The PH London Marathon 2014 Thread
Discussion
I couldn't find a thread for this year's London Marathon so here is one.
I'll be taking part this year and it'll be my 4th marathon but my first for 15 years. With only 6 days to go the nerves are really kicking in big time (never knew it was possible to spend so much time researching socks!)
I have an aching knee and a sore right hamstring (old footballing injury) but as it's a restful week training wise I should be fine come Sunday morning. Only planning a very light gym session on Tuesday and Thursday.
Will be carb loading like mad from Thursday and during the run using sports gels (High Five isogels) for the first time (they weren't really that prolific the last time I did this). I've used them in training with no ill effects. Hopefully that'll help stave off the wall I always hit around 18 miles. I've got a lightweight running belt with a small pocket for a tiny camera, asthma spray etc. to which I've affixed Velcro tabs. Put adhesive Velcro on the gels so I can just stick them on all round and rip off as required. Means I'll look like a bit of a mentalist with my Batman style gel utility belt.
So yeah, very much looking forward to Sunday but it's going to a tough week mentally.
I'm aiming for 4 and half hours this time out so really hope and pray I have trained enough.
Can't mention the charity I'm running for as it's against forum rules but I've hit my target of £2500 so very pleased with that.
I'll be taking part this year and it'll be my 4th marathon but my first for 15 years. With only 6 days to go the nerves are really kicking in big time (never knew it was possible to spend so much time researching socks!)
I have an aching knee and a sore right hamstring (old footballing injury) but as it's a restful week training wise I should be fine come Sunday morning. Only planning a very light gym session on Tuesday and Thursday.
Will be carb loading like mad from Thursday and during the run using sports gels (High Five isogels) for the first time (they weren't really that prolific the last time I did this). I've used them in training with no ill effects. Hopefully that'll help stave off the wall I always hit around 18 miles. I've got a lightweight running belt with a small pocket for a tiny camera, asthma spray etc. to which I've affixed Velcro tabs. Put adhesive Velcro on the gels so I can just stick them on all round and rip off as required. Means I'll look like a bit of a mentalist with my Batman style gel utility belt.
So yeah, very much looking forward to Sunday but it's going to a tough week mentally.
I'm aiming for 4 and half hours this time out so really hope and pray I have trained enough.
Can't mention the charity I'm running for as it's against forum rules but I've hit my target of £2500 so very pleased with that.
I'll be there, go a place through club.
I've given up on the sub 3.00 goal, as I've had 4 weeks out of 16 out due to injuries.
Just started bedding in my race day trainers....
Edit: I'm a bit of a minmalist, I won't be running with phone or gels or anything.
I've given up on the sub 3.00 goal, as I've had 4 weeks out of 16 out due to injuries.
Just started bedding in my race day trainers....
Edit: I'm a bit of a minmalist, I won't be running with phone or gels or anything.
Edited by lukefreeman on Monday 7th April 12:21
I'll be there, getting rather nervous/excited. Will be trying for a 4hr time, would be ecstatic with 3 something and I've almost got my charity target achieved!
Decided to do a light 6 miles on Saturday and was at the inlaws in Somerset. 2.5 miles out from the house and 600ft higher elevation I was wondering if running up a hill was the best idea... running down wasn't great either as it was too steep to freewheel down.
Definitely taking a camera to capture the atmosphere, can't wait.
Decided to do a light 6 miles on Saturday and was at the inlaws in Somerset. 2.5 miles out from the house and 600ft higher elevation I was wondering if running up a hill was the best idea... running down wasn't great either as it was too steep to freewheel down.
Definitely taking a camera to capture the atmosphere, can't wait.
I was wondering if I really wanted the extra weight of a camera but I bought myself a Nikon Coolpix S01 which all in weighs less than 100g and easily fits in the little bag on my belt (being about the size of a credit card and less than 2cm thick. really wanted to capture some pictures for this one.
I know I'm prepared but this week is the hardest of all. You can't do anything to get any fitter or quicker so it really is squeaky bum time.
Only things left on my shopping list are a cheap pair of joggers from Primark (to throw away at the start), some plasters to protect my "ipples" and some Vaseline.
I know I'm prepared but this week is the hardest of all. You can't do anything to get any fitter or quicker so it really is squeaky bum time.
Only things left on my shopping list are a cheap pair of joggers from Primark (to throw away at the start), some plasters to protect my "ipples" and some Vaseline.
Probably not best to change anti chafing stuff this week but I now use Skinstrong Slik which is really good for the undercarriage and it is in a squirt bottle so no putting your fingers in a dubious tub of vaseline.
The Nikon looks nice but I'm going to stick with the phone camera as I need to take that anyway. The idea of velcro for your gels sounds great, never thought of that.
The Nikon looks nice but I'm going to stick with the phone camera as I need to take that anyway. The idea of velcro for your gels sounds great, never thought of that.
My first time this year very nervous worried I will forget something like plasters for nipples :-) entered hoping to do it in 5 now hoping to do under 4 buy to be honest just want to finish as never run above 21 miles before nearly raised over 50% for my charity so thats good Lets hope us piston headers do well GOOD LUCK ALL cant wait to get it over with 3 x 3 mile runs for me then rest Sat then nail in Sunday in 3hrs 55min and 5seconds Like my 555 times lets hope not 5 hours 55!!
Yes the forecast is not ideal and a bit too warm for my liking so pace will be adjusted to suit. Hopefully the run through showers will be in operation. Start time is later than when I last ran it so I'll be warmer for longer!
My hamstring soreness has settled down now with ice, hot baths and late night ibuprofen. I doubt I'll be doing much more than a light gym session on Thursday. Certainly won't be running any more this week as I don't want heavy legs come Sunday.
I'm also off to the expo after work - that's when I find it really does hit home.
For those who have not done it before I'd have the following advice which you've probably seen before anyway:
1. Enjoy the day, it's really like nothing else.
2. Don't get carried away and go off too quick. Better to be a little slower earlier than suffer badly later.
3. Watch your footing at the water stations, you do not want to slip on a discarded bottle. For the benefit of other runners, throw your bottles over the barriers.
4. Take a black bin liner to the start to wear and throw away before you cross the line.
5. Vaseline (or bodyglide) is your best friend. Feet, inner thighs, armpits (anything that rubs) and "ipples" (or plasters for those).
6. If you have a slight niggle then do not use ibuprofen on the day, only use paracetamol.
7. Hydrate early but don't drink too much.
8. And finally now is not the time to try anything new. This applies to diet, drinks, gels, clothing, footwear, socks etc.
Good luck to all and I sincerely hope everyone gets round and has a great day.
My hamstring soreness has settled down now with ice, hot baths and late night ibuprofen. I doubt I'll be doing much more than a light gym session on Thursday. Certainly won't be running any more this week as I don't want heavy legs come Sunday.
I'm also off to the expo after work - that's when I find it really does hit home.
For those who have not done it before I'd have the following advice which you've probably seen before anyway:
1. Enjoy the day, it's really like nothing else.
2. Don't get carried away and go off too quick. Better to be a little slower earlier than suffer badly later.
3. Watch your footing at the water stations, you do not want to slip on a discarded bottle. For the benefit of other runners, throw your bottles over the barriers.
4. Take a black bin liner to the start to wear and throw away before you cross the line.
5. Vaseline (or bodyglide) is your best friend. Feet, inner thighs, armpits (anything that rubs) and "ipples" (or plasters for those).
6. If you have a slight niggle then do not use ibuprofen on the day, only use paracetamol.
7. Hydrate early but don't drink too much.
8. And finally now is not the time to try anything new. This applies to diet, drinks, gels, clothing, footwear, socks etc.
Good luck to all and I sincerely hope everyone gets round and has a great day.
merc_man said:
1. Enjoy the day, it's really like nothing else.
2. Don't get carried away and go off too quick. Better to be a little slower earlier than suffer badly later.
3. Watch your footing at the water stations, you do not want to slip on a discarded bottle. For the benefit of other runners, throw your bottles over the barriers.
4. Take a black bin liner to the start to wear and throw away before you cross the line.
5. Vaseline (or bodyglide) is your best friend. Feet, inner thighs, armpits (anything that rubs) and "ipples" (or plasters for those).
6. If you have a slight niggle then do not use ibuprofen on the day, only use paracetamol.
7. Hydrate early but don't drink too much.
8. And finally now is not the time to try anything new. This applies to diet, drinks, gels, clothing, footwear, socks etc.
Good luck to all and I sincerely hope everyone gets round and has a great day.
1. Really excited now, looking forward to Tower Bridge as it is supposed to be immense.2. Don't get carried away and go off too quick. Better to be a little slower earlier than suffer badly later.
3. Watch your footing at the water stations, you do not want to slip on a discarded bottle. For the benefit of other runners, throw your bottles over the barriers.
4. Take a black bin liner to the start to wear and throw away before you cross the line.
5. Vaseline (or bodyglide) is your best friend. Feet, inner thighs, armpits (anything that rubs) and "ipples" (or plasters for those).
6. If you have a slight niggle then do not use ibuprofen on the day, only use paracetamol.
7. Hydrate early but don't drink too much.
8. And finally now is not the time to try anything new. This applies to diet, drinks, gels, clothing, footwear, socks etc.
Good luck to all and I sincerely hope everyone gets round and has a great day.
2. Bank energy, not time.
3. Agreed, Reading Half had water bags which were a nightmare to drink from.
4. Good idea, just make sure you put holes in it before you put it over your head as it is more difficult than you think to punch holes in when you can't see anything and you'll look like a right tit if you do...
5. Too right, raw undercarriage isn't fun.
6. I've heard not to use ibuprofen but not sure why.
7. Yep
8. My trainers went in the washing machine last night for a clean up but not buying anything at the expo today.
All the best to you as well and all the others doing it.
Tycho said:
6. I've heard not to use ibuprofen but not sure why.
I believe it has something to do with disrupting how your body regulates water. I popped an ibuprofen before my 20 mile race a few weeks ago and it did me no apparent harm so I'm still on the fence whether to use it or not.I called their help hotline earlier to find out whether I would need to bring printed evidence to get me promoted to a faster start pen. Turns out there was no need - I've been plonked in pen 3 (3:15 to 3:29) which is spot on for where I want to be.
Why you should not take ibuprofen before exercise - Extracted from an article in Runners World:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen inhibit prostaglandins, hormones that help normalize blood flow to the kidneys. Mix an NSAID with physical exertion and dehydration, and you can overwhelm your kidneys.
What's more, NSAIDs can bump up your blood pressure, and when you add this to the natural rise that occurs when you exercise, suddenly you have two things increasing your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure you could have a mini stroke or a heart attack. NSAIDs also block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) that normally protects the heart, and this might explain why many NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, may raise the risk of heart attack.
When used during a marathon or ultra, NSAIDs also seem to boost the risk of hyponatremia, an electrolyte imbalance that can cause the brain to swell.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen inhibit prostaglandins, hormones that help normalize blood flow to the kidneys. Mix an NSAID with physical exertion and dehydration, and you can overwhelm your kidneys.
What's more, NSAIDs can bump up your blood pressure, and when you add this to the natural rise that occurs when you exercise, suddenly you have two things increasing your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure you could have a mini stroke or a heart attack. NSAIDs also block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) that normally protects the heart, and this might explain why many NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, may raise the risk of heart attack.
When used during a marathon or ultra, NSAIDs also seem to boost the risk of hyponatremia, an electrolyte imbalance that can cause the brain to swell.
Enjoy the day and the advice in the posts above is good.
- don't start too quickly, it really will impact your 2nd half of the race
- The race starts at 20 miles..... getting to 20 miles is what you've done in training..
- The noise will be immense, only on a couple of patches (about 18 miles) do you get a rest
- Don't do anything new on the day (clothes, drinks, gels etc)
It's a cracking day and all teh best to those running this year
- don't start too quickly, it really will impact your 2nd half of the race
- The race starts at 20 miles..... getting to 20 miles is what you've done in training..
- The noise will be immense, only on a couple of patches (about 18 miles) do you get a rest
- Don't do anything new on the day (clothes, drinks, gels etc)
It's a cracking day and all teh best to those running this year
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