Any runners here?

[themuel]

Yet I want 3.59.59 in London minimum (really I want to do 3.54.21), yet my training indicates I'll be lucky to do 4.15.00

I think we might be living the same life at the moment! I want to do London in 9 minute miles which is about the same time as your aim, and my forced 3 week injury training break makes me feel like I'm more likely to hit 4:15-4:30.

At least we now both know someone else in an eerily similar boat!

[TheGayTent]

I think we might be living the same life at the moment! I want to do London in 9 minute miles which is about the same time as your aim, and my forced 3 week injury training break makes me feel like I'm more likely to hit 4:15-4:30.

At least we now both know someone else in an eerily similar boat!

Depending on which of the three starts we're at and what pen etc, we could well start and finish quite close together.

I had planned on running the first half in 1.55, but may well now aim for a negative split with the real possibility of not achieving it!

[tHomBleached]

Don't suppose any midlanders did the Fradley 10k today?

Was nursing a nasty hangover, but still came 84th did it in almost 42 minutes flat, which is pretty good for me (about a 7:20 mile I think?) If I'm on my own 10k usually takes more like 44-45 - guess it's the motivation of pack running that speeds you up a little.

Horrible course though (might look pretty but it's lapped - rubbish!)

[themuel]

Well I ran the Silverstone half today. It's really windy there! I got round in 1:57:44 which is as good as I could expect really with all the injury trouble this year. I think I am officially going to have to kiss goodbye to hopes of a sub 4 hour London Marathon!

Edited March 15, 2010 by themuel

[themuel]

Don't suppose any midlanders did the Fradley 10k today?

Was nursing a nasty hangover, but still came 84th did it in almost 42 minutes flat, which is pretty good for me (about a 7:20 mile I think?) If I'm on my own 10k usually takes more like 44-45 - guess it's the motivation of pack running that speeds you up a little.

Horrible course though (might look pretty but it's lapped - rubbish!)

And wow great time well done! The pack mentality today caused me to start too fast and I had to have walking breaks by ten miles.

[tHomBleached]

And wow great time well done! The pack mentality today caused me to start too fast and I had to have walking breaks by ten miles.

Reckon I could've shaved a minute off if I hadn't had a sesh on the booze the night before - at 4k I had stitch so bad I thought the world had ended.

Gottah watch the fast starts, I always see plenty of people whizz past me in the first 1-2 miles, only to leisurely trot past them during miles 4-5 where they're peaked too soon

[tHomBleached]

Well I ran the Silverstone half today. It's really windy there! I got round in 1:57:44 which is as good as I could expect really with all the injury trouble this year. I think I am officilly going to have to kiss goodbye to hopes of a sub 4 hour London Marathon!

You've got plenty of time to get sub 4 hour for London. It's less windy, warmer (so easier on old injuries), and weeks away. What injuries are you nursing?

[Kowalski]

A disappointing 1hr 57 in the Inverness Half (4 minutes outside my PB). Had originally hoped to be nearer 1hr 50 but a cold has scuppered me over the last 4 weeks.

Marathon training steps up a gear now, so it's going to be much harder work for the next 10 weeks.

[themuel]

You've got plenty of time to get sub 4 hour for London. It's less windy, warmer (so easier on old injuries), and weeks away. What injuries are you nursing?

About a month ago I was running along the canals in oxford and slipped and jarred my leg, it seemed fine and I stupidly carried on with the run. As soon as I stopped running I realised it was quite painful, and as a result have only done about 5 runs in the last month!

A disappointing 1hr 57 in the Inverness Half (4 minutes outside my PB). Had originally hoped to be nearer 1hr 50 but a cold has scuppered me over the last 4 weeks.

Marathon training steps up a gear now, so it's going to be much harder work for the next 10 weeks.

Good work, you beat me by 44 seconds!!!!!

[TheGayTent]

Did a 20 mile training run yesterday in 3hr 20m. Pleased to have got 20 miles under my belt - first time I've run that far since the Berlin Marathon. Really need to improve that time when i do my next long in two weeks (am doing Hastings half next weekend so won't be doing an LSR this week).

Well done Kowalski, themuel, & tHomBleached !

[themuel]

10 miles this morning, 8:46 a mile. Managed to get it done before it started raining, yay!

I'm doing 19 miles on Sunday and am terrified.

[TheGayTent]

10 miles this morning, 8:46 a mile. Managed to get it done before it started raining, yay!

I'm doing 19 miles on Sunday and am terrified.

If you're anything like me...start off slowly, and get slower! Do you take gels with you on LSRs?

I'm doing an interval session tonight (hate them), in preparation for half marathon in Hastings on Sunday.

[themuel]

If you're anything like me...start off slowly, and get slower! Do you take gels with you on LSRs?

I'm doing an interval session tonight (hate them), in preparation for half marathon in Hastings on Sunday.

What does LSR stand for? Long stamina run is my guess.

Yeah I do take gels out, one every 4 miles if I'm running over 10 miles as a general rule. Do you?

I saw your valiant 20 miler in 3hr 20. What will you do to improve on that in time for marathon day?

I don't know if I should run on Sunday as if it's the marathon and go for 9 minute miles or slow down? Problem is I find it hard to run slowly.

[TheGayTent]

What does LSR stand for? Long stamina run is my guess.

Yeah I do take gels out, one every 4 miles if I'm running over 10 miles as a general rule. Do you?

I saw your valiant 20 miler in 3hr 20. What will you do to improve on that in time for marathon day?

I don't know if I should run on Sunday as if it's the marathon and go for 9 minute miles or slow down? Problem is I find it hard to run slowly.

Guessed right!

Same as you I don't bother for short runs of 10 miles or less. Usually take just the one gel on long runs - had one at around half way on my 20 mile runs - though I used more in the marathon (4 I think) - I try not to take too many to stop my body getting used to the sharp intake of carbohydrates. I use the SIS Go Gels - just find them easier to take as thy're isotonic.

To try and improve before the big day I'll be continuing to vary my runs between intervals/fartleks/hills/tempos/LSRs. Got another 3 20 milers planned before apr 25th.

I never do my LSRs at race pace - for me they're about spending the length of time running, rather than doing the distance in a quick time. My pace will (hopefully!) come from my speedwork, tempo & intervals runs etc.

I find if I do an LSR at marathon pace, it negatively effects the next weeks training. Doing a fartlek, hill session, or even a mid length steady run, is very difficult to me if I try and do an LSR at race pace. Where as they're doable if I do them slowly. So if i were you, i wouldn't do your sunday run at 9 min mile pace (unless your race pace on marathon day is going to be 8 min mile pace or quicker?).

[Kowalski]

Guessed right!

Same as you I don't bother for short runs of 10 miles or less. Usually take just the one gel on long runs - had one at around half way on my 20 mile runs - though I used more in the marathon (4 I think) - I try not to take too many to stop my body getting used to the sharp intake of carbohydrates. I use the SIS Go Gels - just find them easier to take as thy're isotonic.

To try and improve before the big day I'll be continuing to vary my runs between intervals/fartleks/hills/tempos/LSRs. Got another 3 20 milers planned before apr 25th.

I never do my LSRs at race pace - for me they're about spending the length of time running, rather than doing the distance in a quick time. My pace will (hopefully!) come from my speedwork, tempo & intervals runs etc.

I find if I do an LSR at marathon pace, it negatively effects the next weeks training. Doing a fartlek, hill session, or even a mid length steady run, is very difficult to me if I try and do an LSR at race pace. Where as they're doable if I do them slowly. So if i were you, i wouldn't do your sunday run at 9 min mile pace (unless your race pace on marathon day is going to be 8 min mile pace or quicker?).

14 miles this weekend, and it'll creep up to 20 miles over the next 6 weeks. Do you run with liquids as well as gels? Can't decide whether to start taking one or the other. I don't normally need to take anything for a 13 mile training run, but I'm now going into unknown territory.

[fairyinboots]

Hi Guys

I am trying to fight my way back from my serious back injury. I have gone from not being able to walk, to starting a run/walk programme. My last run before the back was 10 miles, so starting from scratch again is nothing but frustrating. Especially as I can only do treadmill at the moment due to impact issues.

Well done on all the marathon training going on.

[Cardboard Box City]

I had a non-runner at Cheltenham today

Edited March 18, 2010 by Cardboard Box City

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Hi Guys

I am trying to fight my way back from my serious back injury. I have gone from not being able to walk, to starting a run/walk programme. My last run before the back was 10 miles, so starting from scratch again is nothing but frustrating. Especially as I can only do treadmill at the moment due to impact issues.

Well done on all the marathon training going on.

Well done to all.

I am in a f**ked up state. I had gout attacks through out the summer, dislocated my knee, got trenchfoot (seriously) and just generally sat on my arse eating. 21 f**king stone I weighed in at the other week

Anyway, just been walking the past few weeks. My knee still hurts a little, but got some nice Nike Airs and they give me a little bounce. Past couple of days just doing a 2 mile jog and doing that in around 20 to 23 minutes. I can live with that for a bit.

Also, I do an 8 mile walk but what I have been doing is carrying a rucksack. It started empty, but at the end of every week I weigh myself, and I add to the rucksack the weight I have lost, so essentially I will carry my start weight all the time (if you know what I mean).

Cannot see myself doing any serious running, even when I have lost the weight. My knee can't take it

Considering the "sport walking" thing though.

[ampersand]

eddie izzard makes me want to run. will i f**k though

[Kowalski]

eddie izzard makes me want to run. will i f**k though

Amazing achievement, loving the programme.

[TheGayTent]

14 miles this weekend, and it'll creep up to 20 miles over the next 6 weeks. Do you run with liquids as well as gels? Can't decide whether to start taking one or the other. I don't normally need to take anything for a 13 mile training run, but I'm now going into unknown territory.

It's all about personal choice - do whatever suits you. Personally I take water and gels on long runs (20 miles for example). For a 15 mile run, I just take water.

Good luck

[TheGayTent]

Rufus and fairy,

I find it helps to ignore whatever your end goal is - as that can seem so far away it's demoralising. I try and break my goals down into smaller chunks, so you get the sense of achievement regular and often and keeps you motivated. So for me, setting my week's schedule - then come sunday and i haven't missed any sessions, I've achieved something. Rather than looking at a 10 week schedule that seems so far away. Or, although my end target is to run 26.2 miles in under 4hrs, break that down to run 15 miles by the end of feb, run 20 miles by the end of march etc.

Let us know how you get on

[tHomBleached]

Amen to that, is there a weirder pain?

It's all about covering them in plasters!

Are any of you guys using Runkeeper on the iphone? I can safely say it has revolutionised my running.

My Runkeeper profile

Amen to that.

Although I only use it now and again, so my distance less than it should be:-

http://runkeeper.com/user/tHombleached

They've just added live tracking as well, so people can see your run as you're doing it:-

http://runkeeper.com/blog/?p=495

It's one of the best apps I've ever seen, if you've got runkeeper pro it tells you your distance/minute mile every 5 minutes which is great for keeping pace.

Edited March 19, 2010 by tHomBleached

[themuel]

I find if I do an LSR at marathon pace, it negatively effects the next weeks training. Doing a fartlek, hill session, or even a mid length steady run, is very difficult to me if I try and do an LSR at race pace. Where as they're doable if I do them slowly. So if i were you, i wouldn't do your sunday run at 9 min mile pace (unless your race pace on marathon day is going to be 8 min mile pace or quicker?).

Hell no!

I am just terrible at pacing. running slower than 9:30 a mile is really hard for me unless I am tired at the end of a run! I will try that this weekend though as my runners world training newsletter just arrived with that exact piece of advice in it! I just worry that I wont be able to sustain the speed come marathon day if I havent in training?

I'm such a novice!

[themuel]

I just did 4 miles on the treadmill at 10 mins a mile, it was ok so will see what happens tomorrow.

tHomBleached - My Runkeeper profile.

Oh yeah... GO AWAY RAIN!!