London Marathon 2019 training thread!

How are the weekly long runs going?

I'm up to 10miles so feel a fair bit off where I ought be.

I'm aiming for sub 6 hours and just getting round the course .

Hey all - how is everyone getting on with this wintery weather? I managed to do 10 miles off road yesterday (flat!) - was good to avoid the ice.

The route I took is actually 2x 5mile loops and I did one of the loops on Monday with the dog - it was awful I stopped about 30 times and legs felt like lead - came home barely out of breath.

But yesterday, doing 10 miles, felt absolutely great ! the only difference that I could see was my mental state - made me realise how much of it is in my mind....!!

It feels like I'm in the last few weeks where the long runs are manageable - a little bit apprehensive about when they start getting up to 16/18/20 etc - eek

Sciatica is so so thanks Ruffling, every time I think it’s getting better it flares up again but it generally has been holding up for the longer runs so I guess I can’t conplain too much. Found I can claim acupuncture back through my work healthcare which is good!

I think if you don’t ‘need’ gels then definitely don’t force them down. I see them as a boost or treat now, so do need them I think in races.

Well done Buster on the 15 miler ! How's the sciatica ?

I'm up to 10 miles this week - I've got a lovely route that I've done before so I'm actually quite looking forward to it, especially as I'll try and do it v slow.

Been doing plenty of hill running this last week, some of it in heavy snow- really good to be away from the pavements.

I've only ever used gels when I first started doing halves, maybe a decade ago. I found the whole running thing so tortuous that I kind of associate gels with feeling absolutely desperate ! Are gels an absolute must for marathons??? if so i should probably start trying some.... that's a 'boak' not envy !!

Oh Crickey imnotreadyforthis, fingers crossed you get it sorted! I’ve been injured too (piririformis syndrome / trapped nerve) I can still run albeit a lot slower than previously!

Training is going ok.... did a 15 mile last sun and a 13mile yesterday. I’m mainly worried about the mental battle I’m going to have to cover thag distance, 26 miles!!

Re gels, I really like sis ones, for a half, I would take at about 4 and 8, So I’m planning on doing maybe 5, 10, 15 and 20 for marathon, I don’t really fancy having more than 4 and may mix up with caffeine bullets for last bit!

How’s everyone doing?
No running for me since Thursday... because of sore tendon, waiting physio appointment and very frustrated!!

Regarding gels... I have been using a brand that the shop affiliated to my running club sells.. they’re from Spain I think.
www.226ers.com/product-tag/gels-and-gummies/

I don’t have many... only 3 during the marathon, When I tried 3 over 30kms I had an uncomfortable stomach, but it may also be that I wasn’t used to them??

Hello everyone!

Last night it was repeats for us..3x2000 on frozen roads... not fun at all! Tender Achilles tendon after the shower, so I decided I HAD to use the fosm roller and blimey... I had so many knots in my calf. I really must do it more often!

@TheMouseInMyPocket I tried SIS gels for a half marathon but I didn't like the way they made my stomach feel. In a previous half, I had some lovely, watery, pineapple-flavour gels by a brand I can't remember the name of...but they have been discontinued 

Has anyone tried Tailwind? You mix it with water apparently?

@RufflingFeathers I love the positive attitude! Like you, I seem to feel more trim but the scales say differently! Mind you - my legs have really bulked up! In a good way!

Did 6 miles yesterday and the long run for this weekend is 9 miles. Even though I hear of some people running half marathons already or having gone even further than that, I'm definitely sticking to my plan to the letter. No way I'm risking injury/burnout! I want to make it to that start line!

If anyone fancies it, I have joined a support group on Facebook for beginners/non-showy-offy marathon runners!! I'm finding it great for sharing info and tips.

unfortunately I've always struggled with my weight and i'm definitely overweight. Am dieting while training which isn't the easiest but it has to be done. i need to lose about 10lb< will be trying to do that over the next 8 weeks.

im getting a coach with a local running club to the marathon. I live just within m25 anyway so not that far.

I weighed myself this week for the first time since September and have put on half a stone. But this I took as a massive victory because a) i'm actually feeling trim, my clothes are fitting well so b) it must be all the muscle gained in the strength work I've been doing since October .

That shows how this marathon is turning me doolally - I would never normally celebrate weight gain !! Katie - don't be dispirited - we are wonder women !!

We're staying all the way out in Acton - now jealous that you guys will be much closer !!

In the end @Imnotreadyforthis I booked a Holiday Inn and disregarded the cost. I will probably be alone and don't need any anxiety about getting to the start on time!

@Newyearnewbrain good question. Both my half-marathon times were very similar (i guess quite slow at 2.18). I reckon I'll be slower in a full marathon. As long as I'm front of the road sweeper, I'll be happy! Just want to enjoy the ride!

I'm 42 by the way and started running 4 years ago. Very worried about my weak middle-aged body letting me down

I also seem to be putting on weight now I'm running more (only a couple of pounds, but still...). Anyone else? I'm not overweight but it annoys me psychologically!!

Ok @Imnotreadyforthis thank you!

Hi katie

We’re thinking of booking one of the Premier Inns around the Finish area, they have a free cancellation option, which is a bit more expensive, but it might be worth it in case for some reason you can’t go.

Hello newyear

I did! By about 5 minutes over 2 months.

madeindevon I’m 47

RufflingFeathers
What a way to celebrate your birthday, not a cliche at all!
Yes I managed to mostly follow the training our coach gave us. The ony hiccup was a couple of weeks before M day when I suddenly developed pain in my Achilles tendon, which wasn’t too bad as I was tapering anyway, but it made me really nervous about being able to run the marathon!

This time round I will get regular massages and I must find the time to use the foam roller more as my calves are always contracted..

Hi - will reply to comments when I have a moment, but...

PLEASE HELP!!!

Seriously need advice on accommodation! Should I go for the Holiday Inn package where they deliver you to the start line? It's non refundable and I'm not rich...

Or just book something refundable in case I don't actually make the race? I'm getting myself in a state and I don't know London very well! I'm looking at Whitechapel?!

I'm turning 40 a couple of weeks before the marathon - bit of a cliche !!

Welcome newyearbrain !

I've no idea whether my half time will improve during training - I've got one booked in for March but it seems to me that all my runs are slower (well, the long runs - hill runs are getting quicker).

Imnotready - how did your training for the Nov marathon go? were you able to roughly follow a plan?

poss irrelevant but wondering how old we all are....

I'm 45 (same as Jo Pavey!) just wish i was as fast as her! :-)
and only starting running relatively recently

Morning. Glad to have found you! Got a ballot place and have started the beginner training programme.

Just signed up for a half in a few weeks and have a quick question. I've down two halves before, almost exactly the same times both times.

Has anyone found their half marathon times have got faster while training for a full marathon? I'd love to beat my previous times despite being older and probably heavier (I never weigh myself!).

Nutrition wise, I don’t calorie count... I have lost quite a lot of weight since starting running 2&1/2 years ago, basically just by running and limiting junk food, snacks, alcohol. I haven’t become a saint by any stretch of the imagination, but I have stopped buying stuff like biscuits, crisps, etc when I’m at home, but will have when I go out, so maybe once a week. I do make an effort to include more protein when I increase the km as its important for the muscles, and also try to limit alcohol intake (hardest part) but that’s it rally.

Ruffling my fastest half was 1:51 3 weeks before the marathon. Prior to that one I’d done 1:54 2 months before.

I think you should be able to do around 4:30, but yes time should not be the main focus on your first. The only thing is if you know what your comfortable pace should be you’ll be able to make sure you stick to it, which means you won’t run out of energy too soon. I never hit the wall, and never felt like I couldn’t run anymore, I think that came from obviously the right training, but also not going too fast and managing my pace. (Which is what my coach told me to do)

No long run for me yesterday but a PB in a 10k, so I’m pretty happy with that!

Sounds like a running club is a good idea - I have a couple of friends who are faster than me but both are injured at the mo so not getting the stretching that I usually get.

Imnot - that's such a fantastic time for a first marathon ! I am in awe -
madeindevon2 - yes, that's my rough aim to - under 5hrs. Fastest half 2hrs 5mins :)

The pace thing is interesting - everything I read on the internet says for your first marathon don't put the pressure on of time, just enjoy it - but it's quite difficult. I'm probably hoping for under 4hrs 45 if I'm honest, but have no idea how realistic that is.

Imnot - what had your half marathon times been before you did your marathon in November?

I'm not sure about nutrition - I'm not specifically trying to lose weight (although wouldn't complain if 1/2stone came off!!) - I'm actually going the other way and trying to eat a bit more than normal. I don't mean I'm eating a burger and chips after every run, but I'm trying to think ahead so that there is some hearty soup or a chicken sandwich that I can eat, otherwise I find myself spent later on...

im aiming for more like sub 5 hours. my faster half is over 2 hours - 2 hrs 03 mins) so you much faster.
not done a marathon before
have joined running club to help with the speed work.
any nutrition tips? im calorie counting as rying to lose half a stone as well but its not budging..
enjoyed the 10 miler at the weekend - took it steady and ankle feels ok so its onward and upwards....!
hope everyone enjoyed their weekend long runs!

Hi RufflingFeathers

I’m certainly no expert ! I run with a club and there was a nuce little group who were preparing the marathon at the same time, so at least twice a week I was able to run with them. We did all the long runs together and the speed work too, which made it a lot easier! (And more fun)
The actual marathon I ran by myself from 5k on, struggled with calf pain from 25k onwards but apart from that I was doing fine energy wise. I even did a little sprint on the final stretch.
The last 4k I think I ran on pure adrenaline, I was welling up just thinking that I would actually do it!
This time I’m hoping to do it in just under 4 hours... the first was 4h 06. But mostly I want to enjoy London!