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Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard
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Dublin city marathon 2016
PB:4:33
Goal: 3:55-3:59
Actual: 3:58
Background
I'd made up my mind to run this in October 2015 after getting caught up in the excitement after DCM 2015. I did my first marathon (also DCM) in 2014 but that was on a whim without either a proper training plan or the support and guidance of boards so I wanted to see how I'd get on with a decent training plan and advice! I picked the meno plan as several boardsies recommended it and the structure suited me. Unfortunately 2016 has turned out together an awful year for me with two sudden and untimely deaths which left me coping not just with grief but also legal and practical issues. Thankfully the plan became a real focus for me and running really helped keep my head together.
I ran 1:49:15 at the Dublin half in September so knew I should manage sub 4 if I could keep that up. I'd trained with a PMP of 5:35-5:40 min/km which would get me in under 4 hours. Meno’s “sting in the tail” session of 14 miles@PMP two weeks out went well so I was optimistic.
Start to 10km
Km splits 6:05, 5:26, 5:29, 5:27, 5:35, 5:28, 5:28, 5:38, 5:32, 5:30
I decided the night before not to go with the 4 hour pacers. I reckoned it would be a huge group and it could be difficult to get past them. I was also afraid I'd settle for 4 hours when I thought I could get in a few minutes under that. So I took my place between the 3:50 and 4:00 pacers and hoped to stay between them. It was congested starting off but not as bad as some of the race series races. At the first mile marker I heard Olwyn (4 hour pacer) right behind me calling out! Only one mile in and they'd caught me! Managed to pick up the speed a bit (a bit too much!) but eventually got settled into a more realistic MP. The first water station caught me by surprise but I grabbed a bottle and managed to open a zero tab and add it to the bottle without stopping. I kept this with me, sipping now and then. I also took a gel at the 5 mile marker. Through the park I was feeling good and strong and it was an effort not to take off but I knew I'd regret it if I did. I hit 10km in 56:08 and got a great boost from the crowds at Castleknock.
11-20k
Km splits: 5:29, 5:32, 5:13, 5:23, 5:19, 5:26, 5:26, 5:31, 6:29, 5:31
Heading down hill along tower Road my pace naturally picked up but the effort was grand so I went with it. I had changed the display on my watch so I could see time, distance and lap (km) pace. I was only glancing at the pace as I knew it wouldn't be too accurate but it gave me an idea whether I needed to slow down or speed up. As we came down the upper glen Road I realised I was running at half marathon pace! Sense prevailed and I slowed back down. OH and the kids were in Chapelizod and I was beaming as I passed them. I took another gel at the 10 mile marker. I cruised up the hill on St Laurences Road remembering how hard it felt in 2014. By the time I reached Kilmainham I needed the toilet so ran into a portaloo. When I came out I took the time to put another zero tab into my water rather than do it on the run again. I only lost a minute and this was the slowest km of the race. From St James on I was in well trodden territory.
21-30km
Km splits: 5:33, 5;37, 5;31, 5:35, 5:35, 5:34, 5:35, 5:36, 5:34, 5:31
I reached the half way mark in 1:58:06. Happy days! I think it was here I first saw TFGR with her polka dot balloons! Once we passed the half way mark and the gangs of supporters there was a noticeable lull in energy. Lots of people suddenly started walking. I guess the thought of doing it all again is just too much for those who started off too fast. I was expecting this and I'd purposely run this section several times in training as it's such a boring drag. The effort was really increasing here but the pace was starting to slow. I focused on the children's hospital and all the kids and parents in there and how most of them were in more pain than me. Walkinstown roundabout was great as always but I was glad to turn towards terenure. I normally find this section easier than Crumlin Road, but today it was tough. I saw a gel stop and realised I should take another one. I was starting to get forgetful. Saw smashiner at the submarine bar with his boards sign so said hi. When we turned at KCR I really started struggling mentally. Looking at the splits I slowed a bit but not too much. I felt dreadful though, the negative voices were telling me to slow down, this is too hard, you don't have to do this. The ramps on Fortfield Road were really upsetting me for some reason. This is where my avid reading of logs and marathon reports came in handy. I remembered jubuz saying in his epic Berlin 2016 report that you'll always have a low point in a marathon so you should just welcome it when it comes, as the sooner you do the sooner you can get past it. By the time I got to Terenure, the crowds and music got me going again and I felt much better. I passed the 30km marker in 2:48 exactly.
31km to finish
Km splits: 5:35, 5:39, 5:44, 6:03, 6:04, 5:59, 5:34, 5:46, 5:40, 5:53, 5:45, 5:51, (5:12)
Although I was in a better place mentally, my poor body was starting to suffer now. I got a shout out from a friend at the bottom of the hill at Miltown and another one at the top from Firedance and nop. As soon as I passed them my calf started cramping! I was OK to keep running but I slowed and tried to shake it out as I ran. This helped but then the other one started going too! I knew heart break hill was still to come and I was determined to run it so I slowed and did a system check! I realised I was quite hunched over so shook out my arms and legs, took some deep breaths, held my head and shoulders up and put a smile on my face! I no more felt like smiling but I could hear dubgal in my head shouting at me! It really helped and the cramp eased quite a bit. I was so glad to get to the top of the hill and head down fosters avenue. In 2014 I was walking at this stage but now I managed to pick up the speed again. It's all a bit of a blur from here. I kept getting calf spasms which would remind me to straighten up but then I'd be so tired I'd slump again. The supporters were amazing and really kept me going. I kept thinking of all the training I'd done, all the dark wet mornings! I remembered krusty’s post saying “you deserve this!” Damn right I did! So I kept going. I was digging deep though and the last couple of miles seemed to go on forever. My feet were burning and I ached all over. Somehow I managed a tiny spurt at the very end and crossed the line with a (faint) smile. 3:58:42, I got my sub 4 and a 35 min PB.
After:
I had to hang on to the railings to keep upright, my legs were like jelly. I don't know did I miss them or was there no bananas at the finish? All I wanted was a banana! Got my medal and t shirt and found a spot to lie down with my legs up! I was happy, but kind of numb. I gave my husband a call to tell him I was alive but my voice was all shaky. I got up and collected my bag in a daze. As I was getting my stuff sorted someone behind me was making a phone call “Mammy, it's me, I did it!” and I just burst into tears as I have no mum or dad to call
I actually felt better after a little cry. Once I got myself together I headed for Mcgrattans and met with a few Boardies including meno so I could thank him in person for his plan. I managed a pint of cider but headed soon after exhausted.
So all in all it was a good day. I hit my target but didn't really hit the wall. I slowed towards the end but not by a huge amount. I've never cramped before during a race but I noticed a huge number saying they did this year. I drank loads (I carried a bottle with me from each station so I always had some) including two zero tabs plus a few swigs of lucozade and three gels. I think the cramps were more fatigue than anything. Towards the end I was slumping so I think I need more core strength which is something I skimped on. I don't think I could have done any better that day. I could barely walk next day and I've two nasty black toenails.
I'd use the plan again. I liked the amount of MP runs. I was easily able to recognise MP without too much clock watching.
Next up is Run the line in a few weeks but that will be for fun. No time goals, just enjoy. I think a 5 k pb is calling too. I managed my fastest 5k in a time trial run a couple of weeks ago so need to do a proper race!0 -
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Bungy Girl wrote: »What's happening Saturday, C ? You racing ? (Sorry if this is blatantly obvious on your log
)
It's just for fun, not racing. I'm doing Run the line which is my first ever trail run. I've no idea what to expect but I'll give it a go.
I'm getting lazy with my log but can't seem to find time. Must do better.0 -
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Finally getting a chance to post. I'm always reading sporadically bur rarely find time to actually write anything.
Anyway, plan is not exactly going to plan but it's not all bad. The last two weeks I've been very tired so apart from one hill session I've been running easy. I think it's still marathon hangover although it wasn't helped by a proper alcohol hangover last Monday
On Saturday I did Run the line. It was a fantastic race, I really enjoyed it. The weather was perfect and I didn't need half the gear I brought. I met Firedance before the start who was also looking forward to her first mountain run. It covered lots of different terrains from rocky paths to carpet soft forest trail to bog. The scenery was spectacular but I only caught glimpses as I had to keep my eyes on the path. You certainly have to have your wits about you coming downhill! At one stage I felt like I was doing some kind of demented tap dance as I had my arms out at either side and my feet were moving like crazy, somehow finding a safe path. I managed to do as planned and finished without injury so I was delighted. I'm so glad I did it as there was no pressure or expectation, just good fun. Think I'll have to try out a few IMRA races next year!
I'll try and get back to the proper plan this week.0
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