Marathon Training 2023 - Who's in?

Have done 20 and a few 14 miles in the past weeks
Is there a reason you've only done one long run so far in training, @GrannieD? Have you been struggling with injury in this block? Apologies if I've missed something upthread. But the breathlessness and the cramps don't sound good.

5th 20 miler done today . I ran a 10k race yesterday so my legs were tired . This combined with the wind and rain at times meant I was slower than recently . I should have waited until tomorrow but I want enough recovery time as I'm doing a 5K race on Thursday that's flat and fast and I would like to do a good race .
My legs are the most tired that I've felt for a while. I don't want to move from the sofa.
Well done to everyone and good luck to anyone still to do their long run.

Just did a mile but was massively overdressed so thought I would nip home and change then I realised after running up a short incline how breathless I was. Decided not to go today and do plenty of stretching and hydrating instead. Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Thanks all. It seems to have eased off a bit. I’ve walked about 3 miles this morning. I will do a canal route out and back instead of a circular just in case I need to stop and turn back. I started the magnesium tablets about 10 days ago but didn’t know about the spray so will have a look.

fellrunner I’m on Manchester so 4 weeks tomorrow. Have done 20 and a few 14 miles in the past weeks.

enjoy your runs everyone!

Magnesium spray after a run is good for preventing cramps. I would make sure you are properly hydrated and if it plays up cut your run short. The only time I’ve ever had leg cramps whilst running was last week on my race. I think a combination of starting too fast and not drinking enough during the run caused it. I sometimes have cramp afterwards but find the spray really good you can get it from Amazon

@GrannieD unless you are in pain walking on it, I would at least try to run . I’ve woken up with random pains before and nearly didn’t run , only to run it and discover the pain never bothered me …ever again. Ha 😆

Sorry to hear @GrannieD it’s horrible waking up with cramp. Hope it eases off.

I too had a nightly knee yesterday, I didn’t even run on it for the last two days but went walking yesterday and I felt the old niggles from years ago. I’m meant to be doing 20miles tomorrow but also wondering if I should leave it a few days??

Any advice please?

I would see if it eases off while you're on your feet marshalling at Parkrun and, if it does, go out later on as planned.

Which marathon are you doing, and how many weeks out are you? Have you done many runs over 18 miles yet?

I was planning my second 20 miles today but woke up with cramp in calf twice last night. Parkrun marshalling this morning so wasnt going out till later. Any advice please ?

@GrannieD - absolutely - and in my case it will stand as my all time marathon PB as this is most definitely a unique experience

Same here Londonmummy. It will be a PB whatever time we do it in.

@fellrunner85 - as its my first marathon I've not let myself set a time in case I'm disappointed.

Still not quite sure where 26 will come from let alone at the pace I thought would be manageable

What time are you aiming for, @londonmummy1966 , and what's your pace been like in training?

Well done @HoopaPoop on your marathon.

I’ve my 20mile this week. My 2nd 18 last weekend was windy, snowy and cold so I’m hoping if I survived that I’ll survive this weekend. Struggling a bit with grief too so I’m taking every small step as a win.

@VaulterTech - I'm a novice so suspect that you are both more experienced and a hell of a lot faster than me. I actually started my plan as soon as I got the place rather than waiting until January when it would have officially be 16 weeks so I did get 21 miles in the tank quite early but I'm still finding the prospect of 19 slow miles pretty daunting. Still not quite sure where 26 will come from let alone at the pace I thought would be manageable.

Well done for getting it done! I did a track session, was absolutely miserable weather. I much prefer winter training but sometimes when it’s pouring, windy and dark I do question it!

Also have my long run on Friday this week, I normally do Saturdays but have a busy weekend so booked Friday afternoon off 🤣 I ‘only’ have 5 miles to do of that at marathon pace the rest is pace variation but I’m telling myself it won’t be too bad as I’ve generally been having 12 miles of mp in there somewhere.

I like your style!
I wish my running was as good as my procrastinating!
Today I took my kit to work and got off the train 1 stop early which worked well, no time for faffing or doing other things. I am going to try and do it regularly now it is lighter (part of the route is unlit)

Thanks @xsquared - I'm roughly following the 15 week training plan. I think it should have been 29k today actually, but hey ho! I'm not really following much of the pacing advice, just trying to get the miles under my belt moreso.
I just don't remember the last time being so painful, or hating it so much 😂I was definitely fitter and had much more time to train in 2015. Every run really hurts!
I will get round but really wanted a bit of a quicker time. We'll see what happens on the day!

Hi everyone. Just checking in (amateur runner doing Manchester in a month's time). I ran 28k (17.4 miles) today and it was sooo painful. I hated every minute of it. My legs seem to be in pain from the minute I start running. I've had a couple of weeks off due to yet another bug and really hoped I'd feel a bit fresher today. I'm plodding at about a 7min/km pace which is really not fast at all and taking far too many walking/stretching breaks. I ticked the miles off, so I'm pleased, but I'm also thinking how the hell am I going to run another 9 miles on top!
I'd really love to beat my 2015 marathon time of 4h 55min but it doesn't look like that's going to happen 😕
On the plus side, I bought some nice insoles which have helped a lot with my achey foot 😀

I just did - 5 miles at a bit above race pace followed by a session of the S&C exercises the physio gave me- wet and miserable out there.

Just did a tempo session over 9km… cold and rainy but pleased I got out and amazed at how well I’ve recovered since Monday’s 18 miles of hell.

Anyone doing London had race info yet???