So, what time will you be back at?

Dealerz2.0

Well, its taken me a fair amount of time to decide if I should start a training log, but I reckon it can only but help to share and learn on a boards running forum, eh?

"So, what time will you be back at?" is a smart arsed reference to the question (currently 5 mornings a week!) my patient wife asks me how long she has before she has to drag herself (she'd kill me if she read this!) out of bed and the shower so that I can hop straight in to the shower after my run and get to work.

My running so far:

One weekend in November 2016, the realisation that I was doing very little exercise and eating and drinking lots and that I needed to change those habits in some way, made me go up very early one morning to the Roganstown Hotel Gym (I was a member through the Golf Club) for a run.....needless to say I was wrecked but loved the good feeling post run.

Golf was beginning to take a back seat as I was crap, paying lots of money in subs and it was taking up, all in, about 5/6hours on a Saturday morning.

I ran a parkrun on New Years Day 2017, ran my first 10k race in Drogheda March 2017, then a 10k in Swords July 2017 as part of the race series, then the Rock n Roll half marathon August 2017 and then Clontarf half marathon in November 2017. Needless to say I was "hooked" on running now rather than golf.

I knew I hadn't a marathon in my legs in 2017 but was making big plans for 2018 and I joined up with the other Boards novices around May 2018.

I loved the marathon training, the routine of my morning runs (I nearly always run around 6.30am mid week), ticking the boxes of each run/week/weekly miles. The advice on the novice forum was invaluable, even if I sometimes ignored it. Still haven't met many from that thread yet we are nearly on a daily basis "chatting" on social media/internet, and they are a great bunch.

The marathon itself was a tale of two halves, the first half was full of joy, the second was full of pain just to get home, "I went out in a Ferrari and came home in a hearse". My quads tightened completely at mile 17 (I walked/ran to get home) and poor nutrition/stretching that morning led me to disappointing personal time but I cant regret the journey, it was brilliant.......but I have a burning feeling that I have unfinished "marathon" business and I can improve on my time.

My recent times:
10 mile: 1:27:xx (Trim Feb 2019)
Half: PB is 1:51:xx (Bohermeen on March 11th 2019 was 1:52:xx)
Marathon: 4:23:xx (DCM 2018)

Future/Current plans:

Belfast on May 5th 2019- (I am following the Boards Grad Beginners marathon plan, really enjoying the mix of runs of the plan)
DCM Race Series-
DCM 2019-

Goal: A marathon time of 3:59:59 or better!

So that's me, I will try and post weekly updates of my training and how its all going, and all advice is welcome!
cheers
@strokesfh

Dealerz2.0

Week 7 of 15 Belfast Training- week ending 10th March:

I had Bohermeen on Sunday so my plan was to drop Saturdays planned 60min easy. I originally was planning on going slow at Bohermeen (2hr plan) but I just felt I needed to change that and see how much I could push myself so I revised my plan to try and get a 1:52. Why 1:52? I am not sure why to be honest, I wanted a "fast" time as close to PB as I could, to see if it was in my legs but also to test if all my easy runs were the right plan for me.

Monday and Friday are always rest days for me.

Tuesday: 60mins easy- 5.8miles at 10:14 per mile
Wednesday: 60mins moderate- 4.59miles at 9:49 per mile
Thursday: 60 mins easy-5.79 miles at 10:21 per mile

Sunday: Bohermeen Half: 13.22 miles at 8:34 per mile- 1:52:28

Bohermeen:

Weather was Baltic, really like this race and this was my second year racing it. Myself and Sideshowbob headed to the race in blue skies after a yellow weather warning issued the previous day. Heading to the race I felt great, felt strong and ready to go. My plan was to start at 8:40 pace keeping the 1:50 pacers in my eyeline until mile 8 and then see if I could catch them or not. In hindsight I should have started and tried to stick with the 1:50 pacers. For miles 1 to I'd say mile 10 I had them in my sights, but the final turn on to the main road and the headwind I knew I wouldn't catch them.
Happy I got the 1:52 I went looking for, however I logged on to the sub4 hr thread on Monday and I have to admit it dented my confidence. Do I really need to be racing a 1:40/5 to break 4 hours? I hope not as I feel I am training well for it in Belfast

skyblue46

Good luck with both the training log and Belfast.

As for a half time that gives a guideline for a Sub 4 marathon...Yes it can be done off a 1:50/52 half. A 1:40/45 would give a bit more room to manoeuvre but still wouldn't be a guarantee. That's the cruel beauty of the marathon...no guarantees! With the right training over the next couple of months you will have every chance.

Dealerz2.0

skyblue46 wrote: »

Good luck with both the training log and Belfast.

As for a half time that gives a guideline for a Sub 4 marathon...Yes it can be done off a 1:50/52 half. A 1:40/45 would give a bit more room to manoeuvre but still wouldn't be a guarantee. That's the cruel beauty of the marathon...no guarantees! With the right training over the next couple of months you will have every chance.

Thanks S- appreciate the advice- didn't spot you at Bohermeen, hope you made it for the pint after the race!

ReeReeG

Delighted to see you start up a log F!

Dealerz2.0

ReeReeG wrote: »

Delighted to see you start up a log F!

Thanks V, sure we will see how it goes like!

Rossi7

So do we have to keep reading this log to eventually find out what time you did get back at ?

Dealerz2.0

Rossi7 wrote: »

So do we have to keep reading this log to eventually find out what time you did get back at ?

.........the training plan very clearly answers that question! But either way I am in the wrong when I get back to the gaffe!

Mr. Guappa

Best of luck with the log F! I find the logging very useful, so hope you get something out of it too. Best of luck with the Belfast training as well, you're tipping along nicely at the moment.

Applegirl26

Yay F! I'm delighted to see you have started a log. I will be following for sure.

chickey2

Always good to see a new log!

I did a sub 4 marathon (3:58) after doing a 1:49 half so it is possible. Best of luck.

Dealerz2.0

Mr. Guappa wrote: »

Best of luck with the log F! I find the logging very useful, so hope you get something out of it too. Best of luck with the Belfast training as well, you're tipping along nicely at the moment.

Cheers Guappa, appreciate the advice. I’m “attacking” Belfast for the 3:59, but it’s not the be all and end all, it will interesting to run 26 miles in a different city where I’ll not recognise any of the route.

I kinda felt I needed a new focus after DCM

Dealerz2.0

chickey2 wrote: »

Always good to see a new log!

I did a sub 4 marathon (3:58) after doing a 1:49 half so it is possible. Best of luck.

Thanks chickey2, maybe it’s too much off of 1:52 but I’m going to enjoy the challenge of trying

Dealerz2.0

Applegirl26 wrote: »

Yay F! I'm delighted to see you have started a log. I will be following for sure.

Cheers L, ah sure I may as well, I’ll be honest I’ve not read the other logs (including your own) but I reckon if I start a log then it will guilt me into reading everyone else’s!!!

Hope the niggle is not wrecking your head too much! You were right to skip bohermeen.

eyrie

Good to see this, welcome to the logs! Mad how close Belfast is getting now - a few more weeks and you'll be tapering!

Huzzah!

Yay. Delighted to see you've started a log. I'll be following your journey to Belfast and beyond with interest.

ariana`

Good luck with the new log, it's great to see so many of the 2018 Novices around these parts

Dealerz2.0

eyrie wrote: »

Good to see this, welcome to the logs! Mad how close Belfast is getting now - a few more weeks and you'll be tapering!

Thanks eyrie- yeah looking forward to it now. Only 5 hard training weeks left

Dealerz2.0

Huzzah! wrote: »

Yay. Delighted to see you've started a log. I'll be following your journey to Belfast and beyond with interest.

Thank you Huzzah!

Dealerz2.0

ariana` wrote: »

Good luck with the new log, it's great to see so many of the 2018 Novices around these parts

Thanks ariana’

Swashbuckler

I have to laugh at the title. Was asked that very question this morning and every Saturday since I can remember.

coogy

Swashbuckler wrote: »

I have to laugh at the title. Was asked that very question this morning and every Saturday since I can remember.

Ditto!!!! 😂😂

coogy

Welcome to logland!!

Looking forward your updates!!

skyblue46

Swashbuckler wrote: »

I have to laugh at the title. Was asked that very question this morning and every Saturday since I can remember.

Divorce and a partner who is a runner has removed this question from my life! :-) In married life the question related to a round of golf that started at 8am....my answer was always the same, Closing Time!

Swashbuckler

skyblue46 wrote:

Divorce and a partner who is a runner has removed this question from my life! :-) In married life the question related to a round of golf that started at 8am....my answer was always the same, Closing Time!

See I'm trying to fit my long run around the naps of a little babba at the weekend. She naps at 11.i usually run then and we have the rest of the day for baby shenanigans.

skyblue46

Swashbuckler wrote: »

See I'm trying to fit my long run around the naps of a little babba at the weekend. She naps at 11.i usually run then and we have the rest of the day for baby shenanigans.

Baby shenanigans sounds like making number 2!!!

Dealerz2.0

coogy wrote: »

Welcome to logland!!

Looking forward your updates!!

Cheers k- fair play again on last weeks race

Dealerz2.0

Swashbuckler wrote: »

See I'm trying to fit my long run around the naps of a little babba at the weekend. She naps at 11.i usually run then and we have the rest of the day for baby shenanigans.

Fair play swashbuckler-it’s not easy fitting a new baby into a hobby you like

Kellygirl

Just spotted your log. Best of luck. Have been following on Strava so will be good to read the detail here for Belfast and after.

juke

Well wear F!

Dealerz

Belfast training week 8 update:

Monday: rest day-post boherrmeen was already dreading the Tuesday run as my legs felt very tired/heavy. I know I don't do enough stretching yet I don't change :rolleyes:

Tuesday 6:35am: 50 mins easy, 60 per plan but felt 50 was enough to wake the legs up again. Pace was 10.47- happy with that pace. Distance covered was 4.6miles. Felt great that I got out considering how tired the legs felt yesterday

Wednesday 6:28am: 77 mins easy, pace was 10.07 and distance covered 7:67 miles. Felt really strong after this run, really feel the training is kicking in now. Some guy deliberately tried to drown me by driving into a puddle, he missed but I reckon he buckled his wheel- wa*nker!

Thursday - the alarm went off at 6:15am, I heard the rain belting down and decided to chicken out and go later as I was leaving work early to visit my mother in Beaumont Hospital.

Went out at 4:30 and decided instead of doing the 60 min easy as per the plan I'd do my first hill sprint session- loved it. Did a 1.5mile warm up and cool down either side.

1/4 mile*4 hill sprints: my aim was to try and keep each section under 8min per mile pace with a gentle jog back down the hill. Going to try and run that session every Thursday instead of the 60min easy- thoughts anybody?

Friday: rest day- at meetings all day and had about 3 Danish cakes- not the best nutrition plan pre long run! But they were so nice!

Saturday: flipped the weekend sessions here and did the 2hr 15min on Saturday instead. I knew the weather was to be rotten, but kept telling myself it could be nasty weather on race day. I always feel that once I'm out in the rain I'll be fine, but getting out is the mental bit. Got a text from another runner who want to go to, I knew now pace would be an issue and easy planned pace may suffer. Was also now running with "first lady" home in balbriggan 20xx half marathon-yikes!!!

Ran out of tailwind (my order arrived that afternoon-doh!) and had no gels, so I was running this run without any fuelling. Won't let that happen again, really felt tired the last 3 miles.

2hr 15mins- 14.1miles at 9:40 average pace. The weather was brutal. Glad to get the session done. Love the route I run now for my long runs out to Portmarnock and back.

Sunday: 60 mins easy pace again got a bit hijacked when I met another fast runner who ran 3 miles with me- I'm too polite!!! Having ran the previous 8 weeks on my own, it was both nice to have chats during my runs this weekend but also reminded me it's my marathon and I need more pace discipline which I get more when I'm solo.

Session was 5.78miles at avg pace of 9:55

Total weekly miles: 37miles

Injury update: calves definetly feel tight, need to start stretching. Will be booking a sports message pre Belfast marathon to get a good muscle work out.
The arch of my foot is getting more troublesome, this was the issue that stopped me running two weeks pre DCM, I'm not sure there is a fix. My new runners feel like gloves and have good arch support, it may be just a cumulative mileage issue, but I'm no doctor!!

A nice few beers last night for a paddies day party with friends and kids.....the alcohol needs cutting out pre marathon very very very soon!

All in all a good training week.

skyblue46

Re thoughts on hills every Thursday...only if Wednesday is an easy run. I see your plan has lots of 'stuff' on Wednesdays, don't follow that will hills the next day. It's too much.

Swashbuckler

To add to that, while there is a place for hills is everyone's training, I don't think doing them every week is wise.

Dealerz2.0

Great, Thanks for that - will rethink that one again re hills

Dealerz2.0

Belfast training WK 9: a mixed bag of emotions this week!

Monday rest day
Tuesday: 5.7miles at easy pace of 10:20. Felt good, no issues. Always like this run as it kicks off another weeks training block.

Wednesday: plan was 30min tempo, to keep the miles up I did a few miles warm up and cool down. The 30min tempo run at 8:30 pace was really enjoyable, confidence was high.....I loved this session, I was buzzing.

Thursday: 5:9miles at easy pace of 10:11. Not sure how or why, human nature or my own ingrained issues, but with 2 miles left of this run, it started with the negative thoughts of not having enough miles/training done. It’s weird the way it just sneaks up on you like that......at 7am..... on a cold spring morning....on (Swords) Main Street.

Friday: rest day

Saturday: plan called for 60 easy, but because of Thursdays mind games I added on 20 mins and did 80mins (7.8miles) easy at 10:11. I think/know now that this was a silly mistake to make this long into a plan. Left foot was getting sore again having not bothered me for a week, and the legs are feeling very heavy/dead Saturday afternoon. I didn’t soak my foot in Epsom salts- but I should have. I feel I neglected a warning sign.

Sunday: plan was a 90min progression run but again I added on nearly 2 miles either side of the c.10 mile session to keep my miles “up”. Silly in hindsight. The foot was bothering me now mentally and physically.

The session itself was tough, legs were still feeling heavy. 30 min Easy pace seemed like a struggle, the 30min moderate pace flew by as I turned back from portmarnock and the 30min tempo (tried to keep it at 8:40) pace was tough against a strong headwind.

Sunday moan: i try to say hello to any runners I meet when I’m out running, so many don’t even grunt back these days (today was an especially low return for even a grunt back)....what’s wrong with a smile or a nod or a wave in return? I hope it annoys them that I dared to say good morning to them.


The cool down miles were really sore and tiring- couldn’t wait to get home.


The scrambled egg post run was all I could think of.

Drinking the tailwind “rebuild” stuff- it tastes disgusting but I’m sure it’s doing some good!

Weekly miles this week: 39.4 ( that missing .6mile bugged me for a few hours!)

I think the foot is just suffering from a few tough weeks, I always feel Monday is a great recouperating day so I’ll see/debate if it needs a professional look tomorrow night after kids running coaching/babysitting.

Will be booking a sports massage in the next week or so pre marathon.

Amazing how confidence can be lost so quickly, this time last week I was buzzing for the week ahead.

“Only 3” tough weeks left before it’s taper time. Onwards and upwards.....looking forward to Wednesday speed session already.

Mr. Guappa

I'd always add warm-up and cooldown to sessions, i.e. the Wednesday and Saturday runs. Typically 15 minutes of both warm-up and cooldown. Nothing wrong with taking Tuesday off this week if you think the foot needs an extra day's rest.

Dealerz2.0

Mr. Guappa wrote: »

I'd always add warm-up and cooldown to sessions, i.e. the Wednesday and Saturday runs. Typically 15 minutes of both warm-up and cooldown. Nothing wrong with taking Tuesday off this week if you think the foot needs an extra day's rest.

Yeah, might do, cheers Mr. G. I’ll see how tomorrow feels.

juke

Not intending to be glib or flippant, F, but I reckon you are bang on the timeframe for doubts. Try trust the plan. It will work!

Dealerz2.0

juke wrote: »

Not intending to be glib or flippant, F, but I reckon you are bang on the timeframe for doubts. Try trust the plan. It will work!

Thank j- and fair play to you for getting out today, hopefully it’s positive for you from here on out!

Kellygirl

Dealerz2.0 wrote: »

Sunday moan: i try to say hello to any runners I meet when I’m out running, so many don’t even grunt back these days (today was an especially low return for even a grunt back)....what’s wrong with a smile or a nod or a wave in return? I hope it annoys them that I dared to say good morning to them.

I totally agree with you. I smile or at least nod at every runner and generally walkers too and amazing the amount that don’t acknowledge me back.

Mind that foot.

Dealerz2.0

Kellygirl wrote: »

I totally agree with you. I smile or at least nod at every runner and generally walkers too and amazing the amount that don’t acknowledge me back.

Mind that foot.

Thanks K- will do!

Maybe they are too much in “the zone” to nod back!

juke

Dealerz2.0 wrote: »

Thanks K- will do!

Maybe they are too much in “the zone” to nod back!

No, just rude.

OOnegative

Mind that foot!! Just the point about runners not acknowledging you, it’s totally the opposite here with nearly every runner you meet having a few words or big smile or wave. The way it should be.

Huzzah!

juke wrote: »

Not intending to be glib or flippant, F, but I reckon you are bang on the timeframe for doubts. Try trust the plan. It will work!

My thoughts exactly. You're right in the meat of the plan and probably exhausted. You've put in some lovely consistent training. Mind the foot and trust all your hard work to date.

Dealerz2.0

Thanks H- appreciate that

Applegirl26

Great training going on in these parts F.
I'm sure I was at around your stage in the plan when I began to start doubting everything I was doing. It's horrible but normal. You have put in some solid training. Trust it.
I hope the foot is behaving itself. You know not to ignore the little warning signs.

I say hi to everyone I pass too!

Dealerz2.0

Appreciate that L.

Yeah, the arch of my left foot was very sore after yesterday's session so took today off and hopefully it will be fine for the weekend LSR and easy session.

I wore a good arch support insole yesterday so hopefully that helps (damn you flat feet!), I also iced it for awhile last night watching the last episode of Dirty John on Netflix (I still cant get my head around that fact that it was all a true story!)

gypsylee

Just spotted your log now. Looking forward to reading it and following your progress.

Dealerz2.0

Belfast wk10 update: time is really flying by.

Could probably sum up the entire week training wise in one word: worry!!

Monday: to try and start the week positive, for the first time I tried a 20 min core routine watching a video off of YouTube, I think I enjoyed it, strange but enjoyable! Was going to try and do it again Thursday or Friday this week but just didn’t get a chance so will try again tomorrow

Tuesday: plan called for 60min easy but decided to just leave it at 50mins, pace was 10:10, mileage was 4.9. Annoyed at myself too, heading out early has it’s advantages but sometimes your brain is still asleep and I forgot to put the arch support in my runners- foot was uncomfortable

Wednesday: didn’t forget the arch support. Plan was 5*8min at threshold pace with 4 min jog between each. This also included a warm up and cool down. Definitely got the watch set up correctly which was a great life achievement!

I have to say these Wednesday sessions are so enjoyable, maybe causes it’s “speed” compared to all the easy runs or the fact you have different combinations to do during the session im not sure, but loved that session. The foot was uncomfortable but I was getting through the sessions.

I was icing it every night this week, but I think it’s the arch support that’s helping.

The session took over 75mins, now running completely late for work and that always unsettles me as I’m such a nutcase for punctuality.

Thursday: I decided to take the session off, the guilt I felt was unreal, but just figured an extra day off before the weekend would help get the weekend tough session done.

Friday: worried,just worried, every negative running/racing thought passes through my brain when im in this frame of mind.

I had a few drinks too this week....stupid!

Saturday: there was lots on and to do today as well as a mother’s day lie on for my wife to be slotted in too so I switched the weekend sessions.

Was on the road early for the planned 2.5hr easy pace session. Arch support was definitely helping. Lots of hellos from runners and walkers too- Maybe i may have over reacted last week!

The session was good, as I missed Thursdays run I decided to make it tougher and I ran 5 miles (miles 3 to 8) at Marathon pace. I think those 5 miles did my confidence the world of good. Was very tired after the run but worth it.

The views on the run are fantastic out by the Swords estuary and to portmarnock strand and back.

Total miles for the session was 15.6miles- worth it!

In bed at 9:30pm!

Sunday: happy mother’s day! Got out for my 60min easy at 9:20am (not too bad a compromise!). The arch support is definitely helping.

Weekly miles: 35miles (not bad considering the Thursday session was missed)

An interesting week session ahead, with “only” a 60min tempo run at the weekend.

Oh and my race number arrived in the post, no better feeling to get you buzzing than seeing that race number.

Dealerz2.0

This has been a great week of running, felt strong throughout the week, foot a lot better.

Monday: rest day
Tuesday: starting the week nice and early, but the cold temps was savage this morning.

60 mins: 6miles done at 9:55 pace. Have been feeling a bit of plan “fatigue” last few days, natural I know this many weeks into the plan. Starting to look forward to the post Marathon running break now.

Wednesday: plan was 90min easy pace- actual miles was just over 9miles and pace was 9:58. With mental boredom kicking in I “freshened” up my run this morning by running my name- best 5 mins of a run I’ve had in awhile- giggling like an idiot thinking about it. I’ll try and attach my “effort”.

Felt great throughout this “longish” run. Very positive run.

It was still bitterly cold in the mornings.

Thursday: plan was for 60mins but just did 54mins as time was against me. Nothing of note on this run. 5.5miles at 9:55.

Friday: rest day

Saturday: plan was for 60mins but thinking I needed some extra miles this week I ran an extra 20mins. Miles covered were 8miles and pace was 9:54. Foot felt “tired” and sore in the afternoon- a trip to blanchardstown shopping centre to get myself a suit for the eldest daughters communion wasn’t the best post recovery. Bed very early.

Sunday: plan was for 60min tempo. Went a bit off plan pace and time wise here but it was just going so well and it was a gorgeous morning weather wise.

Ran 2 miles warm up and just short of 2 miles cool down.
I ran 70 mins tempo and miles covered was 8.2.

The pace was on the fast side at 8:33 per mile but it was a very good strong training run.

Total miles this week was 40.7- a milestone for me as it’s the first time I’ve gone over 40 in a week. Delighted.

I use tailwind rather than gels during the long runs and races. I bought a camelbak water type bag in heatons. I don’t want to carry a bottle during my marathon. Used it today and I liked it. One issue was the first sip is air- a slight concern doing that during a marathon will cramp me but I’ve a 3 hr run next Sunday so I’ll see how it goes during that.

So again another good week and one last “tough” week of running left to go before tapering down.

There is no tracker set up for Belfast- a bit disappointing for the family not being able to see how I’m getting on.

Huzzah!

Dealerz2.0 wrote: »

I use tailwind rather than gels during the long runs and races. I bought a camelbak water type bag in heatons. I don’t want to carry a bottle during my marathon. Used it today and I liked it. One issue was the first sip is air- a slight concern doing that during a marathon will cramp me but I’ve a 3 hr run next Sunday so I’ll see how it goes during that.

I'm sure you're aware, but some marathons don't allow Camelbaks or only allow Camelbaks of a certain size.

Dealerz2.0 wrote: »

There is no tracker set up for Belfast- a bit disappointing for the family not being able to see how I’m getting on.

And your fellow Grads!

Nice week. Well done.