Marathon Training

[yetanotherdeskmove]

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

Oh I know I paced wrongly - but I really don't think I am a good enough runner to do it differently... I think if I ran a lot slower in the first half to try and do the negative split, I would still slow down a lot more in the second half, and end up with a slower time overall...

But maybe not! Maybe I should aim for 1:50 for the first half next time and hope to then do a 3:40 mara?

I like the sound of Barcelona...

Boobz it doesn't work like that on a marathon. I don't think I'd be careful of a negative split but you should at least aim to be consistent. There is no way you could continue at that pace for the whole of the marathon and in the end you ran your first HM in 1H43 and took much too long for the second , over 2 hours! You wore yourself out. Next time work out a plan and yes, if you are going for 3H40 then you should aim for 1H50 in the first half of your marathon. I made the same mistake in Rome last year, I took 1H44 for the first half and then 1H57 for the second half. I was much better this year in Barcelona, 1H45 for the first half and 1H50 for the second HM.

Ok so 1hr 50 for the first half then and will try to be more consistent.

Which marathons in the UK are really flat and not too busy? I'm not bothered about the support of the crowd so doesn't have to be a big one - DH and I are moving back to the UK in August so am thinking a UK based mara in October maybe - any recommendations?

I did the Hal Higdon Novice 1 schedule to get me through my first mara at 3:50... what schedule should I follow to get to 3:40?

Are you training for another mara Anglaise?

Oooh you might like mablethorpe! Its about 300 runners and totally flat! I thought about it but worried with so few runners that I would be last.

Its in Oct too.

Are you training for another mara Anglaise?
Not yet, I like trails too much and do mostly those in the summer (25kms +). I'm doing the Mont St Michel in duo with a guy from the club but I much prefer trails to road racing. Maybe a marathon in the autumn (the Beaujolais marathon is tempting). This evening a few guys from the club were talking about doing the Seville marathon 19 Feb next year so I'll probably go for that too as I prefer racing with friends, its much more fun.

Wow anglaise don't know how you find that motivation. I am not sure I will ever do another marathon....

I am feeling a bit better today as I was feeling massively undertrained but I have the Nell Mcandrews book on running and the recommended beginners training program is much less than I have done.

I did a half in sept at 2.06 and also felt undertrained. So plan is to aim for 10.10 minute miles for a sub 4.30. Does this sound ok? Possible? Thing is I have never tracked my distance or paced myself. I just run. So apart from the half Mara I have nothing to go on! This is pre race nerves coming out in force.

Summerhouse If you do a HM in 2H06 you should theoretically be capable of doing a marathon in 2H22 IF you pace yourself correctly. Aim for 2H25 and follow the pacing guidance here
www.runnersworld.co.uk/racing/runners-world-pace-band-generator/3918.html
It should enable you to go faster at the end of you have the juice.
Don't worry, enjoy it you will be fine. But pacing is so important for a marathon. Much more so than a HM or shorter races. It is a real test and not to be underestimated!

anglaise I can't tell you how helpful that pacing band is. I am going to do exactly as you say and aim for 4h 25 (I think that's what you mean but you put 2h 25). I will report back. I am very grateful to you and this thread.

Oh yes sorry Summerhouse 4H25 yes! Don't be put off by those runners who overtake you at the beginning, you will overtake them at the end no problem. Marathons are strategic as well as physical and mentally you need to be prepared to get to the end...comfortably.
Merde pour ta course (good luck for your race -in French!)

Thank you anglaise

I can't wait now.

Gosh that band thing is based on a very steady pace. I found I slowed down a lot in the second half last time but then again I did have a very painful knee.

Just been out for a quick half hour run which was blighted by imaginary niggles for the first ten minutes. It's like my body is living out it's fears for Sunday. Once I was warmed up it was fine.

Imbroglio Yes, but a steady pace is what is required for a marathon. That is why it is important not to go off too fast so that your pace is regular for the whole of the race. Doing the first half too fast means that you slow up hugely for the second half. For every minute you gain the the first HM you lose two in the second HM. Or something like that!

Hi, I popped up on the thread a while ago, then vanished. I did Rome marathon too - 5:44:14. The heat got me at 34k and I had to walk and rehydrate . By 40k I felt better and had my second fastest km there!!

I agree with boobz the organisation wasn't great, I had a nightmare round the 3 floor expo with a pushchair. I thought the crowds were miserable, other than support we brought, there was probably a dozen people cheering round most of the course.

I'm probably going to do the Liverpool rock and roll marathon at the end of May (signed up for the half currently) as I was disappointed that I walked!

Just Googled that - it looks brilliant!

Tempted....

Big wave to fellow Brightoner's tomorrow!!!!!

Where are you all? Beautiful day!

Got a PB today - well pleased!

Well done Imbroglio!

Well done!! Do tell us all about it!

Yes well done! How did you do? Was it a good event?

So DH has convinced me to run our next one in October, using a more structured regime to get our marathon times down (I want to knock 11 mins off mine, to 3:39 or below)

We are going to do this - I hope it works!

God, Boobz, just reading that makes me feel faint.

Brighton was fab - beat my pb by 40 minutes and finished in 4.42. Ran steady until mile 20 but then found it very hard to sustain the pace and it all started to hurt and feel a bit wobbly, but carried on because, well, stopping just isn't an option!

I did it with no watch and no gels - just went with the flow, grabbed water and jelly babies as needed and pressed on to the end

The weather was glorious and perfect for running, and a great crowd.

40mins from your PB is huge, well done!! Especially as you just ran from 'feel' - I am too much of a control freak and need the safety net of a watch to check :)

Having said that i did my last run before Sunday last night and I didn't take my watch and just ran along with the club. It was brilliant to feel fit and be able to do what i wanted after months of ticking sessions off.

I did Brighton last year and really enjoyed it (except the part by the fish sheds where I was slowly cursing under my breath).

Any tips on keeping calm?

Re keeping calm I kept checking my spreadsheet to remind myself I had definitely trained enough and spent time having lovely cups of tea with people I have neglected. Also made sure that I got nice early nights. I had my last run on Wednesday night, just 35 minutes to keep the legs moving. Tried quelling panic by getting a bit ahead on house stuff so no panics about what's for dinner after the run. Good luck on Sunday!

Feel fully recovered from Sunday and have signed up again! Good luck for London, those who are running.