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Man! I feel like a runner

ReeReeG

I’ve been considering starting a log for some time now, having read quite a number of them on here regularly. (I’m a lurker coming out of hiding). It seems like a good way to keep track of progress, but more importantly for me, how each run feels. Regular stats on Strava don’t do that for me!
My background
I had tried running with friends in 2012 / 2013, and did a couple of 5km and 10km races, but never enjoyed them. I tried again in January 2015 and realised I enjoyed it this time around, especially after I went along to parkrun that February. I started signing up for a few 10k races (best at that stage was approx. 55 mins).
Continued running off and on in 2015 and 2016, but as I had slowed a lot by November 2016 (struggled to run 10k under an hour), I realised I needed to get a routine going if I wanted to improve. And I wanted to improve. I had joined a club in summer 2016 but never made it along to train with them until May this year due to personal circumstances. Since starting to run consistently (i.e. 4/5 times a week) last November, my times have dropped, my easy pace has quickened, my form has improved (I think) and my overall sense of well-being (and smugness) has grown! Club running has certainly helped, as well as introducing speedwork into my training.
My week is typically 4 easy runs (incl. 1 longer run) and 1 speed session / faster run (e.g. parkrun). Some weeks go to plan more than others ðŸ˜Š
My PBs to date
5k:    23:46 (Twilight Challenge, Sept 2017)
5 mile: 43:04 (Raheny 5 Mile, Jan 2017)
10k:     50:31 (Dunshaughlin, June 2017)
10 mile:   1:30:xx (Ballycotton, March 2017 [Goodbye my old friend])
Half-marathon:  2:01:xx (Donabate, Sept 2017)
My struggles
I still struggle mentally in longer runs, doubting if I can maintain pace or complete the distance. I know I need to slow up more in my longer runs, and I am still figuring out how to start a race at the right pace ðŸ˜Š I do use a Garmin but am terrible for checking my pace; I often run by feel but sometimes that goes all wrong.
My goals
1.   Aiming to go sub-50 in a 10k by the end of the year.
2.  Targeting a marathon in May next year. As part of this, I am going to try stay at 30 miles-ish) per week so I have a decent base heading into marathon training after Christmas.
3 Update this log weekly and hopefully receive and review advice given by the lovely boards runners!
And that’s enough for an intro post I think…

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Kellygirl

ReeReeG wrote: »

I'm way more nervous than I expected to be! The weather forecast has put the frighteners on me too

Hopefully won’t be as warm as predicted. Are you carrying electrolyte tablets? I halved zero tablets for Dublin and put them into those clear plastic zip loc bags that spare buttons come in when you buy clothes. I put them into the bottles of water every so often on the way round then. Add them to your water the day before too - or for two days even.

ReeReeG

I'm way more nervous than I expected to be! The weather forecast has put the frighteners on me too

ReeReeG

I'm way more nervous than I expected to be! The weather forecast has put the frighteners on me too

Kellygirl

ReeReeG wrote: »

Are marathon nightmares something associated with taper madness I wonder... ?!

I think so - all very normal. How are the nerves? Are you all set?

ReeReeG

Are marathon nightmares something associated with taper madness I wonder... ?!

Bungy Girl

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and at the same time full of admiration for what you have achieved during what must have been an incredibly difficult year.

I'd also like to contribute to your fundraising so please do post or PM a link.

I hope you have a great race.

eyrie

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to hear this ReeReeG. Thinking of you today xx

ariana`

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's inspirational how you have turned something so negative into a positive for you personally to get you through an extremely difficult time and for all the people who will be helped by the funds you've raised. Your boyfriend would be very proud of you and you should be very proud of yourself too, whatever time you finish in x

Huzzah!

I’m so sorry to hear that. You’re such an incredibly strong person to go through that. Look at how much you’ve raised. If you’d like to share a link to your fundraising page here or by PM, I’d like to contribute.

Kellygirl

I’m sorry to read that. You have done an amazing job fund raising! You will do brilliantly next week. The weather is looking good. Warmer than we are used to but hopefully not too warm. Enjoy the last week of taper. Will be excited to see how you do!

skyblue46

I had no idea. Sorry for your loss. That's an amazing effort on the fundraising, well done. You deserve the day to go well.

ReeReeG

Week 17: Marathon Training.... one week to go
Mon 23rd Apr: Rest day.

Tues 24th Apr
Plan: 6 easy. Actual: 6 easy, avg pace 9.32/m. Felt good, little tired but nothing I wouldn't expect.

Weds 25th Apr: Rest day, with yoga at lunchtime.

Thurs 26th Apr
Plan: 5 steady. Actual: 5 semi-steady? Avg pace 9.08/m. Not bothered much by this, kinda chose to go the social route of chatting to a clubmate rather than pushing that tiny bit more. Pilates at lunchtime also.

Fri 27th Apr: Rest day.

Sat 28th Apr
Plan: 2 easy, 4@MP, 1 easy. Actual: Not the plan! Did 3 easy, then attempted to go MP but kept misjudging the effort. So I just decided to scrap that after 2 miles, and finish with one cool down mile. Avg pace overall 9.19/m.

Sun 29th Apr
Plan: 12 easy. Actual: 12 easy (maybe slightly fast at times). Average pace 9.16/m, but to be honest I needed to just run if only to clear my head.

Total miles: 29.3, which seems so low now.
Can't believe I am into the last week i.e. this time next week I'll have completed a bloody marathon. Tomorrow is my late boyfriend's 1st anniversary (the reason I am running this marathon) and to be honest my emotions are all over the place. Next week is going to be hard, and emotional, and god knows what really, but I've raised almost 5,500 euro for a cancer ward so I will be finishing that marathon no matter what. I have my goal time of 3.50 but if it gets too tough, I don't care saying that goal will be thrown away (or until another day). The focus of this training has helped me through some very tough months, so I should at the very least be thankful for that.
Possibly a bit of an overshare above but writing things out has always helped me.

ReeReeG

Huzzah! wrote: »

Welcome to Taper Town! I've no advice. I'm the worst taperer ever.

I love the honesty!

Huzzah!

Welcome to Taper Town! I've no advice. I'm the worst taperer ever.

skyblue46

Spend your time researching carb loading and coming up with recipes which at any other point in your training would be bad for you! :-))

Kellygirl

Wow, I’m impressed at your Dad. That’s amazing.

Taper pitfalls - Hmmmmm - just keep remembering the hard work is done and enjoy not having to do long long runs!

ReeReeG

Week 16: Marathon training
Mon 16th Apr
Plan: Rest. Actual: 5 mile recovery run. I knew I couldn't run on Tuesday due to work travel, so I chanced a run the day after my 21 miles, but telling myself to pull the plug if it was the wrong decision. I felt wonderful though, honestly one of the nicest runs. Warm evening, gentle pace... just lovely and relaxing. Average pace 10:11/m

Tues 17th Apr
Plan: 6 easy. Actual: Long day trip to UK.

Weds 18th Apr
Plan: 6 easy. Actual: 6 easy. Headed up to Marlay to enjoy the sunshine on this run, took an age to get there though as everyone else seemed to have the same idea. Was a nice run in the end, and I was feeling good. Average pace 9.22/m

Thurs 19th Apr
Plan: 6 easy. Actual: 6 easy. Did this as a run home from work, beautiful evening for it again. Average pace 9.39/m. Also did pilates at lunchtime, where the instructor was easy on me for the first time ever due to the impending marathon!

Fri 20th Apr: Rest day, but walked in and out from work. Yoga at lunch. Went to physio for a good rub on the legs. I'm not exaggerating when I say she went deep into the hip flexors... I screamed!

Sat 21st Apr
Plan: 2 easy, 3@MP, 1 easy. Actual: 2 easy, 3 way faster than MP, and .5 easy. Sigh. I honestly tried to keep the pace down and held back as everyone tore off at the start, but there is just something about parkrun obviously that I can't help but push harder. Average pace was 8.10 for parkrun in the end, which is HMP. Not the end of the world I suppose. Only did a .5 cool down cos I was jogging back to meet my Dad, and sure wasn't he headed for a PB so I didn't have enough ground left to make up the full mile running with him! 31.10 for a 72 year old who only started last summer, not bad

Sun 22nd Apr
Plan: 18 easy. Actual: 18 easy. What a morning for it! Did this with an assortment of people from the club, and went up the Wicklow Way again, felt better about it this time actually knowing what it was like! Average pace overall was 10.18/m, so very easy overall thanks to the hilly miles. I also have a lovely red forehead to show for it...

Total miles: 40.9 (gosh darnit)
Aaand I'm officially into this taper I hear so much about! Not sure what I'll do with the free time (eat probably). Any tips on avoiding typical taper pitfalls will be extremely welcome

Kellygirl

ReeReeG wrote: »

I just think the intensity of marathon training is so much, it would be madness to attempt 2 in a year having never even done one before. Regardless of how well training has gone...
Thanks ariana, I hope the target isn't too ambitious though!

Not at all. The second one is so much easier. It’s not all new and I found it way easier second time round. Obviously the running still has to happen but I was way more relaxed. You could keep things ticking over until the end of August and then start increasing the long runs again. The fitness will be there already. Dublin is amazing!!!

ReeReeG

Also I am terrible at quoting posts neatly

ReeReeG

skyblue46 wrote: »

You obviously never heard of FOMO...I think you'll catch it too :pac:

ariana` wrote: »

It's highly contagious around here

Your training seems to have gone really well. I'm envious that 3:50 seems a comfortable target for your 1st marathon. Well done, will be following the next few weeks with interest.

I just think the intensity of marathon training is so much, it would be madness to attempt 2 in a year having never even done one before. Regardless of how well training has gone...
Thanks ariana, I hope the target isn't too ambitious though!

ariana`

skyblue46 wrote: »

You obviously never heard of FOMO...I think you'll catch it too :pac:

It's highly contagious around here

Your training seems to have gone really well. I'm envious that 3:50 seems a comfortable target for your 1st marathon. Well done, will be following the next few weeks with interest.

skyblue46

ReeReeG wrote: »

Dublin 2019!

You obviously never heard of FOMO...I think you'll catch it too :pac:

ReeReeG

Kellygirl wrote: »

Ha ha - I was only doing one last year too and learned so much from it that I had to do DCM and then Clonakilty just happened to be on and then it seemed a shame to not do Cork and Dublin again this year and sure Clonakilty will be on again I think you do Dublin

Dublin 2019!

Kellygirl

ReeReeG wrote: »

Yeah you're right, been thinking and it does seem nicer to head out at the 8.55-9.00 pace and see how I'm feeling halfway. Even if I can't pick it up but just maintain pace, I'd still be sub 4 hours.
Next marathon - I told my mother I'd only do the one she thinks they're too extreme!

Ha ha - I was only doing one last year too and learned so much from it that I had to do DCM and then Clonakilty just happened to be on and then it seemed a shame to not do Cork and Dublin again this year and sure Clonakilty will be on again

I think you do Dublin

If you want, you can look at my pacing for Dublin. I’d a 7 minute negative split which is way too much and I obviously had more in me but I wasn’t confident to go out any faster. I was a lot slower than you intend but I started at a 4:40 pace but did 4:20. Just picked it up every 10km or so. I’d a paceband telling me what to do and pretty much stuck to it getting a few seconds ahead each mile. Just shows how much you can pick up in the 2nd half or the last 10km if you conserve your energy. I always remember somebody saying a marathon is 2 halves - the first 20 miles and the last 6.

ReeReeG

Kellygirl wrote: »

I sit and play with paces and calculations for hours - bit nerdy that way :-) Anyway, I’d be inclined to say I think you should be conservative for the first 13 miles if not 16 or even upto 20 and do your 8:57 that will give you a 3:55. If you are upto it after that you can pick it up slightly then. Maybe aim for a negative split? As you said yourself before you want to enjoy this one and it is your first marathon - you will learn so much from it that you can then put towards you next marathon which you can kill.

Yeah you're right, been thinking and it does seem nicer to head out at the 8.55-9.00 pace and see how I'm feeling halfway. Even if I can't pick it up but just maintain pace, I'd still be sub 4 hours.
Next marathon - I told my mother I'd only do the one

she thinks they're too extreme!

Kellygirl

Well done - especially on the 21 miles.

I’d definitely go for physio soon just to get a final check and rub down and make sure everything is in ship shape. It’s a confidence boost too.

I sit and play with paces and calculations for hours - bit nerdy that way :-) Anyway, I’d be inclined to say I think you should be conservative for the first 13 miles if not 16 or even upto 20 and do your 8:57 that will give you a 3:55. If you are upto it after that you can pick it up slightly then. Maybe aim for a negative split? As you said yourself before you want to enjoy this one and it is your first marathon - you will learn so much from it that you can then put towards you next marathon which you can kill.

ReeReeG

Week 15: Marathon Training
Mon 9th Apr: Yoga at lunchtime, no running.

Tues 10th Apr
Plan: 6 steady. Actual: 1 easy, 5 steady, 1 easy. I was so tired for this and my legs felt heavy. Didn't think I'd manage the steady miles but attempted it from mile 2 and somehow found the energy. Did it solo thanks to stupid work stuff. Steady miles were 9.01, 8.40, 8.47, 8.52 and 8.12.

Weds 11th Apr
Plan: 6 easy. Actual: 6 easy. Ran home from work, always enjoy that. Avg pace 9.33/m. Yoga at lunchtime also.

Thurs 12th Apr
Plan: 2 x 3 MP, plus w/u and c/d. Actual: 3.6 easy. I did a warm up mile but as soon as I tried to push the pace a pain seared through my right knee again, but this time to the point where I was running with a limp. I stopped, cursed a little, stretched a little, and tried it again but no luck. Continued running easy pace for a bit until I felt good again but as soon as I tried to up the pace my leg was screaming no. It's my own fault. I'd run the previous two days but hadn't gone near the foam roller even though I know I'd had quad issues the last two weeks. Spent a lot of time on the foam roller and doing other stretches that night, and there was no pain by the time I finished.

Fri 13th Apr: Rest day.

Sat 14th Apr
Plan: 6 easy. Actual: 2 easy, and a parkrun with easy to steady pace.. Having spent more time Friday night stretching and rolling, my leg felt great on Saturday morning again. I did try keep it easy for parkrun, but into mile 2 of it I just picked up the pace and then decided to go for negative miles. It felt great though, and was a smashing morning. Avg pace on parkrun was 8.25/m.

Sun 15th Apr
Plan: 20 easy. Actual: 21 easy!! Whoop! So happy to have done it and didn't really lose pace at all, averaged at 9.49 which I think is a sensible pace?! The weather was rotten this morning, but to be honest I think I would pick that over being too hot! Took 3 gels (miles 7, 13 and 18), may not have needed the 3rd really but wanted to at least have tried more than 2 gels in a training run before the big day. Knee / quad was a little stiff at the start but overall fine. I can't get over how tired I have been all day though, been pretty useless for anything since! Forced myself on to the foam roller anyway.

Total miles: 43.1. Tired, but feeling good.

I think I'll book a physio trip again this week just to be safe re the quad, would certainly be no harm. I really need to decide on my planned MP too.. I'd had 8.55-9.00 in mind, but my brother reckons I can aim for 8.40 given my Mullingar half time... decisions, decisions.

ReeReeG

Bluesquare wrote: »

Just rejoining the boards now and enjoyed reading your log - I loved your half marathon report and your improvements from last year are inspiring . Hope the rest of the marathon training goes well - sounds like your in for a nice race!

Thank you! I read your log quite a bit before starting my own, and in the lead up to my own sub-50 goal race!

eyrie

ReeReeG wrote: »

Second 18 miler, was way harder but I suspect the higher temps and eh also running up the Wicklow Way for a bit contributed to that!

Oh I'd say it might have alright :eek: :eek:

Well done on a great week, it's great to see that the leg niggle doesn't seem to be causing too much trouble now.

Bluesquare

Just rejoining the boards now and enjoyed reading your log - I loved your half marathon report and your improvements from last year are inspiring . Hope the rest of the marathon training goes well - sounds like your in for a nice race!