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Dublin Marathon 2016 - Mentored Novices Thread
Comments
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Tullamore Half Marathon:
I have never done one of these before so hopefully the following is ok...
I had a good week in preparation for this. The planned mid-week mileage was 4, 7 and 4 miles but I decided to do two days of 7 and 8 miles so I could have an extra day off. I kept well hydrated all week too so I was feeling good come Sat morning, although it was a bit late when I got to sleep due to nerves/excitement!
My wife and kids were coming down to this with me so we had everything laid out and ready for the morning so we wouldn't be under pressure with time. I went out for a 10 minute jog when I woke up just to loosen myself up and my usual Porridge with Peanut butter when I returned, this was about 2.5 hours before the race. We arrived nice and early in Tullamore, it was about 9.45 and the race was starting for 11 so we had plenty of time spare to have a look around after collecting my race number.
I done a few laps before the race started to warm up and then made my way out to the road where it was starting. I spotted the 1h50m and 1h45m pacers and made the decision to start behind the 1h45m pacer and try stay somewhere in between the two.
This probably wasn't the best decision but I am still not sure if it was because I couldn't sustain the pace or because the pacer was running much faster than he should have been and then dropping back to a slower pace and then back up again, was far too erratic for my liking or if it was an issue with my heart rate monitor (more about that later!)
Miles 1-4
I didn't find it too congested, it took about half a mile to settle out and find some good space. It was nice and flat and there was a couple of nice shaded areas in the first few miles which were lovely as the sun had really started to come out and I could feel the heat.
I was actually pretty comfortable in the first 4 miles, my breathing felt good, the legs were feeling strong and I felt like I was holding back a little in reserve for later but the heart rate was saying different! I decided to listen to the heart rate by about mile 6 and slow down a bit.
Miles 5-9
By mile 7 I had lost sight of the 1h45m pacer which was really starting to frustrate me as my breathing felt very good, I wasn't anywhere near caught for breath and there was people passing me out gasping for air but the heart rate was still showing high so I stuck with this to be sensible. Somewhere around mile 8 or 9, the 1hr50m pacer had caught up with me.
I was with them for a little bit and again felt fine but couldn't stay with their pace as the HR was showing as around max heart rate. I will say that at this stage it was starting to get tough anyway, it was very hot and I hadn't sustained this kind of pace for this kind of distance in any training runs so far so I was entering unknown territary.
It was lovely to see so many locals out cheering us on, there was plenty around these miles outside their houses with oranges and water for us and some even had jelly babies which I gladly accepted :pac:
Miles 10-13
At this stage I had resigned myself to the fact I wouldn't do a sub 1h50m HM but I would do a sub 2 with no issue so I was actually pretty chuffed with myself as this was my first HM race. Around the 11.5 mile mark, I actually started to smile to myself and felt strong and wanted to kick on but again the issue with the heart rate was preventing me so I just sustained the pace I was doing.
It was really frustrating as at this stage as I was seeing some people walking, others really struggling for air and just about plodding along and I felt I could do a very fast last 1-2 miles and had a kick in me.
There was a nice gradual little hill on the way into the stadium, nothing too bad but after doing that distance, it wasn't a pleasant site just before entering the stadium. I really enjoyed the run around the track, there was a fine crowd, at this stage I was on my own and the wife and kids could easily see me.
It was a lovely feeling to have them cheering me on and waving at me as I was crossing the finish line. I didn't do any sprint around the track, I was quite happy to sustain my speed at this stage and just take in everything and enjoy the experience.
I actually meet Fitza right after the finish line, she had come in at 1h50m44secs and my chip time was 1h52m15secs so we were very close to each other in finishing time which was nice. We were able to chat about the race and the issue we both had with the pacers.
I think we were both in agreement that a sub 4hr marathon is going to be very difficult! Anyone that can sustain those paces for 26 miles really has my respect!!!
Summary:
The event was excellently organised, plenty of food and drinks available afterwards, good shower facilities and plenty of toilets. We got a lovely medal and T-Shirt and I found the volunteers really friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this run to anyone who might be interested for next year!
I was speaking with a friend last night and he thinks my hear rate monitor was playing up a bit as my HR was very high from the start. He asked me do I ever rinse it out which I don't and he said the salt build up will cause issues with it and he thinks if I was feeling fine and not near out of breath that it was possibly off by a bit which if he is correct, means I could probably have done a sub 1h50m run. If true, it's a little annoying but a lesson learned for the future but I am still thrilled with my time.
I started the C25K last October and I have now done, 5K's, 10K's, a HM with a Marathon to come on the year anniversary of the C25K so I am very happy with my progress and so happy to have running in my life now.
I forgot to mention to Fitza yesterday did she see some of the funny signs on the run, one gave me a good laugh which I needed at the time and it said Nails are for sissies :pac:
The one major issue I had after the race was my left shoulder felt completely locked up and was very painful. It is a lot better today and much looser but still a little stiff. This has never happened me before. Has anyone on here experienced anything like this after any races?
I got a few PB's yesterday, My 10 mile time was 1:25:35 so I am very pleased with my performance
Thanks for all the support and advice here, it is very much appreciated
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Tullamore Half Marathon:
I have never done one of these before so hopefully the following is ok...
I had a good week in preparation for this. The planned mid-week mileage was 4, 7 and 4 miles but I decided to do two days of 7 and 8 miles so I could have an extra day off. I kept well hydrated all week too so I was feeling good come Sat morning, although it was a bit late when I got to sleep due to nerves/excitement!
My wife and kids were coming down to this with me so we had everything laid out and ready for the morning so we wouldn't be under pressure with time. I went out for a 10 minute jog when I woke up just to loosen myself up and my usual Porridge with Peanut butter when I returned, this was about 2.5 hours before the race. We arrived nice and early in Tullamore, it was about 9.45 and the race was starting for 11 so we had plenty of time spare to have a look around after collecting my race number.
I done a few laps before the race started to warm up and then made my way out to the road where it was starting. I spotted the 1h50m and 1h45m pacers and made the decision to start behind the 1h45m pacer and try stay somewhere in between the two.
This probably wasn't the best decision but I am still not sure if it was because I couldn't sustain the pace or because the pacer was running much faster than he should have been and then dropping back to a slower pace and then back up again, was far too erratic for my liking or if it was an issue with my heart rate monitor (more about that later!)
Miles 1-4
I didn't find it too congested, it took about half a mile to settle out and find some good space. It was nice and flat and there was a couple of nice shaded areas in the first few miles which were lovely as the sun had really started to come out and I could feel the heat.
I was actually pretty comfortable in the first 4 miles, my breathing felt good, the legs were feeling strong and I felt like I was holding back a little in reserve for later but the heart rate was saying different! I decided to listen to the heart rate by about mile 6 and slow down a bit.
Miles 5-9
By mile 7 I had lost sight of the 1h45m pacer which was really starting to frustrate me as my breathing felt very good, I wasn't anywhere near caught for breath and there was people passing me out gasping for air but the heart rate was still showing high so I stuck with this to be sensible. Somewhere around mile 8 or 9, the 1hr50m pacer had caught up with me.
I was with them for a little bit and again felt fine but couldn't stay with their pace as the HR was showing as around max heart rate. I will say that at this stage it was starting to get tough anyway, it was very hot and I hadn't sustained this kind of pace for this kind of distance in any training runs so far so I was entering unknown territary.
It was lovely to see so many locals out cheering us on, there was plenty around these miles outside their houses with oranges and water for us and some even had jelly babies which I gladly accepted :pac:
Miles 10-13
At this stage I had resigned myself to the fact I wouldn't do a sub 1h50m HM but I would do a sub 2 with no issue so I was actually pretty chuffed with myself as this was my first HM race. Around the 11.5 mile mark, I actually started to smile to myself and felt strong and wanted to kick on but again the issue with the heart rate was preventing me so I just sustained the pace I was doing.
It was really frustrating as at this stage as I was seeing some people walking, others really struggling for air and just about plodding along and I felt I could do a very fast last 1-2 miles and had a kick in me.
There was a nice gradual little hill on the way into the stadium, nothing too bad but after doing that distance, it wasn't a pleasant site just before entering the stadium. I really enjoyed the run around the track, there was a fine crowd, at this stage I was on my own and the wife and kids could easily see me.
It was a lovely feeling to have them cheering me on and waving at me as I was crossing the finish line. I didn't do any sprint around the track, I was quite happy to sustain my speed at this stage and just take in everything and enjoy the experience.
I actually meet Fitza right after the finish line, she had come in at 1h50m44secs and my chip time was 1h52m15secs so we were very close to each other in finishing time which was nice. We were able to chat about the race and the issue we both had with the pacers.
I think we were both in agreement that a sub 4hr marathon is going to be very difficult! Anyone that can sustain those paces for 26 miles really has my respect!!!
Summary:
The event was excellently organised, plenty of food and drinks available afterwards, good shower facilities and plenty of toilets. We got a lovely medal and T-Shirt and I found the volunteers really friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this run to anyone who might be interested for next year!
I was speaking with a friend last night and he thinks my hear rate monitor was playing up a bit as my HR was very high from the start. He asked me do I ever rinse it out which I don't and he said the salt build up will cause issues with it and he thinks if I was feeling fine and not near out of breath that it was possibly off by a bit which if he is correct, means I could probably have done a sub 1h50m run. If true, it's a little annoying but a lesson learned for the future but I am still thrilled with my time.
I started the C25K last October and I have now done, 5K's, 10K's, a HM with a Marathon to come on the year anniversary of the C25K so I am very happy with my progress and so happy to have running in my life now.
I forgot to mention to Fitza yesterday did she see some of the funny signs on the run, one gave me a good laugh which I needed at the time and it said Nails are for sissies :pac:
The one major issue I had after the race was my left shoulder felt completely locked up and was very painful. It is a lot better today and much looser but still a little stiff. This has never happened me before. Has anyone on here experienced anything like this after any races?
I got a few PB's yesterday, My 10 mile time was 1:25:35 so I am very pleased with my performance
Thanks for all the support and advice here, it is very much appreciated
Great report Tony. Yes I did see the signs:D Was thinking surely at that stage people were not suffering with their toe nails!! I remember it was at the hilly section
Well done yesterday, as I was saying to you yesterday I don't use a HRM but my OH does (with his 3 stents!!) and he feels at times it isn't reflecting how he feels at all.
Also the only time I have gotten nasty shoulder pain was a stitch pain but that goes pretty quickly.
Best of luck with the rest of your training...off now to do a recovery run (on grass!)0 -
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Well done to you all this weekend between races and LSR's! I know there are few more LR reports to come in this evening, hope they are going well for you. A few points have come up from the folks who raced Tullamore and we can all learn from those.
Firstly, if you are following a marathon training plan, a timely reminder to stick to the plan. Going off plan leaves you open to injury and over training and as you're all beginning to see this marathon training lark is hard work
There are few niggles being mentioned, a reminder here of a few stretches pre and post run. The miles are ramping up, its just as important to mind the body now as it is to get your miles in. Tony mentioned shoulder pain after the race, a reminder to relax your arms, run tall and breath.
For those of you doing the half marathon in the coming weeks, know your target time in advance (use the race calculators to work out based on your current fitness rather than your dream goal). If you're going to run with a pace group, decide before hand which one and whether you'll start in front of them or behind them. These are not really decisions to make on race day
For those of you using heart rate monitors for training purposes, you don't need to pay too much attention to it during a race, your HR should be high if your racing! Obviously you can check it like you would your paces etc to be honest I'd go more by feel and keeping one eye on your pace to make sure you haven't gone out too fast. Only worry about the HR if you're feeling very under pressure AND the reading is high, then you'll know for sure there's an issue. It's all a learning curve and that's what these tune up races are for.
Week 10 29/8 Hopefully I've managed to read the speadsheets right this time
This coming week boards plan has a 6 mile pace run mid week and 19 mile LR, the HH1 has a 15 miler at the weekend. Again, the miles are ramping up.
- Drink plenty of water every day
- Eat well
- Get to bed early every night (or as many as possible!)
- Stretch, foam roll and mind the bodies (possibly no refereeing during marathon training :eek:) 0 -
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My week....week 9, HHN2 Plan
Mon - Rest
Tue - 11.5k PMP @ 5.35 pace (on grass)
Wed - 6.5k @ 6.19 pace (on grass)
Thu - Rest
Fri - Rest
Sat - Tullamore Half Marathon 21.1k @ 5.15 pace - Time 1.50.44
Sun - 5.2k @ 6.39 pace (on grass)
Good to get Half Marathon race under my belt, it is the only race on my plan.
Half way through the plan, the next few weeks should be interesting, more and more miles 0 -
Week 17 - Irish Runner Plan.
Monday - 6 miles easy - (I usually do hill sprints on Mondays but legs were still tired from FD)
Tuesday - Reformer Pilates class
Wednesday - 8 mile tempo
Thursday - 4 miles easy - with 4 hill sprints thrown in to make up for Monday.
Friday - Decided to do my LSR Friday instead of Sunday as I'm away next weekend and will be doing it Thursday or fri - I wanted to be sure I'd have recovered enough. 15 miles on the plan - I had awful stomach pains for most of it but I'm not used to running so late in the evening - I think I ate too much during the day. Got it done and learned from the experience
Saturday - easy stretching in the gym & swim.
Sunday - 3 miles @ recovery pace. Wanted to do 5 miles but had a slight calf niggle so didn't want to risk it - I'll foam roll the hell out of it later.
Best of luck next week everyone - I hope all the injuries and illnesses are clearing up 0 -
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Well done in the half guys! It was interesting to read about your experience with the pacers. I've never run a full race with a pace group myself (started last year's half with the 1.50 group, but finished a good bit ahead of them), but I definitely want to try before the big day.
I've been filling in the milage tracker each week, but it looks like there's no sheet for this coming week? Can I just add one in?
Go for it acey gray if you know how, otherwise one of us will do it later on 0 -
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Safrongirl wrote: »Thanks so much Bunny means a lot to hear it x
Don't overlook the advice that was given to you on the previous posts either. I don't think anyone was being overly negative and tbh the advice given was sound but I can see where you're coming from better probably because I'm in a very similar boat.
If you want to make the marathon you'll need to be stubborn and tell yourself you can do it but on the other hand, if you're in real pain then you'll need to reassess things. There's a balance there but for now, take each training week as it comes and make the best of it. Keep us updated on how you're getting on 0 -
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