Upcoming goals and relocation

Tec Diver

Hi all,
I'm not new to Boards, but am new to the running threads.
I'm currently based in Sydney, and started running in Feb this year. I wasn't able to run more than about 2.5k without having to stop, so I started to try and figure out why...
I did a 4k race with a local club in March and had to walk twice due to getting out of breath on an almost flat course! By this time I had started using a Garmin, so that night I checked out the data and realized that my HR was spiking at the two locations where I had been out of breath (this was a surprise at the time...). I did a quick google and found some info on heart rate zones. The following day, I ran a 5k in 27:01 without stopping, my furthest continuous distance ever!
A friend challenged me to do the SMH half in May, the week before I had done my longest run ever - 8.5k.
I went into the half and just kept going, walking for aid stations, and running as soon as I had emptied the cup. I ended up finishing in 2:08 with a bit still left in the tank! Well happy.
I am now training for my second half, in Sydney in 3 weeks, across the harbour bridge and finishing at the Opera House. Hoping for a sub-2hr time.
I am also training for the Auckland marathon on October 31st and hoping to finish, no particular time.
I'll be moving back to Ireland in November with work and will be keeping up the running, it'll be tough getting motivated in the rain/cold, but I'll feel better for it.

Looking forward to races in Ireland and possibly meeting some Boards members over time.
Best of luck with your training!



Eoin

RoyMcC

Good luck for the Sydney Half and especially for your first marathon. It's not always cold and rainy in Ireland (just most of the time) but you'll most likely run better in a cooler climate.

Tec Diver

Thanks Roy,
I've heard that running in cold weather will see improvements alright. In fact I got my current PB in 5k in cold conditions (well, cold for Sydney...).

Eoin