Running thread

Managed to get into the final release of the Manchester Marathon next April. Did the Aj Bell half marathon back in May and loved it. Bricking it going up to marathon distance, any advice to get ready for it? Not really done any distance running since the half marathon and dropped down to 5km runs, suppose it’s getting the consistency and start bumping the mileage up again.
 
feedmpenzaandhewillscore said:
Managed to get into the final release of the Manchester Marathon next April. Did the Aj Bell half marathon back in May and loved it. Bricking it going up to marathon distance, any advice to get ready for it? Not really done any distance running since the half marathon and dropped down to 5km runs, suppose it’s getting the consistency and start bumping the mileage up again.
Click to expand...

As you said you'll have to get the mileage up, most plans start out with you already running a certain distance. So I found I had to a build up before getting to the actual marathon block. A gradual build up though, nothing daft.

For me it's the quality of the long run that's important and making sure you hit your marathon pace for sections of that long run consistently.

I would add more strengthening work into my next block as well, either on the hills or in the gym.
 
ob said:
Not been out for run for about 6 weeks, anxiety through the roof. Trying to build myself up to get to parkrun tomorrow
Click to expand...
It's that Catch 22 dilemma. You know it's important to get out to improve your mental health but it's precisely that which prevents you from doing so. It's so difficult to explain that apparent contradiction to someone who doesn't understand. I've been running seriously for just over a year now but still feel anxious occasionally before setting out. My advice would be to join a local running club if you haven't already. I've found the support and encouragement from like-minded people invaluable. If you can find someone of a similar standard, ask them to set a date and time for a run together. That way, you'll both benefit and can encourage each other while relieving much of the pressure that comes with trying to summon up sufficient motivation. I'll repeat what I always say. I've often regretted not going for a run but never once regretted going for one. Otherwise, Parkrun is a good place to start your return just so long as you don't allow that competitive gene to kick in. If you just jog gently round, that's an achievement in itself.
 
Last edited:
ob said:
Thanks so much lads, I really mean it. I did it, got up, got ready, got bus, ran in mud bath. Was aiming for 35 mins and time on Garmin was 34.49. Official time 33.35. I'm not sure if I'd have done it if not for this thread. Never underestimate the power of your posts
Click to expand...
Pardon my french, but that's fucking brilliant mate!! Buzzing for you
 
staffsblue said:
This morning's muddy Peel Parkrun completed in 30:21.
Took it slow and steady as I'm still recovering from the dreaded man flu, but at least there was no walking involved today.
Click to expand...
Never call it 'man flu'. Drives me fucking mad! You were ill mate and, no doubt, did well to get out. Anecdotal admittedly, but the same female colleagues in my workplace who constantly used that term were invariably the one's who routinely threw a sicky at the first sign of a sniffle!
Anyway, rant over. Well done fella!
 
feedmpenzaandhewillscore said:
Managed to get into the final release of the Manchester Marathon next April. Did the Aj Bell half marathon back in May and loved it. Bricking it going up to marathon distance, any advice to get ready for it? Not really done any distance running since the half marathon and dropped down to 5km runs, suppose it’s getting the consistency and start bumping the mileage up again.
Click to expand...
First off congrats for having the balls to sign up.
Marathons are a different beast to the shorter stuff, a lot of it is in the mind, I find breaking the 26.2 miles into more manageable chunks helps, it's only 4 and a bit 10ks or 8 and a bit 5ks etc etc.
Marathon training for an April mara is great, gives you a great start to the year getting your head down in January and building up.
Training wise I always think it's important that folk realise none of us are the same and a lot of these generic plans and their one shoe fits all don't allow for stuff like life and all the other shit you do day in day out.
A very basic guideline would be estimate your goal time, then find out the pace required, do maybe 75/80% of your runs at least a minute slower than that pace, one pace session a week(fartleks etc) and one long run a week. Strength training is also a good one to do, I should do more as I see folks getting great results with it but it bores the shit out of me, eat well and rest well, enjoy the training the journey is the best bit
 
Kippaxpete said:
Never call it 'man flu'. Drives me fucking mad! You were ill mate and, no doubt, did well to get out. Anecdotal admittedly, but the same female colleagues in my workplace who constantly used that term were invariably the one's who routinely threw a sicky at the first sign of a sniffle!
Anyway, rant over. Well done fella!
Click to expand...
Probably for another thread but it's the pussyfication of the nation mate, manflu, manbag, man bun and all this shite, also drives me insane, all these gimps walking round with handbags and sleeve tattoos of coronation street characters
 
ob said:
Thanks so much lads, I really mean it. I did it, got up, got ready, got bus, ran in mud bath. Was aiming for 35 mins and time on Garmin was 34.49. Official time 33.35. I'm not sure if I'd have done it if not for this thread. Never underestimate the power of your posts
Click to expand...
Brilliant. Onwards and upwards.

Fortunately I don't have motivation problems. It helps that I've been running and cycling for 30 odd years and it's a way off life now. Plus I easily get the running high. I managed a 4 mile trail plod this morning in the mist, sun and rain. Buzzing.

Just back from a week in the canary Islands where I used my medicore fitness benefits for a couple of exploratory runs. Hoping to do a lot more of this in retirement in a couple of years .......

Maybe take some inspiration from this post and aim to keep fit long into the future?
 
Last edited:
feedmpenzaandhewillscore said:
Managed to get into the final release of the Manchester Marathon next April. Did the Aj Bell half marathon back in May and loved it. Bricking it going up to marathon distance, any advice to get ready for it? Not really done any distance running since the half marathon and dropped down to 5km runs, suppose it’s getting the consistency and start bumping the mileage up again.
Click to expand...
Agree with final sentence.

Maybe find a train plan online. (Hal Higdon?)

Nutrition. Review eating and drinking....water and beer. :-)
 
staffsblue said:
Haven't a clue what I've had. It involved being freezing cold followed by having night sweats. Anyway, I didn't feel sorry for myself and carried on my training runs and achieved all my swimming distance goals. Everything has just been taking a little longer than normal!
Click to expand...
If anything, us blokes are guilty of thinking we can push through it and, by so doing, frequently setting back our recovery and infecting others in the process!
 
ob said:
Thanks so much lads, I really mean it. I did it, got up, got ready, got bus, ran in mud bath. Was aiming for 35 mins and time on Garmin was 34.49. Official time 33.35. I'm not sure if I'd have done it if not for this thread. Never underestimate the power of your posts
Click to expand...
Brilliant mate! Well done. Like you said in your later post you felt so much better for it afterwards. Don’t forget that going forward.
 
Late entry to the Valencia half this weekend. Two years running, the same lad at work has pulled out and given me his bib. Not trained specifically for that distance but at least I've been a bit more consistent with my running this year. Not paid so no pressure and I'm just going to enjoy it. I'll be delighted with 1h45.
 
Glenn Ponder said:
Late entry to the Valencia half this weekend. Two years running, the same lad at work has pulled out and given me his bib. Not trained specifically for that distance but at least I've been a bit more consistent with my running this year. Not paid so no pressure and I'm just going to enjoy it. I'll be delighted with 1h45.
Click to expand...
Good luck mate
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top