Manchester Marathon . . . . . Help! - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Manchester Marathon . . . . . Help!

marie-20 profile image
marie-20Half Marathon
6 Replies

Well it's been a while since I've posted as life has been busy.

I'm due to do the Manchester marathon in 14 days and I'm a mixture of emotions.

Training had been going well until life and weather got in the way meaning I lost 3 weeks of long runs.

Did my final long run on Tuesday which was blooming hard work after having 3 weeks of little running but I did it and was def glad to finish the 20 miles but during the run I was sooo dehydrated. I drank all of my 1.5 litres of tailwind (had 8 scoops/4 sachets in rather than the usual 6 as I have been really tired for the last week or so so I decided that more may be best) which I don't usually do - I normally only drink 1 litre but it still wasn't enough. Thankfully I didn't run out but I just wanted more and more. I found that my pace had dropped from 10:52 on my previous long runs to 11:26 which I was aware of whilst running but I just didn't have it in me to push anymore as I had the 'demon' in my head from mile 3 wanting me to quit as it was.

Anyway fast forward a day and we found out I'm pregnant which was a surprise. I knew I was 'late' but we did a test a couple of days after I was due on but it was negative so I assumed I was just late due to stress of life at home and all of the training but apparently not. I'm now 7 w 3 days which would account for the drop in pace and the overheating/dehydration on Tuesday but it is very unexpected and I'm not sure about it as we already have 4 children aged from 15 to 3.

I'm not sure whether I should go ahead with the marathon or not as I've trained so hard for it and it's something that I REALLY want to do but I'm not sure that it's the best thing for me and 'googling' doesn't help & I now have no idea of what pace I should attempt if I do decide to do it.

I am aware, of course, that if I do run it I will have to run it slower and I will also have to be very underdressed as I know that I will get way too hot if I run in my usual attire as I think that was the issue on Tuesday so it would be capri's and a vest or t-shirt (depending upon the weather) rather than full length pants and a t-shirt or long sleeved top.

Sorry - that was a bit of a ramble!

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marie-20 profile image
marie-20
Half Marathon
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6 Replies
misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

What a surprise, or shock 😁

Congratulations 😃

I think you should ask your doc or a midwife. You never know, we could have both on here 😃

I think the early weeks of pregnancy is the time we have to take most care.

I did my first marathon last November and got through it by run walking. Walking much of it is always an option if you do get clearance

I’m not sure that you will though Do be sure to ask the professionals won't you 🙂

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

You ramble on as much as you like :)

I fear you will have a bad experience at the marathon, what with feeling extra tired, hot, thirsty, conflicted. Whatever you decide about the pregnancy, there will be another marathon in a couple of months/years. I know you really want to do this one, though - I understand that feeling!

If you decide to run, I (particularly as a non-parent) cannot improve upon Miss Wobble's advice. All the best! xx

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon

Congratulations that is so exciting for your family 😎 as for advice I really don’t know, I would suggest asking your midwife for advice on this..... a lot will depend on previous complications etc etc. Others here may be able to advise better.... sorry

marie-20 profile image
marie-20Half Marathon

Thanks ladies. I will have to try and make an appointment to see the midwife as I haven't as yet as it's still very new and we hadn't/haven't decided what we wanted to do as yet.

Blooming best made plans and all that . . . . . Oh well as you said Roseabi there will always be another marathon if needs be.

Congratulations! In my pregnancy (no complications) I was advised that I could carry on running if I felt ok. As I was already running it would be nothing new to my body but contact sport such as hockey was out. That said I felt quite tired so I didn't run as much mileage. However, I was not pushing to the limits of a marathon distance and this is where medical advice specific to you should be taken. I don't know of anyone running a marathon whilst pregnant, yes to 5k and 10k. I suggest you make a gp appointment asap to discuss your options. You could defer with a medical note though next year you could be training and running with a newborn, something to consider.

C3PO profile image
C3POMarathon

Congratulations! I had a similar experience 7 years ago. A 10K race didn't go quite as well as I expected, and something felt really off one point. The next day I found out I was expecting.

I stopped running, as all my pregnancies are high risk (only in theory, in all fairness), but I wish I hadn't. I've seen lots of advice that running is fine. I don't know about marathons though. If morning sickness has hit by then, that could be a problem.

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