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Original poster

Spring Marathoners 2024

58 replies

Forestcantrun · 18/01/2024 21:51

Apologies if there is an existing thread, I’ve only seen the London one (maybe 2025 is my London year 🙏)
Just wondering who is doing what Spring marathon this year and how are you getting on?
I'm for Manchester this year, never been so am even excited at going to a new city. Training at a standstill for me this last few days, it’s just been too icy to get out.

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LittleLize · 21/03/2024 10:16

I’ve just bought a Salomon high pulse belt @Ahna65 which sits on your hips and has a lot of capacity. My on shorts have a lot of pockets but I’ve been wearing sweaty Betty zero gravity leggings for my marathon training as the new style has 2 big thigh pockets

Original poster
Forestcantrun · 21/03/2024 08:51

Well done on the v02 max @xsquared . These marathons have sort of crept up. We knew they were coming but they still seem to have shot up🤣
@LittleLize get on the fluids! Make sure you’re prioritising sleep, hydration, food if you’re feeling off. I always take a prophylactic lemsip at the first sight of a sniffle. Just in case.

@Ahna65 best of luck in Rotterdam. You’ll probably get various suggestions on the shorts. I have Sweaty Betty Power biker shorts. My phone fits in the side pocket and I have an Amazon own brand belt for the gels. DH uses a flip belt and loves it.

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Ahna65 · 21/03/2024 06:37

Hi everyone! Good luck with your races. I’m doing Rotterdam in April ( I live in NL). Getting excited !

any tips for carrying gels? I have a spibelt but with phone too it carries probably 2 max. Thinking maybe to slot 2 in bra but worried about chafing. Any recommendations for good shorts with pockets?

LittleLize · 20/03/2024 22:48

I felt a bit sick when the bib arrived!

Did my 20 mile at the weekend, which was a mental target I’d set myself. Running a half marathon event this weekend, and planning to add a half hour jog on the way home, but will see how the legs feel at the time!

Very, very tired though and have the vague threat of a cold, so might ease back if necessary

xsquared · 20/03/2024 21:56

I couldn't believe it when the 1 month to go email came through!

Training going okay and I did a tempo run today that felt strong VO2 max also went up by a point after that a d is the highest its been since December.

Going to do a couple more 30K plus runs before the taper for London. It's getting very exciting.

Original poster
Forestcantrun · 20/03/2024 21:05

How’s everyone feeling??

Manchester bibs have arrived, starting to taper. 25 days to go!! I have every doubt in myself so trying to mentally think of it as a 42.2k long run🤣

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Original poster
Forestcantrun · 08/03/2024 21:50

I’m in grey. I’m just hoping it doesn’t get too warm as the morning goes on. Definitely feels more real now!

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LittleLize · 06/03/2024 22:19

Have fellow Manchester runners seen the start times are out? I’m in cyan so the very last wave at 11.10. My nerves are going to be in shreds by then!

xsquared · 02/03/2024 08:56

Well done @LittleLize on your sub 60 result.

Can't believe it's 7 weeks to go for London! Did 30k yesterday, so a little less than 19 miles. Having a down week this week by 1 mile nonetheless, and then attempting up to 22 miles on 17th March.

Original poster
Forestcantrun · 02/03/2024 08:48

Amazing @LittleLize , congratulations on the sub 60🙌
19 miler in the bag for me this week. Really cold here, and it was super windy so felt great on the return half wind assisted 🤣

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LittleLize · 01/03/2024 18:05

Under the hour! 58:25, so a very happy girl! Thanks for asking.

Now back to normal training- very muddy this morning.

How is everyone doing?

Original poster
Forestcantrun · 01/03/2024 14:25

How did your race go @LittleLize ?

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Original poster
Forestcantrun · 23/02/2024 11:05

Best of luck for Sunday @LittleLize . I also have a 10k race on Sunday but it’s more about turning up to run and support rather than race this time for me. I’ve had niggles and sickness this marathon training block already and I have the fear of injury.

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LittleLize · 23/02/2024 09:17

Such a lovely sunny run this morning after all the rain! Very much a de-loading week this week as I’m running the Cancer Research Winter 10k in London on Sunday.

Maybe not the best timing for a 10k in terms of overall training plan but it will be an interesting marker on my 10k pace. I ran it last year in 1 hr 31 seconds. Those 31 seconds were very annoying! My watch time was hopelessly out because of the buildings.

Original poster
Forestcantrun · 22/02/2024 00:23

100percent @xsquared . Definitely leaving the Chinese till after my run🤣 Will be keeping dinner the night before simple!!

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xsquared · 20/02/2024 07:12

Killing two birds with one stone @Forestcantrun 😆.

Youre pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to eating in Manchester, but I can't remember the name of the restaurant we went to! My running partner and I opted for something lighter at dinner time.and had our main meal at lunch time. That's better for toilet reasons, I think!

Original poster
Forestcantrun · 19/02/2024 21:16

@xsquared thats the most runner statement ever… Ran a 2 mile relay and then a half marathon home🤣🤣🤣
Well done @LittleLize you’re getting the miles in, it’s not easy but it does get easier as you gently creep up the mileage. In terms of carb loading definitely practice getting your day before a long run food in order because basically that’s all it is!! I have never been to Manchester before in my life so I need to look at where I’m going to eat on the Saturday, then I plan on getting a Chinese after the marathon (which I can’t eat while training for various reasons) and possibly eat it in bed🤣
Any recommendations for eating in Manchester will be gratefully received!!!

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LittleLize · 18/02/2024 07:23

I got completely freaked out last night by reading advice on carboloading the night before, and wondering how on earth I was going to manage it away from home. That little voice in my head saying who was I to think I could run a marathon. Aargh. Gave it a stern talking to.

Ah well. Grey wet morning this morning- time to get the trainers on. Short progression run today. Good luck if you’re heading out on your long run this morning.

xsquared · 17/02/2024 18:29

Some.impressive efforts from everyone, amd pleased to hear training is going well.

@Casualbrowser21 you will feel it initially but that's the point of training. Your body will eventually get used to it and it won't feel as tough as you progress. Keep going!

Did a fast 2 mile relay today, followed by a half marathon home from the race venue.

At the moment, I haven't really done any marathon paced workouts, as they've been faster ones. I need to incorporate some marathon pace intervals in my long runs to practise what it feels like.

I'm scheduling my next long run for Friday of around 25k or up to 2:30.

Casualbrowser21 · 17/02/2024 15:58

Thanks all! Went okay! Realised my plan said 25km for today so did that, but really felt it towards the end. Can’t imagine doing another 17km on top of that right now 😥

Hope everyone else’s run went well today/goes well tomorrow!

Original poster
Forestcantrun · 16/02/2024 15:55

Well done all on your long runs. @Casualbrowser21 just prep all your stuff in time, make sure your earphones and watch are charged, get a podcast, or even better, some company lined up to join you and the miles honestly will go by faster than you think.
I am out walking the dog but hope to be feeling up to a run tomorrow all being well.

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LittleLize · 16/02/2024 13:45

Today’s 14 miles felt harder than last week’s 18!

LoveSandbanks · 16/02/2024 12:15

I’m doing London this year but virtually so I get to run around my local area. I did London for real in 2022 and hated it. I’m very undertrained this year but have no time in mind and will be happy to
walk half of it (although that will be a bloody long time on my feet)

TheTripThatWasnt · 16/02/2024 12:07

Manchester marathon is amazing! Such a great atmosphere (not quite London, but better than anywhere else I've run). And nice and flat which is good.

I'm doing Brighton too @Casualbrowser21. This weekend's long run is 18miles, but I'm doing it with a friend, so that will ease the pain. I like to get up to the longest distance a good few weeks before the race (so that I've got time in hand in case anything happens!)

Casualbrowser21 · 16/02/2024 12:02

Hi all, I’ve got Brighton Mara in April - have any of you tried the 30km distances yet? I have that planned for tomorrow and it’ll be the furthest i’ve ever ran! Quite nervous if i’m honest!

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