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The Road to Berlin: Maybe he'll learn this time.....

  • 06-12-2016 10:58am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭


    This is my second go at a training log. Hopefully, it'll go a bit better!

    Brief history - I started running about 2.5 years ago, and completed my first marathon in Dublin in 2015. For some reason, I did it again this year, and in the madness that followed that, I entered the lottery for Berlin, and managed to get in. I'm currently not doing an awful lot. I kept up the running after DCM for a month, but I felt like I needed a rest so I've taken the last week or so off, and will probably get back into it today.

    2016 was a fairly good year for targets for me.

    5k - target: sub 25 - July 2016 22:37
    10k - No real target but hit 51 or 52 mins during a half so sub 50 is definitely there. My last 10k race was 58 mins, but that was over 2 years ago.
    Half - target: sub 2 - September 1:56:57 Charleville
    Marathon - target: sub 4:30 - October 4:27:22 Dublin

    Overall, I'm happy but the marathon and half could have been better. The half, I went out for sub 2 but finished very comfortable with more left in the tank. Dublin was on track for 4:15 or thereabouts when I got horrible calf cramp so the last 6 miles dropped to an average of 10:25, where I had been doing 9:20 or so.

    My main focus for December is just to train up to half marathon distances, and just stop fitness from dropping too much. I'm signing up for the Clare Race series which is a 5k, 5mile, 10k, and 10 mile Jan through to April. I'll probably do the Limerick Half Marathon and the Killarney Lakes one in May, and then focus on Berlin training. In terms of Berlin, it's an easier course than Dublin, so my A goal currently is sub 4. It may be optimistic, but if all goes well on the day, it's deinitely something I can push for, but I'd be happy with sub 4:15. I probably won't be able to do Charleville this year due to the timing of Berlin, which is disappointing as I loved it last year.

    In terms of mileage, I had a near 20% increase on 2015. So far, I'm on 1152 miles, compared to about 950 last year. No real injuries, though I'm keeping an eye on my hip at the moment (which is why I'm doing a bit of a rest)

    Hopefully I'll be posting sub 4 here in September! It will probably be my last marathon for a while as it's an awful lot of time, though I've said that before and after the last two....


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭tailgunner


    Best of luck with the log. I'd say sub-4 in Berlin next year will be no bother to you going by your other PBs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Kennyg71


    Keep up the logging and the running and Berlin should go well, welcome
    back to the logs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭jake1970


    Best of luck with the log and hopefully you will have a very successful 2017.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,447 ✭✭✭FBOT01


    Best of luck with the log and the training for Berlin. It's a great event and lovely place. Just stay away from the Oscar Wilde when you are there it's a kip!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,595 ✭✭✭✭Murph_D


    An obvious question is, why so unambitious about the longer races? I think you should be aiming at 3:40 for Berlin, 1:45 for the half. Your 5k time suggests it's possible, so while you may fall a bit short, you should still have a go at training for a faster time. You have a couple of marathons under your belt, maybe it's time to up the stakes! Berlin was number 3 for me too - brilliant event.

    All the best with it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Murph_D wrote: »
    An obvious question is, why so unambitious about the longer races? I think you should be aiming at 3:40 for Berlin, 1:45 for the half. Your 5k time suggests it's possible, so while you may fall a bit short, you should still have a go at training for a faster time. You have a couple of marathons under your belt, maybe it's time to up the stakes! Berlin was number 3 for me too - brilliant event.

    All the best with it.

    That's the story of my life. I'm always on the cautious side of a goal. I'll probably revise those goals once I start up training properly again, and my body is back to full fitness, as all my post DMC runs in November averaged about 9:20 or so, and felt relatively easy, so seeing how Jan to June goes will decide the time I'm going to go for!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    First run in a week and a half. Just a small 4 miles - slower first half, slightly faster second - 9:54, 9:53, 9:28, 9:25 (say what you want about me, but I can keep a steady pace!)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,415 ✭✭✭Singer


    Good to see you back logging! Enjoy the long journey to Berlin :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Best of luck with the log Chrislad, hopefully I'll catch you at the Clare run series. It's a really well organised and run series and there's usually a fun trail half and full marathon in the Burren that follows it up perfectly timing wise :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Neady83 wrote: »
    Best of luck with the log Chrislad, hopefully I'll catch you at the Clare run series. It's a really well organised and run series and there's usually a fun trail half and full marathon in the Burren that follows it up perfectly timing wise :)

    I don't think most people will have trouble catching me at those races :D


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Similar 4 miles again to Wednesday night: 9:44, 9:42, 9:24, 9:14

    It's fairly warm out there, was reading at 12 degrees when I went out at half 4. We didn't get that in July!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    5 miles this morning - 9:54, 9:30, 9:27, 9:21, 9:13

    I'm not really focusing on any plan at the moment - I think I'll do 4, 5, 5, 8 for the rest of December and then a half marathon plan from Jan to April.

    I do need to start some strengthening exercises, particularly glutes. Are there any good recommendations available? I do have access to a machine in work that's good for squats and quads, not so much calves though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    5.5 miles done early this morning @ 9:40 average.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    4.2 miles done early again @ 9:19 average.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Kennyg71


    chrislad wrote: »
    5 miles this morning - 9:54, 9:30, 9:27, 9:21, 9:13

    I'm not really focusing on any plan at the moment - I think I'll do 4, 5, 5, 8 for the rest of December and then a half marathon plan from Jan to April.

    I do need to start some strengthening exercises, particularly glutes. Are there any good recommendations available? I do have access to a machine in work that's good for squats and quads, not so much calves though.

    Did lots of squats, lunges and squat jumps, also resistance band around
    bottom of legs and doing 20 X 3 sets of side steps each side with leading leg doing
    work is good.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    I had a fairly quiet two weeks. I just did a 5 mile, a 4 mile, and a park run on NYE. I just planned to take it easy after a few tough months!

    All my goals for 2016 were hit, which was fantastic! Time to refocus on 2017 and get some races on the calendar. I'm going to focus on the Hal Higdon half marathon plan for the next couple of months, before getting set up for Berlin training.


    From Strava:

    https://2016.strava.com/en-us/share/6489999


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,119 ✭✭✭Mrs Mc


    Only seeing your log now Chris best of luck will look forward to following your progress


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Tuesday: 3 miles @ 9:38
    Wednesday: 4 miles @ 9:54
    Thursday: 3 miles @ 9:44

    Going to do some strength in the gym tomorrow *shudder* and planning for another 3 and 5 on the weekend.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Total Weekly Mileage of 18.8.


    Saturday: 3 miles @ 9:37
    Sunday: 5 miles @ 9:22

    Similar enough week planned for this week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    chrislad wrote: »

    Going to do some strength in the gym tomorrow *shudder* and planning for another 3 and 5 on the weekend.

    How did the strength work go?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Neady83 wrote: »
    How did the strength work go?

    It was only 3 sets of 15 squats and 3 leg raises, nothing major. Same again tomorrow evening and hopefully Friday. Just easing into it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Mid week update!

    3.5 @ 9:31

    4 mile tempo (1 mile warm up, 3 miles tempo) - quite happy with this - managed fairly comformtable pace of 8:51, 8:34, and 8:26 for the 3 miles.

    3.5 @ 9:40 - surprisingly fast considering the frost this morning. I felt I was going quite slow.

    I can definitely feel the endurance coming back to the point when 3-5 mile runs are fairly effortless now.

    3 and a 6 planned for the weekend.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Weekend running according to plan!

    3 miles on Saturday @ 9:24

    6.1 today @ 9:30 average

    Total mileage for the week of 20.3 miles.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Iffy week this week due to a flu coming on midweek, and knocking the weekend out of it. Technically, on the plan I'm following, I was only supposed to do a 5k race, but had planned to do a 7 mile long run so I really only missed out 3 miles!

    Tuesday: 4 miles @ 9:33

    Wednesday: 5 miles @ 9:32

    Thursday: 3 miles @ 9:32

    (Again, I'm nothing if not consistent in my pace!)

    Are there any decent half marathons in Munster around the end of March? I know Limerick is in April but I'm already pacing someone for that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    A bit lax here last week due to a family event, and not in a good way so I only managed my midweek runs last week.

    End up doing about 10 miles @ about 9:10

    4 miles done on Tuesday @ about 9:45

    6 miles done last night @ about 9:31

    I'm thinking on doing the Rock and Road half marathon in Galway in March. Has anyone done it before?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    A good weekend of running. Did my longest run in a few months, probably since November, and it felt much more comfortable as I was still a bit knackered after DCM at that stage.

    8 miles @ 9:31 on the Saturday.

    A nice easy 4 miles @ 10:31 on Sunday, as I was pacing my sister who is aiming for the Limerick half in about 2:20.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Midweek update. This is a step back week with only 4 days running this week so yay!

    3 miles on Wednesday @ 9:19

    5 miles on Thursday @ 9:20

    Hips are a bit sore, I think I just need to get new shoes. 482 miles on these ones!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,831 ✭✭✭Annie get your Run


    Have a look here for half marathons in March, it's in the events thread, maybe Mullingar or Kerry might suit you.

    I did Kinvara Rock n Road last year, would highly recommend it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Have a look here for half marathons in March, it's in the events thread, maybe Mullingar or Kerry might suit you.

    I did Kinvara Rock n Road last year, would highly recommend it.

    Thanks Annie. I'll probably do the 10k. I thought it was late March, when I'd be closer to half marathon fitness, and giving it a good lash, so I think the 10k will suit me better in early March, and I'll go for a PB in that one.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Weekend was fine, got my two runs done.

    3 miles @ 8:48
    6 miles @ 9:05

    Breaking in new shoes that were badly needed. Hip pain pretty much gone instantly.

    Plan for this week is 5 miles today, and tomorrow. Wednesday, I'm in Rome so no run but plenty of walking. I'm hoping to do 6 miles in Rome on Thursday, as I've love to run around the city, and Friday as rest. Back in Ireland for 9 miles on Saturday and 4 on Sunday.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    It's been a few days since I updated it.

    Last week:

    Tuesday: 5 miles @ 9:21
    Wed: Nothing, but walked about 20k!
    Thursday: 3 miles @ 10:10 (after two days of lots of walking!)
    Friday: 3.4 miles @ 9:54 - the run around a whole country! I did a loop around the whole of Vatican city. Nice to run around a country before breakfast!
    Saturday: Rest, as I was fairly tired after the week.
    Sunday: 9 miles @ 9:08


    This week:

    Tuesday: 5.1 miles @ 9:09
    Thursday: 4 miles @ 9:06

    Planning on 3 miles this evening, 10 tomorrow and 3/4 on Sunday.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Fairly decent weekend.

    3 miles on Friday @ 9:04
    10 miles on Saturday @ 9:06 (first double digit run since DCM!)
    3 miles on Sunday @ 9:03 (absolutely horrible weather)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    I have a query that some people may or may not be able to help with in relation to cadence. One of the guys in work looked at my Garmin and thought my cadence was a bit slow.Now, this guy is a really fast sub 2:30 marathoner, so comparisons between us are stretched at best, and obviously, his expectations and mine would be worlds apart.

    For his last run, he had an average of 176 with a max of 188.

    My cadence for my last 5 runs is as follows (avg/max)

    166/171 (6 miles)
    165/171 (5 miles)
    167/173 (3 miles)
    166/175 (10 miles)
    166/171 (4 miles)

    I'm a fairly even runner in that most, if not all of my runs, are very even or descending (in that my first mile is my slowest, and last is normally the fastest) - recently most of my runs have been in the 9:00 to 9:20 mile speed, as I'm hoping for close to 1:50 in Limerick in April, and with one eye on training for Berlin, and hopefully a sub 4.

    Does this look okay, or would it be something I should improve? From a quick google, everyday runners seem to be about the 160 - 170, so I fall into this spectrum, but I have a few weeks before I have to start training for Berlin so if this is something I could work on to help me with Berlin (as a curiosity, my DCM run of 4:27 was 162/171) with average length of .98m)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    A fairly decent week this week, bar the missed run on Saturday.

    Tuesday: 5 miles @ 9:05
    Wednesday: 6.2 miles @ 9:25
    Friday: 3 miles @ 9:18
    Saturday: missed 3 mile run
    Sunday: 11 miles @ 9:28

    I also started Pilates once a week, as it's on in work! Nearly died the first week, but last weeks session had some good stretching, which I need to do more of!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Consistent week again, with no missed runs, which was nice!

    Tuesday: 5 miles @ 9:16 avg
    Wednesday: 5 miles tempo @ 8:40 avg
    Friday: 3 miles @ 8:59 avg
    Saturday: 5 miles @ 9:20 avg
    Sunday: 12 miles @ 9:26 avg

    Total: 30 miles

    Felt fairly good after the 12 miles, though a bit stiff in the evening, as I'm trying to get my easy pace to 9:30 or so. I definitely could have kept going for another few miles though, which was reassuring.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Tuesday: 5 miles @ 9:08 or so
    Wednesday: 5 miles @ 9:32

    My right hamstring is a bit sore today, but today is a rest day. I have pilates today so the stretching may help that. I've 3 miles scheduled for Friday and Saturday, and 13 (.1) on the Sunday, so I'll see how I feel on Friday evening and see if I have to revise that a bit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Due to the niggle, I took the 3 miles on Fri/Sat off, and cut down my Sunday run to 6 miles, just to feel things out.

    6 miles done @ 9:33 or so. Fairly handy but it was windy and tough going in parts, especially around miles 3 and 5.

    16 miles for the week, so an enforced rest week. Plan for next week is 5/5/4/3/13.1


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Bah, terrible week really.

    Tuesday: 5 miles @ 9:22
    Wednesday: 5 miles @ 9:25
    Friday : missed 3 miler due to work
    Saturday: 4 miles @ 9:26
    Sunday: missed 13.1 miler due to everything!

    Same plan for next week - 5/5/4/3/13.1

    Thankfully, my only planned race is Limerick in a month, and I'm already well enough prepared for that. Just need to keep the engine ticking!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Back on track this week!

    Tuesday: 5.1 miles @ 9:11
    Wednesday: 5.2 miles @ 9:27
    Friday: 4 miles @ 9:15
    Saturday: 3 miles @ 9:27
    Sunday: 13.1 miles @ 9:45

    That was the longest run I've had since DCM, and the last 3 miles felt quite tough, though I did manage to keep my pace very consistent. I think it was just a bit of tiredness, as I have spent all day Saturday, and most of Sunday morning doing power washing on my house, so I was stooping a bit, and I'm not as young as I used to be. It was warm enough, and I think I got a bit dehydrated, enough though I did have water with me, I had gone through most of it by mile 9. Glad to have it done with now. I'm feeling okay this morning, a bit tight but definitely would be able to go out for a run today. I won't though. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Forgot to update this last week so a double update this week.

    Last week, I decided to take as a rest week.

    5 miles @ 9:23
    5 miles @ 9:34
    8 miles @ 9:31
    4 miles @ 9:42 (felt really tired during this one)

    I missed my Tuesday run this week as I had no one to mind the child, so I replaced my 3 mile with a 5 mile

    Wed: 5 miles @ 9:38
    Thurs: 5.1 miles @ 9:26
    Sat: 4 miles @ 9:24
    Sun: 13.1 miles @ 9:42

    The 13 miles felt better than the last one, but was definitely suffering from a lack of food towards the end, as I was a tad light headed, as I only had a small bit to eat in the previous 15 hours. Overall, happy with the week. The plan to to do about the same mileage this week, with a 8 to 10 mile long run before the race at the end of April. I don't know if sub 1:50 is realistic, but I'll go for it anyway and see what happens!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Tapering week before the Half this week. I'm just going to do 3/3/3 on Tues/Weds/Sat before the 13.1 on Sunday.

    Tues: 7 miles @ 9:28
    Wed: 4 miles @ 9:14
    Sati: 3 miles @ 9:27
    Sun: 5 miles @ 9:36

    I'm not sure what I'm going to do for Limerick. My PB is 1:56:57 so I want that beaten anyway.

    My initial goal was 1:49:xx, which is an 8:24 per mile pace. I can probably keep that up for 8 or 9 miles, but it really depends on the day. A nice wet day and I'll be laughing. If the day is too hot or warm, I may just pace myself for 8:47 and sub 1:55. Weather is looking good (in a good race way, in that it's wet!) for Sunday though


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Race week, so two 3 mile runs on Tues/Wed at about 9:30 or so.

    Race Report for Great Limerick Run

    Pre-Race

    I was fairly optimistic about this race. I had done decent mileage compared to the last time I did the race, and I had done two marathons since, and run a sub 2 in Charleville. My A goal was 1:50, with 1:55 the B goal. C goal was sub 2 again, and the bottom goal was just to beat my time of 2:10 a couple of years previous. I did a small 1k warm up from my car to the start line and got ready.

    Mile 1: 8:16

    Started off well, though a few slower runners blocked the start. I felt fairly good, and had met up with a co-worker who was going for a similar time. This was a bit fast for the first mile, but not by much, so I pulled back slightly.

    Mile 2: 8:28

    Back on track. Nice steady mile, though I knew that horrible overpass was coming. The weather was steady. Not too warm, and none of the expected rain arrived. Wind was coming and going but definitely not as bad as yesterday. I do think they need to review this mile though. Massive congestion with the elite marathon runners coming back, and the 3:45s coming against them.

    Mile 3: 8:27

    Nice and steady. The hill was tough, but the new loop (which was introduced last year) is a little bit less hilly than the previous attempt, and it doesn't have that horrible run around the industrial estate (Come to Limerick! See our lovely industrial section!). Feeling a bit hot. Lot of water though to cool me down! Co-worker had pushed on a bit.

    Mile 4: 8:30

    Felt a small twinge in my thigh, but thought nothing of it. Fairly steady, but congestion at a turning point cost me a few seconds, though nothing I couldn't claw back. Fairly comfortable-ish, but if I'm being honest, I didn't think I could hold this for the full 13 at this stage.

    Mile 5: 8:32

    I passed a couple of marathoners I knew coming one way, including my brother in law. Delighted to see him doing so well, as he did very little training (He eventually finished in 4:38, a fantastic achievement). I felt okay, but again, this was back along the narrow road in mile 2 so lot a bit of time to congestion.

    Mile 6: 8:51

    It was just before Mile 6 that my thigh went stabby stabby. Really bad pain, that I struggled to keep going through. It wasn't happening. Really, really pissed off at this stage, as more than half the race was left to go. Tried to keep going to have to resort to stop/start.

    Mile 7: 10:16

    Basically back to marathon training pace. Just trying to get through and and not think that I still have 6 more miles to go. I was not enjoying this. Thigh was locking up, and I was practically hopping. Stopped to try to stretch it out a bit, but didn't seem to have much impact. Great crowd support which made me feel even worse. This was going to be a long hour.

    Mile 8: 10:01

    Picking up a bit. Tried to get back into it, but anything faster than this just hurt, so I was hopping along. I knew the North Circular was coming up (my most hated part of the course), so I knew I had that to look forward to.

    Mile 9: 10:46

    And the wheels are officially off the bus! Just holding on here. Stop/Start for a lot of this mile and the next one. Possibly the worst two miles I've done in as long as I can remember.

    Mile 10: 10:53

    I was actually starting to feel a bit better here, but at this point I knew I wasn't getting my target. I stopped to help a woman stretch out a cramped calf for about 2 mins between miles 9 and 10 and I stuck with her for the remainder. I had horrible cramps during DCM and one of the spectators had helped me, so karma! :)

    Mile 11, 12, 13 (.1) : 10:02, 10:09, 9:31

    I was just holding on here. My pace managed to pick up a bit, but I knew my thigh was going to be sore later. I find the Gaelic Grounds fairly okay, so that wasn't too bad and I knew it was all downhill from the top of that. I just focused on getting to the end. **** whoever decided to have four bloody arches along the way. We just kept telling each other "Fake Finish. Fake Finish!" - Finished just in time, as the hopping run had some strain put on my right calf which was close to cramping. Got over the line, in fairly good condition, which was disappointing. Grabbed my medal and threw it in my pocket. No interest in it. It's going into the drawer, never to be seen again.

    What did I learn?

    Firstly, I'm not quite at the 1:50 stage yet (though I do still think 1:55 is something I should be able to get) - I don't think I did anything wrong in training, but I do think I can improve my diet and maybe lose another 10 lbs or so, as I still have a small bit of weight up after the marathon training ended last year. I need to do proper strengthening exercises. They bore me to tears, but if I want to get sub 4 in Berlin, I need to start taking things a bit more seriously in that department.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Kennyg71


    Sounds like a tough day Chris, think strength excerise will pay dividend, and maybe bit more speed work into Berlin training.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,839 ✭✭✭hot buttered scones


    Sounds like a bad day for you. It's a bummer when that happens, especially in a big goal race, but it does happen. You just have to learn what you can and focus on the next target There's a lot who'd have dropped out in similar circumstances. I'm a bit like yourself with the strength training - it's a chore and I don't do half enough of it. But when I did do it on a regular basis (got a deal with a personal trainer) it paid dividends. Best of luck with the Berlin training.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,119 ✭✭✭Mrs Mc


    Bummer Chris hope the injury is ok. Rest up and do your exercises hope you get back soon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    First run back today. 5 miles @ 9:29

    It. Was. Really. Really. Hot.

    Not the most pleasant run, but managed to keep an even-ish pace, and more importantly, the thigh held up with no pains. Thankfully seems to have just been a muscle cramp, rather than a tear or other such damage.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Did 5 miles on Thursday @ 9:29, and 4 miles on Saturday @ 9:21 or so.

    I decided to register for the Mungret 10k as well on Thursday. I had originally thought it was on Saturday and I had a communion but it turned out to be on the Sunday so I was happy out (though I would have preferred the Saturday weather)

    I had dreams in my head of sub 50 but really, I have done absolutely zero training for speed. Like, nada. No intervals, no fartlek, nothing. All my training has been between Marathon pace and Marathon training pace, as my main goal is Berlin so I've not really been focused on faster speeds. Truthfully, I prefer longer distances at slower speeds anyway!

    Anyway, the weather was shaping up to be wet, but it was a case of having 15 mins of rain and then sun, and repeat. I really do not deal with heat well. At all. I really must look into a hat or something. My hair isn't as thick as it used to be so I probably need some assistance in that regard :)

    I met up with a guy who I had run with a few times. He had done the Limerick Marathon a few weeks ago so wasn't sure what state he was in so he said he'd go for the sub 50 but may have to pull back (Spoiler: He finished in 49:30 or so)

    Mile 1: 7:40

    Legs felt fine after the injury in Limerick last month. A tad faster than I needed to go out but not by much. At this stage though, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep the pace. It was hot again, and I'm just not able. We came up towards Careys Furniture, and there was a bit of a climb, but I felt okay.

    Mile 2: 8:21

    I had decided that I wasn't going to be able to keep the pace, and rather than suffer for 3 miles and had an absolutely horrible day, I'd slow down to an 8:40 or so mile, which is still a minute faster than my normal training run. I felt fairly okay at this point, mainly as most of my water was going on me, not in me. I think the 50 pacers passed me at this stage, but I wasn't too worried as this wasn't really a target race, and actually, it was only my second ever 10k race, and the first one in close to 3 years, as I had mainly being doing half marathons and marathons in the intervening periods. All slow twitch fibers! :)

    Mile 3: 8:40

    Comfortable enough, but I was definitely pushing a bit, but within reason. I think this was coming down the GLR route, but the opposite way so it was downhill rather than uphill! I can't remember my bearings exactly as my watch is in miles and the markers were in kms (heathens!)

    Mile 4: 8:40

    Nice and steady. Coming up by the Crescent Shopping Centre, lots of cars beeping and shouting support which was nice. I was a bit hot here, but the water station had just appeared so all was good. I think I went through about a liter of water, which is a lot for me on a 10k. Normally on a training run, I'd only bring it if I was going over 10 miles.

    Mile 5: 9:02

    Tough section from the Crescent up past the hospital. The elevation is 45ft over about 3/4 of a mile and it's a drag. Every single person I looked at on Strava had their slowest mile here. Thankfully, there was a bit of a downhill after on....

    Mile 6: 8:31

    Got back a bit of the time here. A nice downhill coming back into Mungret, but followed by a decent enough hill just before the finish. I had enough left in the tank to keep the pace steady as I pushed up the hill.

    Mile .2: 7:51

    Up the hill and in for the sprint finish. I had my eye on my nemesis for the race, some woman. I overtook her just at the finish line with 52:30 my official chip time, though my Garmin was 52:26, I'm not going to split hairs :)

    Overall, it was a decent day out. It's a PB by over 5 mins on the last 10k. I think I'm at the point where I'm as good as I'm going to get at this distance, unless I change my training, and that's probably not going to happen for a year or so as I have Berlin in Sept, and probably going to do Limerick in May next year, so it will be all long distance until then.

    It was a very well organised race, with a medal and a really nice T-Shirt (they actually had a choice of colours, and short/long sleeves!!!)

    Well done St. Pauls. I'll be back next year. With probably much the same time :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Quiet week as proper training is starting this week!! 18 weeks to go already!

    This week was a couple of steady 5 miles, nothing too strenous.

    Tues: 5 miles @ 9:42
    Wed: 5 miles @ 9:46
    Sun: 5 miles @ 9:28

    This week the plan is to do 5/6/5 with 5 at MP (still undecided if I'll go sub 4, I just don't know if I have it in me at the moment, after the disappointments the last month) and 10 on Sunday.

    I'm planning to do all my runs at about 9:45 with the PMP run at about 9:00 to 9:15 depending on how I feel.

    I've kept up decent fitness, in that I'm capable of doing 16 ish miles if I needed to, but truthfully, I'm feeling a bit rougher round the edges than I usually am at the start of a training plan. I'm using Mondays and Fridays as strength days, which is just following a couple of YouTube videos for exercises and some core work in the gym, as well as stretching. Hopefully, I'll stick to it this time!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,324 ✭✭✭chrislad


    Targets hit for the week! Now onto the weekend runs.

    5 miles @ 9:36 Tuesday, following by 6 on Wed @ 9:43 and another 5 on Thursday @ 9:43

    I've planned for 5 tomorrow, but I may end up doing it this evening as I have a wedding to go to tomorrow. Hopefully, won't be back too late on Sunday to get the 10 mile LSR done (I don't drink so I won't be worse for wear!)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,119 ✭✭✭Mrs Mc


    chrislad wrote: »
    Targets hit for the week! Now onto the weekend runs.

    5 miles @ 9:36 Tuesday, following by 6 on Wed @ 9:43 and another 5 on Thursday @ 9:43

    I've planned for 5 tomorrow, but I may end up doing it this evening as I have a wedding to go to tomorrow. Hopefully, won't be back too late on Sunday to get the 10 mile LSR done (I don't drink so I won't be worse for wear!)

    Coming together nicely Chris


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