Loch Ness Marathon 2012 - Events

3:30 or bust

17/02/2011 at 08:03

All

Been out of the running "loop"2now for over 3 years

Previously done numerous halfs (hundreds) PB of 1:35 and 12 Londons PB 3:42 but never done any other marathons

Now have decided to get back into it and do Loch Ness in 2012. I am currently 1.5 stone to heavy and only tunning 4 miles at the moment but have set myself this goal

Anyone else aiming for this as a target ?

Les cornish

02/10/2011 at 15:21

2012 for definite, just finished the 10k

Intermanaut

02/10/2011 at 18:28

The VLM route is a fun run in comparison to the Loch Ness route.

Jess L

24/10/2011 at 20:57

Hope you're all well. I've been looking at this Marathon and would love to do it. I'm a relatively new runner (and still very slow), but have done 4 x HMs and my first Marathon was last month in Liverpool. I've heard mixed reviews about this - some saying it's beautiful and amazing, some saying it's worse than hell!

I think I'd like to give it a go and take a full year to strengthen my legs to tackle the hills. Any advice for a newbie and someone who's ran it before to give a description of their experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

J xxxxx

fairyfootsteps

28/10/2011 at 17:35

I've run it for the last few years - its my nearest marathon and the only full marathon I've taken part in so i've nothing to compare it with. Yes it is hilly, the hill at 19 or so miles seems never ending, but I would recommend it, if you only do one marathon, do this one. The weather be a bit unpredicatable too - but this adds to the experience!

Steve Saville 4

28/10/2011 at 21:24

I have done a couple of halfs and was looking at this one as my first marathon. Was hoping that it would be flat but having seen these posts I am concerned that its anything but!! Is there a route profile anywhere does anyone know? Also does anyone have anywhere to stay that they can recommend? Thanks, Steve

Steve Saville 4

28/10/2011 at 21:28

http://www.lochnessmarathon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Loch-Ness-Marathon-Profile.pdf - Just found the profile online, doesn't look too bad?

Rosemary Close 4

28/10/2011 at 21:50

Looking for an October marathon for 2012. Did Beachy Head this year and loved it, so am tempted to enter that again. Would anyone recommend Loch Ness instead?

Elli of the North

29/10/2011 at 09:05

I've just signed up. It will be 3 months after my first ultra. I hope I'll be able to do it!

Rosemary Close 4

30/10/2011 at 17:21

Elli - how long is your Ultra?

Stevie4747

25/03/2012 at 12:19

To anyone considering this, do it. I have done a few marathons, Belfast, Chester, Berlin and Edinburgh but the three times I have done this are without doubt the best. It is a real challenge but train for the hills, expect that after about 18m you get to the bottom and dont look up!! The hill lasts about 4 - 5 miles or thereabouts but there is plenty of flat sections (and downhill stages as well) to make up time.

I got my best time at Loch Ness two years ago - seven days after Berlin. The scenery is superb and the town is lovely too. I am back up this year and looking forward to it.

tricialitt

01/04/2012 at 12:52

Yes- I'm in, paid up, hotel booked and all ( do this early, it's dificult to get good accomodation near the time).

It will be my 4th go at this one...............just need to get over Lochaber, which is in 2 weeks, then back into training.

I WILL get up that hill at a decent pace one year!

For anyone who's still in any doubt- just do it!

Paul - BAC

16/04/2012 at 10:39

I'm doing it this year... one I've always wanted to do...

Extra hill training required then?!?!

Scottish Nocturnal Bear - http://www.justgiving.com/crowisdoingmarathon

17/04/2012 at 08:45

Aww no! After Signing up for this a couple of nights ago i am now really worring my marathon might be over before it started - a charity has approched me to run it but i can only run 3 miles just now!

are the hills that bad?? what should i incorporate into my runs to help?

lots of training ahead for me to finish - does anyone have any helpful tips to make this marathon more possible to finish?

Thanks

ALISTAIR STEWART 4

18/04/2012 at 07:02

I did this as my first marathon in 2010, it is a great race well organised with a very friendly atmosphere. The overall profile is down hill and undulating, as referenced above the most challenging climb comes around mile 18, happily thereafter its pretty much down hill / flat to the finish.

A couple of suggestions from me:

Try and resist the natural urge to run the initial down hill sections too quick you may as I did set a new 1/2 marathon PB but find the next 13 miles a tad tougher than it ought to be!

Train both for uphill and downhill the overall profile is downhill and your quads will take a battering. A common way to train the downhill is to alternate running fast up, slow down / fast down, slow up on a hill of decent gradient around a quarter mile in length.

Take a bin liner and some old race tops for layering / water protection at the start and discard as necessary at the water stations. Nervous of the October weather I wore full length tights and long sleeved top and was freezing at the start, perfect for 3-4 miles and then absolutely boiling for the next 22 miles.

I seem to recall in 2010 it felt like there were many sports drink stations and fewer plain water, I carried a camelback with sports drink in it and remember craving plain water.

If you are planning on eating out in the town the night before google the restaurants and reserve a table in advance they were packed in particular of course the Italian eateries.

Finally ENJOY, there are few better places to run a road marathon with a fantastic atmosphere in the town before and after.

Scottish Nocturnal Bear - http://www.justgiving.com/crowisdoingmarathon

18/04/2012 at 09:50

Thanks very much for that info i got lots of helpful hints from you there!

im really looking forward to it but its the fear of 26 miles that is making me nervous considering i only run 3 miles just now!

ALISTAIR STEWART 4

18/04/2012 at 11:44

GC2 - I started from a very similar position at the beginning of 2010; I was perhaps just a little further on completing my first 10k mid April. It sounds to me like you have committed fully in mind to doing this and would expect therefore the body to follow.

I think you have around 21-22 potential training weeks between now and the race, this is ample time so long as you 'stay on top of it'.

I made the best improvements in weeks / periods where I was following a specific plan regrettably I didn't choose to do this until quite close to the event.

There are loads of plans available on the web, they will typically range in peak mileage anywhere from 40 - 70 miles and from 4 - 6 sessions a weeks. That said many people do more / less.

Get some essential race day experience from 10k, half marathons, trail runs etc.

Hopefully you will forgive me stating the obvious:

Research and draw up a progressive plan to follow for the next 21-22 weeks, plot in some races and focus on enjoying the journey.

Listen to your body lots of consistent weeks will be much better preparation than high mileage / high intensity weeks followed by injury lay ups.

Keep using the forums and asking questions although be prepared for conflicting advice, as we are, after all, an experiment of 1.

Scottish Nocturnal Bear - http://www.justgiving.com/crowisdoingmarathon

18/04/2012 at 15:24

AS4 - thanks alot, im currently following the 'marathonrookie.co.uk' 26 week plan so hopefully this will guide me towards it ...

i never thought about race experience so will need to look into that over the next few weeks

im currently trying to run at about 160bpm heart rate to help set a standard for my runs

hopefully keeping ontop of stretches will help ward off some amount of possible injury (i hope!!)

just need to sort out the diet and lose some weight from the 112kg frame and i'll b in a better position!

ALISTAIR STEWART 4

19/04/2012 at 19:34

GC2 - Weight loss is usually one of the better side effects of running, I can happily report I lost 20 kilos without trying too hard. Enjoy.

That said it is by no means essential I bump into a chap on the Ultra circuit who in spite of carrying a good number of extra kilo's has several very good 100+ mile finishes under his belt. When you get on to the topic of weight he normally just smiles and tells you he loves running but just not quite as much as eating.

john owens 5

19/04/2012 at 21:11

Signed up for this one earlier this week. Hotel booked. There's a crowd of us travelling up from Chorley (Lancashire) although I'm the only one running.

Lots of hills where I live so perfect for training for this. Will be my 4th marathon, probably my last, I've said that before mind.

Not had confirmation yet, although the money only went out of the bank yesterday. I will give them a few more days and then chase them.

Up to 14 miles already on my long run so quite pleased with that. Doing Chester half marathon on May 13 as prep, need to find a 20 mile race in August, anybody got any ideas?

Need to lose a couple of kilos but just love my food too much, besides I feel like I have more energy when I am carrying a couple of ponds!!