Can I give more? The answer is usually yes

tang1

Monday 5.12.16

Rest

Tuesday 6.12.16

Rest, unplanned just had no opportunity to get out.

Wednesday 7.12.16

6.10 miles Easy@8.49min/mile in 53min 49secs

Some contrast on weather a week ago, no base layer needed and almost went out in just a singlet(and shorts!!!). Legs super bouncy again after nearly 3 full days of no running.

Thursday 8.12.16

1E, 4x4min@10mile(2 min rec), 1E

Straight from work to Summerhill to try get this in during daylight. There's a 4 mile loop around my normal out and back mile under lights so ran that route to begin with. 1.5 mile warm up and into the 4 min reps, looking to see how comfortable I felt running sub 6.30 pace for Saturday's race, easily into pace having to dial it back on occasion as I got to giddy!! The 4 min reps clocked at:

6.27 6.28 6.27 6.27

Nice little confidence booster before Saturday afternoon. 7 miles all in.

Friday 9.12.16

5.10 miles Easy@8.47min/mile in 44min 50secs

Usual out and back 5 mile route from home, feeling lethargic and slow. Just the way I like it the day before a race!!!

Saturday 10.12.16

Ballyroan 10 mile- 64min 46secs

The last time I ran a race in Laois it was 2011/12 and it was the Midlands Half that was over 0.5 mile long!!! Was hoping for better this morning as I drove to Ballyroan on the outskirts of Portlaoise. Took my time going down but was still there by 10.15am and one of the first to register in the local community hall. Out and asked locals about the route, told it was basically two loops or so of 5 miles, happy with this made my way to the race parking and had 20 mins or so kip in the car.

Stirred by 11am and got my glad rags on, the village was noticably busier now with other runners arriving to race. Out to do a warmup and back to use the facilities in the community centre, few other runners commenting on the BIG hill we had to cover twice. Bathroom stop over and out to check the hill, this was obviously the section that I seen on the GPS profile of the race that measured 5%. Out of the village and drag started, it was tasty enough alright and lasted 0.35 mile according to the watch. Ok first time round as it was in mile one, second time in mile 5 might not be so handy!!!

Out to startline and exchanged few words with TRR who himself is planned an assault on a spring marathon, wish each other the best of luck and take our rightful spots at the start. Off we go and it still amazes me why people cannot start where they should, stream past 50 or more runners who had zero business being in the first 5-6 rows in a race!!! First half mile is downhill and bang the hill starts, run it by feel and pass more runners, a female Mallow AC runner latches onto me and runs with me, crest the climb and all good. Mallow woman pushes on a bit and I go with her, not paying any attention to the watch.

Road flattens and get into my running more, another few short sharp drags appear and I push on these, Mallow woman falls off the pace and I don't see her again. Turn right and another longish drag appears, maintain pace and push on again, from here on in I was running virtually solo apart from runners I pass. Quick look at the watch it shows 2.5 miles gone and avg pace of 6.30, bang on and then the downhills start. Few sharpish declines bring us back out onto the Abbeyleix Rd and right turn back for Ballyroan. Check watch here at one point after 3 mile and lap pace is 6.08, brakes on to early in the race for that crack.

In along the main road and hear a runner approaching fast from behind, hear 'Alright Barry' look to my left and it's TRR, he had issues let's say and bounces on ahead again. Pass the 5 mile mark and look at the watch, nope another 0.10 left in this mile!!! Splits for first 5 miles were:

6.33 6.27 6.22 6.27 6.30

Turn right and the BIG hill begins again, it knocks the snot out of me this time, I was never so glad to see the top of a hill in my life. I nearly came to a stand still but somehow managed to keep going, look at the watch 6.55 lap pace, bollox that won't do. Try to eeek out every second I could and hit mile 6, let arms hang and try regain my composure. Christ I felt spent and another 1.5 miles of up left, bo!!ix!!! Focus on a runner ahead, focus now is to catch him over the next bit and push on, gradually real him in over next mile or so, he's dying on the climbs more than I am.

Reach his side at the top of the last drag, we both look at each other, he was in the hurt locker to, pace increases as we run downhill, he stays with me for a bit and falls away. Was hoping he would come with me and we could work off each other for last 2.5 miles, not to be. Sharply downhill again out into the Abbeyleix Road and the run for home. I'm seriously hurting now, look at watch briefly, still on target for sub 65 mins, push ya baldy fook as hard as your legs can manage till race finish. I put the head down and go as fast as I can muster, only one runner in sight ahead and I ain't catching him unless he blows up.

Look behind, nobody finishing strong either that might help, solo it is so. My legs are hurting I'm struggling to catch my breath but I keep going I want this time so bad. Hit mile 9 marker, why hasn't my watch beeped, look at it still another 0.10 left, it hits me, the race is going to be short!!! But that's it I let it go hoping it will rectify itself, push again head left for Ballyroan village this time rather than right for the BIG hill. Clock comes into view, 64.xx and I'm nearly there, don't look at the watch hoping distance is correct, one final push and I cross the finish. Timing company give me my time straight away, 64.46 he says, great running for 10 mile he says, look at the watch. Great running for 9.93 miles you mean!!!! Splits for second 5 miles were:

6.48 6.45 6.18 6.35 5.55(0.93)

Few others who finished ahead confirm it's short but there taking it was a PB, not me, if it's short on the Garmin it's definitely short. It doesn't bug me, I'm in good shape, it was only a tester to see where I am heading into Barcelona, damage will be done in Trim in February all going well believe me!!! Quick good bye to TRR, have to get home for D'n'D with Mrs tang1, might be another while again before I race in Laois!!! 13 miles for the day.

Sunday 11.12.16

6 miles Easy@9.01min/mile in 54min 05secs

Hungover run this morning into Trim to collect the car, torture for first mile. Got into it after, legs sore from yesterday!!! 37.20 miles for the week and a new 9.93 mile PB, broke my current 10k PB yesterday to running the race. Must sort that out post Barca.

Profile of yesterday's route attached for those interested.

Singer

That's a very solid time (regardless of the length of the course), nicely done!

Didn't think you'd be into Dungeons and Dragons with the wife :pac:

tang1

Singer wrote: »

That's a very solid time (regardless of the length of the course), nicely done!

Didn't think you'd be into Dungeons and Dragons with the wife :pac:

Cheers B, Drinks and Dinner actually!!!

Annie get your Run

I didn't see any comments on FB either about a short course, you sure it's not your watch?! Still a cracking time B, fair play for pushing on through the pain, see you in Trim

Kennyg71

Great report and racing B, enjoyed reading that well done on PB what ever
the course length. You really went for it in the first half and had great finish.

Chartsengrafs

That's a good day out regardless, so well done. Trim has been on the radar for a few years, how would it compare to Frank Duffy?

tang1

Chartsengrafs wrote: »

That's a good day out regardless, so well done. Trim has been on the radar for a few years, how would it compare to Frank Duffy?

Not as severe I would say, few drags but nothing major. The worst of it is between mile 7-8. Faster finish to it next year to.

dublin runner

Chartsengrafs wrote:

That's a good day out regardless, so well done. Trim has been on the radar for a few years, how would it compare to Frank Duffy?

Trim is significantly faster in my opinion. The wind was brutal this year but the times proved it to be a very fast course (not 9.93 miles!).

That and you get coffee in your goodie bag. Coffee! Looking forward to it next year. It's a good one.

Wubble Wubble

Nice run there. Pity if it's short, that's always really frustrating when you find that out. Still, as you say, it's not the main thing.

Back in Black

No matter what length it was, its still a great run. Well done.

El Caballo

Good stuff chief, solid running.

Younganne

Great run Mr Tang1!!! forget the distance and just remember the effort and the push when it was feeling tough!! That was a PB run!!:D

snailsong

Well done, B. Great run for December. Augurs well for Spring.

Murph_D

Well done Barry, very solid.

Duanington

Pity about the course B but that's still a very encouraging run. Keep up the good work

Clearlier

Great run tang and seeing as the race was advertised as AAI certified I'd be taking it as a PB. I guess that it's not your experience but my garmin almost always reads short in races since a firmware update a year or two ago.

tang1

Clearlier wrote: »

Great run tang and seeing as the race was advertised as AAI certified I'd be taking it as a PB. I guess that it's not your experience but my garmin almost always reads short in races since a firmware update a year or two ago.

Cheers, it just wouldn't sit right with me the fact it was short on my watch, I'm anal like that!!! Keep the log going.

Duanington

Clearlier wrote: »

Great run tang and seeing as the race was advertised as AAI certified I'd be taking it as a PB. I guess that it's not your experience but my garmin almost always reads short in races since a firmware update a year or two ago.

Thats a good point - I've seen quite a few well known races showing up as short over the past few months.

Race the course, not the watch Tang... ;-)

UM1

well done T....3 of dem and a sneaky mile in feb and ul break 3:30

jake1970

Great running B as you say yourself you are in great shape. With Trim in the offing you wont have too long to wait for that 10 mile PB.

martyboy48

Excellent run there B.....

I'm a little disappointed though.... I thought you meant down 'n' dirty

tang1

Monday 12.12.16 - Rest
Tuesday 13.12.16 - 6.10 miles Easy
Wednesday 14.12.16 - 8 miles Steady + 4x200@5k
Thursday - 7 miles Easy
Friday - 20 mins Recovery
Saturday - 1E, 4x10min@10mile(2min rec), 1E
Sunday - Jack Sh!t!!!!!

A week that was going swimmingly well till yesterday evening, felt my right hamstring getting tighter and tighter on the 10 min reps last night to the point where it nearly seized/spasmed at the finish of the 3rd rep. Pulled the plug there and then and gingerly ran back to the car, cursing every step of the way.

Have never had issues with my hamstrings ever up until I got a fairly rigorous massage a few months back, since then I have felt tightness every now and then. I thought I was imagining things at Jingle Bells few weeks back in the first half mile when it was at me, realise now it was no work of my imagination. It's not like the Frank Duffy imaginary branch either!!!!! Had to can today's 12 miles cause it's still sore/tight even as I type.

Only 30 miles for the week but hopefully I pulled the plug in time last night that I haven't done any damage, will take the requisite time off it before I run again. To all those who read this, comment here, slag/abuse here, Happy Christmas to you all, may the big fat man(not TbL) bring you all great running performances for 2017.


Please oh please Santa bring TbL a sub 3 in 2017, we're all fed up of his moaning and sulking at this stage!!!!

Annie get your Run

Noooooo! You're kidding?! Oh FFS, hopefully it's nothing serious, you going to get it looked at during the week?

I put meeting TBL IRL as top of my Christmas wish list

tang1

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Noooooo! You're kidding?! Oh FFS, hopefully it's nothing serious, you going to get it looked at during the week?

I put meeting TBL IRL as top of my Christmas wish list

Be doing well to get a Physio appointment next week with the week it is, will try but hoping some rest will help sort the soreness/tightness out. I've no more high stools to be be sitting on after tomorrow night after the baby sis comes home so no doubt that should help to!!!!

tang1

Zero running since last update, hamstring has improved, caught a dose of the deadly manflu last week so just over that plus the week that it was made running somewhat difficult if I was able!!!! Will be back into the swing of thinks again from tomorrow on.

11 weeks to Barcelona from this week, time to start grafting again.

Annie get your Run

tang1 wrote: »

Zero running since last update, hamstring has improved, caught a dose of the deadly manflu last week so just over that plus the week that it was made running somewhat difficult if I was able!!!! Will be back into the swing of thinks again from tomorrow on.

11 weeks to Barcelona from this week, time to start grafting again.

You're ALIVE! Oh my god, it's a Christmas miracle!

tang1

Monday 26.12.16 - Jack Sh!t, hangover plus long working day put a block on a run.
Tuesday 27.12.16 - 6.10@8.46min/mile in 53min 30secs
Wednesday 28.12.16 - 6@8.49min/mile in 52min 53secs
Thursday 29.12.16 - 7@7.44min/mile in 52min 53secs
Friday 30.12.16 - Work & family put paid to a run.
Saturday 31.12.16 - 12@8.46min/mile in 8.46min/mile in 1hr 45min 20secs
Sunday 1.1.17 - Tom Brennan 5k@6.18min/mile in 19min 56secs + c/d and w/u.

So after a week of ill health and ropey hamstring i got back into things, felt muck all week on easy runs, legs were in bits after few miles easy and chest and body stlll wasn't 100% but got through the runs unscathed thankfully. The long run yesterday was tough going more head wise than anything else as i just put it off before eventually doing it, what happened?? Nice comfortable run in the company of the Off The Ball Lads on Newstalk:D:D:D.

New Years Day 5k was as comfortable a 5k i have ever ran and a nice 3 miles@ 10 mile pace plus one beforehand. Pleasure to meet up with YoungAnne who celebrated a Birthday PB(whats new at this stage, not the PB's of course). Great to meet Duanington for first time to who looks as fit as a butchers dog as you all say and yaboya1 who looks in good shape heading into his London 2017 assault.

Shade over 38 miles for the week and finger taking out time.

2016, a relection:

My main goal going into 2016 was to run the Rotterdam marathon, i had tried to train for the previous 3 years DCM and had zero luck cause of injury on each occasion. On foot of this i asked TbL for a bit of advice regarding training, he pointed me in the way of ecoli who thankfully and gladly took me under his pre-pubescent wing(sorry L). Let's say the rest is history, 3.24.44 in my marathon debut was a dream come true as i honestly never thought i would run one. I remember a conversation i had with my missus while lying in the bath(easy ladies & TbL) in November 2015. No hope says i will i make it to the start line, thrust the young lad and what hes doing with you hes gotten you this far says she. Hate being wrong:D:D:D

Its been a good year running wise, plenty of good races not all PB's everytime i ran but that's not possible. I have improved no end in 2016 and thats down to dedicated training and a great coach who's looked after me no end. I have ran PB's at 5k, 10mile and ran my first marathon, if 2017 is half as good i'll be just as happy typing this 12 months down the road.

Happy New Year to you all, 2016 is gone, make 2017 all you want it to be.

annapr

Well done, B, great to see it all coming right for you in 2016 and best of luck for this year!

Younganne

good stuff Tang. Delighted to witness the marathon finally happening in Rotterdam and all the great running since.

You're an inspiration to everyone and it shows that if you want something and are willing to work for it, you will get it!!!

Happy New Year and here's to the 2017 being the best year yet for you(& the family)!!!

The Muppet

On reading that first I though you had TBL in the bath with you:eek:

Great stuff Tang, That's an impressive debut marathon, The best of luck for 2017.