Running (up that hill)

[Lazare]

Tue/Wed/Thurs/Sat/Sun sounds like a good timetable actually. Obviously been out mon/tues this week already so I might skip thurs/fri this week and change over next week. Or do long run sat this week maybe.

Yeah, main thing is not to stress over it.

That structure is my standard week, but I regularly deviate from it. Just back from a run now, but didn't run yesterday.

[Keane]

Yeah, main thing is not to stress over it.

That structure is my standard week, but I regularly deviate from it. Just back from a run now, but didn't run yesterday.

I took yesterday off and I'm going to go out again in a little while now and do my longer run tomorrow. It suits me well enough to get out around lunchtime with WFH so might be a better fit to do M-T-W and then F-S. The main thing is just to build a bit of momentum anyway. It was good to get out a few days in a row for the first time in a good while but I need to keep it going.

[Lazare]

I took yesterday off and I'm going to go out again in a little while now and do my longer run tomorrow. It suits me well enough to get out around lunchtime with WFH so might be a better fit to do M-T-W and then F-S. The main thing is just to build a bit of momentum anyway. It was good to get out a few days in a row for the first time in a good while but I need to keep it going.

Absolutely, do what works. Consecutive days consistently done are amazing for your growth.

[dinekes]

Thought I would do an update while I'm having my coffee

Routine is not as full on as it was for the first 10 weeks of the year. Had several weeks with bad neck pain around end of march and into April that just took the joy out of doing anything....still got out a bit but was forcing myself.

Thankfully that subsided to the "normal" low pain/stiffness level I'm accustomed to and have been getting out fairly consistently for the past few weeks.

Building the jogging up slowly by breaking it into sections during a session. So this am ventured out at 6.30 and walked for 20 mins then jog for 1.5Km walk again for a bit then jog 800m, walk then jog last 450 a lttle bit faster.
Seems to be working fine as no problems with calf but if I did 3k continuous I would probably get a niggle in it so will continue with this strategy and gradually extend the range.


Weight is steady on 14 stone so have not backtracked at all and not feeling any lack in terms of food etc.
So goal of 13 stone very achievable.

[Lazare]

Re the sub 40, I'm really not sure. My next target is a 5k in May that I'm gonna attempt a sub 19 at.

10k is next on the list after that. If the 5k goes to plan the sub 40 should be at least on my mind.

Managed this last night at Leixlip 5k.

Ran 18:47.

Confident now of having a crack at sub 40 at Dunshaughlin 10k.

[BennyHiFi]

Woo hoo!

Did my fastest half marathon in nearly 10 years today.

Just 1min 11secs outside my decade-old PB.

[Lazare]

Woo hoo!

Did my fastest half marathon in nearly 10 years today.

Just 1min 11secs outside my decade-old PB.

Get the fook in there!! Well done man.

[Goodluck2me]

Woo hoo!

Did my fastest half marathon in nearly 10 years today.

Just 1min 11secs outside my decade-old PB.

Some going! What time did you manage? Have you been working on it or just ran care-free?

[Goodluck2me]

I remember some one telling me that if you want to be considered a “good” runner, the template is a sub-40min 10km.

[Solksjaer!]

I remember some one telling me that if you want to be considered a “good” runner, the template is a sub-40min 10km.

I'm not being smarrt but sub 40 is very attainable for a guy like you. I think it's a target ye should aim for . Conor will crush it soon and he knows it. Can see a sub 38 there this year . Keep it up lads a ling summer ahead to crush it. Trying to shed 5k in the gym myself atm . My food addiction sez feck off.

[Goodluck2me]

I'm not being smarrt but sub 40 is very attainable for a guy like you. I think it's a target ye should aim for . Conor will crush it soon and he knows it. Can see a sub 38 there this year . Keep it up lads a ling summer ahead to crush it. Trying to shed 5k in the gym myself atm . My food addiction sez feck off.

Conor has a good chance at it, id have none at all my best 10km is 45:01 at the moment and that was after good training. I can barely do 22min 5kms at the moment as I’m out of training for a while now.

[Solksjaer!]

Conor has a good chance at it, id have none at all my best 10km is 45:01 at the moment and that was after good training. I can barely do 22min 5kms at the moment as I’m out of training for a while now.

Hmmm 22 min whilst out of training. Thats pretty good . Maybe we've shifted to a new dimension but 40 is something thats achievable if you train for it. You hit 45 with good training. Perhaps focus on technique? Maybe yer happy as is . Just saying dont think yourself out of it.

[Keane]

I took yesterday off and I'm going to go out again in a little while now and do my longer run tomorrow. It suits me well enough to get out around lunchtime with WFH so might be a better fit to do M-T-W and then F-S. The main thing is just to build a bit of momentum anyway. It was good to get out a few days in a row for the first time in a good while but I need to keep it going.

Haven't been particularly consistent with this but had been doing a good amount of running almost entirely at nice slow paces up to the end of last week. Did a really strong 12.5k-ish for the Run Killarney 10k last weekend and was feeling quite positive about the half marathon but have had a bit of a roadblock since having been away on a stag over the weekend came home extrememly fresh but back to a small boy just starting to cut his back molars so have had basically no sleep for a week and the thought of going for a run feels quite scary. I'm going to get out now shortly and try to do something in the 10k range to see how it feels.

I wonder is it too late to do something like a 10 miler to see how the body copes with extra distance with the half just 12 days away?

[dinekes]

Haven't been particularly consistent with this but had been doing a good amount of running almost entirely at nice slow paces up to the end of last week. Did a really strong 12.5k-ish for the Run Killarney 10k last weekend and was feeling quite positive about the half marathon but have had a bit of a roadblock since having been away on a stag over the weekend came home extrememly fresh but back to a small boy just starting to cut his back molars so have had basically no sleep for a week and the thought of going for a run feels quite scary. I'm going to get out now shortly and try to do something in the 10k range to see how it feels.

I wonder is it too late to do something like a 10 miler to see how the body copes with extra distance with the half just 12 days away?

Wouldn't stress too much on it...I would stick with the original plan and you will be fine on the day I would think.
Don't force anything now as that's exactly when injuries happen. Better to get to the day perhaps a little underprepared than an injury now and miss out.

You will power through on the day!

[Lazare]

Yeah, agree with dinekes, try not to stress it. Also understand that it's totally normal and fine to have a few doubts.

You'll have no problem with the distance on the day. Have you a target pace in mind for it?

[Keane]

Thanks lads. I have run a half once before so I would be fairly confident I could hobble home in any event. It would be nice to break two hours so 5:40/km in an ideal world, but I would be quite happy with anything south of 6 min/km so maybe I should pace it for that and increase in the back end if there's gas in the tank.

10k in Killarney was 5:26 having started much slower than I needed as there were three of us together. One guy is a good bit stronger than me and the other is a bit weaker - after about 4k we stronger two upped the pace a bit then 2k farther on I picked up again although the strongest guy had already distanced me at that stage. I was under pressure the last 1500m a bit but wasn't puking at the line or anything. Chip time was 53:26, race predictor is giving me 5:35 for a half based off it. Had done a couple of km warming up as well.

KM	Pace /km	GAP /km	Elev m
1	06:32	06:25	6
2	05:44	05:42	1
3	05:54	05:42	11
4	05:40	05:39	-1
5	05:20	05:25	-11
6	05:20	05:22	-5
7	05:05	04:59	6
8	05:13	05:07	-1
9	05:09	05:09	-3
10	05:13	05:09	2

[Keane]

Might still try something in the region of 12-14k (very slow pace) today just for a confidence boost but will just spin out some short runs after that.

[Keane]

Yeah so I did around 11.6km there while ago at 6:11/km average and it didn't help

Found it quite tough but am conscious of the fact that I would probably run a lot more easily if I could get a good night's sleep. Unfortunately the small fella is suspected of having picked up chicken pox in creche now so all bets off.

[Goodluck2me]

Yeah so I did around 11.6km there while ago at 6:11/km average and it didn't help

Found it quite tough but am conscious of the fact that I would probably run a lot more easily if I could get a good night's sleep. Unfortunately the small fella is suspected of having picked up chicken pox in creche now so all bets off.

The best laid plans etc. I wouldn’t read too much into how you felt today, if you got a good nights sleep before the race you’ll be flying it.

[Goodluck2me]

Hmmm 22 min whilst out of training. Thats pretty good . Maybe we've shifted to a new dimension but 40 is something thats achievable if you train for it. You hit 45 with good training. Perhaps focus on technique? Maybe yer happy as is . Just saying dont think yourself out of it.

I think mentally I would hit a wall aiming for a 40mins, especially as any spare time I have now I’m using for Tennis rather than running, but would love to try and hit that at some point.

[Lazare]

Thanks lads. I have run a half once before so I would be fairly confident I could hobble home in any event. It would be nice to break two hours so 5:40/km in an ideal world, but I would be quite happy with anything south of 6 min/km so maybe I should pace it for that and increase in the back end if there's gas in the tank.

10k in Killarney was 5:26 having started much slower than I needed as there were three of us together. One guy is a good bit stronger than me and the other is a bit weaker - after about 4k we stronger two upped the pace a bit then 2k farther on I picked up again although the strongest guy had already distanced me at that stage. I was under pressure the last 1500m a bit but wasn't puking at the line or anything. Chip time was 53:26, race predictor is giving me 5:35 for a half based off it. Had done a couple of km warming up as well.

KM	Pace /km	GAP /km	Elev m
1	06:32	06:25	6
2	05:44	05:42	1
3	05:54	05:42	11
4	05:40	05:39	-1
5	05:20	05:25	-11
6	05:20	05:22	-5
7	05:05	04:59	6
8	05:13	05:07	-1
9	05:09	05:09	-3
10	05:13	05:09	2

Well done man, that's a really strong finish. Take a lot of confidence from that, and as Joe said, don't worry at all about how you felt on today's 11.6. It doesn't matter and is pretty standard fare anyway.

Have a good healthy lead up to it in terms of lifestyle, and do your best to sleep well.

You'll fly it, and will manage that pace with no problem.

Also remember that the pace may feel tough. It's suppposed to.

[Lazare]

I think mentally I would hit a wall aiming for a 40mins, especially as any spare time I have now I’m using for Tennis rather than running, but would love to try and hit that at some point.

Would be no bother to you Joe if you did focus on it.

[dinekes]

Building up nicely with the jogging
Like I was saying just taking it handy with continuous distance and taking breaks

So this AM I did 2.1...walk a bit...then 1.5...walk then 500 metres a bit faster. With good stretches

Went out this eve too with a 2.1, 1.5, 250 fast and a 500 metre.

I did 3km continuous one day recently but don't want to push it with the calf. This joining the dots approach seems to be working for me

[Goodluck2me]

Building up nicely with the jogging
Like I was saying just taking it handy with continuous distance and taking breaks

So this AM I did 2.1...walk a bit...then 1.5...walk then 500 metres a bit faster. With good stretches

Went out this eve too with a 2.1, 1.5, 250 fast and a 500 metre.

I did 3km continuous one day recently but don't want to push it with the calf. This joining the dots approach seems to be working for me

As a wise man once said, “start slow and taper off” !

[BennyHiFi]

Some going! What time did you manage? Have you been working on it or just ran care-free?

Sorry GL2M missed this question. 2:06.39. It’s very flat and I felt a pound or two lighter Than usual plus conditions were pretty perfect.

really dunno if I’ll ever manage to beat 2:05.25 set in 2014 but, relatively speaking I’m sure this run was better.

i never try to beat previous times or train for anything. I just run and the goal is solely to keep running for as long as I can, onto my 60s at least hopefully. Am 51 now and been back at it again for just over 10 years. So can’t compare now to my early 30s.

will be back again to do this fast lane run in October I think when they run it again.

(Note when I first ran in my early 30s in early 2000s I reckon my half PB would have been around the 1:45 mark. No devices then and never kept a record of times but based on my one marathon that’s what it would have looked like.)

[BennyHiFi]

Never forget the benefits of packing your running gear when going on a trip!

Yesterday morning I did a memorable 10Km in Golders Hill park and Hampstead Heath in north London on the last day of my week-long family holiday.

It had an elevation of about 120 meters - all uphill for the first 5km, then all down hill.

I paid a visit to a random, deserted pergola and wild garden, ran through a strange and unexpected modernist flat complex on the edge of the heath, seemingly built into the landscape (rather than on it), passed a couple of interesting blue plaque houses one of which belonged to Lord Leverhulme, jogged past the old toll bridge for the heath, ran some trails, got completely lost on the way back and ran through an estate of million-quid houses - all in glorious sunshine with two huge blisters on the balls of my feet from walking around London so much in the preceding few day.

Here's some video...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtT0D2drWCr/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtTz3oNJowp/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtTzfwEveEu/

Favourite run of the year so far and it nearly didn't happen cos of the blisters but I didn't want to miss an opportunity to explore.

[Goodluck2me]

Never forget the benefits of packing your running gear when going on a trip!

Yesterday morning I did a memorable 10Km in Golders Hill park and Hampstead Heath in north London on the last day of my week-long family holiday.

It had an elevation of about 120 meters - all uphill for the first 5km, then all down hill.

I paid a visit to a random, deserted pergola and wild garden, ran through a strange and unexpected modernist flat complex on the edge of the heath, seemingly built into the landscape (rather than on it), passed a couple of interesting blue plaque houses one of which belonged to Lord Leverhulme, jogged past the old toll bridge for the heath, ran some trails, got completely lost on the way back and ran through an estate of million-quid houses - all in glorious sunshine with two huge blisters on the balls of my feet from walking around London so much in the preceding few day.

Here's some video...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtT0D2drWCr/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtTz3oNJowp/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtTzfwEveEu/

Favourite run of the year so far and it nearly didn't happen cos of the blisters but I didn't want to miss an opportunity to explore.

There’s nothing quite like running around a city to enjoy it/take it in.

[Lazare]

I remember some one telling me that if you want to be considered a “good” runner, the template is a sub-40min 10km.

Agonisingly close tonight at Dunshaughlin. 40:03 chip time.

Felt some cramp coming on at about 8k that scuppered it. 9th km could have been 15 secs quicker if it wasn't for it, lungs were in great shape. Will have to figure that out.

Not complaining though, delighted with it.

[ArmaniJeans]

2022 Report
.
3. Never did venture into a proper race - I guess the first step might be to use the internet to actually find out where/when they are on !
.

2023 Goals
Definitely do some proper races in 2023. Will read here and boards to find out when they are on. Maybe someone throw a link if there's a website that collates them?

Well, excitingly I've signed up for a local race on Thursday evening, Clonee 10K. Have only ran the distance twice this year (I get bored around 7K) but have done ~53min each time.
So something in that vicinity would be nice. Hit a PB of 24.30 on last parkrun so should be achievable. But even if slower it just becomes a target to beat in the future.

[Lazare]

Well, excitingly I've signed up for a local race on Thursday evening, Clonee 10K. Have only ran the distance twice this year (I get bored around 7K) but have done ~53min each time.
So something in that vicinity would be nice. Hit a PB of 24.30 on last parkrun so should be achievable. But even if slower it just becomes a target to beat in the future.

We were only talking about this tonight, how to predict your 10k time from your 5k best.

Consensus is double plus 60-90 secs, so you're well on for a great PB at Clonee.

Go for it

[ArmaniJeans]

Well, excitingly I've signed up for a local race on Thursday evening, Clonee 10K. Have only ran the distance twice this year (I get bored around 7K) but have done ~53min each time.
So something in that vicinity would be nice. Hit a PB of 24.30 on last parkrun so should be achievable. But even if slower it just becomes a target to beat in the future.

Wow, every muscle and bone hurts even after a 10 hour sleep. Thank fuck I took today off.
Very different experience to parkrun - everyone is still very friendly and encouraging, good banter etc but at the core of it they are serious runners.
I don't get involved in clock or distance watching as I go, just try to keep running.
But was a bit shocked when I eventually noticed a sign saying 6K as in my head I thought it should say 7K. Realised then I was in a bit of trouble as not a lot left in the tank.
Decided to ease off until 8K, then pick it up. At 8K decided to wait until 9K then a big effort. I tried for the final K but nothing doing so just eased home.
Looking at the detail afterwards, I went something like 5:03, 5:07, 5:12:, 5:20, 5:25 etc. That trend continued into the second 5K.

Final score was 53:40, so a bit slower then what I hoped/expected. But it's a time to aim at in the future.
Much fun anyway. Now back to the sofa.

[Goodluck2me]

Agonisingly close tonight at Dunshaughlin. 40:03 chip time.

Felt some cramp coming on at about 8k that scuppered it. 9th km could have been 15 secs quicker if it wasn't for it, lungs were in great shape. Will have to figure that out.

Not complaining though, delighted with it.

Holy shit 40:03?! Unbelievable…

[BennyHiFi]

Brutal Clontarf Half yesterday. I ran 16 mins slower than the Fast Lane a few weeks ago and walked more than any half in memory. Wanted to quit from about 4k - desperate stuff.

30Km headwinds on the way back in muggy 20-22 degrees. I saw a record 6 people collapsed (3 was the previous worst I'd seen there) and 3 blue lights to the hospital. They ran out of ambulances and had a fire engine 1k from the end giving at least one poor girl oxygen and tending to someone else too.

Worst of all they changed the course so no more running on Bull Island - which was obviously a huge part of the attraction. I think maybe there aren't allowed on there anymore, I hope it wasn't voluntary anyway.

Now it's just a sea wall run (with a 2 k diversion off towards the island but doubling back before you see any sand) with an endless boring view.

So I doubt if I'll be back in November, possibly ending a 10 year run of looking forward to it.

It had record numbers, over 5,000 runners (inc over 1,000 for the 5 mile) so I suppose kudos to The Bear Races organisers. But it was clear there were a lot of newbies there (tons of familial support is always a sure sign us veterans never have any support ) and that might have impacted the casualties.

Onwards an upwards I suppose, gotta find another half for the end of the summer now, probably the Fast Lane in west Dublin on Oct 8.

Off to Enniscrone in August so looking forward to running 10kms on that magnificent beach every day.

[BennyHiFi]

PS... signed up for the Ratoath Half on Sept 9. Quite fancy running round Fairyhouse racecourse (one lap at the end of the race).

I'm going to a gig that night so hopefully no repeat of yesterday where I had a nap from 4.30 to 6pm and then was back in bed at 8pm (to 9am this morning!)

If that goes OK I'll probably be happy to finish the year with the Fast Lane in Clondalkin but it was hard last year - October weather can be unkind.

[Lazare]

67:32 today at the Frank Duffy 10 mile for a PB.

Tough enough course and conditions so am happy with that.

Set a goal at the start of the year of PBing at 5k, 5 mile, 10k, 10 mile, half marathon and full marathon.

Have done all so far bar the marathon. That's coming up in Oct and am confident.

Also set a PB in the mile for a bonus.

Great year so far.

[BennyHiFi]

Off to Enniscrone in August so looking forward to running 10kms on that magnificent beach every day.

Got seven runs in 10 days, mostly beaches and boreens. Just as I like it.

Also did some 'wild swimming' in a quarry. I enjoyed it more than I'd anticipated (I hate being IN water but love being near it).

[ionapaul]

I only have 374k done for the year so far, dreadful numbers (had to take two breaks, one due to my reoccurring back injury and one due to sickness during the summer). No chance of hitting my yearly target of 750k now, will end up somewhere between 500k and 600k I guess. Also slow as shit and a bit unfit due to the breaks, sigh!

[BennyHiFi]

Another killer half in Ratoath yesterday due to the heat. Not really sure what to make of it TBH. Was well organised at the start and finish in Fairyhouse racecourse but when we got out onto the roads there wasn't really enough water stations and couple of roads had busy enough traffic which was trying to weave its way through the runners on narrow country roads which I wasn't very keen on.

Saw my first runner turn back back before 5km and some had thrown the towel in and turned back right up to 10km. More people taking walking breaks than I've ever seen in a race, including me, probably for less than a kilometre or so overall but still disappointing as I view walking as a sign of defeat in a race.

Heard three ambulances wailing towards the end and two people collapsed in the final stretch running around the racecourse but there seemed to be no ambulances left to attend to them.

My time of 2:18.45 was probably OK in light of the heat, 5 mins faster than Clontarf a couple or months ago but still about 8 mins slower than I might have managed on a cooler day.

Might try and squeeze one more race in before the end of the year. Quite fancy a trail run but not paying 75 euro for that Ecotrails one in Wicklow on 30 Sept. Total rip off.

[dinekes]

A bit ater my last post I injured the calf yet again. Felt good one morning and just did an extra km or so and it must have torn again so didn't even attempt a jog for about 3 weeks.
Slowly got back into it but still at the run 1km. walk stretch...500m..walk stretch etc. Still build up a good sweat though
Not going to push it at all this time and just consolidate the small gains and build strength ...was feeling really strong this am but stopped regardless after 1km and stretched a bit then jogged on.

Still got a good sweat going so feels good.
Almost cold shower is great just after.

Weightwise put back on 3 lbs after losing 14lb so refocusing on food intake.

[Lazare]

67:32 today at the Frank Duffy 10 mile for a PB.

Tough enough course and conditions so am happy with that.

Set a goal at the start of the year of PBing at 5k, 5 mile, 10k, 10 mile, half marathon and full marathon.

Have done all so far bar the marathon. That's coming up in Oct and am confident.

Also set a PB in the mile for a bonus.

Great year so far.

Managed it today at Amsterdam marathon with a 3:15:47 for an 11 min PB.

Teeny tiny bit bitter-sweet as I was targeting 3:10 and cramped a bit, but still, I'm thrilled.

[Lazare]

Cross post from my training log on boards.

Amsterdam marathon race report.

SPOILER

Amsterdam Marathon 2023 - Race Report
Ambivalence, Bittersweet, whatever the terminology, that's the emotion right now. Although mostly sweet, 80/20 sweet.

For the purpose of this log, and to help my development as a runner I'm going to focus a little on that 20%, in the hope of getting some knowledgeable, no holds barred feedback from you guys.

We flew over on Sat morn, myself, @skyblue46 and @Laineyfrecks. Such an exciting day, we parted for our hotels then met up a little later at the Expo.
Expo was great, a really fantastic buzz about the place and number collection was pretty seamless. We went for a bit of grub then parted ways again to bunker down in our hotels.

I got everything ready for the morning and settled down on the bed at about 7pm for the night. Watched the Rugby then went to sleep.

I felt a fair bit of unease I have to say on the Saturday night. I'm a big proponent of belief, and how powerful it can be if it's unwavering.
I had to fight a little to instill it in myself on Saturday night. I think mostly though it was just pre race jitters, as I woke up Sunday morn feeling good, and feeling confident.

Went down at 6:30am for the hotel breakfast, had a muesli and coffee, then back to the room for a banana and began sipping on a Maurten 320. The hotel breakfast was packed with runners which was great.
The three of us had arranged to meet at 8:30am beside the bag drop.
I got off the tram and made my way there, about 1200m away from the venue.
I got caught up then in a disgusting hail storm and had to duck for cover. Panic a little as it was 8:30 and I was still about 800m away.
The hail stopped after 6 mins or so and I jogged to the meet point. Chaotic there with everyone trying to get changed and ready in the sparse dry sheltered spots.
Met the guys then and we dropped off the bags. We then struggled to find our entry point to the stadium. It was really poorly signposted I have to say, the event was really well organised except for this. Loads of people were milling around with panicked faces trying to find where to go.

We finally discovered our entry point and joined the melee of people. It resulted in us starting way way too far back in our corral. In hindsight we should have gotten there earlier but without experience of it who's to know. I found the whole start experience to be bit confusing and panicked, but again, a product of us getting delayed.
Somehow we're off and running.

My race plan was to spend the first 5k easing into goal pace. My 5k target split for 3:10 was 22:30 but I planned to go through there in about 23mins.

I ran a 5k shakeout on Saturday morn and spent the whole run visualising that. Hitting 5k 30 secs off goal, being 30-40 secs off each 5k split up until 30k then picking things up, ie, the dream mara.

Congestion was brutal though and I hit 5k 63 seconds behind, 23:33.
I'm not too bothered by it though at this stage, it can still be pulled back.
I managed to finally get to goal pace for km6 but hit frustrating traffic again in km 7.

This part of the course is a hairpin, I looked over to the left and saw the 3:10 pace group. I had planned pre race to position myself between them and the 3:20s. I noticed then that they were approaching the 9km marker and we hadn't hit 7 yet. Dawned on me then actually how far back we were starting off.

Around this point too I came upon the 3:30 pace group. The road was wide enough here for them not to be a problem and I eased by them without issue. As frustrating as the congestion was, I have to admit to it being a buzz overtaking so many people.
Second 5k split came in at 23:04, so we're now 97 seconds off target.

It's mad to think but I wasn't able to fully get into goal pace, relatively uninterrupted until 10 or 11km in.

Haven't mentioned fueling, but I was pretty good this time out. Had an alert on the watch every 30 mins and took a Maurten 100. Also had some electro chews that I munched on regularly, and took water at every station.

10 - 15k was pretty good pacewise, in and around goal pace for most of it, 22:47 for the split. Things had opened up a little.

15k - 20k - 23:01 split. Around the 16k mark, running along the beautiful stretch along the Amstel I got the expected seizing up of the right leg. I've mentioned this before, it's a weird thing that happens me very regularly where my right leg just, I dunno, goes funny. It's like I can't fully bend it or something and am dragging it. It always works itself out and I'm brand new again but it affects my stride and pace. It lasted a mile or so before clearing up.
I started to feel a few little warning shots of cramp in the right calf at this point, around 18k or so. Not enough to slow me down, but enough to scare me and add a bit of dread. I figured it was related to the weird seizing thing though and settled the mind.

20 - 25k - 22:52 split. We're on the return stretch of the Amstel for most of this and the weirdest thing happened that had me scratching my head and doubting myself. So I told you I passed the 3:30 pace group at km 8 or so. This stretch is very narrow and I all of a sudden came upon a congested group of 'slow' runners. Looked ahead at the flags and saw 3:30 and nearly lost my mind.

What the hell is going on here? I can't get passed them, try running the grass to the left and it's all uneven ground, try go through the middle and it's too chock full. I eventually get around them but was forced to run at 5:00 pace for a good 500m or so. I thought maybe I had read the previous flags wrong but no, Elaine said the same. Still can't get my head around it.

25 - 30k - 22:37 split. A good split, and am feeling really good right now. The odd warning shot of cramp in the left calf, but I'm still convinced it's fine.
In and around 30k I hear someone in the crowd shout 'C'mon Ireland' and I immediately know that it's Sean. I turn around to look and sure enough, he's on my tail. Just like Denis in our mile race, the crowd giving the game away for him. I waved to let him know I saw him.

30 - 35k - 23:17 split. Cramp is real now. Right calf. Can't maintain goal pace because of it. It's not forcing me to stop, but it's forcing me to dial it back. I'm just sh1t scared of it locking up, I know if it does I'll have a really bad time of it. Mad thing is though, I have periods where it's not a problem and I run strong and fast, unaffected. Happened around the 20 mile mark. I all of a sudden felt zero cramping and ran strong for about a mile. Then bang, a warning shot telling me to cool the jets. Sean caught up with me around 31k or so and we had a check in chat, he looked so strong, and sounded well in command of things. He pulled away and stormed on.

35 - 40k - 24:09 split. Yeah. Pretty brutal. Plans of lighting it up on the last 5k have to be ripped up. Just trying to run at a pace that won't require me stopping. You stop you're fooked.
Thankfully I never did.

I got another of those out of the blue bursts of feeling 100% and picked up the pace to goal for km 41, happy bleedin days I thought, felt awesome all of a sudden, ready to storm home for the closing mile, but then boom, the calf screamed at me, and the left quad and had to pull it back again.

Into Vondelpark for the closing kilometre and I can't quite believe I'm almost there. Agony but I'm running. Through the wall of crowd, past I AM AMSTERDAM, through the line of international flags and under the arch, on to the Stadium track and I still can't believe I'm here, the race is a blur, an epic, an instant, an emotional numb wreck of a human floating the last few metres, I look at my watch and see I can say I ran a 3:15 because nobody cares about seconds in a marathon.

Under in 3:15:47.

Embrace Sean straight away, him after running an absolutely amazing race, whacking his target with a glorious negative. Then we see Elaine come in after running the race of her life, a truly astounding heroic run. A massive negative and a target obliteration. So so happy for them.

I'm happy too. As I said, I'm 80/20 happy.

It's a big PB, 11 minutes, and if you'd offered me a 3:15 marathon two years ago I'd have bitten your hands and feet off.

If you'd offered me 3:30 I'd have bitten your hands off and here I am getting frustrated because a 3:30 pace group was in my way.


I get all of that, and I do realise I've come a long way, I'm delighted with how I've improved, but I can't help being a little bit (a teeny tiny bit) disappointed with the result.

I thought I was capable of 3:10 (or better) this time out, based on previous results but I obv wasn't. Maybe my mileage wasn't up to scratch in the early part of the year, I can improve on that. Who knows. The joys of this thing.

The 26.2.

It's a beast. A beautiful beast.

I'll be back for more

[Goodluck2me]

Just saw this now Laz, that’s crazy to be disappointed! Massive PB… absolutely massive. There’ll be more races to come for sure.


are you doing Dublin?

[dinekes]

Great trip report there Laz...fantastic run
Didn't quite get what you meant about the slow runners
Was it that the organisers made a mistake and sent out 2 groups of 3.30s one of which was in the wrong position?

[Lazare]

Just saw this now Laz, that’s crazy to be disappointed! Massive PB… absolutely massive. There’ll be more races to come for sure.


are you doing Dublin?

Cheers Joe, ah I am really pleased with it as the days have gone on, as I said on it, I'd have bitten your hand off for that time a couple of years ago.

I'm not doing Dublin, my wife is so I'll be around the course supporting.

[Lazare]

Great trip report there Laz...fantastic run
Didn't quite get what you meant about the slow runners
Was it that the organisers made a mistake and sent out 2 groups of 3.30s one of which was in the wrong position?

Ah cheers man. I've no idea what the craic was with it. I'd have just assumed I read the flags wrong on the first group if my m8 didn't also see it.

Pace groups can sometimes be split up but they're usually within 300m or so of each other. Maybe these two groups were 800m or so apart and it just took me 14k or so to close the gap. Was very confusing at the time though.

[Goodluck2me]

Cheers Joe, ah I am really pleased with it as the days have gone on, as I said on it, I'd have bitten your hand off for that time a couple of years ago.

I'm not doing Dublin, my wife is so I'll be around the course supporting.

I’ll be out on the road myself watching so will keep an eye out

[Silver-Tiger]

Doing Dublin this week. My first marathon. Very excited.

Great TR Conor. Super achievement.

[Lazare]

Doing Dublin this week. My first marathon. Very excited.

Great TR Conor. Super achievement.

Ah nice one David, it's such an exciting thing. Just like Xmas morning.

Have an absolute stormer.

[Lazare]

Keep the powder dry for the first 12k or so, no harm averaging 15 secs or so slower than your goal km pace for that section. You'll be in a great position then to dial it up later on, passing everyone who went out too hot. So much time in the second half to make it up and more.

[Lazare]

Dying to hear how things went David.

You must have ran with someone else's bib? Couldn't see you on the tracker.

[Lazare]

Joining a club at last, Donore Harriers.

Had been loosely planning it anyway but my Milan marathon entry forced me to get on it.

Signed up to it the weekend of DCM and only found out afterwards that there's a shit load of obstacles in the way of competing at it unless you're a member of your country's Athletics Association.

Would have had to submit ECG tests, a urine test and a Sprirograph, signed off by a GP, then wait for incompetent Italian beurocracy to sign off. I read reviews online where people said they didn't get the all clear to run until 4 days before the event. Regretted signing up for it tbh.