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anybody know if I can get into the BA lounge with a KLM platinum elite card? I can normaly get 2 guests in at KLM crown lounges
The other Glenparkers are on the 0930hrs BA flight tomorrow, returning 2030hrs on Sunday. We're staying in a Thistle hotel, don't know where, but near the finish. We'll be going for a bevvy afterwards if you want to meet up. My mobile number is 07905647166.
Best of Luck
Al
Well, the great news is a new PB - 4:22:02. The maybe less great news is that I think (possibly famous last words) that that's the first and last FLM I do unless I can significantly reduce my time. And I mean significantly - right out of the fun run zone!
Just too many people for me - in fact, it's a miracle I managed to trim two minutes off my Loch Ness time given the ducking and weaving and dodging that I had to do. And it was completely impossible to lock into a pace and stick with it - I found myself speeding up to dive into gaps or being slowed right down by a rhino (there seemed to be an endless supply of rhinos yesterday).
It got especially bad after the half-way mark when significant numbers of folk began walking - and walking anywhere they felt like walking. Not to mention stopping dead in front of you, or veering off to greet Fred in the crowd without a quick mirror check first. One numpty nearly had me and a couple of other folk on our arses doing that in the Mall of all places - grrrr...
But it was still a brilliant experience, the crowds were tremendous despite the dank weather and I'm really glad I've been there, got the medal, got the tee-shirt - and got the PB.
I ran the first 12 or so with the very genial RW deputy editor Rob Spedding who was leading the 10 min/mile pacing group and that was excellent, although even then it was tricky staying with him because of the sheer volume of bodies.
I eventually found myself pulling further and further ahead, decided to go with it and ended up finishing a couple of minutes ahead of his group. I'm absolutely certain it helped me towards the PB though - I suspect I might have set off way too slow otherwise. So thanx, Rob! Much appreciated!
And how did everyone else fare?
If you're interested please get in touch.
First ever marathon - 3.01.13.
A wee bit gutted as I had set all my targets on breaking the magic 3hr mark but to be honest it was all blown away by the incredible atmoshphere and the crowds who were fantastic. Felt shivers down my spine at various points especially Tower Bridge were the crowds were just going nuts.
On target right upto 22miles when the wheels came off a wee bit and by 24miles I knew the 3hr target was bust. As I rounded the last bend into the finish I could hear the announcer counting down to the 3hr mark which made it even worse. But my downer soon disappeared after a couple of pints with my club mates.
I'll definately be back again next year.
Supervet I can understand what you are saying about running amongst so many other runners. I had the same problem with the GNR which was very crowded. I think unless you are after a fairly fast time FLM is one race which I would like to say I have done at least once just for the fun and experience.
How about Loch Ness meantime? Like chalk and cheese, event-wise!
I'm going to concentrate on 10kms/Half Marathons during the Summer but I've started already thinking about an Autumn marathon. I want a fast flat course so maybe Loch Ness isn't for me. I'm actually thinking about Dublin or maybe even Amsterdam. I've definately got that Marathon bug.
Im back also ouch ouch ouch ...still sore
started in pen 2 on the blue start and only 30 seconds to cross the start after the gun had gone off ..... I put 3:15 on my application form!!!!!
Official time was 3:30:07 just 30 seconds in front of Gordon Ramsay but 10 mins faster than Rotterdam. Great event and yes crowds were fantastic. My only complaint is the lack of atmospeare out at the start and the tee shirt is too big and duff design. I will be back next year.
Belfast in 2 weeks hopfully I'll knock another 5 mins off this time.
Al ..... Amsterdam is as flat as a pankcake Im going so are you.
I went to the Thistle near Charing Cross Station and asked for all of you. They said you were not there and they phoned the Picadilly Thistle also no record ...there was a third Thistle near Embankment Underground but I couldnt find it. I went to the nearest pub for a red wine and a guinness and headed for the airport. My fligut was 2 hour b4 yours .... as usual, met lots of other FLMrs so wasnt lonely. Ive got your mobile now ....Well done I'll give you a call today. I need a 3:15 time this year for a guarenteed place next April. Hope the rest of you were inspired. See you at Edinburgh...........
Well done again everyone, very proud of you all!
I'd say it was a fuel thing! Are you eating enough at each meal and of the right thing? I usually do evening runs, so I snack all morning (cereal bars, bananas, a muffin), have a good lunch and then perhaps a cereal bar mid-afternoon before a run. Red bull works really well for me in the later stages of a long run. Plus, last year in Edinburgh I just ate kellogs breakfast bars from mile 1 to keep my carb levels high.... But I haven't read any books on nutrition things, so I may be well off line. I dislike those gel things as they just stick to my teeth when running and make me want to hang my tongue out.
But I guess you have to find what's best for you.
Last 2 marathons Ive done recently Ive taken a High five gel at 6 miles 12 and 16 miles also taken lucozade sport at a couple of water stops and even accepted the odd jelly baby, opal fruit 2 pieces orange and a piece of bananna. I was tired for the last 6 miles but I certainly didnt hit any wall ... 18 marathons under my belt and I can assure you you would hit the wall if you only took water or worse still nothing at all.
Sarah, I am sure that most people training for marathons can tell similar stories, I certainly can. It is probably a combination of a few factors. Fueling is important, and you do need to take on carbs before you start feeling you need them. The same applies to fluids, though don't overdo them. Your body also needs time and miles to get used to running more than 15 or 16 miles. That is really the whole point of the long run training, you are basically training your body to burn fat a bit more efficiently as your glycogen levels fall. Probably the most important factor is to make sure you don't start off too fast. Initally at least you should do your long runs at a very easy pace. It is not about how far you run, time on your feet is probably a better guide. Don't let the experience put you off training for Edinburgh. It does get easier as you do more long runs. There are still a couple of months to go before Edinburgh, so you have plenty of time to build up on your fitness base and get in a few long runs. Don't worry it's only a temporary setback, Edinburgh will be fine.
Good luck with the training.
Sarah - fuel!! Food and Sport by Jane Griffin is a good place to start. Always takes gels or jelly babies and carb drinks out on runs of 15+. Also, make sure you are well hydrated. Try and eat according to your schedule easing back on carbs on rest days and eating carbs before and after training. Don't forget the protein - you need that to repair the body.Remember too that it will take 15 - 20 mins to absorb anything that you take en-route, so try and take them before you feel tired. Other than that there is the old (sorry guys) monthly cycle to take into account. I get really tired and find it hard training the week before. Not al lot you can do about that other than be aware of it and work through it.
I will email you some more info. We all have runs like the one you had. When i was training for my first marathon last year there was one day i set out to do a 17 miler and bombed out at 8.5 and had to walk most of the 2.5 miles home!!! (No mobile with me, no money, and not a taxi in sight)
Was going well until approx 20 miles, found the last 6 hard which my splits reflect, slowed quite dramatically though still going past quite a few people.
Atmosphere was great enormous crowds despite the weather and really enthusiastic support all the way round.
I was taking Dexrose tablets every 5 or 6 miles plus Lucozade Sport at each of their drinks stations, only took water at a couple of stations more to wash down the tablets.
Glad I have done it though don't think I will go back to London.
Sarah - sounds like you've had good advice from people here about your run on Sunday. I think like Freefall says - you've still got a good few weeks to get in some more long runs. I am back to very short runs after my ITB problems. I hope to do 10 miles this weekend. I haven't run for a month until this week when I did 2, 4, 6. You will be much better prepared than me! I will be lucky to get in a 12, 14, 16, 18, and maybe a 20. We'll need to meet up before Edinburgh. Are you doing any other races before then?
Deb
Up at 6.30, had breakfast consisting of a banana and a coffee, then it was of to Kings Cross, literally a minutes walk away from my B&B to leave my now "2 bags" in left luggage, I only went down with 1 bag but somehow acquired 2 goody bags at the expo...don't ask, probably something to do with the fact I went their on the Friday & Saturday, along with a load of other rubbish mind!!!
I got to the start in plenty time this year but the marquees were jam packed already with other runners keeping out the rain so it was a case of getting changed on the wet grass and trying to keep as warm as possible. 9:15 and time for a pit stop before going to my pen.20 minutes later and I was ready to hit the pens
Fortunately that was just when they started moving the runners forward towards the start line so I was able to climb through a gap in the railings and ended up in the middle of pen 2, instead of my pen 3. Anyway that "Wilkinson" bloke (I think he's a rugby player!!) starts the race and of we go. I reckon I was over the start in about 30 seconds and running quite freely at this point with just the odd jumping in and out of folk and slipping on more black bags than I care to remember. Went through mile 1 in 8.36 then sat between 7 & 7.30-minute miles to Tower Bridge.
Anyway on I went over Tower Bridge taking in the huge crowds applauding us all which to be honest surprised me especially as it was a horrible day with the weather. After taking a right turn and heading towards 13 there in front of me is a runner from a “rival club”, (friendly rivalry I hasten to add). I ran with him for a minute or so and subsequently found out he'd been out on the "Ran Dan" the night before with a couple of his club mates. Never had the heart to tell him I'd demolished a bottle of wine with my pizza and garlic bread on the Saturday as well...so much so for just one glass!!!!!
Then it happened, the bit that cost me the 3:15 time I wanted, there right in front of me a nice shapely woman's bum (sorry ladies), well it did catch my attention after all. The fact that the back of her white vest had The Sun in red letters across it didn't even draw me out my trance. I couldn't hang about staring all day so it was as I was about to go by her that a spectator shouts out "Go Nell", you've never seen my head turn as quick!!!!!!.... That’s the closest I'll ever get to Nell McAndrew.
Going over the cobbles at tower bridge was agony but still I kept going, then 23 and that's where I caught a glimpse of the clock 2:50:00, I knew 3:15 was out the window but that a PB was still on as long as I kept going. The 25-mile marker seemed so far away along the embankment after coming out the underpass at 24 that I was beginning to doubt it. Turned onto Birdcage walk and then past the 800 meters to go sign, then the sprint down the mall, well I thought it was a sprint but everybody was still passing me...
I got my chip removed, don't know how I got up that wee ramp though, and then my medal and mug shot taken (Oh no I’ve just seen it – 25192). Collected my goody bag and made my way down to the baggage lorry, that's when the heavens opened and we got a good 5-minute downpour. Just my luck that my lorry was near enough at the other end of the mall as well.
I got round in 3:17:33 on my watch and never walked once, my first marathon that I’ve never walked in. I made my PB by just over 3 minutes and was well chuffed especially since it has stood since my first LM in 95. In the end I thought it was going to be a horrible day for running, but it turned out not to bad. Soggy feet by the finish but alas no blisters or black nails...that's a first for London!!!!!
A quick change and I was on my way back up to Kings Cross via Piccadilly Circus, very slowly I hasten to add. Collected my bags from the left luggage and hit the showers, needless to say a few bits stung when that hot water hit me... then it was a couple of hours in the 1st class lounge waiting for my 5pm train to Edinburgh. Made the most of the complementary free bottles of water to try and rehydrate myself slightly. Then onto the train via the wine shop for my 'carry-out'.
Freefall - thanks for the info, I will drop you an email this afernoon or tommorow to catch up properly.