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Original poster

Marathon Training 2023 - Who's in?

443 replies

xsquared · 03/01/2023 13:48

I've registered for my first marathon in Manchester which takes place on 16th April this year.

My half event is next Sunday, so I'm coming to the end of my half training which is loosely based on the Nike Run Club App. My runs until then will be mainly shorter and easier runs, so I will start on week 3 of the actual marathon plan once I've done the half.

Anyone else training for a marathon this year?

Let's keep each other motivated.

OP posts:
Fizbosshoes · 17/02/2023 21:25

@xsquared
I would read that as 2 hrs 40...

Fizbosshoes · 17/02/2023 21:24

I'm doing Brighton but my longest run so far has been 16 miles - doing 17 on Sunday.
I've done it before in 2012 and 2013 and (I think) got a pb there in 2013.
Apparently the course is going to be flatter this year, but I don't remember it being overly hilly to start with.
I'll be happy if I can match my 2013 time.

Original poster
xsquared · 17/02/2023 21:14

Photo for reference to last post.

Marathon Training 2023 - Who's in?
OP posts:
Original poster
xsquared · 17/02/2023 21:12

Manchester for me. I am following their training plan, although not very strictly as I have swapped a few things round.

The long runs are time based until a little later on and it's in kms rather than miles. Which leads me to my next question, does the 2.40 mean 2 hours and 40 minutes or is it decimal time, so 2 hours + 0.4*60 = 2 hours and 24 minutes?

Anyway, it is 16 minutes difference, which could be up to 2 miles difference for me at hm pace!

OP posts:
EveryLittleWish · 17/02/2023 20:58

@fellrunner85 it’s my first time running Brighton! Good to hear you like it ! I’m looking forward to it !

fellrunner85 · 17/02/2023 20:30

Oh I love Brighton @EveryLittleWish - fast and flat and full of support. Wish I was doing it; would love to try the new route that avoids the timber yard...

HoopaPoop · 17/02/2023 20:30

I also did 20 miles in week 3 (of 16) of training, a friend from my running club was doing 12 consecutive marathons and that was as far as I could manage.

HoopaPoop · 17/02/2023 20:20

I'm running The Grand Canal Canter a flat route along the canal in Tiverton Devon in three weeks time if I can maintain today's pace my time would be 4 hours 6 . My feet are really sore tonight.

EveryLittleWish · 17/02/2023 20:11

@fellrunner85 I’m doing Brighton Marathon on April 2nd !

fellrunner85 · 17/02/2023 19:55

Those already doing 20 milers - which marathons are you doing? Surely not London to be doing 20 miles so early in the plan? Manchester would make sense though...

EveryLittleWish · 17/02/2023 19:24

Great job everyone !!!!

I managed 32kms today and ran the last km at marathon pace and now im questioning how the heck I’ll do that for 42.2 😩! I was hoping for a sub 4 but I don’t think I’ll be able to hold that pace so I’m not thinking of going for a 4:13 which I think has me running a 6 minute pace . Next week I’ll add some more 5:40 pace kms into my long run and decide then . 12 years ago I went through a similar dilemma and surprised myself so there is hope haha!

Last Sunday I did 30kms so only 5 days between the long runs this week too so I probably wasn’t feeling as fresh.

Original poster
xsquared · 17/02/2023 16:48

Well done on the 20 milers! My longest has been 19 miles so far for this training, I will be doing 20 miles at some point, probably 5 weeks before the event.

How did you find it?

I think it is getting easier mentally, especially after the half marathon mark, when I am no longer thinking "I need to do this again".

OP posts:
HoopaPoop · 17/02/2023 16:01

20 mile run done today the last of my long ones reducing from now on ready for the taper.

Teawaster · 17/02/2023 12:05

Well done @xsquared .
I did my long run, 20 miles yesterday . I only did my previous long run last Saturday so only 5 days between them, so I wasn't looking forward to it.
However it went well and I did my fastest 20 miles yet.
Just a 6 mile tempo to do tomorrow or Sunday
Good luck to everyone running this weekend

Original poster
xsquared · 17/02/2023 11:59

Well done everyone on your long runs.

Can't help you with the belt question @Forestcantrun as I use the Harrier vest for my 500ml soft bottle. It's been fine.

I did my long run on Wednesday this week, 26km 4×5km fast, with 2 minute recovery between each. We managed to hit the paces but I'd like to aim for consistency rather than drifting into faster than goal pace and the compensating the other way.

4 leg relay tomorrow, which will be done at 5k pace or faster if I can muster it! Followed by 14km jog home.

Have a good weekend everyone!

OP posts:
Teawaster · 14/02/2023 14:33

I did 18 miles on Saturday, a 3 mile XC followed by 15 miles. I don't like splitting my long runs but as I have 2 20 milers already done , I felt ok about splitting this one. Another 20 this weekend. My groin/hip problem seems to be easing . I've been doing the physio exercises and they seem to have helped. I do intervals on a Tuesday and although the injury doesn't impact me when I'm doing them, I'm a bit sore afterwards and the following day when I do an easy run. However it's all better than before and the pain is reducing.
Well done to everyone after their runs at the weekend.

BogRollBOGOF · 13/02/2023 22:30

I made it to 18 last week. My DCs now have a two-week half term which is restrictive. I've booked a HM for later in the month so that's a good mid-distance race and it's a comforable distance for me anyway. I've got time to pick up 20mi, do some more high milage (15+) and then taper, so half term, it's more practical to fit in little and often.
I'm Jeffing which takes a lot of impact and pressure off, and eases recovery.

I'm feeling quite positive now. Especially with my new sports bra and body glide 😂

Fizbosshoes · 13/02/2023 07:05

Well done everyone. I did a half last Sunday and felt good and finished in a time I felt quite happy with, but then felt wrecked for the rest of the week! I only managed 1 interval session and 2 other steady runs.
Yesterday I did 16 and that felt really tough. I literally can't imagine doing another 10 miles, and ideally go 1.5 min/mile quicker! I train with 2 others and 1 also found it tough and the other is running really well and made it 18 miles.
Going to try to stick to my plan this week and do 17 next week.

Forestcantrun · 13/02/2023 00:41

I’m happy with training sofar, up to 18miles and other than tight calves, feel pretty good.
For various reasons I cannot use gels so am sticking with tailwind. The problem I have is I can’t find anything I like to carry the flask I am taking it in. I can use 2x 250ml or a 500ml squishy flasks , either is fine but the decathlon belt I bought specifically for this purpose was rubbish. I would rather not wear a hydration vest, a belt is my preference . I’m looking at the Salomon active belt (that clips at the back). anyone have any experience or recommendations?

fellrunner85 · 12/02/2023 20:20

However I got to 18 and felt that there was masses more in the tank so carried on and managed 21

I honestly don't mean to rain on your parade but this really isn't a good idea - particularly when you had a niggle in your hip barely a week ago.

I'm sure you know this, but the aim of your long runs in training is to finish them feeling there is lots more in the tank so you can keep upping the overall mileage, get those targeted midweek runs in, and avoid injury. It's not to run as far as you possibly can before crashing; because all that does is absolutely deplete your energy stores, leaving you at more risk of getting injured or wiped out and not being able to do the rest of your training.

I do know why you did it though, because it's so comforting to rack up more of those 20+ mile runs!

londonmummy1966 · 12/02/2023 20:18

Thanks @xsquared - I was trying some new nutrition and I think it helped a bit. Just hoping I don't feel too stiff tomorrow although I have a swim scheduled so that should help.

S&C has been half an hour of exercises and stretches after my short runs and before cross training but they have cranked up to nearly an hour.

Original poster
xsquared · 12/02/2023 20:09

That sounds positive @londonmummy1966 .

I think the strength and conditioning must make a difference in injury prevention, but it's always an aspect of training that I overlook.

Well done on completing 21 miles. That must have been very satisfying!

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londonmummy1966 · 12/02/2023 20:05

Physio suggested swapping out one of my short runs for the elliptical trainer of shame and that went better than I thought it would although I find gyms dead boring. He's also ramped up the S&C exercises but I do think that they are helping. I swam and did them on Monday and all my aches from Sunday vanished. One mid week run felt a bit ploddy and I was feeling down ahead of todays planned 18 miler. However I got to 18 and felt that there was masses more in the tank so carried on and managed 21 (and could have done a bit more). I'm feeling sore but upbeat after that as 26 miles now seems (just about) achievable. I'll knock some of the excess mileage off next weeks long run as I have a half booked for the end of the month and want to feel strong for that.

Original poster
xsquared · 10/02/2023 11:24

Well done everyone on your long runs.

Just been back from my weekly long run, and 20k now feels comfortable at the end.

Got a relay race next Saturday, so we'll do our long run on Wednesday am instead.

Got a bit of a sore calf at the moment , but I'll see what the physio says.

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 09/02/2023 22:19

I've done my 18 miler this week. It went really well. I was a bit nervous about the fatigue I'd had in the last couple of miles of the 16 miler, but that wasn't as bad. Nicer weather with sunshine and a few sightings of spring bulbs helped. 3 hours of cool grey weather and everything being that post-frost grey-brown hadn't been very mentally stimulating.

I've had some chaffing issues, so have been to the local specialist running shop for an underwear upgrade.

Recovery's been pretty good too. Stiff the morning after, but some gentle cross-training and it's eased off quickly. Jeffing and keeping to a sensible running speed seems to be working quite sustainably. I've been having a good block of run-all parkruns with my times gradually improving. I'm not pushing speed, but I'm achiving more speed within my comfort zone.

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