London Marathoners 2018

Ah ok, I really like the look of them but a drawstring waist is fairly essential for me

Also there are no more than four street lamps here, so I don’t run in the dark anyway!

No, they're just like normal leggings, but running material...

Do they have a drawstring waist?

My local Primark has these reflective running leggings for £3 down from £8 :-)

Hi Black

I think I’m going to design my own plan based on some intermediate plans I’ve found on Pinterest. I need to include Pilates as my x-training on a certain day and parkrun as a short 'faster' run on sats obviously.

Then fit the miles in around that.

I think both my husband and I will both benefit from it being on the fridge for all to see!

Hi Black!
I don't run at all, so am doing a 6 week 10k plan at the moment, and then I'll be following the 24 week plan on the vlm site

Oh Pickle, it really makes a difference, the weather doesn't it! My first and only marathon was Edinburgh, in May and it was 25 degrees, we got sunburnt! Spent all my long training runs in rain, wind and snow, then the actual race day was hot. I am preparing for this again now next time, I'm up north, so just running in London means it will be loads warmer for me. I have done quite a few half marathons, with differing results, so put that unenjoyable one behind you :) my half marathon PB was last year in heavy rain, but a very flat course. I need to find a suitable training plan, beginner level is less mileage than I currently do, but I am not intermediate, and don't want to run 5 times a week either... what are you going to follow?

Hi all, please can I join you?
I have a ballot place for next year, it's the second time I applied. Weirdly (but happily!) my daughter has also got a place this year so we will be running together. This will be my second marathon, I did one 7 years ago (and said 'never again'), but my daughter's first.

We are due to run the Manchester half marathon next Sunday, so have been training for that.

I am very excited and also getting ready to book our hotel. Got DH and DD (9) coming down too, so weekend away for everyone :)

Thanks have downloaded the app - starting tonight! Ab wheel sounds like a torture instrument!

I can’t do traditional abs exercise without hurting my back - and that is why Pilates works for me!

I did a 30 min strength routine at home this morning and am booked in to get my gait analysed and new road shoes on Tuesday. Very excited to start running in them, whatever they may be!

A friend assures me that headphones are not necessary for the M as there’s so much going on...but I simply can’t imagine running for that long without something to listen to!

PickleSarnie can you link the the 30 Day Ab challenge you're using? Just googled but there are loads. I get knee problems and I know my core muscles are pretty much non existent.

Well done to all marathoners! I'm not in - only doing 5K at the moment - but want to get back up to at least 10k and just maybe a half marathon next year.

Just back from my first 5k in years. Fastest ever time (47.22) and I got my fastest km (8.36)
1st week training complete. 9km ran, and 2 work outs.
I'm tempted to take a photo of myself in just bra and knickers, so I can see my body changes over the next months....

Me and jumping jacks can have a similar effect.

How’s your back Pickle?

Well, that was embarrassing, dh came down during ny work out, while I was doing skipping on the spot. My arse cheeks were well and truly clapping me on, to the point that dh had to helpfully remind me to clench. Glorious silence.....

I'm doing ok, just wait for dh to come down so I can get ny exercise done for the day. My plan says to do do 20-30 mins of non running exercise, so may do one of the 30 day shred routines. Tomorrow, I have to fit in a 30-40 minute run, which I'll probably end up doing on the treadmill, as we have such a busy day.
Since Monday, I've done 2 ×20 minute runs with walking, and a work out. It's the most exercise I've done in years

I have run two 10ks this week and my legs feel tired so I’m going to skip parkrun this morning I think.

So this, my first official week of marathon training consisted of 2x 6miles, 1 upper body strength and 1 Pilates. Tadaaaaaaaaa!

How’s everyone else feeling?

On the day of the marathon you'll be directed to starting points in either Greenwich or Blackheath (and told to use public transport. Don't try and drive all the roads are closed!). People start arriving early - my first year in Greenwich it took me some time to work out why so many people were walking past my window at 7am on a Sunday!

One of the nice things is that most places open early and there's a bit of a party atmosphere.

If you/supporters want food:

Greenwich: the Green Cafe- small local cafe which does an excellent breakfast and brunch; the Rivington for a posher brunch

Blackheath: Gail's a chain but awesome coffee and sandwiches.

Badgerlady I can also vouch for the hills in Greenwich park, poor dh had to physically push me up the last time to get me to the top!
Any advice for on the day of where to go, etc?

Congratulation to all. I missed out :-(. I am signed up to do a different marathon in May next year though.

I live near the start of the marathon and love seeing everyone arriving each year!

On which note,if any Londoners want hills come to Greenwich /Blackheath! Run through are doing a 10k in December- which I'm signed up for. It's three laps of the park (which inevitably means going uphill). And there are great places for brunch afterwards...

I live in the bottom of a valley, so I cannot avoid hills unfortunately!

I guess slow and steady is what your aiming for Pickle? Training wise I mean, so you don’t bugger your knee too early.

Might a bit of swimming help, while there’s still plenty of time?