Pembury
New member
A big WELL DONE to all of you who ran yesterday. An amazing achievement!
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Marathon Thread
- Thread starter Steve Foster
- Start date
I'd echo what the others have said - if you want to do it, it's very doable. If you are a complete beginner, would highly recommend the 'couch to 5k' programme to get you started - very simple intro to running over a few weeks that will get you up to 5k distance safely. Search online for it - basically takes you from increasing walk/run intervals using podcasts. Once you're up to 5k you'll be hooked - then move to Saturday parkrun (free and very inclusive for all standards) and see where it takes you. Good luck and keep talking on here !
[MENTION=21578]Worthingite[/MENTION] - this says it all from a man who has done it. I look forward to your similarly inspiring story this time next year.
Are you doing London? If so good luck and you'll be racing against [MENTION=26634]Simgull[/MENTION]. Do you have a time in mind? I reckon he'll hover around 3:30 on a good day and on a bad day 3:45. Not sure what the train driver is thinking of doing.
Glad I'm not in your shoes @ Greg Bobkin. It will take a lot of guts to get to that start line. 
That's a phenomenal time on your first marathon. Sub 3 hours next year?
A friend of mine got round in 2:58 which is unbelievable. Has anyone from NSC gone sub 3 hours before?
Don't know but I can sense someone is eyeing it up. Good luck!
Last January I was, I'm sure, the heaviest I've ever been at over 16 stone. After the Christmas and New Year binges, I was focused on getting myself back into shape and I did that with my diet (and alcohol) from January 2nd and then went on my first run (using running shoes I'd had from a previous running adventure a few years before) on January 23rd. By April I was running over 20 miles each week and on April 5th I ran my first half-marathon distance around Worthing. My pace for that half-marathon was significantly quicker than my first very short run on January 23rd.
In the 30 days of June I ran every day (and twice on two days) for a total of 32 runs, covering over 158 miles, climbing nearly 10,000 feet and, according to Strava, burning nearly 30,000 calories. I also did my then half-marathon PB in the same month, taking nearly 10 minutes off my previous best.
I'm massively disappointed that I fell off the running wagon having invested so much into it over 8 months or so, although I know the reasons why I did and I'm back on it again now. It's very hard going again, but already I'm seeing big improvements. It is astounding how our bodies become more efficient so quickly - you will amaze yourself repeatedly.
I'm not a massive fan of structure in any form, and I chose running because I saw it as the easiest exercise to do. As you say, you can just decide to go and you can be out doing it in less than five minutes. There's never been much of a plan to my running other than aiming to do my longest run of the week on a Sunday.
If you are in Worthing, get yourself along to Run which is directly opposite West Worthing station and they'll get you sorted with running shoes to suit your running style. They'll be pricey, but worth it. You will then almost certainly be able to pick up more shoes of the same type online and make a saving if you find you really get on with them and want to stick with them.
Finally, I'm in Worthing and happy to assist if I can. If you want someone to run with every now and again, just let me know and I'm sure we can hook up easily enough. PM me at any time if I can help.
Get going this week if you can - it will be one of the best things you ever do!
Greg Bobkin
Silver Seagull
- May 22, 2012
- 14,838
Are you doing London? If so good luck and you'll be racing against [MENTION=26634]Simgull[/MENTION]. Do you have a time in mind? I reckon he'll hover around 3:30 on a good day and on a bad day 3:45. Not sure what the train driver is thinking of doing.
I've been giving it a bit of thought this morning, and I think the sensible thing to do is to drop to 9min/miles and aim for sub 4.
But, as yesterday proved, it's just down to how you feel on the day. There is no reason why I should have blown up by 16 miles – I've done longer training runs at a faster pace. Maybe it was the heat, maybe not enough sleep, maybe eating too much/not the right stuff, maybe I wasn't mentally prepared, I really don't know.
In isolation, 4.09 is a decent enough time, but I know I can do better – it's just whether my mind and body will let me prove that next Sunday. Safe to say I won't be challenging [MENTION=26634]Simgull[/MENTION] though...
Me, yesterday, 5 minutes after finishing, stuck in a hot exit queue with [MENTION=15605]knocky1[/MENTION] and about to beg St John's Ambulance for more water: "I'm never doing another marathon."
Me this morning - signed up for Brighton 2017
Me this morning - signed up for Brighton 2017
Me, yesterday, 5 minutes after finishing, stuck in a hot exit queue with [MENTION=15605]knocky1[/MENTION] and about to beg St John's Ambulance for more water: "I'm never doing another marathon."
Me this morning - signed up for Brighton 2017
A lot of work needed for next year to take that quarter of a second off per mile!
I'm going to enter the 10k race instead next year. Going to sign up soon so I don't contemplate another marathon.
I think I could get close to 3 hours but not sure I can commit to the additional training I would need to factor in for this.
A year off working on speed for half's and below. I might put in for London 2017 on the off chance though!
Me, yesterday, 5 minutes after finishing, stuck in a hot exit queue with [MENTION=15605]knocky1[/MENTION] and about to beg St John's Ambulance for more water: "I'm never doing another marathon."
Me this morning - signed up for Brighton 2017
......I thought me showing you the red sore patches up my shorts had put you off.
Pembury
New member
Are you doing London? If so good luck and you'll be racing against [MENTION=26634]Simgull[/MENTION]. Do you have a time in mind? I reckon he'll hover around 3:30 on a good day and on a bad day 3:45. Not sure what the train driver is thinking of doing.
Yeah, I'm looking as anything 3:30 will be good. If I can jump on the train for a bit and blow the NSC whistle as we fly past the Cutty Sark then it'll be a good day! I'm starting off in the Blue pen so just getting through the crowds will be a job.. but we'll see.
I'm going for a sub 4 at the 3 forts in a couple of weeks so that's really my main focus.
I consider myself a competent runner rather than a good one. Before yesterday I'd only ever run one event before. That was the Brighton Half Marathon the year before, which I completed in rhino costume. Yesterday I upgraded and ran my first (last?) full marathon, also in rhino gear. I was the last of the three rhinos to come home. Finished in 6 hours 8 minutes, which was a shame, as I'd wanted to beat six hours but early on I decided to sacrifice any sense of speed so that I could actually sit back and enjoy the day.
And how...
What a day that was. My wife and I had paid by American Express and gained entry to the hospitality area. No sooner had we got in than I was pretty much pounced on by Zoë Ball, who shook me by the hoof and wanted to know all about "why rhino?" She seemed a bit alarmed to hear that it was my first marathon given the costume.
Then I was grabbed for a radio spot on Juice FM. I suspect I was a pretty poor interview (sorry everybody) but I don't have a PR background, eh?
Then the race began. It was dastardly hot and uncomfortable in there. I downed a litre of Powerade and stopped at every water station from 15 miles on but I really needed it, as I was sweating like a running tap from two miles. I genuinely smelled like a rhino too from about half distance and will need a gallon of Febreze before returning the costume tomorrow.
Through all of that though I was just blown away with the event, the other runners and the crowd. The encouragement was never ending and there was just so much goodwill on display. I pulled over to dispense who knows how many rhino high fives. I stopped near 17 miles to put on a bit of a dance for some locals that had rigged up some music for the runners. I applauded the crowds as I came into the home straight. Basically I show boated the hell out of it. It was wonderful.
I did the whole thing for charity obviously and have managed to rack up over £2 ,000 but it's great that at the end of the months of training and pain and sweat and all that I was able to enjoy the event for myself too. It was wonderful strolling along the beach in costume at the end and having total strangers come up and slap me on the hide or slip some coins (or even notes) in the collecting bucket. A couple of vodkas in Northern Lights and a slap up Thai meal in Kemptown and a couple of bottles of champers followed. It was just a day that I'll never forget.
Now plotting the BM10K next year purely for personal fun. Another excuse to have a great weekend in Brighton, a chance to work on times for a change and obviously keeping up my 100% rate of only running events in my favourite city on earth bar none.
Thank you Brighton & Hove. I adore you.
The following pic is of me from the Brighton & Hove News website. Check out that horn.
And how...
What a day that was. My wife and I had paid by American Express and gained entry to the hospitality area. No sooner had we got in than I was pretty much pounced on by Zoë Ball, who shook me by the hoof and wanted to know all about "why rhino?" She seemed a bit alarmed to hear that it was my first marathon given the costume.
Then I was grabbed for a radio spot on Juice FM. I suspect I was a pretty poor interview (sorry everybody) but I don't have a PR background, eh?
Then the race began. It was dastardly hot and uncomfortable in there. I downed a litre of Powerade and stopped at every water station from 15 miles on but I really needed it, as I was sweating like a running tap from two miles. I genuinely smelled like a rhino too from about half distance and will need a gallon of Febreze before returning the costume tomorrow.
Through all of that though I was just blown away with the event, the other runners and the crowd. The encouragement was never ending and there was just so much goodwill on display. I pulled over to dispense who knows how many rhino high fives. I stopped near 17 miles to put on a bit of a dance for some locals that had rigged up some music for the runners. I applauded the crowds as I came into the home straight. Basically I show boated the hell out of it. It was wonderful.
I did the whole thing for charity obviously and have managed to rack up over £2 ,000 but it's great that at the end of the months of training and pain and sweat and all that I was able to enjoy the event for myself too. It was wonderful strolling along the beach in costume at the end and having total strangers come up and slap me on the hide or slip some coins (or even notes) in the collecting bucket. A couple of vodkas in Northern Lights and a slap up Thai meal in Kemptown and a couple of bottles of champers followed. It was just a day that I'll never forget.
Now plotting the BM10K next year purely for personal fun. Another excuse to have a great weekend in Brighton, a chance to work on times for a change and obviously keeping up my 100% rate of only running events in my favourite city on earth bar none.
Thank you Brighton & Hove. I adore you.
The following pic is of me from the Brighton & Hove News website. Check out that horn.
BlockDpete
Well-known member
- Oct 8, 2005
- 1,143
Well done to everyone for yesterday, was a fantastic day.
Did my marshaling stint along New Church Rd, between 17 and 18 miles. Saw quite a few Albion/REMF runners, and gave them a cheer. Nice to give something back , after running the race for several years.
Didn't have any major dramas, though a runner did collapse further up the road from me. Did come round, but got taken to hospital by St Johns anyway. Hope he is OK.
Did my marshaling stint along New Church Rd, between 17 and 18 miles. Saw quite a few Albion/REMF runners, and gave them a cheer. Nice to give something back , after running the race for several years.
Didn't have any major dramas, though a runner did collapse further up the road from me. Did come round, but got taken to hospital by St Johns anyway. Hope he is OK.
Unbelievable effort. I'd rather do two marathons back to back than contemplate yesterday in a costume. Fantastic, well done!
Pretty sure you cheered me on, one of the three REMF runners. Again thanks for your efforts. Amazing how many volunteers helped yesterday, [MENTION=474]Mr Blobby[/MENTION] also did a full marshalling stint.
Ninja Elephant
Doctor Elephant
- Feb 16, 2009
- 18,855
Marathon #4 done for me, #5 will be Eastbourne in October! Yesterday was a nice race to run in, but I'm disappointed with my 3:59:54 time. In context, it's ok - but it's always a shame to run a disappointing time in the home Marathon. I could go and enter Milton Keynes, run a sub 3:30 and nobody would really care because it wasn't Brighton! Either way, it's a good experience for me and should (hopefully) help shape my running discipline in future.
Congrats to [MENTION=13715]jimhigham[/MENTION] especially, running as a rhino is both beautiful and mental! Congrats to all runners and supporters.
Congrats to [MENTION=13715]jimhigham[/MENTION] especially, running as a rhino is both beautiful and mental! Congrats to all runners and supporters.
I don't know if many did, but I was shouting 'Seagulls!' at you.The following pic is of me from the Brighton & Hove News website. Check out that horn.
Thanks. I did get a Seagull or two. Always appreciated. I tried to wave a fair old bit but if I'd done that for every call of support I'd have been doing it the whole way. Then the head bounces around like fury and kills your back.
On the Church Road section a couple of youngsters came running up to get a rhino high five. I could see they were both in Albion colours so I gave them a good "Seaaaa-gu-ulllls" while slapping palms. I heard them running off telling their Dad "the rhino said Seagulls". Little things like that made my day.