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DCM 2019 - Mentored Novices Thread
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I was up before the sun this morning for 15 miles along the coast of Lake Garda.
Heated up for the return leg but was able to jump straight in for a swim.
At mile 14 I arrived in a town that I thankfully didn't know was hosting a 10km. I mingled in with the runners for an apple juice and a biscuit to get me through the last mile.
My god frash, life is tough huh?
My heart bleeds for you, you poor thing.
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Clonmel Half Marathon
This morning I ran the Clonmel Half Marathon. Conditions were ideal at the start with nice cloud cover, mild temperatures and no breeze of note.
I wasn't sure how to approach this race, whether to go at PMP (9 minute miles) or go at race pace (approx 8 and a half minute miles). My half marathon best was 1hr 53. In an ideal world I'd love to come in under 1hr 50 but I wasn't sure if I had it in me. I had tried to do that at the Waterford Half Marathon last December but hadn't gotten near it.
I decided to go with the 1hr 50 pacers for as long as I could and reassess during the race if the pace was too much for me.
Like Laineyfrecks I had a watch malfunction at the start as it went into standby mode just as I approached the line before I pushed the start button. As such I missed the first 0.03 miles (ha!) and my watch is refusing to acknowledge that I completed a half marathon!
Going with the pacers was a great idea as it took all the guesswork and glancing at my watch out of the equation. All I concentrated on was the blue balloon bobbing in the distance with 1:50 written on it.
The first two miles were a gradual uphill climb which was fine at that stage of a race with fresh legs. I missed the water station at mile 3 as I went to the right side of the road where there were less people handing out drinks and I timed it that they were all going back for bottles as I passed! Thankfully one of the lads in the group I was in gave me his bottle when he was finished. I love the cameraderie in a race setting where everyone is in the same boat and helps each other out.
The next few miles were downhill and lovely. I took a gel before the water station at mile 6. It was my first time doing that in a race setting as I tend to stop or walk on my LSRs to do so. It all went smoothly thankfully.
We turned left and ran along the river towards Clonmel. Here the sun decided to show its face and it got warm quickly. Fair play to anyone who ran a full 10 mile race yesterday in that heat. It's no fun.
I took the second gel at mile 9 as we came back into town. There was a nasty uphill drag back to the ring road that brought a lot of people to a walk. The support of the pacers here was vital and I ploughed on.
The last two miles were steady. I knew that barring a disaster I was getting in under 1hr 50 so didn't up the pace much. I crossed the line and stopped my watch showing 1hr 48mins 8 seconds. Waiting for my chip time now but it shouldn't be a huge amount more. How long does it take to run 0.03 miles?
All in all, I'm very happy with my race. It was steady and unspectacular. A huge thank you to the pacers from Clonmel AC for getting us in on time. I'll definitely be sticking with a pacer group for the DCM if possible.
*edit. Chip time is 1:48:13 Yippee!
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Clonmel Half Marathon
This morning I ran the Clonmel Half Marathon. Conditions were ideal at the start with nice cloud cover, mild temperatures and no breeze of note.
I wasn't sure how to approach this race, whether to go at PMP (9 minute miles) or go at race pace (approx 8 and a half minute miles). My half marathon best was 1hr 53. In an ideal world I'd love to come in under 1hr 50 but I wasn't sure if I had it in me. I had tried to do that at the Waterford Half Marathon last December but hadn't gotten near it.
I decided to go with the 1hr 50 pacers for as long as I could and reassess during the race if the pace was too much for me.
Like Laineyfrecks I had a watch malfunction at the start as it went into standby mode just as I approached the line before I pushed the start button. As such I missed the first 0.03 miles (ha!) and my watch is refusing to acknowledge that I completed a half marathon!
Going with the pacers was a great idea as it took all the guesswork and glancing at my watch out of the equation. All I concentrated on was the blue balloon bobbing in the distance with 1:50 written on it.
The first two miles were a gradual uphill climb which was fine at that stage of a race with fresh legs. I missed the water station at mile 3 as I went to the right side of the road where there were less people handing out drinks and I timed it that they were all going back for bottles as I passed! Thankfully one of the lads in the group I was in gave me his bottle when he was finished. I love the cameraderie in a race setting where everyone is in the same boat and helps each other out.
The next few miles were downhill and lovely. I took a gel before the water station at mile 6. It was my first time doing that in a race setting as I tend to stop or walk on my LSRs to do so. It all went smoothly thankfully.
We turned left and ran along the river towards Clonmel. Here the sun decided to show its face and it got warm quickly. Fair play to anyone who ran a full 10 mile race yesterday in that heat. It's no fun.
I took the second gel at mile 9 as we came back into town. There was a nasty uphill drag back to the ring road that brought a lot of people to a walk. The support of the pacers here was vital and I ploughed on.
The last two miles were steady. I knew that barring a disaster I was getting in under 1hr 50 so didn't up the pace much. I crossed the line and stopped my watch showing 1hr 48mins 8 seconds. Waiting for my chip time now but it shouldn't be a huge amount more. How long does it take to run 0.03 miles?
All in all, I'm very happy with my race. It was steady and unspectacular. A huge thank you to the pacers from Clonmel AC for getting us in on time. I'll definitely be sticking with a pacer group for the DCM if possible.
I feel your pain with the watch :eek: Fair play to you! You went out with a target & got it
I can't wait to run with pacers ahead of me to also do all the timing work leaving me to just concentrate on my running!!
Well done 0 -
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Laineyfrecks wrote: »I feel your pain with the watch :eek: Fair play to you! You went out with a target & got it
I can't wait to run with pacers ahead of me to also do all the timing work leaving me to just concentrate on my running!!
Well done
It's so much easier. There were a few miles where I didn't bother to look at my watch when it buzzed to indicate a mile.0 -
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Unknownability wrote: »Well done on the PB.
With all these race reports I'm looking forward to the Tullamore Half Marathon next 6, are many people here doing it?
Me!
Kemcloughlin is signed up too.
Anyone else? 0 -
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Unknownability wrote: »Cool, we will have to coke up with a secret sign so we can recognize each other :-)
How are people going to handle this week? I was going to copy the week that is on the plan for the Dublin Half.
Yeah that sounds like a good plan for this week.
It's always fun to meet up with strangers from the internet. It's also tradition for everyone to meet up in McGrattan's following DCM. 0 -
Mr. Guappa wrote: »Yeah that sounds like a good plan for this week.
It's always fun to meet up with strangers from the internet. It's also tradition for everyone to meet up in McGrattan's following DCM.
Excellent, something to help get through the 26 odd miles.0 -
Lads, this is either going to be the most genius thing you read tonight, or the most ridiculous, and then I'm going to feel mighty embarrassed
But on the off chance that it might be genius, I'm willing to risk it ...
Have been thinking about the cup thing. Do you think it would work if you brought a straw (insert face-palming monkey emoji in here) in your fuel bag and maybe you could stick the straw into the cup and then squeeze it closed with your thumb and index finger (or close it over if it's a paper cup) then voila, drink through straw, dispose of cup, keep straw. Could it work? Or have I just made an absolute show of myself 0 -
Bananaleaf wrote: »Lads, this is either going to be the most genius thing you read tonight, or the most ridiculous, and then I'm going to feel mighty embarrassed But on the off chance that it might be genius, I'm willing to risk it ...
Have been thinking about the cup thing. Do you think it would work if you brought a straw (insert face-palming monkey emoji in here) in your fuel bag and maybe you could stick the straw into the cup and then squeeze it closed with your thumb and index finger (or close it over if it's a paper cup) then voila, drink through straw, dispose of cup, keep straw. Could it work? Or have I just made an absolute show of myself
I have heard of people carrying straws, so whatever work. If it's the Dublin half you are worrying about, they are providing bottles for this0 -
WEEK 10 PREVIEW!!
Thanks to Huzzah! for stepping in to deliver last week's preview (the hurling was very enjoyable)
We have passed the halfway mark and are now into the second half of the training plans - well done for getting this far! Just six more weeks until it's taper time :eek:.
It is great to see the buzz building in here - race weeks really get the excitement going and help motivate us for the next tranche of training. Some great performances yesterday in the Phoenix Park, and also today in Clonmel. Us mentors feel like proud/nervous parents on race day
. Congratulations again to everyone. If things didn't go as you anticipated, just try be honest with yourself - maybe it was just a bad day at the office, or maybe training hasn't been what it should? As I mentioned yesterday, even if the race went well for you, have a think about what you could improve on for next time - these build-up races are great learning opportunities.
Week 10 looks like this:
Plan|Monday|Tuesday|Wednesday|Thursday|Friday|Saturday|Sunday
HHN1|2-3m easy or rest|3m easy|7m easy|4m easy|rest|15m lsr|cross
Boards|rest,cross or 3m rec|4m easy|1m w/u, 6m pace, 1m c/d|4m easy|rest,cross or 3m rec|19m lsr|2m rec
It's the highest mileage week yet for both plans, and the long runs enter uncharted territory too.
If you were racing at the weekend be watchful, particularly early in the week. Your legs will be tired so listen to your body and don't be afraid to skip or cut short an easy run if required. Just be honest with yourself.
Homework
How was week nine for you?
- Did you complete all the runs on your plan - if not, then why not?
- Did you complete all the runs at an appropriate pace?
- At the halfway point, what has been your favourite moment of the training to date? (If any :pac:)
Good luck for the week ahead, and especially to those racing in Tullamore (or elsewhere). 0 -
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Mr. Guappa wrote: »WEEK 10 PREVIEW!!
Homework
How was week nine for you?
- Did you complete all the runs on your plan - if not, then why not?
- Did you complete all the runs at an appropriate pace?
- At the halfway point, what has been your favourite moment of the training to date? (If any :pac:)
Congrats again to everyone who raced yesterday and today! I love reading race reports and best of luck to those racing next weekend, too. We are all cheering for you!
This week got all the miles in, again a touch too fast probably. Finding it harder to slow down, especially today after racing yesterday. I feel like I should feel happier about my result yesterday (came in under goal time) but annoyed about not pacing it as well as the 10k. I feel like I could’ve pushed it a little harder but the heat and course intimidated me. Will be more confident for the 1/2 in September since the Park will be so fresh in my head and also will hopefully join a pace group for the first time... if they have one for us slower runners that is
I have an event on Friday that will make an LSR on Saturday not very pleasant so thinking I might try to get it done Thursday if possible (if not will do it Sunday morning as Plan
.
My favourite part of training so far was racing the south Dublin 10k. I was so happy with that day and want to capture that feeling again... the elusive perfect race
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How was week 10 for you?
- Did you complete all the runs on your plan - if not, then why not?
Yup all runs completed this week. Was a stepback week for me with no racing
- Did you complete all the runs at an appropriate pace?
Well I think I did anyway;)
- At the halfway point, what has been your favourite moment of the training to date?
With no race taken place yet in the plan, my favourite moment was either completing the 20 mile MLR 2 weeks ago or the 12 mile PMP run last week. Both tough but satisfying runs in hindsight.0 -
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Bananaleaf wrote: »Lads, this is either going to be the most genius thing you read tonight, or the most ridiculous, and then I'm going to feel mighty embarrassed But on the off chance that it might be genius, I'm willing to risk it ...
Have been thinking about the cup thing. Do you think it would work if you brought a straw (insert face-palming monkey emoji in here) in your fuel bag and maybe you could stick the straw into the cup and then squeeze it closed with your thumb and index finger (or close it over if it's a paper cup) then voila, drink through straw, dispose of cup, keep straw. Could it work? Or have I just made an absolute show of myself
Straws are a thing. Needs practice though - I carried 2 in NYC marathon last year and dropped both in first half of race. Not necessary for DCM though, because water will be in bottles.0 -
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Did you complete all the runs on your plan - if not, then why not?
Yes, all done.
Did you complete all the runs at an appropriate pace?
The shorter midweek runs went well, very comfortable and better pace. They restored my slightly shaken confidence after a tough week last week.
But then, the LSR yesterday put paid to that renewed confidence a bit
Like you bananaleaf, I found it a struggle yesterday, almost from the start my HR was elevated despite me taking it very easy. But... my husband is following a DCM novice group on Facebook just out of interest, and there were looooads of posts on it from people who not only found yesterday's LSR a struggle, many of them aborted the mission several miles short of the target. They blamed the heat?
It was deceptively warm I think. I also did a similar route for the lsr last weekend, and it is quite a challenging route with a lot of long, deceptive drags which seem to channel the wind slap bang into your face. Mind you... with the heat yesterday, the breeze was quite a relief!
I also made the mistake of leaving my 2nd water bottle hidden too far along my route... it was at the half way point between starting point and home, but I hadn't factored in my plan this week to get 6km done before starting my route home ...duh... I always carry a water bottle, always. So I felt vulnerable when I ran out of water, and bloody relieved to finally get to it
Given what the folks on facebook were saying, it was good to get it done, maybe a mental battle was won there?!
Tuesday, 3m @ 11.12 mins/mile, avg HR 138
Wednesday, 6.6m @ 11.36 mins/mile, avg HR 140
Thursday, 4.5m @ 11.35 mins/mile, avg HR 140
Saturday, 15m @ 12.22 mins/mile, avg HR 147
At the halfway point, what has been your favourite moment of the training to date?
Great question
Running-wise, the Edenderry 10 mile race towards the end of July was really enjoyable... the discovery that I could maintain a decent (for me) pace over a reasonably challenging course for 10 miles was a significant stepping stone for me.
But honestly, for me, the bestest thing has been the personal development... the reality that I'm actually doing this! I really didn't think I ever could or would. The discovery that I can be really disciplined, and stick to a plan that, barring disaster, will get me to the start line feeling ready to run a MARATHON!!! ME?!! Reeeally??!!
I think I may be one of the elder lemons in our fab novices group here, but it just goes to show... when you push yourself, you never stop learning new things about yourself 0 -
Bananaleaf wrote: »Lads, this is either going to be the most genius thing you read tonight, or the most ridiculous, and then I'm going to feel mighty embarrassed But on the off chance that it might be genius, I'm willing to risk it ...
Have been thinking about the cup thing. Do you think it would work if you brought a straw (insert face-palming monkey emoji in here) in your fuel bag and maybe you could stick the straw into the cup and then squeeze it closed with your thumb and index finger (or close it over if it's a paper cup) then voila, drink through straw, dispose of cup, keep straw. Could it work? Or have I just made an absolute show of myself
You're the best woman to raise a lol out of me you know
As posted above, I always carry a water bottle with me, one of the ones with the wide opening. The last few LSRs, I've been practising slooshing water from bottles and cups into my own bottle. When I get it wrong, it's like something out of "It's A Knockout", but refreshing all the same 0 -
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