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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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ariana`

Hope you had a lovely relaxing Christmas day, good luck tomorrow!

Mr. Guappa

Happy Christmas V

coogy

Happy Christmas V! Enjoy the celebrations!!!

Huzzah!

Have a great Christmas

Enjoy Athenry!

Wubble Wubble

A very Happy Christmas to you and yours V.

ReeReeG

I may have fallen victim to Christmas festivities / being afraid of rain a bit this week

Mon 16th Dec
Cycle to and from work. S&C class in the morning.

Tues 17th
Cycle to and from work. Headed out for a run before a few drinks out and a pub quiz (2nd place, whoop). 5 miles @ 10.22/m avg. Left calf gave out at the start.

Weds 18th
Managed to get myself out of bed for S&C early, but only because I drove in and back as I was working from home. Hallelujah. Intended on a run / session, but the rain was just brutal so I chickened out.

Thurs 19th
Did Wednesday's hills session early before work. It actually went ok which was surprising given the hour! Did the full 1 min of hills x 8 (as opposed to 50 seconds odd there two weeks ago). Not a bad start to the day, 4.3 miles total. The day ended with after work drinks which went straight to my head:pac:

Fri 20th
I had no time for a run between finishing up work and Christmas shopping, packing for the guts of 2 weeks in Offaly and going to see Star Wars.

Sat 21st
Wottle had organised a sunrise run for his runners, but kindly had it as an open invite to all

I met him and his group near Marlay and we headed up Kilmashogue. The sun wasn't totally visible but it was a lovely run and one of those mornings where you just feel blessed. Back down to Marlay in time for a lovely chatty parkrun, and then I had to jog back to my car. 9.5 miles total for my morning which I decided was the week's long run covered

Hectic day then down to Kilkenny for a nephew's birthday party, then back to Offaly for another party...

Sun 22nd
Had yet another Christmas gathering so ended up with no run! I'm not much bothered though as it's been a lovely Christmas build-up this year

Total miles: 18.9 --- January will have to get serious!
Total time: 3 hours 22 mins

This week sees a lot more free time, although still some travelling to family events, as well as the Athenry 10k.

Happy Christmas to all on here, I hope you have a lovely break (if you are lucky enough to be off work) and lots of happy Christmas running!

eyrie

ReeReeG wrote: »

8th March! Which seems like ages away but I know will fly in as soon as January comes and that makes me nervous! Any HMs in your mind?

I know, it's mad but that will definitely come around quickly. I wouldn't mind doing Bohermeen if I can, which actually is the same day as yours I think! Not sure I'll be free that weekend but I might start training for it anyway and see.

ReeReeG

eyrie wrote: »

Getting nicely back into the swing of things by the looks of it, great stuff. Hopefully the calf thing is nothing.
Thinking of starting the Grads HM plan next myself so I might be copying you! When's Cambridge again?

8th March! Which seems like ages away but I know will fly in as soon as January comes and that makes me nervous! Any HMs in your mind?

eyrie

Getting nicely back into the swing of things by the looks of it, great stuff. Hopefully the calf thing is nothing.
Thinking of starting the Grads HM plan next myself so I might be copying you! When's Cambridge again?

ReeReeG

9th - 15th Dec

Mon 9th
Cycled into S&C before work, came out afterwards and got on the bike and quickly realised I had a flippin' flat. Luckily there's a bike shop on the way to the office so managed to get it sorted for the cycle home.

Tues 10th
Headed up to club training and kept it handy, 5.3 miles @ 10.23/m.

Weds 11th
Rest day

Thurs 12th
Cycled into S&C before work again, and cycled home after work. Then headed out for the 6 x 3 mins CV pace session on the grads plan. I wasn't really sure what pace to run at, so used the JB5K time to calculate some sort of window. Target paces then were 7.55 - 8.05. It felt bloody hard anyway but I really enjoyed getting stuck into a session like this again. Paces hit were 8.05, 8.00, 7.48, 7.43, 7.58, 7.33 ... no wonder it felt hard! 7 miles total for the evening.

Fri 13th
Easy 45 mins in the evening, 4.3 miles @ 10.29/m. Calves weren't feeling amazing to start with to be honest.

Sat 14th
The club were all doing parkrun so I ditched the session for a progression style parkrun. 15 mins easy beforehand (10.12/m) then parkrun avg pace 8.40/m. The calves felt dodgy in the warm-up but never even thought about them in parkrun.

Sun 15th
Managed to get myself up to Marlay to meet a few clubmates at 9am, having been out with the sisters yesterday

90 mins easy, 8.6 miles @ 10.28/m. Again, some calf discomfort for the first 10-15 minutes.

Total miles: 29.9 (ugh)
Total time: 5 hours.

I'll be in for another couple S&C classes this week so I'm going to bring up the issue of my calves again, hopefully just a bit of maintenance needed perhaps. Although I definitely have to concentrate on moving from the hips more; they felt much better when I did the last few days.

Wubble Wubble

Great to see all this progress V. It bodes well for Cambridge providing you stay healthy. Fingers crossed!

ariana`

Lots of positives there V. It's great to see you building back up. Best of luck with the HM plan.

ReeReeG

Lambay island wrote:

Well done on the race. Looks like you ran it as a progression run - impressive. I think i saw you at top of the queue for portaloo at the start but wasnt 100 percent sure and was on my way up to start line at the time.

Probably was me alright, was waiting for my sis around there!

Well done again on your amazing PB!

ReeReeG

Mr. Guappa wrote:

I think I'm right in saying this is your first time following a grads plan? I think you'll find it very good - best of luck with it.

No, I followed the base plan about this time last year and then the 10k at the start of the year. They're really good so worth a shot for HM too!

Mr. Guappa

Nice week.

I think I'm right in saying this is your first time following a grads plan? I think you'll find it very good - best of luck with it.

Lambay island

Well done on the race. Looks like you ran it as a progression run - impressive. I think i saw you at top of the queue for portaloo at the start but wasnt 100 percent sure and was on my way up to start line at the time.

I did that perimeter around marlay a few times during dcm training. Can be a spooky place on your own in the dark near that whitechurch graveyard

ReeReeG

I'm following the grads HM plan for Cambridge, with this being week 1. However, still bearing in mind I haven't got the best base, I'll be building into a little more gradually.

Dec 2nd - 8th

Mon 2nd
S&C 45 min class. I think I might actually finally be able to squat properly. Cycle to and from work.

Tues 3rd
Cycled to and from work, and headed to club training. 5.3 miles @9.56/m, chatting all the way. Loved it.

Weds 4th
S&C 45 mins, drove in and home as it's early enough for traffic to allow me to do that! Had a work event that night so needed to get the session done at lunchtime. 8 * 1 min hills... eeeek! With it being my lunch break, I had to keep the warm-up and cool down miles fairly brief, only about 1 mile each way. Headed to my usual place for doing hills by the Dropping Well and stuck to the quieter side of the road, but this is also the side of the road with less path available i.e. it finishes after (for me) about 50s. This suited me fine tbh.
The distance was 0.12m and ranges were between 51-56 seconds. I was absolutely wrecked for the last 2, but considering I thought I might only manage 6 reps, I was delighted with the session.

Thurs 5th
Nothing, and work holiday drinks that night (we're not allowed use the C word for fear of offending people :rolleyes:)

Fri 6th
I had plans to do 30-40 mins this evening, but my.. well, butt cheek, was in agony all day!!! Happens from time to time and I think I know what it is, but will keep an eye out now to see if I'm right. So in the end I rested to see if it would be ok for the next morning.

Sat 7th
I was feeling fairly slow and unfit and not sure how my behind was today, so I got to the park early and just ran for a while. I figured if I wasn't going to be up to much in the Jingle Bells 5k, I'd at least bank a few miles for the day. 4.8 mile warm-up @ 10.20/m, and spotted a familiar faces from these parts as I trotted around.
I found my sister who I was genuinely expecting would beat me in the race, and we lined up around the 25 min mark. My goal was to run negative splits. The sister took off when we got going and I let her go; I'd looked at my watch and knew it was a pace I couldn't maintain. Settled in at about 8.05/m, give or take, and found that I was enjoying myself. Picked up the pace a bit around the 2km mark, and shortly afterwards caught my sister who was clearly struggling. It turns out she had a stitch, ran with her for a bit and for someone who had a stitch she picked up the pace a lot as we headed downhill after 3km! Started to lose her towards the bottom of that hill, and knew I was feeling strong as I was running up the hill around 4km. Got a shoutout from skyblue at the top who seems to have been doing a great job spotting everyone! I was hitting a nice pace now heading back towards the finish line, I was tired but my legs just kept going thanks to the downhill! The finish line actually arrived way sooner than I figured, and I finished with about 24.36 on the watch.
My chip time is wrong online as it matches my gun time exactly, and I did not start on the start line! So I reckon about 24.30 odd is my time. Not much fussed as it is well off my PB, but it's quicker than I expected and than my recent parkrunning. I didn't feel like I was absolutely pushing either so that's a positive.

My sister came in about 40 seconds later, not near a PB herself but I'm very relieved I beat her :pac: Caught up with a few clubmates, and then headed back towards my car running into a few more from here (great PBs from Rossi and coogy!)
Anyway, then being the fool that I am, managed to hit the kerb/bank leaving the car park in Phoenix Park and completely punctured my car

thank goodness for the kindness of strangers (I do know how to change my tyres but my strength was lacking).
Total miles for the morning 8.8

Sun 8th
I'd arranged to meet a few clubmates early before the park closed at midday due to the storms. I was very tempted to not go when I heard the rain and wind, but headed up anyway. It turned out the park was completely closed so we ran to St Enda's instead and around the perimeter of Marlay. Finished at 7 miles so still not getting there with the long runs really, but I'll get there hopefully. Avg pace 10.23/m.

Total miles, 25.2.
Total time, 4 hours 16 mins.

Sure, it's going the right way.

OOnegative

Best of luck Saturday, run well!!

ReeReeG

Mon 25th
Cycled to S&C, 45 min class. Cycle home after work, possibly the most miserable cycle ever in that rain. Went back out as I was wet through anyway for my recovery run, 2 miles @ 11.02/m.

Tues 26th
I'd intended on going out early for my run as I had a work trip to Shannon that day, but I woke and heard the rain absolutely beating against the window, and decided to stay in bed a little longer instead :-/ Wasn't home from Shannon until late so no exercise at all

Weds 27th
Up early again for another cycle to S&C, where I learned I am still rubbish at push-ups

No cycle home, or time for a run, as I had a work event that night. The season is truly upon us!

Thurs 28th
Cycled home from work,and made it up to club training. Tried to keep easy 'easy', but as ever with a group it's hard to get that right. Ended up in the last 2.5 miles on my own which was fine, albeit a bit annoying. 5.8 miles @ 10.08/m.

Fri 29th
Needed a run after work to expel some anger

3.4m @ 10.19/m. Legs were heavy enough but the run helped the head at least.

Sat 30th
I was up early to drive down to Templemore parkrun where my eldest brother was doing RD for the first time. Although, my 2 year old niece was claiming that she in fact was in charge :pac: Didn't have enough time for much of a warm-up, and legs were still feeling fairly heavy. Parkrun was 26.36, only 3.8 miles total for the morning.

Nov total: 67.7

Sun 1st
When I'd arrived in Offaly the day before, my mother informed me of a 5k run in the town on Sunday in aid of a local family who are going through a really awful time. I decided I'd enjoy a lie-in and do my 'long' run with the 5k in the middle. Felt pretty good for this, although I ran the 5k harder than intended and was fairly tired afterwards. 75 mins total, 7.8 miles @ 9.34/m average.

Total miles: 22.9
Total time: 3hrs 46 mins

Short on my 4 hour target unfortunately, but with a couple of steady efforts in there, I'm not too upset.

It will be another week of trying to juggle around work / events, and include S&C, but hoping to get something of a start on HM stuff. I've Jingle Bells next Sat, and will run it for fun because I will just get annoyed at my regression since summer if I go for anything else!

Dealerz2.0

It’s still a decent week’s miles V

eyrie

ReeReeG wrote: »

I found it hard to motivate myself to get out this week which was weird. I'm guessing it's the weather. I honestly can't remember a November as wet as this in all the time I've lived in Dublin. Proper grim.

I so hear you, I've been majorly struggling with the motivation too.

Great week there though, you seem to be managing the build back up beautifully. Have to agree with ariana, I'd say you'll be faster than ever when you get back into the swing of things, particularly with all the extra strength!

ReeReeG

ariana` wrote: »

It's lovely to see you building back up again V. Along with the s&c you will be a fitter, stronger, faster version of you again in no time!

Agreed re. the weather, i feel like it hasn't stopped raining since August but adding in the cold the last month as well was just cruel :mad: I don't think i wore running tights at all last Winter and i haven't been without them this past month.

Thanks E. I'm sure I'll be stronger, but faster I can't quite see yet :pac:

Fair play if you didn't wear leggings last winter, I'm an awful wimp! I don't care about my arms, but can't bear to have the legs cold!

ariana`

It's lovely to see you building back up again V. Along with the s&c you will be a fitter, stronger, faster version of you again in no time!

Agreed re. the weather, i feel like it hasn't stopped raining since August but adding in the cold the last month as well was just cruel :mad: I don't think i wore running tights at all last Winter and i haven't been without them this past month.

ReeReeG

Lambay island wrote: »

Very grim weather, I had semi planned to do a 20 min recovery run last night until I looked out and it was lashing again. It would have been my 4th run in a row in those conditions so had glass of wine and watched crap TV instead:cool:

Great decision. Fond of a bit of crap TV myself, hooked on I'm A Celeb :pac:

Lambay island

ReeReeG wrote: »

I found it hard to motivate myself to get out this week which was weird. I'm guessing it's the weather. I honestly can't remember a November as wet as this in all the time I've lived in Dublin. Proper grim.

Very grim weather, I had semi planned to do a 20 min recovery run last night until I looked out and it was lashing again. It would have been my 4th run in a row in those conditions so had glass of wine and watched crap TV instead:cool:

ReeReeG

Mon 18th
Started the week off with a cycle to S&C class, cycle home and a 25 min recovery run. 2.3m @ 10.56/m.

Tues 19th
50 mins easy with some strides thrown into the middle bit. 4.7m @ 10.49/m. Didn't find it hard to slow down, in fact I would say I'd have struggled to go any faster overall. I was a little perplexed by this, but I reckon there is going to be some getting used the S&C effects and increasing the mileage.

Weds 20th
Total rest day. Fabulous.

Thurs 21st
Another cycle to S&C class, and cycle home. Had a short window to get a run in before a couple of appointments, so did 35 mins. 3.4 @ 10.18/m.

Fri 22nd
I knew I wouldn't get a parkrun in at the weekend, so headed out at lunchtime (advantage of a working from home day) for 45 mins and threw in 5 mins tempo. Overall average of 9.59/m, with the tempo bit starting out at 9.00/m but somehow ending up at 8.00/m. I have no idea where my tempo should be at the moment but was thinking comfortably hard was a decent gauge.

Sat 23rd
No runs, but actually a lot of walking.

Sun 24th
Planned to do an hour, but that would have left me at 5.75 miles or something, so of course I continued on to 6 miles. 10.39/m average, 64 minutes.

Total miles: 21
Total time: 3 hours 41 minutes.

This week, the goal is 4 hours.

I found it hard to motivate myself to get out this week which was weird. I'm guessing it's the weather. I honestly can't remember a November as wet as this in all the time I've lived in Dublin. Proper grim.

eyrie

Yay!

Wubble Wubble

ReeReeG wrote: »

The plan for this week was to try get 3 hours total running.

Mon 11th
Headed out for 45 mins. 4.6m @ 10.00/m. Need to concentrate on slowing more me thinks.

Tues 12th
Cycled into S&C class. 45 min class. They've changed up the program for the month and it felt harder! I do feel like some progress is being made though. Cycle home from work also.
Friends were stuck for a girl for a tag match so I went along to be nice :pac: They'd no subs so played the full 40 mins and while sprinting felt odd at first, it was great! No bother from the calves so all good.

Weds 13th
30ish mins run in the rain, 3.4m @ 10.05/m.

Thurs 13th
Another S&C class, 45 mins. Work drinks that night.

Fri 14th
Had planned to do another 45 min run, but I was really tired heading home from work and decided to add a couple of pre-parkrun miles the next morning instead.

Sat 15th
I went to the parkrun in Offaly, did the couple miles beforehand - good lord the cold!!! 10.04/m avg for those. Legs were feeling heavy from the S&C I think for the parkrun, but I was happy enough with the steady effort. 3.1m @ 8.16/m avg.

Sun 16th
Allowed myself a lie-in and also thought it might be warmer by afternoon for a run. I had the great idea to come back to Dublin via the Phoenix Park and do an hour there. 6m @ 10.16/m avg. I really enjoyed this run and felt really good.

Total miles for the week: 19.2 miles, and total time was 3 hours 9 minutes.

Goal for next week is 3.5 hours

Well done you! I've no doubt you'll manage the extra 30 minutes ðŸ’ª

ReeReeG

The plan for this week was to try get 3 hours total running.

Mon 11th
Headed out for 45 mins. 4.6m @ 10.00/m. Need to concentrate on slowing more me thinks.

Tues 12th
Cycled into S&C class. 45 min class. They've changed up the program for the month and it felt harder! I do feel like some progress is being made though. Cycle home from work also.
Friends were stuck for a girl for a tag match so I went along to be nice :pac: They'd no subs so played the full 40 mins and while sprinting felt odd at first, it was great! No bother from the calves so all good.

Weds 13th
30ish mins run in the rain, 3.4m @ 10.05/m.

Thurs 13th
Another S&C class, 45 mins. Work drinks that night.

Fri 14th
Had planned to do another 45 min run, but I was really tired heading home from work and decided to add a couple of pre-parkrun miles the next morning instead.

Sat 15th
I went to the parkrun in Offaly, did the couple miles beforehand - good lord the cold!!! 10.04/m avg for those. Legs were feeling heavy from the S&C I think for the parkrun, but I was happy enough with the steady effort. 3.1m @ 8.16/m avg.

Sun 16th
Allowed myself a lie-in

and also thought it might be warmer by afternoon for a run. I had the great idea to come back to Dublin via the Phoenix Park and do an hour there. 6m @ 10.16/m avg. I really enjoyed this run and felt really good.

Total miles for the week: 19.2 miles, and total time was 3 hours 9 minutes.

Goal for next week is 3.5 hours

ariana`

ReeReeG wrote: »

Well I did rob that idea for the year off Swashbuckler's post on Lazare's log :pac:
I'd hopefully do the Craughwell 10 towards the end of March too, sure maybe you'll find yourself at it too

I'll definitely be keeping it in mind! I didn't manage any 10 mile this year which was disappointing, it's a super distance and when the half training is done its a shame not to capitalise on it