MarieC........you are in the well

McConkey

MarieC, since I'm in a similar position to yourself (not in the 1000 mile challenge obviously, college-wise ) I'd like to put you in the well.

1) So how are you finding combining the running with the PhD at the moment, do you ever feel tired?
2) Were you in a lab-based or a desk-based PhD?
3) How do you feel your training is going in preparation for Connemara?

MarieC

1) So how are you finding combining the running with the PhD at the moment, do you ever feel tired?

Well at the moment Im finding that surfing boards.ie is taking the biggest hit. I usually plan at the start of the week what days I will run and what time of the day I run so I can usually work it in to my college day. I really dont want the running to suffer because of the PhD because I need it too much for stress relief. Saying that, I so find it gets crazy and stressful because I also lecture so there's alot going on that require time and effort and they are all fighting to be #1 priority.

2) Were you in a lab-based or a desk-based PhD?

I wish the answer to this was in the past tense! Almost finished the lab work for the PhD. So that answers the question. Im looking at phase transformations in metals, as a function of composition and sample treatment. Alot, an awful lot of analysis, sample prep involved. I hope to be done and dusted by mid-Summer.

3) How do you feel your training is going in preparation for Connemara?
Im relatively happy with training for Connemara. Iv had to downsize to the Half as Im doing the Paris full 2 weeks later and dont want to risk being too fecked for that. Im happy enough with my times, need to do more core work though I feel, find this has really benefitted my times and lack of injuries (hope to God I didnt just jinx myself there). im trying not to let missing a few runs get to me or stress me because if that happens, then it defeats the purpose of why I run.

shels4ever

How fas do you think your can get?
What would be your best race distance?

MarieC

How fas do you think your can get?
Hmmmm, at the moment not that fast because I think it would need alot more specific effort than Im giving right now. At the moment mileage is # 1. Id love to think I could do 10k in sub 50. Im only 5ft 1(.8) so dont exactly have the longest legs in the world for running.

What would be your best race distance?
Im definitely more an endurance/distance runner than a sprinter. Thats without a doubt. Im never going to win a race but I think to date my 2 best races/runs were the Cork-to-Cobh and DM08. With Cobh I managed to run about 15min faster than I thought I would, and with DM08 I never dreamt that I would break the 4hrs so was ecstatic. I like the mental side to longer runs, the planning and thinking out the race stages.

cfitz

MarieC wrote: »

Im never going to win a race

Not with that attitude you won't

Do you think you'll find it easier or more difficult to do your training when you've moved into full-time employment (as opposed to working on your PhD)?

MarieC

cfitz wrote: »

Not with that attitude you won't

Im a realist thats all

Do you think you'll find it easier or more difficult to do your training when you've moved into full-time employment (as opposed to working on your PhD)?
Hard to say. At least with PhD I can leave my desk at any stage of the day and go for my run. Hours are certainly more adaptable to running but at the same time there are alot more hours so I would definitely like to think that running will get more attention post PhD. Saying that though, there's always going to be something(s) that have to be juggled about to fit it all in

shels4ever

When in your marathon did you know you were going to be under teh 4 hours. Did you have a secret 4 hour target?

MarieC

When in your marathon did you know you were going to be under teh 4 hours. Did you have a secret 4 hour target?

My outloud target was 4:30, I had a whisper target of 4:15 and I think I remember even posting here about my inner child wanting to do sub 4. Never thought before the race Id actually get it on the day. Maybe in years to come or something. I wasn't wearing a stopwatch for the race so I only knew my time at 10k,13.1miles,30k etc. At this last point I realised that if I kept my current pace Id sneak in under the sub 4. Ended up not keeping that pace but doing a negative spilt for the second half. Could have cried for the last mile as realised I was deffo under 4. Best feeling to date in my life.

--amadeus--

I have to say that I would have put your DCM 08 performance up as one of the best of any of us on here last year. Running 30 mins faster than your target with a -ive split and without wearing a watch was simply stunning. And goes to show the benefit of being smart and listening to your body rather than letting a watch tell you what you are or are not capable of.

So questions...

- What are your ambitions, running wise? Time targets, numbers of marathons, which races, etc
- With your endurance preferences will you move up to ultras? Would you consider Tri?
- What's the hardest part about running for you and what do you do to get over that?
- Running heros?

eliwallach

MarieC wrote: »

Ended up not keeping that pace but doing a negative spilt for the second half. Could have cried for the last mile as realised I was deffo under 4. Best feeling to date in my life.

Well done on that, a real accomplishment.

Do you think you can do a better marathon time?

shels4ever

MarieC wrote: »

When in your marathon did you know you were going to be under teh 4 hours. Did you have a secret 4 hour target?

My outloud target was 4:30, I had a whisper target of 4:15 and I think I remember even posting here about my inner child wanting to do sub 4. Never thought before the race Id actually get it on the day. Maybe in years to come or something. I wasn't wearing a stopwatch for the race so I only knew my time at 10k,13.1miles,30k etc. At this last point I realised that if I kept my current pace Id sneak in under the sub 4. Ended up not keeping that pace but doing a negative spilt for the second half. Could have cried for the last mile as realised I was deffo under 4. Best feeling to date in my life.

Great thanks, Great advise for people there.

MarieC

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- What are your ambitions, running wise? Time targets, numbers of marathons, which races, etc

My ultimate ambition would be to participate and finish in the allotted time, the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. Since I found out about it I just think it would be amazing to try it. Time target in the relatively near future would be to get that sub50min 10k. I've no goal with my number of marathons but just to keep on doing them. Id love to do as many wierd and wacky ones in as many wierd and wasky places as possible. I really would like to be faster also...... Dont think I can focus on that though properly until post PhD.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- With your endurance preferences will you move up to ultras? Would you consider Tri?

I was training for Connemara last year and had to pull put of training in Jan due to a suspected stress fracture. started swimming/aqua jogging 7 days a week and as I cycle to college anyway the notion of triathlons crept in. Bought a few books on them and definitely plan on competing in some sooner rather than later. Once Ive done one though I can imagine myself wanting to go straight from that to an Ironman or something (I know I know, crazy)

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- What's the hardest part about running for you and what do you do to get over that?

This is a tricky one....I think maybe that the hardest part for me is juggling it with college life. It gets stressful and when college gets demanding, thats when I need to run but its also when running possibly has to be sacrificed as I have to prioritise. And I hate hate hate the guilt of missing a day of running. Its always those days that all you see on your way home are the world and his mother running! To overcome this, I say feck the college work and I run anyway-my sanity depends on it.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- Running heros?

Definitely Paula Radcliffe. I think her story is amazing. The way she wins every marathon bar the Olympic ones....We share the same birthday and Im sure she's as delighted about that as I am! :rolleyes:
Cant but mention Haile Gebreselassie - Absolute legend.
Others that I find inspirational, corny and all as it may sound, but its friends that take up running from scratch and train and work hard at it. As much, if not more respect for them as they are somewhat scared/intimidated by running and runners!

MarieC

eliwallach wrote: »

Well done on that, a real accomplishment.

Do you think you can do a better marathon time?

Thanks for the eliwallach. To answer your question I think yes definitely I can do a better marathon time. Im lighter than I was in DM 08, I've been working more on my core. If I kept that up, along with more training and some specialised speed training there is definitely room for improvement.

MCOS

Hi MarieC, What is your favourite post run indulgence?

Seres

when did you start running and why ?
do you have a training program and if so do you stick to it ?

MarieC

MCOS wrote: »

Hi MarieC, What is your favourite post run indulgence?

Due to a more often than not queasy tummy after running, I would never have had a post run indulgence. Wouldnt be able go near the goodie bag til that evening. But since I stopped dairy on run days thats changed. What I love after a run is granola with Glenisk natural yogurt and a good mug of lyons pyramidal tea - Im a wild one aren't I!

MarieC

Seres wrote: »

when did you start running and why ?

I started running in the summer of 2004. I was living in Dublin at the time and my brother was in to running but much and all as I wanted to start running I was v.scared as didnt think I was able for it. So one summers evening we went on a 2.5mile run around whitehall. I nearly died. He asked me how I felt during it - I said I felt awful, he said - thats great, feel the burn and keep going! From that day on I never if possible let myself stop when running. built it up from there. Raheny 5 in 2005 was my first fun run and loved it. Did the womens mini marathon in 2006 and that marked the start of my training for DM 06. I think my sheer stubborness have definitely stood to me in running.

I have kept running because the benefits of it are never-ending. I've lost alot of weight, have more confidence and have found a v.positive way of channeling my stress. I dont drink so I need some means of working through it. I have also found that by having running in my life, it isnt possible for me to have an unhealthy diet, and that can only be a good thing. Also, Id like to think it has encouraged my newbie running friends to see that anyone can run, u dont have to be elite or fast or scrawny, all u need are runners!

Seres wrote: »

do you have a training program and if so do you stick to it ?

I use the Hal Higdon Novice programme. It suits my ability level and the amount of time that I can dedicate to running. I more or less stick to it. At the start of every week I write on a post-it what miles i've to do that week, cross them off as I go and if I dont get them done, carry them forward to the following week. I find having a race to work towards, and a plan for getting me ready for it are essential.

MCOS

MarieC wrote: »

What I love after a run is granola with Glenisk natural yogurt and a good mug of lyons pyramidal tea - Im a wild one aren't I!

oooh yeah proper nutter you

ClashCityRocker

MarieC wrote: »

I wasn't wearing a stopwatch for the race so I only knew my time at 10k,13.1miles,30k etc.

Why were you watchless?

Was it a deliberate tactic (as in "I'll just run comfortably and not worry about my time"), or did you just forget it on the day, or do you not own one, or what?

Do you have other interests, sports related or not, other than running? By the sounds of it your PhD doesn't allow time for much...

MarieC

ClashCityRocker wrote: »

Why were you watchless?

Was it a deliberate tactic (as in "I'll just run comfortably and not worry about my time"), or did you just forget it on the day, or do you not own one, or what?

I used to have a stopwatch Id got with tokens from Special K but it died about a month into training for DM 08. I couldn't afford a new watch hence running watchless. the gym where I run from has a large clock by the pool which u can see at the entrance so thats how I timed my runs. Hunnymonster kindly put one in the post for me for DM08 but it got lost in the post so thats why I ran watchless on the day. I have a watch now (broke open the piggy bank) but I'll only ever check my time on finishing my run.

ClashCityRocker wrote: »

Do you have other interests, sports related or not, other than running? By the sounds of it your PhD doesn't allow time for much...

I used to be big into kickboxing, absolutely loved it. But I couldn't keep everything going so gave that up. What I love about the running is the fact you can run whenever suits yourself, dont have to be anywhere for it at any specific time. Every and any time can be the right time to run
Other interests, all really on hold at the moment would be creative ones - photography, art, card making. Not great at any of them really but I enjoy being creative. I like swimming but not that strong at it - 32ish minutes per 1km...