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VLM 2017 !!
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However did a 12 mile last Sunday at race pace in prep for Paris and felt it was great to get confidence up for that pace.
So many plans out there say different things - I think you can mostly do what you feel, just don't go for anything longer than half marathon seems to be the consensus.
Nicko, I'll send you a PM regarding pacing London together rather than clog this thread up
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Doing my 2nd VLM this year - first one was in 2014 and was very underprepared. Diet was off, skipped training runs etc, thought I could just turn up on the day and blag it.
I couldn't. Did 4hr 50 and I absolutely hated it.
I've absolutely loved the training yet, hasn't been easy, suffered injuries to both ankles but feel good and aiming for sub 4hr, maybe even 3hr 45.
Thinking about following the 3hr 45 pacer and keeping him in eyesight. Is that recommended or shall I run my own race?
Hope everyone is tapering well this week, 5 mile run down the Thames for me tomorrow :smile:
Which colour start are you ?
Sara, Nelo, Jules & Emily - Red Start
Andrew, Alex G, Paul & Susie - Blue Start
Simon and Alex B - Green Start
You can meet some of the pacers at the RW and Cancer Research Stands at the Expo when you collect your number
Amusing conversation I overheard the other day whilst running past a couple of older guys walking along the seafront on a morning that was about 18C and a *hint* of drizzle:
Guy1(Thick Birmingham accent): "Its not very noice is it? I LOATHE this cold weather"
Guy2 (Equally thick Yorkshire accent): "Aye - its fooking' freezin!"
It occurred to me that 18C back home they'd probably be stripping off into tee-shirts and basking in the park talking about how glorious summer was! Funny how we all acclimatise to a new climate so quickly isnt it?
I'm hoping that a week is going to be enough for me to adjust to Englands cooler conditions before running and I'm a bit scared I'm going freeze my little socks off standing around in Greenwich park. It doesnt matter how cold it is I cant bring myself to run in anything other than shorts and vest (Marathon Rule #1 - Dont do anything different on race day) and I know i'll be ok once we start moving, but the hanging around after bag drop off and before race starts is a bit of a worry.
Cheers Harmander, I'll have a chat with them at the Expo!
Predicted weather for Race Day is 15 degrees and cloudy - obviously cooler in the morning at 8:00 am.
In addition to the trow away clothes just before the start I invest in (lol) wheelie bin liners that keep me dry too and these are ripped off (as in Full Monty) a few minutes before the
start.
Snewma00
Ballot and club entries usually Blue
Charity entries Red
GFA and Celebs are Green start
Thanks - good advice
And we smell of sweat - lol
Average pace of 7.36 min/m which is way above what I'm looking for, Saturday will be an 8-10 mile run.
What is recommended next week? Maybe a run on Tuesday and then just rest and carb up?
Everyone has their own thoughts and reasons for activity in the last week - one shoe (or trainer) does not fit all.
I for example am mad so will be going for a longish run tonight, again tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday (morning).
I will also do about 7 miles on the Saturday before VLM - as I said, I am mad.
Madness but enjoyable
Slow ten-miler Sunday and a couple of 40 minute easy runs next week and it's sit back and let the nerves mount. Stomach turns somersaults every time I visualise myself on the starting line!
Good luck everybody.
I guess my question is - am I able to accompany her much past the Maze Hill station, perhaps all the way to the "gate" to her start area, assuming there is something like a gated area? Then, is it going to be difficult for her to navigate around, not knowing much English - drop off her kit bag, then find her place in the start line, etc. Is it signposted visually - colours, numbers etc - or perhaps they rely mostly on announcements? Last but not least, she wasn't planning on taking her mobile with her on the track (she wants to leave it in her kitbag). Is that a bad idea - perhaps it would help her call me in case she gets stuck or lost? Sorry if my questions are silly, I'm not a runner and never been anywhere close to the London Marathon area. Thank you.
I run VLM in 2015 and went to the start via Maze Hill. You will be able to stay with her right the way into Greenwich Park (but do give up your train seat to runners we really need to sit as much as poss!). However you will not be allowed into the runners only enclosure. My tip would be to ensure she knows the words for 'toilets', 'bag drop' and 'start'. From memory everything important had a sign. What language does she speak? This is an international marathon, she may find herself close to people who share her language anyway!
On course she will need to know when the water stops and toilet stops are, I seem to recall these had written signs and visual signs a few hundred yards ahead. She won't miss the finish, it's a massive gantry with British flags along the final few hundred metres and a huge clock!
At the end she will need to find the truck that her kitbag is in and this is all done in numbers and colours. I could only speak to say thank you to the person who handed me my bag. The marshalls at the the end know many of us are completely jiggered by then and incoherent in any language.
There is only a couple of ways out of the finish area, prearrange your meeting up at a convenient spot.
Your mum may want a few words of English to say to fellow runners "no English" "nervous" "good luck" and I bet she knows thank you already, but asides from that I don't think she'll need much more. Marathon faces speak a thousand words!
When your mum collects her race pack and registers at the Excel Centre a few days before the Marathon there will be more course info, maps and instructions which will help you both.
Hope that helps, others may have experience from last year to share.
Leigh x
We did figure out where the water, Lucozade and toilet stops were, and once she starts running I think she'll be fine, she's been training for months for this. At the finish line we agreed to meet at one of the meeting points that are marked by letters, after she picks her kitbag and finisher 'pack'.
We'll be asking a lot of questions at the Excel centre then :)
thanks again.
The Green Start area is tiny compared with the Red and Blue.
The portaloos are aplenty and situated within the enclosure.
The Green Start is difficult to miss as it is a big gantry and to the right of the celebs enclosure which is within the Green enclosure (yes and they have posh loos too. If you make your way to the right of the start the crowd is right next to the low control barriers cheering the runners.
You can carry on talking to your mum through the fence all you like and point out the baggage lorries so she can hand in her bag in time - each lorry is clearly numbered and your mum's bag will need to have her running number on it - this is supplied with the running number and chip at the Expo.
Am basing my response on experience as I have been at the Celebs enclosure a few times - the runners join the Blue start runners from the left just before the 1 mile marker.
Feel free to come ans talk to me at the Runners World Stand at the Expo after 3:30 on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday
Good luck to your mum - she sounds amazing
If you're near the finish line you can't be far from either Leicester Square or Covent Garden which are packed with restaurants. Wander up and take your pick!! Loads of Italian ones if it's pasta based you're after
Did 18.95 miles including Parkrun today.
YTD = 806.49 miles.
Still going for LSR tomorrow too - because my 73 year old uncle who came first in his age category at Leicester Marathon has rolled in and said 'you up for a little jog in the morning kiddo?' - even though I am absolutely knackered.
Got Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to taper I guess and a little pacing at Parkrun next Saturday before VLM
You are not alone.
I did 12.52 miles yesterday on hills with laps of 1.25 miles - felt terrible for first two laps, eased into a race pace for about four laps, got gradually worse over the next two with a struggling ninth lap and then as if out of nowhere did a fantastic last lap.
Am on 819.01 miles now and have plans to do some speed work totaling about 30 miles by Saturday afternoon (including Parkrun) so I reach 875 miles for 2017 when I cross the finish line at VLM.
In less than 150 hours we will all be proud marathoners - look forwar to it everyone, no point worrying now
5 days to go!