Edinburgh 2014 - chasing the hairy haggis

[Mitchy1nge]

thread for anyone training for the full marathon or the half or any of the other events

it's my first marathon so am very excited, I know that in theory if I can do 21 miles then 26 (plus 385 yards) is achievable but only started running again a few months ago, it's so much more addictive than it used to be

I can't stop thinking about treadmills actually

(seriously, why would I choose a spring marathon when I KNOW I can barely function indoors at this time of year?)

Hmmm mitchy, it is a good q . . bloody hate treadmills though, it just feels all wrong. I have just done 5 slow miles dodging ice patches but it had to be done after 2 days off. I need to do another 3 miler tomorrow so hope its thawed a bit.

keep up the good work I've barely scraped 14 miles all week BUT my right calf feels horrible, there is a pain buried quite deep in the muscle. I think it has been niggling away for ages and ages actually, obviously some sort of strain but I'm imagining it is a life-threatening blood clot

Eeeek mitchy, have you tried rest, anti inflammatories etc? I think if all goes to plan will do 21 miles this week. Still not loads - I think this programme hits 45 weekly miles at its peak!

that's plenty isn't it, 21, although those 40+ weeks look the same sort of miles mid-week, it's just the Long One that increases so dramatically

I have rested it (as in have not run more than 9 miles at a time and had three days off in a row) but no anti-inflammatories, am not really meant to take them, it hurts more at rest than when it's bearing weight so I don't know. Reading about even mild strains is a bit depressing, muscles can take ages to mend properly?

am more or less reassured it's not a blood clot anyway after asking someone who should know about these things

I'm thinking about signing up to do the Edinburgh half. But the longest I've done is a couple of 10ks. I see you are all well into your training already -is it too late to start training for a half now ?

it's still at least 5 months away, that's plenty of time even if you just added a mile a month!

entry does close in the next week or so though so hurry up and join us

Ah, but that's assumes I'm fit enough to run a decent 10k now!!! I Ve not been training since last summer. Now I'm just running a slow 5 k a couple of times a week

Work and family problems have got in the way a bit. I thought that signing up might give me a bit of a kick up the backside to get out and run again.

So I would be starting from base of 10-15 k per week. Pretty poor really . Could I still get up to a decent standard from here?

I'm in my 50s BTW, so woudl need to train properly,I'm not like these 20 some things who just go out and wing it ....

I'm not exactly 20 something either this plan has the first Long Run at only 5k, increasing by 10 minutes (rather than distance) the next. I think you should give it a go and surprise yourself! Not necessarily that particular plan, any that suits.

as for me am worried my leg is going to fall off :(

Hi Kristina, I'm 20-something (just!) and still couldn't go out and wing it! 23 weeks or just under, you could do a bit of base training to build up some miles then say a 12 week half marathon programme? I haven't done loads of training so far (up to around 10 miles max) but I'm conscious for a marathon I need to get out there and build up the miles!

Thanks guys, that looks quite realistic . I could use 6 weeks, jan -mid February , to build up some mileage. Then start on a 12 week half training programme. That gives me 14 weeks to do the 12 weeks as I won't get out so much in the school hols at the start of April .

This will also make me go back to the gym to do some classes

I would never have thought I could do a half, but when I was training for the 10k, some of the long runs were about 16 and I though maybe I could do it.

But I'm not the kind of person who would be happy just to potter round, if I'm doing it I'd like to get a reasonable ( for age ) time < stuck up>

Minge -I'm sorry to hear about your leg

thanks, don't encourage my hypochondria though - it's completely pain-free after one hot bath (the slightest twinge is always a Severe Injury for me)

so you are doing it kristina? :)

I have decided to pay myself £10 a mile this week and see how far that gets me to a new Garmin (unless my leg does fall off tomorrow)

Urgh I was feeling smug about not having had the lurgy that several people at work have, and now I have a sore throat and sniffles. Still wanted to run so did 3 miles instead of 8.

eek maybe double drop the berocca for a few days? hope you feel better soon

despite my calf of molten lead I really enjoyed 15 miles yesterday and at least 3 today (stopped to stretch at 3, forgot to restart Garmin and took a short cut home) - really can cope with anything while the sun is shining

wowzer, 15 miles, very impressed! Can't wait til I can run that far, furthest ever runs are the 3 half marathons I've done. Must get some berocca and dose up on it, good plan. I'm glad I went out though, running somehow makes you feel more alive doesn't it!

It was weirdly easy, I just thought of it as 3 separate 5 mile runs stuck together - but sometimes shorter and technically easy routes feel horrible. Still don't quite understand how it all works but I think if I have a very light week where I basically stuff my face and sleep a lot and don't run much then the long run is much more enjoyable.

running not only makes me feel more alive it means I HAVE to eat and sleep LOADS, a dream come true

I'm so much slower than you though, my pace was about 11:30 yesterday, I should think virtually anyone could run forever that slowly?

That is the key I think, slowing down. Am eager to get a long run in now, damn cold!!!

Hope you are over that cold soon and feeling well enough to do a longer run.

I owe myself about £200 just from this weekend, will probably never get paid but it's quite motivating nonetheless. I expect to be in a bit of an unhealthy state for a day or two over NY celebrations so you have time to catch up!

I suspect I will be sniffling my way through new year. No chance of running with this, even though it is apparently ok to run with a cold. My head and sinuses feel completely stuffed (although killer sore throat has eased off, yay!) and I'd need to run with a box of tissues, ha!
Impressed with your 20+ miles. You planning on getting a new garmin? Any recommendations? I was going to have one as an xmas present but decided on a kate spade handbag instead..you can see where my priorities lie...

I have done it! I've signed up for the Edinburgh half. Decided to get my one of my new year resolutions in early

I'm already making more of an effort to get out running, although weather has not been great this week. Have also dug out my 30 days shred DVD, so I have in excuse for doing nothing on stormy days.

Am in awe of you marathon runners already doing serious mileage

yay kristina! it's official!

I don't think I get colds often enough to fully recall their misery but still can't imagine that running would help, hope it doesn't go on forever.

I want a 220, just want one, I know I don't need one