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Dam to Dam

khaal53

khaal53

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Apr 13, 2006
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Anyone else doing it?

I'm signed up and this is my first time running these distances. I've been doing one long run a week with a 6 miler and 2-3 other 3 mile runs sprinkled in. I've done a fair amount of running in the past few years so I'm not a complete novice but I would take some advice in one regard.

I'm really trying to figure out how much and when to taper down my training. I had plainned for 6 miles tonight, 11.5 for Saturday, and then 2-3 short runs between Sunday and Wednesday of next week. Is that too much too soon to the race?

At this point I am confident I can manage the distance, I'm just after getting the best time I can...hopefully 2 hours or less. Thoughts?
 
Everyone is different, but what you describe is about what I have done in the past for Dam to Dam. I'll be out of town and cannot run this year, unfortunately.
 
I did this last year for the first time and my peak run was about 13 miles 3 weeks before the race. After that, I would run 3 miles 3 times a week, then 6-7 on the weekends.

Week before the event: Saturday- 6 miles, Sunday- rest, Monday - 3 miles, Tuesday- rest, Wednesday - 3miles, Thursday/Friday - rest.

2 hours is a great goal, thats what I shot for (And missed it by about 1 minute 30 seconds.

My advice (which is worth what you paid for it) is to run at the pace you trained. I tried to run faster and did so for about the first 6-7 miles of the race, then I hit a brick wall, and slowed down a lot. If you run at what you trained, it will be easier to kick it into high gear at the end.
 
I'd probably suggest against 11.5 this weekend. I'd recommend tapering down to 10 or less. I'm no running expert though. I'm doing dam-to-dam also and only doing 8 this weekend. Your mid-week runs should taper next week also to no more than probably 3 miles.

Good luck! It's such a great feeling after it's over. You go from feeling that you'll never, ever, ever do this again during the last mile to such a natural high 5 minutes after it's over.

Also, I've never done Dam-to-Dam either and have been advised to take advantage of the downhills early to build up some time. There are a couple pretty good hills towards the end. I don't know if I'll do that though. I'm always a fan of negative splits.
 
Everyone is different. I start to tapper a week before a race with three fulls day rest before any event. For something like Dam to Dam, my last long run would be about a week and half out.

Good luck!!
 
Everyone is different, but I personally don't believe an 11.5 will do much for you the following weekend. You may trash you legs and make it even harder depending what your long runs have been and your weekly average is among other things. I'd recommend keeping it to 8-9 this weekend if you feel fine, have a light run or two early in the week as you mentioned.

There will be a ton of people on the bridge. You may find yourself go out the first mile a minute or more faster than your ideal pace and than its downhill and flat the first 10K. Try not to over push it! There's a nice hill on mile 7-8 and then 10-11. These areas are where you'll want to have something left in the tank. Maybe a gel as you cross I -80 and then around North HS.

Good luck and have fun!!
 
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This year will be my first too. How often do they have water stations? I get dry really quick and really dry since I always breathe out of my mouth. Do you carry water and/or any energy gels/food?
 
Good luck, guys! I've done it once & was registered again this year, but achilles tendonitis took me out. Bummer.

Per the website, water stations are "at least every 2 miles". Dam to Dam: 20K
 
There will be water stations almost every mile starting around mile 2 or 3 through the end. I carry a gel for the 2nd half over every 20K and 1/2 marathon.
 
The first year I ran I beat Governor Vilsack down the stretch with my wicked late kick. The Governor had a BAD case of runners nipple.

Year 2 I was ready to set a personal best. Trained like crazy, but it was hot as the sun that day. Couldn't find water pre race and I think they were out until mile 5 or 6. Ambulances were taking people off and the course had people cramping all over. I was happy to just finish. Didnt even drink beer when it was over.
 
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I'm signed up for the 5k, that's enough for me. I run a 5k every day to prepare, just trying to finish in the top half and will probably not run Thursday or Friday before the race. I know that isn't helpful, just felt like posting it :)
 
I've run it several times, its a good run. I never ran over 8 miles at a time while training for it. I figured the atmosphere would carry me at the end and it always has.

Now that it's chipped, I like to start at the back of the pack. I'm a slow starter anyway. I pace myself till I get over the interstate and then after that it's balls out.

Good luck and have fun!
 
bufante said:
I've run it several times, its a good run. I never ran over 8 miles at a time while training for it. I figured the atmosphere would carry me at the end and it always has.

Now that it's chipped, I like to start at the back of the pack. I'm a slow starter anyway. I pace myself till I get over the interstate and then after that it's balls out.

Good luck and have fun!
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Those chips still start when the gun goes off, right? That's how it seemed to be at the Living History Farms run anyway.

EDIT: Google search reveals that a race can have a start mat too. So, I assume Dam to Dam has one?
 
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ISUKing said:
I'm signed up for the 5k, that's enough for me. I run a 5k every day to prepare, just trying to finish in the top half and will probably not run Thursday or Friday before the race. I know that isn't helpful, just felt like posting it :)
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I am signed up for the 5K too. Run with my Fiance, so usually run at her pace.
 
I have done several half marathons but this is my first D2D. Never done a whole lot of training before, but actually did this year. I'm what one might consider a "large man," but a good pair of shoes has helped my training a ton with how my body feels. Ran a 5k a few weeks back under 25. Have a 10k this weekend in my hometown that I'm shooting for 52-53 range and then hoping that I can do the D2D in whatever my 10k time is plus an hour.
I started at 4 miles for my long runs and have added a mile each week up to 12 this past weekend. I have a buddy who has done several marathons and he has suggested that there's nothing I can do preparation-wise in the last week that will do more for my run than having fresh legs. I will go out and jog 3 Sunday, take monday off, probably 5-6 Tuesday at race pace. Another jog Wed, Thursday off, and go out and jog a mile just to get loosened up Friday morning. I'm not a competitive runner at all, but enjoy the atmosphere.
 
wartknight said:
I have done several half marathons but this is my first D2D. Never done a whole lot of training before, but actually did this year. I'm what one might consider a "large man," but a good pair of shoes has helped my training a ton with how my body feels. Ran a 5k a few weeks back under 25. Have a 10k this weekend in my hometown that I'm shooting for 52-53 range and then hoping that I can do the D2D in whatever my 10k time is plus an hour.
I started at 4 miles for my long runs and have added a mile each week up to 12 this past weekend. I have a buddy who has done several marathons and he has suggested that there's nothing I can do preparation-wise in the last week that will do more for my run than having fresh legs. I will go out and jog 3 Sunday, take monday off, probably 5-6 Tuesday at race pace. Another jog Wed, Thursday off, and go out and jog a mile just to get loosened up Friday morning. I'm not a competitive runner at all, but enjoy the atmosphere.
Click to expand...

What do people look for in a good pair of running shoes?
 
BloodyBuddy said:
What do people look for in a good pair of running shoes?
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Go to a store that exclusively sells running shoes and get fitted. It's well worth it. A good place will put you in a pair of 'test' shoes and film you running on a treadmill to see what shoes to put you in.
 
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