Valencia Marathon 2018

and still ricky villa

Just getting the ball rolling on this
Race, flight and hotel booked

Anyone else from this parish looking at this?

sideswipe

Considering it.....were are you flying in to?

and still ricky villa

I'm flying into Madrid and getting the train over. I thought about another flight but I've a sister in Madrid who recommends the train if you can avoid flying. No check in, delays or waiting around.
Dennis Bergkamp might have been on to something

ISOP

I'm in

ThePiedPiper

Ryanair to Madrid great value at €35 each way. What’s the story with trains?

and still ricky villa

Trains are tricky to work out. The marathon page is selling return tickets for €90 which if you take bags into account and the lack of air travel stuff you have to do, it could be decent value.
You can't seem to book them in advance yourself though but I'll probably wait until a bit closer to the date to book and ask the sister for her local knowledge

MrMacPhisto

and still ricky villa wrote: »

Trains are tricky to work out. The marathon page is selling return tickets for €90 which if you take bags into account and the lack of air travel stuff you have to do, it could be decent value.
You can't seem to book them in advance yourself though but I'll probably wait until a bit closer to the date to book and ask the sister for her local knowledge

They start selling the seats around 8 weeks out. Keep an eye on the Renfe site. Got first class seats (drink,newspaper, sandwich, choc and big seats) return for around 70-80euro return last year. I think the ticket was only 1 or 2 euro more expensive than standard fare. The renfe site isn't great to be honest. The discounted fare offered to marathon runners is only on full price tickets which are pretty expensive.

Highly recommend train. Airport express bus goes from outside arrivals in Madrid to Attocha every 15 mins or so. Takes around 20 mins to get to Attocha. 5 euro for single ticket. Some decent cafes, museums etc within 10 min walk of Attocha if you need to kill time before train. Train takes around 2 hours and you arrive to Joaquín Sorolla station in Valencia. Taxis, buses and metro close by to the train station.

MrMacPhisto

If you guys are looking for a good carb fix on the Saturday afternoon/eve I can recommend this place:

http://www.restaurantelapappardella.com/

Centrally located for a bit of tourism, great pasta and pizza, and for any companions the tiramisu is pretty special I will leave Itziger to recommend the Cerveza venues!

chabsey

This is no doubt a stupidly obvious thing but has anyone else found that on many marathon websites they have a count down (165 days left etc.) but they do not make it obvious when the actual marathon is on??

I decided to look into the Valencia one and it's the second or third time that I've gone to a marathon website only to find it difficult to see the actual dates the event is held on. You can calculate using their 'days remaining' countdown but surely it's not too much to ask for the dates to be made obvious?

No doubt the next reply will be a screenshot of a huge date in the middle of the site that I've missed

and still ricky villa

That's a good point. You have to jump through a few hoops to get there
If you go to the https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/ site and then hit the Marathon heading the ads start to rotate
The second one for the course and 3rd for registration give the date

chabsey

Thanks, so it's not in your face right away, thought I was going mad.

and still ricky villa

My flight from Dublin to Madrid has been cancelled already with Iberia.
Never had a flight cancelled before. Do I panic and start ringing Iberia, wait for a refund or wait for them to reschedule?

Diablo Verde

Signed up for my third go at this. Will be interesting to see what difference the cooler (probably) temperatures will make.

and still ricky villa

Do you think the new route will make much difference?
I'm not seeing huge changes, a few less turns, but it's hard to tell when you're only looking at a map

Itziger

and still ricky villa wrote: »

Do you think the new route will make much difference?
I'm not seeing huge changes, a few less turns, but it's hard to tell when you're only looking at a map

From what I've seen the changes since 2017 are minimal. Since 2012 they were a bit more significant but for us amateurs these tweaks will mean (next to) nothing.

MrMacPhisto

I have booked accommodation with free cancellation.... just in case.....

and still ricky villa

Itziger wrote: »

From what I've seen the changes since 2017 are minimal. Since 2012 they were a bit more significant but for us amateurs these tweaks will mean (next to) nothing.

Speak for yourself, pal :P

Duanington

Strongly considering this one, so the best way to get there is fly to Madrid and train it to Valencia?

Itziger

Duanington wrote: »

Strongly considering this one, so the best way to get there is fly to Madrid and train it to Valencia?

Probably, yeah. Check other possibilities just in case. Barcelona and Alicante, or via somewhere to Valencia itself. I went through Barcelona last year, train is easy from there too.

Rossi7

Flew into Alicante, short taxi ride to get the train into Valencia. Fairly handy and cheaper option when I last booked

and still ricky villa

Strava group just added with a nice map of the route
https://www.strava.com/clubs/454143/group_events/336942

hot buttered scones

I'm in. I was doing Frankfurt, but I don't think I'll be ready in time, so this seemed like a good one to do. Flying into Alicante and Air BnB booked. Hotels seem very expensive. I just have to start training now.

goodtiming

This is going to be my first Marathon. My 20 week schedule starts today so the timing is pretty good
I've booked flights into madrid and I'm hoping to take the high speed train on the Saturday....so if anyone finds a good deal on the train tickets I'd appreciate the heads up. Cheers.

and still ricky villa

goodtiming wrote: »

This is going to be my first Marathon. My 20 week schedule starts today so the timing is pretty good
I've booked flights into madrid and I'm hoping to take the high speed train on the Saturday....so if anyone finds a good deal on the train tickets I'd appreciate the heads up. Cheers.

There's some info on the train here
https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/marathon-news/35-per-cent-discount-on-renfe-trains-to-speed-to-the-2018-valencia-marathon/

goodtiming

and still ricky villa wrote: »

There's some info on the train here

That's fantastic, thanks for that. I find the marathon website a bit confusing to get around so appreciate the help.

I've arranged my airbnb to stay in Valencia till the monday....I don't fancy walking around/travelling too much on the Sunday so I might have to arrange the trains myself....they don't look like they have a "special" one running on the Monday.

hot buttered scones

and still ricky villa wrote: »

There's some info on the train here
https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/marathon-news/35-per-cent-discount-on-renfe-trains-to-speed-to-the-2018-valencia-marathon/

I was looking at that - but I'm staying until Monday and those trains are coming back on Sunday. I'm thinking of renting a car.

and still ricky villa

There are special offers on the flights on the site too.
The only one I see worth looking at flying from Ireland may be the 10% off Iberia flights.
That said I booked to fly with them on Friday, coming back Monday and they've cancelled the Friday flight.
I couldn't see anything too special about the KLM/Air France option

I booked my hotel through here too. Not much of a discount or anything but a nice late checkout, shuttle to the start etc
It'll probably come as standard but this being my latest swansong I may as well treat myself

hot buttered scones

and still ricky villa wrote: »

There are special offers on the flights on the site too.
The only one I see worth looking at flying from Ireland may be the 10% off Iberia flights.
That said I booked to fly with them on Friday, coming back Monday and they've cancelled the Friday flight.
I couldn't see anything too special about the KLM/Air France option

I booked my hotel through here too. Not much of a discount or anything but a nice late checkout, shuttle to the start etc
It'll probably come as standard but this being my latest swansong I may as well treat myself

I'm flying out of Dublin by Ryanair to Alicante at 10am-ish on the Friday and back on the Monday at around 2.30. €267 return for 2 of us including Priority boarding and cheap booked seats. Dunno if any if those flights are any good to you. Herself booked a nice looking apartment in the City Centre with Air BnB. I'll probably just get a taxi to the start

Itziger

I'll probably end up doing this again once I figure out how to tell the wife that I won't be staying with her Da. Might compromise and stay with her brother!! He lives about 150 metres from Tyris on Tap, if it's still open and operating. I was thinking of doing an October one but I'm in Spain on hols and the heat and humidity are sucking the joy out of running. Tossing and turning all night and then you finally get a bit of shut eye and it's time to get up and out. The beer, wine and copious amounts of food aren't helping much either. 
On a side note; has anyone clicked on the Training Plans on the official marathon site? Jeez, the sub 3 one is so different to what I do. Hardly an easy run in sight in the last 6 weeks or so. I'll probably fly into Barcelona again and train it down. (****e, just remembered our friends in Barcelona are moving to Madrid........) Ach, we'll see. 
Seems like a bit of a bunch doing Valencia then.

goodtiming

I'm getting in to Madrid at 5pm on the Friday Via Ryanair, so I've decided to stay the night there and have a look around....I've never been so it's a good opportunity.
Sat and Sun in Valencia and then back to madrid on the Monday for another night in Airbnb...
Back home on Tuesday morning with Ryanair...
The flights including seats and priority boarding were only 97E.

and still ricky villa

Signed up for the half on October 28th this morning

sideswipe

Anybody know when/if this sells out usually?

Itziger

sideswipe wrote: »

Anybody know when/if this sells out usually?

I don't think it sells out early although it is getting more popular year by year. They're super communicators on FB so I hope they give a warning if they're getting near full. I want to wait a bit as the Visa has taken a massive hit on holidays. The flights to Barcelona were about 55 euros so can't complain there.

MrMacPhisto

For those considering flying to Madrid and taking the train to Valencia, the Renfe.es website now has the trains updated. I picked up return tickets for 68euro (first class on the friday for 46eur and 22eur for economy class on the monday). Good luck with the booking process as it is not the most intuitive site, you will need your passport number.

Itziger

Well, I've had a bloody nightmare start to the training programme for this. After taking a heat-enforced break on Summer hols I said I'd better get cracking and was in high spirits starting the Hansons' plan. After feeling some discomfort in the left leg for a few days, I headed out to do a 8x600 session. At the beginning of rep 2, pop goes the RIGHT hip. Not discomfort or sore but really painful. That was Tuesday and I did go for a little tester jog yesterday even though I knew it was unlikely to have healed. It hadn't! Got me half a mile done. 
Probably my own fault for not keeping the glute/hammy/hip/core exercises up. I'm hoping it doesn't take much longer to heal now and I do still have a fair bit of time to Valencia but I would need to get going soon if I want to do justice to the plan. Might use this thread to update every now and again as I don't have a log.
Hope the rest of ye are doing a bit better.

and still ricky villa

Jaysus, sorry to hear that. The fecking heat is causing havoc. I'm just back from a torturous 16 "easy" miles in 22 degrees. Training has been full of ups and downs for me. Hopefully you're hip is just a warning and nothing a few days rest won't fix

Duanington

Took a bit of a down week myself last week while away on hols, back into it since last Saturday with a couple of good sessions in the bag since then. Recovery run later. The heat has really been a pi$$er at times alright, yesterday's session was zero craic.
I'm getting a bit more strict with myself when it comes to recovery runs\warmups\down. Something that usually slips away from me as I start to feel fitter and stronger.
Sorry to hear about the niggle Itziger - a physio visit might be the trick

ThebitterLemon

Duanington wrote: »

Took a bit of a down week myself last week while away on hols, back into it since last Saturday with a couple of good sessions in the bag since then. Recovery run later. The heat has really been a pi$$er at times alright, yesterday's session was zero craic.
I'm getting a bit more strict with myself when it comes to recovery runs\warmups\down. Something that usually slips away from me as I start to feel fitter and stronger.
Sorry to hear about the niggle Itziger - a physio visit might be the trick

Physio Double D?

At his age he'd need a taxidermist

Hope you back at it soon D

TbL

Itziger

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Duanington wrote: »

Took a bit of a down week myself last week while away on hols, back into it since last Saturday with a couple of good sessions in the bag since then. Recovery run later. The heat has really been a pi$er at times alright, yesterday's session was zero craic.
I'm getting a bit more strict with myself when it comes to recovery runs\warmups\down. Something that usually slips away from me as I start to feel fitter and stronger.
Sorry to hear about the niggle Itziger - a physio visit might be the trick

Physio Double D?

At his age he'd need a taxidermist

Hope you back at it soon D

TbL

Physio booked for Thursday. Taxidermist on holidays till Sept. Thank the heavens it wasn't the other way around.

sideswipe

Giving serious consideration to this now so looking into flight etc. Unfortunately I need to be back home for Monday morning so was looking at Ryanair's direct flight to Dublin from Valencia at 4:35pm. Just trying to figure out of it's doable time wise, can't see a race start time on the website- anybody know?

and still ricky villa

sideswipe wrote: »

Giving serious consideration to this now so looking into flight etc. Unfortunately I need to be back home for Monday morning so was looking at Ryanair's direct flight to Dublin from Valencia at 4:35pm. Just trying to figure out of it's doable time wise, can't see a race start time on the website- anybody know?

Race start is 8:30am local time. They hide it well

and still ricky villa

Just to be precise

ThebitterLemon

sideswipe wrote: »

Giving serious consideration to this now so looking into flight etc. Unfortunately I need to be back home for Monday morning so was looking at Ryanair's direct flight to Dublin from Valencia at 4:35pm. Just trying to figure out of it's doable time wise, can't see a race start time on the website- anybody know?

It's doable but you need to be organised, you'd need a hotel reasonably close to the finish and preferably access to a shower you'd also definitely need to have a taxi pre booked.

Preferably hand luggage only and boarding card ready to go

I've managed tight same day returns a number of times in the past, just takes some good planning!

TbL

sideswipe

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

It's doable but you need to be organised, you'd need a hotel reasonably close to the finish and preferably access to a shower you'd also definitely need to have a taxi pre booked.

Preferably hand luggage only and boarding card ready to go

I've managed tight same day returns a number of times in the past, just takes some good planning!

TbL

Decisions, decisions......could be tight, especially if the race doesn't go to plan!

AuldManKing

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

I've managed tight same day returns a number of times in the past, just takes some good planning!

TbL

or a mid race injury............

ThebitterLemon

sideswipe wrote: »

Decisions, decisions......could be tight, especially if the race doesn't go to plan!

Look at the bullet train options to Madrid and flights back to Dublin from there, if I remember right they were late evening flights, might give you more time

TbL

ThebitterLemon

AuldManKing wrote: »

or a mid race injury............

Fcuk you

That was temper tantrum planning, hoping for a sub 3 and spend the night in a bath of skittles, ended up pulling out and spending a small fortune booking entirely new flights home that evening!!!

Run faster Sideswipe!!!

TbL

OOnegative

AuldManKing wrote: »

or a mid race injury............

He’s certainly not the Magnus Magnusson of marathon running, he might start but pound to a penny he won’t finish.......

ThebitterLemon

OOnegative wrote: »

He’s certainly not the Magnus Magnusson of marathon running, he might start but pound to a penny he won’t finish.......

Like I said young fella, when you come within a mile of my PB gimme a call 🀣

TbL

OOnegative

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Like I said young fella, when you come within a mile of my PB gimme a call 🀣

TbL

As I said before, it won’t take me 10,000 marathons like you to run that PB.

and still ricky villa

I feel a wager coming on