My First Marathon...

Hello JEvans, glad to see you have a target race/event to do. By the way which Stratford is this race? (too lazy to look it up)

How are you finding the LSR on Sunday, comfortable but tiring? Remember to increase the distance gradually. Have you worked out when your longest run will be? and how far?

I am doing relay for Outlaw so my marathon training is in the early stages but have done 10,8 and 9 miles as my LSR so far this month.

My thoughts on your plan are to possibly drop the circuits on Monday morning as the LSR increases, you may find the extra rest does you more good.

I dare say others will come along and give their opinion.

Sounds like you are OK, pop into the shorter tri thread if you want a chat. Chillibean is doing the run as part of a relay team for Outlaw as well.

On my previous marathons I never got beyond 30 miles a week. But currently doing the Fink plan which is by time.

Hi JEvans, 
Your marathon training is not failing, you're sensibly listening to your body!  Keep it positive.

Hi JEvaNs,

How did your session go? How far did you end up going? What kit are you plannin to invest in?

Hope it's all going to plan.

Sorry, no idea of any bargains. I buy my stuff from Aldi when they have some...
I'd recommend Shockabsorber run bra though, I think it's brill.

Gosh, those miles are building up nicely.

Hey JEvaNs - how's your training going? Hope it's all going well in this weather.

I'm debating if I have enough time (and motivation) to train for the Bristol half (September) and if it's the best one for me as I'm usually busier in the summer and not so keen on running when it's too warm...But if I'm going to do one, I want to prepare properly and would want to aim for about 1:50. I don't even know if I could achieve that as I'm not very fast atm.

Hey!

I had a bit of a dip last week. After a strong 11 mile run, followed by a good 4 miles, my muscles seized up, I think I was fighting off some kind of bug thing, and the rest of the week was wiped out.

However, I made a good return on Sunday with 13 miles! I really did not expect to be doing this distance just a month into the year. I build miles v-e-r-y slowly!

The week blip even had me doubting the marathon. I mentioned this to my husband though and he was surprised. He convinced me that I could do it (by not even really saying anything other than suggesting he thought I could do it) so it's back on! I'm so fickle.

6 miles done at lunch time today - very very cold in the shade, but bearable in the sunshine. Planning 4 miles tomorrow morning, but it looks like it is going to be -2..... oh well. I have layers! Then running into work on Friday 9 miles or so. I will then rest on Saturday, and probably do long run on Sunday. Should be able to get it up to 2.5 hours, and hopefully a smidge over 13 miles. Not sure on a route yet. I need to rearrange my week so I can just add on to my commute run, but it just hasn't worked out yet.

Mikasa - September is soooooo far away! Why not build up to the distance for Spring (the Stratford Upon Avon half is at the end of April - as part of the full marathon, which I'm doing!), and there are half's in Torbay and Paignton in June. You could build up your miles for April and get an idea of how much work you have to do to get that 'race' time. Then you could have a 'maintain' period, with a regular long run of 10 miles or so, and other running around it, and see how you are feeling in June with more miles under your belt. And then focus on some sharpening up for September. Or October if you went for the Cardiff half

Why do one, when you can do three??!?!???

Sounds like you didn't lose much and are straight back in there! Of course you can do it, you seem to have a really consistent running background.

Whoa there though! I'm talking about possible doing one half mara not three!!!   The problem is that  I don't have a consistent running background,last year was bit of a wash out and I've actually never run more than 6miles so upping the mileage would have to be done slowly. I also don't want to sign up for something and then not be ready for it and struggle through. Might leave it till next year...

No, no, no, no, NO!

It's only just February! When I did my first half marathon, I had just started running 10k once a week in the gym (not even outside), and I started training in mid-April for an October half. You have LOADS of time, and could definintely do one in June.

Increase your long run by one mile a week (or 10 minutes, if you want to forget about distance which can be one of the sub-consious hurdles). You. CAN. Do it.

I did my 4 miles on Thursday morning in the cold. And then I did 9.5 miles on Friday morning, running into work. Today I am resting/houseworking (honestly - I am currently obsessed with house work and I LOVE it), and tomorrow I am going to try for 13+. Possibly with a swim afterwards. Not sure on a route yet, but I am thinking of doing it on a fairly flat route - as that will motivate me to do an extra mile or two. This will be a real test for me tomorrow. I've tried not to think about it too much, but now I do... oo-er.

But - the sooner I do this, the sooner I can do the run to ParkRun, do ParkRun and run home 17 miler that I am looking forward to. Maybe I can do that before the end of February....? Oh wow - that would be brilliant.

I have completely stopped the strenght sessions at the gym though, which I am disappointed about, and will try to get to a circuits class this week, but I don't mind having to focus on running so much. If I can just get a marathon out at the end of April, then I will spend the rest of the year making sure I have strength training build in as standard. Honest.

I just hope the snow stays away.....