Rotterdam marathon 2011

poskantor

Doesnt look like there's a thread started on this, so thought I'd start one. I've signed up, booked the flights etc. I did 3:01 in Dublin 2009, got a bad injury 2010 (came of my bicycle at about 60km/hr and messed up my leg) so didnt get a chance to improve in 2010, so looking to break 3hrs in 2011. Anyone else signed up or advice from previous runner would be good.

village runner

poskantor wrote: »

Doesnt look like there's a thread started on this, so thought I'd start one. I've signed up, booked the flights etc. I did 3:01 in Dublin 2009, got a bad injury 2010 (came of my bicycle at about 60km/hr and messed up my leg) so didnt get a chance to improve in 2010, so looking to break 3hrs in 2011. Anyone else signed up or advice from previous runner would be good.

Flat course great pb course drinks in cups............Lonely in woods from 34-38 when you want crowds
11am start due to paris starting at 8.45am is a negative if its too warm.
Energy drink poor and drinking out of cups through sponges a bad idea. Got really dehydrated here. Lesson learnt.

Brianderunner

Go into your starting pen early and get up near the front of it. Congestion is a serious problem there the first 5k until the feyenoord stadium. Book your hotel asap if you haven't already done it or you'll end up in the suburbs. Also make sure your pacing strategy is in km's not miles. Good luck.

topcat77

Hi Poskantor,

I've signed up but unlike you I’m looking to get under 4 hours. Only done the 1 marathon last year (Belfast). Booked flights and staying over the girlfriends Dads house in Alphen (30mins away). Good luck with the training and I wish you all the best for the 3-hour goal. Might meet after the race for congratulatory drinks?

dapope

poskantor wrote: »

Doesnt look like there's a thread started on this, so thought I'd start one. I've signed up, booked the flights etc. I did 3:01 in Dublin 2009, got a bad injury 2010 (came of my bicycle at about 60km/hr and messed up my leg) so didnt get a chance to improve in 2010, so looking to break 3hrs in 2011. Anyone else signed up or advice from previous runner would be good.

Signed up, flights and accomodation booked.

Did 3:01 in Dublin 2006 and hoping to break 3 hours this time around. Fingers crossed. Reading last years thread it seems congestion is a problem at the start (first 5km) and water is handed out in cups and not bottles. I've also read it is quiet support wise between 32km-38km when you may need it most. Hopefully everything will be under control and any support a bonus

3 months to go!

Pronator

Hi Guy's,

A Boards NewBee here. I'm booked into to run Rotterdam with a friend also. Flights and accom booked. Not sure what my goal is other than to finish the race. I've heard its flat which is always a bonus. I have run 8 previous marathon's and am planning another 2 this year with Rotterdam and Dublin or New York. Drinking from cups will be a big problem.

Training has been going ok - need to get more miles done though:pac:

pre

Pronator wrote: »

Hi Guy's,

A Boards NewBee here. I'm booked into to run Rotterdam with a friend also. Flights and accom booked. Not sure what my goal is other than to finish the race. I've heard its flat which is always a bonus. I have run 8 previous marathon's and am planning another 2 this year with Rotterdam and Dublin or New York. Drinking from cups will be a big problem.

Training has been going ok - need to get more miles done though:pac:

i heard its very flat alright

misty floyd

I found drinking from the cups totally fine. There is a little triangular cut out in the sponge which sits at the top of the cup. You can take a few sips out of it (with the sponge in) without it running down your nose/face....you just don't get that much out of it. I just took a cup at all of the stations and there are loads of them. I was well hydrated.

Loads of people supporting but you don't know what they are saying so its not like a home marathon. All in all, I thought it was a great one. Best of luck everyone I wish I was doing it myself.

KentuckyPete

I'm signed up too. Did it last year as my second marathon and PB'd in 3:14.27.

It's a great course - totally flat. I had no hassle with the cups either. I'd slow to a trot/walk as I approached the feed station and down my gel then take two cups, drinking one and pouring the other over my head while walking. Then one more cup to drink and then gone. I did this at 10, 20 and 30k. Cost around 12 seconds per stop (I can't drink properly while running).

There's loads of sponge stations too - you can grab two big sponges without breaking stride and douse yourself.

While saying the course is flat, there is a slight rise from 28 to 32K, However the downhill comes back by 32K and you can get a great lift from that.

Brianderunner is right about the pens. Get in early and go to the front. The congestion is shocking.

The craic afterwards is OK, not fantastic. A bunch of boardsies met up for beers last year and it was a good laugh - we should look to do the same again

There was a thread on the 2010 race. It's here. Read the later posts / race reports in there to get some good info. Misty Floyd ran 3:00.30 so pay close attention to his posts;)

topcat77

I've entered the Rotterdam marathon back in November. I can't for the life of me remember which starting Pen I chose? I can't find any information regarding the start pen on my conformation email. I know it ain't a major issue but can anyone help?

dapope

topcat77 wrote: »

I've entered the Rotterdam marathon back in November. I can't for the life of me remember which starting Pen I chose? I can't find any information regarding the start pen on my conformation email. I know it ain't a major issue but can anyone help?

Just drop them an email at: info@marathonrotterdam.nl and they should be able to tell you. I had to email them with proof of a recent time to get into the C pen and they got back to me very quickly.

KentuckyPete

topcat77 wrote: »

I've entered the Rotterdam marathon back in November. I can't for the life of me remember which starting Pen I chose? I can't find any information regarding the start pen on my conformation email. I know it ain't a major issue but can anyone help?

TC, they'll give you your pen assignment sometime in February (that's what happened last year anyway). If you're looking to start from one of the faster pens (A,B or C) you'll need to send them proof of your fast time from a previous race. Otherwise, depending on what estimated finish time you put on your entry, again based on last year's approach, they'll put you in D (3:00 to 3:30) or E (3:30 +) or whatever.

Good luck with the training

Speedy44

poskantor wrote: »

Doesnt look like there's a thread started on this, so thought I'd start one. I've signed up, booked the flights etc. I did 3:01 in Dublin 2009, got a bad injury 2010 (came of my bicycle at about 60km/hr and messed up my leg) so didnt get a chance to improve in 2010, so looking to break 3hrs in 2011. Anyone else signed up or advice from previous runner would be good.

I fully intend to do this, but as is usual for me, I havn't signed up or booked anything yet :eek:
Planning to go sub 3, finally :rolleyes:

poskantor

Does anyone know if congestion is a problem at the start even in the faster pens. I'll be in pen c and wondering if I'll have to do a couple of slow kms at the start.

Pronator

Hi Poskantor,

I have not done this before but according to a couple of work collegue's, once you are to the front of the Pen you should be fine. You won't have slow runners in the first 3 pens (A-C).

The advice I have got is to get there early, you will be fine in Pen C.;)

village runner

poskantor wrote: »

Does anyone know if congestion is a problem at the start even in the faster pens. I'll be in pen c and wondering if I'll have to do a couple of slow kms at the start.

a and b start at left side of road and c starts on other side so in fact you can start at the front and then be in a group. depends on time you plan to run

topcat77

Done my first 20 Mile (LSR) on Saturday!!! Little stiff today but i've got room to play around with my training schedule. Looking forward to this one.

Speedy44

topcat77 wrote: »

Done my first 20 Mile (LSR) on Saturday!!! Little stiff today but i've got room to play around with my training schedule. Looking forward to this one.

nice one TC, what sort of time are you looking to run?

KentuckyPete

Am just getting towards the long runs too - haven't broken 15 miles yet. Was gearing towards shorter distances (Waterford Half and Dungarvan 10) but now that Dungarvan is done yesterday it's time to move to the next phase.

Strained the hamstring a bit on the last two miles in yesterday's race so there'll be a lot of recovery miles for the moment -nothing too strenuous.

Did 3:14:27 last year in Rotterdam so will aim for 3:10 in the training and see how we go. My McMillan target for the marathon improved a bit to under 3:10 after yesterday's 10-miler but I won't radically alter the training program for now.

topcat77

I'll be looking at getting under the 4 hours. Looking at 3:45:00. I've Been following your training blog and you're going great. I'm doing the Craughwell 10 mile so i might bump into you then.

Speedy44

topcat77 wrote: »

I'll be looking at getting under the 4 hours. Looking at 3:45:00. I've Been following your training blog and you're going great. I'm doing the Craughwell 10 mile so i might bump into you then.

Hey TC,
Sorry its taken me so long to respond, thought I was following the thread but received no notifications.
Hows the training going for the past few wks?

topcat77

Ain't been the best, Managed to get in a pace 6 miles on the 3rd Feb and then came down with a bad cold. Got over that and then got out for a pace 10 miler along the prom on the 10th(Really good session). Stupid me didn't strech fully after and in the morning my hip felt like i was in my 70's:(. I've let things carm down and looking at doing an easy 10k around Renmore tonight then 3 mile tempo (Wed) 10k easy (Thurs) 3mile temp (Fri) and then 14-16 mile easy (Sat). I let you know how it goes. I'm going to finish this then catch up on your blog! Best of luck everyone!

topcat77

Thins not looking good! Think I've a mild case Hip Bursitis (My own investigation). Going on anti inflammatory (Naprosyn), massaging with sponge roller and stretching exercises. If anyone has got any advice it will be more than welcome.

Had hip pain the day after a 10 miler pace session last week (Thursday). Rested until this Wednesday then I done a 10k pace session. Hips ached a little the day after so I thought I’d run it out. Wet out again last night for a 10k and had to cut the run down to a 3 miler. Jumped into an epsom salt bath after the run and my hips still ache this morning. My symptoms matched the information on this wed site:

http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/hip-pain-in-runners.html


This basically describes my exact symptoms.

If you have hip bursitis the pain will thus be:
· On the outside of the hip.
· About in the height when you stand with your arms to the side of your body - and right where your hands start.
· You feel a "bony" thing there, that is the greater trochanter.


HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

hunnymonster

topcat, you really need to go se a professional. Advice from random strangers on the internet who can't do a physical is asking for trouble.

dapope

topcat77 wrote: »

Thins not looking good! Think I've a mild case Hip Bursitis (My own investigation). Going on anti inflammatory (Naprosyn), massaging with sponge roller and stretching exercises. If anyone has got any advice it will be more than welcome.

Had hip pain the day after a 10 miler pace session last week (Thursday). Rested until this Wednesday then I done a 10k pace session. Hips ached a little the day after so I thought I’d run it out. Wet out again last night for a 10k and had to cut the run down to a 3 miler. Jumped into an epsom salt bath after the run and my hips still ache this morning. My symptoms matched the information on this wed site:

http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/hip-pain-in-runners.html


This basically describes my exact symptoms.

If you have hip bursitis the pain will thus be:
· On the outside of the hip.
· About in the height when you stand with your arms to the side of your body - and right where your hands start.
· You feel a "bony" thing there, that is the greater trochanter.


HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

As hunnymonster says get some professional advice asap. They will point you in the right direction. Even if you have to take some time off at least you will know exactly what the problem is. It might just be a case of a tight ITB but they will confirm it!

KentuckyPete

How's the prep going lads - this night four weeks it'll all be over :cool:

Speedy44

KentuckyPete wrote: »

How's the prep going lads - this night four weeks it'll all be over :cool:

can't believe its only 4 weeks now. I'm already a week into taper

Pronator

Last long run yesterday. Bring on the taper:D

dapope

Good stuff lads. I'm having a difficult count down to Rotterdam myself. Was struggling since xmas with my right achiles but i've got by. Was on course for sub 1:18 in the Carlingford Half the other week but the course was short. My left calf has since tightened and it feels weak. Hopefully I can make it to the start line in one piece.

Enjoy the taper!

Speedy44

dapope wrote: »

Good stuff lads. I'm having a difficult count down to Rotterdam myself. Was struggling since xmas with my right achiles but i've got by. Was on course for sub 1:18 in the Carlingford Half the other week but the course was short. My left calf has since tightened and it feels weak. Hopefully I can make it to the start line in one piece.

Enjoy the taper!

sorry to hear about the set back. You must be targetting a serious time over there if you can get the calf sorted.
Are you having work done on it?

dapope

Speedy44 wrote: »

sorry to hear about the set back. You must be targetting a serious time over there if you can get the calf sorted.
Are you having work done on it?

Cheers Speedy. Original target was sub 3, that became sub 2:50. The Carlingford time had me on course to dip under 2:45 according to Daniels...

The way things are now i'll be happy to make the start line. I'll have a better idea what to target depending on how things progress injury wise over the coming weeks. I've had work done on it and looked after it pretty well. Hopefully I can build up some strength in it and everything will be ok. Training wise i havn't been able to do a whole pile for the last 2 weeks but I'm not too worried about that.

I've been following your training log and its great reading. Your in good shape. I'm a big believer in Daniels. Apart from the injury I came out of Phase 3 way ahead of anything I expected.

Speedy44

dapope wrote: »

Cheers Speedy. Original target was sub 3, that became sub 2:50. The Carlingford time had me on course to dip under 2:45 according to Daniels...

The way things are now i'll be happy to make the start line. I'll have a better idea what to target depending on how things progress injury wise over the coming weeks. I've had work done on it and looked after it pretty well. Hopefully I can build up some strength in it and everything will be ok. Training wise i havn't been able to do a whole pile for the last 2 weeks but I'm not too worried about that.

I've been following your training log and its great reading. Your in good shape. I'm a big believer in Daniels. Apart from the injury I came out of Phase 3 way ahead of anything I expected.

ya, can't believe I'm only discovering Daniels now :rolleyes:, wish I had done it before the last few DCM disasters. It really is a great program and even though the Q sessions can be hard, the fact that there's only 2 of them per week means there's lot of time to recover.
I'll see how I do in the Craughwell 10 next Sunday, and then the final 15 MP run, before I decide on a target.
Like you, I origionally would have settled for sub 3, but now its just a matter of how low I feel I can go, without doing anything stupid.

Pronator

Any of you lads run this before? If you have done the hard work now is the time to let any injuries heal. I was struggling before DCM last yr and did little running over the last 3 weeks, it did not make a whole lot of difference on the day. In fact I felt really fresh:D

Speedy44

Pronator wrote: »

Any of you lads run this before? If you have done the hard work now is the time to let any injuries heal. I was struggling before DCM last yr and did little running over the last 3 weeks, it did not make a whole lot of difference on the day. In fact I felt really fresh:D

so where is everyone staying, arriving?
Any good places for a celebratory beverage

Pronator

Can't remember where we are staying? In fact I don't have a clue if its close to the start or far from it! Regarding a beverage afterward, we will be heading straight off afterwards. Flight home Sunday night:eek:

KentuckyPete

Speedy44 wrote: »

so where is everyone staying, arriving?
Any good places for a celebratory beverage

I got a great deal in the Hilton up the top of the Coolsingel (booked in Oct 2010) so i'm staying there. I'm flying in from Cork to Schipol on Sat early and will get the train down.

You're right about the beers Speedy - has to be done . I haven't touched a drop since Jan 1st.

The inevitable Irish bar the boards,ie runners used last year is Paddy Murphys - just off the Coolsingel near the finish line.

Here's the location map for the pub. The address is

Rodezand 15
3011 AM Rotterdam
World Trade Center
0031 (0)10 411 0078

it looks fairly sh1te on the outside but is grand inside and they have a good setup and a great atmosphere. Fierce central too. We should definitely hit it on Sunday night.

On the running front I was targeting 3:10 or so but got a bad hamstring tear while racing in the Dungarvan 10-miler 6 weeks ago. After a week of half-running I packed in completely for a fortnight (swam instead) and didn't get back running until late Feb. The hammer is stiff and sore but I'm getting the miles done. There's no question of doing any speed work though so if I get to race day I won't be in any way sharp. Still, I'm looking forward to it, albeit with a lowered horizon.

I looked at your log there Speedy - inspirational stuff. Those midweek sessions you're doing are top-class lad.

Speedy44

tx for all the info KP. As is usual with me, I left everything until the last minute (booked everything yesterday!) so I am staying 20mins outside the city centre. I am arriving in Eindhoven around 9.30am on Saturday. Should be at the expo around 11.30am or so I imagine.
Paddy Murphy's looks good alright for a pint or ten, I'll just have to check the train schedules for heading back to the hotel !

Speedy44

This may have been covered here already, but are the markers only in K's, or are they also in miles?

Also, I will be in D pen, should I expectthe first few k to be slow or will I be ok if I get up to the start of it?

Pronator

Speedy,

Not sure about the markers situation. K's yes but not sure about miles. Before I got conformation of my pen I had asked the same question about pen D, the advise I got was get up close to the front of this and you should be fine.;)

Slogger Jogger

Pronator wrote: »

Speedy,

Not sure about the markers situation. K's yes but not sure about miles. Before I got conformation of my pen I had asked the same question about pen D, the advise I got was get up close to the front of this and you should be fine.;)

Its ks alright.

KentuckyPete

Speedy44 wrote: »

This may have been covered here already, but are the markers only in K's, or are they also in miles?

Also, I will be in D pen, should I expectthe first few k to be slow or will I be ok if I get up to the start of it?

Yeah it's kms. And as for the pen, leave nothing to chance and get to the front. D is a huge pen and a lot of slower runners, arriving early, naturally gravitate towards the front.

One way of dealing with the kms only situation is to do a pace band for your target time but do it in kilometres. That way you run off the watch at mile pace but you can check your "real" progress off the band as you pass the km marks. Putting 42 different km times on your wrist make it impossible to read but if you make the band with a big font and just fill in the 5k times it's a big help

donothoponpop

Speedy44 wrote: »

Also, I will be in D pen, should I expectthe first few k to be slow or will I be ok if I get up to the start of it?

Only K's.

Also, you should email them now saying you are going for sub 3, (provide proof of recent races if you have them), they will bump you up to C pen (which is where you should be). Worst case scenario, ask them to bump you up at the expo, they'll give you a sticker "C pen" to cover the "D pen" on your number. D is congested if you are looking to break 3 hours.

*Caveat- this info is two years old! Best of luck, get over the hump from 25k-30k and you'll hit your target

Speedy44

donothoponpop wrote: »

Only K's.

Also, you should email them now saying you are going for sub 3, (provide proof of recent races if you have them), they will bump you up to C pen (which is where you should be). Worst case scenario, ask them to bump you up at the expo, they'll give you a sticker "C pen" to cover the "D pen" on your number. D is congested if you are looking to break 3 hours.

*Caveat- this info is two years old! Best of luck, get over the hump from 25k-30k and you'll hit your target

cheers for the advice donothoponpop.
Hopefully I will have a decent time in the Craughwell 10 on Sunday to show them :rolleyes:

Moycullen1

KentuckyPete wrote: »

On the running front I was targeting 3:10 or so but got a bad hamstring tear while racing in the Dungarvan 10-miler 6 weeks ago. After a week of half-running I packed in completely for a fortnight (swam instead) and didn't get back running until late Feb. The hammer is stiff and sore but I'm getting the miles done. There's no question of doing any speed work though so if I get to race day I won't be in any way sharp. Still, I'm looking forward to it, albeit with a lowered horizon.

Greetings from Galway KP. Sorry to hear about the hamstring. I can only assume you were fairly going at the training so it must be a bit of a disappointment. Just as well you didn't go ahead with Boston! Good luck anyway. You managed a PB last year with a back injury so who knows what will happen!!

PS: You weren't tempted by the Galway Iron Man were you?

Speedy44

Hows the taper going folks?
I'm starting to get a wee bit antsy already. Finishing up a course of antibiotics tomorrow so hopefully I'll be good to go then.

I have one last 'hard' session this Thursday:
2mls warm up, 2 x 2mls tempo with 3mins recovery, then 30-45mins easy.

Was thinking this morning that I'll probably have to watch the amount I eat now, since I'm not running as much, I normally eat like a horse :rolleyes:

Is it to early to start checking out weather predictions !!

Pronator

Its all part of the taper Speedy. I'm following a Lydiard programme so no real quality session's left apart from a 5k time trial at the weekend. Warmed up with a run in the Dunboyne 4 mile at the weekend, a painful warm up run.:D

Looking forward to it now:eek:

dev123

Just had a quick look at the long range forecast and it is giving highs of 16-17 degC for the latter part of next week (Wed - Sat)

This Saturday it is to be a balmy 21 degC and one forecast has the same again for next Thursday.

Not sure how much faith to have in forecasts this far out but it looks like it will be dry.

Hadn't thought of sunscreen but might have to break out the factor 50

Speedy44

dev123 wrote: »

Just had a quick look at the long range forecast and it is giving highs of 16-17 degC for the latter part of next week (Wed - Sat)

This Saturday it is to be a balmy 21 degC and one forecast has the same again for next Thursday.

Not sure how much faith to have in forecasts this far out but it looks like it will be dry.

Hadn't thought of sunscreen but might have to break out the factor 50

yea, been taking a sneaky peak at it myself. Will have to drink lots of water next week :rolleyes:

dev123

20 odd degC sounds a bit steep.

Don't think there will be a chance for climate training between now and then!!!

Not having run in temps in the high teens / early 20s is sunscreen recommended?

Speedy44

0% chance of rain and 63F

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/NLXX0015

Itziger

But lads, it's early April so right now in Luxembourg it's 12 degrees at 11 o clock - but today's high is forecast to be 22!

If the high for the day is, say, 17 it won't be anywhere near that at 11am. Maybe at 1 o clock you'd start feeling it. Small bit early to be believing weather forecast sites anyway
.