runners united (burning up pavement, burning up threads)

Contemplating running this evening in v.v. high winds - I hope I don't get hit by a falling tree!

No need to apologise MrsWednesday - I love reading other peoples race accounts. Sounds like you got your pacing just right.

My legs have totally seized up today, but as all I have to do is lie on the sofa and eat it's not too much of a problem

Here's my attempt at a quick race report! Having spent so much time stressing, planning, worrying and training, it was just great to finally get on with it. Had a restful afternoon and evening in Edinburgh with my sister (running partner), families had been left behind in Leeds so we had no one to look after which was great (am also v ratty on race day Squix).

Got to the start with loads of time to spare so managed to sort bag drop-offs, toilet trips etc with no hassle. Had energy bar and some sips of water whilst sitting wearing my rather fetching bin bag, so was fairly chilled out by the time it started.

We planned to run 10 minute miles throughout, so started steadily and kept an eye on the watch - I felt ok for the first bit, and had a gel at 5 miles but then had a real slump around 7-9 miles as it just seemed like we had such a long way still to go and I was starting to feel pain in my right thigh. Had a ibruprofen to take my mind off it which worked, and as soon as we hit 13 miles I really perked up.

Part of the course was out and back so we saw all the elite runners passing us going the other way which was great, and by 16 miles I was feeling the best I've ever felt in any of my long runs. Had gels at 10, 14, 18, 22 miles, water from the water stations but no energy drinks. By the time we turned to go back to Musselburgh at 18 miles, we were starting to overtake people and that carried on to the end pretty much, even though we were running into a strong wind - we did the second half faster than the first, and the last mile fastest of all. I got a bit tearful in the last mile and at the finish (still am actually!) because I am so chuffed to have got that far

Although my time was 3 minutes slower than I'd planned (aimed for 4 hrs 20), I really don't care because we did it, loved it, and felt strong and happy all the way - the course was lovely, it was sociable and only the relay people getting in the way was an annoyance (why have them in a marathon? Especially when they are WALKING!!!). Have put some pictures on Facebook and on my Just Giving page if anyone can find me on there.

Spoke to DH as soon as I'd finished and he asked if I'd do another one and I was absolutely definite that I would (not sure he was impressed by that answer!).

The finishing area was a total shambles: we had to queue for 45 minutes to get t-shirts (and I got given a fun run one by mistake), then queue again to get out, walk a mile to the bus, queue again, give up, queue (and fight) for the train etc etc. Not good after running 26 miles!

Sorry it's so long! I will get it off my chest here so I don't bore non-runners in real life with all the details because they won't care at all

Just want to say thank you again for all your help, support, advice and sponsorship, and for listening to all my whinges about injuries for the last 5 months.

Fantastic MrsW and Backwards - great times. Sounds like you had a good time too which is even better. Hope everyone is feeling ok today !

Driving - I do feel for you and your fellow dubliners what with the Queen last week and Obama this week, it must be really irritating (and not v. helpful to the economy !!).

June - I've not done a half (yet) so can't advise, am sure someone will be along in a minute to advise properly but why don't you take a look at a training plan (Bupa ?) to see if you could fit in the level of training required. I would think if you have the time to train you could do it. FWIW, a friend did the Run to the Beat last year and I think it was a good race.

Just wanted to add my congratulations ladies, well done and fabulous times!

heya, I'm thinking of joining Nike's run to the beat half marathon.
I have a very good level of fitness however I don't do that much running, maybe once every two weeks I do 5k (quite easily). Looking for a challenge I guess...A friend of mine is doing it, but she runs quite a lot more than me, she's already preparing for it, she did 10 miles a couple of weeks ago.
The race is in september.
Has anyone does this particular race before? How do you prepare for a half marathon?

Well done backwards and MrsWeds! Great times. You both sound so happy!

Hope you slept well. Looking forward to race reports!

Well done squix, Mrswed and possum, you have all done amazingly well!
Hope you all feel ok in the morning.

Hi guys! Just a quick one as am on iPod after driving 4 hours to get home from Edinburgh. Loved loved loved it! 2:07 for my first half, am delighted! Was quicker than I thought I'd be. Am on such a high! Thanks for all your support x

Well done to everyone this weekend - I'll hopefully be able to catch up properly tomorrow, but it's bedtime now...

Amazing time MrsWeds in terrible conditions and appalling organisation. Looking forward to your full report when you find time to post it! Get a great night's sleep in - you deserve it!

I'm back! Congrats to Squix for a fabulous time and to Driving for surviving what sounds like hellish conditions and finishing in an amazing time. Hope backwardpossom is ok and has had a good day.

I've had a brilliant time, my sister and I got round in 4 hours 23 minutes and I felt pretty good for all of it! Even the driving wind didn't put me off (too much)

Completely agree, the organisation at the end was appalling - we had to queue, stand, wait, queue etc etc for THREE HOURS after we'd finished, and didn't sit down until we got on the train home at 6pm.

Will do a race report tomorrow but I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the support and advice I've had from you all in the build up, it has been absolutely vital.

Thanks everyone - just need to find the next one now!

DrNorthener - I'd agree that doing the distance is a great confidence boost. I did 8 miles the Sunday before then a couple of 3 to 4 milers last week - so a weeks taper did the job.

Well done squix, that's a brilliant time! You will defo be under 2 for your next one. I find softplay quite a struggle at the best of time so respect for you for post half marathon softplay!!!

DrNo - I reckon a week of tapering is fine for a half. It is only when you go longer that you might want to properly consider tapering. And I think that you will benefit hugely from having the confidence of knowing that you can run the distance or nearly the distance. So try 12 miles as has been suggested but make sure it is very easy and very slow and you rest the day before and after that you ease off so it does not knacker you for the rest of the week when you should be getting physically ready for your race and not recovering from pushing yourself on a 12 mile run having not run that distance before!

master - amazing and mad in equal measures!

Am wondering how the others runners did today?!!!!

Well done Squix - sounds likea great time to me... but cna understand the frustration of the 70 seconds !

Hello master !

10.5K this evening for me. I thought I was running an easyish route with only 1 hill and had forgotten about another one. That'll teach me .

I wonder how the other Edinburgh-ers have got on ?

Squix very well done. How frustrating to be just slightly over 2hrs but for sure that means that next time you will be well under.

Thanks for the link Daisy, this is Lewa, one of the world's toughest marathons. Thank heavens I am only doing a half. . I have mapped one of my training runs and is fascinating to see an elevation of 500m!

Dr No I have always gone up to 18k as my maximum run, which has worked just fine. I'm with Squix, if it feels ok then up it to 12 miles up to 1 week before hand then a couple of gentle runs the last week just to keep legs stretched. I am not a fan of long tapering I have to admit...

Wow Squix, great time. Well done! I would be delighted with that kind of time.

My half is on 12th June. What should my last week look like training wise? Last long run 1 week before or 2? And should I actually run 13 miles in training, only done 10 so far.

Thanks.

Well done squix! Sounds like you had a great run and left something in the bank for the end too perhaps? You will dip below 2 hours next time I am sure. Bit of an odd finish and in complete contrast to London where the crowds are enormous!

Hello all, am back from this morning's race. My time was 2 hours 1 minute and 9 seconds - which is a PB so but a pesky 69 seconds over the 2 hours! I keep thinking about where I could have got the time back but hindsight is a wonderfull thing.

The course was great - starts off pretty much downhill then flat from about 4 miles. I was amazed that the race was so busy and that there were so many supporters out. And a big thank you to the supporters who handed out Jelly Babies - I dropped half of mine so they were much appreciated! I thought that the marathon would be the 'glamour event' but there were a fair few for us too. We got out of central edinburgh quite quickly but it was a great start location and I always enjoy running along the sea front.

It's a bit off putting running past the finish line with about 4 miles to go (we ran past the finish for 2 miles, turned round and came back) - but I imagine it's worse for those doing the full marathon knowing they have 17 miles left.

The weather was fine - almost perfect - sunny, a tiny bit breezy on some bits and light showers for the last about 3 miles.

Whilst the course itself is great the organisation at the end wasn't the best. The start was fine (usual problems of not enough loos) and the marshalls and water stations on the way were great, but the end wasn't good. For a start - no spectators at the finish line (they had been told that there would be a big screen showing the finish but that was just showing some strange rock concert), and a 20 minute walk from the finish line to the meeting points - that almost felt longer than doing the race itself!

Leaving home at 7 with DH and DD in tow was tricky and I was incredibly grumpy and snappy with them so have just paid my pennance by taking DD to soft play. I don't feel too bad - have a big blister (don't know why - have worn shoes loads and socks are well used) and legs are abit achey. My sore back seemed to hold out OK too - felt it a bit at mile 8 but took some ibuprofen and it was fine.

So all, in all I enjoyed it but I would have enjoyed it more if I had been 70 seconds faster!