Anyone here running their first marathon this autumn?

[Givemestrengthorgin]

A marathon has always been on my bucket list and I'm considering signing up for one near me that takes place in October. Anyone else in this position and fancies sharing the load by way of chat and support?

[werekitty]

I'm really tempted to sign up for one. I've done a couple of half marathons but would like to complete one although I am nervous about the amount of training required.

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@werekitty I've done a couple of half marathons before..one before i had children and one after. I felt so sick and awful after the last one that I decided a full marathon was just beyond me and I could never do it. But I definitely hadn't trained enough and was too overweight too. So a bit like childbirth, the memory of how bad it was has faded and I'm tempted to give the full marathon a bash. I said I wanted to do it before I turned 40 and my window for that is quickly closing.

[PlugUgly1980]

I did my first (and second) last year before my 40th. Completely do-able if you start training now and unlike a spring marathon you get the benefit of training when the days are longer and weather is better. Find a plan extend it by a few weeks so it's more gradual and stick with it, but not obsessively. I used a plan by Hanson which focuses on a high weekly mileage but a long run that's never more than 16 miles, but that's because frequent, shorter runs fitter better with working full time and childcare. Go for it!

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@PlugUgly1980 well done on doing two...the first wasn't enough to put you off then! Do you have any top tips from someone who has been there and done it? How did you fuel your runs once they started getting lengthy?

[Thecatisboss]

I've done a couple of half's too and keep eyeing up a full marathon though not sure as I'm worried I'd cripple myself for the following 6 months! I keep looking at the Yorkshire marathon in October.

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@Thecatisboss I'm looking at the Stirling marathon in October. It's the immediate aftermath that worries me the most. I felt so sick and a banging headache for the rest of the day after my half marathon. I reckon that was down to not enough training and being about 2 stone overweight. Maybe it's been a good experience in a way as it make me realise how seriously I would need to take a marathon. And i do have time between now and October to make my body strong and ready for it. I think I might give myself 3 months to lose the rest of the weight, do some more consistent running and up my distance a bit as I'm only running up to about 7k at the mo and thats hard enough. If I achieve that then I might look out a marathon training plan!

[PlugUgly1980]

Top tips...build in loads of extra time and contingency in your plan, so if you miss a week or have a low mileage week it really doesn't matter. I had a couple of weeks holiday in the summer holidays were I didn't run further than 5k because I was away and making the most of time with the kids.

What I learnt between my first and second is that fuelling makes a massive difference! I don't like gels so use Dextrose tablets. I swapped water in my bottle for a SIS electrolyte drink too which massively helped with the post run headaches. I also like mini soreens because they're proper food. I also took advantage of anything being offered on the course...mainly haribo!

For me, I run 5-6 times a week, which includes one long run, at peak marathon training I was averaging 40-50 miles per week.

I didn't have a time in mind as I wanted to avoid any pressure, my only aim was to get round comfortably.

It's far more achievable than you think!

Also even if you don't fancy it, eat something when you finish, even if it's just a sandwich and packet of crisps. You'll feel much better, quicker if you get some food in yourself.

[ifeellikeanidiot]

@Givemestrengthorgin I've just signed up to loch ness at the start of october.

I ran/walked a marathon three years ago to mark my 40th birthday. I'd never run before and went from zero over 10 months. My training was fairly rubbish and I finished in 5.55. When I crossed the line I decided I was def going to that again - but next time train properly.

I feel like I started running properly a couple of weeks after the marathon. I got a running watch, joined strava. For a couple if years I ran regularly, got my 10k under 60min (BIG achievement for me).

Then last April I just kind peetered out and stopped. Everytime I ran, I've managed to cover distance but been in pain, drowsy and miserable after. I'm talking about runs of 30m - 60m. I can run non-stop but after is horrible on a really emotional level.

I've signed up for loch ness to motivate me to start again. I would love to keep this thread going to check in.

Have you signed up for Stirling yet? 7k is a great starting place with 8 months to go.

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@PlugUgly1980 Thanks for the top tips. Soreen bars are a good idea. When i did my half I had a couple of gels and they had sat okay in my tummy on the training runs but think I would struggle on them alone for a marathon.

I do feel like I have time on my side and should use it wisely. I've found a 16 training plan for doing a sub 2:15 half marathon (my last half marathon was 2:25) so I think I might start to work on that and then that leaves me another 16 weeks to work on a sub 5 hour marathon plan. Both from runners world website. Been out a few runs this week and felt good but then went in to M&S changing rooms and remembered how much extra weight I'm carrying.

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@ifeellikeanidiot I've heard the loch Ness marathon is brilliant with a great atmosphere. I would really like to do that one but logistically Stirling is much easier for me. Do you live up that way? I haven't signed up yet. I think I'm going to wait and see how my training goes over the next 2 months.

You sound similar to me...marathon at 40 and getting under 60 minutes for a 10k was also a huge goal for me and I finally achieved it at the great scottish run last year...by 15 seconds!

Are you following a training plan for your marathon? I'm going to try and follow the runners world's one. Would love to keep this post going so we can share our training adventures and all the highs and the lows

[ifeellikeanidiot]

@Givemestrengthorgin no, I'm in London. I've booked my flight and sleeper train home so I'm completely committed! Are you in Scotland?

I'm not following a plan as in general I'm not very good at sticking to plans but I do like to read them and look at them.

My current goal is just to get back into habit of running 3/4 times a week for half an hour. I need to put on my trainers now as the later I leave it the harder it becomes to get out!

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@ifeellikeanidiot yup I'm in Scotland, not far from Stirling so it's a handy one for me. I think the loch Ness one will be great and sounds like you are committed with your travel plans! Where was your first marathon?

I'm not been very good at training plans previously but I have a friend who stuck to one and totally nailed her marathon so I'm aspiring to be like her.

I managed a 5k this morning but felt heavy and slow...maybe because of all the crap i ate the night before. Hoping to go a bit further tomorrow and hope that I feel a bit more comfortable as diet has been better today.

[ifeellikeanidiot]

@Givemestrengthorgin have you managed to get out running the last couple of days? I did 5m yesterday and 2.5m today so I'm feeling a bit achey. I feel really pleased that I wanted to go out today - I hadn't planned to. It's so gutting how much I hurt and how tired I feel after though. I'm really looking forward to being fit and strong enough that it doesnt feel bad.

[ifeellikeanidiot]

Oh and my first marathon was loops round a cycle track next to a motorway in Kent. It wasn't fun. It had been a really hit week with temperatures in the 30s which didn't help. Plus there were only about 300 people there. It got fairly lonely at the end when (nearly) everyone else had finished!

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@ifeellikeanidiot have you been up loch Ness way before? Sounds like the polar opposite of your first marathon location. You are in for a treat with the scenery, it's beautiful.
I ended up at the gym on Sunday night because of the storms. Did some intervals on the treadmill and then on the rowing machine which I really like. Last night I went out with our local running group. They have started going paced runs which is great. I've been 3 times now and each time I get faster and feel stronger which is great and really motivates me to keep going. I know what you mean about feeling tired afterwards though. I felt exhausted on Monday and I think it was because I had upped my running by quite a bit last week.

Have you got some runs planned for this week? I'm hoping to get back out on Thu and both days on the weekend. I might do parkrun on Saturday.

[LochJessMonster]

@ifeellikeanidiot Was that the cyclopark one?

I'm tentatively looking at doing the endurancelife Suffolk marathon in October. But worried about fitting in the training, as I do a few other exercise classes other than running. Thinking I can make Sundays my long run days, increasing the mileage every other week.

[ifeellikeanidiot]

@Givemestrengthorgin the paced runs around good. I know I can run faster than my plod, but I can never be bothered . After reading your post i looked up my local running clubs training sessions. I think I'd just be too slow to join in though.

Yes, I've been to the Highlands before, but not Loch Ness. We've been on a couple of family holidays - one to Applecross and one touring the west coast.I love it so much. I cant wait to run there.

@LochJessMonster yes! It was the cyclopath one. I know other people have enjoyed it, and I dont think my lacklustre training helped. I often look at the endurance life races, but the distances are often odd. So their half marathons could be 12 miles or 14!

[LochJessMonster]

@ifeellikeanidiot I looked at that but could not imagine running round and round the same path for 26miles!

I much prefer trail halfs/marathons but yes 'trail' distances are slightly different to normal!

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@ifeellikeanidiot I felt the same about joining our local running club. They say that everyone is welcome but it only seems to be very speedy people that actually go. They introduced these paced runs to try and encourage more 'average' paced people to join in and you don't have to be a member of the club to go along. It's really good. What kind of pace are you running at at the moment? I'm about 31 mins for a 5k but hoping to that back down to under 30 minutes and eventually get my 10k back under an hour (it's only very happened that one time!)

I'm going along to hot yoga next week. It's apparently very good foe helpin you stretch and strengthen your muscles.

[ifeellikeanidiot]

@Givemestrengthorgin

At the moment, everything I do is at around 12 - 12.30 min miles, but that's me at my slowest. With regular running, I'd expect my default knocking-it-out pace to be around 11mm.

I love hot yoga, and try to get to a class once a week. I hope you enjoy it. It does depend a lot on the studio, teacher etc. I've been doing some kind of hot yoga for over 10 years and it has really changed the way I feel about my body. It's not something I'm naturally good at, so I feel really proud of what I'm able to do now aged 42. The classes I go to are great for building strength and range of movement. They are also awesome for a proper stretch out of hips/legs/ groin/IT band/ glutes etc etc!

I keep meaning to get swimming. I live in a boarding school and have free access to a pool that is almost always empty. When I've been swimming regularly, it has had a big impact on my cardio fitness. I've taught myself to do front crawl, but can only manage one length at a time. I'd love to be able to build up to be able to do more.

[Spudlet]

I’m doing my first half - happy to cheer you all on though. I think you’re all brilliant! [waves pom-poms]

[ifeellikeanidiot]

@Spudlet which half are you doing?


Summary of my week:

managed 4 runs, weekly mileage of 13 miles, including one 5 miler. Got to a body balance class but no hot yoga.

Next weeks goals: I'd like to stick at 4 runs, but bump up my mileage a bit. On top of that, I'm hoping to get swimming, go to hot yoga and body balance and have a couple of gym sessions.

[Givemestrengthorgin]

@ifeellikeanidiot ooh what's it like living in a boarding school? I loved Mallory Towers as a kid, used to dream of packing a trunk and heading off to school.

We sound very similar fitness wise. I've also been trying to master front crawl for years but i find it so difficult. Even when i was running for 2 hours at a time I still couldn't manage more than one length of front crawl. But i can do length after length of breaststroke. I just can't seem to get it.

I've had a good week. 3 runs and my weekly (not hot) yoga class. My run tonight was 8.5km, the longest I've managed in a while but I felt heavy which Is probably due to alcohol and rubbish food yesterday.

I've got a busy week coming up but I'm hoping to do a swim tomorrow night, run on Wed, hot yoga on Thu and then a run on Saturday and/or Sunday.

Hi @Spudlet always good to have someone cheering you on! How is your half marathon training going?

[Spudlet]

Haha, it’s not at the moment due to a certain small child bringing home every plague and lurgy available within a hundred mile radius... I’m doing the Kings Forest half in October so still got time, fortunately. It’s a trail half down near Bury St Edmunds.

Hoping for a break from illness soon so I can get on - I was happily doing 5k before this all started but then I got a hip flexor strain so I’m currently walk/running. I want to start getting that distance up soon!

I’m so impressed with the amount of training you guys are fitting in, I normally manage three runs and one gym trip a week (not recently, unfortunately!) but more than that would be a squeeze! Not sure how I’ll manage over the summer holidays either since I won’t have any childcare at all...

[OakTreeOwl]

Can I tentatively join? How are you all getting on? I'm considering the Loch Ness Marathon in October too.

I'm pretty much at zero at the moment, having never really got back into running since having my two-year-old and having pelvic floor/abdominal issues afterwards, but I'm doing some good work to fix those now and I really miss the headspace that running gives me.

I just need something like a decent race to aim for, so I feel less guilty about getting out of the house to run!