2018 - I ran just under 2:50, top 70 of my age group
2019 - 6 1/2 minutes faster, top 125.
That about sums it up!
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My last long run before London 18 was -4 in Vienna, almost a 30 degree swing, ITB didn’t help either.
It was insane. I came back from a warm weather training camp in the Algarve on the Saturday evening. I went out to watch the marathon the following morning, and was cooking just stood still in the shade. And that was, as everyone says, after having various HM’s like Reading and Bath be cancelled for snow only a handful of weeks before.
At the time I said “best deferral ever”. Didn’t count on getting as ill as I’ve been in years the week of VLM19 
It was bonkers…i was on the mass start and found a nice bit of shade but people were sweating in the sun at 8am. If it hadn’t been for the reasonable westerly breeze that took the edge off the last 5 miles from Canary wharf I think there may have been considerably more DNFs. I actually quite enjoyed the run as i took a decision at 5km to just ease off and try and enjoy things.
Ive managed to free up sunday morning for this weeks long run… looks a bit cooler early doors.
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So…I was going to do Manchester half marathon, but it goes nowhere near Manchester (Salford and Stretford)…I then receive this
“The Manchester Marathon has announced that part of the route for the 2020 event, taking place on Sunday 5th April, will for the first-time head into the centre of Manchester.”
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Just got back from my LSR. Managed to get in over 3 hours and a total of 31k, going that little bit slower meant I felt much stronger near the end. Though still couldn’t wait for it to finish and to crash into the sofa!
I think I learnt more about how my body reacts to gels, planned on every 30 mins which wasn’t quite frequent enough found I was dipping after 20 mins. Might go for every 25 mins on the day as a good balance.
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I think I read it was changing to a city centre finish a while back Poet. Weren’t they doing a deal with entry for the half and full, although they’ve probably gone now.
I know the half isn’t really in the city, a few people have said it isn’t exactly a scenic course but is supposed to be fast, I sometimes think when there’s a lot of people around you get carried along a little bit.
Jeff
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Just a 6km detour to Deansgate and Town Hall (it’s a good bit)
Yes.
The Manchester half is flat and looks rapid, but no 75 or 80 minute pacers.
The Wilmslow one has every five minute gap up to 75 minutes, which is awesome.
Nice one… sounds llike you’ll be fine. My 20 on sunday was tough. Went out at 3hr pace but had to back off. The last 2 miles hurt. Managed the 20 in 2h27 which isnt bad i guess. I’m hoping its just the accumulated fatigue making it tough. It was a bit humid still yesterday and i’m yet to get my head around the paradox of the hydration vest… i need to carry gels and drink and the vest is the best way to do it, yet i find it harder to cool down when i wear it and so need to drink more !! All well and good if you are taking it slow and steady but it takes its toll when i try and push the pace !
I was running with mine yesterday and it definitely keeps me hotter. I’m not sure what to do for the actual mara as I’ve got quite used to having water available. My t-shirt was completely sodden by the time I finished!
Should I just go with on course water and carry gels with me for the race?
Yes that’s what pretty much everyone does. I have a really slimline Nike ‘fanny pack’ 
t҉o҉ carry gels.
Out of interest, what do you mean by this? Just what I’d call a hydration backpack with a water bladder and some pockets on the straps for gels etc, or something different? “Vest” to me implies a full on piece of clothing you’re wearing, but maybe that’s just me reading too much into the terminology!
They are wearables, bit like a tight hi viz. This one is popular
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/salomon-adv-skin-12-set-running-vest/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=101868139&kpid=101868139&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mckv|spxg8YlcQ_dm|mcrid|295292024608|mkw||mmt||mrd|101868139uk|mslid||&mkwid=spxg8YlcQ_dm&pcrid=295292024608&prd=101868139uk&pgrid=60972124962&ptaid=pla-778279221563&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_absBRD1ARIsAO4_D3th5eNxQWud7vHkIgeGVYGMNqMj-zZ3grQCbWNiwlzI-2y1zX35ScEaAveyEALw_wcB
Thanks. Similar then. Mine is a lightweight, minimalist thing that’s similar to those in main design, but just with a bladder taking up the rear space and then a bite valve tube running to the front, rather than pockets to hold bottles. I guess for longer trail stuff, it’s easier to refill standard bottles?
That and the vests wrap around your body much more so they’re really stable when you’re running. They’ll also have pockets that are easily reachable for stashing stuff, systems for stashing your poles and the like.
This one… it’s great, but like I say, I find it a bit warm on my back. It’s better if I use soft bottles carried in the front pockets rather than a bladder on your back, but this halves the amount of drink you carry…
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Anyone tried the Decathlon running vests?
They seem a good price.
That’s what I got in the end. It’s ok for a few hours but I find I need to open the bottom chest strap after a couple of hours. It doesn’t rub and I can fit in 1l of water and 8 gels in the front pockets. I don’t use the rear pocket for much. I’m sure some of the more expensive ones are better but for long training runs it’s good enough.
The Aonjie one from Amazon has some good reviews and I know people who use it. I didn’t get it because I needed it quickly and it would have taken a couple of weeks to arrive.
Am I massively under selling myself on the gel front? 8 sounds like soooo much! I manage 2 on a training run and was planning on 3 for my race…
The decathlon one didn’t come with the soft flasks when I went to look at it…and they’re quite dear in comparison to the vest.
Or had some muppet whipped them all out?