DCM 2023 Mentored Novices Thread

T-Bird · 11-11-2023 07:10PM

There is an annual St Stephens day 5k and 10k in Coothall (50 min drive). I've done it that last 2 years and might do it again this year.

I also have 2 other 10ks in December, Belleek (Mayo) 3rd and a Rudolf run somewhere in Tyrone on the10th.

I'm also going to be doing a HM in Omagh on the 7th of April and then the marathon in Limirick in May.

I'll also probably sign up to the Bundoran 10 miler in February, and the Tony McGowan HM/10k in March when they go on sale. I've ran at them for the past 2 years and they get good participation.

I've also been trying to lose a bit of weight because my weight had crept up to 101kg when I was weighed at the hospital last Tuesday (I made sure my pockets were empty and took my top off and just wore t-shirt and jeans).

I've been doing fast 5k walks at lunchtime wearing a sweater and coat, and then running in the evening wearing my running gear, a poncho and a running jacket over that (sauna weight loss 🤣). I weighed myself after my HM run today and am now down to 96.9kgs. I'd love to get to under 90kgs but the end of the year.

Pawwed Rig · 13-11-2023 09:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121310002#Comment_121310002

Westport is another option

Mr. Guappa · 04-12-2023 12:44PM

The new Graduates thread is now open for any former novices looking to continue on their running journey:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058325614/the-2023-graduates-thread-whats-next

Come and join in and together we'll plot a course to countless PB's!

SimpleDimple · 21-01-2024 09:01PM

Hi all, I’m going to be doing the Dublin marathon this year as my first one.

I’ll follow the boards plan when the 2024 novices thread is up, but just wondering, between now and June, is it best to just keep building up the distance each week? i was thinking of entering a half marathon in June (I’ve done half’s before), would this impact on the marathon training since the distance in the plans on the mentor thread aren’t at that point by then

MisterJinx · 22-01-2024 09:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121651216#Comment_121651216

Hi SimpleDimple,

It's not going to do you any harm at all. Working on your base over the start of the year is perfect to get you in good shape for the Novices plan. I did the same myself. Ease yourself into it and don't increase the mileage too quickly. If you check out the Graduates thread, linked above by Mr. Guappa, there is a link to a set of training plans and there is a half plan in there if you are searching around for one.

Based on how you go and your weekly mileage, at that point, then you can adjust the first few weeks of the Novices plan, it won't be an issue in all honesty, plenty of people come into the Novices thread at different levels of training.

Best of luck with the half.

SimpleDimple · 22-01-2024 11:26AM

That’s great, thanks for the reassurance. I was worried that by ramping up for a half in June I’d be getting ahead of myself, but it’s good to know that it’ll (hopefully) stand to me in the grand scheme if things

MisterJinx · 22-01-2024 12:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121653327#Comment_121653327

It sure will, the more consistently you are running prior to starting the marathon plan then the better everything will go for you :-)

Sunny Dayz · 22-01-2024 12:41PM

Hi SimpleDimple, it's good that you have a half marathon planned for June. Depending on how much you've been running in the past year, it gives you plenty of time from now to build up a base, consistency and learning what works for you running wise. Have you raced much in the past? Can you pencil in a 10km sometime in the late Spring to get a gauge on your pacing, and even just on the nuts and bolts of taking part in a race?

SimpleDimple · 22-01-2024 03:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121653716#Comment_121653716

Thanks for the input! Yep I’ve done a few races in the past, anything from park runs up to half marathons.

The first time I did a half I got caught up in the buzz of the day, horsed out for the first 4km because I was feeling nice and strong, and then limped home for the last 4k or so, not making that mistake again!

I’ll take a look at the calendar and see what else is between now and June, thanks for the advice!

RacoonQueen · 23-01-2024 12:07PM

Just unsticking this to make space for the upcoming 2024 novices thread

TOYO · 28-08-2024 12:46PM

Have you raced before? If so what are your PBs? (Date and distance please!) No this is my 1st marathon
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.
I'm doing the Hal Higdon Novice Supreme Marathon Training Program and am on week 22 of the 30 week program. I'm upto 38/39kms per week at this stage and I'm also doing 1x cross training S&C class per week until recently.
What do you want to achieve? Dream finishing time and realistic finishing time? Or just complete it in no specified time?
I want to run the entire marathon no stopping accept for the bathroom if needed :)
Dream time would be 4:30 but probably more likely to be closer to the 5hrs
How many days a week can you train? And what plan do you intend to follow?
I train 4 times a week
1 x S&C (Class just recently finished so I'm frantically looking for a replacement)
20km Pace 4:46/km Time 2h 15m
11.30km Pace 6:32/km Time 1h 13m
4.8km Pace 6.18/km Time 30m
What is your biggest worry/fear/doubt (if you have any!) in signing up?
Lots!! Fear I'm not fuelling enough and I don't take in water during my runs except loading up before and after.
Heard horror stories of bathroom episodes during the run.
Reading here I'm now worried I've not done any practice organised races Halfs etc
Fear of creating long term damage - I don't carry any weight but my knees are creaking now and letting me know I'm putting them to the test. Going to physio now once a month for the last 3mths. I swop between wearing Asics and Brooks running shoes.
Fear of injury - I have two left feet!!
Why are you running this marathon?
My Mum and Father in Law passed in the last 12+mths and I'm doing it for the Irish Heart foundation in their memory and as a tribute to them while raising funds for a wonderful charity.
I'm 52 and it's also been on my bucket list and I think it's now or never!

Sunny Dayz · 24-10-2024 02:25PM

hi 2023 novices!! Hope ye are well! You may or may not know that I’ve been the mentor for the 2024 DCM novice group. I was thinking it might be helpful if a few of you from here could perhaps comment on the 2024 thread with any words of encouragement or tips. You were in their position this time last year - any words of wisdom for them?!

DCM 2023 Mentored Novices Thread

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