18 miles, two miles too far

Its supposed to be hard at this point. Its a marathon you are training for.

If you could run 18 miles without it feeling like a right bstrd there would be no training value in it and you'd have to go 20 instead.... whcih you'll have to do next anyway!

Well done for getting to 18.

Bank it, and go again next week.

18 miles - wow; my limit right now is 9 miles.  Assuming my fitness hasn't gone down the toilet since my enforced rest break.  Well done!  The way I see it, if you've got to 18, then you can get to 26 - just keep improving at a gradual level.  And in my opinion, there'd be no shame in having to stop and walk for a bit during the marathon.

I'm still hoping to do a marathon one day as well.

Wow. You can run 18 miles? Awesome!!

Seriously, do you know many people who can actually RUN 18 miles, with or without a little walk break? Kudos to you.

If you can run 18 miles this many weeks before your marathon, I'd be willing to put money on you finishing on the day.  You've done the training,. evidently. You've had a hard session, but don't let it ghet you down. You didn't quit did you?You carried on. 18 miles.

I'm not yet much of  a runner, still doing couch to 5k. What I have done are two power-walking marathons , so I do know a bit about what you're going through. Have a nice bubble bath,and don't worry about it. You can, and will, do it.

Its lovely to read such encouraging comments . 

I am hoping to do the Stratford Marathon, in seven weeks time. Anyone ran that before and know what the route is like ie hills??? 

This next week is now an easy running week for me, no speed work and only three five or six mile runs. Two weeks time its my twenty mile run (ouch!) but at least I dont feel so bad for having to walk. The first fourteen today were totally wonderful anyway.  Thanks once again folks, and good luck to you all in your runs too

well done to those on 18 miles with a Planned marathon in April

yes, it all on the day

 yes it's total preparation - sleep, drink, food, etc

correct footwear, correct creams for chaffing etc

but now time is seriously  getting closer - one CANNOT do much to change your level of fitness, and it's almost time to start tapering

keeping the body gooing by shorter stuff - one will need to arrive FRESH, and not tired or sore or lathargic

 TRY to remember, a lot of it is mind games of physcology, keeping the body and mind relaxed, keeping it fuelled

building on a mental stamina, and the way to do thats is sopmewhere out there on a training run, to make it hurt for a short time

building on it all gently, - runs that are little and often can keep the body and mind sharp,

i dont believe its wise as an UN expereinced runner to keep waiting to get in long runs, as they will be painful from the outset - it's all about enjoying what one does

going out HY drated, and witrh a little food in ones belly, and perhaps carry a babana or biscuit, (what ever suits U )

TOP TIP

as marathon day approaches - say 21 days before, STOP experimenting and stick to the devil you know

as if what ever new stuff you eat or drink near to time makes you unwell

then everything will have been for nothing

BWSF....Well done echo all of the advice given so far...I did my first Marathon last year in October on the day  it will be differnet with good training and a positive outlook you will be surprised how well you will do..

But the most important thing you need to think about is...how do you cross the finishing line

Cool...just run over it

One arm in the air (my partricular favourite) 

Both arms up in the air (think of the smell..)

Some acrobatics ...(cartwheel anyone ? )

Backwards ...

Don't forget to slap the hands of all of the kids who line the route and accept the jelly babies being offered,and you know that bloody big grin you will have after the race ...will offset the pain in your legs for the next few days....

Good luck we are with you...

Thanks everyone for the much needed advise.  Have been following my training plan down to the letter, although have had to swap the days around a little to fit in with work etc.  Ran six miles easy run today, and surprise, surprise, my legs still work after my long run Monday, and I really enjoyed it!!

Warkie, one arm in the air it will definately be!! Even if I'm on a stretcher.....

Dont think there's a 20 race in my area unfortunately, but I do my first 20 mile run the week after next, with my hubby cycling beside me on a bike to keep me going, or give me a lift home .  Am thinking about ordering a camel pack and trying it out on the shorter runs this week, as because of my medical conditions, hydration is a major bug bear for me. Any recommendations??

Jan 

Great work on the run!

 I'm doing Manchester at the end of April and following the Beginners programme on the site, I hated the 18 mile run (longest run ever) that was the weekend before last but it stepped back to 13 miles and an easy week last week and the 13 seemed easy! 20 miles this weekend (should be 18 but increased it on advice from guys on the forum) I'm not looking forward to it but it's miles in the tank!

 I use a camel back too, they're easy to run with and you soon get used to them, I find it easier actually than drinking from a bottle but on the race day I will use the feed stations. I use a bottle on my shorter runs now.

 Oh I too mix around the days of the programme to suit my work as I travel with work a fair bit, I've only missed 4 runs since starting the programme and never the long one!

 Good luck with the rest of the training, you will get around I'm convinced!

Quays Runner - our training programme sounds very similar!

I'm also increasing my mileage by two miles, as my programme only takes me up to twenty miles, and I think six miles is a fair bit to just add on on the day.

What kind of camel back do you use? I'm a bit wary of relying on the feed stations on race day as I did a half marathon last year where they actually ran out of water and energy drinks.  I was very dehydrated and ended up walking, (the st john's ambulances dotted around looked very inviting!). It knocked my confidence quite a bit, the worst half marathon I'd ever done.

My twenty mile is this weekend, help!! Good luck with yours!

Couldn't agree more on the training, I have a 20 mile this weekend instead of an 18 then I've changed the 20 2 weeks later to a 22. As you say doing similar type of training. The last 4 miles of my 18 was too far though I kept the pace even! I'm aiming to slow down a bit on the 20 and feel fresher? If that's possible on a 20 mile run!

 Camel back wise I bought myself the Octane XCT in lime green, I like horrible colours for training gear clearly I carried my phone, a couple of gels, keys and some cash on the long run but it has a little more space than that and even some bungee cords if you need to remove some clothes while you're running.

 I'm a little concerned about them running out of water and things on the Manchester Marathon but going to trust that there will be something left at each station as I'm told I'll be about half way down the crowd (aiming for 4 hours though only ever done one race so far ever, a half as part of this training)

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