Marathon Training 2023 - Who's in?

Congratualtions @HoopaPoop - great time.

@BogRollBOGOF hope the niggles die down soon but always wiser to go easy when you have them. Interesting tip on flavours - I do my middle distance runs with a combination of gels and dried apricots but I have a 19 coming up next weekend so might try adding mint cake to the mix. I just hate how sticky it gets once its been in my pocket for a couple of hours.......

THis week hasn't quite gone to plan - I felt pretty grotty on Friday and cut out the 5 miles I usually do on the elliptical - I feel guilty but keep telling myslef that I started the plan early so that I could deal wit niggles/illness/weather/injury and that missing a 5 miler wasn't going to make a bind bit of difference. Today was 14 miles that I ran at marathon pace so happy with that although I'm not sure there was another 12 miles at that speed in the tank.

My marathon today , lots of leg cramps quads and calves and a lot of run/walking for the last few miles, it won’t have helped I fell over on my last run on Friday slammed the pavement . I survived though. It was a hard run in that it was two laps of an out and back and no crowd support so really felt like I was running on my own. I was first lady but it was a small event only 22 altogether but also two staggered half marathons at the same time. Time was 4.11 on strava

I've gone easy this week, longest being 10k in sleety snow. My leg was being niggly following a more intense week including 20mi. Timed quite well for a sports massage that was already booked. Nothing concerning appears to be happening and a tight muscle is easing out. I've got time for another couple of long runs before my taper, and it was more important to manage a potential injury than push myself for the sake of it. I can now carry on with more confidence.

I'm eyeing up the weather forecasts about which day and how far to go. I'm not fast, my 18mi was 7:36 mins/km and 20mi was 8:21 (I wasn't brilliantly recovered from a HM and wanted to get it done before the weather changed this week). 16-18 should be good, but the forecasts aren't great so if it's depleting weather, I'll keep it closer to 3 hours than 4. It's frustrating that the weather's gone cold and looks like it's staying cool until I taper. I remember getting a shock when the weather flipped in 2018 and suddenly racing in heat days after continuing to run in wintery conditions. That was only about 8 miles, but it was still a shock to the system. I remember hearing long-distance races and participants struggling that spring because of that contrast.

An interesting tip I've come across recently is to vary flavours of your race nutrition to break the monotony and keep things fresh. I broke into my Kendal Mint Cake on my 20 miler and it was nice to get that fresh mint contrast after a few hours of fruit flavours.

I never do more than 13, two weeks out and then 10. Last 20 miler 3 weeks from marathon day.
I don't think 16 is that much more and some marathon plans advocate 20

16 isn't much more than 13 if you're fairly pacey, but for steadier runners that could be almost half an hour more - which is a fair amount.
20 miles two weeks out from a marathon is fine if you're fast and fit and heading for a decent time, but again, if you're steadier then that could be three and a half or even four hours on your feet - and the risk of injury or not recovering in time far outweighs the training benefits.

I'm not that fast (goal is 3:30) and haven't been doing mega high mileage so I'll be doing 12 or 13 miles two weeks before and 8-10 miles the week before London.

Thanks @xsquared

I was tempted to do a 20 miler next week - 2 weeks before Brighton but as my training has not gone entirely to plan I think it wouldn't be advisable to try and "catch up" the miles I've missed. I revised my target as well, going to see how tomorrow's long run goes.

@Teawaster the taper weeks are the worse !! I always feel like I’m losing fitness .

I’ve always done the same taper and felt great on marathon day so I’ll stick with what I know works for me . I’m tempted to try something new …..but next time ( it’s what I always tell myself 😜).

I never do more than 13, two weeks out and then 10. Last 20 miler 3 weeks from marathon day.
I don't think 16 is that much more and some marathon plans advocate 20, 2 weeks before , not that many though.
I think if you generally recover well, it shouldn't be an issue but I'm not really sure what the benefit would be. The work is done by then and I don't think that anything other than ticking over and doing a few long miles in the legs is necessary. I hate taper weeks . I'm itching to go longer and have to resist the temptation.

Really ? I normally do about that distance on my first week of taper . Then I do about 10 miles the week after and then the following week is my marathon. I did manage 5 runs over 30kms after my injury healed but I’ve been cautious overall with milage and speed work .

Ah - that does change things. I don't think you should be running 16m two weeks before a marathon at all; let alone at MP and certainly not if you've been injured as recently as January...

If you do want to do it then I honestly would take it as a very easy run.

The race is next week (19th) and two weeks out from Brighton . I thought about doing it at marathon pace but i think two weeks out might be too little time . I had an injury in January so I’m being a bit careful .

So my original goal time was 3:59 and I was on track for it ( if not quicker ) up until mid January when my calf started bothering me . I took a couple weeks off running all together and it took another 3 weeks to slowly build up my milage after that. Anytime I did speed work I was limping so I took it easy for the rest of my training . My tempo runs turned into steady runs and I dropped down to 4 days a week of running most weeks . I changed my time to 4:13. Except now I’m wondering if I can do 4:00. I think if I tried, it would hurt, I might risk bringing back my injury worse than ever and I would finish in 4:01 or something ha!

You probably will get carried away and push it too hard (I would!) but you should have plenty time to recover in 3 weeks if you properly taper after tomorrow.
I would be tempted to go out and do it all at MP... to set a marker... but that isn't entirely sensible!

Brighton is a great race and a "kind" marathon IME in that the last four miles or so are slightly downhill. Means you're less likely to blow up than in some others.
Are you going for a time?

@fellrunner85 I think that sounds reasonable . I’m doing Brighton in 3 weeks 😯! I definitely won’t be at the front but I do worry I’ll get carried away with the crowds and atmosphere and try and push myself.

I want to get some marathon pace miles in there too but I don’t know how much is too much !?

Sorry @EveryLittleWish but I've forgotten which marathon you're doing and when. If you're starting your taper though, I'm guessing beginning April - Manchester or Brighton?

I would be tempted to do 10m at MP in your shoes. 3m easy, 10m MP, 3m easy.

The only problem will be if you're up at the front and in with a shout of a prize, in which case slowing down at 13m will be very difficult!

Managed 14 miles so not bad considering I didn’t want to go out! Currently lay on bed with legs up the wall lol. I used to be in a running club but left a few years ago. Still see a few people so I could meet up with them. Tried the Dextro Energy tabs today and they seemed to work. Also a SIS gel but had to stop off for the loo. It’s all coming together in a fashion !

I have one last long run tomorrow before I start my taper. If I survive tomorrow I’ll finish on 80km’s this week. I’m not sure I feel ready 🙁! I’ve never feel so unsure before a marathon , or maybe I’ve always felt this way but I’ve forgotten ha !

I have a 16 mile “race” next Sunday which will be my first week of taper. I’m using it as a practice run for my hydration plan, race day outfit etc ! I want to get some marathon pace miles in there too but I don’t know how much is too much !? I was thinking of running half at marathon pace . I’ve done a few 15-16km runs over the past couple weeks at marathon pace and felt good after . Actually my marathon pace has been feeling easier and easier . Now I’m more confused . I want to run the marathon knowing I gave it my all but I don’t want to hit the wall. Finding that balance is so hard !

If you remember from a past post , I was debating doing a 10k that week but as it turns out I now can’t because it clashes with a prior commitment.

Anyway, good luck 🤞 everyone with your long runs ! I can’t believe it’s nearly Spring!

I've done 3 runs this week after seeing the physio. First one wasn't great but last 2 I've felt OK, admittedly they've been pretty short. Today was lovely weather for a run (bright, but cold and not icy) Big test will be tomorrow when I do a long run. I'll be taking my phone and also passing a station twice so if I need to bail out I have options....but hopefully they won't be needed

Lacking motivation this week. I need to go today as it could be snowing again tomorrow. Enjoy your runs everyone!

I use Tailwind. You make the powder up to 500ml. Took a lot of experimenting but I’ve found a belt to carry it finally. Tailwind is expensive too but I find it easy to take, you can put the lid on it unlike a gel and most of the flavours I’ve tried so far are palatable.
Im going to keep some Perch Pigs in the belt too though incase I need a solid pick me up😂

I tried revvies way back and thought they were awful. They left a terrible aftertaste in my mouth for ages and they stuck to my palate. I tried all flavours as I got a multipack.
I have started to use Maurtens which I find quite good. They have a funny jelly like texture but are pretty tasteless and are easy on the stomach. I think they are popular but are pricy.

I really struggled with lucozade gels as well and felt like I would throw up when I had them.
I now use torq gels and find them bearable.

Having not done much for 2 weeks I did a 6 mile run today which felt OK (in pouring rain!) so hoping I can get back on track and get at least one more long run in.

I bought a nathan belt as my phone fits in one pocket. I'm fuelling with 3 dried apricots every 30 minutes and they fit in the other belt pocket. Then a gel every 8 miles or so - I like Mountain fuel chia seed gels as they are pretty normal ingredients wise. They fit in the long leg pocket on my tights (with room for my gymboss as well as I Jeff). I carry salt sticks in the back pocket of my tights and take one each time I stop for water (every 45 mins or so). WOrking so far. I tried a Lucozade gel last week as they give them out in London but they do not work with my digestive system. Mercifully I left it until 4 miles from home as any longer and I would have had to seek out a loo.....

No fuelling no, except normal sensible diet (a few extra oats and bananas perhaps)… but I am feeling the legs fatigue by the end of a HM distance.

I saw Revvies advertised online the other day - they look quite good I might try those. I tried a friends gel the other week and it made me feel really ill.

im also looking into a running belt as generally just go out with earbuds and grab water on the course, but I think I might need to carry some snacks with me?!