Dublin Marathon 2016 - Mentored Novices Thread

SSE Race Series 1/2 Marathon
Time 1:40:09
Average: 7:38 per mile.

The joys of being an early riser had me up at 0645; had my porridge banana 1/2 a cup of coffee and some water.

Headed over to Castleknock for 0900 and made my way down to the start area.....met up with some lads I hadn't seen in a while and had a natter about how training etc was going.

Dumped the gear and got onto Chesterfield Avenue for a bit of a jog....started off in wave 2 about 5 rows back from the 1:40 pacer. Starting at the front of wave 2 meant we had a clear run up the avenue and most of the 1st mile was grand....this is where the fun started....Mile 1-3 was really congested with folk who had gone off in wave 1 but shouldnt have been there.....best 2 quotes from this part that I heard were..."what the f*ck is the 1:40 pacer doing he must have started too far back and "I can't believe the 1:40 pacer has gone past I thought I would be under that" this was less than 2 miles in!

Miles 3-6 is in a part of the park I always struggle on and lost a little bit of time on the pacer here.....took on some water at the water station....found the little path up to the Castleknock gates a bit frustrating.....was probably about 30 seconds behind the pacer as we made our way down Chesterfield Ave.

Made the decision at this point to just keep the distance between me and the pacer as I didn't want to blow myself out catching up.

It got pretty windy through Farmleigh and was a bit isolated at this point but got through it
......Glad to hear that the lad who was in trouble at Tower Road is ok kudos to those who were able to help out.

Back into the park and just kept trucking along....managed to up the pace a bit towards the end on Furze Road......all in all happy with how things went.

Lesson learned though make sure the toenails are cut....nice bloody sock at the end! And surgical tape works a treat for chaffing where you don't want chaffing!

Sorry I couldn't get to taste the flapjacks C but happy that you spotted me waving at the 6.5 mile mark.Didn't manage to spot Nop at the Castleknock roundabout.

A nice shiny 1/2 marathon PB so delighted.....well done to all who ran today....not long now until "M" Day.

Looking forward to all the reports!

tailgunner wrote: »

Well done to everyone who raced today, enjoyed the reports so far.

This is my final weekly review!

19th September - 24th September
Monday - 5 miles easy
Tuesday - 3 miles easy
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 3 miles easy
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest

The plan for Monday had a session - 400 reps at 10k pace, but I just did some easy miles instead as I felt I had nothing to gain from the session at this stage. Did some strides instead.

Tuesday's run was short and easy. Legs felt great.

Thursday was more of the same, with maybe half a mile at MP near the end to see how it felt. All good.

Arrived in Berlin on Friday, and did a bit more walking around than I had planned - all very relaxed, mind - so I skipped the planned easy run.

Gave some thought to doing a very easy jog this afternoon, but again, some more walking around made me feel like I'd spent enough time on my feet.

I'm feeling great, mentally and physically, so eh, that's it really. All that's left now is 26.2 miles at MP in the morning. Sounds like a tough old session, but I'll give it a good go.

All the very best tomorrow.

I rather enjoyed that today. I'd thought the conditions were great, a light shower to cool us off but not constant rain the whole way, temperature was cool and little wind, I'd take that on the big day.

This was my first time running in a race with high numbers and it was interesting, I wasn't using the pacers but I didn't realise they started so far back! I also don't think there was any time where I wasn't in some sort of traffic, I thought the crowd would have spread out a lot more over the course. It was never a problem or anything, I'm just used to smaller 10k's where you have a little more space.

As for the race, I had been adamant that I was just going to do a LSR and for the first 10k I stuck to that rule, I was actually quite proud of my pacing in that first stretch, that I hadn't let the occasion affect my pace. But as the race went on I was feeling really good, really strong and I found my pace naturally increasing, so I decided to just let it go and see what happened. As a result the 2nd 10k was nearly 6 minutes quicker than the first 10k, and while I was always going to get a PB, my time was about 16 minutes quicker than the LSR 1/2 marathon I had done in training. In the end I finished in 2.01.40, and while I'm delighted with that I'm of course wondering what might have been, had I picked up the pace earlier I could have had that sub 2 hour race!

Happy out though, it was all supposed to be practice for the main thing and it served that purpose, I learned a few useful little things today. I've also been eating like a horse since I got home, hope thats allowed!

benwed wrote: »

Yes rasta.that runner shud make a full recovery.i am a firefighter/paramedic and myself and a ban garda done cpr on that guy.it worked and he was responsive within 5 mins.he was tajen away concious and breathing to hosp.two lessons here folks are the importance of filling out ur details on ur race number abd cpr training shud be compulsary in school.so as u can imagine it was hard to get going after that so jogged the last 5 miles ti con home in 1 52

Well done. I passed the scene after the ambulance/other paramedics had arrived. Was worried when I saw the bare chest and air bag. It's amazing that you were there so quickly to work on him.

I'm sure you've seen this, but for other boardsies' benefit, here's an article outlining your good deed: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/offduty-firefighter-and-garda-save-runner-who-suffered-heart-attack-during-half-marathon-35075906.html

tailgunner wrote: »

Well done to everyone who raced today, enjoyed the reports so far.

This is my final weekly review!

19th September - 24th September
Monday - 5 miles easy
Tuesday - 3 miles easy
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 3 miles easy
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest

The plan for Monday had a session - 400 reps at 10k pace, but I just did some easy miles instead as I felt I had nothing to gain from the session at this stage. Did some strides instead.

Tuesday's run was short and easy. Legs felt great.

Thursday was more of the same, with maybe half a mile at MP near the end to see how it felt. All good.

Arrived in Berlin on Friday, and did a bit more walking around than I had planned - all very relaxed, mind - so I skipped the planned easy run.

Gave some thought to doing a very easy jog this afternoon, but again, some more walking around made me feel like I'd spent enough time on my feet.

I'm feeling great, mentally and physically, so eh, that's it really. All that's left now is 26.2 miles at MP in the morning. Sounds like a tough old session, but I'll give it a good go.

The very best of luck tomorrow tailgunner:)

Good luck in Berlin, tailgunner!

Best of luck today tailgunner

Best of luck today Tailgunner!

I'm late to check in, was late home last night after the hole in the wall
Friday night I seriously doubted I'd finish yesterday. I went out and ran a very slow 5k, I was in bits with my hip. It ached all night and kept waking me. I agreed with himself yesterday morning that id pull out of the half if I was still sore.
I got there about 9 and spent a good half hour warming up and stretching. I started with a small group and we all agreed to stay just behind the 2:30 pacers. We were chatting and drifted just ahead of them and had lost them by mile 6. I had a little bit of hip/back pain starting but it had completely cleared up by this point. I was still afraid to push too hard but had a nice pace going. Finished at 2:24 and more importantly had no pain
Met TFGR after the bag drop but everyone else had left. Thank you for the amazing flapjacks, they were such a boost - I'll have to try make my own.
Today I expected to be sore - but I have absolutely no pain.
Should I try a recovery 3-5 miles or take the rest day and do it tomorrow?

My HM race report:

Up around 6.50 for a breakfast of porridge, brown bread and coffee. Had possibly over hydrated on Friday as was up so many times to pee during the night - you get used to that when head towards your 50's and therefore didn't sleep great. Took a deoralyte before heading out the door.

Got to the park around 8.30 and got parked easily on Chesterfield ave. Found TFGRs polka dot balloons at the start and introduced myself and said hello.

Lined up a bit behind the 2hr pacers in the 2nd wave. Decided I'd run by how I was feeling today. As we went off the 2hr balloon went away and I knew that pace wouldn't work for me today so was content with ~9.30/m pace. This was fine for the first 3 miles which were uneventful apart from a deer running straight across the pack just in front just before the 3 mile mark. How it didn't hit anyone I don't know.

I started to feel it from the hill at the bottom of the kyber road up to chesterfield. Was a bit concerned to be puffing so early. I had to adjust my pace here. Was a bit disappointed to be adjusting so early. Took a gel just after the water station around 5.5 miles in. Earlier than I planned but was not feeling it so thought I'd see if this helped. Pace at this stage was 9.50 which I remained at until 8miles just by Farmleigh.

At 8m I started to really struggle. Mentally I wanted to stop. Very early for these thoughts. Adjusted my pace again to 10min/m. The little downhill on tower road helped. I think the worst period for me was actually on chesterfield ave coming up to the 10m mark. Possibly to do with being able to see the finish. Kept going at 10min pace after plenty of mental chats. I remember feeling ok as I turned onto Acres road.

Stomach started to act up a bit on the downhill part of acres road but was manageable. I dropped my pace to 10.15. Once I stared up the Upper Glen road and hit the 12m marker I was ok as I knew I'd finish. Struggled on up the hill but was actually able to chat to people. As I turned onto Furze road I felt quite good (mentally anyway). I somehow had something in the tank to empty and was able to put a spurt on to the finish. Felt a bit sickly for a few minutes after but this passed fairly quickly

I met up with TFGR again (with her wonderful flapjacks), nop, singer and a neurotic (who was quick to mention he was NOT neurotic ). Really nice to meet you all.

My time was 2:08:56
Pace:9.50/mile

A little disappointed with the time/pace. Was hoping I'd make 2.05 as was planning on aiming for 4.30 next month, (double HM time + 20 mins hence 2.05). Anyway thoughts on that for another day.
I obviously was having a bad day for some reason, so very happy that I adjusted things as I went along. Also very happy that I stayed mentally tough and resisted the massive urge to stop. I know from experience that once I stop I give myself permission to stop again so really happy about that.
A little concerned about the stomach but this may have been related to overhydration on Fri but will work on it.
Happy I finished strong.
Anyway great lessons learned for me I think.

budhistmonk wrote: »

My HM race report:

Up around 6.50 for a breakfast of porridge, brown bread and coffee. Had possibly over hydrated on Friday as was up so many times to pee during the night - you get used to that when head towards your 50's and therefore didn't sleep great. Took a deoralyte before heading out the door.

Got to the park around 8.30 and got parked easily on Chesterfield ave. Found TFGRs polka dot balloons at the start and introduced myself and said hello.

Lined up a bit behind the 2hr pacers in the 2nd wave. Decided I'd run by how I was feeling today. As we went off the 2hr balloon went away and I knew that pace wouldn't work for me today so was content with ~9.30/m pace. This was fine for the first 3 miles which were uneventful apart from a deer running straight across the pack just in front just before the 3 mile mark. How it didn't hit anyone I don't know.

I started to feel it from the hill at the bottom of the kyber road up to chesterfield. Was a bit concerned to be puffing so early. I had to adjust my pace here. Was a bit disappointed to be adjusting so early. Took a gel just after the water station around 5.5 miles in. Earlier than I planned but was not feeling it so thought I'd see if this helped. Pace at this stage was 9.50 which I remained at until 8miles just by Farmleigh.

At 8m I started to really struggle. Mentally I wanted to stop. Very early for these thoughts. Adjusted my pace again to 10min/m. The little downhill on tower road helped. I think the worst period for me was actually on chesterfield ave coming up to the 10m mark. Possibly to do with being able to see the finish. Kept going at 10min pace after plenty of mental chats. I remember feeling ok as I turned onto Acres road.

Stomach started to act up a bit on the downhill part of acres road but was manageable. I dropped my pace to 10.15. Once I stared up the Upper Glen road and hit the 12m marker I was ok as I knew I'd finish. Struggled on up the hill but was actually able to chat to people. As I turned onto Furze road I felt quite good (mentally anyway). I somehow had something in the tank to empty and was able to put a spurt on to the finish. Felt a bit sickly for a few minutes after but this passed fairly quickly

I met up with TFGR again (with her wonderful flapjacks), nop, singer and a neurotic (who was quick to mention he was NOT neurotic ). Really nice to meet you all.

My time was 2:08:56
Pace:9.50/mile

A little disappointed with the time/pace. Was hoping I'd make 2.05 as was planning on aiming for 4.30 next month, (double HM time + 20 mins hence 2.05). Anyway thoughts on that for another day.
I obviously was having a bad day for some reason, so very happy that I adjusted things as I went along. Also very happy that I stayed mentally tough and resisted the massive urge to stop. I know from experience that once I stop I give myself permission to stop again so really happy about that.
A little concerned about the stomach but this may have been related to overhydration on Fri but will work on it.
Happy I finished strong.
Anyway great lessons learned for me I think.

Well done on adjusting your pace mid run. That's very hard to do without giving up and a great lesson in understanding your body and what it's telling you. 4.30 still within reach so don't rule it out that hm course is very tough a lot of drags on it for a lot of the course so well done.

Plenty of positives to take from that yesterday....remember the mantra that we learn more from our "not so good" runs....look how for you have come already and keep those positive thoughts coming.

budhistmonk wrote: »

My HM race report:

Up around 6.50 for a breakfast of porridge, brown bread and coffee. Had possibly over hydrated on Friday as was up so many times to pee during the night - you get used to that when head towards your 50's and therefore didn't sleep great. Took a deoralyte before heading out the door.

Got to the park around 8.30 and got parked easily on Chesterfield ave. Found TFGRs polka dot balloons at the start and introduced myself and said hello.

Lined up a bit behind the 2hr pacers in the 2nd wave. Decided I'd run by how I was feeling today. As we went off the 2hr balloon went away and I knew that pace wouldn't work for me today so was content with ~9.30/m pace. This was fine for the first 3 miles which were uneventful apart from a deer running straight across the pack just in front just before the 3 mile mark. How it didn't hit anyone I don't know.

I started to feel it from the hill at the bottom of the kyber road up to chesterfield. Was a bit concerned to be puffing so early. I had to adjust my pace here. Was a bit disappointed to be adjusting so early. Took a gel just after the water station around 5.5 miles in. Earlier than I planned but was not feeling it so thought I'd see if this helped. Pace at this stage was 9.50 which I remained at until 8miles just by Farmleigh.

At 8m I started to really struggle. Mentally I wanted to stop. Very early for these thoughts. Adjusted my pace again to 10min/m. The little downhill on tower road helped. I think the worst period for me was actually on chesterfield ave coming up to the 10m mark. Possibly to do with being able to see the finish. Kept going at 10min pace after plenty of mental chats. I remember feeling ok as I turned onto Acres road.

Stomach started to act up a bit on the downhill part of acres road but was manageable. I dropped my pace to 10.15. Once I stared up the Upper Glen road and hit the 12m marker I was ok as I knew I'd finish. Struggled on up the hill but was actually able to chat to people. As I turned onto Furze road I felt quite good (mentally anyway). I somehow had something in the tank to empty and was able to put a spurt on to the finish. Felt a bit sickly for a few minutes after but this passed fairly quickly

I met up with TFGR again (with her wonderful flapjacks), nop, singer and a neurotic (who was quick to mention he was NOT neurotic ). Really nice to meet you all.

My time was 2:08:56
Pace:9.50/mile

A little disappointed with the time/pace. Was hoping I'd make 2.05 as was planning on aiming for 4.30 next month, (double HM time + 20 mins hence 2.05). Anyway thoughts on that for another day.
I obviously was having a bad day for some reason, so very happy that I adjusted things as I went along. Also very happy that I stayed mentally tough and resisted the massive urge to stop. I know from experience that once I stop I give myself permission to stop again so really happy about that.
A little concerned about the stomach but this may have been related to overhydration on Fri but will work on it.
Happy I finished strong.
Anyway great lessons learned for me I think.

scotindublin wrote: »

Plenty of positives to take from that yesterday....remember the mantra that we learn more from our "not so good" runs....look how for you have come already and keep those positive thoughts coming.

thanks S. Agree fully about learning more from the bad days. Sounds like you had a great day. Congrats