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Original poster

London marathoners assemble

832 replies

KittyandTeal · 11/10/2016 08:41

As the ballot spaces start being allocated I thought I'd start a thread for those of us lucky enough to get a space.

I was rejected through the ballot but I have had a charity space since June so I'm running (and raising £1400) I've been training for a half so I can get the distance under my belt. Im up to 11 miles now in just over 2 hours. I'm slow but getting there. I'd like to get in under 5 hours but I'm happy to just be running it.

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Original poster
KittyandTeal · 26/10/2016 21:35

Emummy what have you been doing for strength and conditioning?

I have a short strength set I do twice a week but after my half is like to shorten my runs and focus on strength until January

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emummy · 26/10/2016 11:31

Sounds good so far Everything!
I just want to get started on the training programme! I have started doing a strength & conditioning session at home this week, hoping I can keep that up, in addition to the boot camp I do to try and get a bit stronger. My runs are mostly shorter just now focusing on speed and I am hoping to do a cross country race next month - if I don't chicken out! I just want it to be January so I can get stuck in!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 26/10/2016 08:11

Yay everything.

You sound like you're doing really well, I'm not quite up to half marathon distance yet.

It is very exciting. I do get days where it feels a bit overwhelming as well though

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EverythingWillBeOKInTheEnd · 25/10/2016 21:38

Hi, I've been a long time lurker on MN but have joined to be able to join this thread and hopefully support and be supported.
I only started running Jan 15 as part of a C25K group. I have done a couple of 10k races but nothing more, and entered the ballot on a fatalistic whim.
Fate smiled (I think) and granted me a ballot place, and having turned the air blue on opening my magazine a couple of weeks ago, I am now strangely excited (and also a bit scared).
I run 3 times a week, but only at 10/12/14 miles per week, so that is going to have to ramp up. I've entered a 20 mile race a month before London, and am working on the basis that if I can do that I should be ok.
I am going to follow a training programme and I am also looking at a pilates based body con and strength programme to help with my core.
Whatever happens the next 6 months is certainly going to be an experience Smile

EATmum · 24/10/2016 22:38

I listen to a lot of audio books (bit of an addiction), and I'm re-listening to 'Running like a girl' at the moment, to get me in the marathon frame of mind. But I need to find some good pacey songs too, for when I need a boost. Seems most of my music is way too sedate! For other podcasts I listen to Women's Hour a lot, and to Dear Sugar radio (which I'm sure I shouldn't like but really do). I also like Seamwork radio, which has a sewing theme.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 24/10/2016 14:04

Just finished 11 miles. 2:12:55. I'm happy with that, I did one of the trailblazer routes which are pretty hilly and proper tails. It was hard going but I loved it. Hopefully it translates to the road.

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Original poster
KittyandTeal · 24/10/2016 07:42

Wow, that's brilliant alittlebit. Congrats. A sub 30min 5k is quick!

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Alittlebitofthis · 23/10/2016 23:22

I've decided to concentrate on my speed an short distances. Yesterday at parkrun I decided to push myself and finally got a sub 30! I'm so pleased. It's not a flat route and it's taken a year!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 23/10/2016 16:16

Thank you! I'm definitely going to have a listen to them

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emummy · 23/10/2016 15:49

I listen to Marathon Talk, Running Commentary and Marathon Training Academy. Also Tough Girl, which has interviews with women athletes and adventurers, such as the ultra runner who ran up Snowdon 3 times as a training run!

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KittyandTeal · 23/10/2016 14:46

Any recommendations for running podcasts? I love listening to stuff before bed

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Original poster
KittyandTeal · 23/10/2016 10:50

I used to listen to music or science podcasts but I got really annoyed one day, pulled my earphones out and never went back! I use garmin and strava but I don't listen to anything anymore. That's one of the reasons I have to run in pretty places, so I've got things to look at. I found that I got a bit of sensory overload listening to something, looking at the scenery and concentrating on my form and breathing etc

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emummy · 23/10/2016 10:16

I podcast too, mainly running ones and Tough Girl.

EATmum · 23/10/2016 08:50

It's definitely a good excuse for new gadgets. I've been looking at a Garmin or equivalent too. I tend to use Runkeeper on my phone mostly at the moment. Although yesterday at Parkrun I opened Runkeeper and my phone died completely - so for once I was running without Runkeeper, music or podcasts. And I ran my best time this year ... Not sure what that tells me but I'd get very bored for anything longer without distraction. What do you all listen to when running? I tend to podcast and audio book rather than music.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 23/10/2016 07:40

Cool, it's my bday soon so I think a shopping trip may be in order Grin

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emummy · 22/10/2016 20:34

Seems to be, it usually agrees with time & distance in races.

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KittyandTeal · 22/10/2016 16:19

Do you think it's fairly accurate emummy?

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emummy · 22/10/2016 16:16

I have a Tomtom runner, it syncs with the Tomtom app on the phone and I also have it linked to Mapmyrun. It can be set for intervals, laps, and can be set to goal pace. I haven't used goal pace yet but might start to keep my right on the long runs when the proper training plan starts.

Elba84 · 22/10/2016 11:36

I've got a Fitbit blaze which I love - its my new toy! It connects to the gps on my phone, and has a built in heart monitor which seems pretty accurate. I also like being able to just look at the watch face to find out my current pace, distance etc plus it's purple and looks pretty

Not been a great week running wise, partly due to a cold and partly due to a 60 hour week at work. Going to go out for a gentle run this afternoon then start over next week properly!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 22/10/2016 11:10

I have a basic garmin too but I also use strava on my phone. I use both because strava is great for looking back and comparing but with my garmin I can look at half mile splits too. However, over the past few days they've been really off. Yesterday garmin thinks I ran 5 miles and strava 4! I'd like to get a watch that connects to my phone so I can use my watch while running but so it records it to my phone.

I like the numbers and splits etc though, my friend doesn't run with anything, just runs a set distance and works out roughly how long it's taken

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Twodogsandahooch · 22/10/2016 10:14

I'm thinking of upgrading my running watch too. I have a basic garmin at the moment. Is anyone using an app or similar to keep a record of their training runs? Any recommendations.

I've just completed my first official training run. It was a hilly 10k. A bit disappointed with the time which is ridiculous as I haven't run further than 5k in over 3 months. I think I'm going to need a change of mindset.

Off on hols tomorrow for half term. Not sure how many opportunities there will be for running but might sneak in my trainers anyway.
Happy weekend everyone

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 22/10/2016 08:53

I like that emummy, I might try that.

Chocolate I have a garmin forerunner and you can program walk/run intervals but they are all the same time iyswim. I'm looking at a slightly better gps watch with an interval program. Any stop watch will do though.

Yesterday I was running around a pond that I know is 1k all the way round so we just ran half and walked half. It was horridly hard though.

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chocolatepastry · 22/10/2016 07:38

Emummy and Kitty can I ask what do you use to time these sessions? So u programme something to tell you what you're meant to be doing?!

I run with a 1990s Casio watch!! Grin

But Xmas is coming and my present list of running-related stuff is growing....

emummy · 21/10/2016 22:22

You can do them any way you like Kitty, I guess the idea is building up then easing off again. I used to one that went 15 sec, 30, 45, 60, 90,90, 60, 45, 30, 15 with equal amount of rest after each hard bit, and that was quite fun. But I think there's only so much fun you can get from intervals! Maybe we should reward ourselves with a big cake afterwards!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 21/10/2016 20:45

No I've not yet emummy. I've been doing a mixture of intervals and sustained tempo runs. I think my marathon training plan has a few fartlek runs which I'm keen to try. I've not looked at a pyramid session. Do you go back down the pyramid as well? I think I'd almost be better doing it upside down and starting with longer hard and moving down.

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