Marathon Training

I was on 5;2 but also sacked it off. Considering getting back on it now especially as my bowels are not my friend on the long runs. Sorry for TMI but I wonder if an empty stomach would be better for not desperately needing to go at about mile 10. My nutri ninja has gone out the window but today's 11 miles have set my confidence back again. At least there are plenty of toilets on race day but I will massively resent queues.

Really interesting hearing about fasting and training. I love 5:2 but slipped out of the fasting habit a while ago and didn't think restarting whilst marathon training would work. In fact I've just had a conversation with DH about my long run tomorrow (14m planned). I'd love to get up early and get it done but have been worried about that kind of distance on an empty stomach.

Boobz, fantastic running in the snow. I'm in London so unlikely to have the conundrum but I can't imagine getting myself out the door in snow!!

Thanks Summer and Anglaise - that's super sweet of you both,

So today set off in -2'C and snow (it wasn't so bad at the beginning but it started to come down really heavily) and ran 18km in 1hr49. I'm annoyed I didn't get to 19km but I must have run a slightly different route the one I planned. Anyway - not dangerously fast, but given the conditions (and given I have hardly eaten for 2 weeks) I was pleased to get around! Good decision (despite the temp/snow) to run outside as I'm sure if I had attempted to do it on the treadmill I would have stepped off at around 12 or 13km - calves started to ache at that point.

So amazingly you can run almost a half marathon whilst fasting. I feel brilliant now - tired but endorphin filled - I shall enjoy my massage later!

Hats off to boobz

What you have been through and what you are achieving.... Can't think of any words worthy. I just can't imagine coming through cancer to fasting and marathon training. Together!! You must have a will of iron. That will get you your sub 4 hours I imagine but just doing it at all is more than amazing so be kind to yourself.

Booz Good luck with your training, I'm sure you will do sub 4 even if your PBs for other distances were a while ago.
Imbroglio I have huge respect for everyone who take 5 hours + to do a marathon, that is a huge slog and a long time running.

I should add my 10k and half mara PBs were a while ago, pre chemo/surgery, so I am nowhere near that now!

3H40? faints.

Will be over the moon, champagne popping ecstatic to get sub5!

No worries Anglaise - I am over it now. I just need to get back into shape!

Oh boobz I'm so sorry, I didn't realise it was for breast cancer, didn't know there was a link between fasting and cancer recovery I really hope it all works for you. Yes, you can run when fasting, I've done 10+ miles without breakfast (I often run without breakfast) but then I've eaten normally the day before. My friends in the running club can't understand how its even possible to run after fasting but then they a) have never tried it and b) French and fasting really is an anomally for French people who usually always eat 3 meals a day.

Hi Anglaise - I am fasting for cancer reasons actually (had breast cancer last year) but I didn't want to set myself 2 weeks back on the training schedule, so decided to see if I could still run whilst fasting and it appears one can! The doc said I would be able to work out as normally, but I didn't believe her until I actually did it. The 12 miler shouldn't be so bad as I will have eat 800 cals the day before, and breakfast on the morning of the run.

Hi Boobz
why are you fasting and marathon training, is it to lose weight? You risk losing muscle not fat, that's the problem. Surviving on 200 cals a day seems quite dangerous if you are running as well. I'm marathon training and do partial fasts (500 cals a day 2 x per week) but running 50 plus miles a week I wouldn't go any lower than that.
Your 10k and HM times are similar to mine and when I did the Rome marathon last year I did 3H40 so you should be able to do yours well under 4 hours I'm sure.
Good luck with the fasting and running, interested to know how you get on with your long run, please be careful.

nuts not buts

Hello - can I join? I joined the normal running thread briefly, but this looks more relevant to me.

Am running the Rome marathon on April 10th.

Am following Hal Higdon Novice training schedule - am on week 7. I am also at a fasting clinic in Germany, so am surviving on less than 200 cals a day. So far I have been able to keep up with schedule, but have 6 miles tomorrow (am on Day 8 of my fast, so very much burning fat reserves at the moment!) and on Sat I have 12 miles (but will have "broken" the fast the day before with some apple puree and buts) so will be interesting to see if I can do the run or not, having fasted for nearly 2 weeks.

And then back to normal next week (food wise) - and will be almost half way through training.

Have not done a marathon before but best 10km time is 44 mins, and best half mara is 1hr 43 so am hoping for a sub 4hr debut. Was a lot fitter before though - am building up after a rubbish year health wise last year.

Will see if that running and food Radio 4 broadcast is a podcast now - sounds interesting.

I've found spinning valuable cross-training so maybe keep that in? I also swim but its more for general fitness/relaxation. I always sleep well after a swim!

Hi everyone. I'm currently training for the London Marathon, my first. All going well so far except for a minor strain which is responding well to treatment. I'm enjoying the training. It's a bit of me time between full time work and two small DCs. I'm missing a more varied exercise routine though. Prior to marathon training I ran once or twice a week with spinning, bikram yoga and baby pump classes. Now it's just running, weights at home and just one yoga class. I'd love to take up swimming (I'm a terrible swimmer!) but maybe that's one for after 24 April!

16 miles in the wind and rain. I hope the conditions are better for the marathon itself! Managed to hold the speed quite well this week despite the wind.

It didn't rain on me at all today . And I've come back to an empty house as ds is off at bike race training, so a few minutes of peace as well

It's really not that bad if you run it while sitting in it. I keep a jumper on 😂

Getting into a fully run ice bath makes me sing opera by that I really mean shriek

Thanks sandunes I am not liking the sound of it but I think I need to try it.

Foam roller = torture, but works.

Ice bath is pretty much the same torture, but works like a dream (for me anyway). The trick is to put about an inch of tepid water in the bath, sit in and then run the cold tap.

Oh a pound = a minute! I am totally done with dieting other than to eat more healthy with less empty calories. I guess that's a diet!

On a totally different note.... Foam roller? Any thoughts. I just look at them and wonder what to do with it. I am also not liking the ice idea at all.

Sub 50 is my aim this year. My 10km PB is 52mins so a little way to go.

Depleting carbs means you eat none at all for a set period of time, and then you add carbs into your diet for a set period of time, then don't eat etc etc. The depletion tricks your body into storing extra sugars. I didn't do this, I just massively increased how much I ate in the weeks of my very long runs and for the week before marathon day.

The motto food is fuel was in my head a lot. I've had issues with food for a very long time and it took a while to reset my mind that it was 'OK' to eat.