As we have covered in a previous article, the marathon is an almighty task, and it's one many runners always feel a million miles away from. Okay, literally speaking, you are only ever a touch below 42.2kilometres from it, but you know what I mean.
It's a big challenge to take on, and not just because of the race itself. Sure, some people can turn up on the day and just get it done. Perhaps they have a gift for running, or perhaps they grind it out by walking some of the race, but it is not impossible to run it unprepared.
It is certainly not recommended. As detailed in our previous post, it is not a challenge to take on unprepared if you want to enjoy it.
So, what does it take? And who can realistically aim to do it.
For me, the best approach is always a slow build-up. It is to do a 10k, perhaps a 15k and then a half marathon. Get comfortable running longer and longer distances, of following a plan and then commit to a marathon training block and a race.
But there are eager runners out there who like an ambitious goal, and that's perfectly fine. But this is a long old race. Realistically, you should be able to run 10 kilometres without stopping, walking or feeling as though you have given everything you can give.
If you can run a 10k relatively comfortably, and I'm not interested in the pace at which you do it so long as it is all running, then you can realistically complete a marathon training block and the race itself.
Why? Because a training block is slow and incremental. If your only goal is to finish, and not in finishing in a certain time, then you can do the whole block as easy running, keeping in mind that 80% of it is easy running even for those who do have a time goal.
That means it is accessible for most people, albeit with a longer run-up. The key difference lies in the length of the training block. More advanced runners can do a training block in 10 weeks, while those who are starting from scratch, so to speak, will likely need 20 weeks.
And the block itself simply must be kept in mind for those with the goal of completing the race. The race is the reward, people. It's a good day out to cap off an exhaustive effort of kilometres you have banked over months.
When I say it is possible for people who can run 10k, it absolutely is, but it is only possible for those willing to put their trainers on at least four days per week and run. It takes time, it takes patience, and it takes turning up consistently.
If you can do that, if you are willing and able to commit that time, the marathon is an achievable goal for you, even if it currently feels a million miles away.
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