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.

Awholenewstart on page 26 of the London final instructions there is a column that explains the start colours. You won't know the exact pen until you collect your number at the Expo

My 18 I did 11 min miles for the first 10, then crashed and burned spectacularly, fell over etc etc, ending up with 12.30 ish average: So that was too fast. My 20 I deliberately stuck to 12 min miles, and maintained that fairly consistently, but didn't have much reserve to pick up pace. But I don't know how much of that was because I felt fatigued from the start. Normally 11.30 feels like an easy pace so I'd sort of hoped it would become my 'marathon pace' but now I'm not sure if it's too fast and I risk not finishing. And I'm driving myself slightly mad obsessing over it

And I'm driving myself slightly mad obsessing over it

Oh honey, I had an Excel spreadsheet with 0-42km across the top (to 0.1km resolution) and run/walk/eat/drink sections blocked in in different colours, with the actual food portion indicated. I spent the final week lying awake at night calculating finishing times for 6/6:10/6:20/6:30 min kms. I think I can multiply decimal fractions of minutes better than anyone else in the world

Hey. I was on this thread a while ago. I ended up injured and unable to run for about 5 weeks. The most I've run is 16 miles. I'm much better now. No more hip pain and did a 10 mile race on Sunday past and got my second best 10 mile time. I was going to go out at the end of this week for a long run but was recommended to go out on the Monday and run over 10 so I've broken the 20 mile barrier. I managed to do 12!
So, as it stands, I'm going ahead with the marathon with not as much training as I'd have liked.
Well done everyone. I'll need to have a look and see the posts

If 11:30 feels easy, I think you can hold it. The atmosphere really helps. People shouting encouragement. Lots of jelly babies. Lots to look at. You'll want to slow for milestone pictures (at least the halfway marker). And frankly, the competition helps ('I'll just skip past this person here....').

I truly got to the start line thinking 'What's the worst that can happen? I have to walk 10km? So what?' And I crossed the start line thinking 'What on earth have you been so worried about?* It's just running, you got this'.

*Actual version more sweary.

A little bit - that's great news. Don't stress too much about the break in your training. Am sure you'll get round. Just take it easy.

Elba- maybe leave your watch behind on your next couple of runs and see what your body tells you. I remember reading a blog by an experienced runner who said that he used to judge his pace by asking himself 'can I run like this for another X miles?'. If yes he would maintain, yes easily speed up, and if no he'd slow down.

I am finally on the mend. The steroid tablets have made a huge difference. Wasn't coughing all night and chest no longer tight. So relieved - was seriously beginning to think my marathon dream was over.

Last day in Sydney today. Flying to Melbourne for the work part of my trip.

17 days!!

Brilliant news alittlebit.

Seems lots of people are on the mend at the mo.

I did a comfortable (uncomfortable) 8 this morning tagged my a BBC photographer. It was very weird. I saw a mock up of the tv ad too. It looks cool but it's a bit overwhelming tbh.

I'm utterly knackered atm and really struggling to keep my mood up. I've felt grumpy and short tempered for a few days now. Just want to snap out of it

Ugh. Just did a long, slow, painful 10 miles. Worrying the taper won't be long enough- back in October I did a comfortable 10m in 1hr38- took me 1hr44 today.

Struggling to see I'll be at maximum fitness within 2 weeks. Can't decide whether to reduce the planned mileages, or drop a few runs completely. Anyone else feeling similar??

(And still got pain on my foot which is making my ankle a bit weak but I can ignore that for 2 weeks !)

I have a dilemma!

I had a sports massage today and I am fit and raring to go. Because I was ill last week, I didn't do my long run so my longest ever run to date is a half.

So - do I push for 18 in the next day or two and the taper OR just taper and hope Guts and Glory get me round?!

I'm worried about injuring myself doing 18 while I'm so good!!

Chocolate I'm feeling the same. I've got 13 on my plan for Monday. I'm feeling tired and definitely not anywhere near full fitness. Took me 1:38 to do 8 miles yesterday!

Lobster I'd miss the long run tbh and just taper. Better to be fresh on the day than still knackered.

I agree, I think taper and rest is more important these last 2 weeks. I'm resting my knee so not doing any running at all and just a bit of cross training to keep up exercise a bit. I can't believe anything we do now will make much difference on the day, so preserving energy and feeling as relaxed as possible is the way forward. I am so excited now, just hoping it's not quite this hot on the day....

So glad (not in a horrible way!) that it's not just me feeling exhausted! I was planning on doing 10 miles tomorrow as my last long run, but my 'rest days' after my 20 have consisted of 12+ hour night shifts traipsing around a big hospital and I'm shattered. My legs feel so tired, not in a DOMS way, just totally fatigued. I think rest, good food and hydration, short runs and listening to our bodies is the way forward!

Lobster how about compromising and doing 14 or so miles? Not such a big leap from a half as 18 which like you say might risk injury so close to the marathon, but enough to give you a confidence boost?

I'm off to go and drink wine in my friend's hot tub. Friends with hot tubs are a great thing whilst training for a marathon

Glad it's not just me then! I think I may reduce the distance on my last few runs as you're right, it's not going to make that much difference now.

I would probably do a 14-15 miler because that would give me more confidence but equally rest might be better- go with your gut instinct and trust your body I say!

I'm off to a wedding tomorrow... with a sunburnt face from today's run but at least the alcohol will be medicinal for my aching foot

I'd say taper & rest more important too. I think the long runs are as much about long periods on your feet as the specific miles.

I had Achilles pain this week so rested a bit. Going against the grain to say I had a really good 9 miles today and much quicker than I usually run, the rest must have made a big difference.

Enjoy your weekends, look after yourselves & don't stress, you've done the hard work. Thanks too, I often can't post because I'm holding a child but read all the time and every post, every question and every answer has been helpful.

I can tell this thread is going to be busy over the next few days!

Lobster in your position I might be tempted to do another 13-14 miler. (says the lady who has had a 4 week taper!). But then again so many experts do say that anything you do in the 3 weeks or so before is not going to increase your fitness.

I really can't believe it's 2 weeks today. I've nearly shrugged off my cough and did a very slow 9 miler around a park in Melbourne in the rain. Did lots of laps as didn't want to get lost! relieved that my body seems to be working again. I fly back to the UK tonight and haven't a clue what to do for the rest of the time until the race.

How far is everyone running next weekend?

Kitty when will we see you on TV?

Elba - I like the idea of wine and a hot tub. So many people have asked me if I have stopped drinking/changed my diet pre marathon . . . . Um no!!

So last night I cracked the toe I broke over the summer 😫 I'm not sure if I've broken it again or if it's just bruised. I've taped it up and it's a lovely blue shade but I'm supposed to do 13 miles tmrw! Not sure that's going to happen.

Damn it

Oh no Kitty, hope it feels better quickly. I broke a toe about 6 weeks ago & it has decided to hurt again this week so more taping!
13 miles this morning, legs were tired, a number of things went wrong and I'm very glad it's done!
Oh for a hot tub, hope you enjoyed it Elba!
Hope everyone's sore bits settle down and we can have a nice taper!

Hopefully it's not broken kitty.
I'm supposed to be doing a 12 mile run tomorrow for a taper. Thing is, the most I've done in the last few weeks is 12 miles so not sure wether to do less. I have a lovely 10 mile run which is pretty circular to where I live

Thanks all, it feels ok now it's taped properly so I'm going to try for my 13, I may cut it short, I'll see how it goes. My shin is bloody painful now as well, all the taper aches and pains are creeping in.

Hah, me too, walked home from end of run today and it felt like every muscle in my legs was taking turns to hurt! Feeling better now after some red wine, looking forward to bath later. Good luck tomorrow Kitty, hope the toe behaves. Will they be showing your story as part of the London coverage on the BBC on the day?

Hot tub was amazing, and my lovely, lovely friend has given me a spare key to let myself in and use it whenever I want in the next couple of weeks!

Hope the toes behave kitty and emummy!

I'm still completely shattered, and have done literally nothing today. Will have to drag myself out on a run after work tomorrow as haven't been out since my 20. I've completely deviated from my original plan so have no idea how far to do! Was thinking maybe a gentle 8-10 miles but I'm struggling with various aches and pains too and can't decide if maybe sticking to even shorter runs now would be more beneficial.

Elba the tub sounds awesome.

My toes feel ok atm so I'll see how we get one today.

Emummy, I won't be on tv on the day but I am in the tv ad trail things leading up to it. I'm in the same one as jo pavey 😳 well, that's if they managed to get a photo they can use. I think it then links into social media to expand the story.

I'm also getting random aches and pains but I remember reading that's normal in a taper as your body starts to heal. I'm looking forward to this 13 being done, all feels easy after that

waving pom poms from the sidelines
You can do this guys.

How's everyone getting on?

I'm very tired and lost all desire to run atm