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Original poster

London Marathoners 2018

460 replies

PickleSarnie · 05/10/2017 12:00

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 Hmm ) 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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Growingboys · 10/02/2018 07:14

Hello all. Do any of you get occasional wee leakage when you run and if so, what will you wear to disguise this in the race?

LoudestRoar · 10/02/2018 14:26

After 2 kids, it's not occasional! I wear a pad. I'm going to try some chaffing cream as although it's not been uncomfortable, I don't want to risk it if it does

Growingboys · 10/02/2018 15:54

Thanks loudest appreciate it. Might try a pad on my next run

SandunesAndRainclouds · 11/02/2018 12:57

HM personal best today 💪🏼

Original poster
PickleSarnie · 11/02/2018 14:47

Well done Sandunes! That's awesome!

I'm so glad I was doing my long run today. It's been hail stoning really heavily. It would be even more painful than usual. Although would perhaps distract from the pain of running at least?!

OP posts:
LoudestRoar · 11/02/2018 18:42

Well done sandunes especially in that wind! Glad we'd finished before the massive hail storm.
First ever half completed in 2.52.28, so incredibly happy. Stairs are already an issue...

SandunesAndRainclouds · 11/02/2018 18:52

Thank you Smile 2:10.17 for me today. Legs aren’t too bad considering.

The wind is fairly standard for along the seafront but it was a killer today!!

LoudestRoar · 13/02/2018 20:15

How is everyone doing? I'm still recovering from my half, but looking forward to my 3 mile recovery run tomorrow.

Blackspaniel1 · 15/02/2018 07:29

Hi all,

Well done Loudest and Sand on your HMs, it'll be considered a short distance for you soon Grin.

I'm really not enjoying training at the moment, the weather seems to never settle and as soon as I think it will be drier for an hour or so, I walk out the door and it hails, snows or sleets, i'm getting fed up of winter.

I completed 13 miles on Sunday with my daughter, ending the run in the dark wasn't fun though. Didn't get my planned Tuesday 7 miles in as it was black ice on the roads I run so didn't want to risk falling. So finally got out for 7 last night, omg one of the worst runs I have ever done, heavy rain the whole time, wind and in the dark, I was wringing my socks out when I returned.

Put that one behind me, and am going out for 5 now, I'm really behind on my runs this week so need to go 3 days in a row now, which I never usually do. Have got 16 miles planned for this Sunday though, so need Saturday off to rest!

Happy training everyone.

LoveAGoodToddlerTantrum · 15/02/2018 11:35

blackspaniel I know what you mean about the weather. I'm finding it harder and harder to motivate myself especially as I'm running in the dark anyway which I hate. I did 10k last night and got a PB but only because I was so miserable and cold I wanted to get home! I don't want to risk slipping on ice so struggle to fit the runs in. It's 1/2 term and I'm off so treating myself to 5 x 10kms this week in the hope that it gets me my mojo back.

LoudestRoar · 15/02/2018 16:31

I know what you mean about the weather too. Half term isn't helping me either, doing loads during the day, and runs having to be done in the evening, which I hate. Have to fit a 10k in tonight. Will go as soon as dh gets home.

SandunesAndRainclouds · 15/02/2018 21:26

I’m fed up of being soaking wet and cold too. Sunday was a welcome relief!

I’m aiming for 16 this weekend, some will be off road though so that will be nice to be off the concrete!

Original poster
PickleSarnie · 15/02/2018 22:22

Half term has been a nightmare. I'm off with the kids three days. So only at work for two. Monday off so no run. Tuesday at work was a nightmare so didn't get out for a run. Then second day I managed 4 miles (quite a bit faster than normal pace) and then spinning class in the evening. Today was with the kids so tagged husband as he walked in the door at 8 and did only 3 miles at the gym because it was late and I was knackered and grumpy. But better than nothing I suppose. Tomorrow is another day with the kids and husband out so no run. Then the evil long run on Saturday.

I have been so grumpy and on edge recently. I thought running would make me feel better. And I suppose it does but fitting in all this training is just another plate for me to try and keep spinning. I feel like I'm doing a crap job of parenting, working, being a wife and training for the marathon. All whilst having the fear that all my hard work in strengthening my knee and the muscles connected to it will all be in vain and all the training will have been fit nothing.

Sorry for self pitying post. The massive G&T on Saturday evening might help slightly!

Hope the weather holds out for you all this weekend! Xx

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LoudestRoar · 16/02/2018 07:04

I understand PickleSarnie I think it's because we aren't running for ourselves at the moment, we are running to get ourselves through the marathon.
I think of it like reading. Pick a book up and let me read it, and I love it! But all those books I had to read for English exams, I don't enjoySmile
I didn't go for my run last night. A mound of fairly valid excuses, but if I'd pushed myself, I could have gone. It just came down to the fact I didn't want to. As long as those days don't outweigh the forcing ourselves out there, then I think we're doing a good job.

SandunesAndRainclouds · 17/02/2018 07:17

16 miles for me today. Completely not feeling it and the thought of going out makes me want to sit and cry. I’ve been awake since 5:30, had a disturbed night before that. I’m exhausted 😩

Original poster
PickleSarnie · 17/02/2018 12:37

That's a good analogy loudest I used to enjoy running because I was choosing to do it. Now it seems to have become a bit of a chore. Although it gets me out on days I would never normally go out running at least.

I felt exactly the same This morning sandunes . The kids were up and being soooo noisy at 6am and I'd had a broken nights sleep anyway. So I yelled at them and then cried. Then I procrastinated for over 2 hours before eventually left the house. 15 miles in the bag though. And a massive G&T and steak and chips tonight well and truly earned! Hope you had a good run in the end x

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SandunesAndRainclouds · 17/02/2018 13:03

15 miles done. We ended up doing a hilly route so traded the last mile for our hill efforts! Early night tonight....

Well done on your 15 pickle —were you running with me?—

SandunesAndRainclouds · 17/02/2018 13:04

Strike through fail 🙄

Original poster
PickleSarnie · 17/02/2018 13:35

Grin I was running along the canal which as well as being pretty and all that are also obviously flat as pancakes. Well done on 15 miles of hills sandune!

I literally only saw three other runners today (apart from at the very start before I got on the canal and I almost inadvertently joined parkrun!) Was strange how quiet it was. I'm always a bit scared I'll fall in the canal and nobody would be there to notice!!

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SandunesAndRainclouds · 17/02/2018 15:47

Our route took us back down via the river - loads of other runners out. I love a cheery ‘mooooooorning!’ especially to those looking particularly miserable Grin

Blackspaniel1 · 18/02/2018 05:55

Good morning, nice and early for me, preparing for 16 miles Grin.

I hope everyone is feeling a bit more positive now, I am, because we have had a dry day or two, and it is dry now for today's run. Kids back at school tomorrow so normal routine next week means better running! (I hope). I do so agree on Loudest's analogy too, whilst a goal does keep you going, it feels more pressured to get out there whatever the circumstances, making it more of a chore.

Well done on your long runs Pickle and Sandune, it's really helping me knowing others are at exactly the same point in their training. I live in a really hilly area, but have one route which all my long runs are based on. It is the flattest around here, and is around 200 m of climb for these longer runs, so not too bad. I checked London's route for total climb and it looks around 160m, is that what everyone else thinks? At least if I know I can get some perspective on my pace on the day.

Anyway, happy running, I'm off to get my head ready, the last time I ran 16 miles was in my first and only marathon so far, and it was the point I said 'I can't do this' to my running partner! not good when you have another 10 miles to go Grin. I did finish it though!

LoudestRoar · 18/02/2018 06:04

Morning spaniel I'm just about to leave for a half this morning. Today is a feeling guilty morning though, as toddler ds doesn't sleep without me. I snuck out of bed, but he still realised, and I can hear him screaming upstairs, despite milk and daddy cuddles. So, thats the whole house up at 550 am today. How many weeks till the marathon?!

Blackspaniel1 · 18/02/2018 06:29

Ooh good luck with the half today Loudest!

Don't feel guilty, ds will be fine after his initial shouting Grin! Try and enjoy the race.

LoudestRoar · 18/02/2018 12:54

Well, I did it. It was messy, slow (although still managed under 3 hours-just) and horrible. I had cramps the first 3 miles, and then my knee went a mile before the end. It's the first run since training that I almost called dh to come and get me. It's done though, but it's not put me in a good head space for next week, where I need to run another. Need to have a think what I cando to make it better. I may head out Saturday during the day instead of having it hanging over me all weekend.

SandunesAndRainclouds · 18/02/2018 13:56

Well done for getting out there and finishing the distance.

Don’t underestimate the 13 miles from last weekend Loudest. Make sure you stretch well and take on more protein than you usually would to aid recovery.