A Blind Man beat me... must improve.

Steroo

So it's a new year & going on advice here I've decided to start a log.
The title suggests I'm a lousy runner but I've improved in 2012... not to say a blind man can't run fast... but this was an old guy & an embarrasment to be beaten by him in my first marathon in 2006! Fair play to him though.

Until 2006 I'd no history of running or Sport at all. I had a note for years to avoid PE in school. I was never on a football team etc.
But I did cycle a lot as many of us did before we got our first car!

In Dec 2005 I went to Australia for a year. It was Winter so I'd put on a few Lbs. On arrival in Sydney I partied for weeks so I put on a few more lbs. Oz culture was very outdoors oriented so I decided I'd use the opportunity to try get fit. I started jogging & really enjoyed it, pushed it out to a few miles & thought I was an Olympic condender!

A few months later I was now in Brisbane working & saw an ad for the Gold Coast Marathon... signed up & did 6 weeks training, just a jog after work every 2nd day for about 5 miles. Once I doubled the route & did 10 miles. So on the big Day I burned out at about 15 miles & had a lot of walking to do.. about a mile from the finish a blind man passed me at a very slow pace.. there was nothing I could do, I had turned to stone! so I finished in 5:18 & said never again.

So in 2012 I'd put on a few lbs again! My friend had a very sick child. While on holidays in Lanzarote I watched the Ironman Competition in complete Awe!! This was something I'd never heard of & couldn't get over the fact that some had set out at 7am & finished at midnight. So I said if they can do that we can do a Marathon to raise funds for the Children's hospital. I just had to convince my friend to join me & sure enough we signed up for Dublin City Marathon. We found Hal's Novice programme & somehow found Boards too... such a great help.

I enjoyed the training so much this time. I picked up so many niggles & injuries that it created doubt in my mind.. but we pushed on with some help from Boards advice & Physio's. I ran my first 10K (00:54:36) & half marathon (01:52:00). Eventually I finished DCM in 04:16:00 (was aiming for 03:59).

Since then I've kept running about 20 miles per week, did another 10K (00:47:18) & adapted my form to reduce injury. I'm re-reading 'ChiRunning' now & moving on to 'Advanced Marathoning' for my goal race for 2013 Cork Marathon.

The shorter distances are less important to me.. I just want a sub 4 marathon. And maybe then I'll want more. I've a 2 year old & my wife works full time & studies p/t at night so fitting in training can be hard some weeks. I work an office job 9-5 so the running is great for me to get out. I would definitely say I LOVE running.
I bought a 2nd Hand Garmin 305 before Christmas & I love it, I'm sure I can use it to improve too.

So the Goals this year are to get faster over all distances.. but mainly marathon. To run 1000 Miles. To avoid Injury. Maybe to join a running club (Raheny or Portmarnock). To understand the Sports Science of running better. To enjoy every bit of it.

I'm told the Log is a great motivator. Some of the others are great to read! I'm not sure mine will be that interesting but I'll try my best. My Marathon Plan starts at the end of January. I've signed up for HellandBack on 27th to start the year's events!

tang1

Best of luck with the log Stephen.

career_move

tang1 wrote: »

Best of luck with the log Stephen.

+1

Sorry to laugh at your misfortune in the GCM but that was hilarious

blockic

Good luck Stephen with the log.

StephenRooney wrote:

The shorter distances are less important to me.. I just want a sub 4 marathon. And maybe then I'll want more.

WHEN you get that sub 4, trust me, you'll want more!:)

Alicano

Best of luck with everything. Just on one point. I've had about three training sessions with Raheny and would highly recommened them. There is quite a few of us new to the club just sussing it out etc. Wide variety and standard of runner in the long distance gang. I'll keep an eye out for ya!:)

RunningKing

Best of luck here, your in good company!

Steroo

Alicano wrote: »

Best of luck with everything. Just on one point. I've had about three training sessions with Raheny and would highly recommened them. There is quite a few of us new to the club just sussing it out etc. Wide variety and standard of runner in the long distance gang. I'll keep an eye out for ya!:)

Thanks alicano ill certainly try it out soon and give u a shout

upthe19th

Best of luck with it all stephen....see you in cork:)

Steroo

upthe19th wrote: »

Best of luck with it all stephen....see you in cork:)

Thanks, and we defo arrange something for cork with the boards crew involved!

Steroo

7.5m done at 8:55 avg pace. Still working on form, but got a bit of pace in for a mile or two up to 7:00 pace. Lovely mild night for it!

Steroo

Got out this eve for 6.5m at avg 9:48 pace. Taking it handy while I can, cork training starts soon! Won't get out again til sat as the missus has exams. Struggled to feel comfortable and get this chirunning form going! But I've put that book down until I get more info from p&d. Just looking at the marathon plan has me tired! But ill try it and play it by ear

Steroo

Been a week since I ran due to various distractions. 10.5m done at 9;40 avg pace this eve, was wet and cold but warmed up nicely in no time!. Was interesting using the HR monitor for first time. I put in a few strides. Still focussing on form a lot. Have started to read advanced marathoning again in prep for my p&d55 plan for cork marathon. Recovery run in the am planned (never did recovery runs before).

Steroo

Up a 6 am for a recovery 3.7m. First early run ever! Was so dark and quiet it felt so strange. But was mild thankfully. Really enjoyed it and ill have to get used to it now to get the mileage up as evenings are tricky half the time. Saw a few others at the same thing which was good. Enjoyed my breakfast and shower all the more! Ate 3 dinners today ha ha

Steroo

Sick baby last night meant sleepy daddy and this mornings run postponed. Eventually got out at 2pm and I has zero motivation (after a fry). Decided to head over to Howth in prep for my hellandback race next weekend. So I ran up the Sutton side and at the summit I took the trails down (muck and puddles!), I ran the pier too which was exhilarating and home. It turned out to be a great run and what I needed! I was starving the last 2 miles.
Ended up 12.2m at avg 10:08 pace and avg HR 164. HR hit 185 up the last hill, so I'm guessing my max is over 190.

Steroo

Wed 23rd Jan:
11.05Miles at Avg pace 9:37 Avg HR 163.
This was a tough run, lower back was aching all day & forgot to hydrate properly.
Frist time in months without my Compression socks & Just didn't feel comfortable overall. Pace was up & Down.
Tried to do 4 Miles at 8:00 but HR shot up to 174-180 and I was worried this was too high for what was by no means a quick pace really. Maybe it just means I'm not as fit as I think? Or my HR calculations are off.
Does anyone have a Max HR over 190? that is what I calculated mine to be.

Steroo

Did hell&back10k adventure race today in 1:58. Tough and cold conditions!! Great experience overall

feargale

So a blind man beat you in a race. I wouldn't worry about it unless it was Formula 1.

Steroo

feargale wrote: »

So a blind man beat you in a race. I wouldn't worry about it unless it was Formula 1.

I'm over it now! He had an escort. Rematch anytime!

Steroo

So last night I did a 10.5m run home from work, with a bit of a chest on me! so I took it v handy Avg Pace: 10.21, Avg HR: 146. As a result I enjoyed this a bit more than usual, it's not a great route I have to take.

Cork Marathon Training starts this week (P&D 55), but I'm not going to get the mileage done:p. We have students in the house with us until Monday & I've to be home a bit more in evenings. Also I need this Chest to clear up.

I signed up for Wexford Half Marathon today.. 21 April. Good timing for Cork Prep. It always feels good to have a short term goal so I'm going to sing up for a 10K in early March - Garristown maybe.

Summary for Jan:

• Mileage YTD: 67/1000.

• No sign of Old injuries since I improved form to midfoot strike.

• Bit of discomfort in Right knee and a little 'click' noise on stairs! Physio soon.

• Hell&Back was an experience but I won't ever do it again when it's 4 degrees

• I am running with No music & I find my attention to form etc is better, but I do miss the music on the longer runs so I'll bring it back for them maybe

• Enjoying having a Garmin. At the same time I think all the Reading & 'Science' has made me a bit obsessive & I might need to relax about it all & enjoy the run for what it is. I like slow & I'll be happy with a Sub 4... won't make much odds this year to me if it's 3:40 or 3:59... but tomorrow I'll be all competitive again!

RedRunner

Hey Stephen , just wondering if you have done anything more on joining club. I've been out with Raheny twice before Christmas then got injured but have spoken to a good few members now and will definitely be joining up officially in next couple of weeks once I recover fully from injury. Your goals are very similar to mine.

Steroo

RedRunner wrote: »

Hey Stephen , just wondering if you have done anything more on joining club. I've been out with Raheny twice before Christmas then got injured but have spoken to a good few members now and will definitely be joining up officially in next couple of weeks once I recover fully from injury. Your goals are very similar to mine.

Did nothing to date but planning on going on Tuesday to Suss it out! Shame you are injured, I was going to get in touch cos I remembered your last post. But we can hook up when you are back in action!

Steroo

12.5m today at avg 9:28 pace.
Mile 9 was done at 7;48.
Really enjoyed it today!

RedRunner

StephenRooney wrote: »

Did nothing to date but planning on going on Tuesday to Suss it out! Shame you are injured, I was going to get in touch cos I remembered your last post. But we can hook up when you are back in action!

Yes, defo. Will probably use next week just to ge the legs back working again and then go down the following week.
If you are going down on Tuesday night, just note that there is a Winter league race on Wednesday night so a lot people might be saving themselves for that and not going down on tuesday. There will be a few there I'm sure but probably just not as many as usual I'd say.

I was volunteering at Malahide ParkRun today and got talking to a couple of members, one of whom is a fellow boardsie. She mentioned that Monday night has a group that might be of a standard we might be looking for. It might be a bit hit and miss though for first few weeks until you can find a group that suits. I'm looking for a group that will help me push myself out of the comfort zone yet not be too fast that I wont be able to keep up.

Steroo

RedRunner wrote: »

Yes, defo. Will probably use next week just to ge the legs back working again and then go down the following week.
If you are going down on Tuesday night, just note that there is a Winter league race on Wednesday night so a lot people might be saving themselves for that and not going down on tuesday. There will be a few there I'm sure but probably just not as many as usual I'd say.

I was volunteering at Malahide ParkRun today and got talking to a couple of members, one of whom is a fellow boardsie. She mentioned that Monday night has a group that might be of a standard we might be looking for. It might be a bit hit and miss though for first few weeks until you can find a group that suits. I'm looking for a group that will help me push myself out of the comfort zone yet not be too fast that I wont be able to keep up.

Yea I'm looking for a similar group to do sessions with, but with marathon goals. I can only do Tuesdays! In the summer ill be more flexible. Ill go Suss it out this tue anyway, ill miss the week after and be back on 19th.. Hope your injury repairs ASAP!

RedRunner

StephenRooney wrote: »

Yea I'm looking for a similar group to do sessions with, but with marathon goals. I can only do Tuesdays! In the summer ill be more flexible. Ill go Suss it out this tue anyway, ill miss the week after and be back on 19th.. Hope your injury repairs ASAP!

I'm reasonably flexible at moment so I tell you what, I'll head down on the 19th .If I was doing a long run on a Sunday the Monday night wouldn't be ideal for me either. Hope it goes well for you on Tuesday.

Steroo

RedRunner wrote: »

I'm reasonably flexible at moment so I tell you what, I'll head down on the 19th .If I was doing a long run on a Sunday the Monday night wouldn't be ideal for me either. Hope it goes well for you on Tuesday.

Cool. See u then!

rom

For the longer run spoken word can be much better than music. I would recommend born to run on audiobook and marathon talk. Listen to the onterviews of the names you recognise first as the first few episode aint great. Both will help a lot in keeping you motivated and focused. What I think about when I think about running is also a great audiobook

Steroo

rom wrote: »

For the longer run spoken word can be much better than music. I would recommend born to run on audiobook and marathon talk. Listen to the onterviews of the names you recognise first as the first few episode aint great. Both will help a lot in keeping you motivated and focused. What I think about when I think about running is also a great audiobook

Thnks Rom. I was thinking about this. I listened to one episode of marathon talk at home a few weeks ago & really enjoyed it. I used to run with the Iphone on my arm, but it was heavy & now I find it such a distraction.. this is half the problem. Can I download these marathon talk episodes into Itunes? If so I also have a much lighter Itouch I could put them on. thanks for the advice

Steroo

No distractions this week (I hope) so a full week of P&D (week 2) planned.. and tweeked. Started with 3.7m recovery run this morning... sooo hard to get outta bed in the dark with the sounds of wind & rain outside! but it stopped when I got out the door & it was lovely & mild.
I'm planning on visiting Raheny AC tomorrow night... first time at a club.. lookign for sessions to bring me on with a bit of pace work etc.

Steroo

rom wrote: »

For the longer run spoken word can be much better than music. I would recommend born to run on audiobook and marathon talk. Listen to the onterviews of the names you recognise first as the first few episode aint great. Both will help a lot in keeping you motivated and focused. What I think about when I think about running is also a great audiobook

I have them downloading into my itunes at the minute.. ignore last question! Thanks

Steroo

Tue 5th: Ran out to Howth with the wind behind me & back it was strong against me. As per the P&D plan I included 10 x 100m strides, it was my first time doing this exercise & I enjoyed it. Not sure if my pace was right.
Distance: 7.85m
Avg Pace: 9.30
Avg HR: 156 (max 176)

100m strides: 7.41,7.00,6.35,6.47,6.32,7.40,7.53,7.08,7.29,7.41

Have my gear with me for a 10.5m run home from work today.

Signed up for Garristown Windmill Run 10K on Sun 3rd March.

Didn't go to Raheny AC last night as they've an event on tonight so expected a small turnout last night, if any apparently. So am meeting RedRunner there on 19th!

HelenAnne

There were people running from Raheny last night (I saw them from the bus as I sped lazily past!). Also, there's an event there Wed 20th as well, but I'd say there will be people runing on 19th; there usually are.

Well done running against that wind on the sea front. it seems like it's been stormy for weeks now!

RedRunner

HelenAnne wrote: »

There were people running from Raheny last night (I saw them from the bus as I sped lazily past!). Also, there's an event there Wed 20th as well, but I'd say there will be people runing on 19th; there usually are.

Well done running against that wind on the sea front. it seems like it's been stormy for weeks now!

I'll still head down alright Helen. Enjoyed the chat with you on Sat in Malahide and thanks for all your advice.

You still on for 19th Stephen?

Steroo

RedRunner wrote: »

You still on for 19th Stephen?

Yea for sure see u then. How do I find it? Opposite the church?

Steroo

10.5m home from work yesterday. Pace around 9:30.
Ankle/Achilles was sore from the off.. And after... And today. So I skipped this mornings planned run to rest it.
I think it was the strides on tue, I must have lost focus on form. And I foolishly did one downhill.

HelenAnne

Sorry to keep crashing the thread! Rahney clubhouse is opposite the church. Go in the gate to the scout hut, walk past the front door of the scout hut, turn right & you'll see the clubhouse.

The event on 20th is actually really good fun - it's a race where you predict your own 2-mile time, race without a watch, and the winner is the person who predicts their time most accurately. Afterwards there's tea and cake etc in the GAA hall & a bit of a gathering, so you'd both get to meet lots of people. You should both do it! (Registration in the clubhouse from 7.15).

Steroo

HelenAnne wrote: »

Sorry to keep crashing the thread! Rahney clubhouse is opposite the church. Go in the gate to the scout hut, walk past the front door of the scout hut, turn right & you'll see the clubhouse.

The event on 20th is actually really good fun - it's a race where you predict your own 2-mile time, race without a watch, and the winner is the person who predicts their time most accurately. Afterwards there's tea and cake etc in the GAA hall & a bit of a gathering, so you'd both get to meet lots of people. You should both do it! (Registration in the clubhouse from 7.15).

Thanks Helen Anne !! Good idea. Ill see how I'm fixed on 20th so. Appreciated

RedRunner

HelenAnne wrote: »

Sorry to keep crashing the thread! Rahney clubhouse is opposite the church. Go in the gate to the scout hut, walk past the front door of the scout hut, turn right & you'll see the clubhouse.

The event on 20th is actually really good fun - it's a race where you predict your own 2-mile time, race without a watch, and the winner is the person who predicts their time most accurately. Afterwards there's tea and cake etc in the GAA hall & a bit of a gathering, so you'd both get to meet lots of people. You should both do it! (Registration in the clubhouse from 7.15).

Sounds like a plan if I can manage fmaily commitments & work

ncmc

Just found your log now Stephen, all the best with it. I too enjoy listening to audio books on my long runs, although I wouldn't listen to books about running, for me the while point is to get the mind OFF running! Definitely distracts the mind better than music.

A sub 4 will be no bother to you after 18 weeks of P&D, looking forward to meeting you for that drink after CCM!

Steroo

ncmc wrote: »

Just found your log now Stephen, all the best with it. I too enjoy listening to audio books on my long runs, although I wouldn't listen to books about running, for me the while point is to get the mind OFF running! Definitely distracts the mind better than music.

A sub 4 will be no bother to you after 18 weeks of P&D, looking forward to meeting you for that drink after CCM!

Thanks a lot ncmc! Be great to meet up after cork for sure. I still haven't tried an audio book, where do you look for them? I like the idea. At the moment I'm still focusing a lot on holding good form so no earphones is a help, but it's getting there and with the planned long runs ill need something to listen to! I hope you are right about sub 4, but my confidence is growing I must say. Thanks

Alicano

Hey Stephen and Redrunner. I posted earlier in this thread. Just wanted to update with regard to Raheny. I've been training constantly with them since early/mid december. It is very hit and miss. Few core people seem to be down most nights, but a lot do their own thing (arranging different times to train) so just be prepared for it. I've had at leat 4 occasions where nobody was down. Don't let it put you off. I'm building friendships and now getting texts if training times change etc. Some excellent runners there and it's just a matter of catching them and saying hi. Could also have a lot to do with majority not training for specific race at this time. I'm down aprox 5 days a week and will keep an eye out for the boards.ie singlets! If HelenAnne is who I think..she's super cool. Best of luck with the training ahead.

RedRunner

Alicano wrote: »

Hey Stephen and Redrunner. I posted earlier in this thread. Just wanted to update with regard to Raheny. I've been training constantly with them since early/mid december. It is very hit and miss. Few core people seem to be down most nights, but a lot do their own thing (arranging different times to train) so just be prepared for it. I've had at leat 4 occasions where nobody was down. Don't let it put you off. I'm building friendships and now getting texts if training times change etc. Some excellent runners there and it's just a matter of catching them and saying hi. Could also have a lot to do with majority not training for specific race at this time. I'm down aprox 5 days a week and will keep an eye out for the boards.ie singlets! If HelenAnne is who I think..she's super cool. Best of luck with the training ahead.

Thanks. yeah that hit and miss thing was putting me off a bit before. but even if I have to run on my own for a while im going down again. Ill wear my boards top for sure next time!

Steroo

Alicano wrote: »

Hey Stephen and Redrunner. I posted earlier in this thread. Just wanted to update with regard to Raheny. I've been training constantly with them since early/mid december. It is very hit and miss. Few core people seem to be down most nights, but a lot do their own thing (arranging different times to train) so just be prepared for it. I've had at leat 4 occasions where nobody was down. Don't let it put you off. I'm building friendships and now getting texts if training times change etc. Some excellent runners there and it's just a matter of catching them and saying hi. Could also have a lot to do with majority not training for specific race at this time. I'm down aprox 5 days a week and will keep an eye out for the boards.ie singlets! If HelenAnne is who I think..she's super cool. Best of luck with the training ahead.

Thanks for the tips alicano! Will have to get the boards top on so. Will defo give it a shot

Steroo

Ankles felt a lot better this morning, just a little strain I assume. Headed out and managed 9.6m at avg 9:37 pace. Didn't want to push it.
Total this week: 31.6m which is good for me.
The wife's 30th tonight... My appetite for beer is up!

RedRunner

StephenRooney wrote: »

Ankles felt a lot better this morning, just a little strain I assume. Headed out and managed 9.6m at avg 9:37 pace. Didn't want to push it.
Total this week: 31.6m which is good for me.
The wife's 30th tonight... My appetite for beer is up!

Good stuff Stephen. That's gas I'm heading out tonight too as it was my wife's birthday earlier this week. Going to the Oar House in Howth. I won't mention her age ! Let's just say she wouldn't mind me sayin it though if she was 30:D:D. I'll be driving though so the beer will have to wait till I get back home:(

Steroo

RedRunner wrote: »

Good stuff Stephen. That's gas I'm heading out tonight too as it was my wife's birthday earlier this week. Going to the Oar House in Howth. I won't mention her age ! Let's just say she wouldn't mind me sayin it though if she was 30:D:D. I'll be driving though so the beer will have to wait till I get back home:(

We are heading to city! Ah get a taxi! Or are u working tmw? I've nana organised to man the ship in the am.
Good to hear your back is letting you get a few runs without any issue.
Have a good one.

RedRunner

StephenRooney wrote: »

We are heading to city! Ah get a taxi! Or are u working tmw? I've nana organised to man the ship in the am.
Good to hear your back is letting you get a few runs without any issue.
Have a good one.

Have my mam babsitting and she has to travel up from Balbbriggan so wont be staying out too long and the OH is on crutches. So don't mind not drinking.Might sneak another run in the morning to top off the week too. Maybe even stretch it to 6 miles!:eek:

Enjoy the night yourselves too. Met HelenAnne from Raheny AC again . She was running too

HelenAnne

Alicano wrote: »

If HelenAnne is who I think..she's super cool. Best of luck with the training ahead.

Alicano, there is another Helen from Raheny who also does the parkruns & the Sunday long runs & she is v, v nice & speedier than me. Bet you're thinking of her!

Well done, RedRunner, on the parkrun today. Sorry I didn't see you during it. How did you do? I found it really, really tough today. Not sure if I was just tired or if it was the mucky course or what ... I was nearly 1/2 a minute off my course PB. My baby nephew came to see me running, so I'm sorry I couldn't impress him with a better time! I enjoyed my scone & coffee after though.

RedRunner

HelenAnne wrote: »

Alicano, there is another Helen from Raheny who also does the parkruns & the Sunday long runs & she is v, v nice & speedier than me. Bet you're thinking of her!

Well done, RedRunner, on the parkrun today. Sorry I didn't see you during it. How did you do? I found it really, really tough today. Not sure if I was just tired or if it was the mucky course or what ... I was nearly 1/2 a minute off my course PB. My baby nephew came to see me running, so I'm sorry I couldn't impress him with a better time! I enjoyed my scone & coffee after though.

Hi Helen, yes, good to see you again today. really happy with a 24:58 comeback run. Was just trying to keep a steady pace and see how the back was coping so pleased with results. My PB is 22:47 so I've a bit of work to do to get back to my normal self but I will be patient. I have bigger fish to fry at the end of October around the streets of Dublin, and I hope to be wearing the Raheny colours doing it!

Steroo

After a Lousy sleep I got up this morning at 5.45am out of pure guilt to get things back on track. I was so tired on Sunday & yesterday after the party on Saturday. The fitter I get the harder drinking gets.. that's a good thing too.
So I planned 8 miles this morning with 4 of them at Lactace Threshold (15K/HM) pace as per P&D plan. I hadn't the energy to put the HR monitor on.
Miles 1 & 2 were warm up at 10:07 & 9:37 pace, then miles 3,4,5 were 7:51, 7:44, 7:45, last few miles were slow again at 9:45 avg.
So I was very happy with that... I was sure I did 4 miles at the LT pace but Garmin says I only did 3! Sleepy head.
I felt grand doing the quicker pace, I focussed on form the whole way.. breathing could do with improvement maybe, but overall it gave me confidence that I can improve my 10k PB (47:18) on 3rd March.

RunningKing

StephenRooney wrote: »

I got up this morning at 5.45am.

:eek: