Running along the road to nowhere

xebec

Time to start a new log. My interests fit better here than in the Fitness Logs where my old thread was. Hopefully this log will make me start keeping to a plan again like I did before...

So my initial plan is to do the Wexford half-marathon in April - probably with the Great Ireland two weeks before.

Tonight:
Some cross-training to start off with...

7.5 miles 25:00 Exercise bike

Stretching and some core work

Seated Row:
7 plates: x10
9 plates: x10 x10

Seated Leg Press:
9 plates: x10 x10 x10

1 mile 10:00 Elliptical Cross-trainer

Feel good after first exercise in over a week... Tomorrow night is back on the roads hopefully!

TheRoadRunner

good stuff with your log. Have you any target times ? Best of luck with the training

Woddle

I was wondering how long it would take you to move across Best of luck with the training and log.

xebec

Cheers guys, no times in mind to be honest, I've been so lazy about training for the last few months that I just need to get the distance up again!

It's been a rough week, been finding it hard to stay awake each evening so not much got done.

Today:

4.8 miles (7.71km) 41:32 - out in the mingin weather and didn't remotely enjoy it at all... Oh well, hopefully more tomorrow.

SUNGOD

hi xebec best of luck with your training and log
have you run a half marathon before or is this your first?

xebec

SUNGOD wrote: »

hi xebec best of luck with your training and log
have you run a half marathon before or is this your first?

Hey SUNGOD, this'll be my first... I've never even done the distance while training so I'm a bit nervous about whether it'll be possible or not, especially seeing as I'm finding it hard to fit training in around my work schedule. And motivation has been a bit of a problem of late too... Ah well, if I don't have a goal then I definitely wouldn't succeed, so like last year I'm almost starting from nowhere...

xebec

Tuesday 3/02

4 miles (6.45km) 33:20 - run on a treadmill, no way am I going out in this crappy weather, at least not at night time!!

xebec

Well last week was another disaster... Went out for dinner on Wednesday night instead of training. Thurs had an aborted attempt at running - did about 1.5 miles but could get a feel for it/catch my breath/ease off the shin splints - absolutely horrible. Weekend wasn't any better, being fuelled mainly by alcohol at the rugby match and afterwards with an American friend who was leaving.

Anyways, onwards and upwards...

Tues 10th Feb:
4 miles (6.45km) 33:42 - reasonably happy with this workout, it was good just to get to the end of it. Short break in the middle when getting kicked off one treadmill and moving to another...

Back in the gym tonight, might be a shorter session...

xebec

6 x 400m 5k pace - 3.23 miles (5.2km) 30:08 - tough session tonight, haven't done one of these for about 8 months I'd say...

xebec

Thursday 12th:

3.1 miles (5km) 26:06 - woot! Three days in a row And pretty pleased with that time for a training run too... Wasn't exactly killing myself.

Odysseus

Welcome aboard Xebec, best of luck with the new log.

xebec

5.16 miles (8.3km) 43:14 - nice early run in the Park this morning. Seemed to be a good crowd gathering for the Cupid's Dash when I was going past the carpark at 0900.

xebec

3.53 miles (5.68km) 30:29 - lovely evening around the Park, perfect temperature. Can't wait till the evenings really brighten up... Felt ok starting out tonight, was tough in the middle but finished as strong as I've ever done.

Sunday was supposed to be a decent long run, but Saturday night and the rugby on Sunday put paid to that... Oh well, not going to worry about it too much as it was a good week last week and has started well this week. Might not be able to go for a run tomorrow, so hopefully tempo run on Thurs evening.

xebec

OK, so it's been a week... And a week of no training

As I mentioned, Wednesday was a no go because of other things going on, that was fine. But then Thursday morning I woke up with a horrible twinge in one of my glutes (no jokes about a pain in the ass please!) which meant it was hard to walk, not to mind to attempt running. This lasted until Saturday, and while I felt fine on Sunday I decided to take it easy and get back into a full week this week.

So this week was supposed to start last night, had planned on getting 4 miles in when I got home after work. Went to the dentist on the way home for a "check-up" and ended up having a first stage root canal done, so the last thing I wanted to do was go running. Ah well, all going well it'll be 4 miles tonight and a full week of training for the rest of the week...

On a positive note, I've finally paid my entry for the Great Ireland Run, this was my first big run last year so I'm really looking forward to doing it again - even though I probably won't get near my time from last year And even better, my company are allowing me to expense the cost through one of our sports clubs

xebec

4.67 miles (7.5km) 41:32 - Was a nice evening for a run, felt great on my way home... As soon as I started running my legs felt like lead, but I stuck with it and got through to the end without stopping Feel really good now for finally getting out for a run.

dna_leri

xebec wrote: »

On a positive note, I've finally paid my entry for the Great Ireland Run, this was my first big run last year so I'm really looking forward to doing it again - even though I probably won't get near my time from last year And even better, my company are allowing me to expense the cost through one of our sports clubs

Just signed up myself today for the GIR. Last year was also my first 10K so I am hoping to knock about 3 mins off last year's 44+ mins time.

Have you a target time for this race?

Best of luck.

xebec

Ok, so things obviously aren't going as well as I hoped... But it's a new week and time to get back on track again...

4.74 miles (7.63km) 41:23 - tough evening out in the wind, felt like a headwind for about 2/3 of the loop... Pleasantly surprised by the time as I thought it'd be much slower, did pick it up on the way home though.

The hardest part of this evening was my breathing, not helped by the headwind. I've given up cigarettes, I wasn't smoking that much anyway but anything at all is too much in reality. To motivate me, I'm going to reward myself periodically with running gear I need as long as I stay away from them...

xebec

dna_leri wrote: »

Just signed up myself today for the GIR. Last year was also my first 10K so I am hoping to knock about 3 mins off last year's 44+ mins time.

Have you a target time for this race?

Best of luck.

Well last year my target was 50 mins, and I missed that by just over 30 secs. Considering the lack of training I've done over the last six months my priority is finishing, but 50 mins is still a good target for me...

xebec

35 min tempo run 4.11 miles (6.62km) - really glad to get through this, I've a real mental block with tempo runs... My heart rate was up near 190 at the end of the fastest bit of the run, that's a real sign of how unfit I am at the moment...

xebec

4.74 miles (7.63km) 40:42 - went out with the intention of taking it easy. Made it to half way in the same time as the last few runs, the 3/4 distance was faster than before even though I hadn't picked the pace up. Felt great to knock 40 seconds off that time without trying

Was feckin freezing outside tonight, was out a little earlier than usual, was nice to be (almost) able to see where I was going when cutting through Phoenix Park.

xebec

3.53 mile (5.68km) 30:08 - took some convincing to get me out tonight, but really enjoyed it towards the end...

xebec

Had a horrible weekend, feeling like crap and getting a root canal done on Sat so didn't get out for any planned running... Was a pity cos last week was going well.

Tuesday 10/03

4.35 miles (7km) ~38:30 incl. 8x400 intervals

xebec

5.55 miles (8.93km) 47:53

Slogger Jogger

xebec - short trail race down Wexford way near Ferns this Sunday morning that might appeal... More details on www.imra.ie

xebec

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

xebec - short trail race down Wexford way near Ferns this Sunday morning that might appeal... More details on www.imra.ie

Thanks for the heads up... But I'm going to stay in Dublin for the weekend, planning on doing the 5k in town on Sunday morning. Was my first race in years last year and really enjoyed it.

xebec

Saturday 14/03

3.38 miles (5.45km) 28:05

xebec

Tuesday 17/03

8.81 miles (14.2km) 1:23:xx - cracking day in Pheonix Park yesterday, got out early enough and delighted to complete this run! Hadn't been getting the long runs I was supposed to done over the last while so it's great to know that I can still run distances like this and it's a good place to build from over the next few weeks...

xebec

It's been a bad week again, between real-life, work commitments and not feeling well I haven't gotten any of my plan done... No need to stop me going out to today though:

10.13 miles (16.3km) 1:33:23 - longest run yet, didn't enjoy it at all... Needed a toilet after about 10 mins, but instead of turning back decided to carry on, made it to the end anyway... Hopefully a better week this week...

xebec

Decided to give last night's c.5 miler a miss due to legs being sore from Sunday, needing to do shopping on the way home and being freezing and starving when I eventually made it home...

Am now the proud owner of two lovely blisters on my heels due to the (much needed) new shoes I bought yesterday - Compeed to the rescue

Plan on getting out tonight, but it looks like tomorrow night's speed workout will have to be missed. Got a marathon training group meeting in Trinity followed by golf lessons with work, so that's my evening gone... Thursday might be a no-go aswell unfortunately, so will have to make the most of tonight...

xebec

So this week has been another disaster... Was demotivated at the start of the week and looking for any excuse to avoid running and the end of the week is mega busy... But not going to let it get me down, have a plan for Sat & Sun so gonna stick to that!

On the plus side... Joined a marathon training group for Dublin which should help keep the motivation up. It's being led by two Italians, one of whom is Simone Grassi who won the full Connemarathon last weekend so will hopefully learn a lot

Also, had my first ever golf lesson last night, absolutely loved it! Not going to let it get in the way of running though!

xebec

3.53 miles (5.7km) 29:23 - finally got back out tonight after a tough weekend which included drunkenness, illness and work stuff...

xebec

Great Ireland Run 2009

6.2 miles (10km) 54:44

A great day out today. Decided that, considering the poor training recently and the half-marathon in Wexford in two weeks, the best way to take this race was to try to go at planned marathon pace and see how I was doing for Wexford. The time was pretty much what I was aiming for and I was very comfortable for most of it. So, despite being just over 4 minutes slower than last year, I am very happy with how today went

SUNGOD

great stuff xebec
you must be delighted especially as you said yourself your recent training has been a bit haphazard.
but this run puts you firmly back on course for a very good crack at the half marathon.
well done

xebec

SUNGOD wrote: »

great stuff xebec
you must be delighted especially as you said yourself your recent training has been a bit haphazard.
but this run puts you firmly back on course for a very good crack at the half marathon.
well done

Cheers SUNGOD. It definitely gave me a much needed confidence boost. Main priority for the half is still to finish, but hopefully I'll come close to beating 2 hours...

xebec

7.91 miles (12.73 km) 1:13:06 - really enjoyed this run this evening. Had only planned on doing about 5 miles, when I left home decided to up it to 6 and then when I reached the turn for home point I still felt pretty good so just kept going...

xebec

3.27 miles (5.27km) 28:14 - didn't enjoy this at all, legs were very tired for some reason... Had to cut it short due to time constraints, but there was a few times I was going to cut it even shorter...

xebec

3.95 miles (6.35km) 33:31

It's been a tough weekend. Picked up a chest infection at the end of last week and have been finding it hard to breath ever since. Think that was part of the reason why I didn't enjoy the short run last Wed... Today was the first time I've felt close to being able to get out, it went ok, there was lots of energy in my legs but my chest wasn't even remotely happy... Oh well, still going to give the half a go this weekend, but it's definitely going to be a nice slow run and make sure I finish.

Need to pick a summer goal and see if I can get things to go any better for me. Not feeling particularly well motivated at the moment.

xebec

Wexford Half Marathon

2:04:54 13.1 miles (21.1km)

Well after what has been pretty horrific training over the last few weeks I was nervous about today. There was no need to be as I thoroughly enjoyed it!! (Well apart from a few of the steepest bits...)

Was a fantastic morning for a race. The sun was bright and not too hot, with a gentle breeze for most of the course to keep us cool. The race was fantastically organised, I've no complaints at all about it. The start was on time, the course was excellently marshalled and there were plenty of water stations.

As regards my time, had an idea that sub-2 would have been amazing, but knew from about 13k that the time was out the window. I'm delighted just to have finished, and the time is very respectable

The course was relatively easy going, just two serious steep parts between 7k-8k and 9k-10k which slowed me down significantly... From 8k-9k was lovely, with a nice long downhill section and from 11k on it was almost completely either flat or downhill which made the going from there on pretty easy.

Looking forward to running this again next year, hopefully there'll be a bigger crowd. All in all, a fantastic event for the first time being run...

Edit: Oops, forgot to mention I met krusty clown with about 5k to go, he was hobbling along when I noticed his boards singlet (which looks great!) and said hi, hope you're not too disappointed krusty!!

SUNGOD

great stuff xebec well done

rainbow kirby

Congrats on finishing your first half

Krusty_Clown

xebec wrote: »

Edit: Oops, forgot to mention I met krusty clown with about 5k to go, he was hobbling along when I noticed his boards singlet (which looks great!) and said hi, hope you're not too disappointed krusty!!

Hi xebec, congrats on your great run. It was great meeting you if only briefly! No, I wasn't really disappointed, as I made the conscious decision to stop running before I really gave myself a serious injury. Wexford was never a big race in my calendar and Edinburgh is far more important, and I still managed to enjoy the day. Time to find another half, so you can go sub 2 hours!

xebec

Decided to take the week off, will get going again tomorrow... Not totally sure what next race will be, but probably the Docklands Run in May.

Here's what I looked like 11 miles into last weeks race:

xebec

6.1 miles (9.82km) 50:20 - back into things today, not too long but fast enough... Felt horrible for the first 4km, but really picked up the pace towards the end.

xebec

Cooper Test

2.49km 12:00 (1.55 miles)

Very short session tonight, did the Cooper Test to set a baseline for Le Cheile's progress thread. Really enjoyed running a bit quicker and the legs definitely had more in them, my chest held me back a bit though...

Did about 30 mins of stretching afterwards, first time in ages that I've given proper time for stretching and it feels great!

Tomorrow is tag rugby, so no running...

xebec

After what was a very lazy weekend, back to some exercise...

Tuesday 5/5

3.95 miles (6.35km) 34:28

Was very windy and didn't particularly enjoy this run... Glad I made it around though.

Next race I think will be the Docklands run in two weeks...

No training tonight due to work meeting and event.

xebec

3.95 miles (6.35km) 33:36

Was windier tonight than the last time I did this, and this was the slower direction of the loop, so very pleasantly surprised to knock almost a minute off the time without trying too hard...

xebec

6 x 800m intervals (with 400m walk/jog in between)

Total Distance 4.97 miles (8km) ~47:30

Felt like giving a speed session a go tonight, think I'll try to do this a bit more often as it mixes things up nicely. Was reading about Yasso 800s on Amadeus' DCM coaching thread and it got me interested so gave them a go... Each interval was exactly 3:55, was ok at first but got much harder as it went on... Heartrate was flying by the last interval!

Seated Leg Press
10 plates x10 x10

Seated Row
8 plates x10 x10 x10

Standing Shoulder Press
2x7kg x10 x10 x10

Bicep Curl
2x7kg x10 x10 x10

Added some weights for a change, time to start building up the weight training again...

xebec

Wed 13/05

6.2 miles (10km) 55:00

Weather was absolutely horrible yesterday, cold easterly wind and rain... Probably reflects the slowish time...

Was considering doing a race at the Trinity Track event today, but there's no point considering how wet it is and that I would be running in trainers... Going to take a rest day instead, feeling sore after last three days and have a slight niggle in one of my muscles. Possibly a gym session tomorrow...

xebec

6.21 miles (10km) 53:16

It's been a week... Mainly due to illness, disappointed to have to skip the Docklands Run as I really enjoyed it last year.

Anyway, not sure if I enjoyed tonight... Had a bit of a niggle at the top of one of my groins and felt very flat-footed. But it's good to get out again and I'm sure I'll get a good night's sleep tonight...

Total since Jan: 152.72 miles (245.78km)
Went back through my log to see how far I've gone, not as much as I'd like of course, but still it's a big enough number

xebec

6.21 miles (10km) 53:06

Very windy, tried to take it easy but still somehow managed a reasonable time... (For me at least)

McConkey

Good to see you back Xebec...hope you're feeling better