DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

Peter D61 wrote: »

I made a few mistakes yesterday that messed up my race a bit. I finished at 2:13:03. My second smallest toenail had lifted and bled quite a bit, I can only presume I didnt cut it properly or perhaps I need better socks.

Well done Peter A great race but the best part if that you made your mistakes and have learned from them .... and the rest of us can lean from them too . 2:13 is not too shabby for your first HM either

Ouch on the toenail, are your runners too tight (snug)?

I'll write my report separately but firstly and most importantly: sympathies to the young man's family and friends. I was heart broken to hear the news.

All goes to show that there are way more important things than hitting target times and PBs. If you don't feel good on the day - just try again the next time. Your health is way more important. It has shaken me up because I remember him running passed me and this should be a lessen to us all. We don't know the circumstances but regardless it was a tragic accident - and everyone did their best - no one should feel guilty. The ambulance crew and organisers handled the situation so well.

I remember him passing me out with less than a half mile to go. Absolutely sprinting passed us all. I don't know if he sprinted up the hills but I remember him because I was so shocked at the speed he was going at when everyone else was pulling themselves along and struggling to keep to their regular pace. About a minute later I passed him and assumed it was just another faint (had seen 2/3 along the course) and like you do, you assume they are fine just pushed too hard. I thought to myself poor guy, he must have been trying hard for a PB. This happened very close to the finish which almost makes it seem more tragic. He was almost finished.

Memo - don't feel bad at all. Like the rest of us, you didn't know. I said to a few at the meet up after that I had hoped to thank you and whomever your fellow pace was (sorry can't remember the name?). I was just ahead of you guys and was really struggling the last .5mile or so. You and your fellow pacer were absolutely amazing to keep a very tired and under pressure bunch of people going. You even tried to get a guy who dropped to walking to jump back in with you guys. Absolutely tremendous stuff. I'll speak more about that in my report but I really wanted to make sure you don't feel guilty.

I'm very sorry to hear that some of you witnessed the later stages of the incident when you passed by and that must have been very difficult. Toulouse, I remember you mentioning it after and wanted to apologise as I didn't realise the extent - the scene would have changed dramatically after I passed and again, I didn't realise the extent.



Smashiner - so sorry to hear about your pal too. There was no way you could have known the extent of his drop out so don't feel bad. You checked up on him as soon as you noticed something was amiss. I'm sure he has learned a valuable lesson and thank god there was no permanent damage done. I always carry water with me, even on a 5k! This just reassures me again that you can't be too careful.

They had a wonderful sign at the last water stop saying something like 'HYDRATE NOW - THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE FINISH'

I think perhaps it would be no harm putting up an additional sign at each stop saying something like HYDRATE NOW! Take the water even if you don't feel you need it. Your body is under pressure and needs all the help you can give it.

Sorry to hear about your friend Smashiner, must have been a shock; on the good side sounds as though he is going to be fine.

Neady83 wrote: »

Well done Peter A great race but the best part if that you made your mistakes and have learned from them .... and the rest of us can lean from them too . 2:13 is not too shabby for your first HM either

Ouch on the toenail, are your runners too tight (snug)?

Thanks Neady83, I don't think they are too tight, I got them in amphibian king so I'll pop in there tomorrow and make sure they are not. Might treat myself to a new pair of running socks too. ;-)

Just did a 3k/1.8 mile recovery pace run there. Felt every meter of it! Now to sit back and enjoy the second half on the rugby! Could be the biggest world cup upset since Japan beat South Africa!

Race Report:

Going to try to get this down on paper (so to speak!). First though I'd like to say a massive thanks to Dubgal et al for the incredible job they are doing with us. Thanks to the 2.00 pacers Olwyn and Joe for keeping our spirits up and our legs moving. Also kudos for Whoopsa and TGFR for coming down to support and to TGFR and Dubgal for the delicious flapjacks, I had one of each in the interest of fairness.

Special mention to PJD and Leanne for being my awesome pacers yesterday, I would never have pushed myself as hard as I did had it not been for you guys.

Even though we achieved our goals, it really wasn't the finish that any of us wanted for one of our fellow runners. I can't look back on the day with any joy but the way I see it, he was setting out to do what we are all doing and the race report is an important part of that so I'm going to do it exactly how I would have if things hadn't taken such a bad turn.

Pre-race:
I haven't been feeling the race love since the 5 miler way back in June. So this time I was determined to be as well prepared as possible and to keep my attitude positive in the run up to the race. I got a sports massage on Wednesday as I was concerned about all the niggles I was getting in my left calf. I slept well on Thursday night and I made sure to eat well and hydrate well on Friday. I got myself all organised on Friday evening and was all set for the next day.

Had an awful nights sleep on Friday night. Was really nervous/excited and my heart-rate was up. Dropped off sometime after 12 only to wake at 04:18am. I didn't get back to sleep so lay there until 6:45am and got up for my usual breakfast of porridge, chia seeds and banana. I also had a cup of coffee. I drank less than 1/4 pint of water. I've had issues with needing to pee on LSRs lately so I didn't want to stop today. I pottered around until 9am and then I headed over to the Park. I jogged from my house to the finish line (1.5miles) and it was a gorgeous morning, the mist over the meadow behind the Papal Cross was beautiful and made me smile.

I reached the baggage area at 9:20 ish, stretched and stood around for a bit not wanting to tog off as it was cold. Met FeenaM and we had a chat about our pace strategies. Then I dropped my bag and headed for the loos. After that I met TGFR (thank god for balloons!) and headed to where the 2:00 pacers should have been. Met Mrs Mc and then PJD and Leanne. I hadn't fully settled on a target time as it was my first HM. I really wanted to do sub-2:00 but didn't know if I could. I decided to hang with the pacers for as long as I could and then drop back if needed. At least then I'd know I'd given it my best shot. PJD and Leanne were going for around the same so we decided to stick together. Seemed like forever before they finally let us start but then we were off!

Mile 1 - 3: 9:03, 9:05, 8:47

Kept about 10ish metres from the pacers, to be honest we couldn't have gotten any closer anyway. It wasn't too bad as we were at the start of the wave so there was clear road in front of us. This changed going down the Khyber as the route narrowed. I felt comfortable. Then up the hill at Wellington. I was starting to feel pretty warm around here but still good and we were chatting easily. It was lovely to run as part of a little group. Then past the Zoo. This was a part that I absolutely hated during the 10 mile but it posed no problem this time and we flew out to the North Road. We sped up here and I guessed that the pacers were banking time for the footpath to come after Mountjoy Cross. I remember noting that the pacer balloons were Green which boded well for the Ireland match later.

Mile 4 - 7: 9:01, 9:00, 9:12

Pretty steady here even though there were footpaths. I tried to tuck in as close behind the pacers as I could. Olwyn was feeding us interesting little pieces of info about various areas of the Park as we passed them. It was a nice touch. I hadn't planned on taking water at the station as I normally don't drink during races but it was the little bottles so I decided to take one and I held onto it for the rest of the race, drinkning about 200mls in all. I also nearly came a cropper on a dropped bottle. I took my first Isogel at 4 miles as I was conscious that it would take 15 - 20 mins to digest and seeing as I was going much faster that I normally would, and for longer, the last thing I wanted was to leave it too late and find that my stomach wouldn't accept it. So I took Meno's advice and gelled early. I was still feeling comfortable and was really starting to appreciate that all the training had led to this and that this was proof that I should be trusting my plan. Beat my 5 mile time by 2 mins here. We had also managed to get to Olwyn and we were chatting away about Boards, PJDs sore glute and how to roll it out. I think this is where Frash overheard us talking about Boards and piped up so we all introduced ourselves. Checked in on my form, I was running tall, well able to talk (!) and breathing was good. The view over Chapelizod was breathtaking.

Mile 8 - 11: 9:02, 8:37, 8:42

Took another Isogel at 8 miles and then after we hit Chesterfield we started to pull ahead of the pacers. There were a couple of nice miles heading down the Avenue and PJD sang a little ode to tarmac at 8.8 miles, no more footpaths or cyclepaths left to run. Leanne left us as she was going for a PB and then there were two (Metric Man and Imperial Girl, calling out the various milestones in our respective units of choice). I was still feeling good, still chattering away. I had started to take a Jelly Baby at each mile from 9 on. As we headed out of the Park and onto Conyingham I began to worry that I was going too fast and wouldn't have anything left for the drag that was to come. Conversation started to die a little and I felt like PJD was towing me, I knew he had more left in the tank than me. I told him to go on but he wasn't going to kick until 2km remained and so we held steady.

Mile 12 - 13.22: 9:08, 9:08, 1:41

Suddenly we were turning back into the Park where I recognised a guy who had coached me for my last interview which I had been successful in. I told him as much but of course he had no idea who this red-faced, shouting, demented woman was. Poor guy! He did manage to tell me he'd changed companies though The hill was tough, I managed to maintain pace on it but I wasn't going to be bounding up it any time soon. I can't remember if we were passing people or not, it's all a bit of a blur until we reached a guy telling us there was 1km to go. This went on for about 500m and I told PJD to gooooooooooo! He flew off and I just thought that if I could maintain the pace then I'd achieve my goal. A glance at my watch confirmed this so I just concentrated on keeping my legs moving at the same speed which I did pretty well as you can see

Rounded the last corner where we were herded onto the footpath on the left. I remember thinking it strange and then freaking out about how it would affect my time. But then I saw the ambulance. The girl standing in front looked really shook and I was feeling pretty emotional anyway so I made a conscious effort not to look. I came off the path with a cramp in my foot from the uneven surface but thankfully it disappated quickly. I kept an eye out for anyone cheering for me but nobody did I couldn't feel my face. I lenghtened my stride and crossed the line, elated. Watch said 1:58:06, I'd done it! Immediately had to put my hands on my head to breathe as I thought I was going to pass out.

Walked slowly up to get my t-shirt and medal and met PJD and Leanne. One look at them told me all I needed to know. That casualty was not trivial.
I headed to the pre-arranged flapjack meeting point, had one of each and then went to get my bag. I had a little cry behind my sunglasses on the way and asked the people I normally pray to, to help that poor guy. Met back up with the crowd and met Chrislad, Emsy and Pink11 for the first time. Saw some of the usual suspects which was really great and then had to shoot off to get ready for the Rugby.

I met a lovely girl called Mary on the way home and told her all about our group. She was training on her own so I hope she stops by here. I probably got ready too quickly because I really didn't feel well when I got to the bus-stop and nearly fainted twice on the way to Ryans. Felt better when I got there (and met Meno and Singer) but got my crew to come to me for the first match as I couldn't face getting on another bus.

Drank plenty of water with my beer, led Singer astray and watched Japan beat South Africa before going for cake and coffee (decaf!). Couldn't sleep when I got to bed, still wired I think but finally drifted off after midnight.

Felt fine this morning, no niggles and the calves held up well during the race, no pain at all. Stretched and rolled and did a 40min easy recovery run this morning. Calves and glutes are a bit sore now but will mind them for the next couple of days.

Proud of myself for pushing which probably means that I was being over conservative with the other races but feeling more confident in my 4:30 goal now.

If you've gotten this far then well done, it's a bit waffley so I do apologise.

First HM so PB!
Gun Time: 2:10:15
Watch Time: 1:58:06
Chip Time1: 1:58:07

17 mile LSR done this morning. Things went well but I don't really feel like writing a report. Part of my route took me onto Furze Road. Was thinking about everything that happened yesterday. An emotional day for everyone, for good then tragic reasons.

PJD, Toulouse, I didn't realize how bad things were or how shook up you really were. If I seemed insensitive I'm sorry.

Smashiner, I'm glad you're friend is recovering. That was a real fright for you but thank you for sharing and letting us know what happened. It's a sobering lesson to learn.

One thing Smashiner posted stuck with me...when training I run alone and on some lonely paths too. If anything happened....I've decided to start bringing ID and an emergency contact number with me on my runs. It's something I've thought of before but thought 'sure it'll be grand' so did nothing. That will change.

I can't think of anything else to say.

Edit: Actually, I can. It was really lovely to meet you all and get a chance to talk in person with you. Really helps to have faces to names. I'm glad you liked the flapjacks. It was a pleasure to make them for you. I counted about 24-25 of us after the race, just hanging out. Really brings home the idea that running is a community. I'm glad to be part of this thread/community.

So determined to give you all a very long TL:DR race report. Brace yourselves :cool: (haha!)

Dublin Half Marathon Race Report - September 19th, 2015

Didn't have the best of weeks. Was tired and my running wasn't exactly spectacular. Was nervous and had trouble getting to sleep. I didn't know at the time why I was so nervous for this one.

7am - got up and had breakfast. I've been sticking to eating 3 hours before a race. It works so not going to mess with it. Anything over 10miles = bowl of porridge oats (2 scoops) and a scoop of protein powder with soya milk. I also have half of a smoothie for that something extra. Struggled to eat though with the nerves and didn't finish my porridge!

I missed the LUAS I was aiming for so losing that extra 12 mins or so wasn't ideal. Had to walk rather quickly to the start (didn't bother with the shuttle bus as I have learned from the other races that the brisk walk to the start line from Heuston is a great warm up!).

Got up there at 9:58am :eek:. This wasn't part of the plan. I like to have a few mins to do last minute stretches and get a good spot. Instead I had to dash in. Yikes the crowd at the start was packed. This didn't help my nerves. I did my usual, I always like to run at the side of the paths, so I picked a side and moved over to it.

Seconds to go, time to do a very quick last check -

1.shoelaces tied tightly? Check! (I end up doing this about 5 times before a race starts as my laces opened once in a race and it really killed my stride).
2. Gel is in easy reach? Check!
3. Tissue in easy reach? Check (hayfever has gone but it's a comfort to know I have one on me!)
4. Watch connecting to satellite? Check!? Argh c'mon Garmin! (KingM and TFGR laughed with me after about this, movigin our wrists up into the sky thinking it'll speed up the process :pac::P

I was aiming for 1:49:xx on Cleariers advice (thanks again) so I decided my tactic would be to start ahead of the 1.50 pacers and gave myself some breathing room if I needed to fall back later in the race. No idea if that was a good or bad idea but but in this game, for me personally, I have to play a lot of mind games and try to trick myself. My plan was to make sure the 1.50 balloons didn't pass me!!

And off we go, elbowed nudged, heels clipped, almost tripped... and this before I even got over the starting line :P

Mile 1: 7:50.5

People. everywhere. Way too many people starting in the wrong wave once again. People almost walking already? Good god, the crowding was so bad. DG's post reminding us to resist the urge to weave echoing in my head. When I saw a gap, I took advantage but I did end up weaving a bit because had I not, because of the sheer crowds, I'd have got stuck! No question.

Mile 2: 8:11.5

I remember I was able to steady my pace a bit. Passed the zoo, little drag - nothing serious, remembered all of this from the 10 mile. Felt very strong and comfortable. Happy out. Couple of people running 3/4 abreast sauntering along this mile. Nearly bashed into them. Apologised even though I think they're wrong to do that and should probably think about starting further back. They caused a lot of rumpus tbh!

Mile 3: 8:15.4

Here comes the little V, and knew the water stop was soon. Something to break up the run. I carry my own 750ml running bottle but I always take on the water at every stop too (after reading what happened yesterday, I'll continue to make sure I do that!). Really happy with how I was able to take the water and drink without slowing too much. Bottles over cups are so much easier to manage.

Mile 4: 8:24.8

No problems here. Felt good. Knew what was ahead of me and kept focusing. Kept an eye on my pace at every mile from here on in. Got a bit narrow before we turned on to chesterfield avenue. Saw balloons and spotted TFGR on the other side of the path out supporting! Saw a load of people taking out their gel, so I decided I should too on a whim!? I was going to take it at mile 6. Started to feel the heat now. It was hot. I realised I wasn't just imagining things, others reported the exact same!

Mile 5: 8:00.8

New territory for me.... had never ran this part of the park before.
Wait, what the hell is this.... a lucozade station!?!? No!!! I thought it was later in the race (mile 7). Damn, just took my gel. Oh well, not missing out on my one and only chance for lucozade. Grabbed one and sipped half the bottle away slowly then threw it away. Hope my tummy won't be angry with me!

Mile 6: 8:29.0

Actually, this is a blur to me now. Was there a slight drag in here? My pace seems to have slowed down and I think I remember a drag where I didn't expect one, It must have been here.

Mile 7: 8:05.7

I remember this one!! I thought I could see a water station in the distance. They must have added another one? Yay! I can throw some water on my face. As I got closer I realised I was looped back onto Chesterfield now and that was the old lucoazade station :mad:

Mile 8: 8:28.2

Not too bad. Plodded along. Nice to see all the supporters, it was a distraction. Think we had the refreshing water cool down thanks to the fir brigade along here. I should have ran faster along here looking back. Was no reason not to. I wasn't in pain or struggling at this point, I think I just got too distracted :rolleyes:

Mile 9: 8:10.3

Again, not too bad. Thankfully I sped up a little again. I knew what was ahead of me though. The part of the course I hated mentally in the 10miler too. That never ending Chapelizod stretch :mad: In theory, seems like a great place to gain some time.

Mile 10: 8:01.4

Actually had a good split here. Didn't realise that at the time! Don't mind this part of the road but mentally I was starting to fade. I knew I had the long, boring stretch ahead. I don't even know why I dislike it so much. It's straight and flat!!

Mile 11: 8:31.2
I talk to myself a lot during races and ugh, it was here I started to get negative :mad: In fact at some point in every race I go into this mode. I always laugh about it later.... Why am I even doing this? I'll never keep my planned 9min pace per mile in the marathon, this course is crap!!!

Again suprised by my pace here to be honest. I thought I was slower!

Mile 12: 9:11.6

As expected big drop. I can't stop and walk on this hill because it'll be so hard to start again. Happy enough with my split time here.

It was at the very end of this mile I could hear loud chattering in an otherwise very quite stretch. Everyone was zonked from the drag/hills. Oh. what's going on? Is there some speaker? I looked behind.... oh Feck :eek:! It's them!! There were the 1hr 50 balloons not too far behind. Damn it I can't let them pass me, I knew the slow down along the upper glen and hill would bite me in the ass! They edged a little closer and I could make out what they were saying. 'Brilliant running everyone, you're all doing so well'. 'Almost there now lads, just a few metres. I think I can see the finish line, keep it up guys' 'Shoulders back. head up, breath nice and slow. I can see the finish line'

Those words, are what got me through. My legs were tired. I felt drained. I even thought about stopping for a 'second'. Thanks memo and whoever your fellow pacer was.

Thank you so much guys.

And went over the line. Thank bloody god. My watch said 1.49 bla bla so I was chuffed and fairly confident the watch was about right. Had hit my target. I suppose if I'm honest I would have loved to have gotten 1.48. I mean hitting the 1.49 wasn't easy. Maybe it was the tiredness I was experiencing and I haven't been able to do my LSR on the right days but damn it I'll take it! Got the text later and thankfully chip time was 1.49 too!

Learned so much from the race and it has changed my thinking for the big M:

1. I enjoy a race when I'm not under pressure to hit a certain time.

Glancing at my watch. Making sure the pacers weren't gaining on me. I know for some that is probably exciting but at this stage and being a casual runner to date, this felt like a lot of pressure. Running isn't natural to me. I'm not gifted and I've had to work to come to these below average times I'm hitting at the moment. I enjoyed some of the earlier races this year more. Less pressure. I was also conscious this was my last race before the marathon. Before that if I did bad I just used to be happy I finished and told myself I'd lots of time to improve before the big day. I want to do well in the marathon and my aim is 3hrs 59 but I realised that if I got out there hell bent on getting that time, I won't enjoy the day. I'll only get to run a marathon once for the first time. I'm going to enjoy this one and the NEXT one I can focus on getting sub 4 hours. Especially after the events yesterday, hitting a time isn't important. I want to enjoy it.

2. Gel up!

Need to re-think the amount of gels I'll take on the day. Could have done with a second one yesterday to be honest. Saw a lot of people with 3/4 gels hanging out of their belts at the start line. And again, after the events yesterday I'd rather over feed during the Big M than faint or unnecessarily hurt myself.

3. Clothes

Happy I'll wear a singlet but re-considering my shorts. They have been fab at shorter races but wore the pair I wore yesterday for the 10 miler too and think I'll be able to source a better more comfortable pair for the big day.


And finally,
It was SO lovely to meet some of you yesterday. Thanks for the amazing flapjacks ladies. I had one of each - DG's and TFGRs both so yummy. What are the recipes?

I'm not good with names either and as usual I was in a bit of daze after the race but I had some lovely chats with you all. I really feel we're like a little team now and it's so comforting to know there are others going through the exact same rollercoaster as myself right now.
Duffer it seems we have lots in common outside of the running too at the moment!

So cool of TFGR, DG and whoops to come out support when they weren't racing.

Next time we all see each other we'll be after conquering the DCM

Pics are up. All of mine are fairly crap.

https://www.finisherpix.com/home.html

Thanks Memo. Honestly you two kept me going. That last .5 mile was a tough mental challenge for me!

---

Oh jeez, as usual my photos are horrendous. In fact I'm only in 1 or 2 of the supposed 6 I'm supposed to be in

Toulouse wrote: »

Absolutely no need Pink11. I purposely didn't look closely as I couldn't take it. PJD filled me in on what we'd passed.

By the time I walked back that way 30 mins later the scene was completely clear, like it had never happened so I know what you mean about dramatic scene changes.

Was lovely to finally meet you.

Ah thanks and it was lovely to meet you too!

Oh and two things I forgot to mention:

1. The finish line

It's really frustrating when people stop right away and drop to walking or a stand still after they go over the line. Finishers need room to slow down after the line and we always end up bashing into these people and trying to aplogise but I just think it's so silly to stop up the minute you cross the line? Dangerous too!

2. I forgot to do this again!

I keep saying to myself after every race that once I've had a banana and a drink that I want to go back and cheer everyone over the last km/mile of a race. The people who come back and do this have been so amazing in every race I've done and it would be my way of returning the favour! I totally forgot to do it again yesterday!!

Loving reading all the long detailed race reports. Thanks for taking the time to write them up (I never remember anything in that much detail!!)

chrislad wrote: »

Pics are up. All of mine are fairly crap.

https://www.finisherpix.com/home.html

There is always someone standing in front of me fiddling with their watch.

Peter D61 wrote: »

There is always someone standing in front of me fiddling with their watch.

Im always guilty of that!! I have ruined many a picture!!

Maybe we should have a quick role call of cool kit!!!!????
Im loving my zinc oxide tape for nipple chaff. Body glide for the high impact areas. Road ID (previous post). New garmin 225 with built in heart rate on the wrist. (Remember the forerunner 10 might not last if you are running as slow as me!). Also bought loads of tops but my wiggle dhb t shirt and old nike shorts are perfect. Saucony triumph and thorlo socks look after the feet.....

My female running buddy asked me about undergarments but frankly, for lads, commando is the only way. Oh and remember I am Scottish where underwear is frowned upon!