London marathoners assemble

Welcome Tailwinds. Well done on doing those 12 miles. Even though they felt really hard you still did them and didn't give up which says you still have that mental strength that you need. Keep going, you will get more used to it again and on the day the atmosphere and adrenaline will be a big boost. Good luck!

Hello. Can I join you?

I used to be a runner, I'd cover a reasonable distance each week, never far but I'd clock 50-70km total. Every year I've entered the London Marathon ballot (seven times now) and haven't got in. Last year I gave birth to my little boy; it was a rough pregnancy and even rougher birth ending up with an emergency c-section. At some point my 3 stone larger self thought it was a good idea to say sod London, I can just pay to do Paris.

So now I'm running a marathon in 7 weeks time only I can't run anymore and they have a 5 hour 40 minute cut off.

I have been trying to train but it's painful. I shuffled along a 12 mile / 22 km run yesterday painfully slowly (2 hour 45 minutes). I spent most of the evening alternating between stuffing Valentine's chocolates and sobbing that I'm too fat, too old and no longer a runner to my husband.

Somehow I've got 7 weeks left in which to double the distance I found so hard yesterday. The only consolation is the first 10km felt very easy at a 7:45km pace which is about what I need to do in order to beat the cut off ...

Wow to 16 miles! I did a 10k race today and couldn't have run another step! Guess you run more steadily and pace yourself better over long distances though. Fantastic running well done .

Very true Kitty, although I think practising many flat miles is helpful too as your legs don't get a break. Today wasn't terrible, 700ft, but the hill at 15.7 miles nearly finished me off!

I did it! 16 miles, longest run ever for me! Far too hilly a route though, going for flatter from now on!

Pickle did you finish your distance? Don't feel down- this is what training is for-working out what works and what doesn't so we don't end up in a painful pooey puddle on the big day

I had a nice piece of flapjack after my 10m today and then was running to the loo! Wondering whether that means it'll happen on race day as was planning that as a mid-race snack... maybe have eat next to a portaloo and then wait!!!

Getting back in track with mileage but significantly slower than pre-Injury (over 10m my average pace has dropped by 45 seconds per mile).

But had an interesting chat with a friend who did vlm last year (not her first marathon) and she said she got stressed trying to keep to a pace because it was so crowded and now wishes she'd just enjoyed the amazing atmosphere and sod the time. Food for thought (as long as it doesn't upset our tummies )

Digestive problems are a huge problem for runners aren't they. I do think 4 Immodium may have exacerbated the problem though Pickled. Maybe have a bland meal the night before a long run? Rice, chicken and veg? Not too many veg though as fibrous. My biggest fear is needing the loo in that way on a long run or god forbid a race .

Bad sleep is dreadfully debilitating too .

Good luck with all the long runs tomorrow, I am doing a 10k race which should pep things up a bit!

I think I might just be jumping on any potential thing that might be causing an issue. I'd be ridiculously glad not to give up gluten because I bloody love everything with it in. I always get a sore stomach with popcorn (goodness knows why I eat it) It's mainly just fibre so perhaps too much ato once and the night before a big run was the problem. Will also try without the Hi5 too.

emummy, I went to the doctors a while back after not sleeping at all for ages. It was making me utterly bloody miserable. GP thought I was bit depressed. I didn't think I was. Just really down about be so flipping knackered. Every night I dreaded going to sleep, figured it was pointless and every night I just lay there getting more and more stressed. He gave me low dose of an antidepressant called Mirtazapine which is also used as a sleep aid in low dosages. Said if he was right, they'd make me feel better and I'd sleep. If I was right then they'd make me sleep. And that everyone would be a winner. I really don't like taking tablets but a short course of them was enough just to click things back into place again. They were brilliant. Sending loads of lavender scented vibes your way!! Hope the 16 miles goes well x

I'm coeliac. Gluten free is a pain! Food diary sounds like a plan; if from that it looks like an issue see your GP for a blood test. Popcorn is usually gluten free and if you had it the day before then maybe the Hi5 is to blame. Hope you get it sorted. Planning 16 miles tomorrow if I get a good sleep, last night was awful. Planning trip to GP, my sleep problems have gone on too long. Armed with Nytol & lavender spray for tonight!

Really maid? I'm only thinking about it because I'm grasping at straws and just want to try anything! Google tells me to keep a food diary and see if I can see a pattern. Might do that.

Giving up gluten if you have no medical need to do so is a bad idea. You can force intolerance and you start eating it again, get terrible problems. It really isn't recommended.

Bananas are supposed to plug you up?

P.s. Sorry about the too much information. My poor running buddy has to listen to my woes constantly. Although have found that talking makes it worse (figure the interruption of my normal breathing might mess up oxygen flow?) So at least I was quiet this morning!

Ffs. Run didn't go to plan at all. Went out with Hi5 electrolyte instead of my usual water. And whether it was that or the popcorn I ate yesterday but by about mile 8, I was doubled up and really scared I was going to have to poo in a bush. By the timend i got back to civilisation and a public toilet, the four Immodium that I'd taken were making me feel horrible. It's really getting my down. I know it's common but I don't know how to fix it. Thinking of giving up gluten. Can't do any harm at least. kitty, how have you found Tailwind? I might give that a go instead x

Kitty I absolutely do the same thing re invitations! I fib though and pretend I am away or whatever as think people will just snort at me being 51 and 'training' unless they are my running friends who of course totally get it !

Kitty 12 miles, that's great! Hope it goes well. You say about getting a good night's sleep after a marathon but does anyone else get almost over tired and twitchy legs after a long or hard run? I did 10 miles last Sunday morning and felt dreadful all day, twitchy legs, hot flushes and couldn't sleep.

Weirdly I did 11 yesterday and felt fine after a hot bath and a nap. My DH thinks it is the body adjusting to the extra stress put upon it and making itself stronger as it were.

Maid 18 miles cannot imagine running that far, how amazing!

Pickle good luck with 14 too, longer than I have ever run! Love all this running

Glad you're on the mend kitty

18 miles maid?! Good luck with that! That's on my to do list for 2nd weekend in March. Attempting 14 tomorrow. My friends are going away for the weekend the weekend I'll be running 18 miles. Running for three hours is going to be just as good as a child free weekend with shed loads of wine and a spa. At least that's what I keep trying to convince myself.....

waves pom poms
3 hours tomorrow. Hoping to hit 18 miles.

The wine I'm drinking and the pizza I'm about to order aren't going to help though.

The thing with labour though kitty is you get a really cute baby and shed loads of amnesia hormones to distract you. The medal at the end of the marathon needs to be pretty damn shiny to have any chance of forgetting the pain I reckon!!

I will wave poms poms!