Run Like A Girl!

MiniMonstera

Been meaning to start a log. I'm literally just putting down a marker so my adhd brain will actually see it through (at some point in the future time / space continuum). Maybe I'll never write here or maybe, just maybe, I'll be the Ann Frank of the Training Log forum 😄

A friend gifted me a sweatshirt last Christmas with the above emblazoned on the front and, as I'm unoriginal as feck, so it becomes my log title.

I'm doing Tallaght 5km on Paddy's Day, hoping for a pb. My last 5km pb was a whopper (for me) so I expect it to be marginal, but anything on the pb front is always great.

Lying here beside crazy toddler who's finally nodded off, now to make the dinner. Oh wondrous life! 😀

MM

Alexus25

Good luck MM 🌟🌟🌟

Laineyfrecks

Welcome to the world of logging (hopefully😅) You're doing some great training at the moment, great to see! Best of luck with the Tallaght 5k on Paddys day💚

MiniMonstera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121888969#Comment_121888969

thank you @Laineyfrecks and @Alexus25 😁

MiniMonstera

Ok, I finally have time (and focus) to post. Whoop 🤩

So a little bit about me. I’ve been on Boards a bit due to having completed my first marathon in 2023 so I was active in the Novice group last year. Got great advice throughout the weeks and months of training and made many firm friends along the way, many of whom I have since met. Being in that group enabled massive growth within my running journey, both physically and mentally, so once again a massive thanks to the mentors and all those who contributed. I'm (almost) 45 and running since Lockdown 2020, having been sedentary all my life.

After the 2023 marathon, I was back out running soon enough but I think mentally I was a bit traumatised from it. I kept the wheels turning with short easy running and did the Jingle Bells 5km Race in early December. I hadn't trained for this and didn't even know I was signed up (thanks, husband) and low and behold I got a PB (still had a lot of fitness banked from the marathon, I guess). The conditions were ideal for me – overcast but dry and bitterly cold (-3°C). I overheat easily when running so these conditions were optimal, not to mention that the last 1.5kms or so were downhill. I did it in 24.02 negative split, my previous race that year was 25.11, so I was thrilled. It was totally unexpected and I was not watching the watch at the end when I was going all out - had I known I was 3 seconds off a sub 24 I’d have pushed it more and actually vomited over the finish line (came close but managed to hold it back). Through December and January I again kept the wheels turning, with no real goal in mind, but the elation from the 5km success stuck with me and so I decided to train for the Tallaght 5km. And here I am, having put in 6 weeks of focussed running with help from the lovely @skyblue46 who is definitely not my coach but is giving me coach based direction and advice whilst definitely absolutely not being my coach😄. My coach – I mean @skyblue46! – said that 6 weeks was not long enough to train properly for a 5km but I’m still going to try and do him proud at Tallaght with a 23.59 - I’m not making any promises though as the last km or so is uphill, and I can attest that Tallaght is a cyclonic fecker at the best of times. I do one last shake out run today (leaving it til later), the anxiety is only massive! So here’s to 23.59 -  I’ll report back tomorrow! ☘️

marathon2022

Good luck with the 5k, personally I think it's the hardest race distance. Hate racing it but loved the afters

MiniMonstera

Chip: 24.39

Well it was a great day and a lovely race. I knew early on I wouldn't make the ambitious pb as it felt hard when on the down sections. However I didn't go absolutely all out and when it came to the uphill in 4th km I passed a few runners out (some were even stopping on the hill) so I think it was a good strategy, but overall, if I'm honest, it ALL felt hard.

The hillwork I did in my training definitely helped as the incline didn't feel horrific, just challenging at that point in the race, and I never once thought of stopping. The 14 degree temp definitely didn't help and I could feel my palms burning from early on. A tip I saw online was to gently press the tips of your index finger and your thumb together, kind of like👌🏽 but without the fanned out fingers, and it definitely helped air circulate around my palms during race.

For some unknown reason, and I didnt even cop it until husband said it afterwards, I slowed right down to a virtual stop with 5 feet still to cross the mat. I do not know why. I can only assume my brain got a bit fuzzy or I was feeling defeated about the pb. Also, I feel like sometimes when I see the imminent finish line I take the foot off the pedal in an act if self preservation, rather than floor it, and I really can't explain it...

I was hard breathing too but I always do that so I just need to get over it, I'm not a quiet runner, not at all, and I'm pretty sure some people let me run past them because they just can't handle me heavy breathing down their neck! 😆

So all in all, a productive day in terms of lessons learned and roll on the next 5km race in summer (when it'll be even warmer!) 🙈☘️

MiniMonstera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121904251#Comment_121904251

Thank you @marathon2022 , it definitely feels like the hardest and there's no room for much variance in pace at all if you're set on a goal, it's just too short a distance to try and make up any fallback

ReeReeG

Well done on Sunday! Was lovely to meet you beforehand, albeit briefly! That 4th km did not come with enough warning

MiniMonstera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121912060#Comment_121912060

Ah it was lovely to meet you. I read your log - well done to you too, a great result!

I'm from that area in Tallaght (if you put a pin right in the middle of the race route you're at my mam's house 😀). I felt knowing the route inside out was more burdensome than not having a clue. I felt every kilometre intensely! 😆

Laineyfrecks

Well done J, was lovely to see you beforehand too. It's a tough enough route and I always lose time on that bloody climb! Haha I used to do the exact same thing on the finish, I'd try a sprint then start slowing down before I was officially over the line🤣. Great to see you'll be doing more 5ks in the summer, they do take a bit of practice & doing some near enough together can sometimes be a good help. You have lot's of improvements to come so enjoy the journey 😊

MiniMonstera

@Laineyfrecks, you had a fab result, my god you're a speedster!!

I'll have to have a look and see what 5km races are on. SKYblue mentioned one but I forget. The brain fog, I have to say, is unreal at the moment, like so frustratingly bad.

If you remember last yearLeixlip 5km, I nearly died after that and I hated every second of it. It was very, very warm. Also, I just don't know if I'm suited to evening races. You waste energy all throughout the day with race anxiety and stressing about about what to eat and when. At least with morning races you have to just get up and get it done. Also need to look at my diet. I got quite tired at times over the last 6 weeks, even though I found the training very manageable and enjoyable, so just need to up the calories I think - who has time for all the eating though! I'm gonna follow your lead and get into the eggs I think... 😃

Laineyfrecks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121914803#Comment_121914803

Thanks a mill but it's all relative really to each person😊

God, don't talk to me about brain fog(or brain fook as Klopp calls it😂), my kids are lucky if I call them by their actual names! My memory was never great, but it's gotten so bad now. Yeah, I'm with you, defo prefer a morning race. I need to look at nutrition again myself & probably need to go back to the docs, I think I may need my HRT increased, getting symptoms back that I initially got rid of or were only very minor. Oh, the joys of being a woman!! I always find my diet, rest, recovery, and fluid intake is always so good & disciplined during marathon training, so I need to try get myself back on track. I do love eggs so eating 2 or 3 a day is absolutely no problem to me, my main thing now will be trying to cut out the crap I keep eating👀

Sunny Dayz

Ah delighted that you’ve set up a log!! I really enjoyed your posts in the Novice marathon thread. Graduates now!!

well done on all your running since - great time in your 5km with still room for tweaking!

MiniMonstera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121923548#Comment_121923548

I think I'm going to go to my gp soon, I've ignored it for long enough, but I've literally fallen off a cliff in recent months, particularly with 'out of the ordinary' tiredness, nearly as bad as pregnancy tiredness. I'm thinking that it's going to start affecting my running so I really need to address it. I don't know if they'll put me on hrt as there's a family history of estrogen receptive cancer and blood clotting, but we'll see....😀

MiniMonstera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121923574#Comment_121923574

Ah so lovely to hear from you @Sunny Dayz. I must pop over to Graduates. I've not had a minute lately - lucky to get my runs in most days! I'm so glad the weather is turning. More energy, more daylight to run, more everything! 😀

MiniMonstera

So I've failed terribly thus far with this logging lark. As I knew I would.

Last week I had a great week of running, albeit the kids were off. Did some lovely sessions in the evenings. Was chasing daylight a lot but still great. Now that the hour has gone forward I don't know myself - just adore the long evenings! Kids off again this week. Also my sister is visiting from London and husband heading to Milan at weekend so it could be tricky getting my scheduled miles done. Doing avg 45km per week with a view to Bob Heffernan 5km race in May. Sure might as well give the elusive sub 24 another shot 😃.

MiniMonstera

Hellllooooo! So in true disorganised fashion I hope to post a (commencing Week 2, I think) Weekly DCM Training Log.

I did a few 5km races over the summer and PB'd at 23.06. Also did the Fingal 10km and PB'd at 49.28. Happy now to focus on DCM. I'm booked in for the FD 10 miler at the end of this month.

29 July - 3rd Aug - 69km

Monday: 8km Easy.

Lovely run, rained for the entirety but really can't complain about warm July rain. Keeping the pace at 6.15 and slower keeps me in Zone 2, but there's wiggle room to up the pace, so I need to figure out what Easy is for me now. Also need to be mindful not to get too prescriptive with Zones and work on feel/effort more.

Tuesday: 3 km Easy, 12 x 1 min @ 5km pace (4.36) w/ 1 min easy recov, 3km Easy

This was a lot harder than I thought it would be. It was 21 degrees and full sunshine. Aside from a pause before the reps, I kept this very fluid and it nearly killed me. but it was a great session. Heart rate maxed at 161.

Weds: 12 Km Easy

Another very warm day so ran in the evening but temp still 20 degrees. Lovely run to Castletown House and back. Tired though as I had spent the day at the beach with the kids, so a very active day.

Thurs: 10km incl 10 x 10 sec hill sprint

Another warm day and so a late evening run. My calves screamed at me for the first 3km of this, I was wincing. Muscles were very, very sore. I remember when my mileage initially began to climb in '23 DCM training the same thing happened. Once I got the hill sprints done the pain had gone and the remaining 7km was grand, albeit a bit too fast. I foresee plenty of foam rolling in the weeks to come😯.

Fri: 2km Easy, 2 x 15 min @ 5.20 off 2 mins, 2 km Easy

Warm again although rain forecast. Kept this very fluid but walked the first recovery and stood for the second. Heat combined with fatigue and another evening run after crazy day with the kids had me wiped. During my last 2km the heavens opened and I was drowned. It was glorious.

Sat: Rest. Was so happy to have a down day!

Sun: 18km with pace pickup on last 6km.

This was very enjoyable. Slightly cooler temperature at last. Started out a bit too fast so pulled back to Zone 2, the ramped up for the final 6k. Was a bit breathy at the end but felt great.

Still haven't thought much about marathon pace for October. I'd love to do sub 4 hours but not sure I have it in me. Still get the shivers when I think about DCM '23 and that was closer to 5 hours! 😆

witnessmenow

Great to see you posting here! You've been absolutely crushing it on Strava recently@MiniMonstera , they must nearly be running out of pb icons to give you!

MiniMonstera

Ah thank you @witnessmenow! 😊 It's been a good summer of running! I was glad to give the 5k distance a few shots, it's a beast of a race. The 10k is also its own beast. Trying to get into the marathon frame of mind now and honestly I'm crapping it a bit! 🤣🤣

How are you getting on?

witnessmenow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122468416#Comment_122468416

I'm getting on pretty good at the moment. About 6 weeks into marathon training now, but I have been training very regularly for over 3 months at this stage.

It's going well, definitely in better shape than last year. But I have similar feelings about the pace of DCM24 as you, I think sub 4 is probably out of reach for me, but something like 4:10 is probably achievable based on some other results over the summer. But I was pretty confident of finishing somewhere near 4:30 last year and that didn't pan out so I have my doubts!

MiniMonstera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122475483#Comment_122475483

Yes I too thought I'd do better than I did last year but that last 10k was so hard.

MiniMonstera

5 - 11 Aug 56Km

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3k Easy, 4 x 2 min hills with jog back recovery, 3k Easy

Nice session, definitely one for waking up a sleepy head!

Weds: 3K Easy, 7k Steady

Nice and drizzly today. Set steady pace at about 5.50 mins p/km

Thurs: 10 km Easy

Woke up feeling absolutely crap and so didn't run in the morning. Just couldn't do it. At one point I felt so tired I did a covid test. Neg thankfully. Got out in the evening and it was a bit of a slog. Think it was just hormonal.

Fri: 2km Easy, 8k @ 5.35, 2 km Easy

Felt much better today. Gorgeous evening. Fab run and paused briefly for Adeleke's race, Gutted for her.

Sat: Rest. Watched Olympics ALL day 😁

Sun: 4k Easy, 15 x 1 min @ 5.50 with 1 min Easy, 2km EAsy, 3km Steady

Wanted to get out earlier as it was a hot one but didn't get going til 10am. The heat and direct sun was unreal and really affected my enjoyment of the run. Also I was dreading the Steady bit but was happy to pick it up at that stage just to get it done. A great session nonetheless.

MiniMonstera

Total KMs: 54KM

Monday – Rest

Tuesday – 3Km Easy, 8 x 3 mins at 10 Mile pace (set that to 5.20, as that’s the target for Frank Duffy this Sunday), 3km Easy.

This was a lovely run. Went out at 7am and it was drizzly but warm for the whole run. The 5.20 was completely manageable but I did wonder if I’d be able to sustain it for 16k on Saturday.

Wednesday – 8KM Easy. Another early morning rise. Felt a bit tired on this one for the first 4k but then got into it. A pleasant run even though surrounded by traffic. Strong wind on the open parts.

Thursday – 6Km with a few 30 second strides. Couldn’t get out until evening time. Kept rigidly within Zone 2 HR and then really enjoyed the strides at the end.

Friday – Rest. A second rest day is a rare treat!!

Saturday – Frank Duff 10 Mile RACE REPORT

Very pleased with this. Shaved 8 minutes off last years’ time. Set out with a plan to run 5.20 p/km ish, didn’t want to go slower than that. I didn’t realise that would give me an 8 min improvement as I tend not to focus on (or even add up) what the total race time would be for a given target pace. Perhaps if I’d know I wouldn’t have had the confidence to push on with it. If anyone remembers my 10 mile from last year, I set out for 90 minutes (target plucked from thin air). The race was extremely tough going, and I actually pulled off to the side with a bout 2 km to go as I just felt crap and was at my limit. I totally overcooked it. A woman pulled me back in and I made it to the end in 94 mins (approx.). I felt weird for ages, nauseous and dizzy. The whole experience was horrible.

This year, I set out at 5.20 p/km (suggested by husband based on recent races) and I knew it would be challenging but doable. I got up at 6am for a shakeout, I do this mainly to get the bowels going so I’ve one less thing to worry about. Set off for PP at 7.30am and had a lift. My compadre parked 4km from the start and we walked / jogged there. Needed the loo again, which was odd, but got it done. Did a few strides to warm up and then got into the pit. Weirdly, the nerves really go the better of me and I became claustrophobic whilst waiting for the gun. The pack was tight and loud. I stood at the front of wave 2 beside the 80 minute balloons. For a split second I thought about running with them, but I gave my head a wobble and said stick to your 5.20 plan – after all I didn’t want a repeat of last year. I wanted to do a good time but enjoy it a smidge too.

Waiting for the gun the conversations got so loud and raucous around me I got really panicky and for about a minute I stood with my head down and index fingers stuffed into my ears. I just wanted to get going, it was a weird one. When we started moving someone patted me on the back as if to say “You’re’ grand, we’re off now”, they must’ve seen me struggling. I let the 80 min ballooners burst ahead and stuck rigidly to my goal pace.

I ran a very solid race. I reckon I would have been able to have short bursts of speaking (one liners, certainly not conversation) so I knew I wasn’t absolutely killing myself. I had the uphill kms jotted on my hand so that I didn’t get into a negative spin on tough sections - worked a treat. Had the usual mental wobble at the half way point but brushed it off quickly and got the head down. The effort was increasing to maintain the pace. With 3 km to go the plan was to up the pace a bit if I could, but the 14th km was a bit congested (path, not road) and I didn’t want to risk running in the grass to get around some people. As soon as the hairpin onto Chesterfield came I put the foot down (well I thought I did) and gave a good push. When I look back on the splits it was only a small kick, but still, it was something. My breathing was heavy. I overtook a fair few people in the last km which was a great boost. Came in at 1:24:27 (2023 was 1:32:47), so PB of 8:20, and nearly 6 mins faster than the 90 balloons! Immediately lay on the grass for a few mins, it was so warm and muggy. But was back to feeling normal not long after. Hooked back up with my mate who came in about 15 mins after me and we walked the 4km back to the car and had a lovely coffee. 😊

Sunday 8km Very Easy – had a lie in so left this one for lunch time. Let my body set the pace and landed at around 6.45 p/km average. Lovely, but tired legs so was pleased when it was done. The 4km walk after the 10 miler definitely helped as DOMS was there but certainly not overwhelming.

MiniMonstera

p.s. regarding the mental wobble in the pit - it was all imposter syndrome bullcrap, there was no other issue or worry going on and I'm not generally a claustrophobic person. Typical 🤷‍♀️🙄

MiniMonstera

Week 19 -25 Aug

Mileage – 51KM (should have been circa 70km)

Monday Rest – nice day off. Two days post run and minimal DOMS, thankfully.

Tuesday – headed out for 6.45am run. Session: 3KM, 4 x 1500 @10km race pace with 3 min jog, 3KM Easy.

Well, this was a disaster. Have been feeling iffy for a week or two, feeling like a bad cold is incoming, only never to arrive. Well, this morning something landed. The 3K easy was fine, but as soon as I upped the pace I struggled badly. It felt completely undoable – as if I was being asked to run 3 minute KMs. I couldn’t understand it and tried to ignore it but the watch was letting me know. After the first rep I was bent over hands on knees. Took ages to recover. Stood still for most of it. When watch beeped for second rep I took off but couldn’t manage it. Then, a short but sharp hill (that I’m well used to) put paid to my second effort and I just gave up. But get this - I started to cry uncontrollably. Thank god no one was about that early. So mortifying. A culmination of a few things – my mam who is terminally ill had a bad few weeks and landed in hospital, I had bad PMS (or possibly a peri- whateverthefeck moment) and then also this dose finally landing. Anyway, I easy jogged / walked back to my car and headed home. Had another wee cry when I saw husband and got back into bed for a bit. Mad altogether.

Wednesday – 14KM – didn’t run. Woke up and felt crap, The only option was for a very early morning run if I was to run at all so I took the day as rest / recovery.

Thursday – 8km with 8 x sharp hills. Enjoyable

Friday - Late Evening - 8k Easy into 15 mins at 5.50 – Super, Super enjoyable run, could have done it twice over. Felt strong and healthy, just really enjoyable. Headed home delighted.

Saturday – Woke up again not feeling the best. DOMS in quads from Thursday hills which is weird as the session wasn’t that taxing. Put it down to being sick. Thankfully a rest day today, but a full on day with family stuff. Deteriorated as the day went on. Questioned if Sunday long run was doable at all.

Sunday – 24km. Up and out fairly early. Have been feeling crap in the evenings so wanted to get this done. Very windy and a bit of rain, but very enjoyable. Ran to Celbridge and did 2 loops of Castletown, so nice scenery. Bumped into a couple of other runners I know, so nice chats. Pre run I had a 2 handfuls of Ritz crackers, a pint of water and took some Ibuprofen. Re in-run fuelling, I had 3 tiny packs of jellies from Lidl, ate 2. Had 2 x 250ml water, drank one. Didn’t need more than that. So glad I was up to doing this run, as missing out on 1.5 days of the plan this week was frustrating.

Onward we go!

crisco10

Your wobble on Tuesday - I've been there! (not the specifics, particularly your mum - sorry to hear)

I remember starting a 5k time trial a couple of year ago and just broke down about a mile in and felt horrific about me myself and everything.

Life and running are intertwined, (duh!), and they both impact one another. in the long run you'll be stronger for the experience, and nothing to be mortified about.

MiniMonstera

Ah thank you @crisco10 🤗 yes life and running are definitely intertwined. It’s not the first time I shed a tear when running, it can be so therapeutic. Having a full on sob was certainly a new experience 😆

MiniMonstera

Week of: 26th Aug – 1st Sept

Total KMs: 67kms

Monday – Rest

Tuesday -3km Easy, 9km @ HMP 5.25 – 5.30, 3km Easy

Well, where do I start with this one. Basically, I had an urgent toilet need about 2km in. Was in a park (but a very open section on a pitch sideline) and I had to go. Immediately. Things got messy but I’m always prepared as this is kind of normal for me. Thankfully no one around except a quite elderly man on other sider of pitch, who I’d already run by, and reckoned his eyesight wouldn’t permit him this horrific visual from the opposite end. Anyway, I restart the watch and ran to the park loos to clean up as much as one can in a park loo. I’d entered the HMP element of the run by now and was stressed tf out. Realised I needed to pop home and further sort myself out, if I was to finish the session. Did that (a small detour as I was near my mam’s house) and got the HMP element truly underway (total downtime about 20 mins). The HMP bit was hard and I hadn’t done the route before – 2 laps – first section being very draggy. It was boiling out and quite windy too. The stress of earlier had me on tilt a bit and I really just wanted to sack it off altogether, but I kept going, ticking off KM by KM. I stopped once to let my hear rate settle a bit. Got going again. Second lap was a bit easier, and then the 3km Easy was fine (although my heart rate remained high for all of it). My HMP pace was marginally faster than should have been, but I think that was because psychologically I just wanted it to end. If I look at the positive side of things, I think this run was a test of my resilience and mental strength and I won out on that front (gotta find the positives).

Anyway, I’ve come to accept that this is going to happen on most runs (not this severe or out of control) and I do all the planning I can to minimize things, physically and psychologically, but some days are just going to be crap (pun intended). I’ve made dietary and lifestyle changes, and also had literal ar$e physio for 6 months (as well as colonoscopy to rule out anything serious). I’ve concluded I’m just one of those unfortunate runners, who should probably change hobby, but won’t because I love it too much.

All in all, the HMP session was tough going.

Wednesday – 10KM Easy. Gorgeous morning. Out early as kids still not back to school. Roll on the new term!

Thursday – 6KM Easy. Another gorgeous morning. Probably won’t do any more early mornings soon, I’ll miss the summer for early morning runs!

Friday – 3KM Easy, x 2 mins @ 10KM pace with 3 mins off Easy, 3k Easy

A gorgeous run but a bit stressful timewise, got it done by the skin of my teeth, before school pick up. Another belter of a day.

Saturday – Rest. Well didn’t rest as Oasis ticks went on sale. Avid fan. Saw them 28 years ago in Cork, aged 17! Didn’t get tix ☹

Sunday – 22K: 3km Easy, 16km @ 5.50 – 6.00, 3km Easy. A lovely run and was unexpectedly joined by a friend from my village. Thankfully no toilet issues. Imagine the mortification. Lots of chatting so pace was a bit messy, but got it done. Was exhausted after, but in a good way 😊

MiniMonstera

Week of: 2nd – 8th September

74KM

Monday – 5km Recovery - 6.45 p/km pace. Lovely gentle run in the rain.

Tuesday – 10km Easy, 6.21 p/km. Feeling Sunday’s long run a bit in the legs.

Wednesday – 12Km Easy – 6.25 p/km pace. Usually a creature of habit so changed it up a bit for a nice run in Phoenix Park. We practically lived there as kids. My dad would take us all the time as he was an avid amateur photographer – we’ve thousands of pictures of the Phoeno. Made me well up a bit running an easy run there and letting the memories flow through (dad gone 14 years). Nice to finally run here as only used to racing. Got literal PTSD on some familiar stretches though😄

Thursday – 6km Easy with 5 x 10 second hill sprints. Was very tight for time for this run so I chose a hill closest to my house, could’ve been steeper, tbh. Enjoyable session but too many gawking eyes (busy industrial estate road).

Friday – 10km Easy - 6.23p/km pace. Was meant to be a HM pace interval session but I maddeningly thought the Dublin HM was this weekend and adjusted my plan slightly to account for it. Found this run to be a bit sluggish on heavy legs.

Saturday - Rest

Sunday – Long easy run 30K

Was dreading this from about 8pm Saturday eve. First 30k+ since DCM ’23. Wanted to do better than last week on the pre and in run fuelling so brought 3 gels (Kinectic cola flavour – not crazy about them, need to get ordering some Maurtens). I got up at 7am and ate straight away as I wanted to to do a pre run loo visit over the next hour. Did some jumping jacks too. No luck. Had some choc cheerio cereal, drank a salt tab drink over the hour and got going at 8.05. Cue my first loo stop inside the first km. Annoying…

It was very misty to begin. The first 9 kms are downhill and I began thinking about finishing on a 9k uphill drag (the route is out, loops, and back). Put that out of my head quickly. It was very humid with little to no wind. At 9km I stopped at Centra and purchased a litre of water and took my first gel. Drank half the water and hid it inside the shop (hate carrying water, even soft flasks). Headed on to do three 3km loops of scenic public space. Not really used to doing loops and found it a bit challenging mentally. Loads of runners out which was great. Took a second gel at 16km (second loop) as I felt a hunger pang and wanted to get ahead of it. I think it triggered my digestion and another loo stop was needed. On way back I went to Centra again and finished the water. Took a slightly different route on the home straight. A couple of cyclists high fived me and commented that they saw me 2 hours ago and well done keep going etc. It was a great boost for the final stretch. Felt good after the sluggish loops and really felt the benefit of the gels. Didn’t think I’d take the 3rd gel but I did at 22k and was glad of it. Got another energy boost at about 25k which was good as I was in the uphill drag at this point and fatigued from the miles. I was also dripping with sweat, the humidity had gone next level as it was very warm but also very overcast. Got home and stretched (upper back felt a bit tense). Drenched to the core. Hair dripping. Into the shower and then a lovely coffee and french toast lunch. Bliss.

Dipped into HR Zone 3 more than I’d have liked (25%) but that was largely in the final uphill KMs when fatigued. 6.23 p/km avg pace and delighted with that. Last year’s pace for a similar run was circa 70 seconds slower per k/pm. Great to see the progress over the year 😊

MiniMonstera

9 – 15 September

Total KMs: 75

Monday – 8 KM Easy/Recovery. 6.23 p/km. Felt fairly fresh considering the 30km run yesterday, for half of it anyway. Second half I felt a bit of leg fatigue. Nice and fresh out and back to my usual spot where I can totally switch off.

Tuesday – 3km Easy, 3 x 8 min at HMP 5.25 with 2 min easy float, 3k Easy. I adored this run. It rained from start to finish but oddly it was glorious - I guess because its still fairly mild out - although the first half was chilly enough because I was drenched from the outset and running into the wind. The plan was to be very focussed on pace on this one as I overdid my last HMP run. 1st rep was too fast, damn. 2nd rep too slow (compensating). Stuck rigidly from thereon as much as I could. I feel I’ve been going too fast in sessions because I don’t like negative feedback from my watch! That sounds mad – but I’m more comfortable being above pace looking down, than hovering around/under pace looking up, if that makes sense. Need to start getting comfortable with sticking to bang on pace and if I dip under, take the information on board and adjust upward.

Wednesday 13km Easy. 6.19 p/km. Very enjoyable, nice and fresh but sunny. Wore the long sleeve marathon top. Changing season weather can be hard to predict. I would say good choice for 80%, then sometimes I was a tad warm. Felt sluggish and crappy as the day went on. Two coughing at home so who knows what’s in store.

Thursday – 8km Easy, including 4 x 8-10 Sec full recovery steep hills

6.20 p/km. Today's run was tough. I was so exhausted going to bed last night, and then got woken up in the middle of the night with about 25 garda vehicles speeding up our road, with overhead helicopter, chasing some car nut for driving the wrong way on the motor way. My HR was fine but my legs felt like cement blocks. I stopped a few times for brief rests, the fatigue was unreal. The hills were fine. Felt a bit emotional and boobs sore so I think I'm pms-ing a bit. Reckon I'm headed for a head cold very soon. Came home to delivery of new runners (Asics Nimbus 26, my last two pairs were 25s and I adore them) so that cheered me up. Got a deal on them too - €50 off, possibly because of the garish colourway but IDGAF, 50 quid is 50 quid! Onward we go!

Friday - 7Km Easy with 30 seconds @5km pace effort at the end of each km. Woke up feeling crap. Had a good feed for breakfast which helped, dropped the kids and went straight for run. Enjoyed this format, it was challenging but very doable. Overdid the 30 sec reps and sort of went all out as opposed to sticking with 4.35 p/km which is my current 5k pace. One of them was 3.58 – I’ll be in trouble for that :D. But it was nice just to sprint a bit again, what with all the long controlled running. Good for the head I think. 80KMs done in the last 6 days!!

Saturday – Rest. Woke up in a jock. Did a covid test a I was visiting my mam – neg. Unsure about tomorrows run. It feels like a massive challenge as I head to bed. The gear and supplies are laid out, as is the medicine - throat spray, paracetamol and ibuprofen. It’s also due to rain in the a.m. FML. Also boobs very sore – seems like a small issue but can be really annoying and distracting when running.

Sunday – 2km Easy, 21 at target MP (5.35 to 5.40?? still undecided), 2 km Easy. This was challenging run in so many ways other than pace. Three toilet stops – that’s all I’m saying about that…

Woke up and felt good. A 9 hour sleep and a good feed last night set me up nicely. It was raining and although it was persistent it seemed light enough. Had some granola and a banana and drank a zero tab. Decided last night to wear my racing shoes. Packed 4 gels seeing as I was doing a MP run (purchased some Maurten 100s yesterday), 2 x 250ml soft flasks of Zero tab, tissues, headphones, phone. When I got going I immediately felt I was carrying too much and the belt started to really irritate me. I wasn’t running near any shops (wanted a change after last weeks long tun) so I had to carry the water. I’m trying to source a particular pair of Decathlon shorts that have multiple pockets. I wore them for DCM 23 and loved them, but need a new pair. Checking the stock daily. I’m not wearing a belt in the marathon as they ride up or ride down depending on the load and I can’t be doing. I really hope the shorts come back in stock in time.

After the warm up I had the rain jacket off - the rain persisted but temp was very mild. Headed onto the canal and took my first gel circa 8km, and drank half of each soft flask - just to really lighten the load on my hips more than anything else. I’m not carrying them again – took note to be better prepared ahead of time re water for my long runs. The pace felt challenging but v doable. I decided on a whim not to put music, audiobook or podcast, and really dialled into the run - my pace, how I was feeling, the rain, my bowels (!), nature, wearing my racers (they are so different from my trainers). It was lovely to give over 100% focus and also dealing with some of the boredom and sitting comfortably with it (I usually use music to distract from that). I decided in that moment to do way less running with music/audiobooks.

Fair few runners out in the rain which was great to see and a good boost as the canal can be a bit desolate for stretches, especially in the misty rain.

I took another gel at 14km. 125ml water at 18km, final gel at 20km, and final 125 ml water at 21km. Probably didn’t need the third gel but I felt the boost immediately so I think it was the right decision. I really like Maurten gels and their viscous consistency. You can run with the gel open in hand and consume at your leisure, also the lack of flavour is fab. Probably could have done with more water – 500ml probably not enough for 2.5 hour run, but it I didn’t feel wanting either. When the MP finished I went straight into cooldown. I was very tired but didn’t feel the need to stop, regroup, pant, breathe down slowly, I just felt grand but tired. I did note to myself that I won’t be able to to that twice over (but that’s my negative thinking for me). I finished the cooldown at Lidl and went in to get a protein shake like a drowned rat. Everyone staring. I wasn’t going to be the “I’m training for a marathon” w4nk3r and no one asked so just kept my head down and scurried out quickly😅. Walked home in the rain (800m) it was lovely.

I’m rushing adding this up, if I’ve more to add, and no doubt typos to fix, I will do.

Oh and p.s. my husband told me I did a HM PB in that run, I hadn’t noticed on Strava!