Any runners here?

[Essex_George]

Yes definitely. But start training now, the earlier the better. If you can run 10k without stopping by Xmas and then follow a 16 week plan you'll be fine.

Thanks, that is my plan. Just went for my first run this morning, only did 2k but it wasn't as bad as I thought.

[TheGayTent]

Thanks, that is my plan. Just went for my first run this morning, only did 2k but it wasn't as bad as I thought.

This is probably information overload but lots of helpful information here:

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Documents/Fundraising/Running/RunningSection/Graeme%20HidditchTrainingGuides/gh_training_guide_marathon.pdf

It's a PDF so easily printable.

If you have any questions, shout - I'm far from an expert, but I do know what it takes for an overweight male who drinks and smokes too much to complete a marathon If I can do it in a fraction over 4 hours (not that those few minutes annoy me....much) anyone can.

[Essex_George]

This is probably information overload but lots of helpful information here:

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Documents/Fundraising/Running/RunningSection/Graeme%20HidditchTrainingGuides/gh_training_guide_marathon.pdf

It's a PDF so easily printable.

If you have any questions, shout - I'm far from an expert, but I do know what it takes for an overweight male who drinks and smokes too much to complete a marathon If I can do it in a fraction over 4 hours (not that those few minutes annoy me....much) anyone can.

Thanks a lot for all the advice much appreciated. It is just a bit daunting at the moment but I am at an advantage on where you were - I don't smoke!

[nightcrawler13]

Tough Mudder was insane!

click here to donate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzP5CYuSkxU&feature=youtu.be

Edited October 7, 2013 by nightcrawler13

[bunique]

It's no Tough Mudder and certainly no marathon, but I ran 5.5 miles on my lunch break today, the furthest/longest I have ever run. I have my first ever 10k on 10th May (Market Drayton) and finally convinced myself after today that I will actually finish it. Would love to do it in under an hour but need to put a lot of work in to speed up!

On another note, does anyone else do their local parkrun? A friend and I have been going to Walsall's one, it's brilliant. If there's one near you I can heartily recommend it!

[TheGayTent]

It's no Tough Mudder and certainly no marathon, but I ran 5.5 miles on my lunch break today, the furthest/longest I have ever run. I have my first ever 10k on 10th May (Market Drayton) and finally convinced myself after today that I will actually finish it. Would love to do it in under an hour but need to put a lot of work in to speed up!

Good luck with your 10k training

Entered the ballot for next year's London marathon. Chances of being successful are slim so I've entered the Brighton marathon too. Anyone done it?

Not sure what I'll do if I get a London place what with them being so close together

[TheGayTent]

I stupidly entered the London marathon on a bit of a whim and I have got in. I'm not a runner at all but will give it a damn good go to be ready. Did the great south run few years back but haven't done anything since. Is it at all possible to go from not running at all to being able to finish the marathon on April 13th?

How did you get on?

[Essex_George]

How did you get on?

I got round!

Training didn't go to plan, had a few minor/niggling injuries to mainly my calf muscles from either not warming up properly or just increasing distance in my training runs too quickly. After a few visits to a sports physio and a good bit of rest the problem was sorted.

Managed to do the Marathon in a little over 5 hours which was more then I wanted but it was such a warm day, after about 20 miles was a real struggle. Legs went completely so was a bit of a walk/hobble/run affair for last 6 or so miles, also got really bad blisters which was strange as didn't suffer at all with them during training.

I am going to carry on running though but might stick to shorter distances, 10k or half marathons seem more my thing at the moment.

[TheGayTent]

I got round!

Training didn't go to plan, had a few minor/niggling injuries to mainly my calf muscles from either not warming up properly or just increasing distance in my training runs too quickly. After a few visits to a sports physio and a good bit of rest the problem was sorted.

Managed to do the Marathon in a little over 5 hours which was more then I wanted but it was such a warm day, after about 20 miles was a real struggle. Legs went completely so was a bit of a walk/hobble/run affair for last 6 or so miles, also got really bad blisters which was strange as didn't suffer at all with them during training.

I am going to carry on running though but might stick to shorter distances, 10k or half marathons seem more my thing at the moment.

Massive congratulations!

It was a warm day - I watched some of the race at Greenwich, Island Gardens, and Westferry, and it was noticeable many runners were overheating from 15+ miles onwards.

I hope despite the pain you managed to take the experience in and enjoy the day.

[Essex_George]

It was a great day, loved it. The crowd in most parts were amazing, really helped in the last few miles. Straight after the marathon I said never again, now I'm thinking maybe..

[thetime]

I was 18/19 stone about 4/5 years ago and slowly got myself to 13 stone after a few false starts and have decided it's time for a challenge.

I'm running the Liverpool marathon next June and just after a bit of advice on training. Anyone know of any good training apps/websites/forums/schedules etc etc?

[TheGayTent]

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/

http://www.fetcheveryone.com/knowledgebase.php

http://www.bupa.co.uk/running/training/training-programmes/

[thetime]

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/

http://www.fetcheveryone.com/knowledgebase.php

http://www.bupa.co.uk/running/training/training-programmes/

Cheers TGT will take a look at the links.

[Essex_George]

Get decent running shoes, most running shops will video you running on a treadmill and offer you shoes to match your style. I used the app Runkeeper when I started, it tracks your running and also has some training schedules to follow. I didn't follow these though as preferred to do my own training routine. Just make sure you have the time to do the training, when you start doing the longer runs its a few hours you will be out running. Don't know how far you are running at the moment but don't so what I did and increase the miles you by too much. I was told by a physio to only increase by 10% per week.

[TheGayTent]

Cheers TGT will take a look at the links.

I much prefer the RW forums to the FE offerings. Though FE is very good for tracking your progress in terms of recording your training.

I'd echo the previous advice re going to a specialist running shop to get your gait analysed and therefore ensuring you get the right shoes.

There are a million and one schedules out there. You're very unlikely to find one that suits your needs, quite often bastardising two or three is the way to go. You need to start with a regime that's aimed at your level both by the amount of time you have to spare, when you have that spare time, and what time you aim to complete the marathon in.

I'm no expert but if you have any questions fire away.

[TheGayTent]

If you really get into it and are a bit of a boys and their toys geek, the garmin forerunners are an excellent bit of kit.

Though a bog standard digital watch will do the job and/or a phone and the strava app.

Best of luck with the training.

[atomised]

Just starting to run again myself using the C25K app as a lead in to get me going. It certainly helps me to build up distances gradually

[Ruwise]

The C25K apps are really great. Anybody who has never run who is thinking about it should definitely try them. I managed to run a 10k in May after starting last July doing the C25K app.

[atomised]

I'd only heard good things about them. It seems like an easy way to get into running after a long break and certainly looking to target a 10k ideally in around 10months so to hear that's an achievable goal encourages me

[Ruwise]

I'd only heard good things about them. It seems like an easy way to get into running after a long break and certainly looking to target a 10k ideally in around 10months so to hear that's an achievable goal encourages me

If you've run in the past then definitely. I went from doing nothing to 10k in that time so I'm sure you'll have no problems. There are 5 to 10 k apps which I also found useful.

[atomised]

I used to run 3 times a week and stopped due to just not having the time to do it but I've decided to make the time for the good of my own health

[TheGayTent]

Slowly working myself back to fitness. 4 runs in the last 8 days. Trying to get a base fitness level by Christmas to allow a decent 4 months of training in before the Brighton Marathon.

Anyone else out pounding the streets at the moment?

[atomised]

Just started again myself. Not really prime weather conditions but if I can run in all weather's its got to be better

[TheGayTent]

Anyone else running the London Marathon in 2016?

[The Nal]

No as I get bored running but finally got over my ITBS and am back playing footie twice a week with no issues which is great. My folks got me a voucher for a bike shop so think Ill take the bike down there tomorrow and get it fixed up and start cycling. Great for the legs, no impact etc and some nice hills near me!