Newbie needing advice!
Tue, 16/03/2010 - 00:16
Hi everyone! I'm planning to make Connemara my first marathon next month, and could do with a bit of advice about the last few weeks training/tapering. I'm hoping just to finish, not worried about time, but haven't been training as much as I should have. Have got in two short-ish runs (10-12k, one interval, one easy) and one long run most weeks since the start of December. I've a fairly hectic schedule this year so that's as much as I've been able for really. Did my longest long run so far yesterday - 32k, and can barely walk today! I had been planning to do another 32k next Sunday, and then rest up for the last 3 weeks, just doing around 15-20k as my long runs. But after yesterday I'm worried I won't have enough long runs under my belt, especially with the hills to contend with as well in Connemara! Anyone any ideas as to what I should do? If I do another long run the Sunday after next will that do me more harm than good?
Also, I haven't been carrying any drinks with me during my long runs - have found that it suits me just to stop at a shop somewhere between 12 and 15k and get a bottle of lucozade, which I'm very partial to :-) - I find if I just have water I feel a bit sick and don't keep going as long! Should i invest in one of those water-bottle carrier belt things so I can bring my lucozade with me on the day, and if so, where would I get one, and will the extra weight slow me down much?
Happy running!
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Hi - not wanting to rain on your parade but from what you have said ( I am assuming you are not training on very hilly roads) - you may not be sufficiently prepared to run a full marathon on the Connemarathon course. A long run of 32k is fine (good, even) for a long run on a flat course like Dublin or Berlin but Connemara is a tough tough course and the long hill toward the end will reduce you to walking. Your legs will be already tired at that stage from the earlier hills. Also - there is far less 'crowd support' on the route which i find of huge help in those battle with the demons which tell you to stop and go home.
At this stage - my advise would be to do it anyway but don't be shocked and saddended if you have to walk parts of it toward the end or on the up hills or are reduced to an agonising shuffle for the last 6 - 7 km.You picked a hard one to start - i've done a few full marathons but am only brave enough for a half in Connemara.
Go in with fresh legs - your last long run should be either this weekend or next weekend - you need at least 14 days to recover. Easter weekend - a 10- 12 k is fine but don't wear yourself out.
with regard to water/lucozade etc - you should race with whatever you train with. Those bottle carriers are fine but not for the huge bottle of lucozade - too heavy in my humble opinion. My suggestion would be to take the water at the stops and carry a lucozade for the extra bit of rocket fuel in the second half. That and wine gums!! My own solution in Dublin last October was to place friends on the course with lucozade - might not be an option in Connemara!!
The very best of luck to you - I will be running the half again this year so lets hope for a fine day.
Alice