DCM 2023 Mentored Novices Thread

Guys I'm wrecked this week from the running and other life in general stresses. Would it be OK not to "race" on Sat and just, ya know, give a good tempo effort and hope to beat last year's time marginally? I just don't know if I want to keep pushing myself (this week specifically, I mean). Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow and more focussed on Sat. Just yawning all day and feeling sleepy (even with regular and good sleeping, and good eating and water intake).

You've been doing brilliant training so far. Listen to your body.

I ran in a 10 mile race the week before last - I ran it at tempo pace, good and steady and it was nice to finish and feel strong. Also used it as an occasion to try out my marathon outfit - question mark over the bra after that!

- Did you get in all the runs on your plan - if not, then why not? 

Week 6 & 7 update since I have posted in a while. I got 6 runs in wk 6, total of 61.8km and 5 run in wk 7, total of 53.2.

- Did you run the runs at an appropriate pace?  Yes, pace has remained stead for all runs.

I went to Decathlon on the Friday of wk 6 and picked up the belt that was recommeded on here in previous posts. I also got the 250ml flexible water bottles and a couple of raspberry gels. I am going g to be like a Decathlon ambassador for the marathon. I'll be wearing the Decathlon shorts, under shorts and t shirt. I have found all of the gear to be great so far.

I wasn't sure about the thought of using gels but they have went down very well on the last 2 runs and I have found that the feeling hungry after 20km has gone away. The little flexible water bottles are great as well. I'll wear the whole set up to the 10m tomorrow to stress test it. Looks like its going to be a nice miserable morning for it.

Oh my God yes - a mental wobble!! I'm having that this week! I'm running the marathon with a friend of mine and we've been doing most of our training runs together and in a group since the official marathon block started. She's done 2 marathons already but has said she didn't feel she trained properly for them and wants to put in a good training block for this one. She said last weekend she's hoping for around 4:30 and I'm just worrying now inside about am I going to hold her back, not be able to keep up. She's gotten into her stride now with the training whereas I'm a bit tired and I'm finding it tougher now since the long runs are over half marathon distance.

I'm a bit apprehensive of the training block once the summer is over. My son will be starting college and moving away so the beginning of Sept will be a bit up in the air with him moving and getting settled, and then me spending the rest of Sept worrying about him! Then my work will be getting busy from Sept onwards with tax deadlines. Throw in the mornings and evenings getting darker and not as appealing to go out running in!!

The running bra I wore is this one: https://fitpinkfitness.com/products/fitpink-high-impact-front-zip-bra

It is comfy and feels fine for running in - but I noticed after the 10 mile race that it had chaffed bit at the front bottom of where the zip is so I wonder did I maybe not fold over the cover correctly. It didn't feel sore or anything. Will try it out again on this weekend's long run. I'm hoping that will be my marathon bra as it'll be easy to change out of after!! It's a workout in itself getting out of some sports bras!! 😁

For what it's worth, I think all runners marathon training have a wobble at some stage, those internal voices asking you if you have lost the plot trying to do this are very evident! All the advice that was given to @MiniMonstera is so true, especially as a novice trying to get all the training done & think about so many different new things. If I read back over my log for my 1st marathon I know there are quite a few wobbles in it and every marathon after that too there was a wobble. It's human nature to question ourselves but try not let the bad days consume you, listen to your body, let those kind of days come & go & then get back into it as strong as ever. You are doing things other people only think about but never actually get to do them for whatever reason. Recently I found myself looking at each run individually & feeling good or meh about it but when I actually looked at it all together I was very impressed with myself (doesn't happen offten🤣) It's very hard with working, family, outside activities, stress, emotions etc then throw in all our training, feel very proud of it! I would say if possible to try not think way too far ahead, this will defo lead to anxiety & completely feeling over whelmed, take each few days or a week at most & decide when & how you can fit the runs in, somehow we just all manage to do it😊

Hope this helps!

As the long runs have increased lately, the last thing I do before bed the night before, is to make sure everything is laid out and ready for the morning (clothes/ water bottle/ gels / .... although last week I forgot to check I had something in the cupboard for breakfast!) . It is the only thing I can control and it has helped me know that I am as prepared as I can be. It is the last thing I do before going to bed, rather than doing earlier in the night. It has helped me relax and hope it helps you. I only do it before the long runs and not the other days. We have done the training up until now and we have to trust it. Maybe you already do this but then I am sure someone else might have a good tip for you :)

Thanks all. Latest problem: anyone got magic fixes for ITB pain at the knee. Came on at the long run. Have been religiously doing core work and leg raises/clams and foam rolling yet here we are … sorry .. don’t want to make it into a therapy thread but I’m demented now about this 😢.

I'm not a medical professional(internet doctor) but I would say try changing running surface and trainers. I also read many moons ago when I had a similar problem that changing the direction of the run might help, for example if your running routes that are typically left turning then run them clockwise. If I remember correctly I stopped running for a little while and it went away.

I used get this a lot in my right leg. I now know as I’m going through rehab for another injury that I have no strength in my right hamstring causing my knee to fall in slightly and of course pulling on the ITB and the pain is in the outside of the knee. I’d say a good physio will help for a start as mine would work on the muscles and get me through races etc but also strength work to strengthen, glutes, hamstrings, calves etc. Logs of single leg work and hip bridges etc.

@Sunny Dayz hopefully the bra will work out for you after a few wears. I've found Sweaty Betty high impact to be very good. They are not bulky (in fact very thin, which doesn't suit everybody) or heavy but are very good at the job. Not cheap either, but they often have them on sale.

Wow you'll definitely have lots of change going on next month. Your son moving aeay to start college is such a life changing thing.

@witnessmenow thanks, it IS a consolation as I think I'm going mad sometimes and think running's not for me.

That's is brutal what happened to your dinner, after putting the effort in, I'd be chasing the cat around the house! 😄

I agree regarding Decathlon, awful place to shop. And definitely don't bring kids - unless you like being hit in the head with a basketball every 4 seconds. 😆

@Crunchy23 I hope you got on well being the Decathlon ambassador yesterday. How did the gear measure up, racewise? I wore my 7 pocket decathlon shorts and they were great, if a little warm at times, so they might be ideal for end October weather. The writing on the side has already peeled off though after 3 wears so I'm questioning whether they'll stand the test of time.

@Lumen sorry you didn't make it to the race, but you did the right thing, wishing you a speedy recovery!

@MECA I don't get long run jitters (not yet anyway) but this week has been hell for me and looking back now I can safely say it was largely build up to race day jitters. I'll update more in my weekly post later. Also, I too had ITB pain, in my right leg, and there were exercises I found on you tube to be very good. Standing up ones where you're beside a wall (dodgy leg to wall), hip tilted, and other leg movements. The wall is support. Sorry, terrible description but have a Google, worked for me anyway. Did them about 3 times per day for a week or so.

@Laineyfrecks thanks for the positive reinforcement, much needed 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@Seifer sounds like a very successful race. Did the two halves of your race even out? Mine pretty much did and I had nothing left in the tank either.

5 runs this week for a total of 24.6 miles (40Km). I was based out in Wicklow so had a change of scenery for the midweek runs. Got eaten alive by critters along a section of the Wicklow Way and my attempt at strides was interrupted by a dog blocking the road and growling at me, clearly unimpressed with having a runner in his territory 😂.

I took Thursday and Friday off as a mini-taper ahead of the Frank Duffy 10. I was kind of dreading the race, given the wind and the heat but it ended up being ok. I stayed behind the 90 min balloon for most of it, breaking away in the last mile or so for a chip time of 1:29:14. That's about 15 min per mile faster than MP. It wasn't easy but it was manageable for the most part and the 2nd half was faster than the first. Such a great help to be following the pacers (thank you @Murph_D) as you just have to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. i'm still undecided about MP, can't help but think it's unlikely I'll go for 4 hours, 4:15/4:20 might be achieveable but I'll make the call after the half.

Just in from a short recovery shuffle now and the body feels tired but no niggles so that's good.

Well done to everyone who did the FD10. Can't believe we're almost half way through the training 😯

Was attempting a Tempo 10 Mile long run Today and at the 12k mark I got a shooting pain in my right calf it passed straight away but came back again at the end of the run.

I slowed right down but didnt stop as I felt no ongoing pain or sore spots not sure whats going on with it can do calf raises pain free but it is worrying me. Ive meen rubbing magnesium oil on it the rest of the day so it does feel a little off now or it could all be in my mind.

7 runs this week for 52km all easy bar a 10k on Thursday at PMP and the 10 mile Tempo today which finished very easy.

As I found out from my physio calf pain and Achilles pain are all linked back to our glutes and hamstrings getting right so you may need to get physio in that area also not drinking enough water and electrolytes can cause this type of pain as your muscles may be dehydrated.ive also been advised to do 40 squats a day to help keep everything loose.hope this info helps you out