From minutes to miles

laura_ac3 wrote: »

Haha, you should have seen me 30 mins later, different story I was just starting so probably a little too fast still finding my pace and coming off a little downhill. Sorry for being rude and not stopping but I knew a fellow runner would understand once I blurted out tempo

Hope you enjoyed your outing, it was a lovely evening for a run. I think I've seen that dog at parkrun before have I?

laura_ac3 wrote: »

Sunday: Raheny 5 mile

Signed up for this with my PB definitely in my sights (41:18), set in Terenure 2015 before I got injured. BG kindly offered to pace me and instantly moved the thinking from a safe PB to a sub 40 :eek: That was a target for this year but was afraid it might be a touch too soon but said feck it, worse case I blow up in the last mile or two and hobble home not on target but probably with a PB of sorts. Jingle Bells indicated it wasn't a complete project of lunacy so I hoped training since then would compensate for the downhill nature of JB. Met BG beforehand and did a mile loop warm up and did a few strides and bumped into some familiar faces beforehand. Weather was miserable but seemed promising for racing, cool but little wind and "nice" running rain. After a final loo trip we headed to the start area with a few minutes to spare. My pathological need to leave the loo trip as late as possible, combined with my natural tendency to line up near the back half of the field meant we got stuck a bit further back than BG thought was suitable. Discussed the fact the first mile would possibly be a bit slower than target but we'd have a chance to make it up later.

Off we stuttered over the start line and whilst it was busy we did manage to settle into our stride quickly enough. I have a habit of haring off so tried to match BG and listened to her when she said we got on pace. The first half mile at this pace felt easy peasy compared to Tuesday but I knew that would fade!! Felt the drag coming up to the Howth Road but knowing the area so well this didn't worry me. Heading for the turn we were literally the only people heading for the turn and not cutting the corner jumping on the footpath, including one donkey who steamrolled his way from the outside banging into BG and cutting across us. He must have ran more by doing that and didn't seem to see what the problem was. The stretch in the bus lane is the one aspect of this race I think could be improved on, I don't think it's wide enough for the numbers it has. Got a shout out from Annie and aquinn here and I missed the first mile marker around this part. Taking the turn off the Howth Road I knew the downhill was ahead. I was working hard at this stage but the breathing wasn't laboured and BG was offering plenty of encouragement and reminding me to relax. The legs felt like they were moving smoothly and as we went by the 2 mile mark I saw BG checking her watch a few times. Got a bit nervous when she didn't say anything so my first thought was crap, we must be behind. Thankfully she confirmed we were on target but had bagged a few extra seconds if I needed them, and again pointed out only if you need them

Went past my OH supporting along here and then my Dad as we took the corner for Mount Prospect. I was prepared for this stretch knowing there's a dip that comes back to you further down the road. Spotted kennyg here as I headed straight for him on the outside, thanks for the encouragement. We definitely seemed to be doing more of the overtaking and I was boosting my morale with reassurances that I didn't sound as bad as others nearby. This morale boost picked up my pace a couple of times with BG keeping me in check when needed!! The usual mid race wobble wasn't far off though just as we went back up the dip the legs had to work harder all of a sudden and I felt a bit light headed or something, thoughts of more at that pace seemed daunting. I know this happens to me and I can deal with it better now so just focused on getting to the third mile, to the park, and mentally breaking the race down in segments. This stretch in the park is much better than last year with the out and back slightly different, and the park a bit more broken up. BG offering support here about digging in for the out part on the avenue that it was going to be the hardest part which I was expecting myself. It didn't disappoint either, it was hard, the legs were starting to feel heavy. Spotted Redrunner but didn't shout so as to conserve my energy! Distracted myself with the shout outs to/from BG and her clubmates and watching for runners I knew on the other side, saw Murph_D looking like he was working hard but focused. Just when I felt I was really going to struggle we took the turn back down the avenue. Psychologically this was a boost as I know it's slightly downhill and it meant we were finally heading for the finish (via the long stretch, more of the park, a residential area, some roundabouts and about 14 turns around the squares near the finish - it's all in the mind :rolleyes:). BG was really offering me encouragement here, I think she knew I was flagging as the breathing was laboured now. Garbled out one word of "tough" as she let me know we had about 6 minutes left.

Focused on getting out of the park, then getting through the residential section listening when BG said think how great it will feel to be finished with that target achieved. Knew Annie and aquinn would be by the green so had that in mind, took the corner as tight as I could and plowed through some puddles soaking my feet and my pacer. Got some really great cheers from the supporters here and from Dubgal and TFGR was there with her balloons too. Taking the last corner I tried to pick up the pace as much as I could, and there were a group of runners ahead including one in a club vest. Had resigned myself that they were too far ahead and I was already at my max but I thought maybe I've a bit more, so pushed a bit more and they got closer, went again and got closer again, before I knew it I was going past them but one person in blue stayed just out of reach as we went over the line. Hadn't looked at my wrist all race so was blown over to see 39:12 something on the watch, as well as feeling for a moment like my bagel was about to meet the footpath. A big thank you hug and thanks to BG before we grabbed our goodie bags and started meeting up with others.

Official time was 39:13 and the splits were 7:51, 7:52, 7:54, 7:59 and 7:37 (watch had the last mile at .98). Not surprising to see the 4th mile the slowest but still on target which is good. Needless to say I'm absolutely delighted with that and a super big thanks to BG for pacing and her encouragement.

Met up with lots of happy boards and parkrun people in the hall after and a couple of drinks then. Great to see so many buzzing after some excellent performances - too many to name as I'm sure I'd forget someone. Looking forward to all the race reports. Thanks to those for the cheers and all associated with Raheny, a very enjoyable and well organised day.

17.19 miles for the week as it was a taper week. I was due a stepback anyway so it combined well. No football, no pilates and no gym consideration either to make sure it was a proper easing off.