Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running
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Good stuff, I did it last year with my place in the ballot.
It was my third marathon and such a good day too, the support is amazing too and helps a lot!!!
I didn't get in this year unfortunately but not too fussed if it's years before doing it again now having done it last year thankfully.
Congratulations, MrMoonX
On a more positive note, I've entered the Croydon half marathon for 2014. I'll be aiming to do it in under 2hrs this time, which should be attainable as long as I can maintain a decent base level this winter.
Same here. I'm not sure if I should consider doing a different marathon next year, I'd really like to do a marathon before I'm 30 for the sake of my ego. The Edinburgh marathon seems like a good one, but it's such a long way to go for me.was a no for me
On a more positive note, I've entered the Croydon half marathon for 2014. I'll be aiming to do it in under 2hrs this time, which should be attainable as long as I can maintain a decent base level this winter.
Congratulations, MrMoonX
Same here. I'm not sure if I should consider doing a different marathon next year, I'd really like to do a marathon before I'm 30 for the sake of my ego. The Edinburgh marathon seems like a good one, but it's such a long way to go for me.
On a more positive note, I've entered the Croydon half marathon for 2014. I'll be aiming to do it in under 2hrs this time, which should be attainable as long as I can maintain a decent base level this winter.
I did Edinburgh in 2012. Organisation at the finish was shambolic, so hopefully they've sorted that out by now. I would say look at the course on Google Maps - the start might be in Edinburgh but it's then out into the suburbs. If you're hoping to see the sights of Edinburgh (like you do in London), you'll be disappointed.
Thanks for sharing your experience, it seems to be a common one - a quick search has revealed quite a lot of negative response to previous Edinburgh marathons. I'm not so bothered about the crowds etc. as I've only done one event previously and that was a low key one, but reports of them running out of water and the shambles at the finish are off-putting. I'll have another look at the alternatives before committing to Edinburgh.
I quite like the idea of doing the Paris marathon, but it's the week after the Croydon half and I have unfinished business there that I am keen to settle. I am hoping to find one between May and September that isn't too far from London - this is one of the few times I wish I could drive!
Loch Ness Marathon is tomorrow. So for next year you could consider that one being it will be on last Sunday of September? It's "far" as you would say from London but it's only a 40 minute flight away and the flights are dirt cheap if you book in advance so probably works out just as cheap versus driving a couple hundred miles round trip to do one closer.
You also have Berlin, again which is tomorrow. Booked far enough ahead flight to Berlin from London shouldn't be too expensive.
There is a big event in Madrid earlier in the year, my friend done the 10k but there was a HM and a marathon at that. Pretty sure that was in May or maybe it was April.
There is absolutely tonnes to choose from to be honest. These are just the "big" one's.
You also have Berlin, again which is tomorrow. Booked far enough ahead flight to Berlin from London shouldn't be too expensive.
There is a big event in Madrid earlier in the year, my friend done the 10k but there was a HM and a marathon at that. Pretty sure that was in May or maybe it was April.
There is absolutely tonnes to choose from to be honest. These are just the "big" one's.
That's an excellent point, xdcx, it hadn't occurred to me that flying up to Scotland is a viable option. I was thinking of marathons close to London in terms of travel time, as I figured I'd have to get the train. The Loch Ness Marathon sounds like a good one for me to consider - I really like the idea of not running in a built up area for the majority of the run. I'll keep an eye on it
I should correct myself - I did Edinburgh in 2011.
The organisers didn't seem to approach the event from a runners POV. I remember reading the race information and they tried to put in a "rule" which said no spectators in the last mile. They wanted friends and family to be waiting after the finish in some school grounds to meet runners, watching on a big TV (which, IIRC, wasn't working!). Crazy - it's that last couple of miles when you need support (from anyone!) IMHO.
Thankfully lots of people ignored the rule. I remember being in a whole world of pain (I learnt a lot about hitting the wall that day) but entered the last 1/2 mile or so with no other runners around me. The fiver I spent getting my name printed on the front of my top was the best money I've ever spent as it seemed everyone was shouting for me - awesome feeling (despite the pain!)
A few of us went over to Amsterdam for the marathon / half-marathon last October. Three of us (including me) ran the half, one ran the full. Organisation was much better and finishing with a lap of the Olympic Stadium was ace. I would note registration for 2014 closes tomorrow though!
I should correct myself - I did Edinburgh in 2011.
The organisers didn't seem to approach the event from a runners POV. I remember reading the race information and they tried to put in a "rule" which said no spectators in the last mile. They wanted friends and family to be waiting after the finish in some school grounds to meet runners, watching on a big TV (which, IIRC, wasn't working!). Crazy - it's that last couple of miles when you need support (from anyone!) IMHO.
Thankfully lots of people ignored the rule. I remember being in a whole world of pain (I learnt a lot about hitting the wall that day) but entered the last 1/2 mile or so with no other runners around me. The fiver I spent getting my name printed on the front of my top was the best money I've ever spent as it seemed everyone was shouting for me - awesome feeling (despite the pain!)
A few of us went over to Amsterdam for the marathon / half-marathon last October. Three of us (including me) ran the half, one ran the full. Organisation was much better and finishing with a lap of the Olympic Stadium was ace. I would note registration for 2014 closes tomorrow though!
I wish I had my name printed on my shirt when I did London, it's amazing how many people pick up on it and cheer you on.
That said however my name's Dave so every time someone shouted that (It was used a lot!!) then I just pretended they were cheering me on as well.
got myself new toy
Camera glasses. Decided to get em instead of go pro or stuff like that cause:
a. They are cheap b. You dont look like retard with camera mounted to you
So i can take them for my Raves Running or car racing.
Sadly Youtube obliterates quality. And does not support 50fps uploads :/
Need to work on Power director filters and stuff cause just had them for a week and need to find good settings for them
Camera glasses. Decided to get em instead of go pro or stuff like that cause:
a. They are cheap b. You dont look like retard with camera mounted to you
So i can take them for my Raves Running or car racing.
Sadly Youtube obliterates quality. And does not support 50fps uploads :/
Need to work on Power director filters and stuff cause just had them for a week and need to find good settings for them
Soldato
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- 18 Oct 2002
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- Norfolk
Just completed my first half marathon in Birmingham. Haven't trained too hard for it but really pleased with my time, 1:47. Even managed to avoid the rain which was grand!
I'd say that was a great time in which to complete your first half marathon. It's a respectable time, and I think you can be proud of it.
I did the Croydon 10k today, managed to get around in under an hour which was my main objective, but I was a good couple of minutes off of a PB. My lack of training goes a long way to explain my relatively poor effort; I'd only run 6 times in the past two months, and hadn't run 10k since July. Still, it rekindled my interest in running, so it was worth it.
I'm still undecided on doing next year's Edinburgh marathon - is anybody else going to have a crack at it?
Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Jan 2006
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- 4,662
Nope
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 8 Oct 2008
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- 2,688
- Location
- Hull, East Yorkshire
I want to start training for 5K and maybe eventually a marathon. Never ran in my life but I'm starting to get really interested in it. I'm starting the C25K program as it looks good?
I heard the record for 5K is under 13 minutes so it'll be awesome to start smashing some PBs towards that.
I have THE perfect route for a 5k too. From my place to my mum's is exactly 3.1 miles and I can run down a completely flat bike track the whole way. I wonder how fast I can run 3.1 miles. How much training would it take to get there?
I heard the record for 5K is under 13 minutes so it'll be awesome to start smashing some PBs towards that.
I have THE perfect route for a 5k too. From my place to my mum's is exactly 3.1 miles and I can run down a completely flat bike track the whole way. I wonder how fast I can run 3.1 miles. How much training would it take to get there?