Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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:
MatchesinEyes23 · 15/04/2023 15:25

Just arrived in Manchester! Absolutely bricking it for tomorrow. Training hasn’t gone to plan but want to try and enjoy it (and make it round!). Good luck everyone else running Manchester and any other marathon this weekend! 😀

Teawaster · 15/04/2023 15:20

Good luck to everyone tomorrow

Forestcantrun · 15/04/2023 14:58

Good luck to all tomorrow’s marathoners whichever one you’re doing. Looking forward to hearing how everyone gets on.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 15/04/2023 12:14

Good luck to everyone running tomorrow- I'm about to leave for Boston, Lincs, not the exiting one 😂

GHxx · 14/04/2023 23:06

Good luck Manchester marathoners! I’m sure you’ll all smash it!

@VaulterTech the start time is so late, it’s bizarre. Especially now it’s going to be quite warm potentially, you’d think particularly for those going fast it would be better to start them early then they miss some of the worst of the heat. The same with the issues before of them packing up before the last finishers etc, would surely make sense to have the start waves 8.30 til 10 or something?! I didn’t think of the extra time in bed thing though but that is very true

Original poster
xsquared · 14/04/2023 20:57

Thanks @fellrunner85 and @GrannieD . I think I will just move the one wave behind the one I've been allocated to. No idea what my fast running partner will do as she's hoping to get around in 3:30ish but she's in a wave for 4 hours.

Thanks @VaulterTech , and good luck to you and everyone for London next week.

I was meant to go for my last easy run this morning, but too many things got in the way. I had dinner about an hour ago and I'm mning while I'm waiting to go for a short shakeout type run.

I'd better get packing too! See you at the start line Manchester people.

OP posts:
VaulterTech · 13/04/2023 13:26

It’s all getting real now! I’m green 3 for London, I think the masses start has shifted 30mins from 930 - 10 this year which is a bit annoying, I’m focusing on more time in bed though!

I did a speed session last night and despite feeling quite perky before, I had absolutely nothing….! I’m trying to trust the process etc

Good luck Manchester runners - I’ve spectated twice there and it’s a great atmosphere!

GrannieD · 11/04/2023 21:19

I’m sure you can move back but not forward. Top tip is to find your pacer and get slightly in front of them rather than chase behind. I’m in purple wave at 10.50 which is ideal as I’m rubbish at eating before a race

fellrunner85 · 11/04/2023 20:26

Yes, you're fine moving down a wave at Manchester. Definitely do, as well, at it's extremely easy to go off too fast - and if you're in too fast a wave then you'll be pulled along with it, and scuppered later on.

Original poster
xsquared · 11/04/2023 19:13

I"m down to start at 9:40 but I'm going to move a wave back amd start at 9:50 instead.

Has anyone got experience in moving to a different wave than the one they're down for? How strict are in checking your bib colour? In GNR, they said you can move back to a slower but not faster.

I'm pink B and they have a pacer for 3:30, while my much faster running partner is in 3 waves behind me.

I'm moving back one wave, so I can try and follow the 3:45 pacer, since that is what I'm aiming for after all!

OP posts:
Teawaster · 11/04/2023 17:57

I'm starting at 10am, which is later than I usually start . Makes it all seem real now though!

londonmummy1966 · 11/04/2023 16:01

@Chesneyhawkes1 - I'm not a moring person either so in normal circumstances would be glad of the later start but it is the thought of having so long to run when I'd like it all over and done with. @Forestcantrun - the temperature is an issue for me too - I'm a pale skinned Celt so sunshine doesn't really agree with me and the long term forecast is warm on marathon day so running through the middle of the day isn't ideal for me.

Forestcantrun · 11/04/2023 15:52

@londonmummy1966 11am does seem late but I suppose it might make eating breakfast easier and a more manageable time? Mine is 9am, to be fair I wish it was earlier so I could just get it done and out of the way before it got too warm.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 11/04/2023 15:45

@londonmummy1966 I'm jealous! I'm not a morning person and my marathon starts at 8am 🥱🥱

I'm back running now and thank you to the people who commented on the loss of my little dog.

5 days to go for me. Last long ish run was 12 miles on Sunday with some faster bits thrown in to get the legs moving.

Marathon training feels like it has sucked the speed outta me.

Good luck to everyone who's running this Sunday!

londonmummy1966 · 11/04/2023 14:43

Just got my London start time email - it is beginning to feel rather real. Bit gutted that I'm not starting until 11 am though - not sure why it has to be so late.

GrannieD · 09/04/2023 15:16

This time next week it will all be over !!! For us Manchester ones anyway lol

Have a good weekend everyone

Original poster
xsquared · 09/04/2023 14:09

Happy Easter everyone!

Well done on your time at Paris marathon @123InTheSky ! The medal looks really good too.

One more week for Manchester for me, and for others it will be London the week after. Just focusing on nutrition, getting enough sleep and easy runs to keep things ticking over.

Hang in everyone, we're nearly there!

OP posts:
123InTheSky · 07/04/2023 09:25

Hope you all have fabulous weekend runs, the weather looks great here.
I’m excited to do Parkrun tomorrow!

RandomUsernameHere · 06/04/2023 21:38

Well done @123InTheSky !
Did my longest run before London yesterday of 32km. So nervous now!!! No particular reason, just the maranoia kicking in as always!

Forestcantrun · 05/04/2023 23:42

@123InTheSky well done on an excellent time in Paris.
@Chesneyhawkes1 my heart goes out to you. Look after yourself.

All going ok here, I’ve one medium sized run this weekend then the miles are going down. I’m finding it very difficult to get motivated at the moment. Grief had me fired up there for weeks and I was just running to distract myself, now I just want to sit in my pyjamas and eat biscuits! the rain is not helping!

BogRollBOGOF · 05/04/2023 16:46

123InTheSky · 05/04/2023 07:17

So my marathon was Sunday just gone in Paris.

It didn’t quite go to plan as my stomach gave up at 20km, so I had no more gels after that point then dramatically slowed down after 30km as I felt horrific.

I managed 4:07 for my first marathon, but already planning the next one to bag my sub 4 given I was on for 3:55 before and feeling strong.

For everyone doing London and Manchester or with other marathons still to come, I love this sentiment.

‘Remember…this is the victory lap for all your miles of training’

Well done for getting through it!

Halfway through my taper now and this week's "long run" is done. I'm quite enjoying the easing of niggles and being back to my normal ranges of distance, it's more casual running for fun now and easier to fit in.

I built up to 20mi, but between the snows and poorly children, I did that at the start of March and lost the chance to get out for 3+ hours after that point. I did manage a hard, hilly local 15 mi which was comparatively tougher than the gentler flat 16-20mi Jeffing intervals that I'd done so a fairly decent substitute.

I just need to get my head into gear for race day logistics now. I'd rather run 20 miles 😂

GrannieD · 05/04/2023 12:55

123InTheSky · 05/04/2023 07:17

So my marathon was Sunday just gone in Paris.

It didn’t quite go to plan as my stomach gave up at 20km, so I had no more gels after that point then dramatically slowed down after 30km as I felt horrific.

I managed 4:07 for my first marathon, but already planning the next one to bag my sub 4 given I was on for 3:55 before and feeling strong.

For everyone doing London and Manchester or with other marathons still to come, I love this sentiment.

‘Remember…this is the victory lap for all your miles of training’

Well done on your first marathon, great time !! I watched it live on Eurosport…those cobbles and the wheelchair racers at end could have been a disaster !

I’ve just done a negative test so fingers crossed for another one tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can do Pilates class tomorrow night as stretching at home is never the same

Teawaster · 05/04/2023 11:00

Well done @123InTheSky . 4:07 is a great time for a first marsthon.
Sorry to hear that you have both been unwell @MatchesinEyes23 and @GrannieD and unable to do your last long runs as you would have liked.
Better to rest now and regain your energy for the event itself. The training is in the bag.
@Chesneyhawkes1, sorry to hear about your dog. Sounds like you have the miles in the bag too so I wouldn't worry.
After running a 10k and HM in Poland last week I did my last long run before London yesterday. It was tough enough as it was very windy here and I guess there are tired legs from last week, although I actually ran less than usual because of the races, although at faster paces.
I'm going to try and get my 13 due for this weekend done a bit early as I have a 5 mile race on Easter Monday, although I'm not too bothered about it.
Just looking forward to taper time. I enjoy 2 weeks of it but I hate the last week as the distances reduce further and I have to force myself to do little

123InTheSky · 05/04/2023 07:17

So my marathon was Sunday just gone in Paris.

It didn’t quite go to plan as my stomach gave up at 20km, so I had no more gels after that point then dramatically slowed down after 30km as I felt horrific.

I managed 4:07 for my first marathon, but already planning the next one to bag my sub 4 given I was on for 3:55 before and feeling strong.

For everyone doing London and Manchester or with other marathons still to come, I love this sentiment.

‘Remember…this is the victory lap for all your miles of training’

londonmummy1966 · 02/04/2023 21:23

@GrannieD and @MatchesinEyes23 I hope you both feel better soon - Matches you sound as if you need antibiotics for a chest infection....

@Chesneyhawkes1 - so sorry to hear about your dog - just look after yourself and do what you need to - you've got plenty of miles in the bank now.

Longest run today - plan was 20 miles but I took it 22 just so I knew I could get there - still a bit in the legs at the end of it so starting to think I can make it. I struggled to get the pace down - my plan said 60 sec below race pace and the first 3 were more like 20 under but eventually managed to get it to settle down. Last 3 at more of a pace though. I also managed to find some rose scented epsom salts in TK Maxx so the thought of a scented bath and the start of taper got me round...