XP: Serious runners.....Marine Corps Marathon

rahoogs9 · February 2011

The opening day to sign up for the MCM is on the 23rd of this month. I'm due the middle of April, and am considering running my first marathon with my best friend. Will I be okay to start training? Goal is to start running in May just to get back in shape. Then I think I would need to seriously start my training in June. I ran track and cross country in college, so I am not worried about not being able to run, just whether or not my body will be ready...

Do you think that is enough time to allow myself to get into shape, or am I being stupid?

carlab44 · February 2011

Hmmm... most doctors want you to wait until your 6 week post partum appointment before starting any real exercise. So that could put you towards the end of May before starting to run - and that is if you don't go overdue (I was 9+ days overdue with both kids). However many people do feel okay to start exercising prior to your 6 week appointment, but you just have to be careful, take it easy, and listen to your body (plus I'd talk to your doctor about it beforehand). Another unknown would be if you ended up needing a c-section.

I had a vaginal delivery and easy recoveries with both kids and was able to start running about 5 weeks post partum. I started training for a 1/2 marathon about 10 weeks post partum with DS and definitely felt ready to start training.

Sorry that isn't much help, but it is really hard to say whether or not it is realistic. There are so many unknowns that could change how you are feeling post partum.

Ironmom2be · February 2011

I think you can do it. If you conservatively don't start really training until End of May, that still gives you 5 months to train. I've run MCM, it's not really hilly or hard (it was windy the year I ran it) but it's a good first marathon. If you are ready personally (i.e. have the support system at home to take off for long runs every weekend, etc) then I say go for it and have fun! GL!

kirkette · February 2011

Ironmom2be:
I think you can do it. If you conservatively don't start really training until End of May, that still gives you 5 months to train. I've run MCM, it's not really hilly or hard (it was windy the year I ran it) but it's a good first marathon. If you are ready personally (i.e. have the support system at home to take off for long runs every weekend, etc) then I say go for it and have fun! GL!

Agreed. If you have the time to devote to training and support, then it should be fine.

Haven1 · February 2011

Like others have said, it's the TIME that's the biggest challenge. Your body will bounce back, but finding time with a new baby is so hard. It's not that you can't, it's that you may not want to.

Do you work? I work FT, and my boys are awake early and only for a few hours when I get home. I love running and want to go every night, but I don't want to go more than I want to play with my boys and spend time with DH.

I ran a half marathon 11w post-c/s, but that was only because my mom would watch the boys during the day. My running got cut way back when I went bakc to work. Good luck if you decide to do it. I heard it's a great race!

rahoogs9 · February 2011

Thanks for the input!! I've run a half before, and have run the Army 10 miler the past 4 years (this year 14 weeks pregnant). I'm sure I could do it, but I think I will talk to the OB and see what they think. Perhaps I will just do the half first and then run the Nashville Country Music Marathon a year from now:)

SFAug07 · February 2011

I ran a full marathon 2 months after giving birth, but it was my 31st marathon, not my first. I also continued running throughout pregnancy and ran a marathon at 25 weeks, so I didn't start from scratch. It really depends on how easily you can ramp up fitness and of course as others said if you have somebody to watch your LO when you are doing your runs.

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XP: Serious runners.....Marine Corps Marathon

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