DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

Last LSR for me today 16 miles easy on the plan. Legs had been very niggley all week and a new niggle in the knee had me a bit concerned but the icing and grass running this week have helped and the knee didn't give out at all. The calves are definately tired but putting that down to the the last number of weeks training as I broke 500 miles this week on marathon training. Had my usual running team with me this morning even MrsKennyG who had sent me a picture of a cocktail during the night so fair play to her after her late night turning up to keep me company. Thanks to HelenAnne for changing her running route to run with me for a while this morning too while I was doing a stretch on my own. We also passed AQuinn looking like she was about to head off sailing for the day nice change from running A. Run felt good. Looking forward to taper next week. Average pace 11.10. Well done on LSRs everyone, we are nearly there now.:)

Dubgal72 wrote: »

Hi unaaine, ouch ouch ouch but hopefully the antibiotics will sort it out. You may already know but IME, antibiotics really drain the body so lower your expectations when you make it out to run, even after you stop taking the course. We'll all have a reminder on the 20th of this month: Toenail Tuesday

Thanks Dubgal yes I really didn't want to take them at all but had to weigh it up against possibly not being able to run at all if I let it go any further. Have started taking udo's choice super 8 as well in the hope that it might balance it out. Did my 20 lsr on Friday and an easy recovery run today and didn't feel under any more pressure than usual!

Last long run done this morning, 20 miles av pace 10:47. The first 15 miles were great, felt strong, took gels as planned, hydrated. Then my legs went and the last 3 miles were really hard. I've done a lot in the last few weeks including the athlone 3/4, so I suppose my old legs are just worn out. Massage booked for tomorrow evening. Hoping for a nice uneventful taper. Training done, time to prepare.

Dubgal72 wrote: »

Hi healy, any news yet on the 10k?!

10k was good.....did the Marie Keating one in the Park. Not the best organised run ever, and the 5k loop was at least 250m long......but hey, I wasn't trying to qualify for Rio.....43:53 for 10.6k.....my Garmin had me going through 10k at 41.30ish so I was pretty happy...I know that you should allow some distance for not taking the proper line but I was fairly on the money as I ran the whole race by myself basically....not quick enough to keep up with the few sub 40 people in front and then there didn't really seem to be anyone else running in or around my pace. Weird experience, only when I started catching up with the 5k walkers towards the end did I feel like it was a race. I felt fast though

12 miles done today and I was feeling pretty good after it too!! Now to look back over my training to date and try figure out what I can comfortably run at!!

Another question for the experienced ones on here:- I have booked Physio for sports massage on Mon 17th in the morning. I've been rolling and stretching pretty regularly, and I don't have any 'problem areas' as such so it's just as a treat to myself really. Is this date far enough out from M-day to allow recovery? I can't get in at the end of next week due to my own schedule.

Planned 15 mile LSR today. Last of the big ones. This week I found myself fretting about it; after my first 18 mile run was so erratic (good, but inconsistent), and my run last week was such a disaster (good start, baaaaaad finish!) I knew today's run could go either way. But what was I going to do if it went badly? Yesterday I decided...whatever. As in, whatever happens, however it goes, it's a run and I'll learn from it. Miles in the legs and all that. I calculated that since April, when I started my training, I've run over 535 miles. That put a lot of things in perspective for me! I know it's a drop in the bucket for some, but for someone like me, that's a number to be proud of. And I am. I am so bloomin' proud of what I've done this year and realizing that helped me relax about today's LSR. (Can't say all this without giving a HUGE big massive thank you to Dubgal! Honestly wouldn't have gotten this far without you! And my fellow novices, you've been a huge help in getting me to this point, you don't even know. I can't thank you all enough!).

Ok, enough with the feels! :P In the end, the run went well. Really well. So well that I'm calling it my redemption run. And I learned a few more things that will help me on marathon day.

So I slept well (unusually so, but thankfully!), got up for my usual routine of porridge (yup, getting sick of the stuff!) but made with water (last week I had it with milk, don't think it sat well with me) then back to bed for more rest. Took it easy on the water and only had a few mouthfuls. I changed some things about my routine and run, including having a sliver of a Clif bar as I was getting ready.

At 8.30 I left the house and started in. I walked a full mile, then jogged a very easy second mile, trying to give myself every advantage for the later miles. This turned out to be a good decision. I did spot the 'Expect Delays' marathon signs on the route and stopped to take a photo. Really hit home how close it's getting!! Two weeks, guys. Two weeks!!

Anyway, my fueling strategy is now decided. It worked really well for me today so I will do the same for the marathon. At mile 5 I slowed to walk, ate another sliver of my Clif bar, sipped my gel, sipped some water then carried on running. Same again at mile 10. Worked a treat! I took my 300mL bottle with me and didn't even finish it.

I'm really happy with my splits for this run. I worked at keeping it consistent, listening to my body and speeding up when needed, pulling back when required. I did walk some of the hills and walked when I took my gels.

Mile 1: 16:12 (walk)
Mile 2: 15:37 (warm up)
Mile 3: 14:36
Mile 4: 15:08
Mile 5: 14:57 (gel)
Mile 6: 15:30 (hill)
Mile 7: 14:41
Mile 8: 14:39
Mile 9: 14:42
Mile 10: 15:07 (gel + hill)
Mile 11: 14:59
Mile 12: 14:35
Mile 13: 14:33
Mile 14: 14:18
Mile 15: 16:17 (half at recovery pace, half walk)

At the last minute on Upper Glen Road, I decided to change my planned route and follow more of the marathon course instead. I'm glad I did it. I think the change helped! I also ran (and PRd!) the Sarsfield Road climb. That was tough but felt so good when I got to the top!

I am absolutely chuffed with today's run. Towards the end I was really feeling it in the legs (not sure how I pulled a 14:18 minute mile at the end!!) but I remember thinking at mile 13 that I felt a heap better today at this stage than I had during my half marathon at the beginning of August. Today I was tired, my back was feeling achy and my legs were really tired but overall I felt good. I felt I had run strong so I was happy, even though I was aching

I got home, stretched for a good 15 minutes then wobbled back out to the shops to get groceries. Must also remember to stock the fridge before Sundays! Usual post run routine and now getting in some well earned rest (and I finally treated myself to an ice cream I earned that too!).

Interestingly, I weighed myself again before and after the run and it was pretty much bang on from the last time I weighed myself a month or so ago. 99.2 kg before, 97.3 kg after. Good to know I've not gained weight, weird I haven't lost it though either! But anyway, that's another topic/thread for another day. I just thought it was interesting.

Oh yeah, I'm bad at remembering names so whoever of you I passed on Parkgate Street, hi! I was on mile 12 at that stage, it was nice to see a friendly face!

Lastly, had two funny things happen on my run. First was on Upper Glen Road where a group of kids were on a field trip or something. Saw one girl (8 years old maybe) nudge her friends and say 'look, look at the fat lady'. I smiled and waved at her. Sure, maybe she was impressed :P The other funny thing was the well meaning advice from a lady who said as I passed that 'I think you should do power walking, not running'. It was funny because she was a lot older, a lot larger and sitting smoking a cigarette. I just called out over my shoulder 'ok, thanks!' and kept on running :pac:.

So that's me done. Next week getting stuck into tapering proper. 4 mile mid-week runs with a 10 mile LSR. It's going to feel like such a holiday!

But I gotta say. I try not to compare myself as a runner to you all (novices) because we're all different, running different paces with different expectations and different routines. But where I CAN compare myself to you is in our determination and will power that has gotten us all this far. We've got guts, the lot of us, and I'm darn proud to be part of such a determined, gritty, awesome group. Fist bumps all around!

Been off the sauce since the start of August for the DCM.....I have the biggest goo on me for pints ever after watching the game. Biggest. Goo. Ever.

healy1835 wrote: »

Been off the sauce since the start of August for the DCM.....I have the biggest goo on me for pints ever after watching the game. Biggest. Goo. Ever.

I'm having a glass of wine ! Cheers

Last LSR done.....thank's be to God!!

I had a good chat with myself quite a few times on how long should it be and I settled on 28K, as I was fairly knackered at this stage anyway and doing an extra 2-4K just to tick a box didn't seem like the 'right' thing to do, as I was getting a bit nervous of picking up an injury, so good call I think.

Overall it went well and my visit to the physio on Friday was well worth it as I felt 'balanced' on my run with no real niggles. Like TFGR I came across 2 signs for the DCM in the Phoenix Park and my heart skipped a beat every time :)

Now I am in full party mode with Ireland doing the business against France in the rugger (some game) and now the soccer is just about to start....c'mon Oireland

Celebratory can or two of Guinness will go down well for me, go on novices, have a beer/glass/bottle of wine..you deserve it!!:D

Back to being good for another 2 weeks tomorrow morning.....bring it on!!

Mrs Mc wrote: »

I'm having a glass of wine ! Cheers

Cruel

Mrs Mc wrote: »

I'm having a glass of wine ! Cheers

I had 2!! And accidentally located McGrattans so feel like I'm all set now

Toulouse wrote: »

I had 2!! And accidentally located McGrattans so feel like I'm all set now

Im sticking with you all day cos i doubt i will be able to find mcgrattans with a map, compass or a gps after running 26 miles!

Do you think if I rang the Dcm people and told them I just need another 2 or 3 weeks to get a few more LSRs in, that they might take pity on me and put the race off for a bit?

Seems fair to me?