Marathon

hey peeps i know its noty really boxing related but thought you might be able to help. im in the process of applieing for the london marathon, just wondered if you had any advice for gaining entry, training ect, and if any of you have ever done 1?
cheers

I run the keswick half marathon on a regular(ish) basis... though I don't do a lot of training for it.

Cardio shouldn't be an issue (sounds stupid but bare with me ;))because not excerting yourself a lot... just for a long time. In my experience I've never been gassed out... I just can't bend my legs after about 9 miles! :P I've got the lungs for it just from doing boxing conditioning but not the muscular endurance in my legs.

So you want to be getting miles in them... run for distance, do a lot of walking and try to complete a few half marathons as part of your training. I'm guessing you should be aiming to do 5-8 miles a few times a week.

From the little I know about long distance running, I know that they try to clock up a certain amount of miles a week rather than just per run.

My dad was a pretty good cross country runner, to bad he's away for the week or I'd ask him! :P

An area I should probably be more knowledgeable on... I just haul myself on long runs with my boxing club/mates when we go on holiday etc... never train to improve at them ;)

cheers for the info adam cc, im gna give it a go, I just hope i get a place ive heard it can be quite hard.

Interesting subject, Ive been working with Triathletes for some time and they are pretty good. One goes in for Iron man events those 3 day events fucking lunatics. One is a guy whose field is muscle science, who comes 3 times a week for a 1 to 1. Now he tests all the top Athletes in the country, but was knackerd Himself I dont know how they get these jobs. Anyway I devised a program of isometric stretch which improved his pb. Now a few years ago I was a beleiver in getting the miles in now Im not. The idea should be to improve muscular performance, not to destroy muscle and tendons, its those 2 things which moves the structure that moves you joints. The idea is to train the muscle to expand for larger contraction and a better ability to rid itself of what stops you Lactic acid contracting all the time doesnt seem the way to success only injury.

CC. The only contribution i can offer is wishing u my luck, its a big undertaking but achievable. Let us no.

I've done a marathon. It went pretty well and was great for my confidence in fitness for boxing. After all if you've run a marathon recently and you begin to feel tired in later rounds you can bet your opponent feels more tired because stamina is one thing you should have - at least that's what i tell myself.

The basics that seem to work for me:

1) Have at least one long run a week eg. on a Sunday

2) Don't stop doing your speed training - track repeats of 200 to 800 m or 1 km repeats or fartlecks - whatever rocks your boat. maybe once or twice a week.

3) A moderately long run mid week is good - say 3/4 the length of your long run up to a max of about 1 and a half hours (might be less than 3/4 your long run at max mileage)

4) Don't forget your easy runs - to recover after hard days and keep the legs moving. I'm not a great stretcher but that'll probably help heaps too.

5) Build up mileage by no more than 10 % a week so you don't get injuries

6) increase your long run distance for 2 consecutive weeks then have a lighter week before beginning the cycle again.

7) If it's your first just take it easy - don't race hard until the last 10 km or so - this is the kind of event which feels great to finish strong because then you'll be overtaking everyone but most people are too tempted to take off early and either don't finish or feel like absolute crap trying to finish.

8) Get a water belt - need to be able to drink on the run - lots of little sips will help heaps.

9) Energy gels are great but try them before race day because some people have trouble tolerating them. Good to try out after the first hour or hour and a half of your long run and you'll really feel the boost they give you.

10) Don't skimp on running shoes or socks - when you next need to buy some go to a store recommended by your local running club to buy them because there will be places which can be really helpful and are still reasonably priced. Your average non specialist sports store won't be half as good.

11) You might also need some vaseline under the arm pits, on your nipples and places that rub and you'll want to wear light breathable clothing - i think it's worth investing in some clothes specifically designed for distance running to wear for your long runs and race day. That doesn't have to mean the expensive pressure pants thingies but just light breathable fabric - ask at the same running store you'll find the right socks and shoes. They're expensive sometimes so look for them on sale and it shouldn't be too bad - they last ten times longer than other workout clothing anyway so it's worth it!


Here are a few websites I have listed as some of my favourites you might wanna check out too  :)

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm

http://www.runnersworld.com/0,7118,,00.html

http://www.travellingfit.com/

cc sharla and scrap for the info, I was a bit worried about how it would affect my boxing training, but ur comments have eased these ill just intergrate it in with all my other training as its a once in a lifetime expierience or it will be for me!! ;D

If you allow yourself enough time to prepare you'll love it. Just remember to check out those websites. the first gives heaps of examples of training programs to suit your level. The second has lots of random info and forums etc.

The third is a travelling agency with info on all the races and entry requirements. There are a few really cool marathons around so even if the London one doesn't turn out to be the one you want to go for - for whatever reason - timing, cost, entry requirements etc - there are some pretty amazing exotic ones which are not badly priced :) You wouldn't need to go through those people necessarily but they've got a pretty comprehensive list of whats around :)

Ive only done one and yes it was an experience, not pleasant. It will affect your training for up to 3 month, Ive known fighters careers go pearshape after doing one. It kills the legs and doesnt do the rest much good unless youre a Featherweight 9st its hard.

Yeah, you can't be 100% dedicated to training for both and it did put me out of my boxing training for a week or two.

It's at the end of the boxing season when I do the Keswick but if I have a fight then I don't do it... ;) 2nd time my legs didn't take too long to recover but I was still feeling it weeks after the first time I did it.

I am pretty light so I probably find it easier than a bigger guy. I wish I'd stretched more when i was running but it was not specifically training for the marathon that caused me pain so much as continuing to have high volume for too long after the marathon. I really should have decided to gradually build up the volume over half marathon distance long run a few months leading up to it and DECREASE back afterwards. Instead i tried to keep up a 30 + km long run once a week plus high mileage almost everyday which was overkill just because I got a bit too enthusiastic.

I'd do one again but I wouldn't recommend doing one close to competing in boxing and I'd want to be fairly confident over half marathon distances before doing it. You probably won't enjoy it if you are not finding half marathons easy to do under 2 hours. The exception being if you don't aim for a time and are happy to walk jog it patiently, mix up your pace and stride length a bit without going hard.

For example tell yourself you're going to walk 100 metres at every drink station. Definitely DON'T forget to drink and carbo load not only the night before but lunch before - some find the night before too late to be of use in an early morning race which these things usually are.

Thanks for all your help guys ive applied and am gna give it my best shot ill let ye know how it goes trying to mix marathon training in with boxing.
Peace out.

Just an update guys I got a place in the marathon and im gonna be running for h.e.a.r.t. uk thx for ur help

Congratulaions gally best of luck cc

thx scrap

Excellent :) :) :) Let us know how it goes!