Comments for London Marathon Runners

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Action taken: Stop forced evictions of Roma families in Belgrade

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Action taken: Protect refugees fleeing Libya

Halt the execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

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Action taken: Halt the execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

Comment by Davlo

Davlo — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:09:14 +0100

Davlo said:

Two days to go!! Good luck to everyone!!

I'm going to London tomorrow morning on the bus with my girlfriend (from cardiff) and hitting the Expo first thing to get my pack out of the way and number, chip etc. I'm praying I keep my wallet firmly in my pocket as I have a tendency to buy random running products which I "need" as soon as I see them!

Am also going to be avoiding beers like the plague tomorrow which to be honest is likely to be harder than the run!! :)

See you there and best wishes to everyone - well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by greengillybean

greengillybean — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:31:45 +0100

greengillybean said:

Yikes. Anyone else feeling sick at the mere word 'marathon'...?

L11 et al, sorry I never got back to you re training runs, it all got a bit muddly and I got super busy. Probably should have scheduled in a wee bit more running too, but it's too late now. Gah.

See you all on Sunday. I'll be the one in the queue for knee replacements...

Good luck! x

Comment by serpentinite

serpentinite — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:57:51 +0100

serpentinite said:

Hey everyone,

Hope you're all feeling lively and ready for the challenge ahead! Just wanted to say how much I admire you all and I promise to be cheering super loud at Mile 25 on Sunday.

Also, I actually laughed out loud in the office when I read:

"Socks.
Lycra shorts
Shorts
Sunnies
Splendid lime green Amnesty vest
Splendid headband
Splendid moustache
I will look like a proper numpty"

Can't wait to see your awesome tache, Johnny D !

Best of luck everyone. See you at the aftershow party!

Natasha (the one who sent out the vests and letters) x

Comment by twiney

twiney — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:07:31 +0100

twiney said:

Best wishes to all the runners. Are any of you going to the Hispaniola afterwards for some food and drink? I'm already looking forward to the post-run massage. Actually, maybe I'll skip the run and go straight for the massage...no, really I'm very excited about the run and I intend to enjoy the occasion as much as I can. I like Johnny's suggestion of wearing some disposable clothes while waiting for race to start - could get cold otherwise. Go! go! go!

Comment by JohnnyD

JohnnyD — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:17:44 +0100

JohnnyD said:

best of luck everyone for a fun (and injury free!) week and Marathon.
maybe see some of you after
thanks for all the encouragement, enthusiasm and tips
x

Comment by JohnnyD

JohnnyD — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:58:04 +0100

JohnnyD said:

one thing i just remembered...

i'll also bring an old/second jumper of some description. something to keep me warm while waiting for it all to kick off. something i don't mind leaving behind cause when we start i'll remove it and leave it on the ground to sabotage everyone behind me.

Comment by JohnnyD

JohnnyD — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:28:09 +0100

JohnnyD said:

propter? proper

Comment by JohnnyD

JohnnyD — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:27:42 +0100

JohnnyD said:

On the day I shall mostly be wearing.

Socks.
Lycra shorts
Shorts
Sunnies
Splendid lime green Amnesty vest
Splendid headband
Splendid moustache
I will look like a propter numpty
x

Comment by London11

London11 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:44:53 +0100

London11 said:

1. 40 Davo?? GOod grief. That is IMPRESSIVE. Well done :)
I actually didn't wear my vest (faux pas) I thought it would be cold so wore my thermal top. I am now not at all pleased by that decision...
Also thrilled to have completed my last long run Johnny, and similarly terified by my knees. I have been doing Bikram yoga to help them and it does seem to help, but I lapsed a little a few weeks ago and am now hoping 14 days is not too far out to enitrely heal them. Ahem.
What are people planning to wear on the big day? I am hoping to be able to look all pro in just my vest and shorts, but wonder if i am being daft? Anyone doen this before?
See you soon all!
L11 xx

Comment by JohnnyD

JohnnyD — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:39:32 +0100

JohnnyD said:

hello all.
glad to hear it's going well for everyone.
yesterday was my last big run before the big day so i'm relieved to finally be cutting down rather than building up
black bits all over my feet and my nipples are in a permanent state of tenderness (this is all connected with the running I assure you)
and anyone got any spare knees? mine are in a proper state!
it's less than 3 weeks to go!
x

Comment by Davlo

Davlo — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:11:54 +0000

Davlo said:

Hey London 11 and all!

I was at the Silverstone race on Sunday too! - unfortunately in my bewildered concentration I totally missed sight of any other Amnesty runners so really sorry about that! I would deffo have given a shout out had I seen any. I had a green Amnesty vest on and a largely contorted face if thats any help? :)

I found it much harder than my training too - I think it was unusually warm during the run which caught me out a little and I ended up getting there a little late and started from the back so rushed off a bit to try and get near the runners who were more my pace - regretted that one at about 8 miles in!!!

It was a great event though and I do feel more confident about my training for the big one now - got round in just over 1:40 and had my lot by the end but pleased (and relieved!). A lot more to be done however!!

Well done to you London 11 and all of the Amnesty runners who made it round!! Knowing we are all in it together is a big help when I'm out on the streets on my own after work!

Comment by London11

London11 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:58:36 +0000

London11 said:

Hi All,
Just wanted to say I ran Silverstone on SUnday and was comprehensively beaten by at least two people wearing Amnesty vests... Who is to blame?? Of course I was also beaten by a clown. I may live down the shame. In my defense it was a very fit clown. WOuld have to say the half marathon experience was.. well.. brutal. I have run much further in training with far less pain, I even got my first blisters by mile 9... WHY?? Made it over the finish in 2 hours 2 minutes.
COngratulations to the other runners... do let me know how it was for you if you read this! Personally I was hot, a bit dehydrated , and not a fan of Lucozade on the run.. but very happy I did it.
Hope you are all well and on track, or at least still standing.
L11

Comment by twiney

twiney — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:20:30 +0000

twiney said:

It had been going so well....did Plymouth Hoe 10 miles in great style (for me), bulding up the miles, beginning to feel confident, almost omnipotent (that should have been a danger sign!), and then....last week, towards end of 16 mile run, my right calf just froze on me. I've had to see a physio this week - not too bad but 2 weeks rest advised.
I think I won't be catching paula radcliffe after all......but I will be picking up my training again next week and maybe a rest at this stage is a good idea anyway. Any injury niggles for the rest of you? What nutrition are people using on the day? I think I'll take the lucozade sport that they hand out. My fundraising is going ok too.

Comment by London11

London11 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:01:21 +0000

London11 said:

Hello again Bean et al.
I also bought new trainers. Surely the amount of pairs you own is inversely protional to the amount of training you have to do in order to run a marathon right?
11 weeks. Feels like a long time to me :) I mentioned to my flat mate that I was approaching the half way mark in my training but that i felt I had only been training for about a week. She said 'No offence, but it feels like you've been training forever' .. I sense I may need to think of some other topics of conversation...
I did manage 17 miles yesterday though. Didn't die. Did almost cry when I stopped though. If I hadn't been at Paddington in rush hour I may have. Also found I could not sleep at all. Ended up getting up at 2am and eating four slices of toast, two eggs, a banana and half a malt loaf dipped in milk. Anyone else have this problem?
As for running together.. I am not sure the best way to approach meeting up but my schedule looks like this : tuesday and thursday (usually) Regents park for 40 min jogs. Usually around 10 or 11 am although I am totally flexible. Wednesday about 11am for interval training in Russell Sq. Park. Then a long run on whichever weekend morning I am less hungover. Except this week when I was hungover all weekend so shufted the run til monday:)
What do you think?
11 xx

Comment by Road Runner

Road Runner — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:02:06 +0000

Road Runner said:

Well done Twiney! you sounds very motivated!
I am really impressed with your attitude!

Good luck in the 10 mile run this Sunday!

How is your fundraising going?

;.)

Comment by Davlo

Davlo — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:19:15 +0000

Davlo said:

Hello everyone!

I can't believe I've just read that the race is 11 weeks away - I need to step up my training big time!! Eeeeek!!

The nights are getting lighter though so braving the evening runs should get easier and easier. Time to get some serious mileage under my belt before April I think. I've just enetered the Flora Half Marathon at Silverstone too as an extra gee-up for the training!

I hope everyone's training is going well

Comment by greengillybean

greengillybean — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:40:52 +0000

greengillybean said:

Hello all, I am ok thanks! Just a bit of an idiot and a danger to myself :-)

London11 - would love to go for a run with you (and anyone else in the 'hood?) it'd be great to have some company! If you don't mind being seen out in public with a slow clumsy troubled-by-stairs person, I'd be jolly happy to meet up. I guess we should talk logistics; when do you run and roughly what time of day etc? :-)

I went to the meet the experts day yesterday - it was really good (although I suspect I was the only person in the room with a hideous hangover). Lots of tips and support from people and other runners. Got some shiny new trainers which I'm disproportionately excited about!

I did however feel totally sick when I heard the words "the marathon is 11 weeks today" and it definitely wasn't all the fault of the red wine monkey...eek. I have the FEAR!

Comment by greengillybean

greengillybean — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:34:05 +0000

greengillybean said:

Go Twiney, sounds like you're doing fabulously!

I didn't go running when it snowed as I was quietly convinced I'd break my legs slipping on the ice - and how annoying would that be?!

Off road running seems to be recommended by everyone, but I find it quite hard, because grass etc seems to have all manner of things I trip up on. Perhaps I'm just too clumsy for this running malarkey!

Let us know how you get on Sunday and good luck! :-)

Comment by Road Runner

Road Runner — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:34:21 +0000

Road Runner said:

Oh no Bean! I really hope you are ok!

How's training going everyone?

I'm wondering if anyone was gutsy enough to go out in the snow?

Comment by London11

London11 — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:57:59 +0000

London11 said:

Bean!
Are you OK? Launching yourself down the stairs doesn't seem like a very good idea you know. I guess you think a marathon isn't quite challenging enough huh? I hope you are recovering. Stairs can be tricksey. I suggest vigorous sitting from now on.
I also live in King's Cross, although my agent likes to optimistically call it Bloomsbury and charge me accordingly. I guess I may have passed you in the park :)
If you ever feel like company do let me know. I always run alone, and am not sure I could keep up a conversation, but that seems like a great reason to run very very slow to me.
Know what you mean about the bad runs. I spend so much time trying to time food, drink and sleeping so I don't feel like half a brain dragging a wet bear round the streets. Still not got it quite right though.. sigh.
Perhaps just telling people we are doing a marathon is good enough.. thought that counts right?
xx

Comment by greengillybean

greengillybean — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:49:07 +0000

greengillybean said:

...and re the PS - I am the slowest woman in the world (TM). I got all excited the other day because I overtook someone while running. As I passed him, I realised it was a pensioner. Who was walking.

Needless to say, I'm aiming more for the five hour mark...

:-P

Comment by greengillybean

greengillybean — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:47:37 +0000

greengillybean said:

Good work Johnny and the wife - the heartbreak half sounds hideously challenging! London11, I live in Central London too (Kings X) - tend to run around Regent's Park, or along the canal, or I just roam the streets like a stray cat. Fell down the stairs this week (apparently walking, let alone running, is a challenge for me!) so have been taking it a bit easy, but had a horrid run on Sunday when I hadn't eaten enough or slept enough and thought I was going to curl up in a ball weeping after about two miles. This is a silly plan, this marathon thingy, isn't it?!

Comment by Road Runner

Road Runner — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:22:07 +0000

Road Runner said:

Hey London 11

that's a great idea! I love it! You can have lots of fun being host too.
How about getting your friends to bring old clothes or books that they don't want and selling them to each other while you are rustling up the cocktails?

Comment by Road Runner

Road Runner — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:19:13 +0000

Road Runner said:

no need to panic but it is getting closer!
What kind of quiz night were you thinking of?

;.)

Comment by London11

London11 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:43:42 +0000

London11 said:

PS. A question to all... What sort of times are people aiming to finish this wee race in? I am hopeful of around 4 hours... all being well. It is my first marathon.
x

Comment by London11

London11 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:41:36 +0000

London11 said:

Hi Johnny (and all),
Congratulations to you and your wife! I was thinking of doing the same race, but in the end opted for the Royal Parks which are nearer my house and a lot less hilly for my solitary half marathon last week:) Hills intimidate me. I did manage a pretty hilly run from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace and back a couple of weeks ago though so I can appreciate your pain a little :)
Good luck with the knee, and the training. I am off to do some intervals now. Woop!
x

Comment by JohnnyD

JohnnyD — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:43:48 +0000

JohnnyD said:

London11 –
It was the heartbreak half – have you done it? It's the most knackering run I've done. It was a bit over a half, all hills, and through the odd stream and mudpath. It was my wife's first half-marathon and I was very proud of her. It was properly shattering.
I live South East London so I tend to run to and around either Crystal Palace park or Greenwich Park. They're both something like 2 miles round so I do a few laps for long runs. They're both a bit hilly though, but I think that's not such a bad thing for training.
I've been given some pilates exercises to do by a physio. Hopefully they'll help.

My injured foot held up fine on Sunday. Now I've just got a stiff knee to worry about. I'm falling apart!
x

Hope everyone else is going well.