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.

Hello everyone, not had a chance to come on here for ages!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Amost there now!!!!!!

Still can not believe we are actually going to run the marathon... well jog

My number is 34718 and number 9 in bottom right hand corner.

I went to the registration day this week and listened to a talk on how much to drink because I was confused with all the advice.

They said there are water stations from 3 miles and every mile up to 25 and lucozade stations at every 5 miles. Also at the beginning.

If you've trained with lucozade then drink whilst waiting to start, then if you want drink half of everything at every station. Dont drink more than this unless its really hot but no more than 3/4's of everything.

I also spoke to a sport scientist and she suggested to drink half of the 300ml (i think 300ml or 350ml) of the lucozade every 30 minutes. Conflicting again

Sipping I guess throughout is the key but if you are almost at walking pace then you dont need as much.

They also say if you are using carb gels that 4-6 is the max you need. The sport scientist i spoke to said i should have mine about mile 12 and 17. the ones i use have two servings in each.

I dont need as much drink as they suggest because I dont sweat from face or feet - just wee lots!!! They also have these new P-mates for women to wee in. They are wicked!!! Shaped like cones, you use them standing up and tip your hips forward.

What time are you all getting there beforehand. I was think 90 mins before. Do you think that is too much?

Shame none of us got to meet, any mum I get chatting to I will ask - are you a mumsnetter?

I run roughly 10 min miles but have been advised my a neighbour who has run a whopping 18 marathons to run at 13 min miles for as long as possible. So if any of you run about that and are in the 9 group then maybe we will meet.

Im interested to hear if any of you will be doing a 3 mile walk tomorrow, what you are eating for lunch and dinner tomorrow, what time you are getting up sunday and what you are having for breakfast.

GOODLUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shirley x

Good luck everyone

Hi Shirley

My number is 8764 and I am in pen 8 on the blue start. Good luck (if you get a chance to check this before tomorrow). I have packed my running bag and it weighs a ton. I really shouldn't have included the kitchen sink.

I am hoping to get to the start early. I need time to get sorted (ie faf around). Apparently I should be eating lots of carbs today but my stomach is doing cartwheels so I am having to force feed myself.

3 mile walk - the only walking I am doing is to and from the station!!!!! I am off to reshape a bin-bag to wear at the start in case it rains. I cannot decide between black plastic or a clear recycleable bag.

Helen

Good luck all of you!

Fingers crossed for you all You are amazing.

Good Luck all

Same here, I have struggled to eat all day. I have constant butterflies!!!

So excited and feel so unprepared and feel like I should be working on my core muscles or stretching or something

You just reminded me about the black bag, i partner bought those dirt cheap tesco ones and so they are useless... what shall i use now?

i can not believe i am due on tomorrow so hopefully nerves will it at bay. i have had terrible pmt all week and of course the usual tiredness but today i feel fine.

good luck tomorrow, i am wearing a red cap with Yo Baby on it (my business name) and a red vest with Beating Bowel Cancer on it.

sending lots of energetic positive hugs to all!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

HOW WAS IT??? I loved it - what an atmosphere - totally bowled me over. and really kept me going. I did it in 4.32 which I'm really pleased with. did you guys enjoy it too? I caught a glimpse of Peter Andre and found myself slowing down/veering over to try to see Katie. but then thought "get a grip woman, why on earth are you remotely interested in Katie Price??? Just get on with the marathon ffs"

Absolutely fantastic. Well done to everybody who ran.

I watched my sister run. It is so amazing.

great time hw so are you registered in next year's ballot yet? i've been lurking on this thread and would love to hear how everyone else did - hope you all had a fantastic day.

Hello everyone. I had a fantastic day and finished in 5.23. Well done Hatwoman and what a great time. You must have overtaken me at some point. Katie Price was behind me at the 5 mile mark. I also got overtaken by a giant caterpillar and a camel, but I managed to beat the tree! Loved the atmosphere. My feet are aching today - all that concrete, but I would do it again.

Hi hellion - well done! It's such a great experience isn't it? the atmosphere was amazing. I think one of my favourite bits was the residential areas near the beginning - with people in their gardens, hanging out of bedroom windows ringing bells, and lots of kids. I'm still buzzing.

My feet are in a right state though - I had blood blisters (now popped...yuck) the size of marbles, and two toe nails are defintely on their way out - possibly more. I'm going on holiday in a week...I'm going to look delightful if the weather's warm enough for sandals by the pool aren't I? oh well, small price to pay.

Well done to all, I did it in 2003 another scorching day. Its such an amazing experience its worth all of the pain.

Well done Hatwoman and Hellion!

What an amazing experience.

I was a little gutted that I did it a whole hour longer than planned 5hrs 27 mins!!!!

But I ran the whole way and never walked. I knew that if I walked for even a bit I would not run again. I stopped 9 times to hug friends and family and queued 5 mins to do a wee.

I have run 18 miles runs with 10 min miles twice and felt fine at the end but yesterday my knees and feet were killing at 16 miles and I started getting all emotional and could not believe how bad I was feeling so early on. I still dont know why that happened. I looked at my watch and could see how behind I was so I decided to not look at it again, forget about time and just make sure I ran to the finish line even if it took me forever.

I started really slow on purpose but never got to speed up, I wonder now if i should have just stuck to my 10 minute miles? Maybe running slower fatigued my legs earlier than they would have? Anyway.... I should let it go and just be happy I ran all the way. Which was my orginal plan.

I guess its not bad for someone who could nor run for 5 mins last October.

well done runforlove. don't worry about the time - you got round and you ran round. TWENTY-SIX miles - how good is that?

who can say why it was different from your training? the weather perhaps? the excitement? what you ate? there are so many variables that there's no accounting for them really.

let's just raise a virtual glass to our success. well done all of us. [hat retreats as eyes prick again...]

runforlove you did an amazing thing, something most people could never manage - to get round at all is a massive achievement, even more so for someone so new to running. be proud of yourself, you deserve it i bet your dad is incredibly proud of you too.

and you too hellion, i can't even imagine running for 5+ hours, except that it must take so much dedication. hope you're enjoying a very well earned rest today.

Well done RFL - your can't put a time on your first marathon. And because it is your first, you have done a Personal Best! Thats all that matters. I gave up checking my times at about 10 or 11 miles, and thought I should just run as I felt. Anyway, you can always aim for a better time when you do it next year .......

My feet are killing me this evening, and all the other muscles have joined in too. Walking down stairs is not good.
But it was worth every step.

hi all and congratulations! just wanted to add my update - did 5:18. I too thought I would be faster and was aiming for 4.45 but I pulled a ligament in my knee just after tower bridge and had to walk/limp/jog for a couple of miles. I thought it was all over but luckily about then everything went numb from the waist down so I thought sod it! and just went for it. So glad I did as the sense of achievemnet is immense. I too am tempted to do it again for a better time ..... (though was swearing never again yesterday!)

hi everyone congrats on the great times RFL, hellion hatwoman and xfabba! I have been lurking on this thread for a while, i even joined in at one point in feb i think stressing about my training! I also ran yesterday, and am really feeling it today. I also pulled a ligament in my knee i think, felt like my knee cap was going to fall off - agony. But i made it round, I was aiming for 5 hours but crossed the line at 6.10. i was overjoyed to finish, the whole thing was amazing

hatwoman - that was also my fave bit, all the people in Charlton in their front gardens. Did you see the man playing his trombone and his neighbour playing the horn? It really moved me and I was feeling emotional anyway and I shed a tear!

wonderful day though. Congrats all

yikes! there's a hell of a lot of commitment on this thread. congratulations on your incredible achievements xfabba and beanie - i hope you both have speedy recoveries

Hello and congratulations to xfabba and beaniebaby25.

Its funny but its a bit like labour, over time you start to forget the paina and today I want to do it again

I think I will wait a couple of years. Dont think I can put my family through hours of moaning about training again.

Plus next time I will go to the gym and use weights to strengthen my legs. My knees let me down and they feel fine today so I think it was just the muscles around them could not cope. I had been told by many people that I needed to strengthen them - ah well!

Like you said, it was my first and I ran it so I am happy with that.

i remember the guy with the horn too, everything made me cry. i cant remember the last time i cried that much

i just remember saying to myself

"i know you're hurting but you are doing the bloody marathon, you are here, this is it - enjoy it, dont rush the miles away"

at one point, i heard a soft little voice call my name and I looked over my shoulder to see who it was and there was a little girl about 6 (suprised she read my name), people around her had now turned to shout the next persons name but her head was turned my waty, she was still looking at me as i ran ahead waving and saying (not shouting) "go shirley"... tears are comning again now! - what a wus i am

I have told all my family and friends about it and now need to stop myself talking about it unless they ask... thats going to be hard!... again just like labour! You want to talk about it.

x

RFL I completely agree - would do far more on my legs - i was absolutely fine cardivascular, stamina, endurance etc - it was just the muscles in my thighs, calves and knees that just could not do anymore or go any faster - I thought I had strong legs too.

I would also do much more running on the road as I just did not realsie how hard it is on your knees.

still, we did it, had never run more than a mile this time last year - well done all of us!!!!

we are marathoners!!!!!!!

yes we are!

that book was great by the way

just popping in from the running thread as I have followed this thread from day one and I am so impressed and in awe of all of you!

I would love to do it next year and was wondering whilst it is still fresh in your minds if there are any tips you can pass on..things you wish you did differently for example? Some of you mentioned gym work on your legs?

Also, which training plans did you follow..I have the non-runners marathon trainer book but am interested to hear what plan you all followed?

Well done again!

Hi there I followed the guide in the same book. Things I would do differently (for a better time/less pain on the day):

Start program earlier - Oct/Nov/Dec (I started in January)
Run 3/4/5 times a week instead of 2/3/4
Do more long training runs eg 2 x 18 miles, 2 x 20 miles (this is very hard to do I think - I only managed 1 x 18 miles)
Do more speed/hills work rather than just running at even pace
Work on legs in gym!
Get seen by a physio early on to get rid of any gait problems causing pain (I got plantar fascitis in one foot)
Practice pacing eg runs where do all at even pace
Do 2 half marathons maybe (I did one)
Eat less the day / week before! (was a bit bunged up by too much stodgy pasta etc)