RW Forum 6 - Just Finish!

Ooh hoorah Flo Po - I'm thinking I need to enter a race to get myself going again - I keep saying that and doing nothing about it!

'enjoying lake swimming'???? in this weather?????? I am mightily impressed LMB

Well done Flo Po - glad you're getting your love for running back.

I had a good run tonight too - just less than 3 miles in my slowest time for ages but I really enjoyed it because two newbies had turned up at the club for a run and two of us volunteered to run with them.
They had been doing run walk not very far and seemed a bit worried about the 3m loop but I felt like we made great progress with them. It turns out that they were running fast for a couple of minutes and then having to walk for 5 mins to get their breath back. We set off at 12 min pace which was much slower than they had been doing and once they got the idea that they should be able to talk while running they did fantastically well and did 2.9 miles in 35.30 with only 3 short walks. They were really pleased because they said 3 miles would usually take 50 minutes.
I felt like a proper coach!!

I'm still enjoying the lake - though it was busy last night with 42 swimmers so we were swimming into each a bit too much in the beginners area!! The lake is quite bracing DL once you have got over the initial shock of the cold water

I'm swimming again tomorrow and then hoping to get round the White Peak on saturday!!

Hi All,

Thought I'd pop in and say hi- it's been a while! (compared to my pultiple-times per day pre-marathon foruming). Things have been a bit crazy round here as my little girl has been poorly and then Mr Beck came down with Man-Flu (he's actually pretty rotten, bless). We thought little miss was over the worst and then today the spots all came out..... chicken pox! So thats her off nursery all week at least, and having just had a week off with her when she started with it the week before last, I'm going to struggle with work. Cue calls to mother in law, sister in law, next doors dog etc trying to get somebody to help out. 

I managed 2 runs in the last 2 weeks- both short and trying to pick up the pace in preparation for the Great Manchester Run today. I've actually missed the long slow runs at times- the time to get out and spend quiet time with yourself in your own head is priceless I'm finding.

Still, did the 10km today and despite not breaking the hour I did improve on my time from last year, making it round in 1.02.12 (c/w 1.03.44), with my overall mile pace under 10 min/mile, which is a first over any distance for me pretty much! It was bloody hard work though- I properly gave it everything for the whole hour. Not stricly enjoyable at the time, but quite satisfying once youve finished! 

I'm looking forward to not having any events scheduled for a while. I'll keep running once or twice a week and bring back some of my strength training I think. It'll be nice to do what I fancy and not have a regime to stick to for a change.

Annyone else been out for a run this weekend? How's it going Len- been back out there? Still in the post marathon blues DL/Bridget/FloPo?

Anyone remember exactly when Mitiogs race is? Next weekend I think...

Hi All,

Yes it's Sunday! Been on holiday for a week so only ran 15 miles last week but walked a fair way. Did 2 x 1 mile at marathon pace on Monday with club. I think I'm going to aim for 11:30 or a fraction slower and see how I feel at 20 miles. Craving lots of sweet food and carbs so trying to be sensible - a 3 day carbo loading is one thing but 2 weeks is a bit overkill!

Ooh exciting mitiog! Hope you had a good holiday? I think you're going to need a hat and some suntan lotion on Sunday

I seem to have entered the post event slump finally after my 10km and am feeling like a fat blob. I think I have actually put on a few pounds. Not helped by not being able to exercise as usual due to looking after little miss (chicken pox) ad mr beck (turned into tonsillitis).

How are you feeling about Sunday Mitiog? Excited/nervous?

Well done on the 10K Becks, good to be back racing I'm excited ans nervous. I know how hard marathons are! I need to keep positive and trust my training. I M in better shape than last time so I'm hoping for a PB but if it's hot will settle for a comfortable finish. I desperately need a post-marathon goal too...ant ideas?

 You could always do a triathalon or just sign up to anouther marathon later on this year or next year?

 Sorry not been on the thread for a bit been to buzy with stuff lately. Just read back and very well done for manchester by the way that was the worst conditions I've ever seen for a marafun. I managed a personal worst and gave up after 20 miles because was to cold. It was hellish.

Apologies from me for not having been around for a while too   Variety of reasons really but here I am.

mitiog - not long now for you

LMB - nice coaching

beck* - I'm not surprised you don't feel like running after the couple of weeks you've had

I ran a leg of the Round MK Relay on sunday which was wet, muddy and great run.  Despite it being mostly off road I managed to sneak under 10 mm average pace!  I'm gradually getting back into running by focussing on my 100 mile/month target and working out how many miles I have left to do. 

Well done on the 10k Beck and hope you manage to avoid the illnesses!

I've kept wondering how you were doing Mitiog and whether you were starting to feel nervous. These are the days when you start to worry about everything so try not to panic

Welcome back to USB and those who not been here for a while - I've not been on very regularly either. I used to be on here 3 times a day!!

I ran the White Peak half on Saturday in a new PB of 2.23.15. I wasn't particularly looking forward to it as like a lot of people I'd lost the urge to run a long way! I actually really enjoyed it once I had warmed up (it was only 8C at the start and I'd decided to run in a T-Shirt). I ran the whole way with a club mate and we kept each other going and enjoyed the scenery as we went.
The course was fairly flat though it was really a very steady almost unnoticeable incline most of the way. The two downhill sections were the steepest I've ever done though (both 1 in 8 descents and the second one at 11.5m for 700m) and it didn't help my knee at all.

Tonight I managed a full (very slow) lap of the lake for the first time in lovely warm, 16C water and I'm buzzing about it

Well done LMB - I always reckon it must be hard doing the half after the full marathon.

I've done my last run!  Nerves are starting to kick in now, that maybe only other runners will understand.  My mum's comment on the phone was "well you can always stop if it gets hard".  I mean, yes, stop if actually properly injured, but marathons do hurt and they are hard (I remember only too well) and what a waste of 6 months of training to get part-way round and "just stop" when it gets hard?  Ho hum...

Carbo loading starts tomorrow!  USB I have your "diet sheet" that you posted some time ago and I'm adapting it to reflect that I'm about 25kg heavier than you!  

My club coach posted on Facebook tonight basically telling me it's an awesome course and I'm guaranteed a PB and she's expecting me to get my head down and get that sub-5.  Hmmmm I'm not so confident!  A 32 minute PB seems a bit of a challenge but my training has been better I think and I know I need to eat loads to stop me hitting the wall.  I was going to start out at 11:30 pace (just outside 5-hour pace) and see how I felt at 20 miles.  Does that seem reasonable?  I averaged 11:45 on my last 20 mile run so I don't want to go out much quicker than that really, even though the first 6 miles have quite a bit of down-hill in them.  I definitely feel well-rested though, I've done a few 11:30ish paced miles this week on a nice flat stretch of the bike path (we call in the M1 - it's the nearest thing we have to straight, flat running!!) and it's felt really easy with a low heart-rate so I think the tapering is working.

I've got my number, downloded the race pack and sorted out my travel, etc so just resting and eating now!

Thanks everyone for popping back to cheer me on - much appreciated! 

mitiog I think your plan sounds good but you know what we are like on the day. The one thing I would say it try very hard not to get carried away at the start. I did a London despite my plans. Very best of luck you have done the training and you can do it.

Beck well done on the 10k pb and hope the little one is doing ok...

LMB congrats on your pb too sounds like you had a great run and paced it really well.

I am doing Edinburgh half on Sunday. Don't think I have to worry too much about the weather as it starts at 0800

Don't think a P.B is on the cards but would just like to have a decent run and not be negative.

 

Hi Guys - I'm awake in the middle of the night with period pains so thought I may as well pop on whilst my cup of tea cools enough for me to take tablets!!

Thanks for your comments on my half. Hope your half on Sunday goes well Flo Po.

Mitiog - my 92 year old grandma had a similar attitude to your mum. When she sponsored me she told me that she couldn't believe how far I was going to run but not to worry because she would pay whether I finished it or not and "don't slog your guts out because it is not worth it. If you feel too tired it is better just to stop"!!
A 32 minute PB may be possible Mitiog - I did a 30 minute one My advice would be don't put too much pressure on yourself to do sub 5. I would love to have a PB which starts with a 4 but a PB is a PB.
I followed advice (which I may have got on here actually) to have 3 times in mind - a perfect scenario, a good time and something you would settle for which worked for me as I'd done 5.49 previously so my 3 times were 5, 5.15 and 5.30 and in the end I was delighted with my 5.19. That way when time slips away you won't panic and you won't feel disappointed when you done a PB if it isn't your ultimate goal PB!

I did the first 11 miles of London at 11.20 pace which felt comfortable but with short stops for gels and to say hello to supporters and then the last section when I ran-walked for a bit I still ended up with a average of more than 12 mins (and remember that you will run further than 26.2 - I did 26.7).

If I don't get chance to post again before Sunday (I'm going on holiday on Saturday and haven't thought about packing yet) have a great run Mitiog. Enjoy every minute of it and good luck for a PB you are really happy with

mitiog - definitely be careful to keep it nice and slow at the beginning.  I think Edinburgh tends downwards to start with so easy to get carried away.

Thanks everyone - some good advice as always!  I like the 3 times thing, LMB.  Yes, the first 6 miles is quite hilly with a lot more down than up so I'm going to have to be super-careful on that one and re-check my pace when I get on the flat again.  Hopefully my heart-rate monitor will help and I can consider the first 6 miles as a nice down-hill warm-up!

Not sure how I'm going to get through all the food I'm meant to be eating over the next three days!!

Not enjoying the carbo-loading!  6g of carbs per kg of bodyweight is loads!!  I hope my body is storing it as glycogen not fat - have enough fat as it is!!

Getting nervous now  

Don't overdo the food mitiog. I ate too much and felt really lethargic at London. I think the carb loading is over the top...If and it's a big if I do another marathon I won't be changing my diet in the run up.

It always seems funny that they say don't do anything different well lazing about and stuffing your face is different...

Good luck hope it's not too hot...

Thanks Flo Po - right now I'm wishing I wasn't doing another marathon!!!

I'm off on holiday in the morning so I've just popped on to say good luck Mitiog. I hope the weather cools down for you, you pace yourself properly and you love every minute of it.

You will be fine you've done the hard work just try and enjoy the day...

I will be with you for the first 13.10 as doing the half...eek really shouldn't be hydrating on Gin and Tonic oh no never mind...

24 hours to go

Rest well mitiog