Donothoponpop... you are in the well

Stupid_Private

My creative ploy to stop donothoponpop from getting out and doing any miles today and thus allowing me to get ever closer to him in the 1000 mile challenge is to stick him in the well... *commence evil laugh*

So everyone, come in and ask questions, the more the merrier. I reckon starting with questions about his early childhood would be best...

But seriously. You're part of the Rotterdam sub 3 challenge group. What draws you to sub 3? Is it your first time aiming for sub 3 hours? How close have you been to 3 before? What's your marathon history like to date? Do you compete in many other races?

TheRoadRunner

How fast do you think you could cover the marathon distance in Rotterdam if everything continues to go well in training and you have the race of your life on the day ?

Hill runs or speedwork ?

donothoponpop

Stupid_Private wrote: »

But seriously. You're part of the Rotterdam sub 3 challenge group. What draws you to sub 3? Is it your first time aiming for sub 3 hours? How close have you been to 3 before? What's your marathon history like to date? Do you compete in many other races?

My previous three marathons have all been the last three Dublins, 3:49, 3:31, 3:10, and I only want to go sub 3 so I can write down a pb that starts with 2:xx. The last one I was looking for 3:15, which I thought would be more of a struggle than I found it to be. As soon as I crossed the line five minutes earlier than I had expected, I knew with a bit more training I could go under 3. My "taper" had consisted of a three week course of antibiotics and little running. My longest long run in training had been a 21miler, but at a slow 9 min pace, and average milage had been about 35-40 a week.

Three weeks of a-wooing the wife later, I had been given the green light to do one more marathon, which I think will be my last for a while, so I want to make it a good one.

Slogger Jogger

Hello training and racing buddy. You're using P&D for your schedule. Any particular reason? What did you do before you started running? Don't think we ever saw that before picture

Btw, hill repeats next week. I know you're looking forward to it.

donothoponpop

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

How fast do you think you could cover the marathon distance in Rotterdam if everything continues to go well in training and you have the race of your life on the day ?

Hill runs or speedwork ?

Being perfectly honest, I'm starting to feel like I could go about 2:57 or so, in a perfect race. This is only because of how well training is going at the moment, and past performances versus past expectations.
*HOWEVER!*
I read with admiration many of the runners here who have come so close to breaking 3, and many of them would be better runners than me. So I think in actuality what will happen is that on the day I will realize that getting from 3:10 down to under 3 is a lot harder than I am giving it credit, and I will find it more difficult than I think. So if I get 2:59:59, I'll be perfectly happy with calling that my perfect race.

Where I live in South Wicklow, I'm surrounded by hills, so hills form part of every training run. Even when I do speedwork, I'll usually stride uphill. Recently I got in 10x100m on a cinder track, first trackwork in 20 years, but I'd have to say my preference is hills (or fartlek) over speedwork.
Still proud of my kick on the bend for home though;)

donothoponpop

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Hello training and racing buddy. You're using P&D for your schedule. Any particular reason? What did you do before you started running? Don't think we ever saw that before picture

Hiya SJ. I used the P&D for my last marathon, and the training seemed to suit me better than what I'd been using before (I think a Runners World schedule). I like the higher midweek mileage in it, helps so much with the endurance needed for the final six miles. Plus, "Advanced Marathoning" is a book I'd recommend to all marathoners, no matter what your times are

Before I started running I smoked, drank, ate, all around me. I had been living in NY, and found it very easy to become "supersized", with chronic back problems and very high blood pressure, Think I would wake up with a hangover three or four times a week! Coming back to Ireland, I disliked the pub scene here, and wanted something different, so started running again, mainly to lose weight and quit the fags.
Didn't plan for how addictive running would be, though!

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Btw, hill repeats next week. I know you're looking forward to it.

Please god, let there be snow...:)

Krusty_Clown

Hi Donothoponpop, you'e shaved around 20 minutes off of each of your marathons, presumably by doing incrementally more/harder training. Do you think your training for Dusseldorf has also increased in intensity to the same degree?

Will you give up marathoning, once you've hit 2:xx?

How much harder is Trooperstown to Annacurra?

How will you return the favour and stop Stupid_private from moving up the table?

tunney

You're marathon times have improved year on year.
Have you tracked any changes in your weight since your first marathon?

donothoponpop

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hi Donothoponpop, you'e shaved around 20 minutes off of each of your marathons, presumably by doing incrementally more/harder training. Do you think your training for Dusseldorf has also increased in intensity to the same degree?

Will you give up marathoning, once you've hit 2:xx?

How much harder is Trooperstown to Annacurra?

How will you return the favour and stop Stupid_private from moving up the table?

Hi Krusty,
I'm actually training for Rotterdam, but my training has intensified for this one to a much greater degree than before. I'm getting the miles in, running at a much faster pace in training, eating/drinking/sleeping well, this marathon has me more focussed than before. This training schedule is much more advanced than previous ones, in all aspects.

I'll give up marathons for a few years at least, when I get sub 3, and move to 10ks and IMRA runs.

Never yet ran Trooperstown.

There's only one way to stop someone getting ahead of you on that damn table, you know what it is;).
Have to say though, its been a great motivator to get out and get some miles on the clock, nice one Woddle.

donothoponpop

tunney wrote: »

You're marathon times have improved year on year.
Have you tracked any changes in your weight since your first marathon?

Hi tunney,

when I started training for the first, I was about 100kg, I'd say I'm around 82kg or so now (I'm 6'2"), don't really weight myself much. A better yardstick would be cup size, I've gone from being a bit heavy on top, to not even needing my training bra now:)

I've not found a huge correlation between weight loss and times (although obviously there is one) when running on the flat, but I want to lose the excess I still have for this summers mountain races. You really feel the extra baggage when you carry it uphill.

Krusty_Clown

donothoponpop wrote: »

Hi tunney,

when I started training for the first, I was about 100kg, I'd say I'm around 82kg or so now (I'm 6'2"), don't really weight myself much. A better yardstick would be cup size, I've gone from being a bit heavy on top, to not even needing my training bra now:)

Brilliant!

MCOS

Wow 18kg is a serious weight loss when considering the muscle you may have gained also in theat time :eek: From 100kg smoker to gunning for sub 3 Well done! What have been the most significant changes you have made to your diet in that time?

cfitz

In the IMRA races, how scared do you get when running down the mountains?

BeepBeep67

What's the max mileage you have completed in a week?
What will you max mileage week be in prep for your next Marathon?

BeepBeep67

PB or 1st place (or beating someone for the 1st time)?

donothoponpop

MCOS wrote: »

What have been the most significant changes you have made to your diet in that time?

Cutting out processed foods, make my own pasta sauce, lately I find switching to low-fat milk has with weight loss.

Not being hung-over that often, I also tend to skip the comfort breakfasts, eat porridge instead.

shels4ever

What has been your best performance to date and why?
How do you deal with the mental side of the sport and get yourself through the hard parts of races.

donothoponpop

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

PB or 1st place (or beating someone for the 1st time)?

Perennial question! When you tell someone you first meet that you run marathons, they always ask your best time, and I too define marathon runners by their PB's, but I still have great memories of passing someone on the finishing straight when I was younger, can't beat that feeling, so 1st place (nowadays that reads as beating a rival in a race) all the way!

donothoponpop

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

What's the max mileage you have completed in a week?
What will you max mileage week be in prep for your next Marathon?

Last marathon max week was about 45 miles, this time I'm rarely under 50 miles a week, have done 63, and will get up to 70 (possibly this week).

donothoponpop

cfitz wrote: »

In the IMRA races, how scared do you get when running down the mountains?

Not at all anymore. Most of my training is on trail, so I've built up good strength in the ankle muscles and as my weight has come down I can hit the ground with less of an impact. When you see more experienced runners blaze downhill, you soon learn to trust yourself and go for it yourself.

I ran real fast down the side of Lugnacoille last summer during a race, the surface was soft should you fall, it was a great feeling of freedom.

--amadeus--

I know that (like me) you have mini germ magnets - how do you balance work / family / running to ensure that all get the attention they need?

Do you REALLY believe that Rotterdam will be your last marathon (I think you said the same about Dublin!)

Do you mind my asking what you do for a living?

Who do you most want to beat on Boards? Which would be better - beating SJ in Rotterdam and running 3:01 or running 2:59 but with him 5 mins in front

On the P&D schedule do you do the doubles?

How do you manage to stay so endlessly upbeat?

Most admired athlete and Boardsie?

donothoponpop

shels4ever wrote: »

What has been your best performance to date and why?
How do you deal with the mental side of the sport and get yourself through the hard parts of races.

I've got two that I can't separate. Last summers Ballybraid IMRA race, I was in a group of runners two thirds in, really hurting from the pace, and I fell. The thought flashed in my mind "let them go, here's your excuse", but straight away another thought said "pick yourself up and go for it", so I jumped up and started running faster. Soon I had caught them again, and put on another surge to get some distance ahead of them. By the time the final long downhill came around, I knew I would beat them in the race, and could just coast down to keep my place. But I spied another runner, who was a good bit ahead, and decided to just go for it, see if I could reel him in. I took longer strides, ran as fast as i could, and indeed caught up with him and well beat him. I was thrilled with this race, I had done my best in it, and can't always say that about all races.

The other is Dublin 08, started hurting around 21 miles, and just stuck at it, counting down the miles. There's pain on everyone's face at this stage, you just keep on doing what you've been doing, and lie to yourself if needs be- "just get to 22, then 23, then 24..." then you're two from home and that happy feeling starts up again.

So to answer your question, both times I had to "fool" my brain into not giving in to the hurt. Obviously I got through the races, so you learn to forget the pain for a little while.

donothoponpop

--amadeus-- wrote: »

I know that (like me) you have mini germ magnets - how do you balance work / family / running to ensure that all get the attention they need?

I don't think they can be balanced, one always has to give. If I'm really busy, my training will suffer. At the moment I'm letting work suffer to do Rotterdam.
The day I feel I'm letting my family suffer, I'll hang up my sneakers.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Do you REALLY believe that Rotterdam will be your last marathon (I think you said the same about Dublin!)

Yup, at best I'll do another one several years from now when the kids have grown a bit.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Do you mind my asking what you do for a living?

I paint portraits.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Who do you most want to beat on Boards?

I guess most want to beat Enduro, Bazman, or PeterX, as that would mean I would have won an IMRA race:D
Realistically, SJ, as I race against him often and he's a hard target.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Which would be better - beating SJ in Rotterdam and running 3:01 or running 2:59 but with him 5 mins in front

I'd take the 2:59, although who's to say I won't beat him while running that time;)

--amadeus-- wrote: »

On the P&D schedule do you do the doubles?

Meh. Sometimes. Don't really see how important two slow runs are in a day.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

How do you manage to stay so endlessly upbeat?

A neverending supply of free emoticons:D:D:D
I'm actually quite cranky IRL, posting on boards gives me the time to tell it like it bloody well is take a deep breath, backspace and compose a more diplomatic answer;)

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Most admired athlete and Boardsie?

At the moment Haile, used to love watching Carl Lewis (but don't like that cloud over him now), also I grew up during the great era of Brit 1500m runners, Coe, Cram, Ovett, Elliott, but all time I was forever in awe watching Said Aouita every time he ran.

I admire everyone who does their best. Strangely enough, I admire most those Boardsies (I won't name them) who are down towards the bottom of the 1000 mile challenge, just starting to get into running, but who continue to stick it out and post their milage and logs. I was in their shoes not too long ago.

pgibbo

Just started viewing these "in the well" posts today. Great idea.

donothoponpop, I have to say your answers are sincere, inspiring and very encouraging. Kudos to you. :cool:

Rusty Cogs 08

If you were coming down the home straight of the Dublin marathon with an unassailable lead and two flags were held out for you, one Irish one Wicklow, which would you grab ?

(just one now, not both or neither)

TheRoadRunner

would you encourage your kids to take up running ?

what would you rather witness in the flesh if you could. The world cup final (Brazil vs Italy) or the Olympic (insert favourite race) final ?

donothoponpop

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

If you were coming down the home straight of the Dublin marathon with an unassailable lead and two flags were held out for you, one Irish one Wicklow, which would you grab ?

(just one now, not both or neither)

I guess the Irish one, I'm not more than a Wickla blow-in.

Hey, how many miles has Stupid_Private clocked up by now? I'm off for a run!

donothoponpop

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

would you encourage your kids to take up running ?

Most definitely, in fact they both run twice a week with me, 1km trail run to the Play Tree, climb the tree for a while, then 1km race back to the car. My 4 year old daughter in particular will be a very good runner when she's older, my 6 year old son is more bookish than sporty, but I hope he'll get a love of running like I have.

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

what would you rather witness in the flesh if you could. The world cup final (Brazil vs Italy) or the Olympic (insert favourite race) final ?

Olympic 1500. Sprints have too dark a cloud over them (I hope Bolt is the exception coz he's awesome to watch), the 1500 is still the best event of the games for me (10k a close second).

Peckham

donothoponpop wrote: »

I paint portraits.

Who or what would be your dream to paint in real life? And why?

donothoponpop

Peckham wrote: »

Who or what would be your dream to paint in real life? And why?

Not trying to be glib here peckham, but I don't really care. A face is just shapes and colours. I prefer older faces with more character, but hands are even more expressive, and more difficult to paint.

And thats all from me on art, if I start talking about that subject as well as running here, I'd be on 24/7!:D

--amadeus--

One last question -

Neither the perfect race or teh perfect painting exist. If you could only do one which would it be?

donothoponpop

--amadeus-- wrote: »

One last question -

Neither the perfect race or teh perfect painting exist. If you could only do one which would it be?

Ha, it may not seem like it by the amount of time I devote to running, but painting is my first love, and by some distance! So I'd choose to do the perfect painting.

And then I'd rehydrate with sports drink, 2 mile warmdown, and spend the rest of the day discussing the painting on this forum:)