I have actually done it..... I have booked myself on to a marathon. This one caught my eye when I heard about Anna Harding from the running channel doing it and then I knew it was one I wanted to do. The best part is that my parents and other family live near there so I'm arranging a trip to stay with them too - AND it's my Mum's birthday they day after the marathon! I'm also booked on to the Cardiff Half as I did the early bird discount straight after I ran it last year, but I will try and transfer that to another runner when that opens up. This is possibly the first time I have actually booked in advance so can try and train properly. I put it on to my polar watch and interestingly the longest run that plan takes me to is 2h10 minutes but with 4 runs a week , but I quite like the plan from Women's running magazine which is 3 runs a week for 16 weeks and the longest is 3 - 3.5 hours. Any suggestions gratefully received!
Loch Ness Marathon: I have actually... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...
Loch Ness Marathon
No advise on training but wanted to say how exciting & I will be cheering for you every step of the way Cowladyrunning 😍
Yay, fantastic, go you Cowladyrunning !
As you know I've only ever trained for one marathon distance. Because of the nature of the event, and because my only aim was to get round, I concentrated on getting in vertical, practising on different terrain and getting in time on my feet. Working on pace was irrelevant.
For me a longest run of 2 hours 10 minutes would've been useless. I was already running for longer - I can't even run HM distance in that! So on that basis personally I'd go for the Women's Running plan.
The real answer though is to choose the plan that fits best with your lifestyle and the way you like to run. The only plan that works is one that you can stick with, doesn't matter how brilliant it is for others.
Thank you- yes my half is over 2.15 usually! I know a lot try and run 20 miles for the longest and I would think that would take me a while. I agree I'd need to be able to fit it in - so 3 runs a week seems better for me. I also think my aim will be to get round - not time!
I've never run exact HM distance Cowladyrunning , but Strava tells me that my estimated HM PB is 2:27:19, and that my longest run before the Trail du Gévaudan was 33.16km, in 4:35:14, with 965m elevation gain. On the day I must've been on my feet for twice that time, as I don't do racing, the actual event turned out to be 10% longer than it was supposed to be, and there was 1835m elevation gain.
That's amazing. I just expect everything you do to have much elevation 🤣 one day you'll shock us all on strava and run a canal 🤣
Sorry, wasn't meant like that! 😟 I was intending to point out the value of practising staying on your feet for longer times, if you think (or in my case know) you're not going to be running a speedy marathon.
And also that it's actually possible to go from just over 20 miles to nearly 29 miles, despite someone having dumped a lot of hills in the way, when you realise you have no choice! 😀🙃
Bit short of canals round here, but you never know! 🤣
Don't apologise.. I really value your advice Cmoi - sure I'll be relying on it over the next few months 🤪
woo hoo Cowlady, how exciting! I’m in no position to advise on a marathon plan but I will say that any plan can be flexible. I have a beautiful colour coded plan (on an excel spreadsheet) for my training and I enjoy filling it in at the end of each week with what I have actually done ( never exactly what was in the plan!!) and then adjusting the next week. All to fit in with life that changes all the time. Apart from when I was sick I have managed to put in the work so am happy with how it works.
That sounds good 👍 I admit though I'm much more a pen and paper tick list 🤣 Tech is great but I like a tick list!
I always have a tick list! I print out a plan on paper and pin it to a kitchen wall and get great satisfaction when I tick off each session.
Might have to buy new stationary specially 🤣
😂😂
Great advice from Cmoi, congratulations to you Cowladyrunning on signing up for The Loch Ness Marathon, just by sheer coincidence I met a lady this morning who told me she had ran that marathon a few years ago, I have seen this lady several times when out walking but she is always running in the opposite direction, but what happened this morning was I met her on the way to my weekly shopping, she was running the same way as I was walking, anyway I started running along with her despite only wearing normal trainers, a big jerkin, scarf and bonnet, I ran with her for about 700 metres before I left her at the supermarket to do my shopping, she told me while we ran that she ran that marathon BEFORE she ran the several half marathons she has run, she can't attend parkrun on a Saturday morning as she has a part time job, it is quite tiring running in a situation where you aren't in proper running shoes or clothes and all wrapped up, nevertheless I got to know her name and got to the supermarket and back home about 5 minutes earlier than normal, good luck to you for your marathon training for the Loch Ness Marathon.
Ooo I love a coincidence like that! Great way to do speedy shopping too! Interesting chat .. that's a different way round to how I've got to a marathon but also I can't get to park run because of calf feeding duty being at the same time.... and it's my day for caring for my mother in law.... thank you for your message.
Woo good for you! That will be a beautiful marathon 😍 and a chance to make other special memories right there.
Good food habits, hydration, quality sleep are all essential for any longer distances but especially for a marathon. Cross training to keep the muscles strong and flexible and a monthly sports massage if you can.
Life will invariably get in the way at times so flexibility is key as Shake-and-run mentions.
Good luck and keep us updated on how you are getting on 🍀 it’s all very exciting!
Ooo a sports massage.... I hadn't thought of that 🤔 sounds great but I know they're tough but effective!!! Thank you very much. I have only told you on here.... no-one at work or anything knows yet......
A good sports massage has got rid of various niggles for me in the past. I rate them highly.
Ooh! Well done Cowlady! 3 days/week is perfect for a first marathon- you will learn so much, about running, about yourself…! Stick to it as best you can but don’t be a martyr to it, you still have a life and sometimes stuff happens.
Oh yes, and do strength work, it really helps. This is really good: runnersworld.com/uk/trainin...
Thank you, I'll take a look at that link as I'm doing strength but get bored quickly... I'm going to look on the strength and flex group here too for inspiration.
That link is really interesting thank you!
Fab!
I'm all excited for you, can't help with training plans as never run that far but we don't know what the future holds
Thank you, just having all the support on here is worth more than a plan isn't it 😍
Yes it really is, I'm starting seriously running on Thursday, it's time I started building my life back up, I'm looking forward to reading how you get on b cause it's inspiring
Woohoo for your marathon CLR, how exciting! Boo to you not doing the Cardiff Half this year though - I’m doing that one! I don’t blame you; plenty more opportunities to run that. 😀
No training advice. But whatever you do, you’ll ace that marathon ❤️
Oh that's a shame I'll miss you! Fancy the Westonbirt 10k in July? I booked that too!
Ahh my July is rammed already unfortunately. Hols at the beginning, 2 weekends of choir concerts. Are you tempted by Cheddar or Severn Bridge? 🤞
I'll look at when they are....
😀
That’s my local!
I've wanted to go for ages, so thought I might as well run it 😀
It’s beautiful 😍
Well done - very exciting and what a great one to choose to run! Good luck with the training.🙂
Wow! I’m in awe 🫢. Go you CLR! 👏. I’ve entered for the Cardiff HM and hopefully will start my training soon. Each time I’ve got as far as 16k life has got in the way…, so determined this time.
Oh no can't believe there's so many of you in Cardiff this year! Shame I'll miss you! Good luck - it's a brilliant race!
That one is on my bucket list. I have also entered Cardiff HM (as it is part of a series), so Loch Ness will have to wait. My times are similar to yours, and I have run one marathon. I recently met a lady who has just completed her 200th marathon, and she runs at our pace. Her advice is that running 3x weekly is plenty. Keep the long run very, very slow (barely a shuffle). Also, life will get in the way and you will drop a few runs - but try not to sacrifice the long slow run.
Other than that, a good sports massage, plenty of foam rolling will keep you in shape.
I used the Jeff Galloway plan, though my longest run was 22 miles prior to the marathon.
Enjoy every minute, it sounds a fab weekend of achievements and celebrations 🥳🎊🎉
Enjoy Cardiff! Sad I'm missing you all now. Thank you for that advice- you're putting my "I can't do this" mind at rest.
I’m so excited for you!! Really glad you bit the bullet and booked it. Excited to hear how your training goes. Maybe we even need to try a training run or two in the run up! I’ll be heading back towards half marathon distance for September.
That sounds great... they recommend a half at some point so I'll see what's about. As I said to Cheeky - I'm at Westonbirt in July for a 10k if you fancy that.... not sure where you'll be distance wise by then?
I could be back to 10k by then-will have a look! I love a walk around Westonbirt. Gorgeous place!
It's a Relish Running race.
well done! It is a lovely and v supportive marathon. This year will be my second time there. You will love it !
That's good to know - thank you!
Congratulations on signing up for the Loch Ness Marathon. Cannot give any advice on training. Would be good to see some photos posted here after the event including those of the Loch Ness Monster if you manage to take any.👍👍😀
My eyes will be peeled and camera ready 👍🤣
It has a great reputation. I know lots of people who have done it. Last year I did the 10K and the last 6k or so was shared with the marathon. Brilliant atmosphere.
Thank you - good to know!
No suggestions here as I’ve never run a marathon, and likely never will 😅 but I did want to say good luck with it. It does sound like an awesome event and you get to spend time with your parents and extended family. What’s not to like there 👍
Thank you!
Having recently completed the FoD HM is a great starting point for this. The Autumn one would be good as part of your tapering. Unfortunately, it's only a week before (the plan I use has a 13 miler two weeks before and a 10 miler a week before). I guess it might be an option.
As others have written, the weekly long training run is the key. I'd also suggest a weekly speed run. I know you're not aiming for a time but I think it's good conditioning and makes the marathon more manageable. You also need at least one weekly recovery run.
Personally, I like the Nike Run Club plan because its a framework that I can fit around my schedule. It quotes figures in miles but it relies mostly on perceived effort (e.g. 10k effort being 6/10). Besides, I've posted a chart which converts the figures to km.
Looking at the run profile, I see that there's a long descent from the start. Might be worth considering a strategy for that. Think I'd aim to run it at a comfortable pace and remember that the route eventually flattens out. That way, I wouldn't be disheartened when I find myself slowing down because of the flat. It's probably worth doing some hill training because there are a couple of climbs on the route.
I'll be on the lookout for those training runs! I'm sure you'll run a great marathon!
Thank you very much SM Great thoughts for me to ponder! How are you? Home yet?
You're welcome.
Stent fitted today and should be heading home tomorrow.
That's good. Look after yourself.
Look at you being awesome 👀
This is amazing and truly a wonderful opportunity.
Everyone is different but I think that running up to 18 or 20 miles mentally prepared me so your second plan sounds good. You'll be on your feet for many hours and it'll be really tough but exhilarating too. Marathons always find you out. That's why only 0.17% of the world population has done one!
It'll be all you want and so much more...gritty, uncomfortable, tough but glorious, validating, empowering and exciting. Ski Monday gave great advice above too. I've done 5 Marathons now and all have been slightly different. I think that a weekly long run is crucial (building up and having cut back weeks) as is building up mileage each week and running on tired legs (two days back to back).
An occasional speedy blast does help. For me, getting to the start line is the biggest achievement because it's taken months of sacrifice, dedication and energy to get there. Race day is out of your control to an extent (weather, how you feel etc) but the preparation beforehand isn't. When you've done it and got that medal, it really will be worth every single step of effort.
Practice fuelling (what and how often) and what you'll wear on the day itself and perhaps do one of your last long runs at the same time the Marathon starts as mentally this can help too. Be proud of each run building up no matter how they go and keep believing in yourself 😊
I'll support you all the way because you've got it in you and I'm in awe of people that have a go. Love that you're going for it 👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you! That's amazing advice too! I didn't know you ran that many. Thank you for your support! I'll be on with plenty of updates/ questions I'm sure!
Congrats on signing up for your first marathon! There's a great description of the course in the Training Zone tab on the Loch Ness website, the first few miles are mostly downhill lochnessmarathon.com/traini...
I would also second SkiMonday's advice and go with the NRC training plan, the guidance is great. The longest run in the plan and most good plans is 30k or over the 3 hour mark, the 2 hour one from polar is way off the mark. The longest run is usually around the 4 or 5 weeks to go stage, you should have a great base built up by then. I did my 33k run at the start of April and I have my first marathon on the 30th of April.
Its important to know that the long runs are at a slow comfortable conversational pace so that your body can get used to the endurance. That's why I feel that the duration Polar set is at least an hour short.
Thank you, yes I'm going to turn off the plan on polar and enter my own plan 😀 I had looked for the plan of route to see what hills but couldn't see it so thanks I'll look again. All the very best for your first marathon... look forward to hearing about it.
How exciting! You have some amazing and motivating replies to your question. It will be amazing. What a wonderful location for your first marathon too.I've always told myself I'd never run a marathon, but, reading your post, I am certainly tempted!
Good luck xx
Oh yes! It's an intoxicating bug 🤣
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Loch Ness Marathon Report
Half Marathon in September
Half marathon
Manchester Marathon
roseabi's Half Marathon Plan 😊 + Pete Magill link
First Marathon
Copenhagen 2017 Plan and status
