Never say never

Mrs Mc

I have truly crossed over to the dark side, as I said many a time, I would never run over 10km, I would never post on boards and I definitely would never start a training log !!! Hence the name of my log never say never, cause here I am now ….. a graduate from the DCM mentored novices thread on boards !, about to start my own log on boards !

Running History

Only started running a few years ago but nothing serious a few 5km fun runs and then progressed onto 10km distance. But training was not consistent and only prepared for races a few weeks beforehand. So what changed ? I started running at my local Park run back in October 2013, I started to meet people who were at all different levels of running, there was a great sense of community there I started to enjoy the social side of running and along with it enjoyed seeing my times gradually improve as my running became more consistent. 2014 saw me start off the year with a new year’s resolution to try and run a 10 mile but ended up finishing off the year having run 4 half marathons and a 10 mile !!. I was hooked, loved the feeling of crossing the line and achieving the running targets! But still said I would never run a marathon. After supporting Mr Mc (FBOT) at the marathon in Berlin and his pacing duties at the Dublin marathon and supporting all my park run buddies on their Dublin marathon experiences, I got caught up in the atmosphere and suddenly found myself asking what would be involved in training for a marathon. So that was it, mid life crisis must have hit as 2015 saw me prepare for and complete my very first marathon under the watchful eye of the amazing Dubgal and her team of mentors. It was an amazing experience but one of the toughest things I have ever done but I was so chuffed with myself crossing that line that I would never say I'd never do one again :P …. (race report is here) http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=97520412&postcount=7638
Marathon training also helped me achieve pb’s in nearly all distances except for the 10km distance in 2015 (that's one for 2016 definately)

So why start a training log. Advice from a number of boardies to help with getting some focus on 2016, I also just need to get the running mojo back after the marathon, get me focused on some target times and to use it as a way of keeping the training going.

I am currently following the training plan on the graduate’s thread, have taken back up my pilates class which I did during the marathon training. So I had a look at Mc Millan which I had never used before to set some targets and to understand my training paces all the various types of sessions on our plan. First impressions are that it seems very ambitious targets so will see how it goes over the coming months as I am still a bit of a novice on paces and targets. I have so far signed up for the Raheny 5 in January and the Ballycotton 10 mile in March. :eek: So that’s it.

Pb’s and targets are below

Distance | 2014 | 2015 | Targets
5k |00.26.24|00.25.48|00.24.49
5 mile|00.46.59|00.44.01|00.42.47
10 km|00.56.51|00.57.49|00.53.35
10 mile|01.39.07|01.34.41|01.29.33
HM|02.12.30|02.07.04|01.59.59
Marathon|N/A|04.31.24|not yet decided

Dubgal72

Yessssssssss!!! We've got you! Delighted to see this missus, well done

Ferris B

Woohoo!

laura_ac3

Some very similar targets to what I set myself last year so will really enjoy following your training and progress. The consistency and variety of sessions on the graduate thread will be great. Good luck with the log and getting stuck into it all over the next couple of weeks.

Firedance

Welcome aboard!! Will be following with interest, as Laura said, some of your targets were my targets too last year, some I'll be aiming for allong side you this year

Mrs Mc

Thanks all roll on 2016 targets so !!!

Murph_D

Excellent. Best of luck with those goals, you definitely have what it takes.

annapr

Woooo hooooo!!!! At last you cracked definitely following this log and looking forward to seeing you smash those targets! I'll be cheering you in Ballycotton and trying to keep up in Raheny!

Kennyg71

Well done A, no doubt all targets will be hit and surpassed. Impressed with your intro, should have ask you to ghost write mine (:

diego_b

Ah good stuff Mrs Mc, best of luck with it all!!

Mrs Mc

Kennyg71 wrote: »

Well done A, no doubt all targets will be hit and surpassed. (:

Here's hoping G

Mrs Mc

Okay so here it goes first log of my progress in the week.

Wed 13th Jan 5 miles easy avg pace 10.11
Decided to head out with KennyG and Mrs KennyG for this one and did the Raheny 5 course. It was freezing and it took nearly half an hour for my hands to thaw during this run. But it was a lovely night nice and crisp and clear. Pace felt good and G kept the pace steady. The chatter made the miles fly by and really enjoyed this run. First time since DCM the achilles and calves were feeling okay and first time I have felt like I am back in the zone at last. Spent 20 mins stretching when I came home - New Years resolution

Thursday 14th Jan back to pilates tonight, did pilates all through marathon training and really enjoyed it. So decided to try a new class near home and must say finding it very good. Lots of work on stomach and upper body.

Friday 15th Graduates plan had 10 min w/u, 5 * 4 mins @10km pace with 3 mins recovery, 10 mins cooldown. Okay so it was time to key the times into Mc Millan and work out my times and training paces and enlist the help of the hubby as was stuggling with working out this ! So 10 km pace was going to be around 8.40, got my lesson on how to set my watch up to calculate this and off I went.
Interval 1 pace 8.39
Interval 2 pace 8.44
Interval 3 pace 8.44
Interval 4 pace 8.44
Interval 5 pace 8.50

Saturday 16th Was on volunteer duty this morning in St Anne's Park Run with a record number of 466 participants with the Operation transformation launch and the Lord Mayors 5 alive race also using St Anne's Park Run. Myself,FBOT, KennyG, Mrs KennyG and Toulouse were all on volunteer duties, it was a great day to be there, great atmosphere. Post run coffees a pre-requisite and good to catch up with KillerZ, PJD, MurphD, FerrisB and LauraAC afterwards also. Went out late in the afternoon for an easy 5 miles avg pace was 10.37.

Sunday 17th Decided to bow out of the invitation from the Kennys to get up at 8 am and do the fat turkey route up Howth Head, feeling tired after the week back running, and the first full week back at work since Christmas. So after some family things to do during the morning and early afternoon headed out after 4. The graduates plan had a 90 min progression run today, again this is new to me, so out with the training paces that I had calculated earlier in the week. Mc Millan has my MP at 9.36 for a 4.11 marathon based on my recent 5km pb pre Christmas, which I felt was really ambitious after a 4.31 marathon in October so was a bit unsure about this pace. My MP for October was 10.18. Decided I would go out and see how I got on but figured if I kept at 10.20 ish for easy pace, between that and 10.00 for slightly less than MP and then between 10 and 9.36 for the MP. Of course the rain started the minute I went out the door typical. Splits below.

Mile 1 easy 10.37
Mile 2 easy 10.20
Mile 3 easy 10.25
Mile 4 easy 10.32
Mile 5 < MP 10.06
Mile 6 < MP 10.08
Mile 7 < MP 10.15
Mile 8 MP 9.41
Mile 9 MP 9.38

Found this very tough between the rain and the wind on the coast and did have to stop to stretch out the calves before mile 8 and 9 as they were starting to get tight. But I enjoyed this and felt good after doing it. Finished off with a cooldown back to the house. Total 9.3 miles Avg pace 10.15

So thats it. Hope everyone elses running went well over the weekend. Now to catch up on my other logs.;)

Singer

Congrats on setting up the log and best of luck with the targets! I'm very glad you set a log up as it was a good excuse to re-read your DCM race report, which is one of my favourites - so much excitement

Mrs Mc

Singer wrote: »

Congrats on setting up the log and best of luck with the targets! I'm very glad you set a log up as it was a good excuse to re-read your DCM race report, which is one of my favourites - so much excitement

Ah thanks B I'm a bit of a drama queen what can I say !!

Kennyg71

Well done A, great weeks running, plenty more to come.

annapr

Good going on those sessions, A! Your marathon time can deffo come down below 4:11!

Mrs Mc

annapr wrote: »

Good going on those sessions, A! Your marathon time can deffo come down below 4:11!

Just seems a huge jump ! But sure will keep plodding along A and see how the targets go.

annapr

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Just seems a huge jump ! But sure will keep plodding along A and see how the targets go.

As the wise ones say.... Trust in the training!

denis b

Sure it was only natural that you would have your own piece of ground on boards Mrs Mc. Delighted for you that you chose to do so. The log is a great way of reflecting on what we do and didn't do. Its still your challenge and space.

aquinn

Yahoo, there you are.

All the very best.

A great first week.

Murph_D

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Just seems a huge jump ! But sure will keep plodding along A and see how the targets go.

Take the big jumps when you can get 'em. They'll be getting smaller soon enough!

FBOT01

Murph_D wrote: »

Take the big jumps when you can get 'em. They'll be getting smaller soon enough!

And take the first steps...first

All roads lead to Raheny this month all the rest is for some other month

Bungy Girl

Hurray! A new log to read . Best of luck smashing those targets Mrs Mc. No bother to ya.

Mrs Mc

denis b wrote: »

Sure it was only natural that you would have your own piece of ground on boards Mrs Mc. Delighted for you that you chose to do so. The log is a great way of reflecting on what we do and didn't do. Its still your challenge and space.

That's it Denis even if no one reads it I am using it as a means to commit to some kind of training.

Mrs Mc

Monday 18th Jan
Have started a new pilates class and really enjoying it. Tonight kettlebells were used as part of the class, was tough and can tell I am going to hurt tomorrow.

Wednesday 20th With marathon training and recovery haven't been able to attend much of the Raheny Shamrocks Summer or Winter series and really enjoyed these races in previous years. So it was a 2 miler tonight so decided to head up as a few from Park Run were heading up. Did a 1 mile warm up with Mrs KennyG. There was a great crowd there tonight must be the New Years Resolutions. As expected the legs were feeling a bit heavy after the kettlebells on Monday but by the end of mile 1 was feeling good. Legs felt strong and I stated to try and catch the girl in front of me. Decided to pelt along and try and get a good stride even fired the gloves at FBOT who was out walking the dog and had stopped to give us a supportive shout out. Its serious when the gloves come off, means I'm down to business. Was disappointed not to get a pb tonight as I thought I had a good run, maybe next time. I didn't bother looking at the watch throughout, was concentrating on the form and the pace and trying the catch the girl in front maybe I would have hurried up a bit if I had taken a glance at the watch. Ah well there is always next week. Previous pb 16.36 for this race tonight 16.55 by my watch. Splits are below

Mile 1 8.24
Mile 2 8.28

Mile cooldown @10.45 afterwards with a welcomed cuppa and slice of cake in the club house afterwards.

Murph_D

Looks like a cat n mouse game there, A. You'll get her next time. Don't worry about the time, it's all about the race. Nice run.

Mrs Mc

Thursday 21st Jan

Really did not want to go out tonight, just wasn't feeling it, was tired and the last thing I wanted to do was run, but usually thats the best time to run cause you feel great after. So decided best thing to do was go straight in from work and get changed and go out, if I sat down at all there would be no run. Graduates plan had 5 miles easy tonight. My easy pace according to Mc Millan should now be between 9.56 and 10.50. My easy pace during marathon training was 11.20 and my MP during the training was 10.18 so this was a big jump on easy pace for me and have been finding it hard to hit. But obviously the last weeks attempting the fasters paces in training runs are paying off as I managed to avg a pace of 10.20 a mile without having to look at the watch too much and felt comfortable at this pace. So something is going right . Was a fab evening for a run along the coast, no wind heading towards town (this can always be a bit deceiving when you turn around to run back and while it wasn't a strong breeze the miles back were a little tougher) was a lovely clear night and I really enjoyed this run. Passed Ferris at the wooden bridge going in the other direction and again at the wooden bridge on the way back where we cheerfully greeted each other passing both times (he wasn't wearing his new Cru kit yet must be saving it for the Raheny 5). Pace below.

Mile 1 10.34
Mile 2 10.13
Mile 3 10.05
Mile 4 10.20
Mile 5 10.29

Rest day tomorrow.

Mrs Mc

Sat 23rd Jan
Park Run was on the graduates plan today but no pb's were allowed run fast but not all out. Huge crowds in St Annes again this week with Operation Transformation, another record attendance with over 480 in attendance. I was so busy gabbing at the start I forgot to start my watch to get the location set so it was still loading when the run started, hence no 1st mile logged ! Really enjoyed the run this morning, kept an eye on the pace so that I would do a fast run. My official time was 26.23 was happy with that after my pre Christmas PB of 25.48. After run coffees and volunteering duties token sorting the 480 tokens.

Sunday 24th Jan
90 mins easy on the plan today (easy pace per Mc Millan is 9.56 -10.50) Decided with some of the park run gang that we would run the Raheny 5 course today in preparation for next week. So its about 2 miles up to Raheny from my house so decided to run up and run back do the Raheny 5 course and that should get me my 90 mins. There was 7 of us out this morning bright and early, the company was great and made the miles fly by. Really looking forward to next Sunday, its a nice flat course with the change in route this year. Would be great if the weather is like today next Sunday it was very pleasant. Splits below

Mile 1 10.21
Mile 2 10.40
Mile 3 10.18
Mile 4 10.24
Mile 5 10.11
Mile 6 10.39
Mile 7 10.33
Mile 8 10.32
Mile 9 10.28

Mrs Mc

Sat 23rd Jan
Park Run was on the graduates plan today but no pb's were allowed run fast but not all out. Huge crowds in St Annes again this week with Operation Transformation, another record attendance with over 480 in attendance. I was so busy gabbing at the start I forgot to start my watch to get the location set so it was still loading when the run started, hence no 1st mile logged ! Really enjoyed the run this morning, kept an eye on the pace so that I would do a fast run. My official time was 26.23 was happy with that after my pre Christmas PB of 25.48. After run coffees and volunteering duties token sorting the 480 tokens.

Sunday 24th Jan
90 mins easy on the plan today (easy pace per Mc Millan is 9.56 -10.50) Decided with some of the park run gang that we would run the Raheny 5 course today in preparation for next week. So its about 2 miles up to Raheny from my house so decided to run up and run back do the Raheny 5 course and that should get me my 90 mins. There was 7 of us out this morning bright and early, the company was great and made the miles fly by. Really looking forward to next Sunday, its a nice flat course with the change in route this year. Would be great if the weather is like today next Sunday it was very pleasant. Splits below

Mile 1 10.21
Mile 2 10.40
Mile 3 10.18
Mile 4 10.24
Mile 5 10.11
Mile 6 10.39
Mile 7 10.33
Mile 8 10.32
Mile 9 10.28

annapr

Great to see your progress, A. Any target time in mind for Raheny?

Mrs Mc

annapr wrote: »

Great to see your progress, A. Any target time in mind for Raheny?

Well was only discussing this on Saturday where I was saying that the Mc Millan target seemed way out of my reach. Himself pointed out the targets are for the year not to be completed in the month of January ! Good point ! So would be happy to get a pb Anna pb is 44.01 at the mo but have no clue what I should aim for. Still only getting used to the faster paces in training runs so think particularly for the next few months will be getting a better understanding of my paces. I really haven't a clue what I'm capable of. Looking forward to Sunday always enjoy the atmosphere at the Raheny 5. See you there I'm sure.

Ferris B

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Himself pointed out the targets are for the year not to be completed in the month of January !

You should quote that sage piece of advice back at yer man now and again.:D

Mrs Mc

Another week means another week of running. Graduates plan is a little cut back this week due to the Raheny 5 miler on Sunday.

Monday 25th
Pilates tonight, really enjoy this lots of core work which is what the doctor ordered:p

Wednesday 27th
35 mins easy on the plan tonight so with no Winter Series on with Raheny Shamrocks tonight met Mrs KennyG in Raheny along with two others running buddies to do 4 miles. Was busy chatting so much so that I forgot to start the watch but Mrs KennyG kept the pace going and when the watch did eventually click in the pace was around 10.30.
Feeling the effects of the pilates on Monday, sneezed and my stomach hurt !! so it must be doing some good.

Thursday 28th
It was a pyramid session on the plan tonight 10 mins warm up, 1,2,3,2,1 mins @ race effort and the same time recovery and then 10 mins cool down. Never did one of these before so another new challenge. Had to dig out the paces again so worked off the 5 miles pace seeing as the Raheny 5 is on Sunday, range of pace was between 8.44 and 8.33 using current pb and 2016 targets. Really didn't have a sense of race pace so did have to look at the watch a lot. Headed off out the coast and decided after the first mile to change direction as the wind was against me and having the wind with me doing race pace felt a little more inviting. Went well splits are below :

1 min pace 8.11
2 min pace 8.51
3 min pace 8.31
2 min pace 8.31
1 min pace 8.07

Calves are really acting up lately and the achilles are feeling it too so booked in for a sports massage tonight after my run to get the legs worked out before Sunday .... Ouch :eek: But legs feel good after.

Rest day tomorrow love rest day.

Jog or walk on the plan for Saturday - really starting to enjoy this week. On park run volunteering duties on Saturday morning.

Hopefully see some of you boardies on Sunday at the Raheny 5, good luck all .

Kennyg71

Good job on pacing, looks good for Sunday.

Firedance

The best of luck on Sunday A! will be on cheering duties - bring your ear plugs

Mrs Mc

Firedance wrote: »

The best of luck on Sunday A! will be on cheering duties - bring your ear plugs

Thanks AM yes will definately need ear plugs have witnessed those screams before !!!!

Ferris B

Had to check was I reading the right log...pyramid sessions...nice.
Only a couple of years ago that would have mean't necking a case of Bud by the Nile.

Sounds like training's going very well. Must have a good coach.;)

Easy on the pints now on sat night and don't ruin all that hard work.

Mrs Mc

Ferris B wrote: »

Had to check was I reading the right log...pyramid sessions...nice.
Only a couple of years ago that would have mean't necking a case of Bud by the Nile.

Sounds like training's going very well. Must have a good coach.;)

Easy on the pints now on sat night and don't ruin all that hard work.

I know what have I become C must be a mid life crisis they are catching you know !!!

annapr

Mrs Mc wrote: »

I know what have I become C must be a mid life crisis they are catching you know !!!

You'll do that midlife crisis proud tomorrow! Will be in cheerleading mode so will keep an eye out for you. Best of luck.

Mrs Mc

annapr wrote: »

You'll do that midlife crisis proud tomorrow! Will be in cheerleading mode so will keep an eye out for you. Best of luck.

Thanks Anna

Dubgal72

Best of everything, see you there!

Kennyg71

Best luck today A,see u there

Mrs Mc

Kennyg71 wrote: »

Best luck today A,see u there

Thanks G see ya there best of luck too.

denis b

Enjoy Mrs Mc. First back gets fed.

Mrs Mc

denis b wrote: »

Enjoy Mrs Mc. First back gets fed.

Thanks D best of luck to you too will get a pb purely for flapjacks !!!

Mrs Mc

Dubgal72 wrote: »

Best of everything, see you there!

Good to see you today thanks for supporting was too wrecked to shout out at the finish

annapr

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Good to see you today thanks for supporting was too wrecked to shout out at the finish

We were searching for you at the finish but somehow missed you in the crowds!! Well done on the time, you must be happy enough in the conditions?

Firedance

annapr wrote: »

We were searching for you at the finish but somehow missed you in the crowds!! Well done on the time, you must be happy enough in the conditions?

some of us found her well done today A, it looked damm tough from our comfortable position on the foothpath! lovely to catch up too.

Mrs Mc

Sunday 31st Jan - Raheny 5 mile

Have to say love this run its one of my favourites and always starts off the running year nicely. Had run this in 45.03 last year but had pb'd 44.01 in the Terenure 5 in May last year so was aiming for sub 44 mins today. Had my strategy talk from FBOT before we left and the plan was to keep it at 8.45 for the first 4 miles trying to bag a few extra seconds on Sybill Hill and coming back down the avenue and keep something in the bag then at the end to give it socks to the finish when I exited the park.

As usual a great turn out of runners young and old at the race. Plenty from boards and park run there so lots of catching up beforehand and afterwards. Conditions were however not looking great and M had done a bit of a course walk earlier that morning to collect our numbers and the report was there was a steady wind blowing.

Met PJD at the start and he is recovering from a cold and chesty cough so said he would run with me as the 8.45 pace would suit him. So off we went.

Mile 1 found this to be so congested, my watch pace would jump from 8.30 to 9.15 within a matter of seconds which was representative of the crowd and it took a while to get into a steady pace, could hear DG in my head, don't start ducking and weaving to gain distance it only wastes energy so if I saw an opening I went for it but tried to keep my position in the pack. Avg pace 8.48.... would aim to get that 3 seconds back in mile 2.

Mile 2 Wow once we hit the Howth Road the wind hit like a wall and could really feel it in my legs trying to maintain pace on this stretch. M had told me to find a group and try and get in behind them to shelter from the wind, which I did. PJD chatted away and didn't seem to be even out of breath ! Once we turned onto Sybill Hill and Mount Prospect the wind was behind us and but I could feel the legs heavy. But a few neighbours and Mc Jnr were a the top of our road so that spurred me on a bit with their shouts of support. Avg pace 8.42 okay was back on target.

Mile 3 More wind as we hit the avenue in St Anne's PJD was shouting instruction to me to dig deep and that we would have the wind behind us once we turned at the top of the avenue. Found this a bit crowded as well and was starting to feel tired the legs were just not doing what they were supposed to do. Avg pace 8.53.

Mile 4 This was back down the avenue and where I should have been able to pull back some time but I just couldn't push any harder was really feeling it Avg pace 8.48

Mile 5 Usually I can bag some energy to push it to the finish to sprint to get the pb, PJD reminded me of all the interval training I had been doing and that it would come into play here. FBOT and Yaboya were on cheerleading duties as we came out of the park here, both looking very fresh and I was feeling very jealous that they were finished. I could hear the finish announcements, nearly there. Started to kick the legs but they were like lead, spotted Firedance, DG, and Anna Pr here but just didn't have the energy to say hi. Did manage to sprint to the finish but not evident in the avg pace for this mile either. Avg pace 8.49

Was wrecked crossing the finish line and was disappointed not to have broken 44 mins, but sure you can't win them all as they say and even though it doesn't sound like it I did really enjoyed the run, it wasn't my best day out there, I could have done better, will get it the next time. Watch clocked 44.07 but official time is 44.10.

A very nice cuppa and flapjacks made by DenisB which were yum in the GAA club aftewards. Really good to catch up with some of the DCM novices as haven't seen a lot of them since Mc Grattans in October, all seemed happy with their runs and NOP looked like he had enjoyed his trip over to the northside. Great to see DG afterwards as well who was on supporting duties today. All seemed to agree that it was a tough day but everyone seemed to enjoy. Plenty of boardies around as well all seemed to have a good day and some pbs too good to catch up with with Ferris, Aquinn (congrats on the PB !), Bungy, Firedance, Helen Anne and LauraAC afterwards. Headed over for a post race beverage in the cock and bull with the St Anne's park run gang who had also managed to get some pb's on the day.

Overall and enjoyable but tough day. Lessons learned - you won't break pbs every day and you won't have great runs every race, but learn from them and as my hubby says "enjoy" . Off to enjoy some of the mountain of chocolate now from the goodie bags.

Mrs Mc

Sunday 31st Jan - Raheny 5 mile

Have to say love this run its one of my favourites and always starts off the running year nicely. Had run this in 45.03 last year but had pb'd 44.01 in the Terenure 5 in May last year so was aiming for sub 44 mins today. Had my strategy talk from FBOT before we left and the plan was to keep it at 8.45 for the first 4 miles trying to bag a few extra seconds on Sybill Hill and coming back down the avenue and keep something in the bag then at the end to give it socks to the finish when I exited the park.

As usual a great turn out of runners young and old at the race. Plenty from boards and park run there so lots of catching up beforehand and afterwards. Conditions were however not looking great and M had done a bit of a course walk earlier that morning to collect our numbers and the report was there was a steady wind blowing.

Met PJD at the start and he is recovering from a cold and chesty cough so said he would run with me as the 8.45 pace would suit him. So off we went.

Mile 1 found this to be so congested, my watch pace would jump from 8.30 to 9.15 within a matter of seconds which was representative of the crowd and it took a while to get into a steady pace, could hear DG in my head, don't start ducking and weaving to gain distance it only wastes energy so if I saw an opening I went for it but tried to keep my position in the pack. Avg pace 8.48.... would aim to get that 3 seconds back in mile 2.

Mile 2 Wow once we hit the Howth Road the wind hit like a wall and could really feel it in my legs trying to maintain pace on this stretch. M had told me to find a group and try and get in behind them to shelter from the wind, which I did. PJD chatted away and didn't seem to be even out of breath ! Once we turned onto Sybill Hill and Mount Prospect the wind was behind us and but I could feel the legs heavy. But a few neighbours and Mc Jnr were a the top of our road so that spurred me on a bit with their shouts of support. Avg pace 8.42 okay was back on target.

Mile 3 More wind as we hit the avenue in St Anne's PJD was shouting instruction to me to dig deep and that we would have the wind behind us once we turned at the top of the avenue. Found this a bit crowded as well and was starting to feel tired the legs were just not doing what they were supposed to do. Avg pace 8.53.

Mile 4 This was back down the avenue and where I should have been able to pull back some time but I just couldn't push any harder was really feeling it Avg pace 8.48

Mile 5 Usually I can bag some energy to push it to the finish to sprint to get the pb, PJD reminded me of all the interval training I had been doing and that it would come into play here. FBOT and Yaboya were on cheerleading duties as we came out of the park here, both looking very fresh and I was feeling very jealous that they were finished. I could hear the finish announcements, nearly there. Started to kick the legs but they were like lead, spotted Firedance, DG, and Anna Pr here but just didn't have the energy to say hi. Did manage to sprint to the finish but not evident in the avg pace for this mile either. Avg pace 8.49

Was wrecked crossing the finish line and was disappointed not to have broken 44 mins, but sure you can't win them all as they say and even though it doesn't sound like it I did really enjoyed the run, it wasn't my best day out there, I could have done better, will get it the next time. Watch clocked 44.07 but official time is 44.10.

A very nice cuppa and flapjacks made by DenisB which were yum in the GAA club aftewards. Really good to catch up with some of the DCM novices as haven't seen a lot of them since Mc Grattans in October, all seemed happy with their runs and NOP looked like he had enjoyed his trip over to the northside. Great to see DG afterwards as well who was on supporting duties today. All seemed to agree that it was a tough day but everyone seemed to enjoy. Plenty of boardies around as well all seemed to have a good day and some pbs too good to catch up with with Ferris, Aquinn (congrats on the PB !), Bungy, Firedance, Helen Anne and LauraAC afterwards. Headed over for a post race beverage in the cock and bull with the St Anne's park run gang who had also managed to get some pb's on the day.

Overall and enjoyable but tough day. Lessons learned - you won't break pbs every day and you won't have great runs every race, but learn from them and as my hubby says "enjoy" . Off to enjoy some of the mountain of chocolate now from the goodie bags.

annapr

Conditions weren't easy out there today A. Well done!