I ran London this last year, which was my first marathon. I'd done a few halfs before that but was coming bac to running after a nasty injury and surgery.
As others have said the important thing is to get that long slow run in at the weekend - not worrying about pace as much as time on your feet. The furthest I ran in training was just over 20 miles. If you can find people to do that run with - or even part of it - it helps. I listen to podcasts if I run alone!
It's then also good to do a shorter run in the week at race pace, as well as some sort of speed work.
Also, get yourself a foam roller and a tennis ball. Roll your legs, glutes and feet a lot and don't forget to add in some core strength and stretching sessions. That will help get you through in one piece and still enjoying running!
As already suggested make sure you train with the nutrition you are going to have on the day. It may be that the race is sponsored by some company and they hand stuff out at the water stations to save you carrying it. Make sure you have tried it in training if you intend to use it. I pretty much have an iron stomach but a lot of people find running + unusual food is a bad combo!
Good luck with it, it is a great experience and achievement when you cross that finish line! I wrote a rather long post after running London, some of it is London-specific but might be of interest for another first timer http://rachelandrew.me.uk/blog/2014-04-14-i-ran-the-london-m...
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I ran London this last year, which was my first marathon. I'd done a few halfs before that but was coming bac to running after a nasty injury and surgery.
As others have said the important thing is to get that long slow run in at the weekend - not worrying about pace as much as time on your feet. The furthest I ran in training was just over 20 miles. If you can find people to do that run with - or even part of it - it helps. I listen to podcasts if I run alone!
It's then also good to do a shorter run in the week at race pace, as well as some sort of speed work.
Also, get yourself a foam roller and a tennis ball. Roll your legs, glutes and feet a lot and don't forget to add in some core strength and stretching sessions. That will help get you through in one piece and still enjoying running!
As already suggested make sure you train with the nutrition you are going to have on the day. It may be that the race is sponsored by some company and they hand stuff out at the water stations to save you carrying it. Make sure you have tried it in training if you intend to use it. I pretty much have an iron stomach but a lot of people find running + unusual food is a bad combo!
Good luck with it, it is a great experience and achievement when you cross that finish line! I wrote a rather long post after running London, some of it is London-specific but might be of interest for another first timer http://rachelandrew.me.uk/blog/2014-04-14-i-ran-the-london-m...