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Original poster

London marathoners assemble

832 replies

KittyandTeal · 11/10/2016 08:41

As the ballot spaces start being allocated I thought I'd start a thread for those of us lucky enough to get a space.

I was rejected through the ballot but I have had a charity space since June so I'm running (and raising £1400) I've been training for a half so I can get the distance under my belt. Im up to 11 miles now in just over 2 hours. I'm slow but getting there. I'd like to get in under 5 hours but I'm happy to just be running it.

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chocolatepastry · 18/02/2017 18:00

Pickle did you finish your distance? Don't feel down- this is what training is for-working out what works and what doesn't so we don't end up in a painful pooey puddle on the big day Grin

I had a nice piece of flapjack after my 10m today and then was running to the loo! Wondering whether that means it'll happen on race day as was planning that as a mid-race snack... maybe have eat next to a portaloo and then wait!!!

Getting back in track with mileage but significantly slower than pre-Injury (over 10m my average pace has dropped by 45 seconds per mile).

But had an interesting chat with a friend who did vlm last year (not her first marathon) and she said she got stressed trying to keep to a pace because it was so crowded and now wishes she'd just enjoyed the amazing atmosphere and sod the time. Food for thought (as long as it doesn't upset our tummies Wink)

emummy · 19/02/2017 10:49

I did it! 16 miles, longest run ever for me! Far too hilly a route though, going for flatter from now on!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 19/02/2017 12:05

Woohoo! Well done emummy.

Hills are killers, especially on long runs, but think about how strong they make you and how much easier the flat will be

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emummy · 19/02/2017 13:07

Very true Kitty, although I think practising many flat miles is helpful too as your legs don't get a break. Today wasn't terrible, 700ft, but the hill at 15.7 miles nearly finished me off!

runninglikemad · 19/02/2017 13:50

Wow to 16 miles! I did a 10k race today and couldn't have run another step! Guess you run more steadily and pace yourself better over long distances though. Fantastic running well done Smile.

Tailwinds · 19/02/2017 20:13

Hello. Can I join you?

I used to be a runner, I'd cover a reasonable distance each week, never far but I'd clock 50-70km total. Every year I've entered the London Marathon ballot (seven times now) and haven't got in. Last year I gave birth to my little boy; it was a rough pregnancy and even rougher birth ending up with an emergency c-section. At some point my 3 stone larger self thought it was a good idea to say sod London, I can just pay to do Paris.

So now I'm running a marathon in 7 weeks time only I can't run anymore and they have a 5 hour 40 minute cut off.

I have been trying to train but it's painful. I shuffled along a 12 mile / 22 km run yesterday painfully slowly (2 hour 45 minutes). I spent most of the evening alternating between stuffing Valentine's chocolates and sobbing that I'm too fat, too old and no longer a runner to my husband.

Somehow I've got 7 weeks left in which to double the distance I found so hard yesterday. The only consolation is the first 10km felt very easy at a 7:45km pace which is about what I need to do in order to beat the cut off ...

emummy · 20/02/2017 08:25

Welcome Tailwinds. Well done on doing those 12 miles. Even though they felt really hard you still did them and didn't give up which says you still have that mental strength that you need. Keep going, you will get more used to it again and on the day the atmosphere and adrenaline will be a big boost. Good luck!

runninglikemad · 20/02/2017 09:58

Tailwinds that is a very impressive distance, agree with eummmy that you clearly have the mental strength which must be at least half the battle. That doesn't seem like a very long cut off time? I think it's 7 hours for London isn't it.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 20/02/2017 16:04

Well done tailwinds and welcome.

What is it with 12 milers. Mine was so, so tough today (similar time tail in 2:36) everything hurt, my stomach hates me.

I used tailwind for the first time today after rave reviews but I'm not sure I was enough. I struggled from 6 miles which is when I'd normally have a gel. I had haribo as well but something bothered my stomach, either the tailwind or the gummy bears. Either way it was really hard and I had to walk a fair amount of it.

This was the third rough long run in a row and I'm starting to loos a bit of confidence. I was ill for the first two and I've had 2 nights terrible sleep so I'm hoping that's what's affecting my pace

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emummy · 20/02/2017 18:12

I slept badly over the weekend too and it definitely made my long run much harder. Hope you get the fuel sorted.
I have just tripped over a balloon, wacked my foot on the wall and broken my little toe! Not amused, own stupid fault for rushing. Won't be able to run tomorrow, after that we'll see. Humph!

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 20/02/2017 19:00

Thanks emummy. I'm going to go back to sis electrolytes and gels I think and order a very pretty salomon belt I've seen.

That's horrid about your toe! I broke 2 of mine in the summer and it was so annoying. I taped them together and was running again in a few days, it hurt so much when I did it (I whacked it on the side of a trampoline whilst stretching after a bounce class so I also had to pretend I was ok) I hope it doesn't hurt too much.

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runninglikemad · 20/02/2017 19:20

Lack of sleep is utterly debilitating, I can't even function let alone run. Here is to good sleep tonight!

emummy · 21/02/2017 10:56

I ran! Toe strapped up felt OK so I made it out for a pyramid session and was happy with my pace, even though my legs weren't! Think from now on I just have to accept my legs will always be tired from the long run.

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 21/02/2017 13:33

I feel like I've got to that stage of I will always be tired now. I remember it from half training but it kicked in a bit earlier.

Only 9 weeks, and 3 of those will be tapering.

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Original poster
KittyandTeal · 21/02/2017 13:34

Great news about your toe too emummy

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PickleSarnie · 21/02/2017 19:29

Well done on all the running.

I'm on a train home from work. Get in at 8pm. Get gym gear on. No dinner (because stomach would object). Head straight back out to pound the treadmill for 50 mins. I really, really can't be arsed. It seems all I do at the moment is work, run and sometimes sleep. It'll all be worth it though? Won't it?! Trying to convince myself!

PickleSarnie · 21/02/2017 19:50

This is a nice article. (You need to register to read the whole article but it's free)

www.telegraph.co.uk/women/health/bryony-gordon-tearing-marathon-training-plan/

The title sounds quite negative but it's not!

emummy · 22/02/2017 09:00

Have just read Bryony's book & she has been on a couple of podcasts recently.

runninglikemad · 24/02/2017 13:03

I have just done 12 miles but oh boy it was so hard in the wind (my head telling me to give up didn't help either...). Started off frozen, got boiling and then froze again, really wish it would warm up just a bit ! How is everyone else getting on? Can't imagine many of us were out in Doris yesterday!

emummy · 24/02/2017 15:55

Well done running! I agree, can't wait for some warmer weather. Saying that, I had an amazing run yesterday. Doris brought us snow, so I did my one hour steady run in the forest, through about 3 inches of snow. It was absolutely magical, I was just happy for the rest of the day! Did hills today with no snow but lots of sunshine.

Elba84 · 24/02/2017 19:05

Had the week from hell for various reasons, and training has totally gone out the window. Have not run for a week and have my first ever half on Sunday- dont feel like I could walk a mile let alone run 13 at the moment! Not really slept or eaten much either (never do when stressed) which won't help, and had far too much wine. Plan to spend tomorrow eating, stretching and sleeping and just hope for the best. Please tell me it will be ok??

Also have to have a wisdom tooth out a week on Wednesday- may be straightforward but there's also talk of possibly drilling/removing bits of jaw bone ShockSad. Had a chat with dentist about leaving it until after marathon but we both agreed the risk of it flaring up was too great, so that's potentially another chunk of training lost depending on how it goes. All feels a bit out of my reach at the moment...

Original poster
KittyandTeal · 25/02/2017 08:35

Oh Elba how frustrating. I hope you get the tooth sorted fairly easily.

Your half will be fine, run/walk it if you need to.

I've managed my first full week of training for a few weeks and my ankles are niggly again which is annoying.

Next week is heavy with 14, 4, hills and then a half on sun (going to add the extra 3 on Monday) so I'm hoping my ankles hold out ok

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runninglikemad · 25/02/2017 08:51

emummy that sounds absolutely gorgeous in the snow and woods, I have terrain envy!

Elba that's not good Sad. Try not to stress too much over your half - remember you can always walk/run, I did in my first one. Eating, stretching and sleep is a perfect way to de-stress and prepare mentally. As for the tooth, probably good advice to get it sorted before London as sod's law it would flare up the night before.

Kitty well done with the training, really hope your ankles keep strong!

emummy · 25/02/2017 09:00

Sorry about your horrible week Elba. Think your plan will work, you will be fine for your half. Treat it as a training run, not a race and just get round.
Your conversation with the dentist is exactly like the one I had a year ago! I got my tooth out, the roots stayed behind. It really wasn't that sore afterwards, and I am a total wimp so it can't have been bad!
Good luck with the half, don't worry too much, we still have plenty of time.
Hope those ankles behave Kitty!

CoffeeDiamonds · 25/02/2017 09:48

Hi, can I join?

I'm doing VLM this year. I only started running a year ago using Couch to 5K and the longest I've currently run is 10K.

I'm doing the Huddersfield 10K tomorrow and the Monsal Trail half marathon on 25 March, so I need to be running a 10 or 12 miler in between.

I don't really know why, but I'm beginning to self sabotage and avoid runs. Help!