2024 DCM Mentored Novices Thread

When I started marathon training many moons ago I use to eat Jaffa cakes and fun size Mars bars (cheap versions) to keep the hunger away. You could try that.

Walking through water stations is also a good tactic to make sure you get your fluids but just be mindful of stopping your run as someone could be right behind you and literally run into the back of you.

On fuel just eat and drink a little more. Fueling improves as comes with experience. Also the marathon is as much as a mental battle than physical. That’s at every pace. Telling yourself you’re fine and just get to the next corner and distract your mind onto something else. Count to 20. Sing a song. Talk to the cows or birds. Just do whatever you need to forget about what you want to go away

Interesting you mention hills. For DCM22 I done a lot of my long training runs on hills and hilly routes and felt really strong during the race. Last year I followed a different plan that used much more quicker paces so tended to do most running on the flat by the canal and for me it was a big mistake. I struggled much more than I should have and my hamstrings were shot. This year I reguarly choose the hilliest routes in my area. My recommendation would be to incorporate hills when you can.

Its been small bottles the last 2 yyears.There will be a faq on the website too say if that is still the case this year. It was also the cups at FD10 last year too.

Agreed, they are terrible. The little bottle are the best so hopefully still there this year

Its probably because of the recycle charge making the bottles more expensive.

Theyve always used cups in the race series. They might have a station or two with bottles in half but wouldn’t bank on it. If going to carry your own bottles on the marathon great chance to test it out while racing.

The full has always had bottles bar maybe a couple of stops.

There’ll be people collecting bottles by the dozen on the full I say to make a nice little earner

Appreciate the response, thanks!

Life happens, but you've the right attitude - this is a new week and do try to get back on track. I know you are feeling tired, but running on tired legs is part of the process. It will really help you in the latter stages. Just remember - one week at a time.

(oh, and interesting that you are using old money - miles instead of kms :-))

Just a bit of a personal anecdote for this month. I always find September the most difficult month of the entire training block. We are still far enough away from the big day but we are up into the big mileage weeks. At this stage you have likely run the same routes a dozen times and it may at times get a little boring. If you are finding the long runs difficult (don't we all?) consider driving somewhere competely new for your long run. It can freshen things up a lot. In just a few short weeks we will be starting the taper, so try stick with your plan as much as you

For those lucky enough to live close enough to Dublin, plan this month if you can to run part of the course. Not only will it give you a good idea of the route, but you can imagine what it will be like on the day with the hordes of cheering people and the excitement of it all. Another suggestion is something I managed to do last year - my other half was heading out so I got her to drop me off on the way so my long run was just a run home - no out and back.

Something else I recommend is to priortise sleep as much as you can for the next few weeks. You just can't get enough.

As a matter of interest, what was your long run distance?

Been following this since the start and I would like to start contributing.

Have you raced before? If so what are your PBs? (Date and distance please!)
Yes. I plod around so nothing spectacular
5k - 24.26
10k - 52.16
10m - 1.27
Half - 1.56

Do you still need to take walk breaks in your training? (No problem if you do)
No

How much training do you currently do? Distances, how many days a week, cross training, etc - whatever you think is relevant to your current fitness level.

I attempted the Rotterdam marathon last April, got to February and had huge knee issues. After an MRI and a trip to a surgeon it seems I have arthritis and some overload phenomenon in my right knee. Advised to stop running but at least cut down. So I've been doing a lot of base training on the bike. Currently run training 3 days a week - intervals, easy and long run.

What do you want to achieve? Dream finishing time and realistic finishing time? Or just complete it in no specified time?
Under 4.15 would make me a happy man

How many days a week can you train? And what plan do you intend to follow?
3 run days as I said. 2 days on a bike. A cross training session - either elliptical, strength and conditioning or ski, a swim session.
Following a 20 week 3 run plan from Runna - distances only, not the sub-details like 2k warm up, 3k @ 5.10
I did 30k yesterday (longest ever), legs feel ok today, looking good!

What is your biggest worry/fear/doubt (if you have any!) in signing up?
To be injured again, it's heart-breaking

The most important question - Why are you running this marathon?
It's totally against what I told myself much of my adult life. Never thought I'd be able but joined local run club last year and it's been up and up, a great decision. Also I really enjoy the process. Having a plan makes me do things.
I also really really want the Dublin Marathon woolly hat and to wear it smugly.

Blowing up in training is a great way to learn a lot, so take it as a positive.

- I did not take 22k seriously, was thinking at this stage it's not a big distance it's only 2hrs at an easy pace

Hah. "only 2hrs".

- I had an awful night's sleep the night before, prob 3 - 4 hours

Yep, that is never a good thing.

- had GI issues during the night nothing serious but enough

Okay, but lack of sleep as well and going for a 2 hour run when you wake up…

- because of GI issues I decided not to take any gels 

Oh! So, GI issues, nothing mentioned about breakfast, and no gels while going for a 2 hour run - yeah, that's always going to be hard. You could have done with some electrolytes/salt tabs to try and recover a bit first, but I'd focus on the positives here - you bonked and kept on going. You know what it feels like and what will happen if you don't get your nutrition right. Also worth just calling out that if you could run 2 hours normally without gels or water, don't try that in the marathon. Also, taking gels and water on the long runs is not just about keeping your energy levels up - its just as much about training your body to digest when your under a lot of physical stress.

- I did not bring any water and did not plan any water stops (there were no shops on route apart from start and end) - not taking 22k seriously

No water after GI issues. You know yourself - you need to be very careful about being sufficiently hydrated. Not only does it impact your run and risk injury, but it will also hamper your recovery so make sure you take it particularly easy in the next couple of days.

Overall though, you had one bad run but still done the distance. I wouldn't be doubting myself on just that. You're flying and well on course to have a smashing run, so just keep it going.

I'm in wave 3 so will be latching on to the 4.10 pacer

*In addition you should be planning on running the first 7 miles of Dublin 5-15 seconds per mile slower than your target pace. The first mile or two are mayhem with other runners, don't try to bob and weave too much and the next 5 are all slightly uphill so be conservative. If you want to use the pacers wait till mile 10 or 11. If your behind them then, that's when they are most useful.

Agree with this. In my 1st DCM, my goal was to finish ahead of 3:30 pacers. Que panic when they were drifting away from me in 1st KM, I just couldnt keep up without expending lots of effort. I eventually relaxed and let them do their thing, and eased passed them later on in race to finish in 3:24.

So yeah, pacers are a guide, not someone to follow stride for stride for 26.1 miles.