Dublin Marathon 2016 - Mentored Novices Thread

sideshowbob321 · 22-10-2016 07:55AM

Hi All. Long time lurker (I'd say there are many more)

small time poster

nop98
Week 17 - 12 days and counting (down!)

GOALS!
The hard miles are done! No more double digit long runs. No more tempo sessions. No more PMP. We're tapering and with that, well in the finishing straight...! You guys are actually dealing with the taper really well (or have I just jinxed that? ).

Great Post nop98

My Goals (2nd DCM)
Goal A : 3.49.99
Goal B : sub 4
Goal C : 4.03.00 (just under last year)

Wee question guys...
My plan is to go out with the 3.50 pacers (my DCHM was 1.47) stay behind them and IF and a big IF the gods are shining (not pissing or blowing a gale too!!) and I'm feeling good n strong and not breaking up (tapertalk breaking through) when might be best time to drift head of the pacers??
Last year I left the 4.10 pacers after the park or should I wait longer and maybe after the half or even 16/17 miles??
Cheers guys and good luck to all and enjoy the next week as it's all building up to the big weekend and whatever the outcomes it's gonna be EPIC!!

jake1970 · 22-10-2016 08:31AM

sideshowbob321 wrote: »

My Goals (2nd DCM)
Goal A : 3.49.99
Goal B : sub 4
Goal C : 4.03.00 (just under last year)

Wee question guys...
My plan is to go out with the 3.50 pacers (my DCHM was 1.47) stay behind them and IF and a big IF the gods are shining (not pissing or blowing a gale too!!) and I'm feeling good n strong and not breaking up (tapertalk breaking through) when might be best time to drift head of the pacers??

If your A goal is sub 3:50 then just stick with the pacers, they tend to cross the finish line 15-30 seconds ahead of their target time.

ToriV · 22-10-2016 08:45AM

The Black Oil wrote: »

The right tinge of brown/red/orange looks very well with the naked eye, something no Instagram filter can replicate.

Physio I was at discussed stretches. I was going to mention the brain leg drain, but I couldn't remember who invented it - FITZA or Firedance. :pac:

Agreed...beautiful but deadly. Until Oct 31st anyway!

kin9pin · 22-10-2016 09:12AM

Murph_D wrote: »

Right. Like no one ever wore an old top in previous years. :rolleyes: It's highly unlikely your race will be run badly because you started in a late pen. Plenty room on the course. Have a good one, from wherever you start.

It was only an observation. I'm in wave 2 and have no desire to change.

tipping · 22-10-2016 09:17AM

Weekly update (Last one:))

Monday 13 miles (delayed lsr)
Tuesday 5 recovery
Wednesday 7 easy
Thursday Rest
Friday 7 very easy.
Saturday 12.5 easy

Solid week. I'm putting Monday into last week and calling this week at 31.5 miles. Had a mini calf niggle that I got to the bottom of early in the week. Definitely bit of taper madness kicking in, although legs are freshening up nicely.

Unsure of what I'll do next week, the plan calls for about 22 miles over 4 runs but I'm not liking the look of it, it seems a bit much. I can get a bit tetchy not running though so I'll just see how I feel.

Its very real now but i know I'm ready and would have happily taken getting here in this shape at the start of the process. Thanks to Nop, the rest of the team, clubmates and the other novices for the help, advice and encouragement in getting this far.

RasTa · 22-10-2016 09:22AM

22 miles + a marathon next week?

tony1980 · 22-10-2016 09:27AM

tipping wrote: »

Weekly update (Last one:))

Monday 13 miles (delayed lsr)
Tuesday 5 recovery
Wednesday 7 easy
Thursday Rest
Friday 7 very easy.
Saturday 12.5 easy

Solid week. I'm putting Monday into last week and calling this week at 31.5 miles. Had a mini calf niggle that I got to the bottom of early in the week. Definitely bit of taper madness kicking in, although legs are freshening up nicely.

Unsure of what I'll do next week, the plan calls for about 22 miles over 4 runs but I'm not liking the look of it, it seems a bit much. I can get a bit tetchy not running though so I'll just see how I feel.

Its very real now but i know I'm ready and would have happily taken getting here in this shape at the start of the process. Thanks to Nop, the rest of the team, clubmates and the other novices for the help, advice and encouragement in getting this far.

That seems very high mileage the week of the marathon if its seperate to the mileage of the marathon itself! What plan are you following?

Antwerp · 22-10-2016 09:39AM

Lovely morning for a run, 8.5m done wouldn't it be great if we got a day like today for DCM

Enjoy your running folks

The Black Oil · 22-10-2016 09:51AM

8 miles done. Clouds looked heavy - little bit of rain at 2.5 miles. Fine after that, grand fresh morning. Back roads were quiet enough. After I saw 1 mile on my watch I started to think how 26 miles of this next weekend would be interesting. :pac: But again, this raised the "respect the distance" mantra and how much it's a mental game, after all.

Off now to finish breakfast and avoid chores.

The Muppet · 22-10-2016 11:28AM

Just in from my lsr .having not ran since Wednesday I just had to run today as I felt I was seizing up and I'm feeling a good but better . I still have a bit of a sniffle but chest was grand today.. I took it really handy and definitely felt the benefit of the taper and rest today . The old legs were really good once I got going and I felt better finishing than starting out which is a good sign .

Cat believe I'm into the final week of marathon training and feeling so good . I can't wait for Sunday next if we had this mornings weather that would be ideal but I'm ready for whatever is thrown at us now .

8 miles at 10.58 pace

Pomplamousse · 22-10-2016 12:24PM

Last LSR complete:) 8 miles. When I got to the top of Roebuck hill and turned onto Foster's avenue, there were 4 big signs with motivational slogans on them, on wooden stands dug into the grass. But on my way back about 25 mins later, they were gone! Weird!

Went for a sports massage after the run. Still a lot of tightness in my quads and calves. The physio was sniffling a suspicious amount. The physio! Danger is everywhere!

RasTa · 22-10-2016 12:31PM

2nd run completed this week, good few people out and about in the park.

Big Dublin Marathon signs everywhere on the lampposts up towards Myos after you exit the park.

I think I'm also coming down with something as the throat is telling me something is coming but I'd rather get it this weekend than next.

8.4m @ 9.49 p/m

I was in Tokyo backin April and lots of people wearing these to prevent other people getting sick

Myles Splitz · 22-10-2016 12:34PM

Just wanted to say very best of luck to everyone throughout the thread (not just the ones making the start line) its the beginning of a journey into a great sport and best to view it as a starting rather than end point

Your mentors have said most of what I could say and you are in safe hands the only bit of taper advice I can add and one that I tell most of the people I coach:

If your OH is not a runner the most important thing you can do during your taper is earn brownie points at home. What you do over the next week around the house will have a huge bearing on how much training you can do in your next cycle

Myles Splitz · 22-10-2016 12:38PM

Pomplamousse wrote: »

Went for a sports massage after the run. Still a lot of tightness in my quads and calves. The physio was sniffling a suspicious amount. The physio! Danger is everywhere!

Unfortunately this tends to be busiest week of the year and with that amount of clients they usually become the victims.

I rarely get sick but Marathon Monday I have come down with a dose the last two years. With this being the first time in marathon taper mode myself I am on high alert for this week. The danger is real ::eek::eek:

tipping · 22-10-2016 12:48PM

RasTa wrote: »

22 miles + a marathon next week?

tony1980 wrote: »

That seems very high mileage the week of the marathon if its seperate to the mileage of the marathon itself! What plan are you following?

My thoughts exactly. Following P&D 55 so typically doing 50ish mile weeks but we'll see how I feel as I go along.

budhistmonk · 22-10-2016 01:26PM

8 miles done this morning. Weather was absolutely beautiful - cool with hardly a breath of wind. Run itself was really lovely. I felt very good all the way. Ran the first 4 or so miles with a friend who ran a few marathons before. Was lovely to chat. My first run of this cycle with company so really enjoyed it. Definitely think I feel the benefit of the taper. Touch wood - no indication of imminent sickness or niggles. Hopefully will stay healthy for 8 more days and will be raring to go next Sunday.

Great to see all the equally positive lsr reports coming in. Fingers crossed for everyone else.

bucketybuck · 22-10-2016 01:51PM

So thats it, last LSR done and dusted. No matter what happens now I think I will take some pride in the past four months of training, nearly 700kms of training done, that doesn't happen by accident.

Obviously the 13k distance wasn't a problem today so I treated it as a practice session on pace, my default pace would be a good bit quicker than my marathon pace so when my mind wanders I find myself speeding up and its something I wanted to work on. In the end my average pace for the run was satisfactory but there were still times I found myself going to fast. Not perfect then, but it was a short run on a lazy Saturday, I do think that on the day itself I will be more disciplined.

hot buttered scones · 22-10-2016 02:05PM

tipping wrote: »

My thoughts exactly. Following P&D 55 so typically doing 50ish mile weeks but we'll see how I feel as I go along.

I'm following the same plan, and I didn't like the look of the last week either, especially the runs on Friday (5+strides) and Saturday (4 recovery). That's 9 miles in the 2 days before the race. I'll do the 7 with 2@MP on Wednesday and 3 with some easy strides on Saturday morning (I always do this the day before a race). I'm resting Friday. I did my 12 on Friday this week so I'll probably do some recovery tomorrow, 5 or 6 recovery Monday and about 4 recovery on Thursday if I feel like it. Mostly I'll play it by ear though.

FITZA · 22-10-2016 02:19PM

Over to the Curragh again to complete my last LSR on grass. Conditions today are perfect...could we be this lucky next Sunday

The tension is definitely mounting...fingers crossed we all get to the start line in one piece. The finish line...well that's a different story

nop98 · 22-10-2016 02:28PM

tipping wrote: »

My thoughts exactly. Following P&D 55 so typically doing 50ish mile weeks but we'll see how I feel as I go along.

hot buttered scones wrote: »

I'm following the same plan, and I didn't like the look of the last week either, especially the runs on Friday (5+strides) and Saturday (4 recovery). That's 9 miles in the 2 days before the race. I'll do the 7 with 2@MP on Wednesday and 3 with some easy strides on Saturday morning (I always do this the day before a race). I'm resting Friday. I did my 12 on Friday this week so I'll probably do some recovery tomorrow, 5 or 6 recovery Monday and about 4 recovery on Thursday if I feel like it. Mostly I'll play it by ear though.

For reference, guys, the last week of the boards plan (which is the higher-mileage of the two plans we're following here) is:

Mon: Rest
Tue: 2/3M easy
Wed: 5M, 3M @PMP
Thu: 3M easy
Fri: Rest / Cross (not sure if I'd recommend any cross at this stage :eek:)
Sat: 2M & some gentle strides

That's 13M in total. I agree that 22M (with 9 in the two days leading up) is too much. You may find some good middle ground - do what feels right.

nop98 · 22-10-2016 03:36PM

RasTa wrote: »

...

I was in Tokyo backin April and lots of people wearing these to prevent other people getting sick

Looking at this picture, I can't help but mentally putting name-tags on them. Boards names of all 2016 novices, that is

But help me out here, who is the dude that's refusing to fall in with the masses and is not wearing any mouth-gear?

And the lady further back? Any takers?

The Muppet · 22-10-2016 03:39PM

Jackie chan:D

crogerso · 22-10-2016 03:39PM

Last LSR completed and what a great feeling to be in the final week!

Lovely morning for it and legs definitely feeling fresher than previous weekends of running.
Got all runs in this week and the new runners (which I know you were slightly concerned about Nop) are going good. Feel like I have much better support in them; this could be psychological but all the same im feeling better in them so plan to use them on the big day. Longest run I have done in them was last weekends 14miles but so far I have 43 miles run in them and no issues!
Never got round to doing my Goals during the week so here are my A,B,Cs!
A: Go out with the 4.00 pacers and stay with them until about mile 18/19 then if feeling strong push on a little bit per mile to try give myself a cushion to get sub 4hr!
B:sub 4.10 finish
C:Finish with a smile!
On starting this training initially I was quite adamant that I wanted to get sub 4 however the training and various injuries suffered by people has put into perspective just how tough this is to achieve. Following the past 5 months of training I will just be so delighted and proud to be able to say I have COMPLETED (fingers crossed) the marathon

Nerves are creeping in but I am looking forward to the big day. Thanks to everyone for the advice and support on this.

ONE WEEK TO GO!!!:D:D

The Muppet · 22-10-2016 03:41PM

The guy has to be Jackie chan:D

I'll pass on the lady as I'm a coward at heart

Extrasupervery · 22-10-2016 04:06PM

Firedance wrote: »

Seeing as you've all got a bit of spare time on your hands (:pac:) put the kettle on and have a read of this runners debut marathon

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/kathrine-switzer-runs-the-boston-marathon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOGXvBAmTsY

This woman is an inspiration. Women have competed in Dublin since it was founded in 1980, however the number of female entrants have declined recently. It's a pity.

PauloMN · 22-10-2016 04:28PM

Monday: 5 miles @ 9:06 pace
Tuesday: 5 miles @ 9:00 pace
Thursday: 5 miles @ 9:15 pace
Friday: 8.5 miles @ 9:21 pace

23.5 miles in total this week.

That's it, just a few short easy runs next week before the big one!

Got club photo done this morning, all getting very real now. My OH (also doing the marathon, you can only imagine taper madness x 2 in our house) had the great idea to drop into our local SVP shop to see if we could get a couple of cheap hoodies for the morning of DCM. Got two for €5 so happy days! I think it's a great idea if anyone else is looking for a cheap top to throw away on the morning, and both SVP and whoever collects the clothes hopefully gains from it.

Firedance · 22-10-2016 04:29PM

Extrasupervery wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOGXvBAmTsY

This woman is an inspiration. Women have competed in Dublin since it was founded in 1980, however the number of female entrants have declined recently. It's a pity.

Incredible that it took another 5 years before women were officially allowed enter Boston...I didn't realise that about Dublin ESP, have the declined by much?

nop98 · 22-10-2016 04:54PM

LSR write-ups, part 1, week 17 and final :eek:

What a fabuluous day for some easy mileage (at least in the Dublin region)! Plenty of progressively-getting-fresher legs out there, which is awesome to see.

But first, the infirmary:
Wubble Wubble - sensible decision to cut things short. There's no doubt that this ITB niggle will have its impact on your day and the end-result. Disappointing as this must be for you, the fact that you're keeping a positive outlook should be an example to us all! Keep things very easy this week and hopefully you can get around on the big day itself without too much trouble, that's all we can ask for!

Fresh legs from:
tipping - as discussed already, keep an eye on the final week's mileage. There are two schools of thought: "stick with the plan" - this seems to have served you very well until now, or "dial it back a little". You have enough experience to listen to your body and do the right thing. FWIW, personally I would definitely rest on Friday and do some very easy miles & strides on Saturday. Good luck.
Antwerp - good work. Don't be jinxing the weather, now!
TBO - Thank you for your positive message and I'm glad your avoiding the heavy housework! "Respect the distance" is very, very important. I might ask the great Murph to explain the concept "10M + 10M + 10k" sometime? This is a useful tool to mental break-up the distance in sizeable chunks.
The Muppet - delighted to see you in such a good shape, some ways from just post the Frank Duffy 10M. I hope a great debut awaits you, sir!
Pomplamousse - good work, mind those legs the coming couple of days... A really solid block training, you can be very pleased with your progress! Just as much TLC as you can muster in the next 8 days, and here's hoping for a great run on the day itself!
RasTa - yep, better to get it out of the way.. Look after yourself!
budhistmonk - delighted to see the taper seems to be working for you. Here's hoping for a good day next weekend!
bucketybuck - you all can be rightfully proud of getting this far. You only have to browse back a dozen or so pages to find equally deserving novices not so luck. You will be more disciplined on the day because you'll be going in such a big field. Just make sure you're lining up correctly, and in your case, I would really recommend following a pacer for as long as you can manage. Good luck!
FITZA - nicely done. You almost can consider the startline a given, time to start thinking about the finishline!

crogerso - glad the new runners seem to be working out, and even if its placebo, every little plus is a bonus

Thank you for sharing your postivie out, and I hope you'll have a great debut next week.
PauloMN - good block of training done and :eek: indeed about the taper-madness double-whammy. Will you be running together? The very best of luck to you both.

PauloMN · 22-10-2016 06:32PM

nop98 wrote: »

PauloMN - good block of training done and :eek: indeed about the taper-madness double-whammy. Will you be running together? The very best of luck to you both.

That's the plan, within reason.... if one of us has to stop, we're not going to hold back the other one etc.. But our A-B-C plans are the same so fingers crossed!

kin9pin · 22-10-2016 06:50PM

Busy day tomorrow so I'll post my week 17 update now.

Tue: 3.2m @ 9:52

Wed: 4.3m @ 9:58

Thu am: Final physio appointment. Confirmed that my shin has completely healed and that I'm in good shape for the big day

Thu pm: Get home from work and my wife sounds like an 80 year old smoker! Quickly change and run 3.5m @ 9:22 Didn't get to do the strides here, but had to run the last 1.5m at PMP so I could pick my daughter up on time!
Slept in spare room, germ free.

Sat: 8m LSR @ 10:05. Wasn't feeling it the first 2 miles, but then I had that great moment when you are in the zone and it feels like you're putting no effort in. The last 6m felt great and my HR averaged 134.

Stupid moment of the day:
Ran past a dad playing football with his sons and the ball rolled towards me as I was running. Without thinking, or slowing down, I adjusted my step and side footed the ball back to them. Spent the next few minutes wondering how I'd have felt if I'd have pulled something!

Great to see everyone so positive. Can't wait for this now.

Dublin Marathon 2016 - Mentored Novices Thread

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