Auviour Paris: So long and thanks for the cobbles

mcs - good luck with your tapering!  You'll be racing before you know it!

Wow just checked out the results page for Rosie runner super woman.......only came 24th in her category in a stonking time..........how does she do it a natural.
Cheers Ten my schedule for the week ahead is 6 miles slow tomorrow.7 miles steady THursday, rest Friday, 3 miles Saturday easy,  supposed to be 18 according to the RW Ultimate Schedule sub four..... but going to cut that to about 14 on Sam Murphys recommendation depending on how I feel..........seems abit low that mileage having hit 50 last week, highest mileage I have ever done. Whats the highest mileage anyone has ever done?

Nel McAndrew was doing 80 miles a week before VLM but she didn't do that many long runs over 20.

Thanks everyone - rest assured i am able to look back on the weekend with great pride at another one done and i really enjoyed the trip, the course, the weather, the bloke i helped on the run, the comfortable run for most of it and of course finishing at my home footy stadium.  I will be doing more marathons and as you know had already entered the Lakeland trails one on 1st July which i am already looking forward to (no time, just enjoy the scenery).

The thing i will be thinking about over the next few days and weeks is what approach i take to target times for future marathons and then what adjustments i make to my training.  I will be doing some of the local 5k/10k/10mile races over the next few months as usual to keep the speed in the legs.  i need to figure out a way of combining this with more endurance but that's for another day.

Rosie is truly amazing - i don't think she will mind me sharing part of her text which read that she ran it at MP + 30 secs to finish in 3:40 and is now ready for Edi !!! Don't forget she did Paris and London recently as well.  truly amazing and very well done.

mcs - how to get to listen to Marathon Talk?

Sleepy/Ten and Emma - i think i need to employ you all as my sports psychologists and really appreciate your posts - those that know me well know that i strive to do my very best at whatever i do and sometimes that leads to disappointments along the way but its all part of the learning process, even at my age !!!

MWW/AC8 - thanks.

Luke Ellis and Rachel Hodge - sorry, forgot to thank you both for your posts

Oscarr - www.marathontalk.com  - click on "audio archive" at the top of the page, then the show you want to listen to, then "listen now" to stream the show via your computer.  Or right-click "direct download" and save-as   to download the mp3 file.

You have a lot of catching-up to do   I transfer the files to my mp3 player to listen on the treadmill.  I'm up to December 2011 now!

FH - thanks and that was a brilliant time at Shinfield - how much did you knock off your PB?

Well done on your marathon Oscar, many people would not have carried on. I know the frustrations involved in not getting the marathon time you know you can achieve, so I think taking time to reflect and not make too many rash decisions is in order. Being able to do 23 miles at a PB pace has got to give you a lot of confidence that it IS doable.

Oscarr> Don't get down on yourself re the marathon - you did everything right, just didn't work out. Paula Radcliffe and Haile Gabresalassie have all had well known disappointments at the distance. Next time mate! It will feel so much sweeter!

Better to lead a life of 'Oh wells' than 'What ifs'!

Got a league half marathon this Sunday mcs, but not expecting too much as I've not done many longer runs since Paris - it's more of a turn up & support the Club kind of race for me. They also do a good t-shirt and I have done this race about 8 or 9 times now, so some goood memories of past races.

FH - can't make tonight but will be there soon

KR - i think it shows a bit of experience and the fact that overall i enjoyed the day that i am very calm about taking my time to consider how to approach future marathons which i will certainly do cos i am absolutely fascinated by the challenge of the unknowns which you do not get in any other shorter distance - they are more an experience than a race

mcs - sounds like Mrs mcs is a toughy and i wish her and you all the best for the final stages of your training - you must be tapering now

AC8 - thanks

Sleepy - you brighten our days

Where's BoDuke disappeared to? 

mcs/Ten/Luke - just registered for marathontalk and listened to Tony's marathon prayer - very good.  Thanks.

Hi all

Oscarr - well done on getting through the tough last few miles, that takes guts and it sounds like it wasn't the easiest course.  It's all been said on here already but you just have to pick yourself up for the next one.....It's such a lot of pressure training for a marathon isn't it, when you have to gear everything towards what happens on just one day - but in reality I think completing the training in itself deserves a medal!

I'm a bit down in the dumps here hence not been on much.  On Monday I decided not to do the 10k but to do a gentle 5 mile from home in case I was tempted to push too much in the 10k.  I'd been pain free from the heel for 4-5 days so thought I'd be ok to build up.  Run was fine but later Mon afternoon VERY painful heel and carried on yesterday.  Physio has suggested getting an x ray to rule out stress fracture/heel spurs....So called GP and ended up getting someone who has personal (bitter) experience of Plantar Fascitis - which apart from one big difference (no pain first thing in the morning) is what my symptoms point towards).  He told me I need to get used to the idea I may never run again and my body is just not up to it. Bear in mind this was just a telecon!  Anyway was v. upset but he is referring for x ray anyway.  He used to do marathon running but now just bikes and the occassional 5k run is his max.

On the upside the pain is gone again today.  But at very least I think I need a big chunk of time (months?) off running to let it subside.  Devastating when I was on such a high post mara PB.  Am stretching and icing like mad and keeping sane by cycling and swimming!

So Reiki - tell me all about aqua jogging as I think I'm at the stage where that might be a good option for me......

ps good 10 miles races:  Well my fave is Buntingford year end 10 (usual between Xmas and New Year), great atmosphere and mostly pretty country lane scenery.  Have also done Dorking 10 (a while ago!), regularly do Fred Hughes 10 in St Albans (country lanes again, nice)...have also done Welwyn Garden 10 and Stortford 10!  Love the distance!

Cheers Oscarr.....Have you listened to Tonys Trials re the London Marathon and the toilets I was killing myself laughing running the other Sunday and also his description of running in the Manchester Marathon from last Wednesday's programme re seeing someone toileting near the end. Such a character.......he is obviously a very good runner himself.

Ran a steady five.28 miles this am in sunshine, quite warm had a sweat on!!!  Ankle issue giving me a bit of pain so dropping the mileage a touch this week.

WW get well soon.......I am looking forward to cycling after the marathon so see you on the bike. YOu can do intervals, hill work, long rides just the same as running there are plenty of websites discussing this, probably something on the Triathlon page of RWorld.  Keep smiling.

Thanks mcs....might need to look into that road bike!  What sort of price would you say I need to pay for an ok entry level (second hand!) road bike?

Must say for biking it's finding decent routes that aren't too choca with traffic that's a challenge...  Did a 17 mile ride this morning, not that inspiring but at least got me out in the fresh air!!!!