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Accidental Marathoner - 2012 DCM 3.30 goal
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Donadea 50k
Where to even start...I've read a few reports from other runners here, so I'll not repeat all the same stuff, except to say that it was a great race, fantastically well organized and run, well done Anto and all the volunteers.
Arrived well early as I didn't know how long it would take to get there, but the provided directions were spot on and I managed not to get lost, which was great (and probably a first for me). Got registered (nice goodie bag and Tee) and went for a wander to get my bearings. Sat back in the car for 20 minutes with the heated seat on as my back was quite sore when I woke up in the morning. I imagined that the heat eased the pain a bit and at 9.45, I got my sh1t together and headed down to the table to leave my goodies (I was a bit underprepared as I had to go to a removal on Friday evening, so I just grabbed a load of stuff from the cupboard at home - 2 packlets of Belvita biscuits, Rice Krispie squares, Wispa and water). I was in a bit of a world of my own before the start, I suppose I was nervous, so I kept my head down and headed to the start line.
I had planned on doing an 8.30 pace, so after the initial start shenanigans, I settled down at that pace, in a group of three or four. Got chatting to a chap who turned out to be grahamor and before I knew it, we were finished the first three laps. I was feeling fine so I didn't stop at the aid table, except to grab a bottle of water from the volunteers. On the fourth lap I started feeling a stabbing pain in my left calf. It started to subside and became a kind of dull ache. I stopped on lap 5 to have a pee and tried to stretch the calf to see if I could loosen it up, but I couldn't isolate the specific area. It wasn't hurting too badly at this stage so I got back on track and fell in with two guys from the 100 mara club. These guys terrified me with tales of their 30 marathons a year.
Before I knew it, 6 laps had passed and I had nothing more that a half bottle of water and a couple of the cups of dentist mouthwash that the SiS guys were handing out. During the 7th lap I started to feel hungry. The two 100 mara guys had pulled ahead and this was my first time running alone, so I did a quick inventory. The calf was still sore, but everything else was OK. I then made the mistake of thinking that finishing was going to be easy as it hadn't been bad thus far. Doh! Needless to say it was all downhill from then on
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The winner passed me and I had to run through the a finish line with everyone cheering and clapping for him, while I still had three laps to go. I stopped and got half a wispa from my bag and set off on lap 8 slowly, nursing a deep sense of self-pity at how unfair the world was as I still had three laps to go. When the chocolate was gone, I told myself to cop on and started running again. Up to the end of lap 7, my pacing was the epitome of consistency:
0:27:39 0:26:03 0:26:14 0:26:07 0:26:28 0:26:03 0:27:14
I knew I was losing a bit of time now as I had walked a bit on lap 8 and I could feel myself slowing up on the "undulations" at the back of the course (which seemed bigger with each passing lap). I also started feeling what was my biggest fear coming into the race - boredom and familiarity. One thing I hate is repetition and I always try to run different routes when I am out as I get bored with routes very easily, so I knew that 10 laps was going to be mentally hard for me to cope with. I think it was at the end of this lap that MarthaStew passed me, I was certainly grateful of the chance to slow down to encourage her to pass me as she was doing so bloody well.
I decided that now would be the time to get some music on to distract my brain. I stopped at the table to get my mp3 player only to discover that I had left it in the car :eek:. This was deeply upsetting to me and only served to highlight even further the unfairness and injustice of the world! I had to settle for the other half of my wispa as consolation and set off on the last but one lap. This lap had the marathon cutoff, so that was the immediate goal at the start of the lap. I hit the 26.2 mile point in 3:48 and then set out into the previously unknown territory of ultrarunning. It was really just one foot in front of the other stuff at this point. Coming up to the 4k point of the lap the guy there shouted to me that I only had one lap left and to keep going. It was only at this point that I realized that all the people around the course were actually marshals! I had thought that they were just random supporters and family members. Sometimes I surprise myself with just how slow I am on the uptake
Onto the last lap and my only thought was that there was no way I wasn't getting that medal. Pretty uneventful lap apart from the fact that I caught and passed a few people on the way around, including one of the 100 mara club guys who had lost me earlier, so that gave me a bit of a lift. At the 4k point I high-fived the marshal and thanked him for the encouragement and I knew that I was on the home straight. As I got to the last corner, I saw two guys about 20 yards ahead of me and decided to try and catch them. I wouldn't call what I did a sprint finish and I can only imagine what it looked like, but I passed the two lads (who I must add, had no intention of racing me!) just before the line to finish in 4:33 and in 46th place. Pace for the last three laps fell off a good bit compared to the first seven:
0:29:30 0:28:00 0:29:46
It was great to have people at the finish cheering on the finishers, it was very much appreciated. I went over to congratulate Marthastew (and Joe) on a great race and got some Rice Krispie buns and hot chocolate (thanks Joe!), but I started to feel very cold so said my goodbyes and got back to the car for some warm, dry clothes.
I never felt it at the time, but when I got home and pulled the ZO tape off the inside of my foot (there to prevent blisters), a big chunk of skin came off with it to expose a lovely piece of pink flesh. I made the stupid mistake of getting into the bath with that exposed and it stung like f*ck :eek:.
Overall, I had a great day and delighted to tick a 50k finish off the list. The stiffness is now wearing off and I can still feel my calf, so I'll probably leave the running for a day or so.
Thanks again to all those involved on the day who helped make it such a great day, especially Anto!0 -
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Marthastew wrote: »Oh no, feckin calf;) I was hoping you'd be joining Mr S and I on a run along the coast soon. If it doesn't clear up in a week you should get it looked at.
we were near your gaff early on Sunday busting a gut and I was thinking you were probably enjoying a nice leisurely family breakfast:)
I did a few miles on Monday night and it felt ok, so I'll try it again tonight. If you're going early on Sunday, let me know, I'll see if I can fit it in among Mother's Day duties
No chance of me having a nice breakfast on Sunday. The two youngest were invited to a birthday party in Sandyford. At 10.30 in the morning. Who the hell has parties at that time (apart from Winston Wolf, but that's a whole 'nother type of party ) ?? 0 -
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I did a few miles on Monday night and it felt ok, so I'll try it again tonight. If you're going early on Sunday, let me know, I'll see if I can fit it in among Mother's Day duties
No chance of me having a nice breakfast on Sunday. The two youngest were invited to a birthday party in Sandyford. At 10.30 in the morning. Who the hell has parties at that time (apart from Winston Wolf, but that's a whole 'nother type of party ) ??
This Sunday we will be up bright and early but we're heading to Bohermeen:) The following Sunday is Mother's Day as RK points out below. I'm not sure you going for a run is part of Mother's Day duties. Take it from me (a mother;)) the only present Mrs Paulie wants is for you to hand over some cash and take the kids and yourself away for the day:)
We are doing a really nice group LSR on 9th from Howth if you fancy joining us?RunningKing wrote: »you scared me there Paulie. Just getting over Wifeys b'day today.
Mothers day is 10th March.
I hope you got her something really nice (see above for ideas if you're stuck;))0 -
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Marthastew wrote: »This Sunday we will be up bright and early but we're heading to Bohermeen:) The following Sunday is Mother's Day as RK points out below. I'm not sure you going for a run is part of Mother's Day duties. Take it from me (a mother;)) the only present Mrs Paulie wants is for you to hand over some cash and take the kids and yourself away for the day:)
We are doing a really nice group LSR on 9th from Howth if you fancy joining us?
I hope you got her something really nice (see above for ideas if you're stuck;))
Apologies for any panic caused RK. Sure, wasn't it herself that told me it was this Sunday. You've hit the nail on the head there regarding her wants MS, taking the kids for the day.
What's the plan for next Saturday ? (and time ?)0 -
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so, here's the shiny new 10k plan. I hope it's right as I've broken out the colour printer to get me a fridge-mounted copy. Target race is the Kildare 10k on 12th May
I'm looking forward to starting it as I've been a bit aimless since Donadea. Another two weeks of junk miles before starting.0 -
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I love running.
I just figured out on Saturday why I do. It's not to do with racing as generally I don't like racing. I'll never be more than a mid-packer and that's fine with me, I don't have the time, discipline or inclination to make myself more than I am. Even as a youngster there was nothing I liked better than Tuesday and Thursday nights training with the club, as these nights meant long runs around the streets. It was only 5 miles, but at 14 it felt like a lot more. Also, I don't particularly like the raceday atmospheres. This is moreso at large events like DCM, GIR etc. than at the smaller events. I find crowds strange to be honest, as people act differently than they do as individuals. I've heard it said before that a person is clever, but people are stupid. I don't know if that's true or not, but people definitely act differently when they're in a crowd.
Neither is it related to fitness. Sure I can appreciate that I am fitter now than I was three years ago when I weighed two stone heavier and smoked. But day-to-day, while sitting at my desk in work or whatever, I don't feel fitter, but there is no doubt that I am.
No the reason I love running is that it allows me to see places that I wouldn't normally see (while making me fit of course ). I'm lucky where I live in that I am close to the sea, Howth, Killiney, canals, rivers, mountains etc. There's nothing I like better than heading out for a run with just a distance in mind, but not a route. You never know what you might see, from gangs of pyjama'd girls walking down sheriff street, to naked women in cars in the Phoenix park, from the fabulous wealth of Dalkey and Killiney to the less salubrious surroundings of the Royal Canal path, from the peace and solitude of the Dublin mountains to the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street. There is always somewhere new to run, something new to see. To be honest, I'm a bit of a maps and geography nerd, so I love seeing anywhere new.
My other 'hobby' is photography and not having lived in Dublin all my life, I am amazed at the amount of stuff that the natives take for granted, but it gives me a great sense of wonder. The dubs tend to be quite insular, knowing their locale quite well, but not anywhere else. It perplexes me to talk to natives who've never been to such-and-such a place when it's only up the road.
Anyhow, enough of the waffle. I started my 10k plan last night. It's a week ahead of schedule, but I will probably have to go to Seattle for a week next month (trails in the Cascades and Olympic peninsula hopefully, maybe a visit to the Luna sandals shop) so while I will get to run there, it will be hard to follow any plan. Last night consisted of a 2 mile warmup, 7x400m @ approx. 6.00 pace with 200m recovery plus a mile warmdown (was supposed to be a 2 mile warmdown, but I cut it short as it was freezing and the match was soon starting). The last few reps had me pretty tired, especially as the stretch I picked to do them had a slight incline and was straight into the wind. I think I'll do these reps at the track in future.
In other news, I've become a bit of a running pied piper with various members of my wife's family running with me over the past few weeks. It feels strange to be the running expert, dispensing advice and tips :P, but it's fun and it makes general runs more enjoyable (if not a good deal slower). I've talked three of them into signing up for the Samsung night run in a few weeks time, so I'm on the hook for getting them trained up for it. God love them...0 -
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Weds: 40 Minutes easy, about 4.5 miles. Very easy
Thurs: Intervals. Couple of miles warmup then 4x 4mins at approx. 6.15 pace with two minutes in between. Plan said that these intervals should be run at ~162 HR, but while doing warmup, Garmin said HR was at 220 and was doing 9 minute pace :rolleyes:...0 -
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Saturday: Met up with statss in Ticknock. I was doing an 80 minute easy run. he was doing his last 'long' run of his taper for first marathon in Connemara this weekend. Why he picked mountain trails for the run I don't know. Mountain trails in the snow. In road shoes! Thankfully he didn't come a cropper and we now have a convert to the mountain running fraternity. In fairness, it was beautiful up there. Sun was shining, cold wind blowing and there was a decent amount of snow. In fact, enough snow to pack out the trails and make for a real easy run. Where you're normally hopping rocks and avoiding holes there was just lovely packed snow which was plenty grippy (with the right shoes of course
). Some icy patches around, but mostly great. Lovely view of snowy hills as far as the eye could see too, which was nice. 90 minutes running/walking
Tuesday: 2m warmup followed by 5x800m @ 6.00 (mile) pace with 400m recoveries in between, followed by 2 miles warmdown. I don't know why I run metric distances and measure them with imperial paces, I just do. I'm having problems adjusting to modern life I guess.
Wednesday: 6 miles easy. 'twas the first day this year I ran without a hat. Hooray for sunshine.0 -
:pac: yeah it was pretty silly in light of the snow etc... but thanks for showing me around all the same, trails shoes being bought next week and Tibradden IMRA race in May earmarked...so yep, converted is right
Good luck with the sub 40 10k.0 -
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actually something that has been bothering me since it happened in Saturday's race: with about 1k to go I was passed by a man and woman (big shock there!!). I stayed pretty close behind them and I could her the man talking to the woman. I though at first that it was only encouragement, but then realised that he was pacing her. He kept counting the distance as we got closer and then said that when they got around the final bend that she was on her own. When we got around, he dropped out and she was left to fend for herself. After the finish I saw him coming to talk to her and he didn't have a number, so obviously wasn't registered to run.
Is this carry on common ? I've never seen it before. It pissed me off at the time, mainly because he was giving her distance seemingly every 20 metres, which I could have done without.
I passed her in the sprint, just so I wouldn't be annoyed by it all day. First world problems I know...0 -
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