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Leicester City Marathon 2009
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Hi all,
I thought I would get in early and start the ball rolling with this one, as it looks to fit in well, with my training schedule for later in the year.
Looking at the event website the entry forms are not out yet, does anybody know when they are going to be available.
Hopefully we can get a good thread going to encourage, support, offer or seek advice and just generally have a natter whilst we embark on a summer of long runs and hard training.
I will keep popping back to see if we have got any posters on the thread soon, and at least it is out there now, for anybody doing a Leicester city marathon search.
speak to somebody soon,
shaggy t
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Hi way2slow,
Looking over the information about last years run, and the last up hill mile, seems to be a point that sticks in people minds, was it as bad as some suggest?
Hi all - so that is the first hurdle overcome and I have not been put off by the uphill finish, it does not look like a bad route, with the mixture of town and country running, pretty flat and the town start and finish is always good for encouraging spectators out onto the course .
The number of competitors did seem small for a city marathon, were people put off by previous hilly courses or is leicester just not attractive enough to draw people to the event, although I see the organisers are hoping for more numbers this year. Maybe they could speed up the entry details, so people can get enterered and start talking to others runners about the marathon, as we are doing here and encourage others o take a look and consider it themselves.
Way2slow are you running leicester this year or have you something else lined up to run.
Martyb is that the half or the full marathon that you are going to run?
Haven't quite decided yet Shaggy - am doing flm this year.......would like to but think my OH is beginning to forget what i look like so may have to cut back a bit (was thinking of having a go at triathlons too this year) - should imagine i'll do at least the half though. The number of competitors is a bit small but it used to be a fairly hilly route until 2 years ago when they moved it into the city centre (it was called the hell of the midlands at one time) so think that may account for part of that. obviously there's lots of marathons around in october too (seems to be a very popular month for them) with a few biggies (Abingdon, Dublin etc) - the number of people running the full LM are increasing year by year though, when i ran it in 2007 there were only 200 people doing the full - last year i think it was closer to a 1000. would definately recommend it to anyone - nice route, well organised and the best marshalls i've come across at any race.
Hi way2slow - sounds as though you have been busy, flm training and triathlon goals too, swimming and cycling and running is a lot to get in to the time we have available for training. how is your flm training going?
I am doing the shakespeare marathon on the same day, slow build up for me after christmas but not too bad now with my long runs done and ready to start the taper.
Hi Shaggy - the flm training's been going ok. i've cut back a bit on the mileage compared to what i'd normally do as i've got a 2.5k charity swim the week before so have had to put in a bit of extra swimming for that but i managed to get round the Ashby 20 in about 2hrs51 - i wasn't racing it just ran how i felt so all things being well should be on target for around 3.45 at flm. hope things to well at the shakespear - have heard it's a really nice one - r u aiming for a time?
Hi way2slow - I am aiming for about 3:45 for The Shakespeare Marathon, but anything sub 3:50 would be a new pb so it gives you some idea of what I am aiming for, I also did Ashby as a long run, done at goal marathon pace and was nicely timed in at 2hrs50, so we were not very far apart at all and most proberly passed each other at some stage on the run.
Do you know which club organises the Leicester marathon?
good luck with that - sure you'll do the time you're after.
afraid not sure which club organises the marathon - think it's mainly done by loros (the local hospice charity) with all clubs lending a hand but i could be wrong.
see on the website they've announced the date - am seriously considering doing the full now....oh dear....oh will not be impressed
Hi Way2slow - its working? keeping the thread on- going keeps people looking, and hopefully some of those consider entering, which it sounds like you are!
Just had a peep at the long range weather forecast for the 26th april and it looks good, 9-12deg, cloudy, drizzle, some sun but a bit breezy, so hopefully it does not change too much and we get good conditions to run in, at our marathons.
Is this your first Flm or have you run it before, how many other marathons have you done now, as it sounds like you have run for a while?
Did my last longer run yesterday, so as to get today off with the family, and we also have our club monthly social run tomorrow morning which I always enjoy doing, I kept the longer run shorter than the recommended distance, as I have been looking at the comments from Liz Yelling to one of the lucozade 6 and the consensus was 18miles was too far this close to the marathon so Iopted for a 12miler as was suggested, and I do feel frsher today.
Hello All,
I did the half last year and I loved it (pb
) and said then I'd do the full this year, but it's the week after another big race I want to do, can't do both, so I'm leaving it until nearer the time and picking the one that I'll get the most out of.
As for the hill at the end that was the best bit of running application I've ever done, It is quite tough when you've blown up but you're so close to breaking your all time half marathon goal, I was passed by the first lady and 1 or 2 others in the last half mile and then as you turn the corner and it flattens out somebody (white vested chap in pic) ran passed me and shouted something encouraging and I sprinted in with 10 seconds to spare.
Happy days!
Hi Marshallini,
It looks like some impressive running from the photo, good form, considering it is near the finishing line, what time was you aiming for and which one are you, by the way?
Thanks for the hill description, at least now I can plan for it and not get a shock late on in the race.
Ain`t it great when you set a new pb, its the high point of running, after putting in all the hard training, although they dont always come when you expect them, do they!
Hi shaggy,
L to R, Me (in blue) - First Lady (in grey) - Encouraging man (in white)
(obviously I picked the best picture)
I ran 1:19:49. Target was sub 1:20.
I'd run 1:24:11 five weeks earlier and 1:22:00 three weeks earlier so to shave another 2 minutes off was asking a lot but I decided to just go for it.
The hill at the end is also at the beginnning, slightly different route but still down hill, so it's a fast start , In my case stupidly fast. But without it would I have broken 80 minutes?
1 - 5:31.71
2 - 5:51.46 - 11:23.17
3 - 5:56.82 - 17:19.99
4 - 5:58.11 - 23:18.10
5 - 6:01.18 - 29:19.28
6 - 5:56.34 - 35:15.62
7 - 6:06.73 - 41:22.35
8 - 6:14.23 - 47:36.58
9 - 6:11.15 - 53:47.73
10- 6:12.65 - 1:00:00.38
11- 6:21.44 - 1:06:21.82
12- 6:30.54 - 1:12:52.36
13- 6:22:46 - 1:19:14.82
13.2- 00:36.05 - 1:19:50.87
Felt brilliant to 10 miles (ran unofficial 5 and 10 mile pbs) I did slow a bit from 7 but i blame a slight wind for that. But from 11 I just started hurting. If I'd've run it more even I might not have faded so badly and still made my my target. (but I doubt it)
Just before "the hill" you run through the city center and they had a lane right thru coned and taped off I thought it was brilliant and there was a fair bit of support from the shoppers as well, it lifted me. (and I needed it)
I haven't done many halfs but this is deffo my favourite and must be up there in my all time list of fave races as well. Any race that give you a free hot meat sandwich at the end has to score highly.
marshallini - that is some impressive times listed above, where did that put you in the finish line up, you must have been right up there with the elite runners, and a new pb at 5 and 10miles along the way.
Was the three races a planned series of runs or did they just come together, your times must have been on the back of some seriously hard training,
Have you got a time over the marathon distance?
I ended up 20th, not quite the elite but a decent finish.
I had run a 10k pb a few weeks befoire the first half and that came out of the blue but gave me the confidence too set off on a plan to break my number 1 running goal; a sub hour 10 mile race.
I've never really liked halfs and I ran the first half as a training run, I did give it 100% and was made up with the result, 3 minutes off my previous pb on a tough course. The second one I ran for a new pb because I knew it was a flatter course and I new I could go faster.
I'd heard Leicester was flatter again so I thought I'd give the sub 80 a whirl in a do or die manner. And got the result I wanted.
The 5 and 10 don't really count but I did go on to run the sub 60 at Preston (58:59) without the best race performance of my life.
Hi Shaggy t - sounds like you're having a good taper! this will be my second flm - i first ran it in 2007 and had an absolute nightmare so am hoping to banish those memories this time round. the weather sounds perfect for that!! I've only actually been running for about 3 years and this flm will be my 4th marathon so still have lots to learn. don't quite no why but for some reason can't handle doing any race shorter than a half...
marshallini - well impressive running - time's something i can only dream about.....
Hi All,
I am from Leicester and train on alot of the half marathon course and it is what I would call "rolling" more than hilly. The majority is flat or inclines/declines. Not many real hills. The marathon course going into the country is more hilly, but not as hilly as Stratford which I did in 2005.
The Leicester marathon gets very very little publicity in Leicester so I think it is only people who frequent RW and other sites that get to know about it.
I'll be running some part of it this year. Am hoping to run marathon as want to aim to smash my PB but as I am doing FLM the other half says she would like to spend more time with me during the summer so may have to compromise and just run the half.
We'll see!!!
However, I would recommend the location, support and course.
hi, i am planning to run the half marathon in leicester. i started training about 2 months ago doing a 5 mile jog 4 days a week, looking to increase this after my exams this summer. i have a few questions, if anyone could answer them i would be very grateful
1) is the event open to anyone? any age? ... and do you have to be a registered runner to a club?
2) does this event raise money for charity?
3) do people jog too? rather than 'run the marathon'
4) any recomendations on running shoes? .... as i am very new to all this
thanks in advance
Hi all,
Nice to see a few new names on the thread and lots of support and advice and questions as well.
Lucky Nagra I will try to answer to the best of my ability but will gladly be put right by those with expert knowledge on individual questions.
1)event should be open to anybody over, I believe usually 17 years of age?
2) most runs of this size do have nominated charities,LOROS i believe is for Leicester, or you can choose your own charity and raise money for them.
3)some do have "time" limits but most of us will be "jogging" by the end of the marathon or on a bad day some walking is even possible if not probable.
4)Go the first time to a specialist running shop, they will do a fantastic job of checking your feet and how you run and then sell you the right shoe for your personal needs, it will be about £50-£80 ouch that`s expensive! but it is money well worth spending at least, on your first time, to avoid wrong shoes, blisters, pain, injuries, discomfort etc, you will be looked after well in the shop, especially if you avoid peak shopping hours ie saturday`s if at all possible.
I hope this helps a bit.
Way2slow - was 2007 the hot year at London? if it was, I also had a absolute nightmare that year and was pleased just to survive to the finish line! what other marathon courses have you run?
Martin thanks for the local knowledge about the course, I liked what you was saying, up untill you said" not as hilly as Stratford" Guess whereI am running on the 26th april? yes- Stratford!
Hi Shaggy t
Good luck with Stratford next week-end
LD
Thanks Shaggy T, that was very helpful, i will still be 17 at the time of the marathon, hopefully there will be no reason to why i cannot participate and raise money for charity.
.... oh and good luck with your stratford marathon
Hi Shaggy - yes, 2007 was hot! hot! hot!!!!!!!
. am hoping for about 10deg cooler this time round.
i'm a bit of a wuss and have only run leicester (twice) and FLM....am looking to do comrades next year though
Lucky Nagra,
Not sure if you are from Leicester, but if you are then there are two good running shops. The Running Shop (I think) on Clarendon Park Road is run by runners and they will analyse your running style on a treadmill to help you with the right type of trainer. However, I prefer Withers (opposite Fenwicks) as there is a serious runner guy who works there and he has always given me very good advice. Plus, Withers sell Asics Gel Kayano trainers which I have always used but The Running Shop think they are a waste of money!!!! Personal opions!!!!
Shaggy,
I would class Stratford as undulating when you hit the countryside. Very beautiful and when you pass by some of the houses in the sticks there are people with odd bits of food. One old couple had bits of apple pie wrapped in cling film (I declined as they didn't have any cream
. There was one memorable hill on the Stratford course that I remember. It was a long slow incline (not very steep), but then quite a steep descent which did my knees no good at all.
Good luck with Stratford, it's a very good course.
Is this a suitable race for it? I have done other long distances such as a half marathon, and a very hilly/cross country 15 mile (actually over 16 miles because of the hills).
I have quite a while to train up for marathon standard, any advise from any one?
Thanks!
Super_S
Hi all,
Things are moving along quite nicely on this thread now, lets see if we keep the momentum going?
Thanks for the support Lorry Dodger, that is a cool photo, You, smack bang in front of the Eiffel tower with I presume your finishing medal for the Paris Marathon, ps. I think you are fairly local, to where I live and I am sure I have seen you running or cycling out on the road.
Lucky Nagra, I am sure you will be ok, Just check with the organisers when they release the entry details on the web site soon. Keep on this thread and we will all, help support you through your training for the event. Martin`s advice is certainly valuable as he even knows the guys and girls in the shops, and it really is worth taking proper guidance on your first pair of running shoes. good luck.
Way2slow, 2007 a year not forget in a hurry, that finishers medal was well earned, you are now our official Leicester marathon expert having run it twice already! Comrades marathon??????? you are made of harder stuff than me, I must be a right softy, as I would not even consider that one yet, respect to you.
Martin - thanks for the route guide, I am sure I will be looking out for that old couple now, as I run round the course with my pot of single cream, See us runners choose the healthy option? only single cream - not double!!!!!!!!!!!!
Super s - do it! You are well capable of moving up to the marathon from a hilly/cross, country run of 15/16 miles and like you said, you have time to train, I will start my training programme mid june, but will still be training up untill then of course. now is the time to look at want you fancy and put your programme together, and as we said to Lucky Nagra, support is available right here.
anyway must go now as I need to get a run in and then showered before tea time take care all.
shaggy