Dublin Marathon 2016 - Mentored Novices Thread

Super LSR'ing this weekend, all! I hope today is a rest-day as we're getting ever closer to the taper.

GOOSEPAUL - well done on your 20-miler. That's plenty of mileage and time-on-feet, don't think you have to run further than this. Actually, last year, the great Myles Splitz posted a great summary of why, in general, running for more than 3 hours becomes counter-productive. Essentially, you're not "building" anymore after three hours, and you'll need much more time to recover, thus impacting your next week's mileage. So be happy with the 3h09 effort and I hope you have recovered well.

Next weeks LSRs: how about 18, 14, 8, (26.2 )?

TBO - nice job at your 14M while smiling like a loon in the rain. What more can I say :eek: You're doing HHN1, right? So big week ahead for you. Look after yourself well this week.

Wubble Wubble - another 20-miler in the bag, excellent work. I hope the Dubs victory has not resulted in overhydration or excessive time-on-feet

Pomplamousse - Well done on your second 20M run - but ouch, that sounds like 5 hard miles at the end of your run. How are is your leg today - are you considering a massage / rub-down this week? And are you generally feeling better? Are you in the habit of taking your resting heartrate? Just want to make sure there's nothing suspicious going on.

The Muppet - that sounds like a fine 20M LSR in ideal conditions. The fact that you're feeling good at the end? That's due to your hard work over the past months. Well done.

Maximus Alexander, well done too. Did it go well?

PauloMN - Tough 21M but well done! You are so right saying it's all in the head. Well, not all - but a lot When reading (ultra-)marathon reports it always strikes me that there are always good and bad patches. These really long runs are never just plain-sailing. It's how you get through the bad patches is what will really define the run. The best thing to do is to simply trust your training - eventually, thing will come around.

Classic21 - Good run - glad you call out yourself that it might not have been the best idea. Still a very respectable HM time! Your experience highlights we have to do a bit of mental planning for the day itself - you're right, there's nothing worse setting off and not knowing how you'll approach your run (unless the goal is to "just run" - but that's typically not the case with marathon training).

Extrasupervery - Glad someone already corrected you on the choice of pizza - any running to report? And treating your body like a casino - I am still thinking that one through..

FITZA - Funny how a 20+k run becomes "boring".... Good luck next week in Longwood. Word of warning - there are many documented cases of marathon novices absolutely nailing the 3/4 marathon a few weeks out, and then having a bad run on the day itself... Please please watch your pace!

tony1980 - glad to have you back! Glad to have you back running, too! How has your weekly mileage been over the past few weeks? What are you planning for the next few weeks? I hope real-life is sorting itself out for you.

Thank you TM for the motivational lecture - maybe you can share some of it for all of us?

FBJM - Good call postponing your run, I hope you get all your mileage in this week. Thanks for remining us all to treat our bodies like temples!

Antwerp - Well done - super 20-miler. Course-recce is always welcome, we'll dedicate week -2 for all of us to share our experiences about the DCM route.

fatherted1969 - Great job on your LSR, but it sounds like you're running this at your planned marathon pace? :eek: It's recommended to run it typically around 90 seconds/mile slower. Are you thinking of getting new runners? If you do - make sure to do it a.s.a.p. so you can still get them properly broken in before the big day. It won't be a bad idea to be alternating runnners, anyway. Good luck.

RasTa - Good job on the 20M with a fast interval halfway through. :eek:

scotindublin - That's a great run, albeit maybe a little fast... Keep it together for the next few weeks!

kittyclaws - very glad to see you back, and very glad to read of the absence of hip pain! We'll allow for the hangover - I do hope you'll get all your runs in this week.

tipping - Excellent week and mileage - enjoyed reading about the pig-rescue!

JackieChan - Good work and that's some pace for your long run. Liking the race-day-prep, you may consider trying out a gel or two on the long runs next weekend.

budhistmonk - another one with a decent stretch of the DCM course under his belt. Well done. Your niggles - if they are even that - are very typical of this stage of marathon training, the tapering will sort that out. Good job prepping the nutriotion before the run (this is a really good tip for all) - and yes, let's not let other mad plans of mad runners distract you!

crogerso - excellent news on your physio visit and super 20-miler. Good running form is incredibly hard to maintain when you're getting tired but it's very important to do just so. I typically check-in with myself every mile or so (the course mile-markers are a great reminder for that), just to make sure you're running upright, relaxed shoulders, arms, face, etc. Well done again.

kin9pin Glad to hear you're back - careful with that shin now. I am guessing you'll probably feel some niggles there towards the end of every long run. Your plan for next week looks good, the mid-week runs should be doable but dial back the pace, it will make a big difference not inflaming the vulnerable spot and won't damage your fitness/prep at all. For the long run, it would be great to get 18M under the belt but a sensible approach (so you can bail if needed) is of course the right thing to do. Maybe run in Phoenix Park with A Neurotic?

paddydriver - did you push kin9pin too hard? Careful on the poor lad's shin? just joking. Good job, lads. Any particular wisdom from the IR magazine you care to share with all?