2013; Eat my dust Meno!

Yeow! I did not realise it had been that long since I updated my log... Did I really not do a race report after the Donadea 50K? Well that's a bit of a shame. I've been in and out checking up on people's training/ranting/raving etc over the past few months but I just haven't had the time to keep a log updated. Maybe if I adopted a more ultramanly approach, that would be easier but let's be honest, who doesn't love a good looooonng update post?! I haven't necessarily missed the logging of each and every training run; but I have been missing the general updating and chatting about training, races and what everyone is up to.

I could be here all night but I'm going to just try and fill in the 6 month blank as quickly as possible. I think I have roughly 45 minutes plus a 15 minute HT break plus 45 minutes of peace :pac:

So....Donadea was the big focus towards the end of 2013 and into 2014. I knew that to be in with a chance to run in the World Trophy 50K, I'd have to win in Donadea and run the qualifying time of 3:49:59 - that was the main goal post DCM 2013. I was in 3:45 shape on the day and thankfully no one else showed up to contest first position at that pace. More thankfully, my race went really well and I ran 3:43:16 - qualifying for the World Race and nabbing the National 50K Record to boot (that actually still hasn't been confirmed 100% but I think it's just the rubber stamp that's outstanding). I received and accepted my place to run in the World Trophy 50K and then took a 2/3 month break from structured training,but still running and enjoying plenty of races for fun over 5k/10k/HM distances. I didn't run one PB in that period (apart from a 200m one which is best left confined to the memories of the poor souls who had to witness it! )

By the time June rolled around, I was ready and willing to get stuck in and start ramping the training back up. I had a couple of easy base building weeks just to start getting the time back into the legs. I ran a 39:39 in Dunshaughlin and then the plan started in earnest. Without getting into too much detail at this stage, I've been running c.70 mile weeks and feeling pretty good. I had a horrendous 5K in Donadea (how ironic! - give me 10 laps over 1 any day!) and really struggled to run a 20:37. I managed to put that in perspective though - high mileage / no speedwork / Friday evening after a long week in work / pretty hot summer temps - and it's mostly forgotten at this stage. I was happy enough with my run at the Rock n Roll National Half where I ran a good hard effort of 87:07 for 12th or 13th position and was the first lady scorer to scoop the Team Gold. It wasn't a PB but a good indicator that things were on track. I did pick up a teeny bit of a calf/achilles strain in the couple of days afterwards and I very sensibly took a day's rest followed by a second day's rest when it was still tender. A bit of time on the turbo seemed to do the trick to stretch it out and I was back the next day for the long run sans the slightest bit of hassle or pain. Missing the 2 days meant I ended up with a 55 mile week and not the planned 70 mile week; however, the 55 mile week meant I managed 3 subsequent 73/75 mile weeks instead of a 3 week lay off! Lesson - listen and act upon the advice you would dole out to someone else in your position!

I ran the Longford Half yesterday and really enjoyed it. The plan was to run roughly 7m/m pace to get the race pace endurance in as part of a long run. But I was feeling good and the podium was in my sights so I comfortably put in a bit more effort to run 87:20 and nab 3rd place. A couple of recovery miles rounded me up to another 70 mile week so happy days!

I've mostly been enjoying the training - I guess keeping focus on the bigger picture and the amazing opportunity I've been given helps on the tough days. The training plan is going according to plan and seems to be spot on in terms of what I'm able and aiming for. Good job so far Coach. The Officer has been multitasking as a chauffeur/chef/photographer/all round supporter (mostly!:P)/travel agent etc. Good job so far Manager. The long run company and support in the form of the Stews (including the aule hag, the Juniors, the attention seeker and the frother) plus that from my own family and friends has been great and I am extremely grateful for that.

The weeks are flying by and the countdown is now into single figures...eek! The goal race is being held in Doha, Qatar on Friday 31st October and I'm mostly scared about the heat and humidity. The only thing is that all 20 of us runners will be in the same boat. Having such good weather during the summer helped but the change in temperature and the onslaught of the rain over the past few days has put the frighteners on me. I'm trying to see if I can get away for a long weekend in September even just to get 30-35 miles done in some sort of alien environment (in the heat and off a plane journey) but work is extremely busy and the budget/bank balance is geared towards the race trip itself so we'll see how that pans out.

I am going to try to update a bit over the next few weeks because I'll need something to keep me sane and there'll be a heap of people going through DCM insanity on here to distract me!

menoscemo wrote: »

Change that bloody log title. It's not 2013 anymore :rolleyes:

P.S. you must be bored with Digger watching the match. Pass him on my condolences

I was thinking something like 2013/2014 Eat my dust Meno.. How would you feel about that?!

P.S. he's been sent to the pub - I needed some peace and quiet and to commandeer the telebox

Gavlor wrote: »

You're still with digger??

FFS :pac:

He was hanging on by a thread until he started gathering brownie points by the truck load last week - he's really started to take his managerial role seriously! I guess it'd be unfair to give him the chop before Doha at this stage

That said he could well be hanging on to me for the holiday and planning to trade me in thereafter... I am getting on now...