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The Windy Road to Nowhere

ThePiedPiper

I've finally given in and decided to start up a log here.

The main reason for the log is that I feel I'll need any advice and extra motivation I can get for the fairly ambitious target I've set for this Autumn. Currently, my marathon PB is 2:58:16 from Budapest last year, and I'm setting the target of a sub 2:50 for Chicago in October.

My marathon history is one of good progress in the first 4 races, going from a 3:36 debut in Dublin 2005 to a 3:00:21 in April 2008. For one reason or another, that sort of stalled for a couple of years, until I finally got the 3 hour monkey off my back in Spring 2011 with a 2:58:23 in Seville. A very poorly exectuted 3:07 that October and an underprepared London were followed by last October's run in Budapest.

College and work committments have meant that since January, I've struggled to do more than 25-30 miles per week at best. But, anything I have done has been of fairly good quality, and the results in races have remained fairly good, with 17:50 in a 5k and 1:22:55 in a tough half marathon being the running highlights of 2013 to date.

Thankfully, time will start freeing itself up in about a week, so I'll be able to get back to some more regular training, hence the start of the log.

The goal for June and July is to run fairly high mileage at a low enough intensity to build myself up for the specific phase work in August/September. Initally, I hope to jump up to about 50 miles a week fairly rapidly, and if possible, max out close out at around 90-100 for a couple of weeks. There'll be a few races in there, but short enough. The National Half at the start of August will signal the end of base building at the start of specific marathon training.

I don't follow any particular plan, but I plan my running around my life as much as possible. The rigidity of some of the plans puts me off, but I borrow what I want from lots of sources and make it suit my own life as best as possible.

Right, that's all the introductions out've the way. Now I've just got to follow through with it, do the work and get to Chicago in good shape. If I can be honest with my efforts, I'll be happy with the result.

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ThePiedPiper

Tues 9th: 6 miles in 45:25 (7:34)
Weds 10th: 10.5 miles in 76:34 (7:18)
Thurs 11th: 6 miles in 42:58 (7:10)
Fri 12th: 10 miles in 74:09 (7:24)
Sat 13th: 6 miles in 44:30 (7:26)
Sun 14th: 17.5 miles in 2:09 (7:25)
Mon 15th: 8 miles in 60:13 (7:32)
Tues 16th: 6 miles in 44:04 (7:21)
Weds 17th: 2 miles in 15:12 (7:36)
Thurs 18th: 10.25 miles in 71:34 (6:59)
Fri 19th: 6 miles in 44:59 (7:28)
Sat 20th: 6 miles in 43:29 (7:13)

Sort of unfocused over the last week or so, doing a lot of physical work in the field, garden and the bog, so the body hurting due to that. Hip was sore earlier in the week, due to a few days of clearing the horses field. Just about squeezed in couple of miles on Wednesday as I’m on a decent streak. Probably won’t do a long run tomorrow, so this week will be a bit of a step back, but that’s fine.

ThePiedPiper

Sunday 21st June: 10 miles in 75 (7:30)
Monday 22nd: 7.5 miles in 55:10 (7:21)
Nothing of interest to report

Tuesday 23rd: 13.1 miles in 1:34 (7:11)
Took a route by Sandpit, Walshestown and Grangebellew. Weather was wet and breezy, but enjoyed the run.

Wednesday 24th: 6 miles in 43:47 7:18

Thursday 25th: 8.25 miles in 67 (8:06)
Very hot this morning, I gave a blood donation yesterday evening and I ran the last two miles with wife and two children. Felt wrecked after this.

ThePiedPiper

Friday 26th: 10.2 miles in 1:17
Saturday 27th: 6 miles in 43:44
Sunday 28th: 3.4 miles in 30:46
Monday 29th: 6.2 miles in 42:56
Tuesday 30th: 2 miles in 18:10
Weds 1st: 4 miles in 32:17
Thursday 2nd: 4 miles in 36:11
Friday 3rd: 4 miles in 29:45
Sat 4th: 2 miles in 20:22
Sun 5th: 4 miles in 30 minutes
Mon 6th: 2 miles in 17

On holidays this past week, been running with the wife a fair bit. Watch battery out and no charger with me so I’ll be estimating distance from now until we go home

ThePiedPiper

Thursday 9th: 4 miles I think
Saturday 11th: 2 miles
Sunday 11th: 4 miles

Can’t remember the days I ran or the distances, but it wasn’t much. I did a huge amount of work on the bog, two full days cutting and taking home the first load that was supposed to be dry. Another day or two spent cutting trees, a couple of days building dry stone walls also. Lovely couple of weeks with not a lot of running, but massive amount of strength and core conditioning. Still a lot to get done when I get back to Connemara in a few weeks.

Monday 13th: 6 miles in 41:50 (6:58)
Back on home ground yesterday, couple of hours to get the lawn cut and got out on the road in the evening. Felt good, motored along nicely.

ThePiedPiper

Tuesday 14th: 6 miles in 44:30 (7:26)
Thursday 16th: 11 miles in 1:23 (7:34)
We were cycling and hill walking in Cooley on Wednesday, and felt that 11 miles fairly tough as a result.

Saturday 18th: 4.1 miles in 29:58 (7:19)
Sunday 19th: 10.2 miles in 1:15 (7:23)
Very tight hamstring Sunday after a mountain of work in the garden Saturday. Not having a good month.

Monday 20th : 6 miles in 45:44 (7:37)
Tuesday 21st: 6 miles in 43:09 (7:12)
Hamstring ok again.

I’m fairly sure I broke my toe yesterday. Slipped on wet paving whilst carrying my young fella into the house. Toe is very sore, bruised badly and not bearing much weight. I’m fairly annoyed with it. The only positive is it’s not the big toe, as this would be more problematic. However, it’s looking like a few days or weeks rest will be required. I’m not sure if I’ll bother with hospital and X-ray, etc. When I broke my big toe years ago, it was just wrapped up in hospital. I’ll evaluate over the next couple of days. What was looking like a very promising summer of running has gone to the dogs over the last few weeks. Anyway, first world problems, I suppose.

ThePiedPiper

Sat 1st August: 6 miles in 45:27 (7:35)
I gave myself a week and a half off running. Toe was very sore, found it difficult to walk for a week, and I’m still having some pain if I put any lateral pressure on.
The first run out I took it fairly easy, was sort of running on the side of my foot to keep pressure off the toe, but downhills were still problematic.

Monday 3rd August: 6 miles in 43:51 (7:19)
More comfortable, but still some discomfort, particularly on sharp downhills.

Wednesday 5th: 6 miles in 40:33 (6:46)
Much better, I realized that running a bit faster, striking the mid foot meant I wasn’t putting the same pressure on my toe. However, hurt it again just using it as planted foot kicking about with the kids. Sore again for the evening.

Friday 7th: 6 miles in 43:26 (7:14)
Took it a bit easier on this one, just concentrating on keeping it relaxed, no pain.

Sunday 9th: 10 miles in 69:50 (6:59)
Chose 8 mile route with option of extra loop for 10. Toe felt pain-free, and speed was good. Just got one jolt of pain after 9 miles, going over a footpath, so relaxed the foot strike completely for the last mile. This was good though, for long stretches, I’d forgotten about the injury.

After being despondent enough for a couple of weeks, I’m happy enough that I didn’t lose much conditioning. I still need to be cautious as this hasn’t healed yet, but it’s great to be back on the road.

ThePiedPiper

I got a bit demotivated in August after learning of my backup marathon being cancelled, so was just trundling along for a bit. However, decided I’d sign up for the Dublin virtual Marathon. Anyway, this was the last few weeks.

11 Aug: 6 miles in 41:50 (6:58)
12 Aug: 4.1 miles in 29:26 (7:11)
13 Aug: 6.25 miles in 45:07 (7:13)
15 Aug: 4.1 miles in 31:27 (7:40)
17 Aug: 5.2 miles in 36:15 (6:58)
20 Aug: 7 miles in 50/14 (7:10(
22 Aug: 10 miles in 72:12 (7:13)
24 Aug: 7 miles in 47:06 (6:44)
26 Aug: 6.4 miles in 46:48 (7:19)
27 Aug: 6.25 miles in 44:45 (7:10)
28 Aug: 4.75 miles in 35:39 (7:30)
30 Aug: 6 miles in 44:55 (7:29)
31 Aug: 7 miles in 49:06 (7:01)
2 Sept: 4.75 miles in 35:50 (7:33)
3 Sept: 6 miles in 43 (7:10)
4 Sept: 3.15 miles in 23:22 (7:24), 1.5 miles in 13:48 (9:09), 4.75 miles in 36:30 (7:41)
Mon 7: 5.25 miles in 34:21 (6:33)
Weds 9: 2.2 miles in 16:37 (7:33)
Thurs 10: 8.25 miles in 55:23 (6:43)
Fri 11: 2.4 miles in 13:57 (5:50), 4.75 miles in 35:05 (7:24)

Decent enough level at the moment, but obviously shy on a few long runs. I’ll get out tomorrow for something long hopefully.

ThePiedPiper

Sun 13: 16 miles in 1:56 (7:13) and 2 mile easy with wife and son.

Young fella woke me up at 7, so decided to throw the runners on and get going before it got too warm. Windy morning, but felt really good.
The last two miles were a bonus to bring it up to 18. Having not done a long run for months, that was a very good workout.

ThePiedPiper

Mon 14 Sept: 8 miles in 53:28 (6:41)
Quick run around Drogheda. Ran out as far as Oldbridge on the back roads and all the way along the ramparts. Leaving Cert results day had the young ones out in force drinking under the bridge. Oh to be young

Tues 15: 4 miles in 29:15 (7:19)
Run around the block at home. Very hot weather, pumping sweat ðŸ˜“

Weds: 3.4 miles with my class at school on the track.

Thursday 16: 8.1 miles in 53:50 (6:39)
Running around Drogheda streets again, fitting training around kids gymnastics sessions is working well again.

ThePiedPiper

Sun 20th Sept: 20 miles in 2:26 (7:18)
Out by 7:30am, nice enough weather for it, just a bit of wind by the coast in Clogherhead. Kept effort and pace fairly steady. Good effort on empty.

Tues 22nd: 7.5 miles in 50:09 (6:41)
Hard effort on hilly route down to Sandpit and back up. Really huffing and puffing on the last of the hills.

Weds 23rd: 4.1 miles in 29:20 (7:10)

Thursday 24th: 4.75 miles in 36:10 (7:37)
Steady Wednesday and windy slow runmute Thursday.

Friday afternoon: 1.55 miles in 8:04 (5:15)
Track session with my class. Something like 400-300-200-100-200-300-400 with first group, then 400-200-100-300 with second group. The faster stuff wrecks my legs, but the school kids prefer that to longer slower stuff. Good for them, good for me.
Pm: 4.75 miles in 36:38 (7:43)
Dragging myself home from school on tired legs running uphill into a strong wind. Not really fun.

ThePiedPiper

Sunday 27th September: 21 miles in 2:32 (7:14)
Weather was perfect for this long run last weekend. No wind to speak of and dry and cool. Legs were quite tight for the first 8 miles or so but responded well when I upped the pace. 8 MP miles as follows:
6:49, 6:49, 6:46, 6:47, 6:42, 6:38, 6:39, 6:47

Tues 29th: 6 miles in 39:16 (6:33)
Took the Vaporfly 4% for their first spin. Strange feel for the first half mile or so, but once I got used to the slight lack of stability in the heel, I found them very good.

Weds, Thursday, Fri: 4.8 miles runmute each day in 35-36 minutes 7:2x-7:3x

Sunday 5th October: 16 miles in 1:52 (7:04)
Miserable weather. Wet, windy mess. Decided on 16 miles with 12 at MP. Pace was fine until I turned into the wind and uphill for the last couple of fast miles. Tough going, character building they say.

ThePiedPiper

Tuesday 6th Oct: 6 miles in 42:50 (7:08)

Thurs 8th: 4.8 miles in 34:55 (7:16)

Fri 9th: 4.8 miles in 37:25 (7:48)
Handy run around local roads Tuesday and running home from school Thursday and Friday.

Sunday 11th: 21.5 miles in 2:38 (7:22)

Big, tough session Sunday. Started off in Annagassan, couple of easy miles, then launched into 14 miles at PMP. I got lost a couple of times, and inadvertently ended up running on the beach for about half a mile! Not ideal. It was really tough holding pace for the last mile or two, and I was fairly wrecked with the last 5 slower miles to go. However, that’s the first time in a number of years I’ve done such a long PMP run on empty with no fueling, so very pleasing.
Fast miles as follows:
6:45, 6:51, 6:47, 6:45, 6:47, 6:52, 6:42, 6:43, 6:41, 6:42, 6:45, 6:44, 6:49, 6:50

Itziger

ThePiedPiper wrote: »

Tuesday 6th Oct: 6 miles in 42:50 (7:08)

Thurs 8th: 4.8 miles in 34:55 (7:16)

Fri 9th: 4.8 miles in 37:25 (7:48)
Handy run around local roads Tuesday and running home from school Thursday and Friday.

Sunday 11th: 21.5 miles in 2:38 (7:22)

Big, tough session Sunday. Started off in Annagassan, couple of easy miles, then launched into 14 miles at PMP. I got lost a couple of times, and inadvertently ended up running on the beach for about half a mile! Not ideal. It was really tough holding pace for the last mile or two, and I was fairly wrecked with the last 5 slower miles to go. However, that’s the first time in a number of years I’ve done such a long PMP run on empty with no fueling, so very pleasing.
Fast miles as follows:
6:45, 6:51, 6:47, 6:45, 6:47, 6:52, 6:42, 6:43, 6:41, 6:42, 6:45, 6:44, 6:49, 6:50

Jaysis, lad, that's a monster session. Doing a virtual Dublin, are ya?

ThePiedPiper

Itziger wrote: »

Jaysis, lad, that's a monster session. Doing a virtual Dublin, are ya?

Cheers Itziger, it’s as hardy a session as I’ve done in 6 years, glad to get through it. Yeah, I’m going to do a virtual Dublin. I’ll throw on a fast pair of runners, fuel up, taper and give it a lash in a couple of weeks. How’s life with you?

Itziger

ThePiedPiper wrote: »

Cheers Itziger, it’s as hardy a session as I’ve done in 6 years, glad to get through it. Yeah, I’m going to do a virtual Dublin. I’ll throw on a fast pair of runners, fuel up, taper and give it a lash in a couple of weeks. How’s life with you?

I was down for Metz Marathon on Sunday but I tested fuppin positive for the Corona the other day. Went for the test on Friday afternoon - purely precautionary. They test A LOT here. That was my 4th - went for a 26k run on Saturday evening, a light jog on Sunday morn and got the positive result. on Sunday night/early Monday morning. 10 bloody days of isolation. Still working virtually, but can't get out of the house and can't run.

So, the Dublin run. Will you have any company? 26 miles is an awful long way on your own.

ThePiedPiper

Itziger wrote: »

I was down for Metz Marathon on Sunday but I tested fuppin positive for the Corona the other day. Went for the test on Friday afternoon - purely precautionary. They test A LOT here. That was my 4th - went for a 26k run on Saturday evening, a light jog on Sunday morn and got the positive result. on Sunday night/early Monday morning. 10 bloody days of isolation. Still working virtually, but can't get out of the house and can't run.

So, the Dublin run. Will you have any company? 26 miles is an awful long way on your own.

Hope your health recovers, that’s more important than any run!

I’ll have a few family and friends supporting me on the roads, I might try to see is anyone around aiming for a similar time to me, but I’m prepared to do it solo.

Look after yourself D

ThePiedPiper

Weds 14th: 4.8 miles in 36:26 (7:36)
Thursday 15th: 4.8 miles in 36:03 (7:31)
Friday 16th: 11 miles including some track work with school kids and running home from school. Weds and Thursday were just handy runs home from school

Sunday 18th: 10 miles in 68:19 (6:50)
Nothing long, just steady at planned marathon pace. No issues.

Thursday 22nd: 4.8 miles in 35:39 (7:25)
Runmute. Ready for marathon day.

ThePiedPiper

Dublin Virtual Marathon: 2:56:40

My first sub3 in 6 years. Weather not perfect, but I slept well, prepared well yesterday, and felt good this morning. Got going at 10. Settled into pace nicely, heading down to Tullyallen. Heart rate was high, around 180, for the first 7-8 miles. I was slightly concerned about this, but breathing was comfortable. Maybe adrenaline and running into the wind had heart pumping.
6:43, 6:47, 6:46, 6:50, 6:50, 6:48, 6:45, 6:46

Family were meeting me every 25-30 minutes, which was fantastic. I took a gel at each of these intervals so I wouldn’t have to carry drinks. Running out of Drogheda, along the Boyne estuary, heart dropped back to mid 160s. I was much happier with this. Pace felt fine. Light breeze was on my back for this section. The kids gave me great encouragement and really broke the race up for me. Passed halfway in about 1:28:40, feeling strong.
6:48, 6:45, 6:45, 6:47, 6:49

The section between Baltray and Clogherhead had a few little rises, but pace was still steady. Conditions were ideal, the Vaporfly felt great, everything going to plan. I tried not to run any miles faster than 6:45, as I felt that anything too aggressive would have negative consequences later, and with nobody to work off, really didn’t want to be in a bad place with a few miles to go. However, quads were starting to complain a little as I took on a couple of hilly sections around Clogherhead.
6:50, 6:43, 6:41, 6:44, 6:51, 6:41, 6:43

10k to go, I was down the coast by Port beach. Good running along those couple of miles, I knew I had time on my hands, but wasn’t taking anything for granted. As I turned east, up a couple of little rises, into the wind, I was getting a bit ragged. Up through Togher, the family were driving behind me on the quiet roads, encouraging me all the way. No way was I going to let it slip at this stage. Some young fella emerged from his house to go for a run right in front of me, and I used him as a target for a mile, until he decided to call it a day. I appreciated his efforts all the same. Top of the last hill, mile and a half to go. Last stretch, back down to the beach in Salterstown. Car full of support behind me, a random Garda traffic corps car the only car we met on the road, I got really pumped up, and went for broke with a mile to go. Took the phone out of my pocket to make sure the app wasn’t measuring less than the garmin. Only a 50m discrepancy. Charging down the road, sprinting for an imaginary line. Phone app said I was finished, garmin needed another bit. Kept pounding and crossed the second imaginary finish line.
6:42, 6:47, 6:49, 6:41, 6:45, 6:18, 6:13(pace)

6 years of near misses, hypothermia induced indifference, resurgence, more near misses, long courses, two more children, doubts and finally, a pandemic inspired base building, and I’ve run sub3 in unusual, but special circumstances. It wasn’t a race, but I’m counting that as a marathon. 2:56:35 according to the app, my 3rd fastest marathon. Immensely proud of that.

Peckham

Great stuff. Enjoyed reading that. Congrats!

ThePiedPiper

Peckham wrote: »

Great stuff. Enjoyed reading that. Congrats!

Thanks K, hope you’re all doing well. I’m delighted with Saturday, really savouring it.

Itziger

Smashing run that. Fine report too!

Sounds like you had it under control the whole way. Impressive.

Did you treat yourself to a couple of pints afterwards?

ThePiedPiper

Itziger wrote: »

Smashing run that. Fine report too!

Sounds like you had it under control the whole way. Impressive.

Did you treat yourself to a couple of pints afterwards?

Cheers D, yeah, it felt like I had it under control the whole time. Even with the couple of rocky miles, I wasn’t really suffering too badly. I had a couple of afternoon pints of Guinness at home, watching the rugby.
How you keeping, now you’re back on the road? Any ill effects?

jamule

Great stuff lad, I heard rumours of your time from one of your students!

ThePiedPiper

jamule wrote: »

Great stuff lad, I heard rumours of your time from one of your students!

Ha, that’s gas... great bunch I have this year, they’re all becoming more dedicated athletes under my watch!

AuldManKing

Fantastic performance - delighted to see this.

ThePiedPiper

AuldManKing wrote: »

Fantastic performance - delighted to see this.

Thanks A, I hope you’re keeping well.

ThePiedPiper

Legs were in an absolute state on Sunday, so decided to experiment with an ice bath. By Monday evening I was feeling relatively normal again.

Tuesday 27th am: 17.7 miles on the bicycle in 1:12.
I left the car in Dundalk to get a tow bar and cycled home. First time in a few years I’ve done a cycle like this. Enjoyed it, legs seemed good.
Pm: 17.75 miles in 59:30 on bike
Return trip to collect the car. This was good fun. I’d the benefit of the first 5 miles downhill and a breeze on my back. Might start cycling a little more as this was more enjoyable than I expected.

Weds 28th: 6 miles in 45:12 (7:31)
Decided to chance a little recovery run yesterday. Quads still feeling a bit battered. Nice to be back out

ThePiedPiper

Sun 1st Nov: 6 miles in 41:02 (6:50)
Weds 4th, 4.8 miles in 34:50 (7:15)
Thurs 5th: 5.4 miles in 39:50 (7:23)
Fri 6th: 5k in 25:28 (8:04), 2 miles in 21:30 (10:45) pacing school kids at the track
Fri 6: 4.8 miles in 35:20 (7:22)
Sun 8th: 7.5 miles in 55:15 (7:22)
Weds 11th: 4.8 miles in 34:12 (7:08)
Thursday 12th: 4.7 miles in 33:20 (7:06)
Friday 13th: track with class 800, 800, 400, 400, 100x3, 400, 400, 800, 800
Then run home, 4.8 miles in 36:39 (7:38)
Sunday 15th: 7.5 miles in 55:58 (7:28)

Ticking over nicely this past couple of weeks, running home from school 3 days a week proving a great way to keep a decent level up with no time demands.

Long term, I’ve got Connemarathon to look forward to next April. Hopefully that will go ahead after two postponements. I’ve also booked flights to and registered for Cologne next October. It coincides with the tail end of Oktoberfest, so seems like a good idea!

ThePiedPiper

Weds 18 Nov: 4.8 miles in 36:34 (7:37)

Friday 20: 5k and 3k at track with school and 4.8 mile home

Sun 22: 10 miles in 68:09 (6:49)
Nice to do a faster run

Thursday 26: 4.8 miles in 34:36 (7:13)
Run home

Friday: 5k with school in 22:44 (7:13)
4.8 miles run home 36:34 (7:37)

Sunday 29th: 10 miles in 69:43 (6:58)
Uphill all the way from Clogherhead to home. Enjoyed it.

Weds 2 Dec: 4.8 miles in 34:30 (7:11)
Cold run home

Thurs 3: 4.8 miles in 35:07 (7:19)
Colder

Fri 4: 5k at track 24:11 (7:36)
4.8 miles in 36:30 7:36
-1 at the track on Friday, hardy weather.

Sun 6th: 6 miles in 45:14 (7:32)
Very icy roads this morning, felt like 6 miles was enough