DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

eyeball kid wrote: »

Anyone down Naas / West Wicklow direction?

Lakeshore Striders are in Blessington, don't know if any of them are on boards

RayCun wrote: »

Lakeshore Striders are in Blessington, don't know if any of them are on boards[/quote

Myles Splitz wrote: »

thewolf used to be with them so might be able to point people in the right direction.

Thanks. I was thinking of them. They would be pretty close to where I'll be living soon but I don't know anyone running with them.

Hi Nop

I kinda have a "need to fill the gap since Monday" bluesy type of a feeling. Does it sound familiar?

And I registered for the Jingle Bells 5k for me and the better half.

And I looked up some "how to get tuned up for a 5k in 4 weeks" schemas,

Seem to be missing the rest of that post Nop . Any thoughts on which 5km schema. Its my next target too and the search is on. Will be back on my feet getting some easy runs in next week along with some more core work.

denis b wrote: »

Hi Nop

I kinda have a "need to fill the gap since Monday" bluesy type of a feeling. Does it sound familiar?

And I registered for the Jingle Bells 5k for me and the better half.

And I looked up some "how to get tuned up for a 5k in 4 weeks" schemas,

Seem to be missing the rest of that post Nop . Any thoughts on which 5km schema. Its my next target too and the search is on. Will be back on my feet getting some easy runs in next week along with some more core work.

Hi Denis - not sure what happened.

I was thinking about something like the link below - but primarily focusing on doing the interval sessions and then some nice easy long-ish runs at the weekend, weather and real-life permitting. But then I saw Dubgal's post :eek:

Out of interest, what would you be targeting pace-wise? We might be at similar levels...

http://running.about.com/od/5kracetrainingschedules/a/4-week-Advanced-5k-Schedule.htm

Myles Splitz Tallaght AC
RayCun Brothers Pearse
Dubgal72 Bray Runners/Sli Cualann
Firedance Dunboyne AC
FeenaM Metro St. Brigid's
diego_b St. Brendan's AC (Kerry)

Myles Splitz Tallaght AC
RayCun Brothers Pearse
Dubgal72 Bray Runners/Sli Cualann
Firedance Dunboyne AC
FeenaM Metro St. Brigid's
diego_b St. Brendan's AC (Kerry)
Emsy1 Finn Valley AC (donegal)

engol wrote: »

My pb at a parkrun was 22.57 last May but nothing below 23.11 since. I'd been hoping to get that down to 22.30 but reading your post here is giving me renewed hope I can go better. Have you found a better program to follow since?

The search has just started and will check other threads before committing as I would definitely need a steer in the right direction as well. I had a look at the programme that Nop suggested and I like the look of it. Last time round I just ran the HH programme way too hard and did not distinguish, or understand, the training aims of each session.

Absolutely no doubt that you will improve your time with the right programme and approach. I am hanging on DG's promise (:)) that our PB's will tumble this winter.

The graduate thread will be interesting to pick up on what everybody else is doing as well.

Loved loved loved reading all your reports. About two weeks before dcm I read through a lot of last years reports and found they really helped me decide what I wanted to achieve on the day. Annapars report really helped me a lot thank you. So here go's with mine.

Arrived down to Dublin on Saturday as we had my nieces birthday party to attend.Got a great nights sleep as my hubby took the kids up to his mothers to stay the night. Sunday we headed into the expo at 11ish. Brilliant buzz about we had a quick look around took a few photos and left. Rested for the rest of the day, my sister took the kids to her house for the night. laid all my gear out and headed to bed at 9pm. Had an okish nights sleep.

Up at 6.45am had my ususal breakfast of porridge. Took a banana and a bagel with me and headed out the door We picked up a friend of mine and then the excitment started to hit in. Arrived into town to meet some of the donegal girls from our fit for life group. We walked up to the wave 3 line together and parted ways as they were going in wave 2. Got into the line for the toielts which was'nt as bad as at the half. Met Mrs Mc and somebody with her not sure who? Wished each other well then I made my way to the start. Had my banana and took two immodium. Hubby was able to stay with me so handed him my twenty layers of clothes and got in position between the 4.30 and 4.40 pacers. Took my first gel. Toulouse,Mrs Mc,chops where all there saw pjd gave him a wave. I think having all u there around me helped me keep calm and not panic or get overwhelmed by how big this whole thing was.

Then we were off I chatted away to chops. We turned onto the keys and I got the first taste of somebody calling my name it was flippin deadly. Lost chops somewhere here as it was crowded. When we got into the park I remember reading here to check yourself and if you where feeling it to pull back but I was fine I was determined to stick with at a 10.30ish pace. A bit of wind at times in the park I took shelter behind two young fellas who I think thought I was stalking them. Took another gel at mile 5. I will never forget coming into Castleknock as long as I live it gives me goosebumps thinking about it. People where screaming my name I was bawling crying like a big dope we went by a house with Molly Malone blaring, more calling of my name it was surreal. Felt fantastic keeping, my nice pace going.

Was busting for the loo so stopped at the loo at chapelizod quickest pee I have ever had. Came around at the bridge here to huge support from my sister and her family the kids had brilliant signs "sweaty Emma is the best Emma" and "giddy Up" Gave them a huge cheer and headed for the tunnel my hubby met me here mile 10 with an open gel so took that. He ran with me for the next 3 miles. He was on as much of a high as me and he was telling about the elite athletes passing him,and was able to tell me how the girls from the club where doing.

I found the crumlin road to be very long and probably the hardest stretch for me, Did anybody else see the two dublin woman here with the dog in the trolley handing out ham sambo's and smoking they where hilarious. "Jaysus Emma ur great have a sambich" I knew i had support at the walkinstown roundabout so that kept me going. My brother and his family where waiting for me. More great banners high 5's I was on top of the world. Up a bit more and Mam and dad where there with my children. My parents where crying I hadn't realised in all of this how proud they where of me. I stopped and gave them all big hugs and kisses Dad gave me some jelly babies and I was off again feeling great keeping in the 10.30 range took a gel at 15 miles.. At 17 miles I heard my husbands voice he was beside me again filled up my water bottles for me as we ran alongside each other he stayed with me for 2 miles gave me a gel at 20 miles and said my sister would meet me at the dreaded roebuck hill. Loved the sign for Terenure sweets and smile if you've no knickers. gave a shout out to the girls with "free beer and bragging rights for a year" took and orange from somebody along here.

I was flagging a bit at 21miles and to my great surprise my brother and his family and a few friends where here they where a sight for sore eyes and they gave me the lift I needed. Do you know I never for one second though I couldn't do it which is gas because I had these thoughts all the time in training. Pushed on to the 22 mile mark and there was my big sis waiting for me she ran along side me up the hill telling me how great I was doing I gave Ray Darcy a big shout out here. After training in the hills of donegal I flew up heartbreak hill. I asked my sister would she stay with me for a bit so she did. She was fantastic I remember her saying you've 3 miles left emma how many times have you done 3 miles.

I remember somewhere at 23 miles seeing the white balloon of the 4.40 pacers in my peripheral. This was the first time I considered what time I was doing. I new I had it in me to come in a head of these guys so put the foot down and shook them off. My sister left me at the rds. I remember seeing lots of people walking but I felt really strong. Nothing could have prepared me for the finishing stretch I felt like I was in "One direction" so many people calling my name. I saw my hubby again here up high hanging out of a pole he screamed at me that the kids where at the next traffic lights. Dad fired the two of them over the barrier they grabbed my hand and they pulled me over the finish line. This moment will live with me forever I was so proud. It was captured in my finishers pix perfectly.

I finished in 4hr38, and danced till 3am in coppers to celebrate I was so happy it was a proud day to be a dub the support from strangers was unbelievable. The support from my family and friends was so heartwarming. My husband especially was fantastic I would say he probably ran the guts of a marathon himself on the day chasing me all around the course. I would do it all again in the morning if I could. Almost a week later and I am still on cloud 9.

I could not have achieved this without this thread, training alone was so difficult at times but I never felt lonely. I will miss filling in my sheets and seeing how everyone's getting on, on strava. Thanks Dubgal and all the team u ar amazing.

Emsy I think I am more impressed with you dancing till 3 in coppers !!! Great report well done

Emsy, loved your race report! Brilliant!

Really feeling the blues today. Going for lunch with a friend which will help pull me out of it!

My "running stuff" drawer won't close these days - usually half of it is in the wash at any one stage but now it's overflowing - all clean & ready to go.

Better get out there again this week - maybe Wednesday

Firedance wrote: »

drawer? as in singular? pfft

If it's less than a press, it's not worth talking about

Technically, I have a drawer and a rail in the wardrobe devoted to running gear.

The reality is they are lying about in various piles in my bedroom! :P