First Marathon

[shannybear13]

Hello, I am new to RM and considering doing my first full marathon. I am comfortable with the half marathon distance and wondering how long I should allow myself for training to increase my distance to a full. I was thinking I could be ready by fall. Also I am wondering what are some good fall marathons that are not yet sold out to run for my first...

[Double Bellybuster]

Welcome. 16 to 18 weeks is more than enough.

My impression (with some experience thrown in) is that the Ontario Fall Marathons stack up from best-to-worst as:

1. Prince Edward County
2. Detroit (partially run in Ontario)
3. Hamilton
4. Niagara Falls
5. Toronto Waterfront
6. Ottawa Fall Colours
7. The Canadian (Ottawa)
8. Thunder Bay
9. Brampton

Good luck! Please don't be a stranger, we'll be cheering your progress at our PC monitors.

[HCcD]

Throw in a couple of US destination marathons late in the Fall, and you have ... Philadelphia (late November), Las Vegas (early December) and Honolulu (mid December) ... and, of course, Disney World Mickey Mouse Marathon on January 13, 2013 ... and, would allow you an extra 4-8 weeks of training

eta: I believe that Philly will open up registration on April 1st / 2nd .. and, if it is anything like the other Fall US Marathons, it may sell out quickly this year ...

[shannybear13]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have looked at many of these. I ran detroit last year (half) which was beautiful. I was looking at Philly as an option. Vegas in December would be great too. Lots to cosnider. First step get to that distance

[Stephan]

Good luck and remember to enjoy the first one, crossing the line is the main goal and one you will never forget.

Happy training!

[shannybear13]

Thank you..crossing the finish line is the only goal for my first time. I will enjoy every step of the way, thank you!

[canalrunner]

Hello, I am new to RM and considering doing my first full marathon.

Why would you ever want to do that!! You know it will hurt!!

Seriously, awesome goal. Fall would be enough time. Good suggestions on location although I would do it close to home to minimize the small things that can happen. Also doing it in a race where you know people may help. If you are in London, Ontario, Toronto Scotia, Hamilton, Niagara, Detroit are all great suggestions. You have picked a good site for friendly advice and support. All the best.

[Dr. S]

Welcome to RM!

Not sure if you're willing to travel but Philadelphia marathon registration is opening April 1st and it's a great race. 18 weeks is more than enough to train for a marathon if you feel comfortable with a half now and have been training consistently.

Good luck! You'll never forget your first time!

[Ken B]

Fantastic. Another one to consider is Erie, Pennsylvania - it is in September and is a two loop flat route around an island park- very scenic.

Have fun!

[Marg]

I will also throw wineglass out there. Have heard very good things and the medal is cool.

I LOVED Philly.
Btw, welcome here! Nice to have you join us.

[Pat29]

I'd recommend Philly as well if you are planning to do a marathon in the States.

[dgrant]

Welcome. Hope you have a lot of fun training for your marathon. If you haven't seen them already, runningintheusa.com is a good resource for finding races (particularly the more obscure ones) and marathonguide.com is a good one for getting feedback from fellow runners about particular events.

[shannybear13]

Thank you so so so much for all your warm greetings and great suggestions. I will definately be checking them out. Now I may end up on the other side of having too many marathons that I want to do and needing to choose one

I am glad to have found a forum to ask these questions, I do not have many friends that run

[Jwolf]

Thank you so so so much for all your warm greetings and great suggestions. I will definately be checking them out. Now I may end up on the other side of having too many marathons that I want to do and needing to choose one

I am glad to have found a forum to ask these questions, I do not have many friends that run

Welcome.

You may also want to check out the Running Room in London. If you do train for a marathon you can join in with their group long runs on Sunday even if you don't join a running clinic. You may also want to join the clinic (for weekly group workouts and information sessions on a different night). (Not a sales pitch- I have nothing to do with the Running Room monetarily, but it's a great place to meet other runners.)

[shannybear13]

I did the half marathon running group through Runners Choice in London which really helped me a long the way. I am thinking I will do the same for the full, as long as it works out with my work schedule. I work afternoons so it I do my weekday runs in the mornings where most groups do them in the evening. Its weird how in a big city like london there is not a day training group.

[Jwolf]

I did the half marathon running group through Runners Choice in London which really helped me a long the way. I am thinking I will do the same for the full, as long as it works out with my work schedule. I work afternoons so it I do my weekday runs in the mornings where most groups do them in the evening. Its weird how in a big city like london there is not a day training group.

I don't know of any big cities that have daytime groups. I we did too, but I suspect there wouldn't be enough interest.

[scrumhalfgirl]

I did the half marathon running group through Runners Choice in London which really helped me a long the way. I am thinking I will do the same for the full, as long as it works out with my work schedule. I work afternoons so it I do my weekday runs in the mornings where most groups do them in the evening. Its weird how in a big city like london there is not a day training group.

I don't know of any big cities that have daytime groups. I we did too, but I suspect there wouldn't be enough interest.

Ottawa has a triathlon group that trains during the day. It is aimed at retirees, shift workers and stay at home parents with kids in school.

[QuickChick]

Good luck! Spring and summer are great times to train. I hope you find a good group of people to run with for the really long runs- it can be very helpful! You'll get lots of encouragement on here I'm sure.

[Dr. S]

Thank you so so so much for all your warm greetings and great suggestions. I will definately be checking them out. Now I may end up on the other side of having too many marathons that I want to do and needing to choose one :)

I am glad to have found a forum to ask these questions, I do not have many friends that run

There are definitely lots of marathons to choose from!! I am always torn as to which one to choose!

[Robinandamelia]

All the best in training for your first marathon! There's nothing like the first that's for sure, from start of training to crossing that line!

[ultraslacker]

Fall marathons are awesome not only because they are in the fall, but also because you get to train in the summer (as QuickChick mentioned!).

Welcome to RM, and have fun with your training. :)

Also, if you want to travel, the Victoria marathon is pretty great and I think would make an awesome first marathon. Beautiful course, good support, well organized.

[Jwolf]

I did the half marathon running group through Runners Choice in London which really helped me a long the way. I am thinking I will do the same for the full, as long as it works out with my work schedule. I work afternoons so it I do my weekday runs in the mornings where most groups do them in the evening. Its weird how in a big city like london there is not a day training group.

I don't know of any big cities that have daytime groups. I we did too, but I suspect there wouldn't be enough interest.

Ottawa has a triathlon group that trains during the day. It is aimed at retirees, shift workers and stay at home parents with kids in school.

that would be awesome- don't know anything like that here other than a trail-running group that doesn't really suit my needs.

Sorry for the hijack shanny!

[Double Bellybuster]

Hello, I am new to RM and considering doing my first full marathon. I am comfortable with the half marathon distance and wondering how long I should allow myself for training to increase my distance to a full. I was thinking I could be ready by fall. Also I am wondering what are some good fall marathons that are not yet sold out to run for my first...

What did you decide on?

[shannybear13]

running detroit in one week. Count down is on. Excitement and emotions are already flowing.

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

Awesome!