I got offered a place today by a colleague. Errrr a marathon? When? I said....May 14th..... Now, since I entered the London Marathon ballot but failed to get in (first time, so obvious) I have been looking at marathons thinking whether I'd be able to train and do one. I mostly have my eye on the Loch Ness one as it could be an excuse to visit my parents too.... and it's in October which would give me the school holiday to train and possibly have the time to do it. But instead of saying no sorry I'm already doing a half on that date - (HU) I agreed to think about it. However - in reality I'm already struggling to get out training properly after covid and although I could feasibly take my training on from the half I'm doing in April - I don't think this is the right time. Leeds marathon looks quite hilly - and it looks like you can still get a place anyway.... AND I do not want to miss the HU half!!! There you go decision made - but maybe next year?π
Leeds Marathon? Probably no....??? - Fun Beyond 10K & ...
Leeds Marathon? Probably no....???
Looks like Leeds is 675m elevation gain overall Β Cowladyrunning .
More importantly, if it's this one - runforall.com/events/marath... - it states it's sold out and that entries cannot be transferred. Here's the relevant info:
Can't run anymore?
Race numbers cannot be interchangeable and entries cannot be assigned, transferred, sold or gifted to any third party. Do not under any circumstances allow anybody else to run with your race number. Amongst other issues, this can create major problems for the medical team should they need to treat unknown runners. Anyone found to have done this will be disqualified.
On that basis I wouldn't touch the offer, however well-intentioned, with a bargepole.
Fwiw my personal experience was that training for a FM is a whole different ballgame to running a HM. I got to metric marathon with no plan or training, whereas I very much doubt I could've got round the trail marathon if I hadn't trained properly for it.
Thank you. I do value your advice knowing how far you've gone in past. Yes I wouldn't have taken a place unless it was a transfer and hadn't realised it was ended.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure you could train successfully for a marathon Cowladyrunning . ππ
The most memorable advice I got on here when I first broached the idea of doing the Trail du GΓ©vaudan was from GoGo_JoJo , who said something along the lines of "Do it if it's the one you don't want to wait for. If it isn't, wait until the one you don't want to wait for comes along."
It made me realise that I did want to give that event a go, despite its being way above my pay grade! Just as well I did, as it's since been taken over by UTMB and has become horribly serious and expensive.
Very wise in not running the Leeds marathon and doing the half marathon instead, in doing that you should avoid injury.
Tempting, but sensible not to after reading Cmoi s comment
Ahh, sounds a little bit like my dilemma CLR. An extra month away, but even so.
I think we made the right decision! Next year? Who knows? π
... and Loch Ness would be so much more meaningful for you, plus you'd be better placed to enjoy it. Your heart, your head and your legs would all be on your side come October π
Yes. My thoughts - do it before winter virus's wipe me out!! I watched Anna Harding do it on the running channel on you tube and she is inspiring - she jeffed it. It looked beautiful though - even though that one is a bit hilly!
Loch Ness marathon is actually downhill overall! Apparently 310m elevation gain, 614m loss. Looks like it's on roads too.
Thank you. Think you get the job as my race researcher.... do you do personal training? I can come and live off pain au chocolate no problem π€£
Fab news re the job, will add to my CV right now! π
Am currently finalising my research-based method "No pain (au chocolat), no gain! The ups and downs of a lazy runner" so expect a spectacular launch (off the top of a hill) soon. You're welcome to join me for personal training any time! ππ
I think you definitely made the right decision. I mean, Leeds Marathon or the HUHMβ¦.. a no brainer really ππ
Definitely sounds like the right decision. Iβm having issues with HM training too-struggling to shake the tiredness after the cold so itβs all been a bit short and a bit irregular. You donβt want the pressure of a marathon so soon. Hopefully London 2024 will be our year!!