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.

I did a speed session on Tuesday , my long run of 18 miles on Wednesday and a tempo session yesterday . All too close together this week but my XC race from last weekend is this Sunday so I wanted to get things out of the way. Not sure I'm going to do it but I want to keep my options open.
I went to a physio about my groin/hip pain and he diagnosed tendonitis of the adductor muscle.I felt a bit of a fraud as I didn't really feel any pain when he was pulling and poking and getting me into various positions. He hasn't told me to stop running and has given me exercises , but if it gets any worse I might have to reduce volume for a short while. I think he felt as I had run 18 miles the previous day, 4 miles that morning and not much pain when I was there, that it wasn't a major issue. Still quite sore when I'm running slowly, ok when I'm going faster! Might just have to keep going fast !
Good luck to everyone running over the weekend!

I've cracked my 16 mile run this week 😎

It went well. Understandably some aches in the last few miles, but not carried into the next day, just a general fatigue. What's surprised me most at these HM+ runs is how tired my brain feels the next day.

Wow! Speed, followed by 18 mile and tempo one day after the other, sounds very intense. Well done! How are you feeling today?

Good luck with the XC. Do you think you will run it fast or treat it as an easy run?

Well done @BogRollBOGOF on your 16 miler. It's satisfying when you've passed the HM mark, knowing that it's not too bad!

It's definitely been a good confidence boost.

I'm out of excuses to book hotels now!

@xsquared . I feel fine today apart from cracking a tile in my kitchen and breaking the glass in a porch light when trying to replace a bulb!
Doing 3 hard sessions on 3 consecutive days is, as we all know not recommended but it's for one week only , I hope.
I will give XC my best shot if I decide to do it. It's a long way to drive to do a 4k race and not many others from my club are doing it. But chances are that I will go.

Two club runs this week one was intervals and I did my 18 miles this morning. Just under 3 hours which I’m pleased about because it wasn’t flat unlike my actual race. I had 2 gels , half a gel every 4 miles and no problems. I felt good at the end as well which is just as well as I had a mile to walk home needed to divert to a shop for a drink. Another 18 miles next weekend.

How us everyone getting on?

I've just come back from a 30k with my running partner and there were times when we definitely thought "Sod it! Let's walk the rest." But we are proud to say we've managed it. We will pare our distance back next week and build up again, now that we know we can get there.

Morning everyone!
I’ve signed up for autumn marathon. My last one was in 2018, long runs are a distant memory. Trying to be easy on myself so I don’t start dreading my training. Oh to be running fit again :(

Welcome @Runsonvegetables .

If you've done it before, then at least you know that you can complete the distance.
Are you doing any sort of running at the moment?

Good luck with the training.

20 miles done on Friday . Pleased wIth my pace. Groin felt ok . Hopefully the exercises are helping . Good luck to everyone with their long runs

My plan had 13 miles on it for this week....so made a last minute decision, earlier this week, to do a local half marathon. It's a fairly tough course but felt pretty good most of the way.

I just did 14 miles long run. I was planning to do 15 miles but my knee was just too painful in the end.

Anyone have any advice for painful knees? It starts hurting about 4 miles plus in the outer side of my knee.

I feel like I don’t have time to rest it as only 8 weeks until race day but equally don’t want to make it worse so I won’t be able to do it. Any advice? I’ve never been injured before - seems to be since I got my new shoes but may be coincidence as I have also increased distance.

Well done to everyone on their long runs this week.
I'm meant to have done an easy 10k this morning but I'm feeling bunged up and headachey, so stayed in bed u till half an hour ago!

There's still time for me to go out for a short run later on but I don't know whether I should just take the day off.

Sorry to hear that. I would make an appointment with the physio and see what they say.

My knee sometimes hurts particularly on steep downhills (which is really mean as it takes all the fun - and speed - out of running downhill) I saw a chiropractor a few years ago and she said it was because my pelvis was tilted/uneven and she did some acupuncture and treatment which helped. But also stretching quads, hamstrings and hips can help. (But probably worth seeing a physio/chiro if you can afford)
After a long run I try to keep moving so normally force myself to go up and down stairs a few times (and usually end up doing a tesco shop in the afternoon!🙄) and at least 15 min of stretching I think helps feel less achey the next day.

Hi everyone !! Well done on the long runs 👏

This was my first week back after I injured my soleus muscle! I ended up taking a full 10 days off to let it heal. So far I’ve had no pain this week. I ran 27kms today !

I got new shoes with better support as well, in hopes my injury won’t return . I also reduced my week day milage for the rest of my training . I see the most improvements with higher milage but no point if I can’t run the marathon at all! Oh well! Lots of warming up and stretching as well and trying to eat well!

I did my long run yesterday 1 mile to the train and then 19 miles , up one side of the Exe and down the other nice easy flat run. It should have only been 18 but my daughter who I was meeting parked in the car park furthest away , the good thing was I felt ok going on and could have done more although I was glad not to. 13 miles on Wednesday and 5 mile club run on Monday. I only have one more long run 20 miles in two weeks time (next week only 14!) and race day is 5 weeks today.

I've had a lot of issues with a niggle in my right hip that moves around - started a bit sore (like a pulled muscle) at the front at the beginning of todays run, by the end it had shifted itself to the back. Deload week so only 10 miles today so ran to somewhere that has really lovely charity shops and rewarded myself with a mooch around (and a couple of bargains) before walking a couple of miles back to the train follwed by a warm bath and epsom salts....

I've done my 18 miler this week. It went really well. I was a bit nervous about the fatigue I'd had in the last couple of miles of the 16 miler, but that wasn't as bad. Nicer weather with sunshine and a few sightings of spring bulbs helped. 3 hours of cool grey weather and everything being that post-frost grey-brown hadn't been very mentally stimulating.

I've had some chaffing issues, so have been to the local specialist running shop for an underwear upgrade.

Recovery's been pretty good too. Stiff the morning after, but some gentle cross-training and it's eased off quickly. Jeffing and keeping to a sensible running speed seems to be working quite sustainably. I've been having a good block of run-all parkruns with my times gradually improving. I'm not pushing speed, but I'm achiving more speed within my comfort zone.

Well done everyone on your long runs.

Just been back from my weekly long run, and 20k now feels comfortable at the end.

Got a relay race next Saturday, so we'll do our long run on Wednesday am instead.

Got a bit of a sore calf at the moment , but I'll see what the physio says.

Physio suggested swapping out one of my short runs for the elliptical trainer of shame and that went better than I thought it would although I find gyms dead boring. He's also ramped up the S&C exercises but I do think that they are helping. I swam and did them on Monday and all my aches from Sunday vanished. One mid week run felt a bit ploddy and I was feeling down ahead of todays planned 18 miler. However I got to 18 and felt that there was masses more in the tank so carried on and managed 21 (and could have done a bit more). I'm feeling sore but upbeat after that as 26 miles now seems (just about) achievable. I'll knock some of the excess mileage off next weeks long run as I have a half booked for the end of the month and want to feel strong for that.

That sounds positive @londonmummy1966 .

I think the strength and conditioning must make a difference in injury prevention, but it's always an aspect of training that I overlook.

Well done on completing 21 miles. That must have been very satisfying!

Thanks @xsquared - I was trying some new nutrition and I think it helped a bit. Just hoping I don't feel too stiff tomorrow although I have a swim scheduled so that should help.

S&C has been half an hour of exercises and stretches after my short runs and before cross training but they have cranked up to nearly an hour.

However I got to 18 and felt that there was masses more in the tank so carried on and managed 21

I honestly don't mean to rain on your parade but this really isn't a good idea - particularly when you had a niggle in your hip barely a week ago.

I'm sure you know this, but the aim of your long runs in training is to finish them feeling there is lots more in the tank so you can keep upping the overall mileage, get those targeted midweek runs in, and avoid injury. It's not to run as far as you possibly can before crashing; because all that does is absolutely deplete your energy stores, leaving you at more risk of getting injured or wiped out and not being able to do the rest of your training.

I do know why you did it though, because it's so comforting to rack up more of those 20+ mile runs!

I’m happy with training sofar, up to 18miles and other than tight calves, feel pretty good.
For various reasons I cannot use gels so am sticking with tailwind. The problem I have is I can’t find anything I like to carry the flask I am taking it in. I can use 2x 250ml or a 500ml squishy flasks , either is fine but the decathlon belt I bought specifically for this purpose was rubbish. I would rather not wear a hydration vest, a belt is my preference . I’m looking at the Salomon active belt (that clips at the back). anyone have any experience or recommendations?