Hey Runnit,
I picked up running at the beginning of this year and since then I have run 2 halfs (a road half in 1:51 & a trail half at altitude in 2:03).
Consistently running something like 25 mi a week. How do I know when I’m ready for a full? I have a marathon in mind that’s exactly 18 weeks away so lines up perfectly with a Pfitz 18/55 and I was thinking of targeting something like 3:45.
Am I crazy? Am I ready? How do I know???
Edit: A question. Does anyone have an opinion on whether I should do a solid base build up to about 50mpw then do a pfitz 12/55, or would it be better to just jump right in to the 18/55 this coming week (marathon I’m targeting is exactly 18 weeks away)?
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If you’re thinking about it, you’re ready, seriously! Sounds like you have a good base, train smart (maybe Hal Higdon beginner plan) & you’ll be fine.
You can’t know until you start to try. A saying I like is, “If you goal isn’t scary, it’s not big enough”.
you’re ready
If your current weekly mileage is 25 miles, you are not ready for Pfitz 18/55. Furthermore, no, a 3h45 marathon is unlikely when your HM PR is 1h51.
So yes, you crazy.
First, ask if you’re even fit enough to get through the marathon training block. With a 25 mpw base and no prior knowledge of your athletic history, it seems you can get through Pfitz 18/55. There will be a long run work out around week 15 where it’s around 18-22 miles long and 10 of those mile are at marathon pace. If you can complete that workout then there’s a good chance you can complete a 3:45 marathon. Good luck!
I felt I was ready for a full when I finished a half and still felt like I had fuel in the tank to go further. I think you have a good base already. I’m not familiar at all with the pfitz plan but the plans I have done usually have the first long run be 6-8 miles and go up from there which is easy if you are doing halfs. I tried to get my base close to 30 MPW before I started but 25 should be a fine place to start from.
I’m not sure your goal of 3:45 is realistic with a 1:51 half. My half PR was 1:44 and the best I have done a marathon in is 3:53. You may adapt better to the marathon training than I did and add more speed through the race. Good luck!
The biggest difference I noticed between training for and being prepared for a full vs a half (other than obviously more mileage) is that knowing how to properly fuel becomes a much bigger deal. What to eat before a long run (13 or more mile training runs) during those long runs and right after is a game changer. I spent a good chunk of time working with a dietitian and also with a running group to dial that in. Went from running a half marathon last October (1:44) to my first full marathon recently (3:53) at the age of 46. Zero issues with hitting the wall at mile 20 (which was my biggest fear) and I ended up with a huge negative split.
Very true. For years I was a runner and i ran half’s and would kind of just wing it.
I just finished my first marathon this summer. I learned a LOT and realized I was an idiot running half marathons without proper fueling leading up to and during my runs. During the races only fueling with water. No wonder I was struggling so much. I finished my full after 20 weeks of training and never hit the wall either.
mileage) is that knowing how to properly fuel becomes a much bigger deal. What to eat before a long run (13 or more mile training runs) during those long runs and right after is a game changer. I spent a good chunk of time working with a dietitian and also with a running group to dial that in. Went from running a half marathon last October (1:44) to my first full marathon recently (3:53) at the age of 46. Zero issues with hitting
Big agree here. Out of curiosity- what works for you, what do you eat before a <13mi. run?
I would do a mini carb load the day before which consisted of primarily rice, pasta, veggies, and cutting back on the protein serving size. For breakfast in the morning of the run I’d have a pretty simple breakfast of a bagel, peanut butter and jelly and a banana. I would also drink some electrolyte (I used Skratch). This was also an opportunity to test out different things to see if anything bothered me. That way on race day I had a pretty dialed in what would work for me.
Pfitz plans are not for beginner runners and going into his 18/55 on only 25 mpw is typically a recipe for injury. They start hard and continue hard. My suggestion is to base build to something closer to 45 mpw before you start it and be used to doing specific running workouts (track and road sessions).
Honestly you’re ready to train for the full. My only recommendation is to not have a time goal and just aim to finish. Take the first half easy and aim for a negative split. I did my first full after doing only one half. I went out way too fast and had to spend tome time in the medical tent at the 38KM mark. I recovered enough after a 10 minutes stay to hobble to the finish.
I felt ready when I was ready/had the time to commit to training.
I ran 18/55 for my first marathon. Loved it! You are significantly faster than me though. I saw in many places, and agree with, Pfitz’s recommended 25mpw to start the plan is a bit low.
IMHO, it is all about your expectations/goals.
If by “ready” you mean “finish a marathon” then I’d say yes you’re ready. If by “ready” you mean “finish a marathon in under 4 hours” then perhaps?
What are your expectations/goals?
You are ready. Pick a program and see you in 18 weeks.
When you’re running 70+ miles a week
My dumb opinion is always if you can run a half you can run a full. Same goes for a 10km to a half. Being 100% ready for something isn’t always worth the wait
Why don’t you go out and see how far you can run. Do your own marathon, it doesn’t need to be an event.