London Marathoners 2018

[PickleSarnie]

Hi,

As the ballot results come out, thought I'd start a thread to discuss training plans and share the pain of getting up at stupid o'clock on a winter morning to get long runs done.

I was supposed to run in 2017 but my knee went kaput. Physio reckons it was just runners knee and said I needed to strengthen quads, glutes and core muscles (that are shot to pieces following two large babies) So I deferred my place until 2018.

I'm doing 30 Day Ab Challenge each night (made more challenging by husband "hilariously" making childish trump noises every time I sit up ) and mixing running up with Spinning and strength training at the gym .

Put loads of weight on while knee was knackered. Which is going to be the opposite of helpful for it so am on a diet to try and lose at least 2 stones (almost half way there now though)

Anyone found a decent 6 month training plan?

Xx

[LoudestRoar]

I'm a first time marathoner. Also not run more than 5k since about 3 years ago and was 5 stone heavier then .
I'm currently following a 6 week 10k running plan, and will then start at week 2 of the beginners plan on the vlm site. Also planning on doing the jeff method.
My head is still spinning! I've done 2 20 minute runs this week, as per my plan, and done 2k in about 21 mins. I was pushing my son in his buggy though!

[PickleSarnie]

Congrats loudest!

The first 5km is definitely the hardest. 5 to 10 is much easier. Then I found adding on after 10km pretty bearable (although have never been fast!)

What's the Jeff method?

I'm definitely starting training now too. Instead of waiting until 16 weeks before and trying to ramp it up too quickly like I did last year (which ended in tears)

[LoudestRoar]

PickleSarnie it's a run/walk method. I just need to find a ratio that works for me

[LoudestRoar]

What kind of times do you achieve at the moment?

[PickleSarnie]

10 minute miles are pretty speedy for me. I can comfortably keep going at 10.5 minute miles for ages. But get pretty puffed going any faster!

I've been doing quite a bit on the treadmill. Mainly because it's easier to do exactly X minutes. If I go fast on the treadmill or put an incline on I feel like I'm about to fall off the back so i hold on with one hand like I'm riding a horse. Must look a right prat.

[LoudestRoar]

I have to dig out our treadmill, it's currently being used as a clothes horse
I'm doing my first park run in years on Saturday, should be interesting....

[PickleSarnie]

Best of luck at the park run. I've never actually done one. I don't like big groups of people. So feck knows why I've signed up to run with 40,000 other people!

I use the treadmill at the gym. It's open 24hours and is on my way home so have no excuses not to go (although I do my best to think of plenty!)

Do you think you'll sign up for a half marathon before the big day?

[LoudestRoar]

I think I need to, if only to get me used to running with a proper crowd.
For most of my runs, if I need a medal motivation, I may do virtual runs. Still get a shiny medal, but no pressure

[ThursdayLastWeek]

Hello, checking in!

I did a local hilly half marathon a fortnight ago - for which I am very glad now as I feel it gives me a really healthy upon which to build.

I do weekly Pilates mat lessons, tonight in fact, which is amazing for hips/glute/hamstring strengthening (and core and shoulders and back and all the rest obviously )

My parkrun is mostly trail and hilly so that’ll be good short speed work run each week.

How are you both feeling? I’m super excited, DH and I planning our weekend away already!

[PickleSarnie]

Hi Thursday! Bloody well done on not only a half marathon but one with evil hills. I really need to do hill training even if London is flat. We have a really evil hill near us. A second gear in a car hill. The one and only half marathon I've done had it at mile 11.5! I almost had to crawl up on hands and knees.

I excited but really nervous. I really want my knee to hold up this time. You only get one chance to defer so it's pretty much now or never!

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I guess slow and steady is what your aiming for Pickle? Training wise I mean, so you don’t bugger your knee too early.

Might a bit of swimming help, while there’s still plenty of time?

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I live in the bottom of a valley, so I cannot avoid hills unfortunately!

[Badgerlady]

Congratulation to all. I missed out :-(. I am signed up to do a different marathon in May next year though.

I live near the start of the marathon and love seeing everyone arriving each year!

On which note,if any Londoners want hills come to Greenwich /Blackheath! Run through are doing a 10k in December- which I'm signed up for. It's three laps of the park (which inevitably means going uphill). And there are great places for brunch afterwards...

[LoudestRoar]

Badgerlady I can also vouch for the hills in Greenwich park, poor dh had to physically push me up the last time to get me to the top!
Any advice for on the day of where to go, etc?

[Badgerlady]

On the day of the marathon you'll be directed to starting points in either Greenwich or Blackheath (and told to use public transport. Don't try and drive all the roads are closed!). People start arriving early - my first year in Greenwich it took me some time to work out why so many people were walking past my window at 7am on a Sunday!

One of the nice things is that most places open early and there's a bit of a party atmosphere.

If you/supporters want food:

Greenwich: the Green Cafe- small local cafe which does an excellent breakfast and brunch; the Rivington for a posher brunch

Blackheath: Gail's a chain but awesome coffee and sandwiches.

[PickleSarnie]

Sorry to hear you didn't get in Badger but thank you for the brunch recommendations? Could I just do brunch and skip the 26.2 miles nonsense do you think?!

I've gone and knackered back by being pig headed and refusing to ask for help loading a Billy bookcase onto a trolley in Ikea. And I'm on a diet so couldn't even drown sorrows in mini Daim bars and shedloads of meatballs. Great start!!

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I have run two 10ks this week and my legs feel tired so I’m going to skip parkrun this morning I think.

So this, my first official week of marathon training consisted of 2x 6miles, 1 upper body strength and 1 Pilates. Tadaaaaaaaaa!

How’s everyone else feeling?

[LoudestRoar]

I'm doing ok, just wait for dh to come down so I can get ny exercise done for the day. My plan says to do do 20-30 mins of non running exercise, so may do one of the 30 day shred routines. Tomorrow, I have to fit in a 30-40 minute run, which I'll probably end up doing on the treadmill, as we have such a busy day.
Since Monday, I've done 2 ×20 minute runs with walking, and a work out. It's the most exercise I've done in years

[LoudestRoar]

Well, that was embarrassing, dh came down during ny work out, while I was doing skipping on the spot. My arse cheeks were well and truly clapping me on, to the point that dh had to helpfully remind me to clench. Glorious silence.....

[ThursdayLastWeek]

Me and jumping jacks can have a similar effect.

How’s your back Pickle?

[PickleSarnie]

That made me snort out loud loudest

My back seems to be better. Foam rolled last night and I think it did the trick. My kids are being feral. I'm off to the gym. Husband has hangover. Almost feel sorry for him! Never been so happy to go to gym.

I'd like to give Pilates a go Thursday But all the classes near where I work (in the City) are extortionate and I get back too late to do ones at home. I go to awesome spin classes near work. Also extortionate but they're so good I'd be willing to sell a kidney or something to fund them they have a leader board behind the instructor. Never realised I was competitive until starting them. I almost puke trying to overtake people. It's ace!!

[LoudestRoar]

Just back from my first 5k in years. Fastest ever time (47.22) and I got my fastest km (8.36)
1st week training complete. 9km ran, and 2 work outs.
I'm tempted to take a photo of myself in just bra and knickers, so I can see my body changes over the next months....

[bibblebobblebubble]

PickleSarnie can you link the the 30 Day Ab challenge you're using? Just googled but there are loads. I get knee problems and I know my core muscles are pretty much non existent.

Well done to all marathoners! I'm not in - only doing 5K at the moment - but want to get back up to at least 10k and just maybe a half marathon next year.

[PickleSarnie]

Well done on the run loudest. I did 4 miles on the treadmill yesterday and really enjoyed it. Would have done more butbthe battery ran out on my headphones and it's really bloody boring running without music!

This is the one I've got bibble play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abschallenge But I've swapped the full sit ups for Russian twists because sit ups hurt my back. Bought an ab wheel - feck me it hurts!! Looks so easy but ouch!

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I can’t do traditional abs exercise without hurting my back - and that is why Pilates works for me!

I did a 30 min strength routine at home this morning and am booked in to get my gait analysed and new road shoes on Tuesday. Very excited to start running in them, whatever they may be!

A friend assures me that headphones are not necessary for the M as there’s so much going on...but I simply can’t imagine running for that long without something to listen to!