If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.

Enjoy!

2nd attempt at this report …. Wrote half of it last night and saved it as a draft but must have deleted it 🙄 Might be a bit long!

DCM 2022 - my 8th marathon and first sub 4!

I got the train up to Dublin Saturday morning so excited to be finally underway. It was definitely the kid waiting for Christmas feeling all week. Met C and we dumped our bags to the hotel and headed for the expo via lunch in McGrattans when we happened to pass it. Was funny seeing it empty and we texted the 2017 grads to say we were there. Was really looking forward to seeing some of them the next day in there again. Really enjoyed the expo and picked up a new flipbelt and Steigen socks. Had coffee with another friend there and toddled back to the hotel, had dinner and bed very early. I couldn’t get to sleep. My mind went in to overdrive and even though I know my training block was good I got very nervous. My fuelling and hydration were good and I was trying to remind myself of that. I’d 4.5 litres Saturday and 3.5 all week. Luckily C was there to calm me down the next morning. The hotel kindly heated our baked oats that I’d baked at home and brought with me and we strolled to the start line at 8:15 or so, dropped our bags and lined up. I just had a light hoodie on to throwaway … and it was really warm. Took it off 5 mins before staring and no cold there. I’d been debating where to start. I was going for 3:45 but starting out slowly so lined up a bit behind the 3:50 pacers. Took a gel and walked forward with the group.

Miles 1-6

Suddenly we were off. I just watched people’s feet in front of me and made sure I didn’t trip. Kept an eye on the watch as slightly ahead of pace but only by seconds. It felt fine but I was warm! During mile 2 I started to panic. I’d been very aware how busy the train was coming up and thinking of Covid and now I was wondering did I have a temperature. I was sweating already. I hadn’t planned to take water at the first station but was thirsty so decided I would … it was chaos and I wasn’t able to. I had my Tailwind though so took a sip of that. As we ran up Chesterfield avenue I asked 2 guys if it was just me or was it really hot and they confirmed it was very warm and ridiculously humid. I relaxed a bit after that and noticed a guy in front of me who’s back was already soaked with sweat. I moved out of the group a little to the left side of the road and there was a lovely side on breeze. I can see on Strava that my heart rate dropped round there too and not sure if that’s because the panic was over or what. Anyway, on I went, took a drink at the next station and passed out the 3:50 guys. That suited me as I was finding the crowds hard from the very start. The numbers of people walking 2 or 3 abreast or jogging really slowly and you’d to get around them was really annoying especially on the narrower parts like coming in to the zoo. I was slightly ahead of my paceband by 10-20 seconds I think but my legs were perfect so just went with it. I’d been looking out for people I knew but wasn’t seeing anybody. I was so thrilled to suddenly have Aoife roaring and shouting and cheering me on then. Headed out the gate to Castleknock keeping an eye out for another friend but never got to see her. Ran through the 10Km mark at 53:49 and stage position 5862. Pretty much band on time according to my paceband. 

8:37, 8:51, 8:40, 8:28, 8:25, 8:31 

Miles 7-13

Castleknock was slightly quieter than other years but made myself smile and nice to see the band. The legs were still fine and the pace felt easy. I was delighted when the downhill started again. Time to pick it up. I just let it naturally happen and no pushing of pace at any time. Sipped my TW every mile and on I went. My watch beeped for mile 9 ages before the mile marker. Checked the paceband as I passed the marker and I was still on track anyway. I was possibly about 40 seconds ahead at this stage. Out of the park to Chapelizod and the crowds were great. The road wasn’t as sticky as other years. Passed the crowd having a bbq which smelled lovely and onto the next hill … St Laurence’s road maybe? Oooh that was tough or maybe it was the next one or both. Pulled right back and took it handy. First time I was working and this was mile 11 or so … bit early for that I thought, though Skyblue had warned me to cool the jets in mile 11 anyway so I ran that a bit slower than the paceband. I remember crossing over the canal and heading for Crumlin. I passed the 20km mark at 1:45:22 and now stage position 5398, up 464 places. I was finding it very warm at this point and not quite enjoying life. Next focus was the water station at mile 13 and filling my soft bottle without losing a lid. Each bottle had 2 scoops of TW and would last 6 miles. Managed that going through the halfway mark and 1:51:25 and stage position 5315 up 83 places in that short distance! Swashbuckler gave me a great shout out around there somewhere.I was thrilled to see him but I wish I’d looked a bit happier at that point. Even though I was bang on to my paceband and the legs were feeling good and moving nicely I just wasn’t really feeling as easy as I thought it would still be at that point. The problem too is I was sipping tailwind but also needed water so I was feeling very full every now and then too which wasn’t nice. 

8.31; 8:13, 8:10, 8:03, 8:33, 8:18, 8:20

Miles 14 - 19

Time to dial the pace back a small bit now as I still have a long way to go and I was slightly ahead of the paceband so had 40 seconds or so to play with. Pulled mile 14 back and don’t remember much about the next few miles besides knowing I was hopefully going to see a friend at mile 16ish. Next thing she was in front of me and ran for a few minutes. I told her I was struggling and she told me to slow down … I was like ‘oh I can’t do that!’. I was hanging for the easy downhills that were due to appear somewhere in the second half. I can’t even remember now where they were but I made the most of them whenever they appeared anyway. From mile 17 on I did slow down … had no choice really. I’d made my paceband for 3:43 anyway as every other time I ran Dublin I did 26.5 miles on my watch so I reckoned I’d 2 mins to play with anyway. Passed 30Km at 2:38:51 and now in place 4760 up 555 more places. I’m not sure what the tracker was saying at that stage but I think I was still well on track. 

8:47, 8:28, 8:24, 8:34, 8:32, 8:43

Miles 20-finish (26.31 miles)

Heading down to Milltown was great. I was enjoying the downhills and very pleased that my IT Band was behaving and allowing me make the most of them. We were going round a bend at one point and I was the only person on the inside of the bend and everybody else taking it really wide. A spectator was telling them to move over and stop running extra distance. I always pass people out in races who do that. Amazing how many people don’t realise how much extra distance they add to their race … and as for the people who then complain that the route was long and measured incorrectly … that drives me nuts! On I went, cranky out, up Clonskeagh road thinking I did not remember this hill from before. I as wondering was it heart break hill and what was Roebuck, was it up or down. I couldn’t remember. Either way I was really struggling and desperate for a water stop. I walked for a couple of seconds. Then there was a water stop and it cups. I wanted a bottle to carry with me. I stopped and took 2 cups. Lovely and full and drank the lot of the lovely cold water. Then I was looking blankly at the other cup knowing I’d be too full if I drank it. I was slightly dizzy. I threw it over my head and face. It was bloody freezing. I got such a shock and think I yelped. Anyway, did the job and I took off again. Got to Roebuck and it was most definitely an uphill. Crawled up it and yahoo, Fosters Avenue was most definitely a downhill! I went down quite fast passing everybody out again and round onto the Stillorgan dual carriageway. There was a guy on the ground in the recovery position being attended to. I hope he is ok now. There were two people lying further on with blankets over them, waiting to be collected I suppose. So many walking, stretching and in a bad way. On I went and over the fly over and down towards RTE. I thought we had to pass that big pylon thing before turning right and seemed so far away but another nice surprise and we turned before it. Phew. Nutley Lane was supposed to be a downhill I thought and now it’s not. I was praying for water again and luckily there was a water station with bottles. Should have taken two. I took one and it didn’t last long. Around onto Merrion Row and was in a strop again for some reason so walked for a few seconds and then there was the 40km mat. Only 2Km to go more or less … well more but time to get going again. Only 1.2 miles so cop on and go. 40km was at 3:34:21 so a bit behind time at this point but I’d torn off the paceband in my strop anyway so hadn’t a clue where I was at really. Stage position was at 4321 so I had moved up another 439 places. 

I just went for it at this point and kept moving. It was hard but plenty time to put the feet up for the rest of the day. People around me still falling over and sitting in the paths or one girl bending down with her hands in the ground. I barely looked left or right and then I was going over the bridge and into Mount Street. The crowds were roaring and I heard my name but no idea who or just lovely spectators reading my bib. I could see the finish line from a while off and just focused on it. Nice sprint finish and I was onto the purple mat. Didn’t even raise my arms like other years. My photos show I’m kind of smiling. 3:45:58 and I stopped the watch and now in position 4173 … another 148 places up. 

8:29, 8:55, 9:59, 8:31, 8:52, 9:11, 8:37, 7:21 

My initial reaction was disappointment. I wanted sub 3:45 and I thought I’d find it easier than I did. I was working hard much earlier than I expected. It took me a bit of time to get over myself in all honesty. Now I feel much better about it. I said I wanted 3:45 and I got 3:45. My first marathon ever was 4:49 and I don't remember how many seconds. I got a 17 minute PB (and 6 seconds depending on whether I want to count seconds or not 😂). When I saw how many people did struggle on the day with the humidity I’m relieved that I got what I did. Back in 2019 I thought I could never go sub 4 and now I know that on a good day I could go sub 3:45 so you know what, I am happy now. 

Final results were:

145th out of 1106 F45

623rd out of 4791 Female

4173rd out of 14772 overall ( not sure where the rest of the 25000 were )

What’s next?? Short stuff for a little while and have a bit of fun with the fitness gained from this block and I’d love to do a flatter marathon and get another PB though I don’t know when or where. I’ll sign up to Dublin next year but whether I race it or not remains to be seen. Right now it’s a no but sure I’m very fickle! 

Thanks to all my friends here for all the support and the people who were out on the course or supporting online. It was so good to meet up again in McGrattans and meet those who could make it there. 

Ah brilliant. Hope she enjoys the training.

Well I’m glad to hear I was smiling there. I don’t really remember though I do that in races and try and look like I’m happy at times!!

Thanks for all the support and encouragement.

Oh definitely motivation …just have to pick which marathon is best to take those seconds and another few minutes off now.

I hope you are feeling better.

Ah thanks a mill D. The problem with the name on my bib too is when people shout I don’t know if they know me or not 😂. I’ve a vague recollection of somebody shouting at me round Mount Street alright and wondering if it was somebody I knew. I was just focussed on the end at that point and getting across the line. I do think if the day had been a bit cooler I’d have been 1-2 minutes faster but it is what it is now. I’m just glad I didn’t lose more time. I was tempted to give up at points and just walk.

Thanks guys… much appreciated.

Lol! I’m normally not actually … don’t know what was up with me last week, frustration I presume that it wasn’t quite going to plan. Amazing how the mind forgets though. As Laineyfrecks says it’s like having a baby and you forget the pain and remember the good stuff.

Awe, thanks a mill. Looking forward to seeing your comeback next year!!

Of course. Registered again straight away, just in case 😂

Recovery week 1

Very little to report this week. I took recovery very literally and even broke my step streak which was 308 days long. Monday and Tuesday I was a little stiff but probably the best I’ve ever felt after a marathon. I was still running up and down the stairs which was a first I think! Wednesday we went to London for a few days with the kids and only got home late Friday night. Went to Tramore Valley Parkrun yesterday and jogged around with a friend in 31:22. Then we got a new puppy so I’m now exhausted and more tired at the end of the week than the start!

So the plan for this week is to get back running nice and easy a few days but most importantly to get back into the gym and do my strength work. After the couple of weeks break I’ll have DOMs from that. Got back on track nutrition wise yesterday which feels great after the week of lots of food and drink.

Recovery week 2

Monday: 3.75 miles @ 9.52; Lower Body strength session

Legs still a little heavy but loved the return to normality and my routine. Back on track with nutrition too. Had a great week’s break but nice to get back on track. I love that I can do that now … as in take a holiday or a break and eat out or whatever but love getting back to my routine. Before, once I went off plan I used stay off plan until I was probably one or two stone heavier.

Tuesday: 3.7 miles @ 9:00; Upper Body strength

A little fast really considering I’m still supposed to be running easy but ran with a friend and was very glad when big heavy drops started just as got back to the cars. Dived in and it was torrential. Drove up to the gym and could barely hear in there with the noise of the rain on the windows. Few DOMs from the previous day’s gym session but not surprising after the few weeks off.

Wednesday: 6 miles @ 9:45; Lower Body strength

Had planned a rest day but Wednesday turned out to be dry and a bit cooler than every other day so we decided it was too nice not to run. Upped the miles a bit and really enjoyed it. Quads were feeling it in the gym so ended up just doing 2 sets of everything rather than the normal 4.

Thursday: 4 miles easy + 5x20s strides; Upper Body strength

First run by myself. Weather was wild. It was dry when I started out so didn’t bother with a rain jacket as really warm. I wasn’t running long when the rain started but it was light enough. Wind was nuts but for some reason I just loved this run. Talk about exhilarating. The park was still flooded so stuck to the main paths, even though some of them were flooded too. Did 5 strides, not particularly fast, but wanted to start bringing back a bit of speed work. Back to the gym again.

Saturday: 6.36miles: Easy + 5 mins tempo

Went over to Tramore Valley Park to do Parkrun as Ballincollig cancelled with the flooding. I did 2 laps myself before meeting 2 friends for Parkrun. I was feeling really good while by myself and harboured notions of racing Parkrun. Only reason I didn’t was because I had arranged to meet the girls … which was no harm as last year I made a habit of injuring myself from overdoing it when feeling good so must recover properly this time and not risk that. Met up with them and ran their pace but then took off for the last kilometer to do my 5 mins tempo … which was at 7:46 and not 8:40 which would be more like tempo. Was itching to run fast though. Afterwards I looked at the results and if I had raced it, I would have been first in my age category and 4th female I reckon. I think I’ll race Parkrun next Saturday or do a 5Km race on Sunday … must see which I can attend. I may also chicken out as I hate 5Km’s 😂

So 24.65 miles for the week and 4 strength sessions. Recovery going well.

I can’t attend that either as have visitors that weekend but I wish I could. It sounds brilliant. I’ve herd a few people saying similar now. Will you two do it?

Oh the Alphaflies without a doubt. I’d better try do the one next Sunday. Not totally sure of the route but can’t be too hilly … I think 😂

Cork Mental Health BHAA 5Km race

I decided to go along to this race to see what I could do and give me a base to judge paces to start training from again. I usually avoid 5Km races like the plague. My last one was in May 2019 I think and my PB from then was 23:37 and it was hard won. I didn’t really know what I could do today. I know I’m hugely improved over half and marathon distance since then but 5Km is an unknown and obviously no specific training at all for it. I played with the pace calculator last night and thought maybe I could hold a 7:30 pace which would give me 23:18 and I kind of hoped I could knock off another 19 seconds and go sub 23. Either way, I wasn’t too bother having not worked for it as such.

Drove over to Little Island this morning and met some people I know. One guy I know is a little faster than me and does a lot of races and I asked him what he was running. He was hoping for 22 mins so I said I’d go behind him and use him to pace my first mile to stop me shooting off too fast. He planned on doing his first 2 miles slower than his third. Warmed up with the group and I did about 5 strides myself, changed into the alphaflies and lined up. It was then I realised it wasn’t chip timed and we were way too far back. Too late to do anything about that anyway.

The whistle went and we were off. I was afraid I’d fall over somebody initially as there was a big crowd and just followed my unofficial pacer and passed people out. The pace felt fine and didn’t dare look at my watch in case I tripped. It’s a nice route, a few drags but then slight declines to recover. We started on an incline and no bother and then a nice decline and suddenly mile 1 beeped on my watch … 7.06! Wow, I’m on for a PB so here. I knew I was unlikely to hold that pace as I was breathing very heavily but the legs felt good so just clung on. My pacer wasn’t getting away from me yet so all good.

Mile 2 was round the industrial park and nothing too spectacular. There was a very strong wind going one direction but we turned and that eased off. Every now and then I’d feel I wasn’t getting enough air in to breathe but the legs were still fine. At about 1.5 miles my hip started hurting, probably as a result of the sore back from the other day. I’ve physio anyway Wednesday so just kept going as she can fix me. It’s only 3 miles so surely I can’t do too much damage. 7:18 for mile 2.

Mile 3 and my one goal now was to stay faster than 7:30 and not slow down too much. I wasn’t even sure what time I’d get but I knew it was better than I hoped so that was good, just don’t give up. Mile 2 - 2.5 was an incline straight into the wind and that was tough going but I passed a few people and held my own with some others. My pacer took off as he’d planned which was great. Onto the decline then heading towards the finish line which took a long time to appear. I was heading towards a roundabout and no sign of the finish line and then suddenly it was in view, Phew. Mile 3 was slower again at 7:26 but the last .11 was at 6:51 then. Somehow I managed to increase my cadence to,pick up speed as I thought I couldn’t increase my stride.

A volunteer was taking our numbers and calling out our times as we went through the finish line.

22.34 … a PB by 1 min 3 seconds. I’m absolutely thrilled with that. It’s so different to the long stuff … I was so out of breath but my legs were absolutely fine, besides the sore hip. I’ve spoken to my coach and will use this week as recovery now with a long run of 8 miles maybe at the weekend and then we start back on plan next week. Might do some 5Km specific stuff and race Togher 5Km on 27th December.