2024 DCM Mentored Novices Thread

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122646236#Comment_122646236

Me personally I wouldn’t be putting an extra 100km into them but I’m sure they’ll still be fine. I’ve done myself is switch shoes during the run. So if I had 20km easy and then 10km at marathon pace and a few km easy to finish it off. I’d run the easy in my normal shoes I use for easy/recovery runs. Then switch to my racing shoes for the rest of the run. So you’re not putting a lot of miles in it but still getting runs in them.

slingerz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122644031#Comment_122644031

I was thinking that about the vests too but they are popular.

As regards water I’ve never been great for it nor do I use hydration tablets. I do hydrate on the run and could take in a litre over the course of a long run.

I only wear a t shirt lately running as it’s been mild enough. I don’t think I’m over heating from apparel but maybe from the exertion.

slingerz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122644771#Comment_122644771

I will look those guys up. I can’t say I’d use a hydration vest ever again but it would be worth it for the next few weeks and saving myself the torture of it. I feel like I’d need to bring food with me on the big day as well so maybe the fit belt would be good for that.

never thought of the shivers as being a medical issue I will have to get it checked out.

Mantis Toboggan

My long run at the weekend was an eye opener. First time I've noticed a lack of hydration and fuel had affected my run and it hit hard.

Saturday was spent down the country at a game and then onto a kids birthday party. Barely drank fluids all day apart from a few cans of coke and eat all sorts of crap but then didn't eat anything after 5pm.

Got out for my run on Sunday at 6 and didn't drink or eat anything beforehand, wanted to bring water but couldn't fit it into the belt. Wasn't too bad for the first 18k but definitely started to feel it by 20k and at 25k I was done. Still managed to get to 31k but it was a massive effort, turned into a run a minute walk a minute, probably the closest I've felt to hitting the wall I had no energy.

On the plus side my knee is feeling much better, back in physio tomorrow but definitely confidence is growing that I can at least make the start line. I'll be tidying up my diet from here on and will definitely concentrate more on fueling beforehand.

mossiepark

The million dollar question....tbh I'll see how the training progresses especially with the 20 mile run this week. At the minute, I'd be hopeful for a sub 3.50

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122647666#Comment_122647666

That’s what training is for. Better to learn the lesson now than 5 weeks.

Not directed at you but a general statement. One thing is if you dehydrate on the day you’re gone. No matter what you drink on route after it happens you’re not going to recover and you’ll be walking in. Hence why drinking along the way is advisable to keep yourself topping up. Little sups.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122647686#Comment_122647686

3:50 well doable off a 1:40 half once you keep fit and don’t get carried away on the day

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122647666#Comment_122647666

it’s good that you can look at it and have a fair idea where you went wrong and will give you a fair idea how to approach your next long run. Training is all about learning. Fair play to ya for staying going for an extra 6km after you felt you were “done”. While I wouldn’t encourage people to torture themselves on their long run, having a tough run and not giving up can improve your mental strength. Channel that feeling during marathon if and when it gets tough.

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122642437#Comment_122642437

Has the hip been giving you trouble in your last few long runs?

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122645506#Comment_122645506

yep. There are websites where you can generate a generic pace band for free or pay to make up a course specific one.

Or you can pick them up for free at the marathon expo - stand is usually around the middle of the floor where you can pick up a few different times, think they make them up for every 5/10 min finish times.

I wore one last year and it was handy to refer to at certain points on the course.

I don’t use a pacer on my watch. But I set my watch to display my average pace, having worked out what that should be for my goal time. I just find for me it takes a bit of pressure off me, especially when I might have a faster or slower km due to hills etc.

Sunny Dayz

thanks everyone who has reported back about the half marathon. It’s good to hear that most seem to have had a bit more left in the tank at the end or felt good during the race. It’s a testament to the good training you’ve all been putting in.

gabbo is coming

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122649335#Comment_122649335

No, hammer has occasionally. But last few runs all good

But it travelled to the hip Sunday

ettravel

I missed my last 2 long runs as i was away and then sick.

my running partner is away this weekend and i find it v hard to motivate myself to go out on them longs runs alone,

anybody / group do a lsr this sat am, very early in the dublin / kildare area that i could tag along, promise im not annoying.

lsr at 6.20m ish per km

ta

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122652484#Comment_122652484

https://www.facebook.com/100057538244296/posts/984706230123976/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

nullObjects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122652484#Comment_122652484

There will be a bunch of people running around Phoenix Park either if that's any use to you. You'll normally get at least a nod or a thumbs up from someone coming the other direction

mossiepark

Have a look at Dublin runners on meetup. Great group that cater to all abilities on a Saturday morning. TThey run from the car park on the visitor centre

Whatdoyoumean

What have been peoples experience in getting sick at this stage of marathon training, specifically for beginners?

I had been following the old DCM 20 week beginner plan without a hitch up until this week and have been struck with a dose of flu…I’ve had to miss my mid-week runs and now the long run I was planning at this weekend.

What would peoples advice be, try to claw back any lost distance between now and the marathon, or just continue my plan as normal? There’s a fair bit of distance both next week and the week after (before things start to taper), so I’m hoping this bout won’t affect me too much!

Green&Red

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122647686#Comment_122647686

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122647686#Comment_122647686

The reason I asked is I did the same time for the Ceide coast. I'm hoping for sub 3.30, think I'll be somewhere between 3.28 and 3.32.
36 km next weekend and a 10k race the following and then feet up

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658643#Comment_122658643

Very common to pick up a dose or two. Your immune system can be low with the load you’ve been putting it through as most novices bodies have never been exposed to this sort of load before.

General rule of thumb is when comes to colds etc is if in head carry on but if goes south and especially into chest is stop.

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658664#Comment_122658664

Why race a 10km so close. All means do it in a long run and if you’ve some mp in that run it’s a good way to get through it. I wouldn’t be advising racing a 10km. You need to think of what’s your main goal. If you do it at MP in a long run are you discipline enough not to go faster than MP.

Like these 3/4 marathons. You’ll find many people who’ve left their marathons at these races because they can’t control themselves when a number is pinned to them.

Do whatever you want but just think about it

TheRef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658643#Comment_122658643

I agree with Trampas - if it is affecting your body - tiredness, chesty, coughs, or anything of the like, don't try and run through it. I did that earlier this year and it all it done was delay my recovery. Best to get better as quickly as possible. Once better, continue your plan as before, as you say, there are two more big weeks. Don't try and make up the miles.

TheRef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658706#Comment_122658706

You're being too nice :-)

@Green&Red, if this your first marathon, "racing" a 10km this close is crazy. You have a higher risk of injury due to the stress of the last few months and ask yourself how you would feel if you picked up a niggle or worse. There are 10km races all the time.

Now, if you're using the 10km to run MP or slightly quicker, that's a different matter, just not 10k pace.

Why risk it?

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658643#Comment_122658643

a good point to make. Don’t go chasing lost miles, draw a line under them. Treat the week of no running as a down week, that you’ve allowed your body to rest - which it would have needed. Try get back to your plan this week if you can, ease your way in, see how the body feels. Hope you are feeling better.

It might be a timely reminder to people to look after yourselves. With kids gone back to school and the change in the weather it can bring on bugs, coughs and sniffles. I’m not in a position to give medical advice obviously so it’s up to yourselves if you feel you need a multi vitamin or vitamin c supplement. But practical things like have a warm layer to throw on after your run. Consider a change of clothes in the car if you get wet - my lesson learned after Weds evening - and get changed out of wet clothes straight after. When you get home, make yourself a hot drink and have your shower. If you are someone who gets the flu jab each year, consider how your body reacts to it and when it might suit you best to get it.

crisco10

not to steal a mentors thunder, but came across this podcast on reddit the other day. Lots of good questions to ask yourself as you are getting to the point of picking a race pace. Not sure I agree with only having an A goal for a Novice though.

I've listened to it this week and it clarified a lot of my own doubts about what my target race pace should be.

https://runningrogue.libsyn.com/episode-248-choosing-your-race-pace

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658664#Comment_122658664

is this your first marathon? Why would you be racing a 10k so close to it??

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658816#Comment_122658816

oh I appreciate a podcast episode suggestion. Will have a listen over the weekend if I can.

I’m in work at the moment so I can’t go looking for the links but I’d highly recommend listening to Any Given Runday and The Runners Diary podcasts episodes they released in the run up to Dublin marathon last year. Really informative and helpful.

Green&Red

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658706#Comment_122658706

Not the first but 10 years since the last. Had a coach then and the advice was for a 10k two weeks out to get a bit of speed back in the legs. Genuinely thought it was the done thing.
Not worried about injuries at all but I might look at paring it back rather than flat out

witnessmenow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122658643#Comment_122658643

Definitely agree with @Sunny Dayz reply, if you your not able for the run this weekend, just forget about it. If your following the DCM beginners plan from last year, the 30/32k is next weekend anyways, I think personally I would prefer to try get myself right for that, as having that session going well can definitely boost your confidence (but don't panic if it doesn't go well either!)

Don't worry about missing these sessions, they aren't going to make or break your day. If you've been doing the majority of the plan up to this, you're in a great position.

I'm much better prepared for the Marathon this year than I was last year despite not missing a session last year and missing some and chopping and changing sessions this year. Even just this weekend I was meant to do a 32k on Friday, woke up in the middle of the night with a sore throat and decided to delay it to Monday (if I was feeling up to it, would forget about it if I wasn't) and miss a few other sessions to accommodate

j2

Tell me if this is a good or bad idea for the marathon itself. Chug along at marathon pace until Castleknock, then when you get to the 5k or so downhill section after that, ramp it up to 10k pace to take advantage of the easier speed. Back to MP for until the next hill up around the 28k mark, then tip down that hill at 10k pace again. Banked a few minutes there, crawl up the hill at long run pace, then freewheel down Foster's avenue and home at MP. That's what I'm planning to do.

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122659196#Comment_122659196

Take it nice and easy until castleknock. Arriving a couple of mins of target pace is fine. You’ve reached the highest point on course. You’ll make a lot back until you reach the climb into ballyfermot. Then cruise until dolphins barn. Then ease back until walkinstown. Nice section in general to Milton for profile. Look at a marathon as running to an effort instead of time. Keep within that effort and you’ll be fine

marathon2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122659196#Comment_122659196

Go a few seconds slower than marathon pace to Castkeknock and a few seconds faster the following few miles. Get to the half way point at half your planed time and put the foot down later if you think you have it. Do not be anywhere near your 10 k pace till the last 500 meters