But its cold outside

Thanks Everyone for all the lovely well wishes. I was very nervous of whats about to unfold until I got to the Expo yesterday and worked the Pacers stand for a couple of hours and the lads filled me with great advice. They are all looking after the "newbie":D

Best of Luck to everyone running tomorrow, have a great day. Weather is looking near perfect. Looking forward to seeing how everyone gets on. Unfortunately I wont make McGrattons this year, but will catch up with you all on here over the next few days.

Week of 23rd to 29th October

Monday 23rd October - planned Rest

Tuesday 24th October - unplanned rest.
Family funeral for my uncle left me too tired to run when i got home.

Wednesday 25th October - Easy Run
5m easy run before sports massage. Everything felt tired but ok until Sport therapist got at me and then everything felt really sore & tight and he flushed everything out.
He was working one handed and only treating regulars who are doing the marathon as he had an accident and required surgery which involved 42 stitches in this right hand to save his 2 fingers that got caught on a fence. Nothing wrong with his elbows anyway:eek: I had the imprint of them in my ass until yesterday.

Total 5.35m in 53.46 @ 10.03


Thursday 26th October - Rest
Had to let the body recover from massage so took another rest day.

Friday 27th October - 4m @ PMP (pacing marathon pace)
Decided to do a dress rehearsal with sleeves, planned vest & new belt to make sure all worked well. I found the first 2 miles came in too fast as i was clock watching but as soon as i relaxed i got a feel for the pace so was happy out. Body felt 100% better after this run and it was just what i needed.
Total 4.13m in 43.48 @ 10.39

Saturday 28th - Easy shakeout.
Near 6 this evening before i got out for this. Was going to skip it but decided it would do me good to get out and it did. Ready for action now!!:D
2.02m in 21.30 @ 10.39

Dublin Marathon 2017

I've had loads of people over the past year or so telling me that I'd make a fantastic pacer. A plan started to form of a way to get to run another marathon without having to race it as originally I was planning Boston 2018. Due to family commitments, Boston won't be happening now but London will, PG and I was on the Pacer substitution list from earlier this year. The first plan of a 5hr pacer backfired when a Piriformis injury re-occurred earlier this year so back on the pacers bench. Eventually 4.40 was the pace set and I was happy to go at this.

Sunday 29th October 2017
Up at 4.45 am got myself ready, collected by 4 of our 6 club members running T 6am. We arrived in Dublin shortly after 7am. Parked on the Quays and a lovely leisurely walk to the start area. Photos, last minute advice especially to the 2 first timers and off they went while i left in my bag and went off to meet the rest of the Pacing teams. I was very nervous but so looking forward to it too.
Lots of Hellos with loads of Boardsies, too many to mention and it was very calming. I just knew so many people it was wonderful.

Once the balloon was tied on loads of Americans came up to say my sister let them into the country (Works Emigration at Dublin airport)and they came to wish me the best for my pacing gig!!

Officials sent us on our way as we were causing a bit of a backlog as people stopped to talk and chat with us so off to wave 4 with us 4.30, 4.40, 4.50 & 5.00 pacers.

The 4.40 team was made up of Pat(Pacing Mule from these parts ) and the 2 x Annes. We eventually set off just after 9.30 to a bit of a chaotic start with loads of walkers in our way and unable to get any flow going. We eventually settled into a pace and just kept it going with constant checkins with each other on pace. The miles flew by, we had great chat & banter with the pacees and gave out tips & advice as we went along.

We passed 10k in a time of 1.06.05, we didn't have a 10k split on our pace sleeves or pace band but we were confident we were on target from the previous splits.

The sun at times was very hard while running straight into it and all we could do was give the advice to get the water on board and keep sipping. Great craic going under the tunnel with lots of "oggy oggy oggys"
Halfway and we still had a great big group with us all enjoying the craic. Halfway split of 2:19:51 band on target!!
Whatever about switching off while running with pacers, as a pacer you can never switch off and you are constantly checking splits against pace bands, with each other and giving support & advice to the runners.

The other (younger;)Anne as lead Pacer was fantastic and easy know she has a wealth of experience and I learned so much from her. Pacing mule was holding up the back of the group for the majority of the run and keeping the runners with us . However he had a nasty meeting with a lucozade bottle and eventually after 18m/19m had to let his balloon go.

It was down to the 2 Annes to bring the runners home. We worked together and kept the support going and as the heads dropped we tried to rouse everyone up and keep them going. We lost some but collected plenty along the way and brought them with us. To see the determination of runners but also despair of some of the runners as we came along side them and then past them was very humbling.(i know that feeling from previous marathons)

Heartbreak hill and we lost another few runners not to be seen again but we did our best. The crowds were fantastic and have to say the balloon got a lot of reaction and i just needed to raise my arms in the air and the supporters responded with a huge roar.

The last few miles, my body was started to object and i just want to increase the pace to get some relief but eventually it got used to the pace and everything settled down again.

The run in the last 2 miles was amazing and the crowd were phenomenal. Again the balloon garnered such a reaction and have to say felt like a bit of a celebrity at times!!:D:D The shouts out at Anne was funny at times as we didn't know which Anne they were shouting at!!

We crossed the line together in satisfaction in 4.39.35 and I was humbled to the bone with such a wonderful experience to see how human spirit runs strong within the running community & their supporters.
It was fantastic to meet people after who thanked us and who achieved thier goals with a a little help from us!!!

Had a 15 mins flying visit to Mc Grattans to see some of the crowd from here but my lift was going so headed back for a planned meal and a few drinks which i thoroughly enjoyed with the club members, who all had fantastic day. Few more drinks in a local pub where hubby & kids met me and then home to the wonderful surprise of a special heart shaped cake cooked by the kids with 9 candles to represent my 9 marathon to date (inculding the 50k) a wonderful hot shower, tea , cake and then bed at a reasonable hour of 11pm...
a long but wonderful day.

Today the body knows it ran a marathon but thankfully the quads are the only issue. I did 20 mins in 2 batches on the trainer and it really helped.

Stats for the day:
10k - 1:06:05
Half - 2:19:51
30km - 3:18:32
Full : 4:39: 35. . . negative split by 7 seconds...

750 m of tailwind up to 12m and then water after that.
3 gels just because i was afraid not to!! 9m, 15m & 21m!!

Overall verdict: fantastic day and one i would highly recommend to anyone that is that way inclined. It is wonderful to give something back for all the support, advice #7 encouragement I've gotten over the years since joining Boards back in 2010.

Thanks to all the messages from members here on all the different media available and Thanks to Anto for the opportunity to experience such a fantastic experience!!!!!

Pacing Mule wrote: »

I was ok. When I slipped on the bottle my calf cramped up. Stretched it out for a little while and then took off carrying the balloon under my arm until I got back to the group. But the moment we hit the short hill at Milltown it spasmed again.

If you're not pacing you could happily spend a few minutes sorting things out or maybe drop the pace down for a mile to naturally work through it but when pacing you don't have the luxury. So I made the call to let the balloon loose as the last thing anyone wants is a pacer off pace and someone following them. Took a few minutes to get sorted and then jogged down to Ballsbridge. I actually rejoined the group and ran into the finish with the two Annes. Only lasting injury was to the pride

Glad you were OK yourself. Well done on sticking with it. Congratulations!

Cant keep a good man down...you be back.

Baby75 wrote: »

That is great to hear you all done a fantastic job and thank you I am still buzzing after Sunday

Ah delighted to meet you again N on Sunday and you were such a good support to your OH, can't imagine how tough he found it after cycling up and then to cycle home , Unbelievable!
Plenty more to come off that time for the next marathon!!;)

This party's Over. Time to crack on for Donadea!!!

October 30th - November 5th - Recovery week

Monday 30th Oct

I had the bright idea :rolleyes: of going on the bike on the trainer but only managed 5 mins in first attempt:o, so later had another attempt and managed 15 mins. Nice and easy and just moving the legs with no stress!!
Total 20 mins easy cycling.

Tuesday 31st October - Happy Halloween.
Unfortunately along with the creaky quads I now had a sore ass to contend with:eek::eek:.

Dropped the kids into my Mams and went for a brisk walk with my older sister, had to ask her to slow down a bit but it really worked wonders on my legs. Followed up with eating, drinking taa and trick or treating!!!
2.24 miles in 37.14

Wednesday 1st November - Recovery run
Beautiful sunny "Winters" day. Just headed out and let the body dictate the pace. No clock watching here!!! I could feel the legs coming alive during the run.

Just 2 nasty blisters to deal with now. During the marathon I had my big toe taped as i have tendinitis in it and the bit that had no tape get a huge blister on it!!!
Followed up with a Sports massage, very painful on the Quads and he found that my left calf(outside of it) is very tender even though its not a bit sore, except when he worked on it!!!

11.40, 11.03, 10.58, 11.04, 10.29(.11)
Total 4.11m in 45.54 @ 11.10

Thursday 2nd November - Rest
after a lovely facial & back massage which relieved a lot of tension in my back, I rested instead of the planned easy run.

Friday 3rd Nov - Easy run
Another easy run where the body dictated the pace. Not as sunny when i was running today and a tad cold but still dry & crisp.

10.21, 10.28, 10.16, 10.18, 10.14, 10.18(.21)
Total 5.21m in 53.42 @ 10.19

Satruday 4th - Rest
I was suppose to do the parkrun with the youngest but she got into bed with me at 6am as she wasn't feeling the best so we decided to have a lie in. I was delighted as i was knackered. Didn't bother going for a run after coming home from a funeral and just rested for the day

Sunday 5th November - Session
wu, 10 min @ 8.15 pace, 3 min easy, 5x3 min @ 7.50 pace (75), 10 min @ 8.15 min pace, cd

Coach gave me this session and have to say i was a bit worried heading out, but I really enjoyed this session. It was tough enough to keep me working but not too tough that had me wrecked. Easing back into it!!

Beautiful sunshine but very cold. Hands were freezing, will have to dig out the gloves.

WU @ 10.11,
10 mins @ 8.10, 3 mins @ 11.05,
5 x 3 @ 7.40, 7.47, 7.46, 7.46, 7.44
10mins @ 8.10,
CD @ 9.48

Total 7.26m in 1.04 @ 8.57.

WTD: 16.58m(running)
MTD: 16.58m
YTD: 1249.09m

Week 2/14 for Donedea 50k - 13th Nov - 19th Nov

| Monday |Tuesday| Wednesday| Thursday | Friday| Saturday| Sunday|
Plan| Rest| 5m Easy| Session 1 | 5m Easy| Rest| Parkrun Easy/20 mins Shakeout2| 10k Race|
Actual| Rest|Rest| Session 1| 5m Easy| rest| | |

Session 1 - wu, 7 x 3 mins @ 7.30 off 2min rec, last 2 @ 90 sec recovery, cd


Tuesday 14th h - Rest unplanned.

A meeting in work went on waaay longer than I'd allowed for so no break. Was going to run on the treadmill when i got home but it was 7.30 and I was knackered so just watched the footy instead...should have gone to bed early
Total 5.04 in 50.02 @ 9.56

Wednesday 15th - Session 1.

Young lads Soccer training has moved to Navan to Astro pitches so dropped him off and set off on my run.
Didn't have time for 2m warmup so after 1.3m I came to a good spot with few pedestrians and more importantly no traffic so proceeded to do the 7 reps up and back along the same stretch. The 3 mins fitted in nicely between 2 estate entrances!! Jogged all the recoveries.

Found going in one direction(reps 3,5,7)except the 1st, that the pace dropped a big, but then realised there was a slight incline so had to work a little harder here to keep pace. jI just glanced at the watch now and again as couldn't really see it when in motion and not the best street lights. Time to get the auld eyes checked again!!!:o

Finished off with 1.2 cd and back just before 8 with time for a bit of stretching before soccer finished up!!!.

reps: 7.25, 7.26, 7.29, 7.23, 7.27, 7.25, 7.29

Total 6.35m in 58.22 @9.11

Thursday 16th - Easy run

Beautiful sunny day in the park again but the wind was bitterly cold heading out on the North road. Once i turned onto Chesterfield Ave towards Castleknock gate and then turned to return down Chesterfield, it was much more pleasant!!
I really enjoyed this run and it felt way slower that stats say. I wasn't watching the clocks so felt nearer t 10 min miles.

9.45, 9.40, 9.31, 9.29, 9.31, 9.30(.11)

Total 5.11 in 48.55 @ 9.34

WTD:11.46m
MTD: 63.52m
YTD: 1296.3m


Change to the plan this week too. Not doing the Gingerbread 10k after all but i am doing the Annagassan 10k on Saturday instead with 13m LR on Sunday.