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Earning my go-faster stripes...
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18-08-2017 2:05pm#1
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Let's kick this off with a recap
13/08/2017
My first half marathon. I followed a Boards graduate plan for this (despite not being a marathon graduate) Training had gone well but I had no idea what kind of time to aim for, never having run a long race before. I had dreams of going sub 2:00 but didn't think that was remotely realistic with how bad I had been feeling lately, and on a hilly course too. So I thought 2:10 was more realistic, and that would have been fine with me. But I told myself that if I felt good on the morning I'd start off just behind 2 hour pace and see how it felt. And it turned out that it felt pretty good. And somehow, it continued to feel pretty good for the rest of the race.
I posted here a while back asking for advice on pace, and got great advice, especially from Testosterscone (author of the very plan I was following) who suggested starting out at 9:10 pace for a few miles and picking it up if I could after that. So that's what I did.
First half (ish)
Miles 1-7 - 9:11, 9:07, 8:56, 9:40, 8:57, 8:48, 8:55
Bit messy at the start - I couldn't find the 2 hour pacers so entered a corral beside the 55 min 10k pacers. Eventually saw the 2 hr sign a corral or two back but it was too late to move. Figured I'd slow down and catch them on the way. Stupid. Luckily I realised in time that that would put me well over 2 hours as I would have started before them, so I just set off on my own and winged it.
I kept an occasional eye on my watch to make sure I wasn't starting off too fast, but for the most part I just went by feel. And it felt good. I couldn't believe how comfortable I felt out there. Running through the city was lovely. High-fived a few kids - great boost that.
My lovely boyfriend had gotten up early to drop me to the start, and then went back to cheer me on at various points. Saw him for the first time at Heuston, and ran over to high-five him too (it was the order of the day). On from there up the hill to the Royal Hospital. I though this would be a killer, but it was fine. Onwards! Chatted to a few people along the way which really made the day for me. I love the camaraderie of runners.
Got through Chapelizod and heard the announcement for the 10k runners to separate off, where it almost went horribly wrong for me as I have trouble telling my left from right at the best of times, so when I heard the announcer clearly say "10k runners stay left and half marathoners to the right" I started to obediently trot over to the park side of the road before realising in time that no, right was the other way.
Second half
Miles 8 - 13.1 - 9:20, 9:26, 8:24, 8:37, 8:57, 8:32 (+ 1:04 for the last 0.1 miles)
This was where it was supposed to get interesting (i.e. hills for days). I slowed a bit coming into the park and up Chesterfield Ave, but got back on track fairly quickly. I had run this part of the route several times in training and I knew those hills in the park could hurt, but somehow they didn't bother me at all in the race. I saw lots of people walking up them but I didn't feel any urge to walk. I didn't even seem to slow down much. Passed my one-man support team here again and shouted at him to get off his bum. He shouted back that I should stop chatting and put the effort into running. Fair point. But I was enjoying myself...
At this point I knew the end wasn't too far away and I didn't really want it to be over.
Mile 12 was really the only point in the whole race where it felt like an effort, though still manageable. I had none of the evil thoughts about stopping, or slowing, that I usually get at some point during a race. Swallowed a fly around this point - sneaky little creature attempted to throw off my whole race. Started coughing like a maniac which caused a few alarmed glances from the two lads either side of me.
I knew I had more in me towards the end, but was afraid of calling on it too early. I was a bit too cautious maybe. Waited until I turned the last corner back onto Chesterfield when the finish line was just up ahead to go for it, passing a few people on my way. Crossed the line and couldn't believe it when I looked at my watch. I knew by that stage that I had managed sub 2 hours, but I was astounded to see 1:57:59 once I'd stopped my watch.
Official chip time: 1:57:5x. Happy out.
Final thoughts:
I had been really unsure about how this would go, so I was cautious and kept waiting for some awful suffering that never came. In the end I felt so comfortable throughout that I finished wondering if I could have (should have?) pushed harder and tried to go a bit faster. Then again, maybe if I had it would all have fallen apart. Who knows. I thought all along that I would have to choose between enjoying my first half marathon (by taking it easy) and running a time I wanted (by pushing myself). In the end I managed to both enjoy it and finish faster than I ever hoped. So really I couldn't have asked for better. I'll take that.0 -
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Annie get your Run wrote: »Welcome to the logs Your times are very similar to my PB's, will be following with interest Well done in the R&R and best of luck with your next goal.
Thank you! Your log is one of the ones I've been following for a good while now!0 -
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Thank you! Your log is one of the ones I've been following for a good while now!
:o You won't learn anything over there though, unless you can learn from my mistakes 
.I'm dying to try a marathon some day (some day = hopefully Dublin 2018).
See you there so
. It's great that your marathon goal is over a year away, it's more than achievable and with tons of time to build up to it you'll have a fantastic debut. I presume you're following the novices thread too? 0 -
5K | 24:36 | August 2017 (Parkrun) or
| 25:44 | April 2017 (race)
5 mile | 43:16 | May 2017
10K | 53:00 | June 2017
HM | 1:57:5x | August 2017
Well, you're definitely not slow! I shall be following your log with interest as your times are ones that I would aspire to (loonnnngg term). I also have half an eye on DCM 2018
Have you any goals in the shorter term?
Best of luck with the log 0 -
Your 5k, 5m and 10k times are very similar to mine also. Your HM time however is 12 mins faster so you've given me something to shoot for lol!! And I had a similar experience with almost non existent iron reseeves recently enough as well. It's no fun
Best of luck with the log & the running! I'll be following with interest 0 -
Ah now! You've done plenty that I can only dream of!Annie get your Run wrote: »:o You won't learn anything over there though, unless you can learn from my mistakes .
Oh only a bit obsessivelyAnnie get your Run wrote: »See you there so. It's great that your marathon goal is over a year away, it's more than achievable and with tons of time to build up to it you'll have a fantastic debut. I presume you're following the novices thread too? It was the novices thread last year that really gave me the bug!
Thank you! Ah I always feel slow, particularly because my easy run pace is crazy slow. Yesss - get on the DCM '18 train!Well, you're definitely not slow! I shall be following your log with interest as your times are ones that I would aspire to (loonnnngg term). I also have half an eye on DCM 2018
Have you any goals in the shorter term?
Best of luck with the log
Well my HM time was much faster than I was expecting too! So I'm sure you're well able. Mind you I wasn't training for a marathon at the same time, so that makes it easierYour 5k, 5m and 10k times are very similar to mine also. Your HM time however is 12 mins faster so you've given me something to shoot for lol!! And I had a similar experience with almost non existent iron reseeves recently enough as well. It's no fun
Best of luck with the log & the running! I'll be following with interest 0 -
Thank you! Ah I always feel slow, particularly because my easy run pace is crazy slow. Yesss - get on the DCM '18 train!
Don't worry about that. My easy pace on my first marathon was close to 11:40 for the long, long runs. It's 10:20 this year. I would say it gets easier in time, but it doesn't really, you just get faster 0 -
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Ha, thanks for the encouragement... kind ofDon't worry about that. My easy pace on my first marathon was close to 11:40 for the long, long runs. It's 10:20 this year. I would say it gets easier in time, but it doesn't really, you just get faster But actually it's really good to hear that - my easy pace is often right around your old easy pace, so it's good to know improvement is possible. Often feels like nothing is changing. 0 -
Looks like I picked a great time to start a training log - i.e. the time I have done the least actual running I've done in over a year. Hmmm...
Sure we'll forget about last week (we can do that, right? ) which was lost to post HM recovery, brief sickness, and putting in long overdue time with family and friends instead of going out running.
So onto this week! Plan was to get back in the swing properly, albeit a bit more gradually if needed. I haven't got any particular plans/goals at the moment, but I'm thinking of targeting a 10k in 6/8 weeks as a start.
With that in mind, I set my alarm for early this morning and headed out for 45-60 mins easy running. Except that 15 mins in I thought I was going to puke and had to crouch down on the side of the road until my stomach settled enough to gingerly walk back home. Not a good start! Lesson learned: don't take iron tablets on an empty stomach and go straight out for a run, especially when said stomach was already fairly dodgy the night before. Will do better tomorrow. 0 -
Looks like I picked a great time to start a training log - i.e. the time I have done the least actual running I've done in over a year. Hmmm...
Sure we'll forget about last week (we can do that, right? ) which was lost to post HM recovery, brief sickness, and putting in long overdue time with family and friends instead of going out running.
So onto this week! Plan was to get back in the swing properly, albeit a bit more gradually if needed. I haven't got any particular plans/goals at the moment, but I'm thinking of targeting a 10k in 6/8 weeks as a start.
With that in mind, I set my alarm for early this morning and headed out for 45-60 mins easy running. Except that 15 mins in I thought I was going to puke and had to crouch down on the side of the road until my stomach settled enough to gingerly walk back home. Not a good start! Lesson learned: don't take iron tablets on an empty stomach and go straight out for a run, especially when said stomach was already fairly dodgy the night before. Will do better tomorrow.
Oh god love ya! I find the iron tablets really really hard on my stomach too. I take Ferrograd C and the only way i can tolerate them is to take them at night, last thing before i go to bed, so far i've been fine to run the next morning. They make me puke when i take them in the morning even without running after :rolleyes:
On the positive side though well done on getting up early 0 -
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Bluesquare wrote: »Welcome !! Ferrograd C for me as well ! The joys of low iron ! We have similar times as well and I also have my eye on DCM 2018.
Oooh running twins! :P Except actually your times are faster than mine Like you I would LOVE to get sub-50 for a 10k, but it seems like a pipe dream! I've only run one 10k race though, so I suppose in time maaaaaybe? Good luck with yours! 0 -
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Ahem... where were we?
Went away on holidays for a week and running took a backseat to doing other things while there, which seems only right and proper given that I'm not training for anything specific anymore... *sniff*
I managed two very scenic runs and 3 hikes in the week so it wasn't all sitting around, though there was plenty of that too.
Quick and dirty round up:
Sunday 27th: 6 miles easy - 11:02 avg pace
144 (155) HR avg (max)
Lovely evening run along canal paths in Wales. Nothing like a bit of run tourism.
Monday 28th - 2 hour hike
Tuesday 29th: 6 miles easy - 11:29 avg pace
145 (156) HR avg (max)
Same route as Sunday, but slower. I'm always slower first thing in the morning.
Wednesday 30th August - 12 mile hike (not one but TWO mountains climbed! )
Friday 1st September - another hike, not sure of the details (no Garmin so who knows if it even really happened?)
Nothing for the weekend
Really would love to do more hill walking regularly, but it's hard to fit around running. Now, home and time to get back into a routine!0 -
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So I think I've decided on a vague plan of action for the next while. Rather than targeting races for a bit I want to build up my base, and most of all I want to get my easy run pace up to something more respectable so that I can get through more miles. Therefore I'm going to attempt a phase of mostly easy running by heart rate, and then a mix of easy and sub-LT running (also by heart rate) following the HADD protocol, with the goal being to gradually increase each of those paces relative to the same HRs, if that makes sense. We shall see...
If anyone has any experience of this please feel free to share!
No specific experience but I know by running more miles at easy pace I saw my hr drop for the same distance & pace. Best of luck with the plan! You'll be well ahead of the game for DCM 2018 should you choose to go that route 0 -
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Well this was a bit of a weird one. And by weird, I mean mostly bad. Plan was (is) lots of easy running, keeping to the heart rate zone of 140-145. Hadd says that at the start you may need to go up to 150 until you adjust, so I'm allowing a bit of wiggle room. Even still, I found my heart rate soaring despite moving just about as slowly as I possibly could. Made for a fairly frustrating experience, to be honest. No room for ego here when you're "running" but barely overtaking the walkers out for a stroll. But this is a long term game and I'll keep at it.
Goal for all runs: Keep HR between 140-145
Monday 4th: 5.2 miles / 11:38 avg pace / 147 (162) HR avg (max)
The smallest incline sent the HR upwards. Otherwise fine.
Tuesday 5th: 5 miles / 11:28 avg pace / 145 (155) HR avg (max)
Who cares about running, I finished my book! Been slogging through Moby Dick for a million months now and I finally finished it. I thought running my first half marathon was a good achievement but it's got nothing on this
Wednesday 6th: 5.05 miles / 11:58 avg pace / 145 (153) HR avg (max)
Ran on a treadmill for the first time in a very long time. Now I remember why I stopped doing that.
Thursday 7th: 4.07 miles / 12:24 avg pace / 145 (156) HR avg (max)
Runmute home with my backpack. Awful! Into the wind the whole way but no matter how slowly I went the heart rate kept rising. This one was painful.
Friday 8th: 5.1 miles / 12:25 avg pace / 145 (156) HR avg (max)
Runmute into work this time, backpack again. Marginally less awful than yesterdays.
We'll see what the weekend brings...0 -
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Plenty of time to research the right one! I'm excited already even though it's over a year away!Bluesquare wrote: »Your very patient - after one days experience my head was melted . Although I'm liking this new average heart rate setting! You can join me on sub 4 quest for DCM next year .........
Just need to find the right plan!
Thanks, it's reassuring to hear that! I'm hoping it starts to improve soon, because it's painfully slow at the moment! And ummm, I know it's supposed to be max under 145, but I haven't managed that yet no matter how hard I try!Annie get your Run wrote: »Eyrie, if it helps at all, those paces look very similar to the ones I was doing when I started HADD too, they will come down and it won't take very long (a few weeks I bet before you start noticing differences). The wind will affect this too, so does running on grass (I find!).
Just at note on HADD, you can't use avg HR for HADD, it must be Max - 50 (or -40 in the beginning as you said).
Glad I'm not the only one! ThanksFor the laugh, I looked back on my first few "runs" following HADD. I definitely could've walked the distance at much the same pace. If you do a search for HADD in the logs, you'll see people reporting similar experiences. It's really good to be able to read about other people's experiences actually, makes me think there might be light at the end of the (slow) tunnel! 0 -
Saturday 9th: 7.8 miles / 11:58 avg pace / 144 (154) HR avg (max)
Shortest "long" run ever. I definitely managed the slow part though. Retraced a bit of the route of the RnR half just for fun/nostalgia.
Sunday 10th: No running but a short hike in between torrential rain showers instead.
Mileage for the week: 32.2
And that's a wrap on week 1 of my HADD experiment! I'd love to this that this week will see me become magically faster, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it might take a little longer 0 -
Well done on week 1 of HADD training. I'll be following with interestBluesquare wrote: »Your very patient - after one days experience my head was melted . Although I'm liking this new average heart rate setting! You can join me on sub 4 quest for DCM next year .........
Just need to find the right plan!
I can't believe i was just reading back and got excited when i saw this :eek::eek::eek::eek: So much for never again and i haven't even go to the start line of this year yet :pac::pac::pac::pac:0 -
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Well done on week 1 of HADD training. I'll be following with interest
I can't believe i was just reading back and got excited when i saw this :eek::eek::eek::eek: So much for never again and i haven't even go to the start line of this year yet :pac::pac::pac::pac:
Oh but just think how much easier the second one is bound to be! (I assume, based on no experience whatsoever ) People aren't lying when they say it's a bug are they?? 0
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