Shall I enter another marathon?

Well done on completing the marathon!

It was also my first marathon and I was gutted to finish well over my predicted time of 4 and a half hours. I came in at 5 hours and 16 minutes, and like you I found it tough from quite early on, so had to walk for a few yeards every mile from about mile 17. I also had done all the training and eaten properly etc etc, so I'm glad it's not just me that found it harder than expected!

 I said 'never again' when I approached the finish, yet just 24 hours later I'm considering entering for 2012! I just want to beat my time! So, I say go for it - you never know what time you might be able to achieve

Posted: 18/04/2011 at 15:59

Well done on completing the marathon!

It was also my first marathon and I was gutted to finish well over my predicted time of 4 and a half hours. I came in at 5 hours and 16 minutes, and like you I found it tough from quite early on, so had to walk for a few yeards every mile from about mile 17. I also had done all the training and eaten properly etc etc, so I'm glad it's not just me that found it harder than expected!

 I said 'never again' when I approached the finish, yet just 24 hours later I'm considering entering for 2012! I just want to beat my time! So, I say go for it - you never know what time you might be able to achieve

Posted: 18/04/2011 at 16:04

Snap!

 VLM 2011 was my first marathon too. I can run a 1hr43 half (and have done so a few times) and had done my 20 miler comfortably within 3 hours so was well on track for a sub 4hr marathon..

I'm not sure what happened, but I completely fell apart at about 8 miles. I went from running 15, 18, 20 miles without issue a few weeks back, to not being able to string a single mile together without stopping to walk on Sunday. I had barely broken a sweat at the end because I couldn't move quickly enough to do so, and shuffled over the line in a reasonable but disappointing 4hr20. 

 I am supposed to be running Edinburgh in 5 weeks - does anyone have any idea how I can avoid this happening again?!

Lou

Posted: 19/04/2011 at 11:52

I think you should all be so proud of yourselves, it doesnt matter what time you finished, you finished it that is the main thing and you are here top tell the tale. I have entered myself for next years marathon, not sure if i will get in but this will be my first. I watched this years marathon and was so inspired by people like yourselves, although you have set yourselve a time it doesnt matter that you came in slight over - be very pruod of yourselves hold you head high! Its people like you that make this country so great. Keep going and dont punish yourself - i was very proud of every single person who was brave enough to do it!
Posted: 19/04/2011 at 12:33

I did my first marathon at Brighton this year ,it was hard as there is hills but I enjoyed it so much have entered next years

Dont worry about the times the main thing is we achieved something by finishing the 26miles and 385 yards

yes I would have liked to do it quicker but take the factors weather etc a few people were off the pace

feel proud that you finished

good luck for next year

Posted: 19/04/2011 at 12:54

Ditto...I ran a time of 5hrs 4 minutes at London- disapoointed with my time as I wanted 4:48 (11 minute miles)...I was ok until about mile 20.

However, I really didn't know what to expect from mile 20 as this is the furthest I had gone in training. I really wish I had done a few more 20 milers and perhaps a 22 miler to make me stronger. I can blame the heat...but to be honest I think it was more likely under training as physically i felt fine all the way around...no real niggles and I wasn't too dehydrated at the end. I drank at every water station.

 So...yes..I will enter the ballot again but as I will be very lucky to get in twice I may enter Brighton. I will tweek my training to allow for extra long runs and next time I will have a better idea about how far 26 miles really is. Incidently, my Garmin clocked a mileage of 26.55 miles !

I'm tempted to look for a late Autumn marathon somewhere.

Posted: 19/04/2011 at 13:11

I am so glad there are others out there like me. I ran on Sunday but in the end had to run/walk from about 18 miles, I dont know what went wrong, I ran a 20 mile race in 3.08 so was thinking I could do the marathon in under 4.30 but I came in at a respectable but disappointing for me 4.38. It would've been a good time but I know I could've done much better. I did all the training but just couldn't perform on the day and whilst I said I would never do another one EVER, I am now searching for a marathon just to prove to myself I can do it. I have never been so disappointed with myself.

I think we should all be proud we finished but there's nothing wrong with trying to get that time you hoped for!!

I don't know if i will be there for London next year but I will definitly be at a marathon some day and I will get the time the wanted.

Keep running!!

Posted: 21/04/2011 at 09:03

Well done for making it over the finishing line!

It was my first marathon on Sunday and it was horrible.  I don't really know what happened - I thought I had trained pretty well but I was struggling from really early on and ended up walk/running the last 5 miles. I did a 1:59 half during my training and was completing my long runs (up to 22 miles) at 10min miles.  I was confident that I could do the marathon in under 4:30 but limped over the line in 4:58.  So disappointed with myself and have vowed never to do another!  All the months of training only to let myself down when it counted...

We should all be proud that we managed to finish. Good luck if you are going for another shot at it. I'll be sticking to half's from now on.

Posted: 21/04/2011 at 09:28

Well done to you all for finishing. I too missed my sub 4 by 8 minutes. It was freaking hot and congested as hell.

We all trained through the coldest winter for ages then up pops this 19/20c April Sunday. 

You all did brilliantly. 

I am going to try again in 2012 and kick the courses' ass. 

Posted: 26/04/2011 at 12:17