Marathons

[Sallz]

Hi,
Im going to be doing the half marathon at silverstone on March 15th, and started thinking about help. I figure that there are enough members on this forum, that at least one will have done a marathon at some point. If anyone has any suggestions that would be useful in training, or on the day, they would be very greatly appreciated.
Also, if anyone fancies sponsoring me, the page is http://www.runningsponsorme.org/sallyford2

Thanks

[Mid A 15]

Hi,
Im going to be doing the half marathon at silverstone on March 15th, and started thinking about help. I figure that there are enough members on this forum, that at least one will have done a marathon at some point. If anyone has any suggestions that would be useful in training, or on the day, they would be very greatly appreciated.
Also, if anyone fancies sponsoring me, the page is http://www.runningsponsorme.org/sallyford2

Thanks

On the day don't get carried away with the adrenalin and euphoria and start too quickly or you will pay for it later in the race. Try and run at an even pace which you are comfortable with. For example if you are ok running a mile in 10 minutes try building on that. You would do a half marathon in 2 hours 11 minutes if you run 10 minute miles. If you want to set yourself a target of breaking 2 hours then you need to run 9 minute miles. That would bring you home in a shade under 1 hour 59 minutes.

When you train remember that rest is as important as training. Your body needs time to recover. It is very easy to think that you haven't done enough and put more effort in. Under those circumstances there is a very good chance you will injure yourself and set yourself back even further. My advice is train every other day which equates to 3/4 times a week.

In the early stages of training what I call "time on your feet" is as important as running so don't get too hung up if you have to walk rather than run. Indeed your long run may be more of a long walk initially.

As a start I suggest 3 sessions. Two of 20 minutes or so where you aim to run for the complete 20 minutes but walk if you need to. The third session is go out for an hour. You will probably walk a lot of it to start with but you need to get used to being on your feet for a long time.

Once you can run your 20 minutes rather than walk some of it step it upto half an hour and go up in 10 minute increments to an hour.

Similarly with your long run: start with an hour and gradually increase in 10 minute increments up to 2 hours.

As your fitness improves you will "know your body" and have a good idea of what is a comfortable pace for you. You can then switch your runs to numbers of miles rather than numbers of minutes as you will know that, say, 10 minute miles is your pace. You can then be fairly confident that a 6 mile run will take an hour as an example.

Hope this is of some use and good luck!!

[gma]

Im going to be doing the half marathon at silverstone on March 15th, and started thinking about help. I figure that there are enough members on this forum, that at least one will have done a marathon at some point. If anyone has any suggestions that would be useful in training, or on the day, they would be very greatly appreciated.

Congratulatons! I work with a charity and we have over 400 runners every year in the London Marathon, all our runners get supported for free by a website run by Real Buzz, they have runner blogs, short and long term training programs, nutritional and race advise and lots of contact details so you should be able to get a lot of on line support through them and also find runners in your area who will not be club runners and will be likely to be good training partners. Web is www.realbuzz.com

Good Luck!!

[Sallz]

Thanks, Il bear that in mind

[Great Plum]

Bonkers!

There are currently 5 OBs from my year who are about to run the New York marathon - I'm sure upon their return they could help you out...

Have a look at http://www.old-blues-newyork.com/ for more info!

[gma]

Bonkers!

Quite agree but am very happy to be involved with a charity supported totally by fundraising runners!

On that subject have 'corporate' places available for London 2009 - £6K minimum fundraising required for team of 4 and team can run in their company strip and or promotional stuff or can use the charity supplied running vests - charity is Victa Children, we provide educational and social support for visually impaired children from birth to 19yrs old and then pastoral and career advancememt from 19-25 yrs old. We buy laptops, specialist hardware and software, specialist toys and a myriad of learning aids for both pre- and 'once yer in' school activities. If anyone wishes to take up a team then please pm me or or pass this on if you know anyone who may be interested. Aso if you know anyone who needsa grant then pm me for that too. Thanks in advance.

[Mid A 15]

How is the training going?

[Sallz]

Its going well, Im happily managing 6 miles, and done 10 once or twice more or less without stopping

[Mid A 15]

Good luck on Sunday!

Hope the training has gone well!

Let's see if we can get her up to her target!

[Mid A 15]

I hope the run went well.

Pleased to see you reached your target!

[Sallz]

Reached it and more.

My time was 2.07.24 in the end which I was vey impressed with, I was aiming for 2.15-2.30!

I think I could knock 3 minutes off with better shoes (I got a blister and over compensated for it, hurting my knee on the last 2 miles taking me from 8 minute miles to nearer 12 ) We shall see next year

Thanks for all the help

[Mid A 15]

Reached it and more.

My time was 2.07.24 in the end which I was vey impressed with, I was aiming for 2.15-2.30!

I think I could knock 3 minutes off with better shoes (I got a blister and over compensated for it, hurting my knee on the last 2 miles taking me from 8 minute miles to nearer 12 ) We shall see next year

Thanks for all the help

Congratulations and well done Sally!

Hopefully you enjoyed one or two afterwards!

[Sallz]

Didn't until Tuesday as I had an essay due, but I don't remember much from that point onwards

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Advice from a Geriatric, who has run a bit in his time !
If this is your first Marathon --- then DONT set yourself a Target --- other than finishing !
When you realise you are behind time for your Target, you will try to quicken your pace ---- disaster --- this is just the time when you are hitting the "Wall".
Go for a better time when you have completed the first Marathon and you know your own limitations !

Whatever your time --- WELL DONE ! !