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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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emummy · 21/10/2016 20:30

Speed work is no fun Kitty! Have you tried fartlek? Or pyramid sessions -like hard 1 min, recovery 1 min, hard 2 min, recovery 2 etc up till 4 then reduce back down. Sometimes the variety makes it less unpleasant.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 21/10/2016 18:40

Brilliant FS. I was considering a blog too but I'm not sure anyone would be very interested.

Does anyone else struggle with speed work and motivation? I'm a little under the weather but I went out with a friend to do 5x 400m hard 400 recovery. We managed 2 sets and then ended up just doing 3k at a steady pace instead.

I hate speed work and do everything to avoid it. Urgh. I'm a bit annoyed with myself

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Twodogsandahooch · 21/10/2016 08:17

Fantastic FS will have a look at your blog.

Kitty - my target is a whopping 2.5k. it is the first time I have ever done a sponsored event and so hopefully people will be generous. In denial.

My DP has run numerous marathons and ultra marathons which is a mixed blessing. He is very excited for me but at the same time can be a bit dismissive. He is a bit crazy - on one run he decided to swap gels for cold roast potatoes! Has been known to run with a cold espresso in a water bottle too.

FS1984 · 20/10/2016 20:47

Hi, I'm running my first ever marathon at the London Marathon (I've only really run 10km up until now) and nervous and excited! I got a charity place affect years of ballot rejection. I'm writing a blog to stay on the straight and narrow: swappingginfortrainers.wordpress.com

Any hint and tips or training buddies are very welcome!!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 20/10/2016 20:02

Woohoo! That's awesome two! I'm so glad you got a space. How much is your target?

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Twodogsandahooch · 20/10/2016 19:34

Just had the email - I have a place supporting my hospital charity. The fun starts now!! What have I done? As if my life isn't crazy enough.

Alittlebitofthis · 20/10/2016 18:22

I did the September 100 mile challenge which was good. I'm trying to stop myself booking more races at the beginning of the year although there's a couple I really want to do!
I hope you're feeling better soon though. I've not been out much this month. I did a half marathon on Sunday and parkrun this Saturday. My ds is back at nursery on Monday so it'll be back to normal!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 20/10/2016 10:43

Yay alittlebit. We're getting busy now.

I think lots of us are aiming for a 5-6 hours finish.

I have a dreaded cold atm so my half training has found to a haunt. I was planning on starting marathon training in Jan but after this cold I think I might start a little early and give myself a bit of leeway for illness.

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emummy · 20/10/2016 10:23

I'm doing it all alone too Alittlebitofthis, so if you end up doing that you won't be the only one! Congrats on getting in, good luck with the training.

Alittlebitofthis · 20/10/2016 06:56

Hi. I just found this thread. I got in on my first attempt if the ballet!
Really surprised. I'm not sure who I'm travelling down with as I'm not sure if DH is home or not. I have flights booked, and a hotel so may need to do it alone.
I've put down 6+ hours although I'm hoping I'm quicker than that. My very first marathon!
Training is starting next month

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 17/10/2016 15:48

There was a good running bug clip I saw on Facebook about trying to get a 10k or possibly a half under your belt before Christmas if you've got a place an not running regularly atm. It was very calm and constructive.

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Twodogsandahooch · 17/10/2016 15:44

Thanks all. Relieved to hear that everyone isn't going completely crazy yet.
DP gets back from his trip today so should be able to get out tonight or tomorrow, have signed up for 10k mid November. My first step on the journey.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 17/10/2016 14:33

That's good to know emummy. I'm hoping the hills and trails will translate to strength when the time comes

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emummy · 17/10/2016 14:04

Well done Kitty!
A lot of my runs are off road & hilly to allow the dog to come ' run off lead. They are definitely harder and good for your ankle strength too I'm told.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 17/10/2016 13:57

Emummy I did the runnersworld one, it gives you an easy, half, marathon and tempo pace which is really good.

Two I also hate speedwork which is why I deliberately do it, part of this challenge for me is doing stuff I hate (I hate it because I'm terrible at it) to prove myself wrong. I have noticed since doing it that I find longer runs a little easier to sustain a regular pace. I also run in a fairly hilly area so I need to practice some flatter routes. I also run trails which I have just read is a bit harder. Who knew!

I've just finished 12.5 miles with a stinking cold so I'm pleased with myself. It took almost 2 and a half hours but I'll take it.

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emummy · 17/10/2016 12:30

Just remembered that you can enter times for shorter races into a pace calculator, like the one on runnersworld.co.uk, and it will estimate your marathon time. Then during training you will get an idea Ibthink of whether that time is about right or not. On the London marathon website they list the pacers they will have, along with the pace in min/mile they will aim for if that's any help.

emummy · 17/10/2016 11:58

The idea behind speed work chocolate is to help with speed when running a race. The accepted wisdom seems to be that training should be done at different paces, and that if all runs are done at the same medium pace then you don't get the full benefit. I think that hills are possibly an alternative to speed work, so if you can do a route at least every other week that is hilly, it will make you a stronger runner, and especially strengthen your glutes. Over the long distance of a marathon all round strength will be important as we are all going to get pretty tired!
There are different sorts of speed work though, so if you don't like say intervals you could try fartlek or pyramid sessions or tempo runs.
I think from what I read that running balanced with strength & conditions is a good combo for marathon training. Never having done one before though I guess I'll soon find out!

chocolatepastry · 17/10/2016 11:03

I'm not sure either two. I'm doing a 10m on Sunday and set my own plan of twice a week, gradually building up distance.

I've done a similar plan for London, but running 3x a week- roughly one short, one short/medium and one long run. No speed work because I hate it but not sure if that's wrong?

Also, not sure how to work out my 'marathon pace'. Is the idea you run the same speed for all 26.2 miles? I seem to run the same pace whether it's 3m or 10m so tricky to know now how much I'll slow down over longer distances...Hmm

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 16/10/2016 20:46

I'm using the beginners one on the vlm website. They've got 2, one for non runners building up mins running rather than miles and another which is 3 runs a week building up to 22 miles for the longest which is what I'm doing.

I reckon I'm fit enough for the intermediate one but it's 4 runs a week and I don't have th time to for that in.

I'm doing a half training plan that fits it the closest so one long run, one recovery run and a mix of speed work on one other day. It's manageable as well. I do two cross training days, one Zumba and one short Pilates. I do strength conditioning after my shorter runs.

I think once I get over 13 miles or so I might need to cut down as I'm finding I'm tired atm. Saying that I've come down with a cold/sore throat so it may well be that.

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Twodogsandahooch · 16/10/2016 20:24

Which training plans are people following (if any)? I managed to get up to half marathon distance by winging it, running twice a week . I realise that I am going to have to do more than that but some of the training schedules seem ridiculous. What have I signed up to?!!!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 15/10/2016 17:21

Of course chocolate, the more the merrier.

It is very exciting. I'm wavering between excited and wanting it to happen tomorrow to terrified and utterly convinced I won't make it past mile 15!

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chocolatepastry · 15/10/2016 17:17

Can I join? Smile

Very excited to get my ballot place and feeling positive at the moment...

Never run a marathon before and not really got anyone to ask about training etc so this thread will be great!

EATmum · 15/10/2016 14:03

Thanks Kitty. I've been working on a training plan this morning to get me from 3 miles to 26. Now I'm full on panicking! It seems way too real.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 15/10/2016 12:00

Eat amnesty are amazing and do such brilliant work, you must be very proud.

Two suddenly runs start feeling like training and it is pretty scary.

My dh suggested taking a week off running and just crosse training to have a rest after my half. I freaked out a bit but I think he's right, I probably need a down week before I start actual marathon training! Shock

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Twodogsandahooch · 15/10/2016 11:40

Kitty - yes that was me. Still can't believe what I have done. Deposit paid. I definitely needed something to focus on and a reason to get fit again so quite excited. Keen to get out running but DP away this weekend so no can do. Maybe I'll order some fancy running gear instead.

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