To want to do the London marathon

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So watched a lot of the coverage today and so want to enter for April 2023. Is it worth the dark winter months of training for the buzz of crossing the finishing line in April?

Im also interested in this. Would love to do the marathon, I have heard the training in hardcore!

How far can you run ? Do you run ? It’s doable but can you run several times a week for up to 2 hours as that’s what you will need to do .
I’m not putting you off I’m just being realistic. I run often and I would like to do half marathon but I’m realistic of the distance and the time to do so.
just be prepared it’s a physical & mental slog but you can definitely do it just preparation. Its totally worth I reckon.

I’ve just entered for a charity place, and will also do the ballot.
I used to run, and have done 2 marathons, and several half marathons, but last one was about 7 years ago.
The training is very intense, and not sure how I’ll cope with being that much older (first time I did the marathons, I was in my 20’s), as I’m now 45.

But seeing all of the runners today brought back the feelings of elation and achievement. I live 5 min from the start line for London, so I’d be silly not to try it at least once!

I definitely recommend running a marathon!! it was life changing for me. I felt like I could do anything .

11 years ago I went from not running at all, to running 5km and 10kms comfortably. That was after 2 months. I decided to run a marathon and I did a 16 week marathon training plan and finished my first marathon in just over 4 hours . It was the best day if my life ! I didn’t find the training to be too much work. I can’t remember what sorta training I did but I was running 5 days a week with one long run built up every week. I found a random beginner marathon plan online and used it .

I should also mention that it’s unusual to go from not running at all to running a marathon 6 months later . My body seems to handle it well though . 11 years later and I’ve never had a running injury.

It's totally worth it!!! I did it several years ago and loved it! The crowds, the atmosphere, the sense of achievement, raising money for charity, the goody bag! It's all amazing and was one of the most memorable days of my life :)

(But bare in mind, it's hard to get a spot. I got in on my 5th year applying through the ballot!)

I went from non runner to London Marathon in 6 months in 2018, doing 2 shorter weeknight runs and a long weekend run having put in for the ballot on a whim.

I was TERRIFIED on the start line and some guy looked at me and said “you’re going to love it” and promised me that I’d want to do it again.

I cried most of the way round at the cheering and things people had written on their shirts. It was 28 degrees, I wore the wrong kit and got chaffing everywhere, had to walk most of the last 6 miles and took me 6 hours and 12 minutes but it was the best day of my life (until we got married this year! 😂) but I crossed that finish line, got that medal round my neck and went “I want to do it again!”

I’ve now run London twice, Berlin once, today I have been out cheering my Dad round his first one. He took up running at 57, had more injuries than he has joints I think, including plantar fasciitis and made it round in 5.48.

London is utter magic. Look at the crowds, they are not uber fit runners, they are normal people, proving they can do something remarkable and raising crap tonnes for charity.

My BIL ran it today. He loved it.

My amazing goddaughter ran the marathon today .She has raised thousands and her sense of achievement will keep her motivated forever!

I ran it today, it was an amazing experience and I'm so pleased i did it (and did better than I was expecting). It was my first marathon. I won't do another as the training is time consuming.

The cheering and crowds got me through! Go for it if you're willing to put in the miles!

I’ve entered the ballot. I’ve run for years but only up to half marathon distance. So an experienced runner but know those winter long runs are going to be time consuming and hard. But I’m getting old now and want to do at least one before I can’t anymore.

If you’re only going to do one, make it London.

Don’t rely on the ballot, put in for a charity, get a spot.

The fundraising is easier than you think, people still think that London is magical and will come out to support you in more ways than you think.

I can be a real running bore, but I'll try to keep it short!

26.2 miles is a long way. It is possible to train from scratch and run a marathon but IME must people who do that burn themselves out and never run again.

To enjoy it properly, IMO, you need at least 2 years of consistent running and a few shorter races under your belt before you start training for a marathon. Even then you'll be following a get round programme rather than aiming for a decent time, but that's OK.

As for the training. Don't under estimate the impact it will have on the rest of your life. You'll follow a programme which will probably include up to 7/8 hours of running a week, so you know how much time you have to give it. What I didn't realise was just how useless I'd be in between times. All I wanted to do was eat and sleep and somethings that was all I was physically capable of.

Also the recovery, I think it took me a year, mentally as much as physically, to recover from my first. When your entire life has been building up to one day the end can be hard and you're dealing with it physically depleted.

So, in summary, yes absolutely completely worth it. You'll never forget it 😆

Getting a place isn't easy though.

There are many 6 month training plans, online and in running mags. Go for it, I am sure that you won’t regret it. I loved running, before a stuffed Achilles happened (not running). Just get started, you can always tweak plans as you go along.

The London marathon website has a few training plans available to download to give you an idea of the amount of running you will need to do. You will need to start just after Christmas, which for me means dark morning and evening runs.

I am a very slow runner. A half marathon takes me over 3 hours....so if you are anything like me bear in mind that you will be out running for huge chunks of time a couple of times a week by March/early April. It's a big commitment.

A running buddy or club will really help. Good luck if you decide to go for it.

I do think they are very fit, even the slower ones, as I don't think many people are able to walk from London Bridge station to East Grinstead, let alone run, jog, trot or do any of the above dressed in a Minion suit.

No reason why the OP shouldn't do it, though.

I’d say go for it. I did the Yorkshire marathon five years ago and it was a fantastic experience if hard, especially the training. I had to do my long training runs in the summer and it was hot. I’m never going to do another one but loved the whole experience.

I like @WinOutdoors post, it does make sense to build up over a longer period than is actually possible (I.E. 6 months)

I did exactly what is described, went from zero to hero in a short time. Half’s, full (x3) and then just burnt out and rarely run now other than sprints.

I loved the marathon training, so satisfying to see yourself improve but in hindsight I did it all too quick. Take your time

I would highly recommend a marathon, but I disagree with the person who said the fundraising is easier than you think - I would say the fundraising is equally as hard as the training, so I’ll only ever do London again if I got a ballot place.

Every year, without fail, 20,000 people who have won a place in the ballot, and paid the hefty entry fee, fail to show up on the starting line. Every year ! The organisers know this, and so accept 60,000 entries, knowing there will be 20,000 will be no-shows. That suggests that the training is the hard part ( I have completed two marathons).

I’ve done London 3 times, one charity place, one ballot and one good for age. I haven’t ran properly now for a few years but have just entered the ballot after watching coverage today. Running the London is one of the best days of my life. The training is hard but doable, I did mine with young children and working - most of my runs were evening so didn’t impact on the kids however the weekend long runs were hard building up to 3-4 hour runs, recovery time etc it can impact and I’d try to be up and out by 7am so we still had the afternoon for family time. I don’t know if now at 46 I have the energy as I feel exhausted all the time without the long runs - I don’t remember feeling exhausted when I was training - maybe more exercise gives you more energy. Anyway, I would say to anyone whether you are a runner or not do it. I still get butterflies when I think of crossing that line and the support of the crowds getting you round, it really is like one long street party.

I would love to do a marathon! I've run plenty of 5ks several 10ks, 10 miles and a half it's just the idea of having to double my longest distance that puts me off!!

I've put in for the ballot. I did a half marathon in lockdown by myself and haven't run much since then. But I'd like to do the London one as a bucket list thing really.

I have applied in the ballot for next year. But, if accepted am only planning to WALK (I’m 72)....but, know (I’ve run two marathons), that even that will 4-5 months of diligent walking as preparation.

I’ve done a few marathons although I’ve lost the enthusiasm for them now. London was an experience like no other but I wish I’d spent more time enjoying the atmosphere. It was quite overwhelming in places! I preferred the loneliness of a trail marathon more 😁 but yes definitely go for it! It’s a real experience and you won’t regret it. Hard to get in though. I’ve applied 12 times and got in years back on the 5 nos rule which doesn’t exist now.
the training is hard but makes race day much more pleasant!

My brothers ran it twice (many other marathons too) and I just love marathon day, cheering people on. I stood at the top of Bird cage walk one year so by Westminster and they only have a short distance to go and watching peoples faces, the support they give each other and most especially the crowd, the encouragement that a total stranger gives to people must make finishing it completely amazing.

My knee’s can’t take running though! I’ll stick to supporting