Spring Marathoners 2024

[Forestcantrun]

Apologies if there is an existing thread, I’ve only seen the London one (maybe 2025 is my London year 🙏)
Just wondering who is doing what Spring marathon this year and how are you getting on?
I'm for Manchester this year, never been so am even excited at going to a new city. Training at a standstill for me this last few days, it’s just been too icy to get out.

[xsquared]

There's also a first time marathoners thread here.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/4951579-marathon-first-timers-2024

I dip into both, even though I've already done one marathon.

Manchester is great, and it's also flat so it's a good one for getting a pb or a GFA time.

I haven't officially started my marathon training yet, as I have a half event this Sunday, so I've just finished a cycle and I will do the fast track 12 week one rather than 16 weeks.

In terms of getting out to run in the current weather, I did yesterday's run on the field near my house, which has a good 400m ish circuit, so I did my speed intervals there! I usually don't like training on grass because it feels just that much harder, but no way was I going to attempt the icy pavements.

[LittleLize]

Hello! I’m doing Manchester too! It’s my first marathon, so I’m at the “I must have been mad” stage of training.

[Idratherbepaddleboarding]

I’m doing Manchester too! I’ve done a half but training has also stalled due to the weather and I hate running on the treadmill ☹️.

[Forestcantrun]

@LittleLize im not sure that stage ever goes through the whole training programme!
@Idratherbepaddleboarding I had to take a whole week off training there because of that awful weather and sickness. Feel very off kilter now.
@xsquared i don’t enjoy grass running either but it definitely was better than the pavements.
Hopefully we are past the worst of the mad weather now tho

[LittleLize]

Very true @Forestcantrun ! I think it’s just acknowledging how big a step up in time commitment it is from training for a half. And trying very hard not to compare my training to everyone on the Facebook groups - it’s my run, my pace, but … but …

[xsquared]

How is everyone getting on with training?

I've finally started the Runna app training plan for the marathon. The speed sessions look very intimidating indeed! I'm meant to be doing 7×800m at faster than my current 5K pace tommorow on a track, but I think the 40mph wind is going to hold me back!

@LittleLize the training is intense and huge commitment and there will be times when you're just tired and fed up. However, the feeling of achievement will be immense on the day as you celebrate what your body can do!

[Forestcantrun]

@xsquared training is going ok, mostly! I had to postpone tonight’s tempo session due to a neck issue bizarrely enough. Am hoping to get back on it tomorrow though all being well. I might have to get a sports massage first to loosen up.
hope everyone else is getting on ok

[LittleLize]

Going ok. Body is starting to feel a bit creaky! Saw a physio yesterday for some knee niggles, but he’s happy I can keep running.

Managed 18 miles on Sunday, but backing off on the distance for a couple of weeks now

[Casualbrowser21]

Hi all, I’ve got Brighton Mara in April - have any of you tried the 30km distances yet? I have that planned for tomorrow and it’ll be the furthest i’ve ever ran! Quite nervous if i’m honest!

[TheTripThatWasnt]

Manchester marathon is amazing! Such a great atmosphere (not quite London, but better than anywhere else I've run). And nice and flat which is good.

I'm doing Brighton too @Casualbrowser21. This weekend's long run is 18miles, but I'm doing it with a friend, so that will ease the pain. I like to get up to the longest distance a good few weeks before the race (so that I've got time in hand in case anything happens!)

[LoveSandbanks]

I’m doing London this year but virtually so I get to run around my local area. I did London for real in 2022 and hated it. I’m very undertrained this year but have no time in mind and will be happy to
walk half of it (although that will be a bloody long time on my feet)

[LittleLize]

Today’s 14 miles felt harder than last week’s 18!

[Forestcantrun]

Well done all on your long runs. @Casualbrowser21 just prep all your stuff in time, make sure your earphones and watch are charged, get a podcast, or even better, some company lined up to join you and the miles honestly will go by faster than you think.
I am out walking the dog but hope to be feeling up to a run tomorrow all being well.

[Casualbrowser21]

Thanks all! Went okay! Realised my plan said 25km for today so did that, but really felt it towards the end. Can’t imagine doing another 17km on top of that right now 😥

Hope everyone else’s run went well today/goes well tomorrow!

[xsquared]

Some.impressive efforts from everyone, amd pleased to hear training is going well.

@Casualbrowser21 you will feel it initially but that's the point of training. Your body will eventually get used to it and it won't feel as tough as you progress. Keep going!

Did a fast 2 mile relay today, followed by a half marathon home from the race venue.

At the moment, I haven't really done any marathon paced workouts, as they've been faster ones. I need to incorporate some marathon pace intervals in my long runs to practise what it feels like.

I'm scheduling my next long run for Friday of around 25k or up to 2:30.

[LittleLize]

I got completely freaked out last night by reading advice on carboloading the night before, and wondering how on earth I was going to manage it away from home. That little voice in my head saying who was I to think I could run a marathon. Aargh. Gave it a stern talking to.

Ah well. Grey wet morning this morning- time to get the trainers on. Short progression run today. Good luck if you’re heading out on your long run this morning.

[Forestcantrun]

@xsquared thats the most runner statement ever… Ran a 2 mile relay and then a half marathon home🤣🤣🤣
Well done @LittleLize you’re getting the miles in, it’s not easy but it does get easier as you gently creep up the mileage. In terms of carb loading definitely practice getting your day before a long run food in order because basically that’s all it is!! I have never been to Manchester before in my life so I need to look at where I’m going to eat on the Saturday, then I plan on getting a Chinese after the marathon (which I can’t eat while training for various reasons) and possibly eat it in bed🤣
Any recommendations for eating in Manchester will be gratefully received!!!

[xsquared]

Killing two birds with one stone @Forestcantrun 😆.

Youre pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to eating in Manchester, but I can't remember the name of the restaurant we went to! My running partner and I opted for something lighter at dinner time.and had our main meal at lunch time. That's better for toilet reasons, I think!

[Forestcantrun]

100percent @xsquared . Definitely leaving the Chinese till after my run🤣 Will be keeping dinner the night before simple!!

[LittleLize]

Such a lovely sunny run this morning after all the rain! Very much a de-loading week this week as I’m running the Cancer Research Winter 10k in London on Sunday.

Maybe not the best timing for a 10k in terms of overall training plan but it will be an interesting marker on my 10k pace. I ran it last year in 1 hr 31 seconds. Those 31 seconds were very annoying! My watch time was hopelessly out because of the buildings.

[Forestcantrun]

Best of luck for Sunday @LittleLize . I also have a 10k race on Sunday but it’s more about turning up to run and support rather than race this time for me. I’ve had niggles and sickness this marathon training block already and I have the fear of injury.

[Forestcantrun]

How did your race go @LittleLize ?

[LittleLize]

Under the hour! 58:25, so a very happy girl! Thanks for asking.

Now back to normal training- very muddy this morning.

How is everyone doing?

[Forestcantrun]

Amazing @LittleLize , congratulations on the sub 60🙌
19 miler in the bag for me this week. Really cold here, and it was super windy so felt great on the return half wind assisted 🤣

[xsquared]

Well done @LittleLize on your sub 60 result.

Can't believe it's 7 weeks to go for London! Did 30k yesterday, so a little less than 19 miles. Having a down week this week by 1 mile nonetheless, and then attempting up to 22 miles on 17th March.