Marathon Training

[yetanotherdeskmove]

Have anyone else just started marathon training and wants to support each other?

Thanks Boobz! It went OK! I didn't get the sub-3 but close and managed consistent miles all the way so really pleased. When I stopped my legs were screaming and felt like they were going to seize up and my stomach was playing somersaults! I really thought I was going to dash to the nearest loo but as the finish was a 5 min hobble, I was pleased both legs and stomach calmed down!!

About 30 mins after I finished I was freezing. Shivering, almost blue lips - it's happened before after a long run. Anyone know why? I was back in my car by then. Jumper on and having a drink (choc milk) and something to eat (banana). It's really odd.

Imbroglio - Well done on your 20+ The whole business is exhausting isn't it!

Alp well done on your race even if you didn't get sub 3 hour you wanted you were consistent and so paced yourself well which is the most important thing. As is covering up as soon as you finish a race. Your blood vessels dilate when you run to increase oxygen supply to the muscles and when you stop running they constrict so your body temperature goes back to its resting state. If you sweat then the wet layer means your body temperature goes down even further so you feel colder.

Thanks Anaglaise!

That makes sense about the body cooling down. I am one to over dress which would then cause me to have damp clothing near my skin (nice thought for you all!) despite popping warm clothes on fairly quick.

Next time I will try to be a bit braver with a chilly wind knowing I will warm up!

Any plans for weekend training? I've got a wet half marathon on Monday. Thinking about a flat ten-miler tomorrow.

20 miles tomorrow. Have been nursing a sore hip all week which has been a pain.

Not the weekend weather I was hoping for!

No... I need to do some garden stuff as well and think I'll be dodging the showers.

I did 13 miles yesterday, a bit slower than my previous half mara last weekend - at 1:47. Was consciously taking it a bit easier though, so am still happy.

Still not shifting these extra kilos, even with watching what I eat. Stumped as to why I am not losing any with all these hours of running!

I am on taper now so no more runs above 10 miles. Marathon 2 weeks on Sunday.

10 miles done. This week I followed up last weekend's long run with two spin classes and a club run. My marathon is in three weeks so feeling a bit twitchy.

Well done Imbroglio - I did a P90X (legs and back) the day before my 13 miles, and have followed it up today with a Goliaz work out (HIIT programme which my DH follows) and am slightly done in. Mixing up running with hard core hit and resistance training is making my body ache in all sorts of places that just running all the time doesn't - I think I need to mix things up more to build more strength.

9 miles done in the Rome drizzle this morning - less than 2 weeks to go...

Half marathon this morning - slow, but given the conditions a minor miracle!

Well done Imbroglio! Isn't it amazing we can just run half maras now - I don't even really think about it as I set off... "oh 13 miles this morning - lovely!"

Yes - its a big shift from 'glad to finish in one piece - now off to the pub' to 'so how fresh do I feel after that, could I do that again right now?'

Hello all.

I miscalculated how far away the marathon was when I started my training program, so that means my longest run, 20 miles, was actually 4 weeks prior to the race day rather than 3. I am now worried I have been tapering for too long... my race is a week on Sunday - and my schedule says to only do 8 miles as my long run this week, and then a 3, 4, 3 and rest rest rest until the race.

This feels like I will have been taking it easy for too long and my body will forget how to do long runs (this is probably all rubbish) - do you think it's worth me doing 13 miles tomorrow, an 8 on Sunday and then a 4 mid week next week and then race on Sunday 10th? Or stick to the schedule? I have done many many 4, 6 and 9 and 10 runs, about 5 x half maras, and then 1 x 14, 15, 16, 18 and 20. Do you think that's enough? (No idea why I am worrying about it now!)

Argh looking at that above now I feel like I should have done a couple more 16+ runs... what is everyone else doing?

I'm in the same boat - last long run 4 weeks prior to the big day due to doing a 10 mile plus a half marathon at the weekend instead of a single long run, but I did fit in an extra long run in the previous weeks.

I'm thinking of doing another half this weekend in my own time plus whatever else I can fit in around life/stuff.

I think its pre-race nerves kicking in - you do need to taper to be at your best on the day.

I did a 15km race 2 weeks before my marathon. Would have done a HM if there had been one available to do. Do what you feel like. I didn't taper as I should have done but I just did gentle running the week before, not forcing with speed. As long as you do easy running you should be fine.

Oh phew - I thought you were both going to tell me to just follow the plan, but based on the above, am going to run a half tomorrow, 8 on Sunday, 4 on Weds and then leave it I think. Seems workable.

If it makes you feel better Boobz I ran 100 kms week -2 of marathon and 60kms in the week leading up to the marathon. Usual km per week in training were 120. So I didn't taper as recommended and was OK for the marathon itself. I didn't run at all the day before the marathon of course

Gosh how restrained of you not running the day before! ;)

Ok so you didn't taper and ran 3:35 so I can stop worrying!

Just did 12 miles - wasn't too slow but certainly felt a bit more of a slog than usual (have been watching what I eat a lot to try and get to my racing weight, and I think I hadn't taken on enough fuel).

Feel good now though! I do love the post-run endorphins.

I've just booked in some spin classes so that I can quell the panic during the taper. I need fresh knees on the day.

Just completed 12+ miles. Now officially tapering!

You people are doing amazing! I am three weeks from the big day and only up to 15 miles. I think I will run 18 on Monday and 20 the following weekend. Feel like I am cramming for an exam. This was not the plan!

How do you feel after 15 miles Summerhouse? Is that a 'secure' distance for you?

I'm not an expert at all (only discovered gels last year!) but some training plans only go up to 18 miles so maybe stick to that rather than risk injury?

What else are you doing, eg shorter runs, cross training?

Maybe someone more knowledgeable will come along...