VLM 2012 first timers??? - Page 13 - Spring Marathon

jdw2000

24/11/2011 at 22:57

The streets in the centre of London are usually snow/ice-free when further out its a foot deep. I'm thinking of maybe doing my running around there if needs be (not ideal, but just to maintain fitness until the snow goes. Hopefully whatever snow/ice we get won't last long. Here's hoping!

154wint

25/11/2011 at 07:37

The guys supporting me to run in was good, however they kept telling me to sprint in the last bit! to which i replied, I am f***ing sprinting! they gave me one of them looks, apparently I was rather slow lol!

And LWJ runs round the midlands would be good, have you found any? give me a shout on here if youre up for that. I get back from afghanistan around christmas time, and then have a nice holiday, after that I am free to do weekend events round the midlands. I work in south west england during the week

Cant wait to run in the rain, maybe thats strange but definitely better than out here in the sun and dust! it always seems though that when i run in the UK if i go out in shorts and vest, its freezing but if i go out in leggings and long sleeved top, its redders!!

djh77

25/11/2011 at 11:16

Kaffeeg -- have you thought about running in parks on very icey / snowy days? Possibly better to run on crispy grass than slippery pavements?

Emmy H

27/11/2011 at 09:51

I've taken to running on the road when it's snowy/icy. They dont do our road so last year it was literally like an ice rink

I've had some rather nasty tumbles before and try to avoid running outside if it's really bad.

kiwiscanfly

27/11/2011 at 12:59

Hi all. Haven't been on the thread for a while as my laptop was playing up. How is everyones training going? I got out for 13 miles this morning before having a sports massage so that was all quite satisfying. Have entered the Bath Half to try and get a quick time on board pre London. Looking at increasing mileage gradually over the next few weeks as I am also running the Gloucester Marathon, but not competitively. Also aware of 3 little niggles which I am trying to keep at bay, I have a bit of a zero tolerance when it comes to injuries and find that prevention is better than cure, if at all curable !!

Badoo

27/11/2011 at 17:51

Went out today for 6 miles first half was ace with the wind behind me I was clocking 9.40 min miles ( my PB) but on the way back OMG talk about wind it was mental I just didnt move anywhere and was clocking 10.30 min miles . Honestly at one point I literally ground to a halt !!! Not only did I have wind to contend with but a herd of COWS who had got out their field and were on the canal path, so i had to gingerley run through them !!!! Ahh well I did it none the less

kiwiscanfly

27/11/2011 at 18:04

Hi Badoo, I had just the opposite, the head on breeze on the way out and then behind me on the way back.

I had a couple of horses across the road, I am always aware of scaring them and the riders being flung off , however no problems.

Two-Stroke Tart

28/11/2011 at 10:12

Was windy yesterday wasn't it?! I did the Norwich half and there was a section of the course that was one long incline and you just got battered by the winds Had to do it twice too as it's a two lap course Finished in 2:46, which I was pleased with considering the wind and that I've pulled a muscle in my arm which was giving me problems on the windier sections by lap two. Enjoyed the race though despite the wind; pretty course, well supported and well organised

Got to take it easy for the next couple of weeks while my pulled muscle heals, although in a way it;s come at a good time as I'd planned a short recovery run next weekend and then I've got a 5k fancy dress the week after to celebrate my birthday Going to get the running belt that's on offer through RW as part of the VLM stuff as I'm hoping not carrying a bottle will help my arm heal quicker.

jdw2000

28/11/2011 at 16:35

I'm thinking about joining a running club for the VLM training. I think East End Road Runners are my local one. Is anyone here part of a London club?

Len 2 (I'm a girl)

29/11/2011 at 09:08

Morning!

How is everyone doing? I did just over half an hour this morning, and wow was it windy!! And surprisingly warm - i have NO idea how to dress every morning lol! My head says I should need gloves - it's almost December!!

Badoo

29/11/2011 at 09:23

Morning!!!! went out last night for a cheeky 4 miles and felt good . Yeah len I was looking for my gloves thinking I would need them last night but couldnt find them and as it turns out didnt need them . Its really windy today , I am off out with my friend tonight and he runs a fair bit quicker than me so I may be in bits tomorrow !!!!

Two-Stroke Tart

29/11/2011 at 10:08

Well, managed to struggle around the Norwich half marathon in blasting winds on Sunday! Finished in 2:46, which I was pleased with considering the weather and that I've pulled a muscle in my arm so need to be taking it easy while it heals. The wind was awful out in the countryside though, really hope we don't get winds like that on the day!! Couple of easy weeks for me now and then back to longer mileage. Was pleased to get round the course, although the last mile was hard so it's made me realised how much work I still have to do. Am glad I'm ahead of things though, I don't think I'd be able to get round if I was starting from scratch in January

(Not that I'm saying others couldn't, just that it would be too much of a struggle for me)

jdw2000

29/11/2011 at 10:37

Well done, TST! It's very good going to be at 1/2 marathon stage right now. Pleanty of time to build on that. I'm slightly under that, but within a couple of weeks I'll be there, hopefully.

Speed-10

29/11/2011 at 11:00

Had a few light weeks now as I've had a niggling ache that seemed to move around my calf and shin and was dreading it turn into something serious. I have reduced the number of runs and not been out for a long run for 2 weekends.

On Sunday I decided to test it out a bit (from the easy 4/5 milers I have been doing) with what ended up a 7.25m run at what I hope will be race pace (circa 10 min miles). Cardio felt great (probably as the first half I was blown along by the wind) but I am aware of every little ache and pain in my body and am completely paranoid about something going!!!

Just had a short session on the treadmill and thinking I need to start a formal plan, I had already planned on doing so but think I will do a 16 week one now!

Badoo

30/11/2011 at 11:07

I survived my run with long legged James yesterday , was quite proud of myself for keeping uo with him ( although he hasnt run for 8 weeks as he has been injured ) and had a really nice run . Goes much quicker when you run with a partner !!

Len 2 (I'm a girl)

02/12/2011 at 09:27

Urghhhh I feel rubbish!! Got a cold blurghhh. Atill, better now than January, right?! At least i've not actually started my proper plan yet. so i have a couple of weeks to shake this off. Sniff. Pass the Lemsip...

Badoo

02/12/2011 at 12:20

Off to get gait analysed and new trainers tonight yipee

Vanessa Richards 2

02/12/2011 at 13:18

Oh my word - I am not the only oneout there!

Finding this thread has made my day, week even!!

I got my charity spot for the VLM 2012 with Barnardo's after doing 10k in the BUPA 10,000 this year - I was on a massive running high and thought, I have 9months, I can do ANYTHING!!!! However illness and injury stroke and so I find myself at the beginning of December, FINALLY ready to start training (slowly but surely) but massively freaking out too!

At first my goal had been to make it round under 5h 30 (that's the average for women apparently), but now I am not so sure and I want to limit my expectations so I can enjoy it more.

It is GREAT and very MOTIVATING to see the virtual running community here give each other advice and words of encouragement - having put on some weight during my uni-years and through the period of illness, and being fairly new to running, I can't help but feel a bit like an idiot when "running" on the streets of East London (it's more of a shuffle, really).

None of my friends or family are supportive, they tolerate my goal more as a delusion and I know they don't think I can do it, which just wants me to complete it more than ever. But I could do with some moral support buddies, so if there are people out there in the same boat, get in touch, we can support each other through training, swap healthy recipes and training tips on a more "committed" basis, email regularly, maybe meet up for the odd run and drink after to swap tips or have a general rant about the blisters, chafing, etc.

Looking forward to hearing about everyone's progress on here - VLM IS GOING TO BE AMAZING!

LWJ

02/12/2011 at 14:22

HI everyone,

Sorry I haven't been on here for a while. It's been a hectic week with some ups and downs. Firstly, I've just found out I'm being made redundant at Christmas. However, I'm looking on the bright side at all the extra time I'll have for training while job hunting!

Secondly, I went to see a physio about a problem with my knee and after half an hour, he was still going through the list of things wrong with my knees; hypertension, tight hamstrings and calves, wonky ankles (can't remember the technical term) weak muscles around my knees and my right knee cap is not in the right place! Luckily, he's coming up with lots of stretches and exercises for me to do - and I'm going to have plenty of time to do them!!

On the postive side, training is going well, went out for a run on Tuesday with a friend I haven't run with for about 6 months and I kept up with him! Back then, I ran about half his pace.

Speed-10

02/12/2011 at 18:03

Vanessa, I doubt you are any more deluded than the rest of us marathon first timers! Its very easy to sneer and laugh from the sidelines but a damn site harder to train your arse off 5 or 6 months and complete a marathon at the end of it. Try not to worry about times, get the mileage in and come the day when you have the medal round your neck take great pleasure in the words "I told you so".