So, what time will you be back at?

Kellygirl

Firstly - well done on the pb. That is great. Secondly, it’s a marathon and a bloody long distance to run and so much room for things to go wrong so a huge achievement to have run another one, never mind in a whole load of pain. Very well done for that.

I see on Facebook the organizers are apologizing for the course being 600+ meters too long. Not cool!

Recover well and looking forward to reading your report. Try not to be too disappointed. You achieved something huge today just finishing and I bet your friends and family are so proud of that.

Dealerz2.0

Official time is now 4:21- I too made a mess of timings- but still a pb on DCM.

Dealerz2.0

The highlights: official time is 4:21, slightly faster than DCM last year. A pb, a disappointing pb but a pb none the less. Yesterday will make me learn some hard lessons/truths.

Backstory: the training block couldn't have gone any better but on the day the body failed.

My second marathon yesterday in Belfast. In the cold light of day this morning having breakfast yes I probably, actually definitely, made some of the same race days errors as DCM last year.

The previous day was our eldest 9th birthday in TGI's with her friends, a great party, my wife described it as "sex in the city cocktail party but without the cocktails". Home to relax by 6pm, perfect.

Bed at 10, but woke at 3:30, and then tossed and turned till the alarm went off at 5:15. Dressed, breakfast and on road with the 3 other suckas at 6:00. Not too many issues getting parking and getting to start area. Not sure why but the adrenaline wasn't there, strange.

The lads I was with, one was going for 3:30, and the rest of us were 4hrs.

And we are off, great crowd and atmosphere in the grounds of stormont.....never ever thought I'd find myself here on a May bank holiday Sunday.

Miles1-3
Found myself about 60 yards behind 4hr Pacers, wasn't too bothered. Decided to get a bit closer to them, pace was faster here but thought once I'm around the pacers they will keep me honest....don't over think as the pacers are managing it.
Avg pace around 8:50

Miles 4-6
The pacers started to split up here as did me and lads, I tried to hold back as lads caught up with the "fast" pacer. This really started to play on my mind. There was a good 200 yards or more difference between the two 4hr pacers.....why!!! I decided to split them up and just keep in the middle. The body was ok, although still didn't feel in my groove yet...felt I was over cooking it but I was still between pacers. Was the fast one trying to bank time? ****e.
Avg pace was moving back towards 9min miles. Why is my watch not synced with the road mile markings...ignore it, it's grand.

Miles 7-9
Moved out of the city now, the number of murals on the walls was increasing. Everything going grand the SPLAT!!!, a runner hit the curb with an awful noise, I looked back and she was with friends so I kept going and so did she fair play to her. My first encounter with the relay happened as we turned into ormeau park. Marshalls shouting instructions and runners zig zagging to get to next relay section was messy but that was probably the cleanest one of the relay change overs. Then as the new relay runners rejoined as we left the park and headed up ormeau road the new relay runners were flying by.....which is really tough to get your head around!!! Why is my watch so far off the mile markings, it's buzzing but I'm running a fair bit before I see the markings....what is going on?

Miles 10-12
The fast pacer was definitely bloody fast, I was running 8:50 min miles here and not staying up with that pacer. SPLAT!!!!another runner fell behind me, she was in the middle of the road, she's ok, see some blood but she says she's ok to keep going. It was really frustrating, should I have just ran my own race, I thought I was doing the right thing going with the pacers but the impending crash and burn was now inevitable. Damn it!!!! I feel like the distance between my watch and the road markings is getting bigger....something ain't right.

Miles 13-15
Was now starting to feel it, slowed the pace down, pain in right hip and top of right leg had started...I'm so far from the finish line....god this will be torture...just keep going!!!! Pace was 9:20 min mile. The god dam fcuking relay change overs again, people roaring names to find their next runner, other runners closed all the way trying to see approaching relay runners then more runners sprinting by me....fcuking hate relays so bad now! Have to try and ignore my watch and just look for mile markings on road.

Mile 16-19
Was really suffering now, right leg tightening up....the first walk....another fail...another marathon i didn't run the whole lot....marathons are a lonely place when your legs are gone. Can't remember much of this section bar the big climb and the lovely lake with guys fishing....I needed to get to the finish....I needed to get to the finish....c'mon. The "slow" 4 hr pacer passed me around here....gone!!

Miles 20-26
God my legs are so sore and tight, I'd switched to a half mile of walk and run now to get home. Another bloody relay changeover!!!! The 4:15 pacers passed me at mile 25.....****e!!! One of the lads passed me here he was struggling too...his Achilles! Need to get moving, get yourself to the finish, just get moving. Feels like every mile here is more than a mile, it’s soul destroying when you feel your watch buzz but you know it's not the right mileage....just get home. Watch read 26.2 and I was still short of finish line. Although it was the slowest paced mile, I felt it was mentally my strongest, I was still running when I could, the mind was winning again!!!

I got home, I did the best I could with what cards I dealt myself, held back a few tears that were coming and shuffled to the medal counter....I bloody deserved it....marathons are tough.

The toughest of torture.

Post race....the mate was just ahead of me, I asked what did you run, he says 4:15, I say 4:16 it says on the clock but something ain't right, he says the bloody mileage is wrong, I check my watch, forgot to stop it, check it.....it says 26.78...with a time of 4:22....Garmin says I've earned a new distance badge....fcuk off Garmin, just fcuk off......Christ what's going on....head is spinning....I've no idea of my time because of the extra bit of mileage.....this all happens in 5 seconds and then we gave each other man hugs....we were in the trenches and survived to run again....beaten....but not out.....I'll have my revenge!!!

Post-post race:
It was carnage, no fruit or food in the finish area...a relay runner tried to skip...A Marshall told him where to fcuk off to with his relay bib!!! Baggage claim took 40 mins, wrecked, saw two guys puking and fainting while waiting. The organisers had 4 lines into 1 to collect bags...a disaster. The shuttle bus brought you to city and then another shuttle bus back to stormont.....such a long day....everyone talking about the distance and then Bbc sport and organisers issued a statement stating it was too long cause the race car diverted from the route....thanks for that.

Summary:
I officially ran an ultra marathon yesterday.It was such a tough day, I got a pb, I don't know what pb as official timings still seem "off". Went too fast (again!), thought I was doing the right thing by sticking with pacers but the pace was well above 4hr for too long.

Was talking to fellow DCM novices from last year, I need to try and have a "good" marathon or I'll get scar tissue. I need to scrap the 4hr plans and go with 4:10 or 4:20 pace for DCM in October....I need a positive marathon, a good base or platform marathon race to build from.

The body is sore but the mind is making plans again.....ill have my revenge yet!!!!

Thanks

Dealerz2.0

OOnegative wrote: »

Well done, sounds like it was tough going so to run a PB is a great result. 26.8 miles, jeez that’s WAY long!!!

It was definitely way long....thanks again

Dealerz2.0

Applegirl26 wrote: »

Delighted it's the over for you. Those final miles take you to hell and back. To run in pain from mile 14 shows how tough you are. You'd need to be incredibly focused to not bail in those conditions. Nothing in there whatsoever to be disappointed with.
A 7 minute PB!! That's freaking awesome. Hope you have your feet up now and are enjoying the celebrations and lovely post marathon high.

You just ran a god damn marathon. It's an unforgiving distance and she takes no prisoners.
You rock buddy!

Can't wait to read your report.....

Thank you L- I don’t know why we do it to ourselves!!! Looks like it’s only a one min pb....but I’ll take that small victory!

Dealerz2.0

Kellygirl wrote: »

Firstly - well done on the pb. That is great. Secondly, it’s a marathon and a bloody long distance to run and so much room for things to go wrong so a huge achievement to have run another one, never mind in a whole load of pain. Very well done for that.

I see on Facebook the organizers are apologizing for the course being 600+ meters too long. Not cool!

Recover well and looking forward to reading your report. Try not to be too disappointed. You achieved something huge today just finishing and I bet your friends and family are so proud of that.

Thanks very much for the kind words...a communion next week is a welcome distraction!

ReeReeG

Well done again F. You'd said it was tough but the report really gives more depth into how much you suffered but still battled on. And got a PB! they all count

Dealerz2.0 wrote:

Was talking to fellow DCM novices from last year, I need to try and have a "good" marathon or I'll get scar tissue. I need to scrap the 4hr plans and go with 4:10 or 4:20 pace for DCM in October....I need a positive marathon, a good base or platform marathon race to build from.

I wouldn't make any decision now on a target time for a race that's 6 months away. You're in the post marathon shatteredness and no sensible decisions are made then
You've more training to get done by then, more races to help you figure out where you're at by then and those races will also help you practice all the race morning routines (or day before resting )

And maybe at DCM you will decide you just want to run it all, target a time that doesn't push you etc, or you might feel stronger and go for a time that training / races suggest. But don't make that decision now. Lots of time to think about it all.

But enjoy the PB feeling this week and the rest! You deserve the lie-ins for sure

Dealerz2.0

Newly released results are now having me finish at 4:19!

Dealerz2.0

ReeReeG wrote: »

Well done again F. You'd said it was tough but the report really gives more depth into how much you suffered but still battled on. And got a PB! they all count



I wouldn't make any decision now on a target time for a race that's 6 months away. You're in the post marathon shatteredness and no sensible decisions are made then
You've more training to get done by then, more races to help you figure out where you're at by then and those races will also help you practice all the race morning routines (or day before resting )

And maybe at DCM you will decide you just want to run it all, target a time that doesn't push you etc, or you might feel stronger and go for a time that training / races suggest. But don't make that decision now. Lots of time to think about it all.

But enjoy the PB feeling this week and the rest! You deserve the lie-ins for sure

Thanks V, you are absolutely right, I’m going to enjoy a nice break from running and recover physically and mentally....and then get ready to go again.

Wubble Wubble

To get a PB on such a day is no mean feat, I certainly wouldn't diminish it. Especially as the whole thing seems to have been a disaster on so many levels. Recover well, and have a look at some plans when you're fit and healthy again.

Dealerz2.0

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

To get a PB on such a day is no mean feat, I certainly wouldn't diminish it. Especially as the whole thing seems to have been a disaster on so many levels. Recover well, and have a look at some plans when you're fit and healthy again.

Thanks very much- really appreciate it.

coogy

I blame Brexit.:D

Well done Fran, get some rest!

hillsiderunner

That's a great report but it sounds *terrible*. ... Well done for battling through.

Take a few weeks off to eat and drink too much, watch TV . You can do the planning later.

Kellygirl

Ouch. Sounds incredibly painful. Like the others have said, forget about planning for now. Take a few weeks to rest and recover and just get back into running and enjoy it before you start thinking about what you want to do next.

After my first DCM I went from Cork City marathon to DCM again and struggled in both. With 20:20 hind sight and all that, there’s a lot to be said for giving the body a break and working on shorter stuff for a while and building a good base before attacking the marathon again. Wait and see how you feel and enjoy the fact that you have run 2 marathons!!!

Huzzah!

First off, and most importantly, congrats on the PB. You'd a tough day out and your PB was hard earned.

Secondly, I agree with the others: take at least two weeks off. It's something we all should do more of! Don't be worrying about plans or strategy for Dublin.

Thirdly, I've never had a good experience with pacers and how to manage a race is something we all have to learn. It's very hard to back yourself and let the pacers go if they seem too fast.

Enjoy the break!

Dealerz2.0

hillsiderunner wrote: »

That's a great report but it sounds *terrible*. ... Well done for battling through.

Take a few weeks off to eat and drink too much, watch TV . You can do the planning later.

Oh I’m definitely heading down the eating and drinking too much path for a week or two- thanks

Dealerz2.0

A nice little break is definitely on the cards- thanks

yido1882

Well done Fran, it's a savage achievement to even be completing another marathon so soon after your first. Well done for pushing on when your legs weren't playing ball and everything else going on around you. Think that relay lark would p!ss me off too!

Enjoy the well earned rest

Strawberry Swan

Oh God! Reading your account really makes you appreciate the good organisation of DCM. So many things throwing you off from the relay teams to fast pacers to the mileage being fecked up and then your body complaining. It was a really tough one but you got through it and on top of that got yourself a pb. It sucks not getting the time you want but it really is the effort you put in that counts. Well deserved medal.

Mr. Guappa

Congrats on the PB. That's a great report, very honest and I'm really impressed with how you dug in to get to the finish line. It takes a lot of guts to dig in and see it through when the target is out the window and everything seems to be against you.

There's not a whole pile I can add to the great advice you've already received here - relax and recover, mentally as much as physically as you say.

aloooof

Fair play F, sounds like an incredibly tough one both physically and mentally but you dug it out and still got a PB! Plenty to be proud of there!

Dealerz2.0

Strawberry Swan wrote: »

Oh God! Reading your account really makes you appreciate the good organisation of DCM. So many things throwing you off from the relay teams to fast pacers to the mileage being fecked up and then your body complaining. It was a really tough one but you got through it and on top of that got yourself a pb. It sucks not getting the time you want but it really is the effort you put in that counts. Well deserved medal.

thank you very much!

Dealerz2.0

Mr. Guappa wrote: »

Congrats on the PB. That's a great report, very honest and I'm really impressed with how you dug in to get to the finish line. It takes a lot of guts to dig in and see it through when the target is out the window and everything seems to be against you.

There's not a whole pile I can add to the great advice you've already received here - relax and recover, mentally as much as physically as you say.

Thanks A- appreciate it

Dealerz2.0

aloooof wrote: »

Fair play F, sounds like an incredibly tough one both physically and mentally but you dug it out and still got a PB! Plenty to be proud of there!

Thanks D - appreciate it

Applegirl26

Hi F, when you have a minute would you mind giving me a run down of how you fuelled for Belfast. Am I right in thinking you used tailwind? I'm going to give this a try in my next training block.
I'm always fascinated by how people fuel as its such an issue for me. Thanks a mil.
Hope you're enjoying your well earned rest.

juke

Hey F, bit of a chaotic day that!

Whatever about the shambles at the end, the interspersed relay sound awful. Thanks for being that guinea-pig...if ever I stumble back into marathon training any race that includes relay or merging different race distances will be on the 'avoid' list.

Interesting to read about the pacers too. I seem to read about more bad experiences than good.

Well done on gritting through the pain to nab your PB.

Any fruit and nut left?

Dealerz2.0

Applegirl26 wrote: »

Hi F, when you have a minute would you mind giving me a run down of how you fuelled for Belfast. Am I right in thinking you used tailwind? I'm going to give this a try in my next training block.
I'm always fascinated by how people fuel as its such an issue for me. Thanks a mil.
Hope you're enjoying your well earned rest.

Hi L
yeah I used tailwind for Belfast and DCM last year. Give it a try and see if it suits you. I'm still not sure yet, in my head I like that you are on a "constant" fuel strategy in that you are sipping throughout rather than "waiting" to take a gel at miles 5, 10, 15 etc. On the downside, in my head I think it makes me hungry for solid food, but maybe that's normal?

So I would only use tailwind for say 10 mile runs or more. For Belfast I used a camelback type hydration pack with 12 scoops of tailwind in 48 fl ounces of water, taste wise that was nice and strong. Weight wise I didn't notice carrying it, however the strap was rubbing on my neck which got really annoying really quick.

The company suggests making a really strong 500ml bottle of it (they say it will be gel like in its consistency) and as you get near a water station take a sip of the concentrated mixture and then take some water at the station.

Give it a try for a long run and see if its something you like, they sell a "starter" pack or I could send you a couple of free packs they sent me if you want.

Dealerz2.0

juke wrote: »

Hey F, bit of a chaotic day that!

Whatever about the shambles at the end, the interspersed relay sound awful. Thanks for being that guinea-pig...if ever I stumble back into marathon training any race that includes relay or merging different race distances will be on the 'avoid' list.

Interesting to read about the pacers too. I seem to read about more bad experiences than good.

Well done on gritting through the pain to nab your PB.

Any fruit and nut left?

I have to say it has certainly opened my eyes to signing up races, relays will be definitely on the avoid list.

....I am currently eating my way through Mr kipling cakes at an alarming rate and then its time for all those fruit and nuts......cause I'm worth it!

Applegirl26

Dealerz2.0 wrote: »

Hi L
yeah I used tailwind for Belfast and DCM last year. Give it a try and see if it suits you. I'm still not sure yet, in my head I like that you are on a "constant" fuel strategy in that you are sipping throughout rather than "waiting" to take a gel at miles 5, 10, 15 etc. On the downside, in my head I think it makes me hungry for solid food, but maybe that's normal?

So I would only use tailwind for say 10 mile runs or more. For Belfast I used a camelback type hydration pack with 12 scoops of tailwind in 48 fl ounces of water, taste wise that was nice and strong. Weight wise I didn't notice carrying it, however the strap was rubbing on my neck which got really annoying really quick.

The company suggests making a really strong 500ml bottle of it (they say it will be gel like in its consistency) and as you get near a water station take a sip of the concentrated mixture and then take some water at the station.

Give it a try for a long run and see if its something you like, they sell a "starter" pack or I could send you a couple of free packs they sent me if you want.

Thanks so much F. That's really helpful.
So you didn't use Gels at all? You literally ran the 26 miles on tailwind? That's pretty cool. I'm definitely going to give it a try.

I started out with 6 Gels in Manchester, dropped 2 of them so ran the last 8 miles or so without them. The flat coke definitely worked at mile 20 but was short lived. I ate a couple of jellies but it wasnt enough.

I've a friend who swears by eating an energy bar at mile 18.

You're very good to offer but sure hang on to the samples. You'll need them for your next marathon!

Thanks again.

Dealerz2.0

Applegirl26 wrote: »

Thanks so much F. That's really helpful.
So you didn't use Gels at all? You literally ran the 26 miles on tailwind? That's pretty cool. I'm definitely going to give it a try.

I started out with 6 Gels in Manchester, dropped 2 of them so ran the last 8 miles or so without them. The flat coke definitely worked at mile 20 but was short lived. I ate a couple of jellies but it wasnt enough.

I've a friend who swears by eating an energy bar at mile 18.

You're very good to offer but sure hang on to the samples. You'll need them for your next marathon!

Thanks again.

No problem.
I didn't use any gels at all, just tailwind (sipping away every mile!) and jelly babies. I will have to consider an energy bar mid race for DCM....I feel really hungry late on during the two marathons...what bars did your friend use?

Applegirl26

Dealerz2.0 wrote: »

No problem.
I didn't use any gels at all, just tailwind (sipping away every mile!) and jelly babies. I will have to consider an energy bar mid race for DCM....I feel really hungry late on during the two marathons...what bars did your friend use?

I think she has used the high 5 bars and the power bar types. She says she can't run marathons without them and she gets really good times too. I've often wondered though would eating something like a small Mars bar not be the same?

juke

I've nibbled on dried figs on the long runs, sweet and packed with energy.

At DCM, a friend handed me a mini Bounty with about 10k to go - it would have been lovely if I hadn't been so miserable :pac:

Rossi7

I've been training my body to rely on very little other than water. I'm up to 15 miles on my long run without taking any fluids on board. I find if you have a decent breakfast you shouldn't have to rely on power bars and the likes.

Dealerz2.0

Rossi7 wrote: »

I've been training my body to rely on very little other than water. I'm up to 15 miles on my long run without taking any fluids on board. I find if you have a decent breakfast you shouldn't have to rely on power bars and the likes.

fair play...maybe I'm just weird so!!!

For Belfast I had the following between 5:45am and 8:30am:

• 2 Weetabix
• banana
• peanut butter sambo- one slice of bread
• half a protein bar

and I was still feeling like I'd love something to eat around mile 16 onwards.

ReeReeG

Rossi7 wrote: »

I've been training my body to rely on very little other than water. I'm up to 15 miles on my long run without taking any fluids on board. I find if you have a decent breakfast you shouldn't have to rely on power bars and the likes.

That will likely change once it starts getting sunnier / hotter? (if it ever does)

Rossi7

Maybe V, but gearing towards DCM I'll be trying out different fueling but having trained with lads from the club who done London, they pretty much relied on gels and an electrolyte drink and stashed a bottle of water around mile 15. 
I just think if you start taking fun size bars and the like you become over reliant on it. Trial and error I guess

Dealerz2.0

Going to start this log up again and see how I get on. Some good advice from people previously so thanks again.

About to complete 5 week base building phase post Belfast marathon (new pb of 4:18).

I will be starting P&D 18 week "up to 55 miles" plan next week ahead of DCM. I will be adjusting paces to 4:10 marathon times, and see how training progresses as the weeks go on.

Why have I chose this plan: cause I like variety and want to try it after reading the book. In my mind I want more miles at MP during this block, and this plan has that. And yes the mileage and sessions are currently looking very intimidating, so I will see how it goes. I am increasing my goal time to 4:10 to take some self induced "pressure" off me to try and break 4:00. And a 8 min pb on Belfast would still be a great progress report.

Summary of how things have been going since Belfast: Tired legs....just cant shake the deadness in them. Have been getting just below or beyond 30 miles per week last couple of weeks. Since Thursday's run, I have been feeling really fatigued ( I did have an almighty session last weekend at my wife's 40th birthday party- so it may be party fatigue too!!!- the hangover recovery takes longer with age- FACT!). Going to keep my eye on things, and I may just do one session (LSR) this weekend rather than the planned two.

Running multiple marathons in a year is as tough as everyone says....but I do love the training for them.

Summary of Belfast: I started too fast trying to keep up with 4hr pacers, that had gone off at 8:45/8:40 rather than 9:08....and crashed! Went with pacers as I didn't trust myself to keep the discipline...so a large portion of this training block will be learning from that lack of pace discipline hopefully.

Will be running Clontarf half July 6th- currently fitting this into the marathon plan aiming to run it at PMP as per plan rather than PB race.

Dealerz2.0

Week 1 of P&D plan

Monday: Rest- spent the evening in Morton stadium for the end of season fingallians kids running club. A great evening of 100 meters sprints, sack races and long jumps.

Tuesday: started the plan with 2 mile warm up, 4 miles at half marathon pace of 8:50-8:55 per minute miles and 2 cool down. Avg heart rate was 151. Found this run both really enjoyable and tough in equal measure. This particular session is littered throughout the plan so I had better get used it.

Wednesday: rest day per plan but cause of work meeting in town on Thursday, I ran this session late Wednesday evening. 9 miles General Aerobic session at 10:18 min pace, avg heart rate 128.

Thursday: a stunning afternoon was spent on the links of Corballis golf course.

Friday: rest day per plan but as we were heading to flavours of fingal Saturday morning I ran this session Friday evening. Long run of 10 miles at 10:24 miles per minute. Avg heart rate was 137- putting this higher heart rate down to the humidity.

Saturday: a great day watching the girls flying kites and playing on the bouncing castles.....and eating lots of Keoghs crisps!!

Sunday: 4 mile recovery run at 7:30am followed by junior park run with the eldest who got a new PB

Total miles for week: 31
Miles for year: 715

Heading to Monart Hotel for a couple of days tomorrow....can't wait.....still have to run 8 miles Tuesday :eek:

ReeReeG

Dealerz2.0 wrote:

Heading to Monart Hotel for a couple of days tomorrow....can't wait.....still have to run 8 miles Tuesday

Ooooh enjoy, you'll be feeling all zen after that

Dealerz2.0

ReeReeG wrote: »

Ooooh enjoy, you'll be feeling all zen after that

Thanks V, looking forward it

Huzzah!

Good luck tomorrow, F!

Dealerz2.0

Huzzah! wrote: »

Good luck tomorrow, F!

Thanks E!

Wubble Wubble

Best of luck F!

Dealerz2.0

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

Best of luck F!

Thanks Wubble

Dealerz2.0

P&D plan week 2

Was off work all week and the week started with 2 days in Monart Hotel as a present for my wife's big birthday....obviously I had to go too. It's an experience I have to say, a fantastic treat. However I think all the wine (a gorgeous Malbec) and rich food ( it's far from amuse Bouche I was raised ) didn't agree with me and felt dehydrated and rotten until Saturday morning.

Monday: rest day- a day spent in thermal spa rooms and having lunch in my hotel house coat

Tuesday: plan was for 8 miles and 10*100m strides. Got up to early and went to the gym "sorry the gym doesn't open till 8am" - everything is so relaxed at the Monart!! The night security porter pointed in the direction of the fields and said its a bit rough. It was a cross country run with some steep hills, did 4 laps and 6 strides before breakfast for a total of 7.8 miles- avg pace was 10.39- avg heart rate was 143. Considering where I was I was happy with that.

Wednesday: rest day- had to collect the kids!

Thursday: stomach was really at me today. Plan was for 10 miles at General Aerobic pace. Lovely late morning run at avg pace of 10:21 with an avg heart rate of 142. Spent rest of day painting the garden walls.....I bloody hate painting...was wrecked after it.

Friday: spent the day in W5 in Belfast with the girls...still feeling ****e and dehydrated. Spent the evening trying to decide how to run the clontarf half.

Saturday: felt much better today. Heavy drizzling rain was great news as it wouldn't be too hot for the race. Got down to clontarf in plenty of time and checked the portaloo was working and did a 1 mile warm up.

The P&D plan for Saturday was 13 miles with 8 at PMP but I wanted to do a good half marathon for a 4:10 marathon so 1:55 or thereabouts was the target, pb is 1:51 so I knew I wasn't going to try that today.

Mile 1-2 pace was 9.11
Hung around at the start for the 2 hr pacers, rain was fairly heavy now, loving it. Felt very calm and very ready. Set off, it was very cramped for this section on the promenade. Pacers pulled away, wasnt worried, only 50 yards ahead. Walkers and slower runners causing problems trying to avoid them-why are they up this far, it really annoys me, can they not read that they should be further back- still worried about the congestion. Turned on to bull island bridge, crowds were sparse cause of the weather. Pacers still just ahead. People taking water from the water station meant for the return leg....honesty people are just stupid!

Miles 3-4 pace was 9:15
The beach was crap, soft sand for the first section and nearly in single file cause of the narrow compact sand section before it opened up. Pacers were further ahead now, I still felt in control and fresh. Started to think I need to bank some time after the beach before the return leg onto the beach.

Miles 5-6 pace was 8:50
Starting to let it go now, up beside the pacers, it's very congested here as there are now two lanes of runners. Legs are feeling strong, so I passed the pacers when there was a gap.

Miles 7-8 pace was 8:39
Really starting to motor now before the beach again. Starting to pass runners, confidence was growing. Got on to the compacted sand early but had to hit soft sand to pass runners, that was tough on the calves

Miles 9-10 pace was 8:30
Left the beach thank god, back onto the bridge, still passing runners, starting to grin now, I've got this in the bag, really enjoying myself

Miles 11-13 pace was 8:16
Going full on now to the finish, still feeling strong.....I should have went sooner as I realise I will be finishing just outside 1:55.... Not to worry I'm having too much fun to worry about that. Haven't ran a race where I've been passing so many runners in awhile so I'm just enjoying the moment.

Finished at 1:55:04- delighted how that went. Avg heart rate 154

Saw a guy with a empty bag filling it up on the free doughnuts meant for all finishers so I had words with him to stop being a pr***! Honestly some people are just stupid.

Left straight away as free non alcoholic beers don't thrill me at all...a well run event, but the beach is an experience, had to disinfect the runners :pac:

Sunday: 4mile recovery run at 10:50 pace

So a great week of running- a great confidence boost

Total miles this week 36
For the year 752

Wubble Wubble

Very well run there F. That's a deceptively tricky race, as I've found to my cost on more than one occasion :eek: Hard enough to get through, without encountering idiots like you described. Enjoy the recovery.

Dealerz2.0

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

Very well run there F. That's a deceptively tricky race, as I've found to my cost on more than one occasion :eek: Hard enough to get through, without encountering idiots like you described. Enjoy the recovery.

Thanks, appreciate that.

eyrie

Dealerz2.0 wrote: »

Saw a guy with a empty bag filling it up on the free doughnuts meant for all finishers so I had words with him to stop being a pr***! Honestly some people are just stupid.

Ah seriously! You really have to wonder about people some times...

Congrats on the race, great to hear you enjoyed it so much! Obviously doing something right

Dealerz2.0

P&D WEEK 3

Was feeling tired after Clontarf still, so was kinda dreading the week ahead in case I over cooked it during the race. It was above what the plan recommended but as I posted last week I really wanted a good half result to base the 4:10 plan, and 1:55 was a great result...still feeding off of the positive feelings heading into this weeks runs.

Monday: plan was rest and I needed it...legs were still "burning".

Tuesday: the plan was for a General Aerobic 10 miles but to try and help recovery I just did the 8. Pace was 10:35 and HR was not recorded as the stupid watch didn't record it. Was glad of not pushing it out to 10 miles.

Wednesday: plan was a 4mile recovery run and that's what I did. Pace was 10:54. HR was 132. Starting to push these recovery pace runs out to 11 minute miles or as close as and I think/feel it's definitely helping for the rest of the week.

Thursday: this was the run I was dreading after racing Clontarf- early in the week I had already talked myself into cutting all or part of it down as my legs were feeling tired still. Plan was 8 miles with 4 at half marathon pace ( half marathon pace being 8:55).

I ran the 2 mile warm up and 10:31 pace, and started on the half marathon session in the fields on a gorgeous morning. Whether it's renewed confidence or the legs just "have it" now, cause of the good base from Belfast, but I was surprised at how strong I was during the 4 miles session phase, didn't want to push it but didn't feel the need to ease off either which I feared I might have to.

Mile 1: 8:47
Mile 2: 8:45
Mile 3: 8:31
Mile 4: 8:37

All paces above the 8:55, probably over cooked it but...then again....maybe I am able for IT....ye know....THE BIG SUB 4!!!!!

Trying to push those thoughts away for now!!!

Finished the session off with just a 1.5 mile cool down.

Avg pace for the session: 9:28 and avg hr 148.

.....Starting to lurk on the sub 4 hour marathon thread....

Friday: rest day- didn't feel like a rest day as rushing around stuff going on all day!

Saturday: plan was for LSR 14 miles, again was slightly concerned about Clontarf recovery and the relatively high miles run. Was awake early so decided to just get out on the roads. Did the usual long run route to malahide/Portmarnock and back. It kinda went by in a blur, didn't meet many runners...probably a bit too early. Avg pace was 10:16- a bit faster than planned but felt it's within the boundary I want to be at. Avg HR 131. Legs were tired but to be expected. Longest run since Belfast in May. Happy with that.

Sunday: 4m recovery run. Avg pace was 10:41. HR was not recorded by the watch.

Miles for week: 37
Miles for year: 789

skyblue46

That's a great week, especially confidencewise. Are you doing many races pre DCM?