London marathoners assemble

[KittyandTeal]

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.

I got my race pack today too, exciting! Making me feel guilty for skipping my short run this morning but I was so tired sleep seemed more important. On a good night (and I've had about two recently) the baby wakes 5 times and she wakes 10 on a normal night. Co-sleeping & breastfeeding & just too tired to do anything about it at the moment.

Well done on your 16 miles Elba. I always find the last two miles painful whatever distance I am doing.

Yay my race pack arrived too. So excited. It's real now.

Oh crap, we've actually got to run 26.2 miles

Thanks for the encouragement- guess I am back on the marathon bus! Just got home to find my pack too, starting to feel very real!

Was hobbling a bit at work first thing but nowhere near as sore as I thought I would be. Cannot get to grips with the foam roller at all though- having rolled myself into a door frame for the second time this week I've given up for today.

maid wow that's really close, bet the nerves are kicking in. Hope you can let yourself get some rest too in the run up- you sound really well prepared already!

oliver you must be exhausted marathon training with a non-sleeping baby. I only have to look after myself and I'm struggling!

maid just saw you only have 11 days, good luck! I only noticed you were tapering already and felt jealous!

I had no idea how exhausting the training was going to be. It makes sense really. I think (hope) the baby is teething so hoping things may change soon.

Good luck maid. Are you sure u need to do a long run before race day?? You've trained well for this!

Really interesting article in the vlm magazine we got today about 'taper blues' as it's really common to panic close to race day and want to run more than u need to, plus they talk about injury spotting because u are anxious/have more time/legs feel different due to less running.

Vlm is feeling so close now, I'm really excited!

Taper madness and maranoia 😂

Don't over do it maid, you've trained really well, make sure you recover well too.

I'm back to being excited now.

Urgh. Worst.run.ever!

My calf is so tight and my shin is hurting. Took 45 of the 50 mins to loosen up. And I've had 4 days off.

One of those annoying days. It's still bloody niggly. Foam roller her I come

We all have days like that. Weirdly I'm finding it's my short runs where I feel every step & struggle all the way. Hoping that rings true for my 18 miles tomorrow...

Keep rolling. From what I've read you sound well trained already, take it easy on yourself. Love maranoia! So true.

Fucking hate this. Really.

Thanks Oliver. After much maranoia, foam rolling and a long, hot bath last night my calf feels much better. Still not 100% but much less tight.

Maid are you struggling? What's up?

Glad you're feeling bit better kitty. Nearly taper time!

I'm also finding short runs hard- mixture of psychological and tired legs I think but my 10k is so way slower than it was a few months ago!!

Hope all is well maid.

Got an 'easy' 10m this weekend with the big 20m next weekend.

A month and we'll all be suffering with the post-marathon blues!!

I'm just hating this. I really don't want to do this. I'm not a distance runner, a marathon was never on my bucket list.

I just need to grit my teeth.

Oh maid, that's not fun.

I felt a bit like that until last weekend. I am pretty ready for it to be done now though.

Why do you think you're not a distance runner? I can't remember but what's the story behind your marathon?

I've never been more than a 10k girl. Play team sports and weightlift. My distance runner friend had a breakdown and asked me to run this marathon with her to give her focus, get her exercising and for us to spend time together. She dropped out a couple of months ago and I have been a bit lost since then.

The only thing keeping me going is anticipated regret. If I'm ever going to do a marathon, this is the time - I'm unlikely to be closer in terms of training. I don't want to get to 50 and think 'Fuck, should have done that'.

I am feeling better today. The sun is warm, and making me happy. I know I can get round 3/4 of the course at 6:20 min km pace. If I have to walk for an hour, I have to walk for an hour. No biggie. As soon as I cross the line, it's a PB so always winning

Thanks for letting me moan. IRL, I don't. But my husband has told me he will support me if I don't do it (well, he said I have nothing to prove and nobody cares )

It's really grinding though, isn't it? And not just the foot bones! Mentally, I'm not someone who has a long attention span. My mind is very quick and jumps around. 5 hours of 'left foot right foot' is not my idea of fun.

I hope it doesn't put me off running altogether. I'm going to focus on my 10k time after this.

Glad your feeling better maid. My 18 miles were painful, just sitting on the sofa is now painful. I'm still glad I'm doing the marathon but I will be glad when it's over. Only one more long run to do before marathon day.

That's really tough maid, starting something to support a friend who has then had to drop out is really tough.

Your determination and stubbornness will get you round. But yes, it is grinding mentally. I generally enjoy distance running (although a half is my fav I think) have a really solid reason to be doing this and even then I've found it emotionally draining. Plus the constant worry about injury and niggles is getting on top of me. I keep telling myself I've got 18 in the bag, even if I only do shouty distance between here and London I've done enough to get round. My friend has just told me he's worried that a 2x20 miles will burn me out and I'm at risk of over training.

My physio (who is a marathon runner) said it's better to be cautious with the long runs, there's a tipping point between beneficial training and injury. My training plan has only one 20 mile run. I think we've probably already done enough to get around.

I've just done my first half marathon. That's the furthest I've ever run. And I'm ok!

Not fast though. 2:30. And I couldn't keep going the same speed for 26 miles!

I'm going to do an 18/20 next weekend and then enjoy a taper.

I have no idea how I'm going to do a bloody marathon.

Second 20 miler done, felt much better than last week & legs less tired. Same sort of pace but nearly 900 ft of climb so tougher.
Good luck maid, it's not easy.
Well done Lobster, great result.

That's interesting Oliver. Maybe I'll cut my 20 a bit shorter tmrw. That's 2 people that have said 2x20 is more than enough

Well done lobster and emummy. Brilliant running

Hello evening everyone. Some fantastic runs there. I did my final long one today (22 miles) and so the taper starts now. Bit worried I'm going to turn into a couch potato. It didn't feel as good as my run last week but still 100x better than my disastrous 18 miler. I ran on a disused railway and there seemed to be a few of us doing the same. Can't believe a disgusting sod littered the path with his gel wrappers - couldn't face losing the 2seconds to put them in the bin.

emummy wow not only are you training hard but hill running.

Well done lobster you've done enough. Guts & glory will get you around on the day.

twodogs incredible. Hope my disastrous 18 miles has roots in your 22. Well done.