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Feb 2019
4:39pm, 4 Feb 2019
7,826 posts
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becca7
Wear layers as the weather can vary a lot during the course of 3 hours.
Have some idea of what the marathon you are training for is like and try and run a route that is similar if possible, e.g. in terms of hills and terrain.
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Feb 2019
4:53pm, 4 Feb 2019
1,143 posts
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Little Miss Happy
When you're increasing the distance for the first time, say from 10 miles to 12, tell yourself that you can walk the extra two miles if you have to, as long as you cover them. It makes the increase seem less daunting.
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Feb 2019
5:01pm, 4 Feb 2019
30,340 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
I did a range of advices in the Sub 3:15 thread for "sessions you don't fancy" (either long or fast, or both) like
 go somewhere pretty instead of somewhere you just normally go e.g. go in the hills, if you normally run flat or drive to a park or beach or whatev
 (where's the tortoise icon?!) go slow, if you had set yourself a time or pace target, bin it! Just enjoy the time out.
 pals! Go with a friend, go with a club, go with anyone!
 do your long run in a race, but take it slow and enjoy the social side. Expensive way to do long runs, but great fun.
 Look at the ultra runners, it's more about eating than anything! Run for cake etc.!
Many of these will be common ideas, eh?
G
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Feb 2019
5:08pm, 4 Feb 2019
314 posts
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Muttley
Go slow, slow, slow ... if it feels unnaturally slow, take walk breaks at set intervals. Eg a minute every mile. It drags the pace down less than you'd think.
If you're on rough or lumpy terrain, walk the steep uphill bits rather than forcing yourself up them. I do this with sand dunes.
Go for time rather than distance. Unless you're training for something really long, I reckon beyond 2.5 hours you're into diminishing returns.
Have a reward afterwards. I carry a small backpack and a fiver, and call at my favourite pasty bakery on the way back (just over a mile from Muttley Towers, perfect). And after a shower and a cuppa, a nap.
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Feb 2019
5:09pm, 4 Feb 2019
315 posts
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Muttley
*take walk breaks instead*
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Feb 2019
5:30pm, 4 Feb 2019
40,479 posts
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Velociraptor
Since the main problem I have with long runs is dreading them beforehand, I run them as a series of loops, or set out to do a familiar, manageable route that I know I can extend in various ways without the run becoming either too repetitive or too committing. This does introduce lots of scope for quitting, of course, but I'd rather risk quitting than risk not going out at all because the session is too intimidating.
Having a focus other than just ticking the mileage box can help. Things like training yourself to take a gel at set intervals (using a brand and flavour you like) or learning to cope with periods of boredom can provide a distraction.
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Feb 2019
5:38pm, 4 Feb 2019
13,261 posts
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Autumnleaves
My top tip is to break a long run up into sections and re-start the watch - my brain is easily fooled into thinking it is still in single figures.
Add distance early on - you gave me that tip Fetch
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Feb 2019
6:02pm, 4 Feb 2019
766 posts
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um
Keep it interesting - and plan some known options open to extend or shorten if needed.
Have a purpose and don't worry about time - eg I will often go deer stalking, with camera not gun, and the miles don't seem to matter
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Feb 2019
6:46pm, 4 Feb 2019
5,747 posts
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Southcoastpete
Go out as early in the day as possible, and have something nice to look forward to once you finish.
Which seems to work for me.
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Feb 2019
8:14pm, 4 Feb 2019
273 posts
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roberton
Some good advice here.
I give a big thumbs up to the train idea. Getting a train (or a bus or a lift) to somewhere and running back is great for motivation (you need to get back *somehow*!), variety (it’s likely some of the run won’t be the bits near home you run all the time) and achievement.
The last bit can make a long run something to be proud of. I still think it is pretty cool to be able to run far enough to do what seems like a decent journey by car
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