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Just started running-Can I run the Dublin Marathon in October?

1356

Comments

  • #62
    xebec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,311 ✭✭✭xebec


    I'm on the same side as TFB, I generally don't eat before a morning run as it makes me sluggish and there's always the fear that something will reappear. For example, for last Saturday's 19 miles, I had one gel just before I left the house (more as a just in case than feeling I needed it) and two isotonic gels during the run, didn't feel lacking in energy or particularly hungry during the ~3 hours of running that followed.

    On the other hand, before a race I'll always get up early and have something light just to see me through. But then the most it will be is a bagel and some juice or something similar - never got the taste for porridge.

    As usual it's a case of finding out what works best for you. Is eating before a long run necessary for everyone? No. Do some find that it hard going if they don't? Yes, definitely.


  • #63
    TFBubendorfer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,340 ✭✭✭TFBubendorfer


    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    Perhaps you could elaborate. If a gel takes 15-20 minutes to hit the stomach, surely a breakfast (including liquids) eaten two hours before a run is going to provide some level of energy and hydration for a two+ hour run (potentially some 3-4 hours later), or are you saying that the energy used during a run will come from energy reserves consumed the day(s) before a run? Probably deserves a separate topic. I think you're in danger of tar'ing us with your brush TFB. I may be wrong but I don't believe that I could achieve the same early morning distance runs that you can carry off, without taking on some fuel beforehand.

    I mean it just as I said it - you do not need to eat straight before your run to provide the energy for that run. If you eat 2 hours before a run, this is going to provide some energy - my point is, it's not required to get you through it. In my case, it's obviously last night's dinner that sustains me, and in 100% of all cases so far, this was entirely sufficient to get me through a training run. I tried gels on a couple of occasions, but they never seem to make a difference. Suits me fine, no need to waste money on those things.

    Before a big race, I still eat a few hours before the start, and I do take gels as well. I can't tell you if it makes a difference in those circumstances because I have never been brave enough to run a marathon (or longer :p) without food, and I have no plans on changing that. But before a training run, even very long ones, I have never required breakfast and I never felt that the run would have gone better had I eaten beforehand.

    Btw, robinph, your situation is different.


  • #64
    robinph
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    TFBubendorfer wrote: »
    Btw, robinph, your situation is different.
    Which is why I didn't mention myself. :D


  • #65
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,527 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    This is a thread for people heading into their first marathon. I'd be wary of recommending that anyone use gels in their marathon and not use them in training. While I try to get by without any gels in training (and sometimes without water) I'm heading for marathon number nine or ten in a few weeks time. I know what works for me.

    For those of you heading for your first marathon, the generally accepted advice is that you should plan to do in training what you will do on the day of the race. So if the race starts at 9am, then start some of your long training runs at 9am. If you plan on having breakfast beforehand, then do so before your training runs also. If you plan on dressing up as the tail end of a donkey..... then go join a circus. :) Found out what works for you and keep doing it.


  • #66
    opus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,100 ✭✭✭opus


    TFBubendorfer wrote: »
    I do virtually all my runs in the morning on an empty stomach, including runs of 20 miles or more. It's no problem whatsoever.

    Maybe it's horses for courses, if I went to work without a reasonable breakfast a headache by ~1130am is guaranteed! Going for a run without eating just doesn't even bear thinking about for me anyway, for my one & only marathon in Cork I finished eating around 6.30ish that morning.


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  • #67
    rainbow kirby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,928 ✭✭✭✭rainbow kirby


    opus wrote: »
    Maybe it's horses for courses, if I went to work without a reasonable breakfast a headache by ~1130am is guaranteed! Going for a run without eating just doesn't even bear thinking about for me anyway, for my one & only marathon in Cork I finished eating around 6.30ish that morning.

    I'd be the same - different things work for different people. I couldn't imagine doing a long run without having a decent breakfast a couple of hours beforehand.


  • #68
    jaytobe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 382 ✭✭jaytobe


    [QUOTE=xebec;67762516 I had one gel just before I left the house (more as a just in case than feeling I needed it) and two isotonic gels during the run, didn't feel lacking in energy or particularly hungry during the ~3 hours of running that followed.

    Think I need to bring a gel for 16 mile this w/e. There was a mention of High5 gel, is there one generally recognised as easier to take.

    Another question: should/can the short mid weeks be at faster pace than the longer w/e runs.


  • #69
    xebec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,311 ✭✭✭xebec


    jaytobe wrote: »
    Think I need to bring a gel for 16 mile this w/e. There was a mention of High5 gel, is there one generally recognised as easier to take.

    I use High5 gels and find they work for me. It's worth trying a few different ones to see what works best for you. I'm currently experimenting with High5 isotonics, didn't particularly like them at first but getting used to them now and handy that they don't require water... Good idea to try one on your long run, but leave it till at least 12 miles where you can still complete the run even if it causes any *cough* issues.
    jaytobe wrote: »
    Another question: should/can the short mid weeks be at faster pace than the longer w/e runs.

    In general, yes the can/should be faster than the long runs at the weekend. What plan are you following? The author should have given some guidance on what pace to do the runs at. Good rule of thumb is LSRs at 45-90 seconds a mile slower than planned marathon pace. Recovery runs (first short run after long run) should be a little fast than this. Other runs, depending on distance should be much closer to PMP or even a little faster if they're short...


  • #70
    grifter09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 125 ✭✭grifter09


    sos to ressurect an old thread. wasnt sure to write a new thread or not but anyway,
    Why should one not let their first race be the marathon?
    I signed up for it yesterday by the way. training going well.

    <mod- moved to the relevant "first Dublin Marathon" thread>


  • #71
    Woundedknee.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 138 ✭✭Woundedknee.


    That tiredness in your legs is caused by muscle glycogen depletion and a short easy run the day after your long run followed by a high carbohydrate meal will help replenish carb (glycogen) stores. Muscle glycogen storage is a training response.


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  • #72
    Woundedknee.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 138 ✭✭Woundedknee.


    I was posting the above reply in another thread which was then moved to here.


  • #73
    fauna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭fauna


    hey folks.. i'm new to this board, been running steadily for about two years now.. for about a year and a half i was just running 2/3 miles every couple of days - sometimes pushing up distance - sometimes slacking off :) but really enjoying it, made me feel fit for first time in my life at age 32

    this year i decided to do dublin marathon and have been using the hal higdon novice training program and entered the race series. it was all going swimmingly until my first 15miler last weekend.. it knocked the living **** out of me.. :o i had to give up after 14.25 miles and felt so down.. this week now training feels different, much harder and my legs are very tired all the time.. and i'm really starting to doubt myself.. i was going sooo slow at end of run that old grannies where passing me by

    so i what i'm wondering is - is this normal when training for marathon? and is it just a case that you've got to go through this to get to the 26 miles? or have i bitten off more than i can chew?

    advice/encouragement would be most welcome..

    cheers


  • #74
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    How fast were you going? Those long runs should be run slower than normal.
    And did you take any gels/water/sports drinks as you ran?


  • #75
    fauna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭fauna


    RayCun wrote: »
    How fast were you going? Those long runs should be run slower than normal.
    And did you take any gels/water/sports drinks as you ran?

    cheers for reply

    that was the thing i actually started out pretty slowly, there was a big hill in chapelizod around the 8mile mark that was the beginning of my problems.

    i didnt have any gels but i did take a powerade beforehand and some water around mile 11..

    i actually think i will be fine tbh, i'm glad it happened on a 15miler instead of marathon day..

    but it was so horrible, i felt like my whole body was empty if you know what i mean..

    does this happen to everybody at some point?


  • #76
    brophya2007
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 298 ✭✭brophya2007


    fauna wrote: »
    cheers for reply

    that was the thing i actually started out pretty slowly, there was a big hill in chapelizod around the 8mile mark that was the beginning of my problems.

    i didnt have any gels but i did take a powerade beforehand and some water around mile 11..

    i actually think i will be fine tbh, i'm glad it happened on a 15miler instead of marathon day..

    but it was so horrible, i felt like my whole body was empty if you know what i mean..

    does this happen to everybody at some point?

    Fauna - that also happened me on my 13 miler two weeks ago. It's important to get your nutrition right and you might want to start looking at consuming gels on your runs from now on.

    I've just started out my LSRs much slower now and I completed 15 miles on sat just gone taking a gel after 9 miles.


  • #77
    rainbow kirby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,928 ✭✭✭✭rainbow kirby


    fauna wrote: »
    cheers for reply

    that was the thing i actually started out pretty slowly, there was a big hill in chapelizod around the 8mile mark that was the beginning of my problems.

    i didnt have any gels but i did take a powerade beforehand and some water around mile 11..

    i actually think i will be fine tbh, i'm glad it happened on a 15miler instead of marathon day..

    but it was so horrible, i felt like my whole body was empty if you know what i mean..

    does this happen to everybody at some point?

    I would agree with what has already been posted in that you need to sort out your nutrition for your longer runs.

    Did you eat breakfast that day? If not, then this may have been the problem.
    How is your nutrition in general?
    Could you possibly drink a sports drink instead of water at some point on your route?
    Would you consider taking a gel or some sweets with your water?


  • #78
    fauna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭fauna


    i think my nutrition has been pretty bad to be honest.. i am definitely going to start using some sort of nutrition supplement now for the long runs..

    i have a 16 mile this coming weekend so will let you know how i get on with that..

    gonna drink plenty of water and eat as best i can..

    my respect levels for anybody who can complete a marathon were already high but now they have rocketed.. it's easy enough (relative i suppose) to get up to 13 miles.. but after that it seems a whole new ball game..

    thanks again for advice.


  • #79
    fauna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭fauna


    brophya2007 wrote: »
    Fauna - that also happened me on my 13 miler two weeks ago. It's important to get your nutrition right and you might want to start looking at consuming gels on your runs from now on.

    I've just started out my LSRs much slower now and I completed 15 miles on sat just gone taking a gel after 9 miles.

    amazing well done you must have felt great afterwards (well except your legs)


  • #80
    fauna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭fauna


    rainbow kirby wrote: »
    I would agree with what has already been posted in that you need to sort out your nutrition for your longer runs.

    Did you eat breakfast that day? If not, then this may have been the problem.
    How is your nutrition in general?
    Could you possibly drink a sports drink instead of water at some point on your route?
    Would you consider taking a gel or some sweets with your water?

    cheers i will look into gels for definite


  • #81
    Donkeygonads
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 194 ✭✭Donkeygonads


    grifter09 wrote: »
    sos to ressurect an old thread. wasnt sure to write a new thread or not but anyway,
    Why should one not let their first race be the marathon?
    I signed up for it yesterday by the way. training going well.

    <mod- moved to the relevant "first Dublin Marathon" thread>
    Running a marathon is a daunting challenge, especially if your a first timer ..... so, with race day approaching naturally you're going to be very nervous .... If you've had experience of running in these 5km, 10 km preparation races....... you'll know how to prepare and what to expect for the big day ....... running along at the start with thousands of other people particularly at the start when its slow and bunched up is tricky., particularly if you want to keep to a set pace ....... Its really a mental preparation thing , especially later in the race, when you 're a few miles from home and runners in their 60's plus are passing you out ...... and you're thinking ..... this is a disaster !!!!!! Previous race experience prepares you for this.


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  • #82
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    You should check out this thread, which is full of people doing their first marathon in Dublin next month.
    (Next month :eek: )

    And if you were running around Chapelizod, there's a group run on Saturday morning that should be handy for you (see the last few posts in that thread).


  • #83
    fauna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭fauna


    RayCun wrote: »
    You should check out this thread, which is full of people doing their first marathon in Dublin next month.
    (Next month :eek: )

    And if you were running around Chapelizod, there's a group run on Saturday morning that should be handy for you (see the last few posts in that thread).

    oh cool i was looking for a thread like that but somehow i didn't see it cheers


  • #84
    fauna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭fauna


    Donkeygonads wrote: »
    Running a marathon is a daunting challenge, especially if your a first timer ..... so, with race day approaching naturally you're going to be very nervous .... If you've had experience of running in these 5km, 10 km preparation races....... you'll know how to prepare and what to expect for the big day ....... running along at the start with thousands of other people particularly at the start when its slow and bunched up is tricky., particularly if you want to keep to a set pace ....... Its really a mental preparation thing , especially later in the race, when you 're a few miles from home and runners in their 60's plus are passing you out ...... and you're thinking ..... this is a disaster !!!!!! Previous race experience prepares you for this.

    ha some dude in a honey monster costume whizzing by you at mile 24 :)


  • #85
    Donkeygonads
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 194 ✭✭Donkeygonads


    fauna wrote: »
    ha some dude in a honey monster costume whizzing by you at mile 24 :)
    There's plenty of marathon runners who never made it to mile 24 .... never got the medal or the t-shirt !!! Those are the ones I'd feel sorry for..!!! I got back to the hotel after picking my goodie bag last year ....only to find the t-shirt was a size too small ....... Gutted I was !!!:mad:................:D!!


  • #86
    meathcountysec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,450 ✭✭✭meathcountysec


    fauna wrote: »
    i did take a powerade beforehand and some water around mile 11..

    but it was so horrible, i felt like my whole body was empty if you know what i mean..

    does this happen to everybody at some point?

    A bit late waiting till Mile 11 to hydrate imo.

    I loose about a Kg in weight per hour running (approx 1% body weight) from sweating. After 2 hours that's 2% which is around the point that performance is effected. After that and I'm on a slippery slope to Trudgesville.

    I've had that feeling. Didn't like it, never will.


  • #87
    jaytobe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 382 ✭✭jaytobe


    xebec wrote: »

    In general, yes the can/should be faster than the long runs at the weekend. What plan are you following? The author should have given some guidance on what pace to do the runs at. Good rule of thumb is LSRs at 45-90 seconds a mile slower than planned marathon pace. Recovery runs (first short run after long run) should be a little fast than this. Other runs, depending on distance should be much closer to PMP or even a little faster if they're short...
    I'm following Hal Higidon Novice program. I've ordered his book so no real advice on pace. I'm 7.45-8 min/mile over first ten but know that I can't keep this up so 8.30 the target. Btw... LSRs, PMP =?


  • #88
    jaytobe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 382 ✭✭jaytobe


    fauna wrote: »
    i think my nutrition has been pretty bad to be honest.. i am definitely going to start using some sort of nutrition supplement now for the long runs..

    i have a 16 mile this coming weekend so will let you know how i get on with that..

    gonna drink plenty of water and eat as best i can..

    my respect levels for anybody who can complete a marathon were already high but now they have rocketed.. it's easy enough (relative i suppose) to get up to 13 miles.. but after that it seems a whole new ball game..

    thanks again for advice.
    Fauna, same happened me last week on 15 miler...great to find it out now though. Never got gels so its early brekie for 16miler. Bringing water on a run is a real pain.


  • #89
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    jaytobe wrote: »
    I'm following Hal Higidon Novice program. I've ordered his book so no real advice on pace. I'm 7.45-8 min/mile over first ten but know that I can't keep this up so 8.30 the target. Btw... LSRs, PMP =?

    PMP = Planned Marathon Pace
    LSR = Long Slow Run

    You could plug your ten mile time in here
    http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/mcmillanrunningcalculator.htm
    and see what it spits out for the marathon.
    Eg, if you can do ten miles in 78 minutes then (with the proper training) you could do a 3.38 marathon. If you think that's too ambitious, plug in a 3.45 marathon - the pace per mile for that is 8.36, and your long run pace would be between 9 and 10 minutes per mile.

    The Higdon Novice1 programme doesn't say anything about midweek running pace, but in Novice2 he recommends running the longer midweek run at PMP and the shorter ones at an easy pace. (The very long run should be at a slow pace) You could give that a try?


  • #90
    jaytobe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 382 ✭✭jaytobe


    Did 17+miles yesterday and used the Power Bar Jellies so energy levels were fine. I also brought some gel and to prove what a novice I am, I only saw that it is to be mixed with water when I opened it on mile 9! Is this a big deal to take straight? Assume its gets to the system easier with water..

    Next issue to sort is the leg, muscles gave way after mile 15mile and I was at zimmer frame pace...any advice?


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  • #91
    robinph
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    It won't kill you not taking them without water, but it is a whole lot more pleasant afterwards if you do take water.


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