Well done Andy

[andyfuller]

I've decided to train anyway and find an event sometime next spring.

If anyone has any suggestions, that would be appreciated.

Entry for the Berlin Marathon opens at 11am UK time tomorrow. The race isn't until 30th September 2012 though but it is the course where the current marathon record was set.

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/

[Euler]

I managed by best ever marathon at London in 1993. It took me a couple of years of running longer distance races before I felt really ready for the marathon. I never quite managed to break three hours but missed it agonisingly by practically seconds twice. I ran my last marathon in 1996, believe it or not, for Queens Park rangers football club. Long story!

My best distance was 10m to 1/2 marathon for some reason. I could always time my energy, effort and stamina best over those distances. At my peak I could keep up a six minute mile pace quite easily. In 1993 I was actually seeded 117th for the great south run.

Since then career, family and finally injury have left me in not fit state to run but after months of intensive physio I have just started running again properly, though its a bit of a shuffly jog TBH. I am hoping to build some strength and stamina over the winter and do a race again by next spring.

I've loved running over the years and always took trainers where ever I went around the world. The first thing I would do is dump my bags in the hotel and go for a run. A great way to get to see your locale.

I've run through jungles, over beaches, up mountains, through cities, in five foot of snow. Great fun. Just hope I can do it again, even if a bit slower!

[andyfuller]

What was your best time for a half marathon Peter?

I need to do some speed training, hoping that by joining a running club I can get into the habit of following a proper training program as up to now it has all been a bit adhoc.

Not sure if you have tried rowing but I find that is a good xtraining method. Concept2 do good indoor rowers. I find it gives a really good whole body work out and is zero impact so saves the joints.

Would be great if you were eventually able to build back up to completing a marathon again Peter - it would be some achievement!

Have got the Bedford Half Marathon in December but really just doing that as my brother wanted to do it. But did my entry for Berlin 2012 this morning so I think that will be my next fast marathon time target.

[LeTiss]

Strangely enough, my trading has improved greatly since I had a holiday, lost weight and got much fitter

I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or not, but I feel much more alert and energetic, which seems to have assisted my performance

[CaerMyrddin]

That's not strange LeTiss, I've noticed the same effect on me. I also feel I can keep concentration at high levels much longer. So, keep working out!

[Euler]

What was your best time for a half marathon Peter?

Just under 80mins. I used to bounce around 80-85 most of the time.

[Euler]

Hope for us all!

Who, What, Why: How can a 100-year-old run a marathon?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15344238

[LeTiss]

That's quick Peter

In 1992 (as a young lad!), I ran the New Forest half marathon in 1h 33 - and I was delighted with that!

[walshy]

Thanks for that Andy,

I would have loved to have done Berlin as the only time I'd been there before was a school trip in the 80's when the wall was still up, cant do next sept unfortunately.

The runners world resource is great though

[Euler]

That's quick Peter

In 1992 (as a young lad!), I ran the New Forest half marathon in 1h 33 - and I was delighted with that!

How funny, I ran the same race as part of the preparation for the London Marathon in 1993! I can't remember what time I did. I imagine I would have been trying to pace myself for a 3hr marathon so I reckon I would have done a similar time.

[LeTiss]

Haha, how strange is that!

It started and finished in New Milton. Beautiful scenery, I wonder if they still do that race? I think it was in September

[andyfuller]

It is amazing how popular running is becoming not just in the UK but worldwide, I wonder why?

You have to be so on the ball these days to get into races:

10,000 entries in less than 24 hours

2011-10-21

Almost 24 hours after starting online registration for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2012 already 10,000 runners have signed in. There were technical problems during the first two hours after registration had started. A year ago 5,000 entries had come in after 48 hours and it took more than four weeks to reach 10,000. Registration for the first 10,000 participants was 60 Euros. For the next wave, the registration fee is 80 Euros (up to 25,000), and thereafter it is 100 Euros. Participation limit is set at 40,000. The 39th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will take place on September 30th, 2012.

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/n ... hours.html

[andyfuller]

Just under 80mins. I used to bounce around 80-85 most of the time.

Very impressive Peter! A new challenge for me to aim for at some stage

[Euler]

You would think I would have managed a sub 3hr marathon on that basis but I just couldn't do it for some reason. I would always blow up at 18-20miles. The funny thing was that my 10k time wasn't great either, but there was just something magical about 10-1/2 marathon for me.

I think it may have been my training regime. I used to go out and do eight miles over hills near where I lived and that seems to have conditioned me for that distance. It always took me 2-3 miles to get into my stride but from that point on I could feel exactly how hard I could push it and would cross the line with the last bit of energy. Just couldn't get going quickly enough at 10k and ran out of energy too quickly in a marathon.

One of the best things I did was join a club and the club captian would give me a strict diet and regime for key races and it made a huge difference. If you want to do it seriously or target certain times, clubs can be really useful.

[andyfuller]

One of the best things I did was join a club and the club captian would give me a strict diet and regime for key races and it made a huge difference. If you want to do it seriously or target certain times, clubs can be really useful.

I am going to join my local running group as soon as my injury clears up which hopefully won't be long. They have some really good runners in the group I am led to believe so hopefully I can tap into their knowledge a bit.