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Original poster

spring marathoners

344 replies

Mitchy1nge · 06/01/2015 20:06

suspect there are a few of us preparing for a spring marathon - any interest in chat about training schedules, black toe nails and so on?

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InnocenceAndExperience · 07/01/2015 18:21

Which one are you doing? I started a Brighton thread with almost no response! Perhaps we should join forces.

[Now I've posted about it I have to do my planned 5km tonight - right?]

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 07/01/2015 18:45

yes! do it! Grin

I am doing, ahem, the world renowned Halstead Marathon (people may snigger but was rated 3rd best in UK by Runners World! is always rate highly by them, top 10 anyway) because it's close-ish to home, my brother is doing it, various people from my club will be there so I have a really good chance of getting to the start line at least (provided I don't incur any overuse injuries in training this time)

haven't really developed much of a training plan yet, long run is sitting comfortably between 10 and 13 miles and that will be my main thing and am going to do each of them a minute to two minutes slower per mile than my normal pace - I should probably work on some kind of firmer strategy though, only 17 weeks to go

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InnocenceAndExperience · 07/01/2015 18:48

You are doing better than me - I had a bit of a family crisis so haven't been able to risk longer runs due to insufficient 'normal' training. But I have done one before - 9 years ago! - so I know its possible.

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 07/01/2015 19:36

was just carrying on after a half in the autumn really, had a couple of weeks of less than 10 miles a week but seem to have picked up ok more or less where I left off

I will take my time increasing that long run and not decided whether will go over 20 or not before the actual day. See how it goes.

Hope family crisis has resolved, which training plan are you following?

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InnocenceAndExperience · 07/01/2015 20:19

I'm following the 'long run on a Sunday and whenever I can get out for a midweek 5k' plan. I need help!

Luckily I'm meeting with a very experienced runner this weekend and am hoping to sort something out.

Just back from today's run - not too bad!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 08:18

yay you did it!

Am not sure when to do my long runs, weekends are so busy, I got one in on Tuesday just to check how the distance felt after a break but it will probably help to have a routine of sorts? Confused

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JennyOnTheBlocks · 08/01/2015 20:07

does VLM in April count as spring?

I'm on week 3 of my 16 week beginners plan, and loving it!

got runner's chafe today though, inside of my thigh, need to invest in some lanacane i think

leemur · 08/01/2015 20:13

I'm doing Edinburgh at the end of May. It's been 15 years since my last marathon so I'm quite nervous. I've set myself an ambitious time target which isn't helping!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 20:18

yay more people

I wanted to do Edinburgh last year Envy (pretty much googled 'flat european marathons') applied for London too this year but their loss is Essex and Halstead's gain Grin

bodyglide might be good? have only had one chafe incident, it left a scar though, slightly baggy sports bra v hydration camelbak thing over a long run :(

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 20:23

what time are you aiming for leemur? which one did you do 15 years ago?

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JennyOnTheBlocks · 08/01/2015 20:23

just checked out bodyglide on amazon, is it better than lanacane? it's more pricey but that's not always the best indicator

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 20:24

it's the only thing I've heard about, would try cheapest first

or different kit maybe?

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JennyOnTheBlocks · 08/01/2015 20:26

hhmmnnn...never thought about the kit

i did wear capris that i don't wear very often Hmm

leemur · 08/01/2015 20:29

I did London twice then decided to have 10 years off marathons. I'm going to try for 3.30 - gulp!
Jenny I've used plain old vaseline before which worked Ok.

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 20:30

maybe the seam is a bit rough or something?

used to get lots of blisters before I discovered balega socks but never The Chafe (apart from the sports bra incident! I don't know how I didn't feel anything along the way)

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 20:31

3:30! 8 minute miles? you are like a goddess to me!

was that your sort of time before?

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Rosecottage888 · 08/01/2015 20:34

Im doing London too, was meant to do it last year but had to pull out due to injury.

Depending on how the marathon goes I'm also meant to be doing a 42k OCR at the end of May! Blush

InnocenceAndExperience · 08/01/2015 20:40

leemur! I couldn't sustain that speed for 1 mile let alone 26.2.

[Shambles off to get running kit out for tonight's 5k... trying to convince myself its not a completely lost cause]

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 20:44

well I'm aiming to do all my long runs at about 11:30 or even 12:00 and I promise I will be pleased to get round at all, but expect to do it in about 5, 5h 15 - or worst case scenario at least within the 6 hours allowed

got another half in Feb and will see if my 'double it and add half an hour' formula suggests I'm on track

mine isn't until 10th May so perhaps can do another half nearer the time

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 20:48

(don't know if I could go much faster even if I wanted to, 10 minute miles feel daring over half the distance, but am convinced it will be safer for the calf I strained last year/year before that)

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JennyOnTheBlocks · 08/01/2015 20:58

i've only today been able to get my head around what a marathon pace is (i've got a real problem with numbers in every day life) - i'm looking to slow down really, currently running at 11.30min/miles on the road, think i need to slow to 12.30 for long distance, running on a treadmill at 15min/miles i can go forever!

i've now worked out how to use my GPS watch Blush so now i'm onto long runs on plan (80mins run/walk is next one) i'm going to experiment

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 08/01/2015 21:46

I need to make an Actual Plan at some point over the next week. I will consult my bible, The Lore of Running!

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Mayvis · 09/01/2015 20:41

Mitchy. I'm from your marathon town! I'm a newbie runner but might enter for next year. Good luck! It's a very scenic route.

leemur · 09/01/2015 20:51

I could do with sorting out a training plan too. Most of the ones I've seen start closer to the date so I'm just doing my normal running routine at the moment. The weather isn't playing really with helping my training motivation though. I'm trying to plan a run between the wind and snow and ice weather warnings!

The thought of 8 minute miles all the way is a bit daunting but that's what the Runners World race time predictor reckons I can do!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 09/01/2015 21:11

Hi mayvis! Will you be there to cheer us on? Grin I will be in my club vest (stowmarket striders) somewhere at the very back!

I have a kind of plan for the long run up to my next HM in 5 weeks, 12 next week, then 13, then a 'quick' (not leemur quick!) 13 then ten, taper, race

then will review the situation :) our club half is at the end of March and that's about 6 weeks before marathon so would be good to do that too

to be honest I think I'd be quite happy doing a half marathon every other month or so

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