Abingdon Marathon

I chose it cos Loula told me to . I do like the sound of flat too.

Mark -   Good course, well organised and a nice finish at the athletics track, always fills up early, but can get a bit lonely out in the sticks.

SR - Unlucky but better DNS than DNF, get yourself sorted and see you at London.

Bad luck Shadowed - it's rotten to have to pull out of a marathon when you've trained for all those weeks.

I might have to skip Windsor Half tomorrow after a couple of days of the sort of medical condition we DO NOT discuss  - It's a lunchtime start, so there's a chance of staging a recovery.

Defo - I don't DNF!  Thanks for support Barry and Martin, and Chillies.  All the best to everyone.

Thanks to the feedback from everyone last week - as a result I decided to do my RW scheduled 18 miles this morning. Fairly comfortable @ 7.08 pace, which is almost exactly the MP+10% recommended by AC. No drink available and plenty of cocolate again, without the same feeling towards the end this week. Barry - yes I tend to feed on chocolate, biscuits and jelly babies - usually carried in small bags in shorts pocket and continually graze on them. Not exactly text book stuff but I know it works for me !

Taper really does kick in now !

Martin - Good to see the positive result from your long one on Friday - assume you're back on a 6:30 start schedule now?

Shadowed - very bad luck - hope you get back runnng consistently again soon. April will be here before you know it

Hiya

Sorry you have had to pull out Shadowed.

I'm just back from my last long run. I still never made it to 20 miles but managed 18.54 with a good few hills. I am not fast and it took me 3.40 but I'm confident that I will make it round before the course support stops.

shawdowed, am sorry to hear that but im a bit the same.id rather not run at all than risk a DNF so i understand.

just over 26miles on the hilly but beautiful  sunny terrain of Northdowns way (NDW50 ultra course)in Surrey for me yesterday, over 2000ft of ascent , lucky with weather too it feels like home to me there on that trail

Ecky thats fab run , you are gonna be fine

Awww Thanks Loula. You and Rocker did brilliant too. I just cant wait now *boing boing *

hope the weather is like this weekends

Dart -  Nice long one from you. Whatever works for regarding refueling, I have problems getting a jelly bean down when I'm running so I'll stick with the gels.

Ecky -  Good running,you will be fine come race day just do not set of too fast.

Loulabell -  You are right, hope the weather is the same for Abo.

Cricklade HM for me today,perfect conditions for racing and nice course, shame to waste it.  1 mile warm up,  Set off what I thought was a steady pace Garmin beeped about 10 metres short of mile marker 6:29 oops, teamed up with RAF runner and second lady for about  next 5 miles  splits 6:35,6:38,6:35,6:42,6:41 through 6 miles just over 40 mins - feeling good.  RAF runner pulled away, but second lady on my shoulder for next 3 splits 6:45,6:41,6:42, though 9 in about 1 hour,  spotted first lady about 50 metres ahead of us. Pushed on and lost second lady.  Started to feel the pace but knew Sub 1:30 was on. splits for last miles 6:44,6:52,6:44, 6:47 ended up finishing just behind 1st lady.  Garmin time 1:28:13  for 13.2 at 6:41 avg and very very happy. I know it's close to Abo but if I've got a chance to go sub 1:30 I'm going to take it.

Thanks Barry. Yes I will need to watch my starting speed. I have been working on that in my training as it was my downfall. Well done on your HM today,thats really speedy.

Loula yes it was perfect for running today.

I should not have started the race today. I knew it and I didn't effing well listen. Practically no food for 3 days,  blah blah - 1:43:00 and I feel like death even now. Ran like I was dragging a tyre behind me. I STILL HAVEN'T GOT A DNF TO MY NAME THOUGH!!! There's determination! Slowest road half since my first 2 attempts at races in 2008.

Shadowed - sorry to hear you are withdrawing - good luck for London next year though.  Hope you are fully recovered and back to training soon.

Eckytump - looks like you and me towards the back together!  I'm no 107. Well done with your long run.

All was going well for me, last long run done, starting to taper, good 12 miles on Saturday then gentle 4 miles on Sunday.  Sadly not too gentle as took a tumble and ended up in  A&E having jaw, hand and elbow xrayed.  Nothing broken luckily but black and blue all over (inluding chin!) and rather swollen knuckles and elbow.  Other than lots of grit in my knees the legs seem to have got away with it so really hoping all will be ok for the 21st.  Was planning on resting until end of week then picking up taper at the week-end - does that make sense?  As it's my first marathon I have been sticking rigidly to the training plan so now a bit nervous as I won't be!

Not long to go now!

Shadowed – Sorry to hear the bad news. I am sure you have made the right decision, and you will come back fitter.

DartMore – good 18 miles at this stage.

Echytump – I am sure come race day, you will have no problems.

Loulabell – well done on your the hilly 26 miler. Sounds like you had the most enjoyable run of all of us over the weekend

Barry – great HM result. You have produced what you have shown in training lately. You certainly are in great form. I am certainly going to be well behind you at Abo. If I had ran the time you had just done, I would certainly be going for sub 3.15 at Abo.

CFB – well done in digging in. Don’t worry about the time, we have all been there, you are only 22secs slower than my HM last month, and I had not been unwell.

SR3 – sorry to hear about the tumble. Make sure you rest up, and only go very easy next week. 

15 miles slow for me on Sunday (av8.31). Some short speed stuff in the week, and 10 miles slow next weekend, and we will nearly be there.

SR3 sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you are going to be okay. We can help each other at the back.

Thanks AC. I have done as much as I could with injury and illness. I have a heel spur so am wary of doing too much as I dont want it playing up again although it seems to be fine at the mo. Its only a teensy little one.