Runners
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Manchester Marathon 2026 completed, so happy with my run. Training paid off but I got totally seized up with calf cramps way out at 38km, lucky it happened so deep into it. Managed to shake it off and trot through to the finish. Beat my PB by a country mile. Which does to be fair indicate the previous two marathons I had actual injury probs on the day (hence was slow but completed) but this time I felt good all the way. Over an hour quicker than previous.
No injury issues, cramps are cramps, it happens. Delighted and really enjoyed my run, amazing crowd support, great weather and a brilliantly organised event.
Signed up for next year already.
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Well done sounds like a great day. An hour is a lot to shave off, and if you can avoid those cramps that could also bring the time down
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Centurion South Downs Way 50 mile ultramarathon
7 hours 11 mins for 14th place overall
Thanks to a tailwind, ran a lot faster than when I did the same event in 2024 at 8 hours 25 mins
Was a great day, will be back for the South Downs Way 100 in June. Ran that in 17:43 in 2024, so will go for under 17 hours this time
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@Nik Thanks! yeah I could prob go just under 4 if I put in some effort. getting too old now haha. never had calf cramps before, ever, just weird.
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@Nik incredible achievement!
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Have a great time @Jcaz6996 will be tracking you
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@Nik beast mode unlocked
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@Jcaz6996 good luck with this awesome major
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Not the day I wanted, crawled to the finish line .
Didn’t feel great from the start , legs were aching which was odd , started having doubts real early , had to stop and walk at 18miles HR was max which was crazy .
Got going again then came the cramps
A lot of walking
Got going again at 20miles then came the stomach pains , literally felt like I was going to crap myself on mile 23 at this point praying for the finish and to find a toilet .
Definitely didn’t have that on the cards today
Trained hard for a 2:56 but on the day managed a 3:16 gutted .. training was there but the carb load didn’t stick .IG : @luvthefades
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@Jcaz6996 still quite a respectable time. How have you been feeling throughout the week? Any changes in stress levels, disruption in sleep patterns, or dietary changes?
I am constantly amazed at how day to day life can screw up the best laid plans and training.
I have been doing more weight training to build some strength and noticed it has affected my running. Push a little too hard in the weight room one day and run times suffer the next. Not enough sleep and everything suffers…
“…hope that somewhere there's a hobbit with a ring on his way to a volcano.” - Nic
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@Jcaz6996 if it makes you feel any better, I could never imagine doing that in my life... and I would love to, so you're like a superhuman in my eyes!
Not sure if this is your first time running London but congrats either way, you've earned my respect!
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Getting through those blocks takes way more effort than cruising around under 3 @Jcaz6996 so well done on that achievement
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@goosehd I’ve been feeling good had a solid marathon build with weeks of 80 mile weeks plenty of long run MP workouts, did a 2 week taper . But the carb load got me first time doing that and according to ChatGPT i overloaded my gut so when I started running the blood has been drawn away from digestion to the working muscles because my body was under stress my HR spike within the first 3 mins to 174bpm then adding gels to the mix quickly shifted to cramps and then the stomach issues . When I eventually stopped to walk my HR was 185bpm MAX
Looking through my data I ran on that red line for 1hr 58mins crazy no wonder i felt like crap.
Feeling disappointed all that hard work I put in leading up to the marathon and for it to go like that ..IG : @luvthefades
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@Jcaz6996 From my experience you really need to train your gut. Gradually. Practice it in training, especially at race pace efforts and train to gut to tolerate carbs. As for the carb load I go around 6-8g carbs/kg bodyweight 48h out to 10g carbs/kg bodyweight 24 hours out. Then again, I train carb loads as well.
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@Jcaz6996 I know it’s easy to look at what you could have done, but looking at what you did do is impressive as hell. You ran for 2 hours at max hr…the only way you did that is with the training up to that point.
Sounds like you have just about everything figured out and the next race will go much better.
I’m impressed and wish you the best…
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