Look what I've gone and done! Gulp!!

I guess I have to be lumped in with the "rest of em" because I think I could only walk/jog a few miles, there'd be no running for me.  Looks like you've got some work outs to get in there.  Perhaps I'll have a drink in your name on Saturday and play a little guitar while having a smoke (although I plan on having bbq chicken not a burger).  No doubt there's got to be a few healthy Chordians around other than yourself.  Good luck my friend!

Twenty odd years ago, when I was 40, I ran a half marathon. Full of good intentions I was going to train and built up to the 13.5 miles. In reality I only did about 5 miles before the event. The day came and I set of at a steady jog and was passed by many other runners but at about three quarters of the way round I found I was passing some of those that had passed me earlier although I was struggling myself. The last mile was on a very slight incline and that was a killer. I passed the line and collapsed but was OK after a few minutes and if I remember rightly I took 2 hours 15 min.

I went home aching (lack of training showing) and decided a long hot soak in the bath would be helpful. However I found I had not got the strength to get out of the blessed thing and I had to shout my (now ex) wife to help me out. I was stiff for the next couple of days.

I was advised to eat plenty of pasta the day and night before as it is supposed to release energy to the body slowly and I also took some glugose tablets with me as I suffer slightly for hypoglycemia. I also coated my feet in Vaselene before donning my socks and trainers as I was told this would help protect them. But do not do as I did and stick to your training plan before the event.

Please let us know how you fare.

Good luck, 

Roger

I used to run when I was younger.  Never did a marathon.  Too hard on the legs and back later in life.  Now I just walk and stay busy in the yard.  I am very active otherwise.  Good luck on your big run.

Good luck on the run. Are you doing it in aid of a cause? Can we sponsor you? The Great Chordie Run.

9 Weeks?  Do you have any long stretches of beach you can run on?  In much younger years I ran Cross-Country... usually the events were only 5-10 Km, but we ended the season doing the Palos Verdes Marathon every year.  In preparation we would mix distance training with slow-fast intervals, hills (up for 1/4 mile and jog back down to repeat), and especially to tune up for the long run, hit the beach for a few long runs.  We'd jog over to Redondo Beach (about a mile and half) and then run up to the end of the runway of LAX in El Segundo on the soft dry sand (about 11 miles) and run back on the wet sand.  Cool down with a little swimming and body surfing, and then jog back to Torrance and the showers.

Three weeks of something like that will get you in shape for sure.... or break you down so badly you'll be out.  Assuming that stamina is not the issue, which it may not be after all that bike riding even with the 2 year hiatus.  Naturally check with your doctor to make sure you are up to this.  My coach (the sadist) died of a massive heart attack fairly young despite all those years of running..... he ran every workout with his teams, and was an avid Marathoner.

Good Luck and stay hydrated!
Doug