VLM 2012 first timers???

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  • Thanks Black and Tabby.  image   Well done on breaking 60 minutes, that's my goal but I'm still 9 minutes over.  Grr.
  • LWJ - Congrats to you!  I wouldn't worry about the half marathon winner - at least you got cheers when you finished (even if it wasn't for you!).  By the time I finished - everyone had gone home!!

     It is deffinately a confidence booster.

     They are holding the same races there again on 3rd March - think I'm going to book in for the half marathon then too - might be good just before the marathon.

  • thanks black and tabby!  Congrats on your race too!
  • I've booked in for Silverstone in March to do the half - definitely good practice before London.  Think I might see if I can find one for January time too. 

    That was a good flat course at Stratford, though a little on the boring side. 

    Seriously well done on finishing though - it was a bit intimidating getting lapped by so many people!

  • yeah, it is boring going round and round and round.  And lonely.  But I'm hoping that making it boring and lonely builds psychological stamina - if I can do that then hopefully running double the distance with lots of cheering on by people will be easier?????  Prob doesn't work - but I'm sticking to that theory.  For now anyways!

     It is very very intimidating getting lapped by so many people!  And not just once!

  • I like your thinking, and I'm hoping for the crowd boost too! It's got to be a million more times exciting at London, than that course was.  

    Yes, those couple of guys in the stripy vests lapped me a couple of times - even with me only doing two laps! ha ha.  Something to aspire to, I guess. 

  • i need to find some halves to do in the new year, but i dont want to just turn up on my own to run on my own. I did that for a 10k last year and felt like a proper gooseberry lol!!

    Last halves I have done that I enjoyed I went with 4 of my male mates and even though they had finished way before me, it was good cos they ran 400m from the finish to run in with me, they were all in the 1hr 30-40 bracket so had had a good 15 mins off before i was near the finish line lol!

    Maybe I will have to find a running club that just does weekends near notts for when I am back in the UK.
  • Hi 154,

    I'm not too far from Notts (Shropshire) so I'll be looking for half marathons round the Midlands if you want to meet up.

    I had to go to Stratford for the 10k on my own cos my husband broke his ribs a few days before and couldn't sit in the car for that long, and it isn't much fun turning up on your own!

  • Morning all!

    I did my first half hour run without a walking break in MONTHS this morning, so I'm really pleased image - should be good to go for starting my proper training in December!

    I did think about doing a Half but I'm also mildly worried that I'd hate it or struggle and it might put me off for life lol. I've done a few big 10k's (the Jane Tomlinson races in Leeds and York) so that will have to do me for race experience!

    Right - it's NOT going to snow this year. Not at all. Nuh-huh! image (I've got some trail shoes, I'll try those in the snow...I really do hate treadmills!). 

  • I was lapped on Sunday - we had 3 and a bit laps of Castle Combe race circuit, so again quite boring to run on. I was still on my 2nd lap when people started passing me. never mind - all good for toughening up your resolve!

    I've been to a few races on my own. I usually drag family with me, but often run on my own. In fact, thinking about it, all my PBs have been in races I've run on my own - guess I talk too much otherwise! I'm always very nervous before a race, so the few I've gone on my own I've not minded really - I usually end up standing in the loo queue several times anyway image

    I've entered the Bath HM  on 11th Mach - same date as Silverstone, which is billed as ideal timing for VLM.

    Len - well done on your 30 minutes. A good basis for your 'proper' training!

    154wint - that was good of your mates - a running escort to the finish!

    kaffeeg - I think that's a very good theory. Definitely easier with support

    LWJ - I last raced at this same circuit 2 1/2 years ago - was my first race and I came last. This time took 5 1/2 minutes off - so its very achievable image

  • My blister seems loads better today so will get out for 5 miles tonight I think.

    LWJ - Wrexham half in Feb may suit you, limited places but there will be someone slow in the race to beat as it is the only race I plan on doing pre VLM. Not sure whether to try and beat my one and only HM time in it or take it nice and easy but I guess that's a decision for closer to the time!
  • Yay for better blisters image. Wo was it who suggested sewing thread through a blister? Shudder.

     B&T - I stand in portaloo queues repeatedly too!! Wonder how that's going to work in London?! image

  • Morning all,

    Len - well done on your 30 minutes! It's a great feeling when you manage it. image

    B&T - I find I'm less nervous if I go to races on my own - though I'm always in the queue for the loos too.  Len, it's one of the things I'm most nervous about when it comes to London!!!

    S7 - thanks, will have a  look at Wrexham, that's a fairly local one and since my HM time is 3hours 6, you're going to have to competition when it comes to being slowest! image

    I think I'm missing my competitive spirit, I have one pace regardless of whether I'm training or racing and I really don't push myself as much as I could/should.  Must work on this before London.

  • I won't go into the gore of what I did with the blister but after a sore day or so its healed quick!

    Wrexham half is supposed to be very flat so perhaps a good one to aim sub 3? I did Chester last year and was a good stone lighter then and did 2hrs 12, would be a fair bit slower now but hoping to do that next year in sub 2hr after all 13 miles should be easy after (hopefully) going the full marathon!
  • Ha ha Len & LWJ - I have been known to get to the front of the queue, come out, look atthe length of the queue and just join the back as I know I'll need it again by the time I get to the front. Am hoping VLM is such a large event it will be very well stocked for portaloos........

    Blisters and sewing???? yuckimage

  • Balancing the need for hydration and the need to pee is going to be really tricky for me image. Eeeek!

    I even needed to go several times before a 10k! Oh dear..

  • I failed on my half marathon in the summer with the hydration/pee balance.  Not even half a mile in, and I had to pop behind a hedge.  It's just not ladylike - but I s'pose if we all have to do it...
  • There are so few half marathons in the London area before the VLM. I can't find a single one this side of Christmas. Without a car it's difficult to get to the likes of Bedford.

    Anyone know of any? Id like to do at least one Half Marathon before Christmas, and at least 2 after Christmas.

    Surely people in London are organising them? But they're not advertised on the Runners World website...
  • jdw2000 - have you tried looking at the website of a running club near you? I know our local clubs always have lists of races in the area (normally because they'll be entering as a club). Might give you some ideas?

     LWJ - well I definitely have to do it, so I'm not ladylike either! Lots of it in my mind / nerves which doesn't help.

    LEN - yes, HM, 10k, 5k doesn't matter to me, I have to queue several times before *any* race, which I guess shows how much of it is nerves.

    Anyway - only less toilet-related talk, had a very slow 4M recovery run on Monday after Sunday's speediness, and a very cold 3M trot around the lanes today. Will hopefully get out for a longer run tomorrow, but am so busy at the moment don't know if it will happen.

  • l've been really lucky and have not had any blisters. l was told when l started running to try and find the cause of blisters -- e.g. try different running socks until you find the right ones -- rather than focus on how to treat them if you do get them. Not sure if its any use to you guys but l'm a big fan of prevention rather than cure.

    Has everyone booked their hotels yet? l hear things are getting busy.

    Good luck with the training guys -- keep up the good work.

    DJ

  • Surely everyone is aware of anti-blister socks?

     £8 in any running store.  Double-skinned socks, wherby the skins between the socks do the rubbing, instead of your skin.  Inside they are made of a special material which rubs freely.

    Hands-down "THE" best running purchase I have EVER made.  I have not even had a hint of a blister since.

  • Yep, I'm a big fan of the 1000 mile socks ... the only blister I have had is this recent one which was on my big toe where it was rubbing the other toe. It started off fairly minor but stupidly I didn't grease it or put a plaster on it so it ended up as a blister on a blister!
  • Watford,wokingham,Reading all have halfs before london.Gade Valley harriers hold 3 excellent marathon training runs and clapham chasers  also do a 20 miler with london in mind.
  • I've been fairly lucky with blisters - as it not getting many at all!  However, I've had a real problem with friction burns - particularly on my arms.  Think I'll have try out some vaseline before my next decent run.  I've not bothered so far, because I've figured it will just rub off on my vest, but I guess it's worth a go!

  • Loftus Road Runner - thank you very much for that.  I'll certainly try to do some/all of those. 

    LWJ - yes, just apply it to the offending area.  If some of it rubs off on the clothes, that will still help the situation.  Bare threads rubbing on skin is where the problem lies on long runs.  I've learned my lessons (still forget sometimes though, and have had to run whilst holding out my vest with one arm before now.. ouch).

  • Thanks jdw, I've fininshed a few runs with arms held out to the sides, looking like I'm trying to fly!
  • E mmyE mmy ✭✭✭

    I've done Wokingham and Reading before and definitely preferred Wokingham.

    My training has been going down the pan lately - as i've been travelling so much but I hope that after next week I can fully get back into my running plans.

  • Yep - I'm a TwinSkin sock girl, never had a blister (touch wood...) or any chafing (yet) but I'm prepared! My hotel is booked too, for the Saturday and Sunday night. Nothing fancy, just a Best Western not too far from the finish!!

  • Good Morning , I havent  been on for a while and there are loads more posts and new comers so welcome .!!Pay day tomorrow that means new trainers !!!, I currently run in my year old trail shoes which are great but not ideal for long diatnaces !

    Well done to all the half marathoners and 10k ers my last race was Mens Health survival of the fittest in October in Nottingham ( a combination of 12k run and ridiculous obstacles ) in the pooring rain !

    I Live in leeds anybody know of any half marathoners in the new year but not too near to VLM. Of out for a run tonight tomorrow and then 6 miler on Sunday ( still taking it steady till the new year )

    image

  • Yay to all of us doing well in our running!

     Badoo - that October race sounds harsh!

     Like Len2 I'm dreading the snow and ice coming.  And I'm being really doom and gloom becuase I think we are going to be hit doubly hard in late winter given how mild it's been currently.

     Do people have any sensible tips about running - not so much on snow, but on the sheer ice that you have on the paved streets of London.  They don't do gritting on roads or pavements round where I live and it is bad enough walking around, never mind running.  I really don't fancy doing a 18 mile run on a treadmill! And I don't belong to a gym so would have to get membership just for the snow time!

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