Is it too early to start this 
Technically I’ve got a race as I’ve deferred my Brass Monkey place this weekend, I’ll need to pay again but didn’t fancy that much distance this weekend when I knew I’d get carried away and not jog round 
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I have entered Manchester Marathon today.
Target 3h10m - 3hr20m
PS £85 with fees… tier one had gone, think that was £79 with fees
Tier 2 was £79 plus the £5.xx booking etc
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I went to the dentist this morning. My dentist (V55 category) ran Manchester (2hr51m) on Sunday and “felt pretty OK today” - he didn’t even take yesterday off of work. I’m in pieces for days after a marathon. He’s running London on Sunday as well - as you do (he’s not quite as bonkers as TC though).
Anyway, he mentioned that he might run London next year again but try and raise money for charity. The charity he was thinking of is Myeloma UK (Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer) - which he remembered was what my mum had (and some TT family members). He then said maybe we should both run London next year… They only way I’m getting on that start line would be a charity place and this would anyway be the only charity on my mind. He gets a GFA every year easily but for me it would charity or ballot.
Hmn… maybe I should chat to him some more about this…
PS. He said that he thought Manchester at the weekend was excellent - he thoroughly recommends it.
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I had differing experiences at Manchester, first time in 2017 was utter misery but partly my fault, although there seemed to be long dull sections without much support.
Second time about 4 years ago was much better, slightly different course, much better support, it’s a big field so lots of people to follow.
I’m sure you could get a GFA but would involve some focus and a qualifying race before it opens!
Easier said than done!
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Yeah, if I were to try for a GFA what I’d probably do is hope to get a good block of training and then run one of the Goodwood racing track marathons - you can pretty much enter these at any time up to the day of the race (and they’re only about 8 miles from home so no logistics to worry about) - but you’ll be exposed to the elements on that course and hardly any sheltering/drafting with other runners. As you say I’d need to focus and not get injured - and I’d need a marathon PB on the day. Easy.
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I’d realistically need 3h - 3h2m for GFA (wiggle room)… officially 3h07m atm, until they drop it again.
I thought I was close at one point but I’m not so sure now.
My current VDOT has me at 3h12 high, Runalyze at 3h12m30, Garmin 3h12m50, various other estimates / methods in the 3h16 - 3h20 bracket.
If I did six weeks with long runs with some quality I am certain I could achieve a significant PR, although we will never know because I am not going to try it. 
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PS any one doing Manchester 2027 and thinking of doing a 18 week Marathon training plan that would start on 14/12/2026
And,
London ballot opens this Friday
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I age up to V55 this year, so have a shot at GFA if I could get a good block of injury free running in.
That is a very big IF though at this age!
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Its only 5 minutes slower though.
3h12 isnt it?
Yeah, it’s not much slower, but every little helps!
Ironman have already started spamming me for 2027 races opening and to be quick!
Fruity can relax for now as Lanza wasn’t mentioned 
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