Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

The Darkness said:
Hi IndigoGorilla

Well it was hot, very hilly (!) and the hardest thing I have ever done thats for sure. I started well and the first 15 miles or so were perfect; I was thanking all the wellwishers, high-5'ing the kids etc. Feeling pretty amazing to be honest.

Then the stretch from Newby back to Bowness. Hill after hill after hill, culminating in 'ice cream' hill. I wore my heart rate monitor throughout and was close to max at this point - not a good thing. Backed off pace a bit for final 5-6 miles and they seemed to go on forever. The last mile was the hardest, turning back into Brathay Hall to be faced with a steep climb to the finish line almost did me in.

In the encloser they stuck a medal round my neck and gave me a banana and bottle of water, but I was so dazed I couldnt figure out how to get out of the enclosure! Eventually found my family and just collapsed.

I did 3hr 35 minutes and can honestly say I gave it my all. Yes, I probably went off to fast for those first 15 miles (was averaging just under 8min/miles for those) and slowed down to 9min/miles by the end, but it was my first race and I really enjoyed 75% of it!

Some people were running 10in10, 10 marathons in 10 days. Yesterday was the last day for them and I literally took my running hat off to them when i passed them. The thought of doing anything today, let alone a marathon again, is simply incredible.

Oh, I didnt wear the camelbak in the end. It was so hot I thought I could do without it clinging to me. Water stations were every 3 miles and worked fine.

Cheers for help on here during training, may do another one in 6 months...

D
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Excellent result especially for your first. I think it was a wise move to ditch the camelbak.

I've also been following the 10 in 10 lot as a friend of mine was running it... one day....
 
Anyone here ran the Amsterdam Marathon before? I'm pretty sure I remember someone mentioning it a while back.

Just a few questions to those who have, where did you stay, how was transport on the day from where you were and any particular recommendations or advice?
 
Was probably me - six of us went in 2014, one for the full, 3 for the half (including me) and two supporters.

Quick thoughts...

  • We rented a 3 bed flat in the Slotmeer area, specifically the Plein 40-45 area
  • Race day travel was fine - tram for ~3 stops, then the metro for a few more (loads of runners). Maybe 30 to 45 minutes, then 5 minute walk to the bag-drop
  • Saw a couple of hotels in the area, one right by the tram stop at Plein 40-45but no idea on quality / price. Great Turkish restaurant by the canal for post-race tea and beer :)
  • Getting the metro back from the station which covers the Olympic stadium was even better, as the vast majority of runners seemed to be going the other way (towards the city centre?) so no problems getting a train
  • Get your race pack and mooch round the Expo on the Saturday - was very busy on race day
  • Half marathon shares most of the full course (though the half was a PM start) - course was very quiet in places when you are going through some business parks. They do get a few DJs to park up in VW campers and spin some tunes whilst hanging out the sunroof though :D

Happy to try to answer other questions if I can.
 
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Cheers :)

Is it possible to get a train/metro from the Airport to Slotmeer or other areas?

I'll likely be traveling on my own so for costs being able to use the train/metro to get everywhere will be the best option rather than taxis. Because of this I'll most likely be looking at cheap hotels / maybe hostels for my stay too.

If I'm looking to stay in Amsterdam a couple of days after where would you recommend to eat and drink other than the Turkish place?
 
N4zGuL said:
Is anyone doing the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday? Starting in Zone red.
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Yeah, I'll be there, and it'll be my first marathon. I am starting in the blue area, because I am slow. I'm guessing you mean you'll be starting in the pink area? I just had another look at the race details, and there is no red area!
 
IndigoGorilla said:
Cheers :)

Is it possible to get a train/metro from the Airport to Slotmeer or other areas?

I'll likely be traveling on my own so for costs being able to use the train/metro to get everywhere will be the best option rather than taxis. Because of this I'll most likely be looking at cheap hotels / maybe hostels for my stay too.

If I'm looking to stay in Amsterdam a couple of days after where would you recommend to eat and drink other than the Turkish place?
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Not sure on train direct from Airport to Slotmeer. We tried to go from the airport to the station for the Olympic stadium to collect our race packs but cocked it up so can't really help! I think we had some multi-day travel passes as on the race day we went to the start to watch our full marathoner set-off, then back to the flat to have a snack and warm up (it was damn cold for October), then back to the stadium for the half and then finally back to the flat.

As we had a self-catering apartment we did some meals in. I do remember having a great pizza somewhere in the centre before flying home but doubt I could find it again!

We went on a boat tour the day after the race, I think I fell asleep whilst floating along :D
 
Saundie said:
Yeah, I'll be there, and it'll be my first marathon. I am starting in the blue area, because I am slow. I'm guessing you mean you'll be starting in the pink area? I just had another look at the race details, and there is no red area!
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Have a good one. It's a good course, though not the prettiest in places. :)
 
I've been treadmill running for a few months now and its going pretty well. However I have only just seen this thread and I have learned quite a lot from it. Thanks platypus!

One thing I wanted to ask as I don't think I have read about it yet was the difference between treadmill and outdoor running? Is there much difference?

Thanks :)
 
Personally I find it much more enjoyable to run outside, simply due to the changing scenery, not sweating so much etc. However, you are likely to encounter hills etc, so provided you have done these on a treadmill you will be fine.
 
Can anyone recommend a massage tool for shins? I've found out if my shins go solid and get massaged they free up pretty quickly and I can run straight after. Seen a few examples of massage rollers but not sure what's what and if it's necessary to be spending £25
 
Didn't get my sub 1:30 at Edinburgh today.

However I did take 2 minutes off my PB with 1:31:42.

I was on course at half way but didn't quite have enough in the last 3 miles.

I'm certain it's not far away now though!!
 
Dolmio Chips said:
Didn't get my sub 1:30 at Edinburgh today.

However I did take 2 minutes off my PB with 1:31:42.

I was on course at half way but didn't quite have enough in the last 3 miles.

I'm certain it's not far away now though!!
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Still not bad knocking two minutes off though, well done. :) Not far away at all. My aim is Sub 1:30 too but currently at 1:38.:23 so won't be easy!

N4zGuL and Saundie, how did you both get on?
 
IndigoGorilla said:
N4zGuL and Saundie, how did you both get on?
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My race was a catastrophe thanks to digestive problems. Things started getting uncomfortable just after the half way mark - by 17 miles I was walking more than I was running, and by somewhere around 22 miles I found running to be almost intolerable. After just a few strides my bowels would threaten to cramp, causing me to slow down. On the plus side, I finished it, albeit in a pretty terrible 5:28.

http://www.strava.com/activities/145621254

I got a t-shirt for finishing, and the medal is pretty nice;

jOlpndtl.jpg

So while I didn't find it to be a great experience, I am planning to run another marathon sometime. I could quite easily cut an hour off the time by simply running the whole thing rather than walking, and with better training I'm sure I could overcome the stomach issue.

The event itself was well run, so anybody considering doing the Edinburgh marathon next year shouldn't be concerned - the only slight annoyance is having to make your way back to Edinburgh from Musselburgh after the race, but to be honest it's not really that big a deal! I guess I am just disappointed in myself for not doing as well as I feel I should have done... I guess I'll just have to do better next time.
 
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