Running Thread - anyone got a place in 2009 London Marathon (or any Marathon!)

[hellion]

For the first time I have got into the 2009 London Marathon. Anyone else out there who is training for this? Hows it going?

Any advice from those who have run it before and managed to fit in family life would be gratefully appreciated.

Hi

Just filled in details for the Sunday so will have to wait for them to confirm my place.

Everytime I think about the marathon I get butterflies in my stomach.

I am so chuffed with myself with how far I have got now. I never imagined I would be able to run 7 miles. Its not much to most but alot to someone who could not run 5 mins last summer.

Plus I never would have got into running if my dad had not got sick. I never liked the thought of running - its funny how things change.

I am going out for a run now - I am on the third day of week 4. I am glad that after this I only have to do two more 3 mile runs. I dont like running three miles now that I have got to 7. Cant help feel like Im wasting time. I know though that the small runs are important.

Hellion - dont know how you do it on a treadmill, I could not handle that at all. Although its freeeeeeeeeezing outside I need to be out there and plus you warm up in minutes. 11 miles is great - looking forward to that. This week my long run will be 8 miles.

So who is going to meet up at the experts day.

I know what you mean butterflies when you think about running the Marathon. I just think how can I get that far. It has got to be all about positive thinking. Someone said to me that you need to break it down eg think of it as 2 x 10 miles runs plus a 7 mile.

I am giving up on the treadmill. I am sure I picked up more aches and pains in that short 2.5km than in any of my long runs. Its the great outdoors from now on. Even if the temperature is -10.

Have done my run this evening (still freezing cold out there), so can feel smug until Sunday morning.

How do you manage to fit in the childcare and running. Talking of children, my ds asked if I was going to win the marathon. . Win it - I'll be lucky if I reach the finish line.

Hi ladies how are you all getting on? How did the long run go? I did 8m this morning - furthest I have ever run! I am achy but chuffed as it gives me hope that this insane undertaking may actually be possible!!
x

Yes we have undertaken some insane task. I must check to see if I have a screw loose! Well done on the 8 miles. It can be done (honest!). I did a long run on sun. At least the temperature was above O. Anyway now I get two days off on my schedule and then have to run again on wed. Kids have gone to bed. Time to put my (aching) feet up. The only downside to doing the long runs is that I am starving today, and probably eating all the caleries I have run off.

yes you need s day off after the long run! it makes me starving too - i just scoff bicuits when I get back!

The childcare/time issue is the killer - just not enough hours in the week. I rely on DP looking after the dc so can get out at the weekend ok - it's just in the week that is difficult if he gets stuck at work. I work FT now so no time in the day either. At least the evenings arent as cold now as you say.

Hello

Well done xfabba on the 8 miles, I ran 8 miles too on Sunday. Longest run for me so far too.

I was really chuffed and felt great afterwards. I was at my mums and hoovered her whole house and made everyone lunch I was on such a high.

It was such a beautiful day on Sunday, the sun was shining and I was running with tshirt. I felt fine throughout the run except near the end I had a pain on the front of my left knee but later after the run it went.

I'm really looking forward to my 10 mile run this Sunday now.

Childcare is a problem, I go to college Mondays and work Thursdays so I run Tues, Wed, Fri and Sundays. During the week I go out and run early whilst everyone is still asleep (this is hard work for me as I am not a morning person at all) or I run in the evenings about 8pm.

Sunday I run late morning.

My whole family are really impressed by my dedication and motivation because I am doing it alone but now I have started I cant let everyone down. Everytime they tell me how proud they are it pushes me on and I wont give in.

In my book it says that as soon as you have decided to run the marathon you should tell everyone so to make you get on with it. Because everytime you see people they will ask you how your training is going and if you were thinking of ducking out on a run that evening then you will feel like you just have to go and do it.

I have to say on the times I really didnt want to run, I felt so good afterwards for doing it but found the run itself harder than normal so its very importanr you prepare your mind for the run too. The night before in bed I imagine running the route in my head and make myself look forward to it and I always enjoy the run more.

Hellion - whats your longest run now?

What sport drinks do you drink?

I did a half marathaon about 10 years ago, but I don't think that counts, as I have had lots of gaps in between. I managed 11 for my Sunday run, so I suppose that is my longest. I am trying to run three times this week. HAve done Sun, and Wed so far. I hope to run Friday.

I haven't needed to run early morning yet. But it is something I might need to resort to if I can't get the number of runs in. This should get better as the days get longer.

I did start taking Umbro sports drink with me in my running bottle. But when I saw the colour of the bottle afterwards, I thought I might end up running the marathon with no teeth. So I now drink it before and after, and take the sports gel with me.

I also buy Runners World magazine, as this has some really good tips and articles. Some stuff is for really fast runners, but other bits are relevant to us. Also it lists races going on around the country. Have you done any other races before?

Hi there - yes I think I mightget some of the gel stuff. For now I am sucking dextrose tablets when I need to. No idea if this is advised but it does seem to help.

I only started running at all last year. I did a 10K in October and one on New Years Day. I am going to try and book another one and maybe a half marathon before the actual marathon as I think it is probably a good idea to get an idea of what it will be like with lots of peopel and crowds (and people storming past you shouting get out of the way!)

This week so far I have done 3m and 5m and am going to try and do a 4m tommorow and then the long run on Sunday. I am a bit confused about how far to try for on Sunday. The book I have got (Non-Runners Marathon Trainer one RFL recomended) says you shouldnt go up too quickly so for the week I am on the long run is only 6m for week 2 or 7m fro week 3 (was thinking of skipping to week 3) but I did 8m last Sunday. Do you think it matters if you do more - should I stick at 8 or try for 9/10?

We are actually in week 2 of a 16 week program leading right up to the marathon - what are you going to do with teh extra weeks for those that have started your programs earlier?

I cant decide what week to put myself in as I think I am a bit ahead of absolute beginner in the first few weeks of the book.

Hello xfabba and hellion

Try not jump ahead and stay with the programme - I sound like an american

You have time to follow it and even if you feel you can do more stick to it. You may feel fine jumping weeks but later on you could suddenly develop an injury because you didnt allow your body to adjust to more miles each week.

Most running books I have scanned say its so important to increase your mileage slowly.

I have followed it to a T even though I have been so tempted to jump ahead even a little. But each time I increase my long runs I dont notice the extra miles and it must be because of the programme.

Imagine training all the way and then getting a injury that stops you doing it, you would be gutted.

I did 3 miles, and 5 miles so far this week. I need to do another 3 mile and then 10 miles on Sunday. I am on week 5.

This will be my last week of 3 mile runs thankfully. I really dont enjoy these runs because it takes me 3 miles to get in the flow so they feel like more effort.

Today I'm shattered, held two music classes this morning, ran 5 miles after my lunch (did not leave long enough gap after eating and felt sick a few times)and then another music class at my daughters nursery. My partner is not in yet, done the kids dinner and now about to bath them. Thank God, not every day is this busy!!!!

Hellion I have never done a race, I only started running end of last Sep, I have a place to run a half marathon in April before the big one. I also may try to do a 10k.

Regarding the extra weeks think I have two spare, cant remember but I'll prob repeat weeks 11 and 12 to bring me up to the date.

I hate it when I do not leave long enough after food. You feel like you are running with an extra load (which I suppose is the case).

I think I have a few weeks spare. I am going to do the same as RFL and repeat a couple of weeks. That way I won't be upping my mileage every week. You could split the difference, so you have a few weeks of upping mileage (as per programme) and then remain the same for a week. Then repeat a few weeks later.

Is the non-Marathon book any good. I have ordered my copy, and still waiting (hopefully it will before the Marathon).

yes i think the book is good - it is quite motivational - maybe in a slightly cheesy american way but still quite interesting - also quite small so doesnt look too overwhelming which is good I find. I am only on chapter 2 as I am reading it week by week according to which week I am on.

You're right, I must resist the temptation to go too fast - my knees ae aching a bit after the 5k on the treadmill so I dont want to overdo it at the beginning and get injured like you say (the book says exactly the same too)

Why is it taking so long to get the book? I ordered it from amazon and it took a couple of days. You will easily catch up, dont worry, but I could always scan th efirst couple of chapters and email it to you.

Did you order it from amazon? - Normally they are quick!

It is cheesy but it's the kind of cheese that is good for personal reading. I find it really motivating but when I tell people what it suggests then I think "God, that sounds cheesy!".

So far though it has been great for me and I dont reckon I would have got this far alone without it.

Hope you're all well

Hi I did order it from Amazon - but ordered another book at the same time, so I bet they are waiting for that one to come in. I have got a schedule already so can hopefully survive without it for a bit longer.

Ok here the update on running. Ran Wednesday night (7.5 miles). Should have run on Friday but felt so tired that I didn't. Probably had something to do with digging the garden on Thursday (note: Digging the garden and running do not mix). Anyway tomorrow I am running Dartford 10, and am really nervous.

Also started my justgiving web page up so I can raise some money for my charity. I emailed it to all my friends. Now the pressure is really on. If the money starts coming in I will have to run it.

Hows it going. Have you managed to get out much this week.

Hello

This week ran, 3, 5 and was supposed to run 3 miles again yesterday but i've come down with a stinking cold and just couldnt do it. That wsa the first run i have missed so I'm hoping it wont matter.

I'm running 10 miles tomorrow.

Good luck with the Dartford.

Take care

hello everyone - only just seen this - haven;t been around much recently as internet connection is shitty. I'm doing the London marathon this year - I've done a half and a 16 before. I spent quite a lot of time looking at schedules - I wanted 4 times a week and I wanted some speed and/or hill work. I've read that speed and hills are more efficient - you get more out of it than if you spend the same amount of time plodding at the same speed on the flat (apparently) - and also makes it more interesting. I'm doing this one - I like it coz it's quite flexible. so far I'm at the top end of the mileage...but it's only 2 weeks in!

so far I'm finding it ok. my only problem is finging routes - I've just moved from south-west London with the towpath along the river, Richmond Park, Bushy Park - completely perfect for running, to a hilly rural and extremely muddy part of the world. It's a choice of bogs or roads without pavements at the moment...I'm really looking forward to drier weather.

Hi there everyone, i've had a bit of a crap week due to a cold too - started ok doing 4 and 5 miles at begining of week, then missed 2 days due to feeling crap so did a rubbish 3 yesterday and only 6 for the "long" run today - pah! Oh well, am still technically on schedule for the book for week 2 but feel it was a bit of a poor effort. My knees are really aching too so I am wondering whether I need to get some new shoes as have had mine since last August. Oh well, next week will be better hopefully!

I too have just sent out the emails for my just giving page! Am hoping donations will remotivate me!

hello can I join in?

I have a place for the London Marathon as I did a Good For Age time in 2007 - but I haven't decided whether I will be on the start line or not yet!

I had my son at the end of June by emergency CS, was running 2 days before his 6 week birthday and everything was going quite well and then I got injured - then I had endless colds for about 3 months, so I have only just got back into the groove since Christmas really!

I am doing a 3 day a week programme, 1 session of intervals, 1 tempo run and 1 long run. I am already 'behind' on the long runs as I should have started the year with a 13 mile run but the 6 that I actually did was the furthest I had run in ages.

Anyway. I managed 10 miles yesterday, am suffering a little for it now but it wasn't too bad at all.

Next session for me should have been intervals tomorrow, but it's my birthday and I have a feeling I may still be aching from yesterday's 10miler, so I will do them on Wednesday instead.

I am thinking I would like to do the marathon and if I set a realistic time and don't get disheartened with how much slower I am than 2 years ago I might actually enjoy it!

I am also entered for the REading half marathon at the end of March - a race I love

Anyway, enough rambling - nice to meet you all - keep up the good work.

Of course you can join. Can I be nosey and ask what time you did to get a Good for Age time. I know I am nowhere near that, but I am aiming for a get round time in about 5 - 5 1/2 hours. On good days I think this will be no problem. On bad training days (or days with aches/colds) I think I will have to crawl round and could probably manage about 8 hours.

I did the Dartford 10 this weekend and found it ok. So I need to do 2 more runs this week. I am finding runnning three times a week really hard.

Good luck with training this week. Hope the colds and bugs have cleared up RFL and Xfabba.

By the way I think you are allowed your birthday off although it doesn't actually say so in the schedule!

Ho ho - thanks Hellion - I am definately having today off as I am aching like bugg?ry from Sunday's run (the day after the day after and all that) plus me & hubby went out for lunch and split a bottle of wine sooo naughty.

how did you do at the Dartford 10?

This website is good if you like to obsess about times and that sort of thing - if you have done a recent race it gives predictions for times you could achieve at other distances - training permitted obviously

I ran London in 3:39 in 2007 - you need to go faster than 3:45 to get a GFA place. I was hoping to go under 3:30 but it was a hot day and, I later found out, I was a little bit pregnant at the time (lost that one at 8 weeks, but that's another story ) so I had a good set of excuses.

This is something along the lines of the training programme I am following if anyone is interested.

Oh, and most training programmes only get you up to a 20 mile maximum - mostly because if you try and do more you run a serious risk of getting injured. The most important thing with marathon training is NOT overdoing it which is actually very difficult. The trick, I think, is doing more than one 20 mile run if you can fit it in, rather than trying to run more than 20 miles - if you see what I mean.

3:39!!!! OMG!!!

I am not even thinking about a time to aim for as the beginner book I am using says don't but I think I too am looking at 5+.

I am mentally trying to get refocused this week as I found last week hard. I haven't done any running since Sunday as my knees were really aching so I though I would have a good rest. Last night I went to Body Combat and Yoga class as normal and now are aching again so I think I am going to order some new shoes as I think maybe mine are worn out. They were great when I first got them, end last summer, but they dont seem to be doing the same amount of cushioning anymore.

I am also doing a local 10K this weekend - Epsom Perch. As a 10K is, what 6.2 miles, I am going to do this as my scheduled long run whic is still "only" 7 miles in the book. I think that should be ok but what about when the long runs get longer? I haven't got enough days to do the odd competition for experience and a long run at the weekends. I feel I might have to find a half-marathon to do later - gulp!

On the subject of shoes could someone with more experience give me some advice - the shoes I had were great and were the ones local sports shop recomended after gait analysis. So I might as well stick with them right and get another pair? So those ones now have a newer model - but I can get last years model (same as ones got now) much cheaper - is there any point getting the updated model do you think? Do they change that much?

Ah Xfabba - don't you worry about my time - it was my second marathon and I have been running for a few years

My first marathon was Paris in 2004 and I did it in 4:19. I followed the Hal Higdon beginners programme for that and he said not to have a time in mind for your first marathon as well and although I thought he was bonkers before I ran, I do think it is entirely right.

To be honest, running a marathon is completely nuts. It is a stupidly long way and you really can't imagine what it is like until you've done it! Which means that setting a time is almost impossible in your first marathon because you don't know what you are facing - if you see what I mean?

I'm with you on the knees front - for me I think it's the bit of extra weight I'm still carrying and maybe the relaxin still knocking around.

Trainers wise - same as everything I suppose - if it ain't broke don't fix it, and even better if they are 'last year's colours' and cheap! Stock up on a couple of pairs if you like them. New models are often only different in colour or styling, but sometimes they have a slightly different fit - which could be good or bad - you would have to try them.

A half marathon sounds like a good idea - where do you live?

so, if i've been running for quite a while - 4 ish years (though with a few barren periods), have done a half (in 2.02) and a 16 and am following a beginners/intermediate schedule that says if you're good and do the maximum mileage (it has some flexibility) you might be able to do it in 4.00 am I being silly to have a time in mind? Not quite sure what said time is....I think it's 4.30 (but maybe it should be more) - but should I just forget it and go back to the goal of getting round without stopping? (I'm doing 4 runs a week - 28 miles last week, 30 iirc this week)

Well no, I wouldn't say you were silly at all to have a time in mind - it's difficult not to - but just be flexible with it, so you don't feel disappointed if you don't manage it. Also, having a time gives you something to aim for if you do shorter races between now and then.

I had the magical 4 hours in mind when I did Paris - but I was way off. I was disappointed, which was stupid really because running a marathon is a huge achievement whatever time you do!

In my experience (and I have only done 2 marathons - so I'm not an expert by any means!) more miles doesn't necessarily mean a faster time.

For Paris I ran up to 45 miles a week, I think that was over 4 or 5 runs. I did one 20 mile run and a couple of 18s. Most of the runs were at a slow pace. I ran 4:19.

For London in 2007 I ran 3 times a week, my maximum mileage was 35 miles in any week - and that would have been a week with a 20 mile run at the end of it. I did one interval session, a tempo run and a long run. I did 5 x 20 mile runs and a couple of 18s. I ran 3:39.

Now, it's difficult to compare properly because I was fitter when I started the 16 week training programme in 2007, but for a couple of years I thought I had reached my peak in terms of race times - until I did the intervals & tempo runs (never done that sort of thing before). In the run up to the marathon I took 10 minutes off my half marathon time (to 1:35) and 3 minutes off my 10k time!

Thing is, different training works for different people. If I go much above 35 miles a week (and I have tried it a couple of times) I start creaking and get injured. Other people thrive on it.

I have read lots of stuff to suggest that doing lots of miles at a slow pace will mean you can run lots of miles but you will be slow. I agree with that and think including some faster paced training definately makes a difference.

Oh, and when I did my 3:39 - after the 20 mile point I had to walk at every mile marker between there and the end! I would get a bottle of water, have a walk and a drink, then run again - I was absolutely knackered. Again, there are some arguments that taking regular walking breaks (ideally before you are forced to walk (which I was)) can result in a faster time than if you try and run all the way around!

Mmmmm, a bit of a ramble - but I think what I am trying to say is have a time to aim for, use it to motivate you through the training, but if it doesn't pan out then go easy on yourself and try again next time (if there is one, obviously ).

thanks tallbirduk - that's all really interesting. it also accords with a lot of what I've read. I picked my schedule specifically because it has speed sessions and fartleks. I find the psychology of it all very intersting (and I think a lot of it is psychology) - I'm not convinced that doing speed sessions has actually made me physically fitter or faster - but what it definitely has done is change my perception of what I'm capable of. now when I'm running at what I used to think was the fastest I could go I know it's not. I have a feeling that my old styple of training - set a distance and run it - had me plodding along at way below my capacity.

you do know that you're making me really really really want a garmin (instead of just really really)

i keep waverting between - take it slow and steady for the first time and dont have a time and my natural more competitive instincts - but i know I shouldnt as it is all new to me.

i went out with a local running club for last nights run and we did a bit of fartleking (name makes me giggle - how childish) and I think I agree that if I just set a distance and run at my own pace I will not get much better (faster? stamina? not sure what I mean) than i am now. I think I need a BIT of a challenge one day a week maybe just to keep it alol going. Danger is that I will be too knackered at the end of the week, like last week, to finish the 4th run properly.

Having said that, my son is ill today so I am off work with him and he is having a nap so I can have a little mid-week break which should help hee-hee.

How is everyone else getting on? I am finding this thread really motivational by the way - nice to know other peopole doing if it, even if virtually on MN.

For anyone going to the Meet the Expert Day I got a place on the Sunday and would be great to say hello to anyone else that will be there.