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.

Just done a pathetic 5K but at least I broke the psychological barrier I have in my head!!

Well done Lobster

Good luck maid

Well done lobster

Chocolate I'm in a similar position but sore throat. Decided it's my body telling me to have a break and am resting until my 20 on Saturday. Feeling so tired / lazy!

Hey everyone! I'm on way to Heathrow. Off to Australia for 9 days - perfect timing pre marathon(umm) .. Have a hacking cough. Going to drive everyone mad on the flight. So glad I've done my long runs already.
Good luck to those doing their big ones this weekend.

Enjoy Oz Twodogs!
Well done lobster
Is your race this weekend Maid?
Wee interval session this morning, legs feel much more rested after an easy week, ready to tackle 22 on Sunday.

I've just done (a very slow) 5k too lobster. First run since my disaster on Monday and the first run I've actually enjoyed in quite a while!

Had a sports massage this morning. The word massage is somewhat misleading- it hurt!! But hoping it will work some sort of magic and get me round my 20 on Tuesday.

twodogs enjoy oz- very jealous (I know it's work though!)

maid good luck for this weekend!! Come back and tell us how amazing it was and that it was all worth it...

Good luck Maid! How exciting.

I did a 5.5mile yeasterday and 20 tmrw. I should be resting today but need to go and do some hill reps, apparently the photos I took are too 'pretty and cheery' so I need to do some more sweaty, grimacy ones. They're needed by Monday and I can't get any done Sunday so off to the South Downs to find me some hideous hills to run and get some 'fuck I'm about to puke' photos. 😂

Twodogs Oz sounds amazing. I'm a bit jealous. At least it will take your mind off the taper a bit too.

Lobster well done on breaking that barrier.
Elba sports massages are like a form of tourture. I spend mine groaning, ow-I got and giggling. I'm a nightmare client I reckon.

I have just been to Boots for ibuprofen, paracetamol, Imodium, freeze spray, Gaviscon and sinus spray jangling

Oh, and rather delightfully, a filling cracked yesterday so I have a hole in a molar. Not sore until I suck cold air over it. Brilliant.

My shopping bag also contains an emergency dental repair kit.

Oh Maid! Best of luck, we will all be rooting for you.

I'm going to do an 18 miles tomorrow. Big problem is that I have to run past my front door at 10 miles 😂😩

Filling repair done. Had a pint, which has calmed me down. Off to best mate's house, near start line. She will feed me well and I will persuade her to run.

Go smash it maid! Enjoy it and tell us how great it was!

Kitty were the photos for your BBC feature? How exciting and I bet that'll raise extra money for your charity too so well done, you are super brave! Enjoy your run today- is it the organised one? Disappointed I couldn't make it today as bet you'll get loads of useful info.

I did 20 miles yesterday!!! It was long but I survived... just. (a couple of friends saw me at mile 19 - going up hill -and said I was looking 'focussed' aka shattered ) Reassured that on the day I won't need to worry about running out of water, finding a loo or crossing any roads!

So glad my Taper is here!!

Yes chocolate they are. The others were too cheery and happy so they needed some more gritty ones, hence the hill repeates 😂

Best of luck today maid. Enjoy it and report back when your more human!

I'm off for my last long run, 20 miles. Glorious weather, just hope it's not too fast or hot.

Good luck maid.

chocolate your 20 sounds similar to mine, getting lost, desperate for the loo, looking for shops. Glad I don't have to find my own way on race day. I found the 20 hideously difficult. Hoping I can get some decent runs in on the taper and the excitement of race day will see me through.

kitty that's great news about the BBC feature, should raise both awareness and money. Well done.

Enjoy Oz two I'm jealous too.

I had a physio appointment and was heartened to hear he has been skipping his shorter runs too to 'rest'. He's planning on running a 3hr marathon so happens to us all! Well done elba and lobster for getting out in yours.

Good luck Maid!
Well done chocolate and good luck with today's 20 Kitty.
Beautiful day here too, although there was ice on the cars when I set off! 22 miles done! Hilly route, am so looking forward to flat London! Really pleased to have done it, bring on the taper. Now relaxing with a lovely smoothie made by eldest daughter.

I went out this morning for 18 but came home after bloody 2.

I have no idea what happened. Heavy legs, laboured breathing, no energy, needed the loo. Grrrrrr.

4:27:11. When I realised I could break 4:30, I was proper head down and swallowing back vomit.

Am sore, will shortly lose two toenails, and 1.5 pints of IPA down

maid wow! Well done, that is incredible.

That's absolutely brilliant Maid! Very well done! Bet that IPA tasted good!

Wow, maid that's a crazy good time. Massive well done!!!

My run was amazing! I loved every moment. Such beautiful trails and a sunny day. It's got me thinking about a trail marathon now!

Completely outing me but stupidly happy after photo:

Wow awesome time maid, well done you!

And you look so fresh in that photo- sure you didn't just nick the medal enjoy a well deserved rest now!

Glad you enjoyed it kitty, taper time as well now?

Ah good luck to you all. It DOES feel different than training. More to look at, more smiling, people shout your name, the Sally Army doing Oompa music etc.

It was pretty straightforward in the end. I did the 9 min run/1 min walk thing, and rigidly stuck to it. Energy gel at 10 miles, then two with caffeine at 18 and 22 miles. In the last 12km, I overtook nearly a 1000 people. I also ran a quicker second half than first Loads of kids handing out jelly babies/flapjack pieces/etc, so definitely not short on nutrition.

Systemically, I feel good. Not too tired, not spaced, not shaky, pretty normal. My skeleton is starting to talk to me, obviously.

You'll love it guys!

Bloody brilliant!