Manchester Marathon 2013

Well done on your run Cybarev

On a side issue, i just had an email from the organiser of Liverpool Marathon (as I did it a few years ago and am on their mailing list) to say itwas cancelled!!!

Is anyone doing it?  What a farce!

RP

I just noticed the announcement in their RW forum - what a shame!  Liverpool was my first marathon in 2011 and I really enjoyed it.  I know there were problems on the day with ignorant motorists etc but thought that everything was hunkydory now.  Fingers crossed they can regroup for 2014, and maybe I can have another go!

Sounds like you had a good outing Cybarev - I'm assuming that the army ran past you and not over you!  We have some lovely local runs through the woods as well, but they're just too dark and muddy at this time of the year.  We did a gentle 4 miles pounding the pavements last night - not very scenic but just kept the legs turning over.  Rest night tonight for me - a glass of wine and feet up in front of the telly.  Anyone doing anything more interesting?

I've just had the email from Liverpool Marathon HQ as well. I must say I feel really sorry for the organisers who have done a fntastic job over the last two years putting the race on and getting it up and running again. I was part of the forums over the last two years and I must say there was even talk back then about how difficult Liverpool City Council were being about the race. Apparently the Wirral Council were fine and bent over backwards but the Liverpool side of things was a different kettle of fish. The city will loose a lot of revenue as a result of all those visitors going somewhere else. Real shame.

Chester will fill up early this year.

..Morning

Yes, that's what I thought Gaz...they will be rubbing their hands!  We spectated for Chester last year as a friend of ours was doing it.  It was a lovely spot where we stood, a lovely little village, and then we headed to the race course.  It was a lovely day with the weather too, and it looked a nice little marathon....if lacking a bit of the "big marathon" feel, that Liverpool had.

Totally agree about Liverpool.  I feel sorry for the organiser and it is very short sighted of the council...like you say, they will be missing out on a lot of revenue that weekend.  I did it the first year and loved it...it was actually a lot harder than I expected (those hills!), but the crowd support was second the none, and the finish was amazing.  I didn't like the bit where they sent you two laps round Sefton park (but I think they changed that the following year), and there was a huge delay at the start which was a pain, but I would definitely have done it again.  Shame.

What's everyone up to today?  It's a damp day here.....it's hard to tell if it's actually drizzling or just really damp air.  At any rate it is not windy, which is a bonus!  heading out about lunchtime to do my 15, and can't say I am looking forward to it.  Not run that far since before I got pregnant, just over a year ago, and I don't know what my legs will make of it.  I know I will REALLY struggle from 10 miles (probably before)...but then, it's never meant to be easy is it?!

Other than that, nothing of great note planned this weekend...making a curry for tea and will have a glass of wine, and probably be zonked out on the couch pretty early!  Tomorrow, hoping to do about 45 mins in the gym, then take the baby for a "swim" (she looks so cute in her tiny swim suit!)....then nothing much.

Good luck and happy running.

Panda

xxx

I've run Chester the last 2 years, as you say, a great little race through some nice little villages. Very well organized as well.

I'll be glad to see the back of the wind, the last week or 2 I've found my long runs very tough pace-wise when hitting a headwind.

If the weather doesn't get any worse I'll be doing Southport 10K Sunday but my heart isn't really in it. I only entered because I missed out on Wrexham Half next week but then managed to get a place after somebidy pulled out.

Oh no Rob!  Get booked in to a sports physio...it sounds almost biomechanical to me...Have you changed your shoes at all?  Have you had any other issues that might cause you to run differently?  If you book to see a physio they will probably assess your gait ....best to get is sorted now.

Just back from my long run...15 SLOW miles...took almost 2.45!  Still..having only had a baby in November I can't really complain.  The last few miles were tough..legs in shreds!  Its also really cold and damp, feels like its almost in my bones, if that makes sense?!  Glad its over.

Bath in a min, then thats me!

Panda

I knew it!  Just from what you said, as similar things have happened to me before in different shoes.  You wouldn't believe the difference it can make if you get the wrong pair, and I have made expensive mistakes in the past.

Can you not get another pair the same as the last to be sure?  If its any help, good condition running shoes always sell really well on ebay...I have got rid of loads that way, and sometimes I get more than I paid for them!

Just write them shoes off, it's not worth it if you are in pain.

Go to a proper running shop for another analysis maybe?  Not sure where you are but I rate Up and Running in the Triangle, Manchester...all run my runners too

Panda

16 miler pencilled in for tomorrow morning, in a similar boat to RW in that I've had really stiff calves for the last couple of days and perhaps need to get some better stretches done pre and post run

Wonder whether the Liverpool "council" issues are similar over here and that's why the Manchester Marathon doesn't enter the city centre as such covering most if not all of its route in Trafford rather than Manchester.

The days are  getting longer so Spring must be on the way, just hoping to avoid snow or wind on tomorrow's run, I can cope with a bit of rain

Going to give my water bottle a test too as drinking "on the go" isn't something I've done on my training runs so far

Good luck for tomorrow RR.

That's a good point about Manchester...it's a shame it doesn't go through the city centre in a way, but I suppose it would be a bit of a logisitcal nightmare...mind you, they manage to do it for that Bupa 10k every year?

What kind of bottle are you taking on your long run?  I take a 500ml on my 20 mile runs, but I make sure I take in somewhere with toilets (in my case Dunham Park) enroute so I can refil.  I take some Lucozade sachets and mix with water from their tap at about 13 miles, and that does me.  I think I would struggle with just 500 mls for 20 miles, even in this weather.  For 17 miles and under I have a smaller bottle that I can put in my coat pocket when empty.  I don't mind carrying a bottle...I can't bear having stuff strapped to me, so couldn't wear a camel back or a bottle belt.

I went out for about 6.5 today...its bright enough but it's still on the chilly side.  I wasn't warm, even in a coat and with a hat.  Like you say, at least the nights are getting a bit lighter, so we are getting there.

Hope everyone is well.

Trying to get motivated for for a six mile speed session. Think I'm getting soft cos it just feels sooooooo cold! Snow on the ground, damp underfoot. Need to man up and get out!

Step back week for me this week before pressing on again next week.

On my long runs i take a bottle belt with me and carry a 500ml bottle and a load of jelly babies. Took a bit of geting used to but hardly feel it anymore.

I know the feeling. completely lost motivation not run for 3 days

fed up of cold and dark now

Well 16 miles this morning, went fairly well. Self-criticism would be that the first 4 miles or so followed my Saturday "easy" route so pyschologically I was struggling a bit as I got to the point where I'm normally heading home but still had another 11 or so miles to run

Better weather and it was just getting light as I finished the last mile or so which bodes well for the coming weeks

Used a water bottle for the first time, one of the Karrimor ones so I guess its 500ml but that was enough for me TBH. I use a Holland Barrett sports drink that mixes up to a pint and then you have half before you go out and the rest when you get back and drank water while I was out

Jelly babies wrapped in silver foil seemed to solve the "sticky" issue!

My big concern is still settling on a taper (yes I should stop reading articles on the net) and actually get some of the long runs and work out of the way first

Given that my long run is a Tuesday rather than the weekend, I'm trying to work out my taper from w/c 8th April?, having done a 20 mile run the week before

I was looking at 16 and then my usual 7,7,7 w/c 8th, then 13 followed by 7,7,7 w/c 15th and then 3 short runs in week leading up to the marathon w/c 22nd with Thu/Fri/Sat "off"

Hi there

Well done!  A nice feeling to get it out of the way.....I must try the foil thing.  Do you use a special belt for carrying them?

When I have done other marathons my old job used to involve shifts, so I also used to do my long runs in the week.  Is it always Tuesday you have to do?

Explain again that last bit....I must have baby brain as I don't get it!

Panda

Redpanda wrote (see)

Hi there

Well done!  A nice feeling to get it out of the way.....I must try the foil thing.  Do you use a special belt for carrying them?

When I have done other marathons my old job used to involve shifts, so I also used to do my long runs in the week.  Is it always Tuesday you have to do?

Explain again that last bit....I must have baby brain as I don't get it!

Panda

At the moment, it's dark for the bulk of my runs so I have a high vis vest that I wear over my running gear and that has a couple of useful, side pockets in which to store jelly babies, gloves, hats etc

Tuesday works best as I don't currently run on a Monday or Wednesday anyway and then I run Thu, Fri and either Sat or Sun. My other half goes to the gym on her way to work for a swim Mon & Wed and I do the school run

With regard to the taper, I was just working back calculating the taper period from race day which is a straight number of full weeks if you run your long run at weekend but given I do mine on a Tuesday I either end up with a 3 and a bit week taper period or 2 and a bit with the long runs still being on a Tuesday and the Manchester Marathon being on a Sunday

Basically most people will be doing their last long run exactly a week before the race whereas mine would be 10 days or so

So my final few weeks of training, running Tues, Thurs, Fri and Sat will look something like this in terms of mileage

w/c 1/4/2013 Daily mileage 20 (Tu),7(Thu),7(Fri),7(Sat/Sun)

w/c 8/4/2013 Daily mileage 16,7,7,7

w/c 15/4/2013 Daily mileage 13,7,7,7

w/c 22/4/2013 Daily mileage 3,4,3, race on Sunday

Ah, I see what you mean...

TBH, that should be fine.  A plan is only a guide, it doesn't have to be written in stone.

I remember before Edinburgh my plan was similar to yours funny enough.  I was meant to be doing 13 miles on the Sunday before, but it just so happened I was entered into the Bupa 10k which I wasn't about to miss.  Hence, on the Sunday before the marathon I did the 10k, but on the Tues or Wed, of that same week (can't exactly remember) I did the 13 miles I should have done on the Sunday (so identical to yours to be honest)

Did it work out??  Well, I got PB's in both the 10k's and the marathon!!

You will be fine

Panda

Training going well for me so far.  The platar faciitis has eased off a little in the last few days - maybe it's getting used to me doing longer distances?

Am due to do my longest run yet on Sunday - 18 miles and then it's not long until i'm up to the magic 20 mark.  That, I think, is when I will really start to feel like i'm getting properly prepared for this.  In a weird and slightly perverse way, i'm looking forward to taking them longer distances.

Not missed a session yet but I have had to do some jiggering around with the days.  Managing an on-the-road sales job and a strict training plan are not always perfect bedfellows.

Good going people.

Well done SB !

My training is going ok as well, I too am up to 18 miles. I did, however, bonk a couple of weeks ago which has forced me to finally look at my nutrition. Gels obtained and will get tested on this weeks LSR. I ran Liversedge HM on Sunday and was pleased to get a PB in what I found a quite tricky course that contained a couple of naughty hills, both up and down, and we started off in the snow. My calves are really struggling the last couple of days but I'm due to do a tempo run at the track tonight so hopefully they will be ok then.

Keep it up everyone !