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Calling all FLM race entrants
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Comments
Name:
Welsh Alex
Reason you should train me:
No way hose ! There is no chance I will stick to the schedule, I do far too many races and whilst a keen runner am lackadaisical and have a problem with authority. I always believe I know best even when I don't. Seriously though, avoid me like the plague. I don't want to do this but can't resist a list
Marathon Goal:
Run as well as I can whist having a really fun day. Everyone is a winner, it's a grand day out. Will be trying for sub 3:15
Marathon PB:
3:44 in 2006, have recently done a 1:28 half.
Name: Denise Postings
Reason why you should train me? Because I need all the help I can get and you know you'd love a challenge ... think of the sense of achievement when you see me cross the line!
Here's a bit of background to help you get the picture. Like thousands of people up and down the country (nay the world!) I've spent the better part of the last ten years or so saying periodically "I really must start doing some exercise" and then not doing anything about it, so earlier this year I started going out (in disguise)for the odd run (OK not sure 'run' is 100% accurate but the intention was there). I managed to get up to plodding 2 or 3 miles a couple of times a week and then 5 miles at the weekend and decided I needed something to work towards. Anyone else would have entered for a 10K race, not me - oh no, think big - go for the big one - the London Marathon - you'll never get a place - they're like gold dust! Anyway - come the end of August I was injured in a car accident (car came off worse - went direct to the car recycler in the sky) I just ended up with some muscular damage which put paid to the running for a couple of months. Then I moved house, then I got flu, then blow me what arrives in the post last week - only a bloomin' acceptance for the FLM. OMG! panic or what!! Better get out for a run .... do you know how many different training plans there are on the web .... I can keep going for 20 minutes or so without collapsing - OK I might gasp a bit ... not a pretty sight. Have pity on me! Help!
Reasons why RW should train me: I really enjoy running once I get myself out there and I feel a huge sense of achievement each time, but I find it hard to get going.I finally got a place in FLM on my 6th attempt and it’s really scary. I’m 51, a bit overweight and the longest race I’ve done so far is a half-marathon in 2:30:55. I love doing 10Ks as it gives me such a boost to run with others and improve a little each time.I still walk bits and would dearly love to keep right on running. It’s too easy to slow down when there is no-one keeping a check on me!Having a coach would give me the discipline and guidance I need to continue to improve and hopefully achieve all that I am capable of.I've had breast cancer but this time I'm running for my brother who is seriously ill with cancer of the pancreas. My hope is that he will see me achieve my goal.Marathon goal: I would be over the moon to cross the finish line and still be able to smile! Marathon PB: I've never done a marathon before but it would be great to finish in around 5:30
LOL Alex
Thats exactly why I dont want to do this
My marathon addiction means ill be doing a double marathon the week before London
And I dont stick to schedules either!
Good luck everyone!
Name: Linda Jones
Reason why RW should train me: This will be my 5th FLM but to make it more of a challenge for myself I am running this year in a 6kg Little Miss Naughty costume as one of the mascots for Children with Leukaemia. I know I will struggle carrying the extra weight and could do with as much help and advice on how to do it properly as possible.
Marathon goal: 5:30 allowing for the extra weight
Marathon PB: 4:56:34
Name: Jo Bristow
Reason why RW should train me: This will be my first marathon, I am mum to 3 children aged 23 years, 19 years and 3 years, and a grandma to a 1 year old. Running the marathon is one of the things on my list of things to do before I die. I had applied 5 times and this time I got accepted because of that, I am having to train mainly on my own, this would mean so much to me and be such an achievement to complete.
Marathon goal: 5.30
Name - Norman Bass
Reason - Have been a runner/jogger since the early 80's, and ran London back in '86 (?) in a time of 3.52. Life, injuries and intermittent return to smoking has prevented me from doing as well as I'd like. Had a place for this years race, but due to injury have deferred. Recent return to some sort of 'form', (sub 2 halfs etc), and finally quitting the cigs, has led me to contemplate seriously attempting p.b's in marathon. half and 10k during 2008. Currently on 25-30miles a week, building up mileage in preparation for London.
Marathon goal - Serious revision of 20 year old pb. Aiming for 3.45.
Marathon pb - 3.52 (approx)
Name... John Kingsgate
Reason..... I am 62 years old and this will be my 50th marathon (last one was 1990 Athens). I am privilidged to work for The London Marathon Company over the race weekend erecting the time clocks around the route. In particular I am in charge of the Start area clocks on the day of the race. After they are erected and set I will be able to get myself into the atmosphere of the event. I was forced to defer from 2007's race due to being diagnosed with "Mortens Neuroma" and having an operation on my foot to remove it. Any assistance with this years preperation would be gratefully appreciated. If not me then good luck to those you choose.
Marathon Goal........... realistic time of about 4.30-5hrs
Marathon PB......... Berlin 1987 4hrs 02.06.
Name.... Marcus Lee
Reason.... I run this years FLM and got cramp at 16miles - I was upset I didn't get under 4 hours after doing lots of training. I now have a beautiful 4 month baby girl and a place in next years FLM (my wife wasn't best pleased!! ) - training will be tough due to time constraints but I'm very motivated.
Marathon goal.... between 3hours 30mins and 3hours 45mins
Marathon PB.... 4 Hours 10 mins
Name:
Robin
Reason why we should train you:
I started running in April 2007 after going to London to watch this year's FLM. At that time I did virtually no exercise and I was becoming more and more overweight. I was not sure if I would ever be able to run a marathon, but I thought I would start training and see how I got on.
I'm now confident that I can finish the marathon, but if you were to train me then I think I could do better than just "just get round". Since April I have gone from barely being able to run about a mile, to running 13 miles fairly easily (but slowly, approx 2:20). I could now do with some expert advice to help me move to the next stage.
I have already started following one of the Garmin training schedules from this site, but I adapted this in my own non-expert way to make it longer than the standard 16 weeks. I don't know if my schedule is doing me any good, and I would love for an expert to help me find the training schedule that is most appropriate for me.
I am already writing about everything I do in my marathon challenge. I have been writing a blog about everything I've done since I started running in April.
( http://web.mac.com/robin.h/Robin/Marathon/Marathon.html )
I also have a record of all the runs I have done since about a month after I started running, because I have been recording them with a Garmin Forerunner. You can see all the runs I've done here: ( http://motionbased.com/trail/user/robindobbin )
As an extra bit of interest, my wife is expecting our first baby in February. If everything goes to plan, the baby will be coming along on April 13th to support me! I would appreciate advice on how to stay motivated on the marathon training when I could be playing with the baby or catching up on lost sleep instead.
(I have a golden bond place for FLM2007 with RNLI)
Marathon goal:
realistic goal - to beat my wife's time in FLM2006 (4:59)
extremely optimistic goal with the expert help of RW - to beat my sister-in-law's time in FLM2007 (4:15)
Marathon PB:
None.
Reason why you should train me: This will be my first marathon and I really don't know how far I can go. I'm quite new to running and I've fallen into the usual pitfalls of doing too much too soon, running too fast and getting injured. If anyone needs a coach it's me! I'm very determined and enthusiastic and I'd like to get the best time I possibly could at this years FLM. I feel sub-4 is well within my capabilities, and sub-3:45 is possible. Who knows what I could do with some proper coaching. My biggest fear is that I'll go for a program that's too demanding and get injured (with my personality this is very possible!) Also, I enjoy writing, so writing a blog will be no problem at all.
Marathon goal: Sub-3:45
Marathon PB: None yet!
Reason why you should train me: I completed my one and only marathon in 2005. I don't feel as though i have reached my full potential at any distance as yet, but the marathon is the one i really want to excel at. I'm confident that i can run sub 2-50 off my own training but with your help and guidance, i'm sure that i could knock an extra 5-10 mins off this.Thanks for reading.Marathon goal: Sub-2:45
Marathon PB: 2:59:05 (2005)
Reasons why you should choose to train me: This will be my third marathon and it's always third time lucky. For my first two I have done most of my training simply through my own motivation and the support of the RW website/email and magazine. However this year having moved, I have joined a club and am loving the improvements and reinvigorated enthusiasm. I am determined to run sub 3.30 following the RW schedules and listening to my body. My past 2 marathons have been 3.40 and 3.35 so I know it's well within my capabilities. With your extra specialist support and encouragement I feel the sky is definitely the limit...
Fingers and toes are firmly crossed.
Why train me? FLM will be my first full marathon!! I am a busy mum of three (four if you include the hubby!!), kids are 6, 4 and 2. I run on my own most of the time and occasionally find little excuses to cut runs short... not too often though
I know I can run well given the opportunity and right training, my 10km times have come down from 'forever' to 54 minutes (despite being biomechanically 'wrong' for running !!). I blog at least weekly over on fetch and realbuzz - so not a stranger to typing out my own musings (and admitting failures!). I'm the first to admit that life with kids is busy - but I want to prove that even though I have kids I can still run!! (though not very fast
Marathon goal To live to tell the tale... but 4.30-5 would be nice!
Half marathon PB 1.58
Name: Gill Evans
Reason why we should train you:
The 2008 FLM will be my third attempt. On the other two occaisions I never got to the start line due to illness / injury. I'm so determined to do it this time and nothing will stop me! But I need all the help I can get to make sure I prepare properly. I'm getting on a bit now (47), I'm a bit overweight but still quite fit and run regularly (20 miles per week). My long standing partnership with Mr Chardonnay is coming to an end after Christmas as my marathon training schedule kicks in. So RW, can you keep me on the straight and narrow and get me over the finish line in April? Please say you'll help!!!
Marathon goal: sub 4.30
Marathon PB:4.57 New York 2005
Train me, as 38 year old married men with 3 kids + a dog from Brechin never seem to get picked for these fantastic opportunities.... This will be my first marathon after having to defer from last year with a hip bursitis problem picked up doing a multi terrain half. The expertise will hopefully help prevent it flaring up again, but my own cobbled plan of 3 or 4 runs a week seems to be OK so far, touch wood. Been posting on the sub 3.45 thread for a year or 2. Brought the half pb down from 1:53 to 1:37. Do all my runs at 6am, or 5am if its a long 'un, so I can be back to kick the kids out of bed. (Can the FLM be run at this time, as I'm not used to daylight running...?) Should be able to do 3:30-3:45, but know, like everyone else, the huge improvements possible from a structured approach, so who knows how low I could go. Dragging myself from a warm duvet at 5am with the Angus wind howling outside, and sleet lashing the dark country lanes in mid February, will be even easier with the support of you lot.
Fingers crossed
Name: David Wilkey
Reason why we should train you:
I'm probably a 'typical' newbie runner; I have a sporadic training regime, a job that conspires against me, I attempt to hold down a social life, and I love my food (& drink!)
I've done a few 10k's, (and a duathlon which reduced me to tears), and severely shocked myself by getting lucky in the ballot. Whilst I enjoyed running in the summer, and even ran to work on a few occasions, the winter is looking awfully cold and dark... a light at the end of the training tunnel in the form of some real coaching advice would be very much appreciated. Having said that - I want to do more than just finish - with a disciplined plan and some good advice, I'm sure I can surprise myself...
Marathon goal: 4 hours (based on a 52 minute 10k)
Marathon PB: n/a
Name: Alex Miller
Why you should train me:
I'm a 36 year old women who's bitten off more than I can chew as usual! Love all sorts of sports but find it difficult to fit into having two teenagers, a husband who works away from home and some lively pets. I've also taken a year out of employment to do a secondary school teacher training course so need to get back into running to help with the stress levels caused by my little darlings!
Find it hard to motivate myself to get out of bed at the crack of dawn on a dark, wet morning and trudge around the local moors so need someone to structure my training and give me a kick up the backside on a regular basis. I'm also trying to loose a couple stone so I can feel more confident to go and get back into playing sport as well as keeping fit.
I ran a half marathon a couple years ago off 8 weeks training and managed 2hrs15. I've done a 5k and 10k this year but need a good fitness and healthy eating plan to stay motivated, drop the weight and improve my times. Running is very relaxing once I've got out of the door. I either switch on my ipod and zone out on the treadmill or take the dog as my running companion on the moor and try and keep up with him.
Most of my family think I'll wimp out of the marathon before April but I want to prove them wrong. I'm hoping to run for the Born Free foundation and would like to raise about £1000. I'm also hoping my teacher training will benefit from my marathon training as both provide a big challenge, hard work and determination.
Fingers crossed!!
Marathon goal: 5hrs would be great but just want to get round without involving any paramedics being needed
Marathon PB: half marathon 2hrs 15min, 10k 1hr 5min, 5k 31min
Name: Sarah Pluves
Reason why we should train you: I first ran FLM in 2005 at a time when I was with a running club, running well (by my standards) but didn't actually know much about running. Now I know a little more about running but am no longer with a club so need some structure and proper training to get me through. I did Locaber Marathon in April 2007 and it was terrible so I really want to put that behind me. I know I can do so much better, but need help getting that potential to become a reality.
Marathon goal: 4:30 - 4:45
Marathon PB: 5:03
I was running my first london marathon this year I trained really hard all winter and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We did our last really long run three thursdays before the marathon and ran 23.6 miles in 4hrs 20 mins. we then started our taper and I got really sick I had a virral infection which left me with vertigo. I recovered and was pleased to be on the starting line. The weather on the actual day was very warm something we weren't used to. Anyway to cut a long story short my marathon experience was dreadful it took me 6hrs 17 mins to complete it and I was absolutely gutted to say the least. I had done everything to ensure my marathon experience was good, but you can't control the weather. although we raised over £3000 for menphys a local charity for mentally and physically handicapped children, bitterly disappointed with my performance. I have a menphys place again this year and I am determined to get it right this time.
Reason why we should train you: I've done 10 marathons ranging from 4:10 to 5:30 but I've plateaued, I want to run faster but I don't know how! I also have a busy working life so I struggle to fit my training in so I'd love some ideas on how to train and be busy all at the same time!
Marathon goal: 4h
Marathon PB: 4:10
Hi
I'm doing my first marathon after getting into running 8 months ago when I stopped smoking after 18 years. I can run about 8 miles and the thought of running over 26 miles in just 17 weeks scares me witless but I want to do it to acheive something worthwhile before I'm 40 and also to raise money for a really good but small charity. I really, really need help to sort out a training programme to give me the best chance of doing under 5 hours and making my family proud of me.
Please help me to reduce the panic I feel every time I think about those 26.2 miles!
Name: Sue O'Neill-Berest
Reason why we should train you :
I ran the Edinburgh marathon last year having followed the 3 day a week programme featured in an article in the Runner's world mag . My goal was to get as close to 4hrs as possible and I did a 4h21 . This year I decided to enter the online ballot for FLM not thinking I would get in, but I did and so now I find myself with the daunting task of running 2 marathons within 6 weeks ........HELP ! I could really do with help in structuring my training programme in order to be able to get my goal time ( the elusive 4hrs ) and peak twice in 6 weeks and not kill myself in the process. At the moment I am undecided whether to stick to the 3 day a week programme or up the training to 5 days in order to get the time I want.
In both races I will be running for FARM-Africa and hope to raise lots of money for a very worthwile charity.
Marathon goal : 4hrs
Marathon PB: 4h21
Hey guys,
These are all great and we're going to have such a tough time picking the winners. Don't forget you can also second any of the nominations made (as Fat Face and Joe have done).
Keep them coming in!
Dan RW
Reason why we should train you: Well, it's my first marathon I've ever attempted after having applied for the past 5 years to get into London. I didn't think I'd get in again this year, and was just expecting I would get my guaranteed place next year, so it is more than a little scary thinking I now have to do it. Aaargh!!! I have run around 8 half marathons now and would like to claim I'm a regular runner but I find it difficult to get out running when I'm not training for anything, which is a lot to do with my job.
I work in the arts: for a dance company during the day, 9.30am - 5.30pm and work quite a lot of evenings (and all day Saturday too) at my local theatre as a duty manager (6.00pm till anything up to midnight) so trying to fit in a training schedule around two jobs which take up most of my time, seems very daunting indeed. I always start with good intentions of getting up early and running before work, but with often not getting home until midnight or later and on only 6 hrs sleep, I don't want to get out of bed in a morning!
Would love help in getting motivated to get out and run and also see how I can fit in a marathon training schedule with a full-on job. Is it possible to do it with 3 training runs a week and one long run on a weekend?
Marathon goal: Well, I've done a half in 1hr 40mins so would love to complete my first FLM in around 3hr 30mins, or if that's unrealistic, anything under 4hrs.
Marathon PB: Never done one - see above!
martin fox,
was a keen athlete but that came to a grinding halt when I found I had to have a replacement hip. I've have had the op done 5 months ago but its back to square one with any type of training. heart beat up, out of breath, can't run a mile without having to walk. still keen to get back into some sort of shape. I was a runner and I'll always think how much enjoyment it has given me. :0))))))))
Name: Helen Goldthorpe
Reason why we should train you :
FLM will be my 5th marathon, but my first London. Of the other four, my first (Berlin 06) was a nightmare (4:51), my second and third went pretty well (3:52 - Edinburgh 07 and 3:50 - Amsterdam 07), and my fourth took nearly 7 hours as a guide runner for a seriously disabled athlete in the New York marathon. I've done the distance, but I've always faded really badly towards the end, and haven't yet managed to run the whole thing.
Rewinding a bit, I first got into running as an attempt to lose weight, until the running started to take on a life of its own. By the time I'd shifted around 8 stone I was well and truly hooked, and a member of a running club (I'm running FLM on a club place this year as I failed to get in through the ballot). I think I was more shocked than anyone when I realised that I was actually a lot better at it than I ever expected! Even though I've improved massively, I don't tend to have much structure to my training - I just try to fit in whatever runs I can do around work and family commitments, and hope that it works out somehow.
Marathon goal : to run all the way! Time wise, I feel like if I can manage that I can go under 3:45
Marathon PB: 3:50:35Jason Wilson
I've been running for nearly 5 years but so far I have limited myself to the half-marathon. But I've now decided to go to the next level and I wanted a big marathon to be my first. So London it is. After a 1 hr 30 min at the Great North Run this year I am aiming for a good time at London. However, since then I have started to loose my way and need a new focus. On top of that I have a new job which means longer working hours.
So I am looking for support to help me find my way again and also to fit in a marathon training programme to a busy work and family life.
My goal is 3 hr 20 mins.
I'm a marathon virgin!