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The Road Less Traveled: IM 2012
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My legs hurt like buggery.
3.40.31 for the curious. Details later. I'm goin home to get drunk.
Awesome! You're such a sly fox delusive obscurant. Nice to meet you briefly at the hotel this morning, it appears all roads lead to the Mespil. Thought you looked really good sufficiently prepared. Well done on 3:400 -
I was your girlfriend for one fleeting momentKurt Godel wrote: »
Awesome! You're such a sly fox delusive obscurant. Nice to meet you briefly at the hotel this morning, it appears all roads lead to the Mespil. Thought you looked really good sufficiently prepared. Well done on 3:40 If I'm a sly fox then I'm a surprised and pleased sly fox. I had a good day. It all went right. 0 -
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I was tired earlierelvis jones wrote: »
Hi, I'm Elvis !
Well done !! I hope after all your doubting that today made you smile ! Yes I'm smiling. Semi conscious but smiling. 0 -
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If youve been following this log, you'll know I've been a depressed, moany cow for quite a while now. This was not some attempt at sandbagging, I really have been a depressed, moany cow. I think it was a delayed comedown from the peak earlier in the year.
But I'd entered DCM and I tend to do the things I commit to, so I reluctantly and nervously lined up at the start. I honestly didn't know how it would go, my training has been patchy at best, and I've been fading, effort wise. All I did know was my plan A of 3.30 was off the cards, everything else was in the lap of the gods.
Met some really hawt boardsies (the lovely Kurt, Red and jb) before the start which boosted my spirits and calmed my nerves, but I eventually dragged myself away from Red b and jb and the 3.30 pacers in case I would get sucked along with them at race start, which I knew would be a mistake.
Just before the gun went, as the clothing fireworks were flying, I realised I was going to have fun, this was a bit of craic. I ran the first miles by feel, with one eye on my pace just in case. I was running 8s to 8.25s which felt like a happy pace, with a little push behind it. Of course I had to take a loo break at three miles but that took a weight off my mind and didn't lose me much time anyway.
I enjoyed the first half of the race. I took in the sights, laughed at the lunatics supporting us, like the 118 guys dancing on pillars, and an elephant in a pink tutu. Took a gel at 45 mins and randomly after that. The plan seemed to be there was no plan, except keep the pace steady, and make sure I was relaxed. I dedicated a mile each to people in my life, which gave me something to focus on, and made me smile. I had fun, even though I did feel like I was working, too.
By the halfway point my legs were beginning to feel the strain, and I did wonder if I had gone off too hard. But on the other side of it, I had it half done. A friend had given me a pep talk beforehand, saying that the last ten miles are always hard, so just suck it up. I kept that in mind. From before halfway, people were beginning to struggle and walk, which in a funny way, is a boost, cos you think, 'at least I'm not feeling that bad'.
I held my pace through the ups and downs of the next few miles, now and again dropping back and having to dig in and increase pace again. It was taking more mental effort to do that. I didn't hit a wall, it was more like things were just getting heavier, and harder to pull along. But I remember thinking that I had done harder things than this, and pushed through worse fatigue, this wasn't too bad. Quite pleasant, really, all things considered. It wasn't raining, food and drink were laid on, and the spectators were wonderful.
Heartbreak hill didnt break my heart, I think they need to rename it 'One Night Stand Bump'. It was harmless. Then on downhill to a more familiar stretch down the N11 and onto Nutley lane. This bit had me chugging along, passing a good few, but having to work hard to do it. Still watching the clock, still holding that precious pace to that magic 8-to-8.25 window.
On the straight back past the RDS I was checking the distance on my watch every two seconds, which must mean I wanted it finished.:) This was getting tough, but I only had 3 miles to go. They turned out to be the longest, most painful miles I've ran in a long time. But enjoyable, in a warped way, because I was nearly done, and it had gone well. If I held it together I had the time I had hoped for (though not the one I had wished for!)
The last mile or two of DCM is agonising. It goes down lots of streets and every time you turn a corner you expect to see the finish, but its never there! But the crowds were fantastic, still calling my name now and again. (the name on the bib trick is a great one). I was still holding the same pace, but rather than the steady happy jog at mile one, it felt like I was sprinting full belt. With gritted teeth and a demon stare. Bet any photos are pretty.
Finally, finally, finally, I got to the last stretch with the green carpet. My legs were screaming at me, and I swear when I crossed the line I didnt have another 50 feet of running in me. I was done.
As mentioned, 3.40.31. And still, even with a 19 minute pb, I wished I had gone 3.39. Never happy. But in all honesty, I was lucky to get what I did, and I am pleased. Buckled and unable to walk properly today, but pleased as punch.
NOW I GET TO REST. MWAHAHAHAHAHA.0 -
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Went to the club swim last night and it certainly brought me back down to earth. We were doing a session on breaststroke. Which I've never learned. I was so terrible that the coaches resorted to being kind to me. You know it's bad when the coaches are nice. My seven year old kid can do the kick better. We did a kick drill upright in the deep end. I sank to the bottom. A reminder, if I ever needed one, that I have a long way to go! 0
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Went to the club swim last night and it certainly brought me back down to earth. We were doing a session on breaststroke. Which I've never learned. I was so terrible that the coaches resorted to being kind to me. You know it's bad when the coaches are nice. My seven year old kid can do the kick better. We did a kick drill upright in the deep end. I sank to the bottom. A reminder, if I ever needed one, that I have a long way to go!
Don't start all that again, you are our wonderwoman 0 -
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