London Marathon

[Wondergull]

My mate does it every year and has learnt things the hard way. For example, the first year he did it, he rounded the bend at the top of The Mall with two huge red circle around the nipple regions. God only knows what it must feel like to chaff your nipples so badly that they bleed that much!

 

[Lammy]

How are you guys entering?

Via a club, charity etc?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

All this stuff about putting Vaseline in your crotch and tape on your nipples: it sounds like some bizarre S&M club.

So I'd imagine

 

[Dez]

How are you guys entering?

Via a club, charity etc?

I did it through work. Had to raise 1000 quid for the Family Holiday Association. Just about achieved that now so I can relax and concentrate on the running!

 

[aftershavedave]

what sort of time are you all aiming for?

I did the Brighton half marathon in 1 hour 47 so I think i'll be aiming for about 4 hours. Although running beyond 15 miles will be a whole new ball game!

double your current half-marathon time, add 10 minutes is the rule.

4 hours is very achievable for you based on 1.47 ! good luck!

happy just to get around myself! very bad ankle!

 

[Starry]

I'm doing it. In aid of the Neuroblastoma Society. My wife was meant to be taking part as well but is carrying another Starry Baby so had to give up her place.

This is my 4th London Marathon, last did it 2 years ago. Put plasters or surgical tape over your nipples and run a half marathon or at least a substantial distance beforehand. Take all the drinks etc you can from the water stations - try not to be in a huge group of people at water stations, loads of people bunch together then it ends in mayhem.

It's not as bad as a lot of people make out, once you get through the pain/stitch barrier.

 

[blockhseagull]

I actually got in via the ballot this year, but i did have a charity place.

Run 1.46 for half marathon so prob round about 4hrs also.


Whats the furthest anyone has run in training so far ?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I am in awe of all of you who are doing it, this year and any year

 

[McShane79]

I did it back in '99 - not a great time (around the 4 hours 30 mark) but was a fantastic experience - the amount of people out on the streets clapping you on - brilliant..

For the weekend, I went up and stayed in a hotel in Hammersmith (the Novotel I think it was) which I'd read about in the stuff they send through when you are accepted for the race.

They did a pasta night on the Saturday to set yourself up for the race, and then in the morning laid on a coach to the start. Would definitely recommend doing that - it was good to be around the other runners and get away from the family just talking too much!!

 

[Dez]

I actually got in via the ballot this year, but i did have a charity place.

Run 1.46 for half marathon so prob round about 4hrs also.


Whats the furthest anyone has run in training so far ?

I injured my ankle ay the Brighton half marathon and haven't been able to run since! But i've been having physio and I should be fine to resume training early next week. I am aiming to get a run of about 13 miles in next weekend and then 15 the week after. I'll ideally try and run 18 miles on the 8th or 9th April.....before winding down for the 2 weeks before the marathon. Scary stuff!

 

[blockhseagull]

I injured my ankle ay the Brighton half marathon and haven't been able to run since! But i've been having physio and I should be fine to resume training early next week. I am aiming to get a run of about 13 miles in next weekend and then 15 the week after. I'll ideally try and run 18 miles on the 8th or 9th April.....before winding down for the 2 weeks before the marathon. Scary stuff!

I did 16 miles on Sunday, in 2 hours 5mins..... reckon i might be alright for about 20 miles then it's gonna be a struggle !!

I'm doing 1/2 marathon this weekend

 

[aftershavedave]

there is a 20 miler in worthing in a couple of weeks. ideal pre-marathon training!

 

[blockhseagull]

Gonna try and do 20 miles in a couple of weeks..but rather do it with no-one else around me !!!!

 

[Elms]

I did it last year, it was a bloody amazing day. Watching it on the tv doesn't give you a true sense of the atmosphere...it was just incredible. Couple of tips:

1) Write your name on your running vest, the support is incredible, it's amazing the lift you get from complete strangers willing you on
2) Don't do anything on the day that you haven't tried in training. That includes what you eat, drink, and even where you rub your vaseline(!). What works for one person wont necessarily work for you.
3) If you've never run that distance before don't get too worried about your time. I had run half marathon in just over 1 hr 45 before hand, so wanted to break 4 hrs. My time was 4 hrs 57, and I couldn't walk another step. I was disappointed at the finish, but have come to realise that I could not have done any more, and am proud of just finishing. It was seriously the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but also definitely the best.

4) Remember to smile for your finish line photo, however you're feeling. Try not to cross the line with a rhino or something equally stupid, or they'll be in your picture!!

5) Try and take it all in and enjoy it....good luck!!

 

[blockhseagull]

I did it last year, it was a bloody amazing day. Watching it on the tv doesn't give you a true sense of the atmosphere...it was just incredible. Couple of tips:

1) Write your name on your running vest, the support is incredible, it's amazing the lift you get from complete strangers willing you on
2) Don't do anything on the day that you haven't tried in training. That includes what you eat, drink, and even where you rub your vaseline(!). What works for one person wont necessarily work for you.
3) If you've never run that distance before don't get too worried about your time. I had run half marathon in just over 1 hr 45 before hand, so wanted to break 4 hrs. My time was 4 hrs 57, and I couldn't walk another step. I was disappointed at the finish, but have come to realise that I could not have done any more, and am proud of just finishing. It was seriously the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but also definitely the best.

4) Remember to smile for your finish line photo, however you're feeling. Try not to cross the line with a rhino or something equally stupid, or they'll be in your picture!!

5) Try and take it all in and enjoy it....good luck!!

Cheers

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I'm doing it. In aid of the Neuroblastoma Society. My wife was meant to be taking part as well but is carrying another Starry Baby so had to give up her place.

This is my 4th London Marathon, last did it 2 years ago. Put plasters or surgical tape over your nipples and run a half marathon or at least a substantial distance beforehand. Take all the drinks etc you can from the water stations - try not to be in a huge group of people at water stations, loads of people bunch together then it ends in mayhem.

It's not as bad as a lot of people make out, once you get through the pain/stitch barrier.

Good luck and congratulations on the new Starry Baby

 

[robbied69]

I'm doing it this year for the 'Visually Impaired Children Taking Action' (VICTA) charity, as I have a younger cousin who is blind.

I did it 3 years ago in 3 hrs and 30 mins. I hit the wall at 20 mins which hurt like hell. I ended walking/very slight job the last 6 miles which took me 1 hr 20 mins.

Wake up v early, try to eat 3 bananas and take on plenty of fluid. Have a good crap before you go as well.

Try counting up to 13 miles, once you get to count down to 0 miles. Separates the marathon.

Get all the lucozade you can.

Use something to stop the chaffing. If you can try and wear cycling shorts, during all my training runs I've used these and not had a problem. For the top, I suggest taping your nipples if you can, vaseline really didn't work.

Its a great feeling going up Pall Mall knowing the finishing line is almost there. Definitely worth doing that for the experience. The crowds were amazing. I half thought about giving up after about 4 miles because I couldn't be bothered. Your there thinking 22 miles to go.

P.s. don't overtrain now it is coming up, that is what I did last year and ended up having to pull out with a damaged tendon on my last practice run. Didn't heal properly till August time.

 

[1066gull]

I may apply next year.

Can you apply before your 18, because my Bday is in March and the Marathon is in April.....

 

[Starry]

Good luck and congratulations on the new Starry Baby

Thanks! Probably going to need lots of luck on both counts! LOL

 

[McShane79]

You're fine to do that, but bear in mind that it is a ballot - they restrict numbers to 40 to 45,000, and double that will apply. Took me 3 attempts before I got through the ballot.

Totally agree with Elm's points, especially about drinks - if you haven't had many of the energy type drinks they dish out every 5 miles, they can make you feel rough.

And look out for those camera's - there are signs when one is coming up, so make sure you look good! You'll want to keep them as they are nice! I had a few taken round the course - couple at Cutty Sark, on the cobbles and coming up to the finish line and one with my medal.

Great day!!