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Original poster

2015 marathoners.... newbies, seasoned, scarred

80 replies

SummerHouse · 28/04/2015 06:59

I got some essential help at a critical time on here in my 10k training and I will never forget that. I am now booked in for my second marathon (14 years after my first) in sept. I feel I have come a long way. But I have a massive way to go! Anyone looking for support or with wisdom and encouragement to impart.... Please join.

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Original poster
SummerHouse · 01/05/2015 17:54

Pootle welcome.

Mablethorpe is flat as a pancake and only 500 places. Good for pb and on the 4th Oct. I thought about that but notts won as it seemed too few runners leaving me in danger of coming last

Hurrah on the blister news mooogles you have magic quick healing.

doyouthink I love the sound of beachy head. But I will get a reasonably flat one in for now. Smile one day maybe.

Does everyone run with music. I think I am dependent and just read that earphones not allowed at notts. Is it a rule or more of a guideline? Confused

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 01/05/2015 21:47

I run with music, or audiobooks or podcasts. I've always got my headphones in! I sometimes do turn the sound off though if I'm running along the road side or its very windy. I sort of forget I'm not listening to anything after a while and lose myself in my thoughts. I can't seem to happily set off without them though, I feel lostConfused

When I did the VLM I didn't take them though and it was fine. There is so much going on it was nice to hear the crowds and be aware of my surroundings.

I don't know how strict races are with the rule tbh, hopefully someone else will be along with more experience of races than me.

pootlebug · 02/05/2015 08:03

Looked at Mablethorpe but think I'd really like to do something with more runners - I may miss my time aim, hate the whole damn thing and never do another one so I'd rather make it a bit more of an 'event' iyswim Grin Also it's only a week after Ealing half, which I really want to do again.

But started looking at more and the Yorkshire marathon in York looks tempting. The week after Mablethorpe so 2 weeks between Ealing and that, which is more do-able. No places left but I could get a charity place.

Summerhouse - I think a lot of races say no headphones. I can't imagine racing with headphones - I think you'd miss out so much on the atmosphere. But then I run without them most of the time anyway so perhaps not the best person to comment. Hopefully the atmosphere will carry you along in the same way that your music usually does?

Original poster
SummerHouse · 02/05/2015 09:01

Thanks guys. I think I need to go without for a while. I have noticed between songs I can hear my feet on the ground and my breathing and there is something therapeutic and rhythmic about it.

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Original poster
SummerHouse · 02/05/2015 09:15

pootle I do swym. I ruled out mablethorpe as it only had 200 runners last year. I like the sound of small and friendly but that sounds a bit like going for a run on your own.

Right - next run is to be music free. I am looking forward to it. Sometimes the music just annoys me anyway!

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Emski76 · 02/05/2015 15:53

I listen to music when running but think it may be nice to hear your breathing and footsteps (foot stomps if ur me!!) But think I would really struggle. Ive always ignored the no earphones rules tho!! Naughty me!!
I ran 6.5 miles this morning but really struggled against the wind. It just saps my energy.
Off to buy new running shoes tomorrow. Its my birthday so am treating myself!!
I know what you all mean about running small races. Always a worry id be last!!

Original poster
SummerHouse · 02/05/2015 18:35

Happy birthday emski

Its funny how buying running shoes is now a treat. I am really looking forward to getting my next pair. I would not have said that 3 months ago. Enjoy! Smile

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 02/05/2015 19:23

Happy Birthday EmskiWine Enjoy your running shoe shopping.

I'm with you on running in the wind, it's tough! I'll be running 12 miles tomorrow and it's going to be blooming windy down here in the south coast. I imagine snails will be overtaking meGrin

Original poster
SummerHouse · 03/05/2015 10:09

Enjoy that 12 miler doyouthink wish I was out instead of living it up in soft play hell. I did a run in the wind once where it felt like my feet were moving up and down but I wasn't going forward. Tricky!

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 03/05/2015 13:36

Oh god, soft play Thankfully my dose are older now, but remember well the hell that is soft play. Hope you survive SummerHouseCake

Run was lovely thanks, went along a bit of the seafront I've not been along before and found some posh bits of town. Ran into the wind so had a lovely treat when I turned back and got blown alongGrin

Last year when we had those awful storms, a couple of times they coincided with my long run and Oh my god, that was something else. That feeling of moving your legs at full pelt and hardly moving is very peculiar!

Original poster
SummerHouse · 03/05/2015 16:59

Survived soft play. It was horrible.

Something awesome about running in a storm. I am yet to experience more than strong wind but something exciting about it.

Your run sounds great doyouthink. Cake well deserved for you.

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alleypalley · 04/05/2015 23:07

Did my entry for VMLM this morning, fingers crossed but not holding out much hope.

Happy Birthday Emski, I too have bought myself new running shoes for my birthday before.

Pootlebug, we are neighbours. I'm slightly further away now, but I used to run a pub mere metres away from the finish line. We hosted the meeting point for one of the charities and seeing the runners all come back motivated me to do it myself. I've done it twice now, it's a fantastic atmosphere, I love it whether I'm running or cheering on.

Original poster
SummerHouse · 05/05/2015 07:48

Me too alley Good luck. I am hopeful.

My run without headphones was good. It did not affect my time at all and I felt free. No wire to keep tucking back in my sports bra and did not have to worry about traffic half as much.

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Mooogles · 05/05/2015 10:33

Morning all,

I never rujn wiht headphones as they just seem to fall out of my ears and annoy me (plus I am too disorganised to put stuff on my ipod...).

I have had 2 days off and am planning on doing 10k this lunchtime - getting lot of niggles so trying to be sensible so asa not to get injured...

alleypally - when will you find out if you have a place in the VMLM?

pootlebug · 05/05/2015 13:13

Also applied for a ballot place. Not holding my breath though - the chances were low enough under the old system where they closed it after a max number of entries, and I suspect they'll have several times that number this year.

Original poster
SummerHouse · 05/05/2015 14:23

moogles you find out in October. Ballot is still open. Go on, you know you want too!

I am holding my breath. I am meant to run the 2016 London marathon. I don't know where he got this but my bro says chances are up this year from 1 in 10 to 1 in 7. Although come to think of it how can he possibly know that when the ballot is still open!

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 05/05/2015 15:54

Glad you survived soft play Summerhouse. I can remember when ds1 was a baby, I was quite excited about him getting to the age we could do soft play. Oh, how that changed

I'm sitting on my hands to stop myself enteringGrin I swore I'd never do London again and Brighton will be brilliant for the dses and DH to come and see me. London was a nightmare for them. The temptation is still there though......

Fingers crossed for everyone who has entered. Not sure what the odds will be this year with the ballot being open so much longer, I really hope it doesn't make it harder for people to get a ballot place.

It's really windy down here on the south coast. Not looking forward to tomorrow's run much!

alleypalley · 05/05/2015 19:17

I read the odds have gone to something like 1 in 35. Really annoying though that you don't find out until October.

Original poster
SummerHouse · 05/05/2015 20:24

I know alley I was totally set on notts in sept but it turns out that London falls on the 4th anniversary of the death of a colleague. I am desperate to run in her memory for her husband (my boss) and her beautiful daughters. I am looking into a charity place. This just seems right. I am Shock at 1 in 35! Such a shame for so many hearts set on it.

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Original poster
SummerHouse · 05/05/2015 20:38

Including mine!

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pootlebug · 05/05/2015 22:06

1 in 35 is crap. I will need to go back home before watching the back-markers pass or will need to be physically restrained from yelling at anyone who isn't dressed in a heavy cumbersome costume or is at least 65+ and is walking that they've got a sought-after place and should put some sodding effort in….

All the more reason to try to qualify for a 2017 good for age, I guess.

Original poster
SummerHouse · 05/05/2015 22:17

The 1 in 7 I got from my brother... I think I dreamt it. I have had many vivid dreams relating to the Marathon. In one my trainer fell apart. That is supposed to mean success comes from hard work and dedication according to dream dictionary!

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 06/05/2015 01:20

1 in 35 is ridiculous! So frustrating. They used to have a thing where if you applied and were unsuccessful 5 consecutive years you got a place but they stopped that too.

How much is the minimum sponsorship you'd be looking at summerhouse? I do hope you get a place one way or another, it obviously really means a lot to you.

Original poster
SummerHouse · 06/05/2015 07:09

I think it is going to be 2k. The family have two chosen charities so it would have to be one of them. That is doable but its asking a lot of people to contribute. I don't really like being proactive in sponsorship. I might just leave it to the lottery of the ballot.

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Claybury · 06/05/2015 14:27

I've run London twice and it is a completely amazing overwhelming experience. I'll never forget the roar of the crowd as I ran over Tower Bridge. I felt like it was all for me and I felt like an Olympian !!
The training for me is a case of finding a plan , sticking it on the fridge, and sticking to it doggedly - selfishly. No hangovers, no run avoidance because it's raining.
Also I recommend entering some local races, parkruns , 10k's and half marathons. There are some 20 mile races which are fabulous training. Running with a club will help a lot.

People sometimes establish a goal for themselves but really it should be the other way round. When you have done the bulk of the training, race a half , then double that time and add 15 minutes or so. That is your goal. On race day, stick like glue to this pace. Don't even do 10 seconds a mile faster than it. If you have trained well this pace will feel easy / slow at first. By 18 miles you will still feel ok. The last 6 miles will take some determination but if you have trained and paced well, you will be overtaking people by now especially men who go off too fast

This is the science of marathoning. If you go even a little too quick at the start you pay exponentially at the end.
I believe most people are capable of a marathon. If you have a desire to have a go then go for it.

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