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Original poster

Marathon Training 2023 - Who's in?

443 replies

xsquared · 03/01/2023 13:48

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.

OP posts:
EveryLittleWish · 14/03/2023 08:24

@DaysofHoney @Teawaster I always feel the same way every marathon and even though I know I’m going to feel that way I still worry . I remember my last marathon I couldn’t do my marathon pace during my taper…at all . It felt way too hard . I was majorly panicking. Anyway did that pace for my entire marathon somehow. Haha!

Fizbosshoes · 14/03/2023 08:25

Well done @HoopaPoop sounds like it was tough , especially after falling over on Friday.
Brilliant to be first lady - whatever the size of the race!

DaysofHoney · 14/03/2023 09:19

What gels are everyone using??

EveryLittleWish · 14/03/2023 09:45

@DaysofHoney I use SIS! I find them bulky to carry but you don’t need water with them and they agree with my stomach. I use them every 5-6kms on my long runs . They do a few variations. Some with caffeine and electrolytes and some without .

HoopaPoop · 14/03/2023 11:52

I may have started too fast but it felt ok , there were so few other runners so it was hard to judge although I did catch up some on the half who started before us. I had quad pain from about halfway but the killer was my calves going into to spasm and the only thing I could do was walk and stretch run a bit repeat. I think I should have drunk more. I had my camel pack but should have used the water stations it turned out to be a warm day. I thought I could have done 4 hours but in the circumstances I’m happy with my time I certainly don’t want to do it again to knock a few minutes off. I’m 51 and it was my first event so I’m happy. I may do another in September but if I do it will be flat road ending in a killer section of the south west coastal path no time records there!
I’ll try and attach a photo of my pace so you can see where I fell off the cliff.
I did a slow short run mostly downhill yesterday and feel mostly back to normal now after a bit of strength and stretching with my PT.

Marathon Training 2023 - Who's in?
EveryLittleWish · 14/03/2023 15:13

@HoopaPoop fantastic time for your first marathon. And for your age too ! That’s impressive ! 👏

HoopaPoop · 14/03/2023 17:49

@EveryLittleWish are you calling me old? 😂Actually the 50-55 age category at our local Parkrun is very competitive I was shocked when I went up a group probably why I don't like running 5K

EveryLittleWish · 14/03/2023 18:07

@HoopaPoop definitely not lol! I didn’t mean it like that at all.

HoopaPoop · 14/03/2023 18:14

@EveryLittleWish don’t worry I’m only teasing you. I think it’s a lot easier to disappear for a long run when you no longer have to worry about childcare.

GrannieD · 14/03/2023 22:11

Has anyone got their numbers through yet ? I'm sure I had an email saying they were being posted out on 5 March. Maybe it was just a bad dream that I entered lol

EveryLittleWish · 15/03/2023 07:50

@GrannieD what marathon? Im running Brighton ( April 2) and I haven’t received my race pack yet .

Original poster
xsquared · 15/03/2023 08:14

Manchester for me, but haven't received my number yet.
That reminds me,I haven't even opened the email about racers' info yet!

OP posts:
GrannieD · 15/03/2023 08:15

EveryLittleWish · 15/03/2023 07:50

@GrannieD what marathon? Im running Brighton ( April 2) and I haven’t received my race pack yet .

Manchester on 16 April. I'm just being impatient!

Fizbosshoes · 15/03/2023 08:31

EveryLittleWish · 15/03/2023 07:50

@GrannieD what marathon? Im running Brighton ( April 2) and I haven’t received my race pack yet .

I assumed we would have to collect race packs on 1st April in Brighton. This is what I've done before.

EveryLittleWish · 15/03/2023 08:39

@Fizbosshoes they are mailing them out this year ( apparently)

VaulterTech · 15/03/2023 14:13

Hey all! Can I join please? I’m doing london (second time but first I was unfit and injured so hoping to enjoy it more). I’ve missed my first run this week due to the bug that’s doing the rounds, hoping to manage a speed session tonight though.

Fizbosshoes · 15/03/2023 14:19

EveryLittleWish · 15/03/2023 08:39

@Fizbosshoes they are mailing them out this year ( apparently)

Thank you I should prob pay better attention to the emails! Blush
I Usually presume they are trying to flog me an expensive tshirt or something!

londonmummy1966 · 15/03/2023 16:49

@VaulterTech - hi - I'm doing London too - on here as part of my procrastination routine when I ought to be getting out for a run....

DaysofHoney · 15/03/2023 18:02

Just did a tempo session over 9km… cold and rainy but pleased I got out and amazed at how well I’ve recovered since Monday’s 18 miles of hell.

Anyone doing London had race info yet???

Original poster
xsquared · 15/03/2023 18:03

londonmummy1966 · 15/03/2023 16:49

@VaulterTech - hi - I'm doing London too - on here as part of my procrastination routine when I ought to be getting out for a run....

Just do it anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
xsquared · 15/03/2023 18:05

Well done folks on your respective long runs and speed sessions.

Doing 35.5k/22 miles again this Friday but this time with my running partner who missed it a couple of weeks ago.

OP posts:
londonmummy1966 · 15/03/2023 19:18

xsquared · 15/03/2023 18:03

Just do it anyway.

Show quote history

I just did - 5 miles at a bit above race pace followed by a session of the S&C exercises the physio gave me- wet and miserable out there.

MatchesinEyes23 · 15/03/2023 19:40

Hi everyone. Just checking in (amateur runner doing Manchester in a month's time). I ran 28k (17.4 miles) today and it was sooo painful. I hated every minute of it. My legs seem to be in pain from the minute I start running. I've had a couple of weeks off due to yet another bug and really hoped I'd feel a bit fresher today. I'm plodding at about a 7min/km pace which is really not fast at all and taking far too many walking/stretching breaks. I ticked the miles off, so I'm pleased, but I'm also thinking how the hell am I going to run another 9 miles on top!
I'd really love to beat my 2015 marathon time of 4h 55min but it doesn't look like that's going to happen 😕
On the plus side, I bought some nice insoles which have helped a lot with my achey foot 😀

Original poster
xsquared · 15/03/2023 19:46

londonmummy1966 · 15/03/2023 19:18

I just did - 5 miles at a bit above race pace followed by a session of the S&C exercises the physio gave me- wet and miserable out there.

Show quote history

Well done and more so in this miserable weather.

Welcome to the thread @MatchesinEyes23 and Well done for completing the 28K. I'm sure you'll be able to find those extra 9 miles on the day. Plus you've ran a marathon before, so you know you can do the distance.
Are you following the Manchester training pla n?

OP posts:
MatchesinEyes23 · 15/03/2023 19:56

Thanks @xsquared - I'm roughly following the 15 week training plan. I think it should have been 29k today actually, but hey ho! I'm not really following much of the pacing advice, just trying to get the miles under my belt moreso.
I just don't remember the last time being so painful, or hating it so much 😂I was definitely fitter and had much more time to train in 2015. Every run really hurts!
I will get round but really wanted a bit of a quicker time. We'll see what happens on the day!