Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum
Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026
Dublin Marathon 2016 - Mentored Novices Thread
Comments
-
Weekly LSR Updates
Reading the LSR reports is the highlight of being your host on this thread. You are all well able to look after yourselves at this stage, running at the proper paces, following the plan, eating well, sleeping loads, and all that. It's just a matter of keeping things steady towards the big day.
First of, the sick bay.
kittyclaws: Back in the swing of things - delighted to read this. Don't rush back trying to make up for lost time. What's gone, is gone. Oh - and if you were to ask me, don't be entertaining thoughts of racing the HM. Try and run this week pain-free and by all means, run the event but at LSR pace.
tony1980: Also tentatively positive news here, which is excellent. I hope you didn't go out for any LSR...? Slowly build back, I don't want to be alarmist but you don't want any reoccurrence.
aceygray has been advised to take off two weeks - which must be a huge disappointment as you were going so well. Fingers crossed that we'll see you around soon, but you seem to have already adjusted your expectations already. Try and stay positive and do let us know how you get on...
Antwerp seems to be knocking on the infirmary's door, also a case of altering your expectations already. Good to get that done. Look after yourself.
kin9pin: 4 miles is still 4 miles. A wise decision to take it easy and not take any chances today. Don't mean to be blunt, but be prepared to write-off DCHM - that sounds like it might come to early and the race-adrenaline and excitement might see you push harder than you should at this stage of your recovery. You were going great up until your injury so you'll still in it, but don't hasten back.
Then, the LSR updates.
Safrongirl - well done on your 20-miler! The dizziness is something to work on. As others have suggested, maybe look into your diet the 2-3 days leading up to your long run. Good job working with gels but they'll only go so far - same for drinking water. Don't overdo that. If you focus on anything over the next few weeks, focus on your fueling before and during the run!
tipping - great to see you back "bouncing". Keep it steady for the last couple of weeks!
doozerydoo - that reads like a good 17-miler? Well done. You are obviously feeling the postive effects of the training. Nothing beats early morning running, the good news is that DCM kicks off early, too!
TBO - glad you had the birds for company, hope they didn't attack you this week!
scotindublin - good work. Definitely option-2 for you for DHCM. Remind me of your Clontarf time?
FITZA's post wins the award of the week. You are so right that getting to the start-line is hard enough as it is - but it's easy to forget that. A few novices have alreayd deferred to next year and our sick-bay is never empty - even tho we're tentatively positive this week. Thanks for bringing that little perspective. Oh - and well done on your 13M@grass.
kabuxa - good 12-miler done. Mind those legs, it's okay as long as they don't get any worse. You want to consider visting your physical therapist every week from now on (if the purse allows). But it sounds very familiar, my calfs were almost perpetually sore at this stage last week.
budhistmonk - 13 miles = 13 miles, it will never be just a stroll in the park. Really good job getting a good stretch of the course done. That little drag that is so hyped-up as "Heartbreak Hill" will not bother you on the day, even with 20+ miles on the legs. There's a great post on Boards somewhere that rants on how ridiculously overhyed it is, I'll go and find it. You'll like it.
Wubble2 - Good work, mind the pace tho, that seems a little too enthusiastic?
RasTa - same assessment
Muppet - well done sir. Glad to see you back in full swing and congrats on the 1000M.
BunnyColvin - great news, any run of that distance that has you feeling you've plenty left, is a great confindence booster. Now there'll be a replay, does this mess with your LSR two weeks time? It better not!
All or nothing - that's very good pace for a solo HM. First of all, that's a PB. Second of all, I hope your long-runs from now on in are all at proper (slow!) pace!
CFR: Wow. That's some week. Not sure if there's anything I can add.
Pomplamousse: Well done on getting through another tough week. Are you doing DCM?
JackieChan: another savage week. You are giving your legs some pounding, I have to say. 9 sessions in total, 2 double-days, 2 PMP runs, 2 tempo/intervals, 1 LSR? :eek: I hope you have a good club-coach advising you - it definitely isn't recommended for Novices but you seem to be able for it. I hope you'll be tapering down a little before the big day!
Maximus: good week - well done. Take it sleazy and I hope you'll go for it at the weekend.0 -
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
You must be very motivated to keep this mileage and pace up every week and your body must be in a very healthy state to not be giving up on you.
So I have a few questions:
What time is your marathon goal?
Are you still in your 20s and are you running long?
Are you a club runner?
I need to justify my weaknesses
The coach plan has 7 days a week but I'm not doing that. I leave that for they guys that are more able for it.
I normally do 2 track session(during lunch),1 x short tempo and 1x LSR. I try to keep these last two as the only runs I have to do at home! I try to get everything else done during my lunch
I do a run commute which is up to 30km a week of my total(5:30-6:00km/min pace)
My marathon goal was 3:30 but I'm looking to bring that back a bit, not 100% of exactly what time but perhaps closer to 3:15. I'll be honest I'm not overly bothered about running a much faster time on a first marathon
I'm running less than a year and a lot older than 20s
I'm not a club runner but I do the track sessions with a group+coach.
I run because I love it. I did do a little when I was very young(under 12s) and even won a silver medal for 800m in a local event but I only stayed with it for a few months over one summer holiday and that was it.
It's only in the last few weeks that the longer tempo run has come in and the PMP runs midweek and within LSR. Previous to this only about 10-15 miles was track/tempo.
My first race was in April this year, and after that I did pick up some injuries, ITB. I've also had some ankle and feet issues back in May which seem to be okay now also.I'm also keen to know your goals/level/ability now.
My goals are to get a decent marathon time, but I'm actually more interested in bringing my 5k/10k times down and have another go for a faster marathon next year.
That first 10k in April was 44min and with the training got down to 39:13 in Fingal 10k. I'd like to bring that under 39. Similar I'd like to lower my sub 20 to a sub 19 5k.,,probably aim for that at Naas parkrun after marathon.
For longer distance I had a 1:28 at Tullamore a few weeks back
nop98, I'm looking forward to the taper, but I'll have to cut back on the beer then
0 -
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
Huh - well PC, you might let them know their website is out of date.
Apologies for coming so late to the pacer-discussion-party....
Those of you with school-going children will know just how busy September is and last week was madness Any way... I'm up bright and early planning my week and thought I would pop on and say a quick hello....
Firstly, well done to all who are still here and training so well, nop and Firedance and all who contribute have been giving you amazing advice and you are so close now! Those of you side-lined with injury; fingers crossed you will come back strong soon, listen to your physio's advice and err on the side of caution.
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PACERS.....
PaulieC has thankfully answered most of your questions and he knows his stuff:) my two cents worth....
I first paced Dublin Marathon 4 years ago having previously paced a number of Half marathons that year and I absolutely loved the experience and I have been lucky enough to pace the Half and Full since then. Mr Stew had been pacing lots of Halfs also and he joined me pacing the Full last year.... funnily enough it was the first time we crossed a marathon finish line together as previous to that if we weren't pacing we were usually racing each other:D
My answers to some of the questions posted before this...
Why Pace?
What's not to love about pacing? We only ever pace a time that is easy for us so we are running at a very easy pace, think of it as a LSR but with fun, new friends and a t-shirt at the end. Historically I would have raced another Autumn marathon and then Dublin is the fun part (this year no Autumn marathon race after a rocky start in Donadea so I'm building back up my fitness)
How difficult is it?
It should never be difficult but occasionally there are challenges on the day. The training is nice and easy and it is just a matter of getting the long runs and the miles in, I try to run a good few miles a week at PMP and I've paced the 2 hr Half/4 Hr Full so many times that 9.07 min/miles is my default setting at this stage.
Challenges on the day are usually weather related and the first year I paced it was very warm and the back packs acted like a nice woolly jacket;) so I was quite dehydrated afterwards. Luckily I haven't had a pacer DNF (fingers crossed!) but we are human and it has happened before because of cramp/injury etc. That's why Dublin marathon has at least 2 pacers per band.
Any funny stories?
A few years ago I was injured and I couldn't pace a half marathon in the midlands so Mr Stew stepped in...... The course had been measured with a Jones counter that was incorrectly calibrated so the mile markers were all in fact at 1.1 miles :eek: They knew something was wrong but it was only about 5 miles in they figured exactly what happened. It was certainly a baptism of fire for Mr S as he pracitcally had to sprint to the finish line to make it in under 2 hours! (the organiser of that race was a really nice guy not surprisingly it didn't make it back on the race calendar after that)
Dos and Don'ts?
Do come and say hello at the start (if you want to) we are always happy to chat and it's a great way of relaxing in to the race.
Do chat with fellow pacees, it's amazing how a couple of miles can fly by while discussing how your training has been going.
Do keep an eye on how you're feeling, it should feel comfortably hard and if you are struggling after the first couple of miles it could mean one of two things; the pacer is running too fast (has happened before, not to me natch
) or you may have been a little ambitious with your goal. While a pacing group can help you get to the finish line you should only stay with it if it is working for you.
Do pay attention to your surroundings at all times. One of the downsides of running in a pace group is the sheer number of people and the chances of tripping are even higher than normal in a race. This is especially true at water stations. HOWEVER most pacers will constantly be vigilant about this and remind you to watch your step. On that note... Do leave your earphones at home, it will make for a much safer race and a much more enjoyable day. (If you are missing your music ask me to sing you a song;))
Don't forget to have fun and smile for the cameras:D
Don't panic if you have to let the group go, regroup and run as best you can, maybe chat to someone near by. Every time we pace we lose a good few runners and they still (usually) all make it to the finish line.
Don't feel you have to stick with us if you are feeling VERY strong, only you will know when to do this but we will start urging you to move on later in the race if we think you are looking strong.
Don't forget to keep moving when you cross the finish line, it will be very busy and the oganisers will want to keep us moving for obvious reasons. We can chat/hug/congratulate each other in the finishing chutes
Mr Stew is pacing 2.10 this Saturday (with Andrew) and I am pacing the 2 hour group (with Pat)... rumour has it they split us up because we were too chirpy and happy together;) The good news is we are back together again for the full pacing 4 hours. Hope to see you all soon0 -
-
Just a quick question. I have started the c25k program and Im quiet enjoying it. Im wondering if I stick with this and after 8 weeks start a training regime that will increase the limit to 10 K and so on. Would it be possible to Run the Dublin Marathon in 2017?
At the moment I have no interest is beating any records. But I think it would be a huge achievement and I would be able to raise money for charity as well.
Hi pcuser - welcome to running and well done on embarking on c25k. You should have a look around the "training logs" part of the A/R forum, there are many, many stories of folks starting where you are, and making it to HMs, full marathons, and beyond.
I would simply take things one step at the time - and give yourself time to get to the next step. E.g. complete you C25k and then run a couple of parkruns or 5ks. Then sign-up for a 10k (this side of Christmas), find a training program for that. If you're still enjoying it, maybe an April HM and take it from there.
Keep a few things in mind tho - repeated over and over on this thread:- Structure your week. You'll notice that all training programs have a certain structure (easy runs, tempo runs, long runs). You may even consider starting a running log here.
- Don't overdo the mileage. Increase your weekly mileage only slowly, never more than 10% overall. If you're tired, give you
- Come July 2017, you want to be running 4 times a week, at least 20M a week, maybe have covered a HM or two. That should be your starting level before you get even going with marathon training.
- There's always 2018. Many first-timers were running for years before they took the plunge.
Good luck with whatever you do - and stick around here for inspiration! 0 -
-
-
41 days to go :eek:
Last week we stepped back a little from epic weekend mileage, with most novices running further than ever before. There - just think about that for a moment! Still, many miles were covered and the awesome LSR and weekly reports are pouring in - you are all an inspiration! :cool:
This week is all about The Race Before The Race: the Race Series Half Marathon in Phoenix Park. This is Saturday at 10am.
Those of you doing the Half this weekend, continue to step back a little this week, so you'll be left rested for the race on Saturday. Also, as with every weekly post, even if you are feeling injury-free, look after yourself! Hydration, proper food, plenty of sleep - these things can make small but important differences on the day itself.
As always, we have a few different weekly plans:
|HHN1 & HM|HHN1, no HM|Boards & HM|Boards, no HM
Mon|rest|rest|3M rec|rest/cross
Tue|4M|4M|4M & strides|4M & strides
Wed|6M|6M|rest|8M
Thu|rest|4M|rest|4M
Fri|rest|rest/cross|2-3M easy|rest/cross
Sat|HM!|15M LSR|HM!|18M LSR
Sun|3M rec|3M rec|3M rec|3M rec
I would strongly recommend all of you running the HM to use this as your dress-rehearsal. Prepare and execute this race as if it is the day itself. This includes:- The week before (e.g. now!). Eat, drink, sleep well. You know the drill.
- The evening before. Get all your gear ready and your watch charged. Oh, and for Maximus: set your alarm!
- The morning of the race. Have you perfected your breakfast routine?
- The race itself. Wear the clothes, shoes, and gadgets you want to bring on the big day. Bring the gels and drinks you plan to use. Run with a pace-group if you intend to do so.
- Post race... You will also have to think about what you might need post-race, primarily dry clothes and some quick fuel (keeping in mind that there will be snacks / goodies at the finishline).
Later in the week, I'll recycle some of DG's epic posts from last year - with checklists for each stage! :eek:
Run easy this week, novices! And a word of support to our class-members currently in the sick-bay, recover well, don't rush back!0 -
-
Advertisement
-
Advertisement