Bare with me on this one...

Hi there,

Hope everyone who reads this is well. 

The title suggests what I am about to write. I have a couple of bits on my mind about training for my first marathon, and as someone who tends to overthink/overworry things, please bare with me on the below!!

1. Injuries
I have ran 2 half marathons in total, and a 12.5 mile tough mudder course last year. I am finding with training for them all, I had niggles and aches, but currently with training for my first ever marathon, which is the London Marathon I find that I have reoccurring issues even after warm ups and cool downs - my calves ache/sting when running the last few miles, the muscle behind my left leg (where the bend is of the knee if you get me!) feels bruised up to 1-2 days after and my hips kill too. I suffer from DOMs a bit so I was thinking it was this? I took my running shoes to the specialist shop I bought them from, and they are perfectly fine to keep wearing too. I am looking from tomorrow, to do daily mobility exercises on top of my plan in order to make sure everything stays in tune.

2. Confidence/training
I have undertaken a 18 week, 3-times a week beginners plan which I have taken from a professional and also combined a couple of bits myself, and made sure distance goes up gradually, not quickly. I have recently also taken up pilates again which is now combined into my plan, and for 1 hour every Sunday I also volunteer as a swimming coach for disabled children so swim quite a bit too. Now after all of that, I thought 9 weeks into training I would be a confident, strong runner, but in actual fact I don't think I am.

I have never trained in winter before, and the conditions have been, let's face it, crap and I am not used to it. I have seasonal asthma, and tends to flare up if the weather is cold. My chest feels tight when I run and in the cold air, almost like I can't breathe in enough. Compared to a couple of yeas ago, my time splits have become longer/slower by average a 60/70 seconds and I thought after 9 weeks maybe I would become stronger, but so many times I get overtaken by other people on my routes which they make it look easy, and quite frankly I feel embarrassed. My projected finish time is looking like a 5.30/6 hour finish - is that bad? I can't even bring myself to join a running club because I feel that I am way too slow. Doesn't help when reoccurring pains (above) join in the party too. 

I did my first half marathon yesterday in my training schedule. I am not proud of the time, as I finished in 3 hours - over 20 mins more than my PB, I am very slow. Because my legs hurt so much, and my chest was a tad tight I came back thinking this is too slow - is it? Will there still be people crossing the line if it's looking like a 5.30/6 hour finish? Do I seem bananas, by thinking way too much and just actually get on with it?

I do apologise for going on a bit, but at 22 I feel i should be looking forward to it and I still am, but more nervous that I did before. 

Thanks in advance,
Jess

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Comments

  • DT19DT19 ✭✭✭
    Training for a marathon hurts even the most experienced runners. If it were easy everyone would do it.

    There will be plenty crossing the line at 5.30, however if your recent half is 3 hours, I think even 6 is rather optimistic.

    You mention you have a beginner's schedule but then seem to be doing your own thing? 

    Have you seen a physio? They get a lot of people through marathon schedules. 

    Not a lot I know about temp induced asthma save that it is about to get warmer, and could you train more on a treadmill? 

    Running clubs are very inclusive.

    Unfortunately at your pace a lot of people out and about will appear to cruise by you. So what? You're not racing them and we all have our own level. 
  • NessieNessie ✭✭✭
    You still have what, 8 weeks until the marathon?  You should still be concentrating on long, slow runs, and I mean slooowww.  Typically your LSR should be 1 - 1.5 mins per mile slower than your race pace. 

    Based on your half PB of 2:40, your long and easy running pace shouldn't be any faster than 13:45mm, and should make up 90% of your training distance.  If you are going significantly faster than that, you will be getting fatigued and risking injury.  I know it probably sounds painfully slow, but there is good reason for it.

    Mix that with one or two short, faster runs in the week (say a 5 miler at 11:30mm or a 3 miler at 10:30mm) to give you a little sharpness.

    There will be plenty of people finishing at 5:30 - 6:00, so you most definitely won't be alone.

    Have you got an inhaler for your asthma? If not, see your GP about getting one - it can make a huge difference.  Might be worth getting your iron levels checked too - being a young female and doing lots of training miles, you could be low, which would affect energy and breathing (I know this from past experience).

    Good luck, and don't worry!  The party is at the back!
  • I really thought this was a plug for nudist races 
  • senidMsenidM ✭✭✭
     :D me too Cougie, and for the pedants among us, please do  not confuse bare with bear, one is to run naked, the other is to cr*p in the woods!!

    Both undesirable in runners of my uncertain age. ;)  
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