Marathon Training

[yetanotherdeskmove]

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

Thanks everyone. Swimming on Monday, spin class on Tuesday, going to see how some hill work goes today. Knee feels a lot better but I'm trying to avoid temptation to go for a normal run until next week.

You’re definitely doing the right thing. I had a night off last week as I was just so tired and my legs felt heavy. I’m really glad I did as I then loved my long run on Sat and I know I would have struggled with it otherwise.

I did some hill reps last night. Oof!

Got back from clinic on Sunday night and was so good to be home amongst the bosom of my family again! I managed to eat really well until yesterday and then caved and ate some biscuits and crisps at lunchtime and then felt really guilty after not eating any rubbish for nearly 3 weeks! But it was only a minor falling off the wagon and am back on it now!

Just ran my half marathon today - was supposed to be a race on Sunday but DH and I couldn't find anyone to mind the children so I did mine before work this morning, and DH will do his on Saturday early doors. Managed to do it in 1hr58 which would be a sub 4 hour marathon if I could do it again!

My breathing and fitness felt absolutely fine all the way to the end - I didn't feel tired in myself at all, but my bum and tops of my thighs were starting to ache - does this just get better with training and by the end of my training schedule the ache will either be less, or take more miles to kick in? ATM I can't imagine running double that as my legs would really start to hurt I think? Also, how does anyone ever run a negative split?

Cross training Friday - Sunday - some P90X and Insanity I reckon. I am LOVING feeling fit and strong after 2015 summer of cancer. I only started running on 28th Dec and already less than 4 weeks later I can run a half mara in under 2 hours so I am well chuffed.

Power to all you amazing ladies.

Hi Boobz congrats on running your HM in under 2 hours, if you were running a real race I'm sure it would be quite a lot less than 1H58 - it is impossible to recreate the speed on your own that you can achieve when competing in a race.
Regarding the negative splits, it is hard but all the best racers do this. I've only managed it once, when I ran HM with some club friends who weren't doing it to do a PB they was just the restart after the summer rest. I ran with them for the first 16kms then felt great so took off and finished really strongly. Mentally it is tough to do on your own as you always want to have the time in the bank for the first half to be sure you will achieve your time in the second part of the race, but it is possible.
Once you get some long runs under your belt (25k plus) your legs will hurt less. They will hurt, after my long run I'm definitely a lot more tired than after usual sessions, even tough interval sessions but you will get used to it. Make sure you fuel well for long runs, I never bother with anything for under 2 hours but more than that I take water and jelly babies.
Do you have a marathon plan to follow? How long is it, how many sessions a week? I can't believe I only have around 5 weeks left solid training before the taper then the marathon mid March. Gulp.

Well done Boobz that's great going!

Good to know my legs are going to hurt less! Am following the Hal Higdon novice schedule - on week 8 of 18 (4 sessions a week - 2 x small runs, 1 x medium and 1 x long). Am trying to do Insanity/P90X as well.

Have overeaten this evening - I'm guessing due to the calorie deficit from the run. Am trying to stem the appetite with tea!

Congratulations on such a good half boobz. A time I can only dream of!

Just had a look at Hal Higdon, he doesn't recommend any speedwork except for advanced runners and then the speedwork is long intervals (800m) and not the short ones, which I have on my plan and he says aren't important for marathons. I much prefer his plan to the one my coach gave me which has speedwork on every session, even the long run
I might switch to the Hal Higdon advanced schedule, it matches more what I'm doing in terms of mileage than my coach's plan.

I'm doing my first ultra tomorrow. 50km. Eeekkkkk!!!! Hope I'll survive. I'm overseas and tomorrow's forecast is 31 deg C which could make things "interesting"
Training went ok, got a slightly stiff ankle. Fingers crossed.

Good luck migrant! Can't wait to hear about it

Good luck!

Good luck Migrant, especially if you are running in 31°C that is hot. Make sure you keep really well hydrated. I did a 30k race in 30°C last summer and it was really tough, nothing compared to your Ultra!

Good luck Migrant!

Thank you for the kind words, lovely of you. The ultra was amazing, such good fun. Setting off at 3 am in total darkness was awesome, but then the sun came up over the water and it was just stunning. Temp got to 30 deg. Drank lots, finished strong and went out for long boozy lunch with friends!

Got a time I'm very happy with and very minimal aches. The 100km runners were really something to watch. Now that's hard core!

Good luck with this week's training everyone!

Well done! So glad you enjoyed it, I'm in awe.

Amazing! Sounds awesome. Well done!

Sounds amazing. Apart from the 3am start!

Lots of inspiration running happening!

I've been very restrained and substituted my long run with a second hills workout on Saturday and a 5 hour strenuous walk today with lots of hills. Plan to swim and spin again before tackling a long run mid week.

Wow that is inspiring - 3am start?! Brilliant.

Well done migrant!

I've finally broken my lazy-arse syndrome and I've run properly for the first time in ages. Just a steady 10 miles but it's given me more faith in myself for being ready for the half in February.

You've all got me thinking about doing another marathon... It won't be this year but will possibly attack Brighton for the 2nd time next year and go for a PB.

Phew! 12+ miles today on the flat. Feeling good.

Well done Imbroglio.

I just did 10 miles - the Hal Higdon schedule seems to take a step back in distance every 3rd week to give you a bit of a rest, but it's up to 15 miles next Friday - eek. My pace steadily improving - less than 5:30/km now.

I am also taking part in an event called Toughest about 2 weeks after the Rome mara in April, so am wanting to mix up my training schedule to include more cross training and core work - so I have taken Hal Higdon's schedule and created a hybrid with Insanity and HIIT and P90X Legs & Back work too. And slotted in a bit of skiing when we are off to France during half term! I really like the look of it - I hope I can fit it all in!

Glad your training is going well Boobz and your pace is excellent if you can keep it up. I don't use Higdon's schedule and do a lot more speedwork than in his plan to up my pace.
Did a 10k race yesterday, it was a tough course so not my best time but 46 mins with hills and a podium for 3rd in age category (15th out of 340 women overall) so I was happy, I didn't expect a podium as the competition is big and attracts a lot of good runners. It was nice to get a week off from the long run too. 6 weeks to go to M day.

You all put me to shame! 15 miles for me today. I wasn't feeling great but its the only time I will have until the weekend so I forced myself round very slowly - I ache all over now!

Hoping to get some cross-training in this week to buck me up.

Well done Anglaise - that's an incredible - you must be so chuffed! What is your age category? And 15th out of 340 is really amazing.

And well done for your 15 miles Imbroglio - I have that distance on Friday - sort of looking forward to it, as I think it will be the furthest I have ever run in my life in one go!

7 miles today for me, in 5:08/km pace - all going the right way! (I always do total distance in miles, but pace in minutes for the KM - not sure why?!)