This is getting addictive

HigginsJ

14th of February

4.01 miles in 38 minutes 46 seconds (9:40 average)

A full 4 miles today, imagine that!! :P

45 minutes of Yoga

Finding the yoga pretty tough but it is unveiling some areas that I need to work on (stability and hips have been a bit of a struggle to date). Enjoying it, especially the 5 minutes of corpse pose at the end.

MTD: 48.67 miles
YTD: 131.04 miles

gramar

HigginsJ wrote: »

14th of February

4.01 miles in 38 minutes 46 seconds (9:40 average)

A full 4 miles today, imagine that!! :P

45 minutes of Yoga

Finding the yoga pretty tough but it is unveiling some areas that I need to work on (stability and hips have been a bit of a struggle to date). Enjoying it, especially the 5 minutes of corpse pose at the end.

MTD: 48.67 miles
YTD: 131.04 miles

It's 4 more miles than I've done since the 10km a week and a half ago.
I was a bit poorly Saturday after a few drinks on Friday night and Sunday it was miserable most of the day so I even though I had the gear on I never braved going out. Don't knock 4 miles!

ariana`

HigginsJ wrote: »

14th of February

4.01 miles in 38 minutes 46 seconds (9:40 average)

A full 4 miles today, imagine that!! :P

45 minutes of Yoga

Finding the yoga pretty tough but it is unveiling some areas that I need to work on (stability and hips have been a bit of a struggle to date). Enjoying it, especially the 5 minutes of corpse pose at the end.

MTD: 48.67 miles
YTD: 131.04 miles

4 miles mid week is alright, no? I haven't looked at any marathon plans much but i imagine if i do ever undertake the training for one i wouldn't be able to allocate the time for every night to be an hour + out of the house. I have 3 young kids and a full time job, surely mere mortals like me can do marathons too if we put our minds to it

HigginsJ

ariana` wrote: »

4 miles mid week is alright, no? I haven't looked at any marathon plans much but i imagine if i do ever undertake the training for one i wouldn't be able to allocate the time for every night to be an hour + out of the house. I have 3 young kids and a full time job, surely mere mortals like me can do marathons too if we put our minds to it

I was having a shot back at you for giving out about not doing laps to bring 3.69 miles up to 4 miles last week!! :P

I am fortunate that I can do my mid-week runs by dropping the guys to the child minder (My Wifes mom) early on these morning so I get into Limerick about 7:40 am so have plenty of time.

The marathon plan I am on calls for 6 miles x 2 and 4 miles x 1 during the week for the 1st 8 weeks of the plan.

It then goes up a bit to 6 miles x 2 and 8 miles x 1 for 6 weeks and then tapering for the last 2 weeks. Having the time for that 8 miler is going to be difficult.

Honestly the hardest part of the training is the long weekend runs, leaving the family for 2 to 3 & a 1/2 hours is a big sacrifice from others.

HigginsJ

gramar wrote: »

It's 4 more miles than I've done since the 10km a week and a half ago.
I was a bit poorly Saturday after a few drinks on Friday night and Sunday it was miserable most of the day so I even though I had the gear on I never braved going out. Don't knock 4 miles!

They seem like perfectly valid reasons for not getting out G

ariana`

HigginsJ wrote: »

I was having a shot back at you for giving out about not doing laps to bring 3.69 miles up to 4 miles last week!! :P

I am fortunate that I can do my mid-week runs by dropping the guys to the child minder (My Wifes mom) early on these morning so I get into Limerick about 7:40 am so have plenty of time.

The marathon plan I am on calls for 6 miles x 2 and 4 miles x 1 during the week for the 1st 8 weeks of the plan.

It then goes up a bit to 6 miles x 2 and 8 miles x 1 for 6 weeks and then tapering for the last 2 weeks. Having the time for that 8 miler is going to be difficult.

Honestly the hardest part of the training is the long weekend runs, leaving the family for 2 to 3 & a 1/2 hours is a big sacrifice from others.

Hmmm interesting break down of the training. That 6 week block would be a struggle for me but once the OH is on board then it's probably manageable as its only for a finite period of time. If only the kids could chauffeur themselves to scouts, football, rugby, karate, swimming :pac:

HigginsJ

ariana` wrote: »

Hmmm interesting break down of the training. That 6 week block would be a struggle for me but once the OH is on board then it's probably manageable as its only for a finite period of time. If only the kids could chauffeur themselves to scouts, football, rugby, karate, swimming :pac:

Yea your OH really needs to be on board, it is 16 weeks.

Thankfully they are too small at the moment for any of that

HigginsJ

17th of February

8.51 miles in 1 hour 20 minutes 19 seconds (9:26 average)

Had an extra hour before work this morning, had wanted to do a 10 miler but was pretty tired. While no specific pain I am finding the training pretty tough overall, just a general fatigue on the body. For instance if you asked me to run a sub 5 minute KM I feel like it would be a huge ask at the moment.

I assume this is fairly normal with increased mileage but could it be anything else?

MTD: 57.18 miles
YTD: 139.55 miles

Kennyg71

HigginsJ wrote: »

17th of February

8.51 miles in 1 hour 20 minutes 19 seconds (9:26 average)

Had an extra hour before work this morning, had wanted to do a 10 miler but was pretty tired. While no specific pain I am finding the training pretty tough overall, just a general fatigue on the body. For instance if you asked me to run a sub 5 minute KM I feel like it would be a huge ask at the moment.

I assume this is fairly normal with increased mileage but could it be anything else?

MTD: 57.18 miles
YTD: 139.55 miles

I always feel more exhausted as I increase mileage for first week or two, then
Body adapts, maybe check Iorn levels if persists.

HigginsJ

21st of February

4.23 miles in 35 minutes 5 seconds (8:18 average)

Mile 1 - 8:53
Mile 2 - 8:16
Mile 3 - 7:55
Mile 4 - 7:55

This was a positive morning, really comfortable. I missed the long run at the weekend due to a number of kids parties but felt so much better this morning than I did on the run last Friday.

45 minutes yoga also today.

MTD - 61.41 miles
YTD - 143.78 miles

ariana`

Prob no harm to skip the long run and mark it down as a step-back week, considering how tired you were on Friday's 10 8.5 miler, it sounded like you needed it.

Just curious as to what your planned marathon pace is (if you have one), or if the program you're following prescribes paces for runs? Nice run this morning, seems quite nippy, hence the paces question

HigginsJ

ariana` wrote: »

Prob no harm to skip the long run and mark it down as a step-back week, considering how tired you were on Friday's 10 8.5 miler, it sounded like you needed it.

Just curious as to what your planned marathon pace is (if you have one), or if the program you're following prescribes paces for runs? Nice run this morning, seems quite nippy, hence the paces question

I'm targeting 9:09 minute miles, this brings you in just under 4 hours.

I have no idea if that is ambitious or conservative. I did my 1st HM in December and that was 8:24 pace, although the last few KM of that was a slog.

The plan doesn't set specific times or paces for the runs, just felt great this morning so wasn't really pushing to hit the time. The upcoming long runs for the remaining weeks are

9 weeks to go - 16
8 weeks - 17
7 weeks - 16
6 weeks - 18
5 weeks - 21
4 weeks - 17
3 weeks - 21
2 weeks - 16
1 week - 10

The midweek runs are a combo of 3 runs at 4, 6 or 8 miles.

The Friday was a bit of a knock to be honest, not having the juice to do 10 miles at even a moderate pace was poor.

ariana`

Sounds like a realistic goal. I read somewhere (don't ask me where) that a realistic aim for a marathon is twice your half marathon time plus 20 mins. So 4 hrs sounds about right for you with a 1hr 50min half time.

Put Friday behind you, better to have a bad training run than a bad race. Prob just as you said yourself in the increase in mileage combined with sick kids/less sleep etc.. It sounds like my run on Saturday :rolleyes:

tailgunner

One small thing to bear in mind is that you'll likely end up running close to 26.5 miles on the day, so your target pace will have to be closer to 9:00/mi if you're going by your watch.

You're well on track for the sub-4 though. I wouldn't worry about the long run last week, we all have those kind of runs from time to time.

HigginsJ

tailgunner wrote: »

One small thing to bear in mind is that you'll likely end up running close to 26.5 miles on the day, so your target pace will have to be closer to 9:00/mi if you're going by your watch.

You're well on track for the sub-4 though. I wouldn't worry about the long run last week, we all have those kind of runs from time to time.

My idea is to run maybe 10 yards behind the 4 hour pacer and in an ideal amazing world I have energy in the tank with 3 mile to go and kick from there (it sounds amazing in my head!!)

HigginsJ

ariana` wrote: »

Sounds like a realistic goal. I read somewhere (don't ask me where) that a realistic aim for a marathon is twice your half marathon time plus 20 mins. So 4 hrs sounds about right for you with a 1hr 50min half time.

Put Friday behind you, better to have a bad training run than a bad race. Prob just as you said yourself in the increase in mileage combined with sick kids/less sleep etc.. It sounds like my run on Saturday :rolleyes:

I was reading your log on your run at the weekend and thinking "yeh, not just me!!"

HigginsJ

23rd of February

6.07 miles in 49 minutes 53 seconds (8:12 average)

The wind and rain this morning was fun, there were a few points running into the wind where I felt I was standing still!! Good fun on the bits with the wind at your back though!!

Mile 1 - 8:41
Mile 2 - 8:04
Mile 3 - 8:13
Mile 4 - 8:15
Mile 5 - 8:09
Mile 6 - 7:55

Another few miles in the morning before planned run at the weekend, will take it a little easier in the morning.

MTD: 67.48 miles
YTD: 149.85 miles

HigginsJ

24th of February

4.55 miles in 42 minutes 23 seconds (9:18 average)

Look at me being good and slowing right down this morning

I have to say that Tuesday and yesterday have given me a great deal of confidence back. With the 14 mile run and not being able/motivated to do 10 miles later that week I sometimes wonder if I am making any progress at all in this running.

Being able to knock out sub 8 minute miles at a comfortable training pace is a really great pick up, I feel that if I lined up in a 10k race in the morning I would comfortably be able to break my 47:44 PB.

All set for 16 miles on Sunday now, going to take an isotonic sports drink with me so will have something to keep me going. Will aim do to it at around 9:40 mile pace.

MTD: 72.03 miles
YTD: 154.4 miles

HigginsJ

26th of February

15.99 miles (I know!!) in 2 hours 33 minutes 15 seconds (9:36 average)

This was a much better run than the 14 miler 2 weeks ago (a semi decent nights sleep & having the sports drink with me really helped)

It was very much a negative split run, will break it down when I analyse on the laptop later.

Overall this has been a great weeks training, 62 days left to the marathon, March is going to be a tough month but in a good place going into it.

MTD: 88.02 miles
YTD: 170.39 miles

HigginsJ

Got a chance to analyse the run from yesterday

Miles 1 - 5: 49:27 (9:53 average)
Miles 6 - 10: 47:16 (9:27 average)
Miles 11- 15: 46:33 (9:19 average)
Miles 16: 9:59

Really pleased with the progression through the run, my fastest mile was mile 12 which was 8:58.

ariana`

HigginsJ wrote: »

26th of February

15.99 miles (I know!!) in 2 hours 33 minutes 15 seconds (9:36 average)

This was a much better run than the 14 miler 2 weeks ago (a semi decent nights sleep & having the sports drink with me really helped)

It was very much a negative split run, will break it down when I analyse on the laptop later.

Overall this has been a great weeks training, 62 days left to the marathon, March is going to be a tough month but in a good place going into it.

MTD: 88.02 miles
YTD: 170.39 miles

:D:D

Great LSR distance :eek: well done

HigginsJ

28th of February

4.1 miles in 36 minutes 54 seconds (8:59 average)

Took it handy this morning as felt a bit stiff from the run on Sunday but warmed into it and let loose a little bit in the last mile which came in at 7:54.

A new mileage record for the month with just over 92 miles, should (& will need to) comfortably break 100 miles in March.

45 minutes of Yoga

Really enjoying these yoga classes, get in a great stretch for the legs which is helping I feel.

MTD: 92.12 miles
YTD: 174.49 miles

HigginsJ

2nd of March

6.1 miles in 54 minutes 1 second (8:51 avreage)

3rd of March

6.1 miles in 51 minutes 46 seconds (8:29 average)

Very little to report on these two runs, hamstrings felt a bit tight yesterday evening so did some stretching and foam rolling and all OK this morning. Stepped in a really big puddle this morning so my already damp shoes are now totally waterlogged!!

Have ordered my shoes for the marathon earlier in the week, can't wait to get them now and start breaking them in.

MTD: 12.2 miles
YTD: 186.69 miles

HigginsJ

5th of March

12.90 miles in 2 hours 15 minutes 13 seconds (10:28 average)

This was tough going, not sure how but felt like I was running into the wind the entire way!! The mile splits make for grim reading:

Mile 1: 9:45
Mile 2: 9:47
Mile 3: 9:47 (all going well at this point)
Mile 4: 10:19
Mile 5: 11:13 (This was a largely uphill into the wind mile)
Mile 6: 10:18
Mile 7: 9:54
Mile 8: 10:32
Mile 9: 10:55
Mile 10: 10:43
Mile 11: 11:23 (Straight into the wind, felt like I wasn't moving)
Mile 12: 10:51

The last .9 was at 9:46 average.

The run was meant to be 17 mile but I had an option at the end of the 11th mile to head towards home or continue into the headwind for another 2 miles before looping home, I woosed out and took the easy option home

Had my new shoes for the run so that was positive.

MTD: 25.1 miles
YTD: 199.59 miles

HigginsJ

7th March

Yoga - 45 minutes

8th March

6.1 miles in 52 minutes 59 seconds (8:41 average)

9th March

4.2 miles in 37 minutes 59 seconds (9:02 average)

10th March

6.1 miles in 53 minutes 55 seconds (8:51 average)

Decided to push my 1st run of the week out a day as was feeling a bit tired, had planned for all 3 runs to be the 6 mile route but time went against me Thursday morning. Little to report on the runs, nice that it was dry and mild for a change.

MTD: 41.5 miles
YTD: 215.99

HigginsJ

11th of March

14.7 miles in 2 hours 26 minutes 33 seconds (9:58 average)

This is a 1st as I have never run 4 days in a row. It was not the plan, a few things came up that we would be away most of Sunday so it was a split decision Saturday afternoon to get out. The average time was a good bit off of where I want to be but I was in the correct HR zone the whole way around, the effort felt good but the time was not there (a result of 16 miles over the 3 previous days I assume??)

Next weekend is my little mans birthday so I have some time set aside Thursday morning for a long run as I won't be able to fit one in over the weekend.

MTD: 56.2 miles
YTD: 230.69 miles

HigginsJ

14th of March

4.25 miles in 43 minutes (10:06 average)

Yoga 45 minutes

Was feeling stiff and tired this morning but dug it out and got the run in, will take another handy run in the morning before long run Thursday morning.

MTD: 60.45 miles
YTD: 234.94 miles

ariana`

HigginsJ wrote: »

14th of March

4.25 miles in 43 minutes (10:06 average)

Yoga 45 minutes

Was feeling stiff and tired this morning but dug it out and got the run in, will take another handy run in the morning before long run Thursday morning.

MTD: 60.45 miles
YTD: 234.94 miles

Well done, those are the tough ones but i always tell myself that there also the ones that count the most, when the going gets tough in a race they're the ones to think back on & remind yourself of the work you've done to get where you are

HigginsJ

15th of March

4.34 miles in 40 minutes 20 seconds (9:17 average)

16th of March

15.02 miles in 2 hours 31 minutes 49 seconds (10:06 average)

Tried a couple of gels on the run this morning and they were disgusting but went down OK. Looking forward to a few days off running now, will probably get my next run Monday.

MTD: 79.81 miles
YTD: 254.3 miles

HigginsJ

It's been a tough week as my daughter has been teething getting her back teeth. This has led to a lack of motivation, tiredness and missing a planned run. I had planned to get out Monday for a decent run but was just wrecked, I know I can't afford to miss runs but sometimes life just says screw it.

Not getting full nights sleep for the bones of a week make things tough, hint for anyone considering training for a marathon is don't if you have very small ones who don't sleep :P

21st of March

Yoga 45 minutes

23rd of March

6.12 miles in 55 minutes (8:59 average)

24th of March

6.23 miles in 52 minutes 3 seconds (8:21 average)

I feel as though I've been lazy with my runs of late, just plodding through them. Maybe this is what marathon training is but I made the decision that I would throw in some strides this morning. Did maybe 8 sets in total during the run and felt great during them. This weekend calls for a 20 mile run so looking forward to it.

MTD: 92.16
YTD: 266.65