New Beginners Log

Excaptain

Hi guys,

I have been reading a lot of threads from seasoned runners - you know the type, those guys that do a triathlon on their lunch break - so I thought during my near cardiac run last night, why not start my own log. I'll leave myself open to ridicule but I don't mind.
My ultimate goal is to run the DCM next year with some races in between so I'm hoping this diary will give me the inspiration of sorts and make the boring work day, well, less boring!
Please bear in mind when reading (if anyone gives a damn) that I spent a good month out with a hamstring injury.
So hear it goes:

23/11/09

3 min warm up run
1 mile - 8.30 mins
1 min breather
1 mile - 9 mins
1 min breather
1 mile - 9 mins

Last night was very much an ease myself into it night as its been a while. I'll continue like this for a couple of weeks and lash up the mileage.

Thanks for taking the time to read this nonsense

--amadeus--

Welcome and good luck!

Are you following a specific program yet or just working by feel?

Excaptain

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Welcome and good luck!

Are you following a specific program yet or just working by feel?

Thanks Amadeus.

For the next few weeks it will be just by feel. I also have a very do-able half marathon training plan from Hal Higdon. I would like to run 10 miles consistently for a few weeks for my long run and then start a full marathon plan.

Am I going about this the right way?

--amadeus--

Whatever way works is teh right way!

The only comment I would have is that it might be better to start slower and try to run without the breaks. No point in running an 8:30 if you have to stop after it - better to run a 9:30 and keep going for another one. Lots of people start off running too fast (or try to run as fast as they ran pre-injury). If you're looking to build stamina slow and steady would be my advice. But thats just opinion, like I said whatever works for you!

Excaptain

I appreciate the advice thank you. I find it very hard to slow down, not sure why. I have no problem coming to a complete stop!!
I'll do that though. Leave the fast pace to the real runners

--amadeus--

Excaptain wrote: »

I appreciate the advice thank you. I find it very hard to slow down, not sure why. I have no problem coming to a complete stop!!
I'll do that though. Leave the fast pace to the real runners

I was reading my old log the other day. 1st run recorded in it is 3 miler on the 25/04/05 which took 28:17, or 9:25/mile. So if you're not a "real runner" then neither am I! No such thing as a "real" runner - if you run you're a runner. Simple.

misty floyd

Good luck with the log Excaptain!

Blueskye

Best of luck with the log.

jb-ski

Excaptain wrote: »

Leave the fast pace to the real runners

good luck with the training and the log.
i can assure there are lots of 'not real runners / triathletes'
here who are very competent runners and triathletes, if you know what i mean.

but it all starts with those first few miles..........regularly!

Enjoy:)

Slogger Jogger

Good luck Excaptain. Start small, and work up from there. Thats how we all did it.

Bally8

Best of luck Excaptain. I started a log here around this time last year and my aim was also to do the DCM within the year. I can honestly say I would have not achieved it without the advice and support I got from people reading my log. I look forward to reading of your progress

rigal

Best of luck Excaptain...

littlebug

Best of luck excaptain.
Have you any specific races in mind to work towards?

Excaptain

littlebug wrote: »

Best of luck excaptain.
Have you any specific races in mind to work towards?

Hi guys
First of all, thanks for all the good wishes and advice.
In terms of races prior to the DCM - nothing concrete. I'll run the half in September but I will look out and see what the running calender is like in 2010. If there is a calender of events can someone direct me to it?

Right. Tuesday. I stayed in and watched the shambles that is Liverpool Football Club struggle to beat possibly the worst team in the CL. I should have done the ironing or perhaps studied for the 2 hours. Please tell me what is the point in playing two holding midfielders against a sh*t team?! Anyway, bye, bye Rafa.

I had a run last night. Very enjoyable.......as follows:

25/11/09

4 min warm up.
2 miles - 18min 30
1 mile - 9min 30

I'll be out again tonight. The plan is to run the same as last night or run the 3 miles straight. I'll see how the body is on the run.

Thanks for listening
Nigel

littlebug

Have a look at www.runireland.com for races. It's worth keeping a regular eye on as some of the smaller races don't pop up there til quite close to the event. The A/R/T events page here is also a good source.

Excaptain

littlebug wrote: »

Have a look at www.runireland.com for races. It's worth keeping a regular eye on as some of the smaller races don't pop up there til quite close to the event. The A/R/T events page here is also a good source.

Thanks littlebug. I'll have a look on that site.

Thanks again
Nigel

Excaptain

26/11/09

4 min warm up run
2 miles - 18 min 30 - with a shocking stitch
1 miles - 9 min

I need to find a flatter route. The last mile is a killer as its all uphill as is a lot of the two miler.
I'll walk home this evening. I think its between 4-5 miles from Ballsbridge to sunny Santry. 'Long' run on Saturday - 3 miles.

Have a good weekend folks
Nigel

Excaptain

27/11/09

I walked home from work. It took about 1 hour 15mins. That is shy of 5 miles. Not bad.

29/11/09


4 min warm up run
2 miles - 18 min
1 miles - 9 min

The same again tonight. I'm enjoying this

Excaptain

I missed the last two days. I thought I felt a cold coming along so stayed indoors.
It passed though so I went out last night.

02/12/09

4 mins warm up

2 miles - 17min 30

1 mile - 9 mins

I hope to get out tonight with the plan being to run 2 * 2 miles on a flatter route (the hills are a killer!)

belcarra

Excaptain wrote: »

I hope to get out tonight with the plan being to run 2 * 2 miles on a flatter route (the hills are a killer!)

The beauty of living in Santry...all runs have an uphill back home:D
Try going across towards Coolock as this is a little easier than coming from Griffith Ave direction. Although remember, the uphill sections are working to help you even more (Although they're not too bad really!).
Anyways, best of luck with the log and the targets along the way!

Excaptain

belcarra wrote: »

The beauty of living in Santry...all runs have an uphill back home:D
Try going across towards Coolock as this is a little easier than coming from Griffith Ave direction. Although remember, the uphill sections are working to help you even more (Although they're not too bad really!).
Anyways, best of luck with the log and the targets along the way!

Thanks belcarra.
Yeah I'm going to run towards Northside SC, up to Artane, onto The Beaumont House ( I won't stop for a quick pint) & on to Santry Stadium.
The hills help but it can be an effort sometimes!
Thanks again
Nigel

Excaptain

03/12/09

4 min warm up
2 miles - 17.30
1.5 miles - 14.00

I'll head out tomorrow, looking forward to it already

Excaptain

Well needless to say but I didn't make it out the next day or at all last week.
No reason in particular although I did sit an exam last Tuesday.

Anyway my log for last week reads:

Fri 11/12/09 - Walked home from work, approx 5 miles in 1 hr 15ish

Sat 12/12/09 - Played 90 mins on a pitch that could only be described as Navan racecourse after 6 inches of rain the night before and a 12 card meeting prior to kickoff.......muddy! We lost too and I have spent the last couple of days walking around like the tin man in the Wizard of Oz! I'm 32 but I think I might have to hang up the boots. To be fair, I guess, that was my first game back since pulling a hamstring in Oct. It can only get better :eek:

Oh and to top it all off my battery has died on my Garmin Forerunner 50. If anyone knows where to get a replacement please tell me. I tried Garmin, Ebay and a general Google but nothing!

Lets hope for a more productive week this week. I won't be out tonight though! Oh and apologies for the ramble, I can go on a bit!!!

Nigel

Excaptain

Finally I went out, glad I did too. More of the same tonight

16/12/09

4 min warm up

3.53 miles - 31.51 mins

I felt good doing it. Rather than stop at a certain distance I think I'll just keep running.

Excaptain

17/12/09

4 min warm up

3.39 miles - 30.48

I'm seriously think of extending my distance next week. I felt great the last two nights.

Have a good weekend folks

Excaptain

20/12/09

3 min warm up

4.01 miles - 37.05

That was easier than I thought. I'm enjoying this a lot. I have a good break over Christmas so I'll be out a fair bit. Roll on DCM 2010 :P

Excaptain

27/12/09

The hardest two miles ever. No energy at all. I'll put it down to the excesses of Christmas. Very slippery underfoot too which didn't help.

Anyway, 2.03 miles 17 mins 14.

Excaptain

Well crap on it anyway. The weather is playing havoc with the plan. I have not had a run since the 27th. Anyway, as I'm not a member of a gym I'll have to settle for a long walk until the weather improves.

04/01/2010

5 miles - approx 1 hr 15mins (Walk!!)

I'll do the same tonight just to be doing something.

I weighed myself too. I'm 13st 4lbs. Hopefully I'll get this down to closer to 12st by the end of Feb?

Excaptain

Well I did the same again last night:

05/01/2010

5 miles - approx 1 hr 15mins (Walk!!)

Weather permitting I'll continue that for the rest of the week.

Excaptain

Excaptain wrote: »

Well I did the same again last night:

05/01/2010

5 miles - approx 1 hr 15mins (Walk!!)

Weather permitting I'll continue that for the rest of the week.

Same again today. Tough walking in the snow

Excaptain

This log is starting to look a bit pathetic! It's almost 3 weeks since I went for a run. At least I can blame the weather!

Well I set out a plan for the next 10/11 weeks. The end of which I will be running ten miles for my Sunday long run.

I walked home last night (13/01/10) 1hr 10 mins, just shy of 5 miles. I'd rather be running though.

I'll head out tonight, without fail

Excaptain

14/01/10

At last a run!!

3 minute warm up

3.93 miles - 33.54mins

Excaptain

15/01/10

The long walk again. 5 miles, a little over the hour mark.

I plan a 4 mile run for Sunday, maybe more if the legs carry me.

I weighed myself too. Lost 3 lbs in a week. Not sure how!!

Excaptain

17/01/10

I ran for all of 38 mins, not sure of the distance as my Garmin Footpod wasn't working. I reckon about 4 miles.

The plans this week:

Tonight - 3.5 miles
Tues - Walk home - 5 miles
Wed - 3.5 miles
Thur - 3.5 miles
Fri - Walk home - 5 miles
Sat - Rest
Sun - 4 miles

Lets see if I stick to that!!

Excaptain

18/01/2010

3 min warm up

4 miles in about 34 mins

Weather permitting I'll walk home later, 5 miles!

Excaptain

19/01/2010

Walked home again, 5 miles. The legs are sore today. Never mind, I have 4 miles ahead of me tonight!

Excaptain

I have broken my plan for the week

I stayed in last night. I felt tired but I feel now that I was using that as an excuse!

Does anyone else feel bad or like you let yourself down when you don't head out, or am I just a bit mental?!!

Excaptain

Well last week was a disaster. This week I promise will be better!

25/01/2010

4.93 miles 45.33 mins. I did stop a couple of times at traffic lights & what not. Very hill route too and I think that time was too quick too. I must slow down!!

RubyK

Excaptain wrote: »

I have broken my plan for the week

I stayed in last night. I felt tired but I feel now that I was using that as an excuse!

Does anyone else feel bad or like you let yourself down when you don't head out, or am I just a bit mental?!!

Nope, you are not mental, I get like that too (or maybe we are both mental ). I call them the guilts. The guilts are good, because if you are thinking about cancelling a planned run, you know if you do, the guilts will be in on you sooner or later, and therefore it gets you out the door

Nice run last night by the way!

Excaptain

RubyK wrote: »

Nope, you are not mental, I get like that too (or maybe we are both mental ). I call them the guilts. The guilts are good, because if you are thinking about cancelling a planned run, you know if you do, the guilts will be in on you sooner or later, and therefore it gets you out the door

Nice run last night by the way!

Thanks RubyK. That run is from work to my house. So if I bring my gear with me I won't cancel the run, at least that's the plan!! FYI, I think we are mental!!
I think I went too fast though. I'll have to sort out a way of going a little slower. Cheers again.

Excaptain

26/01/2010

I walked home last night, the usual 5 miles in 1hr 15 or so.

I have my gear with me today so I'll run the same trek home

Excaptain

27/01/2010

4.88 miles - 44.44

So far so good, I have kept to this weeks plan. It suits me better running home from work as I can't use the usual excuses!

The plan is to get to the magic 10 miles by the end of March. I feel its very doable!

Excaptain

28/01/2010

Walked home from work, the usual 5 miles.

I'll run it again tonight. That will round off a pretty good week!

Excaptain

29/01/2010

Ran home again, one of my better ideas this new schedule!

4.77 miles - 43.16 mins

Sunday long run. Might give 6 miles a bash!

Excaptain

31/01/2010

6 miles - 49.35

That's the longest run yet! I had planned on 5. Near the end of mile 5 I bumped into an old mate so I had a yap for a couple of mins. That allowed me to get my breath back so I did another lap of the park! I'm very happy with the weeks work and I'll keep it up without fail.

One stupid thing though, if anyone can advise. I don't seem to be able to keep my arms relaxed and because of that my 'form' goes to hell. Any ideas out there on keeping things smooth?!

Thanks.

Excaptain

03/02/2010

5.07 miles - 45.17

I hope to get out tonight but the forecast is for heavy rain. Fingers crossed!

BrokenMan

Excaptain wrote: »

31/01/2010


One stupid thing though, if anyone can advise. I don't seem to be able to keep my arms relaxed and because of that my 'form' goes to hell. Any ideas out there on keeping things smooth?!

Thanks.

One thin gI read somewhere that helped me was to lighlty tap your thumb and index finger together when you feel tension in your arms. Dont bang them just gently touch them in time with your steps. Your hands will have to relax to do this lightly and this will help relax the rest of your arms.

Works for me anyway.

Excaptain

BrokenMan wrote: »

One thin gI read somewhere that helped me was to lighlty tap your thumb and index finger together when you feel tension in your arms. Dont bang them just gently touch them in time with your steps. Your hands will have to relax to do this lightly and this will help relax the rest of your arms.

Works for me anyway.

Thanks for the advice BrokenMan. I'll give that a go if I get out tonight.

Cheers

Excaptain

08/02/2010

5.14 miles - 42.54

Bad week last week as I only got out once. Pissed off with myself over that but this week will be better

Excaptain

09/02/2010

5.37 miles - 46.43

Quite happy with that. I had planned on four miles but felt good & kept going.

Excaptain

10/02/2010

5.11 miles - 46.47

A little rant - What is the story with foot paths in this city? I know, typical Dub giving out but they are so bad. Why is it that when the council or whoever is digging up the footpaths & roads for that matter, that they just go & dump a load of tar down without leveling it off. It annoys me so much, grrrr :mad:
Rant over!