Rotterdam Marathon 2012 - 15/04/2012

BeepBeep67

Registration is now open - I've just entered woo hoo \o/

2010 thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=62551407
2011 thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=69839056

Registration: http://www.abnamromarathonrotterdam.com/runners/marathon

Course: http://www.abnamromarathonrotterdam.com/media/136442/parcoursmarathon.jpg

misty floyd

Cheers BeepBeep. I'm very tempted to give this a lash again.

Brianderunner

Cheers Beepbeep for bringing back memories of the 2010 race

Really good marathon this one, better than Berlin imo. Congestion for the first 5k the only major issue.

dowlinj

Looking to do this myself. Anyone got advice on accommodation options?

BeepBeep67

I booked a hotel 200mts from the start through onhotels.com - worked out €100 cheaper than the hotel website - I also confirmed the booking directly with the hotel.

PaulieYifter

Considering this, Vienna or Hamburg as my spring target.

Any pointers?

What's the story with logistics? Fly to Amsterdam then grab a train?

BeepBeep67

PaulieYifter wrote: »

Considering this, Vienna or Hamburg as my spring target.

Any pointers?

What's the story with logistics? Fly to Amsterdam then grab a train?

Cheaper to fly Aer Lingus to AMS - train then 45mins, or KLM to RTM (2x the price) and still 20mins by train to the city centre.

Pisco Sour

dowlinj wrote: »

Looking to do this myself. Anyone got advice on accommodation options?

I stayed in Hotel Emma (the name sounds sh1t but it was a nice place). Was the cheapest I could find for that weekend at 90 euro a night or something like that. Book as early as possible.

Rotterdam is my only marathon so have nothing to compare it to but it was a very well run marathon. The cheap entry fee, free photos, free videos, and then a free book about the marathon a few weeks later with all the results in it was a nice touch. Wasn't terribly impressed with the food that was available at the finish line. Cant remember what it was but I remember being a bit disappointed.

Not an exciting city by any means and not picturesque at all (thank the Germans for that!!) but it's pan flat and well supported with lots of music played at various points. The out and back part of the course is a killer though, seeing people coming the other direction to you.

Some oul craic in the Irish bar that night.

corny

04072511 wrote: »

I stayed in Hotel Emma (the name sounds sh1t but it was a nice place). Was the cheapest I could find for that weekend at 90 euro a night or something like that. Book as early as possible.

Booked Hotel Milano myself for 55 euro a night (shop around. It was 85 on another website) I'm lead to believe its not too far from the race start so booking early has its rewards.:)

village runner

I stayed in hte westin hotel i thinka great deal for hte weekend. With 11am start and you can collect numbers sunday am i wouldnt go on the friday again.
Friends of mine booked flight to rotterdam and then had to go to amstradam as others were cancelled.
11am start would stop me doing it again. If 9am I would def do it again.

Seanie_H

Brianderunner wrote: »

Cheers Beepbeep for bringing back memories of the 2010 race

Really good marathon this one, better than Berlin imo. Congestion for the first 5k the only major issue.

Really looking forward to this. After 4-5 marathons just running for the medal, I'm gonna push for my sub 3:30 PB. Rotterdam seems to tick all the boxes.

How do you deal with congestion like that? Sit tight or zig zag to keep pace at all costs?? Instinct would say keep pace rather than try play catch up later?

EauRouge79

Thinking of Rotterdam myself. Need to get to sub3 having missed out by a few mins in Dublin. 11am start really could be a disadvantage though.
Theres a lot a marathons around Europe the same day. Paris..milan...vienna....rotterdam?

deniseve

Missed out on sub 3:30 myself in Dublin so I'm thinking af doing Rotterdam. Do they have pacers in this marathon?

dev123

deniseve wrote: »

Missed out on sub 3:30 myself in Dublin so I'm thinking af doing Rotterdam. Do they have pacers in this marathon?

Yep, pacers for every 15 minutes (3:00, 3:15, 3.30: etc.)

Lex Luther

EauRouge79 wrote: »

Thinking of Rotterdam myself. Need to get to sub3 having missed out by a few mins in Dublin. 11am start really could be a disadvantage though.
Theres a lot a marathons around Europe the same day. Paris..milan...vienna....rotterdam?

I've just registered this morning.....by the way I'm curious why is the 11.00am start a disadvantage ?

T runner

Lex Luther wrote: »

I've just registered this morning.....by the way I'm curious why is the 11.00am start a disadvantage ?

Higher temperautures later in the race Im guessing.

village runner

Lex Luther wrote: »

I've just registered this morning.....by the way I'm curious why is the 11.00am start a disadvantage ?

I did it in 2009. I was sweating but the time it started. With water in cups i couldnt get enough. Would be a good idea to actually stop at a few stations drink 2 cups and move. I comfortable broke 3 doing this in other marathons so i would def do it.
When you train all winter in hte cold a really warm day is tough.

T runner

village runner wrote: »

I did it in 2009. I was sweating but the time it started. With water in cups i couldnt get enough. Would be a good idea to actually stop at a few stations drink 2 cups and move. I comfortable broke 3 doing this in other marathons so i would def do it.
When you train all winter in hte cold a really warm day is tough.

Ill be paying a few visits to the Sauna over the winter so! Heat endurance!!!

asimonov

I've signed up for this (with my two brothers), this will be my fourth marathon. Looking to take a chunk off a 2:52 PB.

I did up my training schedule yesterday and was looking for a peak training half marathon to do - looking at wicklow half marathon on the 25th which would be three weeks before - anyone thinking similar?

RacoonQueen

Looked up Wicklow a couple of weeks ago myself. A half marathon 3 weeks before it is a bit too close for me. Would mean sacrificing the last long run unless I did another 10 or so miles on top of that.

I'm thinking of either Kinvara (where going on last years times I could finish fairly high in the rankings) or the one in Meath on the same weekend. Enniscorthy 10k will be one of my warm up races most likely as well.

misty floyd

I'm probably going to do the Craughwell 10m in Galway. I can't see on their site yet what date it will be on but 2 years ago this race was 4 weeks before Rotterdam and I found it perfect. There is quite a bit of recovery from a half raced all out IMO so I'd rather race a 10m. That and the fact that I have a previous time on that course to compare to.

Krusty_Clown

asimonov wrote: »

I've signed up for this (with my two brothers), this will be my fourth marathon. Looking to take a chunk off a 2:52 PB.

I did up my training schedule yesterday and was looking for a peak training half marathon to do - looking at wicklow half marathon on the 25th which would be three weeks before - anyone thinking similar?

It's a bit close for a half, isn't it? I'm doing Boston the day after Rotterdam so currently trying to figure out races. Think I'll aim for Ballycotton, earlier in March (4th) and try and find a 10k 2/3 weeks before race weekend (possibly Wicklow 10k).

Gad to see you're signed up for another marathon, to do some serious damage to that PB.

menoscemo

Guys there's a half marathon in Meath on the 4th March. Would that be of any use?
See here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056448787

asimonov

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Looked up Wicklow a couple of weeks ago myself. A half marathon 3 weeks before it is a bit too close for me. Would mean sacrificing the last long run unless I did another 10 or so miles on top of that.

I'm thinking of either Kinvara (where going on last years times I could finish fairly high in the rankings) or the one in Meath on the same weekend. Enniscorthy 10k will be one of my warm up races most likely as well.

I had planned to run just another 40 minutes on top of the half marathon and then push my last two long runs to 150' the wednesday after and then 135' the following Sunday (31st)

misty floyd wrote: »

I'm probably going to do the Craughwell 10m in Galway. I can't see on their site yet what date it will be on but 2 years ago this race was 4 weeks before Rotterdam and I found it perfect. There is quite a bit of recovery from a half raced all out IMO so I'd rather race a 10m. That and the fact that I have a previous time on that course to compare to.

Would love to do craughwell - but its a nightmare to get to from where i am in kilkenny (and you are right about the recovery from the half).

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

It's a bit close for a half, isn't it? I'm doing Boston the day after Rotterdam so currently trying to figure out races. Think I'll aim for Ballycotton, earlier in March (4th) and try and find a 10k 2/3 weeks before race weekend (possibly Wicklow 10k).

Gad to see you're signed up for another marathon, to do some serious damage to that PB.

Thanks KC, really looking forward to it. Will do Ballycotton as well i think. I wasn't planning on racing the half, but rather using it as a final preparation long tempo - so running 50' @ 3:50 or so and then hopefully a bit quicker for the final bit.

menoscemo wrote: »

Guys there's a half marathon in Meath on the 4th March. Would that be of any use?
See here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056448787

thanks meno, that one is probably a little early for me.

corny

Rotterdam will be my first marathon so, a little help:). tbh i hadn't even considered warm up races when thinking about a plan. Is it necessary or do people just find it sharpens them up? Also, i'd love to do a few races but would a HM not knock the stuffing out of you for a week or two?

asimonov

corny wrote: »

Rotterdam will be my first marathon so, a little help:). tbh i hadn't even considered warm up races when thinking about a plan. Is it necessary or do people just find it sharpens them up? Also, i'd love to do a few races but would a HM not knock the stuffing out of you for a week or two?

It really depends on your training schedule. a race during marathon training can help in a number of ways, it can sharpen you mentally, break the monotony of 12 - 18 weeks training, help you practice preparation and fueling etc in a real race environment and for really tough sessions its always slightly easier to run in a race than on your own in training. In terms of knocking the stuffing out of you; that's just about the amount of effort you put in - when you pay your race entry fee you're not obliged to kill it from the start line!

You could incorporate something like a 10 mile race into training very easily, by running 6 - 8 miles easy and then running the race at marathon pace.

christeb

is anyone considering staying in AMS for this and getting the train on the morning of the race - given the late start?

I could get a clubmate to collect the number for me, it would make it a much more entertaining trip for the OH too...

christeb

village runner wrote: »

When you train all winter in hte cold a really warm day is tough.

T runner wrote: »

Ill be paying a few visits to the Sauna over the winter so! Heat endurance!!!

Winter Bikram Yoga ftw!

RacoonQueen

You can pick up your number on the morning of the race.

Lex Luther

asimonov wrote: »

I had planned to run just another 40 minutes on top of the half marathon and then push my last two long runs to 150' the wednesday after and then 135' the following Sunday (31st)



Would love to do craughwell - but its a nightmare to get to from where i am in kilkenny (and you are right about the recovery from the half).



Thanks KC, really looking forward to it. Will do Ballycotton as well i think. I wasn't planning on racing the half, but rather using it as a final preparation long tempo - so running 50' @ 3:50 or so and then hopefully a bit quicker for the final bit.



thanks meno, that one is probably a little early for me.

Jaysus you're all scarily organised ....looks like I'd better get my own act together soon ..!:eek:

asimonov

Lex Luther wrote: »

Jaysus you're all scarily organised ....looks like I'd better get my own act together soon ..!:eek:

i wouldn't worry lex; my training tends to peak at the planning phase.

dermCu

asimonov wrote: »

I wasn't planning on racing the half, but rather using it as a final preparation long tempo - so running 50' @ 3:50 or so and then hopefully a bit quicker for the final bit.

Tempo???? That'll be MP wont it? ;-)

T runner

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

It's a bit close for a half, isn't it? I'm doing Boston the day after Rotterdam so currently trying to figure out races. Think I'll aim for Ballycotton, earlier in March (4th) and try and find a 10k 2/3 weeks before race weekend (possibly Wicklow 10k).

Gad to see you're signed up for another marathon, to do some serious damage to that PB.

My new firend Mr Canova tells me that running too fast too close teaches the body to burn too much glycogen and is not specific enough.

Im thinking of the Bohermeen half on 4th March--6 weeks before race day. . Will be training for marathon but will race it 100%.

pre

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Looked up Wicklow a couple of weeks ago myself. A half marathon 3 weeks before it is a bit too close for me. Would mean sacrificing the last long run unless I did another 10 or so miles on top of that.

I'm thinking of either Kinvara (where going on last years times I could finish fairly high in the rankings) or the one in Meath on the same weekend. Enniscorthy 10k will be one of my warm up races most likely as well.

I done Rotterdam last year and done the 10 k in wicklow which was quite hilly and a good test. U can still fit in ur long run maybe on thurs or friday before. Its different for everyone but a half marathon would probably tax the body too much.

BeepBeep67

T runner wrote: »

My new firend Mr Canova tells me that running too fast too close teaches the body to burn too much glycogen and is not specific enough.

Im thinking of the Bohermeen half on 4th March--6 weeks before race day. . Will be training for marathon but will race it 100%.

Yep thinking of that one too if they get a few entries, or maybe Kinvara which is a bit more established.

Woddle

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Yep thinking of that one too if they get a few entries, or maybe Kinvara which is a bit more established.

If it's the same crowd that organise the 5km (I assume it is) in Bohermeen you can be sure it will be inch perfect. I'm thinking of doing it myself.

menoscemo

Woddle wrote: »

If it's the same crowd that organise the 5km (I assume it is) in Bohermeen you can be sure it will be inch perfect. I'm thinking of doing it myself.

+1. Their 5k race this summer was very good.

RacoonQueen

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Yep thinking of that one too if they get a few entries, or maybe Kinvara which is a bit more established.

Yeah, it's either or for me. Kinvara seems to be a decent course so would be a good one to race. Anyone know what the route for Bohermeen is likely to be like? No need to practice on the hills for Rotterdam, so a nice flat half is enough of a test for me!

PaulieYifter

Right - I'm in - Managed to convince Mrs. Yifter that Rotterdam is better than Barcelona.

Entry, Flights and Hotel confirmed.

zinzan1

I've just entered this race, no accomodation or flights booked yet. Any advice would be appreciated. Main question is whether to stay in Amsterdam or Rotterdam. It will be my first attempt at a marathon, but I'm travelling with my sister (2 marathons) and cousin (3 marathons).

BeepBeep67

Cheaper to fly to Ams, if you are there primarily for the race stay in Rtm. If you want to get some sightseeing in stay in Ams about 45mins by train. The race starts late 11, so you can collect your race pack on the morning between 8 and 10:30.

PaulieYifter

zinzan1 wrote: »

I've just entered this race, no accomodation or flights booked yet. Any advice would be appreciated. Main question is whether to stay in Amsterdam or Rotterdam. It will be my first attempt at a marathon, but I'm travelling with my sister (2 marathons) and cousin (3 marathons).

On my e-mail confirmation there is a line:

Important: the start is at 10.30 hrs!

I'm sure this will be confirmed/denied in due course.

I'd recommend collecting your race pack on Saturday and staying in Rotterdam Saturday night. You'll be stressing enough about the start of the race without adding to it queuing to get your number on the morning of the race.

T runner

http://www.abnamromarathonrotterdam.com/home/3600_Mosop,-Kitwara-and-Kirui-go-for-the-world-record

Renato Canova has stated that he believes the world record will go this Spring and not in London. Mosop with a 2:03:06 in Boston might be the man to do it.

Confirmed start time is now 10:30 am to make it more conducive to record breaking.

zinzan1

Does anyone know anything about showers/changing after the marathon. We're planning to stay in Rotterdam on Saturday night but we'd prefer to stay in Amsterdam on Sunday night so we're looking for somewhere to have a shower after the race. I don't expect our Sat night hotel would let us back in for a shower! I'm trying to find out if there's a sports center anywhere nearby where we could go for a shower/swim. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Thanks in advance.

misty floyd

zinzan1 wrote: »

Does anyone know anything about showers/changing after the marathon. We're planning to stay in Rotterdam on Saturday night but we'd prefer to stay in Amsterdam on Sunday night so we're looking for somewhere to have a shower after the race. I don't expect our Sat night hotel would let us back in for a shower! I'm trying to find out if there's a sports center anywhere nearby where we could go for a shower/swim. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Thanks in advance.

I remember the last time I was there (2010), some of the lads had a shower put on by the race just after the finish. I didn't bother, I had a hotel close. Don't know where I heard this but I heard it gets too busy there. Why not pay a little extra for a late checkout. Can't be more than €30 ?, then all of your friends can take turns.

dowlinj

zinzan1 wrote: »

Does anyone know anything about showers/changing after the marathon. We're planning to stay in Rotterdam on Saturday night but we'd prefer to stay in Amsterdam on Sunday night so we're looking for somewhere to have a shower after the race. I don't expect our Sat night hotel would let us back in for a shower! I'm trying to find out if there's a sports center anywhere nearby where we could go for a shower/swim. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Thanks in advance.

I'm doing the same thing and intend to ask for a late check-out.

topday

Rotterdam back on the books for me. Flights, Hotel, Reg all sorted.
Going to head over on Friday and make the most of the trip and stay till Tuesday...

PaulieYifter

Got confirmation docs in the post this morning.
1st physio beating of the plan due this afternoon.

Hope everybody's training is going well.

misty floyd

topday wrote: »

Rotterdam back on the books for me. Flights, Hotel, Reg all sorted.
Going to head over on Friday and make the most of the trip and stay till Tuesday...

Back on the books for me too. The day after signing up I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid (sounds serious but its not) that had my training in a jock for a couple of months. The jelly legs are gone now and I feel normal again so I'm gonna get around as best I can.

PaulieYifter wrote: »

Got confirmation docs in the post this morning.
1st physio beating of the plan due this afternoon.

Hope everybody's training is going well.

Likewise, I got the documentation. I'm in pen C.Training going well but I only started 4/5 weeks ago from no base. Got an easy 16m in last weekend and going to build from there. I'm really looking forward to it now.

How about yourselves? are yee getting the long runs in? I'm going to start the LSR's with MP miles from here until April. Must start 1-2 mile intervals too.

T runner

misty floyd wrote: »

Back on the books for me too. The day after signing up I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid (sounds serious but its not) that had my training in a jock for a couple of months. The jelly legs are gone now and I feel normal again so I'm gonna get around as best I can.



Likewise, I got the documentation. I'm in pen C.Training going well but I only started 4/5 weeks ago from no base. Got an easy 16m in last weekend and going to build from there. I'm really looking forward to it now.

How about yourselves? are yee getting the long runs in? I'm going to start the LSR's with MP miles from here until April. Must start 1-2 mile intervals too.

Well done and fair play on the comeback! Got documentation also. A good reminder that theres enough time to get plenty done, but that its not too far away to lose concentartion.

Long run tonight...first of a good few i hope!

Theres going to be loads of Irish at this one.

dowlinj

Yeah, confirmation in the post today too...myself and the missus are in pen D. According to the website's map, there's 84 Irish signed up. Good showing by the Boys & Girls in Green