marathon this year, but like PP, I got in, so I couldn't turn it down. My brain is just not in it, so I'm going to try running by time. 3 hours max...so my long run will be around 18 miles.

You will be fine....adrenaline helps a lot. I ran San Diego when DD was 9 months and I got through it fine - even undertrained a bit.

Re: NYC Marathon

NYC Marathon

Hey girls I did 18 on Saturday and actually felt great I could have def done 2 more. I needed a good run because the 17 the week before was rough for me and I was doubting myself! However I did feel my legs shuffling a bit the last mile i was tired LOL. As far as the day of I plan to take the LIRR and subway downtown to the Ferry. I signed up for the 8:30am Ferry. I would rather do that than the bus at runners edge since that is even earlier LOL!

Re: NYC Marathon

Yeah for 18!

You make sense about Runner's Edge being early! I have an 8:15 ferry time...That would mean 6:15 train I guess? hmmm