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Original poster

London Marathon 2024

154 replies

DeepfriedPizza · 11/12/2023 11:47

I thought I would start a thread for those running the London Marathon 2024.
I entered the ballot again for this year after many years of rejection and got in!

I did, however, tear my calf in January and again in September so I've not been able to build a good base ready to start training in January.

I am a slow runner, I will probably finish at about 5 and a half hours so hopefully I will be fit enough to get round.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 01/01/2024 13:58

I do some various standing core exercises for core strength and stability
Legs I usually pick four of the below and do 3 sets of 12 twice a week(all weighted)

Hamstring curls
step ups
Glute bridges
Single leg glute bridge
Squats
Sumo squats
Single leg squats
Dead lifts
Single leg dead lifts
calf raises
Leg press
Lunges
Side lunges

Bananaandmarmite · 31/12/2023 14:30

@Lastqueenofscotland2 - what strength work do you do? I’ve just started doing some weights but I’m a complete novice

xsquared · 31/12/2023 14:01

Sounds very sensible and it clearly works! @Lastqueenofscotland2

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 31/12/2023 09:20

@xsquared after I’ve recovered I have really good few months of doing mile/5k specific speedwork go get the base speed quicker. Really helps!

I also got quicker when I stopped racing for the sake of racing, I only do 3/4 races a year now.

And strength work, far more important than stretching

Tiddlywinkly · 30/12/2023 22:10

@xsquared small world! It's a great race isn't it. Well done.

xsquared · 30/12/2023 19:41

Tiddlywinkly · 30/12/2023 17:53

Thanks @xsquared!

I ran it at Manchester Marathon. It's a very flat course.

Thanks for starting this thread @DeepfriedPizza. It will be great to see how everyone is getting on over the next few months.

Snap! I ran Manchester Marathon last year and got my GFA time there.

Tiddlywinkly · 30/12/2023 17:53

Thanks @xsquared!

I ran it at Manchester Marathon. It's a very flat course.

Thanks for starting this thread @DeepfriedPizza. It will be great to see how everyone is getting on over the next few months.

xsquared · 30/12/2023 17:07

Welcome @Tiddlywinkly to the thread.

Well done on getting a Championship place. That is absolutely amazing! Where did you run your qualifying time?

Tiddlywinkly · 30/12/2023 16:44

Hello!

I'm running London marathon too. I've finally achieved a long term goal of a Championship place!

WhiteCatmas · 30/12/2023 11:43

Good luck everyone! I was you 5 years ago.
Fantastic experience

loveacuddle1 · 30/12/2023 11:41

Can I join too!
London will be my first marathon, I’ve got a charity place.
Ive only ever run 1 half marathon before which was difficult 🥵.
I’ve downloaded the beginners training program from the London Marathon website and am planning to follow that !
good luck everyone

Bananaandmarmite · 29/12/2023 20:06

@tinydancer88 - I did the Cardiff Half too. Was lovely atmosphere altho crashed at about 12.

I’ve been ticking over since then peaking at about 8 mile runs, so you’ve got a lot more under the belt than me.

London will be my first too. I’m really nervous.

xsquared · 29/12/2023 17:43

tinydancer88 · 29/12/2023 17:42

First for me!

Cool. How is the start of training going?

tinydancer88 · 29/12/2023 17:42

First for me!

xsquared · 29/12/2023 17:41

That's amazing @Lastqueenofscotland2 . Did you do anything differently in training each year which led to reducing your times?

Well done @speakingofart and @tinydancer88 for getting your ballot places. Have either of you run a marathon elsewhere before or will London be your first marathon?

tinydancer88 · 29/12/2023 16:30

Also have a ballot place after 10 years of trying. So excited!!

i did the Cardiff half in October so have spent the last 2 months just trying to consolidate that. Did my last run of 2023 today which was 13 miles so a weekend off before my Runna plan starts Jan 2nd 😁

speakingofart · 29/12/2023 16:28

Me! Have a ballot place

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 28/12/2023 10:01

xsquared · 27/12/2023 20:13

Wow! Well done on getting through 6 times @Lastqueenofscotland2 . Did you improve your time each year?

Welcome to the thread @fatteratforty . Which charity will you be running for? What other fundraising activities will you be doing towards your target? I'm sure you're working hard at training as well as fundraising, so all the best with that!

Yep! The charity one I was very young and very slow, basically halved my time the next time round (got a GFA, and have taken a few minutes off each year since!)

I am contemplating Boston for 2025 but after four days of nil by mouth except cider, cheese and roast potato it feels a long way away! Grin

KohlaParasaurus · 27/12/2023 20:21

I didn't get a place this year but I love London Marathon day and I'll be supporting, either as a spectator or as an official volunteer.

xsquared · 27/12/2023 20:13

Wow! Well done on getting through 6 times @Lastqueenofscotland2 . Did you improve your time each year?

Welcome to the thread @fatteratforty . Which charity will you be running for? What other fundraising activities will you be doing towards your target? I'm sure you're working hard at training as well as fundraising, so all the best with that!

fatteratforty · 27/12/2023 16:18

Can I join !
My second time running it (charity place) and I’m hoping I’ve learned from my ‘mistakes’ the first time.

Previously I joined an online coach programme - but for 2024 also using the Runna app - found it excellent so far.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 12/12/2023 10:13

Me! Number 6 for me, 1 Charity, one ballot, the rest GFA.
Looking forward to it.

Original poster
DeepfriedPizza · 12/12/2023 07:25

My husband is a runner, he recently done an ultra and has done marathons before. He has said he'd do me a plan.

I can't do any speedwork in case it aggravates my calf, so we're going to look online together and adapt a plan from the ones we can find.

There was a good one in the latest issue of women's running magazine, so we're going to include bits of that one too.

OP posts:
Bananaandmarmite · 11/12/2023 23:12

Me too!! I’m in! For my 50th birthday!

Another slow runner. Did the Cardiff Half in 2:24 so hoping for London in 5:30.
Tbh I just want to finish upright 😂. I’m a beginner. Last time I’d run a Half was 30 years ago!!

Since Cardiff in October, I’ve just been ticking over with my long runs at 10K and a couple of 5k’s in the week. Starting training plan end of December.

interested to hear how others are training/ the plans they are using?

mummymummymummummum · 11/12/2023 17:00

@xsquared I’ve only done a couple of runs, so not best qualified to answer! But I’m impressed so far. It links to my Garmain watch, and the plan is very customisable. I found a referral code so am trying it for two weeks free at the moment.

Congrats on getting a GFA place!

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