Zero-ish to Connemara Half to Cork Full in 6 months.

Nightowl84

Hey everyone,

I've been reading the training logs here for a while now and i've finally decided to stick one up for myself.

A little background about myself, im a 24 yr old girl, i've always been sporty but only started running before Xmas. I've since started taking it more seriously (gave up the fags, been clean for over a month:)). Well i've signed up for the Connemara 1/2 which I hope im on track for. I gotta bit ahead of myself and then suggested the Cork full....lob in a few exams into the mix and it should be interesting.

(I might add that a foreign marathon has been suggested but I don't want to be gettin ahead of myself........ where do I sign?)

Nightowl84

Went for a 4.4 miler after 5 this evening, twas a lovely run which I haven't done before (incorporated a mile long laneway sans traffic, sweet). No dog incidents to report of (usually at least 1 per day depending upon route).

McConkey

Welcome to the logs Nightowl84, its a great place for advice and to help keep the motivation up

You have worked out your goals well anyhow, I'm still a bit lost as to what I'm doing (I'm new too), haven't managed to give up the ciggies yet (haven't even tried:o ) so well done

Welcome anyway hon and best of luck with your goals

Slogger Jogger

Welcome on board nightowl and good luck with your training. I've done both the Conn half (and full) and the Cork full in recent years and I've thoroughly enjoyed both. Don't forget to tot up your miles and clock them on the 1000 mile challenge thread too

Nightowl84

McConkey and Slogger, cheers for the words of encouragment.

McConkey: I'm set on doing Connemara, cause it sounds savage, after that im easy going, but a marathon is defo on the cards, tis really helping fend of the ciggie cravings (just realised tonight i've spent 1/3 my life puffing away) You're doing really well yourself though, keep up the good work. Doing like a 10k or something similar is a great confidence booster.

Slogger: Thanks for the words of motivation. Im really looking forward to Connemara. Two questions though, how bad are the hills in Connemara? and what was Cork like? As for that blasted 1000 mile challenge............why,why,oh,why.........pure stroke of brillance, if i finish the Connemara half im attributing it to Woddle's challenge.

SUNGOD

hi Nightowl you've set yourself 2 very good challenges, i went to connemara and cork last year and they are great events.
with the right attitude/training they are very doable with the conn half as perfect prep for cork.
best of luck with your training and log...and exams:eek:

Slogger Jogger

The hills in Conn are often exagerated. Theres a steep section coming out of Leenane but its over with before too long. Its undulating enough then til you hit the turn at Maam which brings you over the river Failmore (I jest not) and this hill is testing enough. However, if you do some of your training in the hills and you get the miles in you'll be fine.

Cork is great. Its hilly compared to regular city marathons. My garmin recorded some 383m of ascents. I ran a PB there last June on my 14th marathon, and I've done a lot flatter marathons too. Again if you get the training in and the long runs in particular in the latter stages of your training, you'll be fine. Good luck.

Krusty_Clown

Hi there nightowl84, I'm headed down to Connemara too (for the full) but have done the half a couple of times. Here's the hill profile. The Half is the bottom one. You don't really notice the first hill, as it's right at the start, except that it slows down everyone who obviously hasn't done any hill training (don't make that mistake!) and then as SJ pointed out, the last one, after crossing the bridge over the river, which is the real mountain to climb (thankfully not literally). It's a struggle for 20 mins, then you're over the top, and have a lovely run-down to the finish line. Over, before you know it.

It's a great distraction from the ciggies. Best of luck with the training.

Nightowl84

Cheers Sungod, SJ and Krusty for the advice on both Connemara and Cork.

The trainings going fairly well distance wise so im gonna start to incorporate challenging hills and ''speed''.

This afternoon I went for a 5.3mile run, went really well. Got accosted by a terrier (cue rapid increase in heart rate) but thankfully I had my trusty stick at hand, it drives me nuts the way owners give their dogs free reign of the roads.

chinguetti

Nightowl84 all the best with the training. i'm doing the Connemara half and the Cork marathon so i may see you on route been chased by dogs from the sounds of it.:D

Main thing for connemara is the hill work. Handy to try and find a training route that has a couple of hills, esp one at the end of the run. Gets you used to it and the big day is alot easier whatever happens.

Nightowl84

Hi Chinguetti, thanks for the words of support.

Hope your training for Connemara + Cork is going well (great minds think alike:)).

Thanks for the heads up on the hills, i'll definitely start some intensive hill runs soon enough, feel like mixing it up a little anyway.

Nightowl84

Wednesday 4th Feb

I've decided to choose Wednesday as my day of speed/hill training, in other words, torture day.

I started off with a 2mile warm up, followed by a mile of fartlek and then a fastish mile back home.

Then I approached the hilly field.....
I intended upon doing 10 sprints up the hill followed by a recovery walk back down after each. Didn't quite go that way, I managed 5, it was seriously tough but on a positive note doing that kind of training makes me appreciate the long runs even more.

Rounded it off with a nice jog around the massive field (X country style with mud up to my ankles) and then back home.

So ran just over 5.5 miles in total.

Nightowl84

Thursday 5th Feb

I keep saying to myself that ill go for a run in the morning but Im just not cut out for it.

Saw a great link on one of the threads today regarding core excercises. There were 15 in total I think, so I gave them a go, didn't go too bad except for the hip lifts which were the stuff of nightmares. Gonna definitely incorporate them and a few planks into the regime.

Went for a nice run this evening with my sister, 4.5 miles at a lovely easy pace. Bloody cold though.

Nightowl84

Friday 6th Feb:

I had set the alarm for the ungodly hour of 7am, I woke up and several snooze buttons later it was 8.20. Looking out the window as I was brushing my teeth there was a lovely frost, so i decided screw it, ill go running. So off I went, the chosen route was a toughish relentless uphill slog, but it went well. My ''pace'' is still fairly slow but im happy to get the mileage up at this stage.

Tomorrow's a rest day, so I think I've a date with some Shiraz tonight.

Todays miles: 7.2

Slogger Jogger

Hey Nightowl, for every uphill these must be a downhill. Good plan by the way, shiraz here too.

Nightowl84

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Hey Nightowl, for every uphill these must be a downhill. Good plan by the way, shiraz here too.

Thanks SJ
Its phrases like this that will get me through Connemara and the training.

You've good taste in the vino (trying to limit it to pre-rest day to avoid last weeks hungover long run from hell).

Nightowl84

Didn't really listen to my own advice and slightly overdid it on the alcohol front last night. However after consuming my own body weight in water I felt hydrated enough to go for a good run.

Went for a 7.7 mile loop with my brother and im really happy with how it went. It was a lovely day for it, the pace suited me, managed the hills grand and still felt I had a bit in the tank at the end.

Miles today: 7.7

chinguetti

I didn't have any Shiraz last night and i found my 7 miles tough going in the snow this morning. Good old Springsteen and Sintara on the ipod can make the journey feel somewhat short though.

Nightowl84

chinguetti wrote: »

I didn't have any Shiraz last night and i found my 7 miles tough going in the snow this morning. Good old Springsteen and Sintara on the ipod can make the journey feel somewhat short though.

We only had one day of snow down here and even then it was gone by midday. I'd love to be running in the snow, its still a novelty for me.

I find im more sluggish in the morning, the evening runs seem to suit me better but i will try to do more morning runs.

+1 on the Boss, unfortunately I don't listen to music when im running or else id be mowed down on the road.

Nightowl84

Monday 9th:
As punishment for the excessive weekend I set off on an 8 mile run. It actually wasn't too bad, slow and steady seems to my new mantra.

Tuesday 10th+Wednesday 11th:
I was visiting my sister so went for 2 runs, one on Tue evening and then one on Wed morning. It was nice to have a change of scenery(+bewildered local folk wondering who the hell I was).
Total came to 10.2 miles over the 2 days.

Thursday 12th:
Had a lovely sleep last night so a good morning run was the order of the day. Set off reasonably early, tacked on a few extra laneways and roads onto one of my regular loops and ended up with a testing run over 10 miles, (had visions of bonking on the main road near home but i was grand).

Rest day tomorrow...nothing else to do but study:(

Nightowl84

Saturday 14th February: Cupids Dash 10k

Drove up to Dublin with a few running buddies. Wasn't feeling 100%, felt like I was getting a cold + had a few drinks last night. Great day for a 10k though, the weather was spot on and a far cry from the icy ground on my 10k debut at the Aware run in December. Managed to slice over 4minutes off that time so I was delighted with the run. Thankfully I timed myself and didn't have to rely on the dodgy chip results. All in all though i enjoyed the run, smallish crowd, good atmosphere and some sweet flapjacks at the finish.

Sunday + Monday:
Total write offs/Rest days

Tuesday 17th:
Went for a run of over 7 miles, didn't feel the best at all, slightly feverish and a bit of a niggle in my left quad.

Wednesday 18th:
Today marked a vast improvement over the last few days. So I hit the roads in the afternoon. Ran almost 8 and a half miles and felt I could keep going beyond that. If only every day were like this.

Miles ran since the new year: 154.4
Amount of study done: Absolutely nowt:(

Nightowl84

Thursday 19th Feb:

Went for a lovely run this evening. The pace was slower (if thats possible) but I felt great, even going up some evil hills. Off on a weekend break tomorrow. Hopefully I can report back guilt free on Monday.....highly unlikely:rolleyes:

Miles today: 7.2 miles

Nightowl84

I came back from a weekend break abroad there on Monday. Foolishly I brought over my running gear intending upon running....that was never going to happen.

In hindsight though it was good to recharge/corrupt the batteries.

Last night I set off on on run and I was fairly apprehensive as to how I would fare considering I had taken nearly a week off. The first 20/30 mins weren't the prettiest but after that I felt grand and decided to push the mileage. Ended up completing 12 miles which I was delighted with especially considering that I wasn't totally wiped out at the end (I felt I could go on but I saw my house and couldn't run past).

SunnySideUp

Well done nightowl84! You're doing great;)!
I'm doing the half M in connemara as well and like yourself was a bit freaked out about all the hills but sure it'll be a challenge! The furthest i've run is about 10.5 miles but am including a lot of nasty hills in these runs. Actually myself and a couple of my friends are going to drive out there this weekend and are going to run the last 4miles or so of the route...bit of a cop out i know:o but at least it'll be a psychological boost to know that we have run it previously and maybe it wont be as bad as what we're all expecting.........i'll keep you posted!

You keep the good work though!

Nightowl84

Hi Sunnysideup,

Thanks for the moral support. Sounds like your training is going well and that you're on track nicely for the half.
I've just started the real hill training, i've been training mostly on the flat up until now and fooling myself into thinking that a bump in the road is comparable to what faces us in Connemara....
On a positive note im going to go out and enjoy the race cause ive put enough work in for it. As for the night after...watch this space (i've an exam on the Wednesday:eek: but thats not going to stand in my way;))

Let me know how ye get on with the 4 miler, nothing wrong with a bit of research

Nightowl84

Thursday 26th Feb:
This evening was my first time training on the hills. Respect to the IMRA, it's bloody tough. I went for a 7 miler, I had my dog with me which helped and the absence of traffic was a plus but it really is a mental test. I was very happy with the run though and the scenery up high was second to none.

Friday 27th Feb:
Set out in the late afternoon dangerously close to the consumption of lashings of pasta...bad idea. The run was very tough and my stomach didn't feel too good but I completed a tough 10 miles.

Saturday 28th Feb:
I finally got fitted with new runners today. I had been running in a pair of New Balance which I reckon were abit tight and not suited to me at all. So despite the fact I got back late enough I went for a test drive, and so far so good. Miles today: 7.5

Nightowl84

Sunday 1st March:
Decided to take a rest day today as I've spent the last 3 days shocking my body into the horrors of hill running. Actually im feeling grand, no major aches or pains. I'm finding it increasingly hard to do absolutely nothing on the rest days so I took the dog on a long hike.

Monday 2nd March:
I picked a new route today, the 1st half was very tough, alot of uphills, relentless some of them, and there were mental battles aplenty.
The way back was so much easier. A tough but satisfying 12 miles.

Tuesday 3rd March:
Headed off in shorts and a t-shirt with a clear sky in front of me....5 miles later and the sky has darkened and I know im about to pay for my choice of attire. It started with hailstones (large ones) whipping into the side of my face followed by snow. I had to head for home, what a sight i imagine....Otherwise pretty decent 10 miler.

Wednesday 4th March:
Took it easy today, held off on going for a run as I don't want to overdo it but i'd love to have gone running in the snow this morning. Went for a long hike/walk instead.

chinguetti

Hi Nightowl84, looks like you'll be fine for Connemara half and the hills with those 10 milers. If the wind is blowing at our backs, we'll be sorted.

Feel the same bout the rest days as have loads of energy but i just get myself into doing nothing on those days by going to sit in sauna or get massage done to the legs. The rest is as important as the training i find.

Roddy23

Hi Nightowl, looks like you're flying along with your progress. Am down to do the Half Marathon in Connemara too. Up to about 11miles at this stage, with a twelve miler planned tomorrow. After that, think i'll take it handier next weekend, in some sort of taper.

Do you plan to do any sort of taper yourself?

Nightowl84

Hey Roddy,

Sounds like your on track for the half.
Yeah im definitely going to be doing a taper, i'll probably train hard up until next Sunday and then I'm taking the week nice and easy. I reckon ill be too busy cramming for an exam i've got on the Wednesday after the run anyway.

Good luck with your training and the 12 miler coming up.

Nightowl84

Thursday 5th:
Went for a nice slow paced 12 miler this evening. Very enjoyable run.

Friday 6th:
Another 12 miles today, again I took it fairly slow. Wanted to get a longish run in today as tomorrow will be a total writeoff.

Saturday 7th:
Rest day. Spent the day recovering from a serious session (of the non running vareity) last night.

Sunday 8th:
It would take a few pages to accurately recount the madness of todays run. Think getting lost in the hills/snow/freezing conditions/lack of adequate clothing+general preparation. Ended up running over 14 miles and walking a few more. Won't be doing that again......

Monday 9th:
Definitely taking it easy today, might go for a cycle later on.

SunnySideUp

Well done nightowl, you seem to be well set!
The furthest i've gone is about 11 miles so will hopefully get a 12 or 13 miler in tomorrow or the day after. Like yourself had a bit of a mad weekend so didnt get much milage clocked up! Hopefully i havent left it too late to be doing my longest run?
This is a first for me and i'm kinda looking forward to it to be honest (not sure i'll be doing another one though but sure we'll see how it goes!). Will prob stick with the shorter races from now on!

What kind of distances will all ye half-marathoners be covering in the week before the real thing?

chinguetti

Hi Sunnysideup, i did my last long run yesterday of 12 miles which went well and did 5 tonight so just ticking over now until the 22nd. Will do around 7 miles on Saturday and 5 miles x 3 and 1 short speed session and thats it.

I think less is more in the week before a race, like cramming for exams in school, its causes more harm than good trying to fit miles in at the end. However if something else works for you, go with it as everyone has their own plans/rountines so really its whatever you're having yourself.

SunnySideUp

Thanks for that chinguetti! I havn't been sticking rigidly to any particular training schedule so it great to see what other people are at in the run up to the big day!

Nightowl84

Well, i've totally neglected my log for the past couple of weeks, cue excuses:

1. I sat an important exam last week (and may have winged it;))
2. Had a prolonged cold
3. Limited internet access
4. Cheltenham

So, i'll try and bring it back on track.

The two weeks before Connemara I took relatively easy but got in my long runs. I had an absolute blast at Connemara, the night before was unbelievable, first the rugby then the boxing. So it was v. late to bed but worth it. Next morning the sun was out and there was a great buzz at the start. The run was good, I did find it very warm but the water stops were great. Originally i had hoped on finishing under 2 hours but I think after the first 2 slowish miles it was outta the question. I did get passed by the legend that is Ron Hill(M.B.E) which was great. As for the HOTW, I was expecting it to rise ala Everest out of the skyline so when it came around it wasn't too bad at all.
All in all it was a great experience and Id love to come back for a shot at the marathon next time.

After a few days recovery (not from the run but from the excessive night that followed) I've got back into the swing of things. I haven't done a proper plan for Cork yet at all but Im thinking that I need to incorporate speed work at least once a week . Right now my longest run is 14 miles. A vague plan is to do 1 day of hill work, 1 day speed session, 1 or 2 days mid distance and then 1 LSR, increasing the LSR over the next few weeks to peak at 21miles. Haven't a clue whether this is an advisable plan just pulled it outta the top of my head. The other thing im worried about is running in the heat as I did find that tough in Connemara.

Once my last (hopefully ever) exam is done this Friday I'll implement a plan.

shels4ever

Nightowl84 wrote: »

Well, i've totally neglected my log for the past couple of weeks, cue excuses:

1. I sat an important exam last week (and may have winged it;))
2. Had a prolonged cold
3. Limited internet access
4. Cheltenham

So, i'll try and bring it back on track.

The two weeks before Connemara I took relatively easy but got in my long runs. I had an absolute blast at Connemara, the night before was unbelievable, first the rugby then the boxing. So it was v. late to bed but worth it. Next morning the sun was out and there was a great buzz at the start. The run was good, I did find it very warm but the water stops were great. Originally i had hoped on finishing under 2 hours but I think after the first 2 slowish miles it was outta the question. I did get passed by the legend that is Ron Hill(M.B.E) which was great. As for the HOTW, I was expecting it to rise ala Everest out of the skyline so when it came around it wasn't too bad at all.
All in all it was a great experience and Id love to come back for a shot at the marathon next time.

After a few days recovery (not from the run but from the excessive night that followed) I've got back into the swing of things. I haven't done a proper plan for Cork yet at all but Im thinking that I need to incorporate speed work at least once a week . Right now my longest run is 14 miles. A vague plan is to do 1 day of hill work, 1 day speed session, 1 or 2 days mid distance and then 1 LSR, increasing the LSR over the next few weeks to peak at 21miles. Haven't a clue whether this is an advisable plan just pulled it outta the top of my head. The other thing im worried about is running in the heat as I did find that tough in Connemara.

Once my last (hopefully ever) exam is done this Friday I'll implement a plan.

Hi there,
Just looking at you rplan for Cork there, what do you have in mind for your speed work , I'm finding that i'm getting more benifit out of good tempo runs then a pure speed work session at the moment , Maybe incluse a tempo eash week in place of a speed session?

Nightowl84

shels4ever wrote: »

Hi there,
Just looking at you rplan for Cork there, what do you have in mind for your speed work , I'm finding that i'm getting more benifit out of good tempo runs then a pure speed work session at the moment , Maybe incluse a tempo eash week in place of a speed session?

Hi Shels, thanks for the advice

I was initially thinking of 800m reps but I think you're right about the tempo runs so i'll give it a go this week.
Last week I went for a short run of around 3.5miles and decided to up the pace and I found I could cut quite a chunk of time off when I pushed myself.
So, Im just going to incorporate a shorter distance run where I'll run at a pace above my comfort zone.

Also I've noticed my flexibility has decreased since i've started running regularly, has anyone got any suggestions??? (Im not great on the stretching front)

chinguetti

Hi Nightowl84, well done on finishing the Connemara Half. I'm a fan of the tempo runs and do a fast 4 or 5 mile run every second week. I'm haven't done any fast speed work but plan to do one during the week to see if i like it. If you're looking for a running plan to get you to Cork, i'm basing mine on runrepublic.ie 4 hour plan.

As for the limbering up, i do a half hour each morning and evening and before and after each run to try and keep the joints and muscles as free from injuries. Also hot baths and jacuzzis help too. Good luck with the training.

Nightowl84

Im finally finished the exams (the last one was horrendous:() so i've no more excuses for slacking off on the running.

Yesterday I managed to squeeze in a 4 miler in 34mins. I was fairly happy with that but the way home was tough, running against the wind and lashing rain.

This evening i plan on doing a 7mile + run.

I've started incorporating some core work each day. Im slowly building it up, so im doing some different types of crunches, back stretches, hip lifts:eek: etc.

Nightowl84

Saturday April 10th:

I planned on doing a long run this weekend to try and kickstart myself back into training (which hasn't been ideal lately).

I set off on what would normally be a 13/14 mile run but I felt great after 6 miles and decided to up the mileage, so I just kept running. At one stage I did get a bit lost which totally messed with me mentally but I got back on route. In total the run came to 18.5 miles which I was completely shocked with, I thought it was around the 16 mark. Very happy with it though, I did a bit of walk/running for the last 2 miles but still put in a good time. Hobbled in the door to my family who officially think i've lost it:rolleyes:

My only gripe was my lack of preparation for the run, Im obsessive about hydration and I dont think I had enough water, a few sweets would have gone down a treat aswell. Will know for next time to pre plan the route and have supply drop offs.

Today I feel 100%, I think spraying my legs with cold water from a hose straight after the run helped aswell as some stretches. Definitely taking a rest day, i've got a date with a serious slab of chocolate.......

Nightowl84

Sunday April 12th:
Rest day, todays diet was almost entirely cocoa based, nearly consumed my own body weight of the stuff, by the afternoon i'd vowed never to to touch chocolate again....that lasted all of 2 seconds

Monday April 13th:
AM: Moderate core workout
Back to soccer training, god it was fairly tough, my overall fitness is better than it ever was but playing soccers totally different from the running and I was a tad stiff the next day. Slightly worried though cause it will be difficult trying to juggle 2 trainings + 1 match per week with running and a day of rest. Great to be back though.

Tuesday April 14th:
AM: Moderate core workout
7.5 mile run in the afternoon.

Wednesday April 15th:
AM: Core workout
3.5 mile run at a fast pace.
PM: Soccer Training

Thursday April 16th:
AM: Core
Afternoon: 14 mile run, slow pace. Tough running today, id only cycled this route once before and i had forgotten how undulating it was. Lots of testing hills but i coped well with them. I also carried jellies for the first time which provided a much needed psychological boost. I needed to get this run out of the way as soccers on at the weekend. Afterwards I was hobbling around so used the cold water treatment followed by a suana session, which worked a treat.

Nightowl84

Friday April 17th:
Rest and then soccer training in the evening.

Saturday April 18th:
Went for a midday run today, it's about time I start adjusting to running when its warm (although one would think Im preparing for the MdS the way I keep harping on about the heat! By the way I could never do that challenge without running alongside a drip and a band of medics)
Ran 7.8 miles at roughly a 9.35 min/m pace, not record breaking material but i was pretty happy with it.

Sunday April 19th:
Went for a really nice slow paced jog with my sister around midday. Again it was very warm but very enjoyable run, 3.5 miles.
Evening: Soccer match

Miles this week:36.3

Nightowl84

Monday 20th April:
Went for a 9.5 mile run in the evening taking it easy enough cause my left leg wasn't 100% after the soccer.

Tuesday 21st:
10 miler at about 9:30 minute mile ''pace''. The run was grand but my left leg was acting up a bit.

Wednesday 22nd:
Soccer Training

Thursday 23rd:
Rest. I was worried about my leg so I took another day off from running. Did lots of gentle stretching.

Friday 24th:
7 miles on the local track. This consisted of warm up + cool down, 5 miles at 8.36 m/m. Delighted with the run considering that I only decided to push it mid way during the run,

Saturday 25th:
9 miles. Didn't get a long run in this week as planned so Im hoping to do a 18-20 miler on Tuesday of next week.

Sunday 26th:
Soccer match, the less said about that the better:eek:

Total miles this week:35.5

Nightowl84

Monday April 27th:
Core exercises:Crunches, Planks and Supermans.
Went for a jog with my sister, both of us were doubled over with stomach aches during it, we suspect that the pre run easter egg did the damage:)
Miles: 3.5

Tuesday April 28th:
Today was the day for my long run. I had made one drop off at around the 12 mile mark. It all started well, and I felt great for the first 10 miles. Unfortunately due to road works I had to alter the route mid run and then promptly got lost. Once I got my bearings I headed towards home via the drop off. It was a very tough run largely because of getting lost and then not having any supplies until near the end. I'll make sure Im better organised for the last few LSR's.
Miles: 24.5 (walked almost 4 of those)

Wednesday 29th:
Did lots of core work today. Also i've started using our home gym (in a shed in the yard, hardcore). From reading the fitness forums I've decided to do some weights maybe twice a week. Did a light session today which was very enjoyable.
P.M: Soccer

Thursday 30th:
Another weights session as well as a 7.3 mile run.

Friday May 1st:
Soccer

Saturday May 2nd:
10 mile run. Very happy with this run mostly because it was a warm day and I coped pretty well with running in the midday heat.

Sunday May 3rd:
Soccer match. Took a few bad hits during the game, particularly to the legs. I could feel my right quad wasn't right so i'll take it easy for a few days.

Miles this week: 40.8

Nightowl84

Monday May 4th- Monday May 11th

Only managed 2 runs this week due to bereavement. The first was nice 4 miler, the second was a 10 miler going at 9 min mile pace which is quicker then im used to but it was good to be out of my comfort zone.

Otherwise I did a few gym sessions in the shed as well as soccer training.
I also played a soccer match and my right foot got absolutely crunched by one of the girls studs. As well as that my legs are yellow+blue in places:eek:. On a positive note though at least we won:)

The plan was to get back on track and do my possibly last lsr tomorrow but it all depends on how my foot and legs are feeling tomorrow....time for the frozen peas i think.

Nightowl84

Monday 11th + Tuesday 12th:
My right foot was killing me after Sundays match so running was outta the question( I was actually thinking there could have been a fracture). Instead I did alot of gym and core work as well as icing my foot. Playing soccer is not helping my running one bit as I keep picking up small injuries I normally would never get, that said I couldn't give it up.

Wednesday 13th:
I finally felt ok to run so I ran one of my shorter routes at a fast pace. Todays run was 3.5 miles in 28min 48 sec. In the evening we had soccer training which consisted of relentless sprinting drills:(.

Thursday 14th: My last long run.
I decided to do a 20 miler today and reduce the mileage until Cork. God, it wasn't pretty. I started off pretty well until roughly the 12 mile stage, then things began to get a bit psychological. I battled on but there were moments when I wanted to give it all up. It wasn't my best run at all but I finished it and the time wasn't horrendous considering I did stop to eat jaffa cakes and walked a few times. Based on my longer runs I reckon 4 1/2 hours is the aim for Cork.

kennyb3

Nightowl84 wrote: »

Thursday 14th: My last long run.
I decided to do a 20 miler today and reduce the mileage until Cork. God, it wasn't pretty. I started off pretty well until roughly the 12 mile stage, then things began to get a bit psychological. I battled on but there were moments when I wanted to give it all up. It wasn't my best run at all but I finished it and the time wasn't horrendous considering I did stop to eat jaffa cakes and walked a few times. Based on my longer runs I reckon 4 1/2 hours is the aim for Cork.

Fair play on that run, that should give you confidence that you can finish cork no problem. you have crowds etc to cheer you on.

Nightowl84

Friday 15th:
Didn't go for a run today but this was more then compensated for by the nausea inducing sprinting drills at soccer training in the evening. Totally undid the benefits of yesterdays run by going on a major session later on:(.

Saturday 16th:
Spent the day in a total daze, finally got it together in the late afternoon.

Sunday 17th:
Soccer game, we won:). Thankfully I decided against wearing the heart rate monitor, i've never sprinted so much in 90 minutes before, I can imagine the readings would have been through the roof.

Monday 18th:
7.75 miles in the evening with my sis. Lovely relaxing run. Its such a treat to run with someone else when 95% of your training is done alone. Pace was 10.52 min/mile.

Tuesday 19th:
3.5 miles before lunch @ 8.44 min/mile, could have perhaps done it a bit faster.

Killerz

Well done on all your training, nightowl. i think your overall fitness will stand you in good stead.

i especially like the reference to jaffa cakes - my favourite... altho would have them 30 mins or so before a run rather than during it!

See you in Cork!

shels4ever

Nightowl84 wrote: »

Its such a treat to run with someone else when 95% of your training is done alone. Pace was 10.52 min/mile.

Yes I'd agree there its great to run with a group, makes it seem so much easier.

Nightowl84

Killerz wrote: »

Well done on all your training, nightowl. i think your overall fitness will stand you in good stead.

i especially like the reference to jaffa cakes - my favourite... altho would have them 30 mins or so before a run rather than during it!

See you in Cork!

Thanks Killerz, Im hoping having the miles under my belt will stand to me. I've definitely disovered that I prefer distance rather than speed.

As for the Jaffa's, I usually cannot stomach much before/during a run but decided to experiment. Didn't go too bad but I think lucozade sport is as far as i'll go on the day.

Can't wait for Cork now, I'd say you're well on for your predicted time in Cork(if not quite a bit below it)if Connemara is anything to go by, nice running btw. Best of luck with your taper.

shels4ever wrote: »

Yes I'd agree there its great to run with a group, makes it seem so much easier.

Yeah so true, I may try and isolate someone who is the same pace as me for a good ear rotting session:D, it makes the time go by very nicely.