Running changes everything

RubyK

At last I can get a log going again! After two long months, I'm finally getting back into a routine It has been frustrating to say the least. I've missed running so much.

November = physio and rest

Mid December = slow short runs on grass, building up to 5 miles last week. My fitness levels are shocking. All my work for DCM has vanished, and I'm nowhere near as fit as I was even a year ago! But I don't mind too much, just to be back running again is all that matters.

My first race since DCM is a 5 mile charity fun run later today. It's lashing rain and very windy - I can't wait to get going! Fingers crossed my hip will co-operate, and today will be the first step to getting back into training again.

Blueskye

Best of luck with the new log and getting your fitness back.

RayCun

good to see you back, the fitness will be back in no time

RubyK

Thanks guys, it's good to be back

Mon 27/12 - baldy man run. I thought this was going to be tough, and it was. Weather was awful, wind and rain, and the tide was in, so the first couple of miles were run on stones and pebbles, which was tricky. There was lots of wave dodging aswell, so the feet were soaked in no time. The wind was blowing straight into us. Then at mile 2.5 we turned round the back of the sandhills, and met with the delightful soft sand. The wind was then to our backs, and it was a case of plodding through it, until we got onto the grassy trail part of the run and then back onto the prom and the finishing line.

I forgot to turn my watch off but I know I did see 5.3 miles at 51.?? not far from the finish. Official chip time should be available soon. It was a slow one, but on the positive side, I had no pain in my hip during or after it! Yay!!

the underdog

That's great, I hope that's me next month, can't wait to get back into it, I got misunderstood in my earlier thread today & it got locked down, Ive had medical advice coming out my ears....Unfortunatly physios & doctors can't relate to running injurys the same as somebody that's gone through it, I feel inspired by your comeback! ....I too feel like my fitness has gone to an altime low...but the main thing is to get started again. Remember folks fittness is a stage you pass through on the way to becoming a runner.

RubyK

Thanks the underdog I hope you will be back out on the roads soon, just ease yourself into it, once you get the ok from your physio. Fingers crossed for you!

Wed 29/12 - 6.05 miles in 55.24 mins. Again I found this quite tough going, and the 4 hills en-route nearly killed me Thigh felt a bit niggley from mile 5, but probably nothing to worry about, as I haven't run up a hill two months. Did some gentle stretching afterwards and iced it.

shazkea

Great to see you back on the logs and running again. You'll regain your fitness in no time but take it handy. What races are you aiming for or are you just going to enjoy being back for a while?

RubyK

Cheers shaz Delighted to be back moving again! I don't have any immediate plans, I'm just going to take it handy for the next while. I might do the Dungarvan 10 on 30/01 but it won't be a pb.

I'd like to give the Ballycotton 10 a good lash early March though.

You're in flying form, and well on track for Barca!

RubyK

Fri 31/12 - 4.3 miles in 39.35 mins. Thigh/groin a bit tender, but I'm hoping it just the body adjusting to running after the rest. Still finding it tough, but I'm enjoying being back out on the roads.

Emer911

Best of luck with the new log RubyK. Good to see you're back at it. Take it handy and enjoy!

RubyK

Cheers Emer911!

Sun 02/01 - 5.12 miles in 46.21 mins. I found it slightly less tough going than the recent runs - woo hoo!

claralara

Best of luck with the new log and goals. Hopefully injury will stay at bay and fitness levels will shoot back up in no time!

RubyK

Thanks clara, fingers crossed that's how it will go Best of luck with the Conn plan, you sound focused and raring to go! I'd love to do it, maybe some year.

Mon 03/01 - 6.02 miles 54.30 mins, my first back to back runs since early October! Went well enough. Lungs still struggling up the hills, but I feel I'm slowly getting somewhere. Thigh a tiny bit tender, but all in all things are looking up!

With all the madness/rushing around before Christmas, I couldn't remember if I had posted out my application for the Dungarvan 10, but I noticed earlier today, that they cashed a cheque of mine. 3 weeks this Sunday. I hope I'll be able for it. See what not running does to you, it makes you forgetful and cranky!

jcsmum

Best of luck with the log and the goals for 2011. Glad to see you back out running again!

RubyK

Wed 05/01 - 6.4 miles in 59.45 mins - ok that's not my fastest run ever, but by God it was the most enjoyable run I've had in months! Lungs felt much stronger than recently. Upper thigh still a bit tight, I'd say it's 90%. Can't wait for the day it's 100%

maria74

RubyK wrote: »

Wed 05/01 - 6.4 miles in 59.45 mins - ok that's not my fastest run ever, but by God it was the most enjoyable run I've had in months! Lungs felt much stronger than recently. Upper thigh still a bit tight, I'd say it's 90%. Can't wait for the day it's 100%

LOve those days when run feels good!

shazkea

RubyK wrote: »

Wed 05/01 - 6.4 miles in 59.45 mins - ok that's not my fastest run ever, but by God it was the most enjoyable run I've had in months! Lungs felt much stronger than recently. Upper thigh still a bit tight, I'd say it's 90%. Can't wait for the day it's 100%

...and she's back . Nice going!

RubyK

shazkea wrote: »

...and she's back . Nice going!

Thanks shaz, not quite there yet, but I'm enjoying the journey

Thurs 06/01 - 4.27 miles in 39.30 mins. Took a handier route this evening, just the one decent hill to be tackled at mile 3 to see how the leg felt, and it felt ok! Happy with the progress being made. Fitness feels like its coming back. The plan is to do 8 miles on Saturday, and I will make a decision on the Dugarvan 10 after that.

RubyK

Sat 08/01 - the plan was to do a handy 8 miles , but I was enjoying it so much I did 10 Lovely morning, when everything felt right, including my gammy leg! 10 miles 1.29.39 mins. Happy with that. I'd love to do the Waterford half, but I think that might be pushing things a bit.

RubyK

Mon 10/01 - 6.12 miles in 55.39 mins. I was wrecked tired and really had to force myself out the door this evening. Wasn't as enjoyable as my last couple of runs but not the worst either.

RubyK

Tues 11/01 - 5.10 miles in 45.18 mins. At mile 2 my legs got really really tired, and that finished any hopes of doing the Waterford half on Saturday. They loosened up again by mile 4, and I enjoyed the last 1.10 home.

Wed 12/01 - Group interval session on the track. It was my first experience of these, and I enjoyed it. Nice friendly crowd there. We did 1x800's and the rest were 400's. I don't know what the times were but we covered 3.5 miles.

jcsmum

Great running! No chance of doing Waterford? Your times are very very good in training.

RubyK

Hey jcsmum, I've decided to knock all thoughts of the half, it's just a step too far at the moment I think. Legs a bit tired today after 3 back to back sessions.

claralara

Pity you won't make it but there'll be plenty more. You're right to listen your body! Enjoy your long run anyway. If we're going to have to brave the southern elements this weekend then you better not back out!:)

RubyK

claralara wrote: »

Pity you won't make it but there'll be plenty more. You're right to listen your body! Enjoy your long run anyway. If we're going to have to brave the southern elements this weekend then you better not back out!:)

I am a bit disappointed, but you are right, have to listen to the body!

I'll be doing my run this evening, in the calm before the storm :pac:!

RubyK

Fri 14/01 - 11.4 miles on Friday evening. Longest run in ages, but both legs and knees were very niggly.

Sun 16/01 - early morning run of 4.41 miles in 40.30 mins. Horrendous run. One of the worst ever. Stomach felt sick after 1 mile and I found it a real struggle to get home. But on a positive note, no niggles whatsoever.

shazkea

Good run on Friday and glad to hear niggles are on the decrease.

Cheers for the directions to RSC; small favour for next run in that direction though...give us some sun please

RubyK

shazkea wrote: »

Cheers for the directions to RSC; small favour for next run in that direction though...give us some sun please

They were savage conditions alright shaz! Fair play to all of you who battled through it

jcsmum

Thanks for all the touristy recommendations. However, the mini farm at Fenor was closed - shame on you for not posting it's opening hours! :rolleyes::D

Went to the beach at Annestown yesterday - actually managed to climb up one of the cliffs! Then headed over to Tramore. Was kicking myself that I hadn't asked you for a pub recommendation there for lunch. Ate in the Esquire which was lovely!

Glad you're back to form on running yourself - niggle free!

RubyK

That's a pity about the mini farm jcsmum! I'll make sure I'm properly informed as to all opening times, for your next visit to the South East I'd have recommended the Esquire or Raglin Road (next door, same chef!) for lunch. Glad you enjoyed it.

Mon 17/01 - 6.35 miles in 57.33 mins. A lovely calm crisp evening out there and I really enjoyed it, though the hills between mile 4 and 5.5 were tough. And the best thing of all, there were no niggles, YAY!

RubyK

Tues 18/01 - 6.35 miles in 57.23 mins. Pacing wasn't the best, felt a bit burnt out at mile 4, slowed it down, and then plodded on home from there.

Wed 19/01 am - 1 mile run on the beach, with the dog. Gorgeous morning for it.

Wed 19/01 pm - track session. 2 laps warm up, 10x400's the last couple nearly killed me, 3 laps cool down. Felt the middle of my right thigh getting a bit tight on the 2nd last lap, but I'm putting it down to not having run like that since I was a teenager

Thurs 20/01 - Decided to give the hills a break, and headed to the beach instead - 4.5 miles. Right thigh a bit stiff and sore, but it loosened up after 5 mins, and I really enjoyed the morning run.

Rest day today, and hope to be good to go for tomorrows planned 12-13 miles.

claralara

Great week missus, keep it up

tunguska

RubyK wrote: »

Wed 19/01 pm - track session. 2 laps warm up, 10x400's the last couple nearly killed me, 3 laps cool down. Felt the middle of my right thigh getting a bit tight on the 2nd last lap, but I'm putting it down to not having run like that since I was a teenager

Excellent. Dont worry about the thigh, speedwork on the track does some strange stuff to your body. What pace were the 400s? What was the recovery between reps? One rule of track work: Always finish the session. With 10 x 400s you should start to suffer at number 5. Really suffer at number 7. By number 8 you shoud be in such a jock that you consider feigning injury so as to stop the agony..........but you dont because this is what makes you tough for racing. Number 9 aint so bad because you know you're almost there so you hang on some more. Number 10 is actually ok because you know you've made it through, in fact the last one is always the your fastest rep.

macinalli

RubyK wrote: »

Wed 19/01 pm - track session. 2 laps warm up, 10x400's the last couple nearly killed me, 3 laps cool down. Felt the middle of my right thigh getting a bit tight on the 2nd last lap, but I'm putting it down to not having run like that since I was a teenager

Am no expert but is this warm up a bit short? I run with a group at work and when we use the track we run to the track (about a mile) and then do 4 laps warm up before starting. I would have thought that especially in this cold weather a good warm-up would be important before a track session?

RubyK

tunguska wrote: »

What pace were the 400s?

I don't actually know each one (dead garmin) and I only heard some of the times being called out . We started of easy enough, building up effort, but the last 3 were really tough imo, but I'm a newbie to this, so they would most likely be a warm up for to others. Last one was 1 min 36 secs.

tunguska wrote: »

One rule of track work: Always finish the session. With 10 x 400s you should start to suffer at number 5. Really suffer at number 7. By number 8 you shoud be in such a jock that you consider feigning injury so as to stop the agony..........but you dont because this is what makes you tough for racing. Number 9 aint so bad because you know you're almost there so you hang on some more. Number 10 is actually ok because you know you've made it through, in fact the last one is always the your fastest rep.

Thanks for that, I can't ever see myself enjoying this type of session, but if it makes me stronger and faster, I'll keep at it

RubyK

macinalli wrote: »

Am no expert but is this warm up a bit short? I run with a group at work and when we use the track we run to the track (about a mile) and then do 4 laps warm up before starting. I would have thought that especially in this cold weather a good warm-up would be important before a track session?

I suppose written down it does sound short alright, but we built up the effort over the 10, starting off easy enough. I'm a newbie to this kind of work. Though it still made me want to hurl at one stage

RubyK

Sat 22/01 - Sick stomach for the first 4 miles, and tired sore legs after Wednesdays track session, meant it was a tough enough hilly slog. I wanted to quit as each mile passed, but I had 13 in my head, and that was what had to get done. 13.25 miles in 2.03.33 mins. Decided to try a cold bath for the first time, and even though it was a painful experience, it seemed to do the trick on my legs.

Took a rest day yesterday, due to a late night Saturday night.

35.25 miles - the most miles done in months

RubyK

Mon 24/01 - after getting my race no. in the post for Dungarvan 10 that's on this Sunday, I was looking forward to an easy 6 miles. It was obvious after a mile that wasn't to be the case due to sharp pain in the front mid part of my thigh Slowly jogged back home. A very disappointing 2.3 miles. Iced the thigh and plenty of voltrol gel applied.

Don't know what to do now. Rest for a few days, and chance Dungarvan on Sunday?? Or forget about doing in, and just concentrate on getting this sorted.

RubyK

Thurs 27/01 - a very slow beach run 6.10 miles. Found the soft sand tough going from mile 2-5. Quad niggling away at 1/2 mile, eased off, but appeared again with a 1/2 mile to go . Rang the physio for an appointment.

Fri 28/01 - physio work. Lots of cleaning out of the quad. Sore, but worth it.

Sat 29/01 - on physio's advice, a handy 2.05 miles on the beach. Got the go ahead from him for tomorrows Dungarvan 10. It won't be a pb that's for sure, but I'm looking forward to it all the same.

shazkea

Best of luck tomorrow and I hope the legs hold up well

RubyK

Sun 30/01 - Dungarvan 10

I was pretty nervous about this run, and was just hoping to get over the finish line in one piece! Made my way down to the start line and spotted a boards top, so went over to say hi. It was DigiJem, and we had a quick chat before the gun went off. I had her in my sight for all of a half a mile, she was flying! I found the first couple of miles tougher than they should have felt, and my legs felt quite weak at times. At mile 4, I began to settle into it, and started to enjoy it. Mile 5-8 were ok, but I found mile 9 mile tough enough, but an unexpected shout of support from someone I know gave me a little boost, and I pushed on for the last mile. I started my garmin late and so it only clocked 9.93 miles. Offical time was 84 min 12 secs - 15 seconds slower than last year, but I'm still happy, as I didn't think I'd get near that time. Again, it was a really well organised race, lovely support from locals & stewards, and a decent goody bag. For €15 that was a great day out!

Right quad and hip a little stiff today, but nothing too much to worry about.

Mile 1: 08.16
Mile 2: 08.31
Mile 3: 08.32
Mile 4: 08.37
Mile 5: 08.39
Mile 6: 08.32
Mile 7: 08.26
Mile 8: 08.16
Mile 9: 08.14
Mile 10: 08.02

jcsmum

Well done Ruby, fantastic running. Great time!

claralara

Brilliant running, well done you!

finnegan2010

Fair play to ya!.
I tried running down the park at the weekend. Literally Jogging, within 5 minutes my throat was in bits my face was BLOOD Red and took me 10 mins to recover lol. Wow Ill admit last time i ran for more then 30 seconds was my last PE class in 94 :eek:
Embarressed face

RubyK

Cheers guys, glad to have gotten through it in one piece

Stick with it finnegan, the initial pain is all worth it

shazkea

Good god, if this is you holding back in a race...I'm scared to see you in full throttle!!

Well done

RubyK

shazkea wrote: »

Good god, if this is you holding back in a race...I'm scared to see you in full throttle!!

Well done

Oh God no, sorry I should have said that was pretty much full throttle shaz, it's just that I didn't think going down to Dungarvan that would happen. I thought I'd be doing at least 9 min miles. I had nothing left in the tank in the end

DigiJem

Well done, glad you came through it unscathed. Good to meet you yesterday.

shazkea

RubyK wrote: »

Oh God no, sorry I should have said that was pretty much full throttle shaz, it's just that I didn't think going down to Dungarvan that would happen. I thought I'd be doing at least 9 min miles. I had nothing left in the tank in the end

You're just coming back from injury and did a great time so I think there's def more left in the tank for next races :cool:....

RubyK

Mon 31/01 - a recovery 5.05 miles on the beach after work. Legs were quite stiff all day, but they felt better running than walking. Apart from a bit of stiffness, there seems to be no quad/hip problems to report

Tues 01/02 - rest day. Some core and stretching this evening.

RubyK

Wed 02/02 - Wasn't feeling the love for the first couple of miles mainly due to niggles, and it was a bit of a slog to mile 5, where I found my second wind. 6 miles avg pace 8.45.

Thur 03/02 - Day off from work so headed down the back strand and around the sandhills. Soft sand and headwind from mile 2-4 meant I was barely moving forward 6.1 miles agv pace 9.41 - what a difference a day makes! On the plus side, no niggles!

Thur 03/02 pm - 1 mile run with the dog. She loved the first 1/2 mile, but after that she wasn't looking too impressed. She doesn't like the windy weather ;-)