touched by madness

Tipsygypsy

In a haze of post 10k euphoria last Tuesday I signed up to do the Adidas Series, finishing with the half marathon. I started running in January by doing c25k, I followed that with Hal Higdons 10k plan, and on Monday I did the Womens Mini Marathon in Dublin - it took me 1:09:39 - which was just under my target and Im still chuffed with it. Ive never had a log before but I have been reading all yours for the last 6 months so i thought Id give it a go.
The plan now is to follow Hal Higdons novice half marathon program and hope sanity doesnt prevail between now and mid September.
Im going to take it easyish for the next two weeks and do the Galway Womens Mini Marathon at the end of this month then get started properly of HH program, so for the moment Im basically repeating week 1 a couple of times:

This Week so far:
Monday - 6.2 miles - yay me, farthest ever so far
Tuesday - ouch, nothing cos wrecked and sore
Wednesday - 2 slow and restful miles
Thursday - 2 slightly faster miles
Friday - 1 hr Yoga


On Tuesday I my legs were fine but my hips and back were really sore, I wonder if this was from all the hopping up and down off the curb playing dodgems for the first couple of miles the previous day? Anyway all better now. Tomorrow is a Cross training day so I will probably go for a decent walk or cycle, and Im planning 4 miles on Sunday.

Wish me luck!!

rainbow kirby

Welcome to the logs, you've come to the dark side

the title of this log describes a lot of people around here very well :pac:

pgmcpq

Great title - best summary I have seen ! Good luck. I don't know enough to give advice but for post race aches I am a great believer in an Epsom salts bath.

OI

Great username and log title, best of luck with it

dolliemix

Yay! Great to see you have a log Tipsy

I'd love to do that Adidas Series but I'm going away on holidays for most of July. And maybe going away in August too. I'll be hoping to pick up from where I left off when I get back though, at the latest end of August so I guess I'll be using your log as a guide.

My left hip was sore after mm but I reckon we were definitely testing our limbs to the limit with all the curb hopping and walker dodging!

I'm heading out this evening for my first run since last Monday. A nice easy 5k I hope!

The yoga is great to counteract the tightness of the running isn't it?


Good luck with the log and the next phase of your marathon journey!

Blueskye

Welcome to the logs and best of luck with the training. There's a good few of us doing the Adidas series so we might see you there!

SUNGOD

as OI said great username good luck with your training and log
can we call you TG?

Tipsygypsy

Thanks everyone!

SUNGOD wrote: »

as OI said great username good luck with your training and log
can we call you TG?

Im best known as Tipsy, but have been called far worse than TG so thats fine too!

Dollie, yoga is my lifesaver, I started it nearly two years ago to help sort out back issues (slipped disc) - Im fully convinced that if I hadnt started yoga I would still be struggling to stand upright, never mind training for a half marathon!

dolliemix

You might be interested in this thread!

Very good timing!

Tipsygypsy

Yesterday - supposed to be cross training day - went for 3ish mile walk in park with dog.

Today - 5 mile run - mother of god that was tough, I was running into the wind on my outward journey and it was really hard, homeward bound was much much easier but I was wrecked after my efforts - took 59 minutes (yes, I know I wont be winning any races at that pace, but merely finishing that distance is still an acheivement to me!)

Plan for next week is:
Monday: Gym - cross trainer followed by weights or possibley just a swim
Tuesday - 3mile run
Wednesday - Gym - 2 mile on treadmill followed by weights
Thursday- 3 mile run
Friday - yoga
Saturday - rest/short walk
Sunday - 5 mile

This will be my first time upping to 4 runs in one week (3 was my norm before) so it will be interesting to see how that goes for me.

Tipsygypsy

As per plan, went to the gym this morning. I've been using machines as per instructions given by gym staff a few weeks ago (before that I never used the actual gym, just the pool and yoga classes) - ye experienced folks feel free to comment/criticise/make suggestion on this -
The plan is as follows:
5- 10 minute warm up on bike,
10-15 minutes on cross trainer,
then to weights machines - Chest press, Peck deck, shoulder press, ab machine, vertical row, lat pull down, triceps press, (all using highest weight I can manage 3 sets of 10 with) then onto mat for abdominal crunches (20 x 3) and russian twists (12x3) and strectching.
I only do this on a Monday and Wednesday.
When I met with instructor I told him I wanted to focus on core and upper body strength and not do much cardio or leg stuff since Im running most other days of the week and my poor legs are knackered as it is!
So another day done and dusted. Looking forward to tomorrows run, I feel like a blob after indulging at a kiddies party this afternoon. (no icon for pukey face).

Dotcomdolly

Well done on your work so far Tipsy, like yourself I am used to running 3 times a week so am a bit wary of running 2 days in a row...
Re the weights, from what I've read on the fitness boards, free weights are much more effective than the machines, esp for your core strength.

dolliemix

THats great that you have a program going. You should be sore tomorrow though. Sounds like he really worked you. Its all good though

Tipsygypsy

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

Re the weights, from what I've read on the fitness boards, free weights are much more effective than the machines, esp for your core strength.

I had read that before too, I would like to give free weights a go but kind of wouldnt know where to start, Id be very nervous of getting it wrong and doing damage to my back (suffered badly with slipped disc before). I think to start them I would need someone with me all the time for the first few sessions to make sure I was getting everything right! I would have loved to go to the thing G'em is doing on the 19th but its the wrong side of the country for me. (Any volunteers to do something similar in Galway feel free to step forward!!!). Or maybe if she is doing it again and I knew in enough time to get kids minded etc I would definately go.

dolliemix

Tipsygypsy wrote: »

I had read that before too, I would like to give free weights a go but kind of wouldnt know where to start, Id be very nervous of getting it wrong and doing damage to my back (suffered badly with slipped disc before). I think to start them I would need someone with me all the time for the first few sessions to make sure I was getting everything right! I would have loved to go to the thing G'em is doing on the 19th but its the wrong side of the country for me. (Any volunteers to do something similar in Galway feel free to step forward!!!). Or maybe if she is doing it again and I knew in enough time to get kids minded etc I would definately go.

I'm hoping I'll be around for the next one too. Apparently she is really good!

Tipsygypsy

So Tuesday: 3 mile run done, went a different route to usual today now that I have imapmyrun to tell me how far Ive gone (up to now its been a case of doing the same one over and over because I know its milestones!). Was grand, a hilly bit at the end but other then that it lovely, a bit warm and I still look beetroot red (1 hour later) - when is that going to improve I wonder? Tomorrow is 2 miles on the treadmill and weights.

dolliemix

lol I have that beetroot thing going on at the moment too! I got on the lift after my run in the apartment and was omg if I met anyone they'd probably think I'd been running 10 miles! It is so hot out there.

Dotcomdolly

There are great treadmill workout podcasts available here if you want to liven up your treadmill run.

or I use this one by Jay Blahnik/Nike

that's about 4-5k depending on what speed you do. It's on itunes (and there are torrents out there if you are so inclined )

Will be interested to hear how you find the weights after the run - I've only ever done weights followed by a short cardio interval session on the tm...so a bit nervous about how I'll lift anything after running 3 miles!

Tipsygypsy

Todays gym session went well. 2 miles on the treadmill no problem (except that time I had to stop to retrieve my water bottle that was too big for the holder and went flying behind me spraying all in the area! )
Then weights session was fine too, although I was a sweaty mess - ye gods, I hate all those damn mirrors. A good morning all round. I thought it would be harder doing two days running in a row, Im sure it will hit me on tomorrrows 3 miler.

Thanks for those Dotcomdolly - will have to check them out... todays in-run entertainment was brought to me by Robbie Williams and Guns'n'Roses - probably not a combination heard together very often!

I thought I was great with a pace under 10mins per mile (normally inthe region of 11 (or more) on the road until I read that the damn thing should be at an incline - curses!:rolleyes:

Now feet up for the rest of the evening.

Tipsygypsy

Thursday 17th - 3 mile run - this was great for the first two miles, my fastest pace so far, but on the third mile I was feeling sick and got a stitch and was generally feeling crap and so slowed down alot. Hadnt eaten well all day (yucky tuna salad incident at lunch that made me feel ill all day) and didnt get to go running till 930pm (very late for me) on an empty stomach. lesson learnt!

Friday 18th - missed yoga class, went clothes shopping instead. the planets all aligned to give me a very rare opportunity to go clothes shopping so I grabbed it with both hands! Anyway, deserved a rest day after 3 days running in a row.

Saturday - will do an hour of yoga this afternoon to make up for yesterday and may go for a cycle if time permits.

Tipsygypsy

Sunday 20th June: 4 miles - mother of gods, that was tough. Went out at 5, thinking it would have cooled down, man was I wrong. I had actually planned to do 5 miles, but I got a really horrible stitch after a mile and a half, so I slowed down completely but it still didnt go so I ended up have to walk for nearly half a mile to get rid of it. Rest of the run went fine but it really was a tough one. will be making a point of getting out either super-early or late evening on hot days from now on.

As for yesterday, didnt do yoga or cycle or anything even remotely classable as excercise. Mostly sat in the sun all day!.

Week ahead (June 21st to 27th):
Mondayn: gym (weights and cross trainer, same as last week)
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: 2 miles and weights @ gym
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: day off, family occasion so wont be excercising and probably will be over-indulging in yummy food and probably alcohol too!
Saturday: very gentle yoga
Sunday: 6.2 miles - Galway Womens Mini Marathon - really looking forward to this, hope its not as warm as today, I think it starts at 11 and includes running up threadneedle Road, which seems very steep in my memory (my training so far has been on nearly all flat roads, theres no hills near me so this might hurt a little).

Dotcomdolly

Oh you poor thing out in that heat. I went out at 9.30am & it was warm enough even then!
Can I ask what weights you do on your cross day?

Tipsygypsy

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

Oh you poor thing out in that heat. I went out at 9.30am & it was warm enough even then!
Can I ask what weights you do on your cross day?

Hi Dotcomdolly, the weights are as suggested by the fitness instructor in the gym and are all on machines, the cross day plan is as follows:

5- 10 minute warm up on bike,
10-15 minutes on cross trainer,
then to weights machines - Chest press, Peck deck, shoulder press, ab machine, vertical row, lat pull down, triceps press, (all using highest weight I can manage 3 sets of 10 with) then onto mat for abdominal crunches (20 x 3) and russian twists (12x3) and stretching.

I never did weights before, until about 3 or 4 weeks ago, so its a learning curve for me. I'll have to come up with a new plan of action soon enough because once the kids are off school I wont be able to get to the gym. I also do a good bit of yoga and am very comfortable with that. Im planning to raid the fitness forums soon to see what weights I can do from home without risk of doing further damage to a dodgy back.

What do you do for you cross days?

Dotcomdolly

This past week I attended G'ems weights workshop on my cross day.
On the run + strength day I did 3 sets of 8 reps of free weights - squats, bench press, deadlift, all using 15k bar and 3x12 tricep press downs with a 6kg weight. Problem is the weighted squats leave my thighs *aching* the next day!

shazkea

Best of luck with the Galway mini-marathon next week and hopefully a PB on the way for you. I know the road you're talking about but I think you may surprise yourself

Tipsygypsy

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

This past week I attended G'ems weights workshop on my cross day.
!

I would really have loved to have gotten to that.

Found it REALLY tough to haul my ass out of bed this morning, my youngest had a disturbed nights sleep (which of course means I had a disturbed night). Had to force myself into the gym but had a really good session once I was there. Had some twinging in my lower back (WARNING, WARNING, WARNING) - I suspect the russian twists might not be the best excercise for me considering my history, so Ill spend some quality time on back stretches in the morning.

I came home after the gym like some sort of hunger-monster and savaged the kitchen - all healthy enough stuff, but waaaaaaay more than I normally eat after workout. Managed to not stuff my face at school graduation night, a major acheivement considering the amount of yummy home baked treats.

Looking forward to running tomorrow.

Tipsygypsy

Had a hectic week this week so got no chance to log in -

Tuesday: skipped my scheduled 3 mile run on Tuesday - still wasnt happy with my back so decided to just chill out and do some stretches.
Wednesday: did 2 miles on treadmill and weights @ gym
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: day of for aforementioned family occasion - as predicted ate and drank way more than I should have, stayed out til stupid o'clock and am now struggling to even see the screen
Today (Saturday): the celebrations continue today and am off out to family lunch, wont be drinking or eating ridiculous amounts of food. Will try to have a walk this evening but will be conserving the energy for the Galway Womens Mini Marathon tomorrow, and drinking gallons of water to undo the damage done by the freeflowing red wine that was continually being topped up last night.

dolliemix

Good luck tomorrow!

Tipsygypsy

Really enjoyed this morning, Galway Womens Mini Marathon - 6.2 miles. Took me 1hr 07 mins which was 2 minutes quicker than I did the Dublin Mini, so an improvement and a PB (yay me). Wind on Salthill Prom was quite brutal on the outbound journey and I did find the top of Threadneedle tough - thankfully the heavens opened briefly just as a got to the top of the hill and cooled me down. Was a pretty good day, they didnt have the roads closed although they did stop traffic briefly at the start, and there was a match on locally (galway v sligo I think) so we had to contend with people trying to park as we ran along. Also the water stations only had cups of water which is crazy hard to get into you as you run. But other than that it was a good day and Im happy with my time.

12 weeks now to the Adidas Series Half, so enough of this faffing around!

Plan for the week is:
Monday 28th - rest/gentle yoga
Tuesday 29th - 3 Mile
Wednesday 30th - 2 Mile and Strength
Thursday 1st July - 3 Mile
Friday 2nd - Yoga
Saturday 3rd - rest/gentle walk or cycle
Sunday 4th - 6 mile LSR

How Im going to manage to do any of that now that the kids are off school is a total mystery. It also means that I cant use my gym for the moment so its time to learn some weights stuff I can do at home - my Davina DVD maybe getting the dust cleaned off it yet!

dolliemix

Well done Tipsy.

Knocking 2 mins off your time already is fantastic.

Hope you manage to keep it all up because I'm really enjoying reading your log.

shazkea

That's brilliant, well done on the PB. It's a great improvement in just a few weeks since Dublin. Have fun with Davina - I sure my Cindy DVD is just as dusty

Dotcomdolly

Tipsygypsy wrote: »

How Im going to manage to do any of that now that the kids are off school is a total mystery. It also means that I cant use my gym for the moment so its time to learn some weights stuff I can do at home - my Davina DVD maybe getting the dust cleaned off it yet!

Well done on your race today - pb-tastic!

I too am wondering how I'm going to manage once the kids are off (from wednesday). I have them signed up for a few summer camps so some weeks will be ok.....but other than that, I have visions of me running around a field & making the two of them play football in the middle. OR evening runs after bedtime I suppose, I imagine after spending the whole day with the little darlings I'll be dying to get out the door for some headspace, knackered or not!
Mine are 3.5 and 7, how about you?

Transform on here has an excellent blog with some home workouts on it.

Tipsygypsy

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

I too am wondering how I'm going to manage once the kids are off (from wednesday). I have them signed up for a few summer camps so some weeks will be ok.....but other than that, I have visions of me running around a field & making the two of them play football in the middle. OR evening runs after bedtime I suppose, I imagine after spending the whole day with the little darlings I'll be dying to get out the door for some headspace, knackered or not!
Mine are 3.5 and 7, how about you?

I have three boys - 2.5, 5, and nearly 8. I have the older two booked in to two weeks of summer camps, and we'll be in Portugal for a week (during which Im due a 9 miler - ouch), but the other 5 weeks are going to be hard to sort out. I reckon anytime anyone comes to visit Im just going to have to run out the door!
We're in a similar situation to you because my husband also runs, and is doing to adidas series with me and then going on to do the DCM, so this whole house revolves around how we can both get our training done, and thats only going to get more hectic as the weeks go by. Ah we'll manage somehow. Theres always obsticles of some sort and you just have to find a way around them.
Pity we dont live in the same part of the country, we could do a timeshare on the kiddies!!

Krusty_Clown

It's tough living in a two running parent household with kids, but it's definitely easier than living in a one running parent household as you learn to take turns! Congrats on the new PB. You'll love the Adidas series.

Tipsygypsy

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

It's tough living in a two running parent household with kids, but it's definitely easier than living in a one running parent household as you learn to take turns! Congrats on the new PB. You'll love the Adidas series.

We know all about that around here. I used to be the 'non-running parent' waiting (with foot tapping) for the 'running parent' to get the hell home from his 2 hour long run as dinner burnt to a crisp in the oven. I did try to be understanding but there were times it got frustrating. But you know what they say, if you cant beat them....

Yesterday (Monday - post race rest day) - My back was in not great shape by yesterday afternoon, I was getting pretty worried until I spent a half hour doing yoga which pretty much sorted me out. I'll have to make sure I include plenty of back stretching in my post race stretches from now on. I think I'll be trying to do a good bit of yoga every day to try to keep on top of it.

Tuesday - was supposed to be 3 mile run but I cut it short at 2 miles - my knees were aching, had to walk for a couple of minutes, I think I took the first mile too fast when really this was supposed to be recovery day.
Tomorrow was supposed to be a 2 miler so I might do 3 to make up for today.

Tipsygypsy

Wednesday 30th - 3 miles (plan says 2 but had to add one on to make up for yesterday). Felt much better about the whole thing today, knees nearly better, no back problems, just me and the driving rain. I really love running in the lashing rain, got absolutely soaked but really enjoyed it. Going to do half an hour of yoga once the kids go to bed - doesnt quite make up for the fact that I missed my weights session this morning, but its better than nothing.

Dotcomdolly

Good for you. I am taking it easy this week and just doing the 3 runs (and pilates on monday). I just felt the whole 6 days "on" catching up me ifykwim....looking fwd to getting out tomorrow but will have to wait till Raycun gets home because of blasted school hols! I haven't run outside my usual timeframe in months....

dolliemix

I love the running in the rain too!

Tipsygypsy

Just wanted to quickly add that my total milage for June came to 47.4, (may was 33.5, before that I didn't keep track) estimated plan for July has me at 60+. Small potatoes for most of you folks but Not something I would ever have imagined myself doing, so im pretty damn pleased with myself!!!

Tipsygypsy

Thursday 1st July - 3 miles, third day running in a row is still tough for me, first two miles were good but I struggled again on the last mile. Left knee has been niggling on and off for the past few days so will ice and elevate for a while tonight. Will also spend a good half hour on yoga again tonight, for the sanity as much as for the stretchiness!
Tomorrow is supposed to be yoga class but wont make it with no-one to mind kids, so will do more yoga at home (not even close to as good as the class, she pushes me alot harder than I push myself).

dolliemix

I read somewhere that you're not really a true yoga practioner until you can do yoga yourself at home ........so you're actually doing well.

I'm the same though I'm really easy on myself when I do it at home! And it never seems to flow as well as when I'm doing it in class. Its better than nothing though!

Tipsygypsy

Friday 2 July - Half hour of yoga - had a very lazy day!
Saturday 3 July - Nada, rest day (should have been cross training but had no childminding options and was too wrecked by the time they went to bed!)
Sunday 4 July - 6 miles long very slow run - this was one of those days where I was really tempted to not go out, that wind was giving me a very convenient excuse, thankfully I decided to suck it up and just go for it!. Took it really easy and enjoyed it for the most part, ran a route Id never done before (to get shelter from the mad wind). The more exposed parts were really tough against that wind, but I really enjoyed it, and while it wasnt exactly easy, it was certainly more comfortable than either of the other 2 times I did this distance. Overall very happy with my progress even if I am as slow as Christmas

So plan for this week:
Monday: stretch and strength - will do lots of yoga to fix myself back up after todays efforts!
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: 2 miles + cross training (probably wont get to the gym with kids off school so not sure what this will be)
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: yoga/strength
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 6.5 mile

Dotcomdolly

Well done on the 6 miles TG, I also did mine sllllooooooowwww but I hear this is a good thing

dolliemix

Great stuff on the 6 mile!

I'm envious of your progress. I'll have a lot of catching up to do when I get back from my holiday nut I'll be using this thread as a mark for sure!

littlebug

Well done on your pb TG. Are you doing Streets of Galway in August? It's a lovely race, really flat and a great atmosphere. I was narrowly beaten by a man dressed as a cow last year!

Tipsygypsy

I tried to write this post twice today but lost them both before I submitted them - I blame my laptop entirely - cant possibly have been my fault! Anyway, here goes

littlebug wrote: »

Well done on your pb TG. Are you doing Streets of Galway in August? It's a lovely race, really flat and a great atmosphere. I was narrowly beaten by a man dressed as a cow last year!

Lol Littlebug, theres a mental image for the day. I wont be around of the streets of Galway (will be busy sunning myself in Portugal:D), am sorry to be missing it though because it sounds like good craic - will have to consult the events calender from now on before booking hols. Hopefully will be around for it next year.

So, today: 3.5 miles - wasn't fully convinced I should have gone out today because I was awake for alot of last night with a sore throat and ears - and then saw the rain this morning. But I managed to get out in between showers and stayed reasonably dry and was really glad I went out because for the first time ever ever in history I finished a mile in under 10 minutes:):):):) - this I am ecstatic about because its been a goal for me for ages, and its not so long ago that it was taking me 13-14 minutes per mile so this is real progress for me. Total 3.5 miles took 36.21 which is probably my fastest pace so far too. So Im all happy with myself!

Tipsygypsy

This evening - 2 miles in 19:47, woohoo, thats 2 whole miles in a row under 10 minutes! Whoda thunk it?! Very pleased with it that, couldnt have stayed at that pace much longer, but I have to say Im very encouraged by my recent progress. Am happily pondering how much faster I will be when I drop this stone thats keeping my BMI at 'overweight'!

Tipsygypsy

Ive paid dearly this morning for my run yesterday:(. My back was buckled when I woke up this morning and it took me ages to get moving properly, so Im skipping this mornings 3.5 miles and opting for some yoga to try and unravel it, hope to do the 3.5 tomorrow instead. I have to, have to, have to remember to spend time doing back stretches afer EVERY run, especiallly when Ive pushed myself.
Bad Tipsy:mad:.

jcsmum

Am enjoying your log! It's great that there are a few of us on or around the same training page. Am also doing the race series and am so tempted to sign up for the full marathon. We'll see how it goes. Am on week 4 of HH half marathon training plan - it's going okay so far, the long run this week is 5 miles. I'm afraid to look further down the sheet!!

meathcountysec

Tipsygypsy wrote: »

I tried to write this post twice today but lost them both before I submitted them - I blame my laptop entirely - cant possibly have been my fault!

I found that by the time I had a post composed, spell and idiot checked, that the server had timed out on me. So now I do my creative bit in Word and then cut and paste into a blank post when it is time to share my enlightenment with the world.

Tipsygypsy

jcsmum wrote: »

Am enjoying your log! It's great that there are a few of us on or around the same training page. Am also doing the race series and am so tempted to sign up for the full marathon. We'll see how it goes. Am on week 4 of HH half marathon training plan - it's going okay so far, the long run this week is 5 miles. I'm afraid to look further down the sheet!!

Yeh I really though hard about the DCM but decided to be sensible and leave it for this year, from 0 to 26 miles in one year is just too much for this body. But if all goes well with the half Ill look at doinf the full sometime next year (having said that Im still following the DCM novice mentored thread with a bit more interest than I said)!
The fathest Ive done so far is 6.2 miles and I do have a bit of a mental barrier about how Im going to get up past that - but sure we'll cross that bridge when whe come to it!

meathcountysec wrote: »

I found that by the time I had a post composed, spell and idiot checked, that the server had timed out on me. So now I do my creative bit in Word and then cut and paste into a blank post when it is time to share my enlightenment with the world.

Thanks MCS, I'll give that a go - I always come on thinking Ill just put a quick update and then end up waffling on for ages - just like today.... feel free to tell me to shut up anytime!

This morning - 3.5 miles 38+ minutes, was using imapmyrun (must read instructions properly some time) and phone rang twice and knocked it off, so not exactly sure what I did, what it did record had my pace at 11:20/mile. Took it nice and easy and had no more back trouble but Im off now to do a half hour of yoga just to be sure.