Marathon Training 2023 - Who's in?

Evening runners 😁

just checking in, think I was here a while back with a different username!

how’s everyone getting ok?

I did half marathon two weeks ago in 1:58, very happy as expected 2:05 at least! Have been building to bigger since, and going to do 20 mile on Sun 19th, ahead of London Marathon!

Went for 15 miles last weekend and did in under 2.5hrs, but suspect I’m going to meet “the wall” when I try to go longer.

I haven’t used gels so far, has anyone got any tips on how to introduce them? Think I need something more than haribo!

Amazing work everyone on the super long runs.
I did a half marathon this weekend to get back in the game. It was hard but its reassuring to get some miles back in my feet and I’m back on track on my plan

Well done on all the big 2 zeros. "Just" 18 for me today. I was a bit apprehensive as it has been a couple of weeks since I had a long one but I got through it with enough in tank to put my foot down for the last couple of miles (left it until I'd finished all the hills). I've also been really conscious of trying not to go off too fast and chatting to myself periodically to make sure I could. I suspect some people who saw me in the first couple of miles thought I was barking mad.

I did 20 miles yesterday, my 4th one since I started my plan. My pace has been getting slightly quicker so I'm happy enough .
Well done everyone

8 miles today and gradual wind now until the big day

Well done everyone, brilliant milestone to get to 20 miles! (Or 22!)
and thanks for advice. I'm seeing a physio next week.
I was meant to be racing today but decided to be sensible....got major FOMO now.
But my reason for marathon training was to try and get a gfa time for London next year....so I'm hoping by resting now I might be able to resolve the issue and give myself more of a chance on marathon day

Well done to us !!! We’ve got this

due to other commitments my next long run will be Sunday but the weatherman today has predicted snow. Might just have to loop an off road stretch as long as it’s not icy. Fingers crossed

My 20 miles is also done! It was a slog as I wasn't full power after last weeks race, but it was better to get it done before the weather changes for the worse. I've still got a couple of weeks to play with before tapering but knowing that 20 is ticked off leaves me a bit more flexible on fitting in long runs and balancing recovery. I have a niggle around my shin coming out a couple of days after long runs. I'm having an MOT next week anyway, so that might help, and I can play with more mid-length runs rather than squeezing in max-distance.

Oh my days finally cracked my long run! 20 miles done today. Was planning 18 but had a detour at the resers. Just had Chinese chippy tea to replenish the salt.

Feel like it's a bit more achievable now.

@Fizbosshoes i second @xsquared advice and recommend seeing a physio, sooner rather than later.

Sorry to hijack but thought this might be a good place to seek advice. During my long run on Sunday my left knee was really painful and I had to stop running a few times then it would be ok for a mile or so and then I'd feel it again, especially on downhill sections. I've had this issue before and saw a chiropractor who seemed to resolve/manage it....but I wasn't marathon training before (also it's the opposite knee!🙄) Since Sunday my left calf has been unbearably tight, despite stretching, foam rolling, spiky ball, self massage, deep freeze, ibuprofen etc. I'm seeing the chiropractor tomorrow but wondering if I need to see someone else to ascertain the problem. I can find the worst source of pain with my thumbs if that makes sense - in the fleshy bit of the inside of my calf. I've never seen a physio or anyone like that but wondering if I would get a better pic of what's wrong if I did?

@xsquared - thank you!

@Forestcantrun - so sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself.

I managed to mess up my half marathon dates thought it was yesterday but is next month. So I went out and did a hilly 13 miles and was really gutted with the time (only 10 minutes less than last weekends 15 and 20 minutes longer than a half usually takes me). Feel I bit flat today but have also been sniffling a bit so hoping that its just being under the weather than has knocked my speed.

Its quite a heavy week running wise this week - 18 miles mid week and an 18 mile long run which I'm going to have to do a day early as I've got a big night out on Saturday and there's no way I'd be able to do 18 miles after that.🍾

Well done. Trick is to tie up with an hair bobble !

I love mid-run crisps, lovely, lovely salt and starch. A shame they don't travel well for being carried in races through 😂

There seems to have been loads of HMs today. I got mine done. Jeffed 30:30 and came in under 2:30.

Thought I would do a semi naked flat run today so set off to Manchester and back.....bit gutted at the end to find it was only 14 miles. Was hoping 17 to 18. Back up in the hills next weekend I reckon as there was a lot of stopping and starting at road crossings. On a plus side I only needed a wee stop in Tesco's and I managed an isotonic drink , half a sausage roll and a bag of walkers salted crisps without feeling sick !

@fellrunner85 just reassurance . I posted why after. I have a bias for distance over speed anyway . My 10k is roughly 30-40 seconds per km quicker .

Thank you all. I was doing so well but I’m hoping to bounce back stronger than ever when I can x

My 10k pace and marathon pace at the time of my pbs were about a minute apart. Not sure now, I haven't done a marathon for 5 years and am (sadly) much slower than then. I haven't done a road 10k for a while but I did a 5 mile race before Xmas so I might try to gauge what to expect from that. I've done 2 half marathons in the last 4 months and have another one next weekend which is possibly a better gauge.

There's no way I could race during the taper - I would be tempted to take the race far too hard and potentially cock up the marathon by picking up a niggle.

I also don't really understand how racing a 10k will help you find your marathon pace - surely your 10k pace is much faster? Mine are about a minute apart though that might be out of the ordinary.