Running thread

[gaz76]

I did my longest-ever run yesterday... 24k at a steady pace.

Hoping to build my longer runs up quite a bit before the Marathon in April. What are the longest runs you guys tend to do leading up to a marathon? 30k/35k?

20 milers are usually the sweet spot, I do 3 or 4 of them in a marathon training block, say 2 or 3 at easy/steady pace to get me used to being on my feet for that long, and a 20 mile race to get used to being at pace for that long. They are also good for experiments with gels and what not

 

[franksinatra]

I did my longest-ever run yesterday... 24k at a steady pace.

Hoping to build my longer runs up quite a bit before the Marathon in April. What are the longest runs you guys tend to do leading up to a marathon? 30k/35k?

As Gaz says 20 miles is typically what all the training schedules recommend. I agree its worth doing more than one, particularly as you have time on your side, before April. Tapering very much depends on the person but typically do your last 20 miler, 3 weeks before, and then start your tapering before race day.

 

[gaz76]

I did my longest-ever run yesterday... 24k at a steady pace.

Hoping to build my longer runs up quite a bit before the Marathon in April. What are the longest runs you guys tend to do leading up to a marathon? 30k/35k?

Also I should have also said, with it being your first mara, then I wouldn't do too high a mileage training block, you don't want to be totally fucked when it comes to the race and your also increasing the chances of getting injured by quite a bit.

 

[Stuuuuuu]

I did my longest-ever run yesterday... 24k at a steady pace.

Hoping to build my longer runs up quite a bit before the Marathon in April. What are the longest runs you guys tend to do leading up to a marathon? 30k/35k?

I would go by time rather than distance.

3 hours has been found to be the maximum that we should really spend on our feet. Any more than that is counterproductive because of the recovery involved.

Having said that, others (see above) recommend doing 20-milers which I understand because I'm sure there is a psychological benefit to running a distance that starts with a 2.

 

[Manchester33]

Good advice guys, thanks. I'm going to map out my training plan. I have 3 races booked in between now and then, so going to work around those.

 

[somapop]

Kudos to you all marathon botherers!!

Think halfs may be my limit (and still working back up towards them).

Had a scan on my lower thigh/knee before Xmas. Hoping it's something that can be sorted. Longer runs do tweak the hamstring but feel it's connected to the meniscus (as the physio pointed out).
Squatting on that leg is v painful.

 

[ob]

Muddy wet and windy 2.5 miles at lunchtime today just keeping legs ticking over rather than sitting in cafe drinking coffee

 

[Manchester33]

Kudos to you all marathon botherers!!

Think halfs may be my limit (and still working back up towards them).

Had a scan on my lower thigh/knee before Xmas. Hoping it's something that can be sorted. Longer runs do tweak the hamstring but feel it's connected to the meniscus (as the physio pointed out).
Squatting on that leg is v painful.

Hope you get it sorted mate. Physios are worth their weight in gold.

I had a terrible dislocated shoulder 2 years ago. I've had to have operations and all sorts to get it right. I did 5 months of 'prehab' before the op and my 'bad' shoulder was stronger then than my other unaffected one! I recovered 6 months ahead of schedule post-op!

It's a ton of effort, but my point is that it's worth it.

It also helps that I have two physios in the family!

 

[somapop]

Hope you get it sorted mate. Physios are worth their weight in gold.

I had a terrible dislocated shoulder 2 years ago. I've had to have operations and all sorts to get it right. I did 5 months of 'prehab' before the op and my 'bad' shoulder was stronger then than my other unaffected one! I recovered 6 months ahead of schedule post-op!

It's a ton of effort, but my point is that it's worth it.

It also helps that I have two physios in the family!

Ha - lucky you!

Picked up a few injuries over the years.
My shoulder is a bit knackered after I fell off a skateboard (twice) during lockdown and I really should've seen someone then. Doesn't help having an awful mattress.

Dreading an op as it will mean time off exercising. I missed the gym for two weeks over Xmas and could feel myself dipping already.

But, physio rehab (exercises for the lower part of my thigh/hamstring) isn't working.

 

[Tommy_Catons_Perm]

Kudos to you all marathon botherers!!

Think halfs may be my limit (and still working back up towards them).

Had a scan on my lower thigh/knee before Xmas. Hoping it's something that can be sorted. Longer runs do tweak the hamstring but feel it's connected to the meniscus (as the physio pointed out).
Squatting on that leg is v painful.

It will be a shame if you never manage a marathon owing to physical limitations. I recommend the average runner should aspire to run at least one and maybe two or three. The extra mileage, variety of training and diet takes fitness to a different level with secondary improvements at shorter distances, even down to 5k.