1 PhD and 2 Marathons in next 8 months pretty please!!

MCOS

Hey Marie,

I got this from http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Timex_Triathlon_50_Lap_Sleek_Watch/5360032922/

from wiggle for just €48 including delivery. Good ole weak sterling! Its not a fancy GPS forerunner type navigation system but it does the job and is waterproof too. It looks nice, is so light and they have a sleeker womens version too.

MCOS

MarieC

Sun 18th Jan

12miles at 9.125min/mile pace (I think). First 6 fine but ITB was quite sore for the last 5miles. Will do few stretches for it tonight and mind it. Strong wind, rain, hailstone definitely has to be good for building endurance and stamina (also works as a free facial I think, especially those hailstones ).

No nausea I think due to drinking throughout the run. Powerade all the way. Need to get used again though to running with a full bottle whilst wearing gloves. The joy of marathon training in winter I guess?

Ordered Wiggle stopwatch so thanks for link MCOS. Should hav it next week.

MarieC

Mon Jan 19th

Nice 3m run this evening at 9.1min/mile pace. Felt good for 2/3's of it and then bit "flopsy" as I like to call it, aka needed a banana or some bit of sugar. ITB and hip were well behaved tonight.

MarieC

Tue Jan 20th

3mile run at 9.22min pace. Felt alot better than yesterday, funny that it was a little bit slower...dont quite understnad that.

Ran straight to the Joe Buckley session then on the track. First night at it. Interval sessions lasting from 1 to 2 to 3minutes around the track with varying lengths of recovery between. As it was my first night no clue how many sets we did or how many laps of the track I did but stopped after 50min (was happy with myself to last the full session). Was v.happy with it and it adds a bit of variety to my otherwise solitary training. Hopefully will help with my speed also....

MarieC

Thur Jan 22
Gonna try running at lunch time instead, frees up the evening for work. 6miles today. It felt v.long and I predicted it to take me 55min, was shocked to read 50:30 on the stopwatch! that puts me at a pace of 8.42min/mile. Delighted with that, think its my fastest to date. Buzzing now after that.

MCOS

Good running MarieC, good progress! Thought I saw you approaching the entrance to UL as I was heading back to work late... I'm blaming the 1000 mile challenge for my tardiness :rolleyes:

MarieC

the 1000 mile challenge is fantastic motivation isnt it?! We're all mad!
If the person you saw was all in black and with 2 pigtails then that was me! By the way MCOS you're doing great with ur swimming times - v.jealous! Fair play to you!

MCOS

Thanks MarieC yep it was you so (very co-ordinated with the gear!). I think the main thing with the improvements is consistency and loving the variety in the training for Tri. I was going to say also quality over quantity but that 1000 mile challenge tends to turn your planned 5 miles into 6 :rolleyes: Yeah we are all mad!

MarieC

Fri 23rd Jan

Spent 24hrs (from lunchtime on Thur) in bits with v.bad stomach cramps after lunch time run. An internet search on the matter suggested a dairy free diet so Im giving that a go since I read it.

Gym session this evening, all for the core which was still bit tender from the cramps. Felt good after it.

MarieC

Sat 24th Jan

Gym session again this morning. Felt the burn!
Stomach is back to normal thank God, no more cramps!

MarieC

Sun Jan 25th

13.2mile run in 1:58:10, which is 8.952min/mile pace. Quite happy with that considering mile 11 was quite slow and painful with ITB hurting alot on the downhill. Delighted to report no nausea. Definitely going to stick with the non-dairy diet, not that hard really and totally worth it to be able run cramp free.

clonsillarunner

the log along with sitings of Finisher t shirts made me finally get back running today. 5 miles in the park. The race series is not too far away.


Only thing about the park is that you feel silly running on your own when passing all the groups.

question.....do you all carry your own water or pre dump in on the route before you start.

Thanks for the motivation..

jlang

Do my long runs in the Park too. Getting supplies is easy if I drive over as I can park somewhere that I can pass my car every 5/6 miles. If I run down (about 3 miles house->park), I stuff a few 2 euro coins in my shoelaces and stop in a shop. (The pedestrian gate at Chapelizod is pretty close to some shops. I like to stop, have a pause/drink and then run up Knockmaroon Hill).

MarieC

All of my runs are based on a 6mile loop that I do from my local gym. So I leave with a 500ml bottle of powerade that lasts me for the first loop, come back, pick up bottle that I've hidden in a bush and off I go again. I wouldnt like going in to a shop cos it would break my momentum, plus they'd be wondering who the crazy person running on the spot in the queue was!!!

clonsillarunner

thanks for the advise. I always get a few wierd looks as I dash behind a tree for a resupply of water and the odd packet of wine gums. Im not sure that I would uses the phrase "run up Knockmaroom Hill" and the word "like" in the same sentence but I admire your courage! I stick to the hills in the Park.

I have never thought of running from the gym. Anyway I don not intend to renew the considerable cost of membership due to the recession!

park runners.........clockwise or anti-clockwise?

hunnymonster

clonsillarunner wrote: »

park runners.........clockwise or anti-clockwise?

alternate, the camper is quite bad in parts of the park so you don't wnat to encourage an injury.

MarieC

clonsillarunner wrote: »

I have never thought of running from the gym. Anyway I don not intend to renew the considerable cost of membership due to the recession!

No-one said uv to use their facilities, just it may be handy spot to run from and for leaving drinks i've found it perfect

clonsillarunner

i take your point but with my willpower (weak) I would probably sit in the steam room rather than hit the dreary roads of Dublin 15.

Still at least I am running again . I will try the alternate runs in the park when I start doing the laps. Breaking 45 for 10km is my goal for now.

MarieC

Tue Jan 27th

What a beautiful evening for a run! Crisp night with class foggy patches! A million and one other runners out too. Really appreciating it after running in cold, wet, wind for last couple of months.

4.2miles in 35:05 which is 8.35min/mile pace - happy days!

MCOS

MarieC wrote: »

Tue Jan 27th

What a beautiful evening for a run! Crisp night with class foggy patches! A million and one other runners out too. !

I was so jealous of anyone out running yesterday evening. There was a good stretch and it was still and crisp. I was driving from work to college at 5.30 and I was wishing I could get out for a few easy miles. Instead I sat on my @ss for 4 hours and ate about 20 biscuits

MarieC

MCOS wrote: »

Instead I sat on my @ss for 4 hours and ate about 20 biscuits

Why????

ManFromAtlantis

keep it up marie c. im jealous of all ye guys that can run a decent park with alot of other runners/mad hatters around. u intend to do dub 09? what times you hoping for or is it one day at a time.

MarieC

ManFromAtlantis wrote: »

keep it up marie c. im jealous of all ye guys that can run a decent park with alot of other runners/mad hatters around. u intend to do dub 09? what times you hoping for or is it one day at a time.

Thanks Man from Atlantis. I dont do any of my running in a park though, all of my running is out on roads. No parks near me. I've switched to the half for connemara (March 22nd) and I'd love to do that below or close to 1:55. Im running the Paris full two weeks later and the goal for that is to beat my time for Dublin 08 - 3:53:17. Not sure yet about DM 09, one day at a time type of person when it comes to planning things ages away.

ManFromAtlantis

best of luck in conemara half. i presume its closed at this stage? sounds like a 'tough' course so 1 55 would be fair going. bring on the long evenings when clocks change!!!

MarieC

I forgot about the clocks changing! Happy days!!!
Ya I know 1:55 prob a bit ambitious for Connemara but sure feck it if I dont aim for it I def wont make it. Think its closed with ages yeah....
What are your targets/goals for the year?

MCOS

MarieC wrote: »

Why????

They always leave a tray of biscuits out in the break out room on College evenings. Usually about 3-4 packs dumped onto it. I've tried having a huge breakfast and having my lunch at 4.30pm (a full dinner) but I'm still usually hungry by 8pm when we have a break. Important presentation last night too, needed nerves calming. Some people run out for a nicotine stick I munch the cookies. I want to drop about 3kg by Tri season though so I can't do this too often

ManFromAtlantis

def the 30th dub marathon. did alot of training all 08 but failed to break 4Hrs (4:01) was 1:52 at half stage. anyways this year change of plan./...... not so many 7 milers (did a huge amount last year) and am gonna make sure i have plenty of long runs under the belt. am doing 14milers (slow tho) every weekend these days and will increase. by the time the mara comes around its gonna be a lark in the park (ha ha i wish).
also for 10k would love to break 44 mins. good bit off this at the moment. so in a nut shell.............. to break 3:45 dub 30th mara...............although 3:39:59 sounds so much better..........ok manfromatlantis stop dreaming.

MarieC

MCOS wrote: »

They always leave a tray of biscuits out in the break out room on College evenings. Usually about 3-4 packs dumped onto it. I've tried having a huge breakfast and having my lunch at 4.30pm (a full dinner) but I'm still usually hungry by 8pm when we have a break. Important presentation last night too, needed nerves calming. Some people run out for a nicotine stick I munch the cookies. I want to drop about 3kg by Tri season though so I can't do this too often

Me love cookies
Why dont you throw a few apples/bag of nuts/granola bar in your schoolbag? That way you'll still be getting your treat but without the guilt!

P.S - Hope presentation went well

MarieC

ManFromAtlantis wrote: »

def the 30th dub marathon. did alot of training all 08 but failed to break 4Hrs (4:01) was 1:52 at half stage. anyways this year change of plan./...... not so many 7 milers (did a huge amount last year) and am gonna make sure i have plenty of long runs under the belt. am doing 14milers (slow tho) every weekend these days and will increase. by the time the mara comes around its gonna be a lark in the park (ha ha i wish).
also for 10k would love to break 44 mins. good bit off this at the moment. so in a nut shell.............. to break 3:45 dub 30th mara...............although 3:39:59 sounds so much better..........ok manfromatlantis stop dreaming.

what kind of pace are ur 14milers? Mind u dont overtrain in distance and undertrain in speed training. my longest run for DM 08 was 18miles. with the long run at the weekend, a medium mid week, I kept my other 2 runs for really trying to push myself speedwise. My goal for a 10k is sub 50min I think but that may exceedingly optimistic.....

Krusty_Clown

MarieC wrote: »

My goal for a 10k is sub 50min I think but that may exceedingly optimistic.....

Hi MarieC, based on your DM08 time, McMillan says you should already be good for a sub-50 minute 10k (49:43 to be exact at a a pace of 7:59/mile). McMillan has always been bang on the money for me. So don't underestimate yourself. Aim higher!

ManFromAtlantis

last 14.2 miler in 2 hr 05 so 8:48 min mile or thereabouts
last year i tried to run pretty much as fast as i could every training run and my 'best' for this run was 1:56 . but i've been told to hold your horses take it easier on the long runs and ..........well lets see. ur 3 53 marathon impressive........what sort of half marathon time did u clock? bet u paced yourself better than me. (when i saw 7:40 :eek:on the watch for the first mile last year in dub mara i knew either (a) this is gonna be some run:) or (b) ur a fool :mad: ............unfortunately i had the last 8 miles to contemplate and accept (b)
the funny thing is (if its funny?) i know ur menat to pace yourself, but my plan was to head off to feck and see what happens. ok i saw what happens and hence new training game plan.
yeah with 3 53 mara u should be able to break 50 for 10k.

MarieC

Thanks for that Krusty. Im quite surprised by that, thought I was ages away from sub 50k. Definitely something for me to realistically work towards.

MarieC

ManFromAtlantis wrote: »

last 14.2 miler in 2 hr 05 so 8:48 min mile or thereabouts
last year i tried to run pretty much as fast as i could every training run and my 'best' for this run was 1:56 . but i've been told to hold your horses take it easier on the long runs and ..........well lets see. ur 3 53 marathon impressive........what sort of half marathon time did u clock? bet u paced yourself better than me. (when i saw 7:40 :eek:on the watch for the first mile last year in dub mara i knew either (a) this is gonna be some run:) or (b) ur a fool :mad: ............unfortunately i has the last 8 miles to contemplate and accept (b)
the funny thing is (if its funny?) i know ur menat to pace yourself, but my plan was to head off to feck and see what happens. ok i saw what happens and hence new training game plan.
yeah with 3 53 mara u should be able to break 50 for 10k.

I cant remember who said it one of their training logs today, about trying to run without the Garmin but that is kind of links in with this. My Special K (sent away tokens for it) stopwatch broke about a month in to my DM 08 training and I never replaced it. So Id clock my time just before and after a run not having a clue of actual pace until after. I think this in the long run (excuse the pun) was of huge benefit to me because it made me listen to my body, and I got quite nifty at "feeling" the pace and I could estimate run times fairly accurately. I didnt even have a watch for the marathon itself. I knew my pace going in to the marathon was approx 8.8min/mile pace. Only got to check my times at 10k,half and 30k. I never believed that Id do DM 08 in sub 4hr so just focused on pushing myself to keep my training pace. this made me stay v.tune with my own run, it almost didnt feel like the marathon, felt like a long training run of sticking with my own game plan as you do on your weekend runs. Dont know what my half marathon time was but did a 15miler in Cobh 3 weeks before it in 2:07:43.

In my limited experience the marathon is all about pace. You've trained too much for too long to get carried away and just say feck it and belt away. Keep your pace and then you'll be laughing at the end. I'll stop now :rolleyes:

clonsillarunner

does a box of Kimberly take long to run off?

they were only 4 euro. The more you eat the more you save.

The park was great today. A few friends decided to do fast 2 milers. I managed 13 17 but used to be alot faster.

damn those kimberly

great run 10km in under 45 before in early April before the race series.........motivation

MarieC

Sat Jan 31st

In London for the weekend as boyfriend lives over there. Managed a 6miler on Sat.Time was 50:19 which puts it at 8.38min/mile pace. Not 100% sure of distance. Alot to be said for running in familiar territory as it makes things alot easier mentally I think. Still was a v.enjoyable run.

MarieC

Feb 1st Sun

10miles at 9min/mile pace. Incorporated some "nice" hills in to it also.

ManFromAtlantis

good runs. looks like you missed the snow by the skin of your teeth! that might have added a few mins to the 6 miler
im sorry now i didnt enter connemara. any decent half marathons coming up anyone (in the west or midlands) ta

MarieC

kinda missed the snow..... got to airport for my 9:45 flight at 9:45. We took off at 4:20! got to bed at half 6 this morning. everyone else cancelled flights but not good old ryanair..... hence im writing this from my bed.......

MarieC

Wed Feb 4th

Owing to PhD meltdown from Mon to Wed I knew I had tonnes of energy for my run on Wednesday. Just did 3.2miles but gave it socks. Was aiming for a time of 28:30 so was delighted to see 26:10 on the clock. That brings me to a new low pace of 8.177min/mile. Felt great after it.

To anyone who is trying to juggle PhD with running, dont let the running go. PhD you cant always control so not only is running a fantastic release but its lovely to have something so positive and to have complete control over it.

ike

Hi Marie, just catching up on some of your log your showing some great improvements...well done!

MarieC

Thur Feb 5th
Have been starving the entire day even though I've so far today eaten 2 scones [just jam], 2 bags of popcorn, 2 apples, 1 lunchbox of rice and veg, 3mugs of tea (black). Still hungry and getting a little lazy about run so what has spurred me on to go do it? The fact that the vending machine at the Arena sells granola bars! Im outta here! :pac:

MarieC

Thur 5th Feb

4.2miles in 34:36 which translates to 8.23min/mile. If I could maintain this new faster pace Id be delighted. Have it in my head now to really work on my 10k time..... Beautiful clear starry night for a run - just perfect.

P.S -Wolfed down granola bar before run. Having bed time treat now of porridge and peppermint tea

MarieC

Fri 6th Feb

7.2miles in 62:36 which is 8.69min/mile pace. Happy enough with that pace. Run was good, tough enough to keep going (think it was just cos it was friday evening). Beautiful evening for a run so it was strange for there to be no other runners out at all.

McConkey

Hi MarieC, just catching up on your log, all seems to be going well and in order for you You planning a good time for Adare 10k then....I'll be about 20 min behind you I'd say Running on a gammy leg at the moment, rest it up but it doesn't go away fully and I'm aggravating it again when I head out for my runs.....hopefully Ill make it to Adare. Good luck

MarieC

Mon Feb 9th

Was meant to do long run this evening but too tired. Ended up going for very easy 2.5miler with friend. Hardly felt I was running, more just a gossip whilst cantering along. Variety is good

ManFromAtlantis

MarieC wrote: »

Mon Feb 9th

Ended up going for very easy 2.5miler with friend. Hardly felt I was running,

good stuff. ur entitled to the odd easy run. they (who ever they are) say its even good for your training. anyways its always nice when you can say a run felt easy no matter how slow. how are u set for connemara? or are u going.

MarieC

ManFromAtlantis wrote: »

how are u set for connemara? or are u going.

90% sure that Im only going to do the half here. Wouldn't mind doing the full even though Paris is 2 weeks later, but college is so full on that I run (literally) the risk of fecking up too many things if I try to do the full. Cant afford to get burnt out. Would still love to try the full but Im trying to be sensible. I guess there will be plenty opportunities for dong muliple marathons in my my post-PhD life (if such a thing exists). Any opinions??

ManFromAtlantis

a phd on marathon training. sounds like the way. ya think half is sensible if doing paris. lucky you. ya reckon youl'' break the big 4.

MarieC

Aim is sub 2 for Connemara (I know I know, the hills are bad) and then sub 4 for Paris. Really would love to beat DM 08 time 3:53:17 but sub 4 for sure anyway.

Are you doing Connemara yourself?

ManFromAtlantis

no. in hindsight i shouldve put my name down. would break up the training and a half would do just fine . dub is the main aim but migt look at longford full nearer the time. or if there was any other halfs around teh country i might do one. g'luck in gay paris btw.