Rotterdam Marathon 2017

dublin runner

The Davestator wrote: »

They're brilliant - you wont have any problem with them.

I am along the same lines. Much better than huge water bottles or open cups.

The sponges are the ones to go for. Bliss!

*the isotonic drink does cup in an open cup though so keep that in mind (open to correction)

dublin runner

A brief write up on the race posted on anther thread a number of months ago:

dublin runner wrote: »

2017 will see my third attempt at a marathon PB in Rotterdam so I think I can at this stage give it the small write up it deserves!


Travel:

Plane to Schipol and a very short train to Rotterdam City. It really cannot be any easier. Just watch you get the right ticket for the right train. Some have chanced the fast train with a cheap ticket. As last year proved, some got away with it (me included - I genuinely made a mistake) and some got caught and hit with a small fine . Just something to watch.


Accommodation:

Fairly affordable, even on marathon weekend. I like the Coolsingel area but no matter where you stay in the city you will be close enough to the start/finish.


Race:

The corrals can be a bit of a mess and largely ignored by many. Turn up early! I may direct you at this point to my 2014 race report . The streets are usually very busy. In 2014 they resembled St Patrick's Day on O'Connell Street. Nothing bad if there 30 minute before the gun (not that I was that early last year!)

The opening mile is usually a slow one. Expect it to be very congested and busy. Don't worry, there are 25 miles to make up the few seconds lost. Make sure to line up in the right area. When you think you have, move up another 5 rows. As mentioned, the corrals are messy and in 2014 I lost 2 minutes over the first few kilometres. Partly my fault but again, expect a slowish opening mile. I am a big fan of a slow first mile in the marathon so use it to your advantage. The roads quickly open up after the first descent over the bridge. Be sensible. Don't go chasing lost time if you find yourself very slightly behind. Relax and run smart.

The course is brilliant. It's very fast, with only two small climbs over the bridge. It's a negative split course; the 31-37km section (approx.) in the park is the fastest road I have ever seen. Target this section.

I really like the cups. They are very easy to drink from and from experience work very well. The stations are plentiful so drink small amounts but very regularly. Try the sports drink the day before to make sure it agrees with you. I find it quite nice but worth doing a test drink the day before. You will leave the race loving the water sponge they hand out. Bliss!

The on course support is simply immense. The city really embraces marathon weekend. Even better than DCM in my opinion.


Weather:

Prepare for all eventualities. I say to this anyone running any marathon, no matter what time of the year. Rotterdam is no different. There is no point worrying about a warm day. Prepare for it: wear an extra layer during runs. Take in the necessary salts, electrolytes and hydrate correctly. The marathon is all about preparation. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! There's buckets of time until the gun goes .


Post-marathon: Paddy Murphy's Pub (mine is anything with alcohol!)
The day after: Get out ASAP! Rotterdam is quite a nice city; safe, friendly and hospitable. With that said, it's not one for tourists looking to sight see! Get a train and go somewhere nice. That's my plan anyway.


Any questions fire away.

May help someone.

and still ricky villa

Thanks dublin_runner,

Quick question on the corrals. I'm chasing sub 3 so is there a prospect, if you show up early enough, to line up behind the gazelles in the A,B,C pens?
Ideally, I'd like to be stood a few feet in front of the 3hr pacers when the gun goes

snailsong

My friend picked up two cups of the sugary isotonic drinks at the first aid station last year and, thinking it was water, poured them both over his head.
No one was happier to come upon the wet sponges at the end of the aid station.:D

The aid stations were really well done, I thought. There was one every 5k, with a slight variation near the end, which made it easy for me to manage my fuelling strategy. They all were really long and on both sides so no scrum to grab a drink, all had both water and isotonic drink and all had cooling sponges at the end. The cups meant not having to dodge discarded bottles on the ground. Iirc you can try out the cups at the expo.

dublin runner

and still ricky villa wrote: »

Thanks dublin_runner,

Quick question on the corrals. I'm chasing sub 3 so is there a prospect, if you show up early enough, to line up behind the gazelles in the A,B,C pens?
Ideally, I'd like to be stood a few feet in front of the 3hr pacers when the gun goes

Honestly? Get up as far as possible. It will be packed. That's not a negative neccessary, just the reality. Prepare for a slow 2km until you cross the bridge. Hopefully you will have clear open road but the main thing is not to panic if slightly down. I have no experience with the pacers but imagine the 3hr bus will be a busy one. Run smart. A slightly slower 1st mile is in my experience, a good thing. In saying that, get up as near as possible. There are toilets in the pen as well. Nothing at all to worry about but good to know in advane. Hopefully this year he corrals will be better policed.

It's a cracking race.

and still ricky villa

Thanks, I'll bring a book
I'll be cool as a courgette once I get going

Alan30

While not nearly as quick as any of you I may as well stick this down to act as motivation. If the weather plays ball i will go out with the 4hr pacer but not sure if I have that in me just yet.

Name|Bib No:|PB|Target|Finish Time
slow_runner|10272|3:53|3:29|
andstillrickyvilla|4445|3:09|2:55|
neilthefunkeone|9564|3.58|3:29|
EC1000|9662|3:09|2:59|
Alan30|9906|4:11|4:05|

snailsong

Name|Bib No:|PB|Target|Finish Time
slow_runner|10272|3:53|3:29|
andstillrickyvilla|4445|3:09|2:55|
neilthefunkeone|9564|3.58|3:29|
EC1000|9662|3:09|2:59|
Alan30|9906|4:11|4:05|
snailsong|9011|3:06:52|3:03:33|

Got a prime number, 9011, love that.

dublin runner

Name|Bib No:|PB|Target|Finish Time
slow_runner|10272|3:53|3:29|
andstillrickyvilla|4445|3:09|2:55|
neilthefunkeone|9564|3.58|3:29|
EC1000|9662|3:09|2:59|
Alan30|9906|4:11|4:05|
snailsong|9011|3:06:52|3:03:33|
dublin runner|8533|2:40:53| >2.34.59

Plans starting to formulate regrading pace and tactics. 6 miles at MP tomorrow, before taper really begins.

Going to be one exciting weekend coming up. Not!

Krusty_Clown

dublin runner wrote: »

Name|Bib No:|PB|Target|Finish Time
slow_runner|10272|3:53|3:29|
andstillrickyvilla|4445|3:09|2:55|
neilthefunkeone|9564|3.58|3:29|
EC1000|9662|3:09|2:59|
Alan30|9906|4:11|4:05|
snailsong|9011|3:06:52|3:03:33|
dublin runner|8533|2:40:53| >2.34.59

Plans starting to formulate regrading pace and tactics. 6 miles at MP tomorrow, before taper really begins.

Going to be one exciting weekend coming up. Not!

Don't you mean <2.34.59?

Krusty_Clown

Name|Bib No:|PB|Target|Finish Time
slow_runner|10272|3:53|3:29|
andstillrickyvilla|4445|3:09|2:55|
neilthefunkeone|9564|3.58|3:29|
EC1000|9662|3:09|2:59|
Alan30|9906|4:11|4:05|
snailsong|9011|3:06:52|3:03:33|
dublin runner|8533|2:40:53| >2.34.59
Krusty_Clown|7864|2:33:03|2.30'ish or perhaps, maybe better

7864 isn't a prime number, but it's divisors are 1966 and 4. 1966 as you all know, marked the introduction of the Star Trek and Batman television series, and '4' is the number of beers I plan to drink within 60 minutes of finishing the race, so auspicious numbers indeed.

zico10

Krusty & dublin runner, with your targets being fairly close to each other's, do you plan starting together? Then I also understand what a big gap 5 minutes is at that level, so maybe it would mess up both your pacing from the off.

28064212

zico10 wrote: »

Krusty & dublin runner, with your targets being fairly close to each other's, do you plan starting together? Then I also understand what a big gap 5 minutes is at that level, so maybe it would mess up both your pacing from the off.

5 minutes is a big gap at any level. It's 7 seconds per kilometer. Imagine watching a race, and the lead runner passes you. Count slowly to 7. That's when the next runner passes. Even at easy jogging pace, a person covers quite a bit of ground in 7 seconds. And then that gap increases by the same amount 41 more times.

Krusty_Clown

zico10 wrote: »

Krusty & dublin runner, with your targets being fairly close to each other's, do you plan starting together? Then I also understand what a big gap 5 minutes is at that level, so maybe it would mess up both your pacing from the off.

My die is cast, whichever way it falls. My strategy is in place (barring an act of the weather gods). I reckon Anto will be a lot quicker on the day than his published time (and I may be a good chunk slower), but the bottom line is we don't have the same goals and won't have the same strategies. As much as it would make for a more enjoyable race experience, I can't see the logic. There will be lots of other runners chasing both times.

Your target is going to be somewhere in the 2:30 - 2:35 range too, right?

BeepBeep67

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

My die is cast, whichever way it falls. My strategy is in place (barring an act of the weather gods). I reckon Anto will be a lot quicker on the day than his published time (and I may be a good chunk slower), but the bottom line is we don't have the same goals and won't have the same strategies. As much as it would make for a more enjoyable race experience, I can't see the logic. There will be lots of other runners chasing both times.

Your target is going to be somewhere in the 2:30 - 2:35 range too, right?

So no holdy hands crossing the line then - KU will be relieved

zico10

28064212 wrote: »

5 minutes is a big gap at any level. It's 7 seconds per kilometer. Imagine watching a race, and the lead runner passes you. Count slowly to 7. That's when the next runner passes. Even at easy jogging pace, a person covers quite a bit of ground in 7 seconds. And then that gap increases by the same amount 41 more times.

Well let me put it this way so; Assuming the targets weren't just plucked out of thin air, someone with a target of <2:35, is far less likely to run a sub 2:30, than someone with a target of <4:00 is to run 3:55. No offence intended to anyone in the table.

It's the same way that Krusty is far more likely to take 3 minutes off his marathon PB, than Dennis Kimetto is off his. Not that Krusty's improvements have been easy up to now, but I suspect taking 3 minutes off your PB, when it is the world record, would be damn near impossible. And if Kimetto set off at this pace for the first 21km of a marathon, it would end up being a catastrophe.

From just looking at their targets, it would be far safer for EC1000 to run with asrv, than for dublin runner to try stick with Krusty.

Krusty_Clown

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

So no holdy hands crossing the line then - KU will be relieved

I said that it's unlikely we would start together. I didn't say that we wouldn't finish together! I've grown accustomed to Anto passing me down the home straight.

zico10

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Your target is going to be somewhere in the 2:30 - 2:35 2:34:59 range too, right?

FYP

It was when I entered, but I've a list as long as my arm as to why I won't succeed. There were some positive signs in my training throughout February, but then I injured myself the first weekend in March, and I've only managed three very short and very easy runs on grass since. I'm trying to keep up the training stimulus on the bike, but it's far from ideal. I'm confident now I'll make the start line, but two weeks ago I was prepared to forget about Rotterdam and go chase the time in Cork or Limerick. But I'll have missed a lot of running come April 9th and unless I can fit in a few MP miles next week, my legs won't have any recent memory of moving so fast. I'm confident I could get to the halfway point on target, but I've twice tried this before in two poorly prepared for marathons and the second halves didn't turn out to be pretty.

Krusty_Clown

zico10 wrote: »

FYP

It was when I entered, but I've a list as long as my arm as to why I won't succeed. There were some positive signs in my training throughout February, but then I injured myself the first weekend in March, and I've only managed three very short and very easy runs on grass since. I'm trying to keep up the training stimulus on the bike, but it's far from ideal. I'm confident now I'll make the start line, but two weeks ago I was prepared to forget about Rotterdam and go chase the time in Cork or Limerick. But I'll have missed a lot of running come April 9th and unless I can fit in a few MP miles next week, my legs won't have any recent memory of moving so fast. I'm confident I could get to the halfway point on target, but I've twice tried this before in two poorly prepared for marathons and the second halves didn't turn out to be pretty.

Hmm.. Not a great build-up, but you strike me as a bull-headed athlete (much like Abhainn) so even if it doesn't entirely go to plan, I'm sure you'll still finish with a result you'll be satisfied with. If nothing else, we may finally get to meet over a beer!

zico10

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hmm.. Not a great build-up, but you strike me as a bull-headed athlete (much like Abhainn) so even if it doesn't entirely go to plan, I'm sure you'll still finish with a result you'll be satisfied with. If nothing else, we may finally get to meet over a beer!

Either that or a 3 month lay off and very expensive physio bills.

Yeah, we'll meet for that beer for sure.

dublin runner

I feel so unwanted. No one to run with!

I guess runners usually invariably fall into their natural placing within the race after the mayhem of most marathons starts. It's very rare you end up running the whole distance with someone from the outset (as appealing as that is). I think marathons are very different to most races; it's a real rollercoaster of good and bad spells and you really have to run your own race.

If you have 5 different runners targeting the same arbitrary time you usually have 5 very differing approaches, from the negative split man to the lad that treats the race like a sprint from the off!

The plan at the moment is to set out at 2.35 pace and take it from there. It's a world away from 2.29 unfortunately! I'll know more at halfway!

and still ricky villa

So is Paddy Murphy's the post race meet up?
It'll be a half for me on the way to the airport. Long story

zico10

Name|Bib No:|PB|Target|Finish Time
slow_runner|10272|3:53|3:29|
andstillrickyvilla|4445|3:09|2:55|
neilthefunkeone|9564|3.58|3:29|
EC1000|9662|3:09|2:59|
Alan30|9906|4:11|4:05|
snailsong|9011|3:06:52|3:03:33|
dublin runner|8533|2:40:53| >2.34.59
Krusty_Clown|7864|2:33:03|2.30'ish or perhaps, maybe better
zico10|5251|2:35:51|<2:35:00|

Seeing as Krusty has already called me out on it, I may was well join the table. There's no certainty I'm going to hit this target, but I'd find it hard to aim for anything less than a PB and I'm going to be on the start line hoping to break 2:35.

ASIMON0V

Name|Bib No:|PB|Target|Finish Time
slow_runner|10272|3:53|3:29|
andstillrickyvilla|4445|3:09|2:55|
neilthefunkeone|9564|3.58|3:29|
EC1000|9662|3:09|2:59|
Alan30|9906|4:11|4:05|
snailsong|9011|3:06:52|3:03:33|
dublin runner|8533|2:40:53| >2.34.59
Krusty_Clown|7864|2:33:03|2.30'ish or perhaps, maybe better
zico10|5251|2:35:51|<2:35:00|
asimonov|8640|2:46:17|3:00:00|
In no fit state to run a marathon, going over for the laughs and a night out after. Will head out at 2:54 pace with a friend or two and see how I go.

Working class heroes

Some serious sandbagging going on here.
Best of luck to one and all!

ThebitterLemon

zico10 wrote: »

Name|Bib No:|PB|Target|Finish Time
slow_runner|10272|3:53|3:29|
andstillrickyvilla|4445|3:09|2:55|
neilthefunkeone|9564|3.58|3:29|
EC1000|9662|3:09|2:59|
Alan30|9906|4:11|4:05|
snailsong|9011|3:06:52|3:03:33|
dublin runner|8533|2:40:53| >2.34.59
Krusty_Clown|7864|2:33:03|2.30'ish or perhaps, maybe better
zico10|5251|2:35:51|<2:35:00|

Seeing as Krusty has already called me out on it, I may was well join the table. There's no certainty I'm going to hit this target, but I'd find it hard to aim for anything less than a PB and I'm going to be on the start line hoping to break 2:35.

Some very impressive targets there folks.

The very best of luck

TbL

Alias G

Aiming for first sub three.  Now or never I reckon.

Name Bib No: PB Target Finish Time
slow_runner 10272 03:53 03:29  
andstillrickyvilla 4445 03:09 02:55  
neilthefunkeone 9564 3.58 03:29  
EC1000 9662 03:09 02:59  
Alan30 9906 04:11 04:05  
snailsong 9011 03:06:52 03:03:33  
dublin runner 8533 02:40:53 >2.34.59  
Krusty_Clown 7864 02:33:03 2.30'ish or perhaps, maybe better  
zico10 5251 02:35:51 <2:35:00  
asimonov 8640 02:46:17 03:00:00  
Alias G 9033 03:07:07 02:55:00

Krusty_Clown

It's a keeper. Let's freeze on this one:

dublin runner

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

It's a keeper. Let's freeze on this one:

Stop, just stop!

You are getting my hopes up!

and still ricky villa

So, not exactly ideal preparation
8 easy miles on Saturday morning followed by too much energy jumping up on a wall to squash down the recycle bin.
Whacked my knee on the way up so that's now purple but thankfully only a tiny bit swollen.

I broke 3 toes the week before Florence a few years back. Still, completed it with no long term effects

Taper week always turns me into Frank Spencer

Hope everyone's doing good and keeping out of trouble