London Marathon

**ryandj2** · 02-10-2009 01:11 PM

I found out that I got a place in the London marathon last night, which I am quite pleased about.

A bit of history... I did Nottingham marathon 2 years ago in ~3hr 25 or so, when I weighed about 10.5 stone and was a regular (at least 4 times 1 hours a week) runner.

Now, I run maybe once or twice a week, shortish (half hour or so fartlek/ hills type work) and go to the gym 3-4 times a week and weigh more like 12.5 stone.

So, the plan is I want to maintain my weight, maybe get rid of some fat, get faster and hopefully do the marathon in sub-3 hours 30. To do this, I think I will continue my gym sessions as before, but make sure I do 3 runs a week. These will be:

1) sprint session - building up to 1 km sprints in 3 mins.
2) fartlek session - about 1 hour of mixed intensity running, sprints and hills
3) longer distance - building up to do a max of 20 miles a month before the race.

So, what are peoples thoughts on this?!

**Weaves** · 02-10-2009 01:47 PM

Wrong place to come for advice on cardio mate. Most people on this froum slate it.

**comanight2** · 02-10-2009 01:53 PM

Agree with Weavo,

never done a marathon myself but did triathlon - fartlek and interval sessions are waaay more useful than flat endurance sessions - thats the most advice youll get here lol

**ryandj2** · 02-10-2009 01:53 PM

I thought if I posted in the "Cardio and Fitness" sub-forum I might get some input!

**seb** · 02-10-2009 03:28 PM

Quote

Originally Posted by ryandj2

I thought if I posted in the "Cardio and Fitness" sub-forum I might get some input!

Well done for getting in. I think your plan sounds pretty good. I'd say don't worry too much about the longer distance stuff on a regular basis. Just make sure your technique is spot on and you should be ok to complete it. Might want to check out pose method to help with your running.

**benzo** · 02-10-2009 05:35 PM

lucky git! i just found out this morning i didn't get in the ballot

**Carly Thornton** · 02-10-2009 08:49 PM

well done hun thats fantastic news!!! hill training is soooooo good, hard work but enjoyable , really builds up the legs and endurance, what about trying some milatary training, hills/sprints/press ups, sit ups, killer but it'll be cool!!

**echelon101** · 02-10-2009 09:51 PM

Don't make your own plan, go here:

The Rookie Marathon Plan

Also go to a running shop (not Littlewoods/Sportsdirect), get your gait analysed and buy a PROPER pair of running shoes (Asics/Brooks/Mizuno/New Balance)

**ryandj2** · 03-10-2009 10:07 AM

Thanks for your comments guys!

I used a Runners world plan before Echelon (this will be my third marathon now) and think that the volume is too high, there is only 1 rest day a week and lots of what I see as pointless miles. I reckon that training can be done on 3/4 days a week rather than 6 and it will be easier on my knees!

Carly - have you got any examples of these military training? Sounds like sort of circuit stuff. Is it sprint up hill/ 50 press ups/ 50 sit ups/ chin ups etc??