I Want to Run DCM 2013

emma__

Basically I really want to run DCM next year. I don't have a huge amount of running experience, ran a 10km race at the end of the summer for charity but didnt really do a lot of training for it, I mostly only did it to support a friend.

Since then I've really wanted to start running properly and run DCM in 2013 but I don't really know how to go about it.
Is this a stupid idea? Should I be waiting longer to run my first marathon or is a year sufficient time? How many miles should I be running per week at the moment and do I build that up gradually? Basically I haven't a clue...

Bit of background info: I'm 19, relatively fit (not incredibly fit but not unfit either) I swim twice a week and cycle to college 3 days a week.

Thanks.

BenMicheal

Do it! Thats all I'll say! I had always said I wanted to run one and only decided to in May to do it! I ran it last Monday and the medal is proudly on display!

Krusty_Clown

Sign up for a half-marathon in Spring (there are quite a few) and see how it goes. You have plenty time to fit in a few intermediate goals before you have to decide if you want to plough on and do the marathon.

The race series is also a great way to ramp up to Dublin, but you really have to start training sooner, so I would set your sights on an early spring half marathon.

ronnie085

The way I approached my first marathon 2 years ago started off with to many beers on a new years night, decdided to go for it. Started of with no real clue but aimed towards doing the Great Ireland Run 10k in April, done that then as krusty said, a half marathon was the next step, (done Kildare in May), then started a training program in June/July aiming towards Dublin in Oct, finished that and havn't looked back since. What I'd do now would just start doing slow short runs over the winter to get the legs into running, maybe do a 5k or even 10k race after christmas if your up to it, then follow something like http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program , 12 weeks before a half marathon or at that stage something more advanced on that website. On a side note I found it good to keep a log here, keeps you honest plus you get plenty off good advice as you go. Hope that helps.

KillianByrne

I went from fairly static to DCM 2012 in 10 months and so did one or two others on the novice thread.

The marathon race series was great and I threw in a couple of other races to get as much experience as i could.

I'm twice your age and nowhere your starting fitness.

I say go for it, you'll get huge amounts of help here and you'll have a ball. Best of luck, enjoy yourself, I certainly did.

911sc

emma__ wrote: »

Basically I really want to run DCM next year. I don't have a huge amount of running experience

Bit of background info: I'm 19

Definitely do it... download once of Halhigdon plans, and go for it...The race series is a nice way of being introduced to DCM as it starts at 5miles.

Don't wait or delay as i did....
For 10 years, i spoke about doing DCM before i am 40 and did nothing to make it happen until 2007 when came my last chance to do it...so i did it. .
My only regret is to have waited so long to get started..DCM2012 was my 8th marathon.
Best of luck

WaterLily.

I'm pretty much in the same situation as the OP and I was wondering how much should I increase my weekly mileage by per week? At the moment (well as of two weeks ago) I'm running 4 times a week, mostly only 2 or 3 miles and then 5 miles once a week.

I am quite fit and I signed up to the aware 10k in december in the Phoenix park and hoping to run it in under an hour.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

(sorry for hijacking the thread by the way )

911sc

A rule of thumb is to increase by no more than 10% per week.

WaterLily.

Thanks!

how many runs per week should I be doing? At the moment its only 3, should I increase this to 4 or 5?

Clearlier

WaterLily. wrote: »

Thanks!

how many runs per week should I be doing? At the moment its only 3, should I increase this to 4 or 5?

In a rush but a few quick tips -

More and more often is better until it's too much (overtraining is relatively rare though).
Vary the pace every so often.
Run for time not distance.
Start every run slowly

MC21

I'm thinking about doing it too. But I'm very nervous. I go from running crap some weeks to ok others. I like the idea about aiming for a half in the spring first. I think thats good advice. I ran a ten mile race about 1.5 years ago. But only 10ks or 5ks since then, and I'm a bit out of practice right now. This could be a great thread for people thinking about DCM next year and motivating each other.

emma__

Thanks to everyone for the advice! It has helped a lot!!

bobskii

Thinkin of it too!

statss

I'm aiming for it too. Doing my first half marathon in December and will take it from there.

ncmc

Why don't you have a read through the early pages of this years novice DCM thread?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056619234

You will see that most of the people on it were only doing small mileage every week and some were going from a base of zero. The 2013 mentored novice thread will probably start in April next year, and once you are able to comfortabley run 10k, you will fit in with the group just fine. The plan they follow is the Hal Higdon 1 plan, an 18 week plan that will start in June.

http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51137/Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program

I am one of the 'graduates' of this years novice thread and did the marathon on 3:57 so I can confirm it works! I had been running a little longer than the OP, but my running up until that would have been fairly intermittent.

Try running 3-4 times a week over the winter, maybe 3 x 3 miles and 1 x 5/6 miles and aim to do a couple of spring 10k's and maybe a spring 1/2 to see how you're fixed.

But one piece of advice, just do it! Trust me, you CAN do it! And the comeraderie on the novice thread is fantastic, so definitely worth following that.

Good luck!

Darren 83

Id just build your base up slowly each week by 10%, do you have running shoes if not id invest in a good pair

dechol

Go for it!! I was on the novice thread too and only started running in late march and ran the marathon in Oct so its doable. My advice would be to follow a plan. Maybe do Hal higdons half marathon plan first and do spring half and then start marathon training in June. Novice thread here is great.

rasher_m

Yeah I agree with the other posters. This is an excellent time to start training and building your base. You should ideally be up 15 to 20 miles a week by the time the 18 week plan kicks in. You should be able to run 3 days in a row of short runs and a long run of about 6 miles.
You really should get gait analysis done in a running shop and get fitted with the correct running shoe. It could eliminate problems that may occur later.
Find a good plan like the Hal Hidgons Novice plan and read the Novice threads from the past few years to get an idea of how to prepare and what you will be looking forward to in June with the training.
Its a brilliant experience if you prepare prooperly and follow a structured plan.

docjewel

+1 with all the previous posters,go for it,the support over the last few miles as you approach the finish is surreal & is something that should be experienced at least once in lifetime

You could also start a training log where you can be sure people will pop in & out & offer lots of excellent advice:cool:

Walkedit

Well have you decided to go for it?
I'm one of last year's novices too, only started July and did it no problem, just do the training, and Defo join the novice thread

If you want a little practice of running in big group have a look at parkrun in Malahide or Marlay, free timed 5k every Saturday at 9:30

cluainbolg

Have a look at 2013 mentored novices thread