London Marathon 22/4/2012

TheRoadRunner

Cartman78 wrote: »

2 of my workmates have been coughing & spluttering for the last few days as well so wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of those hazmat suits if there's any spare

A few years back in the week leading up to Boston I made a bit of a stir in work when I insisted that two of my work colleagues should go home sick as they were literally blowing snot all over our open plan office. I think they thought I was joking and when they turned up for work the following day I told my bemused boss (a very easy going person obviously) I was working at home for the rest of the week. By the end of the week I reckon half of the 20 people in our office were out sick. I think I proved my point

robinph

Those of you on the Blue and Green starts get to run through a live fire shooting range:

VLM on Facebook wrote:

We have a little something to tell you...

ROYAL ARTILLERY BARRACKS

An Olympic shooting test event will be taking place at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich week commencing 15th April, including Marathon day.

The race will still use Ha Ha Road which is through the event venue, but there will be no access for spectators or vehicles in this area.

All runners should be aware that you may hear the sound of gun fire from the test event from 09:00am onwards. This is nothing to worry about!

shels4ever

robinph wrote: »

Those of you on the Blue and Green starts get to run through a live fire shooting range:

Cartman78

shels4ever wrote: »

Do people get much work done marathon week? i'm finding it hard to focus on much else.....

Getting feck all done....spending a lot of time on here, 5 day forecast, figuring out best Tube route to the start, deciding on a spending limit at the expo etc.

Was actually supposed to be in London today doing a presentation but luckily it's been postponed until next month.

shels4ever

Cartman78 wrote: »

Getting feck all done....spending a lot of time on here, 5 day forecast, figuring out best Tube route to the start, deciding on a spending limit at the expo etc.

Was actually supposed to be in London today doing a presentation but luckily it's been postponed until next month.

Tubeplanner is great

Brianderunner

Cartman78 wrote: »

Getting feck all done....spending a lot of time on here, 5 day forecast, figuring out best Tube route to the start, deciding on a spending limit at the expo etc.

Was actually supposed to be in London today doing a presentation but luckily it's been postponed until next month.

Where you staying? Couple of tube suspensions on Sunday.

Lucky your not here today. Its lashing rain, windy and freezing at the mo.

TheRoadRunner

Brianderunner wrote: »

Where you staying? Couple of tube suspensions on Sunday.

Lucky your not here today. Its lashing rain, windy and freezing at the mo.

So are you running or not. Don't have me to give you a HTF................

If not you may have to act as a water/sportsdrink boy!

Cartman78

Brianderunner wrote: »

Where you staying? Couple of tube suspensions on Sunday.

Lucky your not here today. Its lashing rain, windy and freezing at the mo.

Staying in Bayswater - should be about a 46 min journey on the day according to the TFL planner. That includes a 12 min walk so will have to factor in some time there for inevitably getting lost and general faffing about

Brianderunner

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

So are you running or not. Don't have me to give you a HTF................

If not you may have to act as a water/sportsdrink boy!

Cant say for sure yet.

Was at the doctor today, there is nothing seriously wrong with me thankfully. He's almost sure i have/had a virus caused by overdoing it in February. I was passed fit to run it by him, but he said i wouldnt be able to perform at peak level.

I really don't want to miss out so i'm more than likely to run at this stage, but i'll see how the rest of the week goes. Still a bit woozy/light headed.

Brianderunner

Cartman78 wrote: »

Staying in Bayswater - should be about a 46 min journey on the day according to the TFL planner. That includes a 12 min walk so will have to factor in some time there for inevitably getting lost and general faffing about

Queensway tube on the central line is quite close to you too. Circle line is slow and painful anytime i've got it.

I see that route alright yeah, Embankment and Charing Cross are right beside each other, just a short walk up the hill away from the river.

The Hammer

Brianderunner wrote: »

Where you staying? Couple of tube suspensions on Sunday..

Don't forget - free travel for all runners on Sunday on TFL

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/londonmarathon/

Up to 17:00... so you won't need money for the train/bus... just beer

TheRoadRunner

Brianderunner wrote: »

Cant say for sure yet.

Was at the doctor today, there is nothing seriously wrong with me thankfully. He's almost sure i have/had a virus caused by overdoing it in February. I was passed fit to run it by him, but he said i wouldnt be able to perform at peak level.

I really don't want to miss out so i'm more than likely to run at this stage, but i'll see how the rest of the week goes. Still a bit woozy/light headed.

Cool. Call into my hotel Saturday evening and I'll you a few slaps and a couple of HTFU roars. You'll be laughing come Sunday morning

Clearlier

robinph wrote: »

This is my approximate understanding of the coloured starts from what I've picked up in various places:

Green will certainly have slower people in it, but I think it is a small start area with just "special" people in it.
Red is fast good for age followed by charity runners.
Blue is elite, followed by deferred entries and ballot.

Just to add that a guy in my club who had a vets GFA time started from the green pen. He was mightily p***d off beforehand but very happy at the reality as he got past the celebs very quickly and had a clear run for the first few miles.

marathonm@n

Good commentary from Boston to get you in the mood for Sunday


http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-239-506-0-14256-0,00.html

TheRoadRunner

I like this weather forecast. Light winds and light rain. Was looking at one last night that predicted higher winds and colder temps. I reckon I'll be wearing a base layer under my singlet or a t-shirt I can throw away. Based on the 20 forecasts I've looked at I have a feeling it could be quite chilly at the start area.

Only 4 more sleeps

Cartman78

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

I like this weather forecast. Light winds and light rain. Was looking at one last night that predicted higher winds and colder temps. I reckon I'll be wearing a base layer under my singlet or a t-shirt I can throw away. Based on the 20 forecasts I've looked at I have a feeling it could be quite chilly at the start area.

Only 4 more sleep attempts

FYP

TheRoadRunner

Cartman78 wrote: »

FYP

you need to get a couple of night caps in to ya

Cartman78

Any of ye doing any running this week at all?

Going for a 5k jog this evening to keep things loose & limber

robinph

That weather looks a lot better than the earlier forecasts we were getting. Don't want to get drenched, but the speed of the wind that was in other reports was not great so glad to see that come down. Especially as we'll be a bit exposed to it coming down the Embankment if it's in the wrong direction.

Got my bin bag ready for the start, and have even invested in a tshirt to throw away. Won't be wearing any extra layers under the vest though as will soon get too hot and I don't think it's going to be that bad.

TheRoadRunner

Cartman78 wrote: »

Any of ye doing any running this week at all?

Going for a 5k jog this evening to keep things loose & limber

yeah 25 minutes Monday and 40 minutes yesterday. Have a few miles today with 3 MP miles thrown in. After that the engine will be turned off in anticipation of Sunday's run.

robinph

Did a slow 6 and a bit with the club on Monday and 2x10mins at MP yesterday. Heading to the Expo tomorrow to fetch the number and will probably go for a slow jog around the village where I'm at for a wedding on Friday.

Then just chill out and eat loads of pasta, drink lots of water. Then flip a coin to decide whether I use the 2:55 or the 2:50 pace band that I printed out.

ThePiedPiper

Did 9 miles a couple of days ago with the young fella in the buggy. Only 2 of them were MP, but pushing a 1 year old up and down hills has got to be worth something.. Might run a couple of miles on Friday.

Podge83

Did 8 on Monday with a few 400's.
6 last night
rest today
4 easy tomorrow.
rest Friday (travelling)
2 or 3 easy on Saturday morning in Hyde Park!!

There are several weather forecasts around - all similar and all with light enough winds - mainly westerly which will get us on the home stretch, particularly on the embankment. These may swing northwesterly which wont be too bad as we get closer to Westminster - it'll be against you for the last 1/2 mile but at that stage it wont matter. Anyway all could change yet!!. The biggest element that all the forecasts seem to agree on is that it will be wet (although light) and cool.

I've no complaints there!!! - if we have a friendly wind we could be in business!!! - all in all it'll be very different from last year!
Anyway, as someone said to me yesterday, it doesn't what it throws we will be lining up!!!. I'm against a base layer - you will heat up!!.

Make sure you keep warm at the start as it is forecast, again by all forecasters to be cool/ cold early morning.

village runner

robinph wrote: »

Did a slow 6 and a bit with the club on Monday and 2x10mins at MP yesterday. Heading to the Expo tomorrow to fetch the number and will probably go for a slow jog around the village where I'm at for a wedding on Friday.

Then just chill out and eat loads of pasta, drink lots of water. Then flip a coin to decide whether I use the 2:55 or the 2:50 pace band that I printed out.

Why not do a 2.55 and a 2.53........why go out with a lad that is running for 2.50 that won't lose sleep over whether you are with him at the start and might get lost in the first mile anyway. Make a decision and stick to it. I wouldn't dream of aiming for 2.45........not in this marathon anyway

Brianderunner

robinph wrote: »

That weather looks a lot better than the earlier forecasts we were getting. Don't want to get drenched, but the speed of the wind that was in other reports was not great so glad to see that come down. Especially as we'll be a bit exposed to it coming down the Embankment if it's in the wrong direction.

Got my bin bag ready for the start, and have even invested in a tshirt to throw away. Won't be wearing any extra layers under the vest though as will soon get too hot and I don't think it's going to be that bad.

Wind here has been strong all week yeah, especially so today. It's been p1ssing out of the heavens here the last 3 mornings/afternoons too. A throwaway raincoat for the start wouldnt be the worst idea imo. A little shocked at how cold its been also, freezing around 8am and again in the evenings/nights. 4 days off yet but the forecast looks like more of the same.

robinph wrote: »

Heading to the Expo tomorrow to fetch the number

Me too, during the day or evening? I'll be there at 7pm ish.

robinph

Brianderunner wrote: »

Me too, during the day or evening? I'll be there at 7pm ish.

Will be the afternoon. Have to head down somewhere in Brighton direction for the evening so won't be hanging around that late.

RacoonQueen

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Have a few miles today with 3 MP miles thrown in. .

Which is?

TheRoadRunner

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Which is?

company secret

shels4ever

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

company secret

5:5x

psychozeb

last tough run today 8 miles with 2 at pmp,felt good considering i've a head cold.hopefully it won't effect me that much for sunday.looking forward to getting on the plane friday morning.

opus

Same for me, did the P&D 'dress rehearsal' at lunchtime today, weather was typically Irish with blazing sunshine followed by lashing rain that repeated three times in the hour or so I was out

Weather on the UK Met Office site look reasonable enough so here's hoping for a good day on Sunday.

Best of luck to everyone & perhaps might see some of you at the Coal Hole on Sunday afternoon.

Cartman78

Did 6k last night at something close to MP - my heel was quite stiff for first mile or so but was a-ok after that.

Was tempted to do a few Yasso 800m's on the track after that but luckily had the sense to avoid doing a session I've never done before and would have made fupp all difference at this stage anyway.

Watched the video from the Expo on Facebook last night - still can't believe I'll be there on Satuday :eek: Only 2 more days of pretending to work to go

TheRoadRunner

opus wrote: »

Weather on the UK Met Office site look reasonable enough so here's hoping for a good day on Sunday.

Best of luck to everyone & perhaps might see some of you at the Coal Hole on Sunday afternoon.

I'd take that forecast, the air temps are perfect. Cool enough to keep the body temp down but not so cold that a bit of marathon effort won't have us freezing. Planning my logistics today, getting f-all done in work.

Abhainn

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

I'd take that forecast, the air temps are perfect. Cool enough to keep the body temp down but not so cold that a bit of marathon effort won't have us freezing. Planning my logistics today, getting f-all done in work.

Temp are probably going to be perfect. Thankfully light breeze forecast also.
Had a 5 miler early this morning. Legs weren't bouncing or anything, but I've been here before. Good luck everyone

Podge83

The forecasts are remaining fairly constant. If they stay the way they are, besides keeping warm at the start it'll be good!.

All the best to everyone. and lets get that chart full of PB's.

TheRoadRunner

Was just wondering what are peoples opinions regards travel options for the weekend etc.

I'm flying into heathrow and am probably going to get the express to Paddington, return ticket is 34 quid. Anyone find anything cheaper? I also will need to use the underground Saturday (4 trips) and Monday (2 trips so was wondering is it any use getting a 3 day card. I'm sure there will be 1/2 extra trips also. I'll obviously check all this later but am being a lazy sod

ThePiedPiper

I'm travelling in a group of four, and as we're landing into Heathrow at 9.30pm Friday, gonna get a taxi to the hotel in the city. I don't fancy luggin bags around two or three different trains at that time of night..

Is there a day ticket that can be got for the underground?

It says on the website that marathoners have free travel on the underground all day until 5pm on Sunday. At least that'll cover gettin to the start line and back to hotel to pick up bags after. We're flying home Sunday evening.

Podge83

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Was just wondering what are peoples opinions regards travel options for the weekend etc.

I'm flying into heathrow and am probably going to get the express to Paddington, return ticket is 34 quid. Anyone find anything cheaper? I also will need to use the underground Saturday (4 trips) and Monday (2 trips so was wondering is it any use getting a 3 day card. I'm sure there will be 1/2 extra trips also. I'll obviously check all this later but am being a lazy sod

The Underground is a lot cheaper (Piccadilly line and Circle/ Metropolitan). Circle/ metro lines can be a bit slow though. This option will probably take longer!!

I think The Underground day passes are good value.

Someone else might have a better proposal!!! I wont be offended.

TheRoadRunner

Podge83 wrote: »

The Underground is a lot cheaper (Piccadilly line and Circle/ Metropolitan). Circle/ metro lines can be a bit slow though. This option will probably take longer!!

I think The Underground day passes are good value.

Someone else might have a better proposal!!! I wont be offended.

Yeah I realsie the express is expensive but it's very quick and don't want to be hanging around so that's why I'm considering it

Cartman78

I'm sure some of the locals will be along in a bit with accurate advice, but deffo getting the Tube is the more economical way to go from Heathrow.

There's probably a good option for day tickets alright - I go to London a few times a year so have an Oyster card which I can top up whenever. Works out a lot cheaper on a per journey basis.

Haven't gone in to forensics yet on my marathon morning journey - am hoping that there will be thousands of people doing the same journey so it'll be a case of following the masses...don't want to have to rely on my increasingly addled sense of direction

shels4ever

You should be able to pick up an oyster card in the station, 5 pound deposit that you get back if you want, max charge then is 8 pound a day for as many trips as you want or jsut pay per trip ie 2 pound depending on zones etc.
https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do

Podge83

Road Runner - I dont want you to cursing me!!!

From London Transport:

Circle line

On Saturday and Sunday, Paddington (Hammersmith & City) station is closed in order to improve the station.

Hammersmith & City line

On Saturday and Sunday, Paddington (Hammersmith & City) station is closed in order to improve the station.

dermCu

Top tip for all the tube virgins: Just remember to stand on the left hand side if you are going up or down the escalators. Don't worry if the locals shake a fist in your direction - its just their way of being friendly and wishing you good luck in the marathon.

TheRoadRunner

Podge83 wrote: »

Road Runner - I dont want you to cursing me!!!

From London Transport:

Circle line

On Saturday and Sunday, Paddington (Hammersmith & City) station is closed in order to improve the station.

Hammersmith & City line

On Saturday and Sunday, Paddington (Hammersmith & City) station is closed in order to improve the station.

Thanks I'm taking line from Paddington so I guess I should be OK. Will have to check this later

robinph

dermCu wrote: »

Top tip for all the tube virgins: Just remember to stand on the left hand side if you are going up or down the escalators. Don't worry if the locals shake a fist in your direction - its just their way of being friendly and wishing you good luck in the marathon.

That is evil advice. You are trying to cause an international incident on the tube.

RayCun

robinph wrote: »

That is evil advice. You are trying to cause an international incident on the tube.

+1

Everyone knows you stand on the right, and put your suitcase on the left.

Johnnio13

Folks,

Good luck to all of you running it. Hopefully you'll have a super day and it will be injury/rain/snow/mad priests free!!
And remember you're representing the country so don't go letting us down
Will look out for club singlets on the box on Sunday.

J

shels4ever

robinph wrote: »

That is evil advice. You are trying to cause an international incident on the tube.

God it's like going to a different country.....

Brianderunner

shels4ever wrote: »

You should be able to pick up an oyster card in the station, 5 pound deposit that you get back if you want, max charge then is 8 pound a day for as many trips as you want or jsut pay per trip ie 2 pound depending on zones etc.
https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do[/QUOTE]

+1, oyster cards are the way to go deffo. 20 quid should cover you for the weekend.

Cartman78 wrote: »

I'm sure some of the locals will be along in a bit with accurate advice, but deffo getting the Tube is the more economical way to go from Heathrow.

There's probably a good option for day tickets alright - I go to London a few times a year so have an Oyster card which I can top up whenever. Works out a lot cheaper on a per journey basis.

Haven't gone in to forensics yet on my marathon morning journey - am hoping that there will be thousands of people doing the same journey so it'll be a case of following the masses...don't want to have to rely on my increasingly addled sense of direction

The tube is about £2.50/£3 with an oyster card yeah. Much much cheaper than the Heathrow Express, even if its 45 mins to Leicester Square. Always get a seat too as it starts in Heathrow. If your not going to near Paddington or using the Barkerloo or Circle Line from Paddington to your hotel its a right pain and your trip will take just as long. The circle line tube station in Paddington is quite confusing, there's 2 stations, the one down the platform is better than the one at the front of the station. As with all metro systems, the end point of the train is vital.

London is mightily confusing at first yes, for you Cartman, easier to get the Central Line (red on map) eastbound at Queensway (which is beside Hyde Park) then switch to the Bakerloo line (brown on map) southbound at Oxford Circus and you'll be in Charing Cross then to catch the Blackheath train.

Weather update, p!ssing down again all day today but warmer than before

robinph

It's sunny at Excel right now.

Just got my number and saw Steve Way getting nabbed by someone with a microphone.