DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

Firedance · 28-05-2015 05:29PM

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Would you benefit from doing this race as part of your training plan for Dublin would most people generally do this too like the race series ?

Yes, for me the prospect of mapping out a 20 mile route v doing this with lots of company and food/water stops sold it. Its a hilly course yes and its tough but your not racing it and its a good confidence booster for dcm, I did the Athlone half & this instead of the race series.

adrian522 · 28-05-2015 05:37PM

As long as you have the patience/control to run at at your long run pace I guess it's fine. I don't tend to enter races to do training runs as I find them expensive enough and I can't imagine sticking to slow run pace in a race so I guess it depends on the individual.

laura_ac3 · 28-05-2015 06:12PM

I didn't do it but it sounds like a good tester to give things a last minute dry run as firedance says. From what I read about it before you should be careful and and disciplined with the pace, it's close enough to the marathon that you don't want to run your race on the wrong day at the wrong race, so to speak. Plenty of time anyway to see how you're feeling closer!

Mrs Mc · 28-05-2015 06:45PM

laura_ac3 wrote: »

I didn't do it but it sounds like a good tester to give things a last minute dry run as firedance says. From what I read about it before you should be careful and and disciplined with the pace, it's close enough to the marathon that you don't want to run your race on the wrong day at the wrong race, so to speak. Plenty of time anyway to see how you're feeling closer!

Thanks Laura afraid it my frighten me out of doing Dublin !! But one step at a time I guess.

yaboya1 · 28-05-2015 08:00PM

Whatever you do, don't race it!
That's what I did three weeks out in 2010. Pretty sure I left my marathon out there as well as causing a hamstring injury.
Tough course.

Mrs Mc · 28-05-2015 08:26PM

yaboya1 wrote: »

Whatever you do, don't race it!
That's what I did three weeks out in 2010. Pretty sure I left my marathon out there as well as causing a hamstring injury.
Tough course.

Thanks P will consider it very carefully so.

FBOT01 · 28-05-2015 08:30PM

yaboya1 wrote: »

Whatever you do, don't race it!
That's what I did three weeks out in 2010. Pretty sure I left my marathon out there as well as causing a hamstring injury.
Tough course.

That was before you saw the light and used to race everything including all your training session :P

I have no recollection of it being a tough course but do remember it as a very enjoyable long run. Anyway I don't think anyone on here should be worrying about it too much at this stage. Just enjoy the last few weeks of base building before the games begin

Emsy 1 · 28-05-2015 10:22PM

I'm looking to start taking some vitamins or supplements. Singers post made me think about it as I also had pleurisy last year deffo don't want that again ( hurts like hell). Any suggestions..?

Alan30 · 29-05-2015 04:05AM

FBOT01 wrote: »

That was before you saw the light and used to race everything including all your training session :P

I have no recollection of it being a tough course but do remember it as a very enjoyable long run. Anyway I don't think anyone on here should be worrying about it too much at this stage. Just enjoy the last few weeks of base building before the games begin

I ran this last year and definitely ran it to fast, for me, finishing in 3:07. I was thinking i was on good time for a 4:10 or so marathon but I don`t think i fully recovered from it and had a disaster in October. Its a nice course but with a massive hill about 2 mile from the finish which seems to go on forever.

chrislad · 29-05-2015 09:35AM

What are good alternatives to energy gels? I really just can't get on with them, and while I've not needed them for the half marathon distance, the full is a different beast. Currently, I just have Lucozade Sport for the 10 mile plus runs.

adrian522 · 29-05-2015 10:00AM

It's a very interesting debate and there is a school of thought that you don't necessarily need to take anything. If you want to take on additional carbs though, sports drink is a good idea and may be easier to take on than gels.

They give out lucozade sport at various points in the marathon so you wouldn't need to carry anything. Some people go old school and eat proper food such as bananas or whatever.

Also you can look to Jelly baby's, basically anything that will be easy to carry and easy to digest.

Most important thing is to practice whatever you plan to take in the race during training. You have a lot of time so practice with a few different things to see what works for you.

adrian522 · 29-05-2015 10:19AM

Emsy 1 wrote: »

I'm looking to start taking some vitamins or supplements. Singers post made me think about it as I also had pleurisy last year deffo don't want that again ( hurts like hell). Any suggestions..?

Hi,

Personally, I think you should only be taking supplements if something is lacking in your diet. For example if you don't get enough of a particular mineral or vitiman you could take a supplement for that.

I've read elsewhere that it could have a negative affect to take additional supplements where they are not needed (not sure where I read this though),

Basically I think it is much better to get this from real food rather than relying on supplements. For example I'd much prefer to get protein from additional meat/eggs/dairy in my diet than taking some protein powder every day. IF you were vegan for example you may want to look into that but in general I would look to improving your diet rather than adding supplements unless you know you are lacking in some area.

That's just my opinion though and I'm sure other will have different ideas.

KingMambo26 · 29-05-2015 10:25AM

If I remember correctly last year there were only two Lucozade stations en route so don't rely on that. I had my OH to make small parcels of Natural Confectionary Dinosaurs wrapped in cling film and hand them over to me at a couple of points along the course so that I wouldn't have to carry them with me all the time (she's great I know).

An alternative to gels could be GU chews or something similar.

adrian522 · 29-05-2015 10:29AM

There were 4 lucozade sports points on last years course. 9.5 Miles/13 Miles/19 Miles/22 Miles. I didn't make use of them but it is certainly an option.

saucyjack · 29-05-2015 10:31AM

adrian522 wrote: »

Some people go old school and eat proper food such as bananas or whatever.

Most important thing is to practice whatever you plan to take in the race during training.

...and you're guaranteed some spectators will be handing bananas to any runners who want them from half-way onward...if memory serves Crumlin Rd to Terenure has lots of banana donors....bless them.

Clearlier · 29-05-2015 10:35AM

adrian522 wrote: »

Hi,

Personally, I think you should only be taking supplements if something is lacking in your diet. For example if you don't get enough of a particular mineral or vitiman you could take a supplement for that.

I've read elsewhere that it could have a negative affect to take additional supplements where they are not needed (not sure where I read this though),

Basically I think it is much better to get this from real food rather than relying on supplements. For example I'd much prefer to get protein from additional meat/eggs/dairy in my diet than taking some protein powder every day. IF you were vegan for example you may want to look into that but in general I would look to improving your diet rather than adding supplements unless you know you are lacking in some area.

That's just my opinion though and I'm sure other will have different ideas.

Real whole (processed as little as possible) food as Adrian says is the way to go.

There are risks to supplementation. Disclaimer: I'm not a chemist or a nutritionist - this is just intended to give an idea of the dangers of random supplementation.

In extreme cases (polar explorers eating polar bear liver which has massive amounts of vitamin A) you can die as supplements which are fat soluble will be stored in the body. Water soluble ones such as Vitamin C tend not to give too much trouble although they can cause intestinal distress. Also, some minerals are antagonists (e.g. copper and zinc) which means that you need to keep them in balance so if you supplement with one but not the other then you can cause health problems. I would supplement only if there's a definite indication that it's required. The classic one is high mileage female runners with heavy periods being iron deficient but there's no guarantee and you absolutely should not take iron supplements (antagonist with zinc IIRC) unless your doctor/qualified healthcare professional has conducted a blood test and told you how much to supplement by.

As an aside IIRC vegans need to supplement with B12 as it's not available in a vegan diet but I expect that most vegans would be aware of this already.

Clearlier · 29-05-2015 10:40AM

saucyjack wrote: »

...and you're guaranteed some spectators will be handing bananas to any runners who want them from half-way onward...if memory serves Crumlin Rd to Terenure has lots of banana donors....bless them.

Sweets too, lots of people with jellies, chocolate and anything else that they can think of. They were a lifesaver for me in the first marathon as I failed to pick up two gels from somebody at the halfway point, wasn't able to stomach the gels provided by the race and started to bonk. The ones that were so chewy they caused my teeth to stick together were a little unfortunate though! Spectators at DCM are great in supporting you - the kids absolutely love handing things out and you'll see people who have obviously made a trip to the cash and carry to buy things for runners. It really is amazing.

Emsy 1 · 29-05-2015 12:06PM

Thanks for the sound advice guys. I will be bringing a sports drink on my Lsr from now on. This marathons sounding better by the second with all these goodies ðŸ˜‰

Dow99 · 29-05-2015 12:46PM

Folks,
Has there been a spreadsheet posted yet (like with the previous few years) where we can keep track of our mileage training programs ect?

I'm following the 22 week program that was in this months Irish Runners Mag. Anyone else following this?

Kennyg71 · 29-05-2015 01:21PM

Dow99 wrote: »

Folks,
Has there been a spreadsheet posted yet (like with the previous few years) where we can keep track of our mileage training programs ect?

I'm following the 22 week program that was in this months Irish Runners Mag. Anyone else following this?

It's David Carey plan & he has guided a few Hundred people on it over
last few years, was looking at it my self but will start week late.
I think as all who recommended it said, stick to the plan & be consistent.

HelenAnne · 29-05-2015 01:53PM

Clearlier wrote: »

Sweets too, lots of people with jellies, chocolate and anything else that they can think of. They were a lifesaver for me in the first marathon as I failed to pick up two gels from somebody at the halfway point, wasn't able to stomach the gels provided by the race and started to bonk. The ones that were so chewy they caused my teeth to stick together were a little unfortunate though! Spectators at DCM are great in supporting you - the kids absolutely love handing things out and you'll see people who have obviously made a trip to the cash and carry to buy things for runners. It really is amazing.

My mum said she ate most of the jellies herself waiting for me and my husband to pass her when she was watching DCM. She did hand loads out, but she said she got nervous wondering where I was (running slower and slower from mile 19 on is where I was

) and ate them to calm herself

.

Firedance · 29-05-2015 02:00PM

Clearlier wrote: »

Sweets too, lots of people with jellies, chocolate and anything else that they can think of. They were a lifesaver for me in the first marathon as I failed to pick up two gels from somebody at the halfway point, wasn't able to stomach the gels provided by the race and started to bonk. The ones that were so chewy they caused my teeth to stick together were a little unfortunate though! Spectators at DCM are great in supporting you - the kids absolutely love handing things out and you'll see people who have obviously made a trip to the cash and carry to buy things for runners. It really is amazing.

don't forget the golden rule though, never do/wear/eat anything on race day that you haven't tried in training :-)

Clearlier · 29-05-2015 02:02PM

Firedance wrote: »

don't forget the golden rule though, never do/wear/eat anything on race day that you haven't tried in training :-)

There's not a sweet or chocolate in Ireland that I haven't eaten before. Eating sweets is part of training isn't it? :pac:

chrislad · 29-05-2015 02:04PM

I especially like the jelly tots option. Nyom!!!!

Firedance · 29-05-2015 02:07PM

Clearlier wrote: »

There's not a sweet or chocolate in Ireland that I haven't eaten before. Eating sweets is part of training isn't it? :pac:

me too (unfortunately!) but for those of us with a delicate constitution eating while running can have... em 'consequences'

RonanP77 · 29-05-2015 02:27PM

Firedance wrote:

me too (unfortunately!) but for those of us with a delicate constitution eating while running can have... em 'consequences'

What does someone actually do in a situation like that?

frash · 29-05-2015 02:34PM

RonanP77 wrote: »

What does someone actually do in a situation like that?

Never do a Google image search for "runners trots"

This Fat Girl Runs · 29-05-2015 02:54PM

I ran a 5 mile race once and saw some kids handing out jelly beans. I always regretted not taking any as they looked so excited to be able to hand them out.

I think I'm going to train with some jelly beans, just so I can take a few during the marathon. It's for the kids, you know?

BullBauld · 29-05-2015 03:06PM

Clearlier wrote: »

Sweets too, lots of people with jellies, chocolate and anything else that they can think of. They were a lifesaver for me in the first marathon as I failed to pick up two gels from somebody at the halfway point, wasn't able to stomach the gels provided by the race and started to bonk. The ones that were so chewy they caused my teeth to stick together were a little unfortunate though! Spectators at DCM are great in supporting you - the kids absolutely love handing things out and you'll see people who have obviously made a trip to the cash and carry to buy things for runners. It really is amazing.

This is one of the things I'm looking forward to the most in Dublin.

I ran my first marathon in Limerick a few weeks ago and while the people who were out supporting were great and very much appreciated, the race for a lot of it was a lonely one. Long stretches where there was no one, through industrial estates etc. Was tough going.

Everyone raves about the support in Dublin....can't wait to experience it

Notwork Error · 29-05-2015 03:34PM

chrislad wrote: »

I especially like the jelly tots option. Nyom!!!!

Spoilt if you get your hands on jelly tots! During my first marathon, I was coming up to about 23 miles and there was a few kids with a little table and small garden chairs on the side of the road handing out and I kid you not, buttered toast!:D Didn't take them up on the offer but it gave me a good laugh and boost when I needed it.:)

DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

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