Greater Manchester Marathon.

likestosmile

how's everyones training for this going. My highest mileage week this week. Really looking forward to the marathon but keeping one eye on the body, injury free and all that.

figs

likestosmile wrote: »

how's everyones training for this going. My highest mileage week this week. Really looking forward to the marathon but keeping one eye on the body, injury free and all that.

my training's been going only just okay for this one... mileage has been somewhat inconsistent, with some weeks of 60+ and others barely scraping mid-20's.

Having said that, ran a PB in Bohermeen half last weekend, which puts the "unrealistic" marathon target time back in scope.

Now looking forward to the penultimate LSR tomorrow, and two good weeks of mileage to keep sharp before a long awaited taper (and the madness that accompanies it!).

likestosmile

Dont you love the madness that comes with tapering...."i feel an injury in my big toe, my speed has gone, is that someone with a flu coming towards me 2miles away":)

Well done on a new PB, great for the confidence going into a marathon.

AuldManKing

Priorities 1st - We'll need to get a HQ for the after race drinks.............any suggestions?

Beef

I have a couple of Manchester United supporting buddies I must garner some local knowledge from them. Mulligans in Deansgate seem to be the best of the Irish bars (required for post race Guinness)...

wobblemouth

A 20 miler on Saturday, then its taper time. Thank f*ck. I've been following a P&D schedule for the first time and am finding it tough. Legs are constantly knackered.

Looking forward to April 6th though. Gonna give it a lash.

Beef

For me it's 22 on Saturday and 14 at MP next Wednesday. After that things get 'tapery'. By tapery I mean washing my hands 200 times a day and checking the weather forecast 400 times.

AuldManKing

6x20+ miles under the belt, so 18 on Saturday following a short MP session on Friday (1x15 mins + 2X10 mins @ MP).

likestosmile

Last 20miles for me this weekend. That will be 3 X20miles, 1X22miles and 3X18miles done. Bit fearful as I've not included any MP in my longer session as I'm afraid of getting a niggle... Is it too late to do it this weekend on my last 20miler or will i just pray my mid week tempo sessions will get me through? Any thoughts much appreciated.

AuldManKing

No, not too late. Many programs would have this week as the peak week, with the longest run or with some MP involved.
Even if you don't do MP, doing a few more miles at MP +30 or MP+45 secs will help.

wobblemouth

Ah lads, making me feeling really under-prepared with my two 20 mile longest runs. Had a good final long one yesterday, 20 miles with last 7 faster than my planned marathon pace (7:05ish). 3 weeks to worry about not having done enough long ones.:rolleyes:

ger664

Race Information Book who is that pacer on the cover ??

likestosmile

I didnt realise i was supposed to opt into a pacing team when registering:eek:. I presumed this was asking if i wanted to pace others. Seemingly those of you who opted in will be sent out a number for your back with your target time on it. Oh BTW, prizes are only for UK athletes only.

AuldManKing

likestosmile wrote: »

I didnt realise i was supposed to opt into a pacing team when registering:eek:. I presumed this was asking if i wanted to pace others. Seemingly those of you who opted in will be sent out a number for your back with your target time on it. Oh BTW, prizes are only for UK athletes only.

I presume we can pick our race numbers on the morning of the race (I guess Irish runners are classed as 'International Athletes' and we wont be getting our number posted to us??).

I see from a different thread that we have the same target for the race.
Be good to meet up before hand!

Beef

likestosmile wrote: »

I didnt realise i was supposed to opt into a pacing team when registering:eek:. I presumed this was asking if i wanted to pace others. Seemingly those of you who opted in will be sent out a number for your back with your target time on it. Oh BTW, prizes are only for UK athletes only.

I didn't opt in either as I didn't know what time I was going to be aiming for. I'd rather not have a big number on my back if I blow up!

AuldManKing wrote: »

I presume we can pick our race numbers on the morning of the race (I guess Irish runners are classed as 'International Athletes' and we wont be getting our number posted to us??).

I think I'll head to the expo on the Saturday in order to get my bearings and plan my taxi/tram route. I think I read on the website you can collect the numbers there on the Saturday up until 4pm...

AuldManKing

Beef wrote: »

I think I'll head to the expo on the Saturday in order to get my bearings and plan my taxi/tram route. I think I read on the website you can collect the numbers there on the Saturday up until 4pm...

I wont have landed by 4pm.
There's a pick up at 7:30am on race day - had hoped to avoid that but seems to be what I'll be doing.

Beef

AuldManKing wrote: »

I wont have landed by 4pm.
There's a pick up at 7:30am on race day - had hoped to avoid that but seems to be what I'll be doing.

If you want me to collect it for you I can. I'm staying in the city centre though so not sure if it helps you in any way?

likestosmile

AuldManKing wrote: »

I presume we can pick our race numbers on the morning of the race (I guess Irish runners are classed as 'International Athletes' and we wont be getting our number posted to us??).

I see from a different thread that we have the same target for the race.
Be good to meet up before hand!

Great stuff AuldManKing. Will def try to meet up before hand. Have you done that target time before?

AuldManKing

likestosmile wrote: »

Great stuff AuldManKing. Will def try to meet up before hand. Have you done that target time before?

Nope!! 1st time attempt at the time (but am confident :pac:)

likestosmile

AuldManKing wrote: »

Nope!! 1st time attempt at the time (but am confident :pac:)

Best time to date? Hows training going?

AuldManKing

likestosmile wrote: »

Best time to date? Hows training going?

3.23 in Oct '12.

Felt I was in 3:05 shape last Oct, but pulled out of DCM with calf injury 5 weeks beforehand.

A 62:39 10 mile in Dungarvan on a $hitty day gives me a lot of confidence and all my MP efforts in training are at the 6:45'ish range.

I've 2x22miles and 4x20 miles complete - so feeling in good shape.
What about you?

likestosmile

AuldManKing wrote: »

3.23 in Oct '12.

Felt I was in 3:05 shape last Oct, but pulled out of DCM with calf injury 5 weeks beforehand.

A 62:39 10 mile in Dungarvan on a $hitty day gives me a lot of confidence and all my MP efforts in training are at the 6:45'ish range.

I've 2x22miles and 4x20 miles complete - so feeling in good shape.
What about you?

Woweeee......

Great 10mile PB and training preparation, based on those you have a fantastic change at meeting the target.
I also ran the Dungarvan 10 this year...what a day, first 3miles were unreal. I ran 63mins there.

as for me Marathon PB 3.02.02, so fingers and toes and everything else crossed.

AuldManKing

Beef wrote: »

If you want me to collect it for you I can. I'm staying in the city centre though so not sure if it helps you in any way?

Thanks Beef - nah, I'll pick it up on the morning of the race.
Thanks for the offer though.

Beef

Howdy folks. My friends can only come up with 'The Printworks' as a post race destination... It looks like a typical touristy -get them in, get them hammered kind of place. Anyone else here familiar with the area or know of any good places?
This is very important so never mind your tapers.

likestosmile

Beef wrote: »

Howdy folks. My friends can only come up with 'The Printworks' as a post race destination... It looks like a typical touristy -get them in, get them hammered kind of place. Anyone else here familiar with the area or know of any good places?
This is very important so never mind your tapers.

Maybe if we know where most people are staying we can arrange a meeting pub around the majority. No point arranging a meeting spot in town if everyone is staying out in old Trafford. And vis versa. I'm staying in Ibis hotel near old Trafford but if the majority are in town ill scrap my potentially aching and battered body into town.

AuldManKing

Beef wrote: »

Howdy folks. My friends can only come up with 'The Printworks' as a post race destination... It looks like a typical touristy -get them in, get them hammered kind of place. Anyone else here familiar with the area or know of any good places?
This is very important so never mind your tapers.

I agree with LTS - meeting somewhere local initially may be the way to go.

Maybe for later in the evening
http://www.manchesterbars.com/mulligans.htm (Live 'Irish' music every Sun night)

vinny1313

likestosmile wrote: »

Maybe if we know where most people are staying we can arrange a meeting pub around the majority. No point arranging a meeting spot in town if everyone is staying out in old Trafford. And vis versa. I'm staying in Ibis hotel near old Trafford but if the majority are in town ill scrap my potentially aching and battered body into town.

Makes sense.
I'm in the Ibis too.

likestosmile

AuldManKing wrote: »

I agree with LTS - meeting somewhere local initially may be the way to go.

Maybe for later in the evening
http://www.manchesterbars.com/mulligans.htm (Live 'Irish' music every Sun night)

I like your style AMK......Mulligans for "after hours" ..

Jmcmen

Very easy to pick up your number on the morning of the race. I did it last year.

BTW, severe shortage on toilets at the start so be prepared.

Enjoy

AuldManKing

Jmcmen wrote: »

BTW, severe shortage on toilets at the start so be prepared.

Not that I needed an excuse to pi$$ on the walls of old trafford