I promised I would share my experiences of running marathons and the training, preparation and issues along the way. I hope this thread will be added to by others who have experiences and those that want advice.

My heroine here (note there is an e on the end - no drugs here!) is Paula Radcliffe, the womens world record holder. The woman is phenomenal - she won The NY marathon last year - the same year she gave birth! Amazing, and something I will never achieve ('cos I am a man )

Paula's advice was what started me from barely being able to run for 10-20 mins to being able to run 26.2 miles (42km) over several hours was as follows:

• You can walk in a running race!
• Add 10% to your "time on feet" long run each week
• Rest is just as important as training (I liked this bit)

I was also inspired by a 62 year old guy who had sailed around the world, backwards! I.e. against the wind and tide. He came home one night and told his wife he was leaving her... for ten months while endured 40 foot waves in the Southern Ocean inter alia. I met him when he was speaking about teamwork and motivation to my work. His team of 16 was the only one that stayed together round the world - other teams had mutinies, attempted murders, fights....usual stuff in close confines of a bateau!!!

At the end of his presentation he asked for volunteers for the London Marathon, for a charity. My hand went up.....after nine months training, the day came.... this guy who is totally unassuming to the eye, came in just 10 minutes after me.  62 years old, amazing!

Here's some websites for further info on training etc.:-

Paula Radcliffe's site  http://www.paularadcliffe.com/

Runners World - my fave runner's web-site, http://www.runnersworld.com/

First timers training programme  http://www.runnersworld.ltd.uk/firsttime.htm

So, share your experiences to motivate the glocals team, please. Whether you experienced or new, your queries and help will motivate the runners.

Cheers,

James

Run 10mints - Walk 1mint, Run 10 mints etc etc always. During the training and the race. It gives my knees the needed time to rest and allowed me to get to the end of the half marathong in a bit less then 2hs last year

Add 5 mints every week to my long run

Do a short 30-45mints run at least once a week (twice is better) at lunch time

And don't overtrain! (last year my legament gave up on me and had to rest for 2 weeks!!)

Start slow and always keep a constant pace, no acceleration ... the pace will increase automatically after few weeks of training without you noticing!

V - training for the half marathon again. (cannot do a full one, me knees and legaments just won't cooperate )

Hi Hoiling,

Thanks for your tips....I suffered a ligament injury too, on the inside of my ankle, it only hurts when I stopped running...which made me run more....vicious circle as it then hurt more. ....

I went to see a Podiatrist (coldn't even say it right at first, never having been to a foot specialist)...but what i found was that it was due to over-use. Rest for two weeks, well lots of swimming (ie a change of activity) kept me fit. The podiatrist also taught me that pain or injury can occur anywhere from toes to neck as a result of running. Correct shoes are vital, and compensation for pronation (ie if you land on your outside, inside or neutral areas of your foot). I also used inserts, custom made by the guy because my arch was collapsing...I don't need them now, thankfully.

I never joined a running club, but I did hear that they don't talk about running, they talk and swap stories on injuries!!   So my moral is if you're hurting, rest, and sek advice if it doesn't go, you won't be the first to have it!

James

http://www.runnersworld.ltd.uk/firsttime.htm

which I gave yesterday also has training schedules for various target time, with an Excel spreadsheet so that one can record one's progress. I needed that prompt and hate it when I missed sessions (self flagellation comes to mind! Oooooer Missus!)

James

Also, I was advised not to do more than 18 miles on my longest run - as it damages you. The human body is not supposed to be able to do more than 18 miles. It simply runs out of glycogen (energy stored in the muscles). Around 18-22 miles you can "Hit the Wall". This means you are totaly drained. Not all people hit the wall, but if you do your legs can turn to jelly! (it's easier to get drunk by thge way!). Indeed, some people do die each year, usually through lack of hydration or training....

Indeed, because of "the wall", which as I said, can occur at 18-22 miles, the last 8-4 miles are done not with a cooperating body but with a willing pushing mind. i.e. it's in the head!

It is often said therefore that in a 26.2 mile marathon, half way is at the 22 mile mark. Scary but true: - at my first marathon (London 2003), I do not recall the massive mile marker which crossed the road at 22 miles - I remember all the others!!

Happy training! James

Vale - everyone can do it, and i can prove it (my company sponsor the marathon and half of the office, indipendently of age, shape, fitness level actually does it!)

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