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VLM 2019
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Hope it's not serious, Portlanders.
It helps us gear up appropriately on the day but the run has got to be run regardless.
Just think about us pacers - we got no choice about kit or pace :-(
There is no question in my mind i will run a 2nd marathon, as i need to run at least one 100% fit to see what i'm capable of, but i doubt that will be London as getting in is so difficult.
This will be my 35th London
Sorry for repeating this boring detail lol
A pacer! Would have to get quite a few marathons under my belt before i would consider such a thing.... lets get round the first one first! lol
Are you still running Southampton?
Am doing an SVN race in sunny Gravesend instead on my 40th wedding anniversary - total cost for Southampton was close to £200, Gravesend is £45 - no brainer methinks
Congratulations on your upcoming 40th anniversary.
portlanders, thank goodness you got the green light to run - imagine having to cancel at this late stage - you would be gutted! Hope the tape holds you together for you to get round without too much grief!
Harmander, I knew (as said above) that you were a marathon legend, but I didn't realise you'd run London that many times. It must be fascinating to see how it has changed and grown over the years (especially while being such a key part of it as a pacer). As part of my obsessing, I'm reading a book about the history of it (mainly London, although the book does talk about the marathon in general) - I'm finding it really interesting.
Yes I remember the original course with the run through Tower of London on the cobblestones (after 23 miles - ouch), and the route around Manchester Road o the Isle of Dogs too. There was a quaint little run along Mint Street too which I always found annoying. Did I forget mentioning the finish on Westminster Bridge (ADT London Marathon, Mars London Marathon etc.)
Blimey, those were the days.
PS - I have only been pacing the VLM in the last few years.
Just paid for my trip to my second favourite marathon (Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront) - this used to cost £199 for flights and hotel in 2004, was £635 last year and was quoted £972 for this year - sod it, I booked the return ticket for £380 and will try to book some suites to share with others going with me to share the cost.
Expensive hobby the running lark.
@portlanders yipppeeeee your running
@Harmander Singh 2 How many times have you done Toronto? I was there a few years ago on holiday and did some running along the waterfront so I'd imagine a marathon there would be great.
I work at a newspaper in south west Scotland and am doing a feature on people from the area who are taking part in the marathon. It ranges from people doing their first marathon to someone doing their 83rd. It's his 27th at London and he remembered the Tower of London and Westminster Bridge too.
The route there has also changed over the years - I quite like the current one which has been the same for about five years.
It's the only place I have been to in Canada
> stugillespie, I have run Toronto every year since 2003 but some were half marathons with Fauja Singh.
> The route there has also changed over the years - I quite like the current one which has been the same for about five years.
> It's the only place I have been to in Canada
Very jealous - not just because there's a Tim Hortons everywhere. Maybe after I've done London I'll look into doing it in the future.
Stu Gillespie, I live in SW and have been lucky enough that this is my 9th consecutive London marathon. Which newspaper do you write for?
A pot of tea at home costs a little over 5p - why oh why would anyone want to pay over a quid for a luke warm cup of something that often tastes like dishwater (yes I have accidentally tasted it thinking it was some fangled green tea thingy).
Yes I am a very old fashioned, old school 'Victor Meldrew'.
Eggsmart on Bay Street about 300m from the finish line in Toronto is the best diner in town not only for value but excellent friendly staff.
@Harmander Singh 2 I totally agree - but they do good donuts!
Since my injury to my left knee, i'm getting a blister on the outside, and now also front on my right little toe.
There's been no change in socks, or footwear... fair to say my bio-mechanics have changed temporarily due to my injury and this is a result of that.
I have a bendy little toe that curves in close to the next toe.
I've tried gel toe caps, but they fall off, I've tried compeed plasters but they don't stay stuck on for very long (have this issue with every plaster, anywhere, guess i just have oily skin).
Is there anything you guys can recommend I try?
Only think i can think of now, is to coat it in bodyglide and take paracetamol. Bodyglide works on it's on with me to prevent nipple rub, so guessing same principle applies in that it will reduce friction.
Cheers.
Shout out to the legend Haramander who's mentioned as the pacer in red zone.
Zone number Finishing time in start colour
Red Blue Green
1 3:00-3:40 Sub 3:20 Sub 3:15
2 3:40 -4:00 3:20 - 3:35 3:15 - 3:29
3 4:00 - 4:14 3:35 - 3:50 3:30 -3:40
4 4:14 - 4:30 3:50 - 4:00 3:40 - 3:50
5 4:30 - 4:50 4:00 - 4:29 3:50 - 4:00
6 4:50 - 5:15 4:29 - 4:40 4:00 - 4:30
7 5:15 + 4:41 - 5:00 4:30 - 5:00
8 - 5:00 + 5:00 +
Please don't ask any reasoning for the above, I am a mere (slow) runner
Just looking for some advice as I'm starting to panic! I ran 20 miles 2 weeks ago and had some niggly hip pain after so to avoid making it any worse just did some miles on the bike that week and ran a few 5k's and did some long walks last week.
This means by marathon day I'll have had 3 weeks of reduced mileage and wont have done a long run since my 20 miles - will this be okay or will my fitness have decreased a noticeable amount by then? Thought it was better to be slightly undertrained than injured on the day but am now worrying!
Thanks in advance
Yes, use the Bodyglide on your feet too, a good precaution.
ac2000 - you've done the right thing to rest the hip. You won't have lost fitness and you are absolutely right it's better to be on that start line injury free and a little undertrained. You will have prepared a lot better than a lot of other London runners.
So don't panic, just some gentle easy training this week and plan for your race on Sunday, good luck and enjoy it.
Don't think i want to change things so late in the day, but will certainly use the bodyglide to all parts of my feet.
Weather forecast not looking so grand now, if we can have a dry start that will be something.... i take it there are changing tents at the finish?
I blame myself, brought a running cap today without looking at the forecast first... my first one too, £5.99 from Decathlon, a nice fit too! May have to save it for summer training.