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People who walk the Marathon
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No, I agree - what it takes is hard work - providing you put in the effort you get the reward. OK - there can be problems along the way like finding out your gait is all over the shop and you need orthotics, but ultimately bar medical conditions it's entirely in your own hands.
hang on - am i talking seriously about running? ugh - must stop immediately.
But i still had to walk bits
ill keep trying!
Right - off to wuk
No Dr Nic today
I agree that anyone can do a marathon, but at the same time people shouldn't do it if they aren't prepared, and the FLM shouldn't encourage them to do so.
In the '94 Marathon magazine, there was an article comparing Eamonn Martin (who won) to some daft person who'd finished in 9 hours with no training at all. "For one, a brisk morning stroll, for the other, a journey to the limits of human endurance". And they meant that Eamonn had it easy, and that daft person was the real hero. Oh, er, right.
I do agree about it being uncrowded at the 3:30 stage - I can't see in light of this why they're essentially cutting down on the GFA places in 2004.
Granted that level of runner will want a bit more space than thos further back, but I don't think they need to go that far.
The overall message I would give (and has been given in many other posts) is:
If you plan to do a PB or are not interested in enjoying and being part of a fantastic day and just merely want to get around as fast as you can to prove your capability and speed, do another marathon where you won't be held up and are more likely to meet your aims. Nothing wrong with this goal but don't expect to do it at the FLM. Take part if you wish but expect the hustle and bustle of the event and stop the moans and groans thereafter. That being said there is some basic etiquette to be followed by all participants. However, no good us talking about it. It should be documented and published by the London Marathon organisation so that everyone has a common understanding, not just a few on this forum. If you feel strongly enough about it, take action and contact them.
The FLM has evolved over the years and it doesn't take too much to realise that the event now is not just for runners to prove their speed and race. It's about experiencing a fantastic day of running/walking a long distance in front of thousands of people and enjoying the day. And most importantly raising money for worthy causes / charities. No other event has the potential for raising the sort of money that the FLM does so don't knock it. I for one would not want it any different.
Be proud that the UK hold the best marathon worldwide. I also think if you were to obtain a definitive statement from the London Marathon organisation it would not state the event to be purely for runners.
It can't be that bad an event if 70,000 people are rejected each year!!! Come on guys and gals, let's start thinking positive. I bet you all will be trying to get a place for next year....
I won't even start on the runner / walker scenario as I have run out of steam!!! One things for sure, we are all runners. Some fast, some not so fast. Who cares. We all are achievers and again let's stop criticising or downgrading....
I no longer enter FLM as I prefer to do quieter marathons, but I think it's a super event. I usually do a race on the Saturday and on the Sunday settle down on the sofa to watch the best telly all year, Paula running the FLM.
The hardest part of any marathon is to get to that start line, especially those tackling the distance for the first time. Whether they run or walk, and in what time they finish, doesn't matter, they had the guts to get off their butts and have a go.
First - I have no desire to run, walk, waddle or plod a marathon. But if I had the muscle power in my arms I would raise my hat to every single person who crosses the line, in whatever time, whatever their mode of propulsion.
No - I'm a 12-minute miler, but I'm lucky enough to have as a (very supportive) friend, a rather splendid gazelle-type person (2:34 marathon at 37 is quite good, isn't it?).
He says it breaks his heart every year to see and hear of so many people who do the FLM with nowhere near enough training, nowhere near enough basic knowledge about their bodies, nutrition, hydration and the fact that It's Not Cool to run for miles with two fractured shins. Or even a sore knee.
They end up never running again because they've knackered themselves mechanically. Understand that he's not criticising them for wanting to do it, he just wishes that more were made of the physical damage you can do to yourself by putting your body under such strain when it's not ready for it.
He was pleased to hear that I don't want (yet anyway) to tackle a marathon just because I want to tick it off my list of things to do before I die.
He wants me to keep running. Or walking, if I need to.
Juliejoo - I agree with what you (and your friend) are saying. I think FLM do all they can to ensure people are fit and able to take part by sending out their magazine with training advice etc. Unfortunately, you can't make people read it or take any notice of such advice, and they will suffer on the day.
BO
I'd have thought there'd be even more of a logjam for the women though - as plenty of GFA women will get mixed up with men of similar pace - 3:15 to 3:45 must have been a lot more crowded than 3:00 to 3:15?
A quick congrats to SHADES who has enough experience to be listened to by all (97 marathons to date is no mean feat).
As another 12 minute miling run/walker (yes, one day I will run all the way!), I have only been 'barged' on very rare occasions. I find that a quick 'beep beep' gets people moving over with a smile on the (very) rare occasions it's necessary.
This year I did run it, and I ran all the way. I was in pain by the end but finished in a respectable 4 hrs 12. I don't think people realsie quite how far it actually is!
And without wanting to offend anyone (you all seem to be very easily offended on this thread) of course it's possible to train from scratch in 12 weeks. It depends on who you are and how old/fit you were when you started, but 3 months is enough for many people to get quite seriously fit.
Incidentally, I always think that training is like money in the bank - after years of distance training it takes much less effort to get fit for another marathon race. In the end it all comes down to experience and listening to your body.
powerwalkers - hmm.....
Inliner races look too dangerous to me, I've seen quite a few and several nasty multiple pile-ups. Last year's finish almost wiped out the crew of helpers at the line, two guys both going flat out trying to win the race, clocked doing almost 50km per hour! The winner's time was 1 hr 01