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?

I had 60 mins easy on my plan for last night and was watching out the window all day looking for ice. It was fine when I set off after work but at about 35 mins in it became treacherous, managed to run on roads/avoid the patches and got 50 mins in total but I am glad to have avoided the treadmill. Strength session tonight then 45 mins intervals tomorrow which I think will have to be done on the treadmill!

Well done @DeepfriedPizza for managing to get the run in, but very sensible to stop when it became too treacherous. Just not worth the risk!

I've just done my half marathon race, so I will be recovering mostly this week, with mainly easy runs, but then I want to start a 12 week plan either on Runna or Coopah, which is the official training app.

Both have a two week free trial period, and although I've heard positive things about Runna, has anyone had any experience with Coopah or is using this for the marathon?

Well done on all those training.

im still injured. Saw consultant on Thursday who said Pes Anserine Bursitis/Tendinitis. He said I could run gently on it if wanted to continue to train. So Saturday I did a very tentative 8 miles. Went well tbh. Then Dh drove me the 4 hour round trip to my MRI scan (hopefully confirming my knee is ok to run on!). As I got out of the car, my knee seized and I couldn’t weightbear! The pain was immense. I’ve had 2 days of hideous pain and locking but woken this morning and it’s calmer again.

tempted to give it a couple more days rest, and try a run again!

@Bananaandmarmite thats awful, and must be so frustrating. When will you get your MRI results ? No advice, you know your body best, but I’d be cautious until you have those

@xsquared I’ve been using Runna and really rate it

Sorry your knee is still causing issues.

I have covid so all training has paused. I'm gutted

@DeepfriedPizza - sorry to hear you have Covid. Hopefully it will be just a week out and then you can gradually get back. I’ve been told you can have up to 3 weeks out without hideous effects to training. Get well soon.

Ive also picked up an injury. Well, actually I picked it up on my very first run on the marathon plan on NYD, but hadn’t appreciated that it wasn’t more than a normal ache. But then it seized up after my 10km long run last week 😬

Took a trip to the physio yesterday. It’s my hamstring. Must stop neglecting strength training, and I’m ok to run gently. Back next week so hopefully not a big setback. But I have ‘lost’ a weeks training. Frustrating!

@xsquared I also went with Runna and am pleased with it. I wasn’t seeing anyone using Coopah either, which influenced my choice.

Just got mri results back.
bucket handle meniscus tear and grade 2 mcl sprain!
urghhhhhhh

A lot of the running Facebook groups I’m on report a lot of problems with Coopah essentially spouting nonsense. I suspect it’s a glorified chatGPT sort of set up from the feedback I’ve heard.

Sorry to hear those with illness and injuries, and hope you recover in time.

@Bananaandmarmite that must be so frustrating about yours. Will you be able to defer if you need a significant amount of time off training?

Thanks for the feedback on Runna. I think I'll give it a whirl, but it's a shame about Coopah not being so good, as it's meant to be the official app for London.

Can I join too? I have a charity place and this will be my first and only marathon (have done a half) I am also doing it for my 50th! And am very slow - hoping for under 6.30!

Just posted separately about running backpacks for my long runs and for the day itself - does anyone have one they recommend?

Welcome @Helprequired5 to the thread.

I saw your running backpack thread, and have commented on it. I wear a Harriers Curbar one on my long runs.

Which charity are you running for? How is the fundraising going?

I'm not running for a charity but I do want to set up a charity page for people to donate to.
It can be done via the TCS website, but the minimum target has already been set which is quite high imo. Does it matter that it doesn't get met? I wanted to set a modest amount that people wouldn't be too intimidated by.

I hope your training is going well.

Late to the party, I have qualified for a Championship place - still yet to pay for it as I was nursing an slight Achilles tedinopathy over Christmas so had a couple of weeks walking/walk-running. Been building back the last few weeks and seeing how it goes before I properly commit. Managed 45 miles total this week and it’s still feeling all good!

this will be my 2nd London, first was way back in 2015 and I haven’t ran a marathon since early 2018 (got my Champs place on a half mara time!) so it kinda feels like my first one all over again!

I'm going to have to defer, I'm gutted. 2 calf tears last year and my other one went this morning at the start of my long run.
With experience I know I can't consider running again for at least 2 weeks after that it will be a slow build so no time to be marathon ready.

I've shed a few tears about it but I know it's best.

I have my flights and hotel booked so I can go and spectate, I'm looking forward to that

Oh deep fried that’s rubbish I’m so sorry

I’m so sorry to hear that, how gutting. I hope it heals soon and there is always next year

Sorry to hear that deep fried.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and to stay injury free for next year.

@DeepfriedPizza sorry to hear that, you’ll be so disappointed, but you’re doing the right thing.

Wishing you a speedy recovery

Bit late to the party. This will be my second marathon, 11 years after my first. Ballot place that I deferred from last year due to injury.

Feeling very behind in training following illness both pre and post Christmas. Longest run so far 10 miles. So I’m not optimistic on time, just looking to get round and anything under 5 hours I’ll be delighted with.

@DeepfriedPizza so sorry you’ve had to pull out. I was gutted last year. Can you defer to 2025?

@DeepfriedPizza so sorry to hear this.

I feel the same. I’ve had to defer now. Meniscus tear on a slow 5k!! Absolutely gutted and now need surgery next week! Full leg brace and crutches for 6 week!! So sad. Was supposed to be doing Exeter half next week too. My daughters having to do it without me. But she’s deferred London to do it with me next week.

I’ve booked a place for New York marathon as I needed something to look forward to!

London next year. Not next week! 😂

The number of accepted applicants is far more than the number who turn up on the start line. Every year 28% (it's a consistent figure over the last 25 years) of those who have paid their money and been allocated a number, don't turn up ! The organisers know this - so allocate far more places, than the number of likely starters.

Interestingly, the percentage of those who start but don’t finish is absolutely tiny.

@Bananaandmarmite Sorry to hear you are on the injury bench with me! hopefully we'll both smash it next year

Hello all, I was lucky to get a club place 2 yrs ago for last year’s marathon. I hurt my knee so was able to defer to this year. Am now taking it very slowly to avoid injury. I’m following a Hal Higdon plan which is pretty much go out and run. No prescribed intervals, hills etc but I include hills anyway. It’s running 4 times a week so this week is 6.5/11.3/6.5km midweek and then long run on Sunday. Did 14 miles yesterday and felt good. Definitely taking the 80/20 approach. Fastest running is parkrun (when I do it) and 2 runs are with club so range from easy to tempo. My downside is strength training so need to pull my finger out!

I only have one suggested race in my plan and that’s a half in 2 weeks. Other than that there is a local 20 mile race but it falls a week earlier than in my plan so needs tweaking. I tried with the ballot for 10 yrs unsuccessfully so was thrilled to get club place. I feel I’ve been waiting for this forever.