Holy Cow...I appear to have a London Marathon place.

[Deanno1dad]

Well after 5 years of going into the ballot,It appears the Lovely Marathon people felt sorry for me and said yes.
One slight problem..I'm not a runner.

This is where I call on you lot to give me some amazing advice as i now seem to have a million questions going round my head.

Now I don't class myself as unfit..I'm 46 years old 5 foot 10 inches weigh about 12 stone 10 pounds..My general fitness comes from Road cycling..I rode the french Alps famous climbs this year and do regular sportives over 100 miles....actually cycled 162 miles in a day 2 months ago...but i assume my cycling fitness won't switch to marathon running ... Running seems to get me more breathless.

My questions really for you guys are what do I need to do now to prepare for next April..what essential kit do I need,especially in the shorts dept..I'm used to lycra and tight fitting shorts..Is a tight short suitable for long distance..ie rubbing/chaffing areas that may be sensitive.

any tips for me would be appreciated

[Deanno1dad]

would a compression shirt under vest stop the nipple chaff

[Deanno1dad]

any experience with lycra shorts..im not a fan of the seb coe tiny flappy shorts from the 70's

[Deanno1dad]

Quick update guys...trainings going well..im doing 9 and 10 miles sessions at the moment...knees are taking the brunt of it..seem to be improving and pain less every run.

Have had to use a training shoe by a company called Hoka as these are kinder to the knees.

have decided to run for the Prostate cancer UK charity as my dad & Uncle both had issues with it.

Half Marathon booked for March and slowly upping the mileage.

[Deanno1dad]

RichB said:

So almost the exact opposite of my experience, short split side running shorts and nipples will harden, eventually if you're doing the distances regularly. I guess we're all different.

I've found a great Asics short with an inner undergarment style lining but not as tight as Lycra..very comfy and look normal