2013; Eat my dust Meno!

Dory Dory wrote: »

Heat? Plane trip? Mi casa es su casa!!! And my pool is open!!!

Don't tell the ossifer but I actually went off and priced flights... Unfortunately with all the expense this year, a trip to the States won't make the budget Staying more local and heading to Spain in a few weeks for a few days - got a good deal. As much as we like to give out about Mr O'Leary, thank goodness for Ryanair!

I have an excuse to possibly splash out on a decent holiday in 2015 so I'll revisit the Stateside idea in the new year

Had a good training week last week and enjoyed a bit of a rave on Sunday morning when, at 10:36am, I had just completed my highest mileage week of the plan (so far?)

I recovered well from the HM effort in Longford and given what was in store I aS glad I hadn't raced all out (the result probably wouldn't have been much different if I had).

Last week consisted of 2 recovery days, two doubles, MLR, LSR and MLR w/MP section for a total of 82.5 miles. I was extra happy to have gotten this solid week on top of a looonng and extremely busy week in work.

The MLR on Wednesday wasn't particularly pretty after a long day at the desk, too much coffee and not nearly enough water. I was gasping for the cold lemon water I knew I had in the fridge by the time I got to 8 miles. I don't really like doing anything more than 8-10 miles with the backpack but needs must and I tried to keep it as light as possible. When you're not feeling great, it's pretty soul destroying taking the 14 mile route for the 4.5 mile distance home!!

I had a half day from work on Friday so after an early start I managed to get myself on a DART out to Marthastew for a 1pm start to the LSR. (Unfortunately meno couldn't get a half day from work to join us ) I read MS's update and it makes the run sound far nicer and pleasant than my mind and body seem to remember so maybe I'll just leave it at that... Suffice to say it was character building - one of those ones we look back at when the going gets tough and we have to dig deep. The last 8 miles in particular were a slog and I have never been so happy to hear the Garmin beep for the final mile which clocked me at 64 for the week thus far. As a newbie to the 40foot scene, I found it difficult to contain my excitement and pain when I hit the cold water and the yelps didn't go unnoticed by the more learned bodies around - it was so worth it though. Digger was on hand for a lift back the Stew's where freshly baked treats and a delicious hot pot of tea were welcomed with open arms!! Come Friday evening, I had just enough energy to have my dinner and flake on the couch before hitting the hay at 9pm!! Par-tay animal!!

After 11 hours in bed, I was woken with an awesome recovery breakfast of poached eggs on toast and tea in bed (I swear someone has taken some feminism ranting to heart recently... Thank you Sisters Pearse!! ) and we headed up to Tymon to help out at Parkrun. I can only hope and assume that all the good runners of boards who have and continue to take part in parkrun events make sure they give back by helping out every so often. Teas good to catch up with Clowns who both ran well

I was still pretty wrecked and ate like a horse all day Saturday so after a short ugly recovery and a good dinner, I had another early night hoping for a miracle before Sundays run. It wasn't quite a miracle but it was a half decent surprise that I was able to move. This was 14 w/8@MP effort and boy was it hard. I was working unenjoyably from the off. Thought the route would be forgivable in terms of wind direction but unfortunately it wasn't. Coach had mentioned the possibility of cutting / altering the MP section after the heavy week so I knew I had an out... Told myself I could stop at 4 when a hill at 3 absolutely sapped me. Then I said I'd let myself stop at 5 if I pushed through. And then I came upon a left turn with a nice downhill so I said I'd go for that and stop at 6. Which I did. For 2 seconds. Before cajoling myself to do another mile (DCM's heartbreak hill!) knowing I had a light week ahead and that I'd be annoyed if I didn't. I hit the top of Fosters Ave at 7 miles so belted it down and called MP quits at 7.5. 3.5 very easy miles from UCD up to Foxer made sure I was well and truly ready for a very lazy Sunday. The naughtiness started with a delicious brunch with digs and pops and continued calorifically until bedtime!!

A very very easy week this week before a very very important LSR on Saturday. Legs not feeling so hot but I am hoping for wonderful things over the next few days!

(Aside - yesterday I learned a valuable lesson:- one should not eat an enormous Ferraro Rocher and M&Ms ice cream cone an hour before a run. Regardless of the fact that it's a recovery run at practically walking pace. It almost got very dangerous and messy!! Ugh)

AuldManKing wrote: »

Great update CL - you're going great these days!

I love those mind games - its amazing how running can be as much of a mental game as a physical one.

Thank you for commenting on my training which is, of course, why I've half resurrected the log (and not to discuss our Digger's procrastination on all things life important!)

The mind games can be right feckers with any number of possible outcomes depending on the mood / tiredness / hunger / work and life stresses on a given day. Great when you can overcome them but not always possible. Had a bad 12 miler a few Sundays back and had to take a moment to compose myself after nearly bursting into tears after 5 miles!!

Just in from an easy 10 miler with the adopted Stew - very enjoyable as he was in quite good form and not at all grumpy and angry... Either that, or I worked him too hard!