Starting at the Very Start

Auntie Matter · 23-09-2016 09:45PM

Good luck FIFA! I'll be there too if the rain doesn't cause me to wuss out.

FIFA2004 · 23-09-2016 09:52PM

Auntie Matter wrote: »

Good luck FIFA! I'll be there too if the rain doesn't cause me to wuss out.

Haha!!! I'll cross my fingers for both of us so! I could do with a nice morning

good luck!

mel.b · 23-09-2016 10:06PM

Good luck & have fun Fifa!

This Fat Girl Runs · 23-09-2016 10:50PM

Good luck tomorrow! Enjoy the day and experience. Sorry I won't be able to race you across the finish but I'll be there to cheer you on! If you want, PM me your number so I can track you!

FIFA2004 · 23-09-2016 11:11PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

Good luck tomorrow! Enjoy the day and experience. Sorry I won't be able to race you across the finish but I'll be there to cheer you on! If you want, PM me your number so I can track you!

Thanks! I hope I will

I'm 2678!

Maximus Alexander · 24-09-2016 03:16PM

Great job today! Pfft, and you were worried about coming last!

FIFA2004 · 24-09-2016 09:10PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Great job today! Pfft, and you were worried about coming last!

Thanks max! 2:58:46... delighted with that! Will write a proper report when I've got some energy back! Hope you had a good day too!

mel.b · 24-09-2016 09:28PM

Well done Fifa in I'm sure what was not nice conditions

This Fat Girl Runs · 25-09-2016 08:36AM

Well done at the half, A! Looking forward to your report

FIFA2004 · 26-09-2016 12:04AM

Saturday 24th September
Dublin City Half Marathon
13.1miles
2hr58.46
Splits :12.56, 13.00, 13.29, 13.07, 13.38, 13.45, 13.44, 13.47, 13.28, 13.44, 13.21, 14.35, 14.32, 11.04 (.1m)

So my d-day! Booked this months ago on a post call whim, been equally excited and terrified ever since! Like I said above the previous week has been very busy. Although my focus up until Friday pm wasn't much on running and my preparation wasn't perfect it meant I wasn't fixated on worrying about all the horrible ways I could embarrass myself and come last all week. Had a rushed pasta meal on Friday (microwaveable!), got the gear ready and slept like a baby!

Up in decent time on Saturday, did the same as FD, woke early and had a cereal bar and water, slept again, muslei and coffee after I got up. Had a little (huge!!) panic when I realised there was two matching holes in the top of the new socks I had out for this morning, had to dig an old pair out of the dirty wash basket. Wasn't risking anything after FD toenail-gate! Finally got out, arrived to pheonix park a little later than planned, straight to bag drop and then the horribly long que for the portaloo. After that it was 9.45 so headed to the back. This was the first time I felt nervous or questioned my sanity for being there. Had planned to take a gel before the start but forgot. Waited for the off about 20 people from the back, little bit worried about how close the 2.30 pacers were. Loads more people jumped the barriers on the way to the start and made sure to let them ahead. Ended up starting beside the chicken man!

And off we went, regretted not doing a warm up pretty much straight away as the legs felt a bit stiff and tight. That settled fairly fast. First 5km ticked over ok, felt good, legs had settled, got there in 42mins, exactly on target for 2hr55, my secret aim.

Km 5 to 10 were the toughest by far. Took a lot of effort to see myself every getting through to the end, everyone seemed to be walking around me, or walking for a bit, sprinting for a bit. Had a little bit of water every 30mins or so, swapped bottle every time we got to a water station. Had a gel at 7km. Just generally traipsed around for a while feeling a bit meh. Managed to get to 10 and realised if I got to 11 I was more than half way there. 1hr22 on the clock, again exactly on time, although I knew the tougher bit was to come.

Something seemed to click at 11km, I only had a distance I knew I could do left, I was more than half way, and physically I felt fine! Back to Chesterfield avenue where I love running and turn around at the gate. Although the dj telling people coming from the other direction how they were so close and it was all downhill from there was a bit annoying (did he not know about the hill at the end!!!). Loads of support from here until the very end from people that had finished, such a contrast from FD and made a world of difference. Felt like people were pulling for the slow pokes rather than judging us for still being out. I had a huge smile on the whole way from 11 to 17/18km and tried to thank everyone who cheered.

The loop around farmleigh got tougher, it was windier, raining and more exposed. Took another gel somewhere around here. Got to tower road, still feeling great and was gaining on the people in front all the time. Saw the residue of ambulance gear, a fairly sobering thought that something bad had happened. Delighted to hear there was a good outcome. Got to the lucozade stop, delighted with life because I remembered studying the route and thinking If I got that far I'd be grand! Had a joke with a man running about the mountain ahead, and pretty sure I went by him. Think I sold myself a bit short starting so far back as he was the first runner I'd come across, although it worked for me too, as only much too fast to be back there people overtook me and I went by people fairly consistently.

Back to Chesterfield avenue (I think) and lots of support, although picking between the finishers was annoying (if any organisers are reading this by any chance please consider blocking off one of the footpaths or cycle paths next year when the main body of people are gone, would make a huge difference!) At this point I felt like I was flying though, picked up the pace a bit, had a joke with someone who was finished about showing off that I could run for so long!

Turned up acres road, this is where the wheels fell off 2.55. The exposure and wind killed me and the pace fell, I was still gaining on people ahead so knew there wasn't much I could do and just went with it. Felt like an age until it was over and we were back slightly sheltered. Got to the 12 mile mark, still felt good but the hill was a killer, and the pace stayed down no matter how hard I tried. Again massive amounts of support that I so appreciated. Kept sipping the lucozade and got some jelly babies from a passerby supporting a woman just ahead.

Turned onto Furze road and couldn't stop smiling. Someone commented that I still looked strong, felt exhausted but did still feel strong and well able to finish. Picked up the pace, went by a few people. Also passed the memorial for the young lad who died last year, a sobering thought that he got so close. On a selfish note it distracted me from the pain for a bit while I got closer to the end. Lots of noise at the end, felt like I was winning (well I was winning my race!) and loved hearing my name called out at the end. Crossed the finish, still smiling I think! Got my medal and felt like a champion! Then heard my name called, TFGR had waited after the main meet up to see me finish, cannot tell you how much that meant to me C, can't wait til we have our next back of the pack race!

All in all a fantastic day! something I never thought I'd be able to do. Not even one little bit disappointed that I didn't get 2.55. Think I'm probably gonna be first subscriber to the mentored novices thread next year (any advice on getting there would be much appreciated!). Little bit jealous of people with their big day left, enjoy it!

Reading over that...
Firstly sorry it's so long!! Second there's very little about running there. More the battle with my mind. Think that sums the day up, physically I was fine although didn't have much left to give, when I made my head realised that I enjoyed every second of it. Was thinking of how to get to 30min 5ks and 2hr hm on the way home. I think I've caught the running bug for sure.

26-09-2016 01:09AM

Seriously amazing achievement FIFA! Congrats! I'm aiming for the half next year (still chipping away with 10kms) - will definitely refer back to your post for inspiration cometh the time.

Maximus Alexander · 26-09-2016 02:14AM

Absolutely delighted to hear you had a better day out than the 10 miler, by a long way by the sounds of it! Congratulations on the sub-3 too.

You just reminded me that I got a jelly baby off that lady somewhere on the Upper Glen road too! What a legend

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Was thinking of how to get to 30min 5ks and 2hr hm on the way home. I think I've caught the running bug for sure.

Just on this. Your first 5k was 44.5 minutes. You just ran 4 of those back to back, and then some, at a faster pace. If a 30 min 5k or a 2 hour HM is what you want, you'll get there. The sky's the limit and you're only a young one. The great thing about this hobby is you can do it for the rest of your life!

(Please don't tell anyone I was posting at this hour)

FIFA2004 · 26-09-2016 08:35AM

Haha Max! Only that uve made my morning (been a long time since anyone called me a young one!) I'd be telling tales to Nop otherwise!
Until you wrote that I hadn't really put the whole thing in context. Might have a read back of the log to see exactly how far I've come! Thanks for that!

tailgunner · 26-09-2016 08:44AM

Well done on the sub-3, you've progressed brilliantly over the last while.

Loved your report - the longer races are definitely about mental struggles as much as physical!

Firedance · 26-09-2016 09:08AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

(Please don't tell anyone I was posting at this hour)

Seriously, you think we don't have eyes in the back of our heads??!!!

All joking aside what a great result FIFA, Max is right and training for the longer distances will really help your short stuff too as mad as that sounds. Well done on winning the mental battle too.

What's next for you now? would you consider looking at a 5k specific plan?

gypsylee · 26-09-2016 11:18AM

Great to read your race report FIFA. Well done and congratulations on a great run.

Your posts have been inspiring me since I took up running earlier this year and your race report has encouraged me to get my ass in gear and aim for a HM sometime late next year.

Sunny Dayz · 26-09-2016 11:48AM

gypsylee wrote: »

Great to read your race report FIFA. Well done and congratulations on a great run.

Your posts have been inspiring me since I took up running earlier this year and your race report has encouraged me to get my ass in gear and aim for a HM sometime late next year.

I can only +1 everything gypselee has said above.

Was rooting for you over the weekend and looking forward to reading your race report. You are dead right, running is as much a mental game as a physical one. You seemed to be well able for it physically. I'd say you were buzzing after it! I'm delighted for you, well done!!

Ososlo · 26-09-2016 01:12PM

Really well done FIFA and great report! Looking forward to seeing you smash your times with the shorter stuff! How's recovery going?

The Muppet · 26-09-2016 07:17PM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Saturday 24th September
Dublin City Half Marathon
13.1miles
2hr58.46
Splits :12.56, 13.00, 13.29, 13.07, 13.38, 13.45, 13.44, 13.47, 13.28, 13.44, 13.21, 14.35, 14.32, 11.04 (.1m)

So my d-day! Booked this months ago on a post call whim, been equally excited and terrified ever since! Like I said above the previous week has been very busy. Although my focus up until Friday pm wasn't much on running and my preparation wasn't perfect it meant I wasn't fixated on worrying about all the horrible ways I could embarrass myself and come last all week. Had a rushed pasta meal on Friday (microwaveable!), got the gear ready and slept like a baby!

Up in decent time on Saturday, did the same as FD, woke early and had a cereal bar and water, slept again, muslei and coffee after I got up. Had a little (huge!!) panic when I realised there was two matching holes in the top of the new socks I had out for this morning, had to dig an old pair out of the dirty wash basket. Wasn't risking anything after FD toenail-gate! Finally got out, arrived to pheonix park a little later than planned, straight to bag drop and then the horribly long que for the portaloo. After that it was 9.45 so headed to the back. This was the first time I felt nervous or questioned my sanity for being there. Had planned to take a gel before the start but forgot. Waited for the off about 20 people from the back, little bit worried about how close the 2.30 pacers were. Loads more people jumped the barriers on the way to the start and made sure to let them ahead. Ended up starting beside the chicken man!

And off we went, regretted not doing a warm up pretty much straight away as the legs felt a bit stiff and tight. That settled fairly fast. First 5km ticked over ok, felt good, legs had settled, got there in 42mins, exactly on target for 2hr55, my secret aim.

Km 5 to 10 were the toughest by far. Took a lot of effort to see myself every getting through to the end, everyone seemed to be walking around me, or walking for a bit, sprinting for a bit. Had a little bit of water every 30mins or so, swapped bottle every time we got to a water station. Had a gel at 7km. Just generally traipsed around for a while feeling a bit meh. Managed to get to 10 and realised if I got to 11 I was more than half way there. 1hr22 on the clock, again exactly on time, although I knew the tougher bit was to come.

Something seemed to click at 11km, I only had a distance I knew I could do left, I was more than half way, and physically I felt fine! Back to Chesterfield avenue where I love running and turn around at the gate. Although the dj telling people coming from the other direction how they were so close and it was all downhill from there was a bit annoying (did he not know about the hill at the end!!!). Loads of support from here until the very end from people that had finished, such a contrast from FD and made a world of difference. Felt like people were pulling for the slow pokes rather than judging us for still being out. I had a huge smile on the whole way from 11 to 17/18km and tried to thank everyone who cheered.

The loop around farmleigh got tougher, it was windier, raining and more exposed. Took another gel somewhere around here. Got to tower road, still feeling great and was gaining on the people in front all the time. Saw the residue of ambulance gear, a fairly sobering thought that something bad had happened. Delighted to hear there was a good outcome. Got to the lucozade stop, delighted with life because I remembered studying the route and thinking If I got that far I'd be grand! Had a joke with a man running about the mountain ahead, and pretty sure I went by him. Think I sold myself a bit short starting so far back as he was the first runner I'd come across, although it worked for me too, as only much too fast to be back there people overtook me and I went by people fairly consistently.

Back to Chesterfield avenue (I think) and lots of support, although picking between the finishers was annoying (if any organisers are reading this by any chance please consider blocking off one of the footpaths or cycle paths next year when the main body of people are gone, would make a huge difference!) At this point I felt like I was flying though, picked up the pace a bit, had a joke with someone who was finished about showing off that I could run for so long!

Turned up acres road, this is where the wheels fell off 2.55. The exposure and wind killed me and the pace fell, I was still gaining on people ahead so knew there wasn't much I could do and just went with it. Felt like an age until it was over and we were back slightly sheltered. Got to the 12 mile mark, still felt good but the hill was a killer, and the pace stayed down no matter how hard I tried. Again massive amounts of support that I so appreciated. Kept sipping the lucozade and got some jelly babies from a passerby supporting a woman just ahead.

Turned onto Furze road and couldn't stop smiling. Someone commented that I still looked strong, felt exhausted but did still feel strong and well able to finish. Picked up the pace, went by a few people. Also passed the memorial for the young lad who died last year, a sobering thought that he got so close. On a selfish note it distracted me from the pain for a bit while I got closer to the end. Lots of noise at the end, felt like I was winning (well I was winning my race!) and loved hearing my name called out at the end. Crossed the finish, still smiling I think! Got my medal and felt like a champion! Then heard my name called, TFGR had waited after the main meet up to see me finish, cannot tell you how much that meant to me C, can't wait til we have our next back of the pack race!

All in all a fantastic day! something I never thought I'd be able to do. Not even one little bit disappointed that I didn't get 2.55. Think I'm probably gonna be first subscriber to the mentored novices thread next year (any advice on getting there would be much appreciated!). Little bit jealous of people with their big day left, enjoy it!

Reading over that...
Firstly sorry it's so long!! Second there's very little about running there. More the battle with my mind. Think that sums the day up, physically I was fine although didn't have much left to give, when I made my head realised that I enjoyed every second of it. Was thinking of how to get to 30min 5ks and 2hr hm on the way home. I think I've caught the running bug for sure.

Great race and report Fifa I enjoyed reading that, well done . Delighted for you.

Re next year . just keep doing what your doing building milage slowly , and maybe a pilates class or something similar to build strength might help.

Auntie Matter · 26-09-2016 09:26PM

Well done on your first half...great to get under the 3 hours especially in that weather. Great race report too.

FIFA2004 · 26-09-2016 11:45PM

Ahh thanks for the kind words everybody! Means a lot that people actually read what I write and care about how I got on!

SmallTeapot - keep doing what your doing and a half will be no bother to you. If I can do it then anyone can!

Tailgunner - thank you! Amazing performance in the marathon!!

Firedance - thank you!!! Shorter distances are definitely back on the cards. Gutted to be working for jingle bells this year so looking for something similar to have a good go at 30 mins. Hopefully lots of Parkruns soon. Think I might try the hal hidgeon imternediate 5k plan again, or something similar, although exams will mean realistically 3/4 runs a week not 5 until end of November.
Would I be mad to try keep up a 2hr long run at the weekend rather than starting again with a 4/5/6 mile long run like most plans at my level suggest? Don't want to lose all the hard work!

Gypsylee, Sunnydayz, Auntie Matter- so kind of you to say that! Thank you!

Ososlo - thanks!! Amazing performance yourself, don't know how you manage it! You won!!!!!! Recovery is going ok, had a 30min recovery run early, realised I was sorer than I had thought so just gonna stick with slow and short for the rest of the week and take it from there

The Muppet - thanks for the advice! I'd been considering a Pilates class so gonna look into they further, have it built into the schedule by next year, want to keep a weekend long run going too if I can so that it's second nature too! So glad you had a good day, you deserve it! Can't wait to see you and Max flying on marathon day!

So today... recovery started!

Monday 26th September
3.1km
30mins

Slow as possible! The legs had been feeling perfect until I started, then realised they actually weren't great! Gonna take it handy for the rest of the week, hopefully get a sports massage early next week and be good to go for some speedier stuff! Decided to treat myself to a fancy pair of runners for the first time so have that to look forward to as well!

FIFA2004 · 04-10-2016 11:45PM

Wednesday 28th September
5.3km
50mins

Another very slow run. Legs felt worse than the first time if anything. Glad to be finished when I got back to the start!

Had a tough work weekend so didn't get out at all between Wednesday and tonight (Tuesday).
Had my first sports massage on Monday night... strange experience, although my legs do fell better tonight! The physio was fairly awquard... which made me awquard.... so the whole thing felt long and a bit odd. He did get out a couple of very tight spots in the calfs though, but then I've a bruise in one place which I'm not sure was supposed to happen

something I'll definitely do again but not there!

Tuesday 4th October
5km
42.20mins

Got offered a free trial in a gym I've been thinking of joining so went down and did this on the treadmill. Nothing exciting to report... treadmills are anything but exciting. The gym has a yogalates (what even is that!) and pilates class and access to a small pool, and I think being able to use the treadmill will come in handy during the winter. I loved running in the cold and dark and rain in Castlebar but not sure inchicore will have the same effect!

FIFA2004 · 16-10-2016 11:34PM

Didn't realise how long I'd gone without updating this! Since finishing the half marathon I've realised how much time I had spent on it, and I'd kinda abandoned real life stuff like the exams I have very soon! I've decided to loosely follow the go hidgeon intermediate 5km plan, but at the moment I have to concentrate on other stuff... unfortunately a 30min 5km won't do much for my career prospects! So runs will be missed until the end of November unfortunately.

Thursday 6th October
5x400m at 1mile pace
5.65km
Splits: 6.02, 6.27, 6.34, 6.49, 7.08

Bit of a disaster! 2km warm up, then into the 400's. Realised at the end of the first one that I'd programmed the watch for 1min break not 400m. The stupid part of me decided to keep going with it. The laces suffered fairly badly as I wasn't near fully recovering in between. Not a mistake I'll make again!

Friday 7th October
5km
43.46mins

Uneventful 5km. Fairly slow and lacking energy. Spent most of it yawning and was glad to have it done!

Monday 10th October
5km
42mins

My first ever Pilates, well yogalates class. Not really sure what the difference is! Actually really enjoyed it, although a bit more deep breathing and funny positions than I was expecting! Got on the treadmill afterwards for 5km. So so boring, despite saving my favourite podcast for distraction. Family stuff meant I missed the long run at the weekend, not a great start to week one of the plan!

Thursday 13th October
30min tempo
5.3km total in 43mins

Had been looking forward to this one. 7min warm up at 8.48min/km and then started. First 10mins at 8.40mins/km and was struggling more than I thought at what should have been an easy pace. Second 10mins at 8.07mins, the wind and gradient were a bit more with me so got easier. Third section 5 mins at 7.16min/km. Probably the most enjoyable part. Finished off with 1min sprint (6.20min/km) and a slow jog home. Not the worst run considering the start!

Friday 14th October
4.75km
45mins

Got an exercise plan for the gym and tried it for the first time Friday evening. Left the gym and detoured 4.75km of a run to avoid studying! Paid for the gym session for the rest of the weekend with DOMS and between that and a lack of time and enthusiasm didn't get out for the rest of the weekend.

Writing this post the thing that stood out to me most was that I'm not enjoying it too much at the minute, probably because of guilt from life stress and because I've taken on too much new stuff together. Think for the moment I'll just have to relax a bit about the running and gym etc until things settle!

FIFA2004 · 29-10-2016 09:05PM

Again left this go a long while without updating! Nothing too exciting to report, but decided to leave off the plan until I get the first exam over on Wednesday and life settles down a bit!

Monday 17th October
Pilates/yoga

Yogalates sounds stupid! Different this week than last, less physically demanding but my lack of flexibility meant I struggled. Didn't enjoy it too much. Another running related thing I suck at. Determined to keep it up though!
Wanted a treadmill run after but was sensible and went home to study

Thursday 20th October
5.3km
49mins

Have zero recollection of this run, but apparently it happened

Saturday October 22nd
5.7km
52mins

Post call run. Dragged myself out of bed at a decent time and headed out. Quite enjoyable compared to recent runs and felt much better after than before.

Tuesday 25th October
5.25km
48mins

First day of study leave for the impending exam. Got out for a break, not an enjoyable run particularly. Just about struggled through but was disappointed with the slowness and how tough it felt. Felt crap when I got home and then got sick/temps etc in the evening. At least that explains that one!

Thursday 27th October
46.55mins
5.25km

Another study break run. Feeling much better. Vaguely enjoyable, just cuz it was a break from the books

Saturday 29th October
Tempo run
42mins
5.26km
10mins at 8.48min/km, 10 mins at 8.03min/km, 10min at 7.13min/km, 5min at 7.04min/km

Meant to do parkrun this am, but had a panic about time missed studying last night so didn't. Bad call as I got very little study done in the time I would have been there. Lacking the time for a lsr I decided on a tempo run to change things a bit.
Went pretty much exactly to plan, although had been hoping to hit 6.30 for the last bit, but that was always a bit ambitious.

Funny how one good run has me back in much better spirits about the whole thing. Hopefully once Wednesday is over I can get some structure back before the possible second exam at the end of November. Gonna aim for jinglebells for my next race. Will be post call, so no sleep for 24hrs so not ideal but I loved it last year, my first proper run so don't wanna miss it!

Sunny Dayz · 30-10-2016 10:44AM

Great to see you are still getting out for your runs, it's difficult when you have other important things going on. Best of luck in your exam.

FIFA2004 · 31-10-2016 06:04PM

Monday 31st October
5km
40.22mins

Another study run, headed out with my younger sister, who apparently hasn't exercised in months. She's one of those naturally athletic types, and ambled along beside me. If anyone had of seen us and tried to guess who had been running 3 times a week for 18months they wouldn't have picked me! Much faster than my usual slow pace, mostly due to the company.

Spent yesterday tracking the novices for dcm. Really hoping to be the first to sign up to next years thread! Have a few goals in mind before then, that if I can reach and life plays ball I'll be there!

Question question... looking at my paces. Over the last few months my easy pace has slipped from 8.30ish to over 9, up to 9.30. No particular reason for this. On all my runs not just the very long ones. Calculator puts my easy at 8.30 to 8.50 based on my 5km time, 9.30 based on my half marathon time. Now that I'm back to aiming for 5k improvement should I be pushing to get the easy pace back to 8.30?

Maximus Alexander · 01-11-2016 02:50PM

I think easy should be based on effort and I wouldn't totally rely on calculators for that, especially if your race time is not recent. Your easy pace isn't going to be set in stone and will differ from day to day based on how you feel, what the weather is like, etc. Just make sure you're running comfortably and don't feel like you're working hard and you'll be all right. A heart rate monitor can help with this too if you have one, but I wouldn't get too fixated on that either.

FIFA2004 · 01-11-2016 04:36PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I think easy should be based on effort and I wouldn't totally rely on calculators for that, especially if your race time is not recent. Your easy pace isn't going to be set in stone and will differ from day to day based on how you feel, what the weather is like, etc. Just make sure you're running comfortably and don't feel like you're working hard and you'll be all right. A heart rate monitor can help with this too if you have one, but I wouldn't get too fixated on that either.

You're right. I suppose what I worry about is that I've a tendency to daydream and pay no attention to my running, and then realise the pace has fallen hugely. despite having been comfortable at a faster pace before getting distracted by the trees, clouds, what's for dinner, what's on tv etc etc. I think maybe paying a bit more attention rather than more effort might sort the problem a bit!

tailgunner · 01-11-2016 05:19PM

I noticed recently too that my easy pace is slower now than it was at the start of the year. I think it just means that I was running too fast before.

The Muppet · 01-12-2016 06:35PM

Hi Fifa

It Occured to me today that you have been quite here , Hows things?

Starting at the Very Start

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