London marathoners assemble

I used a pacer for my half for the same reason and it was so useful so maybe try that if one available? It really made me think that 26.2 would be possible

(Until I got put out of action due to heel pain and may not even get to the start line )

If it's hilly def start off slower. Where is it?

Thanks all. Didn't even think about the course (shows how inexperienced I am!). It's described as 'undulating' and is mainly on tracks in a forest- I'm used to flat roads only!

Read some conflicting things online about how slow to start out, but think that as it's my first time I will do my best to go out steady. Might try out chocolates model on my 12 miles next week.

I seem to start out at 10.30 ish for the first 5 or so miles, despite aiming slower, then it starts to slow right down and I'm tired by 6-7 miles. So clearly starting too fast. Average pace works out around 11.10 quite consistently though: wondering if I should try really hard to stick to 11.00 from the start, then pick it up at the end if I have reserve. It's so confusing! Whenever I think I'm going slow I'm not and if I think I'm running fast I'm actually at a snails pace!

(Hillier for me = merest undulation 😳😳😳)

I wanted to do the first half of the marathon slowly then race the second half as if it was a stand alone half, but I ended up doing the same consistent (slow) pace all the way around (which felt fantastic, no fatigue no pain not even any mental demons). This time I'm chasing the finish line rather than any particular time, it will be tougher (colder, hillier and lonelier) but if I finish feeling half as strong as last time that will be great!

That looks great chocolate, definitely a strategy to try for London. On Martahon Talk they interviewed a guy who had analysed marathon times for several marathons. He said that if your first 5k of the marathon is your fastest, it can cost you up to 30 minutes at the end, so a slow steady start is definitely the way to go.

I paced my half a few weeks ago like this photo Elba. Ran easy for first 8 miles, then notched it up slightly and went fishing and overtook so many people which was great for morale! Then upped for final mile.

I found it a really good strategy as starting slower than u need to meant I didn't get demoralised by thinking I was at the back- instead I was thinking how I'd overtake people later and finish strong. Good luck!

The adrenaline does spur you on Elba but that can be a bad thing too! I think make sure you start steady at a comfortable pace. If you have a time you are aiming for you could work out the pace for that and try to stick to it. Do you know what the route is like? It's good to know if there are any hills lurking! If you're not set on a particular time I would go out steady and then pick up the pace a little further on if you can. I always find miles 9-11 of a half are tough, then the last mile and a half I get faster! Good luck!

Oh and in case anyone has the sports jelly beans I mentioned a few days ago, my top tip; open them before you go. Needed a boost at mile 7 and couldn't get into the buggers!

Was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on how to approach pacing for my (first ever!) half which is in three weeks time? I did 10 miles today and 8 last week, identical times but very different strategies (planned walks every mile today). I don't want to overdo it, but want to do my best on the half so I have an idea of my target time for the real thing. Average pace was 11.10 mins/mile. Do I aim to stick to this pace or would you push it a bit? Not sure how much the adrenaline of it being a race will spur me on.

Very wet and windy run this evening, not particularly pleasant! And my headphones died on the first mile so had to do it without my music- I never run without music!!

There are toilets, bit of a queue I guess though. I am coeliac and my tummy is very badly behaved sometimes! Planning to stock up on Imodium!

My friend was saying that about caffeine the other day. I'd be guaranteeing doing a Paula Radcliffe if I did that though!

There are toilets on route aren't they? Aaaaargh. Now I'm panicking that there might not be. The half marathon I did I took 4 Immodium before hand just in case!

Some interesting research on taking caffeine later in long events, so for the last half of the marathon (obviously don't try for first time on race day!)

caffeine in long races

I'm all podcasted up now and ready for this weekends solo run - thanks for all the suggestions!

Just did a really begrudging 30 minutes on the treadmill increasing the speed every 2 minutes until I was purple in the face. I find running on the treadmill really uncomfortable and when I go fast I always feel like I'm going to fall off the back so sometimes have to hold on and must look like a right prat.

There's a bloke at my work who runs 4.5 minute kilometres. I tried going that fast just to see what it's like but my legs wouldn't move that quickly!

I am permanently so hungry. Which isn't helping my diet. I lost 3.5 stones fairly recently but still want to lose another stone. All this running is at least allowing me to eat and not put on anything but I really want to lose that stone. If only to make running 26.2 miles suck a bit less!!

I'm a music fiend psycho yet cannot listen to music while I run
I thought it was my inexperience to start with, and that I would be able to once I cracked my breathing but still no. I may try with podcasts or audio books instead but to me it just isn't the same

I wish (in some ways) I could listen to something while running, especially when the long runs get really long, but I can't. Even if I'm only doing some extra miles on the bike in the gym I still have to concentrate 😳 Do like podcasts though and can listen to those happily so will check out those mentioned. I love the Guilty Feminist.

Hope all the illnesses and injuries clear up soon. I feel a lot better so planning to run tomorrow.
I listen mostly to running podcasts, sad! I listen to Marathon Talk (with Martin Yelling), Running Commentary (2 comedians chatting while they run) and the Tough Girl podcast, which interviews female sportspeople & adventurers. Sometimes also Marathon Training Academy and the Strength Running podcasts, which are American and very positive! I used to listen to women's hour but have gone off it.

Hi all.

Glad to head everyone's injuries are resolving. It's a rollercoaster isn't it?

My ankle is still playing up- had to stop after 2 miles on Monday and was convinced I'll have to defer, but got another appt with chiropractor tomorrow so we shall see what she says. Kitty did u still want to see the exercises? Sounds like yours is different cause to mine so prob not v useful now??

I always run alone and love the 'me time'- really missing it now. Would also love to hear what podcasts people listen to as sometime not in mood for music.

Get well soon faintly, I read somewhere that plans are designed to accommodate some time that you'll be out of action. Hope gp appointment goes well and that it turns out to be nothing to worry about.

I'm going to download some podcasts emummy Any recommendations? I ran once listening to Rhod Gilbert and I must have looked a right loon running by myself whilst laughing my head off.

Skiing holidays these days aren't quite as strenuous as it used to be so I don't think I'll over do it. Just have to try not to break a leg!. The kids have lessons in the morning when I get to ski then I'll pick them up, pootle around some blue runs for a bit with them. Then we have lunch and probably don't get the chance to get out in the afternoon because they're only 4 and 6 so not yet up to a whole days skiing. Mind you, the 6 year old is already better at skiing than his dad after one weeks holiday so might not be long before they're showing me up on black runs. Will probably need to rein in the apres ski wine drinking though

Well I'm sick
I've hardly stirred from my bed since Friday and I feel as weak as a kitten. There's no way I'll be up to running or the gym before the weekend at least and I'm starting to get definitely anxious about being ready in time.

On top of this I have an appointment at my GP's next week as I'm worried about a change in one of my breasts, so that could throw a definite spanner in the works

I do all my runs on my own, I listen to podcasts. Good to allow time off for illness Elba, that's what I have done too and glad of it this week! Today's ambition is to walk the dog!
Skiing holiday sounds great Pickle. Have never been on one , am guessing it's pretty tiring so you might not need to do much else. Maybe just a couple of wee treadmill runs to remind your legs what it feels like?!
Welcome psycho, good luck with the training. My plan goes up to 22 miles, but I may stop at 20 if I'm too tired.

I do most of mine with someone because am a really terrible wuss about traffic and it's probably not possible to find enough miles of pavement in Suffolk, just HAVE to go on the actual roads. But this Sunday I went on my own and it felt good to relax into my own pace, go off road for a bit, stop when I felt I'd had enough and enjoy a longer walk back. There are pros and cons!

Well done on your soggy run elba Today's my rest day so have ate far too much and sat lots.