Shades Marathon Training

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  • Cozy1504Cozy1504 ✭✭✭
    haha excellent! The cozyathon, my wife is very creative, I'm sure she could rustle up a couple of medals!
  • Big_GBig_G ✭✭✭
    Robert, I know your question wasn’t directed at me and I’ve done a lot, lot less than Shades, but when I look back it’s funny how it’s worked out for me. I didn’t like London 2010 but now realise I did everything wrong in my so called ‘training’. It took me some more time to get my second one done and I did a few others, but really it was London 2017 where I realised I was actually enjoying myself out there. I did a local one the week after and although I found it hard, the seed was then sown.  Those ‘can I get to the 100’-type questions started surfacing. I’ve had some shockers since then and know that I prefer the bigger events (IE, low thousands) and have confirmed to myself many times that I much prefer road over trail, but the travelling/socialising as well as the marathons themselves make it worthwhile for me. It has to got to the stage where I look at foreign marathons (pre-virus) and plan a break around that, rather than the other way around. It’s meant I’ve visited places that aren’t on any list I may have, but I’ve really enjoyed that side of it too. 

    Journey home is going well. Just stopped for a coffee and then it’s the final 75mins to get home. 
  • Ian5Ian5 ✭✭✭
    Steve-Great long run with 14@MP in there.
    Big G-That's a long time to be on your feet for,well done.
    Rob-Great to see you back at it,think we forget sometimes just how far 13 miles is so well done.
    Cal-Good running from Steph,I believe she has a couple of small sponsors now,and an old guy in your club has helped her so she can go part time for a few months so she can really try for London.
    Crazy weekend in work,it doesn't seem it but people are starting to panic buy,our tins,pasta,kitchen towel,cleaning etc was wiped out and we were over 10% up on the previous week.
    As for future races the one I'm most worried about is Barca with being the wife's first,spain have said no plans to cancel events yet,so hoping that lasts for another 2 weeks,only other option I can see is Paphos,still ok flights but that will change as it gets closer.Should be more worries about Boston,but we're taking our son to NYC for 4 days before so at least we still get a holiday if the race is cancelled.
    Only managed to get out today,6 easy,hopefully get a decent one in tomorrow.
  • Evening all
    Still got a achy back of the leg so i looked on GP's website this morning and amusingly managed to get a spot a week before the one i had sorted a few weeks ago for my statin levels. That was the earliest at the time. Its Tuesday next week so will see what they say.
    Not really gone still aches randomly but not really bothering me to move around. I suspect it might be a case of referal to physio and see what they say unless with the leg bending the doctor will do causes something obvious to ahurt.
  • Big G/ Shades I always saw myself running the marathon from a young age, I went to 17.5 stone and still talked about it.  Had a disappointing 1st marathon 4.12.11 only 6 week prior went 2.33 for a 20 miler should have went 3.20-3.25. Crossed the line and decided I wanted to do 3 marathons, when I did my 4th I wanted to 10.  Just playing day by day.  I've got the next year or two to get back to fitness and take some easier marathons but I'd swap 50 marathons for 1 all out PB and never run one again.

    Rcouture/ Cozy all jokes aside don't let the though of your races being called off worry your long runs and build up to the race, if they do get called off then you know what it's all about and know you can do it again.  

    Keith hope you get some answers from the docs, it's a slow process but hopefully you have a decent doc. 

    Managed to squeeze in a run whilst dinner was in the oven, nice to stretch the legs and a few more miles.  Have signed up to a club supported long run on the 15th, will aim for a min of 14 miles but ideally 16 or 18.  

  • TRTR ✭✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Shades, Big G - hi. You both gave me some course knowledge prior to Yeovil last summer......i have put an entry in for North Dorset mara in case Brighton and vlm are cancelled and i need a much smaller race. It looks a bit yeovilesque to me, have either of you done it?
  • Iain LoveIain Love ✭✭✭

    Iain well done on 48, What are Saturn running like for their events, they have put an event on close to my way recently (lea Valley Water centre).  Wasn't quite ready to run anything decent on 1st Feb nor did I fancy the theme Queen.

    Robert - I’ve only run one Saturn event and aside from the mud it was well organised and the aid station was well stocked and catered for most people. They have vegan, gluten free and cheese goodies. Plus the medals are quite quirky..
  • SHADESSHADES ✭✭✭✭
    TR - yes, have done NDVM several times.  It's one of my favourites.  It's undulating, single lap, quiet country roads through lush Dorset countryside.  Well organised club race and tasty hog roast included in the entry fee.
    The last mile is flat and on a trail path which is the bit I hate.
    The finish is s few minutes walk from the race venue but they have a minibus ferrying finishers promptly or you can walk.

    Look forward to seeing you there.
  • Big_GBig_G ✭✭✭
    edited March 2020
    TR, nothing to add to what Shades said except you can leave drinks/supplies at two (I think) aid stations if you wish, and the organisers make sure you get them when you arrive there. 

    Robert, I’m not sure if when I’m on my deathbed I’ll necessarily look back at PBs. Reason for saying that is because some of my favourite events have produced amongst my slowest times. However, maybe that’s because I feel that I can still get quicker if I get some consistent training in. I have to say though that I doubt I’ll look back with fondness at those MK lakes!

    Shades, have you seen on Facebook that there’s a new outfit coming in Devon for some new marathons. You’ll know the organisers as they’re the parents of the blind runner, the Dad of who has done a lot of marathons and Mum helps out at various events (I’ve seen her helping at Plym Trail, Enigma, Jolly Running and How Hard Can It Be Events). I can send you the Facebook group if you’ve not seen it yet. RED - Running Events Devon. No dates set for events yet but maybe good for emergency numbers or to fill a gap in the diary :) From the photos of the first one it looks like it may be on either Plym Trail or Granite Way so good quality paths. 
  • SHADESSHADES ✭✭✭✭
    Ian - can't believe folk are panic buying, interesting it's the pasta!  Maybe there's a bit more publicity up your way as you have one of the quarantine sites near you.

    I do so hope for both of you that Barcelona goes ahead.  Spain's economy is built on tourism and I think they would be very reluctant to cancel anything that brings in tourists.    Of course it's not just marathons but also some flights are being cancelled but I would guess any flights you have booked would be full of runners so less likely to decide not to travel.


    Robert - so many folk have a disappointing first marathon, that's why they do another, and another.... ;) 
    But if you ran one all out PB how do you know you couldn't go faster and there are other challenges/goals apart from PB's.

    Good for you getting a recovery run in.


    Keith - you need to get out and so some training instead of faffing around. ;) 
    Are you hoping to get off the statins this time?

    TR - it's disappointing that Yeovil isn't on this year, I hope it does come back next year.

    Big G - I agree re the marathons, a lot of my best memories are not necessarily when I ran my best times.

    No, haven't seen that about RED, that's good for me (and you) as they would naturally prefer good surfaces so that Ben can run safely.   I'll do a search on FB, thanks for the tip.   They will be well organised as they are very efficient when helping out.

    How are the legs recovering?


    8 miles today, nasty frost on wet roads so some icy patches although the ice had gone from the cars by the time I got home. Had to stop in a few places and tiptoe over the ice.   Chest strain is no better, I'm on 3 days ibuprofen, but not before I run obviously, I can feel it when I run but not enough to stop me running.  The mornings are getting so much lighter that I can have a much better choice of routes.
     
  • Big_GBig_G ✭✭✭
    Shades, lower legs are quite stiff.  I was hoping to do 10ish today but when I go out later I expect it'll only be for 4-6ish at an easy pace.

    When I look down my list of events, I kind of wish I hadn't done my first sub-4 around that lake.  I was glad I finally went under the 4hrs, although I can't look back and say that I enjoyed the occasion.  But my favourites include City to Sea (5hrs, give or take), Barcelona (a moderately disappointing finish time of 3:30:44 due to an error on my part of relying on my Garmin for the distance) and LDWA Devonshire Dumpling when I squeaked a sub-7 with a large group of Trotters and had a great day out.  Also, London when I did what looks like a frustrating time of 4:00:59, but I loved that race in 2017 and really I think it's the fault of that event that I'm aiming for the 100...all roads lead to London :)  Quicker times are part of it for other events too, I.E, I was pleased I did sub-3:30 for my 50th as that was the icing on the cake of a good weekend in Bruges, and Berlin last year I did a decent time for me whilst still enjoying the last 6 miles in particular.
  • SHADESSHADES ✭✭✭✭
    Big G - have found the RED FB group and sent a request to join.   Just looked at the website too and the location.   

    This may well be very good for me as once I get this year's target race re numbers out of the way the next thing I want to do is work towards my 100 ultras which as I don't do off road is very difficult for me as don't have the budget to pop over to Ireland to do all of their road ultras. 
  • 1SteveMac1SteveMac ✭✭✭
    Ian - I see a lot of supermarkets are saying to book delivery slots ASAP, as they are going quickly! Fingers crossed that Barca goes ahead.

    10 miles with 5*600m today. Reps were 2:12/2:16/2:08/2:08/2:05. Started second rep too fast, eased up, but a bit too much. Decent session and I actually enjoy the 600s, nice to be able to run fast, but they don't last too long!!
  • Big_GBig_G ✭✭✭
    Shades, it will be good for us to have some more events nearby to avoid having to travel.  How many Ultras are you on now?  I've only done 2, although I think from 100MC perspective the one I did on Sunday "counts" as an Ultra as it was advertised as 27-miles, so if that's the case that'll be 3.  I believe if it's advertised as 27 or over it's an Ultra for 100MC, but I need to check.

    Great session there, Steve.  Well done.
  • TRTR ✭✭✭
    Shades, Big G - thanks. I thought it was a 2 lapper ? Undulating doesnt sound to bad, it looked a bit like yeovil to me but slightly hillier, looks like foljs can still run decent times there. Its contingency in case vlm or brighton get cancelled.....yes, shame re yeovil i liked that race, fitted me well. They say it will be back next yr.
  • Ian5Ian5 ✭✭✭
    Big G-My first sub 4 was a track marathon so probably worse than running around a lake.
    Shades-Yes the main quarantine area is a mile or so from here,the nurses who lived in that accommodation are being well looked after,staying on hotel with all meals paid for and taxis to and from work each day.
    Steve-Good session as always.
  • Cozy1504Cozy1504 ✭✭✭

    With all the talk of multiple marathons I'm not really sure where I am with it.

    My first in May I'm enjoying the training, although still getting used to it, and I'm not sure what is after this. I think I'll probably go down the triathlon route but not 100%.

    Shades, you'll be pleased to know that my physio friend messaged me and gave me into trouble for the pace I've been doing my long runs, she did acknowledge that there is a marked effort to slow down!

    5 mile tempo this morning in lovely Scottish weather.

  • SHADESSHADES ✭✭✭✭
    Big G - I think 10 miles today would have been a little ambitious.   You would have used different muscles to running on Sunday but you should still recover well.

    I don't think anyone but you would notice or comment on where you did your first sub 4 marathon particularly as you've slaughtered that PB now.   My PB is at Abingdon which is a shame as it's a very dull marathon, but prior to that I have done PB's in much better places/events.  

    I'm on 72 at the moment.   I'm hoping that the Spring Infinity event isn't too much trail and I might be able to force myself to do 50km or so.   I have Connemara and DD (as long as I make the cut offs) and that's all I have for this year.   So at best by the end of the year I'd still have another 25 to do.

    Steve - yes, I saw that about the supermarkets but it's the usual social media hype.   It's only those who have to self quarantine that need to stock up on 2 weeks worth of food.   Bit like all those that were stock piling food for Brexit :D   Anyway the supermarkets will do well out of it all, but I guess they'll have irate customers to deal with.

    TR - I would call Yeovil flat, NDVM is definitely undulating, some might call it hilly but it's not.  I've got a note saying it's 935 feet of climb, not sure it that's right, Big G might confirm that?

    Ian - it sounds great staying in a hotel/taxis/meals etc but nothing beats being in your own home really. 
  • SHADESSHADES ✭✭✭✭
    Cozy - just read but ignore the multiple marathon stuff.   

    By far the biggest achievement is your first marathon, as you've trained and prepared to do a distance and event that you've never done before and that's what makes it so very special.

    Your physio has advised you well.   It's instinctive especially when stepping up the training to want to do every run better and faster than before but in marathon training that's the road to injury and/or a very miserable and painful marathon.
  • RcoutureRcouture ✭✭✭
    Morning all. Had a rest day yesterday after Sunday’s 20 miler. Legs feel pretty good today so will do an easy 6 miles after work. I have decided firmly now to run easy only aside from weekly speed session. Feels like the right thing for my body at this point. I was looking at alternatives in the event Brighton is cancelled and saw the Milton Keynes marathon on the 3rd of May, gets good reviews, is flat and wouldn’t be too much of a trek. I guess it might also be cancelled but being smaller and slightly later, it might be a good substitute just in case as it’s 50 quid for a spot with no ballot. Anyone know much about it?
  • Big_GBig_G ✭✭✭
    Cozy, yeah, ignore the multi-stuff.  You're doing great, and what will be will be in the future.

    Rcouture, I've done Milton Keynes marathon.  I did it in 2018 when it was very hot, but I enjoyed the route and would do it again.  It's pretty flat, good support and the stadium finish was nice, although the final lap of the pitch to finish seemed cruel at the time ;)  Not sure if you would travel up the night before, but if so I'd recommend Premier Inn at Caldecotte Lake.  It's free parking (from memory, the event parking was quite expensive) and it's roughly a 1-mile walk to the start/finish.  One thing I would say is that because there are Half and Full runners running together, it's easy to get caught up with other people who may be running a bit quicker.  It can be tempting to run with them, but when they later peal off onto the Half route you then realise they weren't doing the full marathon!  I can't remember much about the water/aid stations but probably that's all on the site.
  • TRTR ✭✭✭
    Shades - just looked at route, one lapper as you say. 900something ascent as you say. Last yrs yeovil was advertised as 690ish. Sounds good. I expect vlm to be cancelled, we'll see what happens to Brighton, although i suppose i could do Brighton and ND.
  • Ian5Ian5 ✭✭✭
    Shades-These are only accommodation blocks anyway so not really a home as we know it.
    Cozy-I'm nowhere near the amount of races these guys have done so don't worry.
  • Cal JonesCal Jones ✭✭✭
    Ian - yes I know the guy who helped Steph - he's not that old, just middle aged. He actually mentioned helping me go to Japan if I needed it but I wasn't sure what the deal was. Seems like a good guy.

    Rob - I first thought about running a marathon when I was 16 and I had a book on running, but then it seemed an impossible dream, which I promptly forgot about when I switched my focus to lifting weights. Took me another 32 years to actually run one and I was so disappointed with the fact I had to walk quite a bit after 20 miles that I was determined to do it properly the following year (which I did.) It's escalated a bit since then.

    All this corona nonsense has me concerned about Manchester but as the government is not yet recommending cancelling big events, I'll continue training. 9 miles today - was going to be an easy 8 but legs felt fresh and bouncy so I ended up doing some MP miles (well, the first of the three miles I intended to do as MP was bang on, the second was more like HMP and the third I overcompensated so it a was a bit too slow). Then I had to do a mile cool-down. It felt like a good run, though.
  • Big_GBig_G ✭✭✭
    Cal, I'm worried about Manchester too.  I am really looking forward to that one!  I see London have released a (short) statement that reiterates that the current advice is that mass events can still go ahead.  Fingers crossed, but I have to say that I am doubtful.
    https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/news-media/latest-news/item/official-statement-covid-19/
  • RcoutureRcouture ✭✭✭
    Big G - Thanks for the helpful info. Free parking sounds grand. Will look into it. 
  • SHADESSHADES ✭✭✭✭
    Rcouture - good for you adapting your training plan to suit you and I assume also makes it more enjoyable too. 

    TR - and the post race hog roast really hits the spot too.  :)

    Cal - it's hard not to worry about our events being cancelled but there's no point in stressing over it as not within our control.  Maybe have an alternative event in mind as a possibility.

    Ian - the only thing I've read today about Spain and the Coronavirus is that they are removing the holy water from the churches in Málaga as a possible way of spreading the virus.  So stay away from the holy water 😉
  • Ian5Ian5 ✭✭✭
    Shades-They have more cases than we do for now but mainly in Madrid area,the let a big festival go ahead in Valencia last weekend with no issues so hoping it stays like that for 2 weeks,had to pack today as OH wanted to get it all done,just the 10 days before we go.
  • SHADESSHADES ✭✭✭✭
    Ian - they wouldn't cancel unless they really had to.

    Bit early to pack!

    Popped into Asda, was fairly quiet.  Only shelves that were nearly empty was the liquid soap.  I find that quite worrying, don't folk already wash their hands?
  • Ian5Ian5 ✭✭✭
    Shades-Yes I know,OH wanted to get it done,its my last say off until we fly so good idea to get the bulk of it done.
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