2024 DCM Mentored Novices Thread

mossiepark

Just back from the expo aswell. In and out fairly quick as I have a cold and a splitting headache aswell. It was hard to match the enthusiasm of the volunteers but hopefully I can shake it by Sunday morning. Talk about bad timing

Sunny Dayz

in at 4 and done by 4:45 after having a good mooch around. Himself isn’t running the marathon but picked up a few T-shirts in Ronhill. No queues at all for the number collection and the volunteers were so friendly. Love their jackets.

ILikeBoats

Got in around 5.15, traffic and parking were fine. No queues anywhere.

Had a nice look around. Got my mug!! Had the kids with me so spent some time in the kid zone. Was a grand hour in all, well set up

Excited!

The Muppet

The best of luck to all on Sunday. Enjoy.

SoundOfSilence

Hey all, is it possible to collect a friend's race pack at the expo once I have his eventmaster ticket?

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122764613#Comment_122764613

Apparently it's possible, I've heard of people being able to collect multiple packs but I've heard of people being rejected too. I'd say you'd be fine once you have the other person's id.

Lazare

Bet y'all can't believe you're at this point, 24 hours to go. Awesome isn't it.

That Christmas Eve when you're a kid feeling.

You're bound to be full of nerves, excitement, maybe even a little fear. That's totally cool. The travelling Africans that will lead the thing are feeling that way too this morning. It's how you should be feeling.

Remember this though, because of the work you've put in, the vast majority of tomorrow will feel like a breeze. There will be tough moments, but that's fine too. If it wasn't for those tough moments everyone would be at it. You'll power through them.

Go high five some kids.

Oh, and my number one tip…. Put some new bedsheets and pillow cases on the bed today. Can't beat a crisp new bed 😊

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122728344#Comment_122728344

This deserves to be reposted

Louis 2018

Morning All,

Hope the carb loading has begun and the excitement/nerves have well and truly kicked in. 2023 Novice here & running tomorrow myself. Couple of points I would like to share which I hope you find useful

• Firstly well done on getting this far, probably the hardest part of the whole process
• Trust your fitness & the programme that you have followed & the expert advice you have received along the way
• Run your race, not someone else's race and try and reduce or remove the number of articles and podcasts today - you don't want to start doubting yourself at this stage especially listening to others strategies
• Miles 2 to 7, may seem flat and you are full of excitement but this is a very tough part of the run as you are climbing for 5 miles up to the highest point of the marathon. If you do not respect this section you will pay for it later on. Climbs at 10 miles and 13-15 need to be respected also, just pull it back a little.
• Anyone following pacers I believe they are holding back a little for the above section (miles 2-7) but ask them first, if they are not holding back then pacers are not for you, and if you have never used them don't start tomorrow!!
• Take in water at every station, even if you don't think you need it. Small sips & often.

I have dipped in and out of the group and the advice has been spot on for the whole process, well done to all involved.

Best of luck and enjoy the celebrations.

j2

Last long run of the training plan tomorrow 😂

MiniMonstera

Hi all, 2023 novice here. Wishing you all the very best for tomorrow! Only one more sleep! Time to relax now and reflect on all the hard work done - the hay is in the barn, as they say.

Although I found last year tough, I signed up for 2024 within the hour of finishing! You'll love running even more once you've your first marathon under your belt.

All the best and hope to see you out there! j 🥰💪🏽

P.s. hats off to @Sunny Dayz, @TheRef and all the other experienced contributors to this thread, fair play to you🤩

SimpleDimple

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122764613#Comment_122764613

I picked up mine and a friend’s yesterday, I had a copy of his passport.

DBB

All the very best for tomorrow to the 2024 Novices' Crew! A lot of hard work has gone in to get you all to this point... the eve of your first marathon! 😊

There will be times that it feels rough, that there seems to be endless miles still left to do... these are the times, whether you know it or not, that your training has taught you to dig deep.

These are also the times to really tap into the tremendous energy of the great DCM supporters... thank them, wave at them, smile at them... you'll be amazed how this will help restore your positivity!

Most of all, enjoy every moment as much as you can! Even the bits that don't feel too enjoyable. Focus on and savour that moment when you see the Finish line looming up ahead, the crowds roaring, yelling out your name! 🤯

You've got this! 💪💪💪

Mantis Toboggan

Lads I'm convinced I've buckled myself. Woke up this morning with hip pain, it's not something I've had. Hoped it might be maranoia but unfortunately the pain is real. Spent the last hour on the massage gun. Baffled were the pain came from, I did very little yesterday. Very annoying, sore just walking around.

TheRef

Mantis, don't worry too much just yet. Last year I did something to my neck on the Thursday night and it was bad but it cleared up. It could be just a minor niggle that will disappear by tomorrow.

Im not a physio but I'd be careful with using a massage gun in it in case you make it worse from the impact. I'd try rest it and apply some tiger balm or a little voltarol or a water bottle even, and maybe some paracetamol.

That all this though with a pinch of salt as I'm no expert and I have no idea what your pain is from.

If you have private health insurance, maybe you could call the help lines they offer and speak to them.

Again though, don't stress it too much. Probably just slept on it the wrong way.

Mantis Toboggan

Cheers, just going to rest for the evening, I've taken some anti inflammatories and applied deep heat. Will see how I am in the morning before calling it.

MisterJinx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122765922#Comment_122765922

I think you'll be fine. Rest up and see how you are in the morning

comanche_cor

Best of luck to everyone tomorrow!

SuspectZero

Best of luck tomorrow all! The nerves will be gone the very minute the klaxon goes so try not to stress too much tonight if possible.

My only advice is to take the first 12k handy, it's the hardest part of the course and it will reward you hugely later on if you do. Being a minute or two slower than planned pace through there is nothing and if you hold back, you'll be flying past hoards of people who didn't in the last 6 miles which is such a psychological buzz.

You'll all do great and have fun!

Sunny Dayz

hi all!!

Checking in with ye all one last time before the big day. hope ye have all collected your race numbers and have all your bits and pieces organised and ready for tomorrow.

You have all put in great work and training. There’s been good runs and bad runs and they have all shaped your training in some way. On the day, deep breath, ease out on the route, and believe that you got this. Don’t try to bank time at the start, treat the first part as your warm up. Remember all that you have practiced - your fueling, hydration, pacing- you’ve trained for this. Dig deep at the end, know that you gave it your best shot. Lastly - enjoy it!! You are a part of this big event! Enjoy the crowd that is out there cheering for you!
To those who are sick or injured - I hope ye are ok and that you will get your day out soon.
Thanks to @TheRef , @MisterJinx and @marathon2022 for their help and guidance on this thread.
Lastly - thanks to the wonderful 2024 DCM novices here who took a chance on themselves, embraced their plan, showed up every week and put in the hard work. Thanks for letting me be a part of your journey.

Let’s go run a marathon!!!!

mossiepark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122766316#Comment_122766316

Thanks @Sunny Dayz and all the mentors. It's been a remarkable journey and personally I've achieved so much from embarking on it. I have ran times and distances I never thought i had in me and enjoyed every bit of it. A dose of a cold the last few days has me not Operating at 100% but I'll be on the start line tomorrow with a single goal of making it the 26.2 miles. I've spent too much time wondering what pace I'll run or what time I'll finish in but tomorrow will be about making the distance.

#trust the plan

slingerz

I can’t believe I’m going to try and run a marathon in the morning.

Just hope I can make it to the finish

ILikeBoats

Hope you're ok for tomorrow Mantis.

Nearly bed time for me. Been pumped most of the day! I'm fueled and all the gear is ready after 20 checks. Our bus leaves at 7 so I'll be up early, as everyone will I'm sure.

Thanks to @Sunny Dayz , @TheRef and all mentors and contributors. Good luck to us all tomorrow. We're privileged to get to do this, let's enjoy it. I intend to. See you on the other side. LFG

Unthought Known

Best of luck to everyone tomorrow. Remember to smile!

SoundOfSilence

Lads I'm late to this thread but it's been giving me nerves, making me excited and actually it's been inspirational listening to the words of people here. I've been training the past 6 months for the marathon. My training hasn't been ideal but feck it, we're here now.

It was a great buzz at the expo and around the city today. So excited for tomorrow.

Listening to the great advice here, I'm just going to sit tight for the 1st 10 to 12 km. Even if I'm a minute split under what I expect. Just soak it up and enjoy the atmosphere.

Have a deadly race everyone. It's a massive achievement and something everyone should be proud of.

gabbo is coming

Would you reckon a mobile phone is safe in the bag drop bag?

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122766960#Comment_122766960

I’ve always left mine in it and there at the end

gabbo is coming

Thanks, good luck everyone

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122766814#Comment_122766814

Cheers, went for a short run this morning, wasn't too bad, I've come too far not too at least give it a shot, what's the worst that can happen!

Best of luck everyone, remember just another Sunday.

TheRef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122767529#Comment_122767529

That's great to hear Mantis. Good luck today and make sure you enjoy it.

nullObjects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122767529#Comment_122767529

You'll do great 👍

Bulmers

lurker on this forum but just wanted to wish you all a great day. Dublin will come out ,embrace and enjoy folks. 😊

marathon2022

Best of luck to all the legends running this morning

mossiepark

I don't have the energy for a long post but pending a full report, all I have to say is WOW!! What an experience👏 The label of the Friendly Marathon is spot on

nullObjects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122767529#Comment_122767529

Did you get on ok?

nullObjects

Just wanted to say thanks for all the pointers and well wishes. That was tough but I got it done

JohnnyChimpo

Smashed it in 3:22:xx . Incredibly pleased with myself and just blown away by the support on the course. A great day's running was done, and maybe the best pint of Guinness I've ever had afterwards.

Congrats to all!

j2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122769152#Comment_122769152

Wow that's an incredible time, and for your first marathon I'm guessing?

Brilliant day, way more supporters out compared to last year thanks to the better weather (earlier at least). Hope everyone is happy with their marathon and ready to sign up for next year immediately 😂

gabbo is coming

Tough but brilliant day. Legs went at 18, 18 km and then it was a battle. But Dublin was amazing. I loved it.

JohnnyChimpo

Yep, first marathon, and I've only really been running since November when I couldn't do a 5k in one go, so really happy with the progression (I ran a bit in my 20s but that's about 15 years ago now).

Next one I'll have the discipline not to go out too hot and maybe get a 3:15 for myself!

Great day tho

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122769081#Comment_122769081

Happy to report that I made it across the finish line, seriously tough but what an experience, in bits now though 😬

nullObjects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122770124#Comment_122770124

Great stuff, glad to hear it

Lockster

Made it round myself. Was going well up until 28k but then got a pain in my lower right leg that gradually got worse so ran walked from there and walked the last 2k in. I think it’s just a bad case of shin splints but that’s that itch scratched.

SimpleDimple

Delighted with how that went, once I got the mindset of “it’s a pb no matter what” At around mile 15 the stress dropped and I just enjoyed the run… enjoyed being a loose enough term in fairness! Definitely a struggle, but it was great to see all the months of preparation come to this. Made it round without any injuries which was my main goal.

Well done to everyone who took part and huge thanks to all the mentors who kept us on track during the training.

Edited to add the crowd were totally brilliant!! From genuinely laughing at some of the signs, to getting random shouts of my name along the race, no end of free jellies, fruit, high fives from kids, and the final mile was just an incredible atmosphere. I was completely overwhelmed by the end of it.

comanche_cor

Just wanted to post a massive thank you to the mentors for getting us over the finish line. Your help, advice and motivation has been invaluable over the past months. Thanks for all the time and effort that has gone into this thread. You have helped us all though our wobbles big or small. Without your help we would not have had they days we had - thanks you all so much.

slingerz

Thanks to everyone on here. Got to the end but struggled badly from halfway. The mixture of headwind and injury not helping. As a slower runner I didn’t get the benefit of the crowd at the end and it was lonely enough from Stillorgan onwards. The rain getting heavier only exasperated the situation. Still one and now very much done

gabbo is coming

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122773076#Comment_122773076

Well done, same boat, but feel a great sense of achievement nonetheless . I would change a lot of things for the next time.

Mantis Toboggan

Long long day today, just limping around, couldn't sleep properly last night with the pain. Having said that great today knowing it's over and done with and I was delighted just to get over that finish line.

This thread has been a fantastic source of knowledge and information so thanks to everyone who contributed and enjoy the next few days only about 1% of the population will ever run one so it's a massive achievement.

gabbo is coming

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122773137#Comment_122773137

Ah you'll go again next year!

LostArt

Thanks to everyone for the tips and support, I got around in 3:55 which I'm delighted with. It was tough in places and I was very worried around Rte when a hamstring decided to tighten up but thankfully that was it. Sticking to the training plan really did pay off.

It's hard to sum up how incredible the support all around the route was, other than well incredible.

I already know I'll go again next year!