Marathon Training

So...
Barcelona marathon finished, it is really one to do, no major difficulties (except the slight hill for the never ending last 3kms), sunshine, loads of crowd support and music all the way round. I was on course for 3h30m until the 30km when my legs didn't obey my head and I finished at 3h35m03s. 7mn faster than Rome last year so a PB and about right for my HM time 1h42/44 so happy coach. 3h30 was a little too ambitions, you need to do a HM in 1h40 to realistically achieve that.
I never want to do another marathon again until the next one.
Good luck to all of you with the rest of the training and of course the race itself!

Well I did a half marathon today, really pleased with my run - a really steady start, and happy with a time of 2h 25m. I have a 20 mile race next weekend then its taper for me too.

Speedy Boobz! My run took me 4.26 hours! It was probably 22 miles. With hills and two loo stops.

Well I did 20+ today and knocked 12 minutes off last week's time for the same run. Was a bit surprised as I found it very hard going (I don't have a gadget - I just leave my stopwatch going in the car) but pleased at having achieved such an improvement.

I am going to really watch what I eat this week, to see if I can kick start a downward trend again.

Ran 21 miles yesterday morning (managed to go a bit too far before turning back - my miles to KM conversion in my head wasn't quite accurate!) and the last 4 miles or so were hard. But I did it (the whole thing in 2:59 - I did the 20 miles in 2:52).

So onto the taper now. Am glad that is my longest run - not sure I could do much longer before the actual marathon!

I started gaining weight a few weeks ago, around the time the mileage cranked up to 15 miles. Only a few pounds. Hopefully it will drop off when we get back to normal.

ME NEITHER!

I ate so much yesterday, that DH asked if I was carbo loading. I wasn't, but that made me swap my long 20 mile from Sunday to this morning, so I can at least make yesterday's eat-a-thon feel like it was all in readiness for the mileage today!

Am not losing weight from this training schedule - am gaining weight. Ugh.

I can't stop EATING!

Wow Dibbler - that sounds gorgeous. I can't wait for summer to arrive properly here in Rome - we are at the pool every weekend with the nippers as it gets so damn hot. Love it.

Good luck Anglaise - have a great time! Come back and report soon!

Good luck Anglaise, have a fab time

I'm working in Arizona this week, so have just been swimming in the gorgeous outdoor pool with sun on my back , and will run after work on the trail if its light enough (at the foot of Camelback mountain).

Boobz I have porridge for breakfast and gels during the run on the day.

I set out to beat my pb which is 5.22, and would expire with pleasure if I achieved sub 5. I'm no athlete and I'm 50.

Last year it took me almost six hours due to a sore knee and missed training runs but I'm in a much better place this year fingers crossed!). Lots of swimming and spin classes to supplement the running.

How much do you eat before the marathon Anglaise? What is carbo loading for you?

Good luck for your big day Imbroglio - what are you aiming for time wise again?

Wow Boobz to run in Central Park is a dream for me. To do the NY marathon would be the ultimate marathon for me!
Imbroglio to knock 3 mins off a HM time is impressive. I've never managed more than a minute.
Am tapering this week, no speedwork, we fly to Barcelona on Friday, marathon Sunday, weather forecast a lot better than here in N France, we've had rain and wind consistently today.
I hate tapering and I hate carb-loading, the scales go up and up and up...especially with all the water I'm drinking. I have my supply of jelly babies and I'm ready!
Am looking forward to crashing on the beach after the race (sunny and 18°C). Good luck to the rest of you with your training!

Sounds like you are well prepared! My running is going to pot this week as I firstly lost my trainers in NYC and then secondly had a big discussion about finances this morning with DH when I was supposed to be running, so not really going to plan. Will attempt to get out for 9 miles Weds, 6 on Thurs, Rest on Fri, cross train on Sat and then 20 miles on Sunday!

Yes- Brighton! I'm planing to do do two more long runs on the same route, but a bit of walk/run because the route is nearer 22.5 miles with lots of hills, and I've got another half booked to mark the start of the taper.

Off to swim now!

Well done Imbroglio! Is that the longest run you will do? You are doing Brighton mara on April 17th, is that right? I do Rome on the 10th so we seem to be just about following the same schedule as I am due to run 20 miles on Friday. It's supposed to be gorgeous weather here on that day - about 18 degrees with a breeze so am really looking forward to it!

20 miles plus today. Strange to see it written down as it is a RIDICULOUSLY LONG WAY TO RUN.

13 miles done along the Hudson River this morning. Was biting cold but amazing run - one of my favourite ever I think.

Well done Anglaise - you continue to set the bar! I did 9 miles this morning and it felt slooooow.

Got home from skiing yesterday so was able to upload my garmin data for my 18 mile run and look at my splits, and it's pretty bloody good! I guess I was so cold I was trying to get it done a bit quicker!

5 weeks and 5 days until my marathon now - am heading to the US later this afternoon for a 4 day conference, which means I will be running 14 miles around Central Park for a change which will be nice, and am going to a Barry's Bootcamp there too - trying to keep up the regime even whilst travelling. But then I am back in Rome solidly for 5 weeks which means I can really concentrate on getting the food/fitness right...

Well done for getting around Dibbler, especially with your failing health last week!

Well done Anglaise!

Disappointed to only manage 2h25 in the HM today, but tbh the way I've felt this week just keeping running was an acheivement. Nice medal though

Did my 15k race this morning, 1h10m, 2nd in my category and 13th woman overall out of the 180 running so not too bad. Was comfortable throughout at ave of just under 13kph and for the marathon time I want I need 12k/h so fingers crossed I'll manage it.

good luck Dibbler!

Not surprised Boobz!

I have had a rubbish week, and felt exhausted all the time. Coventry half tomorrow, so all I can hope for is getting round tbh

18 miles in the Dolomites done, in 2:31. Exhausted after!

That is awesome (and I don't think of myself as super speedy...) - well done.

I have woken up to low cloud and snow. Not looking so enticing now.... hurrumph.