Half Marathon vs. Full Marathon - Share Your Experience Please!

[sewaneecook]

I ran a 1/2 marathon 5 years ago and I decided to shed the last of my baby weight by training for another one that I'll run in a couple weeks. I'm really enjoying the challenge and the results I'm seeing (my legs and butt haven't looked this good since college! ). Ever since being a college swimmer I've been pondering running a full marathon, but I would like to hear from others on the realities of running a 1/2 vs. a full marathon (time to train, wear and tear on the body, etc.). I'm considering the Chicago marathon in October, so I have some time to think about it.

[tjsmama]

I've run 5 halfs and one full. Honestly, the training commitment for the full is SO much more. It's worth it, but it's no joke! I trained for most of my halfs on 3 days of running a week (I do tris as well, so it's important to me to be able to get bike and swim workouts in). For the half, I stuck to a strict 4 day schedule, with two days typically in spin class. And that was a beginner program that topped out with one 20 miler and a peak mileage week of 40 miles. As for the wear and tear, there definitely is some, but I came through training for my first full better than I did training for my first half! It's really important to listen to your body and treat it right. Take a day off if you need to, or cut back on a run or your pace. I use my foam roller every night, and take an ice bath for any run of 10 miles or longer.

You have plenty of time (although I think Chicago sold out a week or two ago, definitely plenty of other races though!). I signed up for a January marathon in October, but was already trained for a half so I jumped into week 7 or so of a training program. It will be tough training through the heat of the summer, but heck, I did my 20 miler in 4 inches of fresh snow, so I'm not sure which is worse!

The feeling of crossing the finish line of my first marathon was really similar to that of crossing the finish of my first half. it's kind of indescribable, but definitely a feeling of unbelievable pride in what I had managed to accomplish.

Come on over to the dingo thread, we have runners of shapes, sizes, speeds, etc. and lots of marathoners with tons of great advice!

[Nickarolaberry]

I agree with Gaye. First, get thee to the Dingo thread!

I trained for a full marathon a long time ago, when I was just married, had no kids, and was working on my dissertation full time/teaching part time. The time commitment was pretty intense, but then again I did it through a running club and we met two evenings a week (one night speed work, the other night tempo runs) and Sunday mornings for the long run.

Now, I just ran two half marathons in the last 5 months. I run 5-6 days a week (and really need to intensify my non-running training but haven't stepped up to that yet). My dh is pretty supportive of my running time; during the week I usually do my shorter runs with a partner, we go out around 5:30 a.m. for 3-5 miles. Her off days I go out a little later (I work part time) and do longer mid-week runs and/or speedwork/tempo runs. One of the weekend days I do a long run.

I'd also like to train for a full marathon this year.

I'd echo Gaye's other remark, that crossing the finish line in both was an intense feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.

I found the half to be slightly more intense *during* the race, as I'm certainly able to maintain a more challenging pace for 13 miles than for 26! But then again, my first marathon was a long time ago and I was running just to finish. I don't know if I'd feel as relaxed next time, but maybe I would! I made some great mid-race friends in all the long races -- people I never saw again but for a few miles were my dearest confidantes!

[Naughty Dingo]

both are fun. I have the type of mindset that is "Go big or go Home" so I always prefer the marathon.

There are some great training plans. Hal Higdon comes to mind. You can google it. He has a beginner plan which is also great for people who are balancing training with their lives. I call it "The marathon plan for busy people" You end up training about 18 weeks, and do about 4 runs a week. It is managable with family and work demands and it can get you in shape to finish.

I say, if you are feeling the marathon bug, go for it. There is nothing else in the world like the feeling you get when you cross that finish line of your first marathon. You can do it!

ND

[Naughty Dingo]

Oh yeah, and ditto to what they said. go check out the Dingo thread Mama! Lots of support and advice there.

ND

[Nickarolaberry]

ND are you chasing me around MDC?

[Naughty Dingo]

Girl, I am stalking you hahahahahah

[bec]

I ran my first full marathon last October and am training for another for June. I've also run 4 half marathons. I like doing half marathons as part of my full marathon training, because it gives me a taste of the big race while working into my training schedule. I would say that a full is more intense training because of the long runs get pretty long in the 2nd half of the schedule.

Oh, and definitely come to the Dingo thread!

[SugarAndSun]

I will differ from everyone else and say that the full isn't a huge commitment if you are only running. Trying to fit in cross training makes it nutty, but just running won't take you too long. There may be a few weeks that are a little tiring, but it won't be bad. Go for it!

That said, I have to say that I am sorta following Higdon right now and I am not loving his plans. I know many other people here like them, but they are a bit repetitive for me.

[mommajb]

Another dingo chiming in... In addition to what has been said I liked training with friends for the marathon. I was pretty evenly matched in training with one of the ladies and we ran together for most of the race. Fun!

[1jooj]

Also a Dingo...

I've trained for 3 fulls and 1 half. I enjoyed training for the fulls, but at this point I am thinking it might be a few years before I try it again. The time commitment (especially those long runs) requires such solid support. Also, I find that when I am in the long run range for half marathon training, versus the 18+ milers of the full, I am at my personal fittest.

Some people gain weight training for marathons. I didn't lose a pound training for my last one...and recovery was so tough for me that I gained a lot or weight in the months that followed.

And while running alone will get you marathon-ready, I think good cross-training will make the run so much better.

[LeslieB]

I just ran my first marathon 2 weeks ago. I did find the long runs time consuming, but I still enjoyed that fact that I was working up to something. If you are already in good half marathon shape, then you really don't have far to go to be in marathon shape.
I was in half shape when I started my training the last week of December, so I started my long run at 13 miles. I worked my way up from there slowly increasing my long runs by 2 miles. I worked my up to 18. I had planned a 20, but when it came time to either turn left and do 2 more or turn right and head home, well, I chose to head home.
I only did a 2-week taper since I was sick one week and could only do 10 for my long run. I just wanted to get one more good long run in. And I was ready. I knew what I was capable of after my previous running experience and from my training runs so I just set a goal time. I stayed with the pace group for that time and ended up finishing 2 minutes under it.
I honestly didn't really train that much. I ran 2 days a week usually, but did plyometric workouts and weight lifting the other days. I just felt like running more was too much of a time committment at this point. When I train for the next one, I think I'll be ready to do more training and hopefully take a lot off of my time.
As for wear and tear, I didn't really have it. I was junk for most of the rest of the day after my long run, but the next day, I was fine, feeling fully recovered. But that's just me. I think it will depend on your body.

[sewaneecook]

Thanks for all the replies. After posting, I mentioned a marathon to my sister (who ran her first half in January) and she said if I ran the Detroit marathon in October she'd do it with me (she was already going to do the half anyway). So, I think I'm going to go for it. I'm hoping a local pool starts a masters swim program this summer so I will have some forced x-training, but otherwise it will be mostly running. I figure if the contestants on the Biggest Loser can do it, so can I!

Off to check out the Dingos thread.