Middle aged guys trying to run quickly, it never ends well.

Bgiraffe

A long-time reader and occasional contributor to this section, I might as well give the diary/log/blog/documented stream-of-consciousness a go. The title is a little nod to the phrase I must have uttered a thousand times in the last few years. Basically I'm a runner when I'm not injured, which hasn't been often. And I seem to wrap up every conversation around running by explaining what my latest injury is and then saying, 'ah sure look, middle aged guys trying to run quickly never ends well!'

Joking aside, it's bloody frustrating - being about as robust as papier mache. But it's always been there with me unfortunately, battling some sort of minor injury. I played astro soccer twice a week for the guts of 20 years, between 20 and 40, and broke about every bone going, from nose to shoulder to ankle, to torn meniscus. And any number of strains and pulls.

Golf was my real passion. Played off five for years but a bulging disc in the back was a constant issue. Eventually gave up regular golf at around 40 in 2019, mainly due to being self employed and coaching the kids GAA teams.

Always ran a good bit, did quite a few five milers/10ks in my 20s. But only started proper, structured running after golf finished up around 2020. Doing a marathon was always a target, at some stage, and I eventually did Belfast in 2021, in 3hr 49. Did Manchester then in 2022, in 3hr 35 and Dublin at the end of 2022 in 3hr 34. Was aiming for 3:20 in Dublin that year but pulled my calf three weeks beforehand.

Truth be told, a hip injury was also an issue and 2023 and 2024 were taken up entirely with trying to get to the bottom of that. Running was sporadic again. Frustrating stuff. In hindsight, it was probably an overload issue. Tried everything from half a dozen sessions of deep needling to an FCE scan to cortisone shots into the hip, with little joy. Eventually found a physio who got me sorted last autumn with a specific S&C programme.

Thankfully, and I really mean that because it's only when you can't run/exercise regularly that you realise how important it is, it's been a positive year of training so far. Did a 43.30 10k in June, 75 mins at the 10 miler in Phoenix Park and hoping for something around 1.35 in the Ratoath Half on Saturday week. DCM is the ultimate target again and hopefully sub 3hr 30. Mind you, just getting to the start line will be the real achievement.

Tired calves, dead toenails and a painful corn have been the main issue in this block. The hip still screams the odd time too but mostly it's all manageable. I've kept the S&C up and an improved diet, particularly around fuelling the training, have all helped. It's a work in progress but feeling like a runner again, setting long-term targets and obsessing over the little stuff like Alphafly versus Pro 4s is really great. Injuries - please stay away and let me enjoy this a little bit longer!

Looking forward to keeping this updated and seeing how it all pans out.

Big Giraffe.

Bgiraffe

Into Week 10 now of 16 for DCM. 49 miles done last week, as per plan, with a 20 mile long run. Ratoath half this Saturday so an exciting week coming up.

Had the thought while out on the long run yesterday that differentiating between injuries/pain/niggles/fatigue is one of the great arts of the marathon runner. There are times when you just know to back away due to a niggle. But there are other times when a decent run will almost make it better, perhaps loosening it out or some such sorcery. Definitely, at times, movement is medicine. It's a gamble and I'd imagine that most runners roll the dice more often than not and say, 'Ah sure I'll do the run and see if if it's still sore afterwards'….!!

If you backed away because of every single niggle that felt like a possible injury, you'd never get through a block. But then you can't be stupid either. I've got through 39 out of 45 training runs in this block so far. Hoping to just manage the niggles until after DCM and up the S&C work then and get stronger over winter, ready to emerge in Kipchoge-esque shape for 2026!

Infoseeker1975

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123795737#Comment_123795737

Well done and best of luck with the half on Saturday. I am doing DCM as my first marathon aged 50+ so know how hard those LSR are, doing a half on Sunday though weather looks a bit bleak.

extra-ordinary_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123807631#Comment_123807631

May the wind be at your back…

Infoseeker1975

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123807647#Comment_123807647

😂 It is an out and in course so it will definitely be at my back at some point!!

Bgiraffe

Week 10 of 16 in the DCM block finished with the Ratoath Half on Saturday, the third race of the block following a previous 10k and the 10 miler in PP.

A quick race report; not the greatest buildup on the morning as the youngest was playing in a camogie blitz in another county and the other kids had to be dropped to granny's. All in all, a messy morning. Didn't arrive at Fairyhouse for the race until 20 minutes before start. Missed out on the usual bandwork and settled on a rushed warm-up. Not great with tight calves and managing a hip issue.

Plan was for 7.20 min pace for something around 1hr 36-ish...The first couple of miles are downhill so ended up settling in at 7 min pace per mile and pretty much held on in or around that for the duration. Finished up at 7.06 pace for a 1hr 33 finish. Think sub 1:30 could definitely be a goer next year. Thankfully the fitness seems to be a bit further along than I'd thought.

Wore the Evo SLs again and they worked a treat. Have a new pair of Alphafly 3 coming this week (217.50 off Mister Running) which I'd planned to use in the marathon. But the Evo SL feel so good they could yet be a contender. The calf sleeves will be staying too. They give great support - perhaps it's only a placebo! - even you feel like a bit of a tool wearing them.

Skipped a Sunday five-miler - the first session in the block that was intentionally skipped, as opposed to an injury, as everything felt tight after the HM - so it ended up at 34 miles for the week. A low enough week mileage-wise but it's back to almost 50 this week with another 20 miler on Friday so no hassles there.

Touch wood, all is going okay. The usual niggles are there but S&C once a week seems to be just about keeping things together. If all goes to plan, a 3hrs 2?? finish for DCM should be doable. Six weeks is a long time though....

Bgiraffe

Week 11 of 16 down and, as sure as night follows day, injury has struck again! It was all going too well. Ultimately the hard push at the Ratoath Half has aggravated the hip injury (an FAI impingement) that was just about being kept in check. I will never learn. As someone else said on here - keep the main thing as the main thing. I didn't follow that advice.

As a result, week 11 ended up just being three runs totalling 19 miles when it was supposed to be 48 miles. Had to miss Saturday's planned long run of 20 miles. Did a 42 mile cycle instead. If I can get things back on track by the end of this week, I think I'll be okay with marathon times and ambitions etc. But it's all a bit of a kick in the nuts really and could go any way at this stage.

Back to the physio whenever he can fit me in and we'll hopefully come up with a new plan to see out the block. It's a tough grind mentally when things aren't going well, that's for sure.

Infoseeker1975

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839857#Comment_123839857

hope you recover quickly, injuries are so annoying

Dre Colman

Tough break, especially after putting so much into the block already. Fair play for getting the cycle in though, at least you’re keeping the fitness ticking over. Hopefully the physio can settle the hip and you’ll still salvage a decent run on the day.