Any runners here?

[themuel]

A slightly awful 5.56 for me. That said, a full 20 minutes of that was wasted by 10 mins in a toilet queue at mile 17 and 10 minutes um, in a toilet at mile 21. But to be honest I am mostly just totally chuffed to have got to the finish line -that was my main goal. I started out really strongly, went through the half mara point in 2.35, was fine until mile 17 and then just crashed and burned. But I was sort of expecting that - I've only been running 9 months, hadn't done more than 15m in training, and my legs just didn't have it in them.

Crowd support was totally brilliant though. Got to overtake Katie Price and Peter Andre really early on in which was definitely a highlight. Got blessed TWICE by different priests flicking holy water. Had so many people yelling my name, particularly down embankment when I was really flagging and it helped so so much. I have utter respect for anyone daring to do it in fancy dress, particularly the heavier outfits - I was in so, so much pain just trying to do it in normal gear!

I've entered the ballot for next year - I reckon with a good solid year's running experience between now and then I can crack a sub-5 and I really want to have another go to improve my time.

But what an amazing experience! I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone

Good work!!!!

I was going to write about the priests on here, I saw one of the most surreal yet funny things when running past the first guy.

The man in front of me was running dressed as the devil, and as he ran past the church the priest hesitated, then shook his head and said 'oh well its marathon day, God bless you too' and flicked holy water on him, it was brilliant!!! Made me laugh, ALOT.

I've also entered the ballot today, its too addictive this running lark!

[stoopidbird]

Good work!!!!

I was going to write about the priests on here, I saw one of the most surreal yet funny things when running past the first guy.

The man in front of me was running dressed as the devil, and as he ran past the church the priest hesitated, then shook his head and said 'oh well its marathon day, God bless you too' and flicked holy water on him, it was brilliant!!! Made me laugh, ALOT.

I've also entered the ballot today, its too addictive this running lark!

The priests were excellent. As were the people in the first few miles that had decked their house out hawaiian style and were all dressed up. In fact I was quite jealous of all the people having drinks and bbqs on the way!

I was locked in a battle of wills with a batman and a spiderman where we kept overtaking each other for at least 5 miles but at least it kept our spirits up - "oh no not you again!" etc. Such a brilliant atmostphere!

And congrats on your time, that's excellent!

I reckon I've done it once to get round now, I just need one more go to get a good time...already I'm sounding like an addict!

[TheGayTent]

& entry for next year's is open already, or is that just for this year's runners?

Ballot has opened and already closed...hope you got your entry in...

Huge congrats to both themuel and stoopidbird. i hope to emulate you both at Berlin in September

[timespeedsup]

Ballot has opened and already closed...hope you got your entry in...

Huge congrats to both themuel and stoopidbird. i hope to emulate you both at Berlin in September

I was going to say behave, but with the power of the net I quickly found you're right and I'm out of time - It's not like a few years ago, but then at least it's not Glasto.

If...... I were to be capable of running a marathon, may have to set sights on the Brighton one that's apparently a week before London in 2010.

[stoopidbird]

Ballot has opened and already closed...hope you got your entry in...

Huge congrats to both themuel and stoopidbird. i hope to emulate you both at Berlin in September

Thank you!

I got my registration in, though the site was totally screwed for the first day of being open - er, not the best start there, Virgin - surely they could have guessed there would be a lot of trafffic?

Anyway, roll on next year! I am thinking training plans and strategy already. Oh dear!

Next race I have planned is the Royal Parks Half in Oct but that seems like a really really long way away - will have to think of something else to do between now and then!

[TheGayTent]

I got mine in too.

Am also doing Dartford Half in July, Berlin Marathon in September, followed by Windsor Half just a week later...

[greenfairy43]

I am totally in awe of you all.

(I'd be one of those cheering you on with a bbq & a glass of plonk!)

[timespeedsup]

10K in 11 hours time, plus two eldest have been dragged into a 3K each.

4 safety-pins needed for each of three race numbers.

Only 8 safety pins found across a complete house search.

Where's an old punk when you need one?

[Kowalski]

I got entered into the VLM ballot too. Well up for it!

[bunique]

*Bump*

Had a search for this as, although I am far behind the rest of you, I am finally up to 3 miles/5k running! I have 2 one minute walk breaks as per the programme we're running to, but so pleased to be able to do it, finally! 36 mins in total, hardly record breaking, but have gone from running one minute intervals to this in 6 weeks. Two more weeks til we're expecting to run 30 minutes without stopping and then I'll be ready to head off with the running club for 45-60min runs a couple of times a week.

Considering a 5k in Hyde Park in Sept and 10k in Staffordshire in October, if I'll be ready for that by then. I'm still in the 'having to drag myself out the house' mode, but hopefully once I can manage the 30 minutes plus I'll feel happier to get out and about

[beLIEveR]

I'm doing the Watford Half marathon in Feb. One of the hardest in Britain I'm reliably informed.

Not actually that much of a runner anymore. I'm overweight, unfit and not really prepared, but I've done it before so I can genuinely say that I will be ready. While I'm currently carrying four stone more than in 2006 (seriously) I do have extremely muscular legs which will save my bacon on the really steep hills. If I can get somewhere in the region of 1:45 I'll be over the moon.

[timespeedsup]

I'm doing the Watford Half marathon in Feb. One of the hardest in Britain I'm reliably informed.

Not actually that much of a runner anymore. I'm overweight, unfit and not really prepared, but I've done it before so I can genuinely say that I will be ready. While I'm currently carrying four stone more than in 2006 (seriously) I do have extremely muscular legs which will save my bacon on the really steep hills. If I can get somewhere in the region of 1:45 I'll be over the moon.

Seeing as I live down the road in Harrow I ought to be joining you for that. Is it the one that starts in Uxbridge, and is that why it's extra-hard?

If I can get in the region of 1:45 I will not have been me. Breaking 2 hours would be the aim. Despite only carrying one extra stone at most compared to 2006.

[bunique]

Weee...now running 30 mins non-stop - albeit very slowly! A week ahead of schedule and looking forward to getting out with the running club for a few miles

[timespeedsup]

Weee...now running 30 mins non-stop - albeit very slowly! A week ahead of schedule and looking forward to getting out with the running club for a few miles

Nicely done

[bunique]

Nicely done

Ta - I get the impression if I stick at it, I can wrack up my time and distance relatively quickly (I'm leaving speed out of it for the moment...will start beginners' speedwork sessions in a few weeks but mainly to shift lbs rather than get faster!) - was that your experience?

[timespeedsup]

Ta - I get the impression if I stick at it, I can wrack up my time and distance relatively quickly (I'm leaving speed out of it for the moment...will start beginners' speedwork sessions in a few weeks but mainly to shift lbs rather than get faster!) - was that your experience?

I don't recall losing many lbs through running, just a feeling of 'at least I'm doing some exercise' - the lbs might come off if I were to eat sensibly I suspect.

But then again, I never take the slow route, and fully expect to run 10k, albeit painfully slowly, when I finally get my backside in gear after 2 months off. Each to their own ways really. I still have the legs to run, just unfortunately the stomach to act as an unhelpfully heavy pretend backpack....

[bunique]

I still have the legs to run, just unfortunately the stomach to act as an unhelpfully heavy pretend backpack....

I know that feeling!

[TheGayTent]

I'm doing the Watford Half marathon in Feb. One of the hardest in Britain I'm reliably informed.

Surely, can't be as hard as Hastings?! Good luck with it.

Did Dartford half yesterday in 1.48

Just 8 weeks til my marathon debut in Berlin now...slightly nervous!

[Kowalski]

Surely, can't be as hard as Hastings?! Good luck with it.

Did Dartford half yesterday in 1.48

Just 8 weeks til my marathon debut in Berlin now...slightly nervous!

Sounds like you're prepared for it. What time are you hoping for? Sub 4 hours?

Hoping to break 2 hours in my second half marathon in 7 weeks time.

[What??? No beer???????]

Doing a 10k run in Edinburgh in September for Cancer Research. I've run 5 miles before without too much hassle so I think 10K should be ok. Only problem is I got glandular fever about 4 weeks ago so I cant do any training at all just now

[sparklecazza]

Is anyone else doing the Great North Run? I've done four 10ks now so thought it was time to up the ante ... wooohoooo!

Just trying to finish it rather than get any kind of impressive time, I'm a slow plodder but I get there eventually.

[TheGayTent]

Sounds like you're prepared for it.

I wish!

Am planning on 15 mile long run this weekend. Then upping it by 2 miles every weekend until 23 miles. Then tapering down to race day.

But one thing planning....another thing actually doing...

What time are you hoping for? Sub 4 hours?

Hoping to break 2 hours in my second half marathon in 7 weeks time.

I am aiming for 10min miles. So 4 hrs 20 approx.

Good luck with your half. I did 2hrs 1m for my first half. Was proper gutted at the time, but looking back was the best thing as it motivated me straight away to enter another and get under 2hrs.

[TheGayTent]

Is anyone else doing the Great North Run?

I entered the ballot but didn't get a place. So I entered Berlin instead (they're same weekend).

Have a place in the Great South Run but that's only 10 miles.

Good luck, always looks amazing on the TV, enjoy it

[fairyinboots]

Just seen this thread. I am also a runner. Prefer the 10K, but do the odd half marathon, and have no real interest in the full just yet. Been running about 4 years.

I run about 4-5 times a week. I am slow, so a general plodder, but I enjoy it. Generally run upto 15 miles in training.

I am also doing the great south, and Bristol half.

[Alexx (:]

Did my first half marathon in July, but it was a cross country one. And it started at midnight.

Need to get more into running, get myself some proper trainers and a decent sports bra