Greater Manchester Marathon

My first proper run out today 3 m @ 7:25 , glad i've still got the appetite to run, can still feel it in my legs though on that run, will spend the next week just keeping my fitness up & then hopefully start traing properly. Don't think im going to do the nottingham ultra as i want really good time for the robin hood half. I will be doing the Manchester next year if i don't get into London as i really enjoyed it. Looking back even though i felt i could have pushed myself to run a faster time it ws a learning experience & have to remind my self this time last year i was 4 & a half stone heavier with no running experience & would not contemplate being at the level of fitness i'm at now.

Thank you for all the wonderfull advice & stories on here & hope to see you next year.

I've just had to cry off the Uttoxeter Half Marathon - I just still so tired.

As a first time marathoner I've massively underestimated how long it would take me to recover. Managed a 4 mile run on Thursday but its the general fatigue that has got to me.

I've now entered Chester as I want to try to reduce my time - hopefully in better conditions.

Does anyone have any advice please about a training plan to follow between now and 7 October to keep the miles up without overdoing it?

Fiona

I did the first 2 chester marathons and doing again this time     both went like clockwork  the people who put it on are runners them selfs  they though of everything and each village we ran though  the support was fab   people calling you out by name as it was on your number    the ratings on this site went though the roof

with your training   build up steady   and just do not do more then you can   you will get there

Well...good to see this thread still running

I've been away camping since Wednesday...managed three runs and now feel pretty much recovered...ankles still a bit tender

Looks like Chester for me...going to look into the details now

I am torn between chester and preston... The organisers phoned to tell me they have my bag and are posting it to me.  They tried telling me it was the runners fault for swearing at the cadets, I pointed out that the tent was too small and disorganised from the start.  They seemed apologetic enough, but not sure i'll be back in 2013.

Shiva - it is quite concerning that they still aren't accepting full responsibility for the baggage fiasco and need to be told the tent was too small and disorganised. If they are unable to recognise the obvious then will they get it right in future? Runners swearing at the cadets is clearly unacceptable but  this happened when tempers became frayed because of the delays in reclaiming baggage. The cadets withdrawal exacerbated the problem but certainly wasn't the cause. Before the cadets left, and with only a few runners back to reclaim their baggage, significant delays were occuring because of lack of personnel, lack of space and lack of organisation. Even when the cadets left xtra mile could have prevented the situation becoming as bad as it did but failed to show any leadership. It does them no credit to continue to blame anyone other than themselves for this.

 I hope this event is successful - it is great that there is another marathon in the north - and would love to do it again. It just won't be next year, I need more evidence that they are going to get it right. 

So, I run the Manchester Marathon and it's all I can do to fight off Hypothermia, then one week later the Sunderland Marathon and what do I get Sunburned legs, it could only happen in the UK

Just been for my first run since marathon, an easy 8 miles. Still feel lots of aches and pains.

Fiona - they say you should take a day off for every mile ran in a race! A lot of people like to taper in reverse - so slowly bringing up mileage over 3 weeks. Only difference is don't do any speedwork till you've got the mileage up. Most training plans, a lot of good ones on this website - or look at Hal Higdon website - are 16 to 18 weeks. So - that will mean starting start of June. Until then do that 3 week taper in reverse, and you're ready to go.

Sympathies to all needing extra time to recover. I think that enforced 3.5-week rest before M'rc has affected my recovery more than it affected my run on the day. Sore glutes particularly on the left presumably associated with extra work while the piriformis wasn't working, but that's settling. Quads have just about recovered now but I felt more tired than expected on a 4-mile run yesterday evening and my left knee still hurts - going to try a few days of ibuprofen to hopefully settle it down. I really wasn't expecting to need much rest and I need to get started on some serious mileage again (no speedwork, just loong runs) to train for the ultras I have coming up.

I seem to be recovering fine (fingers Crossed).  Have ran 4 (3 miles, 5 miles, 7.6 miles and 6 miles) times but kept pace at recovery to easy.  Put in a faster mile last night (nothing too taxing 8.40m/m) and all seems to be ok sooooo I am attempting to find a place for Chester HM on Sunday (I live in Chester).  I am hoping I am not being too bombastic but I feel like I just didn't put everything into Manchester and have felt really low since it regarding my running.

Sorry for people still recovering,  I am undecided about Manchester again next year.  I just didn't enjoy it enough to have good memories about going back and that is nothing to do with baggage etc as I wasn't affected.  Just think the whole day was so draining. 

I too am finding it harder to recover after this maraton than any other - I am now wondering if it is to do with the weather on the day and whether this has got into the muscles.

I'm sure the weather had a dramatic impact not only on my performance on the day but recovery as well. Cold muscles arn't as flexible, pushing them to perform in order to maintain pace has no doubt done more damage than normal

sounds like another run like Chester might be good for you HO2. Manchester was my first marathon and I am looking forward to running another one next year as I too have felt a bit low since. Loved aspects of GMM but because of the weather didn't run my best time. My family were having a tough time standing round in the rain watching. It was a case of gritting teeth and getting on with the job. I never enjoyed the usual atmosphere of the race village as I huddled under a tree sheltering at the start then whisked away at the end as the family had had enough and I was so cold. I do think the people of Manchester and the marshalls were brilliant in their support. I wish I had taken my i pod for the section after Dunham Massey (I am just too law abiding), I was driven to singing to myself! But depite all this I did actually run a marathon and raised a great amount for charity Hope you begin to feel better about it all soon HO2