Complete novice-training goals?East Cork

messygirl

Hi all, I am a complete novice that took up walking/jogging about 6 weeks ago, I'm getting out about three times a week doing about 2.5 mile each time, then alternating with pilates/yoga twice a week and two days off. I would rate myself as having gone from very unfit to unfit and am looking to improve. Im just wondering if anyone has any advice? I want to enter a race to keep myself motivated but i'm wondering what i should enter and when? Ideally I would LOVE to work up to next years Dublin marathon so thats 15months training. Im 23, never played sports (although im taking up gaa) and it takes me about 40 minutes to do 2.5 miles walking and running. Im based in midleton and only know the one route so if anyone has any suggestions for routes around the area that would also be very appreciated. (have the proper shoes that i got measured for and have done all the research but would love to hear first hand experience or tips)

hunnymonster

Hi Messy girl, congrats on your new hobby obsession. Have you heard of mapmyrun.com? If you put midleton in there you can see a list of routes in the area. You can even search for one that is your preferred distance. If you want to look at some races, the BHAA one's are excellent. The calendar is available on their website (http://www.corkbhaa.com/) Another excellent resource for cork based runners is the blogspot http://www.corkrunning.blogspot.com/

messygirl

Thanks very much, yeah i tend to get obsessed about things easily but from what i heard through my extensive obsessive ( ) research its an addictive hobby! Thanks for the info!

RJC

East Cork and West Waterford are two of the biggest running scenes in the country so you won't be short of runs or races. You could start with some of the local 5k (3 mile) - 5 mile races that are on over the summer. Hunnymonster posted some links to them. there is a 4 mile race on Wednesday night in Carrigtwohill at 8pm. It might be a bit long for you but I remember entering (and finishing) a 10 mile race having never run longer than 5 miles before that so everything is possible.

If you are aiming for Dublin in 15 months you'll have a good long selection of local races from 5k to 15 miles before the Dublin Marathon.

If you do enter races don't forget that apart from the top 10-15% the rest of the people are there for fun and fitness so don't feel intimidated by the greyhounds smelling of deep heat!

RoyMcC

Like hunnymonster and RJC said, you seem to be spoilt for choice in Cork as far as races go. And big increases in numbers taking part from what I read. Absolutely don't be afraid just to enter one and take it at your own pace.

Generally you need to think about upping that mileage bit by bit, maybe for one run per week. This will probably mean you need to take it a little more slowly at first. Then when you're at 6 miles/1 hour you'll be ready for a 10k.

Finally I'd say keep any marathon plans right at the back of your mind. It's a good long-term goal but you need a good few more miles and races in your legs before you can start a marathon training programme.

In the meantime enjoy your running down there in E Cork.

messygirl

thanks for that! Just rang about the one in carrigtwohill, it will be ideal! something i should be able to manage, hopefully!

Gringo78

Theres a great winter series of 3km races in Midleton starting in October on a tuesday evening and every 3rd tuesday then until about Feb. A great series where you can track your progress throughout the winter and keep yourself motivated which can be difficult for newbies through the winter when there aren't so many short races on offer.

You should also consider joining Midleton AC which is a great club which caters for all standards and has training on Monday / Tuesday nights (see any issue of Midleton News at www.midletonnews.com for training times)

tisnotover

messygirl wrote: »

Hi all, I am a complete novice that took up walking/jogging about 6 weeks ago, I'm getting out about three times a week doing about 2.5 mile each time, then alternating with pilates/yoga twice a week and two days off. I would rate myself as having gone from very unfit to unfit and am looking to improve. Im just wondering if anyone has any advice? I want to enter a race to keep myself motivated but i'm wondering what i should enter and when? Ideally I would LOVE to work up to next years Dublin marathon so thats 15months training. Im 23, never played sports (although im taking up gaa) and it takes me about 40 minutes to do 2.5 miles walking and running. Im based in midleton and only know the one route so if anyone has any suggestions for routes around the area that would also be very appreciated. (have the proper shoes that i got measured for and have done all the research but would love to hear first hand experience or tips)

I'm from east cork and two nice places to run are the woods in Castlemartyr and Killeagh, Killeagh especially. They'd be perfect for your training as you build up to more running. If ya want more info/directions, just give us a shout.

There's also a wood in Rostellan (on road to Whitegate) which isn't too far from Midleton either which is flatter then the other two and has a shorter loop.

That 4 mile race on wed should get another big crowd I'd say. Just go slow enough for first half as I seem to remember there's a few climbs. There should be more info on the "running in cork website" about it tomorrow.

c montgomery

Hi there,

Im from Midleton and do quite a bit of running in the surounding area.

As the previous poster mentioned there is a lovely woods in Rostellan by aghada that is pretty flat and picturesque. There a number of loops you can do there with the longest being about 4 k.

There is a woods just outside midleton that i use alot as its very close to my house. Its down by the estuary. To get to it you take a left at the hotel as your coming out of midleton and follow that road under the dual carrageway and its about 2 minutes away. Its a pretty flat woods with only 2 hills. The good thing about this woods is its only about 2.5 km if you run the perimeter.

There is another woods i use that is about 5 min outside midleton. If you go out the mill road and stay on that road its on your left. Its much more demanding than the others as it all hills but its a great challenge.

I run mostly in woods as its better for my joints and i find it alot less boring than running on the roads or around a pitch.

If ya want any more info ask and id be happy to respond.

Enjoy

messygirl

Thanks a mil for all the replies!

Did the 4mile race in Carrigtwohill,walkers left at 7.30 and runners at 8pm so I said I would leave in between, my god what a joke, they told me to keep going straight until I saw a steward but I ended up near the dual carriage way so figured I was wrong, ended up on about a 15minute detour and I was MAD! Felt like going in and asking for my money back, but anyway finished at about an hour which am delighted with! No stitches because I was walking and running so happy out! Thanks for all the advice again,

messygirl

Hiya looking for more advice please!

So I have joined a gaa ladies fc and will be training twice a week, there is a bit of running and I love that I am being pushed but can I include these training sessions in my running training schedule or should I make up for it during the weekend? Does it still count as running training if you are increasing you fitness level or does the fact that you stop a few times mean that you are not training properly? would love some advice.

Also unsure if I am able to increase my mileage, not sure if I am ready but it could be a mental block. I want to improve so do I just push myself or wait until I can do my 2 and half mile route running the whole time? Thanks!