DCM 2015: Mentored Novices Thread

I did a search in the end :P

I thought maybe they had deleted it cos it was over - waaahhhhhh.

Oh yeh, the reason I was actually looking for it was to see if anyone can recommend a good 10k plan for me? I want to really work on my 5k/10k times over the next while so one that will make me fast. Thanks

OK finally getting to this now that I've had time to think about it.

What went well with your training plan?

Anything with intervals/tempo runs/speedwork. Loved them and always nailed them. I would have happily done them every day.

What would you do differently with your training? (frash's example of a longer midweek run is an excellent one)

So many things.

Training in the mornings was what I always planned to do but I ended up working the 7am shift and it didn't happen. By the time I got out in the evening I was knackered, then by the time I got home from my evening runs I was wired and was awake late and so was wrecked getting up again! I would manage the times of my runs much better. Get them done as early as possible - including my long runs.

I didn't look at a week's plans until that week. This I think was a big mistake.

I would take on a different plan to be completely honest, I'm not happy with the plan I had, it didn't really match up with the advice I was getting with regards to long run:midweek runs ratios. I also feel that I didn't hit enough mileage overall.

I would have a hell of a lot more respect for the distance, and while I missed out on some runs due to injury I know there were a couple I missed that I could have done. I will never make that mistake again.

I will do more crosstraining.

I will do more core and strength work - once I was told I should stop crossfit until the marathon was over - I stopped finding the time for strength work. This was a big mistake. I could have easily done pilates at home, or gone to my local gym for weight sessions. And I LOVE lifting weights so I don't really know why I didn't do this as much as I should have - I've no excuse really - tiredness I guess, but that comes back to time management which is entirely my responsibility.

I will lose weight. I don't quite know how I will achieve this yet, as I don't know what I can improve in my diet, but now that I am not putting in as many hours of training for the marathon I will make this a priority.

I will not blindly accept what I'm told. I was pretty embarrassed at the expo, when speaking to one of the pacers as I was trying to decided who to go out with. We were discussing my training and my easy pace, I explained I run by HR. When asked was my easy 70% of my max - I realised I didn't know. I should have known, I should have known exactly why I was running the way I was running. I will make it my business now to know why I am training the way I am training and what impact it has on my progress.

I will make a better plan for race day. I had no plan for injury. I spent two miles wondering WTF I was meant to do now. I hadn't considered it. I will next time.

Lots more things - but I won't bore you

What went well about the race?

The first 12 miles went pretty well.
I was very comfortable, I kept myself in check, I ensured my breathing was good and that I wasn't feeling pressure.

Coming up to mile 13 when I was starting to feel dizzy and not entirely sure if I'd hit the ground, I made the decision to take a break and fuel up. Despite the way it ended, I think this was the right decision at the time.

When it all went to sh*t, I panicked for the first couple of miles and became quite distressed. Once I got to mile 17 though, I was able to break it down into pieces. I didn't think about the 9 miles left. I thought about the small 5ks I had to do. That made things so much easier. I reminded myself of all the things I had said, about soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the day. In the end, it was PMA that got me over the line smiling. So ultimately - breaking it down and staying positive were the things that were good.

What would you do differently if you could start the race again?

On the day? Very little that I could have done differently on the day in all honesty - once I crossed the start line that is.
Leading up to it? All of the above in my training plan question.