Thinking of Applying for the London Marathon (2015)
Hi all
So, basically, I'll be the first to admit I'm a bit of a slob. Never really exercise, don't really have the best of diets. Not overly fat, but not exactly in shape. I've been meaning to try and sort myself out for ages now, but never seem to get around to it. However, a recent trip to London has given me a crazy idea: to train up and run the marathon.
Why, you may ask, would a guy like me want to do that? Simple; I genuinely think it would turn my lifestyle around. For me to go from being the way I am now to being fit enough to run 26 miles would not only be a remarkable achievement, but I feel it could help encourage others in my position to, basically, get up and get fit! Plus, I'm very big on charity, and the thought of being able to raise a bit of money for any kind of charity really appeals to me.
While still in a very early stage at the moment, I was wondering if anyone could answer a few questions.
First off... can it be done? Is it realistic to expect an unfit guy to get in shape within 12 months? How intense would training have to be, and would it be best if I enlisted a trainer of some sort? I understand obviously it would depend upon how dedicated I am also.
Second off... how do you actually sign up? I'm aware that you may need to do it through a charity.
I am serious about doing this, but I do understand it may sound a little far fetched. Any advice that you can give me would be much appreciated.
So, basically, I'll be the first to admit I'm a bit of a slob. Never really exercise, don't really have the best of diets. Not overly fat, but not exactly in shape. I've been meaning to try and sort myself out for ages now, but never seem to get around to it. However, a recent trip to London has given me a crazy idea: to train up and run the marathon.
Why, you may ask, would a guy like me want to do that? Simple; I genuinely think it would turn my lifestyle around. For me to go from being the way I am now to being fit enough to run 26 miles would not only be a remarkable achievement, but I feel it could help encourage others in my position to, basically, get up and get fit! Plus, I'm very big on charity, and the thought of being able to raise a bit of money for any kind of charity really appeals to me.
While still in a very early stage at the moment, I was wondering if anyone could answer a few questions.
First off... can it be done? Is it realistic to expect an unfit guy to get in shape within 12 months? How intense would training have to be, and would it be best if I enlisted a trainer of some sort? I understand obviously it would depend upon how dedicated I am also.
Second off... how do you actually sign up? I'm aware that you may need to do it through a charity.
I am serious about doing this, but I do understand it may sound a little far fetched. Any advice that you can give me would be much appreciated.
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Comments
The Incredible Shrinking Gaz
Have you thought about running any one of the other marathons held in the UK? I know London is the biggest/most famous, but there are plenty of other marathon events you could enter (or shorter distances, which might be a good suggestion if you’ve not run long-distance before). Check out www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/ for events that might suit you.
In terms of actually starting running – try the couch-to-5k plan from the NHS(http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx). It begins with running for short periods with walking in between, and builds you up to running for 30mins continuously. From there, you’ll be able to increase your distance up to the full marathon distance over the 12 months following a plan similar to this one: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51137/Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program.
It’s certainly not far-fetched, and the fact you’re wanting to raise money for charity is admirable. Good luck!
There are plenty of other marathons and half marathons that you can pretty much guarantee a place on provided you apply early enough and that will still have great atmospheres and give you a massive sense of achievement.
Check out the website and see if there is one near you. All you need to do is register, turn up and run 5k. Your time is recorded to so that you can see your improvement over the weeks. It is completely free and run by volunteers, which you might fancy doing.
I have now complete 44 parkruns and it has certainly got me a lot fitter. Although I could probably run a marathon I just don't fancy it. I have done a half and have booked a couple more of the summer. 13.1 miles is a nice distance and just about right.
I'm not trying to put you off, go for it if its what you want, and I sincerely wish you all the best. I'm just offering an alternative, and a healthier one at that.
I wasn't successful in the ballot (but was for the New York marathon this November) so I ahave to pledge £1800 to run for a charity.
Certainly many people do train in a year or under, but why London? - it's VERY, VERY difficult to get a place, why not run a more local one?. I know a good number of people who have tried year after year, and never got a place - even with raising charity sponsorship and having run various marathons.
I ran my marathon with the help of this book. Really recommended (just ignore the bits about popping ibuprofen - not recommended these days). http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1570281823?pc_redir=1396454192&robot_redir=1
Good luck - a big goal can be exactly what you need to make big changes in your life.
I can't see me getting lucky in the ballot (have to take the charity route for this and last year's GNR) but I'll still apply. Will aim for Dublin or Belfast if I'm unsuccessful but I can't see me ever doing more than one.
I do enjoy a good 10k though and the occasional half.
The ballot opens in the early hours tomorrow.. enter early.. it filled up before lunch time last year. You've about a 1 in 9 chance of getting in via the ballot and they tell you in late September. If you don't get in via the ballot there are plenty of charity places but they usually require £1500 - £2000 minimum fund raising.
My best advice is start running now. Don't wait until October to find out you've got a place and then start.
Either way, if you're serious about running a marathon (London or any other), Inspiration has the best advice. Start running now. You can't start too early, especially not for marathon training. If you don't manage to get into London (or haven't applied), there is the Edinburgh marathon (along with other distances) in held in May which you'd likely have more luck in getting a place.
In any case, good luck OP.
You don't have to run London. For all the coverage it gets, it's not necessarily the best marathon in the world or even in the country.
The ballot automatically closes after there was been 120,000 applications. Your best bet now is to try and gt a charity place but be careful as minimim sponsorship can be around £1800.
There is a 26 week training plan which makes it possible to run from October to the marathon but a lot of applicants already have a certain fitness level anyway due to short ruins it's all about building it up to the 26.2 miles in those few months.
125,000 isn't a low limit... it's just very very over subscribed. 25,000 people entered within the first hour.
They don't know until October as I think they wait that long to fill as many charity places as possible and then allocate the rest to the ballot. You end up with about a 1 in 8 chance of getting in.
If you really want to do London you'll either need to pledge to raise £2000 for charity to get a charity place or pick another marathon.
Have Dublin as my backup if I don't get in, don't fancy the charity route (and even there they tell people to enter the ballot as backup) as I would find the fundraising more pressure than the training. £350 for GNR is bad enough.
I found the fundraising more stressful this year. Especially as I had to pull out mile 8 due to injury and my per mile sponsors gave me less money.
It was 13 miles and i walked it because i hadnt done any running before. I managed it but felt ill afterwards and glad it wasnt any longer! Was a good place to start though if you were looking into longer marathons.
Let's define fitness. Fitness training is training your body to adapt to the demands you place upon it. If any kind of training gives you an overall health benefit then that is a positive whichever way you look at it.
The main benefit of long distance running is that it helps to prevent obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and can improve your mental health.
Studies have also shown that running is (contrary to popular belief) good for joint strength, improving your bone density and does not cause significant damage to knees particularly.
I respect your right to choose whatever fitness regime you feel appropriate, but your remarks about long distance running display a whitewash ignorance and lack of understanding of the concept.
Of course, as is pointed out by other contributors to the thread, take advice (training plans and cross-training routines), join with like minded people, get suitable apparel and train to a level that you are happy / comfortable with.
Compete to whatever degree you like, whether your yardstick is yourself, people of a similar demographic or just for the sheer joy of taking part.
Running for a lot of people is a journey and not just the physical kind. I would recommend it to anyone.