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Adizero pro, I think. Supposedly a 10mm drop but they feel like an old school racing flat with minimal drop. Bit firm and too tight in the toe box.
Only 60 miles on them but don't think I'll bother with them anymore.
I actually think me and Adidas just don't get on.
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March 8th (Tue) - 9 miles, checking out the track in the middle of the run, cracking day.
March 9th (Wed) - 3 miles super easy in the morning and just shy of 6 in the evening checking out trails.
March 10th (Thu) - 4 miles super easy in the morning. 5k Time Trial in the evening.
Super excited for this, long time since I time trialed over 12.5 laps, had the track completely to myself, clear blue skies and approx 17/18° with a slight breeze on the home straight.
I had checked earlier in the day what my splits needed to be per lap, 96 secs. However I somehow confused it with 98 secs. I felt super comfortable, first lap in 92 and then I just rattled off 97s. I thought I was 10 seconds up and with 200m to go, I ran a 39 thinking this would cement a 19'4 STH. When I paused the watch on the finish line and it read 20'03, I was baffled. Walked over to my bag and plugged the 20 mins into the calculator and I realised my mistake. Frustrating but I just laughed, I was strong and as comfortable as you can be during a 5k, so next time.
March 11th (Fri) - first rainy day of the camp, still warm, 9 miles in total.
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March 12th (Sat) - Close to 17 miles but broken into two parts. Just shy of 11 with the first group. Beautiful route that started at sunrise. There was 4 of us, all quicker than me but I held my own and was happy with the stats, I did wear the Vaporflies just incase I struggled to keep up. Pace 7'55, AGR 76%.
Followed this up immediately with a 6 miler with the 2nd group, another beautiful route down to the river Guadiana and then back to the hotel via the trails.
March 13th (Sun) - Rest. My train was at 8:40am, left gear out to run but decided against it.
The camp went really well, a number of sessions, double day runs, 5able tennis, sea dips and eating out but my highlight was the 5k on the track, although I made a mess of it, I felt strongly and enjoyed it immensely.
60 miles for the week plus 40 miles of cycling.
March 14th (Mon) - Back home, rain jacket on for the AM run. Peculiar run, sluggish at times, flying at other, strange one. 5 miles, pace 8'16, AHR 74%
3.5 miles in the PM, Pace 10'55, AHR 66%. 3X80m strides at the end.
Contemplating Portlaoise 5k on the Thursday or Marlay Parkrun on the Saturday. The hour drive for the former putting me off.
Designed a new racing singlet via a German website, should arrive tomorrow.
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Singlet arrived today, love it, great fit and light. I'll probably go black shorts as I look a little like a wannabe super hero 😅
March 15th (Tue) - 5 miles easy in the morning, pace 8'42, AHR 72% MHR.
The evening was a repeat of Monday evening with the group.
March 16th (Wed) - little shy of 6 miles with a 2 mile hard tempo around Marlay perimeter. Starting at Marlay House car park and going anti clockwise, the hilly side 6'41, feeling strong and at the top of the opening hill on Marlay parkrun, I kept the effort going and finished with a 5'53 mile second mile.
First outing for the original vaporflies and first impressions, they're a way better fit than the V2 and about 40 grams lighter.
Plan is Marlay parkrun on Saturday, used a diesel calculator I found online and apparently a round-trip to Portlaoise will cost €40, can't be having that when Marlay is on my doorstep.
Had my 6 month bloods done and I've improved my cholesterol markers, my thyroid is where it should be but my iron is low.
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March 16th (Wed) - Group run in the evening. 4 miles in total, Pace 10'42.
March 17th (Thu) - Well needed rest day.
March 18th (Fri) - Out early on my own for 5 miles easy, pace 8'22, AHR 74%. Little sluggish but I normally am after a rest day. I also need to lower the HR for these easier runs.
March 19th (Sat) - Marlay Parkrun sub 20 attempt. I'd a couple of runners I coach in the field. One was doing homework, trying to work on her early fractions in 5k. I'd given her (A) a 6'15 first mile target. The other guy (B) would be aiming for low 19s, so probably won't see him at all.
Strong start and I'm on the shoulder of runner A, I can see she nailed her first mile split and she pulled me along through 2 Kms in 7'45 (3'58 & 3'47) before she pushed on. I was working hard and I did not have her change in gears (her PB is 17'52).
The 3rd l is lovely and flat, I can feel that I'm working and in control. I can also see that runner A has gone by runner B and he seems to be coming back to me 11'39 (3'54).
I hate the 4th km, it's a long drag up through the forest. I normally down tools here and just take note of who goes by me so as to try get them back on the last km but I got into a duel here and he dragged me through the forest in my fastest ever split for that section 15'51 (4'12).
I love the last km and I knew I was up by at least 10 secs. The guy who I was battling folded and I now had runner B in my sights but I know he's a quick closer.
I was pushing and really working hard but rather than getting negative in my thoughts, I was excited and positive, can I get him. With about 600m to go, another guy I coach who was out on his long run shouted "Go on Dave" and with that Runner B took off, he had heard the shout and responded, I had nothing left to offer in the form of changing gears but I was maintaining my effort.
With the last turn and 150m to go, wind in my face, I drove with everything I had, 19'19 (3'28).
It's a parkrun PB, previous was 19'42 from Feb 2019, it's also quicker than my 19'25 from MSB 2009.
Obviously the Vaporflies help, so to be so much under 20 today is reassuring, in that it wasn't all just the shoes (but they are a big part).
Absolutely ecstatic walking down the tunnel. The guys I coach were 9th & 10th and I was 11th.
On a bit of a runner high since, I wore my new singlet, which I just love.
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March 30th (Wed) - Only window to run was a 5:40am start. 4 mile warm up, followed by 6x200m on hills with a jog back down recovery. Enjoyed these, just trying to give myself a different stimulus for improving over 5k. Followed by 1 mile at 10k effort just concentrating on good form. A little over 7.5 miles.
March 31st (Thu) - A little over 5 miles at 8'44 mile pace at 71% MHR.
Apr 1st (Fri) - Can't believe it's April already. Thought the paths might be icy so didn't chance an early start. Instead I went out to UCD at lunchtime and got 5 miles in with 3x120m strides. Then another 4k with a bit of company exploring.
Giving Marlay Parkrun another shot in the morning but not looking forward to the cold.
Post edited by Wottle on7 -
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