DCM 2017 Mentored Novices Thread

Spirogyra · 13-05-2017 12:26PM

Singer wrote: »

I don't think it will greatly assist you. I was in the novices thread a couple of years ago, and got along just fine using the Nike+ app on my iPhone. A couple of months after the marathon I bought a proper running watch, and I'm still using it, and I really like it. It's definitely a better experience, however is in no way necessary for most marathon novices, unless you're obsessive about paces, or really like gadgets or have loads of money to spend.

I'm not alone in this opinion: checkout what The Wirecutter has to say about whether phones are good enough here: http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-running-watch/

That said, I did feel like more of a runner once I had a real running watch

From experience they are a help, knowing how far one has gone, exactly and at what pace, however there's no need for 'heavy' investment. I got a Garmin in 2015 for E96 and it's been great. A lovely watch when not running too

Spirogyra · 13-05-2017 03:15PM

Cross-posted from 'Random Running Questions' -Does training for a marathon mean sacrificing speed in 5 and 10k's, for a while anyway?. That's the one 'antagonism' I feel towards doing Dublin, I had done some good time's in shorter runs the past year. I suppose certainly from August on distance will have to be the focus and speed, in shorter runs, will suffer a bit ? I usually do XC in September/October.

paddydriver · 13-05-2017 03:44PM

@Spirogyra - I can give give you first hand experience that your short distance times will plummet as you get marathon fit. There will come a time in the prep period where you need to focus just on marathon training but once you get that done and hopefully make it thru DCM2017 then you will be surprised how much your times improve.

I was a DMC2016 novice and in space of circa 6-9 months I went from circa 24min to a 21min 5k and hoping this summer to possibly get that to a sub 20min. I don't do many 5k or 10k races but often have a blast in training and have surprised myself!

Best of Luck for DCM2017!

shortie_chik · 13-05-2017 07:17PM

quickbeam wrote:

So, my question is, if I was to get a running watch, what would be the recommendation? As an aside, I see AIB Rewards has a 15% discount in Elvery's for spend over â‚¬50, so I was checking their site, and like the look of the Forerunner 35 at â‚¬225, which I could then get for â‚¬191.25. Would that be a good watch, and good value to go for?

quickbeam wrote:

Obviously I don't need a running watch if I'm doing this training (people have been running marathons for years before such things were available), but I presume it would greatly assist me if I had one, right? At the moment I use the free version of MapMyRun on my phone, worn in a running belt, which tells me distance, pace, intervals, etc - grand for analysing a run when you get home, but not much use to me during the course of the run. I think I'd especially need something that will continously tell me my pace, because I have a tendancy to run as fast as I can (which, admittedly) isn't that fast), instead of sticking to a slower pace with the aim of going further.

Hi Quickbeam! I bought a Garmin Forerunner 405 years ago and I've found it really useful and motivating. It can show you any possible stat you could imagine you'd want to know while you run.

It has a virtual pacer feature where you can set a pace for your virtual companion, and there's a very simple to read screen to tell you if you're on pace / ahead / behind the pacer. For the most part, I'm a very slow runner and run on my own, so this is probably the feature I got the most from on long weekend runs. Also when you're getting up to the really long distances, I want to know the instant I've passed (e.g.) 18 miles so I can bloody stop running!

You can set two different pacers for running or cycling mode. Mine came with a heart rate monitor chest strap. I used it a lot initially, not so much anymore. I've never used any phone tracking apps however, so I can't compare directly.

I'll definitely use it again this time around. I really like knowing exactly how far I've run, at a glance at my wrist. I wouldn't fancy messing around with my phone to find out, and I have limited data on my phone plan so I don't know if tracking apps would use it up quickly?

Spirogyra · 13-05-2017 07:22PM

paddydriver wrote: »

@Spirogyra - I can give give you first hand experience that your short distance times will plummet as you get marathon fit. There will come a time in the prep period where you need to focus just on marathon training but once you get that done and hopefully make it thru DCM2017 then you will be surprised how much your times improve.

I was a DMC2016 novice and in space of circa 6-9 months I went from circa 24min to a 21min 5k and hoping this summer to possibly get that to a sub 20min. I don't do many 5k or 10k races but often have a blast in training and have surprised myself!

Best of Luck for DCM2017!

Thanks

I'm not planning on changing much until July or even the beginning of August

Then I shall 'leave my times behind me' for a few months

Singer · 13-05-2017 07:44PM

Spirogyra wrote: »

Cross-posted from 'Random Running Questions' -Does training for a marathon mean sacrificing speed in 5 and 10k's, for a while anyway?. That's the one 'antagonism' I feel towards doing Dublin, I had done some good time's in shorter runs the past year. I suppose certainly from August on distance will have to be the focus and speed, in shorter runs, will suffer a bit ? I usually do XC in September/October.

"it depends".

If you are well trained, then changing focus from 5k/10k training to marathon training will likely result in slower times over shorter distances. However, for badly trained folks like myself, the stimulus of all those miles done in the name of marathon training resulted in good improvements in my shorter distance times. It's very common to see folks get PBs all over the shop when doing marathon training, especially so when training for their first one.

Singer · 13-05-2017 07:51PM

shortie_chik wrote: »

I'll definitely use it again this time around. I really like knowing exactly how far I've run, at a glance at my wrist. I wouldn't fancy messing around with my phone to find out, and I have limited data on my phone plan so I don't know if tracking apps would use it up quickly?

In defence of using a phone app, the Nike+ one gives audible feedback at configurable periods (per mile/km or at regular times). Also, it's not that hard to pull out the phone and check where you're at - I used to do it during races with no problems. Of course a watch is a good bit easier to use though!

Omeceron · 13-05-2017 08:08PM

quickbeam wrote: »

Obviously I don't need a running watch if I'm doing this training (people have been running marathons for years before such things were available), but I presume it would greatly assist me if I had one, right? At the moment I use the free version of MapMyRun on my phone, worn in a running belt, which tells me distance, pace, intervals, etc - grand for analysing a run when you get home, but not much use to me during the course of the run. I think I'd especially need something that will continously tell me my pace, because I have a tendancy to run as fast as I can (which, admittedly) isn't that fast), instead of sticking to a slower pace with the aim of going further.

So, my question is, if I was to get a running watch, what would be the recommendation? As an aside, I see AIB Rewards has a 15% discount in Elvery's for spend over €50, so I was checking their site, and like the look of the Forerunner 35 at €225, which I could then get for €191.25. Would that be a good watch, and good value to go for?

Garmin Forerunner 10 has a good reputation for an entry level watch. €130 ish

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Forerunner-GPS-Running-Watch/dp/B0090C7A5M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1494701992&sr=8-2&keywords=forerunner+10

Garmin Forerunner 35 is cheaper on Amazon than Elverys. Comes in at €180 ish.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Forerunner-Running-Watch-Wrist-based/dp/B01K9W5EJ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494702337&sr=8-1&keywords=forerunner+35

Philrunner83 · 13-05-2017 09:10PM

Delighted to see this thread start having looked in on the 2016 thread.
I am hoping to take part in 2017 what would be my first marathon like you all and am looking forward to sharing this journey too.
Thanks wubble for taking the time to mentor us all to succeed in what you achieved last year :-)

SoleDiva · 13-05-2017 10:57PM

Ok, after reading through all the posts here and seeing that nobody but me needs to take walk breaks, I thought I'd better start working on that lol!
LSR day for me today and I set out even slower than normal, with the aim of not walking at all. Not even on the hills around here. And I only went and managed 11.5km without stopping!! I was ecstatic ðŸ˜€ and experienced that "runners high" that I hear everyone talking about!

It could all go wrong on my next run, but for now I'm delighted with myself ðŸ˜‰ Thank you DCMNovices for giving me the push I needed!

kin9pin · 13-05-2017 11:14PM

SoleDiva wrote: »

Ok, after reading through all the posts here and seeing that nobody but me needs to take walk breaks, I thought I'd better start working on that lol!
LSR day for me today and I set out even slower than normal, with the aim of not walking at all. Not even on the hills around here. And I only went and managed 11.5km without stopping!! I was ecstatic ðŸ˜€ and experienced that "runners high" that I hear everyone talking about!

It could all go wrong on my next run, but for now I'm delighted with myself ðŸ˜‰ Thank you DCMNovices for giving me the push I needed!

Well done SoleDiva, great stuff, and good job slowing your LSR down even at this early stage. That's the key to LSR's, the slower the better. It's about getting used to running (or walking) for longer periods rather than pace. It's also quite ok to take walk breaks.
You'll get quite a few of those highs (and lows) over the next few months

SoleDiva · 14-05-2017 07:47AM

kin9pin wrote: »

SoleDiva wrote: »

Ok, after reading through all the posts here and seeing that nobody but me needs to take walk breaks, I thought I'd better start working on that lol!
LSR day for me today and I set out even slower than normal, with the aim of not walking at all. Not even on the hills around here. And I only went and managed 11.5km without stopping!! I was ecstatic ðŸ˜€ and experienced that "runners high" that I hear everyone talking about!

It could all go wrong on my next run, but for now I'm delighted with myself ðŸ˜‰ Thank you DCMNovices for giving me the push I needed!

Well done SoleDiva, great stuff, and good job slowing your LSR down even at this early stage. That's the key to LSR's, the slower the better. It's about getting used to running (or walking) for longer periods rather than pace. It's also quite ok to take walk breaks.
You'll get quite a few of those highs (and lows) over the next few months

Thanks Kin9pin! Because I'm a slower runner, I'm always too focussed on pace so slowing down even more is soooooo tough. But it's what I need to do on my LSR's. I also need to learn to be patient!! Progress won't happen overnight ;-)

Halloween Jack · 14-05-2017 10:18AM

Hi guys, been threatening to do a marathon for a number of years and have jealously followed a number of these threads over the years, this year i guess i ran out of excuses not to do it and signed up a few weeks back, had been waiting for this thread to pop up ever since:)

I did the C25K in 2012 and have been running intermittently since then. I tend to have spells where I'm training well and feeling great and spells where i get next to nothing done, so consistency over the course of the plan will be a challenge for me. Im also fairly big guy and prone to injuries which have held me back, but i have been at the physio and in the gym this year and i know what i have to do to keep myself fit and healthy, again, getting into the gym on a consistent basis will be the challenge.

Anyway, many thanks to Wubble and all the other contributors thus far, best of luck to all in training and i hope you all achieve your goals!

Have you raced before? If so what are your PBs? (Date and distance please!)

Clontarf HM November '16 - 1:52
Samsung Night Run April '15 - 57:01
5k in Training April '15 - 24:36

Do you still need to take walk breaks in your training? (No problem if you do)

No

How much training do you currently do ? Distances, how many days a week, cross training - whatever you think is relevant to your current fitness level.

3/4 Slow runs (one longer at the weekend) with the ambition to be in the gym twice a week (usually only make it once) plus the occasional hike or swim.

What do you want to achieve? Dream finishing time and realistic finishing time? Or just complete it in no specified time?

Dream time maybe 3:49:59, which if i get the training done in full should be doable, being more realistic maybe 3:59:59. As for what i want to achieve, well so long as i cross the finish line having absolutely emptied the tank ill consider it a good effort.

How many days a week can you train? And what plan do you intend to follow?

Given my injury history and low base ill be following hal higdon novice 1. Think the boards plan is a bit ambitious for where I'm at.

Why are you running this marathon?

I enjoy running and tend to enjoy it more the longer the run is so theres that. But really i want to prove to myself i have 20 weeks of solid training in me.

SoleDiva · 14-05-2017 06:50PM

Can some one please post a link or point me in the direction of 2016's Board training plan?

Omeceron · 14-05-2017 06:58PM

Here you go

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16gSieCUamkjxOBVB2li8jA6bQSvkuLySyjG-ZilizDY/edit?pli=1#gid=86664611

The Black Oil · 14-05-2017 07:02PM

A few other points learned from last year.

Gadgets/Accountability/Training/Plan/Gels

I've a Garmin Forerunner 305 (since 2011/my C25K days). By today's standards it's a lump of a thing with no bluetooth or wifi, etc, has to be synced via USB. I used it for DCM training and still use it for my current runs. No need to go all out here with expense, particularly if there are bells and whistles you're not going to use. If you're already used to a gadget/system that works for you, stick with that. Participating in this thread might make you a better runner than the watch itself (as per Singer et al). I don't use my phone for training, a quick glance at a watch works well for me. That, and I haven't tried apps to assess them either way. I do enjoy seeing the map of where I've run on the PC (presume phone offers similar experience), a watch can help with pace evenness, I suppose. No hard rules here.

Have you told people you're doing the marathon? Friends, family, partner, work colleague, the cat? You will of course be asked about the time you're going for...and you may will get advice from all quarters. I got some daft advice on gels in the week just before the big day. This touches on what I'll refer to below - as the day gets closer, don't suddenly introduce any new strategies you've not tested in training. The other accountability element is staying connected to this thread and your peers. Knowing there's a group of other folks (30 or 40 last year, maybe?) dotted around the country is a good help. Not every week may go smoothly, as with any exercise plan that's demanding. And the odd Saturday in Sept/Oct may be wet and blustery. Do not say in bed!

Stick the plan your fridge/wall. Come October, you will get to this.

There's always the debate about the value of gels at all, a tube of sugar. Other people use jelly beans, etc. I tested gels, plain nuts, raisins and Roo bars I found in Supervalu (and to keep the cost down, and taste preferences). All fine in training, no tummy issues. Also carried a water bottle in a belt. The testing here (in my experience) is more so for your lsrs. iirc, I didn't bother testing food/gels until the lsr mileage started to reach double digits, which in the case of HHN1, was week 5. This brings to mind a frequently repeated mantra of last year "now is the time". Preparing your gear bag the night before the FD10 or Half DCM is a good way of testing your plans for a race, as is figuring out your breakfast routine. No last minute panic on the day. If it's practical, don't be afraid to meet up for one of your longer lsrs in somewhere like the Phoenix Park.

When the time comes, trust the taper, aka, stick to the plan. :pac:

Absolutely no mischief on the thread if your mentor is on holidays.

We have ways of contacting him.

raw

SoleDiva · 14-05-2017 07:11PM

Omeceron wrote: »

Here you go

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16gSieCUamkjxOBVB2li8jA6bQSvkuLySyjG-ZilizDY/edit?pli=1#gid=86664611

Thank you! Off I go to have a nosey and scare myself :-D

scotindublin · 14-05-2017 07:40PM

My Junior Golf Conveynor told me about the 6 Ps when I was younger and it has always stuck with me.

Proper preparation prevents p*ss poor performance

I believe that this is very apt when undertaking marathon training and I 100% agree with everything that TBO stated above.

By following the advise that you will get over the coming months on this thread there will be no better prepared folks toeing the line at the end of October.

Keeping the main thing the main thing and trusting the plan will become second nature to you all in no time.

C

The Black Oil · 14-05-2017 09:00PM

scotindublin wrote: »

Keeping the main thing the main thing and trusting the plan will become second nature to you all in no time.

That's it. It's a little hard to wrap your head around at first. How will a spreadsheet on the internet make me marathon capable?! It just does.

Wubble Wubble · 14-05-2017 09:14PM

Omeceron wrote: »

Weekly Update

Groin is feeling fine and best week of running in months. Have a final visit to the physio next week.

Went to Amphibian King on Friday for a Gait analysis and left with a shiny new pair of New Balances. Will break them in next week. Spent an hour trying on runners there. The service really is excellent.

Mon| 45 Min Easy
Tue | 45 Min Easy
Wed| 45 Min Easy
Thur | Rest
Fri | 45 Min Easy
Sat | 70 Min LSR

Good news! Lots of nice easy runs, and hope everything goes well with the physio. I've got my last few runners from the Run Hub (formerly Amphibian King) in Ashtown. In general when buying new running shoes, it should be to your benefit if there's experienced runners in the shop who will take the time to talk to you about your needs. The difference having the right pair will make to you over the coming weeks and months can be massive!

Jfrost · 14-05-2017 09:15PM

Gonna follow thread closely.
Did DCM in 2015 for first time but it was my 4th marathon, Waterford been my first earlier that year.
Since done about 45 marathons/ ultrasound...75 been my furthest (February this year)

But....and there is always a but....for the last 6+ months I've been doing events with no training, just sign up run...struggle and get to the line.

Now I want to remove that struggle bit and need to train like I did for my first and so I'm gonna treat myself like a novice with the goal of get around Dublin comfortably.
If you need to know time, at mo I'm turning out approx 4:30 marathon but my pb is 3:38 and I've put on a stone and half since last August...gee actually 9months with no training runs.

I know this thread isn't aimed at folk like me, but I'm gonna use it anyways.
Thanks

Wubble Wubble · 14-05-2017 09:17PM

Philrunner83 wrote: »

Delighted to see this thread start having looked in on the 2016 thread.
I am hoping to take part in 2017 what would be my first marathon like you all and am looking forward to sharing this journey too.
Thanks wubble for taking the time to mentor us all to succeed in what you achieved last year :-)

Hi Philrunner83,

Thanks for dropping in! I'm honoured to be asked to do it

It may sound like an insurmountable task at the moment, but it most certainly isn't, and trust me, all the training over the next few months will be worth it when you cross the finish line arms aloft! Plenty of room for more in the DCM 2017 first class carriage! Best of luck!

Wubble Wubble · 14-05-2017 09:31PM

Halloween Jack wrote: »

Hi guys, been threatening to do a marathon for a number of years and have jealously followed a number of these threads over the years, this year i guess i ran out of excuses not to do it and signed up a few weeks back, had been waiting for this thread to pop up ever since:)

I did the C25K in 2012 and have been running intermittently since then. I tend to have spells where I'm training well and feeling great and spells where i get next to nothing done, so consistency over the course of the plan will be a challenge for me. Im also fairly big guy and prone to injuries which have held me back, but i have been at the physio and in the gym this year and i know what i have to do to keep myself fit and healthy, again, getting into the gym on a consistent basis will be the challenge.

Anyway, many thanks to Wubble and all the other contributors thus far, best of luck to all in training and i hope you all achieve your goals!

Have you raced before? If so what are your PBs? (Date and distance please!)

Clontarf HM November '16 - 1:52
Samsung Night Run April '15 - 57:01
5k in Training April '15 - 24:36

Do you still need to take walk breaks in your training? (No problem if you do)

No

How much training do you currently do ? Distances, how many days a week, cross training - whatever you think is relevant to your current fitness level.

3/4 Slow runs (one longer at the weekend) with the ambition to be in the gym twice a week (usually only make it once) plus the occasional hike or swim.

What do you want to achieve? Dream finishing time and realistic finishing time? Or just complete it in no specified time?

Dream time maybe 3:49:59, which if i get the training done in full should be doable, being more realistic maybe 3:59:59. As for what i want to achieve, well so long as i cross the finish line having absolutely emptied the tank ill consider it a good effort.

How many days a week can you train? And what plan do you intend to follow?

Given my injury history and low base ill be following hal higdon novice 1. Think the boards plan is a bit ambitious for where I'm at.

Why are you running this marathon?

I enjoy running and tend to enjoy it more the longer the run is so theres that. But really i want to prove to myself i have 20 weeks of solid training in me.

Hi Halloween Jack,

Welcome aboard! And well done on finally signing up for the main event

I share your pain in relation to training well/training very little or not at all. Working my way out of that at the moment. Trick is, as has been mentioned before and will be again, to build up your miles slowly. You've obviously done some of that already, seeing as you ran the Clontarf half (an old favourite of mine; fine effort for a first timer!)

If you can cope with dragging your legs out of soft sand after having the wind blasting straight into your face along the beach, you will be very capable of making the step up in distance over the coming months.

HHN1 is indeed the more basic of the plans, but it's worked for numerous novices through the years, and hopefully will for you too.

Thanks again for signing up. Best of luck!

Wubble Wubble · 14-05-2017 09:35PM

Jfrost wrote: »

Gonna follow thread closely.
Did DCM in 2015 for first time but it was my 4th marathon, Waterford been my first earlier that year.
Since done about 45 marathons/ ultrasound...75 been my furthest (February this year)

But....and there is always a but....for the last 6+ months I've been doing events with no training, just sign up run...struggle and get to the line.

Now I want to remove that struggle bit and need to train like I did for my first and so I'm gonna treat myself like a novice with the goal of get around Dublin comfortably.
If you need to know time, at mo I'm turning out approx 4:30 marathon but my pb is 3:38 and I've put on a stone and half since last August...gee actually 9months with no training runs.

I know this thread isn't aimed at folk like me, but I'm gonna use it anyways.
Thanks

Hi Jfrost,

Welcome on board! Some people here dream of running those kinds of numbers

Trust the training, as we often say here, and fingers crossed we'll help get you back approaching your best, with a strong performance on the big day.
Thanks for signing up, best of luck!

Wubble Wubble · 14-05-2017 10:21PM

One Week Closer!

Thanks to all of you for getting the wheels in motion here! It may still feel like something that's months and months away, but once the plans start to kick in for real, the time goes fast

Anyone got details of runs they've done in the last week that they want to share? Race reports are something we love here too, and the Race Series events in particular should offer you the chance to indulge that "creative writing" corner of your brain that may not always get used so much

Have a look through the previous Novices threads if you want to get a flavour of what I'm on about.

Big shout out as well to all those DCM Graduates (and others) who have popped in to offer support. Haven't the time now to thank you all individually!

Out of curiosity, how much of your running is done on treadmills?

Back in the old days, before I began my latter day running "career", I'd really run myself into the ground on those machines. Now I'm of the opinion that you should only use them when you have to. It's hard to beat the feeling you get after a tough run through the wind and rain, when it's really gone well, and you feel like you've taken another large step towards your goal.

Some more knowledgeable (certainly faster and more experienced!) runners than me from around these parts regularly use a term called "easy conversational pace".

What this means is, you should do your long runs at a speed where you feel comfortable, and able to have a relaxed conversation. If you actually have someone to run with you and talk to you, even better

If you're having issues with your breathing (for example) slow down until you reach this point. Don't think that this will impact on your chances of beating your target time. The actual time on your feet will stand to you. Most of you will not be used to running for 3 hours or more, as you will be in the long runs later in the plans. Your body has to get used to it, and this takes time. And don't be scared of the "3 hours or more" bit. It may sound crazy reading it now, but we'll get there, slowly but surely. Evolution, not revolution!

shortie_chik · 14-05-2017 10:24PM

The Black Oil wrote: »

Have you told people you're doing the marathon? Friends, family, partner, work colleague, the cat? You will of course be asked about the time you're going for...and you may will get advice from all quarters. I got some daft advice on gels in the week just before the big day. This touches on what I'll refer to below - as the day gets closer, don't suddenly introduce any new strategies you've not tested in training. The other accountability element is staying connected to this thread and your peers. Knowing there's a group of other folks (30 or 40 last year, maybe?) dotted around the country is a good help. Not every week may go smoothly, as with any exercise plan that's demanding. And the odd Saturday in Sept/Oct may be wet and blustery. Do not say in bed!

Stick the plan your fridge/wall. Come October, you will get to this.

Is there anything as motivating as ticking items off a chart?

In the 2012 thread, an excel-wizard made a Google spreadsheet for everyone to log their miles in. Nothing like the thought of a BIG FAT ZERO after your name to make sure you get your runs done each week! :eek: And pretty cool to see how many miles the group logged over the summer, made it feel more like a team event!

Apart from my fiance, and one other friend who also plans to run DCM2017 (hopefully my LSR buddy later in the summer), I haven't told anyone that I'm training for this.
Until I cross the finish line, I don't want to talk about it (well except for with you guys). Too much can go wrong, and I don't want to be having the same conversation repeatedly all summer. I'll keep my running-bore-chat to this thread until I'm wearing my medal & finisher t-shirt!

So last weekend I did a 6 mile run, this weekend I did 7 miles at a super leisurely pace. My running-to-work pace is about 10 min/mile, it's a speed I know I can keep up handy enough for the 5 miles and still get to the pool in time for a quick dip before work! My pace today was about 12 min/mile. It was very easy for my lungs & heart, the kind of pace I think I could keep up for 5 hours, if my legs can manage to keep going on autopilot.
I used to only have 2 speeds (stop and go), so I think this shows some progress!

One week closer...
(Ha! Wubble & I were posting at the same time, and thinking the same thing. Great minds! :P)

shortie_chik · 14-05-2017 10:34PM

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

One Week Closer!
Out of curiosity, how much of your running is done on treadmills?

Last weekend my run was on a treadmill, in a hotel gym the morning after a friend's wedding! :eek: Went to bed sensibly early and no alcohol after dinner! I don't normally use treadmills but wanted to get stuck into the new weekend routine.

I live beside the Phoenix Park so most of my training takes place there. I run through the park & then city centre to work. LSRs will be around the park until the distances get so long that I'd end up running in circles. Then I'll venture out and do little sections of the route to get to know it and change the scenery.

Today was a mix of trails, grass and footpaths. Running on real ground feels like more of a challenging workout than being on a treadmill, like I'm using more muscles for stability and to push myself along. Well, that's what my legs think anyway.

positron · 14-05-2017 11:04PM

Timely discussion about treadmills. I was looking back thru my Strava records and it shows I did almost nothing over the winter months and I do recall struggling to get out to run when temperatures were below 4 degrees or so, not to mention the wind and windchill, which then got me thinking about buying a treadmill... then reality clicks in that a treadmill takes up a lot of room, which I don't have or don't want to waste...! Hmm.

I haven't been sticking to the plan last week. Between various family / work commitments, I managed to fit in two mini-runs to on the way to pick my daughter from Montessori and back (she's on her bike, and she's quick - well quicker than I can run anyway). On the plus side, new PB at Parkrun (inching ever closer to the 25m mark, missed it by seconds), followed by easy run home (7k). And got about 50k on the bike (which I am calling my cross training).

Total distance: about 20 km.

PS: Is there a Strava club for this thread?

Jfrost · 14-05-2017 11:33PM

Only ever did one session on a threadmill myself and it in support of a guy I know who was running Back2Back marathons in a shopping centre in Moneghan.
I did about 5 km...it was terrible, give me the open roads any day.

The worst thing about running in "soft" weather is starting, once you have the first 500 meters done you just get on with it.
And the knowledge that you bet the conditions gives you a wee buzz.
So no threadmills for me, but I can see why the suit some.

SoleDiva · 14-05-2017 11:37PM

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

One Week Closer!

Out of curiosity, how much of your running is done on treadmills

I do one run a week on a treadmill. Usually a Monday or Thursday night, depending on which night I'm stuck with the football run. Leaves me home too late to run the roads, so ShedMill has been handy for that. I try do an interval style run, which kills the boredom factor for me.

I second what positron said - is there a Strava group? Love Strava

DCM 2017 Mentored Novices Thread

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