If my longest run to date has been 14miles, will it be possible to finish the marathon?

It's on in 2 weeks. I would say I'm fit but I havn't put in a 20 mile run to date. Is there any hope??? I really want to be able to finish it as I've collect money for cancer research. Any last minute tips, what should I do over the next two weeks? Thanks...

If my longest run to date has been 14miles, will it be possible to finish the marathon?
Yes. They say that you can race three times as far as you train. But I might get a sixteen or eighteen just to be safe.
Reply:It's a sort of "on any given Sunday" sort of thing. The answer is YES, you can, but it really depends on how you're feeling that day, how you mentally prepare over the next two weeks, and how you take care of yourself.





Try to get in ONE long run THIS week but no closer than 10 days before the 'thon. REAL conditioning would have you do a 30-miler, but that's too extreme for you right now. See if you can do a 20.





But just get it in your mind that you are running to finish, running to advance cancer research... NOT to set the road on fire.





Good luck!
Reply:I am sure you will finish, but you may hurt yourself due to the 10mile gain in mileage that week. Take it easy and don't plan on setting records.





If you think you can run for over 3 hours, give it a try.
Reply:It depends on how much you have been averaging for how long.





Just because you have not done a long run doesn't mean you can't finish the marathon.





You have 2 weeks so if you want to do a 20 miler it needs to be now.


If you have averaged 8 miles per day for the last 2 to 3 months you can finish the marathon.


Run your pace don't go to fast. If finishing is your goal, incorporate walking during the race.





Every 20 minutes, walk for 5 minutes.


Drink plenty of water.


Over the next 2 weeks relax and run easy, you can not get into shape in 2 weeks but you can injure yourself.





Finishing is your goal, and that is possible if you take your time, don't go out too fast, take the walk breaks, drink water, protect yourself from the sun, and have some friends meet you during the race to run or walk with you a few miles at a time, especially the last half of the race.
Reply:Yes, but you may have to do a combination of running and walking to finish. If you've run 14 miles you can probably run 20 miles. However, if you haven't done a few 20+ mile runs, your body most likely hasn't had the stimulus to needed to run 26 miles without bonking. My recomendation is to start slow and stop at every aid station. That way you are running 13 2 mile jogs with breaks. Definitely don't look at the clock.





As far as traing for the next two weeks, continue with the training schedule you are using. It's too late now to increase or change your training.