Any runners here?

[-pogo-]

I ran for the train today.

[TheGayTent]

The half is finally arriving on Sunday. 13.1 miles down the Grand Union canal, Uxbridge to Watford.

Would a drink tonight be useful?!?

I thought about doing that one - nice and flat.

Then they moved the game from Sat to Sun

[timespeedsup]

I thought about doing that one - nice and flat.

Then they moved the game from Sat to Sun

Glad to hear the flat aspect. Would of course enjoy seeing a canal that goes up and down hills

What's up with the Sunday? Saturday's would be easier for me too.

Currently sitting here twiddling thumbs waiting for it to be morning.

[timespeedsup]

The half is finally arriving on Sunday. 13.1 miles down the Grand Union canal, Uxbridge to Watford.

Beat the 2 hour mark on my half-debut, clocking 1:57:54 unofficially. Even managed a sprint for the last 200 yards

Lovely run incidentally, great to look at the canals and smell the canal-boat smell that's most remeniscent of Glastonbury's green fields (as was the bits of mud).

Only real hard bit was the half-mile less-than-gentle incline between 12th and 13th mile. Randomized things nicely though, those passing me earlier were repassed whilst others got ahead of me through that bit.

[Kowalski]

Good stuff TSU

Looks like there's at least 3 efestivallers doing the Edinburgh Marathon. Anyone else fancy it?

http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/

Note there are three races:

8am - Half marathon

10am - Marathon

10am - Marathon relay (teams of four)

I can provide details of the cheap and cheerful hotel I'm staying in if anybody is up for copious amounts of post race drinks.

[TheGayTent]

Glad to hear the flat aspect. Would of course enjoy seeing a canal that goes up and down hills

Locks...

What's up with the Sunday? Saturday's would be easier for me too.

Slightly ambiguous that comment - I meant the football match I was going to was originally scheduled for Saturday so I could have ran the half - but was subsequently moved to the Sunday which meant I couldn't do the run.

[TheGayTent]

Beat the 2 hour mark on my half-debut, clocking 1:57:54 unofficially. Even managed a sprint for the last 200 yards

Cracking time, well done - beat my debut half time.

Now I expect you to beat my marathon debut time within 15 months

[timespeedsup]

Looks like there's at least 3 efestivallers doing the Edinburgh Marathon. Anyone else fancy it?

http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/

Not me, Communion Weekend that one, and I'd be out of shape after Bearded Theory. Nice idea though.

Locks...

But mere slopes, 10 seconds of effort and usually overtook a few people going up the many of them.

Cracking time, well done - beat my debut half time.

Now I expect you to beat my marathon debut time within 15 months

London Marathon 2011 is the ideal. What was your debut time?

[TheGayTent]

London Marathon 2011 is the ideal. What was your debut time?

4hrs 4 mins

[timespeedsup]

4hrs 4 mins

I'll have that. I presume we all start to slow down during the second half-marathon, so aiming for under 4 hours given my half time is going to take some effort.

[TheGayTent]

I'll have that. I presume we all start to slow down during the second half-marathon, so aiming for under 4 hours given my half time is going to take some effort.

I'm convinced had I not been suffering from a heavy cold and it hitting 26 degrees during the run I'd have managed to get under 4 hrs. I was on for it until 22 miles, but felt like I had steam coming out of my head. Water stations just weren't close enough, nor were the fire engines with their sprinklers!

Hopefully London will be cooler...

[timespeedsup]

I'm convinced had I not been suffering from a heavy cold and it hitting 26 degrees during the run I'd have managed to get under 4 hrs. I was on for it until 22 miles, but felt like I had steam coming out of my head. Water stations just weren't close enough, nor were the fire engines with their sprinklers!

Hopefully London will be cooler...

Bad luck - conditions make more difference the longer the race?

Had a few sips of water at the few water stations, didn't seem to make any difference but didn't hinder me either. Never practice with water anyway. How useful are they & how best to approach them?

[stoopidbird]

Silverstone Half in march is pretty much flat as a pancake for anyone still looking for a spring half.

Anyway since screwing up my knee after the London Marathon this year I've done pretty much sweet FA exercise full stop - yuk. Am officially allowed to start running again now though - woohoo! Thought I might enter a middle distance triathlon/half ironman to ease myself into it gently

[TheGayTent]

Bad luck - conditions make more difference the longer the race?

Had a few sips of water at the few water stations, didn't seem to make any difference but didn't hinder me either. Never practice with water anyway. How useful are they & how best to approach them?

The water stations in Berlin were poor as they were only on one side of the road which meant traffic jams and losing time every 5 k.

The heat definitely made a difference to me - some people suffer more than others though. I think if the race had started an hour earlier i'd have made the 4 hr mark, but running in the hottest part of the day when you've already run 20+ miles is tough.

You will definitely need to take on water when running the longer distances, you'll dehydrate too much otherwise. I'd recommend practising on your longer runs.

[Kowalski]

Do any of you marathon runners have any opinions on this training program for a first-timer?

http://www.marathon-training-program.com/t...ram-finish.html

My main training partner would prefer to run 3 times a week, instead of 4, but still do the cross training so we're looking at the above program. I'm quite comfortable with it but was wondering if anyone who has done a marathon had any opinions?

I note it only goes up to 20 miles - while others go up to 22 - is this going to cause a big problem on race day?

[timespeedsup]

I've not looked at it Kowalski as I'm not at that level yet. But fair play to you for getting organized 5 months in advance.

& I'm reminded to go book my next half which will hopefully get me back out there training before Xmas.

Edit: Done - Asics Watford Half on 7th February

Edited December 5, 2009 by timespeedsup

[TheGayTent]

Do any of you marathon runners have any opinions on this training program for a first-timer?

http://www.marathon-training-program.com/t...ram-finish.html

My main training partner would prefer to run 3 times a week, instead of 4, but still do the cross training so we're looking at the above program. I'm quite comfortable with it but was wondering if anyone who has done a marathon had any opinions?

I note it only goes up to 20 miles - while others go up to 22 - is this going to cause a big problem on race day?

Sorry Kowlaski, I've only just noticed this. I'm no expert (as you can tell by the original post!) but I've had a quick look and can't see anything wrong with it. To be honest, the key thing is to make sure you stick to going out regularly. Try not to miss training sessions even when it's cold/wet/you've had a long day at work. The runs that you do when not feeling 100% are far more important than those that you do feeling great.

The more runs you can get under your belt in bad conditions - whether that be the weather or yourself - the better. Remember, when it comes to marathon day you can't guarantee the weather and you can't guarantee how you're going to feel. When I did my marathon I was slap bang in the middle of a seriously heavy cold.

All that said - never ever run on an injury.

Training is a lot easier if you can establish a routine, and always try and ensure your weekly long run is done at the same time of day as when the race you're training for is on - probably early sunday morning. If you do all your training in the evening, you'll struggle doing a run in the morning - your body simply won't be ready.

If you plan on using any gels:

make sure you get your body used to them prior to the event, and master the technique of opening them and drinking/eating them whilst running. Ain't easy straight away - particularly without getting them all over your hands and round your face - and they're very sticky!

Wouldn't worry overly about 20 or 22 miles. For example, it'd be better to have run 20 miles three times in training, than run 22 miles once.

Key to training (for me) is variety. Don't repeat the same route/distance/pace over and again. First of all, it'll bore you to tears. More importantly, you'll get more out of doing fartleks, sprint sessions, tempo runs etc, than you will just doing race pace long runs.

Hope that doesn't put you off and is helpful. Remember i don't really know what i'm talking about. I just know what worked (and didn't work!) for me.

Finally - is anyone really struggling with this weather? I hate the treadmill at the best of times and am going out of my mind and falling behind my schedule.

P.S. Having re-read it - apologies if it comes across as patronising or teaching granny to suck eggs - not intended like that.

Edited January 13, 2010 by TheGayTent

[Kowalski]

Cheers for that mate, much appreciated.

I bought the book that goes with the training plan. The two extra cross-training days replace the traditional 5-day running marathon plans, so its absolutely vital I do them and not just stick to running 3 days a week.

We're starting next Monday and its great timing that there is a half marathon the same weekend as our 13 mile run in a couple of weeks, so I'm well up for it at the moment.

I have an early prediction of 4 hours and 15 minutes, but we'll see how things go once the training starts in earnest. I'm genuinely quite looking forward to it at the moment.

As for the weather, I've managed to get running down at our beach where the snow doesn't settle so I've been able to keep things going before starting my 18 weeks of training next week.

You're doing London aren't you? You must have started training then?

[TheGayTent]

Cheers for that mate, much appreciated.

I bought the book that goes with the training plan. The two extra cross-training days replace the traditional 5-day running marathon plans, so its absolutely vital I do them and not just stick to running 3 days a week.

We're starting next Monday and its great timing that there is a half marathon the same weekend as our 13 mile run in a couple of weeks, so I'm well up for it at the moment.

I have an early prediction of 4 hours and 15 minutes, but we'll see how things go once the training starts in earnest. I'm genuinely quite looking forward to it at the moment.

As for the weather, I've managed to get running down at our beach where the snow doesn't settle so I've been able to keep things going before starting my 18 weeks of training next week.

You're doing London aren't you? You must have started training then?

What's your PB for a 1/2 marathon? That should give you some indication of what marathon time is achievable.

You can use websites like this - though of course they're only a guide

I've only just started properly this weekend due to the weather. Even though I haven't trained properly for 3 months I seem to have kept a decent level of fitness.

I'm aiming for around 3.55 which would be a 9/10 min iprovement on my time in the Berlin Marathon.

[Kowalski]

1hr 53 for a half. That website would suggest sub 4 hours for a marathon. I'd be delighted to break 4 hours 15.

[TheGayTent]

What shoes does everybody wear? Do you pronate? Do you wear cushioned or neutral?

I'm currently wearing Asics Cumulus 9 but they're falling apart. I'm taking them in to my local running shop for some advice on what to get next - I was going to go gor cumulus 11s but apparently the sole has been radically re-designed so although the 9s were perfect for me, they may well not be now. Possible I might switch to the Nimbus.

What are people's favourite brands. i have to say i stick to Asics as they've been good to me. New Balance always feel uncomfortable on me - what are your experiences?

[bunique]

What shoes does everybody wear? Do you pronate? Do you wear cushioned or neutral?

I'm currently wearing Asics Cumulus 9 but they're falling apart. I'm taking them in to my local running shop for some advice on what to get next - I was going to go gor cumulus 11s but apparently the sole has been radically re-designed so although the 9s were perfect for me, they may well not be now. Possible I might switch to the Nimbus.

What are people's favourite brands. i have to say i stick to Asics as they've been good to me. New Balance always feel uncomfortable on me - what are your experiences?

Saucony progrid stabil cs - I'm a major overpronator. Run and Become near victoria almost ran out of shoes for me to try on til I tried these ones. There is a website which sells discontinued running shoes if you wanted to try for the same pair - i'd have to look it up when I'm home though.

I'm back to running (indoors) again, again. 10k at the end of May that I've promised to do with work. Eek.

[Bezdad]

What shoes does everybody wear? Do you pronate? Do you wear cushioned or neutral?

I'm currently wearing Asics Cumulus 9 but they're falling apart. I'm taking them in to my local running shop for some advice on what to get next - I was going to go gor cumulus 11s but apparently the sole has been radically re-designed so although the 9s were perfect for me, they may well not be now. Possible I might switch to the Nimbus.

What are people's favourite brands. i have to say i stick to Asics as they've been good to me. New Balance always feel uncomfortable on me - what are your experiences?

Brooks seem to do the job for me. Not that I've done any running for 3 weeks - it's all been cross-training due to the snow. Rubbish.

[themuel]

I'm reentering this thread!!

Hey guys, so there are quite a few of us doing the London marathon this year then?! I am really looking forward to it, am running for ClicSargent again via a golden bond place.

I was meant to start my 16 week training plan 2 weeks ago but thanks to the thick ice on every pavement that wasn't possible, thanks weather.

I have started the plan on week 3 though as I was doing bits and bobs before Christmas so it's ok. Did 6 miles today, averaged 9.23 a mile. That will get better again though I hope.

Will be my third London, did it in 5.27 the first time, 4.50 the second time so I dont know how I will do this time just yet. My ultimate aim is under 4 hours, but I think that is likely to be next year...

Yay I am excited about talking about it again with like minded people who don't think I'm a bit mad for doing it!

[themuel]

9 Miles in 1hr20, that's ok to be going on with.