Stockholm Marathon 2011

Hi Greg, Ill be there seems a long way away now

It will only be that price in the main places, I been to Tallinn, and Run Helsinki twice, Scandinavia is a nice place from what i have seen and I am looking forward to this one, will buy a bott of red in airport for when I finish race tho, couple pints and Ill be sorted!

Greg, its the time of year m8, always feel rubbish with xmas anti climax, I got Gloucester sunday and I aint 100% but will be good to see where I am. then 5 more mara's before Stockholm so will be marathon fit by then I hope!

This is my first marathon and I am looking forward to it and terrified in equal measure!

I have downloaded a training program from Runnersworld for the 16 weeks prior to the run. You guys have any pros or cons/advice on following these?

Karl, They are pretty good i would imagine, as long as you build slowly to a 20 miler about 3 weeks before you will be just fine, on the day it will be easy as long as you get the hard bit in....training for it!

Have a listen to this, its great with some great tips and interviews, www.marathontalk.com its a free podcast you can download from itunes etc

Hey Greg, Muzza and Karl, I'll be toeing the start line as well for this one. Going to be spending a few days in Stockholm before checking out a few countries around it so it should be a relaxed run.

We should catch up for a pre- or post-race beer, although maybe not a Guiness at those prices....!

There's two of us booked into the Globe Hotel for a few nights. I'll be arriving on the Thursday and flying back on the Tuesday.

Not long now until the start of the 16 week build up.  I'm following a mix of the FIRST training programme and the RW one and just substituted the tempo/speed sessions for my two weekly sessions with the running club.  This year I need to do more 20+ milers to really boost my endurance - I start off well but I have a habit of slowing down drastically towards the end. I should really be sub 4 hours but I struggle to get motivated for a 20-22 mile training run.  Anyway no more excuses!

Greg, I am the same, 20-22s ahh god,  I just run a marathon a month or so then NO long runs over 13 in between, just shorter stuuff and lots of races, works really well for me and I am getting faster, definatly never suffer due to lack of endurance anymore. if anything I struggle in the middle, think I lack concentration but I always pick it up later on. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/64854947 you can see on here where I struggled last wk, wasnt hills so dunno what it was,BUT I will get to the bottom of it!

If you dont fancy that, try doing 8-12m at your marathon pace on Saturday and then your long run 1 min a mile slower than marathon pace the next day, that will make you very strong, just make sure you have recovery weeks every 3rd week, do same key session but less miles.

Its not about loading up the miles at our standard its about training smart, try x training as well to stregthen the weaker muscles than running doesnt. gives the body a rest from pounding to

True

A message to Karl, you have made a great choice for your first marathon.

Last year was my first, and so far only, but the organisation was top class and from all accounts this is about the most picturesque city run you could have chosen.

You have probably already read about the dreaded Västerbron bridge, which you have to cross twice - the 2nd time at ~30 km and the approach I took and worked for me was to walk a little before and over it for that 2nd crossing.

 I followed a 16 week program, but for various reasons only managed 10 of those weeks and completed in under 5 hours and was ok to do a 10 km run on the Tuesday - so follow the program and you will be fine.

Just take it easy, take plenty of fluids and enjoy the day - finishing in the old olympic stadium is something very special.

Hi Hannah,

 You can keep an eye on blocket.se where there may be places on offer - only one at the moment (and it is not cheap), but maybe closer to the day more will be available.

 http://www.blocket.se/stockholm/Startplats_Stockholm_Marathon_32381987.htm?ca=11&w=1

 Spring has not quite arrived in Stockholm yet, but at least it will be time to swap the treadmill for running outside on the road instead of ice!

 Good luck with getting the place and for the day.