Couch to 42k

[Snail_Male]

I could certainly have done it better, faster, smarter but on Sunday I completed the London Marathon, and it was truly wonderful. Painful but wonderful.

There was a point during the training when I really doubted my ability to complete it or even start the race but the advice I received from this group was superbly practical and got me through, for which I can only say thanks.

Never thought I had a marathon in me. Even having run several halves in training last year, I remember chatting to a friend about it and saying exactly that and believing it. A combination of Hal Higdon, Jeff Galloway and the advice from a few key friends, and from strangers on this forum got me through when things felt tough.

In the end my strategy was run the first 10k so as not to get in anyone's way, Jeff the next 11k to get to half way, simply put one foot in front of the other until Mile 20, then see how I felt. And when I got to Mile 20 I realised that I felt great and yes, I was going to cross the finish line!

The atmosphere, always friendly and supportive, suddenly became magical. (I'd like to say that I glided home from there but the photos suggest otherwise.) Nonetheless I was smiling for much of it and feeling happier with each passing kilometre.

Never thought I'd say I was a marathoner. To be honest never had any ambition to say it, but now its up there with my proudest achievements. Never thought I would be part of the running community either, but it seems one of the friendliest most supportive communities around. Thanks to all who have inspired or supported me.

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations to you Snail Male on completing The London Marathon on Sunday, I agree with you that this is one of the most friendliest and supportive forms on the Internet, you will soon see the magic words MARATHON next to your username, I hope you celebrated that wonderful achievement in style. 😊 🏃🏾 🎓

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

I tried but having finished feeling great, I worked my way across to Victoria for a celebratory meal, took half a dozen bites, felt sick, stood up to go to the toilet, felt faint, sat down again then lay on the seat in the restaurant for 10 minutes! I thought alcohol was probably to be avoided for a few days after that. 😅😱 I have felt fine since and will doubtless make up for it on Friday night.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Awesome! 😃a whole marathon, a distance that’s a distant dream for most of us

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Believe me when I say if you'd told me, or anyone who knew me before lock down that I'd run one, you would have been disbelieved. Most of all by me. But really anything is possible, it turns out.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Snail_Male]

Yes anything is possible, I can’t see me getting the time to train until i retire but well anything is possible,

[PandaCory in reply to SueAppleRun]

Me too - I can't wait to have more time to (hopefully) run. Still working full-time at the moment & there just aren't enough hours in the day.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Snail_Male]

Congratulations Snail_Male ! You've nailed it there. I have never, ever been sporty, but did a trail marathon on Saturday. Were it not for Strava, the race and photo records, the finishers' T-shirt next to me, and the fact that my husband saw me finish, I'd think I'd dreamt it all.

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Trail marathon is amazing 👏. I did the Dirt Half remotely towards the end of last year, and for very similar reasons to you. I registered my Strava record, paid for the t-shirt and medal, just so I could own one bit of evidence that I'd been able to run that far! I was amazed and didn't really think it could last or that I could ever go further.

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Fantastic! Very well done! 👏🏻😁👍🏻🎖 it just shows what vwe can really do!

Definitely avoid alcohol for a couple of days, keep your hydration high and be on your guard for the "post marathon blues". All that expectation, hard work and training with the big build up can come crashing down mentally over the following days. Gentle movement, good diet, it all helps.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Your posts have always been invaluable to me GoGo_JoJo , but I'm going to ignore (some of) your advice this time. I'm 61 today, which also marks being able to get my hands on part of my pension. So this evening, wine 🍷 🍾 is me! 😜🤣

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Happy birthday lovely lady - cheers!!! 🥂

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

A very happy birthday. A good excuse to put your feet up with a large glass of your adopted country's excellent produce.

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I'd not heard about the post-marathon blues, but can totally understand how that could be a thing. Very useful to know, thanks.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on your wonderful achievement! 😀🏅I like to think that I cheered you on, as I was up in London on Sunday watching my husband as he ran his first marathon too! What an amazing atmosphere and what a lot of inspiring people! Hope you are recovering well and enjoying the bling and fluorescent orange tshirt!😀

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

If you didn't cheer me I'm sure you cheered plenty of others. Yes, the shirt - good for night runs!🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Snail_Male, you’re amazing. What an achievement! I’m so happy for you, and it gives me hope that if I should ever be successful in getting a ballot place to London (only London, nowhere else) , I could do it too.

Fantastic! I hope you’re still buzzing with pride. 👏👏👏👏👏

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It still feels surreal, like I can't have really done it. Even though it dominated my summer (remember that heat wave🥵) and my legs are now very sore!

[Irish-John Marathon]

Inspiring! :)Well done and thank you for your post 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Wonderful race and congratulations on this mega milestone!

[Hidden]

Congratulations and well done! You acted on a dream and did it. A dream many of us may never reach to fulfill!

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I can only say pick a date (preferably one quite a way off😉) and start planning towards it. You will get there if you follow the plan and your luck holds.

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations ! I have always considered attempting to run a marathon totally unrealistic for me but your post makes it appear slightly more achievable. Your plan to break it down into segments for running, jeffing and just putting one foot in front of the other is inspired.

You must be so proud of yourself!

Congratulations again 👏🏆🏅

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thank you. It's definitely achievable barring health reasons. During training my #1 priority was always avoiding injuries, because I'm at the age where they take too long to heal. And a good friend who does run a lot just kept saying 'find a realistic training plan, trust it and stick to it as much as you can.'

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Snail_Male]

Sounds like good advice! Hope you are wearing you bling everywhere for all to see

🏅

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

What a fabulous post! An amazing achievement, you must feel very proud! I've given you your marathon badge although the LM bling is quite something isn't it!!!

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you very much. Yes, the VLM medal itself is certainly quite something. I wore it to a large online team meeting at work yesterday with saying anything, just for a laugh. There was no danger of it not being spotted, which is the idea, I guess.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Snail_Male]

🤣🤣🤣 they're just huge aren't they, but then it's a huge achievement

[Guinea70 Marathon]

Congratulations and well done! it must have been a wonderful atmosphere there 👏👏🏅

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to Guinea70]

It's really something else. Having been and supported others many times I can now confirm it's great on both sides of the fence. 😀

[NanaPlum Half Marathon]

FABULOUS

[Frenc Half Marathon]

Ah well done you, it sounds as though you had an amazing time and also a great plan too! I couldn’t even contemplate that distance, so I am incredibly impressed - you have every right to be so proud of yourself! Hurrah Snail_Male! 🤩🤩🤩

[Snail_Male Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Yep, it's an intimidating distance to think about. Definitely worked for me not to think about it at all and just focus on the training. Whenever I did think about it is when I wobbled.

[PandaCory]

Brilliant - congratulations on an amazing achievement! (I am officially envious 😁😁).

[Blackberrypie Half Marathon]

Congratulations, our bodies are capable of so much more than we think they can!

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done Snail_Male 👍🏻

[ElephantRunner Marathon]

Well done snail-male! Putting one foot in front of the other ha ha I hear you!!

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on your marathon! Inspiring post and sounds like you had a great plan! 🎉👏👏

[Katnap Marathon]

🎉 Snails rule! 💪

🐱 Katnap 🐱