harder half

village runner

How would people compare the first half to the second half of dcm for getting a time ??
Lets say they were both half marathons. Which one would you be confident of having a better time ?
Personally i think the 2nd half is easier but would like to hear other opinions

lecheile

village runner wrote: »

Personally i think the 2nd half is easier but would like to hear other opinions

[Not sure I'd agree VR.] My preference would be for the first half...

- The elevation gain for first half is 572 feet, second half 828 feet
- The first half is more secluded and protected from the wind (although not an issue yesterday)
- The scenery and changes of direction in first half appeal to me more than the long straights of sceond
- if you factor in the crowd support element, Part 1 had much more consistent support with only a few gaps

And I ran first half 3 minutes faster than second

village runner

lecheile wrote: »

Not sure I'd agree VR.

- The elevation gain for first half is 572 feet, second half 828 feet
- The first half is more secluded and protected from the wind (although not an issue yesterday)
- The scenery and changes of direction in first half appeal to me more than the long straights of sceond
- if you factor in the crowd support element, Part 1 had much more consistent support with only a few gaps

And I ran first half 3 minutes faster than second

Dont want you to agree with me.
Its really a question of whats the best way to run dublin ?
It came from a discussion that i had with a very good runner today.

Husavik

lecheile wrote: »

Not sure I'd agree VR.

- The elevation gain for first half is 572 feet, second half 828 feet
- The first half is more secluded and protected from the wind (although not an issue yesterday)
- The scenery and changes of direction in first half appeal to me more than the long straights of sceond
- if you factor in the crowd support element, Part 1 had much more consistent support with only a few gaps

And I ran first half 3 minutes faster than second

Was that really the total ascent for the second half?

Slogger Jogger

For me its much of a muchness - no real difference.

If I had an issue its a personal one in that having run Dublin 6 times I really wish they'd change the route. Doing the route or virtually the same route each year is head wrecking. On that basis I won't reckon I'll run it again. Personally I'd prefer the freshness of a new route, whether its in Dublin or a.n.other location. Jaysus lads even do it counter clockwise!

earlyevening

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

For me its much of a muchness - no real difference.

If I had an issue its a personal one in that having run Dublin 6 times I really wish they'd change the route. Doing the route or virtually the same route each year is head wrecking. On that basis I won't reckon I'll run it again. Personally I'd prefer the freshness of a new route, whether its in Dublin or a.n.other location. Jaysus lads even do it counter clockwise!

I actually like doing the same route. I know how I should feel at each point on the route, I know the hills, I can antisipate the next feature/hill/whatever.
I've done it 4 times and would happily do it another 4.

As for the other question, I think the first half is less hilly and thus easier.

lecheile

Husavik wrote: »

Was that really the total ascent for the second half?

Elevation chart looks like this...

wizwill

the pain is too fresh in the memory to decide, leave it with me!

The Davestator

Although the 2nd half had more elevation I think that this was caused by a couple of steep climbs which you can prepare for. The first half was consistently uphill IMO and was much tougher than the 2nd

aero2k

Analysing it on the map, I'd say the second half is harder, but the long gradual drags in the first half can wear you down. It would be interesting to run the second half without having run 13.1 miles first!

earlyevening wrote: »

I actually like doing the same route. I know how I should feel at each point on the route, I know the hills, I can anticipate the next feature/hill/whatever.

+1000^^^
Knowing the hills were coming I saved a little bit for each, and knowing there was a nice flat or downhill waiting meant there was nothing to fear. I love this route as there are many points along it that have personal significance, plus it is very attractive most of the way.