Virgin London Marathon 2011 First Timers

helen I can't stop laughing at your 'hoodies' story!  Just off out for a run and to make the most of the gorgeous weather. 

Have a good weekend everyone

Hi all

I seem to be the only one that doesnt listen to music while i run!!! Tried it a couple of times but got too carried away when it was music i liked... ran too fast and then found the rest of the run painful. I like to think and put everything right when i run alone. i just love the freedom... nobody wants me for anything when i`m out running!

i picked the wrong day this weekend... yesterday was great for running but I didnt... today  did 12 miles... rained all the time!!!

Geordie Nick....great time for 1/2.... i`ve got 4 weeks to try and get anywhere near that

Thanks MattyMum. Shame you didn't run yesterday, it was a really nice day here in the North East. But still very well done on your 12 miles today. Where are you running in 4 weeks ?? Good luck whever it may be.

 LIke you I never listen to music whilst running ( think I would find it a distraction )

 I did a 5k Parkrun yesterday morning ( Saturday ) in Sunderland ( 24:27 ) .

Then a bit against my better judgement !! did a harrier league for the club in the afternoon, Felt very tired & very weary. Course was not too muddy - but quite hilly. 6 hard miles in approx 54 mins ( I think !! )

No more races now (apart from Parkruns ) until 20th Nov.  Brampton - Carlisle ( 10 miles )

Need to build up my own training 'miles' more.

 How has everybody else's weekend go?

good luck vds

 rather you than me.

Go for it....its not that bad... only water.... it`ll be dark soon!!!!!

good luck... enjoy!

Evening all..

Hello Paul.. you are not alone - Anyway, you're in great company on this forum 'cos we've made up our minds & we're all going to finish.. So, that problem solved, all we've got to worry about is fitting enough miles in & avoiding injury. Simples!

Seriously though, slow build up, take your time, don't do too much or be tempted to do too many miles too soon. Remember in order to finish you first need to get to the start line.

So, I also got the wrong day for my long run this weekend, but had too many drinkies on Friday evening & did hills on Friday anyway, so six miles over the South Downs (silly name, 'cos there are loads of "ups" too) with Reg the dog, in the rain & mud! Mind you, I actually like running in the rain.. Maybe that book is some sort of brainwashing................

Well done vds - 10 miles feels great when it's over doesn't it. I remember my first 10 (I should do it was only last February) I punched the air.. Dog thought I was having a fit..

Strange I only run with music in the gym on the treddie & when I'm road running. Off road I'd never dream of taking the phone or my nano... But I do sing................Have sold my soul to David Lloyd will need to watch that in the gym, not sure they'll apreciate me blasting out Power Ballards!

Hmmmm roast pork & red wine! Bye

Thanks for the advise guys.

 Yeah, failing is not an option.  Although all this I hear about a dreaded wall, I shouldn't like to meet that!  So if you guys had a long run yesterday then today is the low impact part?  I'm looking forward to trying out my plan.  It will make a pleasent change just running for hours every day on a treadmill.  I'm a bit miffed that I have been reccomended not to continue with my usual gym habbits of Body Combat and Body Pump well not twice a week anyway. 

 I have something to work towards this week, I've entered my first 5mile race on Sunday, hopefully finish around 50mins.

 Best get ready for work

Well done Paul - 5 mile race is a great idea, just don't go off too fast. I know what you boys are like!

You sound like you might be a candidate for the book a few of us are reading. It is called The Non Runners Training Plan & while it does contain a plan, it has great tips on motivation, positive thinking and mental attitude that really do seem to work.

Re your gym classes, don't forget that you can use them as cross training. I run 4 times a week & combine my two shortest runs with some upper body weights, squats & crunches, but I also do at least one spin class & yoga for flexability - On that subject, I can't believe how much a spot of yoga has improved my running! I recommend it if anyone wants something low impact.

Also, make sure you mix up your running on different surfaces. If you always run on a treddie your stride can become a little shortened & you might find road running causes you some injury & pain. Similarly off road can feel like your energy is being sapped if you are non used to it although it is much kinder on the joints.. Confusing enough for you?

Hx

mattys mum - well done you, I hope you put your feet up today at least for a little while!

Geordie Nick - Fab time.. well done you! 

Urgh just had a really horrible interval session at the gym.  Don't know what went wrong, it was an easier session than I normally do but I just felt terrible.  Really annoying .

Good luck for your 5 miler Paul, let us know how it goes.

 Have also been looking at the start of my marathon schedule, and the first few weeks start off quite gently with less mileage than I normally do.  Should I still follow the schedule and just enjoy the more relaxed runs while I can, or should I adapt the runs to suit my current fitness level?  I don't want to risk injury by starting all guns blazing, but then also want to train to my full potential...

Hi Everybody,

Hope you don't mind me joining in.  After 4 years of trying I have a ballot place but this won't be my first marathon, I ran in Brighton in April and managed 4:15:01.

I have had a lazy summer to be honest and hardly done any exercise but I have found my motivation again and got back out there.  I am aiming to be back running 8 miles for my long runs by the end of the month.

 Wishing you all the best of luck with your training.

Ok, sarrie, me too...so I need to fess up..

I've covered the full 26.2 mile distance in London twice before.. Both times in the middle of the night wearing a highly decorated bra. 1st time I finished in 6:27 second time 5:58.. but I was walking.. So as far as I'm concerned I'm still a Virgin Virgin.. Can I stay or am I banished from this Forum thread?

 vds - me too, Sunday is long run day, Saturday a rest day & Monday I do Yoga, ( I find it stretches me out beautifully & I sleep like a baby!)

Little N - Know just how you feel! Ran 6 miles on Sunday & felt dreadful.. Also agonising over when to start the schedule given I'm 1/2 marathon fit. Took some advice from the Running Coach at the gym who recons I should use the fitness to do hills, tempos & fartleks, not worry too much about the milage but make sure I run for around 60-100 minutes on a Sunday depending how I feel. use the next month to solidify my base fitness then hit week one of the plan & enjoy the drop off in training.. He recons the base fitness will not drop off & that this approach is pretty standard "maintenance". He also said I should mix up one of my weekly runs with a cross train, like spinning or swim sessions in order to take the pressure off my poor old joints!

Sound good to me!

Please let me stay Hx

Hey Peeps

Helen- yeah I think that makes you still a first timer..... far as i`m concerned you should stay!!!!!

I`m with you vds - Sunday is long run with Saturday and Monday as rest days. I`ve finally accepted that as an over 40 my legs just need those days off...dont want to risk getting injured! Did try swimming yesterday but that seemed to make the legs worse so wont be doing that again in a hurry!

Think we all get good and bad runs.... i try and take something positive out of any run... even if its just the fact that i ran any miles! and then look to the next run!

Knowing when to start marathon schedule seems to be the question of the moment... before xmas i think.... that may keep me going during festive season... otherwise it will be all too easy to think  i`ll start in new year!!

Have a good week all

Hi All

I'm in for next year too, I got in through the ballot, 1st time I've tried after a few mates completed it this year! 

I have previously done some 1/2's and a few other bits including a 18 miler once, but  took a year off after the Bristol 1/2 in 2009. 

Got the welcome pack through and thought 'oh *!£!' and was in a bit of denial initially but have manned up and definietly back on the horse now, am doing 3 runs a week totalling 20miles and a spin class or 2, and although had a year off maintained a reasonable level of fitness which has been a great boost as I thought I'd be going from scratch!

I've also joined a local running cub to get me through the winter months, they have quite a few sessions during the week but main club night is Weds.  Really recommend it to anyone else who is getting into training, as at least you are all in it together as a group on those cold winter evenings! Plus, there are so many members who have been there and are full of advise and help....

 Planning all the warm up races now and have a 10k next month, 9.5 miles in Jan, a 1/2 & 9.5 in Feb and then a 20 & a 1/2 in March.  Is this too much?  My plan is to go for sub 4:30, hopefully around 4 but we'll see how it goes eh?!

Look forward to sifting through the advice and support over the coming months

Best of luck guys n gals!

ooh I'm no complete virgin either having also done the London moonwalk marathon in my bra - Helen, but it was walking and I did have to go to the loo about 8 times so I'm hoping for a bit better time running in April!

I think I have got some of my mojo back and have been on the first couple of runs for ages. Didn't go far but felt good even though not as quick as this time last year.

 I've started off my fundraising too and did a little collection at halloween and have got a big pile of ebay worthy items!

Hope everyone's coping with the darker nights.

Wendy

hi wendy , well done on getting the mojo back ! have also started to slowly build up the miles , with my longest run so far today , 5.3 miles in drizzly manchester !! am aiming to run 4 times a week with two days of cross training - either rowing or cross trainer and one well deserved rest day

as i work 4 on 4 off it means i have to start getting used to going out after a 12 hour shift

think we should have a roll call as i dont about anyone else im losing track of everyone in here !!

 something like :

Name : Mike

runnning for : macmillan cancer support

motivation for running the marathon :my dad is suffering with cancer now and macmillan have been brilliant so a very worthy cause .