Is anyone training for a marathon?

I'm in for London in October this year . Did a local one in 2019. I feel as if I've been in constant marathon training since London was cancelled in April 2020 and then in October 2020. I'm doing quite a lot of miles weekly but haven't gone beyond 10 since last summer. I have completed quite a few halfs and know I could do one if I had to now. Need to start working on building up the miles in a few weeks

@AOwlAOwlAOwl thanks. Was pretty chuffed with myself. I sat on a bench for a minute at about the halfway point to have a quick drink, take in the view and pat myself on the back, and walked prob a km between 32 and 36 as my legs were running out of oomph into the headwind up a hill. My time was about 5.15, which included stops for low battery fitbit, needing to check directions etc, so completely inefficient!

So does Strava have a traininf plan then? I've seen lots of plans online but I really want an app to tell me what to do, rather than consulting a table online

Hi Ringsender2 well done on your virtual marathon. Did you do it all in one go?

I did one in October as my official marathon was cancelled and got friends to pace me round a lapped course. Much prefer a proper race I have to say. Seeing the same hill five times got pretty old but every lap friends swapped in and out so always someone new to talk to.

I go old school on the training and just follow a pre-set plan, I don't have any training apps other than Strava. I try and keep an eye to make sure I'm consistent with it but that's it really.

Hi, may I join you?

I read upthread about an interval training app, which sounds great if you can plug it in and do what it tells you and when. Could you suggest good free ones?

Also, free apps for HM and M? I actually did a VM last weekend but it was all very unprepared, so I'd like to do it properly another time!

Thanks

I would love to do Race to the Stones. Please come back and tell us all about it @Tailrunner!

@Tailrunner That’s a great time! I’m sure you’ll smash it

Hi, I am currently training to do Race to the Stones in July which will be my first ultra marathon- I'm bouncing between excited and terrified. I'm going with a group of friends, planning to run/walk over 2 days and just want to get round so theres not too much pressure but 100km/62 miles is a long way.

I did a marathon 2 years ago and swore I'd never do one again but since I am doing the long training runs anyway I decided I might as well do a marathon too. My first one took me 5hr 39min (I'm pretty slow) and I'd love to get round in under 5 hours this time but I dont know how realistic that is. I'd settle for a similar time but finishing stronger as I found the last few miles very hard last time.

Thanks @AnnPerkins and @AOwlAOwlAOwl ! Just had the race briefing email and there will be aid stations at 17.5 miles and 22.5 miles so I think that will help give me something to focus on towards the end.

Sorry to hear about your knee @AnnPerkins - so frustrating when you get injured.

I don't know anyone who runs more than a few miles in real life so great to hear how everyone is getting on

Definitely not defiantly, although I’m known for being defiant on occasion!

Thanks for the advice @fellrunner85 @FellRunner94! I haven’t used Strava much but will defiantly investigate it. Hilly runs are fine (I just walk when it gets to steep).

Good luck @potatoes. A hilly trail marathon doesn't sound like the easy option but I'm sure there will be some amazing views to distract you

I haven't been able to run since my half last Sunday, my knee hurts even to walk on, especially up and down stairs. I was happy to rest for a week but there doesn't seem to be any improvement yet

Good luck @potatoes I find small races are generally super friendly. I bet you'll have a great time. I'm also sure you will not be the slowest person there!

How do people use Strava to find routes? I'm a subscriber and I've still never worked it out! I just create my own all the time. You used to be able to use Google to search for activities by name so you could look for things people have done but that's no longer possible.

@dentistlakes - as @fellrunner94 says, Strava is good for finding new routes, if you go on the Explore section and specify your preferred distance and if you want hills or not.

There are loads of great routes from Keswick, but none of them are flat, if that is what you were after! Up and down Latrigg is a lovely little run, and you'd go up the same way through the forest if you want to do a big one up Skiddaw.

Alternatively, if you want a flatter route, down to Portinscale and back is probably your best bet. The Borrowdale road should be a good option, but lack of a pavement on there makes it a bit busy and dangerous for my tastes!

I'm doing a marathon 2 weeks tomorrow! I entered a local trail marathon last December which ended up being a virtual marathon, so this will be my first 'proper' marathon. It's a small, hilly, local event so I'm panicking slightly thinking that I'll be the only first-timer and everyone else will be experienced and super-fit and zoom round in 3 hours!!

@fellrunner85 I’m at a comfortable(ish!) 17 miles now and it was race pace today. Tired at the end but felt that I could finish the 26 if I had no choice

@Dentistlakes Hope you don’t mind me answering but I get route ideas from Strava and mapmyrun by looking at what others have done if you use either of those?

@AOwlAOwlAOwl Ohhh no, I hate it when that happens, sounds like you need a chilled out evening!

Long run today, watch died and had to get the Strava app on my phone to track the rest. I think there was a bit missing as it doesn't quite add up to 30k. Then went and did a long hike this evening. My legs really ache now

@fellrunner85
I’m training for a half and I’m hoping to be spending some time near Keswick when it’s ok to travel and would love to know some possible routes around that area. Is there somewhere I can go to to find route maps for running? I’ve been along the railway line with the kids on their bikes but we didn’t get particularly far as they were young at the time. I would be very grateful for any recommendations.

What distance are you up to, @fellrunner94? And are you doing some of your runs at race pace?

My training is going ok ish - doing lots of long slow stuff, nothing impressive!

How’s everybody’s training going? I did a long run this morning and it went really well.

Feeling positive for June

Good advice, thank you. I'm really looking forward to it

I think just go with it and pick something scenic @AnnPerkins - walk the uphills and enjoy it. Time on feet is just as good as a flat long run.

Whinlatter is lovely, but the trails are a bit too full of kids and bikes for my liking! And yes, it's hilly - the hilliest parkrun in the UK is at Whinlatter, I believe.

From there it's only a v short run down to Keswick/ Portinscale/Grange/Latrigg etc though, so you've got loads of options.

A long flat route in the Lakes?!?! There aren't any

Yes I realised as I was typing how unrealistic that sounded

I'm staying near Whinlatter Forest which has a couple of running trails which I imagine are pretty hilly! I'm really looking forward to trying them.

Did 28k for a long run last weekend, having not run anything further than 15k since Christmas so feeling pretty good about that. This weekend will be 30k or so, need to drum up some company as I get so bored on my own.

A long flat route in the Lakes?!?! There aren't any
Most of the lakes don't have paths all the way around, and most of the roads you could theoretically use are too fast and dangerous as they don't have footpaths outside the villages.

Your best bet would probably be several circuits of Tarn Hows. Pretty, accessible, and flat.

But I'd suggest doing something hilly but slightly shorter for the same training benefit. You could piece something together easily enough around Keswick, Portinscale, Latrigg and up the old railway line.

If you let us know where you're staying I can be more specific though.