The Half Marathon support Thread

rainbow kirby

I'd give it a go then - while the pace is a little faster, it's nothing that some good race-day adrenaline and the pacers gently encouraging you won't sort out.

Tec Diver

I took a couple of rest days and then I was working at the weekend, so during a break in work on Sunday I went out for a planned 10k run.
The muscles or whatever at the front of my left calf were sore the whole time, I had no energy and my stomach was not happy.
By the time I got to 3k I just wanted the run to be over, so I turned around. Worst run ever, and the HM in 6 days time...
When I was walking back after the 6k total I nearly spewed. Not sure why though.
I'll rest today (Monday) and may do a light run tomorrow. Here's hoping things improve...

Eoin

rasher_m

Tec Diver wrote: »

I took a couple of rest days and then I was working at the weekend, so during a break in work on Sunday I went out for a planned 10k run.
The muscles or whatever at the front of my left calf were sore the whole time, I had no energy and my stomach was not happy.
By the time I got to 3k I just wanted the run to be over, so I turned around. Worst run ever, and the HM in 6 days time...
When I was walking back after the 6k total I nearly spewed. Not sure why though.
I'll rest today (Monday) and may do a light run tomorrow. Here's hoping things improve...

Eoin

Sounds to me like you were probably lacking energy as you were working the weekend. You probably didn't have enough time to prepare with stretching and monitoring your diet. I know myself if I'm working I wouldn't attempt a run during office hours as I would be tired with stress from work.

sd2002

Hey,

I'm down to do the Dublin Half this Saturday.
Training was going ok til last week when my pace seemed to drop off dramatically! I've felt very sluggish for last few runs.

Today I went for an easy 7k and felt like I was running with someone on my back!

It's like I've suddenly lost a lot of my fitness.

I'm now wondering how I should approach the rest of the week training-wise. S

Should I just rest up and go for maybe one more (easyish) run before Sat?

ecoli

sd2002 wrote: »

Hey,

I'm down to do the Dublin Half this Saturday.
Training was going ok til last week when my pace seemed to drop off dramatically! I've felt very sluggish for last few runs.

Today I went for an easy 7k and felt like I was running with someone on my back!

It's like I've suddenly lost a lot of my fitness.

I'm now wondering how I should approach the rest of the week training-wise. S

Should I just rest up and go for maybe one more (easyish) run before Sat?

Dont worry if you feel you have lost fitness this is just the accumulation of training the work is now done. Over the next week just take it easy do one or two very short easy runs to keep yourself ticking over. They should be slower pace than your usual runs and less than half of what you usually do on your easy days.
For anyone worrying about managing the pace on the day also remember that on the day you will be fresh have the adrenaline build up and with people surrounding you in the race you should feel that the pace is a bit easier at the start so dont worry.
Best of luck to everyone running this week

sd2002

ecoli wrote: »

Dont worry if you feel you have lost fitness this is just the accumulation of training the work is now done. Over the next week just take it easy do one or two very short easy runs to keep yourself ticking over. They should be slower pace than your usual runs and less than half of what you usually do on your easy days.

Cool. Thanks for the advice.

Will do that & hopefully I'll feel fresher come Saturday!

Tec Diver

Yep, probably hoping for too much trying to fit in a run during a work break. I ended up doing over 25 hours work at the weekend, so I would have been in a bad shape anyway! Leg is still sore, so I've been putting a cold pack on it and rubbing in anti-inflammatory gel. Seems to be improving. I might stay off it until the race, just in case and make a judgment call the day before.

Eoin

rasher_m

Tec Diver wrote: »

Yep, probably hoping for too much trying to fit in a run during a work break. I ended up doing over 25 hours work at the weekend, so I would have been in a bad shape anyway! Leg is still sore, so I've been putting a cold pack on it and rubbing in anti-inflammatory gel. Seems to be improving. I might stay off it until the race, just in case and make a judgment call the day before.

Eoin

Thats a good judgement call to me. You will be fresh then on Saturday and full of energy. Lets face it you're not going to get a hell of a lot of training done this week anyway even if you're fit as you're supposed to taper off anyway.
It might be an idea to do a few walks and stretches just to keep your legs active.

rasher_m

Would it be better to try and bring a water bottle?
Do the pacers stop for water or is it a continuous run with them?
I don't want to be stopping and then trying to play catch up. thx

Mike D

Might be an idea to bring a water bottle. I'm not a fan of the cups as they can be a bit messy. I'm assuming that its going to be cups again?? I'm hoping the pacers might slow down a bit and the waterstations but I think they run at a constant pace without deviation to get us over the line at our target times!:)

RayCun

None of the pacers will be slowing down or stopping at the water stations, this goes for all the pace bands. If you want to take some water, do so, but as said above, practice drinking on the run. Step to the side and walk a few steps while drinking if you must, and then catch back up with the pacers, who will be running evenly throughout the race.

(from the main thread)

az2wp0sye65487

I'm planning on dong this race too, and have a couple of questions...

1. Pacers - I assume they will be easily identifiable should I decide to go with one?

2. Water Stations - Does anyone know if they'll be handing out bottles or cups?

3. Sports Drinks - Will these be handed out as well as water? Or is it up to everyone to bring their own. I'm planning on taking a couple of gels so I might not even need one, but I'd like to know anyway!

Thanks.

RayCun

The pacers are wearing special tops, and carrying big balloons. They should be easy enough to spot.
Water is in cups, as far as I know. Only in bottles for the marathon.
Only water at the stations. Again, sports drinks are only in the marathon.

Tec Diver

I got one of these online (http://www.hydrapouch.com/) and will be using it for the first time on my HM this Sunday. I'll let you know how it goes...

the drifter

Ive just been thinking to myself...ive no way to carry water unless in a bottle in my hand!

Cabaal

Can somebody suggest where I can park my car on Saturday near'ish to the Pheonix park for the half marathon, I'm driving from the south east direction up to Dublin.

I'm mindful of the say 8k people doing the HM so I'm worried where I might be able to park the car

The Davestator

Cabaal wrote: »

Can somebody suggest where I can park my car on Saturday near'ish to the Pheonix park for the half marathon, I'm driving from the south east direction up to Dublin.

I'm mindful of the say 8k people doing the HM so I'm worried where I might be able to park the car

Get there early and you'll get a spot in the halfway way house beside the ashtown gate

Cabaal

The Davestator wrote: »

Get there early and you'll get a spot in the halfway way house beside the ashtown gate

How early is early?
Where;s the car park in relation to here exactly (don't know the park that well)

Also any other places to suggest?

figs

Cabaal wrote: »

How early is early?
Where;s the car park in relation to here exactly (don't know the park that well)

This should get you there...
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=118031391557668653311.00049051270870712e368

Cabaal

figs wrote: »

This should get you there...
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=118031391557668653311.00049051270870712e368

Much appreciated

Expecting spaces in the carpark at 8am is too hopeful?

az2wp0sye65487

The Davestator wrote: »

Get there early and you'll get a spot in the halfway way house beside the ashtown gate

Cabaal wrote: »

Much appreciated

Expecting spaces in the carpark at 8am is too hopeful?

I wouldn't be depending on getting a spot in the Halfway House car park at all TBH.

1. They have barriers on the entrance, and afaik they only open during trading hours.
2. They have a car park attendant. I don't know how they'd take to someone using their car park and heading off to the park. You risk coming back to a clamp.... That's even IF the barrier is open and you can get in!

Dow99

Eva Dry Wallpaper wrote: »

You risk coming back to a clamp.... That's even IF the barrier is open and you can get in!

Yes they will clamp you!! - Best is park at Heuston Station and get the bus up

RayCun

If you haven't got a number, run a different race. If you run the race without a number you'll get in the way and piss everyone else off.

a148pro

eh, Mods, why was my post deleted? are offers to buy stuff a no no?

a148pro

RayCun wrote: »

If you haven't got a number, run a different race. If you run the race without a number you'll get in the way and piss everyone else off.

I'll hardly get in the way any more that if I had a number! I'm just looking to do a timed half and I'm going away for 10 days so it suits better to do one before I go. Also the reason I'm going away is I'm getting married and I wanted to bang a few weight reducing runs in before going.

Mind you, 10AM kick off is a bit early for me...

Woddle

a148pro wrote: »

eh, Mods, why was my post deleted? are offers to buy stuff a no no?

Buying or selling numbers is the no no, it's all in the charter at the top of the main forum.

sideswipe

Mind you, 10AM kick off is a bit early for me...

Well if it's to early why not come along at 1 o'clock and run it then, i'll pin my number to a tree near the start line for you (apologies in advance for the sweat) and you can send me on 20 quid (incl vat)

a148pro

but will you time me sidewipe, and possibly shout semi encouraging abuse at me to spur me on?

yungwan

Hi everyone, its been a while since I posted here.
Used to be here every day for a while!

Firstly, best of luck to everyone in their first (or subsequent) HM this weekend! I know you will all be great and push me to the slowest "ran" HM of the year position on here!:D

Anyway, as some of you may know I hurt my knee after my half on last weekend in August (almost 3 weeks ago) and its still not 100% :(:(

I am really missing the exercise tbh and I really want to get back into it.

I have researched knee pain and I think mine was more than likely caused by running on an uneven road surface the weekend before my HM. Also I may be using bad running technique. Running the race just worsened the problem. And despite resting it almost entirely for three weeks ( i went for a couple of walks), its still pulling just under my left knee (on inside of leg).

Would anyone recommend getting sports insoles to help with this/prevent it happening again, or does a physio have to recommend them? Ive ssen them in the chemist, so I just buy a standard pair?

rainbow kirby

I think you might be best off getting a physio to check it out, just to be on the safe side. If they're necessary, you may be recommended orthotics, and you'll probably be given some strengthening exercises to do anyway.