Sub 3h15

DS2 - things are ok, thanks. Obviously, it's hardest for my mum, now on her own after 55 years; lots of people around to try and support her as best we can.
Malcs - welcome to the thread. All the best with sorting out the cramp/aches issue and achieving sub 3:30. As a general rule of thumb, total weekly mileage should be 3 to 4 times the distance of the long run, but most people have to bend that rule a bit when it comes to 20 milers!
I did another slow 6 miles this morning. It's freezing out there, but we seem to have managed to avoid the snow so far.

Poacher - brilliant 

I will consider myself warned. Everything I have printed out so far has just been sent to the shredder

....I am tempted by the running in women's underwear option though

Thanks Gul Darr - I'm way off by that multiplier.

Malcs - dont be embarrased, you've been running marathons the hard way. They are about to get easier if you run more often and for longer. Minni is right, the folks here will help you along if you let them.

Eyup, Malcs - sound advice already - and your experience so far isn't wasted - it has led you to this point, and as TR says, things are about to get better. Like many, my first mara was a horror show for the last 8 miles or so, but once I sought advice from experienced exponents of the distance (well before internet forums existed), I was able to eventually make the most (nearly) of what I've got.
All the best. 

No mention of marathon running with a fruity hat Poacher?

Badbark - just looked through your 20 week (140 day) programme. I am concerned about the Saturday of week 14. I reckon the 1 rest day could undermine the 139 running days. Perhaps you should put in at least an easy 5 in there instead? 

Welcome to Malcs, the only thing I can add is that if I did all  my lsrs at half slower than MP and half at MP my legs would probably ache too!

Badbark - one intense programme - good luck with it

I did 6 hilly miles this am at 8mm. It was quite pleasant - had to take my coat and gloves off at the end. Works do tonight so it looks like the weeks total is going to be 43m for the week.

Thanks for all the ‘welcome back’ comments everyone.

Welcome aboard Malcs. Great advice given from everyone 

Keir – LOL! I’m using the programme as a rough guide and it peaks at 87 miles while I peak at 75 and I have a rest day every 7 to 10 days. This is the book I got the schedule from - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Run-Faster-5k-Marathon-Coach/dp/0767928229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354877394&sr=8-1

The book attempts to teach you to be your own coach and therefore run to your own limits. Certainly not for beginners but worth a read for anyone with a few years of running experience and multiple marathons completed.

It’s certainly helped me improve considerably over shorter distances recently.

I’ve uploaded the level 2 Hudson Marathon plan to here - http://www22.zippyshare.com/v/4906182/file.html

As some peps have pointed out level 3 is pretty damn intense and my own personal plan has a mixture of level 2 and 3 runs. 

Cheers for the link BB. I've added it to my Xmas list.

Thanks for all the ‘welcome back’ comments everyone.

Welcome aboard Malcs. Great advice given from everyone 

Keir – LOL! I’m using the programme as a rough guide and it peaks at 87 miles while I peak at 75 and I have a rest day every 7 to 10 days. This is the book I got the schedule from - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Run-Faster-5k-Marathon-Coach/dp/0767928229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354877394&sr=8-1

The book attempts to teach you to be your own coach and therefore run to your own limits. Certainly not for beginners but worth a read for anyone with a few years of running experience and multiple marathons completed.

It’s certainly helped me improve considerably over shorter distances recently.

Some things merit repetition

10M and then sports massage for me last night.  11M planned at lunchtime: a daytime MLR in December = a marathon runner's treat

I believe there is a fast mentor available.....

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE !!!!

Have you been shunned by Asics?

Stuck in a training rut?

Got a marathon place and can only run round the block??

Busy busy busy and no time to train??

I have six lovely mentors all lined up and chomping at their Mizunos to get involved

All you have to do is to tell us why you should be given the prize of the millenium

YOUR PITCH

Should not threaten to harm small animals
Should not send people to sleep or need a screen break

It will contain your hopes for a marathon time
It will contain your marathon entry confirmed
It will contain a brief running history of recent times and pb's

We would love to hear all about YOU, strengths, weaknesses and limitations

---------------------------------------

This thread will close on Monday 17th December and then Kittenkat and her esteemed Adjudicator(s) will cogitate the pitches and we will then announce the LUCKY SIX on Christmas Eve


Asics 6??  As they said on Channel 4 ... thanks for the warm up    

Click on the link below to be taken to the pitching page.....

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/spring-marathon/the-rw-forum-six/234971.html

No word limit? I'll start planning my 12,000 word response tonight. 

DS2: I've had to juggle my P&D sessions about this week; ideally it would have been 7M Tuesday, 11M Weds, 5M Thurs, 10M Fri.  Instead it's been 5M Monday, 7M Weds, 10M Thurs and 11M Friday.  Heigh ho.  Neck is much better!

No Minni, you can't tempt me into running a marathon before 2014!

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, as only kinda got involved with the ASICS Target 26.2 (I'm in the busy lifestyle category). It is really interesting reading the advice from everyone about how to train. I've done 2 marathons and ran 3:23 in Berlin in September off training 4-5x week, with a max of 45 miles in a week.

Do people think I will be able to get my time down to 3:15 (BQ and GFA VLM) on that basis, particularly if I get a good base in now?