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'm trying not to worry about pace!

I'm going on the theory that if I'm comfortable running then that's the right pace for me. I'll predict my marathon time once I get to proper long runs (like 16 miles plus) when I might find I slow down massively therefore need to slow down to last the distance.

And on bad runs where I struggle I repeat the mantra 'it's the difficult runs that make the easy runs possible'

Keep going everyone!

Oh chocolate I'm going to steal that mantra. Much better than today's 'I feel like I'm dying' or the basic 'fuck sake' 😂

Thanks Kitty, just having a bit of a wtf am I doing moment I think. Plus although I know it's more about finishing it than anything, I'm very competitive!

Chocolate great mantra!

Maid I threw up in a bush on a park run not that long ago (had had a bit of a late night )...not my most classy moment either!

I'm trying to work out a training schedule to start in January. I'm hoping to do one more 8 mile then 2 or 3 10 mile runs before the end of the year and start on 12 mile long runs in January.

I have a half on week 8 (which will be my first)- I was thinking of really pushing the distance up to week 6, hopefully to 15-16 miles then tapering back for a couple of weeks before the half. Does this sound ok do you think or too much too soon?

I just did a half with a proper training schedule and taper.

I'm booking a half on my 16 mile week so probably won't taper for it at. Think I'll either run it fast, as a race and skip the extra miles or do the extra miles right after the race. Maybe a run to the car.

My mantra (because I started running to boost weight loss), to a four beat pattern:

Keep. Going. For - the - ass.
Keep. Going. For - the - ass.

I know I'm struggling when I start reciting this in my head.

Been a while since I've been on here, hello!
Training going ok still, up to 8miles on my long runs so a little ahead on my training plan. Had a bit of a set back in that I've got to have an operation (gall bladder) which may mean I have to defer. The waiting list seems to be very long though so carrying on as I am for now and will see, it may be my op isn't scheduled until after April anyway.
Need to get myself some new running shoes. I usually go to a local shop who are great with gait analysis etc. But next week I'm working quite close to the London Marathon Shop so I'm tempted to go there instead, has anyone had their gait etc done there before?

That's a pain about the op rocky. Are you feeling ok at the moment?

Getting lots of random twinges at the moment so have just done a couple of short runs this week and will get back on it properly next week. Considering a couple of sessions with a sports physio to see if there is anything specific I need to work on.

Anyone got any handy tips on how to carry water etc on long runs? I don't like going more than 5 miles or so without a bottle. Bought a belt thing with a bottle holder thing which is not a success at all! Tried it on my hips but it kept dropping down, pulling my leggings with it, and putting it on my waist ended up with it around my ribs. Can't imaging running with it comfortably so am back to running holding a bottle. Wondering if just stopping at a shop on long runs will be easier!

I use a Karrimor belt with 2 little bottles on it Elba, it seems to sit ok. Otherwise you could try something like a camelbak, which is like a bag of water inside a waistcoat type jacket. There is a tube at the front you drink through.

Thanks emummy maybe the two bottles will be more balanced and sit better. I looked at the camelbak ones but im a bit of a germaphobe and couldn't work out how to keep the tubing clean enough. Will give the new belt one more chance, but nearly ended up chucking it in the river in a strop so don't hold out much hope for it!

Camelback tubing - run through with Milton, freeze the unit when not in use.

You've tried holding running bottles? You know the kind that are shaped in a loop tube so your hand grips through the middle?

I saw an ad for FlipBelt water bottles that are narrow and curved to go into the belt.

How's everyone getting on?

Thanks for all the water bottle suggestions...think I might try a belt with two bottles, and if that fails try the camelback.

Did my first 10 mile run today (well run/walk in 26/4 min cycles). It's the furthest I've ever run, and there was some significance in doing it today specifically, so feeling pretty happy. Wasn't exactly fast (1hr 51), but the km splits with running only ranged from 6.25-6.50 and felt quite comfortable from a breathing/cvs point of view (legs complained a fair bit though!). Still got that lovely post run endorphin rush and an urge to tell everyone so sorry for a bit of self indulgent posting!

Don't think I will increase the distance now until January, but might try and reduce the walking so I do 28/2. Not attempted any interval/tempo runs yet, and I don't really 'do' speed, so think I will try and work on that over the next couple of weeks. Tried a gel for the first time today- not sure it's for me! Got given a pack of 'sports beans' when I bought my trainers so might see if they are any less unpleasant!

Going ok here, I also reached the ten mile point at the weekend. It was meant to be 8 but I misjudged it! Felt good though, and I ran the whole way, making it the furthest I've ever run as I ran/walked the half marathons I've done.

Well done Elba and Rocky, sounds like all is going well.
Did my first official training run today, just 30 minutes easy, so that was fine. Starting a week earlier than planned as Dh is away with work for the next 2 weeks and I'm not sure I will be able to do all my runs.

Hello all, thought I would check in, did 7 miles on weekend and some hills yesterday, trying to take it easy though as want the training to be a bit fun! Put way too much pressure on myself for my first marathon. Keep up the good work!

waves at marathoners
I am on a private beach in Thailand stealth boast - have been here for six days. I have eaten all the food and drank all the booze. I am also extraordinarily pleased that I've managed a couple of 10k runs on a treadmill. It's not a massive distance for me but I'm losing my body weight in sweat - air conditioning is useless in 32 degree heat and 85% humidity.

Oh that sounds lovely StillMaid, well done for doing some runs! Think I would spend my time asleep on the beach!

Sounds like everyone's getting on really well.

7 miles is my longest since my half. I'm going to try for 8-9 on Monday possibly. Life has taken over a bit so I'm more like 2 runs rather than 3 a week atm. Annoyingly I'm struggling with Christmas coming up and feeling a bit low so getting more runs in would be better but it's just not happening.

I have a Nathan water bottle with a strap so I can hold it without actually holding it iyswim. It's also got a pouch that will keep 2 gels and a bag of haribo which is brilliant. I think I'll probably use it for the marathon and refill with lucozade sport stuff. Not sure about long training runs though, something I need to mull over.

I'm slowly making fundraising progress, up to £600 now so almost half way there. I'm trying to think of ingenious new fundraising ideas but finding it hard as I'm struggling so much mentally atm that I can barely think about my charity without feeling sad/crying/angry. I knew it wouldn't be easy to do this but doing it while battling with grief is a bit full on.

Rocky I really hope they can help with your gallbladder, I know someone who had problems with hers and she was in a lot of pain so I really feel for you.

Oh - massively jealous when I saw this thread title! I ran the London Marathon in 2015 and it's one of the best things I've ever done. The training can be so tough (especially if you're not a seasoned runner, as I wasn't), but it's so worth it. The atmosphere of the crowd and the other runners is incredible - I'd heard that it carries you round and always thought "yeah right - I might actually need to be carried...", but honestly, it makes such a difference on the day. Try to make sure that you've done a couple of 20 mile runs before the day (Kingston Breakfast Run and Dorney Lake are both good if you're in that part of the country). But mainly - enjoy every minute of it!

Ah Elle thanks. People keep telling me how marathons and training for them change you. I have no doubt it will.

I'm interested in the Kingston breakfast run? It's not close but fairly easy to get to and I went to Kingston uni so I'd love to go back there are run

/waves

Deferred ballot spot here - got my bee in October 2015 but was 16 weeks pregnant then and my son was 27 days old on race day so of course deferred to this year! It was my 6th time applying.

I've had to basically build from zero, I ran until I was 25 weeks pregnant and started again when my son was 5 weeks old. I do Parkrun with the buggy most weeks and do a long run most Sundays but I'm only up to 8 miles.

I'm using the same Hal Higdon Novice 1 plan that I used for my first marathon 7 years ago so my 18 week plan starts this week.

I'm running in the Asics Gel-Kayano but looking for cheaper alternatives!

Welcome TriJo! Hope the training goes well.
Week 3 of training this week, but may not get it all done with Xmas, my mum coming and a festive trip up the local big hill to come on Friday with bootcamp.

Hello I'd like to join thread. Am v excited to be running London for second time. I will have given birth a year ago almost to the day on marathon day.

I got a charity place this year. Am an avid runner and have found it really hard not being able to run so much with children. Hello hello to you all!!

Welcome thundercats, it's certainly a challenge fitting runs round family. I think it maybe makes you appreciate that time more, I do like my peaceful runs!
Good luck with the training and fundraising