16 last week, 19 tomorrow (working on Saturday means Monday is my 'Sunday run', and then 15 or so next week, and then I'm done. This'll be my fifth and last. Spent a week in Iten a few weeks ago, on the edge of the Rift Valley, doing a feature on Radcliffe and Farrah. Watched lots of the elite Kenyans training. Have come even more firmly than before to the conclusion that there are runners, and then there are 'real' runners. The Kenyans are unbelievable...!
16 on Friday, plenty of hills where I live so glad to get that under my belt. One more 13 and plenty of 7 miles through the weeks to taper down.
2nd and last marathon for me, tougher mentally to get up for it and I'm a gym monkey who goes every day. I like a 10km run but anything more than that is a chore!!! Still, it's for Charity (don't like to talk about it mate) and that's the most important thing.
Kep plugging away all. The day is absolutely fantastic, well worth the pain and hard work.
Good luck to you all, I think you're all bloody amazing. Doing the Run To The Beat Half Marathon with some of you guys nearly killed me, the thought of doubling the distance up makes me feel sick just thinking about it lol.
(I managed 102 miles on the bike climbing 6,000ft on Saturday and that was a breeze compared to running the half marathon!)
Where do you reckon the best place is to watch from? I'm going to watch my sister and am considering going to Greenwich then walking through the tunnel to watch her again the other side of the river.
Personally, I'd avoid Greenwich, as it's always packed. and getting a decent viewing position is impossible. You've got to start on the far side of the course to get across, and the DLR is always really busy. Presuming your sister's on the red start, I'd start at the entry to Charlton Village, so you can see her at about a mile and a half, then nip down Charlton Church Lane, to catch the field as it goes past four and a half on the lower road, just before the first big drinks station. Then you've got plenty of time to jump on a train from Charlton station to London Bridge, walk over to Lower Thames St, and wait for her to get past 23 miles.
Then, just to show off, you could go back over the bridge, onto a train to Charing Cross, and meet her after she finishes. Doddle!
Where do you reckon the best place is to watch from? I'm going to watch my sister and am considering going to Greenwich then walking through the tunnel to watch her again the other side of the river.
my family watched me at the start, walked down to Maze Hill area to support me again, then they were there again on Narrow Street (Docklands) (can't remember how they got there train/tube) then I didn't see them again until the Embankment (tube) - they probably could've done aother spot in Docklands but were playing safe as they knew support in the last few miles is worth double.
I've got a reoccurence of injuries from stepping up training much too quickly in December so have had to pull out this year, so you definitely have to be careful of overtraining .... that said I wouldn't personally contemplate a marathon without planning for five 20+ mile training runs
Got my twenty miler in last night. Ran from my office in the City to Vauxhall Bridge, then home to Sidcup. Did it with my running partner & we did it in 3 hours 4 mins. Got to say, the toughest physical thing I've ever done. Just glad that I've got those miles in my legs now & from a physcological aspect I've done a run that starts with a "2".
Did 7 miles this morning and pulled a muscle in my neck somehow, now in agony so had a bottle of red at lunch to numb the pain. Am hoping all will be ok tomorrow.
I always go at about Mile 24 I think. Porters Lodge pub near by, usually a band so a bit of atmosphere, not too crowded so you can see everything. Just over London bridge and down on the left hand side.
We get there for about 10.45am to watch the elite runners run past then stay till about 6pm to cheer on the crowds. long day, so need refreshments of the pub near by (and the loo)
Last year we got there early and watched in Greenwich, a bit away from the Cutty Sark crowds. We then got the train up and watched again from Embankment area. Not too many crowds up near Blackfriars. Or you can cut through the foot tunnel at Greenwich and watch again at Isle of Dogs, which was what we did as kids. Take some of those fold up stools for the kids to sit on and plenty of drinks/snacks - you don't want to lose your spot nipping to the corner shop for bottles of coke and bags of crisps :-)
I know the s'lodge , used to be work local . Cheers girls
Take your darts as they have got about 5 boards in there now.
seriously, if you are doing 21 miles on a training run, then why not just do another 5 miles, and then you can sit down with your feet up on the Sunday and avoid all those crowds.
Is anyone collecting there running number tomorrow and how's the training gone are you all ready for Sunday?My training has been a nightmare for the past 6-8 weeks due to back problems but just hoping all goes well on Sunday! Good luck to you all and hopefully may see some of you on Sunday?Im running the marathon dressed as Elvis and have managed to get a red and white jumpsuit for the day! Would be great if we were CHAMPIONS by Sunday.
Jeez Killer was it not tough enough for you that you decided to dress up for the day too? Blimey mate. I'm coming up Friday night and will collect my number before the match.....leave a few freebies for us late comers please.
This will be my 7th marathon and probably last. Been a bit of a 'mare with an injury and haven't really put either the mileage in that I would normally or any real quality speed work. On the plus side I am under no pressure to get any sort of time at all, hence I will go as slow as I like with the aim of just getting to the end in one piece and finishing some time in April.
Anxiety hasn't really kicked in yet but I know that by the time the weekend comes I'll be getting very little sleep knowing what's coming.
All the best to everyone else running, thanks to those who've messaged me with their good luck wishes and as ever will keep an eye out for Addicks on route.
Bournemouth Addick I'm just hoping for the same as you finishing in one piece how ever long it takes me! I wish I didn't say I was doing it in fancy dress now but it gets extra money for my charities.Collected my number today and now the nerves,worries,fears and excitement (I think) are kicking in!Good luck Bournemouth and Donald.
Best of luck to all who are running.....I am so envious. Have entered the lottery for London from Canada for 3 years but unsuccessful so far.... Having to make due with the Toronto Waterfront Marathon (3x & PB of 4:37 @ 59 yrs)....For those looking to do an International Marathon, I can highly recommend the "Waterfront". Nice route and numbers running are still reasonable.....
Have always wondered, for those who don't get a place in the ballot, is there anything to stop you just turning up and running anyway? I mean, if you haven't got a number can't you just infiltrate the crowd and join in - or would you get spotted and thrown out?
Happens all the time. "bandits" Lots of friends have done it, some in Boston/New York. That said, I wouldn't do it, as from where I sit there are ethical issues associated with it, not least from using supports that others have paid for. You can always say "but I won't use the aid stations" but not too practical for marathon. Also, using road closures, police, etc. I simply wouldn't do it. If caught, definitely pulled off course.
Now, on happier note, good luck to all of you lucky enough to be running! I've got six under my belt, including two Bostons, and will check London off my life's list one day before I stop.
Sounds like my first ever visit to the Valley will be to pick up some gifts at the Superstore, RoD prior to the match, RoD post match and to wind it up - RoD to watch the Marathon on Sunday...seriously beginning to doubt how much I'll remember about this trip...;o)
Comments
2nd and last marathon for me, tougher mentally to get up for it and I'm a gym monkey who goes every day. I like a 10km run but anything more than that is a chore!!! Still, it's for Charity (don't like to talk about it mate) and that's the most important thing.
Kep plugging away all. The day is absolutely fantastic, well worth the pain and hard work.
(I managed 102 miles on the bike climbing 6,000ft on Saturday and that was a breeze compared to running the half marathon!)
Then, just to show off, you could go back over the bridge, onto a train to Charing Cross, and meet her after she finishes. Doddle!
I've got a reoccurence of injuries from stepping up training much too quickly in December so have had to pull out this year, so you definitely have to be careful of overtraining .... that said I wouldn't personally contemplate a marathon without planning for five 20+ mile training runs
seriously, if you are doing 21 miles on a training run, then why not just do another 5 miles, and then you can sit down with your feet up on the Sunday and avoid all those crowds.
This will be my 7th marathon and probably last. Been a bit of a 'mare with an injury and haven't really put either the mileage in that I would normally or any real quality speed work. On the plus side I am under no pressure to get any sort of time at all, hence I will go as slow as I like with the aim of just getting to the end in one piece and finishing some time in April.
Anxiety hasn't really kicked in yet but I know that by the time the weekend comes I'll be getting very little sleep knowing what's coming.
All the best to everyone else running, thanks to those who've messaged me with their good luck wishes and as ever will keep an eye out for Addicks on route.
Good luck to everyone, I shall be the idiot in a green baseball cap and white CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) vest with RITCHIE on the front.
Having to make due with the Toronto Waterfront Marathon (3x & PB of 4:37 @ 59 yrs)....For those looking to do an International Marathon, I can highly recommend the "Waterfront". Nice route and numbers running are still reasonable.....
Now, on happier note, good luck to all of you lucky enough to be running! I've got six under my belt, including two Bostons, and will check London off my life's list one day before I stop.
;-)
I would guess this is when most of the runners have gone past but they always have a band and big crowds, food and beer.