First marathon

[RacerMDR]

A little whole ago I posted saying I was starting to run and I was rubbish.

I'm now 2kilos lighter and am up to just over 5km 3 times per week.

My mate just challenged me to a marathon end of October.

Is it possible from here or too ambitious?

[RichB]

I'd say concentrate on doing several half marathins and enter a marathon in 2012 but only if that's what you want to do. It's not a laugh and I get cheesed off with the BBC calling them "fun runners" during the London. Get to the point where you are comfortable running a half then build up the training. You will need to be doing 18-20 miles at the weekends come late August / mid September to stand any chance and that sounds unlikely.

[Slagathore]

As above, I think it might be a bit of a push.

I'd try a couple of 10Ks in the next month or so, then try some half marathons a bit later in the year.

See how the training goes for a half and then think about upping the mileage.

5k 3 times a week is OK, but the mileage required to get your fitness up to marathon distance is gunna be quite a shock to the body, and definitely something you don't want to try and rush in to.