OK, OK - I get the idea. Looking at the source for the page is easiest. Does anyone else find watching paint dry (or discussions about html, come to that) more interesting than motor sports?
HillyI take your earlier point butI would like to support any new runners that take up the FLM challenge. In June 2001 I had a kidney removed following 4 years of serious illness. I had never ran races before but 8 months later I completed the 2002 FLM in 5 hours, not fast I know, but I did not find it that hard-Really!! and I enjoyed every minute and raised 2000 pounds for charity. I have a golden bond again to do it this year. Providing you put in sensible training, and respect the distance,I really believe anyone can do it, good luck to everyone
My body seems to be telling me to take it easy this week too. Not sure why, this hasn't happened before but this week I've been spectactularly exhasted for no apparent reason. . I have been out 4 times already but normally can cope with that. Wanting to up my training a bit and was planning to go out this afternoon. Don't know what to do now! I'm not injured, just sleepy! Should I go?!
Hi Taz,. I hope the new physio instills more confidence in you. It can be an expensive trial trying to find one you feel happy with, and who is effective and I am eternally grateful to my colleague who recommended her. I can't believe how different I feel about it all now, as to last week. I haven't run yet - next run is tomorrow, but shall carry on spending as much time as I can with my legs up to prevent further problems. Believe me, I am so impressed with the results and feel confident that things will come right in the end. BUT, I am going to be super dooper careful from here on in. I hope you get some good news, or at least feel happy with what is diagnosed tonight. Let us know how you get on.
We enjoyed supporting!!! Can't blooming speak now tho :-)
I noticed the St John's people around the route of course but didn't quite appreciate the scale of the turnout until I went into the tent at the end for some ice on my ankle. I didn't realise there were so many of them in the country let alone London! Well done and thanks.
Malt, I used last year's schedule, but for the Prague Marathon, and this year's schedule for FLM. Both times I followed them to the letter, and both times had really bad runs. I did Prague in 4:09 and FLM in 4:16, but under easier conditions. Previously I had never done a marathon in more than 4 hours, and had never thought I would. I don't know if it's the schedules, or if I am just getting too old, or what the problem is. But, I'm a sucker for someone else telling me what to do and will probably follow next year's schedule as well, whatever it turns out to be.
ah ha - a new number to play trick phone calls on! Now I can leave Legless, Saqib and Eddie alone......has anyone else been getting Legless' sick jokes via text message??? They are making me laugh though :-). Humpless, 4.30???????? I don't finish until 6.30 and can meet at Liverpool St station at about 6.40 if you want. Otherwise I can meet you there around 7.
Thanks JJ. Out for a 15m run myself tomorrow. Will be my longest run yet. I ran 14m last weekend and 12m the weekend before. m = miles NOT metres!! Hope you have a good run and your knee holds out. Foz
Figs are definitely what you DO want before a big race. But make sure you leave plenty of time twixt breakfast and "last chance".
Excellant job Meerkat...will be hanging on the RW 11min pacer for dear life in the hope of reaching you all at Mile 18 to be rewarded with JBs from Meerkat and JJ! Thank you in advance incase I am incoherant by then! Hiya Sutts...ready?
Good Luck to everyone although luck won't come into it. Not even bad luck!!!!! Smile for the finish camera
Brilliant day, even though I hate running in the rain, but the crowd support was excellent. Ended up 90mins slower than I wanted (wanted a 4h, finished in 5h30), but I forgive myself that with a lack of training and that rain as my excuse. PB - Was Ian Duncan Smith running when you saw him, because the only time I saw him was at the Blue start (surely he should have been at Green), wearing a suit and shoes. looked to me like he was dropping out. The URWFRC point at Mudchute was great, even though I nearly missed it. (How could Flora put a water station there, of all places.). The only "celeb" I saw running was (the back of) Bobby Charlton in front of me at about mile23. I'm hoping I beat him, but probably didn't. Anyway, well done to you all.
Thanks for the welcome everyone (you ARE a friendly bunch aren't you :-)). Taking a rest today, have my last 22 miler planned for tommorrow, eek, before starting taper for Blackpool. Mmm...looking forward already to LAZY Saturday mornings after 20 June!! Sarah, Peter, I'm planning my first tri this year - London tri in July (just the baby sprint tri). Before the end of last year I could hardly swim 2 lengths without having to stop. Now I'm doing 50 lengths twice a week. Not the speediest fish in the pool (so to speak) but much more comfortable with it. The thought of an open water swim in a wetsuit is a bit scary though. I've also got a new, speedy almost-road-bike (a bit of a hybrid) with skinny tyres which is a revelation after years using my heavy 'granny' bike. It makes cycling fun! Anyway, good training (and a nice bank holiday weekend) to everyone. TM
OOOh I see blackmail is rife!! Nobody would want my food anyway so I am safe;-). I like the no food for non runners but as Imelds is bringing the glitzy stuff maybe an exception to the rule!! Poppy plans her list. 5 sets of kit. 5 pairs socks. 2 trainers. gps. logbook. notebook. Pens. 5 Bras for training. lucazade sport. mobile-you never know. change for phone;-). rain jacket . gloves x2. buff. glitzy gear. casual gear. Showerstuff. Towells. PJ's. underwear. shorts. Thats all I can think of for now;-). 
Done my domestic duty and just about to go for a 10 mile run. . Hilly - I think I enjoy the training more than the actual racing. It is nice to get away from it all, go off-road for a few hours and switch off completely. 25 miles tomorrow with some others from the club, almost all off-road followed by Podretta's 7th birthday party (olympics party at the leisure centre). Lots of carbs in jelly and ice cream!
RF-sounds like you should change your name to ElastiMan. I can't touch my toes with straight legs! Podiatrist's verdict yesterday-Inflammed sesamoid bones and ligaments that run under ball of left foot. Need to take it easy regarding running. Might mean I'll have to defer FLM to 2006:(
Ooops, WC, well done to you too. I've just been reading that The Sussex Half was not a certified course and appears to be short, so I think I may have made the right decision.
Quite nice been injured. Just done a slow 4 miles round the block then came back for lots of stretching and ice. More massage booked tomorrow and am dreading it cause legs are sore from small amount of massage on Friday!! Hope everyone does well today, I'm looking forward to reading all about it tonight . :-). 
(stops lurking). Hi All - . Hope you don't mind me joining in at this late stage - I've spent the last few weeks having a dilemma about what my target time is so which forum to join! It's my first marathon, longest run was a 21 miler last week, 3:30 - so I'm hoping for sub 4:30, allowing for the unknown of the last few miles.. It has been really good to read everyone's ups and downs on the forum - this week is definitely "feeling overtrained" week, hoping the various niggles settle down during the taper. Hope everyone enjoys the shorter long runs tomorrow - I'm doing 13 miles (along the Thames, Boat Race course there and back). Great not to be running in the ice and cold any more! jezza
Well peeps.. the barriers have appeared and are starting to go up around Evelyn Street, Lower Road and Surrey Quays. Banners are now hanging above the Chav's Arms (also known as the Surrey Docks pub) proclaiming 'Watch the London Marathon Here'. Looks like we got us a race, goin' on! WP - No need to ruin your kit. Just write your name on paper with a thick permanent marker, do a quick diy-laminating job using some sellotape, et voila! BR - the name thing really does work! Back in 2002 I ran the NYC marathon and tried it for the first time.. would never run without it again. In fact, I'll be running wearing exactly the same big of paper bearing my name that ran with in NYC, Paris, Dublin and Rotterdam. It's looking a wee bit battered now, but.. call me superstitious. Just need to find some way of fitting 'Tea&ToastMan' on their too. Need a bigger chest, methinks. :-0
Don't stop me now, . I'm having such a good time,. I'm having a ball. don't stop me now,. you wanna have a good time. just give me a call. and don't stop me now.... Hippo, for some reason I didn't think you had a h*****d, you always sound so centred and together and (another word I can't think of). Have a good evening to make up for it. Probably signing off, need to put kids to bed and pack, will try not to come here in the morning or I'll never catch the train. Good luck to all still here, thanks for all the advice/support/laughs, maybe see Diana D, Delia and Hippo and others at Expo and/or bandstand - I really hope so! Remember we are supposed to be doing this of our own free will - so let's enjoy it, esp those of us doing it once only (yes, really!)
Last post before the FLM. Good luck everyone, but most of all HAVE FUN
I'm glad i wasn't the only person wondering about this (I'm not so sick after all...hoorah!)
Can I be a supporter next year? I think it's just fab what you lot did and especially you meerkat for organising it all (sorry for lack of punctuation).
hummm I think I might have that Shirl!!! Where is the Q!! Not sure about tomorrow, will let you know as soon as poss.
Lucinda - go get 'em tomorrow!!! Natalie - go get 'em...er...tonight - I will be too! . Rick .. oh Rick...here boy! *waves nice full glass of red enticingly*
Shades,. Yes I have my International Certificate of Competence for Motor Yachts so can now charter and skipper a boat anywhere in the world. Perhaps we should have a sub 5 holiday cruising the Med or the Caribbean??! Delia, . I wasn't a golden bond runner but haven't got my marathon pics yet, I believe they take quite a long time.
no surprise there then hey rick!!!
Jane M. Thanks, that's true I didn't learn till I went to the big school Hee hee. ANYWAY, attention should all be going to SuperDebbo and not to grump ol me.
I did about 4ish miles very easy - probably close to 9 or 10 mins and I couldnt have gone ay faster. My other half who didnt seem to suffer as much as I did was complaining about the pace so I must have been going slow. However I fell over at the end of my run and landed on my hands and face (dont ask) - knees escaped! - tripped over a pavement and having been discharged from Physio yesterday, I now have a very sore SI joint today so wondering if I gone backwards again so I am having a bit of a panic.
Hello all,. Happy new year all, especially Trouty and Karen. I am glad I came back to the UK for Christmas, with temperatures reaching 44-46 degrees in Sydney yesterday and poor air quality because of the bush fires it does not seem to be very pleasant there at the moment. Even though i have found it cold I managed 85 miles last week, my highest for many months. I have found that my heart rate monitor does not register properly when it is cold. Normally it is OK after about 10-15 mins, i.e. when I start sweating but this morning I did not get a proper reading for all of my 1 hr run. Does anybody else have this problem? 
Wow, so mnay newbies! Welcome everyone. Well today was my first real FLM training run and I did 5 miles steady with a faster mile in the middle. I fantacised about a large malt whisky and chocolate for most of the time (as I'm abstaining) which took my mind off the hills ;-)))). Re speed training - I prefer to do mine on the treddy because then I can't cheat and pretend I've run further than I have! For hill training I only ahve to go out of the door as I can't avoid the blessed things where I live!
One for Beav and Jonah8. A man walks into a bar with a dachshund under his arm. The dog is wearing a Man City shirt, bobble hat and scarf. The barman says, "Hey! No pets allowed in here! You'll have to leave!" The man begs, "Look, I'm desperate. We're both big fans, my TV is broken, and this is the only place we can see the game against United." After securing a promise that the dog will behave and warning that if there is any trouble they will be thrown out, the barman relents and allows them to stay in the bar and watch the game. . City attack from the kick off and their first goal attempt is cleared off the line for a corner. With that the dog jumps up on the bar and begins walking up and down the bar giving everyone a high-five. The barman says, "Wow that is the most amazing thing I've ever seen! What does the dog do if they score a goal?" "I don't know," replies the owner, "I've only had him for four years." !!!! 
Glasgow / Florida.. same thing! Hi Depth Charge, so how long was it to the start line then?
Well deserved zzzzs, WS! Managed to zip between the rain storms to do 8 miles of recovery running this evening. Not too wet. It's very mild out in SW17 again - had to take off the hat and gloves and really didn't need to bother with the second top layer. Must be the insulating effect of the pollution round the Tooting area!
Ashley Smith. You should definitely do a marathon to celebrate 40 = I did Dublin in Oct 05 following my big birthday in Sept. I even got a 1/2 on the day of my birthday - I know its sad but as a runner you will understand! I cannt beleive there are people out there who will support me! I am flying from Belfast on my own and wont have any supporters myself so would really appreciate a cheer!
shades - I take a bottleof water with me, but normally I don't finish it. I finish the bottle on my way home, when the run is over. I drink because my mouth gets dry and because I know I have to.
Blousey, I think I got wrong end of stick. I thought you were running whilst out there! Whatever you do, have a blinkin good time :)
Congratulations, TillyP!! Well done Nikster! (gotta get out running again soon)
Ouch PW that is sore!! mine is nearly recovered now but it was only overstretched I think not torn. Luckily your martial arts training will help you block out some of the pain. Just hope you dont do any more damage though!! Glad you are able to do some training though. 
I like Pearce's post match comments:. "To say I am disappointed would be one of the biggest understatements of all time," . "If I was a supporter, I would be disgusted with that performance. I know I am as a manager. We showed no moral courage whatsoever. "I do not include the goalkeeper in this, but the rest of them I have told to go home, have a look at their kids and ask them how daddy did today. "None of them stepped up to the plate. None of them showed any leadership. None of them earned their wages. Without doubt, it was the worst experience I have had as a manager. "I have been in bad teams during my career but I would like to think somewhere down the line, if I wasn't playing well, I had the bottle to receive the ball. "I had the bottle to get in someone's face and I had the bottle to get aggressive with someone, show my aggression out on the pitch and show I was not happy. "Our players did not do that today. I am not passing the responsibility onto the players. The buck stops with me. But if I have to do something about it to be a successful manager I will. "These boys have to come back into work again. They have to walk past me in the corridor and look me in the eye. They know exactly how I feel about them at this present moment in time. "It was unacceptable and if it happens again, there will be people leaving this club."
Mrs T - First serious attempt at the distance/time as GR said can't be a 100% confident unsure of my MP endurance the furthest I have gone is 14 miles @ MP. My race tactics will be to get 20 miles in 2:10- 2:15 and then hang on for dear life. Is this a good plan?????
Buena fortuna, Mokina! Have a good week-end everyone, and steady on the Easter eggs.
I said to my boyfriend the other day the nicest people that you will ever come across are runners and vegetarians. I am both!!!!! ;0) . I am happy for you Shona. I can understand how devastated you were.
Bet I hold the record, I took SIX on Sunday morning before the start!!!!!!!! I know it was a really stupid thing to do but had the runs from Wednesday night until Saturday morning & lived on a diet of jam sandwiches & 6 pints of watered down lucozade sport per day, though little stayed inside. . This was my third FLM & I figured that even if I had to walk most of it, as long as I could stay bunged up I could complete and justifiably collect my sponsorship money. . As it turned out they worked a treat, I managed 4:27 which was about half an hour slower than I targeted before my illness. I was also back to normal service by Tuesday morning. . However I would NEVER advise anybody to run a marathon whilst ill, it was the most physically painful thing I have ever done.
Thanks Diana...we're not off til next Wednesday...You've got to put up with me for another week yet!
Thanks Mike,. This will be a new stage for me as all those sessions have me running further than the race distance I'm pacing at. Oooer! I'm always up for a challenge though!
doing only 12 400s, and with 2 mins recovery seemed like a real doddle compared with the 20 with far less recovery, even though the pace was faster - actually managed 7secs/lap faster than my last 2 20 x 400 supposedly at 10k pace sessions, so I'm pretty satisfied with that
Missed your last post - but you can pick up some fab costume accessories these days, from the high street. Next, M+S, Debenhams, Top Shop etc, you don't need to spend much or go searching far off the high street - I've had some nice cheap bling from Sainsburys even.
Pug, why bother with a slow plod around Luton. Might as well go for a sub-3 and see what happens; you could always drop out after 1 or 2 laps if it's not going well. (That's what I did last year!!). Back to back sub-3's are very possible. RB did it at Paris & London this year, and someone else finally managed it at Cardiff & NY. Plus, sub-3 will probably get you into the top 10. I'm currently crippled with a mystery knee injury, so taking a fortnight completely off, for the first time in about 8 years to recover. Might go up to watch Luton, if I can be arsed to get up early; I know a few guys who are running, plus it will be good to see a winning performance from the Jock.
*pops head in*. Hi guys, long time no see! Thanks to CG for the email kick up the bum to get me back on this thread :-). Nothing wrong, just been really busy LOL! But not too busy to train - 130 miles so far in 2007 :-). I'm in work, this is a bit naughty - proper update later I promise. Thanks again for the email CG :-)
Only the semis sadly. . Dodgy refereeing and Italian gamesmanship versus AC Milan denied us the chance of a trip to Wembley where we surely would've become the first British team to lift the trophy. Charlie Cooke, Ian Ure, Alan Gilzean... The "Arabs" across the road (United) were 2-0 up from the home leg v Roma but lost 3-0 away in the year Grobelaar had his wobbly legs. . We did also lose narrowly to the mighty Leeds United side of 1967/68 in the then Fairs Cup semi final. "We had joy. we had fun . we had seasons in the sun.....". 
Thought I would try out these <u>lovely</u> buttons! . 
Toasty you're a model for many to follow. My valentine's day post-work has been spent running 5.5 miles @ 8:13 pace round Hyde Park with my wee boy, followed by a low-cal ham sandwich and grapes from M&S for me; chicken pasta salad and a brownie for him on the long tube journey home. Classy or what? Sciatica very painful now of course.
I had an adventure on Sunday as I planned to run about 13 and ended up running 17 due to getting lost on Kingley Vale. It was completely my fault but the mist and heavy rain plus mud did not help. I did a speed session Monday, rested Tuesday with just a couple of sets of Tennis. I can still feel the effects of Sunday now, with a slight ankle twist and sore left knee but this is still minor on the pain scale. I do Plyometrics, (hopping helps to strengthen the ankle and I have exercises for my knee which ease the pain) This has worked well over several months. My plan of sticking to 2 hours went out the Window on Sunday as I was out for 2 hours 40 minutes. Still, good time on your feet. I will go back to 2 hours on Sunday and run a 9 miler on Thursday. I am still learning what best suits me as stacks of 2 month injuries have meant constant disappointment. However, the last 8 months has been good. I do 20 minutes static stretches after running and now do Plometrics 3 times a week to try and keep the injuries minimal and hopefully away. I am trying Isotonic drinks, Tauts, Cranberry and Blackberry after long runs to try and rehydrate and recover more quickly. I started on Sunday and this seems to help me recover quicker. Also, Glucosamine and Chondroitin, helps keep the joints supple and flexible. At least thats what I hope. I also have changed from icing injuries which never seemed to work for me, causing soft tissue damage if kept on too long, too Nurofen Gel which seems to help minor injuries recover more quickle. I am still looking forward to the Marathon and hoping for a good time. I will aim for 3.30 but will most probably end up with 3.40 to 3.45. The last 10K is the killer.
I dont think you can defer a club place joe but its still worth asking.
First half marathon so is a PB but not a lot to beat! Have done longer runs but they are just trainign runs really. Getting into the races now!!
After missing much of last week due to shooting pains in calf, I managed 11 on Saturday with 2 reps of 1.75 miles (supposed to be 4 but I was being sensible)and 2hrs 40mins yesterday. Last hour was a struggle with my calf, the same as last Sunday. Hoping that if I can survive the next 2 weeks the tapering will allow the calf time to recover enough for me to get around FLM. All the these niggles have rather dampened my focus on sub 3.15 and instead I am looking at finishing being a real goal. Yeterdays run slightly ruined by one of the guys telling us towards the end that his watch made our run less than we thought. There again his story earlier in the run about his wife and a pig more than made up for it!!
I wore mine at Reading and got a PB. . Personally I believe them to be magic, go faster laces and won't hear another word against them.
JJ. i thank the lord that rugby and tri seasons don't clash! Xtrrea finishs, RWC starts bliss! Hope Wasps they need to be beaten in the final :)
Cheers PhilPub, that's quite a strange thing to know :)
DAve - the Metcheck thing's hysterical. My Metcheck page (refreshed etc) for The Day is totally diff to yours! Says 15/16 degrees, sunny/partly cloudy. . Re meeting times - spose I was thinking I'd get there earlier than 8.30, but go to loo, sort self out, dump bag, get coffee etc then meet everyone else. Then there's a bit of time to chat, chill, dash into the bushes because the loo queues are too long etc. 
Raks that's an excellent idea, although my mother would phone and ask me endless questions about how to post to the forum!
Sure this wasn't on the website yesterday!!! 
Morning all, WELL DONE everyone! Bit of a strange one for me, my quads seemed to give up on me after 6 miles! Couldn't believe it! . I set off slower, think i got everything right in the build up, kept my fluid levels topped up, but obviously something not right. I think if i'd have cramped up after 18 for going off too fast i would've been disappointed with myself, cos it happened so early in the race after a mile or so of muttering expletives under my breath i managed to see the funny side of it. Although the prospect of running another 20M with what felt like two dead legs wasn't an appealing one! Anyway i shimmied along at whatever pace the legs would let me and finished in 3:31:29 in the end which surprised me as i thought i was heading for 4hrs+. After realising it wasn't my day i made the most of it and took everything in, stopped to see some friends, and was completely blown away by the support, tower bridge and along the dual carriageway were awesome! It's impossible not to smile heading down the last 800m! Can't really get my head round what went wrong and i'm not gonna beat myself up about it as it was the experience of a lifetime but i feel like i've got a little unfinished business with London now! Great effort again all! . MattTheRat:3:15:51. Darren Larder: 3.18.58. Rowan:3:20:16. Chieftain Tank: 3:26:54. TTT: 3:27:00. PO2: 3:31:29. Banksie: 3:31:57. Roundhay Mike: 3:34:40. Valuxian :3:36:52. AA : 3:38:48. Rain Bow :3:51:11. Smiffie 3:58. RFJ - 3:59:48. RUSCR : 4:01
BW, there's no rest for the wicked then, you're straight into the next challenge, there's no stopping you, just how much punishment can you fit into one month? No seriously, good look and yes, you do need your head testing. GC, enjoy the rest, you've never earned it more than now, so take it while you can before you have to put in the hard work again. That will come all too soon! Euph, thanks for the York 5K entry form, I'll send it off today, I entered it last year but didn't run due to foot injury. Also sending entry off for Wheldrake 10K and hope to get a place with you and Beders on that. I think NickM is doing that too. I'll text you if able to come across on Sunday, the weather sounds perfect for marathoners, I shall bring my brolly! Good luck tonight in your club race, you'll still be flying along, even when you're taking it easy. Clairster, keep those feet and legs rested in time for Saturday, you'll be fine, you know the drill. Make sure you text me & let me know how you get on. Hey Ceal, that's just blxxdy fantastic, you go girl!! There's a guy from our club who also runs the masters, usually the 800m & 1500m, he's a MV35, so only just turned vet. Last year he got a bronze at the World Masters Indoor Champs in Poland. Hope you'll be coming away with a medal too, I'm excited for you!!! Looking at that GB flag next to your name must be a great feeling :0). Last night we did a hilly, muddy off road 5 mile run, which was great. It certainly made me puff and blow to start with, but the scenery was good and it was a nice change, so a bit better than doing a lung-buster on the roads. Today is a rest day, as the league race is tomorrow night, a 5 mile undulating course. I actually feel a bit better, so it's probably just what I need. I've also invested in a pair of "Paula Socks" (knee high flight socks) to help my tibial muscle, which is still very sore. Not that they look very trendy, but if they do the job, then I'm not bothered. Some of the men commented on them last night, but they didn't fancy wearing the spare pair for some reason. Physio thinks I will need a small orthotic to help the muscle repair itself, without stopping me running, so going back for fitting next week.
Keep us up to date with all your glute antics, Wabo!!! Don't forget the race reports - really like those. UmB - yes - I've never liked 10Ks because they're too fast. But am looking forward to seeing what I can do on Sunday. Pity about the hills. Worked out the fast 3M of my run today was between 7.5 and 8mm. Not very fast really but I really felt it. Telling myself it's because i'd only had 500ml of lucozade sport half an hour beforehand...
Daz - that's brilliant I'm sure as a family you will do very well and it's something for you guys to share! VB, Pinks don't be too jealous I still have to go back! Daz you really must run FLM again next year! Andrew I ran it for Dreams Come True this year and will enter the ballot again this year but don't intend to run for charity unless someone else wants to organise it for me. There's only so many times you can ask family and friends for money and remain popular.
My prediction for JEJ is 15.58 followed by 10.55 for the 3k s/c. I'll also be doing a 5k on the Saturday (and probably a 3k s/c about 90mins after). I haven't got much training in this week and my week so far looks like this:. M: Rest. T: 60mins steady. W: ~600m/5km aquathlon race (29.00). T: 60mins swim (intervals). F: 30mins turbo (bike) intervals; 45mins easy (planned). S: RACE/S. My three 5,000m races this season have all been followed by a 3,000m s/c and have been 16.24, 16.55 (no 'B' competition) and 16.22. If I have to do the 3,000 s/c I'll wear flats for the 5,000 and probably race at 95%. If no s/c then I'll wear spikes and give it everything. Predicitons?
just checking in.... 40 miles last week, with a 3 mile tempo run of 19 minutes into a gale - felt HARD! Nothing this week so far - was working abroad yesterday, and with impeccable timing got ill monday night - no sleep and multiple bathroom visits! Crawled home from Hrow yesterday to find rest of family laid up with same! Rowan: That does really sound like a lot of money - FWIW I also vote for a second opinion. RFJ - thats an excellent idea - I find it so much easier with the discipline of a plan to work around. My application for the ballot also went off at the weekend............. cheers, nick
nice one guys, two new PB's !! both with uphill bits ! I'm still looking for the sub 1.40 myself LS, as you say it's getting closer !!! And isn't it nice to get that elusive sub 45 BATW, not sure if I'll ever get faster but as least it's done !! No running today , day off after 7 days on the trot so looking forward to a fell run tomorrow me thinks, maybe even in the sun !! a bit quiet again in the holiday season. see ya lata. cheers. beders
I must be one of those strange people who now weighs a bit less than they did for FLM (about 5lbs). Here's what I look like with a BMI of a whopping 24.2 and a bleeding nipple: . I might've featured in some of WW 's pics had he not left me for dust to finish his 40 mins 'last 10k dash'!
TT . NF is still on - we go there lots as a family, so I'd like to run there. But I'll take it as a run and enjoy it. I'm no longer in a rush to get race fit as fast as possible. There will be no more 3 or 4 peaks run in preparation for it though, and if the hills are a struggle then WTF I don't really care. I've another couple of other race entries that I've previously paid for too, but again I'll just treat then as extra runs and enjoy them. My knee and my aerobic base fitness will hopefully benefit in the long run.
Yes, there do seem to be alot of b days around this time!
I once had a customer tell me all about the marathon his mum did - turned out it was a race for life.
WTGY - I wouldn't run speedwork by HR although it can be useful to look at the stats afterwards, e.g. to see how well HR is falling off over different recovery times, etc. Recovery runs and long runs I aim to stay &lt;75% max. With other stuff it depends what the purpose of the run is, e.g. a complete run at 'marathon pace' (something approx to your Wednesday run?) might be around 85% max, or a tempo run @ around 90% with warm-up and cool down. FWIW, % max I've seen for races have typically been: mara 86%, HM 88%, 10k 93%, although that all went out of the window with my last HM where I averaged HR (182) same as my last 10k (?!) I think I've found HR useful to keep an eye on for trying to keep a steady pace, but without relying on keeping to some pre-planned level. I like to think I pay less attention to it as I get better pacing by perceived effort. Gobi at Bushy . 16.45 - TT (whatever I predict you always tonk it anyway, so I may as well make it a little stiffer for you this time ). 16.48 - Padams (as long as it's 16.02 or slower). 16.50 - PhilPub. 16.57 - MTR. 17.01 - Gobi (sods law it will be windy and wet!!!). Sorry to be anal MtR but for consistency I've removed your colon. Fnick, fnick!
No, just from Highams Park - was 5 miles. Only back up to 10k at the minute! Yes, just read about Paula, inspirational! My brother (he was on the bus with us FLM 07 morning), ran his first Dublin marathon last Monday. 4 hrs dead. Fab time for him.
I've found that one of the best things about keeping notes is that they stop me worrying that I'm not doing enough. I'm running 10+ extra miles per week compared with last year, but generally feeling a lot less tired. And I don't have to rest all afternoon after an 18 mile run. 9 mile club run at 6:45min/mile last night.
. can you believe that our Charity...The Blue Cross have placed themselves up 2 flights of stairs? YIKES! After a long run, I love a glass of cold milk and some hazelnuts. Hope they have some as a reward for dragging myself up there!
Wow what a lot of soft mush you lot talk ;-) . Tutu - have you ever considered that If you stand at the starting line it may be because you are slightly bonkers and those that didn't get there may be the sensible ones? Susan -have a good rest, you deserve it after your almost long run!! 
Oh dear Hana! I really do sympathize! I have been absolutely unbearable for the whole of this month, and will no doubt be the same until I get to the start line, either this year or 2009. When I am pain free I think its possible, but then when I try to work out the remaining days and what to do, I start to think it is increasingly unlikely that I will start the race. . Mrs Puffy had to defer once, and there is simply nothing to be said or done, it is thoroughly miserable and frustrating and anyone that tries to cheer you up just hasn't a clue. It must be even worse as you read about people doing their last runs and beginning the taper. I reckon its got to be up there with a major accident or losing your job. . Just don't send the form in till you have too. (And do it Special Delivery) 
i put this on the macmillan runners thread last year... now i lay me down to sleep. i pray the Lord my health to keep. if i should panic before i wake. i pray the Lord my fear to take. God bless barley, beanz, all group 5 runners, supporters and runners from the other groups, the mad lady from group one celebrating her 50th on race day. btw, i am not particularly religious, i just like this.
gatton do you work for argos? I used to work for them, the branch in Kingston upon Thames. It's gone downhill massively since I worked there though.. obviously cause I left (but maybe other reasons like halving the shop in size, for example!). Anyway, just popping into this thread to give my details for the support group . Forum name: annajo . Name (suggest you email this if unhappy to divulge via the forum) Anna . Race number 10386 . Estimated time to mile 17 somewhere between 3-3.5 hours (aiming for a sub 5) . What you'll be wearing Green macmillan vest with 'anna' on the front, over a t-shirt (probably black long sleeve) and black leggings . Any special needs* tell me how great I'm looking, even though I'll be looking knackered! apart from that I should be ok, I'm carrying the equivalent of the kitchen sink with me! 
Aha - you're right Judderman. My head is very kind and knows i am running for charity. I too am planning on doing Penny Lane. I have the entry form in my briefcase that i printed out yesterday at work!! Might even manage Waterloo 15k which is May Bank Holiday but only 3 weeks after FLM so will have to see. Will enter it on the day probably. Will do Penny lane though as my target is to get speed back this summer over 5-6 milers.
Nah, it'll be Scott! Well Done Hana - like I said, it's already on Sky+ so looking forward to sitting down with a VERY VERY large glass of a decent Rioja and watching you on Monday evening!
Just wanted to say a huge GOOD LUCK to Jason at Katrina for tomorrow - hope you have a great run and enjoy the atmosphere!! Katrina, hope the cold is gone. Roo - well done on your PB! Sorry to hear about your friend's baby, hope all is ok. xx. Roo/Legs - I will prob watch on tv, but if I can make it down I will text you.
Thanks Alex! YWould love one, you are a star.. will sponsor you on Weds when I get paid though as no money in the world right now! Will email you then once I've done it. How did you get on yourself this year? Stomach behaving better?! ;-) Your story from last year was my all-time fave!!! :-) 
morning all. sounds like some good running going on again now. I'm feeling a bit like Mr Blobby for some reason, but will hopefuly get back in to it soon. Cruisin. good to see you back, and a huge well done for raising that amount. Fantastic. Tutu. my PB for 2008 flm was around 31 mins improvement. Bound to be someone with a better one i guess? . I was dead chuffed with my time 'till i found out a 67 year old in my running club, beat me by 3 mins, with a 3 .42. That bought me down to earth with a bump!
Watched it all the way through today - Thanks Alex. I am on screen for about 5 seconds but hey it was worth it lol. You've really worked hard doing these dvd's for everyone - well done!!!!!!!!
 Didds - Having said that a sub 3:40 at Abingdon is quite appealing!! (Umbongo slaps himself round the face for having such silly ideas). My targets for the rest of the year are sub 1:40 half, sub 45 10k (and then as close to 40mins as I can). I have my first club 10k next week which will be my marker and then they do one in July and one in August. The July one will be my sub 45min race and the August will be to get as close to 40mins as possible. I am down to do Windsor half in Sept (the same day as New Forest half!). I am booked in for my London to Oxford bike ride in July (may see Wabo there or not). I read the RW article on Lance Armstrong and quite like the idea of combining cycling into my running training blah blah blah
6th july, I am free, now Dave do not knock this off!!!!
Yep, Ady, Yogs is def running with a ballot place. Well done FP - another bod to cheer along the Mall! Err, sorry lads, not doing Beachy - like I said earlier, too much carp in my life. ticking along with about 3 runs a week at the moment just to keep a (very) low level of fitness - and it clears my head a bit from all the rubbish that SSWFW puts in it! x
You know how I always advise folks to run lots of 10ks !!!!!!!!!! Still no pug ?
I'm backing off a bit this week after last week's big week. Niggles are niggly, especially yesterday when I had to drive to Maidenhead and back for a meeting. Worse for my legs than anything else - struggled through a recovery run in the late afternoon. RICE last night and my legs are a lot better, but I don't have the work window today to do the planned 14 mile run (lunchtime and evening meetings), so I'll fit in a 6-8 mile run at some point in the day. Work is going to be very hectic in the next few months, as the charity I run is merging with another(larger) one. Loads of meetings, documents, due diligence, lawyers, accountants, etc. etc. ontop of my normal job. Should all settle down by the end of April - thus potentially ruining my whole training plan for London. We'll see. . Welcome mp , there's some good stuff in this thread, but a lot of other stuff to plough through to get to it - 8 hours might be optimistic! By my calculations that's about 40 posts a minute to read. Marigold - nice to hear you're reentering the land of the living. I reckon I've been virus-free for 10 days now, which might be a record for the last 6 months! 
I think those who dont put on weight should take some of the rest of our weight as they burn it off easier. Anyone watching London let us all know where you'll be so you can cheer us - if its still light by the time I get past ----
He's right though Emily. It's really tough when you want to do it, but better in the long run to miss it than to get properly injured. Yes a swim later might be good as then you haven't got the pounding. I know how you're feeling.
I'm back from my fab weekend in Carlise. Lovely country house hotel, too much food and drink and no running at all. Will have to get back to it tomorrow. Watched the boys play rugby in sleet and gusting wind. Was totally drenched and freezing cold afterwards but good games. Got back to hotel for lovely hot bubbly bath and a bottle of champagne! AH it sounds like the exams went well. Hope you hear soon as the waiting is often harder than the exam. What are longest LSRs that people have planned? I thought I read that someone was planning 22 and 24? Is anyone going over 20?
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo that can't be right....
they are great at going slow. At least pen and paper people all had equal chance. Iv been trying most of the day and got as far as enter ballot before crashing. I missed out last year to so will be even more disapointed again this year. GET RID OF THAT BIG RED SCREEN!!!
Brilliant Hen Well done! Just checking whether Abingdon does have a Women over 60 category it does not look as though they do?
the photos were not good last year. I felt I wasted my money. Hopefully they are of better quality this year.
kwilter...waddling less wrote I was asking Edith. oh ok :) 
Afternoon all,. TR - happy birthday mate. I decided on a10k off-road race last night instead of track - good decision, really nice run. 36:30 and 6th place. It was in the grounds of Alnwick Castle/estate for anyone who knows the North East (or Harry Potter). . Well i've finally managed to find a Embra number ;&not;). Just need to;. - Work out how to get from Pen xxx to Pen 1 as the number is 10,xxx. - Pick my moment to mention to other half?? - Work out where to stay or travel early morn. - Start worrying about the weather. Right where is that racers list !!!!
TR - Happy Birthday for today. Charle W - Belated congrats on your Sub 3. I was also wondering what are the main differences between the new and old P &D book? is it worth buying the new one if i have the old one already? 8 Miles for me again and trying to build by base up in prep for Abingdon and nice and steady. Cheers
Viola! Psi: bet THAT doesn't help!!!!!!!
Just for the latest update, someone else wanted the same weekend as us and had beaten us to a provisional booking. . So far he hasnt paid the deposit and he as until Friday to do so. If we fail to get that particular weekend then i have reserved the following weekend. So either way it will happen - just when rather than if. Regards
Thanks for the reply, have just emailed you.
There are actually 2 charities involved with this - the Hertfordshire Community Foundation (an unmbrella organisation for charities in Herts) and the Myasthenia Gravis Association which support sufferers of Myasthenia Gravis (a fluctuating muscle weakness)
Prefer the new name more fitting I think!!! Better be a good route with coffee and hot bagels at the end courtesy of use seeing as we are coming over to Alty!!! Ps I shall do those Cheadle H run routes for you shortly!
Can anybody help....have just treated myself to a polar A5. For my long slow run I'm supposed to keep my HR at 65 - 70 % of max. However, monitor reads 84 to 90 % but I feel really comfortable,. When I slowed to 65 % and I was just faster than a walk.. toooo slow ! Have been running for a year post baby, have lost 2 stone another stone to go and really looking forward to my first marathon. Should I listen to my perceived exersion level or the monitor?
pizzaman. Cheers for the encouraging words! I did my 1:26 half marathon in 2001 and ran FLM that year with an injured friend which meant finishing in 4:31 to make sure the slacker finished! I'm keen to see what I can do at the Fleet half since i ran a 10km PB three weeks ago and training has been going well since then. I take your point about the pacers - I'll try and use them as a 'ceiling' for a 3:15 finish. A further concern is that I think I'll be in the 3:30 pen at the start and it might be a bit of a battle to find my way to the 3:15 pacer. . God, its going to be a fun day (assuming I get there OK!). the bat
Well the mind is a powerful healing tool!!
LOL Monique:0). 
Not worth throwing it all away,but certainly not worth serious or permanent injury. If the pain is still there after a few days rest then think seriously about giving this year a miss and defer to next year.Have had to do this myself for this year.Disappointed, but having done the race 2 years ago, it's not just a case of "only another 6" at the end. They were the hardest 6 miles I think I have ever done.Better to be running in next years race than not being able to run at all.Sorry about the doom and gloom outlook.My brother had an knee injury a few years back and decided to do a race anyway. He now watches me from the side as he really knackered his knee up.If the body says it hurts, don't do it.
mwah,caz,thanks.see you at the thistle...
Nearly as good as the Archers this !
Mands. I've been taking multi vitamins for couple of months now plus a codliver oil capsule a day and yes they do turn wee yellow. Thought I was ill first time I noticed until I twigged what was doing it. Good news is I have'nt had a sniffle or owt since started taking them so must be good I guess or just lucky. Andy makes a good point - I tend to want to pee just before a race several times and will probably be worse this Sunday! Good luck everyone. Mike
I have faith in you Saqib!
I know of a very good one that covers North London and EC1 area. Call Brendan on 07950 233466. He charges 30 pounds an hour.
Congratulations Spans. . Maybe it's only non-veteran males that has been changed. Well, pre-2002 there was no GFA scheme for us at all. Going to have to negotiate time to train for and race the Robin Hood marathon now to break 3-hrs. Not easy as skip junior number 2 is due one week before!
ok, so I've filled out the form but should I send a stamped envelope for them to send my number? Once somebody put a note in telling me off because I didn't.
St Giles Hotel arround the £80 mark for a very nice room with sports facilities Tottenham Court Road Tube station. 
only 32 weeks to go!! , well minus christmas weeks cos no one runs then so thats 30 then there's the taper three weeks before so . 27 oh and of course you'll have a couple of colds over that time which take a week or so to get over so 23 , ah but then there's a chance you'll have a birthday between now and then so thats a saturday night out on the beer and you don't want to be running with a hangover so 22 ah and of course there's injuries . bound to have one in that time , which take at least 4 weeks to get over so ..18 . ah forgot new years eve which leaves you with a hang over for at least a week . oh and of course there;s all those sunday mornings when you really can't be bothered to get out of the bed because its raining . oh and the wedding aniversary and wifes birthday , both of which you are expected to bring her breakfast in bed and take her out for the day . so that leaves 4 weeks !! then there's all the d.i.y jobs she expects you to do on sundays that you haven't done because of all the hangovers , birthdays , and bad weather , so that leaves us with one week to train ..... hmmmmm think i'll defer till next year !
FLM they organise so many trains to get there it is not a problem, I get coached to the start but then all i have to do is be up in the morning and on the bus!!!
Mark, let us know if the zinc works for you. Good luck for Sunday.
&lt;looks around innocently> "whadisay, WHADISAY?"
meerkat - i keep trying to access your site but there appears to be a problem. i keep seeing a picture of a ginger minkey - surely that can't be right????
Bad luck Adam - find a good physio, mine suggested it was my greater trochanter muscle and lower back and hip joint inflammation. She gave ultrasound/TENS machine type thing/back & hip massage and loads of stretches and core stability exercises. 2 weeks of no running just swimming and 4 physio sessions sorted it out completely. Anyway, you couldn't have done 13 miles without training, at least hold on to that. You'd have done a great half-marathon. What about the Loch Ness Marathon? My sister helped to organise it last year, then ran it and it sounded great. I didn't meet up with anyone beforehand as I was sprinting across the field to the loo - that was before I knew there was a half-hour wait!
Good idea, It's a lovely day, I'm going for a long walk! Thanks everyone :)
oooh, JPVD, you're sooooo keen...:-). 8 miles easy for me today so prob. I won't be joining you. Have a nice sunny nostalgic run though! Can't remember where Womble but I definitely got a push as you went past me. I'm assuming you're the guilty womble as we ran a similar time. Don't worry I won't be seeking revenge......much.......;-)
35833 surely. So it's still cool and quite remarkable. Nice one Daniel!!
Hi All. Fairly quiet on the thread at the moment, like I have been myself a bit really. Ran home from work last night, usual 7 mile route, which was quite enjoyable, as it had stopped raining by then and was warm. I've realised that some days you just feel good, like you're flying along (like Ashley) and some days it's just not going to happen and I've had quite a few of those lately. 2 weeks ago I had a good day and finished the same route over 2 mins quicker, even by not even really trying, so I think your body has natural ebbs and flows of energy, it's just getting it right. Tonight I'm back at the club and we have planned a recce run of the last 10K inter-club league race, which is a week today. This should be fun, as it's got some sharp hills in it apparently, just hope I can hang onto the mens pack. Tomorrow I will probably run a 13-miler from work, then Saturday is rest day and Sunday is Track & Field. Training seems to be all over at the moment, due to various races and leagues, but will get it right. I'm thinking of doing Newark Half Marathon on 8th August (instead of Darlington 10K) which I had planned, has anyone run this before or know anything about it? Hope you are all flying and looking forward to the weekend races, if you have anything planned. Cheers. Sarah :0)
this sounds fantastic! dips, would you say it is better to go on one of the earlier camps in january, in order to get all the principles in earlier? or is it best to sign up for late feb when i've built up a bit more endurance?
Wow - that's wonderful. Thanks guys!! Thanks for taking the time to type all that out, Joby! Will post my application this evening. :-)
My cheque was cashed from Barclays today bequeathed. My mate has had his cashed as well and is beqqueathed too! Fingers crossed I am in I want to beat last years time!
Minkin - TF1 is me, TSB, in my home computer incarnation. :-)
Well done JJ and Shades. Fantastic time JJ, especially into a wind! Shades - 5.07 is not bad for a possible lurgy and big hills!!
I remember watching various marathons when I was small. Mike Grattons win, on a rainy day I seem to remember, enjoyed that one particularly.
Yeah, will give them a call, thanks Dips!
Hi Waldorf - like the guys say you're more than welcome to join us the more the merrier! Hope everyone had an excellent Xmas ! HS - sorry I didn't get back to you on the boxing day run - as we were out all xmas day - I had no pc web access - and had to get out early boxing day morning - b4 dinner prep( I should phone or text you in future I guess)- you're right it was really frosty and cold - but such a beautiful morning - I did a 5 miler and got back home feeling on top of the world - new Mp3 player helping. . Did anyone get out today for a run - I did a a 5 miler including 4 hill reps up mill hill - only to the bridge though - was really tough but felt great afterwards. Hope you are still ok for tomorrow CC - guess you are mega busy at the mo. New running kit sounds good Normski - anyone else get any kit from Santa? 
back from 7.5 miles-aborted LSD, felt horrible, but i was running too fast. (ha ha). I had to run through this lurgy. its now lasted 3 weeks
Jaq,. Just started thinking of hotels, saw your post, checked website, hotel looks good, price as yours, so I'm booked in. London marathon contingent of two at the Comfort Inn. Any others?
The initial objectives of the London Marathon (as set out by Chris Brasher). * To improve the overall standard and status of British marathon running by providing a fast course and strong international competition. * To show to mankind that, on occasions, the Family of Man can be united. * To raise money for the provision of recreational facilities in London. * To help London tourism. * To prove that when it comes to organizing major events, 'Britain is Best'. * To have fun and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world. FLM does not and never did exist solely to raise money for charity. But on the other hand charitable objectives were there from the start. . I still believe that all these objectives can be part of the London Marathon
Don't cwy Podds - i'll stay wiff u :-). I've decided to treat the whole thing as a learning experience. Runs will be for training purposes only therefore - slow (what else is new). Not gonna race or even try to (but then again, i'm not competitive like that so that won't be hard to stick to). We're gonna 'ave a real good time. Bit of a larff while we learn. God i'm sooooo excited!!! . must calm down. must calm down. must calm down . etc....
Excellent Trinity, we getting ourselves put about! I also looked at the Dartmoor event...quite fancy that now, without reading all the details do you do it in pairs? . I usually do the lovely Jog Shop 20.
here's a silly question. i've never done an ice bath. how exactly do you set one up? do you just throw ice cubes in a tub full of cold water? and is it okay to start by just submerging your lower legs in it? my injuries are usually concentrated there.
On the morning of the Marathon or any long run I will have a bowl of porridge with a mashed up banana and runny honey on top, it's like rocket fuel and should give you a good start.
JamesK. it is also my first marathon...but I'm going to make sure I've got lots of Vaseline on those chains! See you April 17th! Cheers. GDave
Apology accepted! Well, enjoy..and come back tomorrow morning and tell us all that you survived..
Dont know HtP, Is that a Garmin GPS unit or something else?
Katypie and Diana D - hope your 16 milers go well. I'll be trying for 18 tomorrow. Katypie - you're a bit keen - Edinburgh's not till June!
Helen - True! AA - I have considered it - how long would you have to spend jogging in the pool - whow long in the pool equates to what in terms of miles? Would appreciate some advice on aqua jogging! I'm seeing the osteo again to day so I will ask him about it as well. I've only had 3 days off - but I'm already beginning to feel like a right lardy adn it doesnt help that people keep bringing chocolate into the office!
I DON'T KNOW!I turn my back for 5 minutes and all this tri - stuff comes out of the woodwork again - I wonder if anything can be purchased to deal with this infestation? ;). Alp - sounds like a good run you had - hope that massage irons out those aches. CC- next time you are creating with the gold spray paint etc. - give me a shout - sounds like fun - you'd probably end with 3 times the mess though! Normski - hope that treddie ache is temperorary! 
JJ - sorry to hear that you aren't going to make it this time around. But hey, there will plenty more marathons for you when fate is being kinder!! I hope you pop back in here often to cheer us all on! Good luck with your 10k times. :-)
OK Delia, see you there. Feeling a bit stiff tonight from my 'mountain' climbing now! TS
oh - and welcome ;0)
A list a list, this thread needs a list. Pizza Man. Run Rabbit Run. Ploding Hippo(gerroff me gin)
BD says he is not fidgety!
Agree with Cougie and Mr C ;-)
Team 5er here. I'm a bit calmer now - was in a panic at work today. . I'm off to the expo tomorrow evening afterwork will anyone else be there. Stickless BB and BD - which part of Somerset. I have family down there - grew up there but live in London now. My Dad runs a pub near Wincanton.
Right I'm ready! A chum picked up my number for me so I have got that and my championchip etc etc. Bag is now packed ready with all stuff I need for FLM, got my extra layers to wear at the start plus bin bag, so any of you that I meet at the Clarendon you will have to excuse me for looking like a dork but it will all be peel off throwaway gear!! Transport is deffo free ladies, just need to flash yer number! Going for an early night now (with my nytol which worked last night!), trying to get as much rest in now as I am sure I won't sleep very well tomorrow and Sat. Expo cheapskates - my cereal bar in the goody bag is out of date!! Keep smiling folks. TS. 
I think that whatever marathon you enter you have to approach it with the knowledge that every marathon is different for various reasons....location, size of event, sponsorship etc. Of course the bigger the event the greater the likelyhood the crowd support will be but ofcourse the FLM is a league unto it's own. In regards to future training...there is a wealth of information on the internet and on this RW site for marathon training depending on what time you want to achieve. The easiest way to find a training schedule is to 'google' "marathon training schedules" and choose one that works for you. Jamie, .the key to keeping your legs going on a bit longer is those long traning runs....getting a few 20 milers under your belt will help in addition to fine tuning your carbohydrate loading, wearing a good pair of running shoes etc etc. The FLM is a fantastic marathon but it isn't the only one ! There are plenty of other great marathons out there for you to enjoy. Happy running !
well I dont "run" them do i. If you had been asked to walk 26 miles twice-well you could yeh?
Cant beat a bit of early morning glory! :) Morning Dips
Stayed in Westminster Thistle this year and it did tick all the boxes...walking distance from finish....good early breakfast and a very nice hotel...see you there
Julie B 70. It's fab for a first one!
oh yeah... 5:10. I basically walked from mile 20-24!
MWCMF - CBA - that's definately going to be passed on! Nice one!! OOO - Good luck in NY. And good luck on the Pub crawl that will no doubt follow. After any major race I think you deserve the right to celebrate and doubled with a birthday, well that's just an excuse to abuse it. I know I did back in May when I ran a half on my 40th birthday. M - It sounds like you're about to peak or is this just a warm up for an Iron Man?
Just adding me to the list!! alan_every - (02-11-05) - Barclays - Bequethed. Ali Bongo - (2/11/05) - HSBC - Bequeathed. Annie (2/11/05) - NatWest - Bequeathed. A Princess (2/11/05) - HSBC - Bequeathed. Beast Fighter (2/11/05) Lloyds - Bequeathed. Berry (2/11/05) - One - Bequeathed (I think). Burtyboy (2/11/05) - LTSB - Bequeathed. Cath (2/11/05) - Barclays - Bequeathed. Chris S - (2/11/05) bequeathed. Crazy Pavey - (2/11/05) First Direct - Bequeathed. Davey Muv - (1/11/05) Capital One - Bequeathed. Eternal Plodder-(2/11/05)-Barclays-Bequethed. H Davis - (2/11/05) Nationwide - Bequeathed. Heckenhocker - (2/11/05) Citibank - Bequeathed. HS (02/11/02) FD - Bequeathed. Kit-e-Cat (2/11/05) Lloyds Bequeathed. Low Profile -(2/11/05)Halifax Bequeathed. MissP (2/11/05) LTSB Bequeathed. Mitten (02/11/05) Barclays - Bequeathed. Northern Snail (2/11/05) HSBC. OJ -(2/11/05)RBS - Bequeathed. OJs friend-(2/11/05)Halifax Bequeathed. Paul Sant - (2/11/05) Bequethed. pepe (2/11/05) Bequeathed. phal (2/11/05) LTSB Bequeathed. Plodette (2/11/05) - LTSB Bequeathed. Riza (2/11/05) Barclays Bequathed 5th attemp. Rocks (2/11/05) Bequeathed. Ruby K (2/11/05) HSBC - Bequeathed. Rumbletum (2/11/05) Abbey - Bequeathed 5th time rejected!! slimboyslim (02/11/05) - First Direct - Bequeathed. Sore Toes (2/11/05) - LTSB - Bequeathed. Sore Toes Mr (2/11/05) - LTSB - Bequeathed. Splash (02/11/05) - HSBC Bequeathed. Steve G BP(2/11/05) - Bequeathed. Stevi - (2/11/05) bequeathed. Stephen Rackstraw (2/11/05) bequeathed. Susie-sarus (2/11/05) Bequeathed. Suffolk Swift (02/11/05) Abbey - Bequeathed. Tamworth Runner (02/11/05) HSBC Bequeathed. Tim (Paris 2005) - 2/11/05 RBS Bequeathed. Tinribs (2/11/05) - Barclays- Bequeathed. The Villager (02/11/05) - LTSB - Bequeathed - 2nd year. Tubby Tortoise02/11-First Direct-Bequeathed. Weds(2/11/05)-First Direct-unknown bequeath). nippynora (2/11/05) - HSBC - Bequeathed - 2n d yr. wylls (2/11/05) - HBOS - bequeathed. RunLikeTheWind (2/11/05) Bequeathed. Weeman (2/11/05) Abbey - Bequeathed. Wee witch (2/11/05)-Clydesdale Bequeathed. Wixey (2/11/05)- Halifax - Bequeathed
as you can see I still have lots to learn when it comes to posting links. Shall I try again? Here is attempt two
Brilliant result GG - many congratulations and may you be celebrating in style! Had a friend staying this weekend so was planning on taking the whole weekend off, but did manage to fit in a quick run this morning - bit of a blast with a couple of good hills and nice to get outside as so much of my running these days is just on the treadmill at lunchtime. Must say, running outside really is far more enjoyable by far and as Beders points out (good long run by the way), it is necessary to get used to running on hard surfaces. Spent the rest of the day shifting stuff to/from the rubbish dump in anticipation of moving to a smaller place in London and now I ache all over, so not sure what state i'll be in to do any running tomorrow! BM - do you recommend the total immersion book? was thinking about getting it as keen to learn breast stroke and then my "challenge" to myself post hong kong marathon is to learn butterfly (looks like a great workout!). Hope the XC went well Sarah - thought of you today, as it's like a mud bath down in kent at the moment and i almost got stuck on my way back when i cut through the back of the park and did the 100yards off road. Not as cold as it has been, but still chilly enough that I ran in tights, 2 tops and jacket + hat, gloves, scarf today. Welcome Boing and David - the more the merrier ...make sure you join in the chat and banter and let us know what you're up to and no need to lurk :)
Hi everybody first reply so please don't shout, I have been following some of this and just to add my view I did a few 16 mile runs to and from work about 3 weeks before I ran the Cardiff marathon last year. I knocked 12 mins off my PB now 3.14. I found doing 2 runs in a day gave me a lot of confidence. I am now aiming for 3.05 at FLM 06.
Ever thought of joining a club...will help you considerably; there's bound to be someone doing FLM. ukathletics.net. cubs zone
thank you DD i will return the favour.
Diana I have a 20 year old daughter who is single but as you know she is in Australia. I am not keen on asking folks for money either but its amazing how generous some folks can be, once on a meal out with friends, I wasn't having much to drink as I was doing RFL the next day, at the end of the evening I was unexpectly given £50 as a donation for the race and I never even asked for it. I have club speed session tonight and hopefully a 16 miler at the weekend. . 
Karen Hancock. Hi! I think I saw you (plus a couple of others) running past my house (Canberra Road) this morning (11:10 am). Looked like you were giving it some wellie! Made me feel a bit dispirited as I guess you were nearing the end of your long run and I was just doing my pre-run stretching session, with 21 hilly and muddy miles ahead of me! Still, I'm back now and feeling quite good, having done what I had planned.
Cheers, Andy! I was a runner in distress!!
Saqib - good luck for the weekend! I keep meaning to go onto your charity page and donate - will do soon. Let us know how you get on - we want a full run down! Orient - good luck tonight. Hope you get some good news soon. Good news! I've lost 2lbs already - only another 12 to go!
Hi HH & SDI. Thanks for the replys. Mrs J did the pengiun plan for her first LM & came in at 5:25 just 2 mins after the pacer. He stopped for a toilet break at 8 miles so she did the rest on her own and never saw him overtake. In the mag I received today it says they do usually 7m/ml up to 12m/ml in min intervals so hopefully they'll do an 11m/ml which is what she wants. It says to preregister go to this website so I'll have a look around. . Thanks again for trying and good luck all. (Beginning to feel a little jealous though have bigger fish this year.). Regards. JT
Littlemiss -. Well done on your first 10 miler! Your next goal should be to enter a half marathon as soon as convenient. If you've done 10 in training you're nearly there. You'll be amazed how much more confident you'll be about the marathon once you've got your first half under your belt. And running in a race will give you a little idea of the atmosphere on FLM day! Good luck!
Wilde Rover, you wont get anything until March when you get the next magazine, I assume just like everyne else. When I ran for a charity I got the app form and youre in magazine from them and then anything else came from FLM but as I say not till sometime in March.
Rossendale eh? Know it well, did the Rossendale half a couple of years ago, tough but excellent run, started and finished at Marl pit athletic track. We had sun, rain and hail that day.
Helloooooooo! Sorry for the long absence. It's been a pretty rough few weeks. Nevermind, it's all back to normal in Delia world now so I'm back and not going to be writing the dreary things I would have otherwise!! I'm so glad to hear that you're all doing so well. I can't wait to hear all of the race reports after the big day! I was talking to someone at work today about my FLM experience last year and now I'm horrendously jealous of you all for being the lucky ones doing it this year!! Nevermind, I'll just have to get my PB at Stratford (aka Hippo's B'day mara!)in May instead! PS I totally agree that Mr Beckham was looking scrumptious on Wednesday evening....oh how I love him!! ;o)
Rowan - great time today, Hogmonster you too mate - must have ran a similar course to me. Gazza brilliant - I am in awe of you all. I am obviously on the wrong theread if I can only manage 3:54 for 20 so I will not bother you again and slip off to the sub 4 thread. But I will not give up and this race will not beat me. I will be back. Thanks for the encouragement and good luck all
Morning,. How are you? It went really well! Weather was good,the support from the crowd was amazing for a half marathon. I ran 1:54 by my watch, so was quite pleased considering the fisrt 5 miles are all up hill!! On the whole felt good and was glad I entered, broke up the training, was a nice change and with the hills you could class it as a long training run I suppose. . How was your weekend, birthday celebrations go well? Training going well for both of you?
London is like no other Marathon, beleive me, you wont need any music to keep you going......
Thanks mate . Tough night tonight I am watching a tape of carry on camping its so funny updating club records and drinking my Ovaltine . And catching all the running news . . Nice session easy 7 tommorrow . I am a Charlton Athletic supporter and pround of it , apart from the painfull end of season usual fall apart .
Hello guys and gals . I have a straight back now but must rest for two more days as a pulled a back ligament had caused the problem in the first place . Light 2 or 3 miles saturday then easy 20 at the stroke run on sunday I hope . Still 5 days of rest might help re charge the batteries for chasing T&T Man at Paddock Wood in a weeks time ??? Thanks for the support everyone
Thanks Fenn. Decided to put something in there that was more inspiring for me! I sprinted for the last 300 yards or so on Sunday. In my head I had a big grin on my face but it doesn't look like it from the photo. My son said that if I had that much left in me by the end I should have run at a faster pace throughout the race. He admitted that he might be wrong when I had stopped punching him.
Always Aching. We seem to be in the same boat. I was after 3:30 but also will be v. happy to get 3:40 and a new PB. But this bl**dy cold better hurry up and shift. Also got a new pair of shoes to wear in (Mizuno Elixir..nice). Great running everybody not long to go before the taper
Aber, that's some kind of cross training you've got going there, not sure my legs would take kindly to any high or long jumping. BFB & Rob, good luck with the long runs, nice and steady does it and leave some good recovery days in the schedule afterwards. SB, sorry to hear you've been ill, maybe a sensible decision to lower your horizons, hopefully you can enjoy the race with less pressure and still get that big new PB. NL, I've been doing all my mid to long runs in some Nimbus that Mrs H bought me for Christmas and I thought they were really heavy to start with, my marathon shoes will be Mizuno Precisions, mostly phsycological I know but they feel much 'faster'!! Last 'big' speed session yesterday 8 x 800m fast off 90 secs jog recoveries, averaged 3:03 per rep, with a couple of warm up/warm down miles total just over 7 miles. Last medium long midweek tonight 12 or 13. Keep well now everyone.
>>fabric softener. ? I was told once to avoid using much conditioner (is that the same?) with technical kit, because it reduces the wicking effect. Could be wrong tho'.
Ox - excellent, well done. How do you know what colour start point we will be in on the 23rd ? Is it to do with your expected completion time, your run number or some other method ?
Gazza that's SICK!
BB - thanks for all the fabulous organisation. . I am intrigued - your vest in your photo...is that from 'Tough Guy' ?
Hi Sweetest, enjoy your run later. I went out yesterday, so might go tomorrow for a little one then 6 planned for Sunday.
Sanps - Hippo will copy and paste. don't want the RFG guys to think I'm bullying them.
Hi all,. Best of luck. I am getting so paranoid, someone nearly hit my car today, and I slipped over - what a nightmare! Am really excited. Picking my number up on Sat afternoon - bad time I know. Tinkerbelle, I am staying at Novotel Waterloo as well on Sat and Sun with hubby (isn't running) and two friends (who are running) and their hubbies(who aren't).
love that idea DN - let's do it. Can't do 7 June though - sorry OO.
How good to have a surprise hol Jane. Hope you had a lovely time. PH Hope Birthday was good. Sorry it's belated, but I seem to have missed it earlier. Cinders - I think I will take your advice. I'll pop into Dusseldorf at the weekend and see if I can pick one up. Good on you Roobarb with the disgracing - has to be done every now and then! Hope everyone else is well. I'm having a good day today and learning lots. Also just been told that I won't be needing to pay for my lunches anymore as I will be getting them free from now on - hurray! They have a fantastic canteen here with things like steak (cooked to perfection), duck breast, stir frys, Salad, all to a really good quality so I'm not needing to do much cooking myself as I'm having a really good feed up at midday. And now it's free! Anyway must go - I have to write up all the things I learnt this morning before I forget them and can no longer ready my handwritting!
LW5, FLM06 was my first marathon and I couldn't believe how exhausted how felt for weeks. I'm gradually getting back in to my running now but if you're struggling try introducing walk breaks as this will have a mental benefit as much as anything esle. If you're running for, say, 5 minutes, stop and walk for one minute and then do the same again all the way to the end of your run. You can eliminate the walk breaks once you've fully recovered or take less of them if you've got used to the strategy and its advantages. At FLM06 I walked for 1 minute at the end of each mile up to 20 so even towards the end I could still keep going by saying "only 9ish more minutes until my next break" - I ran without breaks after mile 20. I recovered much quicker because of this strategy and I'm still using it now. I ran 3 miles 3 days after FLM, with walk breaks, of course! Give it a try and see if it helps. best of luck.
GD - just doing 13.1M in this heat is an achievement. I got up really early to run my 12M, Started really slow as legs felt a little heavy after yesterdays hill session,then picked up the pace a little, felt nice and easy, came home in 1:34 (av 7:50). Started cool, ended very hot, took on almost 1.5 litres, and have been drinking ever since.
pugs. If your 18.09 was a PB then I wouldn't worry. You're still getting faster, and you're not injured.
TMR:. I agree with the not blasting off statement you made regarding XC races. In the local sunday league races, last season I blasted off with the leaders and by the end of the race was holding on. I then ran the bigger xc races such as the Southerns (Mike Gratton will remember that one!) and the Nationals at parly Hill. I started off very steady in these races, let my eager team mates shoot off in front, then spent the whole race, slowely picking off runners, in fact I overtook all my team mates and made up around 50-60 odd places and finished feeling pretty strong as well!
Just phoned to find out when my form would be posted out only to be told they hadn't received my letter requesting one. Same goes for the OH's letter too. Will get another letter off in the post tomorrow. Just as well I checked though.
Katepie. Well done. 
Well done everyone for running today. I have ventured out today, but only so far as going to Bingo!! Am now 60 quid up so quite a productive Sunday! The goblins have left the premises now too, thankfully. . I got my FLM rejection letter yesterday too, forgot to say. . 
Hippo. You did well today. How did your christmas shopping Saturday go?
WS:. Happy Birthday!!! now then did someone just mention Birthday cake???? lol
Hiya Hippo. She nearly set the house on fire with them once. She left them on and went asleep. Where are you getting that extra extra extra large turkey from?
happy new year everyone. the real training starts now... well when i'm over the massive hangover i have. 
cool cheers matie, i really need to get my back side in gear with my training plan
Just popped in to say have a good weekend everyone - happy running!
Hi, MN :o) Welcome! Stick around and see what you think .. when the thread started, not all that long ago, I'd never done a sub-2hr half-marathon. HRR, I must confess that I'm not drinking any more than usual. Not because I'm genetically half-cactus like the person who wrote the rambling letter to that effect in the current RW, but because my fluid intake is quite generous anyway and because I don't sweat enormously. And before a long run, I carbo-load so well that there's probably enough water bound up with the glycogen in my legs to keep me going. At this time of year I only take drinks on runs lasting over two-and-a-half hours. Obviously it's different in summer.
Thanks Bowi. How do i know if i have the seat at the right height? when my leg is in the most extended position should it be completely straight or slightly bent? also if i am doing it for cross training do i have low resistance and go faster or is it better to have higher resistance or is it just about doing a certain distance in a certain time? i did 5 miles in 21 minutes.
A from E. Wonderful! best nights sleep ever-counting sheep.My uncle farmed sheep in the Bowland area-I recall him counting in this way. LSR 15 miles then 10 mile race next week. GC dont worry about switching, as long as you get your LSR's in during the training period, and do not overdo weekly milage!
Evening all,. Very impressed by everyones's efforts. I did 16 mile LSR on Sunday in just under 9mm's and felt very comfortable which is a good sign. Never run that far before so pretty happy with the progress. Cant wait for the Brighton HM in 2 weeks time! Anyone else doing this?? Bit sore after Squash tonight. Dont think i stretched enough. Being a physio i should know better! Looking forward to the fun of the hills tommorow night! Cheers,. Jules
Sounds like a wonderful post Marathon treat! Wonder if I could persuade the OH? What are you guys going to do to celebrate? My running club has a party on the night of Marathon we have 22 out of 66 members running.
Daz i just realised that your time is faster than what i did the Brighton half in last year!!
Cool if you're a formula one fan! . Bowi what were you doing in Nepal?
ah good mokina. you have options. they shoukld be wooing YOU
Good luck with all of the LSRs this weekend guys. As predicted I have done nothing this week but had a great conference - got some excellent results and had some real fun, but workload, late nights and booze have not helped to get me motivated to run. Rugby at the weekend together with long drives down through West Wales and then Cardiff will mean no running till Monday and then it gets cold ... but it will have to kick off whatever the weather. have a good time all. 
Here's a bizarre thought. My mother just sent me a text, to say that my 'symptoms' sound just like when my 'skinny and weak' younger sister had anaemia -I've tried nigh on everything else - look like a few irons pills and some guiness then. WS All the best. I'm most impressed with your return to top form. Eb - Ive been advised that the best splits for mortals are 49.2% and 50.8%, so 1h 28m 30 ish for me.
Cinders. Sorry I meant Thanet 10. Just got a text from Hippo, she is coming up to 20 miles.
Welcome Tallbird, sounds like some good running there and a good time coming into FLM. You have some sound mileage behind you too. AT, well done on completing the last LSR, sounds about as inspiring as mine, but it's done and in the bank now - Thank God!!! SB, welcome back, glad to see you've returned to form quickly after your exams and rest. GC, many people have already covered the taper question. Mine is planned as 24, 16 & 10 (about 10 days out) which also includes a 10K race and speedwork on a weekly basis. Ideally 3 weeks is good, but it can be done on 2 if you taper more sharply. . DFD, thanks for the taper article - a good read. Not long til Boston now! Keep of the grapes. CL, I would go for the 3 mile race, it will be a nice sharpener and you can use it as speedwork. I personally think higher mileage weeks are the key to a faster time, particularly when you've reached a plateau like I have in my last 3 marathons. You seem to be doing just fine. Ceal, well that's just blxxdy fantastic!!! What a great time, I'm so pleased for you, it must be a fantastic boost coming into FLM too - all those great miles training and now this - yipee! LoR, welcome back, sounds like a good plan to me and you're on target. LF, that sounds like a good idea - an Easter Bunny outfit - might be a bit hot at Hamburg with it on though. I didn't have a good time at training on Thurs night either on the track, so just kept it steady, felt crxp. Beders, the canal run sounds great, what a different good company can make, wish I'd come with you guys now, but there was no way I could've made it time-wise. You were all flying along, sounds like you were doing cartwheels at the end. I found I felt stronger from 20 miles on too, hopefully it's a good omen. Hobble, sounds like tired legs and let's face it, we are all bushed at this time in our training. Don't be too down about it, as you've put in some great training times lately. Ozzy, good to hear you are nearing a full recovery & you're tootling along at 8 min miling again, which isn't that fast for you. Text me and let me know if you'll be there on Friday, when you make a decision. Clairster, well done on your LSR too, we all seemed to hate it apart from Beders & Co. I too ground to a big halt when the Garmin bleeped at 24 miles, which I think was more mental than physical. I went home and slept for 1.5 hours after that, cold and LSR wiped me out. . NickM, catch up with you Thurs as re-arranged for race on Fri morning. Let me know if you fancy doing 15-16 miler together at MP over same weekend. I also received a £20 voucher for "Up & Running" in the mail on Sat, which was a nice surprise - a prize from last week's Ackworth HM.
Susan. I estimated 4 hours in my original application and I'm in pen 5 - so I guess that is where to go for. i think pen 4 might be the keen 3-40 types that we are not worthy of being associated with!! Starting to get close - nervous and excited! Its shimmering heat on the course today (my office is just past the 19 mile mark!). 
Learning how to do the Samba! LOL. Night night xx
Dread to think what you might have found in your dish after 9pm!!!!!
I reckon it should say we should aim to run 7% slower. me being a bit dense, I never adjust my plans, run at my normal pace & blow up at 18 miles. End up walking & lose half-hour.
I ran for JDRF which funds research into cures and causes of type 1 diabetes. A friend just popped in with some sponsorship money. She's got two diabetic sons and is besides herself with gratitude for my efforts. She said if there was ever a cure they'd sell the house and live in a caravan if it meant they could pay for treatment to cure their boys. Feel quite emotional about it.
I had to raise £2,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, but I was talking to someone during the race who only had to raise £950. I forget which charity it was though. Dark blue vest, but not Anthony Nolan.
How do you think you'd do if you ran it KP? Can you see how you feel later in the week? Choc muffins sound yum!
Bowi I am with you about oldies trying to tell you waht they used to do. I qualified for a swimming teacher back in 1981 and a Karate (Shotokn) instructer in 1983 and a gym instructor in 198 4 but would not even think of telling people what to do as things have changes so much each year. How long ago was it that runners had never heard of gels etc . 
Just been checking out the Two Oceans website. 35 miles. One day. The same little voice that sat on my shoulder this time last year and whispered, "sub 4.00 marathon" is beginning to mutter at me, "Two Oceans Marathon". . Most of the route's wonderful. We've spent two chunks of time in Cape Town and it's beautiful round there. Def some big lumps of rock around though (think Table Mountain etc).
DoT - I think it's the same, but I don't look back in races so have never seen his face. He generally beats Ronnie O'Sullivan, his local celeb rival in the Essex scene. The results are up already. It seems that most people are 40 - 50 seconds down on last year. Two members of Coronium 's club who went sub 33 last year were about a minute up this time. The winner seemed to have a very good race for 32:44. The guy closest to me (who beat me by 6 seconds) has bagged a couple of decent HMs this year. NM2 - it's a great site, set up by a club mate (hence the inclusion of my times from the days when 33:35 was more like my 5M time). It gives a whole new angle of post race analysis - especially in XC where I can see how those around me compare on the roads.
Hi Nicky, good to hear from you. Hope you get better soon. And Rio, hope the foot is improving after ice and rest - what bad timing! Debs - do you get RW mag? If yes there was a separate flyer in it about a 10k in Sept in Epping Forest which looks good. Have you ever run there? I never have as I wouldn't like to go there on my own (and I guess I don't like mud very much either!) but I'm v tempted. If you don't get it go to www.trailplus.com and click on puma urban escape.
Sorry guys gagging to tell you, but want to leave it to nearer the date for reasons that will become apparent when I spill the beans. I fly out a couple of days before the race, so I'll certainly let you know before I take off. JEJ I think I've got a good chance if there isn't too much wind, and the course isn't too hilly. I expecct to hit the start line a couple of pounds heavier than for FLM07, but should be about the same weight as when I ran Abingdon last year. My main worry is cramp, but I have a cunning plan in place to avoid that, courtesy of my Triple Iron Man clubmate. He acted as a pacemaker at Abingdon, and watched me suffer on the way round. I'll be taking what he takes to stop it. Hopefully it should work. 7.30pm?!!!!!! Not confirming anything. 
 JEJ I'l go 16:05.... TippTop[/b[ I'm racing the Burtonwood 5 Miler tomorrow.. just a steady 5:40-5:45 m/m I reckon.. will do me... Lovely weather out there for a 14.2 miler ;-). Pug 
OMG a girl pops out for a little retail therapy and you guys gossip like crazy! Sorry Rio if I've missed you but good luck for the weekend - will keep checking tv listings. Gatton I've already wished you well for your physio appointment. I'm in for the Half but am confused whether it's MK or Brighton? SM where's your picture???? Daz are you practising being Bashful by removing yours? What's going on? VB you have to ditch the cow print knickers PLEAZE!
Rio - congratulations again - you truly are amazing. Can't believe that you're even contemplating going out tonight! Gatton take it easy on Wednesday!
Had my FLM entry form through the other day and have now sent it off :) 
LF, congrats on your new job, once you've been sat at a desk for a few hours, you'll be bursting with energy and itching to get your trainers back on. Great run at a cracking pace, the previous run was obviously your body having an 'easy day' but I often feel like that. Euph, yes, looking forward to Selby HM, but have another long run (around 12-13 miles) to get in on Friday, then I'll start looking towards the taper next week, with some strides and shorter sessions. I'm hoping it won't be too windy, unlike today, when I've almost been blown off my feet. Where is Haltemprice btw? Was looking at your list of 10K races, as trying to find a good 10K course. Ceal, thanks for your comments, now that it's getting towards the XC season, I'm having to look a bit harder for 10K on the road with a good course, hopefully I'll find one soon, as don't have one planned at the moment. DFD, the mental images which your post conjured up were just mad, you take it easy on those step ladders and running to school - don't want any non-running induced injuries on the thread! Could you please impart some of your mental pre-race strategies, as I'm really interested. Eddie, welcome back, you've been very quiet over the summer and will no probably steam in with a marathon PB at Leicester. Ozy, great run last night and it's even better when you've run that far - you feel justified in eating as much food as you like, well done. Clairster, that sounds like an excellent session, which turns out to be even better when you've run at a pace like that and didn't even realise it. LS, now you know you can achieve anything, no barriers, no mental obstacles, sub 1.40 awaits in your next HM. Have you got a Garmin? Stick to the pace like glue if you have. Did a pretty hard session on the track last night with the club, which was 16 x 1 min efforts, with a decreasing recovery, so first rest period was 45 seconds, then 30, then 15, then 1 min, repeated 4 times. Just when we thought we'd finished, we had 500m jog recovery, then ran 1000m, which I didn't do at full pelt, as would probably have crocked myself, but still managed 3.57, which wasn't too bad at the end of a work-out. Today is windy as hell here, the trees are bending in half. I think wind is one thing I hate the most as a runner. Rain, snow, sun, etc I can cope with, but wind is very energy-sapping, the only thing worse is when it's combined with rain or snow. 4 miles at lunchtime at a fairly steady pace. Plenty of races at the weekend, with the biggies including GNR & Berlin Marathon.
TT . La Rochelle is indeed (allegedly) a flat course. Its a 2 lapper, which I know not everyone likes, but I'm happy to give it a go - looks a bit fiddly at times round the old port though. Its been won in a 2:11 (men) and 2:37 (women) in recent years. Be a nice weekend away if nothing else!
Wish it was school TS, then she wouldn't be able to upset him so much! Tracey, don't scare me with things like that! I'm still trying to have a little one!!!
or your previous times, flu making me slow... . Have a good Birthday CG, husband already bought present he's worth keeping :) 
Wahey Bowi!
3.37.50!!!!!! :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) . How proud am !? 
Evening all! Nowt to report, just popping in to say hello. . Did a really good weights session a the gym today but I'm shattered from it now! . TS, glad to hear he got the right verdict, just sorry you had to deal with it all. 
I do like a good debate and it looks like I've missed a few good ones on here today. I've got a new run plan I'm moving into, moving things on from 4 to 5 runs per week in the next month. Most of my mileage on weeknights is with club due to increased work hours, so I'm going to take advantage this winter by doing as many miles at the weekend as I can. Tuesday &ndash; Club Night &ndash; as with PPB's varies but with slower talking pace at the start culminating in hard surges at the end. A few regroup stops so I consider this an easy session. Wednesday - Short, easy. The run I'm most likely to dump. . Thursday &ndash; Club speedwork, tempo run or fartlek with the fast group. If not the club then I'll do tempo or intervals. Saturday &ndash; At this time of year this is my 'have some fun run'. One of only two weekly opporutunities to run in the light. Trail, hills, maybe both, but not too hard. Sunday &ndash; When I'm not racing this is LSR day. In marathon training last time I was anywhere between 20 miles early on to 50 later in my plan - tended to bounce between 35-45 as would only do a 15m+ LSR once every two weeks. My average for the last two complete months before marathon month was 160, so roughly averaging 40 mpw. I've never run monthly mileage that high before or since. I think I needed to run 20m in a run and then get another 20 in through marathon-paced or other sessions each week. Its what I needed to run a good marathon at Windermere. I also went out my way to run hilly routes which built my confidence for tackling an undulating/hilly marathon. Do the same for FLM and you'll be quids in as you'll have energy to burn on the long flats of the FLM. This time I want to do more, I've planning to hit average 30+ mpw by December, and 40 by mid January. My plans involve over marathon length races so I may try and push on beyond 50mpw on occasions. Like Nick I'll ramp down a week occasionally. Nick - Glad you enjoyed (endured?) Bishop Wilton, if anybody ever tells you East Yorks is flat you can now force-feed them their empty-words :) . That hill to the east of Bishop Wilton is mean, as mean as the one at GF10 but without paving to get grip from! That was the significant hill at our XC there - I also found a few boggy bits. Oddly the rest of the course was easier than this weeks at Drewton Woods nearer Hull, but that one hill took enough out of everyone to make the rest of the course a painful affair. Bounding back down it at the end wasn't fun either, the sort of steep, bumpy, uneven descent only Beders could enjoy ;-) 
AH - great news re. Paris, just need to get your hip sorted out now. At present I plan to do all 3 marathons (I have done 2 in a month before and felt OK) -friend did London and Stratford last year and he is in his 60s and he managed 4:20 and 3:57. He ran London with his son and because it was a training run and no pressure, he really enjoyed it. My plan is to treat two of them as training runs and one as a serious PB attempt. On the basis I am not a Paula and doubt that I will be digging deep into my last reserves in any of the runs I should be able to recover easily enough (who am I kidding) - Plodding Hippo does them all the time so why not -aim is to get up to 10 and then retire. Didds -sorry to hear about your ankle.
I'd like to vote for Mouse as I know she is a determined creature and she would love to go sub 5 hours. I feel certain she would value the training and it would inspire her to beat her mara PB. 
lol, not a dirty word here today, Mr C is currently doing some hoovering :-) I'm half waving a duster around !
. I have a glass of red in my hand but only because we have a bottle thats been open a bit too long for cooking :) The majority of the time I'll drink nothing at all, this must be my first drink since New Year, and even then I only had one glass of champers and one bottle of beer. . Also welcome Silver Fox! Wish I could do 7 miles at 10-minute mile! :) 
I wouldn't be so presumptious Gatton!
Week Seven Day Three Wednesday . My Schedule says 7M (approx 56 mins) steady. My Timex says 7M in 56. 40 . . . It didn't feel steady on the tready :( as I said earlier I tried to focus on ' running tall ' and keeping my trunk stretched. The pain in my butt ock diminished quickly and I tried to stare at one particular point on the wall in front of me and ran towards it . . . I kept my form for about 6M but the last mile was a real struggle and I couldn't keep the right body shape. But I got there. Splits all around the 8m mark apart from the first and last . . . I can feel the pain in my butt ock again now and I know that no matter how I sit it's going to hurt to stand up, but once I'm in motion again it gets better. In the morning I'm going to play around with the seat in my car because I suspect the settings have been changed whilst it's been repaired and then serviced during the past fortnight. I've never understood why people who work on cars never ever return the seat to the position they found it in when they got in . . it's one of my soapbox topics! grrrrr . . :( . I have a new problem . . on Monday night during the hills I clipped a kerb with my right foot and almost fell over. I think I must have jarred my big toe because I woke up last night and it was throbb ing and it's doing it again now. It's a funny colour too. After the Miami Marathon which Trin and I did last January this particular big toe went a funny colour and the nail died . . and in fact it took about 48 weeks to fully grow back again. The last time that happened to me was after I broke a big toe but I don't think I did that in Miami. But it's not happy at all at the moment . . :( . I had planned to run 5M tomorrow, this being the run I didn't do last Saturday when I brought this week's runs forward by 24hrs. However in the light of my currrent aches and pains, and because I have no idea when I'm going to get home tomorrow evening, I'm going to take tomorrow as a Rest Day and have 2 days off in a row. Steve MC I hope this is ok?
Oh to get back to doing 18 miles... :( 
Gatton we will have bags of confidence after Oakley!! Thinking we might need some sustinence along the way - is it peanut butter sanis you like? Can arrange for something at mile 10 or thereabouts and then the same spot on the second smaller loop.
Well, well,well .... been affy busy at work, but sneaking a peak at evryone' s exploits over the weekend it looks like the thread is really rocking. Big welcome to the new folks .. as the saying goes 'you don't have to be mad to post on here, but it helps :-) ). Beders, that sounded like a really tough run on Saturday. no wonder your legs were knackered afterwards. A few days in the sun will help no doubt ;-) . Well done on getting the 16 miler nailed Crazy Lady, the wind is a toughener isn't it? Not to mention a pain in the arse! Wow, Little Stoker, 3:20 on your feet, brilliant stuff and quite rightly a massive confidence booster. . I absolutely loved your reports of the Trollers race Clairster/Euph. It brings back thoughts of the Osmotherley Phoenix, which was such a blast last year. Brilliant running by both of yu too. So glad you had a great run Clairster, you deserve that after (by your standards) a bit of an indifferent start to the year. Onwards and upwards! Congrats to the Chelsea plodder family for a very productive outing on Sunday. Moggie - wey-hey ...absolutely stonking performance. Did you win a prize with that time?? I think we all probably understand about running the race in your mind .. definitely more than half the battle IMHO. A great great run, and probably a thread record too. Good to hear from you Left Foot, and sounds like there is more in the tank despite running a fast half. Bodes well for your Luxembourg marathon. Night Nurse (fanfare of trumpets) .... 
JD & RFJ - Good luck for East Hull 20 tomorrow. Drk - Happy birthday - Retirement, that sounds good. Am heading for a career break myself, hoping to take a year to 18 months off to spend loads of time with family (been working away for 5 years) and put fulfill a few ambitions. I finish mid May and can't wait. Thinking of triathlon for next challenge as will have the time for more training. Lorenzo - Sounds like a good race, bet you feelt great passing others in second half. Must learn how to do that in the last 6 miles of a marathon - any tips? 7.5 miles for me this morning with a few sprints mixed in, ready for a long one in the morning. 
Well done everyone on their long runs! Great to hear they are going well. I did mine yesterday - 18.75miles in 3hrs 20 so pleased with that, and also the longest ever run before but knee is aching a bit so i need to take it easy again this week. Wondering if i could have a bit of advice from Steve if possible? I'm due to do the Bath Half at the weekend, though the schedule says 18M - should i go for a few miles before / after and do it at slow pace / marathon pace depending on how i'm feeling, or should i be happy just doing the 1/2? I'm not going to go all out again as doing that in the Berkhamsted 1/2 meant i had trouble running properly all week with very heavy legs. Thanks very much!
bootsie - have a nice weekend. TS - Hope you get your leg sorted. I am hoping to see you at Beachy Head this year. 
Bootsie, . Don't worry about missing training this late on unless it is because of a medical problem - sorry ankles will clear up and most training now is topping off and contributes to only a small % of your fitness compared to what you have accumulated so far in the bulk of your work. 
TL any more details on Skye half? When in June? Mrs Puffy would love it, but I have a colleague who is going on holiday in June and may not be able to get time off. She is a Mcrae...(but born in Hythe, near where Shimmy lives I think?). 
DoT - good summary. Good to see everyone getting excited/nervous about the approaching big day&hellip;its what all the early mornings, running in sleet etc&hellip; is about &ndash; and hopefully it will worthwhile for everyone. I am trying a different approach to tapering this year, basically less of it. Last 21 miler tomorrow to make up 81miles for the week. I intend to do around 65 miles next week (with all out 10K on the Saturday + a very slow 12 miler on the Sunday). Then drop to 26 miles for the following week (including 2 rest days and a 12X400 blast on the Tuesday). This is a result of finding the running a lot easier this year&hellip;probably because I have run, and got used to putting in, a lot more slower miles (i.e. 7.30/8.00mm). It might be wrong but will see how it goes on the 13/4.
Good Lord! How on EARTH did people ever manage before GPS was invented! You use the mile markers and a wristwatch!
UmB + Wishful - I was in pen 5 last year so yes I think it is the 3.45 - 4.00 pen. I will put in pen 4 I think (3.30 - 3.45) as original target all those many moons ago was sub-3.45 this year!!!!!! Hahahaha... I am currently thinking of starting in about pen 7, but don't know anyone else starting in there! :(Sub 5-hr friend is in 9.. am tempted but can't decide if it would be far too depressing to start right at the back!! UmB - you are welcome to borrow my tutu to try on at the start if you like - sounds like you want to ;-) might suit you more than you think! Can't wait to hear how Susan's trial run in tutu went!!!!!!!
You're very welcome Debster . . if my machine fails to record as instructed I'll be round to yours to catch up!! Have a great run tomorrow . . see you in t'pub :-P . Right then . . I'm off. Thank you everyone for all your support (I'm wearing it as I type of course ) throughout this adventure . . all of us following this schedule would have been lost without it . . . It's been great fun and I am sooooooooo looking forward to tomorrow . . To everyone who's running and spectating . . safe journeys . . stay relaxed . . don't let the small things get to you . . smile and relax . . enjoy tomorrow and may good fortune follow each and every one of us on our journey tomorrow . . . See you tomorrow evening . . 
well done sezz - fantastic report - well done you xx
Rob, on another site someone asked who 'the nutter from Blackheath who led the race was', Seeing the state Jamie was in when I passed him at about 19 miles I assumed it was him!
People who have multiple partial entries, I wouldn't worry too much. If you read the pages you would have seen that multiple entries will make all void UNLESS DUE TO TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. If you've got two entries where you've filled in all details including payments, and got confirmations for both, then worry. If you've only gone part way through before it crashed then I should think you'll get sorted in the end, even if it's a pain. I guess in such cases they'll automatically delete entries with only partial information. They are not going to count an entry without payment details are they? . Someone asked if they were registered if they were getting a message that their email had been used for a registration. My guess is if you didn't get past that page probably not (or at least only a partial, see above). It's possible they are using cookies: little files that say you've visited a page that are stored on YOUR computer. If so in some cases people could be getting this message but FLM has no record on their system of your visit: it's all on yours. Personally as I've got a confirmation from Worldpay I reckon I've got some proof, and I'm letting things die down a bit before I get onto them. I think if I had not got either email and I hadn't got to the payment stage then I'd probably try again, and sort out multiples later if it came to that. But without definitive advice from FLM I guess everyone needs to make their own mind up what's best to do for them.
Clairster, goes pretty high eh?
Ah, back in the day I was one of the strange people in Camden with my bright red extensions and many rings in my ears/lip/nose. I can imagine the frubes there running around asking lots of embarassing questions. 
Sue, I was going to pop it round. Sorry to leave you to last. Anyone else who is not on the list if you mail me (or have mailed me) I will double check and confirm with you whether it has been sent or whether I have still got you to do.
Evening all. Fantastic run for me tonight with the club - mostly off road with a few tough hills but managed 7.5 miles at 7.59 pace so really pleased. Especially as legs still feel quite tired from the weekend. At least 3 people commented on the speed I ran - 'someone had their weetabix this morning' etc :-) . HRR - before Paris I had plans A (the very unrealistic by that stage sub-3.45) B (sub-3.50, also unrealistic), C (sub-3.55), D (a pb) and <u> E </u> (sub-4.00)! So I completely understand. I was telling a guy from the Paris forum about how many fallback plans I had the day before and he thought I was ridiculous, said 'what's the different between 3.50 and 3.55?' etc, but I KNOW there's a huge difference - in my crazed mind anyway!! Even though sub-3.55 doesn't 'mean' anything, I would have liked to have got closer to 3.50 than 4.00. I knew it was silly! It was strange, I simply couldn't keep up 3.55 pace at Paris, and yet at London I'm pretty sure I ran 3.50 pace until well after 20 miles! Sorry to start babble about myself, strange how thinking about Edinburgh has been making me reflect about Paris/London so much. Have come to lots of conclusions about both but won't bore you with them. . Will absolutely totally be rooting for you all on Sunday. Remember all your best mantras and mental tricks everyone and run like the wind - with the wind! . AH - I don't remember the wind bothering me that much last year - I was just too busy being grateful that it wasn't hot like London. Do remember a small stretch along the coast when it was worse than other times but nothing too bad, really. . By the way, I know I mentioned I had been perusing the Abingdon website recently, but I just realised I am doing Cardiff half that day so no worries about getting tempted now - phew!
Thanks TU-Tu. fantastic running from all 3 cant wait for the stories, awful weather here hope they had it a bit better
Diana - its 18 weeks til 4 to Go - I just wanted to get going early to get some extra training and long runs in :) . I <u>AM</u> going to pb at this one by <u>A LOT</u> :) 
TR. Judging by marathon recover you must have worked 3 times as hard as me. NICE
Damn it PP you beat me on the time and HR stats,thought i would have won on that one..
NtS - I know I shouldn't laugh but that is a very funny story. I hope you are ok. Passing out is a serious issue (that goes for Padams as well), take it easy. The only time I have ever come close to fainting was while I was in the operating theatre with MrsC while she was having a c-section. TT - 31M, WTF. It sounds like you are ultra material. Marigold - sorry to hear about your continued problems. I hope you get back to 100% ASAP and get a few more wins. BEJ - wow, that is some serious mileage. 8M 'steady' @ 5:56 m/m today. Still got a bit of a niggle with my thigh. Currently in Toulouse where it is very hot/humid, but hope to get out for a few miles early tomorrow.
Nice one Jools. as has been said you can only beat what is there on the day. echo JAP's comments. few beers and bbq to re-dress the balance this evening. certainly nice about the cooler conditions. got lost across Wimbledon common meant only did the 18 and not the 20 I was hoping for. ccnba to add them at the end. . BEJ- 80% @ 5.36 is pretty nice. usual run from CORO!
 AH - we fly back tomorrow (and yes, I might pop along to the club night on Tuesday to see about joining). It's been a nice long break but it'll also be nice to be back home. I might also get to see more of the GB olympic competitors, as they won't be featured so much here (although fortunately they showed the women's cycle road race so I saw all the 2nd half of it). Looking forward to watching sailing, rowing and the marathon, plus the odd other highlight.
Morning all,. I seem to be squeak-free now so 'Hey ho, hey, it's off to w*rk I go'. Have a good one.
I thought I might, yes. I have pink cowboy boots!
not so carp as more CRAP.. suggestion, however not so crap as it might be the perfect weekend will look it up. . Umbongo the great - sign up NOW if you sign up before sunday night I think it is its only 55 EUROS if you wait after that it gets more and more expensive - TuTu can have the tutu in the post to you in no time... 
Great reports DIDS/MArders/BEJ. . BeJ - Saw from the splits that you had slowed towards the end,so something had happened. Plenty more to come off come April. TOM/BRIAN- Well done on the races. NTS- Glad you've decided on sticking with it. You're 2 line comment has decided my next 6 months. Although I will be adding a bit of swim/bike into the mix TR style but with more running. . Cheers. Tell PUG to put his rattle back in the pram, his hand out of the cookie jar and start training
Brief running history: started 6 years ago when i became a London cabbie just for a bit of exercise.Entered my first race 18mnths ago and have been steadily improving with each race, am nearly 41 and have just clocked 34:31 for a 10k on a rain soaked muddy surface so there is definately more to come.My best half marathon is 1:19, that was in March but i should be a lot fitter now, i train 6 days a week, about 50 miles and have always used Runners World schedules and pace calculators which have been spot on so far. My predicted marathon time is 2:38 which is probably quicker than my cab!! I currently weigh about 8st 7lb so im looking more like a Kenyan by the day!! It would be great to run London i've heard so much about it from other runners, so good luck to everyone who enters this competition. 
Ah Tarkers, I fear you are exhibiting a lack of charity and tolerance there. Try running past a football stadium on match day and you will be dodging past fat, pie-eating groups of lads. But, you can't complain. It means all the bigotted, over-aggressive oiks in one place, letting off steam on each other rather than their families and other innocents. . Or, 11am sunday morning past your local church is going to be frustrated by tottering old biddies trying to get into the Lord's good books before it's too late. Again, can you really begrudge this last desperate act? They've paid their taxes and fought wars for us. and now....in credit-crunch UK, the last thing we want is that those with the good fortune to have the means at their disposal to stop spending. Yes, Quentin's new iPhone (undeserving little brat though he may be) means a shop assistant keeping his job, means the sandwich shop he buys his butty from stays open, means the shopkeeper can afford to buy a new house, means that YOU don't fall further into negative equity.....yes, Tarkers, those people you curse are saving you the worry and stress that could send you to an early grave.... Please be a little more thankful in future.
No Snow here in WET Hampshire..... . A rare treat at Club tonight, I got there, and it was a track session another rarity for me.. so 6m in total with 4 x 800m (2:49, 2:51, 2:56, 2:56), very pleased with that set as first time ever of getting a set under 3 mins..... Busy weekend with races, Hants XC 9K on Sat and Victory 5m on Sun. Take care all and keep up the good trg.
Congrats to the Pug clan! No wonder you haven't posted much recently. Well done to the XC racers. Didn't realise there were lots of county champs today. Ours is next weekend. Done a bit today - 5M easy in the morning, immediately followed by 45 minutes of tennis. Then 8M this afternoon with 4.5M at what Gobi would call tempo lite (5:36 pace). BAC boys - unless one of you tells me otherwise I'll be at the ferry just before 9am tomorrow!
bootsie - if you have an ear infection you should not be thinking about running at the weekend. Just go for a nice romantic walk with your boyfriend, after all it is his christmas present.
Oops! Typo (meant 2007 and 2008) ..., or was it. Maybe I did run it twice - a guy did so at Hastings Mara in December.
Dad Of Two wrote . Hmmm, so the height / weight thing is still going eh? Well, I'm 5'10' and currently 11st 8lb. Racing weight last couple of years has been around the 11st mark give or take a lb. I'm happy with that, and feel a lot stronger and healthier than I did 20 yrs ago when I had a cycle-racing weight of about 9st 4lb (and I haven't got any taller in the meantime!). I pretty much eat what I want to, and the same with drinking (I like a snifter now and then, but I'm not what some would call a big drinker.). Point is for me that I run to feel good - generally speaking if i run faster I feel better, but if I start to feel that I'm losing all-round strength or that the end (feeling good) is being overtaken by the means (running faster or losing weight) then alarm bells start ringing in my head.". Well we all know my opinion on weight so I'm not going to dig that lot up again, all I know is, I'll be running so much quicker it's untrue when this weight is off. My lungs and legs don't actually feel too bad considering the lack of training.. but when you've got 31lbs of flab to lose, that's alot of minutes for free. Doing 3 weight sessions per week, nothing to build any muscle this time around, just for strength and definition as the weight piles off.. actually, tonight is shoulders/arms followed by an 8 miler down the club.. now where's my lettice leaf? Cheers Pug :) 
LOL DoT :-). Dids, oh well at least we can get use to a marathon season of you predicting world records or injuries to everyone. . Nothing like keeping it positive :-0. Run well Dan
Well done Pavey and Sarah ...Brilliant running ...you guys are great ...total respect ...Rest up for a few days you deserve it. . Big Time! Legends....
Fantastic news LO60 you must be so pleased on so many levels. You are a great advert for running we all knew it was the running that kept your HR so low.
Just a wee quick message.....much to do! Well done and great run - you looked fresh and full of energy at the finish Meg! A great time......take care Sho x :) 
Hi all,. Officially tapering now, did my 20 miles today and feeling very confident and happy. Been injured for last 4 weeks and managed to complete it with no niggles. Anyone fancy opening a couple of bottles of fizz now??? Cheers! :-) 
Hope you have a lovely Easter too Mrs S. Have a good break from work. Morning 7es. Hope you're all well. 
Well done marmite. What kind of structure have you got to your training at the moment? Well raced BR and Hilly. HH - Good decision to call it if you were struggling, but I'm a bit confused. You say you want to do 32 in a few weeks time, so as I can see it, your rep paces were pretty much spot on? Your rep times to race pace work out as 2000m = 31:55/10k, 1200m = 15:37/5k, 800m = 8:45/3k & 400m = 4:04/1500m. That to me looks about what you should be doing, rather than too fast, or have I missed something? Don't forget it was quite warm y'day as well, so that would have contributed to this feeling harder on top of the track session the day before. TR - hope the run went well. Chin up. There's still another 10 days. Have you gotten it checked out? Try taking some calcium and magnesium supplements. They may help with the spasming. Seriously. wtgy - well done on 3rd. lol @ 'Was trying to remember what proper runners do to drop people' - and what are you then if not a proper runner? coro - I wore the Adizero's for the TT again yesterday. I think they are now my new favourite shoe. They just seem more conducive to faster running. They're a little harder than the Streaks, but that seems to suit me a bit better for faster stuff...... Legs were a little heavy this morning (unsurprising after fartlek on Tuesday and a TT yesterday), so with a 2 hour run coming up this pm I kept my recovery even more gentle than usual. As RB is not around to do his pace police bit, 6m @ 7:48m/m. I think that is the slowest I've run, outside of a cool-down all year.... I'm starting to enjoy my little jogs as my second runs though.
Rat - Don't worry, everybody's the same. This week I've been having niggly niggles in just about every part of my body, and only today did I walk out of the house and feel that, yes, maybe my legs were, in fact, getting the benefits of the taper and starting to feel good and strong. By Friday you'll be bursting with energy and feeling 110% fit. Go for the massage by all means, but tell them it's with the FLM in mind. 
great pics to nam. been thinking about tri for a while now but just cant get on with the swin front crawl last a couple of lenghts 20m pool and breaststroke takes about a hour for a mile dread to think about open water 
I feel your pain Livvy
Hurrah! I've entered. Oh damn. Sorry, I meant that a 'friend of mine' has entered, that's what I meant, coz 'I'm never doing a marathon again ever'. . You haven't seen me here, right. :) 
Artful Hen wrote . God, don't I ramble on? Please don't answer that. ". &lt;diplomatic silence&gt;. &lt;/diplomatic silence&gt; 
Just as well Kirsty has a job. The price of petrol to go up for that interview and back is not cheap. Lyndy - good luck with your run this weekend. It is lovely weather for running.
Jools, taper for Edinburgh starts tomorrow, so 13 easy (ish) days now, unless i get carried away at Wokingham next Sun. MtR, good work on the 15, particularly if it was in the rain I just about managed to avoid. That did not look much fun. BR/Hilly, now that sounds like a lovely run this morning. All the best for Weds BR. Looking forward to Hilly's 100m race report. Bang and there was the line, should cover it. 
My God, the telly this evening must have been even more dull than usual, Matt ! FWIW I ran a 3 minute positive split, so perhaps 1.27 or thereabouts on a warm day is on the money. Who knows. Anyhow, in an effort to add a little more life and excitement into the thread, I present my Hogweed Trot race report. Target was 40.15. 40.26 was the score on the doors and either my pacing was abysmal, their mile markers were out or the wind and (from about mile 4 onwards) heavy rain had more of an effect than I realised. Or two or more/all of the above. Anyway, FWIW, splits were 6.22, 6.47, 6.17, 6.40, 6.14, 6.42, 1.24. 3rd lady and a mug to match last year's plate (also 3rd lady in 2008).
I'm doing the North Downs 30k with Mr Shimms on Sunday OMAHD. Should be a nice one.
As a dyslexia therapist I'm not so hung up on spelling errors.. . Running has felt quite tough this week. Had to abort 2 speed sessions that makes me realise I can't do speedwork the week following a half marathon. I'm just not recovering like I used to - sadly and as much as I don't like to admit it, it must be to do with age!
Burn those schedules and run free ! Hopefully it'll be nice and warm here early in the morning too - I like training when its stinking hot, but I need to be all done by 8:30 and I doubt it'll be that warm by then.
I'd just be interested to know. :) 
Hadn't really thought about this yet. I've done 10 - 11 milers for the last 6 Sundays, so I feel ok at the moment.
Thanks Mecca ,much appreciated ! ( Its the only thing that keeps me going on those old wintery runs , knowing that I HAVE to do it )
Personally don't think that going up to marathon training would be beyond you. I'd take it if I were you.
And as a previous applicant they should send you one automatically.
I can't seem to stop eating . whenever I can stay awake long enough . Haven't seemed to gain any weight , but then not lost any. Trouble I had last year was that after themarathon training deminished and weight started to gain... Only answer start training for this year.!! 
That sounds good HT, maybe I should offer him a suck on my energy juice?
can u make it about 7.15.only these guys start at 7.30 sharp and don't hang around for anyone.if you plan to get changed you might want to make it about 7.10 as there are changing facilities there.i'll be changed already,i prefer to get home and showered. there is a courtesy charge of 50p per run! i'll chip in for both of us...think i can afford it!
Yes forget about carrying anything. Listen to the crowd. Last year I knew that Khalid Kannouchi and Paula had won and that KK (not me I'm kk) had set a world record, by actually talking to the crowd. Plus talk to others round you, and say thank you to the waterstop people and the kids offering sweets and banana and it's great. Rythym you'll be fine!!
well not after you've just peeled it off your sweaty foot anyway!
my sister did it last year and she is a huge 20 stone munter (exagerating maybe just a bit) it took her 7 1/2 hours, but she did it. It is a matter of the mind!!!
Help me!....I've never done it before! I'm worried that I'm not doing enough yet to get me thu it..and I gotta get thru this!!
Blister . You have a great memory you are spot on with my time for Cardiff!! Don't be frightened I do not have natural talent and no way could I compete with your times. But you are right on 1-3...LOL all down to hard work. I feel deeply honoured that I inspire you but I am just keen to do as well as I am able to do thats all. You fast guys inspire me to work even harder and I can't wait to beat my bullying training partner, only 2 minutes faster than me I will get him!!!!
What was the bad one Dips...Rain Rain and more RAIN!!
BLUE START. 90 minutes. Cowhill Plodder. LLL. Man In Black. Plodding P. SusieBee. XFR Bear. 8,000 others. GREEN START. Always Aching 29900. LizzyB. Minni 30023. Spans. 5,000 others. RED START. Blisters. Calf. 20,000 others
Ahhh, thinking back, I don't think I did did I? It was definately not in my bag anyway. What would it have been doing on my shoulder?!
you are SO cruel Cougie;)
Hi Nemo, Hi All. Nemo, you're doing well. Apart from a long run at weekends I'm only managing one other in midweek but at least I'm doing a long one. I'm in the NikeLondon race on Sunday night, Wave 3. Look out for me I'll be in a bright yellow long sleeve t-shirt :-)
Didn't do my race today - it was cancelled because of the ice :(((. I got Mr Debbo to let me out of the car on the way to his mum's and I did 4 miles along back roads in Fife instead. I think it's time to relax and read some of my christmas books now!
Hippo - you really didnt taste the sprouts at all .. it was really nice. I have a smoothie maker but I dont know if it would cope with the veggies??
Don't know what you're fretting about Greg. You ran a half marathon at 10:08 per mile. Well, I'm 5 years younger than you, have been running three years, and would kill to be able to do that pace for 13 miles. Believe me, a bit of anxiety is not just understandable, it's actually pretty healthy. If you weren't having any doubts you'd be unique. What you don't yet understand is that the day itself, the occasion, and the crowds, will make your heart twice as big as it feels now. Just you wait and see. Honest Greg, you're doing just fine. Best of luck. Andy . 
JaneE2 well done, very good time. . Reading sounds as though it was a busy half, so loads of folks to run alongside, good experience for London.
Blisters - the quacks have said exactly that, and reassured me that he's not dehydrated.......yet!! He seems to be getting worse actually :-( Kissing him on the lips is the least of my worries......he's not yet big enough to aim for the bucket, and I seem to 'cop the lot' every time! AA - I like your 'top tips' re: children and avoiding the lurgy!!!! I think I'll send my Hubby and Z away for the first 2 weeks in April. Swayer - hope that hip gets better soon. An easy recovery run for me last night, and another planned for today. Tomorrow i will rest prior to Hastings on Sunday. 
I've taken a few days off from training, I feel as guilty as hell for missing my long run, but i'm sure i'll feel worse if I can't run on the big day.
Fifidella - Like you say not a great course but it gives you an idea of what it's like to run with a lot of other people. Great time by the way anything about 1:55 for the half calculates to 4:00 for the marathon !!! But you can never tell until the day. I did 1:44 last year in the same race and ended up finishing London in 4:30 due to a calf strain at 16 miles. Hoping to improve on that this year though...
Hi - Thanks to all who responded to my comments placed last week - I receive notifications but somehow I cannot read your responses - shame as some of the help and advise that I have read sounds to be good. Finished Silverstone in 2hrs 4mins, improvement of 4 mins on last year - on target at 10miles and even ran with the 9min mile pacer - but from 11 miles seemed to be treading water........missed a number of mile markers so really please when I saw the 13mile marker and managed sprint to line. 20miles in Morecambe next week trimpell - so hoping for a 3hr 30min target. Will try the flapjack refueling instead of Lucazade to see if that aids. Well done everyone - keep going - not long to go now. and again apologies for not being able to read your responses. Will keep reading the posted comments for ideas and help. Take care
I have not trained last week & missed 4 hours of midweek training runs ,missed what would have been my 2nd 1/2 marathon distance this last sunday & as yet I still not been able to train this week because of a pulled thigh muscle ,this sunday should be a 16-18 . What do I do as my training prog stipulates that after this weekend I should start tapering off & at present it's not looking good for this weekend let alone light training runs this week??
Panties kids WERE in the bar post flm. they were indeed angelic. i will be there. might not make sense tho. might be nissed
Hallo all,. The pringles thing was just what you could eat instead for same calories. Men's health is great - straight talking. I love going to the hairdresser to read it. How strange am I? They had lots of stuff from RW in it too. Everyone is doing really well and I am really pleased that you have all come into my life in this strange but wonderful way. We've been thru all the ups and downs and I've been motivated and inspired by you all. I went out in the pouring bl**dy rain for 17.8M (3 hours) tonight - the water of leith had burst its banks at several points and my 'new' trainers are wrecked. HA HA I could have swam in the canal and been drier. Was good tho and I feel I must be quite strong now mentally and physically so a good way to enter the taper tavern.
I'm dreading that idiot on the train sneezing over me and giving me his germs. yuck.
Tallguy - Don't beat yourself up about it. Competing while under the weather is always difficult so sub-2 hours with a bug is not bad at all. Welcome back Sweep. It's a shame about your injury a while back but atleast you've been sensible and have set a lower target that should be more achievable. There's so many of us with knee injuries on here. Prohibition E - Is tonight the night when you're allowing yourself a drink? Open Water swimming isn't that scary as long as you're really slow like me. In last years Firth of Forth race I had a canoe next to me from about 500m into the race as myself and one other guy were bringing up the rear way adrift of the rest of the masses. It's a great challenge you should give one a try sometime. Just read about your 10K, those km markings were shocking. You may have run a sub-45 race already. Cheers for now. PPB. 
Hi All, Just when i had put my thermals away coz the warmer weather had set in i watch the forecast and they tell me there's gonna be snow by the weekend! It's no wonder we've all had colds, flu ,viruses, etc, etc. The wind direction changed suddenly today and the temp dropped 1 or 2 degrees straight away. On top of that i've now joined the injury list with a severe pain on the ball of my left foot right at the base of my middle toe. Feels like i'm walking on a stone all the time. If anyone has anything similar and a remedy i'd be grateful. . Kattysparke, i'll be getting to the expo for registration about 11.30 on 13th, comig up from East Grinstead. Will be travelling up from Three Bridges on 17th if anyone else travelling up from South wants to meet up. Despite injuries and ailments i'm staying positive about the day and really looking forward to it now. Good to see Zimchick and Paul made the RW column. P.s I know somewhere that hires out walking sticks and zimmers should we require them on the day!!!!
Hello all, I'm back!!! UM - I've emailed Meldy, thanks for tracking me down. Can’t have my email working on this site as it’s a work address so I probably shouldn’t really be on these forums ;-). Showboat, sorry to hear about your problems, have you definitely decided if you’re running this year or not? I hope this thread has been of some help to you and maybe you could use it as inspiration for next year. I felt awful having to defer last year but it's been worth it in the end as I’m feeling pretty good now. How’s everyone else doing? Hope you're all tapering nicely without any problems. . It felt so weird on Sunday only doing an hour’s run. This week I’ve got a 40-50 min. run tomorrow, gym session on Wednesday and my final pre-race run on Friday. Going for a gentle 20-30 mins. back over the Scrubs where my training really started last year. I’m going to the Expo on Friday and will try and get there as early as poss. to avoid the rush of out-of-towners. On the other hand I may be so excited that I’ll go after work on Thursday- so impatient! Sorry not to be able to meet up with you Shuffler at the Expo and not sure if we’ll see each other on the day. You’re a bit faster than me but it’s nice to think of you and Sezz being on the same ‘team’ as me. I’ve decided to set myself tasks for each day this week to keep the nerves at bay. Today's task is writing and sending off the last of my letters asking for sponsorship. It’s a bit late but you never know. I’ve found emailing and writing to people direct has been quite effective, nearly everybody has sponsored me and some people have been surprisingly generous. Total is somewhere around £700 excluding Gift Aid and my company will add another £250 in a money match scheme so it’s looking quite healthy. Must go before this email turns into an essay! 5 days to go! :-)
Entirely the wrong strategy I know but ran for 3:15 last night at 75% MHR - covered 23 very easily paced miles. Only a little tightness and tiredness in legs this morning - will get along to FLM Expo this afternoon for leg massage. Tapering with a vengeance now - pasta, pasta, pasta - sleep, sleep, sleep - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - very short easy recovery runs tonight and tomorrow - looking forward to the real thing now.
Couldn't agree more. Hoorah for UM and all the supporters! boing
Fabric paint and Blue Peter it is then!
Greetings all,. nerves are well and truely in, decisions oh boy... two pairs of trainers on the go cant decide which to wear......... All prayers, thoughts and best wishes to all 3:30s on the forum have a great day and an even better race on Sunday, you deserve it, we all do.... May be back online in the mornibg but cannot guarentee it.. Look forwards to meeting up before, during and after the race and on line afterwards to read all the stories and great achievemnets. Enjoy:-)
Hi FB - thanks for that. Yes, I'm really looking forward to MB. I'm not much of a climber at all, but did an intro week in the Alps last year, and Mt Aspiring in NZ at Christmas. I'm going with a climbing company in August. Did you travel off your own bat?
WP,. thanks. I haven't made up my mind where in canada i'llbe making my home but I'll be resident there for a while. I head off the middle of May. RFJ has a picture on his LFM story and I'm right behind him. I haven't found any other pics of the gang. AlanM, is there one of you doing your interview? 
It's easy to jump to the wrong conclusions (as I did) - it's been pointed out to me that some runners and marshals sell their medals and jackets, T shirts, caps, jackets etc and donate the proceeds to charity - a club colleague of mine is donating whatever he can get for his staff medal to the Dreams come True Charity. Good for him (but yah boo to any one who is profiting for themselves).
Thanks for the stats, Wardi. Hmmm, there certainly doesn't seem to be any logic at all, especially if the men's qualifying time remains unchanged, despite there being far more men achieving it. This would mean that I'd have to train even harder to get my qualifying time at Berlin in September ;-(
Legless - thanks. Very small field last year wasn't it? That might put me off - don't really want to be last! Will see how my running goes over the next few weeks. Had a lovely relaxing time in your pub yesterday. Wanted to get out to lunch but somewhere where I don't come across people I have barred everywhere I look. Your place was ideal.
I'm the worst person to ask about Luton Marathon. I think the course is awful, I would never do it again. Some peeps like it tho'. It is a well organised event.
Haven't been about for a few days. Was seeing my aunt ovder the week-end - quite sad, as she's emigrating to Australia next month, to be near her children who settled out there ages ago. She is my last living relative in this country (apart from daughters & grandson), so feel sad to see her go. Hopefully we will manage to get out to see her. Seren - big hugs. I lost my mum over 20 yeara ago now, and as with yours, it was a mercy in many ways, but still really sad. I do still miss her now. No running for over a week, and wimped out tonight too, as it is so wet & windy. Hippo, hope you can get something sorted soon and start your break - you obviously need some time to relect, and make decisions. Welcome back JJ!
Like you say Swanny. Bring it on. . But not too quickly please.....
Nothing cashed over weekend so 4th time failure for me. Just to rub salt in the wound both my mates who entered first time have got in. So unimpressed. :(
Hi,. 3 rejections in last 3 years for me too. Oh well, had already got 2 other locally lined up, one in March or one in May, so not too bothered, and can still train with others that got in. SS.
Hi all I will be running FLM 2006 for the Disabilities Trust a charity that provides essential services to people with autism, brain injury, profound learning difficulties and physical disabilities. I ran flm 2005 for them as a golden bond runner. They are only a small team but they are really helpful with trainning and support and need all the help that they can get from sponsorship. I was lucky enough to get in through the ballot this year, so to show my gratitude ill be fund raising again. If you have a place and would like to raise money for the Trust I know that they would be more than welcoming. Please let me know if you can help. Thanks . Andy
AND I'm still deaf in one ear!
Judging my your post I think you need a bit better finger control with that rubber one! I've not tried a rubber one but I do have a black one here at work! ;-) Its actually a bit sticky at the moment too! Shirl, the week after next I WILL be expecting even more out of you. Practise makes perfect, well done x
Where do you all find the time??!!?
Well done to everyone who managed their long runs in the bad weather this weekend. I struggled through 12 slow, wet and muddy miles. The cold bath at the end of it all didn't seem as cold as last week as I was frozen right through already!
Work means I only manage 3 runs a week... 2 midweek of 7/8/9 miles and then a long run on a Sunday. I'm up to 16 miles now and doing 18 tomorrow . It's the midweek runs that are hard. This week my 8 miler was b....y hard work. Every step was an effort, every hill was like Everest. I did 15 last Sunday steady in 2hr 20min. Can I still do 3hr 50min ?? I'm beginning to doubt it. Need some encouragement or some advice on how to train smarter !!
forgot to say - . get well soon Tootie! and if there's coffee going free in Hopkinton then count me in!
ITC - couldn't agree more. I never dreampt of even competing in a marathon 6 months ago...so getting to the end will be one hell of an achievment I know. I seem to have caught the running bug, so I hope that I will continue running way past April 23rd...thanks for the inspiration.
think my feet/ankles have had enough of marathon training, did a fast'ish 6 miles last night and hobling around on a new injury today, right ankle, can't really pinpoint it ,just sore walking on it, that alone running! not doing anything till 20 mile oakly race on sunday, and hope for the best. I don't think i'm designed for marathons, but i'm determined to get round somehow?
Andrew, I agree with Karen and JEJ - run the half at MP (but you have to be sure that you won't end up racing). I ran a half at marathon heart rate 2 weeks before London last year and it was a real morale booster for me because it demonstrated that my target time was acheivable.
AA - nice job. Great run HM very impressive,. well fdone on all the long runs peeps. You all seem to be cruising in to the taper modes, not quite sure if peeekay is though.............. I think he may need to consider a taper or 2..... Take care folks
Busy week at work, but now demob'ed till after FLM. Spending the next week visiting family in the south-west, so I might not get connected to the intermeweb for a while. Run well people. Thanks for the support and camaraderie. Keep smilin' and be proud.
easy...easy...easy
Last post before the big day, as I have an early start in the morning. Cannot belive we have nearly reached the end of this long journey. The training has been great (except for the first two weeks of taper). Have meet some great people during training, and have been surprised by how generous people can be when you push a sponsor form under their nose. Also the number of people who have stopped me and wished me luck. Not forgetting what a great time I have had reading and adding to this thread over the last five months. Have really enjoyed reading your comments, Cant wait to read the stories next week. Good luck to you all hope you all achive what you deserve from your hard work and most of all enjoy the day!
I have only just seen this message! I was there this year!
Ran my HM at a hilly Watford. So I agree a soft target. Re Abingdon. I wasn't going to bother with trying for a sub 3, as it has never really been a goal of mine, but I'll do it just for you, to make you happy. 
DN - thanks for the words of encouragement. I suppose that I don't count my 3'08 Vienna effort in the same light as the other marafuns as my target was 3'06 as opposed to sub 3 for the 'others'. I am very pleased with my negative splits for Vienna though. 20 mins running on grass for me last night.....oh the long road to recovery!
Manage another 2.2 today once I got out the dor. Veyr nice, and once my mind was numbed to toe pain, I enjoyed run, adn even downhill was not too bad! Will try 4 tomorrow, me thinks! Hoping to get up to 9 by Sunday. Leicester definitely on now! Claire - make sure you recuperate well! Weight: before RHM I was 12 st 3, after (and after a fair bit of rehydrtaion) I was 11st 12. Now I seem to have got back to 12 st 5. Concluson: extra 2 lbs of muscle! ;-). (Can't possibly have overdone refuelling!)
BRILLIANT Nicks - well done, you have really come back stronger after being so poorly! no way i will be able to keep up with you come FLM 2007! lol. Rio, i'm confused...how do i know what i did wrong last year? and how did you know it was the long runs? i did couple of 16s, couple 18s and a 20 for this year. i just felt tired on the start line and felt grotty around 10-16 miles but after that i felt better and could have run a lot more but just didn't really get going again.
Given they claim to automatically mail out Marathon News to those previously rejected I have a bad feeling about my 5-times-rejected application this year - they've only mailed it out for past 2 years, had to go looking for it before then. Have cheques stubs & bank statements available, plus list of the "thanks for bequeathing" gifts - 4 of which are still in use. Have never found the helpline all that helpful; maybe I just get folk who are having a bad day ...?
Hi all (changing subject). Totally gutted today as actually DROPPED OUT of my 5K race after 1K. Started strong then unbelievably right hamstring cramped out...pretty much out of the blue. I stopped and stretched it, started up again, but it hurt like *$!~ so I stopped. Now I wonder whether I could have kept going? Was the seizing psychological? Because it doesn't feel so bad now? . First time I've even started a race and dropped out. What a horrible feeling, but I guess it's all part of being a runner. . In general I think I'm putting too much mental pressure on myself over race results. Which is silly, because it's not like I'm even at elite level as an amateur. From now on I think I might start thinking of races as training runs with a bit of company. . I also think I need to race more so that each one doesn't seem like such a big deal. Anyway...really disappointed, so if anyone's got any good jokes or anything?? 
Good advice to take a mobile with you - mine plays MP3's and I know I can always use it to call a taxi in case if injury - keep the volume low or you can't hear the traffic. . Wear something reflective so you can be seen - even with streetlights it amazing how invisible you are without Hi-Viz gear. And remember, other people are probably more scared of you than you are of them - imagine how you would feel if you were out at night (walking) and heard the sound of someone running towards you. The worst I've had is being egged by a goup of teenage morons from a car; I was heckled by a group of adolescents once but asked them to run to the top of the hill with me - as you can guess, they all dropped out exhuasted after a couple of hundred yards!! 
I've yet to hit an easy patch in a marathon! Hippo's spot on with her advice as usual. My big mistake in my first mara was not having carbo loaded enough and I ran out of fuel too early. Not pleasant!
Hippo - ouch - hope you're ok - call a doctor?
SF is Roobarbs partner(at work only). ot ehrwise kbown as spannerB1tchbumfface
Darren, I will also be looking for 1:35 at Wokingham and will see if 1:30 is possible at Fleet or Reading, to push for 1:30 may not be a good idea at this early stage in training. Wokingham is a good fast course, last year was windy, very wet and cold so you should not have too many problems, just after the start I would suggest to stay on the path, if it's been raining and if running on the grass could be a bad move, it's not too long before gaps start to appear and can then settle into your pace
Managed to get up early this morning to get speed session out of the way. 4 x 1 mile at 15.5 km/h with 2 mins rec. Found it very difficult especially the hill I have to run up on the way back from the gym!
I reckon I was approaching wall state, actually. More of a garden boundary sized wall, but the pace definitely dipped at the end as I climbed the final hills. Sorry. Remember, I'm an aspirant still, not an achiever yet.
Typical that I mistype the word that is bold, so it stands out!
AorN, I hope you're out there blasting away your hangover now! Good news on your shin, QQ :o). Gentle 5-miler for me this morning too, to find out whether I could run in my new sorbothane insoles. They were fine. I'm not a morning runner and never really warmed up, but my shin didn't make too much fuss. 
TR Sounds like you're aiming to beat my Bramley time. I don't think I would recommend racing 20 miles as I did. I managed it because I was already well-conditioned (2x 20 milers in Jan and 2 x 22 in Feb before Bramley for example).
I did a 10 mile race on Sunday - 71 mins. I am a bit concerned about the number of long runs people have done. I have been following a RW schedule for sub 3.30 and have only done 1 x 15 and 1 x 18. I do have 2 x 20 and 1 x 22 and 2 x 15 before 22/4. Hope this is OK. I am still not cofident of being able to do 8mm for LM - 7.10 for 10 miles was ok but couldnt do it for any more 13m. . Getting worried again.
Morning everyone. I have posted this before on another thread(sorry Rio) but thought it might be of interest to you. "Word to the Wise" For those who are treading the roads of London for the first time. . On race day just think legs. What! I hear you say. Think about it. You get out of bed, You have to travel to the start. You may well have had to take the train. You have to walk from the station to the start area. Now your nervous and you are walking around looking for friends or charity areas. You go to the loo, and stand in a queue. You have a coffee still standing you change and then at last you go to your start pen. What!!! sill 30 minutes to go and your still standing. Yippeee the gun goes of. Hang on you havent moved. It could take anything up to 10 minutes before you actualy cross the start line. THEN you have to run 26.2 So the moral of the story is keep off your feet as much as possible on race day. Take an old shirt,jacket,bin bag, anything to sit on wherever you can. If you dont you will wish you had. Trust me I learnt the hard way Good luck everyone ENJOY YOUR DAY.
Hi all. Just popped by to say I am in no way jealous of you lot doing the FLM...not at all...not even a bit...no sir...not on your nelly...face ? bovvered ?....am i bovvered ? Not bothered at all...honestly, really
Caro its not that sort of a massage. If you are in pain it is just to take some of the knots out of your legs and not relaxing at all. Stiffness is all part of the marathon unfortunately - it really does hurt a lot. And it cant be avoided. Some grit and determination is needed. Roz some people carry deep heat with them to rub in when it gets tough or the muscles cramp too much. Might be worth thinking about rather than adding an extra layer.
Howdy! I went to the gym again and my foot is still holding up. Going to try and run for a little longer on it tomorrow morning to see how I get on. Fingers crossed! Hope Mrs PS get's better soon! Tracey, tell Bernard well done from me (although through gritted teeth 'cos Hippo's right, it just isn't fair!!). Lyndy, good news from you - let's hope you're well and truly on the mend.
WS I'm not sure that mile 1 reading is correct as my HRM has been playing up a bit and I wonder if it got confused with other HRM's and telly signals etc. The first mile was v slow so I think it could be wrong. Having said that, my HR was definitely shooting up when I was still in the queue for a wee with 4 mins to go before the start!
I, like others have already said, ran with my own 500 ml bottle at the start, when empty i discarded the bottle but kept the sports valve lid. and just screwed it onto the next bottle i got. i was able to do 2 stations per bottle, but still found there was nothing at 11 thru 15 then only intermittent supply to the end. Im not sure whose fault it is. i suspect it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. FLM should have put more on, but likewise faster runners perhaps should have bene limited in the amount they can take. i dunno.. i aint pointing fingers. . Guess in a sense it adds to the "challenge" of it all. :-). 
I did a silly thing with my 305 and set mine to marathon distance (I only bought it 2 days beforehand!) and is shut off at 26.2 miles, with 4 minutes to go. Up till then it was running about a half-mile extra. . It says Garmin can be up to 99%+ accurate but given the several tunnels we had to go through, Canary Wharf and isle of Dogs, etc, not surprised people are out by so much. I'd rather it was telling me I was slower than actual, than faster than actual. Looking forward to using the training programmes from this site with it, once I've recovered. 
i forgot to add London Chest Hospital 10k - 8.7.7 to my list. am hopefully taking a group of Brownies to the 1 mile fun run on the same day. am going to chat to them about my marathon run and having lost lots of weight (although the emphasis will be on being healthy and not losing weight.)
Mike-you posted a few pages back a recommended schedule (post marathon) to keep things going before the next marathon training block (autumn). Seems to have vanished, any chance of posting it again. Cheers.
Glad its not just mine Susan - maybe Howard will help us out with some of his wise words.
ah, that Ceilidh was rocking. Do you know it finished 2 ish! yes a few did the whole thing and mara at then end too! I think K2 and Loon Dod both did the lot!I went back to bed at a bout 10 though I felt so miserable, lets just say as well as wooden left leg I had totm and was sitting at the meal struggling to talk, smile or anything. Best at home when I feel like that I think! Hubby is number 68, following me in on the beach run, I am carrying our mates camera because they both thought it a good idea to jump into the sea before we finished! It is a fun event the beach one, you have to guess your time and the nearest to it wins. One of our friends got it spot on and I was +35 secs!
Oh dear not a good last few hours for BW today and NN yesterday afternoon. I would say I hope you kicked his ass BW, but doesn't sound like you'd want to put your foot there. Hope the weekend gets better for you two, I'm sure the theraputic running helps. Can't complain other than being at work. A few hours to kill then off to Beverley races and no 'silver ring' or 'tatts' for me today, I get to lord it up with owners and trainers for the afternoon, what-what . Leaving the running to the horses today at least. Hopefully Harvest Warrior will do us proud again and make it two wins in two, though I'm not sure if the ground is soft enough - this horse is more x-country than road race.
I'm an all the gear cyclist so if I am out I don't really care about the weather. . I know when doing tri, my running never got worse while I was cycling and running less. I have noticed this year that although I do little or no cycling I can still manage 19-20MPH for an hour on the bike and then get off and run. . Downside is my bum hurts due to lack of riding !!!!!
oh my god look at RH and I's forum posts!! what a couple of wasters we are! tee hee. Managed 45 mins on saturday. Bit fed up as it was incredibly hard work. I just can't seem to get back into it at the moment. Hey ho...I guess body is not quite there so I'll continue to cross train ahead of my hols....just over a week to go!! excited? Me? Never.
Just repeated last saturdays 20 miler on my loop. I came out about a minute slower overall spread through the 3 sections. Very happy with this one and a great way to bring up the 100 mile week. Racing(easy plod) around the Downlands 30 miler tomorrow I will NOT be rushing.
:(Sad, bored Delia today. I've had to call in sick. Got no voice, can't swallow, can't eat, can't breathe very well....yuk yuk yuk. Got the quacks in a bit but I'm already bored out of my tiny mind!
Unfortunately Odeon, 2:59 isn't that impressive for a wheelchair athlete.
WW - sorry about removing you! On the training plan, I wasn't suggesting that would be it for the week, they are just the key sessions I reckon. On the MP training, some of the medium-long run might be at MP and some of the ends of the long runs. I've never done much MP training, because I find your options are: Do 5-6M at MP in a longer run (which is basically what I suggested above).Do 10-12M at MP. I find this really hard and can barely manage it without entering a HM race. I usually do this a few weeks before the marathon e.g 5M easy warm-up, straight into the HM at MP. I don't want to start a fight, but I'm not a fan of running at MP in training!
Tell him you promise not to run whilst you're in the pub. Sorted.
Hi All. Bootsie - I hope your leg feels better soon, i know its easy to say 'try not to rush it', but in your mind the event gets nearer. Maybe some long walks, will ease you back into it. . TopSec - I can imagine how annoyed you feel about FLM losing your entry, i was very lucky this year, i know, and of course i would have accepted rejection, but losing the so many entires seems very careless indeed !! . Ran 5 miles this evening, the first 3 went pretty well, but my legs then felt very heavy, did 51.47, but the 8 miler on sunday will be much slower pace.
Some great long runs going on. I wish our County XC was on the Saturday so I could have bagged one but never mind. Had a reasonably good race, came in 8th, but given the opposition I couldn't have come any higher up, and would have been very disappointed to come any lower down. There was about a 30s gap in front and behind me, which enabled me to enjoy the last lap a bit more. It was probably the hardest course I've ever run on - I reckon I wasn't faster than 10min/mile up one particular hill, and it wasn't that short, and we had to do it three times! Three main hills on each lap, and very muddy for about 50% of the lap. Think we just lost out to Coro's team for the win, but didn't hang around to find out. Anyway, a good workout, and I've been offered a place in the team for the Intercounties, so a good afternoon out all in all. Coro and EdB probably had more interesting races, so I'll let them recount their tales. Ed in particular had a pretty 'eventful' run! Marders - I'll be at the Fred Hughes 10, but marshalling (we host the race). I think JEJ said he would be doing it, but that was a while back so may have changed.
Last night at the track we did a session (into the wind of course) of 10 x 3 mins, with 1 min recovery, quite a tough little session and it definitely made me puff and blow :-o. This morning was a 6 mile run into work on the icey pavements and road, which was an adventure. I was skidding and skating all over and had to head for the grass verge to stay upright on a few occasions, so forgot the time and concentrated on making it in one piece. Tomorrow is a rest day, as I have a league XC race at Whitby on Sunday - feel cold just thinking about it!
Wardi - just pops in to say I too found the wind just a tad much today. I could cope with running into the wind and hardly moving, it was being dragged up a hill by the force of the gales near a main road and having no control over my legs!!!!!!! Cut short my run after 6 miles too. Hope it's calmed down for my 20 miler on Sunday. Enjoy your weekend and your rest day in particular!
hello boys and girls .... lots of good running going on and lots of good banter - who are all of you people anyway??! just got back in from my trip to the smoke - had a good run this morning from Pimlico to Birdcage Walk and the Mall - raised my hand s in victory as I crossed the finish line .. 6.30 in the morning and no-one was looking ... ran towards trafalgar sq, took a left to run along the embankment but got lost and ended up in birdcage walk again and ran past the finish line again ...... then found the river and finished off my 7.5 miles. Just 2 observations - it's VERY VERY FLAT!! well at least compared to up north. and secondly, nobody says hello to you when they run .. again very different from up here. looking forward to the snow in a few days - that;ll stuff the training...
OHAMD,. not any better. I was going to go out today as the weather was so good in the Midlands, but as it was cold and I still have the sniffles and a cough, I decided not to risk it. If I had, I know I would have been out of action for another week or so. It seems to take ages to get rid of a cold when you get older. I think the plan for the next week is out of the window and when I can get back running, it will just be getting some miles in. . Hope the rest of you keep away from the colds etc.
Hail Hail . Confess to preferring the 1 hour stint option (purely cos I aint got the reall speed in my legs, but stamina I'm ok), but I'll defer to the majority opinion. . NtS - quick question. I've been looking at flights. Due to family commitments, it would be better for me to get a Friday morning flight down. Is this going to be a big problem, if I'm not there for the start? I'd prefer to be in all the photos obviously, but is it crucial?
lol TT my kid brother is 27 this year !!!!!!! Took 5 miles to catch you at Wokingham :-). TR, as usual I would say something different to the others and suggest you did a progressive run with only about 6 miles late on at planned MP but thats just me. 6 @ 7.15-7.30. 6 @ 7-7.15. 6 @ planned MP. 2 easy. If you can run between 2.15 and 2.25 with relative ease you will be able to run a sub 3 marathon.
Brian ,. Very short term plan is to get out of work as early as possible today - 9pm finish on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday has left me cream-crackered! And I need to go to the gym as only exercise this week has been 2 x 5 miles @ 7.35 m/m, which is hardly top-end stuff... In terms of training, plan is to introduce some short and fairly gentle speedwork next week, so that my 3 runs of 5/6 miles each week are something approaching quality work and to do longer, lower HR sessions in the gym. Then I'll test the waters with either a 10K or a leg of the Midlands Road Relays the first weekend in April and take it from there. I'm probably being over-cautious (Gobi would be proud!) but having been in pain even walking for 10 days I'm scared of pushing things now. Better safe than sorry and all that.
Geoff M -Just read back that you are starting at blue start. Think you may be a bit quick for me tho'! I'm going to try and find the sub 4.30 pace maker and stick like glue! How about you will you pace youself? :) 
GD - just replied to your thread, yep he was going quickly! And, yes...I'm sure that last mile was at least two.. :) 
Picked up a calf niggle on last night's run,. Was still hoping to do tonight's planned track session but after a gentle 4 mile warm up it was feeling worse not better so decided to skip it. Don't think it's anything too serious, just a bit of tightness (I hope?), probably caused by the faster-than-normal 20 miler on Sunday. Not long to go now TR . I've just about had enough of the high volume and endless long runs too. Quite looking forward to having a few easy weeks after FLM then targeting something shorter.
Thanks for the pics Lep Recorn, I think it looks like there could still be enough room (though we have to bear in mind other members of the public will need to be able to get past us)? . What does anyone else think?
Hi,. This is my first post so go easy. I've been training for the FLM ( my first marathon ) since December and looking for a sub 3:30 as I have stuck to my weekly Garmin training for that time. This week is supposed to be my hardest week ( 56 miles ), with a 22 miler run this weekend. However, I have picked up a couple of minor injuries and dont know what to do. . First injury :- I have recently been getting knee pains, which I think is runners knee. I have tried to keep my training up, only missing a few short runs so far. I have also started running with a knee starp which helps until I finish when I get a bit of pain. Second injury :- I'm not sure what this injury is but dont think it relates to my training, I've had it before some time ago. It's a pain in the arch of my foot when I'm walking, it's not bad at the moment but I'm guessing that it might get worse an end up as a sharp pain in the arch. The irritating thing about this is that I brought it on today when I went shopping with some new trainers on ( not running trainers ). I have spoke to other people about this ( non runners too ) and they also say they have had it from new shoes\trainers. I was hoping that while I taper my running over the next few weeks my injuries would get better but dont want to stop training yet if I can help it. Any suggestions? Thanks
Actually Friday would be ideal - the relatives might appear on Saturday....
Ode - so does this mean that you're officially fit? Good stuff! Gobi - this treadmill with a view over the Alps - not in the shiny new(ish) town centre gym by any chance? Next to the rowing machines looking out over a gently sloping chair lift? :) . Gah! Another list that Billy-no-maramates here doesn't qualify for. Sod it, I'll do me own! PhilPub Start: Champs Elysees Halfway: 1:21-ish Prediction: sub 2:45. *sets TT as virtual running partner on the Garmin...*
NN, I think we should be at the Expo for around 2pm Friday (by the time we go to hotel, dump our stuff and get round to Excel). I will e-mail you my mobile number, so you can ring/text me when you get there. I may go for a massage too and have a look around. You're welcome to come to my hotel for shower afterwards if you like, have you tried booking in there? They may still have rooms available and have let us keep the rooms on for the last 5 years, so it's a good bet they will this year too, porridge in the morning too! . I've wound down so much, I think I've gone into 'sleep' mode. As you were all doing 10 milers at marathon pace yesterday, I was doing 5K in the road relays, so quite a difference! Went out for 3 miles at MP this morning before work and tomorrow night is another track session (6 x 400m @ 6 min pace), 6 on Wednesday morning @ MP and 10 x 200m strides on Thursday, then 2 days rest. Think I've been a little too laid back during the taper period!!! :-\ . Nick, my race plan is to start off at 8.15-8.20 pace and then pick it up at 14-15 if feeling good by then (and weather permitting). At least we found a good bush for going to the toilet at the Green Start, no way I'm queueing for toilets, there just aren't enough and when you gotta go, you gotta go. Puffy, hope the shins are feeling better and not as tender. Beders, that damn hamstring! I blame those Creme Eggs myself! I'm sure you can keep it under control with some icing and careful training this week, enough to get you round FLM before it gets properly sorted anyway. LS, some grim happenings in your area, not nice, but I guess it can happen anywhere. Good to see you are still breezing along (in your lycra leotard), so now I know what to look out for on Sunday!!! We will be at the hotel from around 5pm when we get back from the Expo on Friday, what time do you get there? Euph, temp. certainly plumetted yesterday & you'll be glad that you didn't run the Northern Relays. The men ran legs 7-12 in a blizzard and could hardly see where they were going! Luckily most of the ladies teams had finished by the time the snow really came down in golf-ball sized flakes. I ran the 4th leg over 5K in a time of 20.58 on a bumpy course, so quite pleased with that in my 'warm-down' week. Our team was 13th from 33 in 1.57, so qualified for the National Road Relays. Clairster, will meet you at the Expo around 2(ish) on Friday, will text you :) . Moggie, you'll be flying along as usual from the elite start, it must be great to start at 9am and get away ahead of the crowds - Good Luck, although you don't need it! Womble, great long run, knew you'd be fine! Roll on Copenhagen :) . CP, great new PB, that must feel good!! Well done :-) 
Oh bugger, the phone's ringing.
Team - you have important mail! Blimey... it's all a bit close now!
That was a very sleepless night! . Not sure I fancy this porridge .. 
Its my intention to achieve a GFA time in the next twelve months. I have various half ironman distance triathlons until September and then intend to try and put the training time into running over the winter period, crack the GFA (3.15 time as I am now 40 ) early next year and then concentrate on triathlons again knowing I can enter FLM or NY etc without the hassle of ballots
I have a hang over today... first since my birthday on 2nd January. Cant cope with them these days - back on the wagon tonight... we just had a couple of friends round for a takeaway curry and there was some champers left from people bringing it over post FLM and so I set out to drink it .. and then some wine when it was finished ... had a heated argument about Ken vs Boris for london mayor and woke up feeling like s***e. :( 
Marders. you never know with me about the 6mms:~) but I can confirm that Tom is not my brother but the similarity has been noticed. Padams. Rach says well done to you.
Tony, 5-1, and McAllister who attended the game spent the second half on the bog crapping himself. All being well I shall be at Wembley, wearing my Askern 10M, 2006 Teeshirt (62:01, second M55). LD: the Regents Park run I refered to was round the outside, albeit the uphill anticlockwise route. Other London parks I've run round include St James, Hyde, Green, Battersey, Richmond, Bushey, Ravenscourt, Paddington Rec, ,Primrose Hill, Hampstead Heath, Hainault Woods, Wimbledon Common, Ruislip Woods and Ealing Common... oh and Wormwood Scrubs. and one two weeks ago, whose name I forget.... Best wishes from South Lincolnshire where we don't have parks.
RB - think I'll be up for Sat evening food and you've got some knowledge of decent places to go I would imagine. However, it will be me plus 3 (girlfriend also running the marathon, and parents, not running!) - assuming they're all welcome. Good to hear the course is reasonably sheltered, although they've changed their mind now and reduced the wind slightly but it's coming from the other direction! Dull - you must be reasonably pleased with that if it wasn't a full-on effort. 'Race' report from me - 30th in 36:50ish (19 minute first 5k and 17:50ish second 5k). Very pleased with my restraint, which was helped by running with a clubmate also doing Edinburgh. It was fun flying past people in the last km! Obviously I'm not able to disclose Coro 's result...
Daz, you forgot about the all venomous critters (scorpions, snakes, etc,) out there. I'd leave that one to Bear Grylls; he likes eating scorpions for breakfast. Sandstorms, too. And it gets bloody cold at night. 
happy birthday LTSA!!! . had a brilliant day yesterday and managed a PB!!! Completed the half marathon in 2 hrs and 15 mins!!!! very proud of myself.. my relay partner did it in 2 hrs flat on her first race!!! so overall i think we were done in 4 hrs 15 for the whole marathon! I saw shades going around and she looked tired but doing great :) Very very hot day there and some hills that got the better of me (hills to me anyway!!! ) but most fun race i've done and very proud to do it at home! 
Intervals today which I was a bit sceptical about, one mile wu/cd with 3 x 1.5 around Bushey Park, with 0.5 recoveries. 10:37, 10:40, 10:39 for the 1.5's, quite hard work by the third one but got through it ok. The HR was up to around 83-84, so still a bit lower effort than I should be putting in for interval, but although sore, the leg and foot were fine throughout which was the main thing. 
WT - will be thinking of you today. I spoke at my sister' funeral. I knew I couldn't not, and although tough to do, it helped to have happy moments to talk about, and made getting through the day more bearable. I hope you can help give her the send-off she deserved.
same here SB.I think yesterday's heat surprised a few people, even up here. I did a 10k and found it hard work, then straight to PJ's football match where we found a kid's triathlon taking place with a cycle course across our pitch. So off to the opposition's pitch where we got beat 3-1 including a Robinsonesque howler from PJ. Liverpool failed to beat Stoke; Chelsea failed to beat Man U. After all that, the 10k results were up and on top of being 2 seconds slower than my last race on my watch, they have got me down as 20 seconds slower than my watch time. On the positive-Macc half next week, followed by Congleton the week after. 
Multiple x-posts for me (must be really slow). Brian - Nice track session. Have to say not looking forward to the 20 on a weekday. ( I probably won't be able to start until 7:00pm as well :( ). MtR - Sorry to hear the not so good track session. RM - Bugger, good luck with the new mission
It's tricky isn't it?
Just read back. Congrats and commiserations in equal measures all round. . Sorry for not posting but I've been a bit busy and now have a cold.
Lol, Thomas will be very toasty. The baby jogger has a muff and a rain cover too. Not sure about the pb though ha ha :) . Good luck Hippo with your 10k.
Sorry Blisters, the head won! Our road was an ice rink but once you got onto the more main roads it was fine, so I might have to put this down as a missed opportunity. Suffice to say that 20 minutes on a bike this morning and various parts of me feel as though they're about to fall off with the cold.
On the subject of projecting mara times off half-m's - I do know of a couple of ladies who have broken 3:15 (only just) off a half time of 1:31/1:32. I don't know of any blokes that have done it however which rather re-inforces my theory that girlies are slightly better suited to long distance running. The simple fact is that the quicker you can run your half-m's, 10 mile races etc then the more comfortable sub 7:25 pace will feel on marathon day. I tend to do 8 or 9 20+ mile runs in the build up, the 5 longest usually add up to about 110 miles. I have found the midweek 'mid' long runs of 11-15 miles have also improved my performances in the last couple of years. In line with Ex-pat's thinking, I try not to do 20 mile runs on consecutive weekends if at all possible. Lorenzo. my 3:18 in 2000 was the last time I failed to break 3:15. Being only 3 mins adrift should give you confidence aplenty to have a good go at it next time. . 11.5m run home last night. About 9m with the club tonight. 
Intervals - done! Actually really quite enjoyed them. How bizarre. The poxy HRM is bonkers though, I think it worked at the start, then gave it up. Maybe because its scared of the readings? Anyway, the vital statistics, for those who so like them go a little something like this:. Distance: 4.36m. Time: 42:16. Pace: 9.40mi. Average HR: 122bpm :-) . Our easy bits came in at about 11mi, our intervals 8.35mi, except for the last one, which was up hill and so was 9.3mi. Not bad! Now I need a serious dunk in a hot bath. Will try not to fall asleep and drown.
Does anyone know if there's somewhere to find out what time you predicted for yourself? I can't remember at all whether I said 3.30 or 3.45.. or do I just need to wait and see which pen they've allocated me to? (I never thought for a moment that I'd actually get in through the ballot, but now I've got a place I've committed publicly to trying to get 3.30!!)
I am following the 3:45 schedule too OM but not so rigorously, I am doing LSR, the two longer midweek runs, plus one run with our group, usually a Thursday, which is usually 4 or 5 intervals of around a mile and a half but there is dedicated speed session and a hill session too in rotation but I find I have to hold back a little or I get overtired. And I ususally miss the Saturday run. So it could be argued that I'm not really following it at all really! Just back from 7 miles in an easy hour, and off for a shin-saving cold shower before a meal and DVD with Mrs Puffy. 
Ode: . Good to catch up yesterday. I managed a few more afterwards and ended up with 15 at just under 7:15 pace for the lot. Was tooooo cold towars the end though when the proper snow was starting to fall. Legs like blocks of ice when I'd done. Won't be there this Wednesday btw, but time and venue is the same, you'll get a warm up getting there which is good as last time they went pretty much straigh tin to 5 x5 minutes on the old railway line. Off to do an interval session with my club shortly. Pug: You coming out to the half on Sunday regardless or only if you get a number?
In a NtS style, I spent the flight back from Lisbon doing some HR/pace analysis. Using the Fetch beats/mile calculation as a good basis, and eliminating runs under 8 miles to reduce the effect of the early miles and low HR (plus it strips out all the interval sessions). I then set a baseline of the first quarter of 2007 (when I was training for my 1st marathon, and bought an HRM). I came up with the following stats:. 2007. Q1 100%. Q2 94%. Q3 92%. Q4 88%. 2008. Q1 86%. Q2 87%. Q3 88%. Q4 85%. 2009. Q1 84%. which is broadly what I expected. Steady improvement until March 2008, then a dip in fitness with London, post-London and the summer, then a return to form in the autumn. Quite surprised to see that I'm apparently running faster for less effort than a year ago - but this quarter isn't done yet, and the margin is quite slight. 16% improvement in pace/HR implies something like 1:20mm pace improvement at easy pace (from 8:30 to 7:10) and from 7:20 HM pace to about 6:10 pace. 
Nice runs Bramley boys. Just waiting to hear from Marders now I think . . . although I'm prepared to be impressed. Marmite - wow, great time. All the sweeter for having had to work so hard to hang in there with the group. Hard the first time but now that you have broken through to a new level it will get easier and easier. I wanted to run the Tumbridge Wells HM today (Kent Champs) but couldn't as it filled surprisingly quickly. Instead I ended up making a longer trip to Dover to run a HM there instead with a long w/u and c/d to make just shy of 19m. An annoyingly hilly second half with a strong head wind made for a very tough slow return. Did about 36.30 to half-way and then struggled into the wind to come home in 76.54. Clearly all the fast runners were at TW because my time happened to net me the win! First time for everything . . . but pleasing given the time in the saddle yesterday. Now where's my Pug -ometer. 78m for the week plus just shy of 5 hours swimming and cycling. Keep em coming. 
Ok, here is the original plan for this week:. Week 7 (how did it get to Week 7 already? :() . Sun - Rest . Mon &ndash; Choose an undulating route so that hills are naturally included into the run. Aim to run for 50-60 mins with 5 x 5 mins @ threshold built in. This is best run as 5 min easy/5 min threshold repeated throughout. Try to include the hills naturally but cut the pace and maintain the effort when running up hill. Let yourself go downhill. . Tues &ndash; Rest (but I'm going to do Monday's run here and rest on Monday instead) . Wed &ndash; Pilates as normal . Thurs &ndash; Group run of 60 mins with the first 30 easy and the last 30 @ marathon pace. . Fri &ndash; Rest . Sat &ndash; 2 hours 20 mins all controlled and relaxed. Except I've got the Bourton 10k on Sunday, and I'm not sure just yet how its going to fit in. More when I've spoken to Nick....
Hi All. Roger, very sound advice everyone should follow. I've done the last 3 FLMs (taking a break this year but will be back in 2010) with advice from people on this forum thread and its been invaluable. Half the training is in your mind so i love your run to work and home again suggestion. Even though i only live 4 miles from work (3 on the short cut) I can't usually run in as I have to take my boy to school first...but this week is half term so I may well give it a go! Not long to go now then Dave.....do you know its a boy? I'll guess at a girl and 8lb 12. Good going Caro. I had a busy weekend but did 10k before breakfast on saturday morning and 4 miles at 6.30 today!
'It's cold outside, no kind of atmosphere, we're all alone...'
Help, my toenails feel like they are going to fall off - does anyone know what I can do to ease the pain? The two toes next to my big toe are really sore from the run on Sunday, they are not totally black, but sort of brownish and very sore to touch. I have plasters on them to try and cushion from the top of my shoes, but am so worried they are going to drop off. last nights run was agony, not just the toe nails but my heel as well, and I had to keep stopping to stretch out very tight calves. I don't think my 'free' sports massage did much good.
FF....If its any consolation (hope I spelt that right Mum of FF) I had a foot injury this time last year and couldnt put any weight on it. Rested it for a couple of days and all was fine. Rest but dont panic !!! Wotsit ...Probably shouldnt mention it on here but loving your thread ;-) I too am shattered. Trouble is non-running friends and family have no sympathy and come up with helpful sugestions such as 'take a couple of weeks off'. Ah bless em. TTL...nothing nicer at this stage of the training plan than 2 speed sessions a week !!!!!! Sezz...belated thanks for the advice. Have managed to find a local practicioner from the link you sent ..now just need to book it !!!
Thanks Wotsit, it's good to know Nick's thoughts and that you and TB are doing something similar. I know I should have faith as the schedule seems to have been good so far.
yes a good thing - the endurance phase is pretty much over now - you have done all the really hard stuff and now can just focus on feeling sharper and getting some speed back into your legs. Rest up, stay healthy and look forward to the next 3 weeks and running the best marathon of your life
x-post Ant . Two bits of advice:. 1. if 'quad is a bit tight and sensitive when I crouch or sit on my haunches' - don't ;-) . 2. more seriously, be very careful with anti-inflammatories. Mate had injury in lead up to FLM07 and was taking anti's daily. Got to about 23miles and up came all the lucozade, and blood, and he 'lost' an hour in St Johns Ambulance. Lots of tests afterwards found no damage other than temporary thinning of stomach lining but to the anti-inflam's. all the best. Jezza
Wabo wrote . and full of gobbling frenchmen, "what were they gobbling? the dirty frenchies ;-) 
Sue, they will do, after another two weeks of taper!
Hi All - just got back from the Expo. It was great - bit of hassle getting there - its so far the 'other side' of London for me. It started with 'the london marathon music' as you walked in - so that puts you in the right mood and slightly emotional! . The registration was painless and actually took about a minute as there was no-one in my queue. . Lots of different nutrition stands giving out samples - bit late to change your race nutrition now - but there were some interesting stuff like Gel Cubes which look like jelly cubes and sort of melt in the mouth and each cube held the same carb value as one Gel. They come in packs of 5 and are really compact - god I sound like I work for them. lol. Look out for them.... Lots of charity stalls, and clothing stuff. And if you go to the Pasta Party then you do hear some interesting stuff.....although I think the price is a little steep.....and you can hear the same thing if you just stand and watch outside the area. My sister wrote a HUGE good luck wish for me on the Adidas wall which was really sweet. Oh it was all fun.....and has made it feel even more exciting and scarily close. yikes. . Lots of freebies - bottle of cranberry sauce in the goody bag which is a little odd. . Free beer stand as well - but no use for me in my no alcohol regimen that I am strictly adhering to! . I hope you all it enjoy as much as I did :-) 
SJ , 167 is not 85% of 188. Metcheck says heavy rain for the duration. . Coro , I had a stinker yesterday too.
getting fed up of trying but I am sticking with it .. a bit peev'ed that the site yesterday said it would be open for the ballot at 9am and it seems it opened much earlier .. then crashed. Getting V frustrated and annoyed now. (Hope the race admin is better)
On the recovery side of things Pfitzinger and Douglas are very strong about not rushing back:. 'You have little to gain by rushing back into training, and your risk of injury is exceptionally high at this point, owing to the reduced resiliency of your muscles and connective tissue after the marathon. The (recovery) schedule starts with 2 days off from running, which is the bare minimum of time away from running you should allow yourself. If you still have acute soreness or tightness so severe that it will alter your form, or if you just don't feel like running, certainly feel free to take more than 2 days off. If ever there was a time to lose your marathoner's mind-set, the week after your goal race is it .. not running now will increase your chances of being inspired to resume hard training when your body allows it. Of course, some people don't consider themselves real runners unless they run pretty much every day of their lives. Plod through a few miles if you must, but be aware that you're prolonging your recovery.' (p169). P &D do go on to advocate light cross-training such as swimming or cycling and walking.
RB- Even for you that is a shocker of an outfit. Who did you borrow that off Danny La Rue? Surprised TR hasn't pulled you up on it. Selbs - Gutted. Hope things aren't as bad as they seem.
Ha Ha , who is home first? 19 stops on the District line in 30 minutes. Hope you all got home safely. Great to meet Hen, Eastham, Susan, Howard, Coxy & Mr M. Look forward to seeing Howards pics. A most enjoyable evening even if a few too many calories were consumed :-\ . Congrats step-Grandad Didds :) . Hello Tutu, we are all a bit tipsy tooooooo! :-\ I have to be at work at 8 as well. :( 
Ironman, . I cant get on your web page, so perhaps it would be better to use the Forum.
Thanks Alan for correct FLM number. As expected fleece is in the post.
1/2 marathon race this Sunday. Not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not.
Woony, I think Eddie was talking about me. I tend to plod behind and looked close to death after 13 last Saturday! Sitting here I'd love to do 18 but will prob change my mind whilst running, especially with those hills.
Well six of one , half a dozen of the other. I did say that the pace for the Get you Round group needs to be about about 12 min miles. Which if you then take a time based training schedule would give the distance!! In last years 'Get you Round" John "THe Penquin" Bingham came in at 5hrs 36mins which is approx 12min 45secs / mile
This is a great thread and I'm so glad that im not going totally crazy and that the FLM is consuming other people lives as well! Between the Marathon dreams, working out mileage, worrying about every little ache or pain, thinking about my blisters etc.. It's a wonder i can fit the training! Good luck to everyone
If the times were only 15 minutes slower than the men's qualifying times then there just wouldn't be enough women qualifying. Sad but true. . I seem to remember that the championship women's qualifying time used to be 3 hours but was dropped in fairly recent years due to the lack of women qualifying. I've even known the odd woman get a championship place when she hasn't got 3.15 but just over and this never happens for the men. In 2000 there were approx 6,000 women in total running the FLM compared to 24,000 men! The same goes for the women championship places going off with the elite rather than starting behind them. There's only about 100 at the start of the women's race in total. Whereas there are hundreds of championship male entrants. . RM (hoping to qualify this year for the sub 3.45 guaranteed future entry time). 
If anyone wants a laugh (apart from watching the cricket), check out the 'Brazilian or Hollywood' thread on UFRC page!
I'd run with you Marcus.
Had a good 21.5 miles in 2:57, so feeling good for the day now. One more long run next week, then ease up at last.
I will when i move to Stourbridge, they sound really friendly. Unfortunately, the cardiff club was too fast for me, and think that 12 min miles is walking!
I really can't see something like this being a target. Can't think of any precedents for attacks on sporting events like this. Hardly likely to win any sympathy for their cause.
www.charity-marathon.org.uk/_com/incentive. This is the site but I think you will be too late for a Gold Bond Place, there was a deadline for the entries. 
i'm putting fatbutfit on mine - hopefully other forumites will recognise me
yeah................................!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info guys - very helpful. I seem to be the only one of us going from the red start - i guess i will be somewhere around the RW pacer as well. Good luck
if you have name on front and back run on outside of the main runners the crowd will see you and give you that pick me up you may need,down themall last year the crowd lifted me of my feet and glided me across the line ,it rearly does help
Jim, I am nervous for all of you lot... if I don't see you again jim, Good Luck and enjoy :)
Morning Snoopy!
Well done everyone. I was doing OK till about 15miles then slowed dramatically. Finished in 4.42.54 according to my watch but FLM site showed 4.57 last night which I reckon was my gun time. I didn't enjoy it as much as last year but I think that was a combination of the heat and subconcious pressure on myself to go sub 4.30. Still, I finished and I can walk today and even the stairs aren't too much of a challenge! See you all next year?
Batfink,that pit bull passed me as well,lead and all.I was looking for his championchip.
For some reason I just thought it would be really funny if Paula were to run next year's London marathon in a womble suit or something. The look on Ndereba's face as she gets beaten by three minutes by a womble would be hilarious. So - what costumer should Paula wear?
It felt great to me, but that was because my wife and several friends were in the grandstand. Once I'd spotted them and seen my wife holding a camera to her face, I suddenly managed to run faster (even sprint, or that's what it felt like). I don't remember the noise, particularly, but it was a great moment!
OK, for some reason I don't seem to be able to put the link in so go to:
I seem to remember overhearing someone on the Lucozade stand at the marathon expo saying that the drink handed out during the marathon was slightly different from the stuff you buy in the shops - they had made it slightly less sweet to make it easier to take in. Can anyone confirm this?
I would never had started without the 'Get you Round' Run/walk principle. IT WORKS!! In this group you are doing for yourselves, not against the clock. You find you do it for others in the same boat around you!! GO FOR IT.
'Also there's no guarantee I'll make it to the start line, can't legislate for injuries etc.'. Not bottling out already are you Richard?
still waiting now expecting to be wearing a new watch. Gutted.... Got to look at golden bond now or this time next year I'll be fat and unfit(ter)
Swedwr why don't u think about joining the sunday run from Hove too, currently they are doing about 12.5, all abilities so you would find your pacer easy enough.
www.mcmillanrunning.com. - race time calculator. - type in your known time for any distance and it will give predicted time for all distances (provided you do the appropriate training ! ). 
I like doing speed sessions on the tready too - as has been said it pushes you. Had my longest run last night, 15 miles, absolute sh1te. The previous long run was 13.5 and I could easily have done another 3, last night I blew up at 11 and shuffled the last mile in around 11 minutes, which for me is very slow. Bollox. Hopefully just a temporary set back.
Hi Matt. I said I'd let you know re. long runs. Our plan is to set off from Brookwood Bridge on the B'stoke canal at 10:30 tomorrow morning, running up to Woking and on to Byfleet and back round in some way (not quite sure of route as yet). We're aiming for a couple of hours/1/2 M distance. There'll be me and my friend Maxine and her other half John (aka 'Coach') on his pusher with a mileometer and stopwatch just to make sure we don't cheat - as if! Don't feel obliged just happy to support fellow FLMers. Plod on. Lise
Last night was +12 miles at 6'55" pace. felt great not to be plodding. I know what you all mean about city / country running. I'm moving to a house right at the end of the GNR. You can run along the edge of the cliffs (National Trust land) from South Shields along to Sunderland and then come back over the hills and countryside of Cleadon (past SAFC's Academy). Nothing better than running in the early morning in the Summer :-)
I've toyed with gettin getting involved with the Epping forest running club. but. my problem with running with other people is that i have 2 babies and kind of run when i get windows, so i'm pretty unreliable when it comes to arrangments. I guess I could find maps if i wasn't so lazy
Things aren't looking good at the moment. My knee pain is getting a bit worse and I'm now feeling it after a shorter period of time. I started to feel a bit of pain after just 5 or 6 miles of last nights easy 9.5 miles. I'll see what happens in my long run this weekend (21 miles) but if it goes badly I may be forced to give up on long runs and just stick with training no longer than 2 hours. I'll then just "chance it" on marathon day. Not exactly how I had wanted to prepare.
. 1.48 for a half. Bed now. Goodnight all.
Andy, have a look at this article on Peak Performance, they have some interesting stuff to say about tapering. I reckon you should definitely cut your mileage, your body needs a chance to build up glycogen stocks. Some of their "neural training" workouts could be worth trying. The mantra seems to be "cut volume, maintain intensity"
Is her exercise video any good? If so I'll get my wife a copy. I'll have to watch it too of course.
Oops - missed a backslash there...
nope. i'm perfectly content.. about 30 long (20+ miles) since january, with some nice long bike rides and swims in between to get the old ticker turning over. never felt fitter, despite being an old git
cheers guys,. I'm london anyway so i'll just pop along after work
Good idea Kinsey, and Holly don't forget your mates giz a quid.
...my next race.... Sorry am v. sad and spend tonight looking for other (much shorter!) races!
M,. I've tried to e-mail you but the link doesn't seem to work. Let me knoe how I can get in touch
Good point Spans! Think I might just do a gentle jog tonight.
Chuff - I'd say do your own splits. That way you've got complete say about how you do.
Hello all. I' have a group of supporters who want the best chance of seeing me, from reading the thread I believe the docklands is 'lighty; populate by supporters. Can anyone suggested a good pub/bar they can hang out until I get my self there.... (very slowly) preferably near the course? And good luck to you all!
MikeB - top run, well done!! . I was way behind you, but I got a PB by over 8 minutes - finished in 2.43.29 (on my watch). Absolutley delighted with that. . Started well - was running 6min miles for the first 5 miles and feeling good, but a bit worried I was going too fast. Had a bad patch between 10 and 13ish, but got back on track - my legs started to tighten at about 23, but finished fairly strongly. Interested to hear how everyone else got on.
Cheers Blisters. I've printed off my split times. The GFA for 2005 is on the website. . I read that as looking like I'll qualify for 2006 under the rules if nothing changes. In 2005 I'll still be 40 on race day so would need to have done sub 3:00. That's right isn't it? MiB
sorry no time to reply, haven't stopped eating since SUnday
jamaica that time of year would be nice...
LL, I get where you are coming from on the charity. Fair play to you for having such a healthy attitude to your priorities, running can get a little obsessive, I'm seriously about to put myself through a year of that as I'm after a sub-4 at NYC 05. Travis, how about you give me a ring once you're recovered, we can build up the fitness together? Can't wait for the next time Humpy, Jase, LL, Sloth, Travis, and I are out in the forest together, it's been too long since we we're all there at the same time.
HSBC hasn't updated either!!
Evening Chris,. I too kept my end of the bargain - you're obviously good for me. Did just under 1.5 miles (not easy to check mileage as I use an alley which doesn't show up on road maps) and it took me 13mins 37 secs (those secs are really important aren't they?) I'm a bit of a snail as you can see but then again I haven't run since mid Sept and had only been training then for one month after a 2 year break. It can only improve though eh? . the Hal Higdon schedules can be found on the url below - I Hope to be following the novice one soon but have to try to build up a bit first. . . http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00index.htm. Calf a bit tender but not too bad - we'll see what tomorrow brings. RICE's it anyway so time will tell. At least my achilles held up and is pain free. Will attempt run again tomorrow if calf ok as the schedule calls for runs on Tues, Wed and Thurs so I'd better start as I mean to go on. . Great news Banana, happy shoe hunting, and Billie - sorry to hear about your virus - hope you're well and truly on the mend now and back out there running. Have a good evening all (what's left of it). 
If you look back a few pages,CC, Emma explains all. Did 53.10 in the 10k. Could have gone a bit quicker,but as first 10k for a few years,didn't want to make an a##e of myself. Doing another 10k in Eastleigh on 13th March. Gloves off! Friday it is (hopefully)then. I'll map out a loop, rather than the out and back we are so fond (?!) of :-). Going to Harlow later so off-line until tomorrow (unless I fork out for internet link in my room). Wonder what the birthday fairy will bring me while Im sleeping this morning!.......
Thanks Porcus - I think I'll add in a couple to start with as you say, probably Mondays after the LSD and maybe Fridays.
Yes, I'm off this weekend-hurrah! Did a 12.3 miler yesterday and my toes really hurt today and not sure if it's shoes, sox or just my rubbish running! Think I might struggle on trails as only been doing pavement pounding as training. Oh well-it'll be a laugh............for them if not for me!
Not great news this to put it mildly, particularly as I received an email from Runners World just a week or so ago, confirming the event would go ahead and you were just confirming dates - not impressed. 
morning all! Sounds like everyone is doing brilliantly, so I'm going to bring the mood down... Nah, not really. Although my run at the weekend was not the best it's still further than I've ever gone before. Is anyone else feeling frustrated even though they are doing things they couldn't have comprehended a year ago? Anyway was aiming for 16 miles in 3 hours, but made it back in 3 hrs 25 m, so not great. It was in a new area near Worcester and the Malverns and was pretty hilly compared to running in SW London, so that's my excuse! The only good thing is I have recovered well and have no aches and pains today! 4 hr 30 is looking like a fading dream but still as long as I make it around I will be happy. Silverstone next weekend, when of course the goal is 2 hours, but will be happy to finish feeling good. Keep up the good work everyone, not long left now!
Delia, hopefully will get it all sorted out and it will prove a blessing in disguise for it to have happened now. Well done for finishing despite the pain. I'm sure we've been told that mental strength is almost more important than physical, and you've proved yours. What about menu plans for the day before - proven supper dishes to charge us up?
T&TM hmmm, yes i left my last gym because of the 20 minute rule on the machines. . I had a right go (in my pathetic doe eyed girly way ) about paying £40 a month so I can train in the warm whilst watching Eastenders, and how am I suposed to train for a marathon in 20 minutes a go etc. promptly left and joined their rival ha! Nice to have long rest. i had 3 days off in a row 2 and a half weeks ago, and it really did me good. Started feeling very restless though so went and did that ridiculous Rhayader race which nearly killed me and had to have another 2 days off! BR ...they say 1gram of vitamin C every 2 hours for 12 hours will rid you of a cold (yes 1 gram...may give you a slight orange tinge around the edges though ;o))
nowt :-(. diet starts after FLM (carbo loading /stress eating just now!). Will be reducing my running and reminding myself that I have blubber for fuel so do not need to replace energy following 3 hrs run cos I won't be out for more than 60 mins now (my family wants mummy back!)
don't think i could focus enough on getting all the letters in correct order, think my brain might seize up or somethin'!!
no man with a crippled foot or hand, or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. Doubt they'd have the balls to do that anyway...
I'm finding this taper period quite tough to handle mentally, and there's still 10 days to go! Time is dragging. Also I use running to relax and without that outlet I feel a bit wound up! No matter how many taper articles I read I can't escape the feeling that my conditioning is starting to ebb away. Stupid I know, but there you go. Although I am looking forward to the 17/4 so much it will also be a relief to get my old life back. I shall of course carry on running, but like Tallguy I'm really missing my bike. I haven't run since doing a rather painful 4m on Tuesday. My thighs seem to develop new aches each time I get up in the morning plus I have a sore groin. I know there's nothing serious but it all adds to the tension. I am planning no more than 2 more runs. Probably 8m at marathon pace on Sat and then a slow 5m next Tuesday. Followed by a sports massage. 
Just been on the Amsterdam website. Oooooh,VERY tempting,AND a finish in the Olympic stadium! Anyone care to join me for my 'pilgrimage'run from Truleigh Hill? Preferably on Sunday morning.
I would have a word with the big fella' but my line of comunication is down at the mo'.
Trinity... staying with friends/family in Letchworth. Hope to get down to register on Thursday then drive down on Sunday morning, (we found a sneeky parking area within 1/2 mile of Blackheath)
Hi all,. Good to read that everyone has an eventful weekend. . I did 12M this morning (94:11), & it was one of the most uncomfortable runs I've had in a long time. My left hip pain aggravated me most of the time & I also found that after about 7M my right knee began hurting too. The knee pain was directly above the kneecap & is something completely new to me. I continued to run on with it though & the pain went eventually at about 11M. I've been icing it (& the hip) this afternoon and will continue to do so for as long as is needed. . I will definately be on the start line next week, I just hope it's not with a strategy that's had to be revised at the last minute. Happy tapering.... TTT.
Hi I am in this years FLM and will be travelling up from Dartford Train station on the morning of the marathon. I think i will be catching the 7.18 am train to blackheath. Starting from the blue start. Are there any of you out there that want to meet up. I am hoping to do sub 4 hrs so possible running partner as well or wants to do similar would be good.
Definitely come to London and spectate - why not join the RW supporters at mile 17?
Better to put his information on the URWFRC website, www.urwfrc.org then it will get to the support teams!!!
Diana, I'm in pen 9 red start so will try to see you there - meningitis vest, yes?
Hail Hail. Thanks Venom. Will try for GFA place, but wont bust my balls for it. Paul Cameron - is that you Pseudo? If so, well done mate. I owe you a beer. Top running.
Obviously that should have read, who actually wants to take part. . Actually OSD, don't even bother to defer. 
thank god. Can someone post another 80 weather threads between now and Sunday. Cheers. 
priceless
A picture has to be a .jpg or .gif of 100 x 120 pixels and the size has to be no larger than 12kb. As for getting your picture to that size that's another matter. Mine was trial and error and even when it said it was accepted it took a couple of days to go live. 
Just spotted your posting Higo x, well done mate, speak to you tomorrow. I'm knackered, going to bed. :-}
Sounds like my kinda town. Thanks Dustin. Can you lend me the money? - I'm sure you made enough from Kramer v Kramer.
And I think DG wants to join us!!
katypie - brilliant run, you're an inspiration to us all and you must stay on this thread. debbo - good run, you must be pleased with that. Did you speak to goslo? Haven't seen her on the forum for ages, last spoke to her in FW. Hippo - Blackpool this weekend, what are you hoping to do, PB? Or are you saving that for Cardiff. My knee seems a bit better today, even after 10m yesterday and 4.2m hilly this morning. I know I have a niggle there and I think a pair of shoes I trained in on Friday really aggravated it so they're going in the bin. I never really liked them anyway and I still have 20 pairs (and one pair on order!)
jane----i honestly didnt realise at the time. I was supposed to be taking it easy in july
I'm on 40 + at the moment, although my LR at the weekend was cut to a paltry 8 miles after my husband spent all day out windsurfing. Was not amused. Probably not a bad thing, though as I had two very tough sessions last week (one interval and one tempo) which left me feeling quite sore. My speed is definitely improving, though, so the work is worth it. Next sunday should see me up to 18 miles for the long run, and then I go up to 20 milers for the four weeks after that.
Good time Trin, well done. Shame about all the little prob's though. Hope you heal in time for the Robin hood. Very good idea Dips a meeting before chr*****s, got any suggestions where. I love that feeling to Mava, new running shoes, mine are falling to bits and have a large red stain from a painting accident. I think im gonna have a look for some bargain new ones. Im a bit of a skin flint though if there over £35 i cant bring myself to buy them. Spent £120 once and they were the worst shoes i ever had, so its back to the bargains. 
KP - I like 10 mile races. Have you ever done the Arbroath women's 10 mile one? It's great - lovely route and fantastic home baking and lunch at the end too! I'll report back on the suit. Actually I don't know if my post-holiday flab will fit in to it....
And I must remember to switch off the F****N' e-mail notification.
waiting like you weds, I just spied a thread that I went on two years ago, will boing up for you.
Do you fancy Cardiff?? &lt;wanders off to check bank account and remember what size fleece I ordered>. 
...crumbs - I go away for 2 days and realise that I've opened a can of worms! 
BR:. Cheeky bugger.
More welcomes,. Brook and Georgias Dad,. GD, I am also wating on a club place find out 27 Dec. Brook youll be fine Im sure.. K9 good to see you posting over here again... Enjoy the weekend all - anyone racing.. (Im doing the Maylarch Eynsham 10K)
I have just started this (week 2) and am finding it great as it is based on time rather than mileage - I just wondered if anyone used to last year and how they rated it?
trouty - yes and his HM time as well. He should be down in the 73s (I think his best is 75.xx). Then he'd have a championship place for FLM and might be encouraged to have a go. Always nice to hear from you at Tower Bridge - a friendly local face:-). Back any better?
Christchurch Jon - I think that long and slow is the basis for your long runs. I dunno...a minute, or minute and a half slower than marathon pace? Also, I would imagine that the advice from others would also be along the lines of slowly increasing the distance of your long runs....12 miles one week, 15 the next, 18 the next etc? Well, that's what I'd do anyway.
i hope it doesn't snow either i'm working tonight, and running tomorrow
Is everyone feeling positive and what sort of times are people aiming for? . I think realistically I am looking at a 5hr 30.
Bex, very nice run, hope your back is holding up as well
Fenn,. Sainsbury's Ibuprofen tablets. Swerve,. I do take your point and will be discussibg further with my Physio tomorrow. I'll report back then. Thanks Guys.....
Thanks. Last question!- Do you have a favourite ultra?
gweedore im waiting for a new bum bag, as got to carry gels, phone, mp3 & anything else i might need like plasters,etc (trying to find a belt with kitchen sink attachment, not found it yet thou). I hear the reason Paula has pulled out is because of a fast bunch a forum thread on runners world web site, started by a caramel.
I HATE it when that happens. i get so scared
Thanks folks. Can get a train about 6.30 from H.H. so would be at London Bridge 7.15 - 7.30 so should be ok.
RB - that's awesome mate; well earned, and hope you take time to have a few beers and enjoy your holiday. Not too bothered about your HR stats (we'll let CM sneak off to a private place to drool over those), but very keen to hear your mental state throughout the race. eg,. What pace did you set out to run? Did your plan go out the window when you were running well? At what point did you start thinking about your likely finishing time? Were you consciously (or subconsciously) racing CRAB? Did you think about the feedback you'd have to supply to this forum? (did it help or hinder progress) - can't deny I've thought about having to cough up my result on here mid-race over the past few months. What was the priority during the last 10k? Just get to the finish, or still aim for a particular time? Was running 2.46 harder or easier than running 3.00 - for me, the quicker the race, the easier it has been, if you know what I mean. Did you mentally rehearse your reaction to crossing the line, somewhere around the half way mark? Did you cry? Fkg hope not. What's next on the RB agenda? Only a couple of minutes from qualifying for those luxury bogs at London next year. Questions, questions.....look forward to your answers. CRAB - keen to know your mental process throughout as well.
Sounds like everyone has gone away
Hmmm. now there's an idea.. last day at work today so may take myself off for a swim tomorrow afternoon....
Just back from picking up my number from the expo. Sorry Sammy couldn't wait til Saturday, so I'll be putting my feet up while you're standing in the queue. Really enjoyed it. Got my feet analysed & confirmed that I am a neutral runner which is just as well as I wasn't going to change me trainers at this late stage. Paul Tergat was there but I see he's dropped out. What with him and Paula, if another 30,000 drop out I might be in with a chance.
Thanks JEJ - didn't know that about the water.
Stickless- I have no character :o
Good luck to all of you for Sunday.Enjoy your stay in the greatest city in the world.Soak up the atmosphere.It's one big carnival all the way.This is the greatest marathon in the world with the greatest support in the world.
have a brilliant day. Good luck
In my view the congestion from the blue start seemed to be caused by the ambulance situated after about 800m. I had assumed this was due to some sort of incident that had occured, but watching the video today it was there when the elite woman passed.
St Paul's Youth Hostel - cheap (£54 for a double), quiet, and close to London Bridge station. We've stayed there for the last 3 marathons, and it's great.
I couldn't eat after the marathon Fenn. My appetite has only just returned. I did force some recovery drink and an energy bar down but that was it. I know that's wrong Rio!
Sub 6 in my case Roobarb!! ;o). Do you think Carole would be ok to give us an hour of her time to share between us?!?! ;o)
Evening all. Was planning on a run or two this weekend, or a bit of cycling, but instead opted for a night out clubbing on Friday (we were in the pub by 4.30pm and home about 2ish!) and then spent the rest of the time paying back my other half for her support since January and spending time with the little one doing some nice 'family things'. Do feel totally refreshed however and literally chomping at the bit now, so going to head out tomorrow after work for a 4 miler. SBF - That analysis of results was fantastic, and ashamed to say that somehow the reds did beat the blues :o(. i uess we all need to keep the momentum going to achieve the goal of sub 4. Last night just before bed I was watching a little bit more of the live FLM coverage I sky+ 'ed last sunday. Is that your first appearance on TV Cas?? ;O) That Bob the Builder costume must have taken a lot of efort to make, it really was quite impressive. Afraid I'm not going to make Abingdon, just not practical for me to get there and already have plans for October i'm afraid. But I will still hang around here for support/banter with my own races if thats ok? And maybe next year the FLM might be in the picture and we will defo have to meet up? My race plan for the summer looks like this:. 10 mile race May. 10k race June. 10k race July. Half Marathon August. Not sure about Sept yet. Half Marathon October. With the training required I hope to retain/improve overall fitness and improve speed. And lose a bit more weight! 
DN. For interest, I never did get an email back from the Cardiff Race Director on the potential safety issues surrounding the 2:30 to 3:00 finishing time. Just think of the aggro that the poor winner will suffer? Can I hang on to your skirt tails in Abingdon?
Hi all,. Been going out a lot with my club recently and really enjoying it. I am definately improving now because of it, last Friday we did 2.5 mile relays which was hard but good. I got out with them on Mondays and Wednesdays. Tomorrow we do the Haytor Heller course which actually takes place on Sunday, I am going to be a marshall. Did a good 7 mile run last night, a lot of hills. Doing a 6 mile race on Friday evening which I am looking forward to, I am really enjoying my running at the moment. I am hoping to build up to Dartmoor Vale Marathon in October and then hopefully London again next year.
In reverse. If I maintained stride length, and ran 170 spams, my marathon time would be 3:40.
Hello runners,. well missed a load of posts since the 2006 FLM due to ligamant damage.... But am back!! deffered my 2006 place so will be in the 2007. Firstly is this the right place? sub 4.00 hrs? Or am I too early?? Help! 
Well its certainly picked up on this thread. Welcombe everyone. Jellybabe and viffer are well ahead of us on the training front but there's still plenty of time to go. O'Donut which training plan are you going with. Stylish like you I have found a couple of races that I have just entered to try the mileage build up. Both are hilly off road runs (bit new to me) but sound fun?? Drogo 10 and Bicton Blister both in November in Devon. Cheques should be cashed at the end of this month if you are in. Speak soon :o)
stoppit!
Checked my Barclays account post midnight - Nothing gone out.
Susie Sorry - fingers still a bit numb several hours later. . Lord D Thanks for that, but I have been doing the step-drops 30 times every morning before I do anything else and in the evening when I remember. Think I'll work up to 50 reps though. I've been told I have tendonosis (i.e. degeneration) rather than tendonitis (inflammation). Probably my achilles had mis-spent youths! . Don't worry about remedial IT for your daughter - it probably means she has excellent social and other non-cognitive skills instead! Lots of evidence (from day-job) that non-cognitive skills (e.g. communication, team-working, self-efficacy) are increasingly important in the labour market.
accobatic overhead kick to hammer it home
Oops - sorry Roobs, forgot about Luton!
Guess who is hung over this morning and hasn't run..................... Bloody gremlins!
I'm in for Macmillan. There must be more of us because their website says all their GB places are taken!
Remember to miss a session if you need to as well. It is early days yet and there is a long way to go to stay fit and healthy
Good luck Susie have a good run. Sounds like the training is going well.
Sounds like a good plan NickM, I will do the same. The massage was good thanks, my calfs tighten quite easily so I really need a good session once every two or three weeks. . I also started using Fetch in 2007. Good fun and even takes the football and badminton in as X training. No Garmin or anything more than a watch here so it is my only source of information. . I haven't sorted my FLM place yet JBSS but am still hopeful. It may have to be charity in the end though. I will let you know what success I have. Our club places went to a husband and wife this year....very cosy! Hmmmph! Later.
I didn't buy any official merchandise last time I ran London marathon 2002. I sort of regretted it afterwards but looking through the Adidas gear it seems a bit pricy has anyone here bought anything from the London Marathon range is it good and is it worth paying the extra to have a London Marathon logo on it?
Blimey Alex - where did all that come from?! Two glasses of Shiraz maybe. How decadent, drinking at lunch time at work! Reminds me of the old days &lt;harpy music wafting into the past> ... Would love to do NY. Must see if I still have any knee cartiledge left after FLM this year. Clare - is your half on Sunday a race race or a race to make a long run more interesting?
ahhhh....beginning to think I should have gone out for a run last night this doesn't sound too good....
Finally gotten rid off my cold after 10 days, bloody thing. Depending on whats on telly later and how awake i feel (went from evening shifts to morning shifts with work today so i get less sleep for a night) will see how far i run tonight. Currently tipping down so i think it'll be a treadmill session. Aim for 6 miles roughly i think. Gotta remember to ask what each trendline on my funky spreadsheet graph is as i havn't a clue, mainly as its a spreadsheet i aquired off another runner at work. Heck even the boss has been out a few times over the last few weeks at lunchtime.
..... and Good Luck on Sunday M4
Hi DazPD good to have you back today!!
SC/LD. Many thansk for your advice. Simon
RW Supporters thread:
Greetings all,. still one hard week for me to go,. had a great day today, a nice 5.5m slow at lunch and then.... a club run meant to be done at MP tonight, well that didnt happen, 1st mile at 8m then the next 4 very quick, in fact very quick for me...... is everything starting to kick in, as felt tired but comfortably strong at the same time....... Great tips above,. also dont forget the sun cream lotiion, the abount of times I have been wind and sun burnt at maras...... Also plenty of vasaline in any area that can rub, crutch, grion area, butt cheeks, arm pits etc. and for the men the nipples either plasters / tape or vasaline..... Take care
Hi willy, whats your marathon PB? If i was you i would go for 2;45, what have you got to loose? your not that far off and your times are very close to mine.
The simple question to ask is:. "Do you want my money or not?". That is if you have raised any... I'm very surprised they are not jumping through hoops to sort this for you.
Website is now complete . Runners World London Marathon 2007 Runners & Supporters Website . <u>No updates have been made to add any runners since Thursday last week, I shall update these tomorrow. Some other minor updates are also outstanding</u>. If you encounter any problems with the website or have any suggestions please email me.
x-post there with Sandra! As I said, I'm happy to go along with the rest of you. 
Thanks for suggesting a meeting spot Alex - I was hoping you would.. :o) . I'll be wandering over from the Isle of Dogs (after dropping off the rather fabulous "RW Forum Supporters 100m Ahead" sign I made, at mile 17 - watch out for it!!) and should be there about 08:30 I guess. White cap, Shelter vest with KERYN on the front. Got last minunte tickets to the Arsenal game last night - woohoo!! Although the minging bread roll soaked in mayo and the late night weren't the best for taper week. Ah well, it was a good game and we are now up to third in the table! :o)
Eleanor - I thought about a tutu as well - good plan to get encouragement. We have the same RW support group #6 at Mudchute.
 Sub I'm meeting Hilly at the elite ladies start about 8:45 am tomorrow, then yomping down Maze Hill towards 6 -7 mile point. I will e-mail my phone no. to you.
Morning All. just spent the last 10 mins catching up with everyones posts/reports. Congrats and well done to everyone! In reality it was that hot that it was an achievement just to finish! Well that has to be the toughest thing I have ever done. I expected the last 6 miles to be tough but that was something else! Finished in 3.18.58. Am absolutely chuffed to bit and still haven't stoped smiling! Think I slept about 2 hours last night, i'm still buzzing! Annoyingly I think I made the last few miles so hard myself by going off too fast! At 14 miles I was had averaged 7.17 min miles, including 5 around 7 mins. By 18 I had dropped the pace slighty to about 7.30 mins miles and was still well on for sub 3.15 (about 3.13 ish) If I could have kept that pace up. But from 20 onwards it seemed like someone had tied bricks round my ankles and I dropped to 7.50's and by 24 8.10's. managed to run a sub 8 in the last mile but the heat and my quick start had finished me. Think if it hadn't been for the crowd I would have pulled over and collapsed in the gutter, but had a lot of friends placed over the last few miles that really kept me going! Anyway am really pleased and honestly think I have got sub 3.15 in me. Just have to learn from my mistakes and hope its cooler next time!
Yes thanks Rio for all your help along the way it has been much appreciated! . Yeah I'm the same as you Sarah, I think it might be the start of a beautiful friendship with running haha!
I'm a size 8, so could go camping in it. It's now displayed in the loo for all to admire - especially me.....
alex should i have a e-mail from you did not recieve anything micktherunner@aol.com
Corredor - great PB, but just a word of warning - advice from one of my club coaches: better to improve on your PB by 5 seconds each race than take a huge chunk off and then have to beat that next time. On a more positive note (unless you've been running for years...), I also read that whatever age you start running/racing, you will improve on your times for c.10 years before you plateau, so go for it.
Well done Katie, Vrap and GF on your awesome efforts. Vrap - I think you are being too modest. A PB after that sort of exertion is phenomenal. Fast times too for Lorenzo and TT. MTR - You will soon be back on form and will fly in your DS trainers. Are you planning to alternate them with a different shoe? . RFJ and Smiffie - Thoughts are with and don't rush back. It's not fun. I seem to be in an increasing amount of pain and am ccoming to the conclusion that I might have to stop running again. I was given the number of a good physio but luck would have it that she is off on holiday for 3 weeks. I had quite a long telephone conversation wit her and she thinks I now have a secondary injury (possibly PF) caused by adjusting to compensate for original injury. I will carry on running as long as the pain gets no worse but I'm not looking forward to my HM tomorrow.Finishing that will be harder than any race I have ever done. No PBs for me in the near future!
Caro - the smell of the fish n chips is the same as the smell of a bacon buttie - irresistable! You'll be up for it!
Evening all. Loads of posts to catch up with. TR - one of my favourite subjects that - the grandparent rule in football. Always made me laugh that at the same time as Ireland were getting grief over using it, England had Butcher (born in Singapore), Barnes (born in Jamaica) and Dorigo (born in Australia) playing for them.... I always maintained that the rule made sense though as emigration was becoming much more common. The rugby one is a joke though, live somewhere for 2 years and you can play for them. We played Italy last year, and they substituted a Springbok for an Argie. I thought we were playing an AllStar XV. Sorry to hear the knee is playing up btw. Fingers crossed it'll clear up in time for NF. JEJ - I don't see any reason why you can't be down at that level yourself in time. Might take a bit more mileage though. That's obscene to be able to do that pace off so little mileage. Fair play to him. I've got a rest day tomorrow, tf. Made it through yet another mad week of training with just a slightly tight left quad to show for it. I think that's a decent return ;-) Total for the week was 120 (off 6 days, with some good quality in there). Counting back 7 days I've done 128.25 so Dull, I'm afraid your PB is mine! ;-) ) Couldn't do it on a regular basis though. Only 1 more week of this to go, and I have to say I'm glad. I think it's the mental side I find harder than the physical side. Still, what doesn't kill you......
mornin all. had a really good club run last night, a hilly 7 miles. For the last few weeks i've got back to the club feeling like a complete wreck, as i've linked in with a group of runners who are a bit faster than me, and several times around the course i've been puffing and panting so hard and thinking.......i can't do this........i can't do this, but just about hanging on in there. Anyway last night, i got back feeling ok.....in fact as high as a kite as i kept up, with only feeling the 'omegod i can't do this' once, and that was up a long hill, but did it . Strange how your body (or my body anyway) seems to struggle along at the same pace for so long, then suddenly feels better one night for no apparent reason. Just hope it stays. Probably the tough speed session last week helped? Will rest achilees now 'till club run (about 5-6 miles) on Friday, then try and get round 13.5-14 mile course on Sunday, in last Sundays time of around 1.53 ish. Not bothered if i don't, but nice to have something to aim at. Good luck to all those of you in races this weekend.
Crikey - so much positive stuff on this thread. Well done all you racers, good to switch on the laptop read through the weekends postings. Our house resembled Emergency Ward 10 this weekend with both Small Children badly; one recovering from an op and beginning to milk it somewhat (he is male) The other (female) quietly ill on the sofa with some kid-like lurgy. Managed to run never the less. 6.5ish easy miles on Saturday (no gadgets at all so no pressure, which I prefer for this type of run) 12 miles this afternoon, kept up a decent pace in view of the fact I wasn't going mega long and averaged 8.25mm on an undulating route. Did what I always do and started slow (9mm, 8.40-8.45s) then picked up the pace as the run went on to 8-8.15mm. The last 3 miles of this route are pretty much all climb so it's tough to pick but the pace further but useful training I feel. Good running all.
Dan A - only a couple of miles from me. It would be nice to recoup the cost of my new apartment in prize money, but I guess I'd have to win the FLM for that. Any good team prizes - I can think of 3 other local 29 - 32min guys...?
about 5 times lol
If you bequeathed and don't get a place, when do you know that you've been unsuccessful?
Have a good break, Debstir, and come back rested and refreshed to start your training! Beachy is next Saturday.
Bah, stupid Halifax! Nothing at all there, of any description. Don't despair people - there's always tomorrow! Ed - GO TO BED! 
'Those socks' obviously referring to these beauties. But would other people wear them if they thought they would help to win races?
The Dangerous Book for Boys is a superb read! I got one for my birthday, loads of handy things in there including how to win at conkers and how to build the ultimate treehouse.
Looking at the route, I like the idea of the later stages on day 1 in Epping Forest and the North Downs Way sections on day 2. Not too long, and quite hilly.
Hi all, went out for a short run on the track. Lots of wind and rain managed to run at a comfortable pace. This gives me confidence to try and achieve 35 min or there abouts in the 5 mile race on Sunday. It will be a PB what ever happens as I have never done a 5 mile race before. 4.3miles@7.11m/m=30m57s ave HR 164-82% max HR 186 max speed 12.6mph. 
just get out and run - you know the basics - build in rest days and work on building distance. Try a run tomorrow to see where you are in terms of fitness.
Have fun everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 Wardi I failed to run sub 1.30 at Milton KeynesHM 06 and shortly after ran a 3.01 PB at Abingdon 06. I wouldn't get too down about a performance in just one race. I remember talking to you post FLM07. My advice (for what it's worth) is just keep working. I have run 4 PB's in 2007, having started road racing aged 46. Sadly none over the marathon distance, but I'm convinced by the way I feel that I'm still getting faster and stronger the more I train. I am lucky enough to sometimes chat to rivals. One of them told me they started aged 38 and reckoned they peaked at 52. The guy is now 58 and considerably faster than me. Keep on trucking. It's a long road, but hopefully we will both get our over 50 sub 3. Best Wishes. Dull . 
Good running Martin! Doesn't matter if runs are a little shorter than the schedule, wouldn't worry too much. Back from my intervals, really enjoyed them yet again - yay! Did 7 x 800m fast with 2 min recoveries. still don't do them spectacularly fast, think the fastest averaged 7.30mm pace and the slowest was around 10!! (v. steep hill though). Quick question re: hill-running. Do you guys run hills on your toes??? Feels like such an amateur question to ask, but have only just noticed what a different it makes, it's incredible!! HOWEVER, right big toenail is black again and very weak, so not sure they like it so much. 
Afternoon all. Another outbreak of sensibility this end. Had a carp night, kept waking up cos of the lurgy, so decided to forego the planned lsr and slept instead. No running til Monday at the earliest this end now. Still, at least I got 50+ in the bag. Just a shame I missed out on the other planned 40...... Sorry to see there's other lurgified folks, but better now than 2-3 months time! Don't know what's going on with everybody being sensible. Must be something in the water! At this rate I reckon next week will be primarily slow mileage again, which will leave me with a 9 week build up and a 2 week taper. Should be more than enough to get my tergat I think. gatorade - league? KM - I wear adidas supernova cushion too. Have you found a replacement for them cos the new models are wider across the midfoot, or does that not affect you? Good luck to all weekend racers.
Count your blessings, eh!
Afternoon folks. Nice to see your back Trin.Rich made me laugh the other week describing the ice baths you get him to take after any run over 15 miles.He says he keeps stopping at 14.99 miles!! :) . He's nearly convinced me its a good idea... Well done on surviving the River Bank Rollick Rich. I've never fancied it as every year the conditions seem to be appalling! Nice to see the Monument route on your dream team page.Welcome to Hogweed country!! Hope you all enjoy your long runs this weekend.At least it should be dry here in Brizzle.
Brave man Blisters. Be a warrior, it is your destiny. Good luck 
Blisters top running, great effort. . The forum shows theres been some good training this weekend. I managed my first ever 18 mile run on Sunday, tried to make it slow as recommended, but ran it in 2hr 17 mins (maybe a bit too fast for 1st time on longest ever run). At the end felt tired and realising just how far 26 miles really is. . Today I went for what was supposed to be a short slow run with a friend who is also running FLM. Unfortunately friend is very fast experienced runner (around 3hr for Marathon) and I wanted to try and keep up. We did 9.3 mile Cross Country in 1hr 8min felt like nearly Tempo pace due to wet boggy ground. I am going to take it slower for rest of week, but feel good (no aches or pains). 
Hope you manage an extra few hours kip, Tracey.
Thing is, I didn't think you could post unless you were a subscriber.
Thanks Jools, will appreciate the support.
Don't worry Doodle! Had a massage last night and seeing the physio tomorrow morning and have been icing all yesterday. Unfortunately my knees have a tendency to do this marathon training or not. But it's much better today. Thanks :) How are you fairing? Lucy I totally agree about the speedwork, it's all about just getting round in one piece this time and working on speed after that!
Tootie really sorry to hear about your Bath experience. I have to say that most of my own worst running experiences have come in really big races. I much prefer less congestion and fewer fat joggers in headphones, too many clothes, carrying 10 gels and 2 water bottles who stupidly line up in the sub-1:30 pens getting in my way. Less hanging about at the start when the fields are smaller too. . So well done on merely suriving that horrible experience. Chin up lass! 
Padams - Must have been a small chap.... you better had over your prize before he gets angry
Oh dear, I just check the weather for Paris - 4 and light snow, we will be giving out hot toddies along the way. I hope it is not that cold for us.
Padams . Not in great shape, but still waiting in the wings. . Would be a real bummer if this late someone gets a knock/flu and there was no one trained up ready to step in. Still such is the quality of the squad, though I think you'd crack the record with just 11. Dull . 
I had a quick squint at the website and can't see any way of tracking participants (not that we know race numbers of Phil, BR, Hilly, etc...). Right, must stop wasting time on t'internet or I'll never get out of the office in daylight!
&lt;&lt;&lt; Pops into thread to drop off bags of Jelly babies for Carbo loading &gt;&gt;&gt;
Can even shout and sulk with myself too
Just completed my last run before Sunday, 3.37m @ 8:12 pace, that's me done.
I'm not wearing them, have done no training in them and they are far too short for my trainers, someone told me they were onyl to raise awreness this year not for the money. 
timely xpost - thanks CRAB 
I cant make Friday but how about we all meet sometime and run along the embankment to westminster and then along birdcage walk and round to the finish line!!!! If we do it in the summer we could have a picnic and bubbly in the park afterwards? :) 
I've just heard about the EASY EASY... wish i could of seen that !!! if any one has that on video please put on a link.. MICK N PHIL please leave a post so we no how you to are feeling with the day!!! ;-) 
Hi Folks,. Bit nervous about posting in here amongst proper serious runners but I am looking for a little advice and perspective, if possible? Long story short is that I began running in late summer 2005 and completed the Dublin marathon in Oct 05 in 4:23. Since then I have finished a further 6 in progressivly faster times until I hit 3:15:06 in Rotterdam at the weekend. I've also done a couple of 10k races as 'sharpeners', the most recent of which was ~600m short and I finsihed in a race time of 37:5x, so I figure it would have been ~40min mark for the full race distance. Training stayed pretty static at 30ish miles until the last marathon where I upped it to around 35 - 45 miles per week on average and brought in speed work for the first time. Having finsihed Rotterdam feeling fairly strong (last three miles were all under 7:06 min/mile pace) I have this mad idea that I couldgo a bit faster. Current plan is to focus on a 10k race at the end of June (I've never focussed on a 10k before and it'll be interesting to see how fast I can go) and then a marathon in Oct. But I have this mad idea that - with proper speedwork and more miles - I might get close to teh magic 3. Am I being delusional? 
bootsie - Abingdon is a nice marathon. It was my first marathon.
I've never been to a medium. It was as much as I could do to drop below extra large.
ff. Don't they ask for your Competition Licence number to get the affiliated discount? All races from 1 April this year are meant to do that...
Yes, there are some places that are reserved just for people who bequeath their entry fee.
I'm doing Bristol Plodding Bod. Its a great race - see you there. I'm feeling better after a bottle of wine (hic). No money but 2 bottles of champagne already in the fridge so the weekend can't be too bad :-P 
Broke my treadmill last night. Started smelling like a bonfire and would not change gradient. Thought best to get off. Anyone know any contacts that can fix 'Tunturi' treadmills?
Hi Susan, yes the team runners do run with the full mara - you can only identify them by their freshness and their numbers :) 
No I did not LOL I just do not know what happened there ???? I know I will be beaming all the way home tomorrow ! Not bothered I have to stop at Schiphol airport 3 hours I will just sit with a glass of wine and watch the world go round :) . I am not sure I can go any lower !!! I said it was my last but we always say that . Thanks for all the support everyone! I am so pleased I came back on the thread . I only left last year as was so low after London and lost lots of confidence now I have found it again ! 
Good luck with your training plans Susie and Tootie. Can't advise Dids on a new Garmin. I have been leading an Economist's Awayday in Birmingham for 2 days, which was very successful I think. And before that I was at my sister's 4th wedding celebrations in Colchester. But I need a new knee. I went for a run on Sunday morning, despite the ache in my knee. Got to 6.7 miles and I had to stop and walk the remaining 3 miles home as I couldn't bend my right knee any more - it was agony. Since then I have been icing it and taking Nurofen and walking backwards downstairs. The pain has reduced, but I jogged 1.5 miles while coaching last night, and it's not good enough to run on yet. Very fed up. . Off to Bristol shortly. 
Another quality mileage week from TT - just looking at your target HM time compared to last year shows it's obviously working well for you. 19 miles for me tonight, pity only 1 of them was running but good to do a bit anyway. My 9 min mile this evening was slightly more comfortable than Fridays so at least I know I'm not making it worse with my 1 mile jogs. Average speed for the bike ride was 18.1 mph with a cadence average of 91.6 so a nice improvement on the same route as Friday. Starting to really enjoy this cycling malarky.
I go away for a week, and it takes hours to catch up. Actually I'm still away, but whiled away an hour while it was raining in SW France to log on via the wonders of a mini-laptop and campsite wi-fi. Loads of congrats to the sub-35 cew at Yateley (Gobi, JAP, TT & Jock), belated congrats to Jools for her win, and to Pug for racing again, plus Marders, BEJ and others, especially WTGY who was dead unlucky to miss out on a sub-37. Nice to see Crab, Pug, Brian and Njord all making an appearance as well. Training in France is going OK. It's a brilliant area for running with miles of tarmac bike paths through the forests and along the coast road. A bit hot and hilly in places, but that's good. Also being doing some decent beach running. The beach is about 100 miles long, so you can just run as long as you like and then head back. About 60 miles for the week, including 15 miles of barefoot beach running, plus lots of sea swimming, been trying to do about 600m per day, although when there's a current, it's impossible to go by distance - yesterday I swam for 10 minutes and moved 10 metres - today I swam about 1000m with less effort.
Morning all,. Great running CJ. I took part in a friendly experiment this morning and ran 8 miles at 8 min mile pace with an AVGHR of 116. . I can honestly say I found it hard to run so slowly.
I love porridge - I would eat it every day with a bit of honey (and a spoon) - although, to be truthful, I haven't actually eaten it since before London. Bit dead on here today so may go a wonder and find some other poor sods to bother - the Edinburgh lot are always very chatty.
Cheers for the sock links/comments. My issues with them though is simply that they tend to stick in all the wrong places on me (same places with every pair I've tried). As a result I gave up wearing socks a few months back and feel better for it. The only slight niggle is the insoles on the Streaks. May try glue them back and see if that does it. Gobi - why braver? For not wearing socks full stop or for not wearing them until it gets really cold? Not a bad tip there Jools . I like that. 10m with a bit of PMP work thrown in at lunchtime. Felt a bit rubbish at first (though HR was where it should be), presumably from having a carp night's sleep (jr is a little poorly at the moment so woke up a few times), but loosened/woke up eventually. Done my usual by looking for consistent splits on feel (with an occasional glance at the watch to confirm) and felt much better as it progressed. I even felt good enough to open up a bit for part of the last mile and have a bit of fun. Warming up nicely here too. I was covered in goose bumps at the start, but it was quite nice by the time I finished....
Hmm, quiet today! I'm feeling better, and am just back from a bike ride. I still freak out riding a bike on the road with cars, but I'll have to get used to it. Love those trails, though! Thanks for all the support, guys! :) 
EPS , Brid is not flat, but it's not hilly either. Gentle inclines, which makes it reasonably fast but more interesting. Route takes you north thru bempton and out towards flamboro, then back via Sewerby. Nice run in thru the park and then on the front for the last mile or so. TT , Nice stats 
Dave you are no use to me at ALL. 
great time Puffy - any news from Dalya? quite a story LL! - sounds like a nice guy ......... off to the shops to get some gravy ..
Send my love to Brad while you're with George, Diana! Mr D and I have spent the day at a parentcraft session today - 9.30 til 2.30 so was a bit hard going! Lots to take in but got to see all the places where we'll be when Dumpling makes his/her appearance. . Nowt else to report I'm afraid. Think I've overdone it this week - feeling very, very tired so I might have a little snooze before dinner! Good luck to all racers tomorrow. Look forward to hearing all of your race reports. . :) 
huge thanks susan and chi for supporting my bid for fame!
Not long now Mr M
Hellooo :) 
Minni. u have me thinking now. Have i put the wrong name down - if so sorry 
An hour in the pool this morning. Took 15 mins to clear the snow off the car!
Various niggles seem to have got worse over the last couple of days, particularly an achilles problem I've had for two weeks since Watford HM, seemingly worsened by the long run in deep snow last weekend. So had a rest day yesterday and will take it easy now until Bramley. . I'm going to stick with my 6:15, 6:00, 5:45, 5:45 plan for now but may well change my mind and go for something slower depending how I feel in the first couple of miles. . Bramley. BEJ - 1:55-odd. EdB - 1:58:45. Padams - 1:58. TippTop - 1:59:59. 
Good stuff Sue C those 2 mile reps definitely the worst of the faster running. Good running too Joe Hawk - I am also on the RW schedule but have to say struggling a bit this week - blame overdoing hills on Tuesday but 11 miles last night was hardest for weeks. And still have 8 at MP and my first 20 to do. . TR , I'm doing Christchurch but taking 10 mile option. What pace are you going to run?
Minni, I'm the opposite. This morning I was perfectly happy out on the roads on my own, but once I got into the woods I started to get antsy (possibly because they back onto a fairly dodgy estate though). I imagine murderers, rapists and savage dogs around every corner. In fact the dogs are not imagined.
M Diddy - thats a great 20 miler, well done. Went and did the 5 x 1200 session that Astride challenged me to, and despite feeling a bit peaky today and yesterday, it went well. After a 2.3m w/u @ 7:13, the reps went 4:33, 4:28, 4:26, 4:25 & 4:26, then 2.3 home @ 7:12. . I've lost 6lbs since Friday. That can't be good, can it? Mind you, I felt quite sprightly and nippy today, so maybe the old body is adapting to the constant instructions being given it?
I'm starting off gently with a little 30miler then next year I am hoping to do the moonlight challenge and the 50 mile challenge. Hmmmm may have to do that race. Are you doing Harvel Benyo? Tea is made, got some yoghurts today as well
BTW on the subject of awards (few pages back) I popped into work the other day with little Coxy Pip and was very suspicious when the management team appeared down in the coffee lounge where I was catching up with a friend and started gathering round us. Turned out was to present me with an award for outstanding contribution! Not bad eh whilst on maternity. Turns out was for something I did just before going off to have the little one. very chuffed! :) . Umbongo - I hope your chest is OK? Take it easy on your next run. What marathon are you signed up for this spring?
Nice one Wardi - it was probably Ode 
Limper ( or is it Supreme Limper) it is on its way ( blowing clouds Chichester direction :( )
oh poo.. yes Macs do that sometimes.. 
Hello Ady! 
Thanks Nam....
or a 5ft yellow banana with your name written on it in big letters. It was a godsend last year.
Yes GM everyone did smile.... :-) . Rio about 11/ 12 o'clock
Yep - plenty of jokes yesterday at Mudchute about the race numbers having Virgin on instead of Flora, things like 'ooh I haven't had a virgin on my chest for a while' and stuff like that!
Fantastic Captain - well done...and to you too AGT - cracking + attitude! I looked for CG at the start but the FGFA was a bit of a free for all. I lined up with two clubmates and they were 'supposedly' in different pens having different numbers to me... The toilet at teh FGFA made me laugh....the Geordie comic stating that it was def not a wet race as I was lined up with 30 or 40 blokes all p&pound;ssing up against a tarpaulin sheet... The organisation was spot on but one query...for those on red. Did anyone else think the first two mile markers were a little out? I was desp to keep hand brake on and sailed past mile 1 in 6.14?? and then at mile two I got taken by the RW 7.00mm train steaming past on the pavement and that was at 13.30 - ok 6.45 mm for them to get settled but they really stormed past in a hurry. Once red and blue mixed I pulled the reins and put less coal in the bucket. Not been able to log on to VFLM yet...are there details for the GFA process?
Not having any luck at all. Can't even get onto the contact us page. Lots of sweary words. They need to come up with a better way of entering the ballot.
If you have any adidas outlet stores by you - they sometimes sell race kit off cheap aaages after the event.
Sub 3:30 or bust... You set up this inspirational forum and have to say (as a fellow spurs fan-well I'm guessing from the Cockrell!!) if you were up to 50 miles in May last year its there and depending on whereabouts in Scotland you might have quite a bit of running potential in them parts!! Thanks for getting this going as it helped spur me on (really no pun intended there!) with the others who joined in. A sub 4 is well within reach...as I know someone who only got back into running this year to finish in 4.30 and she had done nothing for years!! SO its possible. Good luck. 
TR - got the sportive in the diary, should be good.
well i nearly had 2 weeks off.... went for a 5 miler and how slow was i.... i think i could walk faster than this pre marathon, how can you lose so much fitness in 2 weeks, it is scary... i am just gonna take it easy with 3-5 mile runs for the next few weeks with no consecutive days and no speedwork until seen physio - got my letter today, only been 2 days - who said NHS is slow. However on a positive note, i have entered the Silverstone half again next year - with my Dad. He does not run but has set it as his goal. He has a few stone to lose and had a heart bypass several years ago and a heart attack, but was so inspired by me completing the marathon that he is giving this a go - gonna start slowly with lots of walking and take it from there - that has got to be right up there with completing the marathon itself - to be able to influence somebody like that kind of leaves me a bit choked... i feel super super super proud. My sis is also gonna start in the next few days - so a right family affair happening here. :) :) :) . Know what you mean about logging the food, i am trying not to add everything to favourites as that would speed the logging process and encourage me to eat more - not a good idea. HT Do it Do it, you know you want to. we will all support you along the way
Right, Tmap , in that case I'm never doing Berlin - I was in hospital for over a week when I was 7 and it wasn't an accident...
Glad that you're back out there and enjoying it Gatton! :)