Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
Paris Marathon 2018
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
There are plenty of insurance policies, both short and multi trip, that cover marathons, as long as you’re not racing for prize money, but check the small print as there are also some that specifically exclude it.
Couple of questions if anyone doesn’t mind. First I’ve got a half booked in for the 18th March, will it be a problem doing my final 20 four weeks before the marathon, thus effectively having a 4 week taper, or should I do 7 extra miles the day if the half?
Second medical cert, my doc charges £50 and since we’re both running that’s £100 I don’t want to spend. I was all up for a bit of forgery so tried to order a stamp from eBay but they refunded me as they will only post doctor stamp to the address on the stamp. Anyone know any dodgy stamp makers?!
Thanks!
I wouldn't do a 4 week taper. If T-4 is a 20 miler, T-3 13.1miles, T-2 maybe 17 miles and T-1 14 miles, then that seems very reasonable to me.
The long run isn't as important as most people think and it isn't easy to recover from, just keep running your normal runs and workouts until 2 weeks out and you'll be fine without the 20 miler (imo)
I think 4 weeks is far to long for a taper. 2 weeks is plenty for me, but everyone is different.
Rae - interesting blog.
Having paid £20 for a doc cert. last year I was a bit underwhelmed with the level of scrutiny it underwent, think “volunteers ticking a tick box”. It was much more difficult getting the breakfast run t-shirt. Shame if that’s not on as it was a real Euro-disco experience:)
FG - my plan also says 20m on the 18th March. I like the psychological boost of ticking off all the long runs and I’m quite used to high ish mileage so would have no qualms about doing the 20 a week later on 25th March instead of my planned 17m. If you are not racing the half another option would be 3-4miles before and a couple after.
For a first time marathoner I’d be tempted to add the seven miles onto the half and just treat that as a training run. There’s been a few forumites who’ve done likewise over the years.
As for how long to taper I think that’s a personal thing. I’ve always ran badly off two week tapers. I now stick to three week tapers as they work well for me. Personally I wouldn’t consider going over ten miles for that last ling run the weekend before Paris. Taper is about recovery, not endurance.
Medical certificate wise. There’s certainly been people who forged it as their doctors refused to sign. All you need is one of the stamps that you can adjust the lettering yourself. Pretty sure people got them from the likes of Amazon for a tenner.
First time on this thread. All booked to run Paris for the first time and I think my 9th marathon.
As for taper it does really depend. I go for three weeks. I agree with the comments that a four week taper, as most online and magazine schedules recommend, is a bit long. I would do just over 20 miles at T-4 (just 20.5 is good to break that psychological 20 mile number), then the h/m with a good 2 mile w/up and w/down. I also support the view that it is about 3/4 months of training, one weekend will make very little difference physically.
I was only reading this thread that realised I need to get a medical certificate. I have a two-yearly BUPA check booked, so hoping they might sign it.
Anyone got any tips on accommodation? I am travelling on my own and plan on going by Eurostar on Friday night.
For accommodation anywhere surrounding the Arc would be near the start/finish. Anywhere that is on the Metro lines 1 or 2 would give you very easy access to the race.
I’ve always stayed in Montmartre at the Ibis, which is a short Metro ride from the start/finish area. It’s a lot cheaper than the area surrounding the Arc if budget is a factor.
Everyone's different and you just need to fine what suits you. Can you adjust you training plan and hit 20miles the week before?
Thanks for the advice all. I wasn't particularly planning on racing the half so could just treat as a training run and bump up the mileage before/after, I think I'll do that. It scares me a bit having the last long run 4 weeks before. I will keep the rest of my mileage at a reasonable level over those weeks anyway.
I've only done 1 marathon before and I did my last 20 at T-3 then 12 then 8 over the 2 weekends in the middle. Seemed to work well, I felt fresh on the day.
Kenno - yes please to the stamp template :-) I saw the ones you adjust the letter yourself but they looked a bit amateurish so I wasn't sure. It would be pretty awful to be turned away on the day before the run!
May sound more complicated than just doing 6-7 extra before the half but somehow seems more preferable. I have to be honest I’m not loving the long runs that much!
Good luck with your sub 3:45 attempt. Paris has always been good to me for times, PB'd there twice in the five times I ran it (2012 & 2015). The other three times I ran better than expected given my training at that point.
If anyone is a little worried (like myself) about arriving into Paris to collect your bib prior to the 1900hrs EXPO close/cut off on the Saturday then please see below.
On 1 February 2018 at 13:52, parismarathon <parismarathon@aso.fr> wrote:
If you cannot personally collect your bib in the Salon du Running (Porte de Versailles - 75015 Paris) on April 5th, April 6th and on April 7th 2018; a third person can get your bib for you. To do this, that person must bring the following documents:- Copy of your ID or Passport
- Copy of your medical certificate
- Copy of your convocation (online on your ASO Challenges Account)
Best regards,
Roméo - Service clients
www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com
I was wondering what the weather is usually like. I’m sure I saw last year it was around 25 degrees which worries me a bit, is it usually that warm or was that a bit of a one off does anyone know.
I invested in a camelbak this week and took it on a 15 mile maiden voyage. I was surprised how I didn’t really notice it was there so definitely going to wear it on the day. I need to get used to taking on more water especially if it’s going to be warm.
It’s been hot more often than not in the years I’ve ran it. Although it normally starts off cool before heating up. The first time I ran in 2012 is was a cool day, good conditions to run.
The plus point I’d say, as someone who doesn’t like running in the heat, is that the course in Paris does offer plenty of opportunity to find shade to run in. Stick to the left hand side of the road at the start and you get shade from the buildings along Rue de Rivoli.
FG - I have always worried about heat and fluid intake. I have recently followed the mantra of fuel to plan and drink to thirst, which has worked a bit better for me. As you are doing, train with the same kit and plan as race day.
The historical average is 15-16 degrees.
I'm more of the Jaques Anquetil school of thought, I try to drink as little as possible, especially in the 2nd half. Driest is fastest!
Not sure of my bib number or pen - will check somehow (?) and repost.
Thanks for all the great info!!
If you struggle with gels then jelly beans and jelly babies are popular options, as are shotbloks.
I’ve been experimenting with eating solid foods on the move for the race I’m doing. The cashew and fig bar from Aldi worked well on last weekends run. Nicer than gels too.
Thanks for weather info, as you say no point in worrying. Just hoping not tooo hot. We kick off pretty early I think so at least might be cooler to start with.
With less than 9 weeks to go - finally found my bib number 21236 / Bleu - Hoping to break 3:45 & see some friendly faces on marathon weekend!