London Marathon 2024

[DeepfriedPizza]

I thought I would start a thread for those running the London Marathon 2024.
I entered the ballot again for this year after many years of rejection and got in!

I did, however, tear my calf in January and again in September so I've not been able to build a good base ready to start training in January.

I am a slow runner, I will probably finish at about 5 and a half hours so hopefully I will be fit enough to get round.

Anyone else?

@xsquared after I’ve recovered I have really good few months of doing mile/5k specific speedwork go get the base speed quicker. Really helps!

I also got quicker when I stopped racing for the sake of racing, I only do 3/4 races a year now.

And strength work, far more important than stretching

Sounds very sensible and it clearly works! @Lastqueenofscotland2

@Lastqueenofscotland2 - what strength work do you do? I’ve just started doing some weights but I’m a complete novice

I do some various standing core exercises for core strength and stability
Legs I usually pick four of the below and do 3 sets of 12 twice a week(all weighted)

Hamstring curls
step ups
Glute bridges
Single leg glute bridge
Squats
Sumo squats
Single leg squats
Dead lifts
Single leg dead lifts
calf raises
Leg press
Lunges
Side lunges

I have got a ballot place for London after 10 years of trying. I am super excited, I never thought I would get a place. I run regularly but since hitting 50 I have really cut my weekly mileage down as was getting lots of injuries. So not sure how my body is going to manage as the mileage increases. I have been working with a PT over the last year doing weight training so hoping that will stand me in god stead.

Good luck all. Looking forward to how we all get on with our training plans. First long run today.

I have a ballot place! I was doing really well ( up to 7 miles) in nov but had hip flexor injury so not ran since.
going to restart this week and see how I get on. I anticipate ( if I do it and injury is ok) that I’ll be between 5-20/5-45 hrs
it was my 15th ballot attempt!

@LoudSnoringDog 15 attempts at the ballot that shows tenacity and persistence pays off!
I hope that your training goes well this week and your hip flexor injury sorted itself out.

Wow! Well done @LoudSnoringDog and @lovealotbear on getting through the ballot after so many years. You must both be really excited and elated.

Have either of you done a marathon before? I hope your hip flexor gets better Loudsnoringdog.

I think working with a PT for strength work will really benefit your running as well as prevent injuries @lovealotbear.

Anyone know what to do if you become injured? Started training plan for my first marathon in April (London).

I’ve hurt my knee on Friday. Couldn’t weight bare properly yesterday but full range of movement again today and walking fine. Just sore and making me nervous.

what happens if I miss a couple of long runs?? Is it ok just to walk the training plan in the meantime to get the miles in??

Hi, I will be running my 4th LM and have qualified for a championship place for the 2nd year running.
I'm looking forward to it. I love the atmosphere in London.

@Bananaandmarmite If you can move your knee today, hopefully you’re on the road to recovery.
I wouldn’t worry too much about missing long runs at this stage, it’s more important to make sure you’re not irritating any injury.
Is there something else you can do this week, cycle / walk /strength training, to keep momentum and your strength up while you monitor your knee ?

I’d rest for a few days and then have a few days swimming/on the bike.

@fatteratforty and @Lastqueenofscotland2 - thank you.

I have zwift so might go on that and do a gentle cycle. Will do upper body weights too. Gentle walking at the mo. Feeling nervous. It’s ok and then if I twist without thinking, it hurts a lot!! Think I might walk my long run on Sunday if I can..does that sound sensible? I feel so naive about all of this

@Bananaandmarmite I’m no expert, but I think you may be better cycling rather than walking on it for a distance. More gentle on your knee, but still strengthening & working your legs.

that and weights for a week, you’ll hopefully feel much better & can get back to your training plan

Eilish McColgan goes on the cross trainer when she is injured so if it works of her then it can work for us.

How's everyone's training coming along?

Two weeks ago I stubbed my little toe so badly, it was deep purple and Dr Google suggested it was broken with a 6-8 week recovery time. I took a week off running and just did some weights. Last week, the bruising had gone and there was no pain so I went out for a gentle 30 min jog. I've cracked on with the running and no problems since. Phew!

@Tiddlywinkly glad the toe is ok now.

my knee is still hideous. My long run consisted of 4 miles which is nothing. I was easily up to 8-10 prior. So frustrated and really worried I’m going to have to drop out.
wondering how much pain I can accept in order to keep running…..

waiting for an mri scan privately to see what’s occurring..

Pleased to hear your toe has healed @Tiddlywinkly .

Sorry to hear about your knee @Bananaandmarmite. No advice on my part other than seeing the doctor and doing any exercises the physio recommends.

You may be able to defer a year if you're injured still, but check with the organisers. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Race week for me, so I'm going to reduce this week's volume until the half on Sunday.

@Bananaandmarmite so sorry to hear that. Hopefully it’s something that can be easily (and quickly!) resolved.
@xsquared good luck for the weekend

My training is going ok so far. I think the strength training is definitely helping. I really need to get my nutrition under control (carrying a good stone and a half more than I should). Excess weight is not good for my joints when running !

Sorry to hear about your knee, have you seen a physio, @Bananaandmarmite

I am training by time on feet rather than miles so I did a long run of 1 hour 40 at the weekend and it felt fine.

I am concerned about the weather this week as we are due snow/ice and I HATE the treadmill.

@DeepfriedPizza I also hate (hate!) the treadmill, but I’m not taking a chance when it’s slippy outside. Hopefully the weather will warm up a bit after this week.

Hopefully. I have a 45 min interval session and a 60 min easy run to do on days where the temperature is very low

Hi all, can I join? I was offered my club's place for the marathon this week as the original runner had to withdraw, I'm really excited as it's a bucket list one for me, but a bit nervous as my last marathon was 10 years and 2 children ago. I'm 41 now, pretty average runner, and I scraped the sub 4 that I really wanted at Belfast last time round, so I'm hoping that I can just go to London, get round and enjoy it (but the little ideas about a good time are sneaking in already...)

I run regularly so will just be stepping up to some nice and slow long runs and 3 other runs a week including our club running night, and trying to get some strength training in between.

That's great you got a place! My plan is just to get round and enjoy it so not focusing on time at all.

Welcome to the thread @emmsyg and well done on getting a place for the London Marathon.

As you already run, I think this will stand you on good stead with the training, amd gone you a solid base.

How os everyone getting on?

I was meant to do my race week intervals today bit it's just too icy to be running on the pavement.

Luckily, I have a grass field very near to me so I shall do some cross country style training there instead!