26 point two

alitoast

Ok, first time to post a training log. I've been running intermittently for 2 years and completed the Kinvara Rock n' Road half marathon last year in 1h 42m. Loved it and immediately targeted a marathon but due to work committments and general laziness failed to get to the line last year. additionally i played football up until last year which meant i could never fully commit to running. Football is finished now (wrong side of 30 for a couple of years now!) I am setting the target, this year i have to get a marathon in.

i've been inspired by reading the many logs on boards and I'm hoping i can get some inspiration from some fellow boards members.

I have bought the Hal Higdon Novice Marathon app for my phone and plan to use it as my training plan (my training program doesnt start until Jan 30th on it). I am also signed up to the Kinvara Rock n Road again on March 3rd.

Training to date loads of small 4 - 5 mile runs during the week (ranging from 7:30 - 8:00 pace) and i've done two long ones over the last two weekends (11 miles at 9:39 pace this week and 8 miles last saturday at 10:00 pace). I plan to keep training with longish runs at the weekends upto the Kinvara Half and then i will use the Hal Higdon plan from March to June upto the marathon on June 3rd.

My half is 1h 42 from last year, therefore i would love to get a marathon in under 4 hours, 3h 45 if training goes to plan.

So.... let the madness begin.

RayCun

cool, good luck with the log and the training.

One piece of advice - you're running too fast on your training runs. Most of your runs, not just your long run, should be slower than your planned marathon pace, 9 minute miles or slower. Plus a recent race time in here and it will give you a pace for easy runs - most of your runs should be easy.

Nules10

Welcome to the madhouse very best of luck with the log and training

Younganne

Good luck with the log & the running...plenty of great advice, encouragement & friendship to be got on Boards:D

Dory Dory

Best of luck! I will be reading your progress with interest as you and I have similar half times and similar first-time marathon goals (you are, however, slightly faster than me). New territory for the both of us!!

alitoast

Wow, thanks for the words of encouragement and advice already. I alwasy thought i was going to fast in my smaller runs so will look to slow down on these (thanks Raycun). I'll slow it down this evening (partly due to an attempt at the 12 pubs after my 11 miler.....my body is still in shock, not the wisest thing to do)

insinkerator

Good luck with it!

What marathon are you training for?

alitoast

Hi, I'm hoping to do cork but not sure yet, off to Poland the week after as a little present for myself (if I do it!!)

Just 2.2 miles tonight, bit windy out there, thought tonight was tougher than the 11 at the weekend, probably something to do with the 11 pubs of Christmas, didn't make the 12th unless you can count the local chipper on the way home. Took rays advice, slowed it to 8:34 min/miles tonight.

insinkerator wrote: »

Good luck with it!

What marathon are you training for?

insinkerator

Cool! I might see you at the start line so Training for Cork Marathon myself.

alitoast

Hopefully, it's a long way away yet. Just 5 aside soccer tonight for an hour (I consider this my crosstraining, I don't know if it's wise or not but I enjoy the soccer once a week so plan to keep it going as long as I can). Might pack it in closer to the events I plan to run

Been feeling a niggle below my right calf since Saturday, hoping it's nothing but it is causing discomfort, I'll rest up tomorrow and go for a short one again Thursday. Might rest up the weekend if its still at me.

It's amazing how your muscles pick up injuries when running long distances, I never experienced anything like it while playing football. Just slight niggles here and there, perhaps I'm jumping up the mileage too quick?

alitoast

Ok, this is not the start i was looking for. Calf still giving me a bit of trouble, decided to leave it last night. Going to change my long run from Saturday to Sunday for 2 reasons 1) office night out tonight and 2) give my leg a breather.

I hope this doesnt become a thread of excuses :rolleyes:

Back out on Sunday!

alitoast

OK, I’m back. Setting up this training log is the best thing I did. Yesterday, my motivation levels weren’t the highest and getting off my a$s and out into the cold wasn’t high on my things to do list. In truth, I just knew I couldn’t let my boards log fail after one week so on with the runners and out I went. Keeping a Training Log might just keep me going.

Went out about 4pm with Newstalk on my iphone, expecting to listen into the Man City v Arsenal match but unfortunately ‘due to internet broadcasting restrictions’ I was unable to listen in and just listened to some old recorded interviews instead (if anyone knows how I can listen to live games on the net let me know!).

Double whammy when I realised my iphone wasn’t charged fully so I lost power after about 5 ½ miles meaning I wasn’t sure how far it was before I got home, I was on a new route down by the River Dodder so I had no idea how far I was going after an hour’s running. Anyway, mapped it out on mapmyrun.com when I went home and I reckon I did about 10 ½ miles in a pace of about 9:33. Probably too fast again?

Going slow is a challenge for me, as a footballer I’m used to training until my hands are on my knees and my lungs are gulping for air (Sprinting, jogging etc etc). The long slow runs are totally different, no aerobic challenge at all and I just troddle along. Should I be getting an aerobic workout during the week at all, during a small run?

Going to be tough getting out for the couple of days up to Christmas, I need to get some short ones in as I’ve done 11 miles, 2 miles, (5 aside) and 10.5 miles. Not sure if it’s the wisest regime but time is precious and I find it difficult to get the time out as planned during the weekdays!!

No pain in the right calf today so fingers crossed that’s gone.

Younganne

Well done on getting out yesterday and i suppose thats the whole idea of the logs...motivation to get you going when your head is telling you no!!!

In this log DCM Withdrawals - 5 mile challenge there is a weekly plan posted by Ecoli who is an experienced runner for us Novices and we follow it. Some of us have done the marathon and this is to keep us going afterwards and help us to maintain the fitness we have build up over the marathon training. not everyone has done the marathon but it nice to have a plan to follow.
this weeks plan is:

Mon| Tue| Wed| Thur| Fri | Sat| Sun
Rest| 5m| 30minwith hard intervals*| 5m| rest| 45mins| Goal Mile
Intervals 1 min on 3 min off

Goal mile - 1 Mile warm up/cooldown

come along and join us on the log!!

alitoast

Thanks Younganne, i'll have to join you guys on that thread. Definitely worth logging a training log, its definitely keeping me motivated to get out there.

Yesterday should have been a rest day after Sundays 10 1/2 miler but my wife (also a runner.........can i call myself a runner now?) has been sick for 2 weeks and has been dying to get out and about again so a nice slow 3 1/2 milers at 10:30 pace yesterday. Good to see her out again as the flu can knock the stuffing out of you, we walked a little but a nice evening all the same for it.

Soccer tonight and then a rest day tomorrow, hopefully one last run on Thursday before the festive weekend begins :)

alitoast

Sweet lord, last one before xmas last night and my hardest run all year. Felt like stopping several times along the way. Not sure what was wrong with me, 10.5m Sunday, 3.5m Monday, Soccer Tuesday, rest and then hell for 6 miles last night.

Legs felt like lead weights from the get go, not sure what was up with me but at the same time it was nice to keep going and get it done (mind over matter and all that!!). 6 miles at 8:39 pace.

Way too many layers which didnt help, it was like a september evening it was so mild. Thats it for the chrimbo now, happy xmas everyone and heres to a marathon in 2012!!.

alitoast

Back in Dublin after a couple of days home and without running over the chrimbo period. My wife joined me to tonight so 4miles at a handy 9:15 pace. Great to be back out after all the food and drink from the last couple of days. More of the same tomorrow hopefully .

alitoast

Back from my Holidays so now i can begin training in earnest for this Half marathon and Marathon attempt. I brought my running gear with me on hols but was not expecting to get out in all honesty. I was visiting my brother in Dubai and honestly didnt think it would be a place where i could get some running in. Luckily i found a great spot where i could getting some running in, and the sun shined!!! havent had that for a while. I was killed with Hay Fever which really meant i struggled with the first run but thankfully it cleared up for the second run.

With the heat it was important to get out as early as possible so i got a 4 mile run (Tuesday) in (8:30 pace) and a 5 mile run (Thursday) in (~7:50 pace) during last week. I use mapmyrun.com app on my iphone but because of roaming charges i didnt map my run (i am not a gadget whizkid so perhaps there is an easy way to do it (map it out on the website?) but i just timed myself and checked the distance on the map.

Anyway, back to it tonight in the cold of South Dublin, hoping to pick up the training from now on. i downloaded the halhigdon marathon app and by putting in the race date for Cork, it says i should begin my marathon training at the end of the month. In the meantime i will begin picking up the miles again over the next two weeks to get back in the grove (and to shed the excess pounds gained over chrimbo and the last 10 days).

Took a few pics to share for the runs abroad. Also met a guy training for the Dubai marathon, told me he did his training on the Palm Jameirah, 20 miles to run across all the fronds on the palm. I told him my River Dodder run is far more scenic, cant be beaten ;). A pretty flat course for a marathon, but an early start to avoid the heat. (Maybe next year )

alitoast

4 miles tonight at 9:30 pace, worried that I'm going to slow now so gonna pick it up a bit later in the week, just realised its 6 weeks to kinvara so gota pick up the speed (and miles).

Anyone know a six week training plan for a half?

Younganne

heres a 12 week plan from Hal Higdon...just slot in wherever suits you


Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
12-Dec 13-Dec 14-Dec 15-Dec 16-Dec 17-Dec 18-Dec
1 Stretch & 3 m run 5 x 400 5-K pace 3 m run + Rest 3 m run 5 m run
Strengthen strength
19-Dec 20-Dec 21-Dec 22-Dec 23-Dec 24-Dec 25-Dec
2 Stretch & 3 m run 30 min tempo 3 m run + Rest 3 m pace 6 m run
Strengthen strength
26-Dec 27-Dec 28-Dec 29-Dec 30-Dec 31-Dec 01-Jan
3 Stretch & 3.5 m run 6 x 400 5-K pace 3 m run + Rest Rest 5-K Race
Strengthen strength
02-Jan 03-Jan 04-Jan 05-Jan 06-Jan 07-Jan 08-Jan
4 Stretch & 3.5 m run 35 min tempo 3 m run + Rest 3 m run 7 m run
Strengthen strength
09-Jan 10-Jan 11-Jan 12-Jan 13-Jan 14-Jan 15-Jan
5 Stretch & 4 m run 7 x 400 5-K pace 3 m run + Rest 3 m pace 8 m run
Strengthen strength
16-Jan 17-Jan 18-Jan 19-Jan 20-Jan 21-Jan 22-Jan
6 Stretch & 4 m run 40 min tempo 3 m run + Rest or easy run Rest 10-K Race
Strengthen strength
23-Jan 24-Jan 25-Jan 26-Jan 27-Jan 28-Jan 29-Jan
7 Stretch & 4.5 m run 8 x 400 5-K pace 3 m run + Rest 4 m pace 9 m run
Strengthen strength
30-Jan 31-Jan 01-Feb 02-Feb 03-Feb 04-Feb 05-Feb
8 Stretch & 4.5 m run 40 min tempo 3 m run + Rest 5 m pace 10 m run
Strengthen strength
06-Feb 07-Feb 08-Feb 09-Feb 10-Feb 11-Feb 12-Feb
9 Stretch & 5 m run 9 x 400 5-K pace 3 m run + Rest or easy run Rest 15-K Race
Strengthen strength
13-Feb 14-Feb 15-Feb 16-Feb 17-Feb 18-Feb 19-Feb
10 Stretch & 5 m run 45 min tempo 3 m run + Rest 5 m pace 11 m run
Strengthen strength
20-Feb 21-Feb 22-Feb 23-Feb 24-Feb 25-Feb 26-Feb
11 Stretch & 5 m run 10 x 400 5-K pace 3 m run + Rest 3 m pace 12 m run
Strengthen strength
27-Feb 28-Feb 29-Feb 01-Mar 02-Mar 03-Mar 04-Mar
12 Stretch & 4 m run 30 min tempo 2 m run Rest Rest Half Marathon
Strengthen

Younganne

here is the link if you want to check out his other half marathon plans
http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51130/Half-Marathon-Training-Guide

alitoast

Thanks Younganne, where does the time go, cant believe its in 6.5 weeks, given me the heeby jeebies now.

Football last night, good hours running in it, night off tonight so back into it tomorrow. I really thought i'd break my 1hr 42 mins with a bit more prep this year but my prep hasnt gone as planned. Interesting 6 weeks ahead to see what i can get under my belt before the run.

alitoast

6.1 miles today. Wanted to push myself tonight as I haven't run at race pace in a while. Only managed 8:00 bang on which is way off my target for my half goals but I'm putting it down to wind.......... (external environment as opposed to internal - which can be quiet uncomfortable:eek::eek:)

alitoast

Had to do my run last night as I'm tied up all weekend so knew I wouldn't get out otherwise. 8miles at 9:29 pace. After my 6miles the night before I thought my legs were going to fall off me.

Home to watch a brilliant Connacht win in the rugby. Go on the eagles!!!!

belcarra

Connacht abú!!
Pity it took so long to get the monkey off our back though!

alitoast

Too long but the IRFU do them no favours. Deffo room for anconnacht team, you only havð to look at the schools cups in the province to realise there is an appetite for the game there. Hopefully they'll be back next year

alitoast

OK, bit late with my entry here. 10 miles on the button last Thursday night, 9:04 mins/mile. Really struggling with the long distances this year. I was hoping to better my 1:42 for a half marathon but really worried about my prep for Kinvara on the 3rd. Maybe i'm a year older or just not doing enough but i'll plough on regardless.

No running this weekend, my brothers stag was on so was busy with alcohol in take this weekend (surely not helping!!), still a great weekend though so i cant be complaining.

1 month to Kinvara, though i have 2 weddings to attend which will hamper preparations further. Bring it on, who knows i could pull it out of the fire and it could set me right up for Cork in June.

alitoast

Out tonight to rid the body of the excesses of the weekend, for some reason my app didn't log the distance but I ran for 46mins. (will map it tomorrow on my laptop). My wife came with me for about half the way so the pace was nice and easy. I did a second lap of our route and must admit felt amazing after it ......I suspect it was the warm up jog......however it may have been the weekend Guinness :p......here's hoping.

Don't know whAt it was but every man woman and his dog seemed to be out jogging around tonight!

alitoast

A bit late posting again but a good week up until today. Was planning my LSR for this morning but pulled a muscle in my back as I got out of bed (how silly!!). So will try and get out tomorrow instead.

Weeks running, Monday logged in previous post, ran three miles to footy on tuesday, played footy and.....got a lift home, couldn't walk after it. 4miles then on Wednesday and rested up on Thursday. Work function last night so for the moment it's a heat patch on my back and out again after an Irish victory tomorrow afternoon. (plenty of neurofen plus too!)

C'mon Ireland!!

alitoast

Good long run yesterday to get over the disappointment of the rugby. I saw somewhere that Wales were 2/1 for the match, bet of the century, i dont think Ireland were necessarily that bad. This Wales team is a serious 15, arguably the best in the world?

Maybe a little premature with that but what a team they have(and so young!)

Anyway, back to the running, a nice handy 11.84 miles, my pace was 9:46 which i am happy with, i got lost once or twice as i tried to find a new route around south dublin. Had to turn back at one stage and check my google maps. (Anyone saw a lunatic in shorts looking lost last night in Terenure it was me)

Happy enough with that to finish off the week

alitoast

Just 2 runs this week, 3 miles to and from soccer on Thursday. Took it easy at the footie as not looking to get injured (gone a bit soft in the 50 50 tackles!!)

8 miles tonight, was intending on running 12miles but was about to turn right at a traffi light when my stomach rumbled and I was caught a little short 'get home quick' I thought so turned left for home.

Second time this happened to me, is this a common phenomenon? Hope it doesn't happen race day!!!!

Wedding tomorrow so hoping to get out for a slow long run on Sunday.

alitoast

Just the five miles today, i haven't done any speed or hill training at all so I tried to do that today, found a hill in a park close to where I live and did three laps meaning I hit the hill 3 times. Once I recovered from the climb I stuck on the afterburners for about 200metres on each lap to push the lungs a bit today. I don't have a clue if I'm doing the right thing but I felt good after it. 5 miles in total. A bit worried about the speed in my legs, aerobically I feel fine with all the long slow runs but just worried my feet aren't as fast as years previous!!

I'll start taking the training a bit more serious after the half marathon. At the moment I don't think I've done enough sipped training so will be supra see if I better last years time for the half marathon. One more wedding next weekend and then it's clear the diary until race time.

insinkerator

alitoast wrote: »

Just 2 runs this week, 3 miles to and from soccer on Thursday. Took it easy at the footie as not looking to get injured (gone a bit soft in the 50 50 tackles!!)

8 miles tonight, was intending on running 12miles but was about to turn right at a traffi light when my stomach rumbled and I was caught a little short 'get home quick' I thought so turned left for home.

Second time this happened to me, is this a common phenomenon? Hope it doesn't happen race day!!!!

Wedding tomorrow so hoping to get out for a slow long run on Sunday.

I've heard that Kegel excercises help with that. It's happened to me a couple of times, and from what I have gathered, it can be quite common.

alitoast

insinkerator wrote: »

I've heard that Kegel excercises help with that. It's happened to me a couple of times, and from what I have gathered, it can be quite common.

Wowser, checked out Kegel exercises on Wikipedia, reading the 'Benefits to Men' Section we should all be doing it..... Must include a session a week from now on......:)

alitoast

Ok so decided to push it tonight, 4:07 miles in 7:36 pace. Hadn't pushed it in a while and wanted to see how I'd get on. Plugged it into the mc Millan calculator and it calculated a half marathon of 1:46:54. 5 mins slower than last year.


Damn thing must be broken......:cool::cool:


A lot of work to do in half a month!

alitoast

7:07 miles yesterday before I set off to the second weeding in a week, lovely morning for a run, amazing how quiet the roads and parks are during the week. 8:27 pace which surprised me as I though I was a lot slower.

Another great wedding (I think I got a cross training session in on the dance floor.....'moves like jagger' )


Trying to motivate myself to get out for a short one this evening but feeling very snug on the couuch at the moment!!

alitoast

Ok, got up for a quick three miles, I thought I had my mapmyrun app on to time the run but I had turned it off when I set off by accident.

Long one tomorrow, will try and get the full 13 miles in so I can start tapering from next week.

alitoast

What a cracking morning in Dublin, decided on trying to get a full half in today at a handy pace, ended up doing 14.3 miles at 8:41 pace. I probably went too far but just happy to get a good distance.

Lovely cold bath afterwards to sooth the legs too. Good mileage this week, probably risking injury a little bit by going up so much but I'll keep an eye on that when training for the marathon later in the year.

alitoast

OK first time to post all week, into the last week before the half now so looking forward to next weekend.

After sundays 14 miler, i took Monday off and ran to soccer on Tuesday night, then proceeded to play like a donkey on the football pitch for an hour, legs were wasted so i stood in goal for most of it. Did 4 miles at 8:13 pace on Wednesday and 4.34 miles at 8:24 pace on Thursday. Took two days off and did 11.58 miles today at 9:27. Legs feel tired now but hopefully ok for next weekend with a couple of small ones during the week.

Still worried i havent done enough speed work (and also still going to fast on my longer runs). Probably havent varied it enough but still going to target 1h 40m for next weekend.

Fingers crossed

alitoast

Ok, tempo 3 miles tonight at 7:33 pace. Decided to sign up for the Meath half instead of the rock n road, easier logistics for me. Pushed it a little tonight so plan to finish up the training for Sunday with a light jog tomorrow and a quick 2miler on Thursday.

Hope this is proper prep? If I'm doing anything wrong please shout now!

alitoast

4 miles lat night at 8;55 pace. Tempted to do a short one before the half marathon on Sunday. All the plans say to rest up for the two days before hand but surely a 2 mile tempo run won't do any harm. Keen to run a fast time on Sunday......big match starts at 3

alitoast

Ok, no run to report, have not run since Wednesday in prep for the half marathon tomorrow. Really looking forward to it, my only concern is the wind, hate running in wind and it looks like it could be a windy day tomorrow (and cold......so very very cold!)

alitoast

Meath Spring Half Marathon
1 hr 42m 24seconds

A new PB by all of about 25 seconds. A great event and well done to Bohermeen club for the organisation, would recommend it to friends (if they ever get off the couch:)).

Anyway, a little disappointed with my result overall, i'm running a lot more this year and thought with the extra miles in the legs i could break 1hr 40. ABout halfway i was still on track but i faded badly at about 8 and 9 miles where i just wanted the finish line. Recovered a little after the water stop but felt i could have done a lot better. Felt a lot more lethargic this year with no kick at the end or anything.

365 days (exactly after my first half marathon) and i am at the same level as i was last year. I'm looking for reasons and if any expert knows then please let me. Personnally, i thinks its one of three reasons:

1) i went off too fast, 7:15 for the first two miles and i found my times dropped considerably for the second lap.
2) I think i need to do some more speed work as i havent been pushing myself aerobically
3) I need more sleep and less stags and weddings two/three weeks before a run (unless i become a pioneer which aint happening)

Anyway, all roads lead to Cork (although halfway through this i qas questioning whether i can do it). Might see if i can get another half in in April. Gotta break 1hr 40:rolleyes:

shazkea

Well done on the PB, sub 1:40 is on the cards for you, no worries. Cork won't be loops so no temptation to head to the car park half way round

Nules10

well done on the PB alitoast. You will be back on track for cork in no time.

alitoast

Cheers Nules/Shazkea,
Still stiff as a rake, jumped into the car after the half on Sunday to get out of the hailstones (Note to self: Stretch........no matter what the weather conditions...you gotta stretch).

Back to it tomorrow

Nules10

alitoast wrote: »

Cheers Nules/Shazkea,
Still stiff as a rake, jumped into the car after the half on Sunday to get out of the hailstones (Note to self: Stretch........no matter what the weather conditions...you gotta stretch).

Back to it tomorrow

I hate stretching. I didn't need to stretch as i wasn't going fast enough Hop into a hot bath mite just ease the muscles a bit

alitoast

Legs were very stiff for a couple of days after last Sunday and I really questioned whether I could or should persevere with tackling the '26 point two'. Real lack of motivation meant I didn't get out until last night for 10 miles in 1:30 mins. 9 minute miles bang on, felt excellent after it but I know I really need to step up the training now, this coupled with the news that my wife is expecting our first child means I have an interesting couple of months ahead:D:D


Gotta get the marathon done now, it might be 18 years before I get another opportunity.

alitoast

Lovely to get home and the sun still shining. Really fell the energy boost when its still bright and your out running. Went for a quick 4 mile jog last night, 8:36 pace. Felt great and really feel I want to push on now and complete the Marathon in June. Played soccer tonight and went over on my left ankle a little, i have a desperately weak left ankle (physio previously told me i'll need a walking stick when older, the thing is in bits). feels a bit weak and sore after my long runs but nothing to stop me yet.

Looking at the 10mile in Carughwell on Sunday, i'm down west so may make a trip to Craughwell and sign up and do it as a LSR for the weekend.

Would love to get another half in before Cork.

alitoast

OK, i think the craughwell 10 mile is out, ankle isnt right and worried too much pressure on it during a race isnt good. Will plan an LSR and see how i get on (no shame in turning back for home when out on my own).

alitoast

3.9 miles last night. 8:22 pace. Gotta get out at some stage at the weekend but looking forward to a few drinks for the match tomorrow. Come on ireland!!!!

alitoast

Ok, a while since I posted But a good weeks running (for me anyway!!). Started on bank holiday Monday with 12.23 miles at 8:20 pace (probably too fast).

4:59 miles last night at 7:50 pace and I tried a bit of fartlek training tonight (total 4:88 miles). Not sure how long the faster runs we're but it was about 2miles warm up and then approximately 300metres fast and 200metres slow four times. (if this isn't fartlek let me know!?!?)

Felt good after all the runs this week, plan another short run tomorrow and then my LSR on Saturday morning.

Loving it at the moment, hopefully this keeps up until June bank holiday in cork