Some background info:
To me, the act of running has always seemed to be a big part of my life, from an early age, right through to today.
Whether it was running up to the shops for errands, running to school, running to the bus stop, running up the stairs, running down the stairs, running to answer the phone, running out the door......running has always come so naturally to me, walking when I could easily walk never even seemed like an option.
Given my general lack of enthusiasm for very much when I was younger, it never once occurred to me that running might be something that would interest me as more than just something I did while playing with friends.
Fast forward to 2013 and I suddenly decided to invest in a pair of running shoes and see how it all panned out. The motivation was more out of being generally unfit than anything. I knew next to nothing about running and largely ignored the do's and dont's (apart for some token stretching here and there). That's what my memory allows me to believe, although, being quite a sensible person, I'm sure it wasn't all gung-ho. I ran regularly enough for a few months, starting off on the couch to 5k programme which I saw through to its conclusion before progressing to longer distances.
The following year, I signed up for the Great Ireland Run, my first taste of a proper running event. I went in with no expectations or little knowledge of what time I might have been a realistic goal for me. I finished in 49:42 which I was told at the time was pretty respectful. Not long after that, I started getting pains in my knee and stopped running. That's where that particular chapter ends.
In 2016, after many years of travelling to work on the bus and getting nowhere fast, I decided to avail of the Bike To Work scheme. My journey time to work was cut in half and in the process, I was covering approx 20 miles a day (I still do this on a daily basis). On top of that, I was playing badminton twice a week so my fitness levels were pretty good.
Last October, while watching snippets of the 2017 DCM on tv, I told myself there and then that whatever it took, in a year's time, I would be running the 2018 Dublin City Marathon. Even before registration opened, I told as many people as I could, as a way of making sure there was no excuse for not taking part.
The following week, I bought a new pair of running shoes (I realised that the pair I had bought five years earlier were one full size too big), some new running tops and shorts, a book on marathon training, and I knew right there that nothing was going to stop me from achieving this goal.
Again, I started off with baby steps (3/5k runs) at a pace that felt manageable. Those first few weeks - which don't seem like all that long ago - were a bit of a struggle but I persevered. In early February of this year, I started running in the local Park Runs (Griffeen), having somehow never even known of their existence. Again, I was completely unaware of what level I was at and I came in at 23:59 for my first Parkrun. My times got better and better with each week and it was difficult not to run the course each week without feeling a little bit competitive. Not really with anyone else, just with myself. After eight Parkruns, I finally got the sub-20 I was waiting for (once I realised that a sub-20 time was 'a thing'). That just made me want to keep getting faster and faster but I was still always careful to run within my limits.
My midweek runs, which I managed to squeeze in during my lunch break (and still do) were distances of around 10k, in times of between 48-50 minutes. All I knew was 'run fast'.
It was a friend who pointed me in the direction of the DCM Novices Thread and I know it was exactly what I need to keep me in check and to make sure that I at least got to the start line in one piece by October.
So, all told, from mid-November to the start of week 1 of my training schedule, I ran approx 531 miles in total. Just typing that out kind of blows my mind.
DCM Training
With the help of some very patient and knowledgeable folk on the DCM Novices Thread , I completely understand now just what's ahead of me over the next few months. The only slight hiccup I've experienced physically is what I think may have been a case of shin splints back at the end of May but I couldn't be sure. A week of rest sorted that little problem out, thankfully.
In general, the training, which is approaching the end of Week 2, has been pretty good. I won't lie, I have had thoughts during the long runs of "this is 10 miles? And I have to run
another 10 miles? And an
additional 10k on top of it? This is madness!!! But it's exactly thoughts like those that keep me going and going that bit further every time.
A little concern for me, looking ahead, is the worry that I will not be able to do every single run within the training schedule. Especially given that I am away for two weeks during the beginning of August and have a 14 and 16 mile run to contend with during that time. OUCH!
Also, all of my runs since November (with the exception of Parkruns) have been solo efforts. Which is fine. I do think though, that I could benefit from a running partner when it comes to the 16/18/20 miles runs further down the line. For now though, it's all good.
PB's so far:
5k: 19:42 (Parkrun 21/04/18)
10k: 43:35 (Great Ireland Run 15/04/18)
Yet to run an actual half marathon. Have signed up to the Dublin half in September.
Future
With regards to a finish time, I will come straight out with it: 3.30. There, I said it.
It is only really in the last few weeks that I have set myself this target and with each week that passes, it seems to become more and more realistic. I know this is only my first marathon but I really do believe this is something that is within my reach.
THAT SAID..........Anything under 4 hours, and I will be doing cartwheels for a week (once I get some rest after the marathon).
I love the DMC Novices Thread. I am as addicted to it as much as I am running so thank to to everyone who has helped me along the way so far, this is just the beginning............
Let's do this!!!
