Top run length?

Hi everyone, like many of you I'm running the London Marathon in under 4 weeks now, trying all the tricks I can to make the day go easily...

Everyone knows you're meant to "taper" your training, with the longest run being on or around next Sunday - i.e. 3 weeks before the big day. But does anyone have any idea how long the longest run should be?

On Saturday I went out and ran for 3 hours, but it went much better than expected. I was hoping for 20-22 miles but reckon I did closer to 24. So where do I go from here? I heard some runners will run 30 in training for a marathon, but I hardly want to kill myself. Should I try and run 24 again next week or should I start easing off?

What sort of length runs are most people doing? I know you're meant to measure it by time but everyone wants to know how they're progressing...

David, stop scaring me! Im up to 16 miles, am planning on completing 23 before the big day! :? Hoping that will be enough to get me round! Jess.

Sorry, didn't mean to scare you! :oops:

I guess everyone has to work out what's right for them - but if there's one thing I've learnt it's that running is 80% psychology, and it's nice to have support and reassurance.

All this forum stuff is making me really excited! And there's still 4 weeks to go...

David, 24 miles in 3 hours!!!! I'm feeling quite depressed now!

No, really well done, thats fantastic, but do you really feel you need to get to 30 before hand? I completed my longest run this Saturday, 19.5 miles in 3.20 and I'm not planning on going any further than that!! We have a 17 planned for this weekend then a 10 followed by a 5 the week before the marathon (obviously with shorter runs during the week). Saying that though, both my friend and myself have had a couple of minor injuries, so neither of us want to push it too much, but I've read so many articles and different things on this and other forums saying that if you can get to 16 in training then you can get to 26 on the day!!

I guess though, looking at your time so far, you are on for a damn good one on the day, and I'm obviously no expert, but your indurance is clearly very high and you can without doubt cover the distance, so do you really think you need to go further than you have already? Why not do another long one this weekend then gradually cut it back over the last three weeks.

Good luck, I'll see you about an hour and a half after you cross the finish line :?

Lou
xx

I competed in a 20 mile race yesterday, and that will be my longest distance before the big day. For the next three Sundays, I shall be running 12,14 and 10 miles. I taper off for the last two weeks. I have followed an American marathon training programme for my last two marathon races, and it gave me a p.b. by 15 minutes at last years Stockholm marathon. I hope I can break the 3 and a half hour barrier this time round! I'm a 55 year old female, so you young ones should have no problems! :lol:

I ran 17.5 miles yesterday in just under 3 hours on a very hilly route. This was my longest run so far. I intend to run for 3 hours and 20 minutes next Sunday which should get me up to the 19 - 20 mile mark. 20 miles would be a great psychological barrier to break. I agree with LittleCampDavid in that it is 80% in the mind, I now believe that I can and will complete the marathon whereas a couple of weeks back was not so sure. Keep on running everyone and good luck.

If you can do that - I would be well pleased and start tapering down, but saying that I entered the marathon to get round and have just done a 18.50 mile run today in 3.45hrs. I'm really pleased as I felt reasonably OK most of the way and the weather was atrocious - wind and rain most of the way - but I did it and completed what I set out to do!!!!!!! Still not quite sure where the other 8 miles are going to come from - but I hope I'll get round somehow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as the only other run I've done is a fun run a few years ago! Although I started training in September still not sure whether it is a good idea to take up a marathon career in my mid fifties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great topic thread this. I drove the course this past Saturday, and this influenced my choice of long run on Sunday. At about 19 3/4 miles, the route heads back "home" East to West which for me anyhow is a mental focus. Therefore - long run at the weekend was just over 20 miles which helps me visualize the start of the journey west. May be a load of old cobblers, but helped me!