"What is with this four hour mark that seems to move further away the more harder you try to get close to it ? " This is a question that I have been asking myself the past few weeks. I am sure it will stop once 2016 begins and I get my trainers back on. But this four hour mark still eludes me.
The Dublin 2015 Marathon took place over the bank holiday weekend on 26th of October.
Like the other years gone by, training was in place. I kept upping the ante every weekend after another so that the four hour mark is achievable. . Talking about training, its a highly questionable topic amidst my mates. That is because the training plan, is what I make of it, not something that is downloaded. I know better half of my consciousness is telling me that, training is something that is a highly regimented affair. By the book, come rain, sun or snow, it has to be adhered to. That is what the training plan that many sites offer. It makes so accommodation for really bad weather, family affairs, or work load at office. Most important of all , there is no options to key in for Wife's mood. On the other had, the stubborn consciousness of mine is thinking, that enjoy the run but not at the cost of your family time, or your own R and R time.
This year, as usual I stuck to my own training plan. that is start running early June, twice a week when its summer and once a week by end of August. Only target is do longer distances each week and slightly better time each of the weeks. Plain and simple. Longer and a little faster. Its not that hard not to follow or complicated to miss it.
The weather this year has been very good. we had very good summer, started off the year with a ten kilometer race at phoenix park which was decent. The race where my pregnant wife was at the finish line to welcome me. Weekend after weekend, the running distance kept getting longer and it was done in better time as well. That was good confidence booster for me. I did not want to break that routine so much so, that I even took trainers and sports watch on my visit to India. I did a good thirteen kilometer run from my little farm house in Kerala to the house of my Mrs. It was a surprise to all of them, because no one else has ever pulled off such a stunt there. The only occasion people in the country side have seen a man running is, if he was chased by police or Dogs or had an emergency loo situation. Headed out at half six, Few dogs chased me, but I out ran them. people were giving me weird looks. My cousin who was driving along that route, stopped by to offer me a lift "while I was running" , bless him.
Back to Dublin by first week of September and the running continued. Since my wife and Daughter did not fly back with me, that meant I had lot of time on weekends to get this running going. I had also jumped into the cycling sport and kept that going on weekdays and running on weekends.
The running distances, were easily twenty kilometer plus on the final eight weeks. I was pretty confident and on the penultimate week of the race I ran for thirty two kilometer in three hour five minutes. I thought to myself, this is good time and all I had was another ten kilometer, so getting to the four hour mark should definitely be possible, if not easy. The confidence in me was really strong, and I kept telling myself that I have done a good job training and the set goal was very achievable.
The race pack was picked up from RDS next door. There were lot of participants this time, I could tell. The crowd was huge. fifteen thousand runners this year which is a record in the Dublin Marathon history. This was the thirty seventh Dublin Marathon .There was lots of tips and advice that I picked up from the organizers there. I had even made note of the colour of the four hour pace keeper balloons. It was RED.
The forecast on the race day was not great for folks who wanted to be around the race route to cheer the runners, but speaking for myself the weather was just perfect. Just what I wanted. Overcast sky, and the fine misty rain.
I cycled to the start line. Parked it in a bad location, in terms of getting back to after the race. On route I saw the twenty six mile marker tied to the light pole. I had a good look at it and even touched it, thinking it might being be good luck. Emptied by bladder one last time and took my place in the green wave. Five minutes before we started moving, I consumed a banana got rid of the extra layer I was wearing and off we went. The enthusiasm in the air was palpable. The dark skies made no difference to the moods of the thousands. All running with a smile, because now, there is no looking back. The route was slightly modified this time. In my opinion this was the best course so far in all these years. The long run from Pheonix park from end to end and loop back into the park was one of the best. It was a steady climb but very good. the ten kilometer mark came up there. My pace the first 10K was off by a couple of minutes because, it was all the crowd that was slowing me down. The second 10K was on target. The runners had thinned out. The cloudy skies made sure that I was not dehydrating fast and the rain kept the face washed from the sweaty salts. The organizers had made sure to have water stations and lucozade stations well spaced out.
Most of the course, I was sticking with the four hour pace keepers. That means that at the thirty two kilometer mark I was at three hour mark and along side the pace keepers. That meant it was all going as per plan. Hurray!! Just another ten kilometer
Now the rest of it is on the record and it speaks for itself. My legs were not hurting but my energy levels were going down. I saw the pace keepers going further and further away by the kilometer. Finally the balloons were like a red dot to me. My intake of Gels along with sipping of water was not helping me much. It was a mental battle within myself, one saying "don't push yourself you are fine". My eyes were on my heart rate and I did not want to let that exceed 185 bpm at any point. I thought letting it cross that zone will cause damage and might become extremely tired to get to the finish line. Yes, that was me thinking all of that in the last ten kilometer of the race.
Every time the heart rate reached 185 I would slow down to a brisk walk to get the rate back to 165, then I would pick up again. This killed the good pace I was maintaining. the last five kilometer was on familiar ground for me. A right from N11 into Nutely lane followed by Merrion road. Latter being the most favorite road of mine. This time, the course was straight down Merrion road towards Merrion Square. On that road is when the wretched green balloons, four hour ten minute pace keeping balloons went past me. I definitely had missed the target time. Crossed the finish line, thanking the gods above, who saw to it that I finished it.
My energy levels was not at zero, rested there for a bit, collected my medal and T shirt. The thing that I wanted the most out of this race. All that effort and sweat and one pair of trainers for that shiny piece of Metal.
Collected goodie bag which had one of the worst ever made cakes in it. It felt like I had shoved in a hand full of sand into my mouth. The only downer for me in the entire event organisation. The rest of all it was arranged in a splendid fashion. No complaints, what so ever except for that horrible cake.
My good mate, Mihir and Kate were there to greet at the meeting point. It was definitely encouraging to have some one there to congratulate and give you a hug. Getting back to my bike which was on the other side of the race was a nightmare. Tried persuading the gardas, but no joy there. Got to my bike some how and cycled back home.
Stuffed myself with loads of food and had a long nap, only to wake up thinking of race again. Only consolation to myself was I fished the race few minutes better than the 2014 run. So, that's not too bad. Switched on my laptop and looked at the marathon training plan I had downloaded earlier the year.
Then said to myself " Bloody Red Balloons, I will get you next year"
The Dublin 2015 Marathon took place over the bank holiday weekend on 26th of October.
Like the other years gone by, training was in place. I kept upping the ante every weekend after another so that the four hour mark is achievable. . Talking about training, its a highly questionable topic amidst my mates. That is because the training plan, is what I make of it, not something that is downloaded. I know better half of my consciousness is telling me that, training is something that is a highly regimented affair. By the book, come rain, sun or snow, it has to be adhered to. That is what the training plan that many sites offer. It makes so accommodation for really bad weather, family affairs, or work load at office. Most important of all , there is no options to key in for Wife's mood. On the other had, the stubborn consciousness of mine is thinking, that enjoy the run but not at the cost of your family time, or your own R and R time.
This year, as usual I stuck to my own training plan. that is start running early June, twice a week when its summer and once a week by end of August. Only target is do longer distances each week and slightly better time each of the weeks. Plain and simple. Longer and a little faster. Its not that hard not to follow or complicated to miss it.
The weather this year has been very good. we had very good summer, started off the year with a ten kilometer race at phoenix park which was decent. The race where my pregnant wife was at the finish line to welcome me. Weekend after weekend, the running distance kept getting longer and it was done in better time as well. That was good confidence booster for me. I did not want to break that routine so much so, that I even took trainers and sports watch on my visit to India. I did a good thirteen kilometer run from my little farm house in Kerala to the house of my Mrs. It was a surprise to all of them, because no one else has ever pulled off such a stunt there. The only occasion people in the country side have seen a man running is, if he was chased by police or Dogs or had an emergency loo situation. Headed out at half six, Few dogs chased me, but I out ran them. people were giving me weird looks. My cousin who was driving along that route, stopped by to offer me a lift "while I was running" , bless him.
Back to Dublin by first week of September and the running continued. Since my wife and Daughter did not fly back with me, that meant I had lot of time on weekends to get this running going. I had also jumped into the cycling sport and kept that going on weekdays and running on weekends.
The running distances, were easily twenty kilometer plus on the final eight weeks. I was pretty confident and on the penultimate week of the race I ran for thirty two kilometer in three hour five minutes. I thought to myself, this is good time and all I had was another ten kilometer, so getting to the four hour mark should definitely be possible, if not easy. The confidence in me was really strong, and I kept telling myself that I have done a good job training and the set goal was very achievable.
The race pack was picked up from RDS next door. There were lot of participants this time, I could tell. The crowd was huge. fifteen thousand runners this year which is a record in the Dublin Marathon history. This was the thirty seventh Dublin Marathon .There was lots of tips and advice that I picked up from the organizers there. I had even made note of the colour of the four hour pace keeper balloons. It was RED.
The forecast on the race day was not great for folks who wanted to be around the race route to cheer the runners, but speaking for myself the weather was just perfect. Just what I wanted. Overcast sky, and the fine misty rain.
I cycled to the start line. Parked it in a bad location, in terms of getting back to after the race. On route I saw the twenty six mile marker tied to the light pole. I had a good look at it and even touched it, thinking it might being be good luck. Emptied by bladder one last time and took my place in the green wave. Five minutes before we started moving, I consumed a banana got rid of the extra layer I was wearing and off we went. The enthusiasm in the air was palpable. The dark skies made no difference to the moods of the thousands. All running with a smile, because now, there is no looking back. The route was slightly modified this time. In my opinion this was the best course so far in all these years. The long run from Pheonix park from end to end and loop back into the park was one of the best. It was a steady climb but very good. the ten kilometer mark came up there. My pace the first 10K was off by a couple of minutes because, it was all the crowd that was slowing me down. The second 10K was on target. The runners had thinned out. The cloudy skies made sure that I was not dehydrating fast and the rain kept the face washed from the sweaty salts. The organizers had made sure to have water stations and lucozade stations well spaced out.
Most of the course, I was sticking with the four hour pace keepers. That means that at the thirty two kilometer mark I was at three hour mark and along side the pace keepers. That meant it was all going as per plan. Hurray!! Just another ten kilometer
Now the rest of it is on the record and it speaks for itself. My legs were not hurting but my energy levels were going down. I saw the pace keepers going further and further away by the kilometer. Finally the balloons were like a red dot to me. My intake of Gels along with sipping of water was not helping me much. It was a mental battle within myself, one saying "don't push yourself you are fine". My eyes were on my heart rate and I did not want to let that exceed 185 bpm at any point. I thought letting it cross that zone will cause damage and might become extremely tired to get to the finish line. Yes, that was me thinking all of that in the last ten kilometer of the race.
Every time the heart rate reached 185 I would slow down to a brisk walk to get the rate back to 165, then I would pick up again. This killed the good pace I was maintaining. the last five kilometer was on familiar ground for me. A right from N11 into Nutely lane followed by Merrion road. Latter being the most favorite road of mine. This time, the course was straight down Merrion road towards Merrion Square. On that road is when the wretched green balloons, four hour ten minute pace keeping balloons went past me. I definitely had missed the target time. Crossed the finish line, thanking the gods above, who saw to it that I finished it.
My energy levels was not at zero, rested there for a bit, collected my medal and T shirt. The thing that I wanted the most out of this race. All that effort and sweat and one pair of trainers for that shiny piece of Metal.
My good mate, Mihir and Kate were there to greet at the meeting point. It was definitely encouraging to have some one there to congratulate and give you a hug. Getting back to my bike which was on the other side of the race was a nightmare. Tried persuading the gardas, but no joy there. Got to my bike some how and cycled back home.
Stuffed myself with loads of food and had a long nap, only to wake up thinking of race again. Only consolation to myself was I fished the race few minutes better than the 2014 run. So, that's not too bad. Switched on my laptop and looked at the marathon training plan I had downloaded earlier the year.
Then said to myself " Bloody Red Balloons, I will get you next year"
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