Any runners here?

[timespeedsup]

Not running the London Marathon again either. 4 rejections now, and in years gone by that would guarantee me a place for 2013. Alas all changed to randomness now. Wonder what the record number of consequtive rejections is?

[Spacey]

Just found out I have a ballot place in London Marathon. Entered ballot not really expecting to get a place. Due to injury haven't done much running this year and wondering if I'll be able to do it. Injury ok now but bit worried about recurrence. Wanted to do London marathon for years but as most I've ever run is 8 miles rather apprehensive, especially as recently I've only done the odd 3 mile run. Anyone got any advice? Feel like it's an opportunity I can't turn down.

[TheGayTent]

Just found out I have a ballot place in London Marathon. Entered ballot not really expecting to get a place. Due to injury haven't done much running this year and wondering if I'll be able to do it. Injury ok now but bit worried about recurrence. Wanted to do London marathon for years but as most I've ever run is 8 miles rather apprehensive, especially as recently I've only done the odd 3 mile run. Anyone got any advice? Feel like it's an opportunity I can't turn down.

Running a marathon is easy. If you have done the training.

Running a marathon without enough training is fucking hard!

If I were you I'd start running now, 2-3 times a week, approx 20 miles a week. Then in January, start one of the numerous training plans you can find by quick google search. The one I prefer is a 16 week training plan drafted by the cancer charity Macmillan - but there are loads of them - pick and choose one that suits you.

Personally I find it much easier to do my LSR, at the weekend with other people. So if you're like me and find 20 mile training runs by yourself hard work...find a training buddy or join a running club.

If you haven't already, visit a specialist running shop and get them to analyse your stride - then buy a proper pair of running trainers to suit you - they will advise you.

When it comes to race day, make sure you have your name clearly visible on your top - believe me, you'll appreciate it come the last few miles.

[Spacey]

Thanks for that. I do run with a group and I intend to run 3 or 4 times a week, taking it slowly. It's a bit daunting but must give it a go.

[TheGayTent]

Thanks for that. I do run with a group and I intend to run 3 or 4 times a week, taking it slowly. It's a bit daunting but must give it a go.

Good luck!

[TheGayTent]

Off to Amsterdam in the morning!

[Spacey]

Off to Amsterdam in the morning!

How did it go?

[TheGayTent]

How did it go?

Managed it in 4hr 31mins. A personal worst by 25 minutes! Though I was in fact very pleased by my time, thought I'd be closer to 4.45 or even 5 hours considering the severe lack of training I undertook. I may well return at some point in the future as the course is perfect for fast times and setting pbs. The finish in the Olympic Stadium makes it quite special too.

First visit to Amsterdam, and really enjoyed it. Great to see so many people using bicycles, and the tram system they have is very convenient. Anne Frank house was as eye opening as expected. As was the appalling level of H&S on their construction sites!

Edited October 20, 2011 by TheGayTent

[Spacey]

Well the bulk of the training done now starting to ease off before the marathon itself on 22nd. It has gone ok but the long runs are really hard work. Getting nervous but also looking forward to it. Anyone else on here running London Marathon?

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Do any runners here know a good place where I can get trainers in a wide fitting? I have managed to find places doing boots in a wide but not trainers. I am an 8 but having bunions I wear a 9 but that hurts my toes. I have tried shoe stretchers but they don't really work.

[fairyinboots]

I am running VLM too. Although not sure I count anymore! I am a want to get round I am afraid. After 3 years of serious injury that left me vitually unable to walk, I just want to complete it. I did 20 miles in 4 hours, so heres hoping for a 5:30 - 6:00 finish.

Rufus, New Balance always used to be quite wide fitting.

[greenfairy43]

I am running VLM too. Although not sure I count anymore! I am a want to get round I am afraid. After 3 years of serious injury that left me vitually unable to walk, I just want to complete it. I did 20 miles in 4 hours, so heres hoping for a 5:30 - 6:00 finish.

Rufus, New Balance always used to be quite wide fitting.

Go FiBs!!

[TheGayTent]

After a period out - partially due to injury, and partially due to extreme laziness - I've just entered the Paris marathon next April.

Anyone else still running?

[The Nal]

After a period out - partially due to injury, and partially due to extreme laziness - I've just entered the Paris marathon next April.

Anyone else still running?

No but swimming a lot. Really noticing a difference. 3 x 30 min sessions a week. Intense too. Really enjoying it.

Cant really run too much. I get bored to easily and have too many lingering injuries that flare up now being 33 and having played football for 25 years.

[TheGayTent]

Do you do particular sessions TN? Or just a case of swimming up and back for 30 minutes?

I was enjoying some decent pyramid sessions and the like a few months back, but they fell by the wayside when I got de-motivated by my running injury. Will definitely be picking the swimming up as a supplement to my marathon running plan

[The Nal]

Do you do particular sessions TN? Or just a case of swimming up and back for 30 minutes?

I was enjoying some decent pyramid sessions and the like a few months back, but they fell by the wayside when I got de-motivated by my running injury. Will definitely be picking the swimming up as a supplement to my marathon running plan

Yeah lane swims up and back for 30 mins. Doing a lot of IMs, only 100ms, but a few sets of them littered with fast front and back crawl lengths will have your burning! Butterfly in particular is great. But stay clear of breast stroke if you have any sort of knee injury. Its a relatively ineffective stroke anyway for fitness and calorie burning purposes.

Id recommend doing a few lengths in a row at an intense level and then taking a short break to get your breath back as opposed to loads of slow laps with no breaks.

Also obviously helps for running and general sport, breathing patterns etc and helps with injuries too which is the best part for me. I have ITB issues, normal when you hit 30, which Ive just had 6 months of physio on and is almost fixed. Played a cup match on Saturday which went into extra time and had no issues. I'm doing a little bit of weight lifting too which also helps.

Im 6 ft 2, was 16 1/2 stone when I started a few months ago and I'm down to 14 with change now which is close to fighting weight. Havent really changed my diet at all. Slightly smaller portions maybe.

If I could just knock the booze on the head......

Edited October 18, 2012 by The Nal

[Kowalski]

After a period out - partially due to injury, and partially due to extreme laziness - I've just entered the Paris marathon next April.

Anyone else still running?

Yes. Knocked back by VLM again. Considering Berlin or Amsterdam next year, mainly on account that they are flat.

[TheGayTent]

Yes. Knocked back by VLM again. Considering Berlin or Amsterdam next year, mainly on account that they are flat.

I've done both. Berlin course I found more interesting - a lot of Amsterdam is run up and back both sides of the river which got a bit repetitive if that doesn't sound a stupid comment about a 26 mile race! That said, the finish in the Olympic stadium was quite cool.

Would do both again anyway.

[TheGayTent]

If I could just knock the booze on the head......

Know the feeling...

[TheGayTent]

Eurostar and hotel finally booked for Paris.

Training going ok too...touch wood...wish this weather would disappear mind, making training runs more difficult!

[Ruwise]

My husband is doing the Paris Marathon. Has anyone done it before? I'm going over to support him so am hoping it is easy to find people at the end. It's his first marathon though he has done 3 half marathons. He, like many others has tried 3 years running to get into the London Marathon and just had no luck. He's feeling the running on his knees and hips now and so wanted to do one this year whilst he thought he had the chance. It's a shame the London Marathon is so difficult to get into as that one was his ambition.

[TheGayTent]

In my experience of marathons the easiest way to meet up after a marathon is the for the runner to find their family and friends, not vice versa. Pick a preset place to meet and stick to it.

Keep applying in the ballot for London - he'll get lucky at some point. There's always a charity place, can get one of them every year easy - the hard part is raising the 2k....

[Ruwise]

Yes I know it is easy to get the charity places but the £2k target makes it impossible for my husband. He is a homeworker (works at home in Bolton and his office is in Slough) He's not worked there too long and doesn't know many colleagues and neither of us have that much family and our friends are not that wealthy. It's a shame they make it so prohibitive. He would happily raise money for charity but with a big push the best he'd probably manage is about £1k.

We've definitely going to have him to come to me but just not sure where. I'm hoping when we get there that there is some obvious place.

Hope your training is going well.

[TheGayTent]

Yes I know it is easy to get the charity places but the £2k target makes it impossible for my husband. He is a homeworker (works at home in Bolton and his office is in Slough) He's not worked there too long and doesn't know many colleagues and neither of us have that much family and our friends are not that wealthy. It's a shame they make it so prohibitive. He would happily raise money for charity but with a big push the best he'd probably manage is about £1k.

We've definitely going to have him to come to me but just not sure where. I'm hoping when we get there that there is some obvious place.

Hope your training is going well.

Yeah understand that. I did the charity thing once but I wouldn't do it again. I'm not asking the same people (friends, family, and colleagues) to cough up dough just because I want to run a marathon. It's tough, but the race is a victim of it's own success in terms of popularity.

Sorry I can't be of any help re meeting place. I haven't run it before so don't know.

Very well at the moment, hope your hubby's is too.

[Ruwise]

So far so good though the snow and ice is a bit of a killer in terms of going out for the long runs.