Target: London Marathon 2013

Hi, thanks for looking at my thread. This is my story......

I'm a beginner. what I mean by that, is that I don't really run. I used to hate it when football training but now that I don't play that anymore, I have never felt like going out on the road for miles on end, just running. Until, my wife had an ectopic pregnancy earlier in the year and it was all a bit of a shock. Not only because of what happened but I suddenly found myself putting on an old pair of trainers and going out for a run. I did 10k! once I'd got over the shock of that, I was going out more and more. Before I knew it i was going out 3 times a week. It helped me get over it and put what had happened to my wife to the back of my mind and not think about anything. 

I was reading from the ectopic pregnancy trust website also, which answered a load of my questions. and helped my wife and I come to terms with what had happened. I then thought about raising some money for them. They had helped me, so I thought I could help them.

But now...

I don't really know what I've let myself in for. I've signed up for the London Marathon next year.  As I said, I'm a beginner. I know nothing about running or anything, other than I have a good pair of trainers now, I lace them up and I go out for a while. I am reading lots of threads and messages and things on the net. Which I have found to be a great help. If a litlle confusing!!

I've started a plan of running 3-4 times a week. Gradually, increasing my distance up to the event itself. I want to finish, time, I have found to be unimportant (yeah right! my work colleagues would love me to a, not finish or b, get a poor time!) so I'd like to get under 4 hours. But that seems like such a long time to run at the moment.

The aim of this thread is to keep me going. If I write a diary type thing then it's added pressure and incentive for me to get off my arse and get out there, like sooo many of you do, every day.

So if you're interested in knowing what I'm up to. read on. I hope you can relate to it or use it for your yourself, in some way. But any help or advice would also be greatly appreciated!

I don't even know what I'm going to write about yet! But I guess we'll see how it goes!?

Apologies for the rambling or the poor grammer,punctuation or spelling in advance.

Thanks

I think its a really good idea to write it all down as you are right,it will keep you going. I completely understand the running to cope with things. Do you have a Charity place or are you like me and awaiting the decision through Ballot.

My main advice would be to make sure you have the right running shoes. There are lots of training plans around and you will find one to suit you.

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oooh good luck very sorry to hear about the reasons behind your run...but i think that its really great that you have (perhaps inadvertently) turned it into a positive...sure that someone more knowledgeable than me will be along with some proper advice shortly! look forwards to hearing all about your progress

iv just downloads oasic training plan which starts nov up to race day. I be running 3 times a week. Its free and iv alredy pinned it onto my wardrobe so my partner will force me to run on those days it says especially on the cold dark days that are in very near future.

Im waiting on my 4th attempt at the ballot but if i dont get into london its edinbrough for me as joints are starting to say no to long distance running. either way i be running a full for the local charity that helps me with my autistic son. good luck with everything and hope it helps

I find getting a gps watch helps with motivation.  Every run, or cross training session gets logged on the website.

tinker taylor- be careful to build up gradually, then when you get to about 20 weeks before the race, pick out a trainig programme that stasrts at the poit you've already rached- ie, if by early dec, you're doing 25 miles per week, 4 days per week, and have manged a longest run of 10 miles, - find a plan where this is the start point. Start your trainig plan 1-2 weeks ahead of schedule,to allow for the inevitable disruptions where life gets in the way of trainig.

Whilst you are building up, there's an argument for "base building" -ie doing all your runs at very slow pace, to allow you to build mileage with minimal  risk of injry, however, you might also want to do just one shorter faster run per week, to build up a bit of sppeed, and you may also find entering a couple of local races useful to get used to a race day routing- although nothing can prepare you for a massive event like london. PErhaps a large local half in early spring would be a good idea- even some autumn 10k's as well.

it sounds like you have made a good start already. Base building now will help you no end in the long term. There are loads of schedules around, if you start researching now you should find one that would work around your family life.

Probably the most important thing at the moment would be to work out with your partner when you can train.

Try looking at Shades thread. Her plan has worked really well for me.

Thank you all so much for posting on my thread. Not only am I new to all this running lark, I'm a techno-phobe and dont know what I'm doing here either!

But your words of wisdom aren't falling on deaf ears and it's nice to know people are reading my ramblings! 

I have been going on a couple of runs this week. It started at the weekend with a 'parkrun' a free 5k weekly race. I didn't do too badly. 26.20.

Then today I ran another 5k, it torrential rain and alone. 27.30

What a difference it makes when you are with people. I may have to think about that when training really kicks in!

The aches and pains are gradually reducing and so far I'm still energised to continue. (I know it's only been a week!)

Eckytump: My running trainers are the nike zoom structure +15. Which now that I've run them in, feel really comfortable. and I have a golden bond place at the mo, as I'm running for charity, but can use my ballot place if I'm successful. Good luck with your entry though.

Lisa wallis: I have still entered the ballot for the marathon, so we'll wait and see if I get a place that way. Then someone else can have my golden bond place and I can raise more money. Good luck with your ballot place too. Apparently, it takes 6 entries to get a place. so hang in there. 

surrey runner: Thanks for the tip about gps. I have bought the nike+ sensor watch and use the iphone app. but it seems that they do the same thing! but at least I don't have to lug the phone around when i don't have music.

I have been looking and reading a lot of programmes etc. A lot of research I'm sure is needed, not only for me to finish but also so that it doesn't hurt too much!

Right, that's it for now...I'm off to sign up for some races for before the main one.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks Tinkertaylor. I really hope I get in. I am hoping to do it with a Giant Teddy that I had donated. Sadly my Charity doesn't do places as yet which is something we are working on. Well done on the Park Runs too,wow that's fast for me.

Eckytump. Did you get into the marathon? I didn't through the ballot, so I'll have to use the charity place, which was my first choice anyway. Can you do other races to raise money for your charity?

Having read your profile, just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

Hi Tinkertaylor no sadly I got the rejection magazine  although I may have a second chance at London through my local Running club.

Thanks too. Like you I ran to ease the pain of loss and the shock of the situation. I do lots of runs as I fund raise all the time and am always raising awareness,hence why London would be the best choice. I have done the GNR twice and got some fab publicity from that which is good. I have had a lot of amazing support from here too and on the 21st Oct I am doing the Abingdon Marathon with some of the guys from the Forum.

Hi

Like you I am a beginner, and never liked running I used to do martial arts to keep fit years ago, I had skin cancer and had a hole cut in my leg years ago which put a stop to any form of exercise, I have secured a ballot place and need to get into training, I have to try to get my head in the right place and find the motiation but know it will be hard as I have not done any form of exercise fo years, any hints or tips would be great

hello I am Kay and have got a ballot place also a non runner with a spanking new pair of trainersIhave done 5k off the bat so to speak although it takes me forever (about twice what you ran). Looking forawrd to following your thread. I am starting with working on doing any activity for four hours! I did a three hour walk yesterday and hurt my heel (should have worn my trainers !!!)

p.s. love that you run to cope with loss, even though I have a ballot place I am running for tommy's baby charity after 6 pregnancies I finally got me two of the most beautiful children known to man x

Hello Tinkertaylor.  Have just found your posts after looking on the EPT website.  I tried to get in to the London Marathon through the normal ballot but no luck unfortunately.  Just wanted to know whether you got a place by running for the EPT or through the normal ballot?  If I'd got in I wanted to raise money for the trust (having had 3 ectopics myself) so interested to see how you got your place.  I too am a very, VERY slow beginner but everybody has to start somewhere don't they?  Good luck and hope to hear from you soon.

Tinkertayor,

i read your posts and you're me.

first marathon. new to runnning. doing it for a personal cause.

and a pair of nike structure 15s. lol....

keep up the good work. i'll see you there.

I just wanted to pop on here to say although I didn't get into London through Ballot I may still get in through my local Running club. I did however run my first ever Marathon yesterday at Abingdon and I am on such a high. I know a Marathon is a Massive thing but the emotions behind it are huge. For all those first timers,you will love it. I do reccomend lots of training though and try and do a couple of 20 milers in training before the day. I only managed 18.5 and I wish I had done more.