Paris Marathon 2011

Bonjour tous le monde. Back after popular request, an 'official' Paris Marathon 2011 thread. Which is pretty much a continuation of the same thread going back many years.  This is a popular race for British runners who make up the largest group of non-French runners.

The official date for registration begins on 15th September. Registration is pretty simple and straight forward, unlike the experience many have with the London Marathon. Places are normally available for a couple of months straight off the website, with a nice counter showing how many places are left. No waiting up overnight, queueing in the vain hope of getting a place.  It's civilised, almost chic!

This is a happy thread. Feel free to be as bold, funny, chatty and cultured as you like.  You can even talk about running if you fancy

This is the link to the Official Marathon website (in English). Enjoy the thread.

The new thread

Hurrah & huuzah.

 I can safely use this thread in the knowledge that I intend to run it again in 2011. 

 I felt such a fraud on the 2010 thread

I think this is Year 6 for a non-stop Paris thread 

One of the final entries on the 2010 thread asked, nay begged, "please don't mention the Bristol Stool Chart" for fear of frightening any newbies off.  So I won't. Although it tends to drop down regularly...

As this is a little bit of a new beginning, even for those of us who have been knocking around, feel free to introduce yourself and say a few words. I have no doubt that ATM will offer to host a Threaders Photo Gallery in due course.

Why don't I get started. I've been running for a while now.  Some people say I'm in good shape. I like to wear sunglasses while I run and one of my arms has a funny tendency to swing a bit wide.  Here's a recent photograph*

* of somebody else. But I do hear it was recently taken

Hi all,

I've been running for just over a year, and have done five 10ks and one Half Marathon.  The Paris Marathon is my goal, and I will register as soon as I can in September.

 Do any of you please have any recommendations for hotels to stay in Paris for the 2011 marathon?

 Obviously, I'm looking to be as close to the start of the race as possible, but also want to spend as little as possible.

 Thanks very much in advance for any advice.

 Jason

PS:  Is it perhaps also worth booking now?  (Even though registrations don't start till September)

Hooray! A new thread! And it took less than FIVE HOURS for the Bristol Stool Chart to get a mention! Definitely signing up for next year again.

Jason - all hotels in Paris are overpriced but you might get a good deal if you book now. The race starts and finishes at the area around the Arc de Triomphe, but don't discount staying a bit further out - the transport system is very good and you won't need to pay city centre prices.

RR - howdy!!  Glad to hear that you are going for it this year.

Jason - there are loads and loads of hotels around Paris look at a website like hotels.com or something similar I went to the Le Meridien which is near the start and also Concorde La Fayette which is actually opposite Le Meridien both within walking distance of the Arc.  Didnt seem quite as expensive as last year.

Whether I will make it this year I am not sure. 

Fi - I went for my scan analysis this morning - it was amazingly clear.  I have a slight impingement in that the ball and socket joint on my right hip dont quite meet properly.  The consultant says this would have happened when I was about 11/12 yrs old when the bones set (this would I imagine explain why I slightly pronate on that leg).  The labrum which is the cartilage around the socket was shown to be really good apart from one small tear which was shown consistently throughout the various scan pictures.  Because of the impingement more pressure was being put on the labrum causing the tear.  So I am being referred now to a London hospital for a specialist to look at it with a view to keyhole surgery.  Only a few surgeons do this type of surgery so I have little option. The tear wont repair itself and the cartilage will deterioate so it has to be sorted by surgery so at least I know whats what now. So no high impact work cross training etc. for me for a while until its done. 

Thanks, RR.

 Does anyone have any hotel recommendations? 

 I'll be staying for about 4 nights. 

thanks very much,

jason

Glad you have a definitive cause to the problem NGUG. And given it's all keyhole, I don't imagine it will take you long to recover and get back to running. Is it clear that you are not allowed to run before you have your operation?

Jason - I think the message is, look around. There are really hundreds of hotels within a couple of kilometres of the start line. If you factor in just 20 minutes travel on the excellent public transport system in Paris, that goes up to thousands of hotels. I appreciate you want to do things 'cheaply', but that term means different things to different people so it's hard for anyone to give a recommendation.

In my opinion, anything under €100/ night is cheap (but not inexpensive!). Using a website like TripAdvisor, you can see lots of people's comments about a certain hotel and you can make a judgement for yourself.  Just remember, people tend to put down the negative comments on these sites, so you rarely get to hear from the people who were quite happy with their stay.

If you want to spend less than that, stay a bit further to the edges of Paris. Good luck!

'afternoon, all..

Hello, Jason. This  hotel is just a few yards from the Start and is typical of lots in the same area...just to give you an idea of price etc..* If you want a bath, as opposed to a shower, be sure to spell that out*..It's worth looking at the Metro map and considering a hotel further out but on a direct line.   ( Try 1,2 and 6 ) This  is a wonderful tool for working out routes. Wherever you go, you'll pay for the room..not per head. Are you travelling alone?

Paris is a lovely   Here's a  Course Map * Activate ‘ panoramio’ on the right and you’ll see the sights en route *
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->

Well, that's good news in a way NGUG. Now, you know. Any idea when they'll get round to doing it? What can you do, meantime? Swim?

Afternoon all, how glad was I to see a new thread, as not been on the old 1 for a couple of weeks and would have taken me ages to catch up. 

NGUG - pleased to hear that something is being done for you, just take it easy until the op (oh how easy it is to say that to others!!!!!)

Jason - last year I booked my hotel through booking.com as they give you a great selection and you dont have to pay anything now and you can cancel upto 24hours before you are due to go without paying any money, I have already booked with them again for next year, staying at a Best Western about 2 mins walk from the start.

Hoping my plaster will come off on 16th July and will then start my physio.  Ive not used the crutches they hurt my hands too much so gave up on them.  Managed to walk round and do the race for life very slowly but at least i did it.

Well heres to many more months of chat, worries, aches, pains and stool charts!!!!!!

I'm allowing myself to feel quite excited.  Only about another 250 days to go...

 NGUG - its good to know now what it is and that it can be fixed!

Just checking in so I get notifications, will catch up later.  I'm marshalling tonight at Astley Park in Chorley.4.4 park race.