Marathons in perspective

Straycelt

Just watching the world championship marathon and seen the winner win in 2.06 something or about 20k per hour. Loooking at my own times i can but be in awe of these guys A good 10k is under 40 mins and they're chucking in 4 x sub 30's. A sprint session for me is hitting 22kph on the dreadmill for 30 second reps as I aim for a sub 40 next month and try for a sub 3,30. All I can offer these guys is respect, especially when you see the pain and physical reaction to the effort (winner was involved in a bit of irp in the latter stages) and then celebrating with a dance at the end. Think I ned to train harder and up my goals to 35 mins and a sub 3.15

[Deleted User]

@ed is something else. I've got a hilly 16m race in brecon in a couple of weeks and intend trying to push my modest pace to the point of throwing up without braking stride!

tricialitt

Yup- they're going along at twice my pace, nearly(although, you could say my marathon is harder work, cos it takes so much longer )

Straycelt

Does make me wonder if these guys could train/run for 4hrs or more

Shiny

I'm always more impressed by people that take longer to do the marathon than by the winners.  My PB is 3.18 and I always said that if I thought it would take more than 4 hours I just wouldn't do it.  No way have I got the mental strength to run for that long so I'm full of admiration for people that do.

[Deleted User]

Unbelieveable isn't it, I was watching the womens marathon on Sunday, and seeing them put a 17min 5k in, AND still have 23 miles to go was awe inspiring.

SP13

I like to console myself that, taking over 4 hours for marathons, I am getting full value for money

My husband tells me often that if I could finish faster, the discomfort would be over quicker and it wouldn't be so hard. I quite like people cheering at me for hours on end, though not enough to consider a lap of honour.

I remember approaching the half way mark at Berlin next year to be greeted by big signs saying that the world record had just been beaten. The fastest had finished yet there was still a long way home for me!

I think it's amazing that the experts run marathons faster than my sprint pace.

Gazmanmeister

SP13 wrote (see)

I remember approaching the half way mark at Berlin next year to be greeted by big signs saying that the world record had just been beaten. 

I think it's amazing you can see into the future SP13 

SP13

Oops - I mean of course last year. (I am also planning to run next year, hence the confusion in my small group of four grey cells).

Would you like to know next week's lottery numbers too??

Gazmanmeister

Surley you know the answer to that !!

SP13

I am clearly the orakel of future events

Gazmanmeister

But not a speller then as in Oracle

Give me 6 numbers and if I win I'll split it

SP13

Going well for me today!

7 - 28 - 13 - 1 - 20 - 2

Gazmanmeister

Straycelt

Chances of the lottery coming up versus place in VLM next year?

[Deleted User]

SC - I'd go for the lottery every time, but if we all use SP13's numbers we may just about win enough to pay for the entry fee next year.

SP13

I will go and get my lottery ticket now......

I'm more likely to get struck by lightening than get a place in VLM next year.

Straycelt

Ahh the power of positive thinking. Reflecting on the women's mara and the Mongolian who set out for around 3hrs I thought...maybe attainable with lots of training but difference is, she's doing it at the world championships. Need to look at WAVA and produce a realistic personal target coz I think I can only dream about 3 hrs

[Deleted User]

Imagine though - they take 2;10 , if they took it really easy and did 2:50 how far could they actually run? , takes me 5:30 to do 30 mile XC (doyen of the downs)

SP13

My very first marathon took me just over 5 hours. They could start off in Berlin and be half way to Hamburg in that!

Gazmanmeister

Ay, it's tough for us runners spending twice as long on the run as elites. My first was done in 4.14 and I'm not doing my next til I'm under 4hrs pace but I have signed for next years Brighton or VLM, I'd be disappointed if after a year I was still over 4hrs with all this mileage and biking I'm doing.

SP13

Luckily I'm now a good deal quicker, but even so....!

Dubai Dave

Having raced against Haile Gebrselassie twice now I consol myself with the thought the first time he beat me by 1hour 36 minutes but now were down to 1 hour 24 minutes whilst his time for the same race (Dubai Marathon 2008 /2009) declined by 1 minute 30 seconds. So I'm getting better and he's getting worse! Seriously watching those guys come towards you on a out and back course like Dubai's is something you will always remember, the elites take 7K out of me in one hour.

Likewise I have huge respect for the back of the pack marathon runners, I wouldn't run If i thought I couldn't easily get well under 4 hours, so fair play to those that stick at it.

Gazmanmeister

I'm aiming for 9mm average but would dearly love to do 8.30' we'll have to see what the day brings.
Thanks for the words Dave much appreciated I'm sure by all of us runners.

Gazmanmeister

SP13 just a quick update to say your numbers were rubbish for the lottery

Straycelt

Any joy for Euromillions tonight? GSR coming up and hoping for 1.45 or better or around half pace 

micknphil-marathonlads.com

Stray Celt

 i indeed have utmost respect for the sub 2:10 marathoners, just watching peoplle clock 2:06 is simply awesome

but i also respect all marathons - that grit needed to hold on until the end - that " How much do i want this " stamina

Straycelt

Well we both know a young man who demonstrates that every day of his life and a father who demonstrates it too...have a great day with your boy and family Mick. Hope Phil has a cracking birthday.