London Marathon 2019 training thread!

[TheMouseInMyPocket]

There's a few of us that got in through ballot or a charity place. Shall we keep each other company in the next few months?

I'm gonna kick off my training with a week off due to sore ankle 😂 Well, I'll still do a parkrun this week, but THEN I'm taking a week off!

The furthest I've ran so far is 10k, so I'm quite excited for the challenge, I also have a 15 mile trail race in January, which I'm hoping will be a good prep for the big event.

What's everyone else doing? What's your training strategy? Is this your first marathon? I want to know it all!

Nutrition wise, I don’t calorie count... I have lost quite a lot of weight since starting running 2&1/2 years ago, basically just by running and limiting junk food, snacks, alcohol. I haven’t become a saint by any stretch of the imagination, but I have stopped buying stuff like biscuits, crisps, etc when I’m at home, but will have when I go out, so maybe once a week. I do make an effort to include more protein when I increase the km as its important for the muscles, and also try to limit alcohol intake (hardest part) but that’s it rally.

Morning. Glad to have found you! Got a ballot place and have started the beginner training programme.

Just signed up for a half in a few weeks and have a quick question. I've down two halves before, almost exactly the same times both times.

Has anyone found their half marathon times have got faster while training for a full marathon? I'd love to beat my previous times despite being older and probably heavier (I never weigh myself!).

poss irrelevant but wondering how old we all are....

I'm 45 (same as Jo Pavey!) just wish i was as fast as her! :-)
and only starting running relatively recently

I'm turning 40 a couple of weeks before the marathon - bit of a cliche !!

Welcome newyearbrain !

I've no idea whether my half time will improve during training - I've got one booked in for March but it seems to me that all my runs are slower (well, the long runs - hill runs are getting quicker).

Imnotready - how did your training for the Nov marathon go? were you able to roughly follow a plan?

Hi - will reply to comments when I have a moment, but...

PLEASE HELP!!!

Seriously need advice on accommodation! Should I go for the Holiday Inn package where they deliver you to the start line? It's non refundable and I'm not rich...

Or just book something refundable in case I don't actually make the race? I'm getting myself in a state and I don't know London very well! I'm looking at Whitechapel?!

Hello newyear

I did! By about 5 minutes over 2 months.

madeindevon I’m 47

RufflingFeathers
What a way to celebrate your birthday, not a cliche at all!
Yes I managed to mostly follow the training our coach gave us. The ony hiccup was a couple of weeks before M day when I suddenly developed pain in my Achilles tendon, which wasn’t too bad as I was tapering anyway, but it made me really nervous about being able to run the marathon!

This time round I will get regular massages and I must find the time to use the foam roller more as my calves are always contracted..

Hi katie

We’re thinking of booking one of the Premier Inns around the Finish area, they have a free cancellation option, which is a bit more expensive, but it might be worth it in case for some reason you can’t go.

Ok @Imnotreadyforthis thank you!

In the end @Imnotreadyforthis I booked a Holiday Inn and disregarded the cost. I will probably be alone and don't need any anxiety about getting to the start on time!

@Newyearnewbrain good question. Both my half-marathon times were very similar (i guess quite slow at 2.18). I reckon I'll be slower in a full marathon. As long as I'm front of the road sweeper, I'll be happy! Just want to enjoy the ride!

I'm 42 by the way and started running 4 years ago. Very worried about my weak middle-aged body letting me down

I also seem to be putting on weight now I'm running more (only a couple of pounds, but still...). Anyone else? I'm not overweight but it annoys me psychologically!!

I'm 35, been running since March last year, so there will be a lot of firsts for me along the way!

Accomodation wise, I booked mine as soon as the magazine landed on my doorstep . I'll be staying near the start, as I figured the closer to the start in the morning, the less stressful it'll be. I think the Holiday Inn package is a good way to do it @katiescarlett1939 if it saves you some nerves, I would've done that too, but they weren't available yet when I booked my accomodation, jumped the gun there a bit

I've been trying out some gels on my long runs last couple of weeks, SiS isotonic gels, weird tasting things, but they worked and didn't give me the shits, so that's good 😂 I've also won a starter pack of Gu gels through Running Heroes app, so will trial them as well when they arrive.

Does anyone have one of those racing vests for carrying water and gels? I think I might need one, as my flipbelt only holds four gels and I used three on my 9 mile run!

Weight wise... apparently it is really difficult to lose weight while training for marathon. I have recently changed my approach to weight etc and decided that getting fit and healthy is more important than the number on the scales, so don't weigh myself anymore. I figured that running four times a week and eating normal food should really be enough.

I weighed myself this week for the first time since September and have put on half a stone. But this I took as a massive victory because a) i'm actually feeling trim, my clothes are fitting well so b) it must be all the muscle gained in the strength work I've been doing since October .

That shows how this marathon is turning me doolally - I would never normally celebrate weight gain !! Katie - don't be dispirited - we are wonder women !!

We're staying all the way out in Acton - now jealous that you guys will be much closer !!

unfortunately I've always struggled with my weight and i'm definitely overweight. Am dieting while training which isn't the easiest but it has to be done. i need to lose about 10lb< will be trying to do that over the next 8 weeks.

im getting a coach with a local running club to the marathon. I live just within m25 anyway so not that far.

@TheMouseInMyPocket I tried SIS gels for a half marathon but I didn't like the way they made my stomach feel. In a previous half, I had some lovely, watery, pineapple-flavour gels by a brand I can't remember the name of...but they have been discontinued 

Has anyone tried Tailwind? You mix it with water apparently?

@RufflingFeathers I love the positive attitude! Like you, I seem to feel more trim but the scales say differently! Mind you - my legs have really bulked up! In a good way!

Did 6 miles yesterday and the long run for this weekend is 9 miles. Even though I hear of some people running half marathons already or having gone even further than that, I'm definitely sticking to my plan to the letter. No way I'm risking injury/burnout! I want to make it to that start line!

If anyone fancies it, I have joined a support group on Facebook for beginners/non-showy-offy marathon runners!! I'm finding it great for sharing info and tips.

Hello everyone!

Last night it was repeats for us..3x2000 on frozen roads... not fun at all! Tender Achilles tendon after the shower, so I decided I HAD to use the fosm roller and blimey... I had so many knots in my calf. I really must do it more often!

Regarding gels... I have been using a brand that the shop affiliated to my running club sells.. they’re from Spain I think.
www.226ers.com/product-tag/gels-and-gummies/

I don’t have many... only 3 during the marathon, When I tried 3 over 30kms I had an uncomfortable stomach, but it may also be that I wasn’t used to them??

How’s everyone doing?
No running for me since Thursday... because of sore tendon, waiting physio appointment and very frustrated!!

Oh Crickey imnotreadyforthis, fingers crossed you get it sorted! I’ve been injured too (piririformis syndrome / trapped nerve) I can still run albeit a lot slower than previously!

Training is going ok.... did a 15 mile last sun and a 13mile yesterday. I’m mainly worried about the mental battle I’m going to have to cover thag distance, 26 miles!!

Re gels, I really like sis ones, for a half, I would take at about 4 and 8, So I’m planning on doing maybe 5, 10, 15 and 20 for marathon, I don’t really fancy having more than 4 and may mix up with caffeine bullets for last bit!

Well done Buster on the 15 miler ! How's the sciatica ?

I'm up to 10 miles this week - I've got a lovely route that I've done before so I'm actually quite looking forward to it, especially as I'll try and do it v slow.

Been doing plenty of hill running this last week, some of it in heavy snow- really good to be away from the pavements.

I've only ever used gels when I first started doing halves, maybe a decade ago. I found the whole running thing so tortuous that I kind of associate gels with feeling absolutely desperate ! Are gels an absolute must for marathons??? if so i should probably start trying some.... that's a 'boak' not envy !!

Sciatica is so so thanks Ruffling, every time I think it’s getting better it flares up again but it generally has been holding up for the longer runs so I guess I can’t conplain too much. Found I can claim acupuncture back through my work healthcare which is good!

I think if you don’t ‘need’ gels then definitely don’t force them down. I see them as a boost or treat now, so do need them I think in races.

Hey all - how is everyone getting on with this wintery weather? I managed to do 10 miles off road yesterday (flat!) - was good to avoid the ice.

The route I took is actually 2x 5mile loops and I did one of the loops on Monday with the dog - it was awful I stopped about 30 times and legs felt like lead - came home barely out of breath.

But yesterday, doing 10 miles, felt absolutely great ! the only difference that I could see was my mental state - made me realise how much of it is in my mind....!!

It feels like I'm in the last few weeks where the long runs are manageable - a little bit apprehensive about when they start getting up to 16/18/20 etc - eek

How are the weekly long runs going?

I'm up to 10miles so feel a fair bit off where I ought be.

I'm aiming for sub 6 hours and just getting round the course .

Hello LionelMessy

Training not going to plan at all. Achilles’ tendon still playing up, managed a hilly18k last Sunday but was again inflamed on Monday. Currently on a maintenance regime of 3 short easy runs a week, plus lots of strength training and stretching. I am increasingly frustrated but my coach keeps saying I don’t need to panic yet, I can still make it.

Obviously I AM panicking, but haven’t told him

How is everyone else? Too tired from all the running or just as dispirited as me?

Oh Imnot, that is absolutely gutting for you. So disappointing.

I've had a bit of a lull in my enthusiasm - as the miles got longer the toll seemed so high physically, whereas in Jan it had just felt like a constant endorphin high!

So have had a gentler week this week, just trying to let my body recover a little- just a hill run, a couple of stretchy classes and then my long run (16 miles) today. Furthest I've ever run, did it by myself and enjoyed it. But at no point did I ever think 'yeah, I could run another ten miles' !!

How is everyone else getting on? only 8 weeks from Sunday......!!

yeah its getting hard.... March is where all the long miles are
did 18.5 miles on Saturday (further than anticipated - didn't measure route properly)
last bit v hard. longest i had ever been
didnt feel well for about an hour after

anyone running the vitality big half in london this weekend?