Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Are You Ready to Run the Marathon?

 If you think you are ready, then nobody has the right to tell you that you’re nuts. But it would certainly help if you already did the following at least once before attempting to conquer the marathon.

1. Finishing 5k in 30 to 35 mins.

2. Finishing 10k in 60 to 70 mins. 

3. A sub 3 hr Half Marathon.

 I believe that speed should come first before distance. If it takes 1 hour for you to finish 5k, try to improve on that first before trying to run 10k. Others aim for a personal best of sub 30 mins for a 5k but for ordinary mortals like you and me, 30-35 mins would do (mine was 31 mins.). When running 5k becomes too comfortable for you, that’s the time to level up to 10k. Again, there are others who are obssessed with running a sub 1 hr for 10k. (They tell themselves: “If Piolo Pascual can do it, why can’t I?”) Don’t be so hard on yourself. 60-70 mins. will suffice. 

For 1 whole year, I stayed with 10k like glue. It became my comfort zone. I could run 10k without stopping and still looked fresh at the FinishLine. I had no intention of running the Half Marathon until Jaymie Pizarro announced The Bull Runner Dream Marathon for first-time marathoners. I did not even think twice. I registered right away. And so I ran 21k for 3 consecutive months before TBRDM. My first Half Marathon was at the Condura Skyway, clocking at 2 hrs 37 mins.

For scientific tips and guidelines, visit runnersworld.com and marathonhandbook.com.

If you think you’re ready, join me in the Cavinti Road and Trail Marathon this coming Dec. 14, 2025.

Good luck with your training!

(You may get in touch with me via Messenger or ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)