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rainbow kirby wrote: »
Waterford half. You?
And thanks again for appearing with that tin of celebrations even if I did eat most of them!!0 -
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Waterford half. You?
And thanks again for appearing with that tin of celebrations even if I did eat most of them!!
Probably going to do a 5k in December just to see where I'm at, and target the Raheny 5 (if I don't break 40 this year I *will* cry, 40.13 and 40.30 in the last 2 years). Not sure after that, next marathon will most likely be DCM next year, won't be ready for one in the spring though I might do the half in Cork.
Glad you enjoyed the sweeties - well you *did* have something to celebrate
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I wrote one yesterday but lost it. Will write it again tonight when the kids are in bed.
Funny thought I saw you in Mr Slow's log complaining about a lack of a report...pot kettle black and all that
Don't make it as long as CL's though, I used my quota of coffee for the day to get through that
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rainbow kirby wrote: »It's all caffeine, unfortunately. Cutting down on Coke Zero hurt
No Coke Zero, seriously :eek::eek::eek:. I'd give up running before I'd give up my coke zero. Respect for giving that up0 -
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I did write up a second race report but lost that also on the iphone.... I swear, honest..... am now on a laptop, but this will be the condensed version, 15 minutes to Downton Abbey!!
Preparation for DCM
My preparation was less than what I would have liked. I had chunks of weeks with no running, but I always felt that a sub 4 would be there for the taking for me. I felt good physically beforehand and had got some nice long runs in during Sept/Oct. Also the PB in the half was a great confidence booster.
First half
Positioned myself in front of the 4 hour pacers and just hoped and prayed that they would stay behind me. Same strategy for the half. To be honest I was feeling very warm for the first few miles, a bit sluggish too. My mile pace was hovering around 8:50-9:00 and I couldn't seem to rein myself in. I was having flashbacks of Newry and there was no way I was having that. My pace seemed to settle after 10 miles or so. I passed the half sub 1:58 by my garmin. I was also conscious that my garmin beeped well before each mile marker.... another thing to take note off as every second counts.
Second half
I remember this half being much more enjoyable for me last year, althought the first half was good too. The family were camped out at Bushy park. Hubby said I looked very comfortable. Not so, I was feeling the tiredness from then on..... every mile, I was getting more and more tired. The pace was dropping too, up to 9:10-9:20 - hopefully I had gained enough seconds in the first half to not make this an issue. And there was no way I was looking around for black balloons. I had a friend at the Dropping Well and family at Milltown. I thought the final hill before Fosters Avenue would never come, that stretch seemed endless. Another friend on the avenue. He said to dig in, that sub 4 was in the bag. I told him I was tired, he said 'you're supposed to be'. I thought the downhill and flat stretch all the way home would be satisfying in some way, nope..... I was experiencing such fatigue. Mrs Gazelle and Matt passed me at the UCD flyover and I felt like I was a snail plodding along compared to them. But there was no way I was giving up. Mile after mile..... I just put the head down and kept going. so many casulties along the way. I was never so happy to see the finish line. Chip time 3:58:05 (garmin read 26.42, as if 26.2 wasn't long enough!! :rolleyes:
Post race thoughts
During the last few miles and at the finish line, I never felt so tired. I said 'never again'. I had to take 5 mins at the barrier at the finish line to close my eyes and just stand still. A steward offered to walk me up to get my medal and he apologised but he would have to move me along. I was so emotional and drained until I got to McGrattens that I felt like I was an extra in The Walking Dead
It's now nearly a week later and for the past few days I've been analysing. I am definitely doing another marathon, maybe Cork next year. I have lots to work on, I need new shoes, I need to experiment with more gels, I need to follow a tougher plan (maybe, that's up for discussion!). I think I can do sub 3'55 or sub 3'50.
I know this sounds very ungrateful but I'm not as euphoric as I thought I would be about the sub 4. Yes, I am delighted and it is a great achievement but I know there is more in me.
I have had 2 runs since DCM, a 3 and a 4 miler, both fine. I actually felt I could have gone out running on Wednesday I was so recovered!
Next on the agenda is the Waterford half. PB is 1:48:24. Not sure if I can do any better than that at this point to be honest.... but I'll give it a try.
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I think I can do sub 3'55 or sub 3'50.
I know this sounds very ungrateful but I'm not as euphoric as I thought I would be about the sub 4. Yes, I am delighted and it is a great achievement but I know there is more in me.
I know exactly how you feel, see below!Krusty_Clown wrote: »It's the bitter taste of unfinished business.
Bottle it.
Keep it safe.
Unleash it for your next marathon.0 -
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