DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

So here we are guys. Last chapter of this journey coming up. Tomorrow is your day, 'Now is the Time'.

You've ticked all the controllables, all the aspects of marathon training that are in your hands. Anyone missed the checklist/not done your own? :rolleyes: Find it here, at the end of this post.


Between now and then, have a look at some gold advice from some very experienced - and wise - boardsies and runners from further afield:

THE UNCONTROLLABLES:

- WEATHER
Wrstan on weather (thanks wrstan and Nop for bringing it over)

See Coach Jenny on what to wear. Have a look at the 'clothes calculating' tool, v useful, I put in Monday's weather on Saturday and came up with singlet and shorts. Of course, you will have tried and tested your final choice on a lsr

- NE's VERY SOUND POST RE TARGET PRESSURE

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=97492417&postcount=391

And can't not repost whoopsa's fantastic advice re the day either!

- INJURY
You might feel something 'pop' along the way. This might be an ongoing niggle or injury. It might be something completely new - this is especially common around miles 18-20. It's going to be a really, really hard call to make but you should pull back and live to run another day if this happens to you. Easier said than done, I know. There will be medical tents along the way. If you need, use them.

and Alan and Conor are experiencing the worst-case 'uncontrollable' scenario. our thoughts are with you and your families....

**********************

Have a quick look over the following just to refresh yourselves. Maybe jot down where you think you'll need to remind yourself to dig in, or hold back, or....

FINAL COURSE REFRESHER:

- OFFICIAL CUT
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153689960213185&set=vb.291874688184&type=2&theater

- THE EXPERIENCED CUT
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=97315716&postcount=5991
Thanks yaboya

- UNAAINE'S CUT
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=97432428&postcount=6728

DIGGING IN AND PULLING YOURSELF OUT OF A HOLE:

You are going to encounter slumps tomorrow. Nobody is promising you an easy ride, especially during the later stages. But these slumps will pass. Promise. Remind yourself of the 'tricks' you used on your lsrs to make these moments pass.

Have a look here at what you guys have done in training to dig yourselves out of a mental slump, and here for super mantra advice from annapr.

Alf Veedersane popped in yesterday to wish you all good luck and also had some invaluable advice:

Don't forget, you are fitter, stronger and faster than you have ever been in your life!

Half the battle tomorrow will not be in your legs. It will be in your head.

Ed Mc has it spot on here:

Pain, in the form of physical and mental fatigue, will drop in to pay you a visit now and then. Say hello, welcome it and your body and brain will stop fighting. Tell yourself you can do this, it's alright. (Not to be confused with injury pain!)

Let's not forget OSOSLO'S TIPS for tomorrow: (you see, I learned from the best!)

"Hey guys just popping in to wish you all the very best for Marathon Monday!

Firstly, congrats to the group here for getting to the start line in good nick. That's half the battle or more each year. Whatever happens Monday, be very proud that you got through the training unscathed and it'll serve as a great base for all your training going forward.

A few little tips from me:
Early on in the race, nothing should feel forced. If you're with a pace group and the pace feels even a small bit 'hot' for you, then ease back and don't stress or worry that the pacers are so far ahead. You should be enjoying yourself for the first half at least and not be feeling under any kind of pressure to keep up. No matter how well prepared you are, for any number of reasons, you mightn't be feeling 100% on Monday morning. If so, be conservative with your pace. Very conservative.

Keep moving forward. Even if you have to stop to walk for a bit, keep moving forwards towards the finish line and don't stop completely.

Try not to walk after 20 miles. It might be hard to get going again. Even if it's a shuffle, keep moving in a jogging motion but don't stop - unless you have to of course or you plan to run/walk the race.

Review your gait/posture every few miles or so and make sure your form is not getting sloppy.

Don't get cold standing/sitting around at the start. It'll be chilly enough so I'd advise to move about a little. Keep the muscles warm. Don't overdo it, just walk about a little and move the arms and legs about a bit.

If you feel your A, B & C goals are slipping away from you during the race, don't be disheartened. Have one of your main goals to be to finish with a smile on your face. The great thing about it is that if it all goes pear-shaped, you can do it all again next year or DCM 2016.

A good meeting point for family and friends after the race is outside Govt. Buildings on Merion Sq West. And the last 2 years there was a good bit of room in McGrattan's at the back so don't be afraid to bring them along with you to meet other Boardsies. "

I have to requote chrislad's v funny post from a few months ago:




AND SO...
Guys, can't believe we're here. You are about to convert your dream to reality. Tomorrow you will say 'I have run a marathon'. Come and say hello tomorrow, I really want to shake your hand. And give you a big hug.

Check that list, set that alarm (or two) and sleep well tonight.

REMEMBER:











OVER AND OUT:

There have been some very kind words about all of us on both sides of the stage this week.

BUT REMEMBER: it is YOU who has done the work, YOU who has kept to that schedule, YOU who has got out of bed on the weekend when you didn't really want to, YOU who has gone to bed early every night (ok I made that bit up), YOU who has sacrificed a long, long list of things to get here, YOU who has doubted yourself, then believed in yourself, YOU who has worried at every niggle and ache, YOU who has sweated, cried and ached then cried and sweated some more and it is YOU who is going out tomorrow morning to claim those








https://youtu.be/zcqpODLa_Mw





Keep an eye out for some balloons at MILE 22, SMILE and say hello to me

betty swollox wrote: »

So dubgal you have positioned yourself right at the worst point for us all, mile 22 marker is right at the bottom of heartbreak hill 😄😄.

Yup, I'll be cracking that whip where it hurts

unaaine wrote: »

Nothing to see here doesn't apply to any of us.... :cool:

Bumping this up, too funny!


What are you doing still on here?? Off boards, off

davedanon wrote: »

I wish. Night before DCM means no sleep. Doesn't matter how many times I do it.

Aw, but tonight's lack of sleep won't matter, you'll be grand....just frustrating. Best of everything to you and see you at the main event?