DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

Beef · 19-10-2015 08:13AM

This thread has been unreal. Dubgal (and co), there's a long line of DCM mentors going above and beyond but this is unbelievable stuff it really is. I hope if you even attempt to put your hand in your pocket in McGrattans a novice will wrestle you to the ground while another makes a beeline for the bar! Dublin will be my 3rd marathon but I've been following this thread closely because the advice and wisdom being passed on is 2nd to none. I hope you all enjoy your race because you've been given a brilliant grounding in what it takes to run a marathon and you will avoid many of the pitfalls other novices will fall into this year. With that in mind, head into race week in confidence, your prep has been top class!

This Fat Girl Runs · 19-10-2015 08:30AM

Re the Dublin bikes discussion. Saw this on DCM website while I was looking for something else. Thought I'd FYI.

SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon Impact on dublinbikes Scheme
To facilitate the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon, seven stations will be closed

Merrion Square East (25) – Closed from 2pm Saturday 24th – 9am Tuesday 27th
Merrion Square West (26) – Closed from 2pm Saturday 24th – 9am Tuesday 27th
High Street (7) – Closed from 12.30am – 2pm Monday 26th
Christchruch Place (6) – Closed from 12.30am – 2pm Monday 26th
Kilmainham Gaol (97) – Closed from 12.30am – 2pm Monday 26th
Mount Street Lower (56) – Closed from 12.30am – 2pm Monday 26th
Access may be restricted to other stations bound by the race route on the day. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these closures.

dublinbikes users are advised not to cycle on the race route during the course of the event and should heed the directions of official race stewards

nop98 · 19-10-2015 08:30AM

DG, you are amazing.

diego_b · 19-10-2015 08:40AM

I didn't sleep well last night at all, my runners need to move out of their normal home beside my bed as before going to bed last night I caught myself staring at them and just thinking those runners are going to run 26.2 miles in them next Monday and my feet will be in them. Eventually got to sleep at 2am!

No tears after my last LSR on Saturday but tears now, today I do not have too many words but just to say thank you Dubgal so much. It has meant an awful lot what you have done here. I have not had the pleasure of meeting you yet but I genuinely have a serious amount lot of good will for you and I will never forget you and your efforts here.
Thanks to all the other mentors as well as no matter what happens next Monday I feel I have learned a lot from you all, it has been a very special experience for me since starting the training for the race back in June. Also thank you so much to my fellow novices, there may be 15000 people running next Monday but I am really rooting for you all especially. To take a line from one of my favourite songs (that has got me through tough times in the past) by one of my favourite singers off one of my favourite albums, Damien Dempsey's It's All Good from Seize The Day....

"And positivity, yeah, it is the way for me, yeah".

coolhandspan · 19-10-2015 09:00AM

Thanks to Dubgal and all who have given great advice on here..

Emsy 1 · 19-10-2015 09:10AM

I may not be a faster runner but I have become a far better more confident runner and for that I am so grateful. The knowledge I have gained here is second to none. For a girl who did all her runs on her own I never once felt alone. Thanks guys, Dubgal you are a legend in my eyes

19-10-2015 09:39AM

I'm staying at the Clayton Hotel in Leopardstown next Sunday night. Anyone know how long would it take to get into the start on the Luas approximately? Think its about 35 mins. Already know I will be stressed to the eyeballs on Monday morning with the anticipation and the little bit of uncertainty that always comes with trying to make an appointment in a place you're not very familiar with!

Clearlier · 19-10-2015 10:02AM

Sunny Disposition wrote: »

I'm staying at the Clayton Hotel in Leopardstown next Sunday night. Anyone know how long would it take to get into the start on the Luas approximately? Think its about 35 mins. Already know I will be stressed to the eyeballs on Monday morning with the anticipation and the little bit of uncertainty that always comes with trying to make an appointment in a place you're not very familiar with!

Why not take a taxi? If you keep your eyes open you might find someone else staying there who could share it with you.

Gillo · 19-10-2015 10:17AM

Dubgal72 wrote: »

The 'other part' is the one you should be listening to I'm assuming you've been following a tried and tested plan...trust in the plan and best of luck!
.

That's the problem Dubgal72, I had started with a plan, unfortunately work has been mental so sticking with the plan went out the window, I've been out probably three or four nights a week the last two months, before that it would have been two or three. Going from the longer runs I've done, I'm confident I have the ability to complete it, just unfortunately not at the level I could have.
The funny thing is part of my wanting to run the marathon was the dedication and sticking with a training plan!

Yeah, I'll reduce the distances even more this week. I'm using up annual leave this week so luckily I've loads of time to rest.

19-10-2015 10:27AM

aceygray wrote: »

Boo I don't have a bike and I'm not signed up for Dublin bikes. Maybe I'll try to borrow one for the day. Thanks for the suggestions.

You don't need to be signed up! they just take a swipe of your credit card and then if the bike isn't returned they use that as the deposit

I'm feeling pretty miserable. The cold is not on my chest thank god. Mostly sinuses. I've been told not running unless I'm 100%. Rest, vitamins, sleep, fruit and veg is all I'm allowed now. My taper had been going so well

eyeball kid · 19-10-2015 10:44AM

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm feeling pretty miserable. The cold is not on my chest thank god. Mostly sinuses. I've been told not running unless I'm 100%. Rest, vitamins, sleep, fruit and veg is all I'm allowed now. My taper had been going so well

Maybe not much consolation but better to be feeling like this now that next Monday. I'm sure you'll be fine for the big day.

Pink11 · 19-10-2015 10:46AM

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is well? I have a lot of catching up to do! I'm going to try but I'm not confident I'll get every post covered.

Hope everyone is on track and excited for next week!? Can you believe this time next week we'll be out pounding the streets on our 26 miler?!

I'm sorry I haven't been posting. Really busy few weeks. Moved house, job and was on holidays and my nightmare tooth/root canal problem still isn't fully sorted. I kept up the training pretty much BUT I did miss out on one LSR. The 18 mile from (week Sept 28th) the boards plan (I only managed a 14 mile that week purely due to time!).

I trained throughout the holiday but I did eat way more than I normally would but think I'm pretty much balanced out now as I'm eating normally again. BUT I'm craving bad food a lot the last few days. Sweets, chocolate, cake etc. I think this is boredom because of the tapering?!

Have a heavy cold now at the moment that I'm focusing on getting cleared up for next week!

Gillo · 19-10-2015 10:48AM

Sunny Disposition wrote: »

Already know I will be stressed to the eyeballs on Monday morning with the anticipation and the little bit of uncertainty that always comes with trying to make an appointment in a place you're not very familiar with!

Depending on what time you get up on Sunday, why not take the luas in and walk to Merrion Square, work out the times and route at that stage so on Monday morning all you are doing is repeating the same trip.

Im hoping to get there about 8:15, is that giving myself enough time,from past experience is rather be early and hanging around; the half in the Phoenix Park everything went against us so in the end we ran to the bag drop, dumped the bags and started running immediately and that wasn't a good experience!

nop98 · 19-10-2015 11:15AM

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm feeling pretty miserable. The cold is not on my chest thank god. Mostly sinuses. I've been told not running unless I'm 100%. Rest, vitamins, sleep, fruit and veg is all I'm allowed now. My taper had been going so well

Rest rest rest Whoops... I really hope it'll change around in the next day or two. Better now than the big day...

Phoebas · 19-10-2015 11:19AM

Murph_D wrote: »

Truly awesome job you've done here. Almost wish I was a novice again. As I said here last year, your first time is rarely your best performance, but it's often the most memorable.

Aw, that's not fair on Ososlo. I think she did a superb job last year.

ratracer · 19-10-2015 11:20AM

It's finally here - M-week!!!:eek:

Just out of the phsyio now. At the start of the session I was thinking 'I've stretched, rolled, rested, this won't be so bad'...... O M G!! tomorrow is definitley gonna be like :

A29E78A667A143AE887AA47AAD3C3AF1-0000362220-0003809547-00320L-37496ACD432C413E8F24F7CD281924CB.gif

But at the start line it's gonna be all smiles, right?? And the 'real' finish line will be all smiles, even if I'm lying on the floor:D

All the hard work is done folks, let's enjoy it.

Whoopsa, I really hope you feel better in the next couple of days. Hot Lemski never, ever fails;)

Dubgal, again, thanks so much for everything, I'm sure I'm not the only one here who wouldn't be at the start line without this thread!

Someone famous for something once asked 'Can we do it?' Well folks, Hell yes we can!

aquinn · 19-10-2015 11:21AM

Phoebas wrote: »

Aw, that's not fair on Ososlo. I think she did a superb job last year.

Who said something about Ososlo, stand forward and try that again!

Firedance · 19-10-2015 11:31AM

aquinn wrote: »

Who said something about Ososlo, stand forward and try that again!

well she's quoting Murphs post*

I'd hide if I were you D.... unfortunately as you are neighbours, you might be snookered

*I'm pretty sure he wasn't saying anything about last year's equally fantastic mentor

This Fat Girl Runs · 19-10-2015 11:31AM

I was watching the course video and realised the finish won't be as bad as I thought. I walk to and from the RDS into town every year on Christmas Day so I'm used to that stretch of road and cover it fairly quickly even at a walk. I'm glad now because when I hit the RDS during the marathon it won't (mentally) feel as far away as I think. What my legs think will be another story! :P

aquinn · 19-10-2015 11:33AM

Ye might be short a 4:30 pacer guys. Just giving forewarning.

Murph_D · 19-10-2015 11:40AM

Phoebas wrote: »

Aw, that's not fair on Ososlo. I think she did a superb job last year.

Indeed. I wish I was a novice again every year.

aquinn · 19-10-2015 11:45AM

Hmmn, ok so. Continue as is.

Murph_D · 19-10-2015 11:49AM

aquinn wrote: »

Hmmn, ok so. Continue as is.

For me, Younganne is always going to be the champ cos, let's face it, the class of 2012 was the business.

Phoebas · 19-10-2015 12:03PM

On the way into work this morning I was thinking 'this time next week I'll be running the marathon'.

I'm just finished lunch now.

Still running!!

Gillo · 19-10-2015 12:38PM

Just think how amazing lunch will be afterwards:D

So I'm just back from a light enough run, I wasn't expecting it to be great (five hours of rugby and pint's yesterday) and my stupid IT band has started playing up, it had been fine since late summer so hopefully a lot of stretching over the next few days.

frash · 19-10-2015 12:55PM

Gillo wrote: »

five hours of rugby and pint's yesterday

Are we still allowed do that? :eek:
I've been off the booze since 11:03pm on October 4th.

runnerholic · 19-10-2015 01:10PM

frash wrote: »

Are we still allowed do that? :eek:
I've been off the booze since 11:03pm on October 4th.

You don't have to be off the booze per se. A glass of wine with dinner is ok

. On the other hand sessions = not a good idea

.

19-10-2015 01:11PM

Ran 12 miles in Sat morning and had friends wedding in Wicklow (few hours drive away) in the afternoon. Had planned to hide out in the room for a few hours and to retire early. When I got there I found out the accomadation actually wasn't on the same site as the function room so too much booze followed, not good, but these things happen!
V hard to avoid all these social things, was glad I did the long run on Sat because yesterday was a write off!

frash · 19-10-2015 01:11PM

runnerholic wrote: »

You don't have to be off the booze per se. A glass of wine with dinner is ok . On the other hand sessions = not a good idea .

ah yeah - was only joking

I am off the booze that long though - self imposed

JacEim · 19-10-2015 02:49PM

Back from sports massage. My Physio is absolutely brilliant. Was chatting away and only when we finished I realised she was nearly 80 minutes working my legs!!

Calves, Hams, etc all in great shape (a couple of little tight spots but nothing to worry about - normal stuff that would have been fine for next week but is great to have them worked out now)
She worked my Quads which are still a little tight, but she REALLY worked the associated tendons in my left knee. It was pretty tight yesterday and it was a pretty painful session - but feels great now..
No running today so looking forward to my 4 miles tomorrow

Didn't have time for Brekkie this morning so had a footlong sub from subway at lunchtime. Felt really bad but considering it was 800cals covering brekkie and lunch I didn't feel too bad!!
I would really love a pizza / burger / chinese / Indian / Thai / Nachos or all of the above for my dinner... I won't!!
I am so hungry....

DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

Comments