DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

Looks like I'm not going to able to run the entire DCM. My training is going well but I just know the legs aren't going to be up for running the entire 42k. So do I run as far as I can (ie, 30-35k) and then struggle through the rest of it or do I walk a couple of kilometres every 10k or so to preserve my legs for the last stretch?

Thanks!

chrislad wrote: »

Not the best run. aborted at 15.7. I felt fine, from the point of view that I wasn't out of breath/tired, but I just felt total muscle fatigue in my glutes, and I just felt that if I pushed past it, I'd do more harm than good. 4 miles over 18 weeks isn't a big deal anyway!

To further expand on this, I'm a bit disappointed on myself. I probably could have suffered through, but I'm just terrified of doing damage to myself before the day. I had a bit of a conversation with myself after, and truthfully, this will be my only time doing a marathon, so I just want to finish it. I'm eliminating all goals from my head - just to finish without stopping is good enough for me.

Regarding the distance, I'm just not enjoying it. I loved training for the 5k, 10k, and once I started doing it right, the half marathon. This training, and I know this is a tough week that really did affect me, it's certainly been the hardest one I've had to endure to far, is just not fun for me. I don't really come in buzzing the way I did when I was concentrating on the half - I'm exhausted most of the time, and I really have a new appreciation for those who can do more than one marathon a year.

I'm probably just feeling sorry for myself, as it's the first proper bad run I've had where I've had to cut the distance short. I've been luckier than some who haven't made it this far, but I do think that this one in October is it for me. I'm eternally grateful for all the support, but back to 5k/10ks for me after this one, and half marathons in spring!

Phoebas wrote: »

Remember that you are still in training mode. Race day with the benefit of the rest of the training, pacers, the adrenalin of race day, the crowds willing you on and, of course the taper will be a different kettle of fish (At least that's what I'm hanging my hopes on).

Hey! Those are my hopes and dreams!!

chrislad wrote: »

To further expand on this, I'm a bit disappointed on myself. I probably could have suffered through, but I'm just terrified of doing damage to myself before the day. I had a bit of a conversation with myself after, and truthfully, this will be my only time doing a marathon, so I just want to finish it. I'm eliminating all goals from my head - just to finish without stopping is good enough for me.

Regarding the distance, I'm just not enjoying it. I loved training for the 5k, 10k, and once I started doing it right, the half marathon. This training, and I know this is a tough week that really did affect me, it's certainly been the hardest one I've had to endure to far, is just not fun for me. I don't really come in buzzing the way I did when I was concentrating on the half - I'm exhausted most of the time, and I really have a new appreciation for those who can do more than one marathon a year.
Just 1 bad run wound 't take to much from this one.
,
I'm probably just feeling sorry for myself, as it's the first proper bad run I've had where I've had to cut the distance short. I've been luckier than some who haven't made it this far, but I do think that this one in October is it for me. I'm eternally grateful for all the support, but back to 5k/10ks for me after this one, and half marathons in spring!

Just one bad run wouldn't take to much, from one run, my first run since Saturday was Wednesday wasn't feeling love for Running, but. After rest
Was feeling much more up for it. Keep faith, lot's hard work done, only small
Bit to go now. Will be much easier with 14000 other runners & crowds & family
Cheering u along.

Had started a report earlier but gave up..... was simply too knackered. Feena, Declan and myself had thought that we were starting the run from Garda HQ at 9.30 - our bad. We ran down to the gates at Islandbridge to see if there was anybody else there, but didnt see anyone (they were at Parkgate St. Gates.... d'Oh) so we ran back to Garda HQ just in case the rest were there. We realised something had gone wrong and set out to chase the pack down - well in an LSR kinda way.

I had being feeling fairly lousy the last two days with a cold and lack of sleep and had decided I would only run today if I slept well last night. Probably should have given myself an extra 2 days to recover before going at this LSR. It was really hard work over the last 6 km and I kinda just kept to myself for those kms. I had been tired coming up to the HM and found the mini taper before the event really useful. Between a good effort at the HM and 3 enthusiastic EASY RUNS this week I just have not recovered. Will take it easy over the next week and bag some recovery.

We hit Bushy Park at 1:16:00 ish and met Duffer and his daughter. They were still there despite our late time keeping and we were able to confirm that the rest were only a few minutes ahead. Rather than head off on their scent we stayed and swapped progress reports while A (Duffers daughter) provided us with gels, water bottles, lucozade drinks, Haribo jellies and a smile. Fair play to Team Duffer and it was really appreciated. Keep up the recovery!!

At this stage we were trying to figure if we could skip part of the course to catch the main group. We justified this on the basis that we had a few extra kms done at the start in running up and down to Garda HQ. It would have been a shame to miss part of the journey with our kindred spirits. We were running along at a pretty fast LSR pace ( well for me anyway) and when we reached the Clonskeagh Road we turned left at Beech Hill Road along by the Dodder River. We decided that we could run the UCD block in reverse, by running out the Stillorgan Road until we met the rest.

Low and behold, and exactly where we thought we would meet them, they came into view at the UCD Flyover. We did an about turn, with introductions done on the hoof. The run into town was straightforward and it was nice to know that this would be the last leg on Race Day. We even managed to run out onto the Road at Merrion Square to savour what it might be like to run under the Finishing Arch!!! Think I was hallucinating at this stage.

Feena encouraged us all to stretch the legs at Stephens Green, which was just as well. Its great to pick up tips like that. I would normally just plough on and today that would have been to my detriment. The legs were tired and seized.

We ran the rest of the way to the park without incident and met a few other DCM runners along the Liffey. Great camaraderie. Feena had us spoilt with healthy and very tasty homemade Oat Bars with coconut and dark chocolate. I got to take the precious 2 that were left, home with me.


I found today was quite warm and by this evening I have recovered well. The legs have eased out and was careful to eat well and rest up. This was the hardest LSR that I have done this cycle, but the company out there was really good. Apologies to the main pack as I didnt have too much "talk" left shortly after we joined ye.


To everybody else racing and LSR'ing this weekend, run safe and smart.

chrislad wrote: »

Thanks, kenny. I know that myself! I'm really just feeling sorry for myself in regards to todays run, but I do know that this will be my last attempt at a marathon, at least for a few years, so I want to have a good first one!

Really, I'm probably doing this too soon. I only started running in July last year, and I was relatively inactive between the ages of 12 and 32 so I didn't have any base to build on. As you said, we're nearly there. One more hard week, then the tapering begins!

Sounds a bit like myself, I only started at 42 so plenty of time, apparently the
Older you get long distance suites you better, so years ahead of you yet. I do
my long runs in company, so we can drag each other along, so hats off to all
You guys tuffing it out on your own. As guys say trust plan and I think will go
Well on day and remember your in a small club of people who that on marathon
So that is a massive achievement in it's self and everyone there wants you to
Get over the line as much as you do.

Don't know about you but I am fittest & leanst I've been in years with promise
5k times shuold start tumbling in couple month's after Marathon so plenty to
Look forward to. Best of Luck with last couple weeks, taper nearly here.

Thanks to everyone that I met with on the 20 mile LSR this morning. Really sorry if I pushed the pace up for parts of it. Really bad at pacing, especially when I get into 'the zone' on a LSR. Thanks a million to Denis for being our guide and to everyone else for the chats. Huge thanks to Duffer and his daughter for the pit stop at Bushy Park!!!

Found the 3 hours and 20 minutes passed really quickly and once we stopped to have a little stretch at Stephen's Green, it seemed like no time before we were back in the park and done.

I didn't take any gels on the run today (despite carrying them) but when I went into the shop in Ballsbridge to get water it was crazy how my body was telling me to grab sugary stuff! Got a Capri Sun and it seemed to hit the spot, followed by the water. However, once again, my main complaint at the end of any long run is not that my body is tired or sore but that I just start to feel like crap, a bit nauseous and just blah. I think my main obstacle is going to be getting the fuel part on the day right - that and the running of the 26 miles...

Anyway, delighted to have done my longest run to date. Hopefully some major mitochondrial recruitment went on and fat burning adaptation (in fact now that it's mentioned, I feel skinnier already )

The plan is to do 6 easy miles tomorrow and that will be my marathon complete for this weekend. Happy days - no more maranoia!

Well done everyone else on the LSRs, Tempo runs, races and hope all the niggles are gone soon.

So jealous of you all getting out for the group 20m this morning. Couldn't make it unfortunately, prior commitments.... namely the kids had tennis and ballet classes!! Heading out early in the morning instead.

Dubgal72 wrote: »

Evening all, bit of a medical near-emergency today, suspected detached retina, damn bungy cord... All ok now though Spent most of this afternoon in A&E reading lsr reports until my battery died...Pupils very dilated due to eye drops so no reading for me tonight.of course my main priority was 'ok to run?????' So missed a 10k today but will be good to go for the lsr tomorrow phew :cool:

Jaysus. Sure you don't need eyes to run Glad that you're ok!

Bet the English fans wish they had detached retinas now.

Hope you're feeling better!

Phoole wrote: »

Looks like I'm not going to able to run the entire DCM. My training is going well but I just know the legs aren't going to be up for running the entire 42k. So do I run as far as I can (ie, 30-35k) and then struggle through the rest of it or do I walk a couple of kilometres every 10k or so to preserve my legs for the last stretch?

Thanks!

Are you in pain or struggling with energy? If the latter you could try running slower in the remaining LSRs - at the very least it'd be a good confidence booster to finish strong in at least one of them. What pace are you doing them at?

Your HM time was very respectable, I think you should be aiming to run the whole thing.

Dubgal72 wrote: »

Evening all, bit of a medical near-emergency today, suspected detached retina, damn bungy cord... All ok now though Spent most of this afternoon in A&E reading lsr reports until my battery died...Pupils very dilated due to eye drops so no reading for me tonight.of course my main priority was 'ok to run?????' So missed a 10k today but will be good to go for the lsr tomorrow phew :cool:

Just managed to read that you're feeling better now chops, glad to hear. Talk tomorrow, recover well all!

Between Chops (hope you're okay!) and yourself Dubgal there was few close ones, glad to hear all is okay!

chrislad wrote: »

Really, I'm probably doing this too soon. I only started running in July last year, and I was relatively inactive between the ages of 12 and 32 so I didn't have any base to build on. As you said, we're nearly there. One more hard week, then the tapering begins!

If it helps, I've been walking since July 2014 and running since last june, I'm 54 and until this summer hadn't run since 1983 ( might have been 84) I have good and bad days, days when I'm confident, days when I feel like I'll never be able to do this, but I have made a commitment to myself as everyone here has. Barring injury I will be in wave 3 at the start of the Dublin marathon 2015, I will somehow drag myself around 26 miles and 385 yards. I will do it as well as my body lets me, I'm not worried by how long it takes, I may have a good day , I may have a bad day. I am not thinking about whether it will be my last marathon or the first of many. At the moment it is the only marathon.
I have an 18 mile lsl tomorrow, hopefully it will go well.......

denis b wrote: »

We hit Bushy Park at 1:16:00 ish and met Duffer and his daughter. They were still there despite our late time keeping and we were able to confirm that the rest were only a few minutes ahead. Rather than head off on their scent we stayed and swapped progress reports while A (Duffers daughter) provided us with gels, water bottles, lucozade drinks, Haribo jellies and a smile. Fair play to Team Duffer and it was really appreciated. Keep up the recovery!!

Great work Duffer and Duffer's daughter!

denis b wrote: »

Low and behold, and exactly where we thought we would meet them, they came into view at the UCD Flyover. We did an about turn, with introductions done on the hoof.

Pretty slick stuff