Yorkshire Marathon

DT19

I agree guys. I based myself at the David Lloyd gym just up the road but had I not had that facility I think the post race period would have been very uncomfortable. However, London just has a park afterwards. It is difficult to provide that facility on a large scale event.

I ran a 5 minute pb to just sneak under 3 hours. I thought it was a very fast course personally. The  climb back in on the out and back didn't feel quite as uphill as I was anticipating from running down it and the hill at the end I was dreading but it was over pretty quickly. The last 6 miles were almost exclusively flat or downhill just when you need it!

Big_G

Very well done on the PB, DT - is that your first sub 3 then?  Brilliant running.

I didn't do too well as I had a "toilet issue" at the start so was in the "portaloo of doom" when the race started, which put me way behind the 4:30 pacer - that put me in a bad mood from the start!  I got through that and eventually got through the 4hr pacer (the bus for which seemed huge!), and then finished in 3:43 which I was happy enough with as it felt quite comfortable.

I can see it's a great event and I'd do it again.  York is a great city for a weekend break, and I can see why the race itself is so popular - I didn't have the best of runs, but that's not fault of the organisers  

DT19

The toilet queues were a bit poor mind, if I were to level a criticism. Yes, it's no good start something like a marathon in the wrong frame of mind!!

Yes 2.59.54 to just sneak under for first time.

I have corrected the elevation on strava and it comes out 589 feet, so over a marathon that is 22 feet per mile, which is pretty flat.

Big_G

DT, yeah, my Strava has it at around 600ft, which as you say is pretty flat.  From memory, that's in the same ball park as London I think, and that's considered flat.

Well done on getting under the 3hrs.  Was you nervous at any point as 5 seconds didn't leave much wiggle room, or did you know you had it in the bag?

DT19

no, I knew it was going to be close from about 16 miles. In fact at that point I just assumed I would fade a bit and miss. When I got to 23 miles and still had a minute in the bag and was starting to slow I was stressed out completely. I was convinced that final hill would crush me. I had to stop looking at my watch due to the stress and just ran blind doing the best I could. It was only when I could see the finish clock in the distance with about 200 to go I saw it was still on and i sprinted for my life. I ran the last 0.2 miles at 5.08mm average. I passed a couple of poor sods in teh final 100m that couldnt sprint and came in seconds after the 3 hours.

Big_G

Wow!  Does that make it even sweeter then, knowing you left it all out there?  Excellent running to get through that major time goal!  In case you're not aware, there is a Sub 3 Facebook group that is pretty good and quite active.

I was looking for a club mate in the results and saw someone with a time of 4:00:01 - ouch!

DT19

yes I think now I can relax about it, it is a touch more satisfying in a strange way than cruising in for 2.57 or thereabouts. 

yes I recently joined that in the build up to this mara thanks. 

Chris_uk

Ran this marathon, was my 2nd marathon and was going for a sub 4..managed to get 3.47 so i am well pleased. Apart from around mile 9 where there was a sheepish incline i did not didn't it that hilly.

liam ford

Hi, just wondering if anyone on here was giving this a go in 2019?

MrM2

Thinking about it!

liam ford

Have you done it before MrM2?

Wardi

Yes I'm in, my local so this will be my 5th time at York.

liam ford

Also, has anyone got any idea why I can't edit my profile on here? Trying to add a photo but no joy.

liam ford

Sounds like you're an experienced campaigner Wardi. How's the training going (or is it too early for that?)

Wardi

Liam.. there are some things on here that you can't do until you have logged 10 posts - might be something to do with that?

I've run both the Barcelona & London marathons this year so I'm having a lower mileage break for a few weeks before building up to York.  I normally do 50-70 mpw when marathon training and now I'm a V60 I can't bang out big miles all year sadly. 

MrM2

Hi Liam...No, I haven't run this one before, but they are hosting the Masters this year (as Chester did last year, which I ran as an M70+). So, as a new 75+ it would add another dimension of interest, but it's a long way to travel. Hence the hesitation.

Donnie2

I'm in. Local for me. Will be my fifth time here (only marathons I've run) and as with the other efforts aiming for sub 4. Achieved it three times, missed out once.

Recommended. 

Emma 23

See you in Yorkshire

liam ford

Wardi - thanks for that. I'll have to think of some nonsense to post to get my numbers up. I don't blame you having a lower mileage period having already got two maras under the belt this year!

MrM2 - I can only hope I'm in a position to be even thinking about entering a marathon when I'm in that age category. Impressive stuff.

Donnie2 - Thanks for that. It's fairly local for me too so seems to make the most sense. Best of luck with your sub 4 effort!!

Emma 23 - see you there!!

I'm just ticking over in terms of training at the moment ahead of starting an 18 week P&D plan next month. Has anyone on here got much experience of P&D and if so how did you find it?

Cal Jones

I'm in. Did Chester last year like MrM2, which I loved, but I'm trying to avoid repeating too many races (seeing as I've done Manchester and Liverpool three times apiece). Variety being the spice of life and all that.
While I'm a Londoner, my dad was from Yorkshire, so that's another reason I'd like to run it.
If anyone has any tips or insight regarding the course, I'd be grateful.

Wardi

Hi Cal, there are a couple of minor climbs in the first half, nothing too onerous.  From roughly 13-19m there is an out & back on the A166 which can play with your mind though it doesn't bother me too much really.  The slight sting in the tail is a hill just before the end (25.5m) which isn't too steep, just a bit of a 250m grind at the end of the marathon.  You do get a nice 400m downhill to the finish though! 

Cal Jones

Thanks Wardi. Chester has a hill near the end (about 24.5 miles I think) so it's not too different. Hopefully it won't piss with rain this year!

MrsWilson

Any recommendations of where to stay the night before for out-of-towners?

Wardi

There are shuttle buses from the Railway Station on the morning of the race so you can take your pick from any hotel/B&B near the centre.  The buses do bring you back to the centre after the race.

Cal Jones

I am staying in the nearest Travelodge. (That's assuming I get to the start...I've not even started training yet due to injury and a bout of shingles).