Marathon Training 2023 - Who's in?

[xsquared]

I've registered for my first marathon in Manchester which takes place on 16th April this year.

My half event is next Sunday, so I'm coming to the end of my half training which is loosely based on the Nike Run Club App. My runs until then will be mainly shorter and easier runs, so I will start on week 3 of the actual marathon plan once I've done the half.

Anyone else training for a marathon this year?

Let's keep each other motivated.

Hope everyone got on well. I did 3.09.50 which for my first marathon I'm happy with.

I was running strongly until 18/19 then had a few tough going miles, which cost me some time.

And I definitely needed more electrolytes, as my gels don't have any in 🥵

3:09 is incredible, @Chesneyhawkes1 ! And if that's your first marathon then you've definitely got a sub 3 in you for the future.
A GFA to cash in as well (presuming you're a woman?)

@fellrunner85 I can get a championship place at London for sub 3.14. I had one this year based on a half time I ran - but it's not my weekend off, so didn't bother entering it. I don't fancy a 4am start the day after a marathon.

Maybe next year! I was on for 03.05 but I suffered towards the end. But I've learnt some lessons - which is the main thing. And finished it most importantly 🤦‍♀️

Wow! That's an absolutely amazing time @Chesneyhawkes1 . Well done!

I ended up starting in a wave 30 minutes after the one I was allocated to, as I had misjudged how much time I needed to get the tram, queue for bag drop amd queue for the toilets.

Still, I aimed for 3:45 and my official time was 3:44:28 over a distance of 43.13km. It must have been all the weaving adding to the distance. Anyway, I'm happy with that for my first marathon.

Good luck to those running London next week!

@xsquared amazing. Well done! I lucked out as my hotel was 0.1 miles from the start line. So I ran back to use the loo 😂

Portaloo queues are the worst. It's the worst part of racing for me.

How do you feel now? I've drank 3l of water and still haven't need a pee 🤦‍♀️

That's very convenient! You'll have sweated it all out!

I'm not feeling too bad but it might be a different story tomorrow. How about you?

My marathon is done in a very leisurely 5:15, mainly jeffing but ran the first 5k as there wasn't the space to slow to a walk without being a hazard. Ran most of mile 25 too as by that point it was easier to keep in flow and not transition knowing my joints and muscles had enough left in the tank.

My training was decent and did the job although I'd have liked another long run or two. It wasn't physically easy at any point but my brain enjoyed it.

The crowd support was great with lots of funny signs along the way. It picked up a bit on the way back into the city after tailing off a little in the suburbs- it's a long time for people to be out by that point.

My body wax worked, no screams from previously undiscovered chaffing as I got in the shower!

@Chesneyhawkes1 @xsquared @BogRollBOGOF well done. Enjoy all the carbs today, they are well deserved.

@Chesneyhawkes1 @BogRollBOGOF @xsquared well done all of you - amazing achievements by all of you!

Well done everyone!! Just over 5hrs for me. Bit gutted with the time but my training just hasn’t been enough this year so just happy to have finished! Great marathon, loved the route and the crowd. I’m tempted to do the Half Marathon in October. Hope everyone gets a nice hot bath and a good sleep tonight!

@xsquared I reckon I'll be as stiff as a board tomorrow. I've just been to walk the dogs and I was shuffling along 😂 I didn't warm down or stretch. Just stopped my watch. Grabbed some water and sat down 🤦‍♀️

I have a massage booked Tuesday and maybe a really easy, short recovery run after that. I'll see.

@BogRollBOGOF well done!! I'm glad your brain enjoyed it! 😁

Yaay I did it !!! 5.14.59….. had it in my head I was going for 5.15 so 1 second out! Quite enjoyed it but never again. Well done everyone and good luck to those at London next Sunday x

Thanks @londonmummy1966 and @Forestcantrun .

Well done @BogRollBOGOF , @MatchesinEyes23 and @GrannieD . I hope you've all had lovely carby dinners and a relaxing soak or shower.

I'm feeling comfortably replenished in calories, so I shall unpack my bag, get ready for the week and then head for bed!

Well done all 😊 I sat watching the finish line footage on YouTube live, how strange I would have watched you all finished and not known! Hope your legs aren’t too sore tomorrow (or the next day) 🙈

Question from my daughter… she’s adamant she saw some people wearing red medals. Anyone know why? (Mine is navy blue).

There was a Manchester marathon relay on too I think, maybe for that?

(I hope I haven’t imagined hearing about that 🤣)

The relay medals were red. It’s a pretty decent medal ain’t it

Well done everyone! Some great results!

So…anyone tempted to sign up to another? I’m eyeing up Valencia in December!

Ahhh ok! Thanks. I wondered whether it was the elites/wheelchair races but also saw the relay runners too.

im contemplating the Manchester half in October…

@MatchesinEyes23 and @GrannieD well done!!

@123InTheSky I’ve heard fantastic things about Valencia but I need to hold my horses and survive marathon no 1 first🤣🤣

The half is more or less the same route but obviously shorter lol. Great atmosphere and the medals are fab !

I'm going to have another go at the ballot for London next year @123InTheSky . I also have qualifying time for GFA from 3 races I've done within the last year, including 2 half marathons and Manchester, so I'll look into how I can enter when details come out.

If you’ve got GFA there’s some great options!

I’m planning on London ballot too- but I’ve had 5 no’s. Not sure I’ve got it in me to raise all the charity money and do the training

I booked the hotel for the Sunday night too. Demand was low so it didn't make much difference to the cost of the booking. What it meant was that I could get back to the room on the Metro, have a good soak in the bath with magnesium salts, graze on beef jerky, drink oxo and have a gentle few hours before checking out in the evening and hitting the motorways to get home.

It's worth looking into the pricing of doing it if it is a hotel away and was better than having to rush off and faff with left luggage.

DOMS is well in now as expected. My joints were stiff yesterday, so although the muscles are tight and aching, I'm feeling a bit more mobile. The energy in my body perked up yesterday too. I'm feeling in the same league as I have after pushing the pace on HMs.

Another rest day today with just functional walking. If the DOMS eases tomorrow, I might swim. Back to gentle cross-training later in the week...

@123InTheSky It's not as exotic as Valencia but the Loch Ness marathon is in October...very scenic!