2010 Chicago Marathon: 10/10/10

kthame · January 2010

Is anyone considering running this year? FI did last year's and it was very, VERY inspiring watching everyone run. I'm not much of a runner, but I would love to challenge myself and do it this year, with him.

There are programs that begin 6 months ahead of time (which is what I'd need to prepare); have any of you run a marathon before, when you weren't much of a runer prior?

brideinfall08 · January 2010

I ran it last year for the first time but have been running half marathons for a few years. The official training starts in June and I think they say it's best to have a 15-20 mpw base before that. You could easily build that up before June on the treadmill and then move outside once the weather is better. The whole experience is unreal, it's really a great accomplishment. I trained alone and still loved every minute of it. I highly rec it.

HRF2679 · January 2010

Good luck to those wanting to try it! As for me? Heck no! I only run if someone is chasing me!!!

TatiMarie · January 2010

My friend just ran it last year! She said the most she ever ran was four miles and decided to train for the marathon WHILE on traveling on the road with the preisident! It was a lot of work, but she did it! Good luck!

angantonio · January 2010

I've run the Chicago marathon twice. I know a number of people who are not runners do decide to run it and are fine. At least, being used to running a couple times a week and around 10-15 miles total will make the training go much easier.
I trained with CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) the first year and it was an amazing and fun experience.
The training starts in June at around 6 miles. By June, you should be able to comfortably run 6 miles.
Also, its a "huge" time commitment, I'm sure you already know. And it can be very very hot during the runs.
Fleet Feet has a number of seminars and runs that you can join to get you ready for the training.
Also, if you haven't run a major race, there is a half marathon in August and September that really get you prepared for how a race works at long distances.

Training for the marathon is an amazing and humbling experience. Its one of the best things I've done for myself. I love (and sometimes hated it) and I would do it again. Crossing the finish line is amazing. Even though it is just running, having he patients and the mental strenght to run 26.2 miles really translates into all the tough parts of life.
Go for it!!

edwinajon · January 2010

I too am not a runner - don't have the physique of a runner but getting old I decided to do the marathon after finishing the Chicago half a few years ago.

I highly recommend the Galloway program for beginners - it's run walk and the group meets starting in April through October every Sat morning near the Diversey Harbor on the running path. Though people might think it's easy to run walk, you are still running for a majority of the time and there are different pace groups. Run/walk also keeps you injury free and helps the runners avoid hitting "the wall" during a marathon.

I was able to finish 6 marathons (4 in one year!) doing run/walk and it was an accomplishment I was proud of. It does take a lot of commitment and it does cost money (good running shoes and gear don't come cheap).

For those who think that you will shed a ton of pounds, at least for me it did not happen - your body "adjusts" as you get to longer distances and my level of hunger also increased as I got to 15+ mile runs.

For anyone on the fence, you definitely can do it...I am soo not a runner and if I can do it, anyone can do it!

knthayer · January 2010

I've trained for five marathons, and plan to do Chicago again this year.

Before I did my first, I had done a bunch of fun runs and several half-marathons. But, really, you just have to be able to run a few miles right now (and no major health problems) to be able to do the training.

Yeah, it's a time committment but I guess it doesn't have to control you life or anything. If you're already used to working out a few times a week, you just have to find the time to do your "long run" on the weekend. So, basically, be in bed at a reasonable hour on a Friday night (and have a good dinner and don't be out drinking or whatever) so you can get up early Saturday and run.

It's not for everyone, but for those that become marathons, it's like nothing else. And, fairly addictive.

Like some other commenters, I recommend a training program. You can raise money with some, but you don't have to. I did Team In Training one year. For me, fundraising was kinda stressful but rewarding.

There's so many programs and books out there. Do some research and find what's right for you. Remember to have rest days and don't increase your mileage too fast. Trust me, I got three stress fractures one year and had to take that year off racing!

Good luck! and HAVE FUN!

kthame · January 2010

Thanks Ladies!

My FI trained with CARA and I would probably do the same, I met some really nice people just from cheering him on at the race.

Since my FI just did his first one in 2009, I'm so well aware of the training schedule...and since he's doing it again this year, we could at least do our runs together (during the week). I would probably train at a 10 minute mile or more, and he'd probably be at the 9.5 minute mile. That's what he's thinking anyhow.

It was just SO inspiring and seemed like so much fun (though not w/o lots of aches and pains)...

ladybug7485 · January 2010

I'm doing the half marathon in Madison WI in May and then the Rock n Roll half in Chicago in August. I hate running and recently started training but I paid for them so that I would be motivated to finish. So far it's going ok but like you my FI ran the marathon for the first time last year so it's inspiring me to finish. I just want to do a few halfs before trying a full

WhitneyInChicago · February 2010

I'm tempted to do the Marathon this year because 10/10/10 just sounds awesome! (I've thought about it for a few years and this just might be the thing to get me to do it).

I am running a half in May and training for it through Chicago Endurance Sports. So we will see how it goes before I sign up.

2010 Chicago Marathon: 10/10/10

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