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DCM 2014: Mentored Novices Thread
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Sore throat, chesty cough.
Crazy to run yeah ?0 -
Pacing Mule wrote: »Sore throat, chesty cough.
Crazy to run yeah ?
I think you know the answer to that yourself;)0 -
Hi I'm a bit late to this thread but loving the advice and chat. Really excited now.
Have you raced before? If so what are your PBs? (Date and distance please!)
I ran the Frank Duffy 10 in Sugust, 78:04 (a first so also a PB)
I ran a Fit For Life 5k in August also, 21:38 (also a first/PB)
Recently ran the Dublin HM in 1:41:08 (also a first/PB)
Do you still need to take walk breaks in your training ? (No problem if you do)
No unless interval training
How much training do you currently do ? Distances, how many days a week, cross training - whatever you think is relevant to your current fitness level.
I train 5/6 days a week
Tuesday and Thursday are usually speed and strength intervals (5x 1 miles at 7.15 pace with 90 secs rec or 10x 1k 60 secs recovery), Tuesday run is alternated with 9-11 mile easy/steady run. Weekends are easy 6-8 miles Saturday and long run Sunday. Have alternated long runs (16-18-20) with long slow and steady and fast finish runs.
What do you want to achieve? Dream finishing time and realistic finishing time?
Or just complete it in no specified time?
Finish happy having graduated into 'cruise speed' hopefully break 3:30
How many days a week can you train?
5-6
Why are you running this marathon?
Needed motivation after I started jogging in January after a break of a few years and two kids. Also a long 'To Do' list!
Welcome aboard! A female yes?
Great to have yet another on board. The women are ruling this thread this year:D Super times there too. Sounds like you have it all under control:)
Are you running those sessions with a club?
Best of luck with the last few weeks!0 -
Thanks, female yeah :-) I started running with my local running club in August and just recently officially joined. Would have been rude not to as I credit them with my improvement this summer (ok and hard slog too!). Can't wait for the 27th, just have to keep the pacing under control (mucked it up in HM). Will the 3:30 pacing group run it evenly? Heard a horror story that one year the first mile was 6:30 pace, urban myth surely?!0
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Thanks, female yeah :-) I started running with my local running club in August and just recently officially joined. Would have been rude not to as I credit them with my improvement this summer (ok and hard slog too!). Can't wait for the 27th, just have to keep the pacing under control (mucked it up in HM). Will the 3:30 pacing group run it evenly? Heard a horror story that one year the first mile was 6:30 pace, urban myth surely?!
Great stuff.
Yes even splits the whole way. I think they ease up a little on the uphills and ever so slightly pick it up on the downhills but no crazy stuff like you mentioned above.
Nearly all the pacers are Boardsies so obviously they are the best there is in the pacer world;) Good idea following them if you have trouble with the pacing.0 -
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Thanks, female yeah :-) I started running with my local running club in August and just recently officially joined. Would have been rude not to as I credit them with my improvement this summer (ok and hard slog too!). Can't wait for the 27th, just have to keep the pacing under control (mucked it up in HM). Will the 3:30 pacing group run it evenly? Heard a horror story that one year the first mile was 6:30 pace, urban myth surely?!
Would 3:30 not be a bit optimistic given the race times youve posted above?
Most people recommend setting a conservative target for the fist marathon.
With that half time the calculators would give you a time of about 3:32 but most people seem to say that you should not aim for the time they give for a marathon and aim for a slightly slower time.0 -
Ah great and thanks! And it goes without saying about the boardsies being the best0
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Also guilty!
Bless me Fr for I have sinned...
Had an office lunch on Monday that constituted of Domino's Pizza - after a chinese takeway on Saturday. A bit too keen on the little treats with a cuppa too many nights too.
Really have to direct more of my dedication into being good with the diet.
Yep,
I am a guy that too has sinned a lot. I found that Duck Tape was the best option for me!!
I did a really crappy 14.5 mile / 23Km run a few weeks ago post a lovely 'Chicken Peking and Fried Rice' plus a full bottle of red wine to myself and that was the 'Eureka moment' for me.
My local Chinese has laid off several staff since I quit eating their lovely foodand now I am drinking the odd Non Alcoholic Beer and sitting in a Buddah position on the couch eating Pasta and Salads only. Plus the odd bit of 'Dark Chocolate' (Read that Gwen Jorgenson #1 Female Tri-Athelete swears by it
).
Worth the pain methinks!!0 -
Hi Adrian, perhaps a bit ambitious yes. Training times are better than HM suggests (ran a panicked race, have learnt from it!). Nevertheless I passed the 10 mile mark in 76 mins, an improvement of two mins on the Frank Duffy the previous month. We'll see and I shall probably eat mud (or the person's shoes ahead of me at the finish line) but I shall most likely start at the back of the 3:30 group. I am taking all the first time marathon advice on board and have a second and worst case scenario time0
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Would 3:30 not be a bit optimistic given the race times youve posted above?
Most people recommend setting a conservative target for the fist marathon.
With that half time the calculators would give you a time of about 3:32 but most people seem to say that you should not aim for the time they give for a marathon and aim for a slightly slower time.
Yep good advice there from adrian Dubgal looking at your half marathon time you should definitely go for a way more conservative target. Double plus 20 mins is usual advice given.0 -
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Nicely timed advice there...
Just back from seeing ecoli about my foot and I have to take at least ten days off running.
I probably could make it around the 26.2 miles but I don't think it would be pretty. Ecoli agrees.
Just as well I was leaving it until the last minute to register.
Disappointed obviously but also a bit relieved as I wasn't happy with last week's 20 miler and don't think this week's would have been any better.
Now where's that Belfast novices thread....
Best of luck to all and big thanks to ososlo.
Hard luck Frash.Know how you feel. Belfast is on my shortlist too as contingency :-)0 -
Yep good advice there from adrian Dubgal looking at your half marathon time you should definitely go for a way more conservative target. Double plus 20 mins is usual advice given.
Double plus 20? This is something I'm struggling with. Ok so, back in August I did the HM in 90mins after a good 10 weeks training which peaked at 19 mile LSR. Therefore; target time is 3:20+/-. (Mcmillan gives 3:10)
But have been a bit injured since then so I missed 2 or 3 LSRs in end of August but back going well in September, by start of taper will have done 3 or 4 runs in 15-20 mile range and 2 at 20plus. (Along with recovery runs etc)
with this in mind, I'm afraid my stamina will be a bit weaker? So had downgraded to a 3:30 target. is that still a bit hard or soft? I know everybody is different etc, but is there a trial I can do to see where I am?
Sure a million people have their own pacing selection issues...it's just so hard to find a pace that will be hard but not too hard for ~3.5hrs!0 -
Double plus 20? This is something I'm struggling with. Ok so, back in August I did the HM in 90mins after a good 10 weeks training which peaked at 19 mile LSR. Therefore; target time is 3:20+/-. (Mcmillan gives 3:10)
But have been a bit injured since then so I missed 2 or 3 LSRs in end of August but back going well in September, by start of taper will have done 3 or 4 runs in 15-20 mile range and 2 at 20plus. (Along with recovery runs etc)
with this in mind, I'm afraid my stamina will be a bit weaker? So had downgraded to a 3:30 target. is that still a bit hard or soft? I know everybody is different etc, but is there a trial I can do to see where I am?
Sure a million people have their own pacing selection issues...it's just so hard to find a pace that will be hard but not too hard for ~3.5hrs!
There are tests like Yazoo 800s but I don't think it's a good idea to do something like this at this stage and I don't know how accurate they are really anyways for a novice runner.Imo, seeing as you've had a good month of training in September and are injury free, I'd go out at 3:30 pace to ensure you have a good experience and pick it up at 18/20 miles if feeling really good. Maybe you would be capable of 3:20 but it might be best to be a bit more conservative due to the time you've had off with injury.
I know it's really tough trying to come up with a target pace, but best pick something you can feel confident of rather than aiming a bit too high with the fear of blowing up.
Have you been doing any mp in training and what pace did you do it at and how did you find it? Is the injury completely gone at this stage?0 -
There are tests like Yazoo 800s but I don't think it's a good idea to do something like this at this stage and I don't know how accurate they are really anyways for a novice runner.Imo, seeing as you've had a good month of training in September and are injury free, I'd go out at 3:30 pace to ensure you have a good experience and pick it up at 18/20 miles if feeling really good. Maybe you would be capable of 3:20 but it might be best to be a bit more conservative due to the time you've had off with injury.
I know it's really tough trying to come up with a target pace, but best pick something you can feel confident of rather than aiming a bit too high with the fear of blowing up.
Have you been doing any mp in training and what pace did you do it at and how did you find it? Is the injury completely gone at this stage?
Thanks Ososlo (are you changing your name to "Osomightyone"?)
Yep, all for starting a bit slower. Hence the downgrade! Injury long gone, it was an acute hamstring strain so dissipated once it was let heal and long (slow) running doesn't tweak it at all.
See below my splits for Saturday's LSR. (with a funny accidental split at 4km and fixed at 19!). I was going on HR (aiming for lower 140s) until I opened the throttle in final 8-10km.
Split Time Moving Time Distance Avg Pace Avg Moving Pace Avg HR Of Max
1 06:01.3 06:01 1 06:01 06:01 132 69%
2 06:47.8 06:31 1 06:48 06:31 129 67%
3 05:50.1 05:38 1 05:50 05:38 137 71%
4 04:31.6 04:32 0.79 05:44 05:45 137 71%
5 05:47.0 05:30 1 05:47 05:30 140 73%
6 05:24.9 05:25 1 05:25 05:25 143 74%
7 05:38.9 05:39 1 05:39 05:39 142 74%
8 05:25.3 05:25 1 05:25 05:25 145 76%
9 05:30.8 05:31 1 05:31 05:31 145 76%
10 05:27.8 05:28 1 05:28 05:28 147 77%
11 05:20.8 05:20 1 05:21 05:20 142 74%
12 05:32.5 05:33 1 05:32 05:33 141 73%
13 05:32.5 05:33 1 05:32 05:33 141 73%
14 05:26.0 05:25 1 05:26 05:25 140 73%
15 05:36.6 05:37 1 05:37 05:37 140 73%
16 05:40.5 05:41 1 05:40 05:41 140 73%
17 05:39.0 05:38 1 05:39 05:38 141 73%
18 05:30.0 05:30 1 05:30 05:30 143 74%
19 01:11.3 01:12 0.21 05:37 05:40 142 74%
20 05:43.2 05:37 1 05:43 05:37 142 74%
21 05:26.4 05:27 1 05:26 05:27 145 76%
22 05:22.6 05:22 1 05:23 05:22 147 77%
23 05:25.7 05:26 1 05:26 05:26 146 76%
24 05:20.4 05:20 1 05:20 05:20 149 78%
25 05:17.2 05:18 1 05:17 05:18 151 79%
26 04:59.0 04:59 1 04:59 04:59 155 81%
27 04:56.6 04:56 1 04:57 04:56 157 82%
28 05:01.8 05:02 1 05:02 05:02 157 82%
29 04:57.3 04:57 1 04:57 04:57 160 83%
30 04:48.6 04:49 1 04:49 04:49 161 84%
31 04:51.4 04:51 1 04:51 04:51 164 85%
32 04:44.6 04:45 1 04:45 04:45 164 85%
33 04:46.5 04:46 1 04:47 04:46 166 86%
34 04:38.7 04:39 1 04:39 04:39 170 89%
35 :02.6 :03 0.01 03:22 03:52 171 89%0 -
Hi ,
Like Dubgal I missed the start of this thread. I have been reading it for weeks but did not realise it was possible to still join until I saw her post! Seems like we are at a very similar level also. Here's my details
Have you raced before? If so what are your PBs? (Date and distance please!)
I've been running since 2010 regularly, often with just 1 or 2 races a year but I joined a club June 2013 so have been training consistently and racing a lot more frequently since then.
I ran the Frank Duffy 10 mile in August, 75:48 (2nd 10 mile race PB)
10K PB July 14 , 44:40 (also a PB)
5 K PB April 14, 20:58
1/2 Marathon PB Sept 13, 1:41:35.
I did the Athlone half this year and it went drastically wrong, was hoping for a sub 1:40 finish, was bang on pace at 10K, but I think due to the heat I was a bit dehydrated and had a bad reaction to my gels (High 5 isogels, had been using them for more than a year) and my stomach went, had to crawl to the finish in 1:48 ;-(. Confidence took a big knock, and has been difficult to get back into a good positive mind set for the marathon since this. Although last Saturday's 22 miler LSR did a lot to restore my confidence.
Do you still need to take walk breaks in your training ? (No problem if you do)
No
How much training do you currently do ? Distances, how many days a week, cross training - whatever you think is relevant to your current fitness level.
I am in a club and Tuesday and Thursday I attend training sessions with them.
We have started doing the tempo run at the Tuesday session so last night was 5 miles at just under 8 minute mile pace on Grass.
Thursdays are usually 12 x 400ms with 100 meter recovery in between. The aim is to do each 400 meters in 100 seconds, but the pace is often faster than this.
Saturdays I do my LSR, have done 3 x 18 miles a 20 miles and last weeks 22. Find I am very effected by heat, the LSRs go well on cool days, tougher on hot days.
I usually do a short (6K) recovery run the day after my long run.
And then one pacier run about 10 K one evening during the week.
I foam roll most evenings, have been finding it brilliant for keeping the injuries at bay.
What do you want to achieve? Dream finishing time and realistic finishing time?
Or just complete it in no specified time?
My coach thinks I am capable of 3:33. I'm not so sure, finding it hard to decide what pace to run at. Would be over the moon with a 3 thirty something finish, but it's my first marathon so I would also be happy to get through it feeling well and in control with a 3 forty something finish. Never want to feel like I did in the Athlone 1/2 again.
How many days a week can you train?
I train 4/5 days a week
Why are you running this marathon?
I've always wanted to do a marathon. I also want to prove that my body is capable of it. I was pregnant with my second in 2011 when my husband did a marathon and I promised myself when I saw him crossing the line that I would definitely do one too.
Any advice on recommended pacing would be must appreciated. Was thinking of going between the 3:30 and 3:40 pacers (so possibly around 3:35)
Best of luck to all.0 -
Thanks Ososlo (are you changing your name to "Osomightyone"?)
Yep, all for starting a bit slower. Hence the downgrade! Injury long gone, it was an acute hamstring strain so dissipated once it was let heal and long (slow) running doesn't tweak it at all.
See below my splits for Saturday's LSR. (with a funny accidental split at 4km and fixed at 19!). I was going on HR (aiming for lower 140s) until I opened the throttle in final 8-10km.
Split Time Moving Time Distance Avg Pace Avg Moving Pace Avg HR Of Max
1 06:01.3 06:01 1 06:01 06:01 132 69%
2 06:47.8 06:31 1 06:48 06:31 129 67%
3 05:50.1 05:38 1 05:50 05:38 137 71%
4 04:31.6 04:32 0.79 05:44 05:45 137 71%
5 05:47.0 05:30 1 05:47 05:30 140 73%
6 05:24.9 05:25 1 05:25 05:25 143 74%
7 05:38.9 05:39 1 05:39 05:39 142 74%
8 05:25.3 05:25 1 05:25 05:25 145 76%
9 05:30.8 05:31 1 05:31 05:31 145 76%
10 05:27.8 05:28 1 05:28 05:28 147 77%
11 05:20.8 05:20 1 05:21 05:20 142 74%
12 05:32.5 05:33 1 05:32 05:33 141 73%
13 05:32.5 05:33 1 05:32 05:33 141 73%
14 05:26.0 05:25 1 05:26 05:25 140 73%
15 05:36.6 05:37 1 05:37 05:37 140 73%
16 05:40.5 05:41 1 05:40 05:41 140 73%
17 05:39.0 05:38 1 05:39 05:38 141 73%
18 05:30.0 05:30 1 05:30 05:30 143 74%
19 01:11.3 01:12 0.21 05:37 05:40 142 74%
20 05:43.2 05:37 1 05:43 05:37 142 74%
21 05:26.4 05:27 1 05:26 05:27 145 76%
22 05:22.6 05:22 1 05:23 05:22 147 77%
23 05:25.7 05:26 1 05:26 05:26 146 76%
24 05:20.4 05:20 1 05:20 05:20 149 78%
25 05:17.2 05:18 1 05:17 05:18 151 79%
26 04:59.0 04:59 1 04:59 04:59 155 81%
27 04:56.6 04:56 1 04:57 04:56 157 82%
28 05:01.8 05:02 1 05:02 05:02 157 82%
29 04:57.3 04:57 1 04:57 04:57 160 83%
30 04:48.6 04:49 1 04:49 04:49 161 84%
31 04:51.4 04:51 1 04:51 04:51 164 85%
32 04:44.6 04:45 1 04:45 04:45 164 85%
33 04:46.5 04:46 1 04:47 04:46 166 86%
34 04:38.7 04:39 1 04:39 04:39 170 89%
35 :02.6 :03 0.01 03:22 03:52 171 89%
ha ha yeah perhaps a name change in the not too distant future:D
Ok I don't work in Kms so I hope I don't get this wrong but basically you wanna run just under 5mins/km for the mara for your 3:30. Going on the above that would seem like a very doable task for you. Your heart rate didn't raise too much at all until you picked it up later in the run.
If anyone faster/more experienced wants to jump in please be my guest!
Imo 3:30 very doable for you and maybe a bit soft.
How about going out at 3:25 pace or did you want to run with pacers?
How did you feel on that run for the easy bits (very easy?) and how did the mp (I presume that's the effort you were going for towards the end of that run) feel?
As a matter of interest, how did you find out your max heart rate to work out the % of max?0 -
ha ha yeah perhaps a name change in the not too distant future:D
Ok I don't work in Kms so I hope I don't get this wrong but basically you wanna run just under 5mins/km for the mara for your 3:30. Going on the above that would seem like a very doable task for you. Your heart rate didn't raise too much at all until you picked it up later in the run.
If anyone faster/more experienced wants to jump in please be my guest!
Imo 3:30 very doable for you and maybe a bit soft.
How about going out at 3:25 pace or did you want to run with pacers?How did you feel on that run for the easy bits (very easy?) and how did the mp (I presume that's the effort you were going for towards the end of that run) feel?
The last few (and yes was aiming for MP but overshot a tad) were a bit more stressful but not in a swallowing air sorta way? very hard to describe!As a matter of interest, how did you find out your max heart rate to work out the % of max?0 -
Hey all, I have finally gotten around to posting on the thread-I have been following it from near the start of training and have been enjoying the reports, ups and downs etc from everyone-it has helped my me get through my downs! So I'm not technically a novice, having run DCM 2012 but I suffered with my ITB badly towards the last few weeks of training last time so my build up to DCM 2012 was lots of physio, foam rolling, panicking and sleepless nights but I managed to complete it with a little help from some difene. This time around I have been determined not to get injured so have been religious with my pre and post stretching, foam rolling etc and so far so good-besides falling down the stairs in work last week (don't ask-but luckily escaped with some cuts and bruises!!). Anyway 10 Miler race series was 81.58 mins (not a PB) which I wasn't happy with-had a bad day and also had hit a bit of a wall/negativity in training but I redeemed myself with a PB in the Half 1.43.48 and my motivation has been reignited so all going well I am hoping to get in under 4 hours in the Marathon. One last LSR this Sunday (after a wedding in Tyrone on Sat :-/) so hopefully complete that and then it's tapering time/trying to stay injury free. Really looking forward to DCM this time around and feeling more confident! Just wondering if anyone has any advice for the week before the marathon in terms of what to do/what not to do-ie I cycle in and out of work each day (19k roundtrip) and I go to the gym 2 days to do free weights/core stuff and then 4 days running so just wondering if I should lay off the cycling to work and gym the week before or maybe even the 2 weeks before or should I just stick with my routine??Want the legs to be totally fresh on race day! Before DCM 2012 I was injured so did very little the few weeks before unfortunately! Thanks all and look forward to keeping up with everyones logs in the run up to the big Day!0
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Hi ,
I ran the Frank Duffy 10 mile in August, 75:48 (2nd 10 mile race PB)
My coach thinks I am capable of 3:33. I'm not so sure, finding it hard to decide what pace to run at. Would be over the moon with a 3 thirty something finish, but it's my first marathon so I would also be happy to get through it feeling well and in control with a 3 forty something finish. Never want to feel like I did in the Athlone 1/2 again.
Any advice on recommended pacing would be must appreciated. Was thinking of going between the 3:30 and 3:40 pacers (so possibly around 3:35)
Best of luck to all.
To me (going on your 10mile pb which is the most accurate reflection of your current ability?) it seems an aggressive target but who am I to question a professional's opinion! He knows a lot more about running and about your training than I do obviously! So all I can give you is my personal opinion based on what I've been reading about marathon targets on boards and elsewhere for a few years. I'd go for somewhere around 3:43 if I were you to ensure you have a good experience for your first. If you want to follow pacers, then go with the 3:50 guys and pick it up later in the race. Going with 3:40 pacers might be a tad aggressive imo.0 -
Hi HelgaWard, looks like yes, we are in a very similar boat! Your training sounds as if it's going well, nice one :-)
I suppose I should have qualified that 3:30 is my 'dreamtime' if everything goes right on the day and a sub 3:40 for reality...0 -
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I popped on here to find you to say it was great to meet you in the Oscar Wilde and was delighted to find such a super report of the weekend :-)
Some very, very wise observations on the marathon that will definitely stand to you on race day.
Very best of luck over the next couple of weeks with your training (and to all the novices), I see you're in expert hands here with Ososlo and her band of merry helpers.This might be inappropriate, but after a weekend in Berlin watching the marathon and surrounded by Marathon runners, I decided to add my observations to the flood of Berlin reports. I was there as a supporter but couldn't help thinking about DCM looming so close and what I might learn from watching the race and many conversations with all the great runners who completed it.
The race itself...
8-9k... I stationed myself among small knots of people along Torstrasse, wheelchairs whizzing by first to appreciative cheers. One of the last wheelchairs seemed a good bit slower, as he passed I realised he only had 1 functioning arm. A lone runner came next, middle aged man, heavyset, seeming to shuffle slowly... It seemed he had a badly twisted leg, some sort of disability. How could these two possibly keep going for 26 miles? Hard to fathom the strength of character and perseverance involved.
Then came the flotilla of bikes and SUV's (BMW of course) announcing the arrival of the race leaders. A knot of 8-10 runners, all African, went by at speed, even at that stage the next group were 100m or more behind.
After the waves of elite runners, the crowds arrived. I was looking out for all the boardsies but didn't spot anyone, it was dizzying looking at all the runners. Failed my first test as a supporter: Murph had to give me a shout out as he ran past.
I did see some Crusaders in the crowd so shouted loudly at them. Also saw a couple of guys in grass skirts and lai's and a 'midnight cowboy' wearing only a pair of jocks adorned with Stars and Stripes. Someone asked me afterwards where his race number was... No idea!
41k-39k
Determined to up my game as a supporter, I headed off on foot towards the end of the race. Just after the 40k mark, I saw the leaders again. By now the winner was on his own, a good 200m ahead of the next runner. They were beautiful to watch, all rhythm and speed and grace. Haven't seen anyone looking like that at Parkrun!
I walked back along the course against the flow of the race to around 38-39k, adding my cheers as runners went by, still very spread out. I could see the 35k gantry, this was a long straight stretch. I found some shade and a barrier to lean on where I had a good view of the runners approaching. I had tracked a few people on the app so was anxiously keeping an eye on their progress as they hit 35k.
The first person I spotted was a Crusader who was going very well, looking comfortable. I heard after that he did 2:44 or thereabouts. I shouted at every Crusader I saw, and afterwards a couple of them graciously thanked me for the support! I also called out to the few Dublin race series T-shirts I spotted, but before anyone accuses me of being overly nationalistic, I indiscriminately cheered as many people as I could, using names where I could read them. The runners really responded to the spectators, smiling, sometimes waving, sometimes barely a nod.
Yaboya was the first person I recognised, he looked like he was feeling the heat at that stage, but his sub-3 was still on. About a minute behind him came FBOT, who looked relaxed although I could tell from the app that he was unlikely to make sub-3 by then but wouldn't be far off it.
....and the Midnight Cowboy was still going well at 39k too...
A Crusader passed near me and smiled at the shout out. I realised it must be the legendary marthastew. Then I started to get anxious about where Murph was, about 10 mins later he appeared in his Crusaders singlet, looking happy and going well.
They were heading into a dogleg at this point so I redeemed my earlier miss by legging it up a side street and catching Murph again at 41k, to his surprise.
From there onto Unter den Linden where the crowds were huge and the end was in sight, through the magnificent Brandenburg gate. The organisation was brilliant, they even had a pedestrian crossing right in front of the gate... crossing hundreds of spectators across the path of thousands of runners, a feat of German engineering! The stewards redirected the runners to move crowds across the wide road in groups, corralling us in a centre island while moving the stream of runners again. A bit like a lock system on a canal or something.
From there to the 'family meeting area' where I found Murph under the M section (those Germans again... would never work in Dublin though because half the race would congregate under M)! He was happily drinking a beer, still alcohol-frei at that point, delighted with himself and keen to know how everyone else had fared.
We walked back to the hotel, through streets full of runners and their supporters, then went to the Oscar Wilde to get the reports from FBOT, Yaboya, Belcarra, Marthastew, Loughie (did Donegal proud!) and various Crusaders... and the high performing supporting team of Ferris, Mrs. Ferris, Mrs. FBOT, Sinead, Roisin... and others, too many to mention all, even if I remembered all the names! We concluded that being a marathon supporter is hard and thirsty work.
Reflections from a novice... what I learned from it all:
In Yaboya's immortal and (very) often repeated words, you have to respect the distance. I saw people at 38k who were on for sub-3 or maybe even 2:45 (in other words, leagues above me) who were walking, looking glazed and out on their feet. Other people looked comfortable. Still others, like Yaboya and Marthastew were obviously making a huge effort and grinding it out.
You don't know if you can do the distance until you do it. Your first marathon is about proving that. And to quote FBOT we are training for a 10k... The most important and toughest 10k any novice will have ever done... one that comes after 30k!
Training is necessary but not sufficient. The training really works, it's practice, practice, practice. But it doesn't guarantee anything. The day itself, the race is what counts. Any number of things can go right or wrong--heat, hydration, how you're feeling, what's in your head. You can only control 3 of those at best! Leo, a Crusader who has done 28 marathons this year (!) was tripped up by someone running in a bottle outfit. He picked himself up, cut and bruised and finished. Some people who had been training diligently exceeded their targets. Others who had been training just as diligently didn't quite make theirs.
Finishing is what counts. Everyone I saw afterwards was delighted and on a high, even if they had missed what they were aiming for, that disappointment seemed short-lived and quickly replaced by a sense of accomplishment.
Marathon runners are a very supportive bunch... Or at least the ones that made it to the Oscar Wilde! They all enquired about and congratulated each other... Even though it's ultimately an individual achievement, there was such a strong sense of them being in it together. They were all generous in encouraging me for DCM, and respectful of a very slow novice, when they could have been dismissive.
It's a deadly buzz! The atmosphere, the sense of community, the support. Great fun.
I wish I had seen the people running at 4:30 level, where I am more likely to be, all going well... But I think the vibe will be similar.
FBOT, Yaboya, Belcarra, Marthastew and Mr Stew, Loughie (up Donegal!), various Crusaders. Not sure whether I'm more intimidated or inspired about DCM after hanging around with all those hard core runners!!!
Murph has been wearing his medal ever since.
Everyone who posts here on this thread is a hard core runner, you're training for a marathon!0 -
Welcome to the thread! Never to late to join btw! (I might regret saying that if we have 50 new people joining every day for the next few weeks:D)
To me (going on your 10mile pb which is the most accurate reflection of your current ability?) it seems an aggressive target but who am I to question a professional's opinion! He knows a lot more about running and about your training than I do obviously! So all I can give you is my personal opinion based on what I've been reading about marathon targets on boards and elsewhere for a few years. I'd go for somewhere around 3:43 if I were you to ensure you have a good experience for your first. If you want to follow pacers, then go with the 3:50 guys and pick it up later in the race. Going with 3:40 pacers might be a tad aggressive imo.
Thanks Ososlo for your input. My head is a bit mangled! It is pretty tricky trying to manage someone else's expectations for you as well as your own!! He has spent a lot of time training a group of us this year and part of me feels an obligation to him to run the time he thinks is achievable. Another part of me thinks this is my first marathon and I just want to do it. He is suggesting I do the Armagh 10 mile Sunday 12th October, as a final blow out before the marathon, with an objective of running sub 75. I don't know, I was tired after the Frank Duffy, think I'll get more benefit from taking it easy tapering a good bit and go into the marathon fresh. Aagggghh - decisions, decisions?!!
Dubgal, best of luck, hope the rest of your training goes well also, it'll be interesting to see how we both get on!!0 -
Welcome to the thread! Never to late to join btw! (I might regret saying that if we have 50 new people joining every day for the next few weeks:D)
To me (going on your 10mile pb which is the most accurate reflection of your current ability?) it seems an aggressive target but who am I to question a professional's opinion! He knows a lot more about running and about your training than I do obviously! So all I can give you is my personal opinion based on what I've been reading about marathon targets on boards and elsewhere for a few years. I'd go for somewhere around 3:43 if I were you to ensure you have a good experience for your first. If you want to follow pacers, then go with the 3:50 guys and pick it up later in the race. Going with 3:40 pacers might be a tad aggressive imo.
helga,
Inclined to agree with Ososlo here. If I were you I would target 3:45 so maybe go out with 3:50 pacers and push on around 15/16 if feeling good. What would be worse, going aggressive and blowing up in your first marathon or finishing well in a good time knowing you might do better next time. I know which I'd choose.0 -
Thanks Ososlo for your input. My head is a bit mangled! It is pretty tricky trying to manage someone else's expectations for you as well as your own!! He has spent a lot of time training a group of us this year and part of me feels an obligation to him to run the time he thinks is achievable. Another part of me thinks this is my first marathon and I just want to do it. He is suggesting I do the Armagh 10 mile Sunday 12th October, as a final blow out before the marathon, with an objective of running sub 75. I don't know, I was tired after the Frank Duffy, think I'll get more benefit from taking it easy tapering a good bit and go into the marathon fresh. Aagggghh - decisions, decisions?!!
Dubgal, best of luck, hope the rest of your training goes well also, it'll be interesting to see how we both get on!!
Again, just my opinion....
Also, I'd never run a race (especially a marathon!) in a certain time just to make someone else happy! It's your first marathon!
Again, all just my opinions btw!!!0 -
Good shout Joleigh not running when tight like that. So close to the 'end of training'' its not worth doing every run on a schedule just because it calls for it.
Like you, physio told me I was too tight and basically 'a solid' :-). Lots of limbering up and a few 'Quality Runs' and u will be fine........thats my plan for my niggly knee/ankle/hamstring/eyelash .....as the wise old elf Ososlo tells us 'eyes on the prize' .
:-)
P.S. after a shower a freezing cold shower head directed at the legs for 2-3 minutes seems to really help me cool down any achey parts of the body post a decent run...
I know you were joking but unbelievably i woke up this morning with a streaming eye, couldn't open it properly etc, a trip to the chemist and opticians after a day of hell shows no permanent damage but the problem was most likely an eyelash in the eye in the middle of the night and residual pain because I didn't get it out quickly enough - I can tell ye there would be no marathon running in this state!!!! so for today is 'eye' on the prize and hopefully all will be back to normal tomorrow0 -
Gosh the new novices are pretty fast! Good inspiration for future progress :-) ...0
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I know you were joking but unbelievably i woke up this morning with a streaming eye, couldn't open it properly etc, a trip to the chemist and opticians after a day of hell shows no permanent damage but the problem was most likely an eyelash in the eye in the middle of the night and residual pain because I didn't get it out quickly enough - I can tell ye there would be no marathon running in this state!!!! so for today is 'eye' on the prize and hopefully all will be back to normal tomorrow
That's mad :eek::eek:! Told you all that 'Eyelash whiplash' can be a huge problem this time of year for Marathon runners:D....I warned ya....I did warn ya....
Hope you are well soon Firedance.0 -
Thanks Ososlo and Redrunner,
You are both right think I need to take control of my own running a bit more, do what feels comfortable to me, for me and no one else. No point going too hard and blowing up. Thanks for being a sounding board, my best friends are not into running at all, and my hubby has listened to more than his fair share of my musings, it is really great to get some advice from more experienced runners!
Thanks again,
H0 -
Thanks Ososlo and Redrunner,
You are both right think I need to take control of my own running a bit more, do what feels comfortable to me, for me and no one else. No point going too hard and blowing up. Thanks for being a sounding board, my best friends are not into running at all, and my hubby has listened to more than his fair share of my musings, it is really great to get some advice from more experienced runners!
Thanks again,
H
Hi Helga,
I'm no expert, but I don't think racing a 10 mile race two weeks out is a good idea. You'd probably get away with a 5/10k, but 10 miles just seems too far for me that close to the race. I ran a 10k two weeks before the Seville Marathon and was fine, but I'm not sure that would have been the case with a longer race. Feel free to tell me to mind my own business btw. Just my opinion :cool:0 -
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Hey, remember, you've all got exactly 24 hours and 2 minutes to sign up. Wednesday 5:00pm is the cut off.
I'll do my sign up tonight!0
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