Ahoy. Ive recently been asked if I want to do the Paris marathon and  tbh quite fancy the idea. I was just wondering if anyone here has done one and if so are there any tips as it is about 6 and a half months away.

I know a training schedule is crucial (from what people say) but want to know what people who have some experience running them would suggest.

ATM I train/play rugby 2 times a week and run about 4km midweek, woefully short of the distance but at least Im not starting from couch potato

Cheers
Tongy

Sams () ya man

I did one but cant help you with training as i didnt bother to train for it

Im doing the Cardiff one again in a few weeks (its probably less but im scared to look) and my training was pretty good until mid summer. I just entered all the 10km and later 15mile races and ensured i got better times in each one. The rest will follow as you learn what you need to do by running them. If you are near Warwickshire i can post all the nearby races for you. Basically the more you run now the easier it will be...
I went to a summery France for 6 weeks and am currently in need of a bump start  :whoops:

Thats the slackers take on a 26mile run but im sure someone will have a more scientific explanation.

Id deffo aim for the half marathon. Believe it or not, my moderate sized city in the SE has one of Americas premier marathons, and while youll have the few hundred serious athletes and amateurs doing the full 26, you have the company of thousands if you do the half. I always go to the coluseum and cheer on the late finishers. Anyway, its much more fun to manage 13 proud miles at a moderate jog, than to kill yourself doing 26. Personally, Id only do the latter if I got back to running weight, which is 35# less than beer weight. Quite serious tho, a full marathon, unless youre built for it, which means lean as a stork, is pure misery.

There are some pretty standard training routines to be downloaded on the web for marathoning. Basically you build to a peak of stamina, tapering off before the big event, so youre fresh and full of glycogen. Usenet is a good place to find one on one help.

great north run next weekend .

PS: Training for is over rated in any decent sized marathon unless you get your name in the first few numbers.  Always end up stuck in the fun runners barely moving faster than a light jog behind someone dressed as a womble and a man in a diving bell.

If youre going to train then make sure you get in the first group who leaves otherwise its like a long leasurely jog in a crowd.

I think SteveF is overstating the effects of the other runners. Unless youre an elite male I wouldnt worry about other people slowing you down after the first couple of miles.

You want to build up to be able to do a 20 miler 2 weeks and 4 weeks before the actual marathon. That will see you through. Runners world will have a marathon training guide.

yeah, I assume most marathons are a bit more sensible than great north run in terms of being spread out and less silly costumes.  After the first lot they no longer release in stages which is apparently unusual.

Nike + Lucozade have been running a training event up here for last couple of months pre marathon (house mates planning the routes and test running the courses for the companies which is how I knew about it) but its been very useful for getting out there and putting in the miles.  May be worth looking for a similar setup near you as the marathon gets closer...

Lots of good advice re diet, sleep and training although most of its common sense its good to hear it and have good, well lit jogging routes laid out for you of appropriate distances.

Joining a running club is a good way to get miles in with other people.

Are you running the GNR this weekend SteveF? A few people from my club are going up. Its too expensive and too much of a novelty race for me to make the trek though.

yeah - a few of us running it.  Flatmates got a proper runner entry but Im just in with the fun runners with some friends to make some money for charity.

Quote from: TongyAnyone run a marathon?

Ive eaten a marathon... You should do OK but gradually increase the distance of the runs to at least half the marathon you are doing two or three times a week. Dont forget the vaseline (petrolium jelly), you can get hooge jars from Ã,£1 shops.

The Vaseline is for joggers nipple and thigh rash, shockingly common at marathons.

What you doing

If I had the funds I would start and run a marathon maybe sam can start an annual tek marathon

Lol I dont think so. Im involved with the Worksop one this year though (as a member of the club I have been press ganged).

Quote from: Serious

Quote from: TongyAnyone run a marathon?

The Vaseline is for joggers nipple and thigh rash, shockingly common at marathons.

I get that on 6 milers never mind anything longer. Reg @ the club reckons duck tape is good but I have my doubts.

Quote from: SteveFyeah - a few of us running it.  Flatmates got a proper runner entry but Im just in with the fun runners with some friends to make some money for charity.

Theres no point running it properly, youll never get a pb (unless you never run any others lol) because so many people getting in the way. But events like this are fantastic for charity and thats the reason for doing it - raising funds like you are.

Its also quite entertaining to "perform" in front of the biggest crowd most of us are going to get in a lifetime too!

What charity are you running for ooi Steve?