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HappyBunny - Fair enough, there may be other ways of easing the chafing too to try out (albeit wait until after the marathon). I'm always thinking quite a few folk will find running in shorts nicer if they give it a try.
Like the pacers line up - plus a comedian hidden in there too!
Pen 1.. sub 3
Pen 2.. sub 3:15
Pen 3.. sub 3:30
Pen 4.. sub 3:45
Pen 5.. sub 4.00
Pen 6.. sub 4:15
Pen 7.. sub 4:30
Pen 8.. sub 4:45
Pen 9.. sub 5.00 & beyond
Carpvw.. they are starting 5+6 together on blue & red so in theory you should be able to start with the 4hr pacers (around 10:20-10:25). Only potential problem is you don't find out your zone number for certain until you receive your number at the Expo. Hope that helps.
10 days to go and maranoia is in full swing in my house
Went out for a long run about 3 weeks ago, and cramped up badly around 13 miles, and had to walk the rest (another 5 miles). I suspect that the long run cramps were due to dehydration, but this obviously hit my confidence, and found it difficult to get back out for a week or so. Once I got back to it, the running was hard, and I feel desperately underprepared for London now.
Heading out tonight for a gentle club run, and will see how I feel after that, but seriously contemplating deferring now.
Any thoughts out there?
Hallam - it depends what you'd banked already? Any 18+ milers? If your training up until then had been going well then missing one wouldn't be a problem. Even missing a week or 2 of training wouldn't necessarily be the end of it - depends what your target time is? Maybe just run it slower than you had been plannning
You think the cramps were caused by dehydration - do you have a strategy to stop that happening on the 22nd?
Hallam, I agree with snewma00 - only you can answer your question (as you rightly said). My 2p-worth - deferring is a bit of a last resort. You can only defer once, and who knows how you'll feel this time next year - you might be better, you might be worse. Cramps are not uncommon on longer runs, and very common at the back end of marathons. I have suffered badly from cramps in the past from 20 miles onwards. Was it warm on your long run, which might have caused you to sweat more and lose fluids? If so, fluids will include salt and minerals, and if not replaced, this is a classic cramp situation. The remedy is isotonic drinks rather than water, and maybe even taking on salt or hydration tablets (e.g.- Nuun). Bananas are also meant to be helpful. The only problem here is that the current forecast for VLM weather is for a fairly hot day, so hydration could be important.
Were you hydrated properly before your long run? If you hadn't had much to drink the day before (or drunk alcohol) then your fluid levels could have been low to start with.
Gentle club run is good, I'll be doing exactly the same tonight. You should not be doing any more running than this at this stage now, so take it easy. Better to turn up undertrained and healthy than overtrained and knackered.
Bottom line - it's up to you, but I would also go for it. Have a think about hydration, but you have an opportunity to run the marathon - I always think it's better to try and see what happens than to DNS and defer.
If it's any consolation, maranoia will be sweeping the country over this week and next, you're very definitely not the only one full of self-doubt and worry. This is normal.
Whatever you decide, good luck and if you go for it, hope all goes well and you have a great day.
Any tips and recommendation for 'quiet' areas for spectators, as from what I can tell there aren't any as my wife and family want to see me at least once and she is heavily pregnant with a toddler in toe. Shes also starting to panic herself with the idea of terrorism now so I am starting to think that they would be better off enjoying other sites of London, any recommendations and where they can go to avoid the crowds if spectating isn’t practical which would be a shame.
TBH I wouldn't mind a pleasantly warm day after the winter we've had.
I always think that the run up to Mile 10 would be a good one to spectate at - its long road with a grassy verge and a footpath over. There's plenty of people but it's not as crowded as the rest of it is.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5018965,-0.0355968,3a,75y,174.6h,95.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjue05wtZ8gyqlhwXMbpOOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Also trees around in case you need the shade or shelter from the rain.
> Someboy - there's a map here - http://london-marathon.s3.amazonaws.com/vmlm2014/live/uploads/cms_page_media/117/2018-VMLM-Isle-of-Dogs.pdf
>
> I always think that the run up to Mile 10 would be a good one to spectate at - its long road with a grassy verge and a footpath over. There's plenty of people but it's not as crowded as the rest of it is.
>
> https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5018965,-0.0355968,3a,75y,174.6h,95.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjue05wtZ8gyqlhwXMbpOOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
>
> Also trees around in case you need the shade or shelter from the rain.
Hi Cougie,
Thank you for this. I have taken your suggestion and given this to my wife and she is pretty happy with this. We are staying in Croydon overnight so she will take the overground with the rest of the family to watch me in action. Thats if she is lucky enough to spot me.
Thanks
She goes to just before the 25m point and then its easy for her to walk up to the finish through Charing Cross.
> Hi all, this thread is such a huge help, especially for a first time marathoner like me! Just after some advice for dealing with pre-race anxiety, I always struggle a lot with this before any race. It's pretty bad this time round as training hasn't gone so smoothly and obviously the fact that it's the marathon haha. I am a chronic over thinker/worrier too which doesn't help... I'm getting anxiety dreams, in which I'm running along and then trip in a pothole, as I fall I jolt awake! I am looking forward to the day but I am dreading next week because I know my anxiety will go into overdrive! Anyone got any tried and tested tips for dealing with this? Thanks in advance
i have had the same (different dreams) but about 2 weeks ago it was horrendous didn't sleep properly for about 8 days but i just went through all the martin yelling videos on Facebook and watched some videos on youtube and just made me really excited i have been struggling with IT band/ pulled piriformas gutted at training was going well up until this but i figure as long as i make it to the start line stubbornness and the crowd and everything will get me through albeit somewhat slower than i'd originally hoped aim now is to finish in front of the oldest runner
Thanks for the map - yes that 15-18 mile loop around the IODs id definitely the best place for quiet viewing..some places there will be no barriers and 50-100m stretches of road with no spectators on at all, especially brilliant when the leaders come past.
Forecast changed a bit, 14-19 degrees now. Long time to go though..