Thanks. I have entered . Not 100% sure i will run but the great thing about Abingdon is that someone will always buy your entry (its permitted) if you dont run. I want a shot at sub 4 though so i think this could be a good one for that.
I did this one last year and its an amazing marathon, great organization, well marshaled and a great flat pb course. Not for me this year as running Kent Coyote (Roadrunner) in Sept.
Caught up in the excitement of the thread, am in too This would be my second marathon, my first was Lochaber in 2007 and I need a new commemorative tshirt by now. I'll be aiming for anything under 3:45.
Oxford Camping And Caravanning Club Site with a tent which is 9 miles away from the start. Parking on the day is apparently not available at the start anyway:
A24. There are no parking facilities available at Tilsley Park on race day.
Parking facilities will be available from 07:00hrs at the Abingdon and Witney College, on the junction of Northcourt Road and Wootton Road, Abingdon, and at Dunmore Court, next to the Golf Store and Fit2Run. Please refer to the map on the Venue page. These locations are about a 15–minute walk to Tilsley Park.
.... Wonder if they'll put on a minibus back to the car parking afterwards, it might take more than 15 minutes to walk back.
@LogicScience it's not far really, but the route to both car parks from TP crosses (not surprisingly)/coincides with the last bit of the race course. Walking back you get to cheer on the last finishers, which is nice providing you can hobble out of their way
I just had a look where Abingdon was and it turns out I have a friend who lives 5 miles from the course, so I am now signed up for my second marathon this year.... Looking forward to it.
I've never planned this far ahead for a race before and for anyone who needs to book somewhere, it seems difficult to find a room in Abingdon itself so get searching. (I wimped out / was persuaded out of camping and got somewhere booked)
agoda.com proved useful for searching and booking after other site searches were coming up empty.
Just booked accommodation for me and the Mrs for the night before the marathon at Premier Inn (South Didcot). Always stayed there for previous Abo marathons, although the last one was 2012.
They always use to do an early breakfast for the marathon runners, does any one know whether this is still the case
That's the way to do it seren one of these days I'll get a van.
Determined not to be hobbling @Fido2dogs. Training has started well, these past few weeks. Sunday long run is up from 60 minutes to 84 today. Cut 91 seconds of my parkrun time yesterday on my second run. Also I've got the Nottingham 10k in May and Newark half in August to keep my interest up.
Have a look at the P&D ones. The 18wk 55-70 plan got me a PB last year. There is a P&D thread on here where a number of us (varying abilities and experience) are sharing our thoughts.
Thanks Millsy. I've got the P&D book and followed the up to 55 for my last marathon. I'd like to up my mileage a little but 55-70 seems a bit much. But they do feel like well put together schedules (along with all the training tips).
So I'm thinking either a hybrid between up to 55 & 55-70 or maybe the Daniels 2Q. Will probably test out some of the early weeks of all three before training starts.
Who here has done Abingdon before and what's it like?
I'm going to be following Hal Higdon intermediate 2 and going for sub 3:30. Mileage peaks at 50 miles a week and focuses mostly on endurance rather than speed, which I think will be best for me. In my first marathon last year I was on for the sub 3:30 until 21 miles when it all started to go wrong, came in with 3:44, so I think I have the speed but not (yet) the endurance.
Al- I'm currently following the P&D 55-70 12 week plan for Manchester in April and have been really enjoying the training. It will be my first Marathon so hopefully will be relatively successful and give me something to work towards for Abingdon. I Will probably stick to the mileage-don't think I will ever be a huge volume runner -but will aim to do the 18 week plan next time.
Tom- that's decent mileage for a first marathon, good to hear training's going well. Had a quick stalk of your posts and looks like you're pretty speedy too! Any specific feedback/thoughts on P&D 55-70 12 week? Just glancing at it, there was a 70M week with a 12M w 7M lactate and 21M long run. How was that??
Comments
Oh very tempting, the location looks lovely with long rural stretches. I wonder if I could arrange camping nearby for the Saturday night before.
Thanks. I have entered . Not 100% sure i will run but the great thing about Abingdon is that someone will always buy your entry (its permitted) if you dont run. I want a shot at sub 4 though so i think this could be a good one for that.
I'm in. Will be my first Abingdon and second Marathon (doing Manchester in April). Looks like a good one!
I did this one last year and its an amazing marathon, great organization, well marshaled and a great flat pb course. Not for me this year as running Kent Coyote (Roadrunner) in Sept.
I'm signed up. Second marathon hoping for a sub 3:30.
Should this not be in the events forum though?
Caught up in the excitement of the thread, am in too This would be my second marathon, my first was Lochaber in 2007 and I need a new commemorative tshirt by now. I'll be aiming for anything under 3:45.
Got me a place after a pb last year. Hoping for some nice conditions again.
I'm in
Can anyone recommend a decent local hotel? Thanks in advance.
places to stay:
http://www.abingdonmarathon.org.uk/places.php
and an old RW thread:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/events/abingdon-marathon/143202.html
Anywhere near the start where you plonk a mobile home overnight
I might stop at
Oxford Camping And Caravanning Club Site with a tent which is 9 miles away from the start. Parking on the day is apparently not available at the start anyway:
A24. There are no parking facilities available at Tilsley Park on race day.
Parking facilities will be available from 07:00hrs at the Abingdon and Witney College, on the junction of Northcourt Road and Wootton Road, Abingdon, and at Dunmore Court, next to the Golf Store and Fit2Run. Please refer to the map on the Venue page. These locations are about a 15–minute walk to Tilsley Park.
.... Wonder if they'll put on a minibus back to the car parking afterwards, it might take more than 15 minutes to walk back.
Cheers for the info. Will probably find a camp site also.
@LogicScience it's not far really, but the route to both car parks from TP crosses (not surprisingly)/coincides with the last bit of the race course. Walking back you get to cheer on the last finishers, which is nice providing you can hobble out of their way
I just had a look where Abingdon was and it turns out I have a friend who lives 5 miles from the course, so I am now signed up for my second marathon this year.... Looking forward to it.
Looking forward to it
I've never planned this far ahead for a race before and for anyone who needs to book somewhere, it seems difficult to find a room in Abingdon itself so get searching. (I wimped out / was persuaded out of camping and got somewhere booked)
agoda.com proved useful for searching and booking after other site searches were coming up empty.
I will probbaly just find a street or layby nearby and parkup overnight
Just booked accommodation for me and the Mrs for the night before the marathon at Premier Inn (South Didcot). Always stayed there for previous Abo marathons, although the last one was 2012.
They always use to do an early breakfast for the marathon runners, does any one know whether this is still the case
That's the way to do it seren one of these days I'll get a van.
Determined not to be hobbling @Fido2dogs. Training has started well, these past few weeks. Sunday long run is up from 60 minutes to 84 today. Cut 91 seconds of my parkrun time yesterday on my second run. Also I've got the Nottingham 10k in May and Newark half in August to keep my interest up.
How's everyone else doing?
There is a Places To Stay on the race's website, that you may find helpful.
In - my first marathon since London 2013. The wife has got a place too. We've booked an airbnb in Abingdon.
My A goal will be sub 3.05. Currently thinking about picking a training schedule. What's everyone else going for?
Thanks Millsy. I've got the P&D book and followed the up to 55 for my last marathon. I'd like to up my mileage a little but 55-70 seems a bit much. But they do feel like well put together schedules (along with all the training tips).
So I'm thinking either a hybrid between up to 55 & 55-70 or maybe the Daniels 2Q. Will probably test out some of the early weeks of all three before training starts.
Who here has done Abingdon before and what's it like?
I'm going to be following Hal Higdon intermediate 2 and going for sub 3:30. Mileage peaks at 50 miles a week and focuses mostly on endurance rather than speed, which I think will be best for me. In my first marathon last year I was on for the sub 3:30 until 21 miles when it all started to go wrong, came in with 3:44, so I think I have the speed but not (yet) the endurance.
Al- I'm currently following the P&D 55-70 12 week plan for Manchester in April and have been really enjoying the training. It will be my first Marathon so hopefully will be relatively successful and give me something to work towards for Abingdon. I Will probably stick to the mileage-don't think I will ever be a huge volume runner -but will aim to do the 18 week plan next time.
Nader- sound likes a sensible choice.
Tom- that's decent mileage for a first marathon, good to hear training's going well. Had a quick stalk of your posts and looks like you're pretty speedy too! Any specific feedback/thoughts on P&D 55-70 12 week? Just glancing at it, there was a 70M week with a 12M w 7M lactate and 21M long run. How was that??