I Heart Running!

18th-24th February

Monday: 70mins easy @ 10:55, 6.4miles
Tuesday: 45mins S&C class in the morning, I'd planned to get out for my session in the evening but with mid-term and husband working late it didn't happen
Wednesday: 6x4mins@CV, 2min rec, wu&cd, 8.2miles.
I had to do this session in the evening so I couldn't go to the park and ended up running around housing estates so it wasn't ideal. My first 4mins was a disaster trying to cross roads and dodge cars, I didn't hit my planned pace even though I felt I was running hard. I eventually found a quite enough road and did the next 5 up and back. I was really disappointed with this session and really started to doubt my training for Bohermeen
CV pace 7:36-7:46, Actual pace 8:02, 7:51, 7:46, 7:46, 7:49 and 7:54
Thursday: 45mins S&C class (morning) 70mins easy @ 10:31, 6.7 miles (evening)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 35min tempo , wu&cd, 8.1miles. Tempo pace 8.30-8.33, Actual pace 8:30min/mi
I had a rare late night out on Friday so I was in no mood for this session. When I went out I thought I'd probably end up doing an easy paced run but once I got going I was fine and actually really enjoyed it
Sunday: 2hr lsr @ 9:58. 12.1miles
I had company for this so ended up running a little faster than usually

Total: 42.6miles


25th Feb-3rd March

Monday: 3miles recovery @ 10:37
Tuesday: 70mins easy @ 10:21
Wednesday: 2x20mins @ HM, 5min rec, wu&cd, 8.4miles
I always dread this session on the plan especially when I'm running alone and doing loops of the park but the thoughts of it are always worst than the reality!. My current HM pace is 8:11min/mi and I ended up doing 8:08 & 8:10 which i was happy with.
45mins S&C class in the evening
Thursday: 70mins easy @10:31
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Parkrun
I probably ran this a little fast the week before a race. I didn't look at my watch throughout and just tried to run comfortably strong, my splits were 7:58, 8:06 & 7:48
Sunday: 70mins easy @ 10:29, 6.7miles

Total: 37.1 miles

skyblue46 wrote: »

More great training! So what's the plan for Bohermeen? I'm looking forward to catching up with you over a cuppa and sandwich.

I'm just going to run like hell and see what happens. I said before I'd love 1:45:xx but realistically I don't think I have it in me yet, maybe later on in the year but I'll go for it and hopefully get a PB

Thanks ariana & Lazare

4th-10th March

Monday: 45mins S&C class
Tuesday: 45mins easy @ 10.16, 4.3miles
Wednesday: 6x1min@VO2, 2min rec I got a bit carried away with these
VO2 pace 7:00-7:08, actual 7:05, 6:34, 6:46, 6:48, 6:52, 7:00
Thursday:45minseasy @10.20, 4.4miles
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 20mins easy @ 10.05
Sunday: Bohermeen half marathon

Total: 28.3miles

Race Report

When I left my house it seemed like a lovely morning for a race but by the time I got to Bohermeen the wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped. I'd planned on wearing shorts and a t-shirt but after a lengthy discussion with Baby75 (I'm sure I wrecked her head with my indecision) I decided to go with leggings, merino wool long sleeve top with a pair of calf sleeves on my arms, t-shirt, gloves, neck buff, head band and cap and I was still shivering :eek:
15mins before the start there was a lovely sleety shower but luckily that cleared to lovely blue skies. Said a quick hello to Skyblue and Sheep and then jogged down to the start line with Baby.

Apart for running under 8:11min/miles, I didn't have a full plan for the race. Actually I never have a plan for racing (they stress me out too much) I just like to run by feel, glance at my watch every so often and run as well as I can.
My previous half PB was 1:47:26 but the course measured a little short.

The first mile (7:39) was probably a little fast but it was hard not to get carried away and it was a lovely downhill with the wind behind us.
Mile 2 (7:53) I settled into my pace, there was a bit of a blustery side wind but it was ok. I started into mile 3 (7:53), all was good until we turned to corner - wham- head on wind. I took Skyblues advice and stayed tucked behind a small group and I managed to keep my pace within range.
Mile 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (7:51, 7:52, 8:03, 7:56, 7:51) I was still going good but into the second loop of the course.
Into mile 9 & 10 (8:03, 8:06) how quickly things can change!! I could really feel my legs working now and was starting to slow. I was trying to calculate in my head what pace I had to stay at to get in under 1:46. I thought with the time I'd banked earlier I still had a good chance of making it.
Mile 11 (8:39) back into the wind again, it seemed oh so much worse this time round and I'd no group to shelter behind - disaster - at one point I looked at my watch and I saw my pace was 9min/miles. My legs were aching and all I could think about was stopping - nightmare
I had to give myself a good talking to and I tired to imagine how I'd feel if I missed out on my sub 1:46 especially after doing so well so far.
Mile 12 (8:14) I was still struggling but I tired to push on, I couldn't even look at my watch at this point.
Mile 13 (8:11) I still didn't look at my watch until I turned the final corner. The wind was finally behind me and I only had half a mile to go. I knew then I'd reach my target and maybe a little extra.
My official time was 1:44:46.
To say I was delighted is an understatement. I was actually on the verge of tears when I crossed the line, I was so happy.

I met Skyblue and Baby afterwards for some tea and cake. Although neither of them were racing they both had brilliant performances.
I told S that I thought I reached my limit when it came to half marathons and he quickly brought me back down to earth by telling me according to my age grade I should be running 1:35 LOL :D

So now I've to decide what to do next. I haven't signed up to anymore races yet but I'm thinking even though I hate 5k & 10ks I might try to get those times in line with my half.
I nearly forgot to mention that I also did my fastest 10k (48:53) and 10mile (1:19:04) in yesterdays half with I thought was pretty funny since I've been dreaming of a sub 50 10k for a while now

Kellygirl wrote: »

Your Strava was full of PRs with your 10k, 10mile and HM times yesterday. Brilliant running. You deserve it though and as I said earlier - your consistency is really standing to you. Delighted for you.

Thanks so much K

skyblue46 wrote: »

Haha. I didn't say you should run 1:35...I said it's a starting point! :-D I ran alongside an over 50 female running 1:35... there is a 1:30 in your future....and mine please God! Now when are we doing that sub 23 5k?

Oh really? :pac: I missed the starting point bit.... No pressure then!!:eek: (Did I mention I'm turning 40 in a few weeks so that should give me a few extra minutes!!) but I'm liking the sound of the we and sub 23

I can safely say without a shadow of a doubt there is 1:30 and more in your future.

chickey2 wrote: »

Fantastic! That's a great pb. Lol at getting a 10k and 10 mile pbs too! You should definitely aim to get a "proper" pb in those races, you'll be well able.
I got a 5k pb in a 5 mile race and then easily beat the 5k pb as I knew I could do it. Sometimes it's all in the head!

Thanks chickey, your right it is in my head, I was really surprised when I saw my 10k time yesterday. I'm more comfortable running halves, the speed of 5 & 10ks scare me but they are distances I'd like to get good at.

ReeReeG wrote: »

I was looking forward to this report!! Very impressed with how you kept it together when you were feeling tired. Well done again!!! This will sound cheesy but you're totally someone on Strava who inspires me to try harder

Aww thanks so much, that's such a lovely thing to say.
I hope my report lived up to expectations, I'm so crap at writing them and the first time I typed it up Boards logged me out so I lost it, this was my second attempt!

I cant believe its been 7 weeks since I've updated my log :eek:

A quick overview of the last 2 months!

18th-24th March
I started into week 3 of the grads base plan and did 2 45mins S&C classes
Total mileage: 30.9miles


1st-7th April
Week 4 of the grads base plan
2 45mins S&C classes
Total mileage: 37:3miles


8th-14th April
Week 5 base plan
2 45mins S&C classes
Total mileage 37:1miles

15th-21st April
I was away this week so mileage was down
1 45mins S&C class
Total mileage: 21.1miles

22nd-28th April
All easy running this week finished off with a 15mile run on the Wicklow Way
2 45mins S&C classes
Total mileage: 44.4miles

29th April-5th May
Low mileage again this week because I was away
Easy running and one 30mins tempo run
2 S&C classes
Total mileage: 18.1miles

6th-12th May
Mon: 7miles easy @10.27min/mi
Tues: 7.53mles, 6x2mins@AP (7:07-7:16), 3 min rec pace 7:04,7:11,7:10,7:13,7:16,7:33 My first speed session in a long time!
45mins S&C
Weds: 7miles easy
Thurs: Rest
Fri: 10miles easy @ 10.03min/mi
Sat: Rest
Sun: 8miles recce of leg 6 of Wicklow Way relay

Total mileage: 40.4miles


I feel like I've been all over the place with my running, I don't know quite what I'm doing. I think I really need to get some more speed work in. I have to WW relay next Saturday so I'm looking forward to that and then starting into a plan for the South Dublin 10k

ariana` wrote: »

Haha that sounds very final... 3:45, 3:30 not appeal at all then, no

Great first week there. I'll think you rock the training anyhow and the day will day care of itself

Thanks ariana, fingers crossed