Nice! Well done. I hate trying to race in the wind.
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So Iāve decided Iām officially targeting sub 4:30 for London, but secretly targeting sub 4:00. I think itās probably a stretch given how many weeks Iāve missed with injury and having never ran more than a half (which Iāve only done once) but i still feel like 9min miles should be doableā¦
It will probably blow up in my face on the day (hence making my public target a bit slower), but thought Iād stick the sub-4 here to try and hold myself accountable for pacing all my training a minute a mile quicker than the 20 week sub-4:30 plan up on the wall.
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@TROSaracen I followed your tip about setting off a bit slower than target pace and I reckon that saved me a lot of time at the end 
Unfortunately the wind was against us from mile 5 to 11.25 and then the real killer from 17.5 to 23.75 and that second stint I couldnāt get to target pace.
There was a few spectacular blow ups and you really do have to respect the marathon, it is not a distance that is easily blagged.
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Nice - the wind was brutal today
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Great work, 3:18 is a very respectable time. As this was your first stand alone Marathon, there will be plenty more time to come on your next one. In Windy conditions, really helps to draft a nice big pack, trouble is finding one that is running at your pace
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@Paul - How did it go at London ?
Iāll throw my hat in the ring, doing Malaga marathon in mid-Dec so 2 months to go. My first was Manchester (so a bit short) in 2014 4:29 which was very tough, then with my first IM under my belt 2015 Mcr 3:56 so well chuffed, but again still a short course. 2016 the course was correct distance and did 3:58 and still had full use of my legs after because I drove home. Then for my 50th in 2017 I did Malta in 3:56 (and 18 seconds quicker than 2015) so my pb. Apart from IM ārunsā not done a standalone marathin since. Losely following a training plan so one long slow (about 1min/mile slower than mara pace) run a week (currently up to 17 miles, which peaks at 21 miles) plus 3-4 faster 4-8mile runs when I can fit them in.
Iām happy Iāll finish but have had knee issues over last couple of years and still need to lose all my covid weight (not too far off now), so I think sub-4 is doable, but it wonāt be fun, which will happen for a couple of days after as weāve made it a long weekend.
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Had to pull out mate sadly as picked up a stress fracture in July and still unable to run. Should be able to defer to next April though so hopefully second time lucky.
Sounds like training is going well, what a nice place to do it as well at that time of year!
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heal well and hope you get the deferal for next year and at least youāve only had to wait half a year
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for @Sparky and me 
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Just arrived, itās effin freezing
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Just like the last time then!
Best of luck guys 
Best of luck fellas
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Bon chance!
Iām still in my pjs thinking about the icy paincave so youāre both winning in my eyes 
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London hat and IM Wales jacket, strike fear into the hearts of the opposition
Good luckā¦ Where is this again?
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Goodwood mara.
Smash it fellas!
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Disaster for me but success for @Sparky
My hips went bang in a big way, stayed with Sparky until 31kms, then shuffled/walked for a very slow 4,25 
Just home and no time, need to head out for LOās piano recital at the church concert. uugh
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Well done sparky, bad luck FP!
Thatās a mara finish though not many people did a marathon this weekend
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Cheers mate. Not sure how I go from doing this same race 2yrs ago and posting a 3.38 to that shit show today. The annoying thing was that calves, quads and breathing were all fine, even my heels werenāt too bad. Just the hip issue which is debilitating when it happens.
Anyway, my proudest moment was after the race. I was in a very bad way when I got home and both Mrs FP and LO told me to shower and rest but I threw on a jumper and jeans and went to LOās church concert. These are the things your kids remember, not a meaningless marathon.
Weāre back now, heating on, curry being cooked and football later. So not such a bad day. 
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