Any marathon runners out there?

Hi all, next month I am going to be running the Edinburgh half marathon with a few other people to raise money for my little friend Jaye (see thread 'I need you guys to do something for me...'). I already run up to 5 miles everytime I go to the gym, at an average speed of anything between 6.5 - 7 mph (depends on my motivation ) but I know that running 13 miles is going to be a lot harder.
Mark has made up a training programme for us using ideas from several of his fitness magazines/books but I was wondering if anyone who's got experience of marathons has any tips. For example tips on how to keep motivated during training, or foods to keep muscles from tiring as fast? I want to run 13 miles before I do the real run but Im not about to do it tomorrow...
Any suggestions would be very welcome!

Pffttt i hardly run for a bus Lauren!

My brother did the Great North Run for cancer research and all he did was to increase his runs each night, but i'm not sure what he ate?.

Not tips, but I wanted to say good on you! That's really good of you to be helping out Jaye. Poor kid, that's such a shame what happened to him.

Originally Posted by rosiemac

Pffttt i hardly run for a bus Lauren!

My brother did the Great North Run for cancer research and all he did was to increase his runs each night, but i'm not sure what he ate?.

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I was going to do that last year but I just wasn't up to it. I've always kept fit but never started running until about April last year as I just hated it. Now I love it but I injured my back at the start because I did too much too soon so Im kinda worried about it biting me in the ass again.

Originally Posted by pushylady

Not tips, but I wanted to say good on you! That's really good of you to be helping out Jaye. Poor kid, that's such a shame what happened to him.

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Thanks and yes it is. Im going to see him this week at some point so will maybe have an update on him....

My father ran marathons years ago. I don't know what he did to train (except running every day), but I do remember that he always had a high-carb dinner the night before. Spaghetti was his food of choice.

lots of sugar and carbs atleast that was what i saw the girls eating before they went for a marathon

Susan and i are so similar!

The farthest I ever made it was 3 miles, and that was about 25 years and many many pounds ago! All I remember is to set your goal, then run for a while and then walk, and back to running. Eventually you will be running more and more, and walking less and less. Certainly your initial goal wouldn't be 13 miles, but whatever you are running now, just add 1/2 to 1 mile, and go for it!

Could you post a bank address and acct, so if people from TCS want to donate to Jaye, we can mail a check? I'll be watching for that info, as well as an update!

Try mapping out a route that gets increasingly longer each time you run it. 1/2 a mile each way would make it 1 mile each time you run it. Practice it everyday til you are ready!!

Good luck with the run!! I sometimes think of doing a 5K or 10K then the thougt goes away!! Does Runner's World magazine have a online site with tips for you??

Thanks for your replies everyone I really appreciate it
I will check out the running clubs online and see what they say. Im just scared about being able to keep going. Im sure on the day will be fine but it's the training. I currently run up to 5 miles like I said but I get bored so easily after about 3 miles and my body starts saying 'you can't do this' but I know it's telling me rubbish so I carry on. I'm going to have to remember who I'm doing it for while I'm training and I'm sure that will keep me going.

Beckiboo, I had thought about that but didn't want to ask for money. Our instructor said he was going to begin by people giving donations and then set up a trust fund/bank account because we can imagine the money getting quite big, too big for someone to control on their own. I don't know how we would go about accepting funds from overseas but I'm sure there would be some way for you to sponsor me and then the funds go to him anyway. I'll need to enquire about it, but I'm sure paypal would come in handy..? Im really not technically minded but I'm sure Mark will know. I'll get back to you and then if anyone wants to do that then the option is there. I really appreciate you suggesting it

I trained to run the Copenhagen marathon of 2002. I never ran it. I trained for months and months and got to a point where I could happily run the 24 miles I would need to. Well, Rune forgot to enter us. So now I can't even run 300 m because I never ran again after all that training!!

Originally Posted by LilleKat

I trained to run the Copenhagen marathon of 2002. I never ran it. I trained for months and months and got to a point where I could happily run the 24 miles I would need to. Well, Rune forgot to enter us. So now I can't even run 300 m because I never ran again after all that training!!

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Oh no! Men eh!?
So what kinds of food did you eat before a big run? How did you keep yourself mentally occupied?

I used to be a runner - not now for obvious reasons!

For training, you're best to start with five minutes of running, five minutes of fast walking - it'll build up your stamina. You'll need to increase the running bits too!

You should also do two days running, one day off - maybe training muscles and stretching.

Good luck with your training! I always wanted to do a marathon, but sadly never made it

I already run just now so I want to try and build on what I have.
Mark was looking through all his magazines and Mens Fitness have a training plan...

Monday 4.5 miles
Tuesday - rest
Wednesday - 5 miles
Thursday - Rest
Friday - 5 miles
Saturday - 4.5 miles
Sunday - res

I think this will be fine but I already run that so I'll need to increase it to 6 or 7 miles within the next week because I don't really have much time before the marathon...

That looks like a good training schedule!

You don't have much time really do you! I know you'll do brilliantly though!

But you do HAVE to eat pancakes tonight!