I've been having some insane idea for a while now of running from John o'groats to land's end. But where do you start with planning and training?
I was just wondering if anyone else had had a similar insane idea (and maybe gone through and done it)? Or maybe they know somewhere I could get some information or can just offer some advice (other than don't be so stupid!).
My background is that I've done 5 slowish marathons in my time (PB 4:14)but nothing further. At the moment I'm doing about 30 miles a week training with my longest runs 12 miles or so. Obviously there'd be a very long way to go but maybe next summer could be realistic? I think it would be a really good target to aim to do it within a month but that would require an average of 30+ miles a day - I know it's possible as the world record is 10 days or so I believe.
Anyway, I'll stop rambling and let someone else put a comment in!
Many thanks in advance for any advice.
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nutcase!
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
30 days of 30+ miles would be brutal. I don't fancy it - but good luck !
I've cycled it, and also ran from Paris to London at an average of around 30 miles a day (230 miles for 8 days). The thing that kills you is the daily stopping and starting. It's really hard starting every morning.
You can definately do it - you just need to seriously ramp up your mileage - and do long runs on consecutive days. And of course try not to get injured.
If you fancy a decent training run then we're doing RPTL again next year in April - see www.runparistolondon.com.
PS - Have a read of Flanagans Run. It's a book about running across America - fictional but very good.
I have to say that the Paris to London looks very tempting especially as everything's organised for you and it doesn't cost too much! Just a shame that next year's Paris Marathon is the 'wrong week'!!
A question for you - do you do the whole distance in one go each day or do you run, say 15 miles in the morning, have a couple of hours rest and then run 15 in the afternoon?
Agreed - it's a bit of a disappointment, but not a lot we can do about it! Still its a very good way to do a hell of a training week with some good company. A lot of this years runners used it as a training exercise for other challenges including the 145 Grand Union Canal Race.
We pretty much did each days distance straight through, as I eluded to before, once you stop it really hurts to get going again.
The planning for LE to JOG will be a challenge as well. Will you have full roadside support or try it solo?
I'll just lurk!
My other half cycled it in 10 days. The standard route goes past our house so have the pleasure of seeing walkers/cyclists bearing charity signs on a regular basis. Happy to put on tea and buns for you as you jog past.
PS. Good luck with RPTL next year Ironman et al, I followed this year on your website with interest.
(cougie goes off to the road map to plan his assault)
I bet Monique will have started already !!
One of the things I wanted to learn from a thread like this was whether you could do it solo or would require backup. I suspect the latter would make things far easier (and lets face it, it's hard enough already!).
What sort of training did you do for the Paris to London? Presumably you wouldn't do any 230 mile weeks in training - maybe it would be something like building up to 150 mile weeks with 'easier' weeks of 60-70 miles inbetween!? Something like that? I'm just guessing really!
Just remembered this guy whose done it:
www.run4yourlife.co.uk
Monday 5.30am :14 mile run before school
p.m. 10 mile run
Tuesday 5.30am: 14 mile run before school
p.m 14 mile run
Wednesday REST
Thursday 5.30am : 14 mile run before school
p.m 3.5 hour run (20-24 miles)
Friday 5.30am : 14 mile run before school p.m REST
Saturday a.m. REST
pm 3 hour run (20 miles)
Sunday 3 - 4 hour run (up to 30 miles)
If you haven't heard of Stu, when he was doing his phd in the US, he heard of a tribe of Mexican Indians who one day a year go and run 70 miles just for fun.
He went and lived and trained with them.
He came back to the US and ran 1000 miles in 11 days. About 78 miles per day.
Stu is now an ultrarunner and I believe in the meantime he has run across America a la Forest Gump.
His book is on running technique, diet, philosophy etc.
Worth checking out.