Anyone train for a marathon while in med school?

[iheartmpls]

Have you trained for a marathon while in med school? What challenges did you face that you think other marathon runners didn't have to deal with? Were you able to stick to your training schedule?
And most importantly, are you glad you did it?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[hardy]

I ran several marathons during the first two years and it was not a problem at all. You probably have more freedom than anybody working during that time. You might have to adjust your training schedule around your exams but even those shouldn't be a major constraint. In addition, running really helps you with studying, you can even listen to Goljan during your runs. You won't retain everything but I think it still helps.

During third and fourth year it depends on your rotation and on the level of training you want to do. You won't have a very intense training schedule during a rotation like surgery, but a lighter schedule is still possible, if you have the energy.

 

[Slow]

lalala

 

[iheartmpls]

I don't start MS1 'till August, but I've done a marathon and a half ironman, so I feel half qualified to comment:

Are you trying to be competitive within your age group, or just finish and have fun? Are you already in decent shape? My training was fairly minimal, running 3-5 days/week for 2 months with my longest training run being about 15 miles.

There's nothing too mythical about 26.2 miles. It's just a long jog. Plenty of folks go out and walk most/all of the way. If you get tired, you slow down. I only walked the water stations and finished in 3:50. I was passed by a 60 year old ultramarathoner in the final 200 yards. Like many things, pretty much anyone can do it if they really want to.

Wow that's a great time! I've done a half marathon and some shorter races. My goal would be to run the whole time (except water stations) and not have an epic fail.

I'm not so much worried about the actual race as the training schedule. When I'm out running for 2 hours am I going to feel like I'm wasting precious time that could be spent studying for anatomy? I start school in August and I'm a little concerned about over committing myself.

 

[asmallchild]

I've met classmates training for triathlons. It's a lot easier to pursue this as a 4th year of course.

 

[soccergl31]

About 70 UVM students participated in the Vermont City marathon this past weekend (20+ ran the full marathon) - the team raised over $30,000 for neuroblastoma research: http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/?Page=News&storyID=14345

 

[OddNath]

When I'm out running for 2 hours am I going to feel like I'm wasting precious time that could be spent studying for anatomy?

I actually liked the forced breaks provided by long runs. I'd study in the morning, then run for a few hours and sometimes go over some pathways in my head. Or better yet, just clear my head for a few hours and be ready to get back at it afterwards.

I ran my 1st marathon during MS2, and I actually felt like it helped me build mental endurance which came in handy for Step 1 🙂

 

[iheartmpls]

I'm glad to see no one is discouraging it. Thanks for the input!

 

[Mr Cookie Pants]

I ran 2 marathons in undergrad- best time being 3:35. I wanted to train for another one, but I just couldn't justify the time. We had a beastly neuro block for the last 8 weeks before the marathon where I ran twice, both less than 4 miles. I ended up re-registering for the half that day and just went out and did it. (1:54). It really depends on how you're doing in class.

I had actually inspired a couple people in my class to run the full with me. They were doing a bit better than I was and were able to do the training. I couldn't justify potentially repeating the year over running.


Funny story aside (and to compare to dental school): A DS1 in our school got like 4th or 5th in Boston this year, with a time in the low 2:20s. When interviewed in the paper he said he ran 15-20 hours a week and studied 15. All the dental students had been b*ching and moaning all year about how they took the same classes AND had to do crowns and waxing etc...I'd say I was averaging 8-10 hrs a day, 7 days a week over that block...


Anyways, if you want to do a marathon (competitively), you will have to make sacrificies. If you want to run it without jogging, do hal higdon's plan...short-intermediate runs during the week and step up the long ones on the weekend.

 

[TejasMed2009]

Google Dan Lincoln. While he is not a marathoner the amount of time required to train to reach and maintain the level he is at is the same. (Although last I heard he was injured). Still, it can be done and probably easier than you think if you are disciplined.

 

[dnslay]

sure!

A couple of TUSM students did it this year.👍

 

[engineeredout]

You're all insane. I've run half marathon distances occasionally, most I've ever done was 15 miles (without stopping). No idea how you can do 26.2 without death.

 

[DH78]

I thought medical school IS a marathon😀

 

[dienekes88]

Be very organized.

There's nothing too mythical about 26.2 miles

+1

You're all insane. I've run half marathon distances occasionally, most I've ever done was 15 miles (without stopping). No idea how you can do 26.2 without death.

Don't be ridiculous. If you can run 13.1, you can finish 26.2. Totally serious.

 

[computerdorkdan]

I'm not in med school...yet (hopefully, next year).

I run ultra-marathons. I've done one 100-miler, one 100K and a bunch of 50 milers. I hope to keep my running up in med school. As best I can figure I'll have to get my runs in before classes and stick to a couple of long runs on the weekends.

I run with a resident at a nearby hospital who also does ultras. So, there's time. You just gotta make it.

Oh, and if you can run 26 miles, you can run an ultra. It's not a physical challenge past a marathon, it's a mental challenge.

 

[stickshift]

You're all insane. I've run half marathon distances occasionally, most I've ever done was 15 miles (without stopping). No idea how you can do 26.2 without death.

Your body's normal glycogen stores will get you through 20 miles. To get the full 26.2 miles, you can either carbo load right before and/or drink some gatorade or energy gels along the way.

 

[stickshift]

I'm glad to see no one is discouraging it. Thanks for the input!

There's alot of free time in med school, dunno why people think otherwise.

 

[rachmoninov3]

quick, more focused question: Is it possible to train for the 26.2 during third year? I've run half marathons and done sprint triathlons, and I'm seriously thinking about doing the full 26.2 in october.

I did my first 4 hour work-out (15 mile bike, 12 mile run, 15 mile bike) yesterday. Yeah, I'm loving the ibuprofen today! Anyway I figure I've got 20 weeks to train for this (4 to get into better shape/do more endurance) and 16weeks to follow runners worlds 3 day/week training plan, which is awesome for 13.2 miles. My only real problem is that I'm finishing up family medicine in 2 weeks, have 8 weeks of medicine after that, then I'll be finishing peds after that. So is 3 days/week doable during medicine?

 

[DominicanaMD]

Training for a marathon during med school is definitely possible. I ran 2 marathons while in med school and an MS3 and I'm now training for my third this fall. Its a lot easier during the 1st & 2nd yr and becomes increasinly difficult once you start rotations and what rotation your on. As mentioned earlier running helps with studying and staying focused. Go for it!

 

[masterofmonkeys]

quick, more focused question: Is it possible to train for the 26.2 during third year? I've run half marathons and done sprint triathlons, and I'm seriously thinking about doing the full 26.2 in october.

I did my first 4 hour work-out (15 mile bike, 12 mile run, 15 mile bike) yesterday. Yeah, I'm loving the ibuprofen today! Anyway I figure I've got 20 weeks to train for this (4 to get into better shape/do more endurance) and 16weeks to follow runners worlds 3 day/week training plan, which is awesome for 13.2 miles. My only real problem is that I'm finishing up family medicine in 2 weeks, have 8 weeks of medicine after that, then I'll be finishing peds after that. So is 3 days/week doable during medicine?

I put in 8-15 hrs a week in the gym during third year. Not a marathoner. I was busy trying to keep my poor, diseased spine from completely giving up and quitting on me. And trying to deadlift twice my body weight. (which is pathetic, but pretty good for a guy with parsonage-tuner syndrome IMO).

 

[DominicanaMD]

I'm not in med school...yet (hopefully, next year).

I run ultra-marathons. I've done one 100-miler, one 100K and a bunch of 50 milers. I hope to keep my running up in med school. As best I can figure I'll have to get my runs in before classes and stick to a couple of long runs on the weekends.

I run with a resident at a nearby hospital who also does ultras. So, there's time. You just gotta make it.

Oh, and if you can run 26 miles, you can run an ultra. It's not a physical challenge past a marathon, it's a mental challenge.

Cool dude,

Thats awsome. I'm planning on doing my first Ultra this Fall. Its great to know that it is possible (everyone thinks I'm insane for signing up for this race). I'm up for the challenge! Thanks 😀!

 

[SoCuteMD]

quick, more focused question: Is it possible to train for the 26.2 during third year? I've run half marathons and done sprint triathlons, and I'm seriously thinking about doing the full 26.2 in october.

I did my first 4 hour work-out (15 mile bike, 12 mile run, 15 mile bike) yesterday. Yeah, I'm loving the ibuprofen today! Anyway I figure I've got 20 weeks to train for this (4 to get into better shape/do more endurance) and 16weeks to follow runners worlds 3 day/week training plan, which is awesome for 13.2 miles. My only real problem is that I'm finishing up family medicine in 2 weeks, have 8 weeks of medicine after that, then I'll be finishing peds after that. So is 3 days/week doable during medicine?

It really depends on your medicine rotation. For where I was doing medicine, it would have been impossible (call q4, never got sent home early, etc.). There are other sites at my school, though, where you could have easily trained 3 days/wk.

 

[PenguinHead]

quick, more focused question: Is it possible to train for the 26.2 during third year? I've run half marathons and done sprint triathlons, and I'm seriously thinking about doing the full 26.2 in october.

I did my first 4 hour work-out (15 mile bike, 12 mile run, 15 mile bike) yesterday. Yeah, I'm loving the ibuprofen today! Anyway I figure I've got 20 weeks to train for this (4 to get into better shape/do more endurance) and 16weeks to follow runners worlds 3 day/week training plan, which is awesome for 13.2 miles. My only real problem is that I'm finishing up family medicine in 2 weeks, have 8 weeks of medicine after that, then I'll be finishing peds after that. So is 3 days/week doable during medicine?

I did 4-5 days/wk while on medicine, but with no overnight call. Only did a half marathon though. If you can read on a treadmill you're golden.

 

[engineeredout]

I run ultra-marathons. I've done one 100-miler, one 100K and a bunch of 50 milers. I hope to keep my running up in med school. As best I can figure I'll have to get my runs in before classes and stick to a couple of long runs on the weekends.

😱

Anyone caught between the desire to run and the desire to do weight lifting? I try to keep a balance of both when I work out, but lifting weights detracts from distance to run. I still do 4-5 miles every time I work out, but it used to be more like 8 miles every time I worked out when I didn't lift. Don't really want to do one while giving up the other.

Weight training sucks, its so much more complicated than running. Run faster, run harder (incline), run farther. THAT'S IT. Weight training involves having to choose from a variety of different exercises for different muscle groups for different amounts of time at different levels. Are you going to lift a few reps on burnout sets? Are you going to use lighter weight for more reps? Something in the middle? Which muscle group are you going to work out? What order are you going to do them in? Should you use machines or free weights? Free movement machines?

 

[whoisthedrizzle]

😱

Anyone caught between the desire to run and the desire to do weight lifting? I try to keep a balance of both when I work out, but lifting weights detracts from distance to run. I still do 4-5 miles every time I work out, but it used to be more like 8 miles every time I worked out when I didn’t lift. Don’t really want to do one while giving up the other.

Weight training sucks, its so much more complicated than running. Run faster, run harder (incline), run farther. THAT’S IT. Weight training involves having to choose from a variety of different exercises for different muscle groups for different amounts of time at different levels. Are you going to lift a few reps on burnout sets? Are you going to use lighter weight for more reps? Something in the middle? Which muscle group are you going to work out? What order are you going to do them in? Should you use machines or free weights? Free movement machines?

Weight lifting might be more complicated, but it takes much less effort and the aesthetic payoff is much better (for men)

 

[DrJosephKim]

I trained for 6 weeks. I don't think I could do it during a busy clinical rotation, but you can definitely do it during your first 2 years of basic science classes. It kept me disciplined and I watched no television. Of course, I wasn't blogging back then either...

 

[JDAWG07]

I trained for a marathon in my 4th year of medschool. Basically started running the summer between 3rd and 4th and started marathon training around Dec/Jan. Finished the Delaware marathon in 3:11 less than a week before graduation.

For me, it was easy to fit in the time during 4th year but several of my classmates trained and ran them during 2nd and 3rd year. One of them finished the Marine Corps in 2:35!