2024 DCM Mentored Novices Thread

Mantis Toboggan · 10-10-2024 12:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122703991#Comment_122703991

1 Plan says run easy

2 I'm playing catch up still and still trying to build some fitness. Want to see if I'm capable of sustaining the pace

marathon2022 · 10-10-2024 12:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122704105#Comment_122704105

Stop stressing, maybe stick a sneaky 5k at marathon pace but dont try catch up on lost days. You got this 🏃

And most of all don't get disheartened if the MP feels hard, it will be at this point in training compared to your taper body on the day,

Trevorfromtheshoppingcentre · 10-10-2024 12:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122704105#Comment_122704105

Now is the time to trust the work you’ve done and the plan. 🏃

TheRef · 10-10-2024 12:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122704105#Comment_122704105

Okay, so…

As the saying goes… trust the plan.

I get what you are trying to do, but it won't really give you what you are looking for, and could end up ruining your marathon.

You can't catch up on any lost training generally, and especially not at this late stage. You need to allow your body to recover from the months of hard effort while protecting as much of the gains you have made over that time. If you go hard at the weekend, you will deprive your body from vital recovery and strengthening time.

Additionally, if you did try run 19k at MP and couldn't sustain it, that would no doubt hit your confidence, but remember your body is still impaired so a MP run now is not a good guage.

A guide to use is that a good taper could give you a 3-5% performance increase, so for a 4:30 marathon, it could mean a 12-20 second per km improvement. Now, that's the theory and it doesn't mean you should think about running faster. It just demonstrates that the idea of 42km at your MP pace during training seems undoable, but after taper, it should come good, as long as you have a realistic pace. Again though, that does not mean run faster - stick to your original goal pace that you set. The taper just helps you get to the finish at that MP you trained for.

Also, you definitely don't want to pick up an injury at such a late stage. I hurt myself on a rest day Monday and missed Tues & Wed and am going to try run today. Its gut wrenching to pick up something after all the work.

Mantis Toboggan · 10-10-2024 12:51PM

Cheers lads, sound advice

Sunny Dayz · 10-10-2024 01:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122703954#Comment_122703954

I think the other guys have answered comprehensively here. Doing your long run at MP won’t really achieve much. If you can sustain it, your body will need a good recovery after, but we are now in the taper so we should be concentrating on recovering our body, not pushing it with a long run at MP. If you do want to, do your last say 3/4km at MP and aim to finish the run satisfied that you feel you could keep going at that pace.

warning - the taper will start to work our minds into overdrive. You’ll stress you haven’t enough mileage done, you’ll change your planned pace 100 times, you need to bring 10 gels and 5L of water on race day, maybe you need new runners, phantom niggles, worried if you sneeze. It’s time to rest the body and strengthen the mind!

SimpleDimple · 10-10-2024 08:04PM

It’s reassuring reading the comments regarding trusting the plan, the effects of the taper, and race pace.
The shorter runs will certainly be welcome as well

Lockster · 10-10-2024 09:14PM

I had three initial goals, bronze - finish, silver - 4:30 and gold - 4:15. The last month or so of training has gone really well and so if everything goes well on the day then 4:15 is definitely achievable but I’d be confident that sub 4:30 is on.

I’ve been following a Runna plan and it was difficult at first but it has reassessed a couple of times and I’m able to hit the majority of the paces and targets now.

Looking forward to the taper and then the victory lap in the day.

comanche_cor · 11-10-2024 10:30AM

Unfortunately, I am not a confirmed member of the injured club - post-tibial tendonitis according to the physio. What I mistook for calf tightness was actually trouble brewing and I now have pain during and after every run.

Unfortunately, there is not enough time to rehab this one before marathon day. So really, it's just a case of running with pain and continuing the work to rehab it after the marathon. Fingers crossed the reduction of mileage over the next two and a bit weeks will give it some relief coupled with activation exercises.

Was always the risk and with the training - my main goal with training was to see where I could get my fitness levels to and am pretty happy with that.

For the moment I am going to be stubborn and not adjust my goal times - going to stick with it and see what happens :P

Oddly I am not gutted by the injury, my main goal has been to increase my fitness and I have enjoyed the journey of the training. So we will see what the big day brings!

ILikeBoats · 11-10-2024 10:44AM

Sorry to hear that. I'll run in pain in solidarity with you. Have some type of tendon issue in my foot which I also don't think I'll shift before the big day. Have been tapering on the bike this week. Will try a run on Sunday and if no better, I'll stay off the feet until 27th and pick up the pieces after.

TheRef · 11-10-2024 11:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122707381#Comment_122707381

I'm really sorry to hear this, and it is good that you are keeping positive and realising the many benefits of the training.

Regarding your decision to run, that is between you and your physio, but please, if you have not already discussed it with them, please do and understand what the risks are. Also discuss with them your time goals and whether a slower pace could mitigate those risks.

Whatever you do, remember that there are always more marathons.

comanche_cor · 11-10-2024 11:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122707596#Comment_122707596

Thanks - that's solid advice. We have agreed on a plan to keep running for the moment and to work through a management plan based on the next few runs.

Definitely will be more marathons - have entered the ballot for Berlin 🤞

@ILikeBoats - sorry to hear about your injury also. Hope it will work out for you!

ILikeBoats · 11-10-2024 01:16PM

Cheers. We'll battle through!

Sunny Dayz · 11-10-2024 01:53PM

sorry to hear about the injuries.
just be mindful if you plan on running that there are other marathons. If you decide not to run, work on getting recovered and perhaps pick another race that’s not too far in the future to utilise the fitness you’ve gained (if you recover soon and well).

Bear in mind running the marathon when injured might do more harm than good. Do you want to risk not being able to run for weeks/months for the sake of one race?

As someone else said respect and heed the advice of your physio.

Sunny Dayz · 11-10-2024 01:56PM

@Lockster i like that analogy of the gold, silver and bronze target paces.

Sunny Dayz · 12-10-2024 07:50AM

https://www.facebook.com/RorysStoriesOfficial/videos/530888976311704/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Great video by Rory’s Stories about the marathon taper. (Hopefully I’ve it linked ok)

Lazare · 12-10-2024 08:03AM

Course route signs are up folks. Saw some in Chapelizod last night.

It's almost here.

nullObjects · 12-10-2024 09:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122710841#Comment_122710841

"I will not do anything I don't need to do for the next two weeks, I'm running the marathon" 😂

He seems to be into the running, he ran the half as well!

Mantis Toboggan · 12-10-2024 09:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122710841#Comment_122710841

Just sent that to the wife 😁

slingerz · 12-10-2024 11:31AM

so I have missed all my runs this week, my excuse is two children in hospital this week. Hopefully won’t set me back too far. Plan to do my long run tomorrow and hopefully get back on track next week with the kids beginning to come around

brick tamland · 12-10-2024 05:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122710853#Comment_122710853

Must be almost time for weather watch

Saying that nobody predicted that rain last year

crisco10 · 12-10-2024 05:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122711266#Comment_122711266

Hay, by and large, is in the barn by now.

Wouldn't worry about it. Hope kids are on the mend.

Mantis Toboggan · 12-10-2024 06:48PM

Wind down fully on now, need to start planning for the day. Do they send out any information prior to the race? Specially what time to arrive, where the bag drop is etc?