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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?

OP posts:
isittheweekendyet · 08/02/2015 12:39

Hi. Hope everyone is well today. Supposed to do 12 today but pulled up at 10.5 due to a niggle in my left knee. Was running off road which I rarely do but need to find places to accommodate the higher mileage now as starting to find doing the same roads around home a bit repetitive. Was a beautiful run around a reservoir but hillier, muddier and icier than I'd expected which didn't help. Also been behind my miles during last week due to work and life in general so feeling a bit flat today. Should be able to get back up normal from tomorrow to build up to the 15 miles that I need to do next weekend. Eeeeek Shock

Clure · 08/02/2015 18:32

Did an 80k bike ride today, so much easier than running!!!

BafanaThesober · 08/02/2015 18:53

Evening all
13.1 done today. Longest run since last March. I am feeling very sore and very tired, it was a tough old run, but the first 10 miles were my head and not my legs.......grrrr, why can't I sort that out.

Sorry to hear about all the niggles, I have so many little things that hurt, and I walk like an old person in the morning. WHY AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF!

Biking is definitely easier than running! I am away to google run less run faster programme.

9 weeks today - it will all be done....

JennyOnTheBlocks · 08/02/2015 19:01

Evening everyone, they reckon that half-way through a training plan is when niggles turn into injuries, don't they - i'm trying to maintain a rigourous stretching and strengthening regime, as well as increasing fitness, and bloody hell, it's tough!

i managed almost 10 miles today - after last weeks terrible long run, i did a lot of reading, and have changed my game-plan somewhat. 'Running' the marathon is not my main goal now, getting round in one piece is.
It might take me longer, but it's going to be my PB Wink, definitely don't have time to make marathons my career Grin

Also using Shot Bloks now instead of gels, definitely better for me. Less mess, no faffing about with trying to rip the top off etc, and it's like eating sweets Grin

Going for a sports massage at the end of the week (hopefully), and the week after next weeks is a lighter week wrt to length of time on my feet - just as well as it's half term, no gym or swimming for me either Sad

LadyBlaBlah · 08/02/2015 21:00

Cycling is sooooo much easier, I agree Clure. A summer of cycling for me defo Smile

Well I've done 49km this week in total. And I feel ok. No niggles to talk of Shock

I just need a new playlist on my phone. My music is doing my head in now Confused

9 weeks to go.

It'll be worth it, right?

BafanaThesober · 08/02/2015 22:22

Lady blahblah, which one are you running?

LadyBlaBlah · 08/02/2015 22:46

Paris on 12th April.
What about you?

BafanaThesober · 08/02/2015 23:01

Pairs as well :)
It does mean I will have to turn down my invite to Andy Murray's weddings which is apparently just down the road from me, but hey - needs must!!

Have you got your medical certificate yet? I am fairily annoyed at having to pay for one from the doctor, especially when, because I am lucky enough to be fit and healthy - I am the patient they never see, and yet I need to pay for it!! Ah well - small price to pay I suppose!!

mumpossible · 09/02/2015 14:04

Hi everyone
I have just got back from a horrible 16 mile run. I am really wondering if I should just give up and admit I cannot run a fricking marathon.

I'm training for the Brighton, April 12th. I have, been struggling with anything over 14 miles. I ran 16 miles that was difficult but ok. The next week I was s supposed to tun 18 but misjudged it and stopped at 17. The next week I was due to run 20 but couldn't even get to 17! I was just too tired and cold..the I had an easy week, ran 13. And this week my schedule said 16. It was hard from 10 miles. By 14 I was struggling. I did finish it, but the last 2 miles were a battle.
Should I just give up...or this normal for this stage in the training?

JennyOnTheBlocks · 09/02/2015 14:32

i don't know, mum, but are you tired? bored on your route? listening to the same music? are you drinking enough all week? eating well?

you've got a few weeks to play with I reckon, maybe have a week off actual running and do some other cross-training instead? see if that kick-starts your running mo-jo at all?

i'm impressed at you being down-hearted at ONLY running 16 miles though Thanks

LadyBlaBlah · 09/02/2015 14:52

I think you are doing ok mum!
I'm not up to those distances yet...I'm still at 14....

And other people I know who are training for the 12th April are not at those distances yet. Is it possible you are doing them too soon? What plan are you following?

Even if you have a week off, you are still ahead of me in distance so please don't give up. Think you are ahead of the game Smile

LadyBlaBlah · 09/02/2015 14:55

Medical certificate?
I'm thinking I haven't read the small print here.
What is this that you speak of? Shock

isittheweekendyet · 09/02/2015 16:36

I think you're doing ok too! My race is 19th so have a week longer but still only up to 10.5 miles. Planning to aim for 15 this week although that will depend entirely on my knee, I'll be happy to get to 14. Have a half the week after and then the mileage ramps up so you seem ahead of the game! Are you fuelling properly before running and while you're out? Boredom is a good point too - are you finding new routes for these long runs?

BafanaThesober · 09/02/2015 21:05

www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/us/registration/medical-certificate

I hope that works!! Rubbish at links at the best of times and on my phone.
It was news to me too!! I am not good at the small print.

Glad to see that my mileage is in line with everyone else's.
I am not stressing about the long runs feeling really hard. (Or at least I am trying not too)
Every week I dread the additional mileage and struggle at the added extra, but I keep having faith in the programme, and pray that I will get there, and hopefully injury free I will, as I am sure we all will.

If it was easy - every blinking person would do it. That's where the magic lies - just outside of what you think you can actually do.

LadyBlaBlah · 09/02/2015 23:31

Thanks banafa, that had bypassed me totally Shock

BafanaThesober · 10/02/2015 08:02

No problem, a friend mentioned it to me, and I was slightly concerned I had missed it, so I am mentioning it to anyone I know doing the race, just as a precaution. Can you imagine getting there and then being told you can't run!!

Just realised, half way through the training schedule!

Happy Tuesday everyone.

isittheweekendyet · 11/02/2015 18:20

Did just over 4 miles at lunchtime today without too much bother from my knee, so am hopeful after another rest day that I'll be ok for 5 on Fri and then 15 on Sun Shock Been on MapMyRun and plotted a route that's about as flat as I can get it!

BafanaThesober · 11/02/2015 18:34

Well done
I did 6 last night, didn't find them easy. Right knee twinging. Gonna rest until my 15 on Sunday. Like you - flat as possible!!

Anyone heard from Mitch. Hope she is ok.

Pleaseputyourshoeson · 12/02/2015 17:40

I think I might be able to start running again come Sunday, fingers crossed. I feel as if I coul, will wait for Physio to say yes tomorrow. what do we think? Too late? Marathon is on 3rd April.... Won't leave a taper time. I've had two weeks off bar swimming. Not sure where to pick up from, a couple of short runs and then a long of 12? What do we think?

PollyPooic · 12/02/2015 19:02

I'm mitchy, new name, thanks for asking - have been reading and cheering you on only slightly bitterly Grin

am also thinking I might be able to start running at the weekend, although my first week or two will be run/walk intervals (4:1 or maybe 3:1 to begin with) - physio said I could start that as soon as 25 standing, painless, single calf raises were possible and I am getting there quite quickly I think - the less I do, the quicker it heals

is a great question about where exactly to start isn't it? I'll probably do 3 miles Saturday or Sunday (12 weeks out from marathon) and jump straight into any random 12 week plan but cover the miles in run/walk until it seems safe to run again - we are not starting from a base of nothing are we, I don't think it's the same as attempting those distances for the very first time

and then I really really will try to run only 3x in the week and 1 long one - just want to get to the half marathon next month and add 5 miles on over April

am not asking much I don't think!

Pleaseputyourshoeson · 12/02/2015 22:29

Tricky hey. I'm planning to get going again along the same lines. A bit of 5k walk run to start. I'm so hoping to get back to normal and be able to heal whilst I'm at it. I'm 80 per cent mended I'd say but who knows what a slippery slope a tiny bit of stress to that injury might do, could flare right back up. Ugh, so irritating! Here's hoping Mr Physio says good things and ankle plays ball on hoppety hop/single leg squats/calf raise tests on one leg tomorrow. Gaaaah.

PollyPooic · 14/02/2015 11:48

how did it go with physio please?

Pleaseputyourshoeson · 14/02/2015 20:24

I'm cleared to run............. In a pool only. And a bunch of foot strengthening exercises.... Arrrrrrrrgh. Sob.

PollyPooic · 14/02/2015 20:29

oh dear Confused how long for?

Flowers that is probably not what you were hoping for

Pleaseputyourshoeson · 14/02/2015 20:49

Nope. Until. Can hop enough and do single leg squats rising up into a single leg calf raise that I can hold without pain. There is obviously still some irritation/inflammation in naviculR/talus joint. Hopefully next week I'll be ok to start a walk/run. In the meantime stability exercises of balancing on one leg with three points of even foot contact on the ground lifting and lowering my arch is the exercise of the week to be repeated a gazillion times to strengthen feet and ankles.