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.

Wow, that's brilliant alittlebit. Congrats. A sub 30min 5k is quick!

Just finished 11 miles. 2:12:55. I'm happy with that, I did one of the trailblazer routes which are pretty hilly and proper tails. It was hard going but I loved it. Hopefully it translates to the road.

I listen to a lot of audio books (bit of an addiction), and I'm re-listening to 'Running like a girl' at the moment, to get me in the marathon frame of mind. But I need to find some good pacey songs too, for when I need a boost. Seems most of my music is way too sedate! For other podcasts I listen to Women's Hour a lot, and to Dear Sugar radio (which I'm sure I shouldn't like but really do). I also like Seamwork radio, which has a sewing theme.

Hi, I've been a long time lurker on MN but have joined to be able to join this thread and hopefully support and be supported.
I only started running Jan 15 as part of a C25K group. I have done a couple of 10k races but nothing more, and entered the ballot on a fatalistic whim.
Fate smiled (I think) and granted me a ballot place, and having turned the air blue on opening my magazine a couple of weeks ago, I am now strangely excited (and also a bit scared).
I run 3 times a week, but only at 10/12/14 miles per week, so that is going to have to ramp up. I've entered a 20 mile race a month before London, and am working on the basis that if I can do that I should be ok.
I am going to follow a training programme and I am also looking at a pilates based body con and strength programme to help with my core.
Whatever happens the next 6 months is certainly going to be an experience

Yay everything.

You sound like you're doing really well, I'm not quite up to half marathon distance yet.

It is very exciting. I do get days where it feels a bit overwhelming as well though

Sounds good so far Everything!
I just want to get started on the training programme! I have started doing a strength & conditioning session at home this week, hoping I can keep that up, in addition to the boot camp I do to try and get a bit stronger. My runs are mostly shorter just now focusing on speed and I am hoping to do a cross country race next month - if I don't chicken out! I just want it to be January so I can get stuck in!

Emummy what have you been doing for strength and conditioning?

I have a short strength set I do twice a week but after my half is like to shorten my runs and focus on strength until January

I think I got it from women's running magazine and added a bit! I do lunges, squats with a weight, v-sits, press ups, kettle bell swings, a couple of weights things, single legs squats, calf raises,, think that was it. Then bootcamp has a mixture of stuff, so hopefully the two will help, if I can keep doing them!

Hi Kitty and emummy

I am def not up to half-marathon distances yet - the 14 miles I mentioned was a weekly total - I am a long way off doing that in one go. So this week I did 4 Tues am, will do 4 Fri am and 6 on Sun am. By Christmas I am hoping to be up to a 10 mile run on a Sunday - that was a goal pre knowing I'd got a place. A Sunday tends to be my longer run and then I do a yoga session off youtube.

Have you ever seen Yoga with Adrienne - it is mentioned a lot on MN which is how I found it. She has a good manner about her and does a specific 30 mins session on runners yoga - specifically stretching and a nice slow pace. She also does runners warm up and cool down but I like the stretching best of all.

What training programmes are everyone going for? I'll be on the 3 times a week beginners one, am just wondering how to start that if at that stage I am already at say 18/20 miles a week running distance. Am probably overthinking it but don't want to get it wrong.

I am a slow and steady runner as well so am looking about 5:30 at the moment, although I am losing weight at the moment (deliberately) and that has def increased my pace as I am carrying less around.

Everything- I haven't decided which training plan I am doing yet. I doubt I will be able to do more than 3 times/week though.

On holiday but have managed 2 short runs and a gym session. DP went off for a run this morning and nearly killed himself in the greek hills.
Off for some cake now!

Oh two my dad is in Crete atm, we have a small apartment out there, and has posted some amazing photos of his runs.

We're out there in May and I have a bucket list of running in the hills and running barefoot along our local beach.

Holiday running in Greece sounds lovely!
Everything I think I will do Martin Yelling's improvers plan from the magazine, it has a bit of variety to it and doesn't seem too hard. I already run 4 times a week so am ok with that. I think the beginner plan would be fine and perhaps if the first week or two look too easy you could start a little further in and repeat some weeks?
I do a yoga for runners class once a week, last night I was terrible! I think I need to try to do a wee bit every day to keep more flexible.

I thought the beginners first weeks looked a bit easy but I can't fit in 4 runs a week so I'm sticking to the 3 a week one.

I just got my official gold bond confirmation so I'm now in the system. I get free entry to the specialist days in Feb but I'm not sure if I'm going to go. Is anyone else doing it?

Sadly no, unless they run them in Aberdeen! Did you get the email about a medical study? I would have loved to do it, don't think I can make it to London though!

No, I've not had that one. Maybe it's because I'm only just in the system now

Is that the charity day in Feb? I think I signed up for that. Anything that might help!

I don't think so eat, it's that 'conference' thing with specialists talking about running, food, tapering etc.

What's this charity thing? I think I've missed a few things being a charity runner, maybe I'm a bit behind. My magazine is now in the post for me now I'm officially on their system.

I'm not too far from London and I plan on this being the only time I do this so I'm quite up for doing as much as I can and really getting the most out of the experience!

It sounds good Kitty, do pass on any wisdom you pick up!

I think it is the same thing - you get a free place if you're a charity runner but others can go too. At Central Hall? If it's the same one, I'm down for it too, maybe we can connect .

Yes that's the one eat. I've just signed up. I'm definitely up for a meet that would be so much fun.

Hello, can I join in?

I got my place through the ballot, 8th or 9th time of trying. I've previously run half marathons, although not for a few years. 10k is my usual distance since having DS. I've wanted to run London since I was a child so can't quite believe I've got a place finally!
My training plan officially starts today, cobbled together from a few different sources. For previous distances, including the half, I've just built up the distance week to week rather than looking at speed work, heart rate, tapering etc which feels a bit alien at the moment. Just need to get out there and start now.

Welcome RockyTop, congratulations on finally getting a place. Good luck with the training, I'm sure you'll love the speed work once you get started....

I'm doing similar self-made training plan Rocky. I am going to build in some sort of speed work at some point (everything I read says do some now and it means less pain on marathon day!) but just what I feel is right for me.

Sadly my training isn't going so well already as wrong fitting shoes on Saturday so no run, and my dd school is shut (unplanned) today so no run today either. Hope this doesn't start a trend!!

Hoping I can jump onto this thus thread! Not running London but Manchester in early April. My first marathon and I have questions!

1. Tapering a month before - yay or nay?
2. Long/slow/easy runs - slow slow or push speed (have read conflicting advice).

I currently run around 20 miles per week, at an easy pace of sub-10 for long runs, harder pace at 8:30 for 10km. Max I've run in one go is 11 miles (at 9:45).

I also weight train (heavy lifting) three times a fortnight and play netball twice a week (2x40 mins). Am I going to have to sacrifice something here? I think the weights will be essential - my hips and knees need all the strength I can gain.

Anyway, if anyone has any really obvious tips, I'm all ears.

Oh, and I need some new running shoes - reccs?

Also, lots of training plans talk about my 'marathon pace'. Do I just pick one?