DCM 2023 Mentored Novices Thread

Week 11

42K in the bag. Mid-week 10k's were sore and I was tired and cranky all week. The first 11k on Saturday's LSR was ran at far to great a pace considering the sauna conditions and I was running with a group which didn't help so I slowed down for the second 11k. I was dead in the water for the last 2k because of the heat. Still was very happy with the 22k LSR as I'm steadily increasing the distance week on week after the injury and I feel I'm catching up a bit. Should have switched LSR from Saturday to Sunday. I'm going to avoid caffeine gels until later in the race as I feel they are actually dehydriding me, especially in heat.

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

Yes so happy out.

- Did you complete all the runs at an appropriate pace?

Ran a little to fast for the first 11k of the LSR as I was with a group but it helped me to appreciate by 22k that I can't run at that pace on race day especially if hot (unlikely) but good learning.

Week 11

Highest mileage week of the plan so far and my highest ever weekly mileage at 63.4km! Plus I've added the 20 miler to my stats.

5 runs total in the week. The 13km was lovely but quite warm. Happened to have a grl on me so took it.

Funeral on Thurs meant I didn't get out for the strides session, did it on Fri but left our the strides as I was in panic mode for LSR. LSR was ok, per my last post, but was v tired after, mainly due to the heat I think. Woke up with a full on dose on Sunday but managed to get out for Recov run.

Family life is hectic atm, and with husbands marathon training ramping up alongside mine we're literally tagging in and out of the house on runs

Plan is to do 5 runs this week.

I also got my email, wave 4 too 😃

@MisterJinx can you quote the questions you posed a few days back, can't find the original post 👍🏼

The waves start every 20 mins. However if you are looking for sub 4 and mean 3:59 I wouldn’t be going out with the 3:50 pacers anyway. You could end up with a very slow and painful 2nd half. You would be better off in Wave 3, possibly behind the 4 hour pacers and build into the pace. The first 7 miles of Dublin, you need to take handy until you reach the highest part of the route in Castleknock. After that you can start picking up the pace a little.

Wow well done to you both managing marathon training while you have smallies. Himself has done 2 marathons and I asked him (nicely) not to do Dublin marathon this year so that I could train for it and we only have one child whom I'd say is a lot older than your gang.

I have wave 3, but that sure isn't happening 🤣. I'll definitely be moving down to wave 4 1/2 on the day.

I remember setting my alarm for 2:30am when the last round of applications started because I was sure that they would sell out in no time. I also thought that I would boost my finish time (just a bit 🤣) in the hope it would give me more of a chance of getting in. I was a bit shocked and excited when I found realised that I had beaten the queue and had been successful this time. However it was a bit in vain because the window was open right up until the deadline date...

This might be an awful dumb random question but if the waves are all 20min apart how does that work for the finish line timer. Does that mean someone in e.g. wave 4 would be 60 min more than their chip time gonna under that?

Thanks! Got that .. I was thinking of the photos for the grandkids in years to come though.. I’d be telling them I ran it in x hours and then they see a photo of the finish line where it’d be x hours + 40/60/80 or whatever.

And they’d say ‘poor old Granny Meca is losing her marbles again.. 👵.

I assume that's the "itab medal" add on, it cost €8 extra when buying the ticket.

There are four separate colour coded clocks at the finish line, one for each wave. Your bib number will be colour coded to your wave.

Thank you and sorry to ask, just v. difficult to find older posts on the phone. My laptop is goosed 😃

- Write down your progress - where have you come from as a runner since starting this plan?

I think structure really suits me. Even when I did races previously I never really followed a plan or set a goal time (except for the leixlip 5km in May). It definitely adds pressure, like constant watch monitoring etc., but good pressure. And its great to see the progress week on week. I can see myself taking only a small break post marathon and then maybe diving into a 5km training block (that obviously might change!).

Self belief has come on heaps to, although I think there would be more negative moments than positive (knowing my temperament and personality) if I hadn't got a supportive partner, giving me pep talks and advice most days 😀

- What are the small/big changes that you need to make in the coming few weeks BEFORE the taper.

I think I just need to sustain the self belief, especially when running on tired legs. I also need to not overthink everything - of course its absolutely necessary to have a plan but getting tied up in knots about specifics relating to gear and fuelling etc. isn't helpful. From a fitness pov, I am confident now that I can complete the marathon - absolutely. Within what time frame I'm really not sure, and there'll be variables outside of my control. But I really do just want to enjoy my first one and soak it all up.

- What are the things that you NEED to do in the coming 3-4 long runs to better prep for DCM?

I really think it will be cultivating and maintaining a positive mindset. Easier said than done!

My answers are a bit repetitious, but honestly, mindset is the key driver for me lately. The rest is noise.

Question: is it too late or not a good idea to add in some upper arm strength training, at this point? I have been meaning to post about this before now but just haven't gotten to it/keep forgetting. I notice on my faster runs, and particularly in races, it's my upper arms that get tired from the driving (much quicker than my legs), and stronger DOMS than in legs the next day (or at least as much as).

I have a set of dumbells with the removable weights. Would it be worth doing some kind of gentle routine for say 10 mins or so a day? I've never lifted weights and would have no appetite to over do it, but would like to stave off that tiredness for race day as much as possible 👍🏼

I'm far from an expert and others probably more qualified to comment but I wouldn't have thought introducing weights would be ideal at this stage, especially if you have never lifted weights before. Weights can take some getting used to and take up a lot of energy with sore muscles sore for days. Saying that very light weights may be fine but I'd imagine some good upper body stretches would go a long way now rather than just stretching the legs.

I'm enjoying the training but in lots of ways I just want the marathon to be here already!

It occupies basically every waking thought and hugely dominates every conversation I have with anyone!

Very normal to feel sore arms/neck/shoulders at this stage. Good point there from TheRef about focusing on hands, arms, wrists, shoulders during runs, especially long runs. I like to shake out my arms every few miles, just to remind myself to keep loose. Your watch beeps are a good time to do a little check - are my shoulders relaxed, am I feeling loose, etc.