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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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EATmum · 15/10/2016 11:21

Hi all. I'm running for Amnesty International, which is a charity that I've been supporting since I was a teen, so I'm very pleased to be in their team. I did my regular Parkrun this morning but suddenly it was my first marathon training run!! Scary. Esp as I fell off my bike on the way home and have scabby knees Confused. Was a good run though!

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KittyandTeal · 15/10/2016 08:52

Two you were on the ballot results thread, yay that you've applied for a charity space!

Brilliant, thanks for those codes. I'm umming and ahhing about Kingston now as it's the week I'm supposed to do 16miles. I'm wondering about doing the half and then a shorter long run. Dunno. I'm confused

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girlsyearapart · 15/10/2016 07:59

Also just got this code for the Kingston half

London marathoners assemble
girlsyearapart · 15/10/2016 07:51

Good luck marathoners!
If any of you would like my place in tomorrows Cabbage Patch 10 pm me. I haven't done enough training. Can't find anyone who wants it.

Twodogsandahooch · 15/10/2016 07:47

Hi everyone
I haven't officially got a place yet but am optimistic that I will. Was unsuccessful in the ballot and was so disappointed that I have now applied for a charity place through my hospital charity. I can't imagine that they are besieged with applicants so fingers crossed.

The irony is that I am the most unfit I have been in years. I ran a half in April but have hardly run since. DP is an endurance runner and so is offering helpful advice such as 'you just need to do a couple of halfs early next year and then you'll be fineConfused'

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 15/10/2016 07:38

Shake I also run trails so I know what you mean about the summer meaning decent conditions. I'm lucky the places I run are maintained well but it has started to get muddy. I've noticed a big difference this year as I'm wearing actual trail shoes now (last year I was wearing those Nike free run barefoot type ones! The guy who fitted my new shoes was horrified when I told him where I ran in them!)

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Original poster
KittyandTeal · 15/10/2016 07:35

Yay. Welcome new people! Seems like we have all variety of different experienced runners here which is brilliant.

Eat which charity are you running for? Do you have a huge target? Mine is £1400 as it's a small charity and does work some people might not want to think about or fund so a slightly lower target. I'm still shitting myself about getting that much.

Saying that I posted on fb about my terrible run and subsequent meltdown last night and got tons of support and another donation. I guess bad runs inspire people to donate just as much as the good ones.

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BobbilyBoo · 15/10/2016 07:02

Can I join too please? I got a place through the ballot and it will be my first marathon.

I've done a few half marathons before, (I'm meant to be running the Manchester one on Sunday but am full of cold so not sure it's going to happen) but nothing longer and I'm nervous about upping the distance.

Going to look for a training plan this weekend and look to plan some longer local as my first step Smile

shakemysilliesout · 15/10/2016 06:46

Welcome EATmum! Which Charity?

EATmum · 14/10/2016 22:16

Can I join? Didn't get in via the ballot but got my charity place today. Very excited but also stunned and terrified. I've run up to a half marathon in the past but Parkrun is my limit these days. I have some work to do!!

shakemysilliesout · 14/10/2016 21:23

Wow winter training is Scotland! I feel like a moaner now....

Summer evenings mean trail runs..ahh well. Digs out gloves. .

Yes I did Purbeck 16 last yr, loved it so went for the marathon, it was so much harder!! Back to 16 next yr. had nice weather at purbeck last 2 yrs. Hope London isn't too hot or too cold, just right!

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KittyandTeal · 14/10/2016 21:22

That's a good idea Sven.

I think after my half I might try and stick to 3 runs with the longest being 10/11 miles (not every week, anywhere between 6-11 miles) a tempo type run and also work on core and strength stuff too. Get a really solid base to start on.

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SvenandSven · 14/10/2016 20:50

I have a 10 mile race that I had already booked for next month and a 10k a week later. Apart from that I will stick to maximum long run of 10k and concentrate on improving my core strength, speed work etc.
I won't up mileage until I start my training plan. I have a rough plan but I am going to get my running coach to check it out. She is an amazing lady who certainly knows her stuff. She recently ran a 100 mile ultra in under 24hrs.

SvenandSven · 14/10/2016 20:33

shake I was talking about Purbeck 16 is that the same as you? A huge massive well done if you took on Purbeck marathon. The 16 was tough enough.

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KittyandTeal · 14/10/2016 20:26

Good plan Elba. I think just getting back into the routine of running is the biggest step. I'd be up for a running buddy if you faniced the Kingston half. I've looked for a December 10k but there don't seem to be many happening. I might not be looking in the right place though. I'd like to do the winter 10k but it's a bit pricey.

Shake, think of not having to do long runs in the summer heat, that's the bonus. I much prefer running in autumn and winter. Heat and humidity just kill me off.

My plan is 3 runs a week, strength after the 2 short ones, Zumba once a week and Pilates one a week. Plus a bit of yoga here and there. I have a yoga app that has a half hour yoga for runners 'class' that's brilliant.

I went out to do a 5 miler this evening, was supposed to be 3 middle @ tempo pace. I'm not 100% atm with a cold plus I've had a rough week with it being baby loss awareness week. I couldn't do it! I managed a slightly slower 4 miles, a did a couple of miles under 10 min miles and a couple around 10:30 which is alright but it should have been closer to 3 miles at 9:30ish or less. I got sucked into that 'I can't do this' mindset that I really struggle with. It's the first time in a long time that I've had to give up on a run and accept it's not happening. Rubbish.

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emummy · 14/10/2016 15:24

Sounds like a good plan Elba. I veer between happiness and terror at the moment! I find that reminding myself it's 7 months away helps! We have time to build up our distance and fitness and do all the travel planning and so on. I am planning to start a little early too, and the other thing I hope to get into the habit of is some strength training. My weekly boot camp will help, but I want to try and do another session at home and have bought a kettle bell to help. Now I just need to get started...
Well done on getting in shake, we can do winter training, piece of cake! If I can do it, living in North-East Scotland, anyone can!

Elba84 · 14/10/2016 13:48

Having a massive wobble about my place (got in first attempt at ballot, which I really, really was not expecting!!). I was up to running about 7-8 miles at a push last year, then did no running this year until about 6 weeks ago and my limit currently seems to be 7k. Swinging between excited determination that I will do it, to wondering what the hell I was doing entering in the first place!

Current (vague) plan is just to follow the beginners training plan from the magazine, but start it a few weeks early to allow for colds etc and in case I simply can't progress that fast. Plus a yoga class each week if I can fit it in. In the mean time try and get back into the routine of running and get back up to at least a comfortable 10k.

I was also thinking of doing the Kingston half (not in London but up there a lot), and maybe a 10k around December time if I can find one. Absolutely dreading the long runs on my own in the middle of winter though!

shakemysilliesout · 14/10/2016 13:11

11 yrs of applying and I got a place!!!!! I have done lots of halves and one marathon (4 weeks ago)but always in autumn. I am worried about winter training....need your support!!

Svenandsven I did that 16.5 mile race last yr and the marathon this yr-beautiful and brutal!!

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KittyandTeal · 12/10/2016 11:27

Oh dear emummy GrinI imagine boot camp is brilliant cross training.

I did a beautiful 5 miles this morning. I was sore after mondays 11 and not feeling it to start with but I run in the forest and the autumn colours are so pretty. I also saw a rainbow through the rain which reminded me of our ds we lost me spurred me on a bit. Ended up being a really good run with a few pr sections.

There's loads of time to start training. I'm using the plan on the marathon website for first time marathoners, there's also a walk/run one and one for people who haven't run before or who are returning from injury. All about 17 weeks long I think

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emummy · 12/10/2016 11:15

Well you've plenty of time Cariad, the trick will be to build up slowly I guess.
Told my bootcamp instructor this morning, big mistake! "We'll need to work you harder then" she said! Oh well, it can only help! So much for taking it easy over the winter!

CariadJohn · 11/10/2016 20:22

Hey! I just got my acceptance magazine yesterday! Biggest shock of my life, especially as I've not run for months due to injury and I'm currently recovering from a big operation so can't start training for a few weeks. When I do start it will have to be right from scratch again. I'm a really slow runner; I was training for a half marathon in June and got to 9 miles run/walking but then my back went and I had to pull out. Really need to lose some weight and get this on track. It's an opportunity I'm unlikely to ever have again and I realise how lucky I am. Looking forward to getting to know you all and to getting and giving support and motivation when needed.

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KittyandTeal · 11/10/2016 19:19

I'm currently running my easy pace at around 11-11:15min/miles so with a bit more speed work to increase my steady pace I reckon I could just about do 5 hours.

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emummy · 11/10/2016 18:57

I think all my family will stay in Aberdeenshire, the cost of flights and accommodation for a family of 5 in London is interesting!
Am also hoping for under 5 hours, but I think I'll refine that once the training starts!

SvenandSven · 11/10/2016 18:52

Lol kitty thats not slow!! I think I will be roughly 5.45 -6.30 somewhere in that range I reckon. I would love a sub 6hr but realistically it will be over the 6hr mark I think I will just be happy to finish.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 11/10/2016 18:08

Ooooo we should do a mn marathoners meet up in the morning, could even start together if we're running similar paces (I'd like under 5 hours so may be slower than most!)

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