The Running Thread

The Running Thread

TOPIC CLOSED
TOPIC CLOSED
Author
Discussion

UpTheIron

3,992 posts

267 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Cybertronian said:
And it's a no for me and the Berlin Marathon. May just investigate other UK marathons at that time of year...
I did Warsaw this year (it was the same weekend). Fast, flat, cheap and generally a very good weekend was had. Maybe worth a look?

UpTheIron

3,992 posts

267 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Cybertronian said:
UpTheIron said:
Florence Marathon today. First decent long run since another marathon 8 weeks ago (2:57). Wasn't looking forward to it given the lack of training but very happy with a 2:56 and my third sub-3 of the year. Now for more beer...
Stunning! Some people never make it to sub-3 despite how hard they try! What's your PB at the distance?
Not much faster... 2:55:17.

I've done 2:58, 2:57 and 2:56 this year (out of 11 marathons/ultra's this year, the others being offroad). The target for those three was simply 2:59:59 though... now I seem to have got myself into a position where I can do sub 3 regularly I should try and push on.

Aiming for a 2:54 in the very near future, and if I can sort out my diet, a 2:49 at London next year.

naturals

351 posts

182 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
krallicious said:
I have just received my Berlin Marathon entry conformation which is great news.
Congratulations! I too got a place from the ballot. It'll be my first full marathon (I run 10km regularly and have done a half before but never a full).

Can anyone recommend any decent running forums? I cannot stand RunnersWorld but I've struggled to find any alternatives that have any activity on. Coming from niche activities like scuba / paragliding / brewing (which have insanely active forums) I cannot believe there isn't an equivalent for running out there.

johnwilliams77

8,308 posts

102 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
naturals said:
Congratulations! I too got a place from the ballot. It'll be my first full marathon (I run 10km regularly and have done a half before but never a full).

Can anyone recommend any decent running forums? I cannot stand RunnersWorld but I've struggled to find any alternatives that have any activity on. Coming from niche activities like scuba / paragliding / brewing (which have insanely active forums) I cannot believe there isn't an equivalent for running out there.
I have this tab open. Presuming you've seen?
https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/tr...

naturals

351 posts

182 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
johnwilliams77 said:
I have this tab open. Presuming you've seen?
https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/tr...
I'd not, thanks! I'm halfway through the Hal Higdon programme for a half so I'm going to carry on with that but it's always interesting to see how others prepare.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
naturals said:
Can anyone recommend any decent running forums? I cannot stand RunnersWorld but I've struggled to find any alternatives that have any activity on. Coming from niche activities like scuba / paragliding / brewing (which have insanely active forums) I cannot believe there isn't an equivalent for running out there.
There are a few.
www.letsrun.com
www.eightlane.org
www.therunningbug.co.uk

Cybertronian

1,516 posts

162 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
krallicious said:
Bad luck. If you are stuck for a good one, then the Frankfurt Marathon is at the end of October. I know I keep going on about it but it is really well supported and you can drink as much beer as you want at the end!

The Bath marathon is in September.

This is also a complete list of UK marathons for the coming year http://marathons.ahotu.com/calendar/marathon/unite...
UpTheIron said:
did Warsaw this year (it was the same weekend). Fast, flat, cheap and generally a very good weekend was had. Maybe worth a look?
Thanks for the recommendations, gents. I'll add those to the tombola of races being considered. I've had a look at the Yorkshire Marathon and Abingdon in the meantime - any thoughts on those?

UpTheIron

3,992 posts

267 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
Cybertronian said:
Thanks for the recommendations, gents. I'll add those to the tombola of races being considered. I've had a look at the Yorkshire Marathon and Abingdon in the meantime - any thoughts on those?
I believe Abingdon is highly rated, always sells out quickly. SWMBO has done it and I don't recall any negative comments.

MattS3

1,896 posts

190 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
quotequote all
I ran Abingdon this year. It was my first marathon.
I did however, go with 2 other runners from the club, one of whom has run in excess of 130 marathons/ultras.

I found it ok, not a particularly interesting course, much of it run on cambered pavements and a couple of miles on grassy track/woodland trail.
Water stations were half filled plastic cups affairs, not bottles. Support was reasonable for what in effect is a smallish event.

Would I run it again? No. But it was nice enough for a first event.
Would my friend run it again? Nope, he didn't think it was a particularly fast course, quite a few pinch points and generally difficult to run 'well'. He finished in just under 3h 5 mins.


bigandclever

13,750 posts

237 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all


Bad day at the office; over 9 hours. Not ideal with altitude sickness and a chest infection.

johnwilliams77

8,308 posts

102 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
bigandclever said:


Bad day at the office; over 9 hours. Not ideal with altitude sickness and a chest infection.
Well done

But running with sickness / chest infection, not big or clever!

andy_s

19,397 posts

258 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
el stovey said:
M de S 2017 entry opened today anyone doing it?
I've done it a few times, and a few Racing the Planet ones too if anyone wants advice from a mid-field idiot smile

In 2016 there is the inaugural Cape Wrath multi- day event - much cheaper - twice the distance and only a day extra. No heat but plenty of midges...

The jiffle king

Original Poster:

6,894 posts

257 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
Had a good intervals session which was not by design. There were a couple of new guys at the run group last so we had to keep stopping to ensure they knew the route. Did 5.3 miles in 34:01, but with effectively 5 x 1 mile reps to ensure they knew where to go. A good average pace for me and nice to get the lungs working. 2 days off and then a race smile

MC Bodge

21,551 posts

174 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
I went for another Soleus testing run last night. All felt good, so I crossed my fingers and went a bit further. Just under 5K of easy 5:00/Km on slippery leaves (the council appear to do less leaf sucking than in the past in our area with its tree-lined roads) and standing water.

It was my first "proper run" in 5 weeks (by far the longest break all year) -running fitness had deteriorated, but will hopefully be back soon. I must not overdo it, though......


SpydieNut

5,794 posts

222 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
i'm driving up north tomorrow to take part in the Great Langdale Christmas Pudding 10k race biggrin. I did the marathon a couple of years ago and that was interesting - lovely scenery, but hilly ++. I don't think tomorrow will be hilly though, but with the weather forecast for tonight, it could still be interesting smile

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
SpydieNut said:
i'm driving up north tomorrow to take part in the Great Langdale Christmas Pudding 10k race biggrin. I did the marathon a couple of years ago and that was interesting - lovely scenery, but hilly ++. I don't think tomorrow will be hilly though, but with the weather forecast for tonight, it could still be interesting smile
I won that in 2007... the year the course was short so my 30:28 clocking doesn't count frown

Overall it's lumpy with a drop into Elterwater village around halfway that you then climb back up. Good luck and enjoy a beer in the ODG afterwards!

SpydieNut

5,794 posts

222 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
ewenm said:
I won that in 2007... the year the course was short so my 30:28 clocking doesn't count frown

Overall it's lumpy with a drop into Elterwater village around halfway that you then climb back up. Good luck and enjoy a beer in the ODG afterwards!
bow respect - that's just amazing - short course or not. last year's was won by a woman, in 33min 46. i'm certainly no-where near that, but will enjoy the run - and the beer at the end sounds good too biggrin

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
SpydieNut said:
bow respect - that's just amazing - short course or not. last year's was won by a woman, in 33min 46. i'm certainly no-where near that, but will enjoy the run - and the beer at the end sounds good too biggrin
Yes, Sarah McCormack is *quite good* - international Mountain Runner, 5th at the GB Mountain Trial. Hope you get a break in the weather!

SpydieNut

5,794 posts

222 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
ewenm said:
Yes, Sarah McCormack is *quite good* - international Mountain Runner, 5th at the GB Mountain Trial. Hope you get a break in the weather!
thumbup cheers Ewen smile

Flibble

6,470 posts

180 months

Friday 4th December 2015
quotequote all
ewenm said:
I won that in 2007... the year the course was short so my 30:28 clocking doesn't count frown

Overall it's lumpy with a drop into Elterwater village around halfway that you then climb back up. Good luck and enjoy a beer in the ODG afterwards!
Good shout on the ODG. smile
TOPIC CLOSED
TOPIC CLOSED