Has anyone done this one on Here?
Really fancy a marathon abroad and this one looks good.
Is the course interesting and do they provide gels on the Route?
Is there a medical certificate required like the Paris Marathon?
Sorry about the questions but I hope someone can help
Thanks
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Are many others entered? Is it too early to start obsessing?! I'm really looking forward to it. Have read many good things about the race on here, and Valencia is a great city to visit (have friends there, so know it a little bit). It'll be my second marathon – did Edinburgh last year, which was going to be the only one I entered in my life, ever, then somehow I found myself with the bug and here we are again... :)
How is everyone’s training going? Last couple of long runs coming up?
Yes, last couple of long runs coming up for me. Missed my usual Sunday slot because of a busy weekend, so felt proud of myself for fitting in my scheduled 20 miles yesterday morning BEFORE work instead - it's a rare occurrence for me to get up that early! I'm in two minds about my training - on the positive side, it's been relatively consistent (for me) with a better base of long-ish runs than I had for my previous and only other marathon - plus no injuries, touch wood. The negative is that I feel slower than I wanted! Was originally hoping for sub-4h (previous time was 4:11), but that seems very unlikely now. Oh well. Really looking forward to it regardless!
Wonder what the temperature will be like over there - at the moment it still seems to be mid to high 20s. Expected it to have cooled down a bit more by now...
Hope all is going well with the training, and that you are keeping clear of injuries.
Had my first two hard runs this week post Chicago so was always a bit anxious to see how the legs were. Pleased to say that the track session on Tuesday was good and the 10 miles at MP last night felt very comfortable (ended up running about 6/7 secs quicker than MP)!
I'll get a long run in this weekend (24miles with last 7 at MP) which will be a real tester. If this feels ok then I'll be confident!
Another hard week next week then a two week taper....
Last 'long' long runs this weekend for the three week taper'ers??
Booked the hotel this week too... Staying at the 'Rooms Ciencias'. not cheap for what looks pretty basic accommodation but location is spot on, so I hope it'll be worth it!
I don't have much of a schedule for the taper yet - going to work out a plan tomorrow. I have a hilly-ish 8.5-mile race this weekend, but that's the only thing set in stone. Quite tricky to know what's best to do!
Big Bertie, sounds as if things are going really well for you. Fingers crossed for 2.5 weeks' time - cannot actually believe it's so close now! I am also staying near to the start line - am sure it's worth it to have one less hassle to worry about pre race. Looking forward to the expo, which is now being advertised on their Facebook page...
I'm staying in a hotel very near the Sciences building too, I agree this removes a major stress element. I find VLM a bit of a faff in this respect. We are flying from Leeds to Alicante then getting the train to Valencia on the Friday so fingers crossed it all comes together.
I think we're staying a couple of miles from the start, but will take a leisurely stroll down and use it to wake up the legs.
Had a shorter build after Ironman Wales in September, so I'm really not sure what to expect. I'll be in my Clapham Chasers club vest - say hi if you see me!
It’ll be my second Valencia after last year (3:12). Have been following a Hansons plan this time round and hope to get down to about 3:07 / 3:08.
Really enjoyed the race last year. The crowd support was tremendous for most of the way; groups of people dressed up as paella chefs, quite a few brass bands and local sports clubs turning out in full kit to cheer you on etc. Lots of fun. There were a few areas where there weren’t quite as many spectators and noise but I quite like the contrast. The course doubles back in a few places so you may get to see the East African runners flying past, which I found pretty inspirational.
if you’re going to the Expo on Saturday, Spanish lunchtime 14:00 - 16:00 is a good time to go as the queues and volume of people is much lighter.
Hope everyone’s training is going well.
Good to hear from someone who's done the race before - and thanks for the tip about the expo! Will look out for everyone's club vests. I may be in my green Lostock AC vest, but may just wear something different. Sadly my partner has had to pull out - he's been diagnosed with a hernia and referred for surgery (his third one!), so is unsurprisingly a bit down at the moment. He has always been in two minds about the marathon, though - he was finding the long runs/increase in mileage quite a chore, and had considered pulling out before - it's definitely made the decision for him. But it's difficult - I know I'd be gutted!
Wardi, thanks for the info about York Marathon. It may have to go on the list! It's a nice part of the world round there.
https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/marathon-news/valencia-marathon-presents-luanvis-highly-innovative-vests/
I’ve got a double room booked which is non-refundable. I’m guessing you’ve all got accommodation sorted but if you do hear of anyone looking for some last minute digs then please get in touch!
Two mins walk from the start/expo!
http://www.roomsciencias.com/en/#cookies-alert-wrapper
LT, I am also in two minds about the shirt - the whole sweat thing seems a bit 80s (reminds me of when I really wanted a Global Hypercolour T-shirt back in the day)! Think the map design actually looks really nice in itself, so I wish they'd just printed it on normally. Very pleased about the vest option for women, though - I wear vests a lot for running and it's rare that you get an event one.
BB - commiserations.
The elite field was released today and, for those who follow the sport, there’s some notable names in the men’s race. Three or four sub 2:05 guys.
Took my first proper look at the weather for next Sunday earlier. 11 to 21 degrees predicted at the moment. Could be worse, could be better I guess.
A very easy 5k shakeout in a while and then getting the train down from Madrid.
Hope everyone has / had a good journey. Best of luck for tomorrow.
The location will definitely make for an impressive start/finish - really liked the look of it all. Seems very well organised too. Oh, and the T shirts looks better in real life than the photos. It's actually pale grey, not white as I'd thought!
Best of luck to everyone - hope you enjoy the experience and have a good race tomorrow. Think it's going to be fun!
3:06:12 for me. Just over 6 minutes better than last year and a decent negative split. Felt strong all the way to the finish. Thought the support from the spectators was great, brought a big smile to my face on more than one occasion. Really like the finish over the water too. Didn’t find the weather a problem, just got slightly warm towards the end but there was a decent amount of shade on the course.
Definitely agree that the tech shirt is better in real life and quite comfortable too.
Had a fantastic day yesterday - what a brilliant event. I also found the support great - never a dull moment on the course. And so many people reading your name/nationality from your number and shouting encouragement to you personally, which was really nice. After what felt like a perfect first half, I did start to struggle with my pace and slow down (final time was 4:17 something, few mins slower than I'd have liked), but never stopped enjoying it. As for the finish over that water - agree, amazing! I think it's the nicest finish I've ever had in an event.
I had all but decided not to do another marathon for a couple of years and concentrate on shorter runs instead - but am VERY tempted to do this one next year! Was only my second marathon so don't have much to compare it to, but it really did beat Edinburgh in so many ways - entry price, free stuff, course, support, general organisation...and now I have a time to beat...
Well done to you too!
My day went almost to plan but needed a couple of pit-stops even though I used my normal drinking strategy. Came in at 4:12; just two minutes outside my submitted time.
Feeling good at the finish, so could have possibly gone off a touch quicker. Results have me as 9th out of the 30 old boys. Any one tempted to go back next year?