Spring Marathon 2025

xsquared · 2025-02-02T17:45:27+00:00

There doesn't seem to be a thread for those training for a marathon this spring so I thought I'd start one. London and Manchester I believe, is in 12 weeks time. How is everyone finding the training so far? I did London last year but I'm doing Boston this time round which os the week before London. It's a pretty hilly course going by what I've read so I am trying to incorporate a bit of elevation here and there especially in the longer runs.

NoKnit · 27/04/2025 20:39

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 27/04/2025 17:25

It was so horribly hot today but really pleased with my run - ran 3:28 which should secure that Boston place for next year.
Well done to all those who raced, it was really tough in the heat.

Congratulations, I'm pretty sure a time of 3.28 would guarantee a place for Boston. Very Well Done

RandomUsernameHere · 27/04/2025 19:29

Well done everyone! I loved it today. Went out fast then faded in the second half, but still had a blast. Not close to my PB but got over a 19 minute buffer for next year so hope to be back!

Original poster

xsquared · 27/04/2025 18:06

Well done @NoKnit , @Bejinxed and @FeelinTwentySixPointTwo on your races today. It was not the easiest of condition to run in being so warm!

A special Well done to ypi Feeling26.2 on getting that BQ. That is a fantastic time and plenty of buffer too!

Now go and get yourselves a lovely cold shower, and a some.pizza and chips or something else carby and calorific!

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NoKnit · 27/04/2025 17:35

Bejinxed · 27/04/2025 15:18

I’d lost this thread!

i picked up an injury at the start of feb so had three weeks off running. I did lots of cycling, cross training etc and managed to get back to running to do 15, 16, 18 and 20 mile training runs on a run 6 mins walk 2 min basis.

I was able to do Paris - completed in 5.25 which was slower than I’d planned pre injury but reflected where I was in training so I’m okay with it. It was a warm day (not quite as hot as today!) and the hills in the last 6 miles are a bitch - it is in and out of underpasses along the Seine and then a long hill into the Bois de Boulogne followed by a stretch of cobbles!

The aid stations were great - I loved being able to get bananas and ginger cake at each one. The crowds were great in parts but it is really spread out. It is also a bit disconcerting running up a hill and having people run at you shouting ‘allez allez’ - there are no crowd barriers!!

well done to everyone running today - it looked really hard and fantastic achievements at Boston!

Congratulations 😁
Paris is on my list
Yes it was pretty hot today

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 27/04/2025 17:25

It was so horribly hot today but really pleased with my run - ran 3:28 which should secure that Boston place for next year.
Well done to all those who raced, it was really tough in the heat.

Bejinxed · 27/04/2025 15:18

I’d lost this thread!

i picked up an injury at the start of feb so had three weeks off running. I did lots of cycling, cross training etc and managed to get back to running to do 15, 16, 18 and 20 mile training runs on a run 6 mins walk 2 min basis.

I was able to do Paris - completed in 5.25 which was slower than I’d planned pre injury but reflected where I was in training so I’m okay with it. It was a warm day (not quite as hot as today!) and the hills in the last 6 miles are a bitch - it is in and out of underpasses along the Seine and then a long hill into the Bois de Boulogne followed by a stretch of cobbles!

The aid stations were great - I loved being able to get bananas and ginger cake at each one. The crowds were great in parts but it is really spread out. It is also a bit disconcerting running up a hill and having people run at you shouting ‘allez allez’ - there are no crowd barriers!!

well done to everyone running today - it looked really hard and fantastic achievements at Boston!

NoKnit · 27/04/2025 15:06

How has everyone done today for those who raced?

I ran my marathon today and despite having given up on my training plan properly late March as I had a bad cold and missed 3 long runs I somehow managed to finish it in 4.06

Congratulations to everyone who has finished we've all rocked it.

Entered the ballot for London next year obviously too 😁

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 23/04/2025 20:37

Boston marathon is always held on the third Monday of April, Patriot's day, which did happen to fall on Easter holiday this year

Yes - I know Boston is always the same Monday, which is how I also know it'll never be school holidays for us. We're one of those authorities that always has the Easter holiday earlier than most, even when it doesn't coincide with the bank holiday. So the kids have been back at school for a week and a half here.

I do think I'd like to do Boston next year, even if it does mean taking them out of school for a couple of days..

Original poster

xsquared · 23/04/2025 19:31

No, I didn't take family as my running partner was supposed to have come with me but couldn't in the end. Can't really give much insight from spectator's point of view I'm afraid.

Boston marathon is always held on the third Monday of April, Patriot's day, which did happen to fall on Easter holiday this year.

Oh, and unlike London, the medal engraving is free which can be done at several sports shops in Boylston Street, but it's usually on FB or word of mouth you hear about it..

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FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 23/04/2025 13:02

Thanks @xsquared - you're selling it! Did you take the family as well and if so, how did they find it from a spectators' perspective?
Not entirely comfortable with taking the kids out of school but then Boston is never going to fall in the Easter holidays (at least not in the near future while I'm running BQs anyway)

Original poster

xsquared · 23/04/2025 02:04

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 22/04/2025 11:50

In terms of atmosphere and the overall experience, @xsquared , how did Boston compare to London?
I'm considering running Boston next year but am weighing up whether it's worth the expense of the flights etc.

The whole of the finish area is decked out in blue and yellow days before the race, and it's Marathon Mania along Boylston Street and Newbury Street. Everyone is hyped up for the big day and non runners treat you like a celebrity.

During the race itself, it feels very much like a festival or parade, everyone is out of the homes greeting runners, offering pretzels, orange slices, coke - the drinking kind, ice pops and it's joyous. I would say that the crowds are more supportive and really into the marathon compared to London.

If you can afford it, definitely go. Make a trip of it, and go a few days earlier to catch up with jet lag and visit places as well.

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RandomUsernameHere · 22/04/2025 15:58

Well done @xsquared!
@FeelinTwentySixPointTwoLondon doesn’t come anywhere close to Boston in my opinion. The atmosphere at Boston is so special. I suppose it’s different though being in holiday mode, so it’s bound to feel a bit more exciting. Will be interesting to see what others think.

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 22/04/2025 11:50

In terms of atmosphere and the overall experience, @xsquared , how did Boston compare to London?
I'm considering running Boston next year but am weighing up whether it's worth the expense of the flights etc.

Forestcantrun · 22/04/2025 11:08

Well done @xsquared I imagine the atmosphere in Boston was insane.

Original poster

xsquared · 21/04/2025 23:14

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 21/04/2025 22:01

Well done @xsquared ! Hope you've got your feet up with a cold drink and lots of carbs by now. Really glad to hear it was amazing.

Oh, I'll be treating myself to something like pizza and chip this evening!

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FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 21/04/2025 22:01

Well done @xsquared ! Hope you've got your feet up with a cold drink and lots of carbs by now. Really glad to hear it was amazing.

Original poster

xsquared · 21/04/2025 21:17

Well, 20 weeks later, and I did it. Boston was an amazing experience but those last 6 miles felt so long and tough even after Heartbreak Hill!

I think I might just let my body recover and not do a marathon next year!

Good luck with London and Manchester for next week everyone.

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Original poster

xsquared · 07/04/2025 00:06

I read your update on the long run thread @Starlightstargazer and I'm really pleased you got through the 20 miles feeling much better than last time.

The sense of relief at the end is overwhelming, having felt like an imposter a few weeks earlier. I know!

You know you can nail that marathon now!

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Starlightstargazer · 06/04/2025 22:40

Relieved and happy to be in the taper now after 20 miles done today. Proud of myself and exhausted! Well done to everyone on the last long runs 💪

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 06/04/2025 09:16

Hooray for the taper, @xsquared ! I did 20 yesterday and will be doing 15ish next week, with a chunk at MP.
Then a proper step down week before Manchester the week after.

Original poster

xsquared · 05/04/2025 21:34

Taper time for quite a few of us on this thread. Paris is next week, Boston the week after and Manchester and London the week after that.

How are we feeling? I'm pleased to get the hard long runs out the way. Today's parkrun sandwich of 14 miles felt good. Apart from waiting for parkrun to begin, I managed to get an average of marathon pace for a good chunk of it.

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RandomUsernameHere · 05/04/2025 21:10

Longest run of the block 35km/22 miles done. Good to get that one out of the way!

Original poster

xsquared · 29/03/2025 14:30

Did my last 20 miler on Wedneaday and felt pretty good.
Did some long hill intervals yesterday and they weren't as bad as I was dreading.

Had a relaxed 5 miles today, with a bit on trail and will be doing a relay race tomorrow, but I'm in the slower team as I know I won't be at my fastest.

Not long to go now. Most of the harder runs are out the way, and I feel better now about the preparation I've done.

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FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 22/03/2025 13:29

Got my long run done for this week so just one last 20+ miler to go now before the big day.
Probably my best training block yet (ie no injuries along the way - fingers crossed) but not counting those chickens yet.

Forestcantrun · 22/03/2025 12:44

Thanks @xsquared and @RandomUsernameHere . I’ve been doing absolutely everything I’ve been directed to by physio so really hope to be fit to start racing late Summer all being well. No marathons this year though. I had 2 including London scheduled but I couldn’t do that to my body.
Am going to stay on this thread though to see how everyone gets on.