dont stop believing

useurename

hello anybody who is reading.im 27 years old and am aiming to run a marathon in under 4 hours at some stage next year.i love running but i am a very slow runner.i did the dublin marathon in 4.56 three years ago and gave up for two years.this year i did the half connemarathon in 2.16 or so but then i stopped again.this time its for real.im going to train properly and log my runs.i went for a 20 min run lastnight and i nearly died.ive given up smoking around three months ago and i have rediscovered the joys of food again and im about two stone heavier than when i did the half in connemara.i have only ever trained by goin out and running.ive never done speedwork or hill runs and ive never timed my miles or taken too much care about distances.so here it goes.hopefully by some stage next year ill have the bravery to try another marathon again and do it under 4h:cool:

Sosa

Best of luck with your training.
90% of training is all getting in the right frame of mind.
Once you commit yourself to however many runs a week you plan to do and stick to that,you have a great chance of reaching your goal.

If your starting from scratch,why not try the couch to 5k program to get you going.

Might seem to easy for you,if it is just skip the first few weeks.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

RacoonQueen

Best of luck.

RedB

Best of luck with the log and the training. There's plenty out there in the same boat so give it a lash.

Have you any outline of a plan over the next few weeks in terms of frequency/duration of runs? I find its easier if you have a plan to work to as I could drift off course without one. Of course the plan can change to take account of life but at least you'd have a rough idea of what you were doing and how you were going to improve.

If you planning on hitting the half in Connemara again you'd have plenty of time to build up nicely to it. Do you have any rough targets for 2010?

useurename

went on the cross trainer last night for 25 minutes at at hard level i think and i found it tough goin.have indoor soccer now for an hour but its guiness all the way tomorrow evening for a going away party.saw an add today for a 10k run on sunday in kilcolgan so im going to give it a craic and see how it goes.thanks for the encouraging posts.i feel really motivated to get fit at the moment mostly because due to the big belly syndrome.i defo have big plans for 2010.apart from running a marathon i am due to get married in october which is very exciting. i am aiming for a marathon before october so if anyone has any recommendations they would be greatly appreciated:cool:

useurename

25 minutes on the cross trainer.have a cold.it il have to do

useurename

there is no such thing as bad weather just soft people.man its cold out tonight.struggled to get goin this eveningafter a hard weekend.going to go for 4 slow 2.5 milers this week and hopefully a 4.5 miler on sunday.plan is to go below 2hrs in the ballybunio half marathon in april.my best hal time is 2hrs iand 9 minutes in connemarathon half 3 years ago.its something to aim for.so lets hope the flooding and the ice dissappears

useurename

"if your not making mistakes then you are not doin anything.im positive a doer makes mistakes" all future posts i make will come with a philosophical or famous quote just to make it a bit more interesting.ive playing a lot of astroturf soccer and doing very little running lately.does any one believe that this will make me fitter.i hope so.im trying to become a box to box player so ive started sprinting a lot in the first 15 minutes and then i blow hard for the rest of the game.this weekend im going to go for a 5 miler.fingers and toes are crossed.no times just distance

useurename

"without self discipline success is impossible"

useurename

played astroturf 3 times last week.did four and a half miles tuesday and felt ok.very slow pace though.astroturf last night.indoor soccer tonight.hoping to go for a three miler on friday evening and a 6 miler on saturday.not going to time myself till january.just trying to get back into it.its been tough.just need to get out the door.all going to plan il have 15 miles done running by weednesday.that would be a lot of progress for me.doubt il be doing much running at xmas though.

village runner

useurename wrote: »

"without self discipline success is impossible"

Couldnt have wrote that better myself. Do you want that 3rd cream bun ?? I will and i will start my diet tomorrow. My famous last words.
Weight is a killer. I know i can run faster if a stone lighter. But i aint disciplined.

Best of luck.

useurename

2 miles monday.4miles tuesday.im not enjoying the location of my runs at the moment.there is a one mile stretch of semi footpath semi lighted road along a main road.the lights from the cars are blinding the weather is freezing and its very boring.cant wait for some longer evenings.i really dont like going to work in the dark and getting home in the dark.what can u do.wont be running agaiin til tuesday.

useurename

cant run on ice.wont be running til after xmas.christmas is for eating and drinking.happy days.

useurename

no running in ages just loads of food and drink.was planning to train for the dingle marathon next september but it looks too hard.way too many hills for my liking.so the plan is to do a marathon inaugust 2010.i plan to get a lot of running in january.once i get out the door im fine.its just getting to the door that is the problem.im oing to join the 1000 mile challenge and start logging my miles properly.i am going to start eating better quality food and live a much healthier life full of fruit and veg and not fast food and treats.having read many logs i think im going to have put a lot more structure in to my training.i plan to do some hill running and fartlek? i wouldnt mind getting my hands on a running book that explains the training for a marathon.anyway i plan to do a half marathon in march and a 20 mile run by may.cant wait to get going.just 2 more days of gluttony and away we go

Mr Amazing

Best of luck useurename....It'll be awesome crossing the finish line and looking back at this log.

"From small seeds do great oaks grow"

useurename

didn't even try to go running because of the weather at the moment.its a lazy excuse.did 32 minutes on the cross trainer which is a new record for me and i felt great after it.looks like im goin to have to stick to it for the next week looking at the weather although i might go out for a couple of 2 milers just to get my name up on the thousand mile challenge.

useurename

2 ten minute miles on the ice.delighted to get going.

RedB

useurename wrote: »

there is no such thing as bad weather just soft people.

I've been keeping this in mind over the past few weeks and it has actually helped get me out the door even though I have to wear 4 layers! Thanks.

Check out the Hal Higdon website for training plans if you don't already have one. Keep up the good work.

useurename

two miles tonight.delighted to get out the door.i must check out a training plan like you say red b.think il go for 2 mile run most evenings until this weather drys up.the 1000 mile challenge is going to be a great motivation for me if only i culd use it properly.another motivational quote"no one succeeds without effort,those who succeed owe their success to perseverance"

useurename

two miles slow and easy

useurename

went on the weighing scales for the first time in years and it was a wake up call.15 stone and one ounce.scary suff.i was 12 stone in college that was the last time i weighed myself 7 years ago.so il be keeping my weight up here aswell.this week has been great running wise for me.3 two mile runs on mon tues wednes indoor soccer for one and a half hours thursday.i ran a lovely slow 5 mile run this morning in the winter wonderland.every thing was white and unreal to look at and ther was no ice.so 11 miles in six days.all good considering i was fair pissed last night.if i can do 15 miles a week for january il be delighted.then il start doing a training plan.for now im just happy to be on the road again...

useurename

2 miles slow last night.4 miles tonight.delighted.did the first 2 miles nice and easy and the third mile i ran like i was being chased by the cops and went back into easy mode for the last mile.i think this is a tempo run.i hope it is.did the four miles in 34 minutes which is unreal for me.have been eatin healthy for the last while bar a couple of delicia pizzas which are just too tasty and easy.ive cut out all snacks and sweets and white bread has turned brown.going to weigh myself on friday morn and hope to have lost a couple of ounces.

useurename

4 miles in 40 minutes tonight.found a circuit in my locality.4 and a half laps equals 1 mile.it will come in useful.

useurename

i did 2 miles in 18 minutes and im chuffed.it was lashing and windy and my legs were sore from soccer last night.thought it would be over 10 minutes a mile but it was 9 minutes.5th day in a row doing exercise and it feels great.8 days running this year.12 miles this week.11 miles last week.i know your not supposed to increase your mileage by too much a week but i feel im starting off a low base.so i plan to be doing 20 miles a week by february and increase it up from there

useurename

6 miles today including 4 *350m fast runs in the middle with about a minute break after each of them.intervals i think these are.really enjoyed the run today.brings me up to 17 miles for the week.weight is down to 14st 10 which is the added bonus of eating less sweets and easy food and 6 days of exercise this week.have yet to pick out any races id commit to yet but im deinetly going to do a mile,half marathon and a full marathon this year.next up im going to try hill running next weekend.nice easy runs allnext week.

useurename

4 miles this evening in 41 minutes.it was a lovely run in the wind and rain.very refreshing.very slow but how bad.

useurename

4 mile run tonight in 36 minutes.it felt like a proper run compared to last nights jog.went at 10 and it was really nice.did a few sprints in the middle.enjoyed it.

useurename

3 miles on thursday night.nothing but guiness on friday and a relaxing day yesterday.6 miles this evening very slow.really enjoyed the run though.65 minutes.17 miles for the week.im now weghing 14st7 so i treated myself to a cream egg and some of my daughters jellies.looking forward to better running week next week

RedB

Way to go on the building up of the mileage. Keep up the good work and maybe sign up for a 10k race in the next month or so to have a short term term goal as well as a long term one. Keep enjoying yourself is the main thing .

steoc

Great Stuff Username,

Wish you all the best with your training. I am in a simular situation as your self. Started running last September and loveing it.
I am running my first race on Sunday 31st , a 10 Miler in Dungarvan:eek:
and i have booked in for a 10k and a half marathon also. So at the moment i am up to about 20 miles per week(slow miles).
Ill drop in from time to time to see how you are doing. Keep up the good work.
All the best Steoc

useurename

cheers red b i will probably enter a race soon if i can find my credit card.i would like to do a 5k,10k and a half marathon this year and maybe a full marathon next year.i'm afraid to commit to a marathon for some reason.went for 4 miles tonight at 10 and it was really nice.felt like getting sick towards the end but i had my dinner at 7 so that was understandable.trying to get to 24 miles this week and 20 miles next week like yourself steoc.best of luck in dungarvan.off to amsterdam next thursday for a few days so ill have to do a good few miles early next week because i will not be bringing my runners to amsterdam:cool:

useurename

4 miles in 36 minutes.lots of stretching before and after to avoid the girly night in that involves ugly betty,greys anatomy(makes me sick) and desperate housewives.can't wait fot the champions league to come back

useurename

2 miles in 18 minutes.entered craughwell 10 mile run for march.would like to do 10 by 9 minute miles.then i'l pick a half marathon fo april/may to do in under 2hrs.thats the plan for now...:cool:

useurename

6 miles in lovely morning sunshine.67 minutes.really long slow run.really enjoyed it and felt i could have done a few more miles which is great.brought a little bottle of water with me.very handy.i feel i need to push myself a good bit more if i want to go faster but i like to take things easy.will go out for another run tomorrow

useurename

4 miles in the morning.started off in the snow and finished in glorious sunshine.felt like spring.41 minutes which is still very slow.65miles for the month which is a brilliant start to the year for me.for february im going to try and maintain and build mileage to 26/27 miles a week by the end of february and do a lot of work on increasing my running speed times.the aim is to a 10 miler in march in 1hour 30mins

useurename

4 miles this evening.probably wont even do 12 miles this week which is not so good.need to start planning my weeks a bit better

BrokenMan

useurename wrote: »

4 miles this evening.probably wont even do 12 miles this week which is not so good.need to start planning my weeks a bit better

Dont worry about taking an easy week. A step back week, where you reduce your mileage for a week, is recommended in a lot of training programs. Gives the body a chance to adjust to the additional stress you were putting on it.

useurename

went out for 2 miles this evening after a week off running.went to amsterdam for 4 days and had a blast.just about okay to run today.have a nice easy running week this week while the body returns to normal.

useurename

2 miles last night and a lovely four mile run this evening in 40 minutes after the match.i have had a very slack two weeks of so its time to get back on the road...

useurename

3 miles with some sprints thown in the midlle.really cold

useurename

4 miles last night in 40 mins really slow and enjoyable.4 miles a lot faster tonight though i idn't tme the run.instead of going off on a daydream and jogging through thr run i kept myself honest and tried my hardest to keep going.didn't enjoy it as much.can't believe it's still so cold outside

useurename

3 miles last night.it has been a very poor month for me running wise so far.havent even broken 30 miles which is embarassing.i like running but i'm lacking structure and an organised plan.it has been mentioned to me to follow a hal higdon plan so from march im going to give it a crack.i seem to be able to 4 miles no problem in the evenings but anything further does not appeal to me all.i don't know why.i need more variation andmotivation because running slow 4 mile runs is doing nothing for me.i had great plans for lent but i seem to be eating more treats than ever.i have reached 14 and a half stone but it won't stay that way for long unless i cop on.enough of the moaning...i'm going to get strict again for march and i will treat february as a semi-rest month that my body needed before an excellent 100 mile month in march.don't stop believing...;)

useurename

went for 4 miles tonight and it went ok.it was late enough and i planned to go for 6 miles but i came in after 4 because i just couldn't get going.i've entered a ten mile run for the 14th of march and i had planned to do 10 nine minute miles.this plan has left the building.just to finish the race is now the plan.i have only done 3 six mile runs since january and nothing longer than that.i think i'll be able for ten miles but if anyone is reading and wants to give advice i would be very grateful.i'm not sure what to do in preparation.ive got my pre-marriage course tomorrow night and all day saturday.(must check what time the rugby is on)then its pints so sunday evening is the next time i'll be hitting the road.should i try and go for nine miles on sunday just to get the body to feel the pain.i havent a clue

rigal

Hi useurename,

fairplay to you for entering the 10 miler. In terms of training, don't be too hard on yourself, the main thing is to enjoy it and your races. It's tough running on week nights after work and I find that I always run much better at the weekend.

If I were you I'd try to do a 7-8 miler on sunday at 10+ mins pace and something similar the following weekend. It's really just about time on your feet in training if you are only concerned with finishing the race. Do you have an mp3 player? They're handy for passing the time on the longer runs.

rigal

DULLAHAN2

useurename wrote: »

went for 4 miles tonight and it went ok.it was late enough and i planned to go for 6 miles but i came in after 4 because i just couldn't get going.

Hi useurename, i am in a simliar boat myself this week i found it very hard to do some of my runs, but all i say to myself '' i have had it too easy hence the weight i wont succeed if i dont commit'' it works for me, gets me out there following a training plan is a great motivator and doing the 1000 mile challenge aswell

All the best

useurename

I got a bit too excited after watching ireland beat england and stayed drinking until the sun came up so running was the last thing on my mind on sunday.thanks for the advice rigal.i went for an 8 mile run tonight and did it in just over 1hour and 20 mins.i kept it really slow.i don't have an mp3 but i would consider myself a good daydreamer and on a run i can usually switch right off.this could be why i'm so slow.anyway the 10 miler is in 12 days so after tonight run i feel a good bit more confident in finishing it.hoping to do another 8/9 at the weekend.fingers crossed.

rigal

You've every reason to feel confident now. If you can run 8 miles in training you'll have no problem finishing a 10 mile race.

useurename

just under 3 miles last night.nice easy jog.i wont call it a run.have to go for a long one this weekend.the t.v. and the oven broke tonight,this should have been an excuse to go for a run but instead i went to the chipper and we borrowed a t.v off the inlaws nearby.very sad.especially when eurosong is on the late late.they'll be wheeling johny logan out until his 90.don't get me started on dana.

useurename

I got up at 7.30 before my 6 year old daughter and the better half had woken.went out the door and ran 8 and a half miles.lovely slow run.really enjoyed it.tired now but i have a busy day ahead.it will be early to bed tonight.

useurename

just under 5 mile run today in lovely sunshine.it was still nice and cool.it has been my best week of the year by a long shot.24 miles for the week plus a game of indoor soccer.two of the runs were over 8 miles.nearly did more this week than the whole month of february.i'm going to go for 3 four mile runs this week and then i'm just hoping to finish the 10 mile race next sunday.after that its time to pull the socks up and aim to do some faster and better running.

useurename

did two miles last night.tried to do four but as i passed the house i bailed out.went out for 4 miles tonight and really enjoyed it.it was really nice and cool out.no soccer this week as i don't want to be feckred for sunday.looking forward to it now.if it goes well i'm going to enter the Galway City Marathon and woukd have 22 weeks to do some proper training.pipedreams...