A Tall Order
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Happy Christmas everyone 🎅
Week of 11th December
Monday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:20/Km, 136avg HR
Along the Dodder Park pathway.
Tuesday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:28/Km, 129avg HR
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 20'easy, (10' @ 10 mile, 3' recovery) * 3, 20' easy - 14Km, 5:39/Km, 158avg HR
After the 5Km PB last week, I adjusted my 10mile according to the tinman calculator. Got over to Marlay. Quite a wet and windy day so wasn't looking forward to the tail end of each rep as I would be dealing with a headwind.
1st: 4:47, 4:37, 4:37
2nd: 4:44, 4:36, 5:07
3rd: 4:42, 4:42, 5:04
These felt ok. Headwind defo made them tougher towards the end.
Friday - 60'-90' of basketball
Took the opportunity to dust off the cobwebs ahead of our basketball club's social game on St Stephens Day.
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Unplanned rest day - supposed to be 90' long run. Between the PF and a lot going on at home, I skipped it.
Mileage for the Week - 34Km
Mileage for the Year - 1828Km
I felt the PF a little bit for the first time in a while on Monday having raced the parkrun on the Saturday. Nothing painful but needed to keep an eye on it. After the session on Thursday, that feeling was a bit more prominent. More so after the basketball. A few days of stretching and its back to normal. Something I need to keep a close eye on after the next few weeks prior to AON Pursuit.
A lot of easy runs this week. Not sure I will get those hilly runs that I need.
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2023
A torturous first 6 months due to plantar fasciitis. I finally got to grips with it and slowly got back running. This meant Chicago was still an option and I was delighted to come away with a PB there. Still no sub 4 but delighted with a PB after the suffering I went through earlier in the year. A small PB at Run the Line was a welcome addition. Rounding out the year was a 5Km PB which finally saw me break the 22 minute mark. A good year in the end even though it ended with a calf strain which had me miss the past few weeks.
2024 so far
I've only managed 2 * 30-35 minute easy runs since the turn of the year. The calf strain I picked up on St. Stephens Day meant I had to take it easy until I could get a physio session. Finally got it sorted for good this week. It meant I had to skip Art O'Neill Pursuit last night and it will also keep out of Raheny in a few weeks. I'm going to build up again and then focus on preparing on Wexford 1/2 in April. I should get back to normal logging from next week.
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After the last post, I lost my running mojo for a little bit. Got into some bad habits including not having my running gear prepared for the next morning's run. It meant I procrastinated with getting out and then family/work stuff got in the way later in the day. This resulted in missed runs. The injured calf is fine now but the 3 weeks of no running couldn't have come at a worse time when there's chocolates/biscuits being thrown around the house.
Week ending 21st Jan - 4 easy runs, 31Km
Week ending 28th Jan - 3 easy runs, 30Km
Week ending 4th Feb - 4 easy runs, 45Km
After what felt like grinding through those 3 weeks, I got a good week of runs in last week and feel like I am almost back into the swing of things.
Week of 5th February
Monday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:20/Km
Usual plod along the Dodder Park pathway.
Tuesday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:29/Km
Around nutgrove and up around Marlay Park.
Wednesday - 20' easy, 20' @ 10 mile, 20' easy - 10.5Km, 5:43/Km
First session since mid December and felt it. Ran this in Bushy park at about lunch time.
4:46, 4:44, 4:42, 4:47, 4:51
Thursday - Rest
Friday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:21/Km
More running around Bushy park though quite a bit of surface water around so I was running to avoid that.
Saturday - 30' easy, 30' @ 1/2, 30' easy - 16Km, 5:45/Km
Tymon Park was destination for this. Got in several loops for the interval. Relatively quiet when I was running.
5:02, 5:09, 4:58, 4:46, 5:01, 4:46
Sunday - Rest
Mileage for the Week - 57Km
Mileage for the Year - 184Km
No HR data as I need to get new battery for the HR strap. Felt tired after the 5 days of running but back to normal by the time Monday came around this week. No S&C this week, just happy to have got the running done. Mid term this week for the kids so that is making scheduling runs a little difficult.
10 weeks until Wexford - I have a lot of work to do if I am to PB (current 1:44:54) at Wexford. I have signed up to Dublin 1/2 too.
The weekly logging has kept me accountable in the past so I need to get back to that. Routine, routine, routine.
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Week of 12th February
Monday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:29/Km
Down through Rathfarnham, Churchtown and back up past Nutgrove towards Marlay and home. Late evening run.
Tuesday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:24/Km
An old route of mine through Ballyboden, Knocklyon and Firhouse. A late evening run. Hopefully the last of the late runs as the routine is getting back to normal.
Wednesday - 20' easy, 20' @ 10 mile, 5' easy, 10' @ 10 mile, 20' easy - 13Km, 5:41/Km
Destination Marlay park.
1st: 4:50, 4:44, 4:52, 4:52
2nd: 4:58, 4:51
Thursday - Rest
Friday - 35' easy - 5Km, 7:09/Km
My youngest lad ran his first 5Km on the Tymon parkrun route. Super proud of him. His older brother provided great support throughout too.
Saturday - 30' easy, 40' @ 1/2, 30' easy - 18Km, 5:40/Km
Squeezed this in between GAA and basketball. Got the warm up done past Rathfarnham village, through Terenure and into Rathgar. 1/2 pace began past Rathgar and kept it going through Rathmines, along the canal until I got to The Black Horse. I turned up the Naas Road and eventually turned for home when I reached McDs at Kylemore. Easy 30' home from there. Felt much more comfortable during this 1/2 pacing when compared with last week.
5:06, 4:58, 4:59, 4:55, 5:02, 4:56, 4:56, 4:54
Sunday - 60' easy-ish - 10Km, 6:08/Km
Jogged to/from Marlay and did junior parkrun with the youngest. The eldest lad ran on ahead so I paced the youngest to a PB of almost 2 mins. Chuffed with himself.
Mileage for the Week - 66Km
Mileage for the Year - 240Km
A better week than last week. I feel like fitness is returning to where it should be. First 6 day week in a long time. I did replace the battery in the HR strap but felt HR reading was way off on my Saturday run. I think it was back to normal on Sunday's run but I am going to test it some more before exploring an RMA.
9 weeks until Wexford 1/2.
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Week of 19th February
Monday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:26/Km, 136avg HR
Bit of a plod. Legs a little tired from the weekend.
Tuesday - 20' easy, 20' @ 10 mile, 5' easy, 15' @ 10 mile, 20' easy - 14.5Km, 5:28/Km, 160avg HR
Marlay park again
1st: 4:43, 4:40, 4:48, 4:45
2nd: 4:48, 4:42, 4:40
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:22/Km, 138avg HR
Plenty of lumps along this route. More of this to come over the next few months.
Friday - 30' easy, 50' @ 1/2, 30' easy - 19.5Km, 5:40/Km, 151avg HR
5:21, 4:50, 5:01, 4:58, 5:02, 4:57, 4:49, 5:06, 5:10, 5:01
This was an enjoyable run. Very manageable.
Got it done early so I could go see the eldest lad run in the local schools cross country race. He managed to come top 10, with a couple of his very best friends doing the same. Medals for anyone who came Top 10 so a very successful day for his class/school. A proud papa brought him for a sugary treat after school.
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:20/Km, 144avg HR
Along the Dodder Park pathway.
Mileage for the Week - 65Km
Mileage for the Year - 304Km
A hectic week so happy to get 5 days of running done. Nothing of note from the week which I will take as positive. So far I have failed this year to get S&C done so I am going to start this week.
8 weeks until Wexford 1/2.
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Well done, that young lad! (And the aul fella too.)
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Week of 26th February
Monday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:26/Km, 136avg HR
Easy around Marlay park.
Tuesday - 20' easy, 20' @ 10 mile, 5' easy, 20' @ 10 mile, 20' easy - 14.5Km, 5:28/Km, 160avg HR
Tymon park this time around. A but lumpier than Marlay but got through it. Used the parkrun route to get it done.
1st: 4:41, 4:36, 4:58, 4:32, 4:31
2nd: 4:43, 4:38, 5:01, 4:45, 4:46
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:22/Km, 133avg HR
Nondescript easy run.
Friday - 30' easy, 60' @ 1/2 + 10", 30' easy - 19.5Km, 5:40/Km, 151avg HR
5:19, 5:06, 5:23, 5:24, 5:31, 6:07, 6:03, 5:32, 6:10, 5:45
Time crunched a lot lately so my sessions have been moved forward by a day. Snow overnight and again early morning meant this was a really tough run in the latter parts. Helping pushing cars up slippery hills also zapped the legs and resulted in the interval being stop/start. Stopped slightly short of the 30' easy cool down to grab a doughnut and tea to warm me up 😄
Saturday - Tymon Parkrun - 6:16/Km, 133avg HR
Active recovery to try shake off heavy legs from the day before. Felt better for it afterwards.
Sunday - Rest
I was considering 30-60 minutes easy. Legs were still feeling Friday's session and I had a lot of coaching on so decided to be lazy.
Mileage for the Week - 60Km
Mileage for the Year - 365Km
Happy with another week under my belt. Legs are feeling a little tight so I have lined up a massage for Wednesday. Still no S&C.
7 weeks until Wexford 1/2.
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Week of 4th March
Monday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:23/Km, 150avg HR
Easy to/around/from Marlay park.
Tuesday - 20' easy, 20' @ ~4:40/Km, 5' easy, 10' @ ~4:37/Km, 5' easy, (5' @ ~4:34/Km, 3' easy) * 2, 20' easy - 17Km, 5:35/Km, 152avg HR
Marlay park again. I knew this was going to be a tough workout, it didn't disappoint. It was pissing rain and blowing a gail which also added to the suffering.
1st: 4:37, 4:35, 4:41, 4:39, 4:52
2nd: 4:32, 4:39, 4:29
3rd: 4:28, 4:25
4th: 4:30, 4:21
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:21/Km, 132avg HR
Dodder Valley Park.
45' cycling in mid afternoon. First time on the bike this year.
Friday - 20' easy, 80' @ 1/2 + 10", 20' easy - 22Km, 5:25/Km, 159avg HR
5:12, 5:02, 5:02, 5:01, 5:06, 5:11, 5:06, 5:06, 5:07, 5:05, 5:08, 5:03, 5:10, 5:03, 4:58, 4:53
After the snow debacle the previous week, I'm really happy with that run. It felt metronomic. It was a great confidence booster completing it after a tough midweek session.
Played in the national masters cup late on Friday evening. Basketball club were stuck (really stuck if they're calling me) so I laced up and put in a good enough shift considering the run I had that morning. Came away injury free which was the most important thing. Doms in muscles not used since my last proper competitive match 12 years earlier. A loss unfortunately but I've caught the bug again. I'll get out for more but only if it will fit in with running schedule.
Saturday - Rest
Woke up with aches all over. Got out for a 5Km walk which served me well.
Sunday - 5Km easy - 32', 6:22/Km, 163avg HR
Very busy with mother's day and coaching. Somehow stumbled into a 45 minute window with nothing scheduled. I needed to get some mileage in the legs prior to getting out for a few Sunday night pints.
Mileage for the Week - 65Km
Mileage for the Year - 430Km
Feeling a lot more confident after the two sessions during the week. I've got some personal travel later this coming week so going to take a step back week to avoid over stretching myself.
6 weeks until Wexford 1/2.
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Week of 11th March
Tuesday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:30/Km, 142avg HR
A plod around Tymon and Dodder Valley park.
Mileage for the Week - 10Km
Mileage for the Year - 440Km
I've had a nagging cough all week. No temperature/fever, just a cough. It has been frustrating. Between that and family travel later in the week, this was a poor week's running. I'd hoped to get a parkrun in whilst away but it was shot down as it was a "non running holiday". First I have heard of those 😀 I expect to be back to normal for the upcoming week.
5 weeks until Wexford 1/2.
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Week of 18th March
Monday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:23/Km, 132avg HR
Easy run with the boys in tow on their bikes. Dodder valley park was nice and quiet.
Tuesday - 20' easy, 20' @ ~4:40/Km, 5' easy, 10' @ ~4:37/Km, 5' easy, (5' @ ~4:34/Km, 3' easy) * 4, 20' easy - 19.5Km, 5:59/Km, 156avg HR
Felt a bit laboured throughout. I think the cough was still lingering and the endorphin pro 3s are past their use by date for speed sessions. I was huffing and puffing on the penultimate effort when Gillick floats past effortlessly. Forgot to stop my watch when I stopped to talk to someone during my cooldown so avg/Km is a little off.
1st: 4:42, 4:28, 4:47, 4:39, 4:37
2nd: 4:41, 4:35, 4:51
3rd: 4:36, 4:27
4th: 4:32, 4:50
5th: 4:38, 4:40
6th: 4:44, 5:17
Wednesday - 60' basketball
Thursday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:21/Km, 137avg HR
Easy to/around/from Marlay park. Legs were a little tired/heavy after the late night basketball on Wednesday.
Friday - 30' easy, 30' @ 1/2, 30' easy - 16Km, 5:37/Km, 157avg HR
4:45, 4:48, 4:51, 4:54, 4:43, 4:50, 4:52
Target for these were 4:45-4:50 so happy enough. There was a fair bit of headwind and traffic so probably tougher than it should have been in the right conditions.
Saturday - Progression parkrun - 5Km, 5:19/Km, 132avg HR
This was a surreal experience. I had booked it back in August last year for some friends and I to attend the event. Current waiting lists are so long that they are accepting signups for April 2025 and beyond. I ran with one of my friends as I had not caught up with him in real life since prior to covid. Took it easy for the first 7 laps and then picked up the pace for the last one. A tough little course with the elevation changes. The wind and rain did not help either.
Sunday - Rest day
Mileage for the Week - 61Km
Mileage for the Year - 500Km
A good week. Things are moving in the right direction again after the previous week's illness/travel. Some great race results on Saturday/Sunday, well done to all.
4 weeks until Wexford 1/2.
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Nice one, I'd say that parkrun was interesting alright - one that I must check out!
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Week of 18th March
Monday - 65' easy - 10.5Km, 6:19/Km, 128avg HR
Tuesday - 20' easy, (5' @ ~4:34/Km, 3' easy) * 8, 20' easy - 18.5Km, 5:38/Km, 151avg HR
Drove to PP for this. It was a horrible day and being out in the conditions probably exacerbated the cough I've had for a few weeks. As I turned onto Chesterfield Road to head towards the zoo car park, I notice there are about 20 army folk out jogging in full fatigues with backpack. The rain probably doubled the weight of their gear. No pity party for me in my nice running gear with a little cough so. Odd runs were up towards Aras, evens were down towards the zoo.
1st: 4:37, 4:34
2nd: 4:35, 4:31
3rd: 4:35, 4:34
4th: 4:34, 4:34
5th: 4:35, 4:30
6th: 4:34, 4:28
7th: 4:39, 4:30
8th: 4:34, 4:33
On the day I wasn't sure if I got them right but looking over the numbers now, I ran them well.
Wednesday - 60' basketball
Thursday-Sunday - Cough got really bad on Tuesday/Wednesday night. HR started to elevate. I felt cold and tired. I took a visit to the doctor on Thursday. Upper respiratory infection. Antibiotics for 5 days. Been in bed or on the couch since. Wiped.
Mileage for the Week - 29Km
Mileage for the Year - 529Km
Not a great state of affairs with 3 weeks to go. C'est la vie. I'm hoping to be ok by Tuesday but I'll take more rest if I need it. A ~3Km or so walk this morning was the first exercise I got since Wednesday. It felt good to get some fresh air. I have tickets for Croke park this afternoon as I promised the eldest he could go with grandad and myself. Hoping to make it as brief a visit as possible.
3 weeks until Wexford 1/2.
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Week of 1st April
Monday - Rest day - last day of antibiotics
Tuesday - 35' easy - 5.5Km, 6:25/Km, 155avg HR
Along dodder park with the eldest lad.
Wednesday - 60' basketball
Thursday - 45' easy - 7Km, 6:24/Km, 163avg HR
Friday - 55' easy - 8.5Km, 6:26/Km, 165avg HR
Saturday - 65' easy - 10.5Km, 6:04/Km, 160avg HR
Sunday - Unplanned rest day
Mileage for the Week - 32Km
Mileage for the Year - 561Km
Meh. Pissed off with the last few weeks. Antibiotics cleared up most of the infection but I still have a cough that seems to be going around. Back to doctors tomorrow. Wexford 1/2 not looking good right now.
2 weeks until Wexford 1/2.
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Week of 8th April
Monday - Friday - Unplanned rest, course of steroids to resolve upper respiratory infection
Saturday - 5Km easy - 6:20/Km, 31:44. HR strap readings all over the place so have submitted a warranty replacement request with Garmin.
Sunday - Felt tired after poor sleep all week due to the meds. I ended up taking a mid afternoon nap instead of going for a run. The basketball club were in the national final and they strolled home to victory. A fair few pints were had. A long time in the making.
Mileage for the Week - 5Km
Mileage for the Year - 566Km
No Wexford 1/2 for me. Too many missed sessions/runs due to the illness these past 2-3 weeks. It would not be a productive use of my time heading down there for a long/training run. My plan is to get to a flat parkrun in/near Dublin and give it a lash. I am waiting to see what the weather holds before deciding on a venue. I am considering Naas, Shanganagh or Poppintree.
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Week of 15th April
Monday - 45' easy - 7Km, 6:16/Km
Tuesday - 65' easy - 10Km, 6:20/Km
Wednesday - Rest day
Thursday - 50' easy with 20" strides * 5 - 8Km, 6:03/Km
Friday - 35' easy - 5.5Km, 6:20/Km
Saturday - Naas Parkrun - 20:52, 4:09/Km
I was monitoring weather all week and when it was showing as calm/cool, I decided to pay Naas parkrun a visit for the first time. It is a flat exposed course over 2.5 laps around Naas racecourse. A slight incline on the 2nd/4th Km. A bit nervous about where my fitness is after being out sick. A first "race" outing for the Endorphin Pro 4.
3:50 - There were a few up front that I needed to pass from the off so I got off to a quick start. Quite a few going for 18-22 minutes so there was a long line of runners as we ticked off the 1st Km. Slight decline here helped with the increased pace.
4:06 - Flat for most of 2nd Km but the incline begins about 2/3 of the way through. It is very subtle but it'll come back to haunt me in 4th Km. Everyone maintaining the pace line well along here.
4:11 - Signs of fatigue begin to show but again, the decline is helping me along here. Halfway through I think to myself,about 10-11 minutes remaining 🤞
4:22 - Proper goosed at this stage. I was the unofficial pacer for a lad behind me but I had to tell him to go on.. and we hadn't even reached the incline 🙈Huffing and puffing hard. It is going to be tough to keep it under 21.
4:14 - Almost at the top of the incline where the 4Km sign is located, breathing is through the roof. I can't even calculate what I'm going to come in at. I just need to round the penultimate corner to get onto the decline. Pace picks up slightly with the decline. Final corner and I can see the finish line but it feels like an age away. Cross the line, can barely breathe. Tried to stop the watch but forgot to click stop after unlocking the screen. It ticks over 21 minutes so was unsure until the official email came through that I had dipped under the 21 minute mark.
A 26 second PB. I am really happy with that. Wexford 1/2 was the goal but with less than 100Km run in the 4 weeks prior to yesterday, it would not have been wise to go down there to race. Thrilled to be have been able to show progress since my last 5Km PB in December. I am not completely sold on the Endorphin Pro 4 being a step up or on the same level as the Pro 3, TBD.
Sunday - Rest day - doms, lots of doms
Mileage for the Week - 39Km
Mileage for the Year - 605Km
Thrilled with the PB. Not thrilled with the lack of running over the past 4 weeks. Hoping that I get a good clean training block for Dunshaughlin 10Km over the next 9 weeks.
9 weeks until Dunshaughlin 10Km
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