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Be still my beating heart
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Wednesday 17th May
10 miles @ 10:09
Am going through another very poor patch of sleep. I lie there for hours, my body is physically wrecked, but my mind just won’t shut down. I’m not thinking or worrying about anything in particular, it just won’t bloody well switch off. Got up absolutely exhausted this morning yet again. Was very tired on this post work run and cut down from the planned 15 to 10.
I was planning on going 100% clean with the diet from after my birthday (yesterday) until after Belfast, but when I arrived in work today, there was a package for me with 2 huge bars of Lindt chocolate wrapped up, but with no note. Don’t have a clue who they’re from, but what’s a girl to do? My anonymous stalker must want me to put on a few lbs
Took one bar home and fobbed half of it off on the oh, and will work on the other one tonight. Clean eating will have to wait until Friday!
Thursday 18th May
14 miles easy @ 10:58
Some ‘real’ sleep finally last night – proper, deep, dreamy, uninterrupted sleep. Yay!
Friday 19th May
3.3 miles @ 10:29
OMG I felt horrible on this run. The worst I’ve felt in ages. Breathing ridiculously laboured and legs didn’t wanna move at all. Curtailed it and was very depressed for the evening wondering what the hell was wrong with me.
Saturday 20th May
am: 20 miles @ 10:04 (24hr effort)
It all became quite clear what was wrong with me yesterday – women’s stuff – I won’t go into details. Anyways, felt ok starting out and things improved a lot as I went on and ended up enjoying it a lot.
pm: 10 miles @ 10:07
Slept for a few hours in the afternoon so felt rejuvenated and ready for another few miles. Keeping it all super easy. Legs felt great from morning run.
Sunday 21st May
am: 12 miles @ 9:49
pm: 10 miles @ 10:07
Hit 2,000 miles for the year on this evening run, about 6 weeks earlier than last year. Couldn’t be happier with how things are going so far this year in preparation to this race. Never thought I’d be able to handle the mileage I’m doing this year which is way ahead of last year, without breaking – mentally or physically. I know it’s all slow, but as I said a few months back, working on speed was never part of the plan this year, as I feel I don’t need to be any ‘faster’ to do a lot better this year, but I do need to be far more resilient, and I really feel that due to the mileage, I am. However, I’m pretty sure that whatever way Belfast goes, I’m going to devote some time to working on speed after the race for a few months.
Weekly total: 100 miles 16hrs 36mins
Monday 22nd May
Rest
Had a run date organised but I had to cancel as I really needed a day off as feeling very tired, and have some work on at the moment, so needed to focus on that today too.
Tuesday 23rd May
am: 10 miles @ 10:13
pm: 10 miles @ 10:05
Wednesday 24th May
am: 11.3 miles @ 10:27
UGH. I’m useless in heat and one big worry for Belfast is if it’s hot, I’m done for. I just have to try and get used to it, so I went out at the warmest part of the day at 12 mid-day (the time the race starts) and forced myself to ‘run’ in it. My starting pace in Belfast will be a lot slower if it’s hot like today, so I went out with that strategy today. Didn’t really enjoy this much at all as it’s very exposed on the Acres but for the first time ever, I think, I actually welcomed the cooling breeze down one side. My legs got a bit sunburned on this run as I forgot to apply sunscreen to them, but the rest of me was fine. Packed it in earlier than planned and felt like a bit of a wuss for opting out, but maybe it’s better to slowly accliamatise to it rather than risk collapsing in it!
pm: 10 miles @ 9:47
Lovely lovely, just lovely. I went out at 8pm, and while it was still warm, it was very pleasant and it was getting cooler and cooler as the run went on. Loved every minute of this run and the park was lovely and quiet Bliss.0 -
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Getting my homework in (almost) on time for once!
Thursday 25th May
6 miles @ 10:18
With my brother in my local park and off my usual beaten path as he hates running around in small loops. Roasting evening and pace ridiculously slow for the effort. There are a few little trails and interesting inclines and declines and other bits to the park which I haven't ventured near for probably a year now. Am happier sticking to my usual one mile path loops if I'm totally honest. Not sure if he enjoyed it all that much as it was so slow for him.
Friday 26th May
8 miles @ 10:23
Tired and hot! Not loving this weather, at all! Need to get used to it though, just in case....
Saturday 27th May
am: 20 miles @ 9:52
Loved, loved, loved this. The minute I stepped out the door, the heavens opened with a vengeance. It was laughable the rain was so heavy. I was in my shorts but did have a rain jacket on with a light top underneath as it was quite warm. There was no one in the park except a few runners. I haven't experienced rain like this for so long but it was exhilarating. The Clon Harriers were out (very small group compared to usual) and the 3 coaches told me I was 'one dedicated woman to be running in that' which gave me a nice boost. They really must wonder about me. Every time they're in the local park coaching, I'm there. Every single Tuesday and Thursday evening, and every single Saturday and Sunday morning, come hail rain or snow, there I am plodding around and around and around. I'm sure they wonder...
3 American fellas stopped me at one point looking for the 'mall'. 2 hours later, they return from said mall and see me still running around in the thundering rain. They wanted to get some pictures with this crazy Irish woman, so had to stop and accommodate. They were heading off to Guns and Roses later that evening.
The Park Ranger also stopped me and asked 'is it not a bit wet for you?' Haha, people just don't get it. Once you're wet, you're wet and it feels very liberating just aiming for the great big puddles rather than trying to avoid them. Great run and had to hold back on the pace a lot. 'Wet day' gear sorted for Belfast.
pm: 10.2 miles @ 9:50
8pm getting out for this. The rain had cleared up and it was a beautiful evening and the park was nice and quiet still.
Sunday 28th May
am: 3 miles @ 12:36
Was with my sister. Not quite that slow as forgot to stop watch when she wanted to stop for a breather half way through.
am: 7 miles easy @ 10:03
Tired after not much sleep last night.
pm: 8 miles easy @ 9:45
Felt great on the evening run. Usually when I get back from the morning run, I feel very tired and just want to sleep and legs feel a bit fatigued. However, once I'm a mile or two into the second run, I feel great and breathing is lovely and relaxed and pace much faster for same effort as morning run.
Weekly total: 104 miles 17hrs 34 mins
Usual AIS done before every single run and I really feel that this is what's holding me together and keeping me niggle free. I've been doing it for about 2 years now, religiously!!!
Delighted with that week and how I am feeling. Yes I am tired a lot of the time, but it's a good healthy tiredness and in general I feel super. Sleep could be better but it is what it is. I try not to stress about it and once I'm lying down relaxing for 7-8 hours, it's doing me some good, even if I'm not actually asleep for a lot of it.
I started on a new clean eating regime which lasted very well until last night when I lost the plot and ate a ridiculous amount of crap. Goal weight for race day is 8stone 4-5lbs and I'm still a few pounds off but I have a month to get there sensibly without starving myself. It'll be hard during taper though, although maybe it won't as I won't be expending half as much energy. So, no more anon chocolate packages in the post, hopefully
:D 0 -
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Monday June 5th
So, this is the first of 4 taper weeks. I was initially going to do a 3 week taper, but due to the fatigue I felt last week, we’ve decided that I’d do a longer but more gradual taper – something like a max of 80, 60, 40 miles for the next 3 weeks (& Race Week about 10).
Rest day today.
Tuesday June 6th
am: 10 miles easy @ 10:08
Dropped the pm run as feeling tired and gonna error on the side of caution every single day from now on as I want to be as fresh as possible come race day. If that means I do only 2 runs a week between now and then, then so be it. There’s not much to be gained fitness-wise from now on, so I just want to keep things ticking over nicely with no shenanigans.
Wednesday June 7th
am: 12.2 miles @ 10:01
Felt like a new person this morning with tiredness lifted. Ran at an extremely easy effort and loved every minute.
pm: 6.4 miles @ 9:24
feeling very lively this afternoon and just had a short running window due to work and guests. Just ran how I felt, which was with a little more effort than my usual plodding, finishing the last mile @ 8:42 pace.
Thursday June 8th
8 miles easy @ 9:56
Cannot remember much, but one thing's for sure, I ran in anti-clockwise loops around my park :D On every morning run I do, I run clockwise around the park and every evening means anti-clockwise loops. Without fail.
Friday June 9th
8 miles easy @ 9:50
I had this yearning this evening, to don my Brooks ST5 racers and go out and do a speed session but thought better of it. No point playing with fire at this late stage, but I am looking forward to working on my 5k time starting in August and possibly for the rest of the year. My speed needs an awful lot of work
Am feeling a bit excited about changing things up, and if I go for the 24 hour again next year (highly likely!), then I'll go back to building the miles from next January with hopefully a slightly faster starting easy pace.
Saturday June 10th
am: 12 miles @ 10:16
Didn't look at the watch and just ran 24 hour effort by feel so delighted to see the slightly 'faster' than planned 24 hour pace felt like a walk in the park today. With 3 weeks good taper, this should feel even easier on very fresh legs so I should be able to hold it for a good portion of the race if the stomach plays ball. I didn't bring any drink this morning and immediately regretted it as I was badly parched from a few miles in.
pm: 8.6 @ 10:05
Sunday June 11th
11 miles @ 10:21
This was crazy early for me. I was in pain all night with stomach cramps so just decided to get up at 6am and have a piece of toast and went out at 7. I was enjoying it and not enjoying it at the same time, as the pain came in waves, and the pain killer wore off altogether after about 9 miles so just cut it short (shoulda been 15). I'm going to leave it there for the week and cut the evening run too as I'm now being OSOsensible.
Weekly total: 76.5 miles 12hrs 48 mins (Taper Week 1, 3 weeks to go)0 -
Love it, only 77 miles this week because I'm tapering
There's not many that can say that. Honestly A, your dedication to your training is incredible. Can't believe the race is only 3 weeks ago, the time has just whizzed by. You're in some shape, Belfast will go really well for you.
p.s. Tailwind was brilliant yesterday, couldn't fault it - mind you I had to alternate drinking plain water and drinking water with tailwind (had 2 bottles) as even the natural flavoured tailwind was too much to drink all day.0 -
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Very kind of you to say so, S! Interesting to hear that about the Tailwind... I'll be prepared to take a break from it if necessary. I remember someone else saying similar who used it in Belfast last year. Thanks for that. I hope the recovery is going well and you are enjoying a little break!!!Love it, only 77 miles this week because I'm tapering There's not many that can say that. Honestly A, your dedication to your training is incredible. Can't believe the race is only 3 weeks ago, the time has just whizzed by. You're in some shape, Belfast will go really well for you.
p.s. Tailwind was brilliant yesterday, couldn't fault it - mind you I had to alternate drinking plain water and drinking water with tailwind (had 2 bottles) as even the natural flavoured tailwind was too much to drink all day.You've had some block of training, A... can't wait to see how you get on in Belfast this year, good luck with the taperSuper work Ososlo - you must be very excited for race day, especially knowing your training has been faultless :-)
Thank you both so much. I've just been extra lucky this year. The training wasn't bad last year, but it's gone better than I could have ever imagined this year. I'll have run around 1,000 miles more since January this year compared to last year so hopefully that'll really stand to me and give me a good chance of a solid pb. I am very excited alright, but really just so grateful that I'm in such good shape at this stage, and feeling OSOlucky that I get to give it another good shot this year. Taper has been fine so far as I've been very busy with other non-running stuff, but that's died down now so the next 2 weeks should be interesting with lots of time on my hands 0 -
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Monday 12th June
Rest and about 10 hours of sleep!
Tuesday 13th June
8.7 miles @ 10:12
Very sluggish.
Wednesday 14th June
Rest
Had a work thing from 9am until 9pm with lots of standing around in heels, (couldn’t quite pull off the Sketchers with this particular outfit )and talking. Extremely wearing. Had about 3 glasses of wine over a 4 hour period and it took a hell of a lot of willpower not hit the free bar in style when the event was over and staff were given free reign. In the good old days I’d have been the last to leave – my, how times have changed. Very poor night’s sleep as I found it hard to wind down after the taxing day.
Thursday 15th June
10 miles @ 9:48
Feeling strong. Post work run.
Funny incident. The local club were having some races in the park (5k I think). There was a group of older guys coming towards one of the club coaches who was stewarding and encouraging the runners. She was absolutely screaming at the top of her voice at this one guy to ‘RELAX’ ‘DROP YOUR SHOULDERS’ and ‘BREATH’ and ‘REEEEEEEEELAAAAAAAX’. Next thing the poor fella falls He relaxed so much he fell down on the grass. Hard not to LOL! Poor man came in last I think and he had been doing quite well up to that!
Friday 16th June
10 miles @ 9:55
Saturday 17th June
12 miles @ 10:26
An absolute scorcher, so I decided to run at the pace I’ll run at on race day if we’re having a heatwave. The one advantage of running in the heat is that I don’t need to pee as much! But I do struggle badly in the heat and always avoid going on holidays in the middle of the summer as I’m just not made for it, so won’t be best pleased if it’s hot on race day. Wore a crop top for the first time ever running and it did help keep the body temperature down so will go with this on race day if hot. Last longish run, all good in da hood.
Sunday 18th June
am: 8 miles @ 10:06
pm: 5.6 miles @ 9:47
Can’t remember.
Weekly total: 54.5 miles 9hrs 8 mins
Monday 19th June
Rest
Tuesday 20th June
am: 8 miles @ 10
pm: 4.2 miles @ 9:26
Last double day. Starting to feel very lively now with the reduced mileage and it showed in the pace this evening.
Wednesday 21st June
Rest
Starting to feel very excited now with just 8 days to go... Lists, lists, and more lists are being written.. However, I have so much prepared already from last year that I can use again this year, it's wonderful!0 -
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Wow only 8 days to go ....... I'm getting excited
How many pairs of runners will you use? and food, all tailwind or will you slip some coke in there?
Haha! It'd be some occasion to spectate at if you could get up there for a few hours! I'm gonna be star struck with all the world class ultra runners around me, so hopefully that'll take my mind off the pain and angst and torture I'll be going through after 18+ hours (jaysus why am I doing this to myself again
:D)
I only used one pair last year in Belfast for the full 24 hours, and one pair in Tralee for the full 12 hours, but I'll have backup pairs just in case.
The plan is all Tailwind and yes, you're completely right, I'll have some flat coke too. Am bringing some jellies and a few other things to eat but don't plan on taking them unless I feel I need an extra boost, or the main nutrition isn't working for some reason.
I really hope your recovery is going well!0 -
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I read your log all the time and am amazed and completely in awe of the training you do :eek: You're so dedicated and focused and only a tiny bit crazy
Just wondering how much of the 24 hrs do you run? Do you take 1 long break and/or several shorter breaks? Do you sleep at some stage? Sorry for all the questions, i'm intrigued by the event
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I read your log all the time and am amazed and completely in awe of the training you do :eek: You're so dedicated and focused and only a tiny bit crazy
Just wondering how much of the 24 hrs do you run? Do you take 1 long break and/or several shorter breaks? Do you sleep at some stage? Sorry for all the questions, i'm intrigued by the event
Thank you! And no need to cross out the ‘crazy’ bit, ariana! I'll be first to admit it!In the last few days actually, now that I'm really in taper mode, I'm starting to realise how much time I actually dedicate to running and it is all a bit crazy for a recreational runner. For the first time in many months, I actually have had time to do normal things like go to the shops and BROWSE over the last few days, and clean the apartment, and other normal stuff. I'm just so used to all my time being taken up with preparing to run, running, recovering from running and planning the next run, I have very little time to do anything else. Would I have it any other way? No:D I was bored in the shops after about 20 minutes yesterday and sure one can get used to living in squalor
Different runners have different ways of approaching the race. Some take breaks, some don't. I'm not scheduling in any breaks, as (in theory) I’m planning to keep moving forward all the time, no matter how slowly I'm going, but it will inevitably happen, that I’ll have to (or should I say, mentally I’ll feel I have to) stop at some point for a little rest. I think it was about 20 hours into the race last year where I begged with my crew to let me sit down for a rest. They eventually gave in to me, however it was the worst thing I could have done, as getting back up again out of the chair was absolute torture. My crew are going with Bungy Girl’s philosophy of ‘beware the chair’ this year, so I’ve told them not to let me sit down, no matter what (except on medical advice) and not to have a chair even available for me. Some people factor in small breaks every hour or few hours or whatever, and it can work out very well for them so I’m not saying I’ll always do it this way, but for this one, I won’t be planning any breaks.
I’ve never heard of anyone taking sleeping breaks during a 24 hour race, but maybe some people do. I doubt it though. You’d just lose way too much time and it’d be very hard to get going again. I’d say definitely in multi-day events it’d be part of the plan alright as you’d just break down with no sleep.
The one advantage to being an insomniac is that I don’t feel too bad when I don’t sleep. I probably won’t sleep much in the nights leading up to the race either, so that’ll be many many days and nights without much, if any kip! But sure, isn't it all part of the fun:D
No problem with the questions at all, please fire away with any you want!0 -
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Thank you! And no need to cross out the ‘crazy’ bit, ariana! I'll be first to admit it!I was bored in the shops after about 20 minutes yesterday and sure one can get used to living in squalor
Agreed shopping and clean houses are completely over rated imoI'm not scheduling in any breaks, as (in theory) I’m planning to keep moving forward all the time, no matter how slowly I'm going, but it will inevitably happen, that I’ll have to (or should I say, mentally I’ll feel I have to) stop at some point for a little rest. I think it was about 20 hours into the race last year where I begged with my crew to let me sit down for a rest.
Wow :eek: i'm speechless 20 hrs. Major major respect. I simply can't imagine the mental and physical toughness required :eek:
Best of luck with the rest of the taper and the big day. Can't wait to read the report.0 -
Best of luck with the run in and the race itself, Ososlo. Looking forward to seeing how you get on this year - I think you're due a great result based on all your hard work. My one tip is: don't worry about spare runners and changing runners - bring a few outfits - changing the colour scheme was critical to keeping me going last year 0
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Jakey Rolling wrote: »Sounds like you are uber prepared and ready to rock!
In a masterstroke of bad planning I will be in Belfast that Saturday morning, however en-route to the 11:30 ferry. Will give you all a wave as we set sail!
Best of luck in your race, expecting to see some big numbers by mid-day on the Sunday!
Thank you so much, JR!
haha, me too
Best of luck with the rest of the taper and the big day. Can't wait to read the report. Cheers!
LOL I was only reading your report again the other day, and was reminded of the fashion show you treated us all to last yearBest of luck with the run in and the race itself, Ososlo. Looking forward to seeing how you get on this year - I think you're due a great result based on all your hard work. My one tip is: don't worry about spare runners and changing runners - bring a few outfits - changing the colour scheme was critical to keeping me going last year I have a selection of outfits at the ready. It certainly did you no harm last year!!!! 0 -
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Thursday 22nd June
6 miles @ 9:03
A lovely morning coffee with Working Class Heroes, but as per usual, the time passed by way too quickly A pleasure as always, B! Catch you again very soon and thanks again for the race day tips and encouragement
This run was post work with my brother who's an awful lot faster than me. He's always trying to drag me off my one mile loop (understandably so, for a normal person) but I just put my foot down today and said 'no'! Didn't pay heed to the pace and just ran, so a good bit faster than I'd normally run, but it felt fine and we were chatting going along so not exactly killing myself and finished up with couple of sub 9 miles. Legs feeling really good.
Friday 23rd June
6 miles easy @ 9:46
Easy pace in 9:40's which is great so 10:30's should feel like a walk on race day. Really enjoyed this and a great spring in the legs this evening. Lovely and rainy and coolish but still a bit humid.
Saturday 24th June
Pretty much had a conniption when I logged onto Strava this morning to see that Pete (The Feet) Kostelnick is following me on Strava This guy is one of the favourites to win in Belfast and a favourite for Badwater a week later too. Absolute ultra running legend. It has been great being able to follow the training of so many of the runners in both World Champs and Open Race for this. Strava really rocks:cool: There are so many different approaches to training for this race, it'll be really interesting to see how it pans out for different runners on the day.
A leisurely morning in bed was had, and I had so much time on my hands today I didn't know what to do with it! I don't want to do too much housework in case it aggravates the arm, so need to rest it as much as possible. Very light housework was the order of the day and lots of planning.
6.2 miles easy @ 9:34 with a faster finish
Lovely enjoyable run this evening. A young wan stops me half way through to ask did I have a light
Sunday 25th June
Started thinking this morning that I'd forget the 5k training post Belfast, and go for the 12 hour in Listowel in September instead, as I'm missing the miles so much already. Maybe it's just taper madness. I'll wait and make the decision after the race.
6 miles easy @ 9:37
Again, feeling good and legs wanna take off but did my best to ignore them!
Weekly total: 38 miles 5hrs 55mins
3 very small runs left between now and Saturday, and that's it. I'll do up a bit of a review of the training since January when I get the chance and note what I've done differently to last year etc, as it'll be interesting to see what the results are off a slightly different approach this year.
But in a nutshell, I've had the most brilliant 6 months of training ever, and feel fitter than I've ever done in my life before and my body's in the best shape it's ever been. If Carlsberg did training blocks...0 -
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Possibly "the feet" is even reading the log!
You are going great, Osolong, brilliant training under the belt, can't wait to see how you do. Take it easy with those miles and focus on the housework for the next weeknot going to comment on the state of my own kitchen. 0
This discussion has been closed.
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