Hi all, I ran this as my first marathon on Sunday. I thought it was hilly, undulating and a tough day at the office as I expected it to be. I wondered if anyone else on here has run it with multiple experience of other courses and what the likely time difference would equate to on a less challenging course. Regardless of the difficulty I really enjoyed it and commend the organisers on a really well organised friendly event. Hats off to the Dartmoor Vale rotary club marshals who were fantastic.
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Was well organised but I didn't really enjoy the 2 lap format - I'm much better not knowing what is ahead!! Most other marathons I have done have been pretty flat - I don't think time wise the DV is too much different. One pretty big hill but which is quite short going up but then a long gradual downhill in which to make up the time - means you have to run the downhill at the same effort as you use on the flat or uphill - too easy to cruise. Overall I would say harder but if you get the pacing right maybe an extra 5 minutes? Depends how you are on hills really. I paced the first lap fine but the second lap my heart was really not in it.
Nicely organised race KK - should have had you start it instead of Ann Widecombe! Might have inspired me more!
To be honest I trained at sub 3 paces and did PD 55 to 70 mile schedule so was probably in shape to get near 3 on a flat course. Another time. I really enjoyed this one though and will probably have another crack next year and push harder now first one is out of the way.
Hi
KK sorry I rushed past you at the entrance to the race start..there was a reason.
I was only doing the 10k but having not run any of the DMV races for a few years I thought the start was at the Race Course where it used to be my OH had parked in Tesco I jumped out the car to go and collect number and spent 15 minutes running round a sodding car boot sale lol..wondering WTF ?? I ended up asking a car park attendant where is the race ??? he pointed me in the right direction lol..
well done those who did the marathon I did the half a couple years ago and ther is no way I could do 2 laps with those hills
KK well done on a well organised race and thanks for the weather did you organise that too ?? perfect
Dylan Man, I agree with Jeremy, D Vale isnt really hilly or hard, its just the couple of hills which are short, I have done it quite a few times now and there isnt much in it for a pan flat marathon, maybe a min or 2, the 30-45 sec you loose on THE hill you mke it up on the downs. If you want hills try the Cornish next month, thats a good challenge. but saying that 2 years ago I did both and was only 2 mins even between them. I was a little guted to miss it this year as I am going for a time in Dublin on monday, ill be back next year for sure. Well done! a good 1st marathon.
Muzza- agreed. I am sure there are some much more difficult marathons around than DV, but it is nevertheless tough compared to say Abbingdon or London.
What's your best time on DV?
I checked out a few guys times on runbritain and most top 10 finishers in DV have PBS in excess of 10 mins of their best DV times.
I have analysed my DV garmin connect stats and reckon with what I know about the course now, could have shaved another 2 or 3 mins off without too much trouble. I held back on the down hill bits and an same pace as flat (7.10 ish) really should have been smashing in a few 6.30s?
When's Cornwall?
I little dicky bird tells me you won Wolverhampton recently. Impressive stuff and some great times fella.
Realistally, if I train hard and stay injury free do you think I could get near 3 hours in spring ,when my first was 3.13 at DV? Half time 1.23. 10k 36.45. 45 yrs and been running properly for 2 years. I did P&D 55 to 70 -18 weeks for DV and didn't miss a beat. Skipped the doubles though! Coped with this mileage fine with only a few minor niggles.
Good luck with Dublin.
It's a high mileage mate, god knows if you can keep that up for long, I tend to run a lot of marathons but I mix it up with ironman training so my run miles are 30ish per week 40 on a really good week. Yeah you should breeze 3 no problem give gloucester in jan or Taunton a crack in April, entries arnt open yet for taunton but there near you so sleeping in ya own bed etc helps. 1.23 double and add 8-10 mins 2.55ish is on the cards but I'd just try and bank the 2.59.59 1st. Quality training is better than big miles for sure, train smart. lesson the injury risk. 3.13 is a great effort for a 1st marathon and a good learning experience.
Yeh, I'll think I'll have a crack at Taunton in April. January too soon. My Mrs will go ballistic if I started training serious so soon after DV.
I'll blast a half to two in the meantime and see if I can get near 1.20. Hopefully my new found endurance will help me. Lol.
I'll look out for Dublin result.
Ill give Dublin my all but it's all on the day.
Nice warm up with a half at Bath on 3rd March.