Transitioning from the Half to Full Marathon: What You Need to Know for Beginner Marathon Training

Is a marathon simply twice as hard as a half marathon?

If only!

The best estimate I’ve seen is that the marathon is roughly 3.5 times as hard.

Working closely with my 26 Strong cadet Jodi a few years ago, helped me remember all the little things that go in to making the jump from running 13.1 to 26.2 and the right beginner marathon training. If you’ve already been running half marathons, then here’s what you need to know about how to train for a marathon.Since I know many of you are considering this leap, I wanted to pull out a few key lessons and hope they help you understand how to train for a marathon when you’re ready.

Marathon training for beginners focuses on how to transition from running half marathons to 26.2. There is SO MUCH that I want to share with you, you’ll find links to more details on most of these tips. That way you can find the one’s where you need to work the most and go deeper.

Focus Less On Pace

Worry less about speed and more about time on your feet.

During the middle to peak phase of training, you are helping your body get used to the stress of moving for extended periods of time and turning on your fat burners so you won’t need to rely on too many gels.

• You don’t need to be a certain pace to go from the half to the full
• You do need to have a sold amount of running under your belt; rule of thumb is at least a year
• Recognize the value of walking as part of training
• Learn how to pace yourself while running outside

I love this shirt! “My name is Debbie, but most people call me on your left.”

Break Up the Training Plan

How long do you need to train for a marathon? A first time marathon plan can easily be 18 to 24 weeks, which is a VERY long time to stay motivated for something in the distant future.

This makes it far too easy to skip runs here and there. Instead focus the first part of your training on a half marathon around the mid-way point, this will allow you to increase miles and still enjoy some speed work for a new goal.

I didn’t dive in to any specific marathon training plan here because I’ve outlined all the major one’s to help you decide which method is going to best work with your life, goals and running preferences. — >> How to pick the right marathon plan

Find out what it really takes to go from training for a half marathon to a full! #runchat #fitness Click To Tweet

Test Out One the Run Fuel

Technically the body can store enough glycogen to get you through a 20 mile run, which is why you’re far less likely to bonk in a half marathon.

The marathon represents a new challenge of maintaining steady energy throughout to beat the dreaded wall, which is a result of your body switching from fat burning to carbohydrates and well…because it’s a big task you’re asking of your body.

Stop over fueling
You don’t need a gel every 30 minutes. This is often what leads to gastric distress and of course turns off your fat burning which is the long term energy we want to rely on over carbs.

Gel, food or blocks
It’s time to figure out which kind of fuel works for you. Many runners find a specific brand doesn’t upset their stomach, while others lead straight to the nearest porta-potty. You must test and don’t be afraid to use whole foods!Hydrate Beyond Water
Figure out how you’ll carry water on your long runs and then practice sipping it along the way, not guzzling. Putting electrolytes in your water while running will provide the immediate taste of sweetness in the mouth which can trick the body in to believing it’s received carbs. This alone helped Jodi stop using gels on runs during the week and need far less on long runs.

Fueling Right
Remember what you eat around workouts is also important for energy and reducing inflammation. Checkout specific tips for ideal pre-workout foods and post workout recovery meals.

Don’t Neglect Long Runs

Don’t look too far ahead in the training plan or work with a coach who only gives you a few weeks at a time. When your longest run ever has been 13.1 miles it can and should be mildly terrifying to realize that many weeks your long run will be longer!

• Just deal with the current long run, not next week
• Do NOT skip your long runs – they take the most time and thus are often the first to be ditched when life gets busy…but that will hurt you in the end (injury, race day DNF and so much more)
• Celebrate every new personal distance record, it makes those miles more exciting
• Remember this is a mental game and that pain might be all in your head
• Learn the difference between discomfort and pain — it’s a big difference between injury and quitting

If you want to know how long it takes to run a marathon, you’ll get a much better idea of that answer as you keep doing the long runs. Many of us are surprised to find that 17 miles feels not so bad and then 20 suddenly feels like we need to slow way down to keep going.

Try Sharing the Experience

While I do love the benefits of solo long runs, having someone at your side during those new personal distance records training runs. That’s right suddenly your weekend long run is longer than your previous race distance…it’s mentally scary to realize that!

If you can’t find some one crazy enough to also train for a marathon, ask friends to meet you for portions of the run or get a friend to bike along with you.

Scared to join a running group? I’ve got you covered with all the tips you need >> 

Remember It’s a Journey

After a particularly difficult or disappointing run, which happens to everyone, it can feel like the end of the world/your running life at the time.

Remember one bad run doesn’t meant you’re going up in flames! In fact, maybe that bad run was actually your body saying it needed a rest day or jet lag or a cold coming on. Checkout my tips on dealing with bad runs.

And more importantly, remember to ENJOY the run and to focus on why you choose to tackle a marathon to begin with. Let go of all your mental expectations about how you should be doing or how it should feel and just embrace the entire journey!

Other questions about marathon training, let me know in the comments!

Road to a PR Series

There’s SOOOOO much to learn in this process that I created a complete training series:

Choosing your race pace >>
Picking the right race for your goal >>
Creating your training plan >>
Why you need a base building phase>>
Safely adding speed work >>
Understanding peak week training >>
10 marathon training secrets every new runner should know>>

Have you made the leap to 26.2?

What’s something you learned during training?

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