First Marathon Next Year: Where Do I Begin?

[honest1]

Here’s a revised version tailored for a forum setting:

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Hi everyone,

I'm turning to this forum again because I've always found great advice here—even on non-tech topics!

I’m planning to run a marathon in 2025 (not sure whether it will be full or half marathon !), which gives me around 11 months to prepare. I’m hoping to get some real-world guidance from experienced runners or those who've been in a similar situation.

Some Background:​

• Currently, I can jog about 3 km without stopping—so that should give you an idea of my current fitness level.
• Over the last few years, I’ve shed quite a few kilos by sticking to a natural diet.
• My schedule includes 2–3 outstation trips (1–3 days each) per month, so I need something flexible.
• I’m not really inclined to join a gym.

What I’m Looking For:​

1. How should I start preparing for the marathon? Any beginner-friendly plans or steps?
2. I need a reliable app for tracking my progress. I currently have a Samsung smartwatch—any tips on how to make the most of it?
3. Any other practical advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to your suggestions.

 

[AMG]

First Marathon Next Year: Where Do I Begin?

Hi.
In a marathon, you usually begin at the starting point, like the rest of the participants.

 

[ronnie_gogs]

​

How should I start preparing for the marathon? Any beginner-friendly plans or steps?

• Follow a training plan. I used a plan on my Garmin watch and garmin connect software. You should be able to find one for your phone or a app. Like Nikerun app plan https://www.nike.com/in/running/marathon-training-plan. Similar plans for Strava app as well.
• For supplements I would recommend Creatine and protein. In my opinion creatine works much better if you could only take one.

I need a reliable app for tracking my progress. I currently have a Samsung smartwatch—any tips on how to make the most of it?

• Samsung smart watch should be pretty good for marathon training. Would recommend nike run club (NRC) or Strava.I was addicted to Strava before I moved to disconnecting it and just keeping everything on Garmin connect.

Any other practical advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

• Better to start with 21km. 42km is a different beast.
• Chafing comes into play when running for a long time. Areas which it can happen is usually chest and groin area. A well fitted moisture absorbing t shirt would be good as it wont move too much. Like a tight dry fit t-shirt to wear under your normal t-shirt can be helpful. Chafing cream which cyclist use can also be helpful. I prefer something called Chamois Butt’r.
• Carb loading is advisable on race day. As you run for 2+ hours you may run out of energy. Google how to do it for a marathon. You increase your carb intake as you approach the race.
• Hydration should be your priority. You are not there to set a record with your first marathon. Toilets will be along the way so drink all the time. Not just in stations. I wore a belt with 2 small bottles in it to keep hydrating.
• Carry energy gels with you as you can bonk (energy tank runs dry). You wont be able to move your legs if you bonk.
• Shoes, clothing, anything you wanna use, try it in practice before. Don't go into race day wearing a new gear (especially new shoes) which you never tried before. Break in your running shoes well before the race.
• Have emergency contact be easily contactable. I remember not being able to move at end of my first full marathon and had to call my friend to come and pick me up. He was not ready for it as I didn't anticipate it before. Should be fine for 21km though.
• Race day : don't bother with putting things in locker. Its too crowded and messy and wasting time. Arrive with what you plan to run in only. No extra bags and stuff. If you have a car you can store it there but roads are usually closed for a race so your call. Plan it in advance.
• And as I said before. You are not there to set crazy pace so don't push yourself so hard that your body fails.

 

[Emperor]

• Over the last few years, I’ve shed quite a few kilos by sticking to a natural diet.

What is your height.
What is included in your natural diet, if do not wish to reveal to all, please DM me.
What was your weight before/after and how much reduce each month/year?

 

[honest1]

What is your height.
What is included in your natural diet, if do not wish to reveal to all, please DM me.
What was your weight before/after and how much reduce each month/year?

5.7
I take vegan diet and mostly home made food including fresh fruits and dry fruits.
2 year before I was around 88 and now 78. Still need to lose more and I believe running will help in that as mostly, I am not having any regular physical activity.

 

[solo_wing]

11 months is a good time to prepare.

It takes 21days to built a habit . So if you keep increasing your pace and distance gradually. You will be able to achieve the required level.

Dont just target on 42km. that would be a wrong approach. Infact aim for little higher and by the time race day comes You should be able to get to 42 km much easier. As your body will be used to higher endurance.

Ofcourse take it easy to achieve your goals. Dont stress your body and mind but keep a firm aim and discipline all along the way.

Also I also use Garmin connect but mine is mostly aimed at height gain instead of race. So your plan will be quite different.


Edit: Also any decent smartwatch is good enough. Basically you just have to follow a set pattern and see you achieving a target.

Dont need to spend much .

I know that 1200-1300 steps is 1 km for me. I know from my start point to end of the day work is 8 km . So even if I dont wear the watch for some reason I can easily still know how much walk or run I have done for that day.

So understand your workout pattern and then you will not even need a watch. But having a smartwatch is still good. As you can store your practise and other information and other vital information like heart, pace etc.

 

[raksrules]

Don't want to hijack thread but how will I know 5K is happening in my city? I don't have stamina of marathon (42 kms) but I want to try 5K once I build enough stamina for that..right now max without stopping I can jog for 4 kms.

This is big deal for me as I used to get tired and give up in 0.30 kms.

 

[solo_wing]

Don't want to hijack thread but how will I know 5K is happening in my city? I don't have stamina of marathon (42 kms) but I want to try 5K once I build enough stamina for that..right now max without stopping I can jog for 4 kms.

This is big deal for me as I used to get tired and give up in 0.30 kms.

If you think like that you will never be able to achieve your goal. You have to think even 10 km is not a big deal but at the same dont rush towards it.

Start with 1km for few times....then push for 2 km....then come back to 1km if you feel 2km is too early ....if not then continue increasing.

Sports is as much a mind game as physical.

 

[dpandey]

Running a marathon, either half or full, is a major commitment. A 20 km training run will eat up anything between 3-5 hours of your time (going to the running track, running, eating, recovery etc).

I few things I can share.:
- Join the local running club. You will meet enthusiasts who can guide you. Running, like other sports, has a subculture.
- Get proper gear. Shoes, shorts, shirts etc. You will make a few mistakes before you find the right ones.
- Get a GPS tracker. I used the garmin forerunner.
- Nipple bleeding is a real thing. It f%cking hurts. Tape them before starting your run.
- Start with half.
- It is OK to walk parts of the course. Finishing the distance is important.
- Eat real food. Meat is good. I wouldn't recommend marathons to a vegan

Other than that, it is not rocket science. We are all born runners. Being stationary is against our nature. Just start. Tomorrow.

 

[blr_p]

Currently, I can jog about 3 km without stopping—so that should give you an idea of my current fitness level

Guess that isn't long enough to experience a runners high

That kicked in past the 5 mile mark for me. Ecstasy drug like feeling.

Last I went running was in 11th where at the start I needed to be carried after 0.5km to around 10 miles by end 12th

Helps if temperature is cool or cold. Run when temperature is lowest. Early morning probably better as less pollution than at night. Or it seems that way in blr.

Get good shoes. Watch your step. A friend twisted ankle running cross country and was in physio for the next half year.

My diet was normal. No supplements. Just peer pressure and a determination to push further.

Give yourself time to recover. I would do this three times a week.

My thing was distance covered rather than how much time it took. If I could get to ten miles that was an achievement and I could do it within an hour. 6 minute mile. So each time it was how far could I go.

I used to run in a neighborhood and one lap was a mile. Built up from there.

I suppose you could train on a treadmill to build stamina.

 

[honest1]

Thanks for all your insights and experience ! Really helpful.

Few follow up questions:

• Which app has been the most effective for marathon training, and why?
• For someone new to long-distance running, how do you recommend managing post-run recovery?
• Could you share more about your experiences with carb loading and its impact on performance?
• How do you maintain motivation during the preparation phase? (this is most important!)

 

[morph17201]

Some 2 cents from the person who was possibly the slowest runner for entirety of my school PE exams. I did perhaps 5-6 half marathons, so not much. I have flat feet, knocking knees, everything you wouldn't want in a runner and felt great that I was going against all my odds. This was 3-4 years back. Now you could ask me to run for 5 mins and I will be out of breath. Here are things which helped me and which didn't. Btw, I'm also vegetarian (not vegan) and did not want to join gym.
- Strava has been the best motivator for me. I didn't join any local groups but Strava never let me feel it.
- I practically ran every day, except for may be a day in the week. I knew very well that this is not recommended but I did not like any exercise other than running back then and even now. Don't do it. Find some complementary exercise - cycling?
- While I did not take my own advice, I felt gym is necessary to improve running beyond certain level. I got stagnated at about 6m30s for a km for long runs (15 km+) and best 5k I could achive was 29min - not something to be proud of
- Running on inclines helps a lot. In my locality there's 1 km stretch with elevation gain of about 150-175m. It helped me a lot when running my first HM as compared to many other first timers with me.
- Warm up and stretching are highly recommended. Again something I never followed because I wanted to maximize my running time(who wants to spend time in stretching was my attitude) but you see, not an example you should follow. I would wake with extreme sore feet next morning but still went for a run.
- Marathon day is different. I found with all the energy of the people around, one tends to run bit faster than usual.
- Improving the timing was a great motivator. Similarly losing weight was too. When I stagnated, it was difficult to keep myself motivated. After that I only gained weight, stopped running and became unhealthy.
- Carry ample water for the runs and keep on drinking. If you can, carry some energy bars, bananas, etc when you are running on your own (The organized marathons provide this).
- If you are really into it do the gait analysis, etc to identify suitable shoe, improve your running stance, etc. But don't get too conscious with these. Run the way that makes you feel comfortable.

 

[ch@ts]

Not for running a particular, but for any form of exercise -

1) Enjoy yourself.
For me that means doing workouts that are right for my body type and my personality. In the gym, I don't like doing slow controlled sets of 8-15 reps. It doesn't work for me physically, or mentally. I've begun training for power, doing fewer reps, with higher weights, and faster speeds. Youtube, and the internet are treasure troves of information, and you'll find all kinds of workouts for all kinds of goals there.
For you, that could mean jogging long distances slowly, or trying interval training to increase your speed.

2) Have variation in your routine.
I like to swim, and play tennis as well. Don't do either very well, but the change feels good.
You could try mixing things up by doing sessions on the treadmill, road running, and cross country running.

3) Ensure you have enough mobility.

4) Don't ignore strength training. It'll make you less prone to injury, and make you faster as well.

5) I used to do about 10k weekly runs when I was in my teens. That was about 30 years back, my goal was to become like Jason Bourne from the novels - someone who could run miles, was strong as f***, but didn't look it. (I only succeeded in the not looking it part). I never felt the need to carb load and didn't even know what that was back then. I did try carb loading when I was in my mid-twenties, and it definitely helps. I don't think you need to do it often. Just when you're planning an extra long run - 10k plus, or when you're feeling drained. Having enough energy just makes you able to focus longer, and will make your longer runs more enjoyable, and less injury prone.
You also need to train your mitochondria to get more efficient at producing energy too, so exercising on empty is good too.

6) Your body runs out of electrolytes faster than anything else. Bananas are your friend.

7) Rest. It's an essential part of training.

8) Don't push yourself on every workout, and don't expect progress to be linear.

9) In the end, everything's mental. If you can run 3k, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to run 10k, it's your mind that stopping you. Training is about overcoming both physical and mental barriers.