Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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

OP posts:
brainwashed · 22/11/2013 20:32

That's the great thing about runners...they generally love it so much they are really encouraging to any one wanting to give it a go!
I joined a running club 2 years ago which was the best thing ever. My family are really supportive,my boys run as well anyway. My mum I think doesn't quite get it sometimes...if its raining or cold she thinks I won't be going running!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 22/11/2013 13:55

he takes it very seriously Grin just a friend who has done a lot of marathons and ultras, but it has been such a help to have someone take it seriously and encourage and support my attempts at running

do you find people generally quite interested and sort of approving?

OP posts:
brainwashed · 22/11/2013 12:42

Your own coach...lucky you!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 20/11/2013 17:30

I have a coach of sorts, so just consult him and follow his advice more or less but we make a plan and then deviate from it depending how it is going

anyway have logged 56 miles so far this month, am on Project Consistency (leading to Project Speed hopefully) at present - don't know about actual plans but January will be about 35 miles a week, Feb 40, March 45 ish and hold - something like that, up to about 50 a week, assuming can do it and avoid injury and so on, running 4 times in the week and a long one at the weekend. I guess by then the long run will be around 20 miles at least now and then Shock

OP posts:
brainwashed · 19/11/2013 08:33

4 hour runs in 30 degree heat? That sounds ever so slightly mad....
So what training plan is everyone planning to follow?

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 18/11/2013 13:04

ok that's good to know, mustn't assume it will be cool with a light breeze then

I did some crazily long four hour plus runs during this summer, when it was hovering up to and around 30 so maybe in my madness I was preparing myself! Now I am doing everything much more thoughtfully.

OP posts:
brainwashed · 18/11/2013 12:52

It isn't often hot here tbh but there have been a few years that the day of the Edinburgh marathon has been baking, then back to 10 degrees the following day!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 18/11/2013 11:33

It sounds lovely! I can't imagine it being hot in Scotland! I've been to the west coast at that time of year, it was a very pleasant temperature but I wouldn't call it hot exactly.

OP posts:
brainwashed · 18/11/2013 08:48

Some people in previous years have commented that the Edinburgh marathon is more in east lothian than Edinburgh. That is actually one of the attractions for me as I live in east lothian! I will do quite a lot of my long runs along the coast road that is a major part of the route. No major hills, just some very little up and downs.Scenery is lovely along the coast which is a good distraction if you're not overly familiar with it. Only difficulty might be wind,can be tough into a headwind along that coast! I'm hoping for a still, not too hot day personally, though folk do get their hosepipes and sprinklers out in some of the wee towns if it is hot

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 17/11/2013 21:50

oh good, you are training on parts of the actual course? are there any hills or bridges or other difficult bits? everyone says it is quite flat and fast, I haven't so much as looked at a map of it yet

my weekly mileage is about 26 now, I'm going to make it 30 in December Shock

OP posts:
brainwashed · 17/11/2013 20:33

No it didn't! That would have have been truely scary! I was just really motivated to get back into my exercise regime once I was allowed to post op.
Am looking forward to getting stuck into training....I will get to know bits of the route very well over the coming months....

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 16/11/2013 17:25

am imagining your uterus and stuff weighed a stone Shock

welcome though :) quite a few of us now

OP posts:
brainwashed · 15/11/2013 14:14

Am doing edin marathon next year. Was supposed to do it this year but had to pull out as needed a hysterectomy :-(
Well 5 months post op I am back running faster than before, a stone lighter and raring to go!
Have to better my time for loch ness marathon(5:10).

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 15/11/2013 11:59

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Today I broke the 11 minute barrier on a slightly longish run (9 miles 10:50), finally. I wasn't even out of breath which makes me wonder - am I old and slow or just fucking lazy?

So my mission is to do this marathon in about 4 and a half hours, or 10:30 pace. Project Speed! Am not sure how. Bit of research is needed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 11/11/2013 23:59

you're so fast you're so fast you're soooo fast

am glad Edinburgh isn't a race between just the two of us Grin

OP posts:
louwn · 11/11/2013 20:23

Fun actually - did it in a smidge under a 9 min mile so was pleased. On the other hand just done 2 miles now (easy run on the training programme!) and it was tough and I am now gross and sweaty - ran in a really warm hoody - not cold enough for that yet I have learnt!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 11/11/2013 14:26

think am getting used to the cold a bit now - missed my long run this weekend but have 29 of my planned 100 miles for November in the bank so am on target I think :)

how was your 9 miler?

OP posts:
louwn · 08/11/2013 19:49

Maybe wear gloves/hat/ one of those buff neck things to keep warm?! I'm generally warmer than other people so don't have this problem! I did 4 miles at lunch time yesterday with a guy fron work. We did it in 32:48 - he had to really motivate me at the end to keep going for the last mile or so at that pace! Long run of 9 miles tomorrow.

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 04/11/2013 13:00

lovely 5 miles today but SO COLD, at no point did some parts of me (hands, tips of ears and nose) stop feeling really fucking cold brrrrrrr and it's 11c, what am I supposed to do in Actual Winter? Hmm

(on plus side my avg moving pace according to Garmin was 10:52 so am steadily picking up, yay me :))

OP posts:
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 03/11/2013 21:51

Ohh loads of time. Thank you! :)

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 03/11/2013 21:50

here you go! it's the May bank holiday :)

OP posts:
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 03/11/2013 21:48

Really want to be way past 5k by then, hopefully able to do a half but would happily settle for the 10k.

When exactly is it?

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 03/11/2013 21:43

SchroSaw - there's a half, a 10k and a 5k (I think) and LOADS of time to prepare

OP posts:
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 03/11/2013 21:34

I've just started running but am aiming to work up to a half. Only just ran 5k for the first time though so a long way to go...

Am in Glasgow so Edinburgh isn't far, will have to look into this run!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 03/11/2013 20:19

you are soooo speedy Envy well done, especially in windy weather

I've got to try the gels again I think, maybe sip them a bit more slowly, they go down ok but come up again almost exactly a mile later and with a lot of painful cramping feelings Confused thank goodness we still have lots and lots of time to experiment!

I have until recently (when running took over this summer!) done lots of yoga and pilates, also ride horses most days and am not sure which way round it goes (did I strengthen my core to make riding easier or does riding do it for you?) but there's definitely a positive relationship there. I think even just doing planks (and side planks and supine planks) for as long as you can hold them now and then throughout the week helps too? I'm looking for a new yoga class but in the meantime Rodney Yee's 'yoga conditioning for athletes' is waiting for me to try it, promises to boost endurance and improve performance - looks like iyengar I think.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread