Shades Marathon Training

Ok cool - i was just going to day that you should probably run at the pace indicated by the device that will be your primary pace device on the marathon. For me that is the Garmin 210.

Khanivore - I will list my top 10 UK marathons when I have time

Slowkoala - most races ban runners from wearing headphones now and will disqualify you for such, not sure it applies to VLM.   Unlikely you would be able to hear your phone without an earphone, the noise at VLM is horrendous, I usually wear ear plugs as the whistles and constant shouting are awful.

Shades - earplugs is a GREAT tip! You should add that to the noddy guide. I will definitely get some. In fact a tv presenter who did a little talk at the marathon meet the experts session I went to said the same thing but i did not think about getting earplugs for it. She said 4 hours of hearing your name being screamed at you gets old really quick and can wind you up (im paraphrasing her). 

I really do look forward to your top 10 list!!! I am going to start knocking them off one by one in the coming years. I really want to do Amsterdam this year. However, I would feel too guilty going wtihout my family and to take them makes it a very expensive trip. Liverpool could be done on a better budget but i don't know if I can be bothered - I mean it's more than likely going to be raining. I think I may try to do Greensands. It is only 250 runners at most I think - last year only 125 did the full marathon. Not sure how i feel about that. 

@Khani - LOL - as it was Sophie Raworth being interviewed at Meet the Experts, I too would be shouting her name in the VLM  - she managed sub 4 hour after her 6.5 hour "challenge" the year before - which is impressive. 

I doubt I'll have the "shouting my name" challnege that she has at VLM though 

And I'll need all the support I can get 

SHADES wrote (see)

Khanivore - I will list my top 10 UK marathons when I have time

Slowkoala - most races ban runners from wearing headphones now and will disqualify you for such, not sure it applies to VLM.   Unlikely you would be able to hear your phone without an earphone, the noise at VLM is horrendous, I usually wear ear plugs as the whistles and constant shouting are awful.

I really enjoyed it...  It made me feel like a superstar to hear people shouting my name.

I'd also like to see your top 10, Shades I really hope that we can meet at one of them, soon!

Khanivore wrote (see)

Shades - earplugs is a GREAT tip! You should add that to the noddy guide. I will definitely get some. In fact a tv presenter who did a little talk at the marathon meet the experts session I went to said the same thing but i did not think about getting earplugs for it. She said 4 hours of hearing your name being screamed at you gets old really quick and can wind you up (im paraphrasing her). 

I really do look forward to your top 10 list!!! I am going to start knocking them off one by one in the coming years. I really want to do Amsterdam this year. However, I would feel too guilty going wtihout my family and to take them makes it a very expensive trip. Liverpool could be done on a better budget but i don't know if I can be bothered - I mean it's more than likely going to be raining. I think I may try to do Greensands. It is only 250 runners at most I think - last year only 125 did the full marathon. Not sure how i feel about that. 

Amsterdam can be done *really* cheaply. There are lots of cheap hostels and you can get a coach over from london for 10GBP return. If you want to -it's not hard to do it on the cheap. Amsterdam may not have rain but the wind is normally the biggest issue.

Slowkoala wrote (see)

Shades, I think headphones are OK for VLM but I guess I probably won't hear much! I know I should try some long runs without music.

I had my ipod on and I turned it off at mile 5. The noise of people and the banter from other runners was a lot more fun than David Guetta!

One tip I remember hearing on the train to VLM may be folklore or real:

• do not accept unwrapped sweets from children. Celebrations/Starburst are fine but no jellybabies/jelly beans. In 2011 there were some sweets spiked with laxatives and when consumed by the runners meant a few of them 'did a paula' later down the road.

Emmy - I can't take the twins on the coach and to the hostels and I will feel guilty if i go alone. It doesn't really make sense I know  

Emmy thats terrible!! Can't believe people would do that!

Bootsie - i've heard its quite common and the 'big city' marathons. I'm not sure how true it was (it's never happened to me) but i've seen a few people 'caught short' during the VLM.

@shades - although my hamstrings get very tight there is no pain its my quads that feel like they are on fire. someone has said to its lack of prep and its my muscles telling me to stop,  thats what killed my final 7 miles during edinburgh and forced me to walk/run them..

@Khanivore - i like the way you think as far as getting the autographs very good thinking..

@Sofaboy - you ran 6 miles to your mate in lewisham, does that mean you are south of the river? Reason I ask is i am trying to find a training partner  for regular runs as i am finding it really tough to get motivated even to just get out the door..and i stay in lewisham.

someone give me a kick out the door...weather looks dreadful... grrr lol

Iain Love wrote (see)

someone give me a kick out the door...weather looks dreadful... grrr lol

 

Like this?

thanks emmy 

cool no worries sofaboy (sounds like a superhero) i always believe you dont ask you dont get..

a 5 mile tempo run tomight - felt alright. Since then I've eaten a huge cottage pie and a trifle - doh !!! 

I'm using compression socks (well just the ankle parts) and I think they work well, seem to need to be pretty tight/supportive to work though.