1st run post marathon. 5.2m in 38.01. A surprisingly decent run and felt good most of the run. Hamstring strain seems to be almost gone and no other injuries to report.
It was v v wet.
In the past I have almost always either had an injury or picked one up after a marathon so it will be interesting to see how things go. I will rest tomorrow and run Sunday.
I am now looking forward to the Glen Clova half 2/52 tomorrow.
Friday 30 October 2009
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Dublin Marathon
What a great race!!. Dublin is certainly the best marathon I have done. Not in terms of performance, I finished in 3h 14m 37sec but in terms of organisation and crowd suppport.
Liz and I made our way to Dublin on the Saturday. We stayed at the schoolhouse which turned out to an inspired choice as it was happily placed halfway between registration and the start.
We spent the Sunday doing touristy things such as visiting the Guinness storehouse and doing the open top bus ride. The bus ride is not as cheesey as it sounds and is a great way to see the city.
The race is always held on the October Monday bank holiday and this day is now known as Marathon Monday in Dublin. Large portions of the city are closed off for the race. There was a record 12500 doing the race. The start was at 9am so we got up at 6.30 for a 7am breakfast and left the hotel at 8.30. A complete result as we avoided the need to use the portaloos!!
The start was fantastic. A rousing rendition of the Irish national anthem followed by a few bars of Molly Malone and we were off.
Perfect conditions as well. No real wind and a high of 14degrees.
This was Liz's 1st Marathon and we had separarted to start in different parts of the field. I was more anxious for her than myself as she was doubtful of starting having picked up an injury a month before the race. However she was at the start dosed up with the contents of a chemist shop and ready to go.
I was determined to go off slowly and did so. In truth it wasnt difficult and I found 7.15 pace beyond me at a comfortable effort. I settled for running as I felt and passed 10m in 75min.
I was struggling in the 2nd quarter of the race and felt a finish of any sort would be OK. A niggle in my calf then a niggle in a hamstring kept me focussed on keeping things v steady.
By halfway I felt a new lease of life. I had had a gel at 10m and maybe that helped. However I determined to keep things safe and went through the 2nd 10m in exactly a second quicker than the 1st. The crowds were absolutely extraordinary. I have never seen or heard such loud enthusiasm and it makes such a difference.
After 20m as every marathon runner knows its just 10k to go. At this stage I had been passing people almost continuosly since halfway. Although I hadnt speeded up everyone around me was slowing down and what a boost that is. After 20m I really headed for home and got my pace below 7min/mile for the 1st time in the race. I was flying past my peers and it felt great.
The crowds got better and I kept passing people. Inevitably the last 2m were abit slower but the finish around Trinity college was something special with the crowds 4-5 people deep and all yelling their heads off.
I finished in 620th out of 10500 finishers.
After a quick trip back to our hotel I was able to locate Liz at 24m. I was also able to see her finish in 4h 49min. A great performance as she could only walk/jog the last 6m due to her injury recurring.
So all in all a great weekend and a race I would recommend to anyone.
Liz and I made our way to Dublin on the Saturday. We stayed at the schoolhouse which turned out to an inspired choice as it was happily placed halfway between registration and the start.
We spent the Sunday doing touristy things such as visiting the Guinness storehouse and doing the open top bus ride. The bus ride is not as cheesey as it sounds and is a great way to see the city.
The race is always held on the October Monday bank holiday and this day is now known as Marathon Monday in Dublin. Large portions of the city are closed off for the race. There was a record 12500 doing the race. The start was at 9am so we got up at 6.30 for a 7am breakfast and left the hotel at 8.30. A complete result as we avoided the need to use the portaloos!!
The start was fantastic. A rousing rendition of the Irish national anthem followed by a few bars of Molly Malone and we were off.
Perfect conditions as well. No real wind and a high of 14degrees.
This was Liz's 1st Marathon and we had separarted to start in different parts of the field. I was more anxious for her than myself as she was doubtful of starting having picked up an injury a month before the race. However she was at the start dosed up with the contents of a chemist shop and ready to go.
I was determined to go off slowly and did so. In truth it wasnt difficult and I found 7.15 pace beyond me at a comfortable effort. I settled for running as I felt and passed 10m in 75min.
I was struggling in the 2nd quarter of the race and felt a finish of any sort would be OK. A niggle in my calf then a niggle in a hamstring kept me focussed on keeping things v steady.
By halfway I felt a new lease of life. I had had a gel at 10m and maybe that helped. However I determined to keep things safe and went through the 2nd 10m in exactly a second quicker than the 1st. The crowds were absolutely extraordinary. I have never seen or heard such loud enthusiasm and it makes such a difference.
After 20m as every marathon runner knows its just 10k to go. At this stage I had been passing people almost continuosly since halfway. Although I hadnt speeded up everyone around me was slowing down and what a boost that is. After 20m I really headed for home and got my pace below 7min/mile for the 1st time in the race. I was flying past my peers and it felt great.
The crowds got better and I kept passing people. Inevitably the last 2m were abit slower but the finish around Trinity college was something special with the crowds 4-5 people deep and all yelling their heads off.
I finished in 620th out of 10500 finishers.
After a quick trip back to our hotel I was able to locate Liz at 24m. I was also able to see her finish in 4h 49min. A great performance as she could only walk/jog the last 6m due to her injury recurring.
So all in all a great weekend and a race I would recommend to anyone.
Friday 23 October 2009
Does jetlag counts as an excuse??
Just back from Toronto after a really nice 5 days spent with my sister, Alice and her family. I managed 4 5m runs with the mad hound ,Archie whilst there. He is the only dog I know that doesnt like going out for walks/runs. Hence I spent quite alot of time coming to sudden halts as Archie put the brakes on. Apparently this is quite normal behaviour for him.
So its 3 days to go and I am quite looking forward to the Marathon on Monday. I did the last run yesterday and apart from being paranoid about developing a virus after close contact with 2 coughing/snotty children,I feel fine.
My plan on Monday is to set out at 95min pace for the 1st half. That should feel reasonably comfortable. I am acutely aware that if I go off too fast I will suffer in the last 10m.
I would be OK with anything under 3.20, happy with sub 3.15 and delighted with anything under 3.10. Its a far cry from 3 years ago but I haved to be realistic bearing in mind the training I have not done.
So the aim is to enjoy the race as much as possible and hope a conservative 1st half pays off later.
So its 3 days to go and I am quite looking forward to the Marathon on Monday. I did the last run yesterday and apart from being paranoid about developing a virus after close contact with 2 coughing/snotty children,I feel fine.
My plan on Monday is to set out at 95min pace for the 1st half. That should feel reasonably comfortable. I am acutely aware that if I go off too fast I will suffer in the last 10m.
I would be OK with anything under 3.20, happy with sub 3.15 and delighted with anything under 3.10. Its a far cry from 3 years ago but I haved to be realistic bearing in mind the training I have not done.
So the aim is to enjoy the race as much as possible and hope a conservative 1st half pays off later.
Friday 16 October 2009
Progress report
It is now 10 days to go to the marathon and I am off to Toronto to visit my sister Alice tomorrow. I return next Friday then head off the following morning to Dublin. So this is a really good place to be.
I ran 10m on Monday and had the best run of my year on Tuesday. It felt oh so easy. If only every run was like that. Wednesday was a wake up call of course.
Tonight I will do 7m and I plan 20m after that over the next week
Good luck to ian tomorrow in his 24 hr race. I reackon he will do well and may crack 120m. I hope so.
I ran 10m on Monday and had the best run of my year on Tuesday. It felt oh so easy. If only every run was like that. Wednesday was a wake up call of course.
Tonight I will do 7m and I plan 20m after that over the next week
Good luck to ian tomorrow in his 24 hr race. I reackon he will do well and may crack 120m. I hope so.
Monday 5 October 2009
3 weeks to go
So its only 3 weeks to go to the Dublin marathon.
Since I last blogged we have had a lovely long weekend in France with our friends David and Laura. What a difference the heat makes. I felt great in the sun but was running like a limp lettuce. I love France and always enjoy going there. If we had been a week earlier there was a local 1/2 M which would have been good to do.
Since returning I think I have been getting quicker. This afternoon I did my 10.5m circuit in 75min which is the quickest this year. 3 days ago I did a 20 miler which was a big boost to the confidence to get done but slow. No problem though because its in the legs.
Ian did Lochness yest in 3h 24min in exactly even splits. Thats an attractive way to do a marathon because he was overtaking for the 2nd half. Can I be disciplined enough to go out conservatively and what pace is appropriate??
I have now done 1600m this year so all being well 2000m is on for the year.
I plan 13m on Friday then a taper of sorts. I havent really done enough running to have a meaningful taper but I can pretend.
Since I last blogged we have had a lovely long weekend in France with our friends David and Laura. What a difference the heat makes. I felt great in the sun but was running like a limp lettuce. I love France and always enjoy going there. If we had been a week earlier there was a local 1/2 M which would have been good to do.
Since returning I think I have been getting quicker. This afternoon I did my 10.5m circuit in 75min which is the quickest this year. 3 days ago I did a 20 miler which was a big boost to the confidence to get done but slow. No problem though because its in the legs.
Ian did Lochness yest in 3h 24min in exactly even splits. Thats an attractive way to do a marathon because he was overtaking for the 2nd half. Can I be disciplined enough to go out conservatively and what pace is appropriate??
I have now done 1600m this year so all being well 2000m is on for the year.
I plan 13m on Friday then a taper of sorts. I havent really done enough running to have a meaningful taper but I can pretend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)