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VLM 2019
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Yes Prince, unable to defer, and probably only chance i'll get to run London, so only one question remains - I know i can get round, but how much will it hurt? lol
How's your training going, one long run left?
Yes 1 20 left. Aiming for a 50 mile week. Got 10 in last niggt
Your training seems to have been going really well, so pleased for you, and i hope it results in a successful race for you.
I am one of the 65 Runners World Pacers at the VLM 2019 - this number has been expanded from 43 in previous years to help everyone but particularly those who may take longer than 5 hours - this is because about 30% (14,000) of the finishers in previous years took longer than 5 hours.
While I acknowledge that there are very many better runners than myself on this thread already and they give excellent advice in their own right as a result of their own experience, (I too have learnt new things from them too) please feel free to still ask the most basic question about the VLM without fear of it not being treated seriously by me.
On the VLM website for example I discovered the link below which answers or works out the different pacing speeds on your different runs.
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/a761676/rws-training-pace-calculator/
I never knew about this until today - partly because I have always trained the old fashioned way - really simple, loads of roadwork over different terrain and challenging repetitive hills, Fartlek, tempo etc, but I never really knew their technical names until years later.
I personally do not use any fancy gadgets, just a simple £5.99 watch which has large digits I do not have to struggle to see while running.
Although I keep a record of all my runs noting the distance and time taken, I am not really a spreadsheet geek because I figured out long ago that no matter how detailed your record keeping and analysis on paper or via electronic wearables, the race is not on paper but the road. I have therefore relied on regular sensible training in all weathers to condition myself to be race ready at short notice.
On Sunday I ran my fifth marathon or longer distance race this year and unfortunately will have to skip my sixth on Sunday due to logistical problems in not being able to get to Manchester from London in time.
I total, I have just got over the 700 mile mark for the year and am likely to be over the 900 mile mark before the VLM - all because like other pacer colleagues, I want to make sure that I am 100% ready to deliver the expected finish time (within seconds) with even pace throughout for others.
All my pacing colleagues get a buzz out of helping others achieve their dream times - we have all been there, seen it, done it and got the tee-shirts but the sight of joy in others getting over the finish line having achieved their personal goal is worth more to us than our own knowing that in some little way we have helped them do it.
All we ask for is a smile or a thank you after you cross the finish line - oh and any little message to the fantastic Runner's World staff who arrange for us to be there for you.
Finally, I intend to run the second and last of the 20 mile course familirastion runs for this year's VLM on Sunday. It will start from the Cutty Sark DLR station at 9:00 am and follow the VLM course till the finih line at a pace of about 5 miles an hour. Please let me know if you are interested by Friday evening - there is no cost to you but if you treat me to a Big Mac Meal at the end I will be very happy.
portlanders, sorry to hear the injury is being so troublesome. I agree though that getting round is the main thing - which will definitely be fine. My physio put it like this: 'You're going to be in all kinds of pain at the end of a marathon anyway, whether or not you are carrying an injury' - which I guess is a fair point!! From all I hear, London is such an experience that it's probably quite good not to put too much pressure on yourself anyway and take time to enjoy the day. That is generally going to be my plan - my feeling is that London is quite unique and, for me too, likely to be a one-off. There are plenty of marathons to do in the future, including less crowded ones where it might be easier (especially when you're not injured!) to push for a good time.
Prince, sounds as if your training is going really well - have you got a target time in mind yourself? I am also aiming for one last 20 this weekend. I feel as if the tapering phase is approaching all too quickly, probably because I got my London place a bit last minute so started the proper training phase quite late!
Harmander, I do wish I lived closer to London so that I could come to one of your familiarisation runs. I hope to see you at the expo instead, although I am yet to work out timings for going there!
I was told "most likely" Thursday so maybe something has happened?
I'm itching to know what colour start i'll be in. I won my entry through a NB competition and been told competition winners go from the green start, but ensure how true this is.
Maybe it will be tomorrow now we'll get the email.
What do folk make of this? Laudable intentions but not sure I like the sound of seaweed capsules three miles from the end!
https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/news-media/latest-news/item/london-marathon-events-aims-to-become-world-leader-in-sustainable-mass-participation-events/
No, don't like the capsule thing.
I also got this email confirming i'm in the green start and offering me the chance to trial a cape instead of a kitbag... not sure what to make of it myself, probably best to ignore, especially as my first marathon.
http://elinkeu.clickdimensions.com/m/1/70043150/p1-b19094-bc3546151b2e4ac586955d3451bb78f1/3/432/ddaa7f88-ddd6-4d39-a7ee-0f33e7f7aff3?_cldee=dHJldm9yLmh1bnQyNDEwQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==&recipientid=lead-c06090a7f056e911a99700224800c3e8-41c5eb5f48504aa3b317b7266f6b549b&esid=97952975-fa55-e911-a982-00224800c719
Also see as a Green start runner, my race number will be printed on demand at the show - hope they still have enough ink left by Saturday!
Got an e-mail confirming pre-registration will be tomorrow and there will be a chance for folk to opt into a bottle belt trial.
Good idea to print the bibs on collection, if helps the environment and reduces waste. Though still prefer drinks in a bottle than a cup.
Exciting day tomorrow, though apart from knowing our race numbers, is there anything else we should look out for?
ive had an e mail about trialling the water belt. By the time i receive it all my big training runs will be done.
The lucazade capsule at mile 23 is a big no. Im sure they are fine but I'm taking no risks at that stage.
As for this garment, how about wallet, phone, towel, recovery drink, fresh clothes etc.
You'll get an email today which will have what start you are in.