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 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.
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.
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.
I'm definitely in the completely ar$ed it up category. The heat just sucked all the energy out of me by around 18 miles. From there it was walk/jog for 2-3 miles and then I just had to walk. Those last 5 miles were all done in the mind, the legs had nothing left. I can honestly say I have never known such physical pain.
I was doing well up to that point - my split times through to 25K were all on target, in fact between 20 and 25K was my quickest by around 30 seconds.
What got me through it were 3 things. Firstly the number of people who have donated to the charity, secondly knowing that my friends were there to support me. Last but not least the wonderful London crowd who kept on encouraging me to the end. Thanks to all of you.
The most important thing is I made £3000 for my charity. Roll on next year and I'll be training better at get back to around 4 hours. Ballot opens Tuesday!
One dark side to the whole day though. As I was walking down Birdcage Walk on the way to the finish I had to stop for a stretcher wheeling someone across who looked in a bad way. It's only now that his identity has been revealed that I realise it was Rob Berry who later died in hospital.
You, sir, are the full and complete definition of a hero. As a fellow runner that day I salute you and it was an honour to be in the same race in which you made the ultimate sacrifice to do good for others.
RIP Rob Berry
I was doing well up to that point - my split times through to 25K were all on target, in fact between 20 and 25K was my quickest by around 30 seconds.
What got me through it were 3 things. Firstly the number of people who have donated to the charity, secondly knowing that my friends were there to support me. Last but not least the wonderful London crowd who kept on encouraging me to the end. Thanks to all of you.
The most important thing is I made £3000 for my charity. Roll on next year and I'll be training better at get back to around 4 hours. Ballot opens Tuesday!
One dark side to the whole day though. As I was walking down Birdcage Walk on the way to the finish I had to stop for a stretcher wheeling someone across who looked in a bad way. It's only now that his identity has been revealed that I realise it was Rob Berry who later died in hospital.
You, sir, are the full and complete definition of a hero. As a fellow runner that day I salute you and it was an honour to be in the same race in which you made the ultimate sacrifice to do good for others.
RIP Rob Berry
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