Marathon Training

[yetanotherdeskmove]

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

Hi Boobz
why are you fasting and marathon training, is it to lose weight? You risk losing muscle not fat, that's the problem. Surviving on 200 cals a day seems quite dangerous if you are running as well. I'm marathon training and do partial fasts (500 cals a day 2 x per week) but running 50 plus miles a week I wouldn't go any lower than that.
Your 10k and HM times are similar to mine and when I did the Rome marathon last year I did 3H40 so you should be able to do yours well under 4 hours I'm sure.
Good luck with the fasting and running, interested to know how you get on with your long run, please be careful.

Hi Anglaise - I am fasting for cancer reasons actually (had breast cancer last year) but I didn't want to set myself 2 weeks back on the training schedule, so decided to see if I could still run whilst fasting and it appears one can! The doc said I would be able to work out as normally, but I didn't believe her until I actually did it. The 12 miler shouldn't be so bad as I will have eat 800 cals the day before, and breakfast on the morning of the run.

Oh boobz I'm so sorry, I didn't realise it was for breast cancer, didn't know there was a link between fasting and cancer recovery I really hope it all works for you. Yes, you can run when fasting, I've done 10+ miles without breakfast (I often run without breakfast) but then I've eaten normally the day before. My friends in the running club can't understand how its even possible to run after fasting but then they a) have never tried it and b) French and fasting really is an anomally for French people who usually always eat 3 meals a day.

No worries Anglaise - I am over it now. I just need to get back into shape!

3H40? faints.

Will be over the moon, champagne popping ecstatic to get sub5!

I should add my 10k and half mara PBs were a while ago, pre chemo/surgery, so I am nowhere near that now!

Booz Good luck with your training, I'm sure you will do sub 4 even if your PBs for other distances were a while ago.
Imbroglio I have huge respect for everyone who take 5 hours + to do a marathon, that is a huge slog and a long time running.

Hats off to boobz

What you have been through and what you are achieving.... Can't think of any words worthy. I just can't imagine coming through cancer to fasting and marathon training. Together!! You must have a will of iron. That will get you your sub 4 hours I imagine but just doing it at all is more than amazing so be kind to yourself.

Thanks Summer and Anglaise - that's super sweet of you both,

So today set off in -2'C and snow (it wasn't so bad at the beginning but it started to come down really heavily) and ran 18km in 1hr49. I'm annoyed I didn't get to 19km but I must have run a slightly different route the one I planned. Anyway - not dangerously fast, but given the conditions (and given I have hardly eaten for 2 weeks) I was pleased to get around! Good decision (despite the temp/snow) to run outside as I'm sure if I had attempted to do it on the treadmill I would have stepped off at around 12 or 13km - calves started to ache at that point.

So amazingly you can run almost a half marathon whilst fasting. I feel brilliant now - tired but endorphin filled - I shall enjoy my massage later!

Well done boobz, great running

I did 12m today in just over 2hrs, would have been quicker but my last 2m are solidly up so that took my av pace to just over ten min miles instead of just under. I was pleased though as I felt pretty strong.

It was a lovely day for it, sunny and crisp, so nice to get out in the dry!

Really interesting hearing about fasting and training. I love 5:2 but slipped out of the fasting habit a while ago and didn't think restarting whilst marathon training would work. In fact I've just had a conversation with DH about my long run tomorrow (14m planned). I'd love to get up early and get it done but have been worried about that kind of distance on an empty stomach.

Boobz, fantastic running in the snow. I'm in London so unlikely to have the conundrum but I can't imagine getting myself out the door in snow!!

I was on 5;2 but also sacked it off. Considering getting back on it now especially as my bowels are not my friend on the long runs. Sorry for TMI but I wonder if an empty stomach would be better for not desperately needing to go at about mile 10. My nutri ninja has gone out the window but today's 11 miles have set my confidence back again. At least there are plenty of toilets on race day but I will massively resent queues.

I often do longer runs fasted (excluding a cup of tea).

Did 10m today. Wanted to do 12 but my knee was niggling. Also I have just added in a midweek 7 miler so I didn't want to push it in the circumstances.

Sounds like everyone is doing about the same length runs... sorry if I have missed it but what marathons/when are you all doing?

Brighton!

That well known Stratford upon Avon!

Manchester

Boobz that's fantastic, to run 18kms after all the fasting you have been doing! And in that time too. I'm so pleased the clinic has worked out for you I've been reading your diary on it and it sounds really interesting.
I often do long runs fasted, HM distance is fine but I'd be worried about anything over that. My long runs at the moment come in at around 16.5 miles, that's what I did yesterday morning (non fasted!). I do one hour at 9kph, 45mins at 10.5 kph and the last 30mins at 12.5kph, then 15 mins recovery at around 9 - 10kph. The time will increase next week. I am trying to do 5:2 and manage on Mondays but fail dismally for a second day. I often do 16:8 but that isn't helping shift a couple of kgs. I'm running over 60 miles a week at the moment so am quite hungry!
I'm doing Barcelona 13th March.

Bleurgh. Have woken up with a streaming nose, pounding headache and hacking cough. Thank you very much DDs - the perils of infant germs.

Rationally know I should postpone my long run but panicking at the thought. Any advice from those of you with more experience? Feeling really sorry for myself!

leave it for today MrsHarvey. Recovery is as important as a good run, and most people miss a couple of runs for various reasons.

You've made me consider another marathon this year... Not sure if I can manage a third or not!

Imbroglio the rule I was told - anything neck up is ok to run, neck down is a no. Don't try and make up a missed run, either. Write it off and carry on as per schedule.

I salute you boobz 💪🏼

Thanks Imbroglio. I took yesterday off and just did a gentle 5km tonight to see how I felt. All good, so if that is still the case tomorrow I will attempt to squeeze a long run in as working from home.

Go for it Sandunes.

I'm practising what I preach - swimming today to rest my niggling knee. Will do an extra spin class and swap my normal midweek run for hill work which won't stress the joint. Also going to get some new runners in case that helps.

Feeling a bit glum.

You are doing the right thing imbroglio

I think to run you need to be so stubborn but sometimes that stubbornness leads you to just crack on when your body is telling you otherwise.

Try not to be glum. You will find a way and it sounds like you are doing all the right things.

Imbroglio the most important thing you can do is listen to your body. Which is what you are doing. Running through injury is tempting but dangerous, it is much better to do some cross training instead.