London Marathon

[Violetroselily]

Anyone find themselves crying whilst watching the marathon on TV? Every year.

What a show of human spirit

I hope any MNers running are having a good race

RidgesPerfection from what you have written about medical stuff as a result of running it makes me feel like we aren't designed to run long distance.Anaemia, bleeding and trauma to the bladder walls? That's not good. Also 'caecal slap'...

That only happens when I really push beyond running in a relaxed manner and race - which to be is very different. I do not experience bleeding at all in training, dilution anaemia sometimes as training volume increases, but it corrects itself very quickly.

• to me, not to be!!!

Plus I don't run beyond 30 miles in training; racing above 100 miles is only something that I do a few times per year.

Mmmm. Not convinced but as long as you are aware of the risks then that's good.

I entered the ballot for five years in a row and didn't get in! Do I try a sixth time?

I entered the ballot for five years in a row and didn't get in! Do I try a sixth time?

Doesn't matter how many times you enter, you have a similar chance each year.

If you apply for a charity place however.... Pretty much almost certain to get a place

@Sparklingbrook you don't need to be convinced, I am used to it and absolutely respect that. I am the first to admit that I have an obsessive personality and many of the runners I meet who do similarly more extreme events are the same. I very, very rarely drink alcohol, have never smoked and am (mostly) careful with my diet - in fact it helps me as I have a long history of disordered eating but need to eat "sensibly" to sustain the training and racing so see the running as my "vice". I am possibly harming myself however do come at it very much from an open and aware perspective and do try and minimise the harm that I come to!

I entered the ballot for five years in a row and didn't get in! Do I try a sixth time?

Do! I got in on my 7th a couple of years ago, it’s was an incredible experience! Spent most of the day being really grumpy and jealous as I so want to do it again!

We are designed to run all day - with breaks for food (which is what ultramarathonners do) or for a walk - either on tougher terrain or just because a break is needed.

We are not really designed to run 26.2 in a one-r at a fair lick. Not least you run out of fuel, and need to hydrate, which you can do like an elite without breaking your stride by grabbing a drinking bottle specially prepared for you. Average mortals carry hi-tec gels/blocs (slimy stuff with the right sugar carbs and minerals), Haribo, chocolate pretzels, random banana, and either carrybwater or grab it from water stations.

I have no idea how Kipchoge does it - I've just been looking at his splits, and he (typically) runs a mile in a marathon in 4.41 mins. That's faster than most people can do as a best-effort sprint!

Ballot for 2020 opened today, and closes next Friday, so get a wriggle on if you're really thinking of doing it.

Ballot results announced in October (so you get a good six months to go 'eek' and get training)

"If you apply for a charity place however.... Pretty much almost certain to get a place"

I got oofed in both the main ballot and by a charity last time round. I'm prepared to raise a minimum of £2k for something I really believe in, but I'm not going to hawk round for a place and then pester family/friends/quizzers/cake eaters for a random cause.

I think the odds in the main ballot for UK residents is about 1:8. Might be a little more adverse for 2020 as it's 40th anniversaryand I think they're expecting even greater interest.

*I got oofed in both the main ballot and by a charity last time round. I'm prepared to raise a minimum of £2k for something I really believe in, but I'm not going to hawk round for a place and then pester family/friends/quizzers/cake eaters for a random cause.

I think the odds in the main ballot for UK residents is about 1:8. Might be a little more adverse for 2020 as it's 40th anniversaryand I think they're expecting even greater interest*

My entry was charity. I was astounded at the support and raised well over £3000 (£2000 target) for a small local charity. It required effort (holding events, private and corporate sponsorship, publicity (local rag, radio etc) but knowing that every mile was X amount to a charity I really believed in, really kept me going. I hit my £2000 total the morning of the marathon and that was an incredible feeling.

Keep trying the ballot. I got in on my 6th and 7th application!

I also got a place via my running club if anyone is thinking of joining one.

@SpockPaperScissorsLizardRock
Which running club are you a member of?
I was thinking about joining a club. Can you recommend any?

It's always made me feel a bit teary.

I ran it in 2011 and then buggered up my knee in 2015 and haven't been able to run since, never mind 26.2 miles so it's bittersweet for me now. It's an amazing feat to run a marathon though and I take my hat off to all those who give it a go.

I still love to watch but I feel so sad I can't run anymore.

i've run it twice

and i'm in the ballot for next year

I’ve run it twice, having said never again after the first one. I’m not a natural runner at all, but it was for charity and I was determined.

I cried at the event where you pick up your number, I cried the night before, I cried at Greenwich at the start (and went for at least 6 wees), I cried on the way around as the crowd are so amazing, and I collapsed in a crying heap at the end.

The experience though - amazing!

I still run a bit now, but just park run and the odd 10km, but that’s my limit now. Watching today though - brought back fab memories.

I ran last year, after applying when i didn't run. I went from couch to marathon in 7 months, and completed the hottest ever VLM.
I planned to be there today, but was unwell, which was probably a good thing, seeing how much I cried today...

I've run it once, I still get emotional just thinking of rounding that final corner and having complete strangers roaring you on to the finish line just ahead. An utterly fabulous day and I would recommend it if you ever get the chance.

The noise as you go round - lots of pubs put bands on or have music playing - is incredible. People offering sweets. Restores your faith in human nature.

I love it and yes it makes me cry! I absolutely think we are designed to run 26 miles and in fact far further, possibly not at Kipchoge type speed though! We were persistence hunters on the African plains originally, we would lope for hours until we wore down our prey. Running is amazing and I do believe pretty much anyone could run a marathon if they put their mind to it 😁

I'm crying at the amount of LITTER that has been left.....

the litter all gets collected

i also ran it last year in that heat! the British public are amazing

i had to put my headphones in for a few miles as i found it all so overwhelming

the training was brutal! the actual day was fab

Of course the litter is collected and all the discarded clothes go for charity

I was there today cheering my sister on. The entire day was incredible, I was very emotional! I have applied for a ballot place and will look to run for a charity if I don’t get in (haven’t in 5 years of trying!).
The amount of cheering and support was phenomenal, such a fabulous atmosphere.
My dsis said at the tough points the crowd really spurred her on when we weren’t there, the app made it so easy to get to various points and although tube travel was busy, she wasn’t one of the fast ones and the crowds were thinning out which worked to our advantage. So thanks to anyone else who was there supporting the runners!
It’s been a day of tears and pride, just thinking about running for longer than half an hour makes me wince but I’m going to up my times slowly and aim to be comfortably running at least 10K if not more by the time October comes round!!

You say that yes, it does all get collected. But all the roadside bottles of water and lucozade don't get recycled and goes straight to a landfill! Just seems like such a shame.