Marathon Training Questions from a Newbie

WG: The first time I did a Walking Marathon, I was 35. Took me 7.5 hours. I got smoked by a lady named Mavis Lingren, who beat me by an hour and a half. She was 76 years of age at the time... She smoked me the next year too! If Mavis could do it, you can do it!

I entered my first walking marathon long before I discovered volkswalking. I was SO unprepared. I actually wore jeans the first time! I don't think I walked farther than ten miles at a stretch during my so-called 'training' walks. If I could do it with such poor preparation, YOU can do it!

Question: I have a friend who has signed up too. Do walkers walk together or are you on your own?

WG: I walked as a soloist my first six marathons. I liked this, as it was just me, my feet, my training, and the road ahead. I didn't have to worry about meeting anybody at the start - I just had to get there & wait for the pistol...

Then I discovered volkswalking and started making walking friends. My favorite marathons have since been those I've done with my walking pals. It's really nice to have someone to talk to along the way. Crossing the finish line with a friend is an experience you won't trade for anything.

But the marathon IS rather a soloist-oriented event. If you don't have walking pals lined up, you're unlikely to find them along the way - unless you're observant. At about Mile 13 - the half-way point, you'll have noticed people keeping pace with you. Either just in front or just behind. You can 'bond' with them & become something of a team along the way. What's the phrase? "Brothers/Sisters In Adversity". The Portland Marathon is always packed with first-time walkers. Look around for those who are also looking around. They're first-timers too. You'll immediately have something in common & can pass several miles together. Been there, done that, liked it.

Question: I am a little intimidated though. I'm in good shape and I have just started the marathon training schedule, but really, how hard is it?

WG: If you just started training, it's too late. You'll die on the route. People will see your body lying along a curb about Mile 19 and shake their heads, while feeling smug that they trained one extra mile more than you did. Someone will pry your bottle of Gatorade from your stiff fingers, and laugh as they take a swig... Seriously, see comments below...

Question: Is it realistic to think I can finish in the 8 hours?

WG: Absolutely! I finished in seven and a half hours with CRUMMY training my first time out. Trust me on this: This is a True Marathon. You'll feel a 'vibe' nothing like you've encountered on a Volkswalk. Three Thousand other walkers will be there with you - you'll gain energy from them. You'll walk faster than you planned. You'll finish earlier than you thought.

Picture this in your mind : You hit one of the many straight stretches on the Portland Marathon. Ahead, you can see 1,000 walkers. You look behind and see another 1,000. You realize that you're one molecule of a tidal wave of walkers, all surging for the finish... Any doubts you had about your training vanish in a Sea of Emotional Support. You KNOW you'll make it, and you WILL make it because everyone around you has the same friendly focus. (I speak from personal experience 8x)

Question: Do you recommend any special training workouts?

WG: The General Rule Of Thumb For Distance Events is: Get your legs into a place where you can do two-thirds to three-quarters of the target distance - and feel fine the next day. So if your training gets you to 18 to 20 miles in one session, and you aren't crippled the next day, YOU'RE READY to complete a marathon. You'll have the training and 'reserve' that will sustain you to the finish... I recommend the upper end: 20 miles at once, come September, with little pain the next day. You'll be ready for the marathon come October.

For 'special' training? Make sure you get some HILLS. Portland Marathon has three hills: Harrison Street at Mile 2, St. Johns Bridge at 16.5, and the Willamette Blvd. climb after you cross the St. Johns Bridge.

My worst marathon was one I trained for on flat trails. All Summer long I trained for distance on flat trails. I had the stamina for 20 miles easy. But I hadn't climbed a single hill. When I hit the Harrison Street climb, my legs got stiff as boards and stayed that way the rest of the marathon. It was one hour of fun followed by six hours of misery. Make sure to exercise those different muscle groups!

Examine the route map at the Portland Marathon web site.
Will's Portland Marathon Mile by Mile

Marathon Training for Walkers

19-Week Marathon Walk Training Email Course: Free week by week training.