DFW running club part 4!! ALL ARE WELCOME!!

RichOneday_2

KYCU - Yep, I realise you could go via their website, I was just being a little provocative (unlike me, I know:p).

Jumping through any non-running related hoops to gain entry to a race is always going to cause concern as it is one more step away from being a true sporting event.

Any true sporting event that has more potential entrants than places would ration on the basis of achievement, such that gaining a place would be something to be proud of.

The actual race in the VLM, for instance, where entry is prioritised on achievement is tiny, applying only to those capable of 2:45 or less.

If the VLM was fulfilling its founder's aims, ie to raise the standard of British distance running then a 4:00 marathon runner would have a greater chance of entry than a 4:30 runner and, likewise, a 4:30 runner would have a greater chance than a 5:00 runner.

Unfortunately, that principle has been long lost at the LM and the GNR has gone the same way.

Oo I do like a good grumpy rant!;)

mascott514

becky_rtw wrote: »

Thanks Mascott - all signs are pointing towards a 4 hour mara on 11th April so long as I can stay uninjured till then

Do you have a goal in mind for London?

Still a bit early to say. As my mileage builds over this month I should have an idea.
At the moment I think 4.30 will be my aim.

A sub 4 would be amazing, but I really think you could do it.!

becky_rtw

Mascott - we'll probably pop down on the day to watch all other things being equal so let us know a bit nearer the time and we can track you online

becky_rtw

Oh and I want these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/run/8/Nike_Lunaracer_AW09/5360037260/#more

But that is wayyyy too much to spend on racing shoes...

becky_rtw

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

*On-off lurker sneaks in*

Hello! I really want to take up running and would love to enter the GNR this year as I think it would give me some focus and incentive. So I gather this ballot is a 'names in a hat' type thing - you enter but aren't guaranteed a place? Is it worth entering the Mirror thing or are you better off just waiting for the main ballot to open (which has more places)?

Also I've been having a look on the site and can see that they ask you for your estimated time -I have no clue as I've never ran before, can anyone advise on what would be an average sort of time for a 28 year old woman?

Thanks!

Dont know about GNR (I won a place last year for free so I know about the race but not about entry...), but honestly I wouldnt enter a 13 mile race as my first!

(I did a 10 mile race as my first and trust me it was HARD work - wish I started with 5ks like everybody else!)

If you are insistent though how far can you run at the moment and in what time, enter it into the calculator here:
http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/mcmillanrunningcalculator.htm

And it will give you a 'rough' time for every distance

Tete_en_l'Air

Thanks very much Becky that's really helpful! I know it's a big race for a first one, but I figure it's 9 months away so plenty of time to work up to it. If I get a place on the GNR (and even if I don't come to think of it!) I'd like to enter smaller races in the area throughout the spring and summer by way of a build up!

RichOneday_2

becky_rtw wrote: »

Oh and I want these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/run/8/Nike_Lunaracer_AW09/5360037260/#more

But that is wayyyy too much to spend on racing shoes...

They look like very thick soles for a racing shoe.

Remember that most racing shoes will last a very long time because of the rarity of use - you might get 3-5 years out of one pair.:D

beer_tins

Racing shoes, eh? I've never bothered, to be honest. What is the feeling on them? Do they really help that much?

becky_rtw

RichOneday wrote: »

They look like very thick soles for a racing shoe.

Remember that most racing shoes will last a very long time because of the rarity of use - you might get 3-5 years out of one pair.:D

I know but you got yours for £20 and if I spend more you will laugh at me

BT - I need them now because I'm just at racing weight and it quite possibly could get me under the 24 minute mark a few weeks early :rolleyes::D:D

becky_rtw

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

Thanks very much Becky that's really helpful! I know it's a big race for a first one, but I figure it's 9 months away so plenty of time to work up to it. If I get a place on the GNR (and even if I don't come to think of it!) I'd like to enter smaller races in the area throughout the spring and summer by way of a build up!

Okay no worries - bear in mind its quite a hilly race with your training - you'll prob need to do some hill work as well as the usual flat mileage :D