London Marathoners 2018

[PickleSarnie]

Hi,

As the ballot results come out, thought I'd start a thread to discuss training plans and share the pain of getting up at stupid o'clock on a winter morning to get long runs done.

I was supposed to run in 2017 but my knee went kaput. Physio reckons it was just runners knee and said I needed to strengthen quads, glutes and core muscles (that are shot to pieces following two large babies) So I deferred my place until 2018.

I'm doing 30 Day Ab Challenge each night (made more challenging by husband "hilariously" making childish trump noises every time I sit up ) and mixing running up with Spinning and strength training at the gym .

Put loads of weight on while knee was knackered. Which is going to be the opposite of helpful for it so am on a diet to try and lose at least 2 stones (almost half way there now though)

Anyone found a decent 6 month training plan?

Xx

Thanks Thursday. I'm doing dynamic Pilates twice a week which def makes me a stronger runner. Bought a second pair of trainers today and was advised to size up for the long runs and marathon day. Also got some gels and sports beans to test out 😀

Oh yes, sports beans deffo next on my list to try.
I did Pilates last night with lots of hip strengthening exercises and a lovely lovely rest day today. God I love a rest day.

Going to my local 'fast' parkrun tomorrow.

Todays session was URGH! 5km warm up then 5 x 5 mins at 10km pace. Was so hard. Give me a long slow run anyday!!! Jelly babies are my fuel of choice! I still need to book my flights, am anxious about going to Boston on my own. It all started since having the DC before that this wouldnt have phased me!

Hope everyone has a good weekend running!

I'm pretty sure that my knee isn't going to make it. it was perfectly fine doing 3-4 times a week with runs up to an hour but went out on Saturday. Did 9 miles. Then (probably stupidly) did 3 on Sunday. Despite 9 miles being 3 miles more than my plan says. Then on Monday my knee was aching. Then on Tuesday went to a terrible spin class. The studio I used to go to was awesome. Leader board at the front, instructors were proper cyclists, head down, spin as hard as possible whilst trying to get up the leader board. Its been taken over and just reopened. It was like an aerobic class on a bike. Bouncing up and down, stopping to do handweights and really awkward push ups on bike. I hated it. And it was during the awkward push ups that I felt my knee twang. Rested Weds and Thurs. Did 80 mins on the treadmill on Saturday. And been spinning today.

It's not agony but I can't see it holding up as the training ramps up. Got a physio/trainer coming tomorrow to see if he can see what I'm doing wrong running wise. Don't know whether to quit now and go back to enjoying running up to 10k or push on.

Sorry for the self pitying moan.

Oh pickle I’m sorry to hear that. Your knee is much more important than any marathon. How disappointing for you, I hope it’s nothing serious

I slacked off parkrun today, it’s absolutely hammering it down here! Maybe I’ll make up for it later, maybe I won’t who knows.

I did a guilt induced HIIT home workout last night and just ran 5k as fast as the hills and my dog would let me.
Beautiful morning out there.

Sorry to hear your news pickle Your health is more important, but I understand how disappointing it must be.
I was due to do 11 miles this weekend, but have been feeling sick, so not going to risk it.

Sorry to hear that pickle.

I did 9m today which was fine but has left me with a painful arch (I have very low arches and run with orthotics). Have iced it and later massaged it so hopefully it will be fine.

A short one today for me, 6x25second hill sprints. Felt lovely to be in and out the house in about half an hour but really feeling like I did something good for my running.

Had a chat with a friend of mine who has run the VMLM a few times over messenger this morning which really motivates me. It’s nice to get some enthusiastic and realistic advice/ support.

I’m going to buy some gels tomorrow to try on my LSR on Weds. I liked the feel of the dextrose tablets while I was running but I think I had a major sugar crash in the afternoon - I need to try something else to compare.

Hope everyone’s ok, I’m feeling excited today!

How did it go with the physio @picklesarnie? Fingers crossed they have some rehab exercises that will help. If the absolute worst comes to it you can always defer?

22km done yesterday for me in the most awful headwind. Felt wiped out afterwards and just wanted to sleep! My training plan feels quite intense but I need to stop looking ahead and just focus on the next session that I have to do. I still haven't booked my flights! EEKS that really must be a priority but I am a terrible procrastinator. As there is a 5hr time difference (I think?) my physio made a valid point that I need to try and do my long runs at this time if I can so that my body is used to it. I don't work Friday afternoons so tend to do them about 1pm which is probably as near to local Boston time as I can get it. I don't think I will be starting until 11am their time though as I will probably be in a slower wave.

Fuel wise I like - Tailwind, Chia Charge flapjacks, Torq gels and SIS gels

Well done on the 22km @Theonlyoneiknow ! Have you booked your flights yet?!

Hope you're feeling better Loudest and that the feet are okay hilly

I feel a lot more positive after the trainer came round at the weekend. He said to actually do less miles. Especially since I'm not aiming for a particular time. Other than not being over taken by anyone carrying a fridge on their back. I'd be more likely to get there without being injured. Got some quad and core exercises to do. And will be padding out the running with a couple of spin classes a week. So I'm still giving it a go and will see how knee holds up.

Defo recommend Tailwind for energy/hydration. I have terrible GI issues when running and it's the only thing I can tolerate. They write a handwritten note in your order which is a nice touch!

I'm feeling a lot better, but I'm having a little bit of a wobble. I've got an ectropion cervix, which causes near constant bleeding at the moment. I've been been bleeding for 17 days so far, which is why I felt so ill. I brought myself some iron tablets to try and help my energy levels, and I'm seeing a consultant in February, as I'll need a treatment. I need to decide if I have the treatment before or after the marathon but I need to discuss the recovery time with the doctor, as I don't want it to impact on my training. My toddler also managed to leave a plastic lid on the living room floor without me noticing when I went to get his highchair yesterday and I slipped over and I've now hurt my back as well! Fingers crossed everything will work out ok though

That's amazing news pickle, so happy you're still in the game.

Gosh Loudest that sounds petty serious, and kind of annoying too. And boy oh boy do I hear you on the trip hazards, my Toddler leaves little metal cars all over the place! I hope the extra iron helps in the meantime.

Hurrah for good news pickle. And that actually sounds like quite a pleasant way to train fir a marathon

How are your feet hilly?

Rest day for me today (can I get an amen) and last night I ordered some SIS gels, some tailwind and a clif blok shot to try out.

Chatting to a friend who has ripin in a few times, she suggested wearing the camelbak on the day to avoid having to go to drinks stations. I had hoped to leave it behind but now I’ll rethink.

I’m also quite excited to learn there’s a parkrun v close to where I’m staying so I might go for a gentle trot around that on the Saturday morning to make up for all the travel on the Friday.

I have worn a small waistbelt (salomon) for both of my marathons which seems to have worked well, enough space for 2 small water bottles and my phone/sweets/gels. I am swithering about not carrying one though for Boston and just using drinks stations ...... depends on the weather! I like to be able to drink when I want though, tricky!

That is good news @pickle! Have you done London before? Definitely one you can run without worrying about a time because the event/atmosphere is so incredible. I burst into tears at the finish line and pretty much blubbed most of the flight home!

Enjoy the rest day @thursdaylastweek - they are the best and so well deserved!!! I have a horrible intervals session tonight. It will have to be on the treadmill though once kids are in bed.

That doesn't sound nice at all @loudestroar. I was diagnosed as borderline anaemic during training before, it was horrible. I take a liquid iron supplement that doesn't affect my bowels (sorry TMI!) as some of them can.

What length long run are people doing now?
I have been a bit blase and need to get into a regular plan now.

Tomorrow will be somewhere between 15 or 16 miles for me hatty - I started in quite a strong position of having run a half in sept so I started getting regular long runs in before Xmas.

I have been laying out my 'plan' each month on a month to view calendar on the fridge.

hatty44 I'm up to 11 miles. First half due on the 11th Feb!

Thanks for sharing Thursday and Loudest
I did 10 last week and was going to do 12 tomorrow but think i will do another strong 10. I have a half on the 18th Feb.
Also need to start doing hills and intervals...

hatty I did 16.5 for my long one on Sunday and did 20.5 the week before. I try to do 3 at 15-18 and one over 20 per month. But am only managing maximum of 3 runs a week at the moment so trying to compensate with mileage (not sure if that's a good idea... I have no training plan at all just trying to move for 26 miles by April)

Thanks guys my feet are ok. Did interval training this morning over 5m. 6m tomorrow. I'm going to get some tailwind and try them out.

Harry which half are you doing on 18th? I'm doing Hampton Court half that day 😀

Wow Love i only intend to do a couple of
runs over 20 miles in total before marathon day!
I think the boredom would kill me, I find over 15 so tedious (not that I’m there yet this time)
Once I’m up to 17 I’ll be happy and just push for strength and fitness and stamina. Have never tried gels and stuff,
I heard gels can upset the tummy so always been a bit scared to try them. Maybe I will have a go while it’s still early days

hillbilly mine is Tunbridge Wells

I made the effort to fuel the last time I ran a half marathon having been sceptical of the need for all my previous long runs (around 10 miles) and felt sooooooooo much better afterwards that I’m a total convert. Especially for even longer runs.

I’ve been doing sprints just because some days I want to run but can’t be arsed to go out for miles and hours - It’s a quick fix

There’s a local multi terrain half here on the 4th that I’m debating doing,might be nice to run amongst people for a change.

Fingers crossed my fuel order comes before I go out today 🤞🏻