Beginners questions: Philadelphia?

Quoted message said:

Sorry>

Yes you are (never start off your post with an apology)

Can you do it? It's marginal.

Ok I'll be of more help. It's probably doable if you are willing to
take it easy, and not push for a certain time. AND if you don't come up
injured in the next 5 months, another very real possibility. Forget the
gadgets, they will not help you. Those are pretty much for advanced
runners.
Someone here will point you tords a training site.
Remember, no matter how slow you think you are going, you can always go
even slower.

Quoted message said:

I am wondering if I should run the Philadelphia Marathon on November 20.

Quoted message said:

2. Is it a nice marathon?

A coworker has enjoyed it. I know it's sometimes noted as a good
marathon for runners to acheive particular time goals: the course is
quite flat, and it's run late enough in the year (couple or three weeks
after NYC, right?) cool weather is pretty much a lock.

The epinions of marathons is at http://www.marathonguide.com

Quoted message said:

3. Would you recommend me to run a half-marathon first?

Yeah, and ideally before that, a few shorter races like 5k, 10k. There
are a number of good reasons not to make a marathon your first race, in
with which (<-- that's for you, Cowpie) others may chime, or else
google will reveal much wisdom. Considering that

(a) you ask the above question, and
(b) speak of 'running' a marathon rather than 'doing' it, and
(c) are even aware of the existence of races of other distances,

it sounds like you're on the right track and more likely than many to
do the right thing.

If you were at least a decade older and more of a couch potato, I'd say
think about a marathon in fall 2006; in your case spring 2006 is
probably reasonable. As far as being able to train for Philly 2005,
line up healthy and uninjured, run most or all of the distance, and
enjoy it: well, maybe, with luck and youth on your side. But IMO your
odds are a lot better, and moreover you'll enjoy and appreciate it a
lot more, if you build up training and experience and races this
summer, fall, and winter, toward a spring marathon.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Markus Dehmann said:

Sorry, I am a newbie...:

I am wondering if I should run the Philadelphia Marathon on November 20.
It's 5 months until then. I am 28, generally fit and used to exercise. But
I have never run a marathon. I have done some running in the recent years,
usually once or twice a week for about 30 minutes. Occasionally, I have run
for one or two hours.

1. As I understand it, everyone can register for the Philadelphia marathon,
even people who haven't run a marathon before?

True.

Quoted message said:

2. Is it a nice marathon?

It was in 1983. I plan to run it again this year.

Quoted message said:

3. Would you recommend me to run a half-marathon first?

Yes. Too many people decide to run, do a Marathon, have a bad
experience, and give up running. In fact, I'd recommend that you sign up
for a 5k, then a 10k, then a 10-miler, then a half-Marathon, then maybe
something in the 18-mile range.

Quoted message said:

4. Where do I find training guides online (for 5 weeks training)?

I hope you mean "months."

Quoted message said:

5. I am interested in an electronic gadget that tells me how far I have been
running, what's my pulse etc.

A heart-rate monitor is of some value. You really shouldn't be worried
about speed and distance so much right now. Worry about building up how
long you run.

A good book is "Four months to a four-hour Marathon." You might also
look at "Marathon" by Jeff Galloway.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

In article <[email hidden]>,

Markus Dehmann said:

Sorry, I am a newbie...:

I am wondering if I should run the Philadelphia Marathon on November 20.
It's 5 months until then. I am 28, generally fit and used to exercise. But
I have never run a marathon. I have done some running in the recent years,
usually once or twice a week for about 30 minutes. Occasionally, I have run
for one or two hours.

1. As I understand it, everyone can register for the Philadelphia marathon,
even people who haven't run a marathon before?

True.

Quoted message said:

2. Is it a nice marathon?

It was in 1983. I plan to run it again this year.

Quoted message said:

3. Would you recommend me to run a half-marathon first?

Yes. Too many people decide to run, do a Marathon, have a bad
experience, and give up running. In fact, I'd recommend that you sign up
for a 5k, then a 10k, then a 10-miler, then a half-Marathon, then maybe
something in the 18-mile range.

Quoted message said:

4. Where do I find training guides online (for 5 weeks training)?

I hope you mean "months."

Quoted message said:

5. I am interested in an electronic gadget that tells me how far I have been
running, what's my pulse etc.

A heart-rate monitor is of some value. You really shouldn't be worried
about speed and distance so much right now. Worry about building up how
long you run.

A good book is "Four months to a four-hour Marathon." You might also
look at "Marathon" by Jeff Galloway.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson