TimC Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Last year I was approached by a local Animal welfare charity to run for them the London Marathon. I gave it some hard thought as I had only run a maximum of 11 miles before and usually run no more than 7 miles and I decided to say yes as at 52 years old I may never get another chance to get fit enough to run it. So here I am 5 weeks into training and finding it quite hard, finished a wet and cold 14.6 mile run in 144 minutes and this week I run a total of 36 miles. Knees and hips are quite sore tonight but it should get easier as I get further into the training schedule. I may even find that this may not be my one and only marathon, if it does not go too bad I may even try another one. Just wondered if any other runners on here had places in the marathon., 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyoldjanner Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Entered the ballot but didn't get a spot. Ran the Bristol to Bath marathon last year and signed up for the Milton Keynes Marathon this year (supposed to be very flat ), which is the May Day bank holiday. Will probably do a second one later in the year as well, either Bristol to Bath again or Snowdonia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 run a few 10k's and was warming up to a half in March and then on from there (i'm 50 now) .............. but currently suffering with Sciatica soddin nuisance from what you've written ? you may be trying to go too far too soon ? and a good physio is worth their weight in gold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangzoom Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 I did my first half marathon end of last year. I found it a real mental challenge as well as physical one. Sounds like your training is going well, maybe have a easy week to let the legs recover?? I said to my self at the end of the half marathon I wouldn't even try a full, but now running 8-10km is 'routine', so keen to push for the full at some point. Stick with it, as the weather gets warmer it'll become 'fun' again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraziekatz1 Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Hate to admit this but am ingreement with Ioneabee.....sounds like your pushing a little too far too early. If you overdo it now it will set you back in the long term training wise. So take care. I don't really go in for all this physio nonsense mind, I'm a girl....I can deal with the pain lol Totally agree with gangzoom, mental challenge was the hardest bit for me! Just remember your training and fitness is more to do with your recovery after the marathon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Hate to admit this but am ingreement with Ioneabee..... I don't really go in for all this physio nonsense mind, I'm a girl....I can deal with the pain lol i used to think that about physio - but when i started my knees just weren't playing ball .......... 2 sessions with a physio on my completely knotted up leg muscles (after 49 years) - and no knee pain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7nny Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Hate to admit this but am ingreement with Ioneabee..... I don't really go in for all this physio nonsense mind, I'm a girl....I can deal with the pain lol i used to think that about physio - but when i started my knees just weren't playing ball .......... 2 sessions with a physio on my completely knotted up leg muscles (after 49 years) - and no knee pain I'm also very against physiotherapists. They tend to just google the symptoms and follow a guidebook for rehab. Much better off seeing someone for a sports specific massage or even an osteopath as you'll probably find that the soreness is a result of a postural imbalance somewhere along the line. This is coming form a Personal Trainer so i see issues like this all the time. Best of luck though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 maybe i've got the 2 mixed up ? whats the difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 (edited) This morning my knees are really sore probably the worst they have been after a run but it was after running the furthest distance I have done. I think an easy week is the best thing now for my recovery leading up to another long run at the weekend. The training plan was for 5 runs a week, with short runs in the week and a long run on Sunday, most likely slim that down to 2 runs in the week and the long one on Sunday for the next few weeks. 15 mile run next week and 13 the week after according to my training plan I may do a little less and build it up more slowly. I find the long runs are harder mentally than physically, once you get going I can cope with the physical side and some pain but 3 and 4 hour runs will be hard. I also think I may see a sports physio for some massage as most of the pain in my knees seems to come from tightness in my legs, I stopped twice in the 2 and half hours to stretch my muscles for 30-40 secs and it was much better, got a bit of a history of injuries caused by tightness so I do lots of stretching before runs but it never seems enough. Edited February 1, 2016 by TimC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraziekatz1 Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Hate to admit this but am ingreement with Ioneabee..... I don't really go in for all this physio nonsense mind, I'm a girl....I can deal with the pain lol i used to think that about physio - but when i started my knees just weren't playing ball .......... 2 sessions with a physio on my completely knotted up leg muscles (after 49 years) - and no knee pain You are pretty old though Will probably have to go down the physio route also when I hit your age lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraziekatz1 Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 This morning my knees are really sore probably the worst they have been after a run but it was after running the furthest distance I have done. I think an easy week is the best thing now for my recovery leading up to another long run at the weekend. The training plan was for 5 runs a week, with short runs in the week and a long run on Sunday, most likely slim that down to 2 runs in the week and the long one on Sunday for the next few weeks. 15 mile run next week and 13 the week after according to my training plan I may do a little less and build it up more slowly. I find the long runs are harder mentally than physically, once you get going I can cope with the physical side and some pain but 3 and 4 hour runs will be hard. I also think I may see a sports physio for some massage as most of the pain in my knees seems to come from tightness in my legs, I stopped twice in the 2 and half hours to stretch my muscles for 30-40 secs and it was much better, got a bit of a history of injuries caused by tightness so I do lots of stretching before runs but it never seems enough. You need to keep the short runs going, even if it is really short like 30 mins....this will stop the stiffening between the long runs. Just worried you're doing pushing the long runs too early, but I guess you know your own limits. Sounds like it might be worth seeing a specialist ASAP. They can analyse your running gait, etc. Correct running technique now will make injuries less likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Have you got yourself a training plan? The marathon website usually has links to various ones to suit what you are trying to achieve. These involve building the distance up gradually from 16 weeks out I think it was from memory. Just as importantly have a proper warm up and warm down regime, again find online the ones that suit you, this will hugely reduce the chance of injury and reduce soreness in muscle tissue. There is a misconception that 2 minutes of pulling each foot up behind your backside and touching your toes does the trick but this can do more damage than good. Also all the usual stuff, plenty of water leading up to and after exercise, don't allow yourself to dehydrate, again prevents soreness and injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 I was using a training plan for an intermediate runner but i think I will drop down to more of a beginner plan, they seem to have less week day runs and the extra miles in the week may be what is causing the problems. I am finding that running at night in the cold is affecting my joints, normally I would not run much at night in the cold at this time of the year. I suppose thats an age related thing I will have to look at my warm up and down regime as it may be fine for shorter runs but on the long ones I may need to do much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Have a look into dynamic vs static stretching, it will talk about how static stretching before exercise can actually inhibit your ability to perform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipar69 Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 My other half used to run an awful lot and got herself entered for the London Marathon. She managed 17 miles before her knee gave out. My hat is off to any non-professional who manages 26 miles! Good luck and nice one for picking a local animal charity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 Have a look into dynamic vs static stretching, it will talk about how static stretching before exercise can actually inhibit your ability to perform. That looks very interesting, I will have to try that on my next run. My other half used to run an awful lot and got herself entered for the London Marathon. She managed 17 miles before her knee gave out. My hat is off to any non-professional who manages 26 miles! Good luck and nice one for picking a local animal charity That is my one fear that I do not finish because one of my knees give out. Its all a bit of an unknown running that distance at the moment, another few weeks and I should know what its like to run 20+ miles if my training goes to plan. When I first said I would do the marathon I looked at my previous best times and added in what I thought would be the right amount for slowing up over the distance and I thought I may be about 3 hours 40 minutes to finish, then I thought if I could finish in under 4 hours I would be pleased. Now after some 2 hour runs I will be pleased if I finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I've run The London Marathon twice, in 1989 and 1991. While I was a pretty decent club runner I always struggled at the marathon distance. I trained specifically for the half marathon, my longest training runs being around 10 miles, I found that I could hang on for the last 3 and a bit miles without dropping my pace. If you look at my half marathon times then sub 3 hours should be well within my abilities but I never got there, even throttling back my pace by 30 seconds a mile I always hit the wall around 20 miles. So, I'd recommend a couple of things, gradually increase your longest run to 20 miles and run if you can around 40-50 miles a week, with a couple of short 3-5 miles hard runs. Join a club if you can. I've also run the Snowdon Marathon twice, really tough, went off far too fast, suffered like a dog around mile 20 but once I hit the downhill I flew to the finish. Good Luck Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S7nny Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 maybe i've got the 2 mixed up ? whats the difference Between a physio and an Osteo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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