4 laps sounds a bit daunting... but I won't be racing it. Just treating it as a long run with a big chunk of it run at target MP. Hopefully even with the laps it will be easier to do with other runners than on my own.
Mon77 - thanks very much for the link. I'll be treating it like a long run too, it will be my first 20m of training, so I want to use it to play around with pace and hydrating & fuelling.
Laps aren't my favourite thing to do (and I've been put off even more by recent forays into the world of sprints and speedwork!) but running in a race environment, even if I'm not actually 'racing', is a good way to keep me motivated!
Wilkie - thanks for the tip about Majestic, I think that might lure a few more friends & family out to support me!
If anyone is looking for a place to support apart from near the HQ I'd suggest going to Ickenham High street http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ickenham. It has a few shops, cafes and pubs serving breakfast etc, a church, historic buildings etc etc. The race passes 4 times.
I ran it last year as pyschological preparation for the Edinburgh marathon. Not the most interesting of courses but the friendliest marshalls in the world with tubs of jelly babies. Never had such inspiring support. I did it in around 3 hrs. There is a mixture of serious club runners and those going for marathon preparation. Was also the longest run i did prior to the marathon is great for ones mind to do 20 miles as then you only have another 6 and a bit to go for a marathon.
I'm running it this year as preparation for the Edinburgh Marathon. It'll be first marathon so i'm using the Finchley 20 to gauge how my training for it is going!
Good luck with the training IsziC, I never thought I could do a marathon but once you have completed 20 miles it is a great pyschological boost. Also after the Finchley 20 my longest trainings runs were around 18 miles prior to the marathon.
Anyone had any problems entering online for this one, I am not sure if it is my PC or something but I find the website crashes when you get to the payment screen. All very frustrating as I need to do this one.
How did everyone do? Beautiful day and a pretty course. I was really impressed with the organisation and marshals, but I'm not sure if I would do it again - I found the laps (and being lapped by the fast runners) quite depressing by my 3rd time round. Maybe when I'm more comfortable with 20 mile distance.
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I haven't done it before but doing it this year in preparation for the Copenhagen marathon. It's 4x5mile laps. You can find more info here.
http://www.hillingdonac.co.uk/?page_id=88#ht=1229
4 laps sounds a bit daunting... but I won't be racing it. Just treating it as a long run with a big chunk of it run at target MP. Hopefully even with the laps it will be easier to do with other runners than on my own.
My OH did it a few years ago - it's easy on supporters, you can wait in the race HQ until your runner is due round for the next spot of cheering on.
There is (or was) a Majestic Wine shop close by, in which I whiled away some time
Thank you both!
Mon77 - thanks very much for the link. I'll be treating it like a long run too, it will be my first 20m of training, so I want to use it to play around with pace and hydrating & fuelling.
Laps aren't my favourite thing to do (and I've been put off even more by recent forays into the world of sprints and speedwork!) but running in a race environment, even if I'm not actually 'racing', is a good way to keep me motivated!
Wilkie - thanks for the tip about Majestic, I think that might lure a few more friends & family out to support me!
You're welcome - it kept me occupied for a couple of laps
Did cost me quite a bit of money though!
There were refreshments in the race HQ, too - tea, cakes that sort of thing, and the race goes past it.
Thats my fuelling strategy sorted!
I'm also not crazy about laps but there aren't many 20mile races around so it will have to do. Good for supporters.
Wilkie- very good tip. My OH will appreciate it.
Thanks Martin, I will pass the details on to friends I have blackmailed into coming down to support me
Beautiful day and a pretty course. I was really impressed with the organisation and marshals, but I'm not sure if I would do it again - I found the laps (and being lapped by the fast runners) quite depressing by my 3rd time round. Maybe when I'm more comfortable with 20 mile distance.
It was very hard this year but I was aiming to smash my PB. The lapping is fine it is good to give the leaders a cheer on the way around.
http://bit.ly/Finchley-20-2012-official-photos