Flora's Women's Mini Marathon 2014 Mod Note #21

Paybel

Hi guys,

For the first time I've signed up for the mini marathon.

Here's the link for the sign up if anyone is interested. Link > florawomensminimarathon.ie

So are you joining? What's your charity that you are doing it for?
I haven't picked yet!

I'm walking it and I've already started training in the gym! Ubber excited!

I'm using the guide on the website as a training plan link to Flora's Mini Marathon training tips & training guides

Any tips or suggestions?:)

Oryx

Moved from Health & Fitness

ultraman1

Oryx wrote: »

Moved from Health & Fitness

Is there a walking forum

pconn062

ultraman1 wrote: »

Is there a walking forum

Yeah? It's called the ultra running forum!

adrian522

This thread should be fun.

Oryx

I feel sorry for you, OP. Your thread didnt belong in H&F, but I seem to have dropped you into a nest of vipers.

Good luck with your mini marathon. I hope it leads to more. But try to run at least some of it, you'll get plenty of training advice on that score here. (As long as you don't refer to the flora event as 'the marathon', ever again. )

pconn062

If you intend on walking it the best advice would be to start near the back, be prepared for a long wait at the start and most importantly, enjoy!

ecoli

Mod: Folks play nice!

Mod hat off: Welcome to the forum. Best of luck with your goal. With regards your training program its a good start but I would advise a bit more time on your feet. What ever approach you take make sure you are consistent no point in trying to make up for a bad week by going out every day the following week. Its a disaster waiting to happen.

In terms of gym work, spinning would be a decent one to do for boosting your aerobic fitness and some gyms have very good spin classes

HelenAnne

Paybel wrote: »

Hi guys,

For the first time I've signed up for the mini marathon.

Here's the link for the sign up if anyone is interested. Link > florawomensminimarathon.ie

So are you joining? What's your charity that you are doing it for?
I haven't picked yet!

I'm walking it and I've already started training in the gym! Ubber excited!

I'm using the guide on the website as a training plan link to Flora's Mini Marathon training tips & training guides

Any tips or suggestions?:)

Well done on signing up. I'm doing it too. It was the first race I ever ran back in 2010 -- it certainly gave me the running bug and it might give it to you too. I know you're planning on walking it, but you might be up to running some of it by June if you've started training already? You could try a couch 2 5k program me to start with (there are loads online).

I'm doing it for Helium this year -- it's a children's arts & healthcare charity

http://www.helium.ie

You'll really enjoy it. It's a great day out as well as a race, and it raises so much money for charity.

AK333

I'm doing this one again as well. I've done it the last 7 years. Last year was very tough with the heat, here's hoping its a bit cooler this year.

OP I second the post about trying the C25k - its a great place to start.

Good luck and enjoy!

emilyjmc

I've signed up for the first time too, and walking it. Will probs do it for Age Action I think.
Better get my arse moving! :eek:

RayCun

maybe have that discussion here and leave this thread for the race

Extrasupervery

I'd like to run it, but the title puts me off....

It's just wrong in so many ways.

Deirdree loves Rashid

Deirdree loves Rashid wrote: »

Eh because if you read back on previous years most of them think they are an authority on a race they have never ran.

this race is more to do with women collecting for charity than some molly acting like a smart arse.

A 10k is a 10k, you train for it the same way.
Advice from previous runners would be welcome and tips on things specific to this one but training advice? You get that from anyone

Run and Jump

Extrasupervery wrote: »

I'd like to run it, but the title puts me off....

It's just wrong in so many ways.

Does anyone who objects to the name 'mini marathon' also object to the name 'ultra marathon'?

Or are you not a fan of virtual butter?

rom

It is interesting that this event can start at 2 PM which would be considered a busy time of the day and the DCM can't start at 9am on a Sunday of a bank holiday.

RayCun

Mass

vitani

The distance is also a factor. 6.2 miles of road to close, versus 26.2.

Sunny Dayz

What would be the best way of travelling up for the event?

We drove up last year and parked at Heuston Station and the plan was to get the luas to O'Connell st to meet with friends and stroll down towards the event from there. But the luas was wedged, literally couldn't get onto one at all and we ended up having to take a taxi as we were runing out of time. Will have hubbie and son in tow to amuse themselves in Dublin.

RayCun

same plan, but leave earlier, and/or park further out, at the Red Cow

ecoli

Mod: Please remember folks sexism goes both ways and is against forum charter. Please refrain from derailing another thread on this race. This thread is for race discussion. Off topic posts will be deleted and if people continue bans will be handed out

mrkdips

I would like to jog (very slow of course), however I have no proof of completion in less than 100 mins. If I enter as a walker, can I just jog or walk and jog in intervals. What's the difference - Is it just where you are positioned at start line really based on your timing?

mrkdips

Another question - what is route.

AK333

mrkdips wrote: »

I would like to jog (very slow of course), however I have no proof of completion in less than 100 mins. If I enter as a walker, can I just jog or walk and jog in intervals. What's the difference - Is it just where you are positioned at start line really based on your timing?

Yes, and the further back in the queue you will be which will mean you will cross the start line later than others, and will have to dodge a lot of walkers at the start, and probably for a good deal of it. You could run/jog a 10k run in the next month and then email the Flora Womens Mini Marathon and see if they will move you up to a different category but I don't think they will change your category after the goody bag/number pick up, but I could be wrong on this.

The first time I completed it I was back in the Walkers group, great atmosphere and had a great time, but now I run and being right at the back would drive me mad

Go onto their website to see the route, roughly it goes out towards Ballsbridge, turns up near St. Vincents Hospital, over the overpass and back in towards Stephen's Green via Donnybrook.

There's a great atmosphere and its good craic - enjoy

Belkin1975

I did it for the first time last year and it was an amazing experience. The atmosphere was buzzing. Sad reading some of the t-shirts/vests. Some very sad causes but this helped push through the pain (I ran it and had done no training due to an operation 4 weeks before). This year I've decided to run for Laura Lynn House. Make sure to take sunscreen and an old baseball hat in case it's warm. Many got sunburned last year before the start it was a scorcher. Enjoy your day.

AK333

I picked up my number last Sunday. Is anyone else under-whelmed by the "not so good" Goodie Bag. Packet of crisps, bar and a whole load of bumf. I for one wish they would save some money by posting out the race number and the magazine and save me driving a 2 hour round trip. All the advertisers could donate the money they save on producing their flyers to a nominated charity each year and we save a few forests. Not long to go now and on a positive, I like the new route.

Bungy Girl

AK333 wrote: »

I like the new route.

Hadn't realised until I saw this post that the route had changed. Can't quite make out from the map where the turnaround point is on the Stillorgan Road, does anyone know ? Delighted it looks like we don't have to go over the UCD flyover!

AK333

I can't tell either. Not sure if it goes down as far as Fosters Avenue and I'm delighted we don't have to go over UCD flyover as well - sure we'll find out soon enough

Paybel

mrkdips wrote: »

Another question - what is route.

Here you go!

BeepBeep67

AK333 wrote: »

I can't tell either. Not sure if it goes down as far as Fosters Avenue and I'm delighted we don't have to go over UCD flyover as well - sure we'll find out soon enough

Will turn before Fosters.

Sunny Dayz

I wonder will many people skip under the barrier at the end of Nutley Lane onto the Donneybrook road? I noticed a few doing it last year. If they do it this year, they will cut 2.5km off the route!

AK333

I think there are some people that do it every year - why don't they just have more stewards?

tiny_penguin

I'm really glad to see the route change this year. its a much more direct route with less tight corners at the start where a lot of the congestion happens. By keeping it straight it will make over taking easier. Looking at it though it does look like we'll still have to go over the flyover - the route seems to go over the bridge towards fosters ave and under on the way back but we'll see on the day. But its nice to also see an extra water station just before this too which will really make a difference.

BeepBeep67

tiny_penguin wrote: »

I'm really glad to see the route change this year. its a much more direct route with less tight corners at the start where a lot of the congestion happens. By keeping it straight it will make over taking easier. Looking at it though it does look like we'll still have to go over the flyover - the route seems to go over the bridge towards fosters ave and under on the way back but we'll see on the day. But its nice to also see an extra water station just before this too which will really make a difference.

The main route stays on the N11.
There's an option to go up the slip road for water and toilets if you need.

tiny_penguin

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

The main route stays on the N11.
There's an option to go up the slip road for water and toilets if you need.

Oh that's great to know. Though if the water is on the slip road seems like a bad choice. The road can get quite narrow there. Would make more sense to have it just before or just after. Toilets there make sense but toilets & water might make for a bit of a jam.

BeepBeep67

tiny_penguin wrote: »

Oh that's great to know. Though if the water is on the slip road seems like a bad choice. The road can get quite narrow there. Would make more sense to have it just before or just after. Toilets there make sense but toilets & water might make for a bit of a jam.

Plenty of space up there

Sunny Dayz

How are we all set for this time next week?!

I'm not looking forward to it. Haven't been out jogging since darkness into light. Was busy at home, then hurt my ankle playing badminton a week and half ago, did nothing last week because of resting ankle and bad weather. Was ready to put in a bit of work this week but today I am sore all over. Was at an indoor waterpark yesterday and slipped getting onto a slide while holding the rail and yanked my shoulders. I have heels on today for work and my ankle feels sore. I'm tired and want my bed!

AK333

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

How are we all set for this time next week?!

Not great then

I'm looking forward to it. I think I'm going to like the route change, hopefully it won't be too hot like last year, that was unbearable.

I've been tipping away since the beginning of the year, doing at least 10-15 miles a week, some more, some less, so all things being equal, I should be grand.

Wonder if they would consider posting out numbers if you forego the "not so good" goodie bag. Driving to pick up that load of bumf is a pain

Not looking forward to it at the moment, had a disaster of a run yesterday, have a strained groin and numbness in my foot when running

I have a physio apt wednesday so we'll see how that goes, can't really risk running until then so feeling a bit deflated.

AK333

Good luck to all the ladies doing this today. Weather looks to be playing ball anyway, not too hot and dry.

derb12

Just home after this today. Overall another great one, I came in just over the hour but as I had a few health issues this year, I was pretty pleased.
It never ceases to amaze me how I still had to be running around walkers even though I had a pink number so should have been surrounded by runners only. I was weaving my way through some walkers by the top of Baggot St and there were walkers in front of me still by the time I got to Donnybrook. They must have been running really fast and then walking for a bit, because I passed the same people a few times.
I stupidly only glanced at the route and I didn't realise how far down the N11 we had to go .... purely psychological as we'd passed the half-way mark already, but we were practically at Fosters Ave before the turn.
Best part of the whole thing was the special pad that you had to run across at the bend in the N11 - should foil the cheaters!!

vitani

A lot of the walkers you passed started early. I was in the runners' section, went through the start in less than 20 seconds and was passing walkers all along the course, most of whom had yellow numbers.

RacoonQueen

Fab run by Barbara to win today, great to see her back in the Donore vest. Raging I missed out on running but mostly on going in to watch one of our girls beat Maria McCambridge

menoscemo

vitani wrote: »

A lot of the walkers you passed started early. I was in the runners' section, went through the start in less than 20 seconds and was passing walkers all along the course, most of whom had yellow numbers.

Yes indeed. I was spectating at the 3k mark and there were lots of walkers coming through before the race had officially started.

AK333

derb12 wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze me how I still had to be running around walkers even though I had a pink number so should have been surrounded by runners only. I was weaving my way through some walkers by the top of Baggot St and there were walkers in front of me still by the time I got to Donnybrook. They must have been running really fast and then walking for a bit, because I passed the same people a few times.
and this
Best part of the whole thing was the special pad that you had to run across at the bend in the N11 - should foil the cheaters!!

I'm also amazed that there is walkers up at the front - how do they start early? Don't we all have to cross the pad at the front? Saw the pad on the bend at the N11, didn't realise what that was for but like you, I'm delighted - it will sort out the ladies that did 10k and the ones that did 7.5k

I have a few issues with the set up today, but I'm putting that in the rant thread :P

Sunny Dayz

Wasn't happy with my time, I was about 1 hour 25mins. Was aiming for 1 hour 15. Had to walk a good lot of it which annoyed me, in my head I wanted to jog but my body just wouldn't move for me. Will really aim to do well at it next year.

Is that what the ramp was for at the bend on the n11?

I seen two women duck under the tape where nutley lane joined the n11. They got a few booes alright.

menoscemo

AK333 wrote: »

I'm also amazed that there is walkers up at the front - how do they start early? Don't we all have to cross the pad at the front?

I guess they just start early from somewhere near the official start line. They won' get an official chip time as they never crossed the start check.

Sunny Dayz

They must have got in with the other groups, there was a few yellow tags in with the blues, and passing the pink bibs the far side of the road I could see yellow bibs too. I suppose it would be easy enough sneak into another starting group if you had a top or strap covering the coloured part.

Mrs W

Does your time go from when you cross the start line? It was 32 mins before we crossed it so technically did it in an hour and 20 mins.
Was very happy with that as I ran a good but more than I thought I would!

It was lovely to see everyone doing it for all the different charities

AK333

menoscemo wrote: »

I guess they just start early from somewhere near the official start line. They won' get an official chip time as they never crossed the start check.

I saw quite a few older ladies with yellow numbers walking up from the direction the elite runners come from - these ladies were never going to run it so why go in the front of elite runners? Its nuts. I can see why some of the elite runners on this thread get annoyed, I'm beginning to get that way myself. Seeing ladies with blue/pink numbers, munching on sausage rolls on the way to the start line, full make-up on but must remember that most participants in this race are raising huge amounts of money for charity- that's their focus and a very good focus it is.

AK333

Mrs W wrote: »

Does your time go from when you cross the start line? It was 32 mins before we crossed it so technically did it in an hour and 20 mins.
Was very happy with that as I ran a good but more than I thought I would!
It was lovely to see everyone doing it for all the different charities

yes it does and well done for completing it. I found the heat tough, and I know it wasn't that hot, but it did bother me. I seem to get slower every year