The Boggers Log

Murph_D wrote: »

Jaysis, that's a terrible low bar you've set yourself. Well, the first part of it anyway.

Tell me about it, but one has to start somewhere...:)

TbL

skyblue46 wrote: »

That sub 20 target of yours is a lot soft but I'll join you later in the year for the other two. Maybe that other lad will be able to fly home to pace us...

Not sure about that S

I always always struggled with a sub 20 5k, I was too soft to take the pain!

TbL

Thur: 40 mins easy plod.

Fri: 40 min progression. Was happy with the way this went the progressions were consistent and I managed them well: 8.45 to 7.25. Just over 5 miles in total. Body actually felt better that evening, a bit of quicker stuff must have helped to loosen the muscles out!

Sat: 5 miles easy with strides @ 6.00 min pace. Jogged up to the pitch and did the strides there.

I would now like to turn to a subject that has been considerably vexing me recently; auld lads and their running shoes/attire. It pains me dearly to see what appears to be acceptable, to a small cadre of Pale dwelling auld lads on this front. Admittedly the transgressors are mercifully few but we must stamp out this menace to our manliness before it’s too late.

When you are in your fifth decade on this earth it entirely unacceptable that you leave the house shod in multi coloured abominations or eclectic designs with different colour laces. I hear talk of charcoal and baby blue socks (yes it’s true) with matching shirt and shorts. One auld lad even had the temerity to suggest different shoes on alternate days. Outrageous! This effrontery must be nipped in the bud forthwith. What’s next, gold plated rope chains with and oversized dollar pendant!

Please, for the love of God, refer to the Gentleman’s Guide to running decorum below:

- shoes should be one colour, preferably black. (a) luminous hues are completely forbidden (b) the shoe shouldn’t discolour from the odd splash of muck or cow ****e

Laces must be the same colour as the shoe
the shoe should be worn till either, the toes come out the top or the heel comes out the bottom.

Silage baling tape is acceptable to effect minor hole repairs.

The shoe should be moist to touch and exude an aroma of yeast with a hint of mildew.

Socks should be only white, preferable the thick white ones, Slazenger, 10 for €20 from Sports Direct will show that you are au fait with the latest auld lad running style.

If you want to present a more sporting look you can stretch the elastic on the top of the socks and they will slide down your ankle to give that touch of dynamism

The following style is only permitted to auld man runners than can run a mile in under 10 minutes: stretch the elastic on one sock so it slides down your ankle and pull the other sock up towards your knee. This is auld man elite comportment and will attract admiring glances from other members of your community.

Shorts, off white is the recommended colour, on occasions a blue or red stripe is permissible.

A fading grass stain that has survived a few cycles of Daz Blue Whiteness adds a daub of colour to enable you to stand out from the crowd.

Try and pick a pair of shorts than are at least one size smaller than your usual daywear. This enables one to display your manly girth in all its glory.

Tights of any persuasion are completely forbidden, and are frowned upon as the cardinal sin of auld man running style. Tights wearing should be restricted to bank or post office heists.

Running tee shirts, the gold standard here is either an off white cotton “I shot JR” tee or a Status Quo one without the rainbow coloured pattern. Also acceptable are any cotton race shirts predating 2005 or a GA shirt. Having regard to GA shirts, it must be (a) your own county (b) the home kit (c) predate 2005. Important note: unless you’re a Jack the wearing of Pale Blue is uncouth and unacceptable in any circumstances

During the months of July and August it is acceptable, and sometimes desirous that you wear any of the items above, cut off at the sleeves. A “wife beater” vest can also be worn during this window.

There is one final piece de resistance to complete your display of sartorial elegance, however, this is an audacious display and can be regarded as pretentious if the guidelines are not followed to the letter: a John McEnroe, red white and blue, headband can be worn to spectacular effect. No headwear of any other type is acceptable.

TbL

Sun: plan was for a 9 mile progression run to max out at 7.15 pace. Nice day for it. Longest progression in a while but I thought I’d handle it ok. Was grand only exertion was up hills and into the breeze. Overcompensated for a drag and the wind on mile 9 and overshot the target. Finished with a very easy mile cool down for 10 miles in total.

8.31, 8.17, 8.14, 8.00, 7.55, 7.44, 7.32, 7.25 & 7.08.

Mon: plan was for 40 mins easy. Was caught for time managed a dreary auld plod with the dog. 5k in 31 mins

Tue: 80th straight day running. Plan 40 mins easy progression. Managed it grand 8.46 down to 7.41. Just over 5 miles in total

Wed: plan was 4 x (800 @ 7.00 pace + 400 @ 6.40 off 60 sec) 3 mins between sets. Looked at this on the plan and thought no bother.

Jogged up to the pitch, which was heavy cut up and slippery. Luckily my shoes were auld lad kosher, black and splash proof! Laboured around like a horse with too much handicap!! Managed the paces but didn’t really enjoy this. Jogged home feeling weirdly disconsolate for over 7 miles in total.

Thur: 40 mins easy. Strangely the legs felt better after yesterday’s session than they had in ages. With Auld age you’re never sure what the next day brings

Managed over 5 miles easy

Fri: plan was 40 mins easy progression. Young lad came with me and we started out alright but he dropped off a bit so I decided to stay with him. Fool me! Last 300 metres he said “race ya” and left me for dust despite me attempting to “sprint”! I’ll burn the little fecker off early next time

Another 5 miles done.

Sat: plan wu/cf 2x2 miles at 7.15 pace 5 min jog between the two. Felt ok today managed this without any dramas the first two miles were slightly too fast but that was because I got an elixir of youth burst of adrenaline and endorphins. Thought I was Kipchoge for about 250 metres

Did two sessions of easy core with upper body work this week too.

There is so much incorrect with my running style that it’s hard to run and try and keep form at the same time. I’m trying to break it down piece by piece and hopefully I’ll see improvements.

TbL