Marathon Improvers Thread.

If you run the first half nice and comfortable you can still go for a time by having energy in the second half. I think you should go by feel …. I was the queen of pace bands and trying to be a slave to them for years but more recently I’ve run by feel and am running much better races.

Thanks Kellygirl. I think that makes sense. I'll go by feeling I think and see if I have it later. I'll probably enjoy it more that way and I'll learn more going forward for potential future marathons (if there is more!).

Wore the Endorphins on a MP session this morning, 14k total including Up and Down.

Felt that discomfort on the ball of the left foot again, at 13k. Wouldn't say pain, just discomfort.

Reading a review there and a guy recommended thin socks. Wore Steigen lycra socks on the 10 mile last week and felt no issues. Wore thicker socks both times I felt it. Will wear the lycra again for the next few runs and see.

What are your thoughts on the steigen sock? Would you recommend for a marathon?

I'm not 100% sure of the sock I'd picked after last week's long run.

Galway is a fab city, the marathon itself is 4 long loops and 2 shorter, all along the Promenade. Done the half twice but this will be my first time attempting the full. 8:30am is the earliest I've ever started and will be 'with' the 10K in the latter stages-all those sprinters passing me 🙂!

I’ve done the 10k, half and 3/4 marathons there. Hopefully you’ll be a distance away from the start when the 10Km start but I found that having the other races start while you are running is quite distracting in a good way. The slower 10Km people might get in your way a bit as they walk 3 or 4 abreast but they are suddenly gone and that loop is over and you might find you didn’t;t even notice it in a way. I’ve always enjoyed Galway even in mad weather in 2019. The wind and rain were side on but it was warm so the only issue was when you’d to run out the pier or whatever it’s called as the wind was pushing us backwards.

Anyone heard anything about when the Brooks Hyperion Elite 3's might be available over here? I called a few shops earlier in the year who said there were some delays but that they'd be in stock with ample time before marathon season. So far....nowt.

I’ve been with a nutritional coach for the last 1.5 years and she has coached me through an ultra as well as various races. Before the Ultra and before my very long runs my calories are increased by 300 a day … all carbs, so I add in things like rice cakes with jam as snacks, a banana, stuff like that. I’d always have oats for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, pasta / rice / potatoes for dinner. I use My Fitness Pal to track and I have about 5-6g of carbs per kg weight …. So if you are 70kg in weight about 350g of carbs.

For long runs I up my calories the day before and the day of by 300 but for the marathon it will prob be an extra day or two on that. It’s working perfectly for me though my regular daily calories were all upped by 100 two weeks ago with the increased mileage and I was starting to drop weight and feel hungry. I’m not sure whether 5-6g is low to be honest. It feels quite high eating all those carbs and I’m not one ever to restrict myself or restrict any food groups so I’m well used to carbs. I’m always perfectly fuelled these days and my recovery is also good.

Thanks, two pairs ordered today.

Small bit of a rant. I try and support Irish shops but one was charging €7 delivery and the other €6 for a pair of socks! They were already slightly more expensive then the manufacturer.

Oh that's very interesting, I have actually started to wonder about the nutrition side of things myself, as I've started to become more consistent with my running, and whether I should go to someone like that.

Would be interested to hear more around how it works, how they account for your training/races etc. Having meals that suit me but also my family are important to stay on track and makes things easier if prepping the same meals.

Though by what you've said there, that shouldn't be an issue as it seems quite flexible in regards to what you can eat.

That sounds really good, great to get that feedback but also just to go off macros so you can plan around what you like to eat. I'm not a fussy eater either.

Does she have a specific title, like Nutritionist or something related to sports etc.? Just so I could look up something similar in my area. Thanks

I had a Curry and Cheese chips and a 1/4 pounder from the local chippers Saturday night before my 32km run on Sunday morning. Seemed to work well for me 😂

I eat a lot of porridge and bananas anyway and they seem to be the sort of food that's recommended anyway?

Saturday morning is an 8:30 start, so I'll have to set the alarm for about 4:30 am to have breakfast out of my system. I have IBS, especially irritated by cows milk, so need to eat long before any race... Maybe add either no or very little milk to the porridge in this case.

I did the Full there last year having done the Half previously. You already know the route. Hopefully you will get a good day. I won't lie passing through the finish area 6 times is mentally challenging, the terrain is rough around the finish area too and the last couple of times when you're tired it just doesn't feel good. The Half or 10k runners didn't bother me. There wasn't so many that it was annoying, what was more annoying was that by the time I was on my last lap there were on a lot of families out with buggies, dogs on leads and kids on scooters/stabilisers to navigate. There was good support though - obviously nothing like DCM but a few came out around Blackrock, Seapoint and the finish area in particular. Best of luck, hopefully the weather will co-operate, and you'll have a super run.