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mdunn77
1545 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:07:25 AM
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I've never run a marathon before and I want to do my first next year and I will do so at Edinburgh if I don't get a club ballot place for the FLM - I an very keen on running the FLM. Why? It's a huge event and I want to take part in it. That, for my first marathon, would be an incredible experience. Whether it turns out to be a good run or not is a different matter, but it'd be a great experience.
I do actually prefer smaller races, but taking part in a huge event from time to time is a buzz.
Pete - you bite one hand off, I'll gnaw at the other 
'You know you're a runner when you are tired, it's late, the weather's lousy and you can't wait to get outside.' - John L. Parker, Jr. |
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PeteStockdale
416 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:07:49 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by aluaka
Pete: You ARE a real runner ..... I was just relating to my own personal experience - that London was an almighty dream that I NEVER expected to achieve - and is a proud fact that I have finished it not just once but 3 times.
I just feel that because I STILL want to run and don't need to do London again (personally) I feel that I am a runner rather than someone chasing a dream.
Your experience of London is clearly more special to you than it has become to me.
That's the beauty of us all being individuals! And being able to share our own views and opinions.
Alan Lacey
Chairman UKnetrunner
Sorry, I'm a bit touchy this morning and getting riled by people (predominantly elsewhere in cyberspace) getting high and mighty about the FLM and how it "isn't a proper race, for proper runners". And yet these people still enter the ballot and run, and then moan about it afterwards. "I'll be using it as a training run for marathon X (I can't remember which it was) and may drop out before the docklands cos that bit's boring" is one example quote.
I just needed to vent my fury and you got in the way. Sorry  
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"I just felt like running" - F. Gump |
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MarkWillcocks
1275 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:08:16 AM
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Pete,
i,d like to do it but the rigour that goes with it and other BIG races dismays me, charity places are a real bug bear for me, raise £1500 and you can run for us!!!!  if you want to do charity £1 or £1500 is it fair to people who just want to run??? and then the Jade Goody scenario ......stop me ...i,m on one....
i react emotionally when i,m let down as i guess you feel this morning, a good blast gets it out of the way....i will do London one day....just as i acheived a tick box by running the British 10k with 25000 others this year just for the hell of it and big day feel....
as Alan says the dream is still alive...
He who dares Rodney, he who dares. |
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Heavyweight
1453 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:09:34 AM
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FLM was also the reason why I (originally) started running in 2000 and I enjoyed it immensely (and the two other times I ran), just like many thousands of others have done. There is no denying that running in such an enormous event with the vast number of spectactors gives a certain buzz.
But there is also no denying that for a very average runner like me there is a lot of hassle associated with the event - entry system, travel, congestion, etc. Also there is just sooooo much hype surrounding it thats there is no surprise that some get a little ticked off by it all.
There are probably almost as many reasons for running as there are runners - and everyone has their favourite races/events - so its just each to their own I guess. |
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PeteStockdale
416 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:20:10 AM
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Oh yes, Mark, don't get me started on the Jade Goody's of this world either.
The whole charity issue is one that doesn't sit easily with me either, but I do realise that sometimes people need a reason to challenge themselves and if doing it for charity X for whatever reason is the incentive for them to get off the sofa and become a runner then that's great. And without the charity aspect it wouldn't be the race it is.
But, I wish the regular runner could be a bit more involved, and that charities didn't sell themselves to the highest bidder regardless of allegiance to the charity, personal reason for being involved etc.
It's a shame there is only one marathon of this size in the UK. The American's have New York, Chicago and Boston - surely we could support another very big (bigger than Edinburgh and over 20,000 runners) marathon...
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"I just felt like running" - F. Gump |
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fishyweb
2311 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:21:07 AM
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I'm a reject. Might have a go at the club ballot, depending on how injury recovery progresses...
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Steve |
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Dips
4077 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:25:00 AM
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Pete, the club places are usually in a draw fashion, so you have as much chance as anyone. Try not to be too disappointed, with your running potential you should be able to aim for a good for age for next year. Why not consider Edinburgh, still a bit of a city feel to it, quite a few of us did it last year.
London is a good event and what ever everyone's opinion of it, 1000's want to run it every year. Sadly it has become a bit of a charity event with some failing in the draw year after year and charities demanding VERY large sums of money.
However, it is like a lot of high profile road races...the Great North and New York for instance, strangely enough they don't attract such negative opinions.
I don't agree that London is overpriced, I have done 4 city marathons and entry has been about the same for all..around £30. When you consider the cost of hosting such an event £30 is a fair price to pay.
At the end of the day, we all have a choice and should respect that everyone has different feelings about races they run.
Dips x
Running is real and relatively simple…but it ain't easy.
--Mark Will-Weber |
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aluaka
1727 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:41:11 AM
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quote:
However, it is like a lot of high profile road races...the Great North and New York for instance, strangely enough they don't attract such negative opinions.
Don't start me on Great North Run .....
And when a mate of mine ran New York he was most disappointed at how drab it was!
Alan Lacey
Chairman UKnetrunner |
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StephenPrice
2113 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:56:20 AM
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This has created a healthy discussion.
I think London is BRILLIANT. I've run it once and loved it. I've got no issues with charity places - okay so people use it as a route to gain guaranteed entry but if that means £1500 is raised for charity when it otherwise would not be surely that's good. They put the effort in to make it round the 26.2 miles so why do "regular runners" deserve more of an opportunity. Some of these charity runners probably complete the marathon quicker than regular runners - does this make them more or less deserving of the spot. Neither, in my opinion.
Jade Goody was an isolated case, most of the celebs raise lots of money for charity and don't take place off anyone. I know from experience that there really aren't many celebs that run - I started with them and pushed them out of the way
When you enter FLM you KNOW the start will be congested and it is not the ideal circumstances for a PB. If you are fortunate enough to get near the front then you may avoid these problems, the way to do that is relatively simple - run quicker.
I admit that my experience of FLM is likely to be different to anyone else on here. But that's the point, everyone has their own experience and their own enjoyment of it. What some people hate about FLM, others enjoy. I would much rather run FLM than any smaller event. The support was phenomonal and makes up for the lack of inspiring views.
Anyway, Pete, you should be guaranteed entry in 2010 once you've got your fresh sub 3-hr and qualify as good for age |
Edited by - StephenPrice on 03 Oct 2008 12:06:30 PM |
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StephenPrice
2113 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 12:08:28 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Dips
I don't agree that London is overpriced, I have done 4 city marathons and entry has been about the same for all..around £30. When you consider the cost of hosting such an event £30 is a fair price to pay.
I'd say it's a bargain. You've got to factor in the road closures, marshalling/policing, drinks (water & Lucozade), goody bag at the expo, medal, goody bag @ race finish etc. etc. In my opinion, it's probably the best value event I've run. |
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DaveM
608 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 12:20:04 PM
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I got my tent this morning - if nothing else I may be able to use it if I enter the RNR next year, or plan to go to the Leeds Festival / Glastonbury!
I am one of the supporters of these large oversubscribed events. A lot of runners (like myself) got interested in running through events like the GNR, so I would like my first marathon to be a large event, with plenty of sights to take my mind away from the pain!
DaveM
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MarkWillcocks
1275 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 12:41:28 PM
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i,m very much not against running for charity and ideed see that as a good thing. ...my grumble is with the ethics of such... One of the first posts i read when joining this site was about charity places still being available for a big race and race entry closed!!! did it get filled???? who knows....did another runner miss out on the chance to run for his local charity and hence the bigger charities monopolise???
He who dares Rodney, he who dares. |
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Laura Foster
1146 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 12:46:59 PM
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I've run London 5 times. After #2 I vowed never again for all the reasons given - overcrowded, etc, etc. Only then I decided I wanted to go back and beat my demons and prove that I could enjoy it. And I've never looked back.
Part of it for me is that it is my local marathon - I run the Croydon 10k cos it's 2 miles down the road, and the London marathon cos it is 10 miles by train. I'm sure if I lived in Edinburgh I'd never have done it after the first time!
Still waiting for the post.... |
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Dips
4077 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 1:18:54 PM
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I've run London 7 times and always say never again!!  Infact I think I say never again at some point in every race I run. Some like the Great North I don't do ever again but that is my choice and I don't think less of anyone that wants to do it 101 times.
For me I enjoy the whole package of London, the build up, the training and the finish!
Dips x
Running is real and relatively simple…but it ain't easy.
--Mark Will-Weber |
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Twinkle Toes
184 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 2:17:40 PM
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Well It was only the one ever marathon I wanted to do... and within a year of running did it....
I didn't vow never again.. I vowed.. I want to do it again WHEN i can do it justice...
I loved it... the atmosphere, the organisation.... the build up......
Would do it again at the drop of a hat... (if only I had the time to give 6 months up to the training again!!!) |
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Ballot results
