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Hi Gilian,

it will be tough but you should be OK...

I did a marathon in 2008 but since then haven't really run, I started training for the VLM at Christmas.  I'm in a similar position although I've managed a couple of longer runs, 18 miles being the longest.  Run / walking is probably the way to go but if you haven't done it before then it's quite tough... on my 18 miler I ran 5 miles then walked for a couple of minutes, then another 5 miles and tried to continue that pattern, if you're used to running at a constant pace it's difficult to get back in to a rythmn...

I took the walk breaks as drinks breaks and took on quite a lot of liquid and gels while I was walking, as a strategy for the race someone suggested to me run the race but walk at every drinks station for a minute or two and re-fuel as much as possible during the walk breaks - sounds like a plan to me .  Maybe try it on a 10 mile run over the next couple of days??

It will be tough but you can do it... reckon sub 5, maybe 4.45 should be doable.  It's a seriously long distance, walking might be a problem for a few days afterwards, particularly if there are stairs involved... but the feeling when you get to the finish line will be one of the best feelings ever.

Good luck,

NBFS

Hi Mace,

I think you're right, relatively I run LSRs too fast... until I walked the last half mile of the 16 miler I was running at 10 minute mile pace, I think for my overall level of fitness I should be closer to 11 minutes... I've always been a little one paced, I can't run quickly at all but then really struggle to drop below 10 minute mile pace. 

Last night I did just under 7 miles in 59 minutes, tonight I'm going to do the same run but use run / walk spilts, run 4 minutes walk 1 minute.  Friday I'm planning to do 18 miles using the same splits.  Feel a bit more confident having some theory behind the run / walk splits using the Jeff Galloway method of calculating how long to run and how long to walk...

Thanks again

Erm... right, yeah, thanks Sussex Runner

Thanks for the replies, really appreciate people taking time to give their advice.

Run wales, Cougie and oirisheyes, particluar thanks for finding the positives and maybe giving me the kick up the arse I need.  Sometimes it's just good to talk (or type)

If I can get through 18 miles this weekend I think I'll feel a lot more confident.

Thanks Also-ran

I replied before your post, appreciate your views and agree with the sentiment that there are much shorter routes to raising money... something I will bear in mind next time someone asks me to do something