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The Project

  • 14-10-2011 10:37am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭


    Well folks, the winter is on its way, its getting colder and the days are getting shorter. So I thought that since I've not many races on the horizon (well, maybe two) I'd start concentrating on a winter training phase to help me improve for the next racing season. Heres a link to my old log.

    Its been just over 1 year since my first race and I've made some real progress in terms of fitness, speed and endurance. But that has kind of plateaued recently as I have to really dedicate my time to college work and concentrating on writing a thesis! :eek:

    So my (very general) plan for training in the coming months will consist of 1 hilly run of about 8 miles and 1 interval session and 1 20-30mile cylce per week. On top of this I'm planning on getting a turbo trainer, I was looking at this one, I haven't a clue about TT's, I went for the cheapest option, so if anyone has any recommendations they would be much appreciated! Also, on the TT I will be training by heart rate, so if anyone has found any nice HR training plans lay 'em on me! :D

    So thats about it, its probably too early to be thinking about goals for next year... but as general goals I want to improve on every race that I've done to date, I want to improve my bike fitness/speed/endurance, I definitely want to do more IMRA races next year, and I mite even take a peek at DCM '12 as well :p

    Upcoming races:

    Dirty Dozen
    Powerscourt Ridge


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    I've been doing some exercises in the morning before college for the last few months and I'll continue with this throughout the winter.

    Morning exercise consists of:
    • 150 x Cycling sit-ups
    • 80 x Press-ups
    • 2:30 minutes of core exercises

    And with two very hilly races (Dirty Dozen and Powerscourt Ridge) coming up Ive added:
    • 100 x Squats
    • 40 x Tippy-toes
    ...to my daily routine.

    I havent found that doing these exercises are drastically improving my running... well, before I started doing them I used to get pains in my back when running down-hill. I dont anymore. But I do find that it really helps you to wake up in the morning!! :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: 16 Oct 2011
    Time of day: 15:19
    Pace/type of workout: Hills, hills, hills
    Distance: 13.6m
    Time: 1:53:18

    With the Dirty Dozen coming up next week I decided I needed to get a long hilly run under my belt. So I headed up for my usual run around the hills of Killiney/Dalkey. Its usually a 7m run so I did the hilly part twice to make it a 13m run.

    I kept the pace at around 7m/m on the flats, and my average pace for the whole run was 8:20m/m. It was tough, but manageable. The hills were fine, I think I'm improving on that side of things but I was getting tired hitting the bricks for nearly two hours. Total elevation gain for this run was 1,471 ft

    Pacing will be my biggest problem during the Dirty Dozen. I have to make sure I dont go off too fast at the start and I cant get worried that I'm not in the leading group. I know from adventure races that climbing is my strong point but I'm slow on the down-hills. It will be my longest race to date so I'm not planning on a top10 finish by any means! :p


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: 18 Oct 2011
    Time of day: 13:01
    Pace/type of workout: 1m@7m/m, 1m@6m/m x2
    Distance: 5.18 mi
    Time: 37:06

    Easing down the miles/hard stuff in prep for the Dirty Dozen on Saturday. Started with a half mile jog to the park in deansgrange, then ran1 mile @7m/m (ish, it was into a mighty head wind:eek:), then 1 mile @6m/m and pushing as hard as I could for the last 250m. Did this twice.

    Can. not. wait. for the Dirty Dozen!!!:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011
    Time of day: 19:56
    Pace/type of workout: Av 8:30m/m
    Distance: 3m
    Time: 25:34

    Legs were a bit sore after Tuesdays intervals :( not sure exactly why - maybe I pushed too hard on the sprints or maybe I didnt stretch enough after?
    Anyway, went out for a recovery run on Wed. Kept it nice and slow, i wanted to go a lot faster because it was bloody freezing!!:eek:

    Rest on Thursday and today for Saturdays race. Really dont know how its going to go! Pacing will be very important, if I was running my 1st 12m race on flat ground I would pace it at around 6:45m/m and see what I had left for the last couple miles. But this race is taking in some serious uphills/downhills so trying to run at a specific pace will be pointless!:(

    I suppose I'll take it easy until the little sugar loaf and see how I'm feeling then. Bring on the pain!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011
    Time of day: 9:45
    Pace/type of workout: Mountain Race
    Distance: 11.81 mi
    Time: 1:58:28 (GPS time - 1:50:38)

    I was looking forward to this race for a long time and it was definitely worth the wait!! :D
    The race was supposed to start at 9 but apparently there was a problem at the finish line so we didnt get to start till 9:45

    The first couple of miles were grand. Its a 12mile race so the pace wasnt too fast as you'd expect so I got myself tucked in behind the two lead fella's and shadowed them up bray head. Bray head was steep, a tough climb, everyone around me walked the tough parts, but I reckon its more effective to keep running (slowly and taking tiny steps) I find if I walk and lengthen my stride on hills it takes more out of my legs.... but maybe thats just me...

    At the top of bray head the guy in second dropped off but someone from the chasing pack came up and replaced him (so I'm in third at this point). They built up a bit of a lead over me so I just tried to keep them in my sights rather than catch up with them. After about a mile I caught up with the guy in 2nd on the downhill from bray head and followed him through killruderry to the bottom of the little sugarloaf. I said hello as I was passing him and he told me that the little sugarloaf is the toughest climb in the race.

    The little sugarloaf was fairly steep but not that bad. What was hard though was trying to find the path over the 3 peaks of the little sugarloaf and down to the road :( It was completely unmarked and I had to stop running 2 or 3 times to stop and take a look around. I had no idea if I was on the right trail or not. Having said that, this was one of the most gnarly parts of the race - really felt like it was just me in nature racing nobody :)

    After this there was a road section of about 1 mile to the bottom of the big sugarloaf. This was about 10km in and I'd been running on my own in second position for about 3miles. As I was running down a tight lane two other competitors cut into the lane ahead of me using a farmers gate!!! :mad: I wasnt that annoyed as they were jogging slow enough and I breezed past them. But down the road at the roundabout to Quill lane I found myself behind 6 or 7 other runners who had clearly taken some sort of short cut!!! :mad: Now I was annoyed. Its just so demoralizing after trying so hard for so long to get in to second place and then you find a bunch of people ahead of you who've been taking it easy :(

    I was fairly pissed of at this stage but I didnt say anything as I was passing them (I was dying to ask them how far they had run). I got to a water station at the base of the sugarloaf and asked the marshall how many runners were ahead of me - he said "just one guy, about 4 minutes ahead", so that was grand, at least none of the 'short-cutters' were ahead of me now (By the way the guy that was in first place was an amazing runner, he made the mountains look easy!). So I got slogging up the sugaloaf, I was feeling tired now so I got a gel into me on the way up. Came to a fork in the trail with a flag in the middle of the fork (at the race briefing we were told to keep the flags on our right), so I went left. Big mistake. After about a minute of running the trail just ended and I was clambering over rocks:confused: I said to myself this cant be right, so I whistled to get the marshals (at the summit) attention. When he eventually saw me he started pointing to run back where I had come from! :mad: FFS!! So I got running back to the fork in the trail. When I got there the chasing group had caught up with me because I had lost so much time :mad: That was a tough climb up to the summit. I was tired, pissed off, and being chased down by the pack.

    I made it to the summit still in second position (phew). The descent was a bit dicey... We came down the shale side of the sugaloaf and the wind was blowing a gale:eek: so I slid the whole way down the mountain. After the shale its still quite a fast downhill section and the guy in 3rd was breathing down my neck, I was tired so I slowed down so I could run on his shoulder. Maybe he knew what I was doing because he upped the pace at that point and built up a good 20meter lead. My downhill technique really needs some work - I was getting serious pains in my stomach and back from the impact of my legs hitting the ground:( it didnt last too long thankfully as the trail lead onto a fairly flat road.

    On the road with about 1 mile left to run, I was in third position and I was super tired and not a happy bunny. At the start of the race I would have been delighted to finish in 3rd place, but after holding on to 2nd place for so long 3rd just wasnt good enough. So I decided I give it one more push. The guy in second was about 50meters ahead of me and I didnt know if I could catch him, but I though if I gave it everything and still finished 3rd I could be happy with that. With about half a mile to the finish I was reeling him in and I passed him with about 500meters to go:) There was a sneaky hill about 200m up to the finish line and I struggled to keep a decent pace, I held on though and crossed the finish line in 2nd place!!!!:D

    This was a bloody tough race, it was an emotional rollercoaster (just look at all my 'smileys' above) but I enjoyed it immensely! I am delighted with my 2nd place finish! Its my best ever finishing position and it came in the toughest race I've ever down so I am made up about that! :D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    First run since the dirty dozen today. My legs were quite sore up until today so I wasn't chancing anything! I dont like taking a few days off running but I love that first run after a while:) Everything feels so free and and your movements are so natural for the first mile or so its like your first ever run! Just did 3miles around the park, felt good to be sweating again, felt like I could go for a few more miles but it wouldnt have been a recovery run then. Come to think of it, I dont think you can do a recovery run 4 days after a race???!!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011
    Time of day: 10:26
    Pace/type of workout: Hills
    Distance: 7.65
    Time: 59:58

    Back doing the usual killiney hills route today. Seeing as Powerscourt Ridge is in a couple of weeks I thought I might as well stick to hill running till then.

    Lovely day for it, sun was shining and I had Killiney hill all to myself :) It felt a bit tougher than it usually does though, maybe thats due to a bit of residual tiredness from the dirty dozen?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2011
    Time of day: 13:50
    Pace/type of workout: Hills
    Distance: 7.8m
    Time: 1:02:37

    Had the hangover from hell yesterday so I really didnt want to be out running :( Forced myself to get out the door though because it always makes me feel a bit better. Dunno if its the fact that I'm taking in more oxygen or the increased HR, but something sorts the hangover out :)

    Did the usual Killiney hills route. Took it a lil easier than usual coz I was quite fragile:rolleyes: I began feeling better the further I ran and I surprised myself with being able to bound up the steps on Killiney hill faster than usual :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    I was thinking that the Dirty Dozen was pretty good training for Powerscourt Ridge.

    The Dirty Dozen had 900meters of climb over 12 miles

    Whereas Powerscourt Ridge has 1000meters of climb over 9 miles. But in reality all the climbing in Powerscourt will be done in the first half of the race so there'll be 1000 meters of climb in the first 4.5miles!!!:eek:

    Which also means running 1000 meters of descent toward the finish line :( Downhill running is my real weakness.... but I suppose there's only one way to get better at it, right?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Headed out for a hill repeat session today. Two minutes out the door the heavens opened and I was drenched:mad: It wasnt too bad though, it wasnt cold so I kept on running toward my hills. Got to the hill and ran it once. Because my top was so wet (Forgot to mention I was only wearing a light top and techT) I stopped at the top of the hill to ring it out. I swear about a pint of rain water came out of it:eek: Putting the damp top back on was horrible though so I decided I'd had enough and headed home. Ran nearly 6miles so it wasnt a complete waste of time:rolleyes:

    On my last few runs Ive had a tightness in the muscle in front of my shin. dont know what could be causing it :confused:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011
    Time of day: 11:30
    Pace/type of workout: bike/run/bike brick
    Distance: 8m/8m/8m
    Time: 2:35:18

    I needed to get out on my new bike and I needed to get some hills in before powerscourt, so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and cycle up to ticknock for a run.

    The first cycle was fine, wasnt trying too push hard or anything. It was a lot longer than I remember though:confused: and that hill up to ticknock is never any fun at all...

    Up at ticknock I tried to do the same route as that IMRA mountain rescue race that I did a while ago. Couldnt figure it out at first so I ran up the steep road until I found the trail (the boneshaker?) and made my way up to three rock from there. Did a loop like in the IMRA race (half of the route was very muddy) and ran towards the carpark. Took a nasty spill on the way down :( I've cuts all over me, the knee is the worst though. Thought about heading home after that but I did another loop when the pain went away.

    Forgot to mention that I had my helmet in my bag at the time and when I fell I cracked the helmet!!! :mad: Its not that bad of a crack, but they say you should replace a helmet after any kind of damage. So thats sh*te...

    I'm feeling fairly sore now, partly from the fall, partly from the hills :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011
    Time of day: 11:31
    Pace/type of workout: IMRA Race
    Distance: 9.6m
    Time: 90:26

    Had serious doubts about whether I'd be able to do this race, I did something to my back during the week (I still have no idea what I did) so it was touch and go up until the night before the race. Thankfully nurofen plus is the bomb! My back was still a bit sore before the race but nothing major.

    Start of the race was grand, slow steady climb towards Maulin. Maulin was a very hard climb. There was just no running in places, the pace slowed to a crawl sometimes:eek: Going up Maulin I began to doubt whether I'd be able to finish or not. I pushed those thoughts out of my mind quickly though and kept slogging up and up and up.... The descent was fast and fun and the river crossing was cool too :)

    Going up Djouce wasnt as bad as Maulin (Thank God!) I'd say Djouce is a longer climb but its not as steep as Maulin. There was lots of room on Djouce aswell, on Maulin there was a single-file track. Taking in some of the sights going up Djouce was one of the highlights of the day. The descent off Djouce was incredible! So fast, the terrain was a mix of loose stones and sticky mud so you really had to think 5 steps ahead all the time. Usually on hard descents in races I get this terrible pain in my stomach and back, I was expecting it today, especially since I came into the race with a sore back, but it didnt happen! :D Not sure what I was doing different, maybe the extra downhill practice is helping me.

    The last mile was tough, it was still downhill, but I was spent! Someone overtook me and I got a brief surge of adrenalin and caught back up with him, but that was all I had and he gradually got past and away from me on the final couple of bends.

    I was in some state after this race! But I enjoyed it thoroughly. Having thought about it, I'd say its one of - if not the hardest race I've done to date. It fixed my back though, its not sore in the slightest!:confused:

    Very happy with my 18th place finish!!:D:D Especially since the lads who finished in the top 10 seemed to be some sort of unholy human/mountain goat hybrid:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111



    The last mile was tough, it was still downhill, but I was spent! Someone overtook me and I got a brief surge of adrenalin and caught back up with him, but that was all I had and he gradually got past and away from me on the final couple of bends.

    No way, that was you that I was duking it out in the last 2kms? Excellent! I finished in 17th just ahead of you and was talking to you afterwards.

    I was cursing myself when I passed you, only for you to immediately come back. I thought to myself: "Balls, I went too early and where the **** is the finish line."

    I saved a bit in the tank for the descent so was on a flyer by the time we reached the fireroad. Still wasn’t able to reel in Stark!

    Great run Dogsly.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    nerraw1111 wrote: »
    No way, that was you that I was duking it out in the last 2kms? Excellent! I finished in 17th just ahead of you and was talking to you afterwards.

    Haha brilliant! I should have known you'd be a boardsie!

    Good running man, I thought you and Stark (I assume he was the guy in the Roar top) paced that race very well. I didnt see either of you until the last couple of miles so you must have been gradually increasing the pace throughout. Thats some smart running.

    Best of luck with the turbo training, I'll keep an eye out for ya at my next race!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Got the turbo trainer as an early bday prezzie :D

    Been on it the last 3 days.
    On Monday and Tuesday I did the 40 minute recovery workout in the Tacx manual because my legs were so stiff after Powerscourt Ridge.

    On Wednesday the aul legs had loosened up enough to try my first workout. I did the 60 minute 'Power' workout in the Tacx manual. My Lord some amount of sweat came out of me! :eek: Them one-legged cycling parts are a bitch!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    On Thrusday I did the same TT power workout as above. It felt a bit easier this time but looking at the garmin readout my average and max HR were 20bpm higher than the last time I did it:confused: more sweat this time too! Avg HR: 133 bpm Max HR: 175 bpm

    Saturday: Havent done intervals in ages, been concentrating on hills and improving stamina in the last couple of months. Got down to the track in Killbogget and did 3x1mile @ 6m/m pace. Calfs were very stiff during and after. Avg HR: 160 bpm Max HR: 189 bpm


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2011
    Time of day: 12:00
    Pace/type of workout: Race
    Distance: 5K
    Time: 0:24:00

    Had a few pints on Friday night so I wasnt sure I was going to do this until 10 o'clock on Saturday morning!

    I wasnt expecting to see so many people at this race but I'd say they got about 90-100 runners. It started in the blue light car park, I got away fine and found myself among the lead runners. There was a tight trail for the first K so there was no chance to overtake. 1.5K in I was alone in 4th place about 50m behind the lead bunch and I'd say about 50m ahead of the pack (why does this always happen to me!?). 2K in the trail became steep with plenty of bends so I lost visual contact with the lead group. Then I came to a fork in the trail, there was a direction sign in the middle of the two paths that didnt really tell me which way to go:mad: one trail was flat, while the other trail was a steep climb. I took the steep trail thinking "its a mountain race, it supposed to be steep, not flat". I kept going anyway, thinking I was on the right path. After another 5 minutes of running I still hadnt seen the lead group, I thought maybe they had taken a wrong turn, or maybe I took a wrong turn? Kept running anyway when I was getting close to the finish line I saw there was no one else finished so I thought "bollox" I must have made a wrong turn. It was super embarrassing after the race, everyone was all "congratulations, thats a fast time!". When I caught my breath it dawned on me to check the race distance on my watch - 2.83miles.... bollox....

    Explained everything to the race organisers and they were fine with everything. I explained the situation to the guy who finished after me (the winner), he was pretty easy-going about the whole thing, fair play to him.

    The race organiser was saying that I'll be in the results as finishing 4th, I was happy with that at the time but having had time to think about it, I didnt run 5k so its not fair that I finish 4th. It was a charity race so I'm not expecting official results to appear on the net or anything.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111


    Ha! Fair play owning up. Pity about the wrong turn, might've been a podium there for ya.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Havent been logging recently, I've had problems uploading my stuff onto Garmin Connect so have been trying to get that sorted for the last while. Think I've finally got it fixed though (fingers crossed) Been doing a good bit of turbo training though.

    29th Nov - TT Intervals. 18 mins. Av HR 130 Max 175
    30th Nov - TT Power workout - 48 mins. Av HR 137 Max 180
    03rd Dec - Hill run Killiney - 59:37. 7.8m @ Av 7:40m/m
    04th Dec - TT Pyramid Intervals - 45 mins Av HR 137 Max 169
    06th Dec - TT Power workout - 40 mins Av HR 136 Max 173
    07th Dec - TT Long workout - 1:32:00 Av HR 126 Max 158

    Next Races on the horizon:
    IMRA Ticknock Winter
    Hell and Back (if I have the money)
    Urban Trails - Marlay park

    I'm going to need to be doing more running and less on the turbo for these. Although I surprised myself with how easy I found my recent Killiney run, I thought I'd be well out of running practice but it was fine


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011
    Time of day: 16:12
    Pace/type of workout: shortened hilly route
    Distance: 7m
    Time: 52:30

    I was crazy hungover on Sunday. Could barely muster the energy to lift a up of tea to my face! Somehow I got out the door at around 4 o'clock though.

    With college being so busy I dont have much time to get out running much (I think I've ran 4 times in the last 4 weeks), also its dark and cold so I just jump on the TT rather than lacing up my running shoes. So I was expecting my running to get gradually worse and lose running fitness. Hasnt happened so far! In fact, running seems to be getting easier. On my last couple of runs I've been able to keep a decent pace for nearly an hour and it has felt effortless at times :confused: this doesnt make any sense to me.... surely running more would make running easier, but it seems that running less is doing the job for me!

    Obviously I wouldnt prepare for a race by only running once a week, but I seem to be maintaining my fitness with a mix of TT and running, which is fine for now.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Mon, 12 Dec 2011 TT Intervals (Tacx BRI - 1) 45 mins
    Tried this the day after a hilly run. It was too tough a session should have done a recovery workout instead. Couldnt hold the interval pace for 2 mins so I did 1 min @ pace and then dropped effort but stayed in heavy gear. I'll try this one again when I'm well rested.
    Avg HR: 136 bpm
    Max HR: 174 bpm


    Thu, 15 Dec 2011 Hilly run. 7.8m 1:00:00
    I was out on a "12 pubs of xmas" last night so I was fairly wrecked beginning this run. Its the same run I usually do, up to and around Killiney Hill. Its still a challenge so I'm not getting bored with doing the same route over and over. Had Killiney Hill to myself which is always nice :)
    Avg HR: 168 bpm
    Max HR: 184 bpm


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Fri, 16 Dec 2011 Legs were stiff the day after my last run so did a recovery workout on the TT to loosen em up. Avg HR: 116 bpm Max HR: 163 bpm

    Sun, 18 Dec 2011 TT Intervals BRI 1. Second attempt at this interval session. I faired alot better than the last time I attempted it but its still too hard a session for me to follow exactly. No way I'm able to hold 46kph for 2 mins (Im kinda thinking there could be some typo's in that tacx workout!) so I did 2 mins x 38kph, then 3 x 2mins @ 30kph. Avg HR: 138 bpm Max HR: 174 bpm

    Tue, 20 Dec 2011 Had the time to get out for a run on this day so headed down to the track for some intervals. Did a 10min warm-up followed by 3 x 1mile intervals @ 6m/m. Found the pace handy enough, I wasnt gasping for air by the end of the interval anyway. Did rolling recoveries between intervals. Avg HR: 156 bpm Max HR: 185 bpm

    Wed, 21 Dec 2011 Backs of legs and calfs were stiff after the intervals yesterday (must remember to stretch more before and after) so I jumped on the TT for a recovery session while watching the Utd match. It still surprises me how much sweat I can create! :eek: Avg HR: 111 bpm Max HR: 134 bpm


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Fri, 23 Dec 2011 Last run before xmas so I thought I'd make it count! Cycled up to ticknock to get a look at the course for the IMRA race taking place there at the end of Jan. I've ran in ticknock a couple of times but not on the trails where the race will be taking place. So, armed with my map I got running (well, it wasnt really running, it was more like: jog a bit, stop check map, retrace my steps, jog a bit, check map, repeat). I got lost so many times, the map provided on the IMRA site is decent but ticknock is a maze of trails and some run parralel and close to other trails so I was never 100% sure I was on the right trail. There was plenty of puddles to be ran into and I was fairly soaked after about 20 minutes of running :mad: The further I ran the more unsure I was about the route I was taking and after about 4 miles of running aimlessly I said f*** it and turned around and ran back to the bike. Looking at my gps readout now I was actually on the right track when I threw in the towel :mad: So I'll try and get back up to ticknock in the next week or so and give that another go.
    Distance: 22.59 mi
    Time: 2:56:11
    Cycle 1: 48:24. Distance 8.11m. Run:1:30:23 Distance: 6.74m Cycle 2:37:23 Distance 7.74m

    Tue, 27 Dec 2011 Took the long hill to killiney rather than the two short hills I usually do. Thought it would be tougher but it actually felt a little easier than usual. The mince pies caught up with me after 6 miles and my pace suffered for a bit.
    Distance: 7.21 mi
    Time: 56:01
    Avg HR: 170 bpm
    Max HR: 183 bpm


    Oh, and the gf got me swimming lessons for crimbo so triathlons here I come!!!:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    2011 was my first full year of racing. I'm really happy with how I progressed and looking back I'm actually a bit shocked with some of my performances.

    05/2/11 - Urban trails series: Tymon Park 10K Finished 9th 42:44
    12/3/11 - Urban trails series: Marley 10K Finished 9th 43:20
    03/4/11 - 3Rock Duathlon Ashford Finished 32nd 1:24:26
    16/4/11 - WAR Gledalough Finished 22nd 2:35:39
    28/5/11 - WestWicklowROAR Finished 26th 2:05:21
    18/6/11 - WAR Glenmalure Finished 8th 01:47:44
    01/8/11 - DLR Bay 10K Finished 23rd 38:57
    20/8/11 - Frank Duffy 10m Finished 247th 01:04:47
    30/8/11 - IMRA Mountain Rescue Benefit Race Finished 14th 32:29
    10/9/11 - Achill ROAR Finished 14th 01:30:06
    24/9/11 - WAR Powerscourt Finished 11th 02:10.2
    22/10/11 - Dirt Dozen Adventure Race Finished 2nd 1:50:38
    12/11/11 - Powerscourt Ridge IMRA Finished 18th 1:30:26

    I was really pleased with my running at the start of the year. Getting two 9th place finishes was better than I was expecting. The 3Rock duathlon really opened my eyes to my weaknesses and many aspects of racing. I performed well in WAR Glendo and WWRoar but I made some rookie mistakes that cost me dearly time-wise. WAR Glenmalure was probably the toughest thing I've ever done so I'm especially happy with my 8th place finish. Still not sure how I managed to finish 23rd out of 850 runners in the DLR bay 10k!!?? Frank Duffy was the race where I felt I performed best. It was one of the only races where I had a plan going into it and stuck with throughout. I led my wave for about 95% of Achill Roar which I am very happy with. Raced well and really saw some improvements in WAR Powerscourt. Got my best result of the year by finishing 2nd in the Dirty Dozen. And I finished off a good year with a punishing but enjoyable IMRA race.


    I made lots of mistakes made over the past year so lots to learn from. But some good results and improvements which is a good confidence boost going into 2012.With my performances in the above adventure races I racked up enough points to finish 5th overall in the MSAI Sport standings which I am thrilled with:D


    So what does 2012 have in store for me? To be honest, its hard to see me improving on my 2011 performances for the simple fact that I cant train regularly enough as I'm in my final year in college (I realize this is a contradiction of what I said in post no. 1). So I'm busy until May. I do plan on doing all of the above races again (with some triathlons thrown in for kicks:D) and I will train when I can until my time free's up again in Summer. So until then The Project of doing what I can when I can continues...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Thu, 29 Dec 2011 The usual Killiney Hills run. Took the steps as fast as I could this time. 7.79 mi Time: 59:48
    Avg HR: 167 bpm, Max HR: 186 bpm

    Fri, 30 Dec 2011 Killiney Hills yet again. Took it slower than usual because I did the same run the day before. Took a different route home in attempt to add on a mile but it somehow made it shorter! :confused: 7.56 mi Time: 1:05:43, Avg HR: 152 bpm, Max HR: 176 bpm

    Sun, 1 Jan 2012 First run of the year. Had a pretty tame NYE so I was surprisingly fresh this morning. Someone reminded me on boards about Macmillans best 10k workouts so I had a shot of the 6 X 1 mile at race pace. Jogged down to the track and managed 1 mile @ 6m/m pace before a running club showed up. Did 2 more 1 m @ 6m/m pace before I felt like I was in their way. Decided I'd attempt the intervals on the park walkways instead, but the wind was terrible so I trudged home in bad humor. I was fairly tired after my third interval. Maybe its a sign of my lack of running finally taking a toll. Might try this again next week as I've done enough hills surely?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 456 ✭✭Donelson


    2011 was my first full year of racing. I'm really happy with how I progressed and looking back I'm actually a bit shocked with some of my performances.

    05/2/11 - Urban trails series: Tymon Park 10K Finished 9th 42:44
    12/3/11 - Urban trails series: Marley 10K Finished 9th 43:20
    03/4/11 - 3Rock Duathlon Ashford Finished 32nd 1:24:26
    16/4/11 - WAR Gledalough Finished 22nd 2:35:39
    28/5/11 - WestWicklowROAR Finished 26th 2:05:21
    18/6/11 - WAR Glenmalure Finished 8th 01:47:44
    01/8/11 - DLR Bay 10K Finished 23rd 38:57
    20/8/11 - Frank Duffy 10m Finished 247th 01:04:47
    30/8/11 - IMRA Mountain Rescue Benefit Race Finished 14th 32:29
    10/9/11 - Achill ROAR Finished 14th 01:30:06
    24/9/11 - WAR Powerscourt Finished 11th 02:10.2
    22/10/11 - Dirt Dozen Adventure Race Finished 2nd 1:50:38
    12/11/11 - Powerscourt Ridge IMRA Finished 18th 1:30:26

    I was really pleased with my running at the start of the year. Getting two 9th place finishes was better than I was expecting. The 3Rock duathlon really opened my eyes to my weaknesses and many aspects of racing. I performed well in WAR Glendo and WWRoar but I made some rookie mistakes that cost me dearly time-wise. WAR Glenmalure was probably the toughest thing I've ever done so I'm especially happy with my 8th place finish. Still not sure how I managed to finish 23rd out of 850 runners in the DLR bay 10k!!?? Frank Duffy was the race where I felt I performed best. It was one of the only races where I had a plan going into it and stuck with throughout. I led my wave for about 95% of Achill Roar which I am very happy with. Raced well and really saw some improvements in WAR Powerscourt. Got my best result of the year by finishing 2nd in the Dirty Dozen. And I finished off a good year with a punishing but enjoyable IMRA race.


    I made lots of mistakes made over the past year so lots to learn from. But some good results and improvements which is a good confidence boost going into 2012.With my performances in the above adventure races I racked up enough points to finish 5th overall in the MSAI Sport standings which I am thrilled with:D


    So what does 2012 have in store for me? To be honest, its hard to see me improving on my 2011 performances for the simple fact that I cant train regularly enough as I'm in my final year in college (I realize this is a contradiction of what I said in post no. 1). So I'm busy until May. I do plan on doing all of the above races again (with some triathlons thrown in for kicks:D) and I will train when I can until my time free's up again in Summer. So until then The Project of doing what I can when I can continues...

    you have some seriously good results there, (you make me sick :( ), keep up the good work in 2012.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111


    Some great results from 2011. Excellent year you line them up like that. Best of luck in 2012. I'd you be surprised at how much you an improve with decent training. I rarely ran more than 3 times a week last year. The IMRA races are savage training for the big races


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Mon, 2 Jan 2012 TT Tacx Power workout. Time: 1:00:18 This is always a decent workout. Its still a challenge to keep the cadence at 80rpm (+3) towards the end. Avg HR: 133 bpm Max HR: 169 bpm

    Wed, 4 Jan 2012 TT Tempo workout. Time: 1:45:10. Sorta similar to a LSR I suppose... Started with a 10 min warm up, followed by 35 min in HR Z3. Then 10 min easy. Then 40 min in HR Z3. 5 min warm down. Good workout, got boring after a while though. Looking at the HR on Garmin connect, it says the highest HR zone I got into was Z2!!!:confused: Something is going wrong there:confused: I know what zone 2 feels like and I have not got the patience to sit on a bike for over an hour in zone 2!! Avg HR: 129 bpm
    Max HR: 148 bpm

    Fri, 6 Jan 2012 Made up my own TT session. Time: 55:05 started with a 5 min warm up. 10 min in HR Z3. 12 minutes isolated leg drills. 10 hills (+3) 1 min standing, 1 min sitting. 10 min warm down. Avg HR: 131 bpm
    Max HR: 167 bpm

    Sun, 8 Jan 2012 Ticknock brick session. Distance: 23.17 mi Time: 2:41:52 Finally got back up to ticknock today to finish my recce of the IMRA course. My bike is sick though... the cranks are jammed and wont move freely so when I'm cycling it feels like I constantly have the brakes pulled:( So my legs were like jelly starting the ticknock run. I was more sure of the path this time but I still had to stop quite a few times and check the map which really slowed me down and messed up my momentum. Got VERY lost about 1 mile from the end, had to stop and ask someone for directions, they were no help unfortunately so it was a matter of retracing my steps and going inside the map... Found my way eventually and made it back to my bike in one piece. Think I have 99% of the route sorted now just not sure about the very end/finish area. Its a great route for a race, really looking forward to it now. Might try and run it once more before the race though :) Cycle home was grand, its pretty much all downhill which is what ya want to clear out the legs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    The college workload is getting on top of me so I dont have time to go searching through TT workouts for something new/interesting, so I've just been doing stuff I already know this week.

    Wed, 11 Jan 2012 TT session. 50:00. 5 min war up. 10 min in HR Z3. 12 minutes isolated leg drills. 10 hills (+3) 1 min standing, 1 min sitting. 10 min warm down.Avg HR: 134 bpm Max HR: 163 bpm

    Thu, 12 Jan 2012 Same as above. :) Avg HR: 132 bpm Max HR: 167 bpm

    Sat, 14 Jan 2012 Distance: 7.83 mi Time: 1:00:43
    I'm not drinking much these days so I was up early enough so got out for an early run. Decided to push the pace on this run a bit and aimed for 6m/m on the flats. Things got competitive on the hills as I saw three runners ahead of me so I huffed and I puffed until they were behind me ;) Probably pushed too much as the aul legs were quite stiff after this. The view from Killiney hill still impresses me :) Avg HR: 173 bpm Max HR: 191 bpm

    Sun, 15 Jan 2012 Distance: 7.81 mi Time: 59:25
    Feeling stiff from yesterdays fast run so I got out the door for a leg loosener at a leisurely pace. Same route but took it handy on the hills and didnt get caught up with racing people who have no idea they are being chased! :rolleyes:
    Got up the top of killiney hill just as the sun was going down over the Dublin mountains, some sight. Got home and was surprised to see that this 'leisurely run' was faster than yesterdays 'fast' run :confused::confused::confused: Avg HR: 166 bpm Max HR: 183 bpm

    This weeks running: 15.6 mi
    This years running: 28.3 mi


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Wed, 18 Jan 2012 Was really tired before this run, but I figured I better start getting the miles in running-wise, rather than more TT sessions before ticknock. This run was surprisingly good fun considering how tired I was and given that its just two big laps of an estate. Kept up an ok pace too with I was happy enough with. Distance: 5.52 mi Time: 37:52 Avg HR: 165 bpm
    Max HR: 180 bpm

    Thu, 19 Jan 2012 Again, I was tired for this run as well so just did 1 lap of the same course as the day before. Because it was shorter I pushed the pace a little more than usual. Distance: 2.83 mi Time: 18:22

    Sun, 22 Jan 2012 Ticknock brick session. Horrible cycle up to ticknock, its never enjoyable as its a gradual climb all the way there but I had the added bonus of a heavy wind blowing straight at me for the majority! :mad: The run was good, it feels a LOT longer than 10k though. Was able to run the whole way without stopping to check the map. My run time was poor though, 57 minutes probably wont get me a top 30 place on race day :(. Didn't help that I rolled my ankle early in the run and its pretty swollen and sore now. I'll see how it is feeling during the week, don't want to go over on it again and miss a few weeks running. Knackered after. I hope this kind of session will stand to me when WAR rolls around! Distance: 23.05 mi Time: 2:37:59 Avg HR: 148 bpm Max HR: 181 bpm

    This weeks running: 14.6 mi
    This years running: 42.9 mi


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Really looking forward to getting back racing on the weekends:D If my ankle heals the way it has been I should be ok for ticknock. I haven't enjoyed the break from races but it has given me a bit of time to think more about my racing last year and how I approached racing.

    In a lot of the 10ks I did last year I started out at too fast a pace and was struggling by the 2 mile mark and gasping for air until the finish. Similarly, in AR's I'd go hell-for-leather on the run section as I'm not as strong on the bike - but I'd end up with no energy on the bike because I went so hard on the run...

    I got some OK results in 10ks and AR's but I think a more conservative approach to racing will pay dividends in time and enjoyment of the race itself. So, starting with the IMRA 10k on Saturday I'm going to take it easy for the first few hilly miles and build my pace toward the finish. I'm going to try and not worry about being passed or what position I am in, I'm just going to concentrate on my pace and my race. Will it work? I'll have to wait and see but I think I'll definitely enjoy the race a lot more as a result.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Tue, 24 Jan 2012 TT 50 minutes. 5min warmup, 10 min in HR3, 5min easy, 12min isolated legs, 5min easy, 1 min standing/sitting @ +3. HR readout is still not accurate I had to work damn hard to get into HRZ3 and its usually easy enough to get up to HRZ3. Avg HR: 134 bpm Max HR: 162 bpm

    Wed, 25 Jan 2012 5.3m 38:49. This was one those great runs that come around once every few months :) Everything was easy and I naturally kept a good pace with minimal effort. The tunes helped a bunch too.

    Sat, 28 Jan 2012 IMRA Ticknock winter. Distance: 5.91 mi Time: 48:03. Great race today! The reg was a bit of a shambles, I got there at 10:20 and was one of the last people to be allowed to register :confused: Anyway, it started well. I followed my new plan of taking it easy in the early miles. The route change was good and made the course more of a challenge I felt. Running through all those puddles made me fell 10 years old again! The few recce's I did definitley helped me today, I knew where to push and where to take it easy. I was VERY close to taking a few falls today but I somehow managed to stay vertical:D With about 1.5 miles to go I got out infront of a group of lads, I'm never comfortable being chased as I get caught quickly, so I purposely slowed and shadowed one guy to the end. Put in a bit of a push with 100m to go, but I couldnt catch him.

    Dunno where I finished, I'd say top 20, I'll update when the results are released. Nice cycle home too for a warm down.

    UPDATE: Finished 13th, happy with that!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111


    Great result at the weekend. Impressive. Looks like you've been busy over the winter.

    I've marked you on myimra ;) as well as GohardorGohome

    I hear you about not going out too fast at the start.

    Can be difficult not to get swept up in the fast starts. Depends on the course too. Its definitely worth it to go out hard at Howth and hang on.

    I overheard another runner giving advice at Howth. He said that you should try to hold on to some runners on the uphills, let them drag you up and once on the flat, your legs will recover. Easier said then done of course.

    You doing Annagh hill?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Ah cheers!

    Busy? I've been busy on the TT, but not getting as much running done as I'd like! But I think the TT has helped me with my climbing. How is your turbo training going? I'm finding the novelty has definitely worn off!!
    nerraw1111 wrote: »
    I've marked you on myimra ;) as well as GohardorGohome
    Sorry mate I've no idea what that means!!!:o

    Dont think I'll be doing Annagh. I'm kinda 50/50 about trooperstown. Might do trooperstown or the Altidore 10k, not sure which one yet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111


    On myimra on the IMRA website, you can 'mark' particular runners. Their results are then highlighted. Handy tool.

    The novelty of the turbo does wears off pretty quickly. A horrible device. I'm on it around once a week but need to use it more.

    Trooperstown is a really nice route. Nice terrain and a great descent home. A bit of muddy trail


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    nerraw1111 wrote: »
    On myimra on the IMRA website, you can 'mark' particular runners. Their results are then highlighted. Handy tool.

    Oh right, I'm not set up on myimra, apparently I need a to member who is already set up to recommend me.... hint hint :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Havent been logging recently as my garmin has been acting up. So I have a back-log of activities to sh*te on about:D

    Sun, 29 Jan 2012 TT Recovery. Time: 45:04 Avg HR: 109 bpm
    Max HR: 131 bpm

    Tue, 31 Jan 2012 TT Tempo. Time: 40:03. 5min warm up, 30 min in HRZ3, 5 min warm down. Avg HR: 130 bpm Max HR: 150 bpm

    Wed, 1 Feb 2012 Track Intervals. Distance: 7.92 mi Time: 1:04:44 Jogged down to the track as a warm up. Then did 4 x 1mile at 6min/mile, with active recovery in between. Jog home was the warm down.
    Avg HR: 152 bpm Max HR: 181 bpm

    Sat, 4 Feb 2012 Altidore race recce. Distance: 7.56 mi Time: 1:49:05 Decided to do this race with a few friends so I headed down to the rifle range to check it out. Got a bit lost at the start so didnt have time to do the whole route. Some good views though and I'm looking forward to it. Feel bad for the organisers, they put a link to the race on the IMRA page on facebook, the lads on IMRA have been ripping the piss out of the race because its not up to their 'standards'.... Some people are getting big heads because they ran up a hill once....

    Sun, 5 Feb 2012 TT Intervals. Time: 46:27. 10 min warm up, 2 min @ 20mph(IIRC) x 6, 10 min warm down. Avg HR: 134 bpm Max HR: 172 bpm

    Tue, 7 Feb 2012 TT sesh. Time: 47:13. 5 min warm up, 10 min in HRZ3 @ +1, 12 mins of isolated leg drills @ +1, 1min standing/sitting @ +3, 5 min warm down. Avg HR: 144 bpm Max HR: 168 bpm

    Wed, 8 Feb 2012 Tempo run. Distance: 5.55 mi Time: 39:07. Jogged down to the field and did 1 mile at 6m/m, 1 mile @ 7m/m, 1 mile @ 6m/m, followed by a warm down.

    This years running: 75.3 mi


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    My grrrmin (get it?:rolleyes:) is on the blink again so I havent been able to upload my runs. This week is a race week and prep hasnt gone as I would have liked. Did my usual longish run on Saturday with the view to doing some intervals on Sunday but my legs were stiff so I took a rest day. A rest day was needed on the monday to as something just didnt feel right in my thigh. Cant remember what happened on Tuesday but didnt do anything then either. Legs were finally better on wednesday so I got out for 5.5miles around the park. Did two miles intervals at 6m/m pace. This was one of those weird runs where I was huffing and puffing when I was jogging but I found the intervals fine :confused:
    Just did a short leg-loosener on thursday of about 2.5 miles with a couple of strides thrown in.

    Ideally my race week (for a saturday 10k) would be 5-6 miles at a handy pace on a tuesday and a short mixed interval session on thursday, but it didnt happen this week so I'll have to make do. Looking forward to the race tomorrow. The plan is to take it handy in the early miles and push from mile 3 onward.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Sat, 18, Feb 2012
    Time of day: 10:30
    Pace/type of workout: Trail Race
    Distance: 6.2mi
    Time: 40:30 (GPS)

    Yikes that was tough going:eek:.... Really good race today in Kilpeddar. Absolutely beautiful location for a race. Some of the views were stunning.

    Before the race I was thinking to myself I could do quite well today. Did a recce a couple of weeks before hand to check out the long climb involved, and knowing the rest was pretty much downhill (and I assumed easy) I was confident of a decent time today.

    Things got off to a very fast start. First mile was about 5:30 before we came to the climb. I was in about eight position heading up the hill. The hill is about 1 mile long, not very steep but its a slog of a climb. I tried not to push too hard and just kept it steady. After the climb there was a long downhill of about 2 miles. The pace was furious as I leaned into the downhill and probably went a bit faster than I should have. Caught two runners on the down hill and got into 6th position. About 4 miles into the race I was shattered. Shattered and isolated in the race. There was one amphibian king guy about 100m ahead of me but he was strethching his lead, and I had two lads about 50m behind me and I could feel them bearing down on me. As I said, I was shattered, even running downhill was a struggle and I was getting cramp and had a slight feeling that I needed to be sick. I slogged on slowly as all the while the two runners behind me ate up the ground between us. With about a mile to go they caught me. One overtook me but didnt push on hard enough and I was able to sit on his shoulder for half a mile. Coming up to the last 500m I decided to push the pace one last time and try and overtake this guy infront of me. So, I accelerated, and was shocked at the pace I managed to hit and maintain:) I breezed past the bloke infront of me. As I was passing him he shouted "now thats the spirit - go on!". Which gave me a great boost sprinting towards the finish line. Crossed in 40:30 by my garmin, and finished in 6th place! Just waiting on official results. Legs were very shaky after and my knees were sore. Should have worn my road runners and got a bit more downhill training done. 10 mins on the TT after seems like a good warm down that I'll try from now on.

    So a good race and a decent position to finish in. I'm still learning lots from every race though, I'm really not a strong enough runner to be pushing mad paces halfway through a race. I have to stop isolating myself in races too. Its not good for me confidence-wise or pace-wise.

    Great to be racing though!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 201 ✭✭Raighne


    Date: Sat, 18, Feb 2012
    Time of day: 10:30
    Pace/type of workout: Trail Race
    Distance: 6.2mi
    Time: 40:30 (GPS)

    Yikes that was tough going:eek:.... Really good race today in Kilpeddar. Absolutely beautiful location for a race. Some of the views were stunning.

    Before the race I was thinking to myself I could do quite well today. Did a recce a couple of weeks before hand to check out the long climb involved, and knowing the rest was pretty much downhill (and I assumed easy) I was confident of a decent time today.

    Things got off to a very fast start. First mile was about 5:30 before we came to the climb. I was in about eight position heading up the hill. The hill is about 1 mile long, not very steep but its a slog of a climb. I tried not to push too hard and just kept it steady. After the climb there was a long downhill of about 2 miles. The pace was furious as I leaned into the downhill and probably went a bit faster than I should have. Caught two runners on the down hill and got into 6th position. About 4 miles into the race I was shattered. Shattered and isolated in the race. There was one amphibian king guy about 100m ahead of me but he was strethching his lead, and I had two lads about 50m behind me and I could feel them bearing down on me. As I said, I was shattered, even running downhill was a struggle and I was getting cramp and had a slight feeling that I needed to be sick. I slogged on slowly as all the while the two runners behind me ate up the ground between us. With about a mile to go they caught me. One overtook me but didnt push on hard enough and I was able to sit on his shoulder for half a mile. Coming up to the last 500m I decided to push the pace one last time and try and overtake this guy infront of me. So, I accelerated, and was shocked at the pace I managed to hit and maintain:) I breezed past the bloke infront of me. As I was passing him he shouted "now thats the spirit - go on!". Which gave me a great boost sprinting towards the finish line. Crossed in 40:30 by my garmin, and finished in 6th place! Just waiting on official results. Legs were very shaky after and my knees were sore. Should have worn my road runners and got a bit more downhill training done. 10 mins on the TT after seems like a good warm down that I'll try from now on.

    So a good race and a decent position to finish in. I'm still learning lots from every race though, I'm really not a strong enough runner to be pushing mad paces halfway through a race. I have to stop isolating myself in races too. Its not good for me confidence-wise or pace-wise.

    Great to be racing though!

    Great report, and glad to hear you were happy with your result. I was the runner you passed again on the last bit. Being able to shift gears quickly into an uphill sprint is a great skill to have. The old "adage" that "when you pass, pass with conviction", certainly held true :)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Thanks mate. I was happy with the result when i thought i finished 6th, got the result there and im listed as 5th! Delighted! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Sun, 19th Feb, 2012 Legs took a beating at the race on Saturday. Really stiff and sore all day Sunday so got out for a recovery run. Legs felt a lot fresher during the run but after a shower and a stretch I could feel the stiffness creeping back in so I got a rolling pin (so many uses:D) to the aul legs and I think it really helped! Tried it again (the rolling pin) on Monday morning and my legs were feeling a lot better by Tuesday.

    Tue, 21st Feb, 2012 TT Intervals. nerraw1111 was good enough to send me some TT intervals. So I tried workout #19 as he suggested that was the place to start. Good hard session. Almost felt like throwing in the towel a few times on some of the longer intervals. It was tough going but thats why I like interval training - you can feel yourself improving with every session. It was my first time on the bike in a while, my arse completely forgot what it was like to sit on a bike for an hour:eek: Must invest in a pair of them nappy-jocks you see all the tri lads wearing...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Thur, 23rd Feb, 2012 TT Intervals. Session #20. Alot easier than Tuesdays session. Tuesdays session was based around short hard intervals whereas thursdays was longer but not-as-hard intervals.

    Date: Sat, 25, Feb 2012
    Time of day: 11:00
    Pace/type of workout: Urban Trails Marlay Park
    Distance: 5m
    Time: 31:37

    Didnt do the best race prep this week. No running since sunday and only did two TT interval sessions. Its hard to predict a time in a trail race with all the uppy-downy bits but I had hopes of finishing around 31 mins and as close to 30 as I could.

    Things got off to a quick start, quicker than I'm able for and found myself purposely slowing down inside the first mile. Got latched in behind a guy from mile 2. He was such an effortless runner, made it look so easy. I was talking to him after the race, turns out he finished a couple of places after me in the Altidore 10k. Followed him for a good bit but he got away from me in the last mile. Crossed the line in 31:37 which I was happy with and 8th place which is an improvement on last year!

    Pace was all over the place today. Started far too fast and was running a 7m/m at one point and couldnt go any faster. Really just need to pick a pace and stick with it - it would make things a lot easier. Also no running during the week didnt help. My legs were very stiff after but the aul rolling pin trick seems to be doing the job!

    Dunno if I'll race next week, IMRA Maulin is next Saturday. I'd like to do it but 3 weeks of racing on the trot might be stretching it a bit and I need to get out at the weekend for a long cycle.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Sun, 26 Feb 2012 26m - Time: 1:41:41
    First proper cycle in ages today. Wasnt arsed taking my bike off the TT and changing the tyre so I hopped on the girlfriends bike for this spin. Might cycle down to Maulin on Saturday if I'm doing that race so I took the chance today to try out the cycle route.

    The route was grand, no major climbs, and a fair amount of down hill. The cycle back was tougher though. And at 13 miles both ways it will be good prep for WAR.
    IMG171.jpg?w=e2366e29
    Great to be out cycling again. Didnt know I missed it so much, especially the hills. Also felt like I was able to keep a good pace so it seems the TT intervals are paying off.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Tue, 28 Feb 2012 TT Intervals #21. Time: 1:00:11 Avg HR: 137 bpm
    Max HR: 171 bpm

    More intervals. This session started off fine and about 25mins in I was thinking it was a bit too easy and then I noticed that I had the TT resistance set to '0', quickly reset it to '+1' and it felt like a proper session for the last half hour.

    Wed, 29 Feb 2012 I've been worried that my lack of running is resulting in harder races and longer recovery times, also as I'm not running as much I'm not stretching as much (dont stretch before/after TT sesh) so I'm less flexible. So, I hit the bricks on wednesday. Just did 5.5m around the park. Tried to keep it around 7m/m. Legs were stiffer than I wanted them to be after.
    Distance:5.55 mi Time: 39:23 Avg HR: 158 bpm Max HR: 181 bpm

    Thu, 1 Mar 2012 TT Intervals #22. Time 1:00:00 Avg HR: 145 bpm Max HR: 173 bpm.

    Looking at the plan for this workout got me scared. It starts off w/5min warm up and then into a 9 min tough interval :eek: Thankfully it wasnt as bad as I thought, it was tough, but I did it. I think the run from the night before caught up with me about half way through this session as I had to downshift a gear for a 10 minute interval towards the end. Kept it at '+1' throughout. I know they're not 'real' miles but did 17.5miles for the hour.

    IMRA race on the weekend. I'm going to use this race as prep for WAR and cycle to and from the race. The distances involved are almost perfect prep - 20k cycle, 7.5k hill run, 20k cycle. The hardest part will be pacing myself during the race as everybody else will be going 'all out' so it will be hard to resist the temptation to race them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Date: Sat, 3, Mar 2012
    Time of day: 9:30
    Pace/type of workout: Bike/IMRA Race (Maulin)/Bike
    Distance: 13m/5m/13m
    Time: 2:37:23

    Cycle 1: Gave myself an hour to cycle to 13m to Crone wood. Took it nice and easy until I got to Enniskerry when I figured out that I had to cycle the remaining 5 miles in less than 20 minutes! And the last 5 miles was full of uphill, which is not what ya want before a mountain race :( Made it to the race anyway and got registered. Started to do a bit of a warm-up jog before the race but it felt more like a warm-down as my legs were quite tired and stiff from the cycle. Did a few stretches and strides before I made myself to the start line. Time: 58:45

    Race: The plan was to run at my own pace and not get caught up in racing the other runners as I was going to push myself on the cycle home. So, for me the run got off to a slow start. I was in the first 30 over the first K. There was an awful climb after that. It was so steep, no-one was running it and for some parts I was on my hands and knee's climbing this hill:eek: Could feel my calf's getting stiffer and I was sure I was going to cramp. Lost some time and 3 places on that climb. Things evened out for a bit after that before a more gentle climb to the top of Maulin. Took back the 3 places I lost on the previous climb and on the descent I caught up with two lads ahead of me. Stunning views from the top of Maulin, I'd say the marshalls at the top enjoyed it. I thought it was all downhill to the finish, and my legs finally woke up, so I pushed the pace for a while and passed a couple more runners. But there was another hill, not as bad as the first one, but it slowed everybody to a walk. Some steep and slippery downhill after this. It was very fast and I never really felt in control. Fell on my ass once and managed to badly bruise both of my big toe's. Started to recognise some of the route here so I assumed that I was nearing the finish. Was I? Nope! Wrong again! More hills! This last climb wasnt as bad as the others and I got into a rhythm of walking for 10 seconds and running for 10 seconds to the top. There was a 1k stretch of fire road to the finish. There was a guy about 50yds ahead of the whole time, I considered sprinting the finish but I thought I better leave something for the cycle home. Finished in 15th place which I probably would have been happy enough with had I been 'racing'. Time: 48:30

    Cycle 2: Had a bit of a rest after the run. Had a banana and some water before I got back on the bike. Didnt push too hard at the start as I wanted to let my legs get back into the cycling rhythm before I hit the long hill to Enniskerry. No signs of cramp really, but the aul gluteus maximus was feeling the strain ;) Felt like I kept a good pace and got involved in some commuter racing (I won! haha). Got home in one piece, tired but not completely shattered. And I did it in a similar time to last week, which I think is good because I was fresh cycling home last week. Time: 50:06

    So, all-in-all I felt this was a great session and great prep for the longer races. Legs are quite stiff now and my toe's are pretty badly bruised so some rest is in order. I've done 3 races in the last 3 weeks, so I'll take a week off before my next race.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111


    "Not racing..."

    Yeah heard that before. ;)

    Good stuff at the weekend. Nice brick session. You doing the war sport?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    My legs were in rag order after Saturdays long session. I've never had them be so stiff after a race :eek: and the toenails on my big toes are completely bruised. The GF wants me to go to the doctor about it, but I will not go to a doctor about a bruise!! ;) Anyway, back to the log....

    Mon, 5 Mar 2012 TT Recovery. Time: 45:09. Avg HR: 110 bpm
    Max HR: 134 bpm
    As I said, the legs were in a bad state so I a did a recovery session on the TT to try and loosen em up. Really should have done this on Sunday after the race rather than resting.

    Wed, 7 Mar 2012 TT Intervals #23 Time: 45:15. Avg HR: 137 bpm
    Max HR: 171 bpm
    The legs were still a little stiff and sore to touch on wednesday but I attempted a proper TT session. Kept the resistance at '0' to ease myself back into it. I gave it a good go but I just didnt have the power in my legs to finish to entire set so I threw in the towel 3/4 of the way through.

    Fri, 9 Mar 2012 TT Intervals #23 Time: 1:00:12. Avg HR: 150 bpm
    Max HR: 186 bpm
    Second attempt at #23. I was feeling almost back to normal by Friday but kept the resistance at '0' again. Bloody tough session. Finished it though, but it was a struggle.

    Sat, 10 Mar 2012 Killiney hill run. Distance: 7.76 mi Time: 59:17 Avg HR: 182 bpm Max HR: 243 bpm :confused:
    Ehhh dunno whats going on with my HR readings!!! :eek:
    Was feeling fresh on Saturday morning so I did my usual run just to get some miles on the legs. I'm going to have to fit more running into my week, even if its just 2-3 miles per session, because I'm really feeling like I'm losing running fitness. This was a good run though. i must have been excited to be out running again because I found it very hard to slow down to 7m/m pace on the flats.

    Sun, 11 Mar 2012 30m cylce. Time: 2:14:57. Avg HR: 136 bpm
    Max HR: 167 bpm
    Got the girlfriends bike out and headed out for a spin this morning. Lovely day for it - you'd swear it was summer! Went up to have a look at the course for the Hellfire Duathlon that I might enter. The course looks interesting. Some very fast dowhill and some long drags for climbs. Only managed one lap of the course. The plan was to do two but the last couple of tough session caught up with me so I headed home rather than over-doing it.

    So, the week got off to a poor start but was salvaged with some decent sessions towards the end of the week, so I'm happy enough with it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    nerraw1111 wrote: »
    "Not racing..."

    Yeah heard that before. ;)

    Good stuff at the weekend. Nice brick session. You doing the war sport?

    Sorry man, only seeing this now! Yep I'm signed up for the sport. Looking forward to it, Glendalough was one of my favourite races last year.

    Thought you'd be signing up for the expert considering all the long sessions you've been doing?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    Mon, 12 Mar 2012 2.8m run. Time: 21:09
    Need to get more miles on the legs during the week. With that in mind I got out the door on Monday night for a short jog. Kept it around 7m/m pace so nice and easy. Avg HR: 156 bpm Max HR: 181 bpm

    Tue, 13 Mar 2012 TT Intervals #24. Time: 1:00:17.
    Tough session. Kept the resistance at '+1' but I didnt think I'd be able to hold it for the whole hour. The intervals get incrementally harder as the session goes on. And finishes with two 6 min long intervals. I was dreading them as I was coming up to them but they were actually ok because the workout called for a 5-10-15-20-25-30 second sprint every minute, and then you do the sprints in reverse. Having the sprint interval within an interval made it easier to cope with mentally somehow. Avg HR: 148 bpm Max HR: 178 bpm

    Wed, 14 Mar 2012 Run. Distance: 3.38 mi Time: 24:03.
    Slightly longer than the last run but kept it at the same easy enough pace.
    Avg HR: 153 bpm Max HR: 165 bpm

    Thu, 15 Mar 2012 TT Intervals #25. Time: 57:27
    Another toughie. This one ends with an 11 minute interval. Really wasnt looking forward to it but I added a 5 second sprint into each of the 11 minutes. This somehow made it easier as it only felt like I was doing 1 minute intervals rather than an 11 minute interval. Harder physically, but easier mentally. Avg HR: 140 bpm Max HR: 171 bpm


    I'm doing the Hunters Trail 10k on Sunday. It'll be interesting to see what kind of a turn out they get seeing as its the day after Paddy's Day. I did the 5k of this last year and finished 2nd. Dont think I'll get near that on the weekend but I'll give it a whack.


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