London marathoners assemble

[KittyandTeal]

As the ballot spaces start being allocated I thought I'd start a thread for those of us lucky enough to get a space.

I was rejected through the ballot but I have had a charity space since June so I'm running (and raising £1400) I've been training for a half so I can get the distance under my belt. Im up to 11 miles now in just over 2 hours. I'm slow but getting there. I'd like to get in under 5 hours but I'm happy to just be running it.

[SvenandSven]

I got a place in the ballot.
Still in shock was really not expecting it as it was my first time in the ballot.
I am a regular runner and have done 3 half marathons this year(my first ever was back in March).
Last month I ran a tough hilly trail 16.5mile race that to date is my furthest distance.

[KittyandTeal]

Yay! Sounds like you're well on track Sven.

I also mainly run trails so a road run will be a bit different. I'm going to try and do the Kingston half in Feb as a good training run

[SvenandSven]

That sounds good Kitty. I have discovered my love of trail this year one of the hm I ran was trail. A majority of my runs go off road so will need to keep them on road more now.
I was so convinced I wouldn't get in London I already have three 10 mile races booked 12th and 26th Feb and 11th march.
There is a local 20mile race advertised as a marathon prep race later part of march which I will enter to keep me going in the right direction.
I also attend a coaching session each saturday morning I have found that invaluable for strengthening my running form and taking what I learn and building it into my own training.

[KittyandTeal]

I'd love to join a training group but none of them around here meet on days I can run. I'm waiting to hear on a friend who entered too, one didn't get a space but I've got my fingers crossed for my other one,

20 mile race sounds like a brilliant idea. I'm dreading those longer runs. I felt done in after 11 miles yesterday and the thought of having to do it all again plus more made me feel a bit green.

[emummy]

I got a place, first time, can't believe it! I really want to do it but we're just trying to work out the cash logistics now. I may need to go on my own, but we're thinking about it. I wasn't sure how much I wanted to do it until I looked at the race pictures in the magazine, now I really want it!
I have done 3 half marathons and 2 trail 15 mile races, and as I am not working just now I think I can fit it in around children and OU studying.

[KittyandTeal]

Awesome emummy.

I'll be running on my own more than likely. Think dh will drop me in Greenwich and then go and find somewhere on route. Hopefully my dm will bring dd1 up to see me later in the day

[SvenandSven]

Yay emummy this is so exciting.
I will be running alone too. My mum lives commuter distance from London just under an hour on the train. We will go and stay there as we are in Dorset. I will probably travel into london on my own. Dh and dcs will come and watch possibly with other family members.

[KittyandTeal]

Ooooo we should do a mn marathoners meet up in the morning, could even start together if we're running similar paces (I'd like under 5 hours so may be slower than most!)

[SvenandSven]

Lol kitty thats not slow!! I think I will be roughly 5.45 -6.30 somewhere in that range I reckon. I would love a sub 6hr but realistically it will be over the 6hr mark I think I will just be happy to finish.

[emummy]

I think all my family will stay in Aberdeenshire, the cost of flights and accommodation for a family of 5 in London is interesting!
Am also hoping for under 5 hours, but I think I'll refine that once the training starts!

[KittyandTeal]

I'm currently running my easy pace at around 11-11:15min/miles so with a bit more speed work to increase my steady pace I reckon I could just about do 5 hours.

[CariadJohn]

Hey! I just got my acceptance magazine yesterday! Biggest shock of my life, especially as I've not run for months due to injury and I'm currently recovering from a big operation so can't start training for a few weeks. When I do start it will have to be right from scratch again. I'm a really slow runner; I was training for a half marathon in June and got to 9 miles run/walking but then my back went and I had to pull out. Really need to lose some weight and get this on track. It's an opportunity I'm unlikely to ever have again and I realise how lucky I am. Looking forward to getting to know you all and to getting and giving support and motivation when needed.

[emummy]

Well you've plenty of time Cariad, the trick will be to build up slowly I guess.
Told my bootcamp instructor this morning, big mistake! "We'll need to work you harder then" she said! Oh well, it can only help! So much for taking it easy over the winter!

[KittyandTeal]

Oh dear emummy I imagine boot camp is brilliant cross training.

I did a beautiful 5 miles this morning. I was sore after mondays 11 and not feeling it to start with but I run in the forest and the autumn colours are so pretty. I also saw a rainbow through the rain which reminded me of our ds we lost me spurred me on a bit. Ended up being a really good run with a few pr sections.

There's loads of time to start training. I'm using the plan on the marathon website for first time marathoners, there's also a walk/run one and one for people who haven't run before or who are returning from injury. All about 17 weeks long I think

[shakemysilliesout]

11 yrs of applying and I got a place!!!!! I have done lots of halves and one marathon (4 weeks ago)but always in autumn. I am worried about winter training....need your support!!

Svenandsven I did that 16.5 mile race last yr and the marathon this yr-beautiful and brutal!!

[Elba84]

Having a massive wobble about my place (got in first attempt at ballot, which I really, really was not expecting!!). I was up to running about 7-8 miles at a push last year, then did no running this year until about 6 weeks ago and my limit currently seems to be 7k. Swinging between excited determination that I will do it, to wondering what the hell I was doing entering in the first place!

Current (vague) plan is just to follow the beginners training plan from the magazine, but start it a few weeks early to allow for colds etc and in case I simply can't progress that fast. Plus a yoga class each week if I can fit it in. In the mean time try and get back into the routine of running and get back up to at least a comfortable 10k.

I was also thinking of doing the Kingston half (not in London but up there a lot), and maybe a 10k around December time if I can find one. Absolutely dreading the long runs on my own in the middle of winter though!

[emummy]

Sounds like a good plan Elba. I veer between happiness and terror at the moment! I find that reminding myself it's 7 months away helps! We have time to build up our distance and fitness and do all the travel planning and so on. I am planning to start a little early too, and the other thing I hope to get into the habit of is some strength training. My weekly boot camp will help, but I want to try and do another session at home and have bought a kettle bell to help. Now I just need to get started...
Well done on getting in shake, we can do winter training, piece of cake! If I can do it, living in North-East Scotland, anyone can!

[KittyandTeal]

Good plan Elba. I think just getting back into the routine of running is the biggest step. I'd be up for a running buddy if you faniced the Kingston half. I've looked for a December 10k but there don't seem to be many happening. I might not be looking in the right place though. I'd like to do the winter 10k but it's a bit pricey.

Shake, think of not having to do long runs in the summer heat, that's the bonus. I much prefer running in autumn and winter. Heat and humidity just kill me off.

My plan is 3 runs a week, strength after the 2 short ones, Zumba once a week and Pilates one a week. Plus a bit of yoga here and there. I have a yoga app that has a half hour yoga for runners 'class' that's brilliant.

I went out to do a 5 miler this evening, was supposed to be 3 middle @ tempo pace. I'm not 100% atm with a cold plus I've had a rough week with it being baby loss awareness week. I couldn't do it! I managed a slightly slower 4 miles, a did a couple of miles under 10 min miles and a couple around 10:30 which is alright but it should have been closer to 3 miles at 9:30ish or less. I got sucked into that 'I can't do this' mindset that I really struggle with. It's the first time in a long time that I've had to give up on a run and accept it's not happening. Rubbish.

[SvenandSven]

shake I was talking about Purbeck 16 is that the same as you? A huge massive well done if you took on Purbeck marathon. The 16 was tough enough.

[SvenandSven]

I have a 10 mile race that I had already booked for next month and a 10k a week later. Apart from that I will stick to maximum long run of 10k and concentrate on improving my core strength, speed work etc.
I won't up mileage until I start my training plan. I have a rough plan but I am going to get my running coach to check it out. She is an amazing lady who certainly knows her stuff. She recently ran a 100 mile ultra in under 24hrs.

[KittyandTeal]

That's a good idea Sven.

I think after my half I might try and stick to 3 runs with the longest being 10/11 miles (not every week, anywhere between 6-11 miles) a tempo type run and also work on core and strength stuff too. Get a really solid base to start on.

[shakemysilliesout]

Wow winter training is Scotland! I feel like a moaner now....

Summer evenings mean trail runs..ahh well. Digs out gloves. .

Yes I did Purbeck 16 last yr, loved it so went for the marathon, it was so much harder!! Back to 16 next yr. had nice weather at purbeck last 2 yrs. Hope London isn't too hot or too cold, just right!

[EATmum]

Can I join? Didn't get in via the ballot but got my charity place today. Very excited but also stunned and terrified. I've run up to a half marathon in the past but Parkrun is my limit these days. I have some work to do!!

[shakemysilliesout]

Welcome EATmum! Which Charity?

[BobbilyBoo]

Can I join too please? I got a place through the ballot and it will be my first marathon.

I've done a few half marathons before, (I'm meant to be running the Manchester one on Sunday but am full of cold so not sure it's going to happen) but nothing longer and I'm nervous about upping the distance.

Going to look for a training plan this weekend and look to plan some longer local as my first step