...and back to Connemara.

littlebug · 01-01-2011 8:29pm #1

2010 didn't exactly end on a running high with me not having run since the start of December

for a mixture of perfectly valid reasons and some lazy ass reasons.
What better way to start the new year than by setting some new goals and dusting off the cobwebs with a shiny new training log.
At the minute the Connemara half on April 10th is the main target but I intend to take in the Craughwell 10 mile along the way. I won't set any lofty time goals just now and just see how it works out although beating last years times would be good.
As of yet my only other target for the year is to beat Meathcountysec to 1000;)

And to start off I belted out a massive 3 miles on the treadmill this evening in a whopping 31.30. At least I can still move :rolleyes: If I do the Athenry 10k on Monday it'll simply be an exercise in getting back out there, no more

Miles this week: 3
Miles this year: 3

Bally8 · 01-01-2011 11:44pm

Best of luck in 2011 Littlebug. Its about time we all got back on track eh

Speedy44 · 02-01-2011 7:50pm

welcome back LB, and what d'ya mean "if you do Athenry" !!

claralara · 02-01-2011 7:56pm

Best of luck LB. Fingers, toes and everything else crossed that we can stay injury free and succeed at reaching some lofty goals this year. See you in Conn!

Blueskye · 02-01-2011 8:41pm

Good to have you back LB. Also doing Connemara half. Best of luck with the training.

catweazle · 02-01-2011 8:50pm

...and back to Connemara

Ah the wheel has turned full circle!

Welcome back Littlebug, you might see me in Knockma this year I have been over there a good bit lately, lovely place!

littlebug · 02-01-2011 9:15pm

Speedy44 wrote: »

what d'ya mean "if you do Athenry" !!

8pm and I'm still undecided

I've had too much to drink these past few nights and stuffed my face with chocolate all day today. If I do decide to "run" just look out for the short fat slow one and say hello!

catweazle wrote: »

...and back to Connemara

Ah the wheel has turned full circle!

Welcome back Littlebug, you might see me in Knockma this year I have been over there a good bit lately, lovely place!

Yes I'll probably just grind to a permanent halt on the finish line of Connemara! I haven't been to knockma for ages but it's on the connemara training plan so I'll be there soon. Weekday mornings probably so I mightn't bump into you.

Clara and Blueskye... see you both in Conn!

rainbow kirby · 02-01-2011 9:18pm

littlebug wrote: »

Clara and Blueskye... see you both in Conn!

I'll see ye all in Conn too

Good to see ya getting back into the swing of things LB

BrokenMan · 02-01-2011 9:54pm

Good to see you back in training LB. Best of luck with all your goals, its going to be a year full of PBs for you.

Now get yourself over to Athenry tomorrow, where else are you going to get a free hat on a bank holiday.

Magnet · 02-01-2011 10:46pm

See you in Athenry tomorrow - say Hello if I don`t see you first!!!

jcsmum · 02-01-2011 11:42pm

LB best of luck with the log and the training in 2011.

littlebug · 03-01-2011 3:16pm

so..eh... I didn't get out of bed early enough to go to Athenry. Well I could have made it but it would have been a big rush. It's very unusual for my 6 year old human alarm clock to sleep beyond 7am but he chose this morning to do so....

I was a bit unsure about going anyway given my inability in the past to treat races as training runs so I probably would have ended up disappointed.
Instead I took my time and went to run my usual 10k loop. After a couple of minutes I switched the garmin over to hr so I wouldn't be tormenting myself with times and got the shock of my life to see hr 230 :eek: I felt fine and was barely jogging so I assume it's something wrong with the hrm rather than wrong with me! It dropped after the first 1/3 mile and hovered between 100-150.... way lower than my usual for the rest of the run. new batteries needed.
Run was grand.. kept it slow (10.30ish) til the 5th mile where I pushed the pace. My out of shape-ness then showed itself so the last mile was walk/ run. Hr rate apparently down to 56 when walking

I'm half sorry to have missed Athenry for the sake of the company and meeting/ running with people but hey there are other races. if I can get up to speed in the next fortnight maybe I'll do the Tuam 8k instead.

rainbow kirby · 03-01-2011 3:17pm

Might be a blessing in disguise to get a few more consistent weeks in before racing again. Doing that 8k might be fun though

shazkea · 03-01-2011 8:36pm

Great to see the new log LB - good luck in the training for Conn. May see you there, depends on how training for Barca goes over the next few weeks.

meathcountysec · 04-01-2011 1:28pm

littlebug wrote: »

As of yet my only other target for the year is to beat Meathcountysec to 1000;)

You’re already ahead of me there.

Best of luck with your other targets and your new log.

ronanmac · 04-01-2011 1:58pm

Best of luck with 2011, littlebug. Might see you in Tuam!

digger2d2 · 04-01-2011 2:33pm

littlebug wrote: »

Instead I took my time and went to run my usual 10k loop. After a couple of minutes I switched the garmin over to hr so I wouldn't be tormenting myself with times and got the shock of my life to see hr 230 :eek: I felt fine and was barely jogging so I assume it's something wrong with the hrm rather than wrong with me! It dropped after the first 1/3 mile and hovered between 100-150.... way lower than my usual for the rest of the run. new batteries needed.
.

They can often give a crazy high reading at the start until they calibrate (does that sound like I know what I'm talking about cos I don't) .... Did you have the HR strap on the wrong way around?

Best of luck with the new log and 2011 training!!

catweazle · 04-01-2011 3:07pm

My HR monitor is bollixed altogether, its low 50s in the car which is about right and no sooner as I start running it is well over 200 for the whole run. I think it has something to do with all the layers I am wearing these days, I am hoping it will start working again when i am down to the t-shirt.

Might see both of ye in Tuam!

menoscemo · 04-01-2011 3:29pm

catweazle wrote: »

My HR monitor is bollixed altogether, its low 50s in the car which is about right and no sooner as I start running it is well over 200 for the whole run. I think it has something to do with all the layers I am wearing these days, I am hoping it will start working again when i am down to the t-shirt.

Might see both of ye in Tuam!

There is definately something to this theory. Mine was jumping from 200 to 100 constatnly during the cold spell in December. Someone pointed out to me that it was probably all the layers I was wearing, seems to be back to normal at the moment.

Best of luck with the new log/goals LB. See you in connemara maybe (though you'll have to hang around the finish line for at least an hour, unless you walk the half).

littlebug · 04-01-2011 4:17pm

menoscemo wrote: »

There is definately something to this theory. Mine was jumping from 200 to 100 constatnly during the cold spell in December. Someone pointed out to me that it was probably all the layers I was wearing, seems to be back to normal at the moment.

I don't get how layers would have an effect on it Is it the signal from hrm to watch being impeded? I'll try it on a treadmill run with just a t shirt and see what happens. it hasn't been used since october so it's probably just the battery... or my heart :eek:

specialk1977 · 04-01-2011 4:24pm

best of luck with ur log littlebug..i might see you in Connemara

catweazle · 04-01-2011 4:42pm

littlebug wrote: »

I don't get how layers would have an effect on it Is it the signal from hrm to watch being impeded? I'll try it on a treadmill run with just a t shirt and see what happens. it hasn't been used since october so it's probably just the battery... or my heart :eek:

I think its something to do with the static created. I know you can get dodgy readings when you wear a technical t-shirt as well. But I imagine all the layers creating static is causing it..........my HRM still works fine on the turbo in the attic. I am shirtless there due to the sweat though. Try the threadmill with a cotton t-shirt on.........or go barechested like myself

littlebug · 04-01-2011 4:58pm

catweazle wrote: »

I think its something to do with the static created. I know you can get dodgy readings when you wear a technical t-shirt as well. But I imagine all the layers creating static is causing it..........my HRM still works fine on the turbo in the attic. I am shirtless there due to the sweat though.

that makes more sense. I had a tech t-shirt with a cotton one over it.

.or go barechested like myself

:eek: Dear lord no! I don't know if my family would laugh or cry at such a sight

menoscemo · 04-01-2011 6:00pm

littlebug wrote: »

I don't get how layers would have an effect on it Is it the signal from hrm to watch being impeded? I'll try it on a treadmill run with just a t shirt and see what happens. it hasn't been used since october so it's probably just the battery... or my heart :eek:

I don't get it either, I changed the battery and everything and it had no effect. When I went back to wearing just one or two layers it seemed to go back to giving me normal readings

The winter looks to be coming again so probably time to ditch the HRM strap again for a while :pac:

littlebug · 06-01-2011 9:59pm

3 miles on the treadmill. 11/8.34:)/9.54

I know it's not "real life" running but good to see the legs can still turnover at a half decent pace even if it was for just one mile. I don't think i've done a sub 9 minute mile even on the TM since last summer.

Bally8 · 06-01-2011 11:22pm

Excellent fast mile there littlebug. Will be a long while before Im fit enough to reach that kind of speed.

littlebug · 06-01-2011 11:44pm

Bally8 wrote: »

Excellent fast mile there littlebug. Will be a long while before Im fit enough to reach that kind of speed.

You could surprise yourself B8. I set the TM to 7mph just to see how far I would get with the backup plan of doing intervals if I couldn't keep going. After half a mile I felt ok so I notched it up to 7.2 for the second half. I'm still a long way off what I was though.... a lot of work to do.

littlebug · 09-01-2011 7:25pm

I had planned 6 miles on the road this morning but the when I nearly went bellyup a few times out walking the mutt I decided that running might not be such a good idea. The day got away on me then so it was back to the treadmill for 6 miles. 11/4x10/11. I'm happy with that though would be happier with it on the road.
There was a near disaster when the dog jumped onto the treadmill with me :eek: I'm not sure which of us got the biggest shock when she went flying:D

littlebug · 16-01-2011 8:50pm

yikes i'm not so good at keeping this up to date :rolleyes:

This has been a funny week. I'm trying to teach the mutt to run with me so it's all been a bit stop/start and at odd hours due to work commitments. Trying to run in the dark with the dog is interesting! At a guess I'd say I've covered 25 miles this week but it's anyones guess how much of that has been running.... I'll be conservative and say 12. It's not much and it was slow but all for the greater good.

Onto bigger issues.... 12 weeks to Connemara so tomorrow I start the 12 week Hal Higdon HM training programme. I'm going all out and going with the intermediate programme this time

running 5 days, one of which will be hill work.

DigiJem · 16-01-2011 10:02pm

Good luck with Hal’s intermediate programme, I’m doing that one myself although I’m choosing to be a little flexible with that 5th day of training

Emer911 · 16-01-2011 10:07pm

littlebug wrote: »

Onto bigger issues.... 12 weeks to Connemara so tomorrow I start the 12 week Hal Higdon HM training programme. I'm going all out and going with the intermediate programme this time running 5 days, one of which will be hill work.

DigiJem wrote: »

Good luck with Hal’s intermediate programme, I’m doing that one myself although I’m choosing to be a little flexible with that 5th day of training

LOL. I was 'following' Hal's intermediate plan, but taking liberties with the 5th day too. Of course I did substitute the running with some cross training (yoga), so I didn't feel like I was cheating THAT much.

They do say that the training has to fit your lifestyle, right?! :rolleyes:

Good luck with the plan littlebug.

Emer911 · 16-01-2011 10:10pm

littlebug wrote: »

There was a near disaster when the dog jumped onto the treadmill with me :eek: I'm not sure which of us got the biggest shock when she went flying:D

This made me laugh out loud!

I take it the dog has learned to keep away from the nasty machine now? :pac:

littlebug · 16-01-2011 10:24pm

Emer911 wrote: »

This made me laugh out loud!

I take it the dog has learned to keep away from the nasty machine now? :pac:

I've stayed away from it myself!

Yea the fifth day might be a challenge but since I'm on the road at least twice a day every day with the dog at the minute it shouldn't be hard to turn some of those into (short and slow) runs.

you're flying at the minute Emer!

littlebug · 18-01-2011 9:55pm

HH week 1, day 1 called for 3 miles so 3 (and a bit) miles it was.
10.06/ 9.37/ 9.13 and .3 cool down slowing down to a walk by the end.
Intervals tomorrow.

claralara · 18-01-2011 11:27pm

Best of luck over the next 12 weeks LB - Enjoy!!

jcsmum · 19-01-2011 11:25am

Yeah, best of luck with the HH plan. It does help to have a plan. I'm not sure what I'm doing - no plan, no race ahead...... I better sign up to something I suppose.

littlebug · 19-01-2011 10:31pm

HH called for 5x400@5k pace. Given the slippy footpaths this evening I was yet again confined to the TM. Actually not a bad thing for me for keeping the pace up for intervals.
Trying to turn the kms into miles I did 2 mins 10 sec @7.5mph (8 min mile) with recovery 1 min 50 sec @6pmh (10min mile) with .5m warmup/ down either side. Total 3 miles.

littlebug · 20-01-2011 9:40pm

3.5 slow stop/ start miles with the mutt. No harm having a slow day. My left shin is a bit achy after last nights intervals.
It's probably time for new runners now that I think about it.

littlebug · 23-01-2011 10:37pm

My shins were achy yesterday and time was scarce so I didn 't run (oops missed the 5th day already and only in the first week

) It's been a busy and tiring weekend but I squeezed in 5 very slow miles @10.50 pace this evening.

digger2d2 · 23-01-2011 10:53pm

''The unusual case of the aching shins and the flying dog''.....I see a title for a book littlebug

littlebug · 27-01-2011 10:15pm

i'm not doing so good on either keeping this up to date or with running 5 days. :rolleyes:
Tuesday 3 miles easy peasy.
Tonight: 4 miles tempo (I think)... total 4 miles in 40 mins and a bit, having built up to 8 min mile pace in the middle.
I actually really enjoyed it!

claralara · 28-01-2011 9:55am

littlebug wrote: »

i'm not doing so good on either keeping this up to date or with running 5 days. :rolleyes:
Tuesday 3 miles easy peasy.
Tonight: 4 miles tempo (I think)... total 4 miles in 40 mins and a bit, having built up to 8 min mile pace in the middle.
I actually really enjoyed it!

I was having a not-so-hot logging/running week too. I'm hoping tonight will close the door on that. Nice run last night

jcsmum · 28-01-2011 10:52am

Yeah good run last night, 8 min mile - impressive!
It keeps the spirits up for sure.

littlebug · 28-01-2011 11:05am

jcsmum wrote: »

Yeah good run last night, 8 min mile - impressive!
It keeps the spirits up for sure.

Yikes I may have misrepresented myself there! I didn't actually run an 8 min mile:o I was 8 min pace for all of oh... maybe 2 minutes! Though at peak I was running at between 8-8.30 pace for maybe 5 mins which I'm happy with. Either side of that was gradual build up and down from/ to 11 min pace at either extreme.

littlebug · 29-01-2011 11:03am

I was out bright and early this morning at Knockma with the dog. She loved it , didn't try to kill any other dogs along the way and I may have even run slightly faster than usual trying to keep up with her. I didn't time it as I hadn't charged the garmin :rolleyes:
Doubled back at the end to make up 3 miles.

littlebug · 30-01-2011 12:26pm

Knockma- 2.8 miles with the dog again. I took it a wee bit easier since I had more miles to do after. This dog will be the death of me... running at speed down the hill and she stopped dead in front of me requiring me to do a last minute jump over her (twice...with expletives ).

Drove home, refuelled and did another 4.2 miles. I found it hard to get going again and it was slow but that's a nice 7 miles done today.

Emer911 · 30-01-2011 11:21pm

littlebug wrote: »

Knockma- 2.8 miles with the dog again. I took it a wee bit easier since I had more miles to do after. This dog will be the death of me... running at speed down the hill and she stopped dead in front of me requiring me to do a last minute jump over her (twice...with expletives ).

Drove home, refuelled and did another 4.2 miles. I found it hard to get going again and it was slow but that's a nice 7 miles done today.

LOL. Speedy reflexes by the sounds of it! Although if you ran into the dog (just the once!) she'd probably not stop like that in front of you again!? :P

littlebug · 14-02-2011 11:22pm

oops two weeks with no update

Running has been going about as well as the log has... there's been no sticking to plan at all and it's just been a matter of getting out when I can and doing whatever miles I can fit in.:o I haven't even kept track of my mileage so I'll have to hazard a guess to add to my 1000 mile tally.
Now with 8 weeks to Connemara it's time to get my arse in gear.
this evening.... 3 miles easy :rolleyes:

claralara · 14-02-2011 11:26pm

Welcome back!! 8 weeks? Jebus, don't be flinging statements like that around so flippantly!:pac:

littlebug · 20-02-2011 4:35pm

Time has been difficult to find with kids taking it in turns to be sick and off school:(
Anyway... still getting a few miles in here and there, not following any plan at this stage :eek: 6 miles today @10.20 with 4@10ish in the middle. Plus a few x3 miles on the tm during the week. At this rate I'll be lucky to get to the start line in Conn never mind the finish!

littlebug · 27-02-2011 11:25pm

Just posting my weekly update to keep myself honest :rolleyes: Total 16 miles this week with 7 today and various bits on the TM during the week. I gotta get off the treadmill.. found the 7 miles tough going today. Average pace 10.30 but there were a couple of breaks... including one just to look at some ducks

ITB niggly towards the end. I've a feeling Connemara will be looked upon as a training run for..

something else as yet undecided. I just haven't done the ground work to give Connemara a decent effort. Ah well... I'm hardly the runner of the century... not the end of the world as long as I'm enjoying it.

...and back to Connemara.

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