Paris Marathon 2013

I can definitely do Paris as hubby is not working   Flights and accommodation booked.  Getting excited but not looking forward to the LSRs.

Went out for a hilly 25km run this afternoon and stupidly wore 1000 mile socks that had evidently already run 1000 miles +.  Result = sore feet.  Hurry up Wiggle with my order of new socks!   

'OO'50 wrote (see)

Sounds like you are struggling there Tricky. At least you had the good sense to stop immediately.

Well, it's just a little twinge. I can put my finger on the exact point where the tear is. Fine within a week so no big worry.

Johnny. Crowds are mental for supporters around Bastille - hardly any chance of seeing your supporter.  I posted a map a few years ago in high resolution showing a few good places for supporters to go.  It's here - you can zoom in on to it for the details.  In combination with the Metro, the supporter can see their runner in a number of places.

My general advice is go where the crowds are a little bit thinner and have a flag on a pole that goes in the air. It's easier to see things which are above the crowd face/ body line - that is all a bit of a blur (depends on eyesight and speed of runner of course).  much easier for the runner to spot supporters at a certain point than the other way round.

Km.1 - end of Place de La Concorde isn't bad - get a great atmosphere at the start. A sharp move on The Metro can get you ahead of the runner for Km.8 on Rue de Reuilly (after Bastille crowds).  A quick espresson and pastry then across the road for km.20 on Avenue Daumesnil. Metro again up to Ave. du President Kennedy, with the Eiffel Tower in sight. Usually good atmosphere along here and the point where the runner starts to think about getting tired. Great spot to hand over an energy drink. A dedicated suporter could get to km.41 for a final wave but this will be too hard for most. Probably just enough to aim for the Arc for a post-race rendez-vous.

The Metro is a bit of a squash during the race.  I've had supporters fail to keep up with me both by Metro and by bicycle in Paris. They simply couldn't get ahead of me at each stage. It's quite deflating not to see a supporter at an expected point, especially when you are depending on them for your fueling strategy.  (I never rely on anyone for that now). Only consume what I can carry.

Hope this helps.

Now then....a friend of mine is signed up to run Paris and her training hasn't been going too well.  We had a frank discussion at the weekend and she is determined that she wants to give it a shot.

Her background is sporadic training - she did the Cardiff Half with me in October - she knocked out a 2:10 on not a great deal of quality training and without it taking too much effort and she loved it.  Since then she hasn't done a lot of distance.  She could be a great runner - she just can't be arsed most of the time.  Anyway, I said I'd help her with a 10 week programme, running 4 times a week.  Just easy running, no speed, there isn't any time for that and she wants to avoid injury. 

She's signed up in the Pink Pen, so DV can cattle prod her around.  You'll enjoy that, she's very attractive

I've suggested that she aims for 5 hours and does a run walk strategy if necessary.  Do you think that the following buildup on the long runs looks ok or is she asking for trouble with this:

Week 1 - 11 miles

Week 2 - 13 miles

Week 3 - 15 miles

Week 4 - 12 miles

Week 5 - 18 miles (not sure about this one to be honest it seems a big jump)

Week 6 - 14 miles

Week 7 - 20 miles

Week 8 - 12 miles

Week 9 - 8 miles

Week 10 - Marathon

There will also be 3 midweek, much shorter runs.  There is no way she'll get more than one 20 miler in...

Thoughts would be appreciated

Here's some old pics to warm your blood.

Pre-race fuelling

Hot day in 2011, just clocked 2h56

That's me Finding Eric

Prepping for first Paris Mara I think. Happy memories. Great race.

Yer_Maj: a lot depends on how much mileage she is already putting in on a weekly basis.  Shape of the plan looks good. Some minor alterations. Wk4, small cutback to just 14 miles and reduce other runs in the week to compensate. Wk6. do an 18-20 miler.  Just be cautious of any lower leg pain!

Thanks TD - have fiddled with it a bit.  She's not getting much cutback...but then it's only 10 weeks I guess.

I can't see your pics - says I need to log in?

13 laps?  Dear lord woman....

I'm going to Paris with my parents (who are both running) and my sister who is to be chief supporter. The three of us are all different paces so I haven't a clue what she's going to do! 

currently got some inner turmoil- to run or not to run. Over the weekend I've come down with a bit of a chesty cough, and I know I therefore probably shouldn't run, but I always like starting my week off well and ticking off a run by the end of monday! 

Hi everyone, hope everybodys training is going well. 

I'm sure this question has been asked a gazillion times before, but what would happen if a 'friend' made his own doctors stamp, and filled out the medical form for himself? What are the chances of this 'friend' being found out at the expo, and being carted off in shame?

Emmy - I am seriously thinking of the 'real' food option, but want a back up plan!!

Wednesday again

I am not doing the half marathon in March anymore, gonna save anything I've got for Paris, and depending on new job, I may not be doing ultra anymore either. I have got to weigh up time off, and opted to ask for the 3 trips which are all booked and paid for. So for me its Paris, course in June and Berlin.