Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running
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That's a real downer to suffer after you've put in the training.
There's a thread rolling on Runners World with people saying the organisers (GSI) got it wrong again (the finish was a shambles when I ran Edinburgh in 2011), so sounds like you missed the mess at the finish.
There's a link on the RW thread to this blog post by Xempo about why Edinburgh won't publish a full results list. As an IAAF bronze road race, the IAAF regulations require the results to be made available online. The EMF website trumpets it being IAAF rated but then skips part of the criteria - sounds par for the course in my experience of GSI!
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I really should have trained more intelligently, and considered the fact that I had no idea how my body would react to the distance. Having done 6+ hour rides in the past, I foolishly thought that the few long runs I did in the weeks leading up to the event would be sufficient - clearly they were not. While I am disappointed in my time, I am not going to let it put me off of running. If anything, it has incentivised me to train properly for next time.
I wasn't aware of the shambles at the end, but having read the forum post you linked to, I have to admit that all the signs were there. I ran the marathon with my own water and gels (I carried 2l of water with some High5 electrolyte tablets and eight gels), which is why I didn't notice the lack of water stations. To be honest, I was so inwardly focused that I barely took in any of my surroundings. I vaguely remember running by the coast, but the wind picked up and the novelty quickly wore off. By the time I got to the finish, there were not many people about. After I ran through the tunnel, I grabbed a medal and t-shirt from the closest volunteer I could, and headed out of there. I did not stick around to have my photo taken, or see if there were any "goodie" bags (they're always filed with crap that I end up binning when I get home). So for all I know, the finish was a shambles, and I was just so inwardly focused on my belly that I just didn't notice.
I also didn't bother using my ticket for the shuttle bus back to Edinburgh, as I forgot to buy tickets for my parents. Rather than leave them to fend for themselves, I got a normal bus back to the city with them, so again, I have no idea how terrible the shuttle service was. I suppose I could have run the distance on any other weekend without the experience being too different; other than having the roads closed, of course.
As for them not releasing the full list of results; that's just bizarre! Even though I didn't do well comparatively speaking, I would still like to see the full list. I can understand why people relying on their result for entry to other events would be upset as well.
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Sorry to hear that Saundie. 
But as you say at least it won't put you off and I'm pretty damn sure you'll smash that time next year. All the best in the next training phase and hope you sort out the digestive issues and come back stronger.
I've had disgestive issues before using too many gels or simply just some that I've not used before. It isn't fun at all!
But as you say at least it won't put you off and I'm pretty damn sure you'll smash that time next year. All the best in the next training phase and hope you sort out the digestive issues and come back stronger.
I've had disgestive issues before using too many gels or simply just some that I've not used before. It isn't fun at all!
I think the mistake I made was drinking too much during the first hour. Once I started on the first gel I felt a bit bloated, and it got worse from there onwards. I will need to figure out what strategy for hydration works for me before my next one.
The next event I've entered is the London duathlon in September, fortunately the running distances are only 5 and 10k so it should be easier on my bowels.
The next event I've entered is the London duathlon in September, fortunately the running distances are only 5 and 10k so it should be easier on my bowels.
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Decided to order a tom tom cardio multisport from the us as a) a prize to self for finishing windermere slightly ahead of target time and b) to motivate me to keep running and knock time off.
Its currently in customs...wonder how much I'll be hit for
will post mini review/comparison to my garmin when it arrives
Cheers
Its currently in customs...wonder how much I'll be hit for
will post mini review/comparison to my garmin when it arrives
Cheers
Decided to order a tom tom cardio multisport from the us as a) a prize to self for finishing windermere slightly ahead of target time and b) to motivate me to keep running and knock time off.
Its currently in customs...wonder how much I'll be hit for
will post mini review/comparison to my garmin when it arrives
Cheers
If you want to knock some time off your marathon I'd do something quite flat instead of Windermere again.
That said my second marathon was Lancaster which was just as hilly if not worse than Windermere and knocked 27 minutes off my time. Then I did London last year knocking a further 17 minutes or so off my time.
Windermere - 4hrs 40mins and some seconds.
Lancaster - 4 hours 13 minutes and some seconds.
London - 3 hours 56 minutes and some seconds.
Hoping to bring my marathon closer to around 3:30 this year which is possible but will mean being more dedicated to my long runs than I have ever been.
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Wow very impressive improvements each time there indigo. Must feel awesome to knock that amount of time off.
Cheers, my times over shorter distances have always been a lot better by comparison. I just struggle with the training for long distance which hopefully I'll he able to put a stop to this year. I can feel my shorter distance work coming along at the moment and just need to keep my consistency up and take it from there.
I'm confident enough I can do sub 3:30 but after that I know it will only be a minute or two after that.
I'm confident enough I can do sub 3:30 but after that I know it will only be a minute or two after that.
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My shorter distance targets have evolved slightly. It used to be that I wanted to run a 10k in my age in minutes, which unfortnately I had to wait until last year when I hit 42 to achieve
I will now try to get that under 40 minutes but its going to be tough I think.
I will now try to get that under 40 minutes but its going to be tough I think.
Good stuff. Just looked at entering myself after seeing you post this but unfortunately it seems that the general entries sold out very quickly and there's now only charity places available.
Just entered two 10k's though and a half marathon for now to build up. Looking to do a Marathon in October and currently stuck between Chester, Amsterdam and Snowdonia.
Chester is only 2 weeks after the half marathon I've just booked though so unless I have the discipline to treat it as part of my taper than it's not the best idea.
Amsterdam is 4 weeks after and only thing here I guess is the overall cost of the trip but it's not that big of a problem really.
Snowdonia gives 5 weeks rest and more overall training time but then it's a different beast to the other two I imagine.
Hmmmmmm
Yes, York sold out in days, if not hours back in January. I'd pre-registered so they let a batch out a few days before general sale but I was still pressing refresh at 9am on the morning entry opened!
Snowdonia seems to have a quite a following on Runnersworld - real camaraderie to help drag each up the big hills.
Amsterdam isn't hugely scenic from the parts of the marathon course I saw when I ran the half but does make a good long weekend.
Chester was my other option as it's so close to home.
Which Half have you entered? I'm want to run 9 or 10 miles this Sunday and will then decide if I want to enter the Arley Hall Half (20th July)
Snowdonia seems to have a quite a following on Runnersworld - real camaraderie to help drag each up the big hills.
Amsterdam isn't hugely scenic from the parts of the marathon course I saw when I ran the half but does make a good long weekend.
Chester was my other option as it's so close to home.
Which Half have you entered? I'm want to run 9 or 10 miles this Sunday and will then decide if I want to enter the Arley Hall Half (20th July)
Snowdonia is also full as well. It seems charity places may still be available but I don't like the idea of raising for a charity that has a place but means nothing to me so I refuse to go down this route for any race.
So it seems either Chester or Amsterdam it is.
I'm doing the English Half Marathon, it's in Warrington on Sunday 21st September. It is only 3 weeks before the Yorkshire Marathon.
So it seems either Chester or Amsterdam it is.
I'm doing the English Half Marathon, it's in Warrington on Sunday 21st September. It is only 3 weeks before the Yorkshire Marathon.
Go for Amsterdam, believe it has a good rep.
I've done 3 Snowdonia's, the first time was an eye opener, the 2nd was scary as I knew what pain was coming, but the 3rd was a hoot
Looking at your earlier posts and your comment on not translating your shorter run pace to the longer distance, my guess would be that you may be going to quick on your long runs. You'd probably be looking to 9-10min/mile for your 3:30 target. You're are just looking to build endurance on these - should feel easy until to hit the 14-18 mile mark and then fatigue starts to set in, but you should be good for a few more miles and still be able to walk the next day. Just guessing though
I've done 3 Snowdonia's, the first time was an eye opener, the 2nd was scary as I knew what pain was coming, but the 3rd was a hoot
Looking at your earlier posts and your comment on not translating your shorter run pace to the longer distance, my guess would be that you may be going to quick on your long runs. You'd probably be looking to 9-10min/mile for your 3:30 target. You're are just looking to build endurance on these - should feel easy until to hit the 14-18 mile mark and then fatigue starts to set in, but you should be good for a few more miles and still be able to walk the next day. Just guessing though
It's a combination of running too fast on them and not doing enough of them either.
I'm getting better with my consistency this year though so I have no doubt I'll have more of a base to go from and I'll try and use my Garmin a little more to keep my pace on track.
I did around 12 miles today walking in around 5 hours or so. Does that count?
I'm getting better with my consistency this year though so I have no doubt I'll have more of a base to go from and I'll try and use my Garmin a little more to keep my pace on track.
I did around 12 miles today walking in around 5 hours or so. Does that count?
Totally agree with that - I don't see how you can ask people for money if the cause isn't something personal.
I did look at Warrington and decided it was too late in the training. I reckon I should be at 18 to 20 miles for a long run with 3 weeks left (before tapering).
First time in years I had a decent crack at a 10K route this evening around local lanes. Didn't monitor my pace but hoped for something near 45mins - Strava said 45.44 for 10K so got the 45 mins as target for my next attempt.
May try a flatter route as well
Just need to see if I can still walk tomorrow first!
May try a flatter route as well
Just need to see if I can still walk tomorrow first!
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Been a couple of weeks now since windermere marathon. My right knee is giving me some pain so I'm not running much at the moment - perhaps 2-3 times/week and slowly when I do. Filling in with some cycling while knee recovers.
My Tom Tom multisport cardio arrived. To recap, I ordered it from the states and after shipping costs it was coming in at £190 rather than the £279 retail over here.
However, got hit for vat on import taking total cost up to £240, and you can buy it for around this in the UK if you shop around, so overall not worth buying from the US imo.
Havent run with watch yet, so will report back when I do. Satellite pre-cache works a treat though, locks on very quickly indeed. Heart rate monitor works as described too (at least it does wearing the watch around the house!).
Very comfy strap, rubbery feel to it and less rigid than my 410, and lower profile.
Software basic and glitchy; not as polished as Garmin.
Full report to come.
My Tom Tom multisport cardio arrived. To recap, I ordered it from the states and after shipping costs it was coming in at £190 rather than the £279 retail over here.
However, got hit for vat on import taking total cost up to £240, and you can buy it for around this in the UK if you shop around, so overall not worth buying from the US imo.
Havent run with watch yet, so will report back when I do. Satellite pre-cache works a treat though, locks on very quickly indeed. Heart rate monitor works as described too (at least it does wearing the watch around the house!).
Very comfy strap, rubbery feel to it and less rigid than my 410, and lower profile.
Software basic and glitchy; not as polished as Garmin.
Full report to come.
How do you guys combat shin splints? specifically having a lot of trouble with my left shin pretty consistently. I do warm up/down, my shoes are well fitted and supportive. My right leg is always fine but my left shin this week I've been in agony, it's made my work life awful and I haven't run in 5 days now