Dream big, work hard, achieve your goals - My DCM '19 Journey

ariana`

Another crackin' week E, you're really stringing them together now! It's not surprising you're feeling some fatigue but you seem to be handling the load really well.

Mr. Guappa

Monster week there E, nicely done.

Laineyfrecks

Monday 11th - 10k easy

An early run, should have been a standard run but my calf started to bother me towards the end & it gradually got worse as the day went on. Luckily there was no sudden shooting pain that stopped me in my tracks but I was limping by the time I was heading to the physio & feeling quite anxious! The physio examined it & was happy enough to say it wasn’t anything really serious but more than likely a stress reaction, not really a lot I could have done to avoid it. I have upped my level of training for this marathon & he said it was just one of those things. 2 options put to me, a tough massage on it or dry needling, dry needling he felt would be the better longer term solution (but obvs no guarantees) it would require 2 days off running, which I was so apprehensive about but knew it could have been a whole lot worse, also he said it was going to be quite painful & would get a lot worse the next day before it would get better! At this stage I needed to just trust him & I did so that’s what I went for. It was the most painful thing I have ever had done (I’ve had children & tattoos) I genuinely hope I never ever have to get this done again. He felt so sorry for me & even text me later that day to say he hated that part of his job & hoped I was ok. As the evening went on I drank litres & litres of water. It was getting worse, I was using a crutch at this stage & was an emotional wreck! When you have something like this happen it is very very easy for your mind to go to a dark place, you are lying if you say you can remain positive when you really aren’t guaranteed this will have you back running soon.

Tuesday 12th – Rest

Woke up in bits, luckily I was wfh as I couldn’t put my leg flat on the ground never mind drive! I drank water & did everything else I was told to do. Physio & S checked in with me, both reassuring me I’d be ok. I honestly couldn’t believe that there was a chance I’d be back running on Thurs, but I had to believe!

Wednesday 13th - Rest

Still in a lot of pain & again feeling very emotional, it’s unusual for everyone in my house to feel sorry for me but they all did, constantly checking if I needed anything. I was a hobbling nightmare, I couldn’t look or talk to anyone, genuinely felt quite sorry for myself. I know for a fact they thought there’s no way I’d be running a marathon but I knew I really had to believe the process would work so as the evening went on I started to feel more positive.

Thursday 14th - 16k easy

Hallelujah it was a miracle I could walk properly!! This was to be a 10k run to see how I felt & only if I felt good I could do the full 16k. The start of the run I was very paranoid about every little thing, but thankfully the more I ran the more I relaxed so was happy to do the 16k. Did all my stretches afterwards & wore my calf sleeves which will probably be worn all the time for now.

Friday 15th – 1hr easy

The advice this week was to do all easy runs to see how the calf held up so missed a session here, but the main thing was that I was getting better!

Sat 16th - Rest Day

Sunday 17th – 3hrs Easy- 24km

Again the advice was to play it by ear, any sharp sudden pains I was to stop. I had been running a bit on grass where I could so I decided to do as much of this around the Acres & any large parts of grass really in the PP. I managed the majority of it on the grass, I found it extremely boring & found the effort levels are defo a lot tougher on grass but anything that helped at this stage was just getting done!

Mon 18th – 30min easy

Back to the physio for work on the calf.

Tues 19th – 3k E, 3k each @4:44/4:35/4:25, 3k E

Out to the park for this around my fav loop. Each 3k went really well, thought I messed up programming it but turns out it glitched for 1k messing it up a bit but I was happy enough I corrected it on the run & did it as best I could.

Weds 20th – 16k easy

Easy on a very windy evening, this was mostly on the local GAA pitch calf holding up well thank god.

Thurs 21st – 70mins easy

Another easy run.

Fri 22nd – 4k E, 3*10 mins @hm off 4 mins, 4k E

Out to the park for this, yep on my loop, felt like I was getting my confidence back here, not being as cautious as I have been & enjoying the sessions.

Sat 23rd – 10k Easy

Sun 24th – 2k E, 25k@4:56, 2k E

This was to be at the slightly faster end of steady. Again ran in the PP & on my fav loop. Was happy with how this felt & the pace & effort levels felt good. Bumped into C who still had some of his own steady run to do so he joined me. It was amazing to have company for a fair few loops & the time just passed so quickly!

Mon 25th – Rest

Tues 26th – 3k E, 2*15mins @hm off 3mins, 3k E

My hubby asked if I have a designated parking space in the park yet as I’m here so much! I am a creature of comfort & familiarity & although I do love change sometimes after the calf I really felt having this familiarity was really helping me with my confidence! A beautiful evening in the park & managed each HM section really well.

Weds 27th – 8k E, 8k Steady

What an awful day for a run! I’m not one to ever shy away from a run because of the weather but it was so dark, windy & wet I would have skipped this if an option. It wasn’t as bad as I imagined thankfully but I was completely soaked, straight into a shower afterwards feeling like a badass after running in it!

Thurs 28th – 8k E & 5 strides

Nice easy run with some strides thrown in.

Fri 29th – 2k E, 12k @MP (4:40/4:44) 2k E

Out to the park for this, a beautiful evening again, blessed with the weather at the moment. Settled into the MP & was happy enough with the paces & efforts. Another one ticked off & feeling good!

Sat 30th – 40mins E

Sun 1st Oct – 2k E, 22k@ 4:56, 2k E

Yes you guessed, back out to my 2nd home & my fav loop!! Did the warm up then settled into my pace with ease. Finding these runs really good for the confidence & for feeling quite strong really. The park was packed with runners, was brilliant to see. Lots of smiles, waves & just encouragement from other runners & walkers, I absolutely love it!I used this as a practice run for all my gear & runners & I took on a couple of gels for it. Happy to say all went well.

Sorry about the long update, lots of other things going on in the background that have been consuming a lot of my time. I am feeling tired in the evenings so sleep has really been prioritized also, I think I am eating & hydrating pretty good & keeping up the protein & carb intake as much as possible. Other than the little blip(we can call it that now👀) with the calf I really feel like I have stepped up my training & have really enjoyed this block(huge thanks to S for putting it together), I genuinely can’t believe the marathon is so close, getting very excited indeed! Now to just enjoy the taper madness(said no one ever!!)

Also found out during the week that the women's qualifying time for Berlin next year was amended so now it's 3:30 so my Dublin time for last year gets me a spot, absolutely thrilled & no pressure to run the 3:20 I thought I needed in Amsterdam to qualify but obviously I still want to run Amsterdam as best I can😊

Fair play if you have lasted this long reading all this!!😉

diego_b

Plenty in that update alright! Good to hear you got on top of the calf issue pretty quickly...I can't compare it with childbirth or tattoos but interesting to hear you describe the level of pain you'd compare it too. I had a sciatica issue around 2016 that was sorted out by dry needing into the piriformis muscle in the backside. Sweet jesus I fair grimmaced and sweated during those sessions but it does work!

The calf shields are definitely a good option it seems if you are feeling anything off there. Enjoy the taper now and get plenty of sleep if you can.

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121193746#Comment_121193746

Yeah sorry it is quite long👀🤣 Yes the calf sleeves have become a part of my running gear now!

I thought I had a fairly high pain threshold, 3 natural births with last baby being 9lb 2ozs🤣but I honestly wouldn't like to have to get the dry needling done again!

Thanks a mill, will enjoy the taper as much as anyone can👀🤣

Lazare

I think I'm learning that we have to accept as masters runners that the body will creak somewhat at the business end of an intense block, and we'll have these occasions where we need to rest up for a couple of extra days.

And that's ok. In the past I've been too quick to use the dreaded i word, but in reality it's the b word.

A blip.

So so happy for you that the 3:20 pressure is off you now, all the more reason for you to smash it.

Believe.

Lazare

I think I'm learning that as masters runners we need to expect that the body will creak somewhat at the business end of an intense block. That an extra couple of days rest may be needed. And that's ok.

I've been guilty in the past of jumping straight to the dreaded i word, when in reality it's just as you said, the b word. A blip.

Am so so happy for you that the 3:20 pressure is off. All the more reason for you to go and smash it. 💪

Believe.

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121196220#Comment_121196220

Yep totally agree!

Excited now C, I'll be a hyper f@ck in the airport, god help yis🤣🤣

Lazare

😆😆 Can't wait

Laineyfrecks

Monday 2nd - 8k easy

Headed out to the PP to meet S. Nice run with a lot of the chat about the marathon. Had my plan in my head but just wanted to sound things out, nice cuppa & cake afterwards.

Tuesday 3rd – 10k easy

Lunch run, legs a little leggy but nothing too bad.

Wednesday 4th - EIM 4*1K

Another lunch run, really enjoyed this as it's been a while since I did any EIM stuff.

Thursday 5th - 8k easy

After work run, nice n easy.

Friday 6th – 3K easy, 2*6K@MP off 5mins, 3K easy

Set off out to the PP after work on a beautiful evening. The park was busy enough with other runners, settled into the MP section & got a nice rhythm going around my fav loop. A couple of these reps were a bit on the fast side so I made sure to control the next set. I was on my 2nd last loop around at MP & on the OS side the tarmac path has a few bumps in it which I'm usually very careful of, In a world of my own I got the fright of my life as I started falling & there was no way of stopping. It felt like I was falling for ages before I hit the tarmac & slid on my hands! I was quite startled as I have never ever fallen before. The 1st thing I did was jump up & check to see if anyone was looking or worse recording it 🤣 Once I knew no one was around I just continued on but as I was going the stinging in my hands started, ugh it was awful but thankfully everything else was fine including my knees! Finished the session out strong & was happy with it.

Sat 7th - Rest Day

Sunday 8th – 16km easy

PP again this morning to meet S & C. A nice run on what was a beautiful morning, the park was buzzing with lots of runners, always great to see. Meet C then afterwards & we went for a cuppa, Scones & some great chats. The excitement was building now.

Mon 9th – 8k easy

Easy in the sun after work.

Tues 10th – 3K easy, 2*3K@MP -7/10 secs off 5mins, 2K easy

Had to get this done at lunchtime as I had my last sports massage after work. Mon & today felt quite stressed with work, a course I signed up for & life really, then throw in maranoia & bang stress! I was already apprehensive about this because ideally I would have liked to do it in the park on my loop but for obvious reasons I couldn't! Set off on the easy bit & as I turned to head up the KT road the wind hit me, was very strong so just thought nah I won't be able to do this! The watch beeped to start & I eased into the pace & surprisingly I felt ok with it, I actually knew it was fine but the mind was being a bit negative. The 2nd set was back & this felt really good too, was very relieved & happy to get this right more for the head than anything else!

The massage went well & he said my legs felt really good, nothing at all to worry about.

Weds 11th – 9k easy

Easy after work, god my legs felt great.

Thurs 12th – 7k easy

Another easy lunch run

So basically that's a wrap for my Amsterdam Marathon block. A block I am very proud of. Anyone that knows me or follows my running journey knows that I love running & I'm not afraid of hard work & consistency. The difference this time round is that I feel I have stepped up a bit for this block with the only real blip being my calf issue a couple of weeks ago. My nutrition has been pretty decent along with my sleep(most of the time) & not drinking over the last 6 weeks or so has benefited me in all aspects of my life I think. I would love to get my sub 3:20, that's what I have trained for but as the week went on I became much more relaxed about it all really. I feel really grateful that I get to go to these wonderful places running races, doing something I truly love so I want to make sure I truly enjoy the whole experience & especially as I will have my family around me.

Do I think I can go sub 3:20? Yes I do, my training has defo suggested this, am I guaranteed to go sub 3:20? nope not at all but I'll give it a damn good try😉

I can say I am really looking forward to a few ciders after with S & C who have been a brilliant support to me throughout & great company on runs too, along with a few more here on boards. That 1st cider will taste oh so sweet😁

The excitement right now is brilliant, genuinely just can't wait to get started... I will log off now with some of the words of a song that I have adopted as My marathon song going back to my very 1st marathon DCM 2019, this song is my anthem & these words say it all right now!

"I've lived to be

The very best

I want it all

No time for less

I've laid the plans

Now lay the chance

Here in my hands"

Annie get your Run

The very best of luck Elaine, as you say, you have put the work in now it's time to relax and enjoy the day. Your log is one of the first I go to here and I love reading your updates full of joy and positivity. I've said before you're a great inspiration for others.

Have a FANTASTIC marathon 🙌

diego_b

An excellent block E, the very best of luck with the race on the day. Looking forward to seeing how you get on.

Comic Book Guy

Congrats on a fantastic block of training E, all the very best on Sunday, go and smash it!

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231416#Comment_121231416

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231523#Comment_121231523

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231802#Comment_121231802

Thanks a million, looking forward to it😊

Kellygirl

Best of luck in Amsterdam E. I haven’t been keeping up with the logs lately I’m afraid. I hope you have a brilliant weekend.

Mr. Guappa

The very best of luck tomorrow E. You've put in another super block of training there and I've no doubt you'll run a great race.

Wottle

Positive vibes sent your way, have fun with it!

healy1835

Best of luck E.

Unknownability

Well done, great run. Very impressive negative split.

Annie get your Run

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for this race report 👏 👏

AuldManKing

What a great run! Dont leave us waiting too long :)

ariana`

Phenomenal run. Really excited to read about it, on it paper it looked amazing.

Dubh Geannain

Congrats E. Absolutely well deserved and with such a great attitude too.

Murph_D

Definitely the Boards performance of the year so far, in my opinion - a phenomenal achievement! Brilliantly executed.

Lazare

You're an absolute phenomenon. So happy to be there sharing the experience. What an inspiring performance.

Laineyfrecks

Amsterdam Marathon - Chip time 3:17:22

God where do I even start with this? The two lads have already wrote really great reports so now we'll see it from my perspective! I still feel like I'm dreaming, every time I really think about it I think did I really do that & was it really as comfortable as it felt!

So the trip started early in the airport, seen S & C, the excitement & buzz was great. I was with my family, it was so amazing having them with me for support. The flight over was quick & the trip to the hotel was fairly seamless too, have to say the public transport(once you got used to it) was amazing! After settling into the hotel I said goodbye to my lot who were heading off & I went to meet S & C at the Olympic Stadium to the expo. I was buzzing when I got there, the I AM AMSTERDAM sign, the Olympic Stadium, the crowds, it was all amazing. I got my number & tshirt & met up with the lads. Bought some maurten race pack & a very funky pair of socks🌻 We then headed off for a bite to eat & a nice chat about our race plans etc. Back to the hotel feeling tired from all the travels & excitement & met my lot shortly afterwards as I chilled in my room. I got a decent nights sleep, felt very content & felt like I had a good plan in place. I woke early & had my porridge, a banana & made my maurten drink to sip on. Had agreed to meet the lads at 8:30 so my lot were up & ready to leave with me as they wanted to sort where they would support me. We got there & had a bit of a walk from the tram, as we were walking there was an awful hail shower, stupidly none of us had any raingear at all on so we were all absolutely soaked, it was a bit crap but I just shrugged it off as there was nothing I could do about it. I said goodbye to my lot & found S & C, my hoody was soaked through so I just got changed & threw everything into the bag drop & off we went to find our starting point. It was a bit confusing but we got there eventually starting a lot further back than we had planned. I knew all I needed to do was focus on my race, my plan, my splits! I took 6 maurten gels & drank at every station, the isotonic drink & water all except for the last one. I feel I got my fuelling spot on this year thankfully.

0 -5km (24:34) We were off, wasn't very long till I lost sight of the lads as we all executed our own plans. My plan was to run conservatively for the 1st 4km at least then hopefully settle into an even enough pace then pick it up at the end if I could. The 1st bit out of the stadium was great but once out onto the road it was very congested & there was a lot of weaving to do, frustrating at times but I knew it was helping me with the conservative start. I hit the 1st 5km at 24:34, a little slower than I should be but that was ok.

6 - 10km (48.10)

Still a fair bit of weaving going on here as the course narrowed a bit, there was a small out & back loop & we could see the speedsters passing by on the other side of the road. It was around here I seen my family, lots of cheers from them, go frecks, run crazy legs, go momma E! They had spread themselves out a bit so was great to hear them at each little bit, I was grinning from ear to ear, they have a video of me & you can just see tiny me waving & smiling behind a lot taller fellas, it's very funny to see! Luckily for me the smiles continued all the way around the course especially as I was dressed in an Ireland singlet, shorts & my orange calf sleeves. I got so many cheers, c'mon Ireland, sorry about the rugby, go Irish amongst a few other things, the support was amazing all the way around. Seeing my family made me so happy & it really is a boost for morale!

11 - 15km (1:11:48)

This section led to the Amstel as we ran along the canal for a fair bit. I thought this might feel like it would go on forever but it actually didn't. Again it was quite narrow & congested as I headed up towards the 3:30 pace group. I passed by them as it started raining, the wind also seemed to pick up a bit but I didn't feel it too badly as there were so many of us running together. Again my Ireland top got some comments & another Irish bloke started chatting to me for a bit, I left him at some stage as I again tried to get around people. Again I hit the 15km split a bit slower than planned but I wasn't concerned.

16 - 20km (1:35:42) 21 - 25km (1:59:18)

Still on the canal for this section & the next, feeling good despite a lot of weaving still going on!

26 - 30km (2:22:23)

Back out onto the roads now & the amazing support of the crowds, don't remember too much of the places I ran by here but I knew I was feeling good & still smiling at anyone I made contact with or who called my name. I hit the 30km spot on target feeling good so was very very happy at this stage.

31 - 35km (2:45:36)

Again I don't remember too much about this but god I was feeling amazing, I had to think carefully about what I would do next, this was the only time through the whole marathon that I had a bit of unsure thoughts, they came from trying to decide when would be best to up my pace, what if I did & started suffering, what if I was running that fine line where your pace feels good then you push it & it really hurts. I decided I would up my pace slightly from 35km onwards then pick it up even more for the last 5km if I could.

36 - 40km (3:08:03)

I was over a minute faster than where I should be & this gave me huge confidence, at some stage here I remember thinking, Fook I have this!! I knew I just had to see it out & I was defo going sub 3:20. We entered Vondelpark at some stage here & I loved it, lots of cheers for the Irish top here this just spurred me on, I also passed by a few runners who had cramped up & were trying to walk them off etc, really felt it for them. I decided to skip the last water station here as I really wanted to keep this momentum going!

41 - Finish (3:17:22)

I genuinely can't explain the feeling as I got faster & faster as I knew I was so close, the cheers & support along here was like nothing else. I picked up speed again as I passed the flag lined street which turns onto the I AM AMSTERDAM sign, I heard more shouts & as I was entering the stadium one of the helpers moved back and made a face as if to say I was going too fast, he gave me a smile & I beamed back, once I entered that stadium the foot was well & truly on the gas! I passed by a fair few people at speed, threw my hands in the air with the biggest grin ever & crossed the finish line! I looked down at my watch & could not believe my eyes, was I dreaming, did I really just do this! I saw S & C up ahead & we all congratulated each other, both the lads running brilliant PB's. I honestly couldn't think of 2 nicer people to share this madness with! We went to get out bags & I meet up with my family who had been in the stadium & recorded my finish, there were hugs & kisses & near tears, so so special to have them there with me!

I'm still on a high, wondering how the hell I had the perfect day, the perfect race! From start to finish I controlled the controllable down to a T, not only did I control it but it felt very comfortable the whole way through. Somehow I managed a 4min 34sec negative split, the stuff of dreams! I remember being at halfway thinking this time last year in Dublin along the Crumlin road I was hating it, felt like it was going on forever yet today I was as fresh as a daisy, mental! I never felt bad, I never felt like I needed to holdback, how does this happen in some races but in others you are hanging on for all you've got??

It was a great marathon, one I would highly recommend to anyone thinking of it. The next few days were spent walking a lot & seeing a lot of different places, with my family we made some amazing memories & it's defo a place I will head back to again.

No plans as to what I will do next but a huge thank you needs to go to S for giving me such great training plans that I absolutely love & more than that for being a great friend, along with C they really did make this a great trip full of laughs & craic. I'd also like to say a huge thank you to all my fellow boardsies who sent so many messages of support & congratulations both here & privately, I genuinely appreciate them all😊

I quoted Whitney Houston in my last post as my marathon song & these words were never as apt, exactly how I felt...

"I want one moment in time, When I'm more than I thought I could be, When all of my dreams are a heart beat away, And the answers are all up to me...

Crossing that finish line I had that moment in time, totally exceeding my own expectations & it was all down to me💛

Some stats of the marathon

My overall position was 3024th out of 16057

My position as a woman was 218th out of 4009

My age category was 16th out of 414

Wottle

Amazing, and more to come based on the size of the negative split.

You are some trio, the connection you guys have seems to hold a bit of an X factor, driving you all to new levels.

Congratulations, smashed it!

Annie get your Run

Near tears?! You'll have the rest of us in floods with that report 😍. Your joy is jumping off the screen. You got a shout out from Sonia & Jar too. Really delighted for you Elaine, so richly deserved. Massive congrats to you on a very well executed bank of training and the perfect race performance!

marathon2022

What a fantastic result and a report to match, amazing. 16th woman in your age group in a race as big as Amsterdam. Just wow

Lambay island

Marvellous achievement and to do it in such style just shows what a strong runner you are. You really had put in the hard work to make race day look like an trot- brilliant..Loved reading through that too- delighted for ya!

py

A super run E. Delighted that you had a perfect race. Enjoy the celebrations which I hope are still ongoing 😁

Lazare

Even though you display confidence in yourself I still feel you don't appreciate how truly exceptional you are.

It's mind blowing. So so happy for you, a result so richly deserved.

diego_b

Excellent report and a brilliant result there E, very well deserved after a great block and your brilliant enthusiasm that shines through it all.

ariana`

Superb race - there aren't really words for it, definitely performance of the year material! You make it look easy, in the same way that all the best do!

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121257390#Comment_121257390

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121257593#Comment_121257593

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121257636#Comment_121257636

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121257741#Comment_121257741

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121258288#Comment_121258288

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121259104#Comment_121259104

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121259288#Comment_121259288

Thank you all so much for the lovely comments, I really love reading them & appreciate them.

I just hope I don't come across as arrogant in my saying I felt comfortable for the whole marathon, everyone has completely different experiences of races. I have had my fair share of not great ones but hope I have learned from them. I think I have been as honest as I can on my running journey so I hope this comes across. I wish I could bottle the feeling from Amsterdam or literally be able to copy & paste the whole race & store it on my clipboard & use it for my next race but I can't so as runners we just pray that the stars all align for us✨ Without the hard work & commitment I put in day after day for this block then it simply wouldn't have been possible. I had a few chats with C about this on the build up to Amsterdam, running makes me feel so good as a person, it's the one thing that I feel I am naturally good at & therefore putting the hard work in doesn't feel like a chore (well most of the time). Long may my love for this continue😊

py

100% not arrogant. Anyone reading your log or seeing your runs logged on Strava will know that the result at the weekend was due to a lot of hard work.

Kellygirl

Another fantastic report Elaine. You deserved that race and I’m delighted for you. I love that you enjoyed it so much. How wonderful is that!

Mitch Buchannon

Great race report and what an amazing result. That negative split is a thing runners dream of and you absolutely aced it !!

Delighted for you. Well done.

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121259985#Comment_121259985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260491#Comment_121260491

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260549#Comment_121260549

Thanks a million 🤗

Comic Book Guy

Great report E on what was a brilliant race and performance. Absolutely nailed it but everything coming together on the day was no fluke, it's reward for long term consistency and dedication.

Looking forward to seeing you pushing on again in 2024.

scotindublin

What a legend, dream marathon.

AuldManKing

An amazing experience - bottle that feeling!

That negative split is the stuff of dreams - let that be a lesson to us all!!

Great report and a very well deserved PB.

Dublinlad1989

What a fantastic race and an amazing report!

Huge well done, not surprising considering the training you've put in!!

Murph_D

I love it when a plan comes together: well conceived and brilliantly executed in conditions that (to me) do not look straightforward at all, with those areas of congestion and what looks like a tricky enough route to get right. Expertly done! You deserve all of it, for the way you train and the great attitude. Keep buzzing!

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121261061#Comment_121261061

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121261487#Comment_121261487

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121261487#Comment_121261487

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121261628#Comment_121261628

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121261889#Comment_121261889

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121262244#Comment_121262244

Thank you all so much, I am genuinely blown away by all the lovely comments💛

racersedge

An amazing race report to match an amazing race result. It’s been said already but the result has been in the making with a great training block. There is no better feeling when all the hard work comes to fruition and the plaudits are very well deserved. Your blog as been a joy to read and adds the vivid and vibrant colour to the runs on Strava. No doubt whatever you decide next, you will smash it. Until the next challenge is decided, I am sure you will enjoy the bliss of an incredible race result.

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121264377#Comment_121264377

Aw that's so lovely of you to say, I love getting all my thoughts (and waffle) down on this or on paper! Yep there genuinely is no better feeling than knowing you worked really hard & getting the rewards in a race! Thanks so much, still enjoying the buzz but looking forward to the next challenge whatever it may be😊

Mr. Guappa

I'm only getting around to the Amsterdam reports now. This looked like a great run on strava, but reading that report adds another layer of gloss - it's just such a quality, polished performance. Bravo E, top class

Euro Fred

Hi,

Sorry for jumping in , would you recommend the EIM plan?

Looking at your results , which are brilliant by the way, you seem to be getting something from it.

I’m just about to buy it but was just looking for some “real life” recommendations.

I used the Boards DCM22 Graduates Thread plan for this years DCM and did it in 3:20 so I was thinking something a bit more dialled in might be a benefit. 

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121332006#Comment_121332006

Thanks a mill for the nice comments. I have been doing EIM for a good while now & I absolutely love it, but as you can see from my marathon plan for Amsterdam it was mixed with other stuff which was given to be by @skyblue46 who found EIM training originally & introduced it to me. For this block most of the EIM stuff was done for the 1st half of the block then not a lot after. Now that I'm back running regularly since the marathon I am back doing the 1k , 400's & 200's EIM stuff. I like that it introduces a bit of pace in the actual run but with the walk breaks and generous recoveries it's not like a hard session.

I hope this helps in some way & I'm sure @skyblue46 would give his experience of it. Very best of luck with it!