Amsterdam Marathon

tHE vAGGABOND · 04-10-2018 9:57am

We could swap details and meetup the night before and get some food and some chat - maybe go to expo? I am flying in Saturday late morning and leave the Sunday night, on my own etc - not about long at all.

...in the shower after the run this morning it only dawned on me how I will shower after the run, might ask the hotel if I could do it there. They are normally ok about it [if the hotel has free space]

JohnDozer · 04-10-2018 6:58pm

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

We could swap details and meetup the night before and get some food and some chat - maybe go to expo? I am flying in Saturday late morning and leave the Sunday night, on my own etc - not about long at all.

...in the shower after the run this morning it only dawned on me how I will shower after the run, might ask the hotel if I could do it there. They are normally ok about it [if the hotel has free space]

I think there is showers in the building where the expo is. Not very far at all from the finish. Haven’t used them myself but pretty sure I’ve seen that written somewhere

Van.Bosch · 04-10-2018 8:19pm

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

We could swap details and meetup the night before and get some food and some chat - maybe go to expo? I am flying in Saturday late morning and leave the Sunday night, on my own etc - not about long at all.

...in the shower after the run this morning it only dawned on me how I will shower after the run, might ask the hotel if I could do it there. They are normally ok about it [if the hotel has free space]

Sounds good, what flight are you on? There is a pasta party at the expo in the evening, could be a fall back option but I’m sure there’ll be plenty of options.

tHE vAGGABOND · 09-10-2018 12:13pm

Last long runs done? How is everyone doing - happy, healthy and positive I hope

What time we all going for? If I decide to reach I will go for Sub-4, but know in my heart of hearts I dont have enuf miles in the legs for it - if the 4.10 or 4.20 group on day looks fun or interesting I might well just go with them and enjoy it a bit more!

Van.Bosch · 09-10-2018 1:08pm

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Last long runs done? How is everyone doing - happy, healthy and positive I hope

What time we all going for? If I decide to reach I will go for Sub-4, but know in my heart of hearts I dont have enuf miles in the legs for it - if the 4.10 or 4.20 group on day looks fun or interesting I might well just go with them and enjoy it a bit more!

There is no doubt in my mind you’ll be following the sub 4 guys on the day!

Van.Bosch · 12-10-2018 8:55pm

How is the taper going for everyone? Any last minute goal changes?

JohnDozer - how did Chicago go?

JohnDozer · 12-10-2018 9:21pm

Taper is doing what taper normally does!! Niggles everywhere and leaking fitness by the minute :-) Feeling pretty good though despite everything. Hearing of lots of people I know not making the DCM startline so feeling pretty thankful that at present I’m lining up next weekend.

Current weather prediction looks good for the day. Nice and cool. Was very very warm for the half last year.

Chicago wasn’t me... someone else...

How’s everyone else doing?

Van.Bosch · 12-10-2018 9:46pm

JohnDozer wrote: »

Taper is doing what taper normally does!! Niggles everywhere and leaking fitness by the minute :-) Feeling pretty good though despite everything. Hearing of lots of people I know not making the DCM startline so feeling pretty thankful that at present I’m lining up next weekend.

Current weather prediction looks good for the day. Nice and cool. Was very very warm for the half last year.

Chicago wasn’t me... someone else...

How’s everyone else doing?

Sorry - its ISOP who did Chicago!

Im feeling a little niggle but the taper is needed, legs are starting to feel tired. 90 minutes on Sunday is the last only anyway long run and then a couple of easy runs next week.

ISOP · 13-10-2018 12:14am

Hi, I didn't make it to Chicago thanks to those ****wits Aer Lingus who totally wrecked the whole weekend by cancelling the flight from Dublin last Friday (after 7 hours, 4 stuck on the plane on the runway) and not rescheduling a replacement untill 30 hours later making it too late to register at the xpo. I had to cancel the whole trip. I am still furious over the whole thing

Anyway, onwards and upwards... Got some good sessions in this week, 13 mile slowish run on Monday and 16 on Wednesday, 10 @ marathon pace, looking forward to Amsterdam now and feeling good. Hope it is going well for ye. I'm getting in on Saturday on the eurostar on Saturday from London so hopefully no transport issues this time!

Van.Bosch · 13-10-2018 8:39am

ISOP wrote: »

Hi, I didn't make it to Chicago thanks to those ****wits Aer Lingus who totally wrecked the whole weekend by cancelling the flight from Dublin last Friday (after 7 hours, 4 stuck on the plane on the runway) and not rescheduling a replacement untill 30 hours later making it too late to register at the xpo. I had to cancel the whole trip. I am still furious over the whole thing

Anyway, onwards and upwards... Got some good sessions in this week, 13 mile slowish run on Monday and 16 on Wednesday, 10 @ marathon pace, looking forward to Amsterdam now and feeling good. Hope it is going well for ye. I'm getting in on Saturday on the eurostar on Saturday from London so hopefully no transport issues this time!

What a balls job!

martyboy48 · 13-10-2018 1:50pm

Jesus that's tough, sorry to hear that....

I'd be raging......

ISOP · 13-10-2018 3:44pm

martyboy48 wrote: »

Jesus that's tough, sorry to hear that....

I'd be raging......

Thanks. Thankfully Chicago have deferred my entry to next year so all not lost. Compensation and flight refund still won't cover the stress and turmoil they caused. Safe to say I won't be travelling with Aer Lingus next year

OOnegative · 13-10-2018 3:51pm

It’s very warm here in Holland this weekend lads, but promised to cool down next week as week goes on.

ISOP · 13-10-2018 9:42pm

If all goes well, hopefully.. id be up to meet for a pint after? I'm staying until Monday anyway. Will be around after if you any of you guys fancy a few Heineken.. or two. .

Van.Bosch · 14-10-2018 12:04am

ISOP wrote: »

If all goes well, hopefully.. id be up to meet for a pint after? I'm staying until Monday anyway. Will be around after if you any of you guys fancy a few Heineken.. or two. .

im about - anyone have any recommendations on where is good to go?

ISOP · 14-10-2018 8:37pm

O'Reilly's just off dam square looks a good central location if anyone is up for it, seems convenient enough if everyone is staying in central Amsterdam?

Van.Bosch · 14-10-2018 10:56pm

ISOP wrote: »

O'Reilly's just off dam square looks a good central location if anyone is up for it, seems convenient enough if everyone is staying in central Amsterdam?

I’m staying closer to the start of the race but can get a tram there - it will be great to experience some local establishment!

Any recommendations for food the night before?

ISOP · 15-10-2018 6:41pm

I have eaten here before, it is very good, maybe not so good if you are a vegetarian..

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d2066520-Reviews-De_Nachtwacht-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html

Van.Bosch · 15-10-2018 8:45pm

ISOP wrote: »

I have eaten here before, it is very good, maybe not so good if you are a vegetarian..

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d2066520-Reviews-De_Nachtwacht-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html

Looks lovely - going with a steak the night before?

JohnDozer · 15-10-2018 9:54pm

I’m probably going with the tried and trusted pizza delivery the night before! Minimal walking and maximal carbs.

I’m not sure what the plans are yet for the aftermath. We plan on hanging around outside the Olympic Stadium for a while if the weather is nice! If I still know my own name by evening I might be able to join ye somewhere. Staying about 5 minutes walk from Centraal Station.

Starting to get very very real now. Weather looks ok at the moment but temperatures seem to be creeping upwards every time I check!

Van.Bosch · 15-10-2018 11:04pm

JohnDozer wrote: »

I’m probably going with the tried and trusted pizza delivery the night before! Minimal walking and maximal carbs.

I’m not sure what the plans are yet for the aftermath. We plan on hanging around outside the Olympic Stadium for a while if the weather is nice! If I still know my own name by evening I might be able to join ye somewhere. Staying about 5 minutes walk from Centraal Station.

Starting to get very very real now. Weather looks ok at the moment but temperatures seem to be creeping upwards every time I check!

Pizza, Steak? I’ve been doing the whole carb loading thing wrong, eating pasta like an idiot!

JohnDozer · 16-10-2018 7:58am

Van.Bosch wrote: »

Pizza, Steak? I’ve been doing the whole carb loading thing wrong, eating pasta like an idiot!

Pizza probably isn’t the best thing to be eating the night before to be fair but I find it just sits easier in the stomach than pasta the following day. Will be trying to shove the good carbs into the system all this week so won’t be relying on the pizza all going well!

Van.Bosch · 16-10-2018 7:20pm

JohnDozer wrote: »

Pizza probably isn’t the best thing to be eating the night before to be fair but I find it just sits easier in the stomach than pasta the following day. Will be trying to shove the good carbs into the system all this week so won’t be relying on the pizza all going well!

What ever works for you!

Weather seems to be about 12 for the morning and dry, that’d be perfect.

Van.Bosch · 16-10-2018 9:15pm

JohnDozer wrote: »

I’m probably going with the tried and trusted pizza delivery the night before! Minimal walking and maximal carbs.

I’m not sure what the plans are yet for the aftermath. We plan on hanging around outside the Olympic Stadium for a while if the weather is nice! If I still know my own name by evening I might be able to join ye somewhere. Staying about 5 minutes walk from Centraal Station.

Starting to get very very real now. Weather looks ok at the moment but temperatures seem to be creeping upwards every time I check!

You planning to stay near the stadium and soak up the atmosphere or stay near the stadium, have a beer and soak up the atmosphere?

JohnDozer · 16-10-2018 9:20pm

I plan on soaking up quite a few beers (not just A beer!) in the vicinity of the stadium and then try and roll myself onto a Metro heading in the direction of town before it’s too late!

Van.Bosch · 19-10-2018 8:47am

48 hours to go!

OOnegative · 19-10-2018 8:50am

Van.Bosch wrote: »

48 hours to go!

Considerably cooler here in Holland to the past two mornings & looking like it will stay that way.

tHE vAGGABOND · 19-10-2018 10:36am

My flight is at 6.15am in the morning. What in the name of jebus was I thinking when I booked that!!!

Van.Bosch · 19-10-2018 11:30am

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

My flight is at 6.15am in the morning. What in the name of jebus was I thinking when I booked that!!!

Ouch, I’m on the 850, slightly more social, going to head straight to expo after landing and get it out of the way.

JohnDozer · 19-10-2018 2:44pm

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

My flight is at 6.15am in the morning. What in the name of jebus was I thinking when I booked that!!!

Same! 7.20am. At least I’ve the expo done and feet up by 2/3pm tomorrow afternoon...

Van.Bosch · 19-10-2018 5:55pm

JohnDozer wrote: »

Same! 7.20am. At least I’ve the expo done and feet up by 2/3pm tomorrow afternoon...

You guys getting the bus to the expo or jumping in a taxi?

JohnDozer · 19-10-2018 6:46pm

Van.Bosch wrote: »

You guys getting the bus to the expo or jumping in a taxi?

I’m going on the way in from the airport. The train is pretty straightforward. You can buy your ticket in Schiphol Airport and get the train to Amsterdam Zuid station. Its walking distance from there. You can get tram or metro back into town then afterwards. We bought a multi day travel pass last year and it was well worth it if you’re going to be using public transport a bit on the day of the race and travelling home.

JohnDozer · 19-10-2018 7:04pm

OOnegative wrote: »

Considerably cooler here in Holland to the past two mornings & looking like it will stay that way.

What’s it like around noon/ 1ish though??

Van.Bosch · 19-10-2018 7:07pm

JohnDozer wrote: »

I’m going on the way in from the airport. The train is pretty straightforward. You can buy your ticket in Schiphol Airport and get the train to Amsterdam Zuid station. Its walking distance from there. You can get tram or metro back into town then afterwards. We bought a multi day travel pass last year and it was well worth it if you’re going to be using public transport a bit on the day of the race and travelling home.

Cheers - that’s my plan too, hit the expo about noon I’d say and then tram to hotel. The pass will be handy alright.

Van.Bosch · 19-10-2018 7:20pm

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Last long runs done? How is everyone doing - happy, healthy and positive I hope

What time we all going for? If I decide to reach I will go for Sub-4, but know in my heart of hearts I dont have enuf miles in the legs for it - if the 4.10 or 4.20 group on day looks fun or interesting I might well just go with them and enjoy it a bit more!

Set your target yet?

JohnDozer · 19-10-2018 7:41pm

OOnegative wrote: »

Considerably cooler here in Holland to the past two mornings & looking like it will stay that way.

What’s it like around noon/ 1ish though??

OOnegative · 19-10-2018 7:45pm

JohnDozer wrote: »

What’s it like around noon/ 1ish though??

Today it was about 15 degrees & sunny. Not overly warm with humidity roughly in the 60’s.

Van.Bosch · 19-10-2018 7:57pm

OOnegative wrote: »

Today it was about 15 degrees & sunny. Not overly warm with humidity roughly in the 60’s.

Are you running yourself?

OOnegative · 19-10-2018 7:59pm

Van.Bosch wrote: »

Are you running yourself?

No pacing Dublin the following week, ran Köln two weeks ago.

Van.Bosch · 19-10-2018 8:08pm

OOnegative wrote: »

No pacing Dublin the following week, ran Köln two weeks ago.

You could pace the few of us tomorrow aiming for sub-4!

ISOP · 20-10-2018 5:37am

here we go!

Van.Bosch · 20-10-2018 5:09pm

ISOP wrote: »

O'Reilly's just off dam square looks a good central location if anyone is up for it, seems convenient enough if everyone is staying in central Amsterdam?

I’m still up for a beer if anyone is about - what time you thinking?

ISOP · 20-10-2018 7:53pm

Van.Bosch wrote: »

ISOP wrote: »

O'Reilly's just off dam square looks a good central location if anyone is up for it, seems convenient enough if everyone is staying in central Amsterdam?

I’m still up for a beer if anyone is about - what time you thinking?

I'll be there 2 or half 2 Tommorrow depending on how it goes! Hopefully see you there. White singlet, red asics

Itziger · 21-10-2018 11:12am

Any news or updates?

Van.Bosch · 21-10-2018 2:12pm

Itziger wrote: »

Any news or updates?

Perfect conditions, flat route, good support.

Was aiming for sub 4 or B goal of sub 4:10. Came home in 4:22. Not too happy not too disappointed.

ISOP · 21-10-2018 2:29pm

I'm in Slainte here not far from O'Reilly. Will be here for an hour or so. Bad day for me at the office. Was looking for sub 4 and was going great till 20 when my stomach went. Had to stop a few times and revert to run/walk. Got home in 4:24. Really great marathon

Van.Bosch · 21-10-2018 2:46pm

ISOP wrote: »

I'm in Slainte here not far from O'Reilly. Will be here for an hour or so. Bad day for me at the office. Was looking for sub 4 and was going great till 20 when my stomach went. Had to stop a few times and revert to run/walk. Got home in 4:24. Really great marathon

Sounds like the same as me - just got sick again for the second time.

Won’t make it to Slainte within the hour but if your grabbing some grub or pints later - I’ll come to you?

tHE vAGGABOND · 22-10-2018 9:49am

Having done far less training than I should have over last few weeks I knew I was undertrained [new job with travel and home stuff]. So went off somewhere between 4 hours and 4.10 group. Knew as soon as 2 or 3 miles the effort was too hard. So slowed down a fraction, doing a pile slower miles. [the experience of really blowing up hard a few times!!!]

Ended up adopting a "run-walk strategy" for last 7 or 8 miles & came home in 4.38 or so. Don't really mind the time, as I knew I was undertrained and doing it for my own health [mental and physical]. So had a great day, and ran with a smile on my face [...er..lotsof the time - despite being utterly spent in my legs]

[The day before the plan in my head was to go with 4.30 and attempt some kind of tiny negative split & should have done that].

Runninghard · 24-10-2018 12:41am

I did the half on Sunday. Happy with my time as was struggling. Lots of Irish on course and for support. Interesting race - so many runners you were never alone but atmosphere was almost dead in places. Some mates who did the full said the buzz wasn’t a patch on Dublin. Nice flat course with only one climb out of an underpass towards the end. Lots of water and refreshments on course.

The finish in the stadium was a nice touch but the bottleneck to exit afterwards was positively dangerous especially for tired and dehydrated runners as refreshments were outside again. I saw at least 2 people get weak. Not sure how bad it was for the full finishers. Would definitely recommend it - if they get the stadium exit sorted.

tHE vAGGABOND · 26-10-2018 2:54pm

Just caught up with the actual race itself - the actions of Kenenisa Bekele are a bit mad. I was laughing when the day before at the expo, someone on a TV was saying that they were going for a world record...

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2018/10/examinaton-kenenisa-bekeles-bizarre-day-2018-tcs-amsterdam-marathon/

Amsterdam Marathon

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