Starting at the Very Start

FIFA2004 · 01-12-2016 08:50PM

The Muppet wrote: »

Hi Fifa

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

Thanks for thinking of me Muppet! Reading ur post on the way home from work got me out for a run this evening that probably wouldn't have happened otherwise! Been a tough few weeks and running took a hit with that! Trying to get back to it now. I'll post a proper update later when I've got the watch in front of me

The Muppet · 01-12-2016 10:36PM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Thanks for thinking of me Muppet! Reading ur post on the way home from work got me out for a run this evening that probably wouldn't have happened otherwise! Been a tough few weeks and running took a hit with that! Trying to get back to it now. I'll post a proper update later when I've got the watch in front of me

Good to see you got out, looking forward to the updates, are you running jingle bells?

FIFA2004 · 01-12-2016 11:11PM

It's been a month since my last post! Things have been very up and down running wise... a couple of consistent weeks separated by big gaps of not getting out.

Last post was 2 days before exam 1. Sat that exam... found out two weeks later I had passed (yay!) but then had to sit another one this week with very little time to prepare. That's when running very much took a back seat. Not a written exam which meant a lot of travel for practise sessions while squeezing in study time. The last 2 weeks have been draining and took a lot more out of me than I expected. After a disasterous exam got back to it this week!

4th November
5.4km
50mins

Can't remember this at all!

13th November
5.5km
49mins

Or this!

14th November
5.4km
51mins

Or this!

17th November
5.4km
51mins

Or this!!

19th November
5km
45mins

Or this one!

Tuesday 29th November
5km
45min

Finally a run I remember doing! Did my exam in am (horrendously disasterously bad!) and went for a slightly liquid lunch! Got home at 5ish and decided to try a run and see what happened! Was freezing and tired and spent most of it post-mortuming the exam so not very enjoyable!

Thursday 1st Dec
5.2km
46mins

Wasn't feeling a run on the way home but saw the muppets post on the Luas and decided to get my ass in gear! Couldn't find my headphones and my watch wouldn't find a gps signal but in the end a nice run on a crisp evening!

So what now?
I'm signed up for jingle bells on Saturday but I'm working 24hrs on Friday to finish at 9am Saturday morning so getting there will depend very much on what the night is like. I've no idea how it will go if I get there. Plan is to ignore the watch, give it what I can given the limitations on sleep and training and try get a baseline as to where I am now. Plan for the year was a sub 30 5km but given how sporadic my training has been since the half marathon that looks unlikely unless I really surprise myself on Saturday. Hoping to use it as a baseline to kick myself back into concentrating on speed, diet and strength to give parkrun on Christmas Eve a good go for a pb

FIFA2004 · 01-12-2016 11:13PM

The Muppet wrote: »

Good to see you got out, looking forward to the updates, are you running jingle bells?

Very glad I did!
I'm hoping to be there! Working 24 hrs on Friday and Sunday so will depend on what time I get outta work and if I can convince myself to stay awake!

The Muppet · 01-12-2016 11:38PM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Very glad I did!
I'm hoping to be there! Working 24 hrs on Friday and Sunday so will depend on what time I get outta work and if I can convince myself to stay awake!

I see that, your work/exam schedule is tough going , it can't be easy to fit running into that. . Good luck with the plans . I'm looking forward to Xmas eve parkrun myself . My daugher is targeting that for a sub 30 as well .either malahide or st. Annes not sure which one yet.

FIFA2004 · 01-12-2016 11:53PM

The Muppet wrote: »

I see that, your work/exam schedule is tough going , it can't be easy to fit running into that. . Good luck with the plans . I'm looking forward to Xmas eve parkrun myself . My daugher is targeting that for a sub 30 as well .either malahide or st. Annes not sure which one yet.

It hasn't been easy but should calm down now thankfully! After this weekend the craziness is over for a while. Fair play to her!!! I'll be in malahide on xmas eve with my Mam and dad (both taken up running!) with similar ambitions so might see you there! Good luck on Saturday!

The Muppet · 02-12-2016 11:43AM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

It hasn't been easy but should calm down now thankfully! After this weekend the craziness is over for a while. Fair play to her!!! I'll be in malahide on xmas eve with my Mam and dad (both taken up running!) with similar ambitions so might see you there! Good luck on Saturday!

That's good.

If it ends up being Malahide we will have to say hello, ,

Your Dads at it now too, that's brilliant , it must be really enjoyable fro them heading off for a run together. My missus started C25k at one time with me but she has a serious back condition and had to give it up it after the first week.

FIFA2004 · 12-12-2016 11:25PM

Ah lads!!! Seriously struggling to get properly back to a routine with running. Missed jingle balls after a bad night in work and didn't get home til half 11! Then busy week... but really if I had of wanted to I would have fit some runs in somewhere

So the next run since Dec 1st was

Sunday 11th Dec
5.4km
51.45mins

This felt like a recovery run after a tough long run... not a first run in 10 days. Struggled through every second of it. Glad when it was over.

Donating blood in the am so prob won't get out after. Wednesday will be the next go at getting into a routine again!

Maximus Alexander · 13-12-2016 01:56AM

Back on the horse Fifa come on you can do it

This Fat Girl Runs · 13-12-2016 11:11AM

I'm in the same boat. It's a tough horse to get back on but you'll get there. We both will!

The Muppet · 13-12-2016 11:25AM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Ah lads!!! Seriously struggling to get properly back to a routine with running. Missed jingle balls after a bad night in work and didn't get home til half 11! Then busy week... but really if I had of wanted to I would have fit some runs in somewhere

So the next run since Dec 1st was

Sunday 11th Dec
5.4km
51.45mins

This felt like a recovery run after a tough long run... not a first run in 10 days. Struggled through every second of it. Glad when it was over.

Donating blood in the am so prob won't get out after. Wednesday will be the next go at getting into a routine again!

I'm finding it tough enough to motivate myself at the moment too fifa, I have an annoying niggle that effects me after a run and then dies down in a day or so, I know I just need to get a few consecutive days running and the motivation will return. Busy with life at the moment is not helping either, I hope to get out this evening but I have to juggle other things to do that so who knows what'll give with that, I may not make it.

A few days back at it and the mojo will return. Good luck with , We'll all be waiting for the report.:)

FIFA2004 · 13-12-2016 03:27PM

Thanks for the encouragement guys!!! I think it's a kick I need! A mix of life being busy, tiredness, cold nights, getting out of the habit... the list could be endless! Can't run tonight after blood donation (very proud of myself for not fainting on anyone!) but have the Hal hodgeon 5km plan printed and a day off tomorrow so gonna give it another go!

Ah Muppet.... don't be telling me ur lacking motivation! If you're struggling what hope is there for the rest of us! Hopefully you get out tonight for a nice run and find your mojo! I'd say ur daughter will keep you motivated if your struggling!

TFGR - we definitely will! Both of us have to shape up for the big sub 30 attempt of 2017!

The Muppet · 13-12-2016 11:12PM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Ah Muppet.... don't be telling me ur lacking motivation! If you're struggling what hope is there for the rest of us! Hopefully you get out tonight for a nice run and find your mojo! I'd say ur daughter will keep you motivated if your struggling!

Lol. I did get out for a few miles tonight . Enjoyed it as always . I think its just the extra pulls for time this time of year that make fitting a run in difficult by times .

Hope you make it out yourself soon.

Sunny Dayz · 14-12-2016 11:10AM

I'm in the same boat Fifa2004, I think this time of year requires super motivation to get out for a run, with the change in the weather, colds and flus, work and Christmas prep - getting out for a run requires a lot more effort!

FIFA2004 · 14-12-2016 11:13PM

Wednesday 14th December
5km
48.30mins

Dragged myself out this evening eventually. The kind of evening I usually love, crisp and dry with a full moon. Was quite a drag of a run, although slightly better than the last. But when you can't manage to get under 10min/km you can't help wondering what's the point in trying. Have to plug away til the enjoyment comes back. Nice to hear I'm not the only one feeling this way at least

The Muppet · 15-12-2016 12:43AM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Wednesday 14th December
5km
48.30mins

Dragged myself out this evening eventually. The kind of evening I usually love, crisp and dry with a full moon. Was quite a drag of a run, although slightly better than the last. But when you can't manage to get under 10min/km you can't help wondering what's the point in trying. Have to plug away til the enjoyment comes back. Nice to hear I'm not the only one feeling this way at least

The running forum is like a bad episode of eastenders lately , there's very little positivity in the logs my own included .

At least you got out today .:D

FIFA2004 · 18-12-2016 12:44AM

Saturday 17th Dec
5.5km
51mins

Slightly hung over run this morning. As with all ru s recently was a drag... couldn't wait to finish! Looking at the data it was only the 2nd km where I really struggled (running around 9.45min/km), the rest weren't too disasterous, but in my head it was all that bad. Threw in a few strides in the middle to remind myself I could go faster.

Currently on 945km for the year... will take a mini miracle to hit the 1000km I wanted... never mind the sun 30 I had hoped for at parkrun next week!

FIFA2004 · 24-12-2016 03:09PM

I'm a bit of a disaster currently! Didn't manage to get out during the week... a mixture of being busy and not making time to run. Parents pulled out of park run and I forgot to set an alarm so missed it. Headed out with my Mam instead.

Saturday Dec 24th
5.2km
44mins

Went out with my Mam for what was meant to be a pace that suited both of us! Instead she sprinted off into the distance and I kept going at my pace. Still a bit of a drag and nowhere near as enjoyable as running usually is...

Looked at garmin and actually on 965km for the year. Still probably won't be able to get the 1000!

Happy Christmas everyone!!!

The Muppet · 24-12-2016 05:03PM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

I'm a bit of a disaster currently! Didn't manage to get out during the week... a mixture of being busy and not making time to run. Parents pulled out of park run and I forgot to set an alarm so missed it. Headed out with my Mam instead.

Saturday Dec 24th
5.2km
44mins

Went out with my Mam for what was meant to be a pace that suited both of us! Instead she sprinted off into the distance and I kept going at my pace. Still a bit of a drag and nowhere near as enjoyable as running usually is...

Looked at garmin and actually on 965km for the year. Still probably won't be able to get the 1000!

Happy Christmas everyone!!!

Happy Xmas Fifa . That's a good chunk of running this year .

Annie get your Run · 24-12-2016 06:54PM

Happy Christmas FIFA

don't be too hard on yourself, it's Christmas

you've put in a solid amount of KM this year and have made some great progress during the year. Look forward to seeing what you can do in 2017!

FIFA2004 · 24-12-2016 07:50PM

Thanks Annie and Muppet! Not disappointed, it's been a great year. Never last year would I have thought I could run a half marathon... 2017 will be the full thing and a sub 30 5km! Next year I'll have to push for 1000miles not km

Happy xmas guys! Thanks for all your support

FIFA2004 · 26-12-2016 06:33PM

Monday 26th Dec
5.1km
43.40mins

After a lovely xmas and hitting the sales by accident this am I headed out with my sister this afternoon. The company of someone who didn't mind running my pace made for the most enjoyable run I've had for a while, even if I was working a lot harder than I'd like for that pace.

26-12-2016 07:17PM

Hey FIFA2004, found your log whilst trawling through C25K ideas and looking for restarting running inspiration... and found it :-)
It's been a few years since I've run even 5km, but I'm determined to get into it again and hoping to brave one of the park runs in early 2017. Congratulations on all your progress to date and thanks again: I hit up Killiney Hill this afternoon. Nearly died in the process, so back to slow paced C25K'ing for me....

FIFA2004 · 28-12-2016 08:00PM

Cali_girl wrote: »

Hey FIFA2004, found your log whilst trawling through C25K ideas and looking for restarting running inspiration... and found it :-)
It's been a few years since I've run even 5km, but I'm determined to get into it again and hoping to brave one of the park runs in early 2017. Congratulations on all your progress to date and thanks again: I hit up Killiney Hill this afternoon. Nearly died in the process, so back to slow paced C25K'ing for me....

Wow what a lovely thing to say! Good luck with your plans! The hills will be no bother soon enough

if you need further inspiration you'll find it in the logs here, thisfatgirlruns, the Muppet and melb's to name a few

the couch to 5k thread here is great for advice too!

FIFA2004 · 28-12-2016 08:02PM

Wednesday 28th Dec
5km
47mins

Post call run, the first time I've pulled myself out post call in a long time. First run in a long time that I wasn't praying for the end the whole way through. Not sure it was quite as slow as the stats suggest... was using strava not my watch for the first time in ages. Very happy with that thou!

maybe the mojo isn't as far gone as I thought

FIFA2004 · 12-01-2017 10:22PM

Not a great start to the new year running wise but I've started doing the body coaches HIIT (High intensity interval training) workouts so there's at least been lots of exercise! Now time to incorporate the running back in with the new excercises! At least they being short means I can't use the excuse of having no time much more, and hoping that being stronger and fitter will help my running.

Sunday 1st January 2017
5.3km
47mins

Enjoyed every minute of this! First time I can say that for ages!

Monday 2nd - 20min HIIT
Tuesday 3rd - Pilates
Wednesday 4th - 20min HIIT
Thursday 4th - 20min HIIT
Friday 5th - 20min HIIT

Sunday 7th - 20min HIIT
Monday 8th - Pilates
Wednesday 10th - 20min HIIT

You get the point!

Thursday 11th January
3.5km
34mins

Moved job on Monday and new job is 2km from home... so walking every day. Decided today was the day to try a run commute. Enjoyed the run although the cold wind and the bag made it a bit painful difficult to do anything but extra slow! A bit more organisation and I won't need the bag! Forgot my keys in work, hence the extra 1.5km when I ran back to get them! Hoping to do this 3 times a week coming home with a detour to bring the distance up.
Done a step aerobics class (I've no coordination at all!!!!) after this so a good day for exercise!

The Muppet · 13-01-2017 12:30AM

Good to see you getting back into it Fifa , How do you find the pilates? I love it which surprises me, I would have thought I'd be into it I just started it durning marathon training , I though I'd stop after that but no I really enjoy it.

FIFA2004 · 15-01-2017 03:46PM

The Muppet wrote: »

Good to see you getting back into it Fifa , How do you find the pilates? I love it which surprises me, I would have thought I'd be into it I just started it durning marathon training , I though I'd stop after that but no I really enjoy it.

Starting to enjoy the Pilates actually, took a lot of effort to go back after the first one, its tough and I'm by far the worst there each week, but I'm happy sticking with the easier version of the exercises and just improving myself! It's on 3 times a week in my gym which is great for me with work being unpredictable at the best of times, I wouldn't be able to commit to a set once a week thing

Friday evening felt a bad pain in the right calf, not much better now after 2 days complete rest bit hoping it will be ok to get back to running/pilates/hiit on Tuesday!

FIFA2004 · 22-01-2017 03:38PM

Wednesday 18th January
5.6km
51mins

Leg was still sore on Monday so rested again, done 20min HIIT at home on Tuesday incase to test it out, and not be tempted to keep going if it hurt,
First proper run-commute with a loop around the canal to bring me to a decent distance! Enjoyable and great to have it done in the time I'd usually be on the Luas or in the car

Saturday 21st January
5.6km
49mins

Left my house keys in work on Friday so took a run over and back to collect them. Felt a lot slower than the watch showed in the end, pretty boring surrounding for a run but a practical way to fit it in. Got a 20min HIIT session in after too.

So now... need to get structure back. 20 min HIIT today as time is short. Going to start Hal hidgon intermediate 5km plan from Tuesday, with most of the runs as commutes. Pilates Mondays and a few HIIT sessions planned too, so hoping to see some results soon... both for my 5km time and my waist line!

FIFA2004 · 25-01-2017 12:26AM

Monday 23rd January - Pilates

Tuesday 24th January
5.3km
50.30mins

Day 1 of the plan, 5km easy. Done it as a commute again. Love being able to. Very enjoyable if deathly slow, even for me! Didn't try to push it because I've been doing a lot of exercise recently and don't want to end up injured.
15min HIIT after I got home
5x400m next which petrifies me! Probably won't get it in tomorrow so will be Thursday unfortunately

Starting at the Very Start

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