DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

This Fat Girl Runs · 29-08-2015 10:35AM

I scared myself silly last night, dreaming about the marathon! First I dreamt there were weird shenanigans at the start (I won't even attempt to describe that!) and then I ended up running the wrong way and into a shopping mall (which was also weird because people were lined up in the mall, cheering as if it were the real route) and when I discovered my mistake I tried to turn back to get back to the right route only I got lost and never did find the marathon route again.

Anyone care to interpret? :P

eyeball kid · 29-08-2015 11:21AM

Well that was a bit of a disaster. Out for the 19mile lsr this morning. Out at 8. Lovely morning for it and was feeling great but after 13km I started noticing pains in my right lower calf/Achilles area. By the 15km I had to stop. I tried stretching it out and moving my foot around in circular motions. This helped for a bit. Was able to do another 3km stopping every once in a while. Had to walk then after that because it was too sore.

Brought some change so I'd be able to ring my wife but couldn't find a payphone so ended up having to walk the rest of the 3km home Didn't realise how few there are left around these days. Pretty sore by the time I actually got home. Going to rest it and use some ice and maybe some foam rolling. Trying to arrange to see a physio on the Monday.

Hope everyone else lsr goes better!

ZV Yoda · 29-08-2015 12:19PM

Did my 26k (15 mile) LSR this am. Was actually quite apprehensive about it - it was my longest run to date. Had my usual porridge & banana for brekkie & headed out around an hour afterwards. I wore the bottle belt with 375ml water & 375m Lucozade Sport. Brought a handful of jelly babies for good measure (my first time taking any kind of food with me)

Good points:

That's the longest I've ever run
No major injuries (nothing broke or fell off!)
Pace-wise, I averaged 6.08 min/km which is (I think) about the right range for a planned 4:00-4:15(ish) DCM. (OK, it might be few seconds too fast, but I've slowed way down from the 5:20/km I used to do).
Took a couple of jelly babies at 24k & I'm convinced they really did pep me up enough to finish the run.

Things to watch:

I ran a positive split - my last 3km were my slowest. A 17m incline at 23k took it's toll. The oul legs were tired at the end. Not sure I could have gone much further
Stomach was a bit dodgy from 10-12k
Got a stitch around 18-20k
From 12 or 13km, I had a niggling pain in the top of my right foot. Not sure what's causing it. The only time I've felt it is when I go beyond around 12k. It could possibly be thanks to the new runners I've been wearing for the past 3 weeks. It's fine now. Something to watch I suppose.

Delighted I completed it. For someone who only has only been running for about 18 months, never in a million years did I think that I'd be able to run 15 miles in my mid-forties.

Still, it was a big reality check for me. I now realise that 26 miles really is a big deal. I might have been getting secretly complacent with the PBs this year, but I'm in no doubt that DCM is by no means a done deal for me.

Finally (I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing) I beat my HM PB by 6 mins on today's lsr. I didn't even realise it.

Am I in big trouble?

nop98 · 29-08-2015 12:32PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Nop, by any little chance, is the really steep hill strathmore road? I'm probably going the wrong direction or something but it's a road that bloody kills me and I end up having to walk up it when I run that route!

Going to head out shortly for a run, not sure of how much of a run yet, will see how I feel during

Hey whoopsa, no, not Strathmore Road, although that one hurts too! On the LSRs I'm trying to stay away from roads that are too steep just to preserve some energy!

Yesterday I ran over the M50 bridge near Lehaunstown. Coming from Cabinteely, it's a gradual climb, first past the Luas stop, the ancient crosses and church, and then this insane bridge which is very steep and nearly always defeats me.

[rant]
It's a lovely route to run, if only some folks wouldn't decide to use it as a dump for their garden / building / household waste. :mad:
[rant over]

See a picture here from the bridge above:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6104449448_a0a09197c1.jpg

Good luck with your run!

ratracer · 29-08-2015 12:36PM

So I ran 25km..... woohoo for me, I have never done that before!!! I needed to get this run done before work today, so off I went at 5.50am. It was still dark at the time and running out the country meant I had to bring the head torch with me, even though I'd only need it for the first 5 or so. The kids decided to demolish my water bottles, so after a banana and a drink of water it was time to run! I'm delighted how the run went, an increase on my LSR pace but I was running mostly by feel, ie slowing down if I was out of conversation pace!! I used to say talking to oneself was a sign of madness, now I'm answering myself back!!

The run went well, I'm not a morning bird for training at all, but running with the sun coming up (between the showers) was lovely. I had no water with me, intending to buy some if needed. I had a hi five isogel at 15km and eventually came to a water tap at the Salthill prom at 21km. Weather was in my favour from that point of view, I didn't feel the need for water at all. I'm delighted that I was able to finish feeling strong. I find the long runs more mentally than physically challenging, but after today I have no doubt the plan is working!!
Can we do it --- Yes we can!!

FBOT01 · 29-08-2015 12:46PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

I scared myself silly last night, dreaming about the marathon! First I dreamt there were weird shenanigans at the start (I won't even attempt to describe that!) and then I ended up running the wrong way and into a shopping mall (which was also weird because people were lined up in the mall, cheering as if it were the real route) and when I discovered my mistake I tried to turn back to get back to the right route only I got lost and never did find the marathon route again.

Anyone care to interpret? :P

I am not sure about interpreting but I would pass on the "one for the road" in future if I was you:)

FBOT01 · 29-08-2015 12:52PM

eyeball kid wrote: »

Well that was a bit of a disaster. Out for the 19mile lsr this morning. Out at 8. Lovely morning for it and was feeling great but after 13km I started noticing pains in my right lower calf/Achilles area. By the 15km I had to stop. I tried stretching it out and moving my foot around in circular motions. This helped for a bit. Was able to do another 3km stopping every once in a while. Had to walk then after that because it was too sore.

Brought some change so I'd be able to ring my wife but couldn't find a payphone so ended up having to walk the rest of the 3km home Didn't realise how few there are left around these days. Pretty sore by the time I actually got home. Going to rest it and use some ice and maybe some foam rolling. Trying to arrange to see a physio on the Monday.

Hope everyone else lsr goes better!

That's a bummer. Hope it is nothing too serious. If it is tender too the touch I would let any inflammation die down before rolling it. Worth getting it checked.

Is this the first time you have had this problem? what did your last week's running look like? What was your previous longest run and when was it? What pace did you run the first 13 km at?

eyeball kid · 29-08-2015 01:02PM

FBOT01 wrote: »

That's a bummer. Hope it is nothing too serious. If it is tender too the touch I would let any inflammation die down before rolling it. Worth getting it checked.

Is this the first time you have had this problem? what did your last week's running look like? What was your previous longest run and when was it? What pace did you run the first 13 km at?

I had a problem with my calf about 5 or 6 weeks ago but it was higher up the leg than today and felt different. Last week I did 12km, 6.5km and 7km generally at easy pace. On hindsight it was probably felt a little tight during these runs but I didn't think too much of it.

Previous longest run was 17 miles 2 weeks ago. No sign of any issue then. Pace today was roughly 6:25 mins per km. Thats a bit slower than my previous lsr's.

Chops1234 · 29-08-2015 01:04PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

I scared myself silly last night, dreaming about the marathon! First I dreamt there were weird shenanigans at the start (I won't even attempt to describe that!) and then I ended up running the wrong way and into a shopping mall (which was also weird because people were lined up in the mall, cheering as if it were the real route) and when I discovered my mistake I tried to turn back to get back to the right route only I got lost and never did find the marathon route again.

Anyone care to interpret? :P

That's as weird as the one I had a while back. Got to the start and the officials put me with a group of first timers and said "you'll have to take a bus to a drop off point as no way will you be able to complete this first time" I was disgusted! I said "eh well I'm not planning on doing it again so I have to do it now!" Wasn't allowed and had to get on the bus. Was dropped somewhere along the route but there was no one cheering and I didn't know which way to go. Was absolutely freaked hahaha

Chops1234 · 29-08-2015 01:10PM

15 mile LSR completed this morning. Average pace 11:34. Lots of people out running along Clontarf. Lovely morning for it - although there wasn't much shelter from the sun. Delighted with myself as that's my longest run yet. It went well. Found the last couple of miles tough with the heat so I'm hoping for no sun in October :-)

Good luck to everyone with their LSR's this weekend.

FBOT01 · 29-08-2015 01:14PM

ZV Yoda wrote: »

Did my 26k (15 mile) LSR this am. Was actually quite apprehensive about it - it was my longest run to date. Had my usual porridge & banana for brekkie & headed out around an hour afterwards. I wore the bottle belt with 375ml water & 375m Lucozade Sport. Brought a handful of jelly babies for good measure (my first time taking any kind of food with me)

Good points:
That's the longest I've ever run

No major injuries (nothing broke or fell off!)

Pace-wise, I averaged 6.08 min/km which is (I think) about the right range for a planned 4:00-4:15(ish) DCM. (OK, it might be few seconds too fast, but I've slowed way down from the 5:20/km I used to do).

Took a couple of jelly babies at 24k & I'm convinced they really did pep me up enough to finish the run.

Things to watch:
I ran a positive split - my last 3km were my slowest. A 17m incline at 23k took it's toll. The oul legs were tired at the end. Not sure I could have gone much further

Stomach was a bit dodgy from 10-12k

Got a stitch around 18-20k

From 12 or 13km, I had a niggling pain in the top of my right foot. Not sure what's causing it. The only time I've felt it is when I go beyond around 12k. It could possibly be thanks to the new runners I've been wearing for the past 3 weeks. It's fine now. Something to watch I suppose.

Delighted I completed it. For someone who only has only been running for about 18 months, never in a million years did I think that I'd be able to run 15 miles in my mid-forties.

Still, it was a big reality check for me. I now realise that 26 miles really is a big deal. I might have been getting secretly complacent with the PBs this year, but I'm in no doubt that DCM is by no means a done deal for me.

Finally (I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing) I beat my HM PB by 6 mins on today's lsr. I didn't even realise it.

Am I in big trouble?

ratracer wrote: »

So I ran 25km..... woohoo for me, I have never done that before!!! I needed to get this run done before work today, so off I went at 5.50am. It was still dark at the time and running out the country meant I had to bring the head torch with me, even though I'd only need it for the first 5 or so. The kids decided to demolish my water bottles, so after a banana and a drink of water it was time to run! I'm delighted how the run went, an increase on my LSR pace but I was running mostly by feel, ie slowing down if I was out of conversation pace!! I used to say talking to oneself was a sign of madness, now I'm answering myself back!!

The run went well, I'm not a morning bird for training at all, but running with the sun coming up (between the showers) was lovely. I had no water with me, intending to buy some if needed. I had a hi five isogel at 15km and eventually came to a water tap at the Salthill prom at 21km. Weather was in my favour from that point of view, I didn't feel the need for water at all. I'm delighted that I was able to finish feeling strong. I find the long runs more mentally than physically challenging, but after today I have no doubt the plan is working!!
Can we do it --- Yes we can!!

Chops1234 wrote: »

15 mile LSR completed this morning. Average pace 11:34. Lots of people out running along Clontarf. Lovely morning for it - although there wasn't much shelter from the sun. Delighted with myself as that's my longest run yet. It went well. Found the last couple of miles tough with the heat so I'm hoping for no sun in October :-)

Good luck to everyone with their LSR's this weekend.

Well done Folks. Good work....off to the Aviva so will let someone else do the analysis

COME ON IRELAND...and let's not forget tomorrow UP THE DUBS!!!!

chrislad · 29-08-2015 01:45PM

Just finished my 19 mile. The first 15 miles were grand. I started feeling really queasy then to the point where I swore I was about to vomit. I kept going but pace dipped from the 11:10 or so i was holding as low as 13 mins. It started bucketing on my last mile which was fantastic as it seemed to perk me up. Could over heating be the cause as I was drenched in sweat?!

Singer · 29-08-2015 02:33PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

I scared myself silly last night, dreaming about the marathon! First I dreamt there were weird shenanigans at the start (I won't even attempt to describe that!) and then I ended up running the wrong way and into a shopping mall (which was also weird because people were lined up in the mall, cheering as if it were the real route) and when I discovered my mistake I tried to turn back to get back to the right route only I got lost and never did find the marathon route again.

Anyone care to interpret? :P

I've had a couple of dreams along the lines of "I've missed the start". A change from the usual showing up to Leaving Cert English and not knowing any of the material.

Firedance · 29-08-2015 02:42PM

well done all on the long runs today, keep em coming. Its fantastic to be running those distances for the first time and learning lots in the process

it was hot out there again today too & hopefully no one got toooo soaked in some of the downpours!

Singer · 29-08-2015 02:44PM

In from 20.1 miles at 8'40 average pace. Ran the famous "Swords to the zoo and back" route, overlapping with the marathon route for a short period on the NCR and Phoenix Park. It started raining at the airport on the way back, which was very nice at the time! No real pain or particular difficulty throughout, it was tough but it felt a good bit easier than my first 20 miler (and was 29 seconds / mile faster!). I only brought two bottles of water (one with an electrolyte tablet)... though I did scoff a bunch of jellies when I came back home and just demolished some French Toast.

Splits:
8'46, 8'42, 8'58, 9'05, 9'08, 8'59, 8'35, 8'29, 8'59, 8'19, 8'28, 8'32, 8'41, 8'44, 8'31, 8'44, 8'23, 8'20, 8'20 8'19

diego_b · 29-08-2015 02:45PM

19 mile LSR (avg pace 10:20min/mi) completed this morning in London, very happy with how it went but the last 2 miles were a real slog. Lots of talking to myself! Will done a full detailed report later....I'm going to Five Guys now for a burger.

Bungy Girl · 29-08-2015 02:59PM

Singer wrote: »

In from 20.1 miles at 8'40 average pace. Ran the famous "Swords to the zoo and back" route, overlapping with the marathon route for a short period on the NCR and Phoenix Park. It started raining at the airport on the way back, which was very nice at the time! No real pain or particular difficulty throughout, it was tough but it felt a good bit easier than my first 20 miler (and was 29 seconds / mile faster!). I only brought two bottles of water (one with an electrolyte tablet)... though I did scoff a bunch of jellies when I came back home and just demolished some French Toast.

Splits:
8'46, 8'42, 8'58, 9'05, 9'08, 8'59, 8'35, 8'29, 8'59, 8'19, 8'28, 8'32, 8'41, 8'44, 8'31, 8'44, 8'23, 8'20, 8'20 8'19

Well done Singer, but you might be in trouble with Dubgal when she sees those splits

Bungy Girl · 29-08-2015 03:03PM

chrislad wrote: »

Just finished my 19 mile. The first 15 miles were grand. I started feeling really queasy then to the point where I swore I was about to vomit. I kept going but pace dipped from the 11:10 or so i was holding as low as 13 mins. It started bucketing on my last mile which was fantastic as it seemed to perk me up. Could over heating be the cause as I was drenched in sweat?!

Could be overheating, could be insufficient fuelling (did you have a good breakfast ? take on calories during the run ?) or could be just as simple as weariness from the tackling that distance for the first time. How are you feeling now ?

chrislad · 29-08-2015 03:16PM

Bungy Girl wrote: »

Could be overheating, could be insufficient fuelling (did you have a good breakfast ? take on calories during the run ?) or could be just as simple as weariness from the tackling that distance for the first time. How are you feeling now ?

I had porridge and a banana before going out. I also had some jelly tots, in place of gels during the run, along with water/lucozade sport - I probably went through 800ml of water, and 300ml of Lucozade sport over the 19 miles. I do think the latter is a possibility - I drove up to Ikea last night and back down again, and it was close to 12am when I got to bed - I did leave the run until a bit later, but I definitely didn't eat as well as I normally do yesterday due to the rushing around and driving.

I feel fine now. A bit stiff, but nothing unexpected. I felt fairly good, considering, 5 mins after finishing up.

Bungy Girl · 29-08-2015 03:24PM

chrislad wrote: »

I had porridge and a banana before going out. I also had some jelly tots, in place of gels during the run, along with water/lucozade sport - I probably went through 800ml of water, and 300ml of Lucozade sport over the 19 miles. I do think the latter is a possibility - I drove up to Ikea last night and back down again, and it was close to 12am when I got to bed - I did leave the run until a bit later, but I definitely didn't eat as well as I normally do yesterday due to the rushing around and driving.

I feel fine now. A bit stiff, but nothing unexpected. I felt fairly good, considering, 5 mins after finishing up.

Try to take it easy today (let someone else put the IKEA furniture together!) and get an early night. Plenty of water and good food today along with rest should sort you out I'd imagine. Sometimes the body complains like that the first time you attempt a particular distance. The fact that you got through the first 15 miles with ease should give you plenty of confidence!

annapr · 29-08-2015 03:28PM

Singer wrote: »

In from 20.1 miles at 8'40 average pace. Ran the famous "Swords to the zoo and back" route, overlapping with the marathon route for a short period on the NCR and Phoenix Park. It started raining at the airport on the way back, which was very nice at the time! No real pain or particular difficulty throughout, it was tough but it felt a good bit easier than my first 20 miler (and was 29 seconds / mile faster!). I only brought two bottles of water (one with an electrolyte tablet)... though I did scoff a bunch of jellies when I came back home and just demolished some French Toast.

Splits:
8'46, 8'42, 8'58, 9'05, 9'08, 8'59, 8'35, 8'29, 8'59, 8'19, 8'28, 8'32, 8'41, 8'44, 8'31, 8'44, 8'23, 8'20, 8'20 8'19

I see you're really taking the 'slow down' message to heart... :eek:

nop98 · 29-08-2015 03:32PM

chrislad wrote: »

Just finished my 19 mile. The first 15 miles were grand. I started feeling really queasy then to the point where I swore I was about to vomit. I kept going but pace dipped from the 11:10 or so i was holding as low as 13 mins. It started bucketing on my last mile which was fantastic as it seemed to perk me up. Could over heating be the cause as I was drenched in sweat?!

I felt very queasy AFTER the 19M run, in fact still do a little. Feels like car-sickness. I wonder if it's the excess of unwanted by-products in your system due to such prolonged exercise.

I have no idea what I'm talking about, obviously, but I once saw a documentary about elite athletes, and it was stated that the amount of lactic acids in their body after a particular hard work-out would kill a small horse.

Anyway, hope you feel better soon.

chrislad · 29-08-2015 03:51PM

nop98 wrote: »

I felt very queasy AFTER the 19M run, in fact still do a little. Feels like car-sickness. I wonder if it's the excess of unwanted by-products in your system due to such prolonged exercise.

I have no idea what I'm talking about, obviously, but I once saw a documentary about elite athletes, and it was stated that the amount of lactic acids in their body after a particular hard work-out would kill a small horse.

Anyway, hope you feel better soon.

Exactly what it felt like! I know the body can't cope with a lot of sugar at once, but I barely got through one bag of jelly tots so it wasn't that. The Lucozade sport was a fairly small amount and it was alternated with the water.

I feel grand now. I'm just going to chalk it down to a combination of general training fatigue and poor diet yesterday coupled with the late night. No assembly from ikea today as its been delivered on Monday. We filled two trollies so I'm dreading that.

TheBazman · 29-08-2015 04:08PM

Did the Tullamore Half Marathon today as I wanted to do a half in August rather than the SSE in Sept. It was a real lesson for me. My pb was 1.41 on a tough course on the Aran Islands and given that Tullamore is fairly flat I had hoped to get a little inside that.

However...the heat was unbelievable. I've never felt so exhausted even from around half way. Talking to a few at the end and it seemed as if everyone struggled. Even quite a few people out on the road stopped stretching, walking etc.

I finished at 1.42.50 so almost 2 minutes outside my pb, but being honest the way I felt towards the end I'm actually happy with that. I was on target until around 12 or 13k but really struggled after that. It's funny that all you need is to pick up the pace by around 10 seconds/km but it just wasnt possible - the tank was empty.

So anyway - to the learnings for the DCM. The calculator would suggest that my marathon time is around 3.35. Ignore this! I have myself down to target 4 hours but in the back of my head I'm thinking that if I have a good day I could get close to 3.45...Ignore this!. My approach is normally to go out a little fast to build up a buffer for when I tire near the end. Ignore this!

If I am targeting 4 hours, then I need to genuinely pace myself for this. I do not want to be in agony and having to walk in the second half because I went out too fast. The other thing is that if the day is warm (like last year I guess) then stick another 15mins on to my target time. The heat will take that much out of you.

So in once sense while today was a struggle - I think it will genuinely benefit me by helping me to be a lot more realistic for the DCM.

Emsy 1 · 29-08-2015 04:54PM

Well done on all the lsr's today. I did 15m at 9.30 this morning my longest run yet and I'm still alive yahoo... I had a bowl of porridge and a cuppa tea about an hour and half before heading out. I found the first 3 miles hard going I was on a back road with lots of ups and downs then realised it was a dead end so got a bit lost but it all turned out good. I had an isogel at the half way mark and ate 3 jelly babies between there and the end and I felt they gave me a boost (probably all in my head). Sipped away at water from 3miles on. My shoulder was really sore from 3miles on the pain came and went for the whole run. Going to try get a physio appt this week. I felt good at the end last half mile was all up hill and felt I could have run on so was happy with that. I was starving when I finished so I might add in a bannana with the porridge next week.

Best of luck to everyone who still has there long run ahead of them.

Toulouse · 29-08-2015 05:01PM

diego_b wrote: »

I'm going to Five Guys now for a burger.

So jealous!

Mrs Mc · 29-08-2015 05:03PM

Well done to everyone hitting those LSR targets this weekend. LSR for me tomorrow but today was 1 mile slow 3 miles fast and 1 miles slow. I'd had a bad week with my calves but momentarily forgot this after hearing there was potential for a 26 min pacer at St Anne's park run today and with my pb at 26.12 this was very tempting. When I asked the hubby his thoughts about going for this he reminded me of my week and reminded me of the mantra on boards ' keep the main plan the main plan'! So for me while I would have loved to have gone for it I decided my main plan was my 16 mile LSR tomorrow. So had a lovely fast run on the St Anne's park run but watching pace posture and niggles repeating the mantra even shouted out to FBOT and Bungy at the half way mark 'keeping the main plan the main plan ' !!! Kennyg and PJD were also keeping the main plan the main plan chattering like a couple of women around the course ! Enjoyed coffee with the park runners afterwards. Hopefully all goes well for LSR tomorrow. smiley70 is up visiting the big smoke this weekend so joining me for the LSR tomorrow.

denis b · 29-08-2015 05:08PM

Eyeball kid..... hope you recover over the next day or so. RICE

Got my 19m LSR in this morning running most of the DCM route. Strange but it is becoming less intimidating each time I run a section and particularly sections that have a bad press. Good for the confidence at this stage.

I started out just after 8.15 and finished the LSR with a 6.08/km pace which was just a little faster than I had intended. I didnt use the watch and tried to run by feel and was surprised at how even the splits were afterwards. One thing I have noticed is that when I run into a headwind/up a moderate hill, I tend to accelerate. Copped it today and relaxed. I think that it is a tension response to an anticipated increase in workload.

I have used gels on a few longer runs last year and am happy with my choice. I have run all of my LSR's without taking anything on board (except water) to try and stimulate greater use of fat reserves. I have a natural headstart in this department. Will use gels on last one or two LSR's......... any advice on whether this is a reasonable approach?

Was pretty tired after todays run and felt as though last saturdays FD miles were still in the legs. I had been tempted to increase the mileage from the Boards Plan this week but was stopped in my tracks by a well timed warning on this thread not to. Can appreciate the value of the warning after todays run. It was more than enough to just get through the week. Went for a lie down after the run and got some decent food into me. Feel great now and have recovered well.

ZV.... really inspired by your post today. How right you are. Great progress and worth noting.

denis b · 29-08-2015 05:10PM

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Well done to everyone hitting those LSR targets this weekend. LSR for me tomorrow but today was 1 mile slow 3 miles fast and 1 miles slow. I'd had a bad week with my calves but momentarily forgot this after hearing there was potential for a 26 min pacer at St Anne's park run today and with my pb at 26.12 this was very tempting. When I asked the hubby his thoughts about going for this he reminded me of my week and reminded me of the mantra on boards ' keep the main plan the main plan'! So for me while I would have loved to have gone for it I decided my main plan was my 16 mile LSR tomorrow. So had a lovely fast run on the St Anne's park run but watching pace posture and niggles repeating the mantra even shouted out to FBOT and Bungy at the half way mark 'keeping the main plan the main plan ' !!! Kennyg and PJD were also keeping the main plan the main plan chattering like a couple of women around the course ! Enjoyed coffee with the park runners afterwards. Hopefully all goes well for LSR tomorrow. smiley70 is up visiting the big smoke this weekend so joining me for the LSR tomorrow.

Dont worry.... you will be looking for the 25 minute pacer by the time we get through all this!!!

Toulouse · 29-08-2015 05:21PM

Did my 15 mile LSR this morning. Came home to Laois to do it. I know I said I wouldn't but my Dublin lifeline is away this weekend and the last time I went running on my own in SCD I got very lost. Over dinner last night my Mum asked how far I had to run. I said '15 miles' and my Dad just raised his head, raised an eyebrow and said 'Ballyroan?'. 'Yes' I said, 'Ballyroan'.

Got up at 7 for the usual big bowl of porridge, chia and banana. Walked the dogs and then had a cuppa. Also had a couple of pints of water.

Left the house just before 9.30am. I was feeling a little apprehensive for some reason, perhaps it was the thoughts of running to Ballyroan!

I had set my pace to 11:35 but took a couple of miles to even get anywhere near that.

It was fairly uneventful, no cows and only one dog who wasn't that angry. I had one pit-stop at 5.5 miles (too much water this morning!!). God was it tough going though. I didn't stash or carry any water and I only had one gel on me. I did bring a tenner for emergencies but I didn't really get thirsty until 13 miles and the only shop was back at 10 miles. I got really hungry at 8.5 miles so I took the gel and then after that all I could think about was food. I was surprised as I ate all around me last night and had a good breakfast.

Splits were:
12:15
11:51
11:43
11:29
11:30
10:57
11:28
11:32
11:28
11:46
11:34
11:31
11:15
11:18
10:52

which gives 15 miles at a 11:30min/mi average. Pretty happy with the consistency, I wasn't paying that much attention to the watch after the first couple of miles as in my mind it was just about getting it done. At about 13 miles I felt that if I stopped I wouldn't get going again. Didn't quite make it to Ballyroan, reckon it was about another mile down the road.

Calf is fine but I have a blister on the top of my second toe on my right foot. I know there's been a lot of talk about blisters but if someone could give me the TL;DR version that would be great. Burst or don't burst, that is the question.

Came home and baked a cake

which I am going to murder later.

DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

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