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Original poster

Edinburgh 2014 - chasing the hairy haggis

398 replies

Mitchy1nge · 30/09/2013 12:45

thread for anyone training for the full marathon or the half or any of the other events

it's my first marathon so am very excited, I know that in theory if I can do 21 miles then 26 (plus 385 yards) is achievable but only started running again a few months ago, it's so much more addictive than it used to be

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louwn · 31/12/2013 09:23

I suspect I will be sniffling my way through new year. No chance of running with this, even though it is apparently ok to run with a cold. My head and sinuses feel completely stuffed (although killer sore throat has eased off, yay!) and I'd need to run with a box of tissues, ha!
Impressed with your 20+ miles. You planning on getting a new garmin? Any recommendations? I was going to have one as an xmas present but decided on a kate spade handbag instead..you can see where my priorities lie...

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 30/12/2013 21:16

Hope you are over that cold soon and feeling well enough to do a longer run.

I owe myself about £200 just from this weekend, will probably never get paid but it's quite motivating nonetheless. Grin I expect to be in a bit of an unhealthy state for a day or two over NY celebrations so you have time to catch up!

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louwn · 29/12/2013 14:17

That is the key I think, slowing down. Am eager to get a long run in now, damn cold!!!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 29/12/2013 13:14

I'm so much slower than you though, my pace was about 11:30 yesterday, I should think virtually anyone could run forever that slowly?

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 29/12/2013 13:13

It was weirdly easy, I just thought of it as 3 separate 5 mile runs stuck together - but sometimes shorter and technically easy routes feel horrible. Still don't quite understand how it all works Confused but I think if I have a very light week where I basically stuff my face and sleep a lot and don't run much then the long run is much more enjoyable.

running not only makes me feel more alive it means I HAVE to eat and sleep LOADS, a dream come true Grin

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louwn · 29/12/2013 13:06

wowzer, 15 miles, very impressed! Can't wait til I can run that far, furthest ever runs are the 3 half marathons I've done. Must get some berocca and dose up on it, good plan. I'm glad I went out though, running somehow makes you feel more alive doesn't it!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 29/12/2013 12:56

eek maybe double drop the berocca for a few days? hope you feel better soon Thanks

despite my calf of molten lead I really enjoyed 15 miles yesterday and at least 3 today (stopped to stretch at 3, forgot to restart Garmin and took a short cut home) - really can cope with anything while the sun is shining

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louwn · 29/12/2013 12:48

Urgh I was feeling smug about not having had the lurgy that several people at work have, and now I have a sore throat and sniffles. Still wanted to run so did 3 miles instead of 8.

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 27/12/2013 23:13

thanks, don't encourage my hypochondria though - it's completely pain-free after one hot bath Blush (the slightest twinge is always a Severe Injury for me)

so you are doing it kristina? :)

I have decided to pay myself £10 a mile this week and see how far that gets me to a new Garmin (unless my leg does fall off tomorrow)

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KristinaM · 27/12/2013 14:09

Thanks guys, that looks quite realistic . I could use 6 weeks, jan -mid February , to build up some mileage. Then start on a 12 week half training programme. That gives me 14 weeks to do the 12 weeks as I won't get out so much in the school hols at the start of April .

This will also make me go back to the gym to do some classes Blush

I would never have thought I could do a half, but when I was training for the 10k, some of the long runs were about 16 and I though maybe I could do it.

But I'm not the kind of person who would be happy just to potter round, if I'm doing it I'd like to get a reasonable ( for age ) time < stuck up>

Minge -I'm sorry to hear about your leg

louwn · 27/12/2013 12:08

Hi Kristina, I'm 20-something (just!) and still couldn't go out and wing it! 23 weeks or just under, you could do a bit of base training to build up some miles then say a 12 week half marathon programme? I haven't done loads of training so far (up to around 10 miles max) but I'm conscious for a marathon I need to get out there and build up the miles!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 27/12/2013 11:15

as for me am worried my leg is going to fall off :(

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 27/12/2013 11:14

I'm not exactly 20 something either Grin this plan has the first Long Run at only 5k, increasing by 10 minutes (rather than distance) the next. I think you should give it a go and surprise yourself! Not necessarily that particular plan, any that suits.

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KristinaM · 26/12/2013 23:45

I'm in my 50s BTW, so woudl need to train properly,I'm not like these 20 some things who just go out and wing it ....

KristinaM · 26/12/2013 23:44

Ah, but that's assumes I'm fit enough to run a decent 10k now!!! I Ve not been training since last summer. Now I'm just running a slow 5 k a couple of times a week Blush

Work and family problems have got in the way a bit. I thought that signing up might give me a bit of a kick up the backside to get out and run again.

So I would be starting from base of 10-15 k per week. Pretty poor really Sad. Could I still get up to a decent standard from here?

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 26/12/2013 23:33

it's still at least 5 months away, that's plenty of time even if you just added a mile a month!

entry does close in the next week or so though so hurry up and join us

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KristinaM · 26/12/2013 23:22

I'm thinking about signing up to do the Edinburgh half. But the longest I've done is a couple of 10ks. I see you are all well into your training already -is it too late to start training for a half now ?

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 26/12/2013 21:17

that's plenty isn't it, 21, although those 40+ weeks look the same sort of miles mid-week, it's just the Long One that increases so dramatically

I have rested it (as in have not run more than 9 miles at a time and had three days off in a row) but no anti-inflammatories, am not really meant to take them, it hurts more at rest than when it's bearing weight so I don't know. Reading about even mild strains is a bit depressing, muscles can take ages to mend properly?

am more or less reassured it's not a blood clot anyway after asking someone who should know about these things

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louwn · 26/12/2013 20:58

Eeeek mitchy, have you tried rest, anti inflammatories etc? I think if all goes to plan will do 21 miles this week. Still not loads - I think this programme hits 45 weekly miles at its peak!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 26/12/2013 19:37

keep up the good work Grin I've barely scraped 14 miles all week BUT my right calf feels horrible, there is a pain buried quite deep in the muscle. I think it has been niggling away for ages and ages actually, obviously some sort of strain but I'm imagining it is a life-threatening blood clot Blush

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louwn · 26/12/2013 17:10

Hmmm mitchy, it is a good q . . bloody hate treadmills though, it just feels all wrong. I have just done 5 slow miles dodging ice patches but it had to be done after 2 days off. I need to do another 3 miler tomorrow so hope its thawed a bit.

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 23/12/2013 14:07

(seriously, why would I choose a spring marathon when I KNOW I can barely function indoors at this time of year?)

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 23/12/2013 13:52

I can't stop thinking about treadmills actually

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 23/12/2013 13:51

oh my god

fuck this shit, this must be why we invented treadmills

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louwn · 23/12/2013 12:40

I've just been out to do a freezing, windy, rainy 5k. Now to have a hot shower and make soup : )