Leader Of The (Mid) Pack

Murph_D wrote: »

Nice holiday running, J. You've given me flashbacks to one my own Renvyle runs last year, possibly the toughest session I've ever done! Haven't experienced your final destination, although we did stay in its less glamorous sister venue, which teased everyone with pics everywhere of the posher place.

Thanks D - the hill from Renvyle beach up to the road is a great session if you're in the mood. I reckon I've only tried it once in all my time visiting. Two clubmates of mine were there this summer, and at least one of them took it on.

As for Kilronan, we had a look at the photos in the restaurant, which included Alan Brogan's wedding day in 2010 - featuring many future All Ireland winners of course. However, a little bit further along the wall, you had those Mayo jabronis at Andy Moran's wedding two years later. Got to have a bit of balance, don't you ? :pac: Lovely spot anyway.

Mon 14/9 - 3.99 miles @8:43/mi

Speaking of All Irelands, exactly one year ago today, the Dubs clinched the five in a row. What a day that was, starting as it did with my near 3 1/2 minute PB in the Ratoath Half.
Today couldn't have been much more low key, with a trot around Porterstown preceding my return to work, having been on leave the last two weeks. Basically I got too lazy to bother with a weekend run. Today would normally be a rest day, but I got out of my bed to partly compensate. All that said, in the course of family stuff at the weekend, we found a parkrun to add to the list for when they get going again, so not a total waste :pac:

Mon 21/9 - Rest

Tue 22/9 - 4.00 miles @8:42/mi

A scaled down version of the Clonsilla/Ongar run from a few weeks back. This time I turned right at the Applegreen (past where the latest Lidl is opening soon) and right again towards Power City. Quite comfortable throughout this one.

Wed 23/9 - Intervals, Porterstown Park

As I type, I'm reminded of reading somebody's log on here, and the need to maybe ease back into sessions as opposed to just jumping straight back in where you were. Or maybe it was Strava?

Either way, I should have had it in mind as I toddled up to Porterstown this morning. Having not done a session in three weeks, part due to holidays, part due to laziness, the choice I made wasn't the best. I went back to a session I'd tried about a month ago :- 3 x (800 on/400 off, 400 on/200 off). I remembered it being hard, but not nearly as tough as the inverted pyramind I took on. Warmup and strides complete, I was ready to go.
First 8 wasn't too bad, all things considered. Nice recovery before the first 4, then what felt like a really short 200m jog recovery leading into the second 8. Kept it together somewhat through there, and I got some support from clubmates during the second 4. Only 200m recovery again though, and I could feel my hamstring tightening up. Less than 200m into the third 800, I decided to pull the plug. Thankfully, it feels ok sitting here - precautionary more than anything else on this occasion.

As I mentioned earlier, it was clearly too much of a jump to make this morning - the body wasn't ready for an onslaught with changing paces etc. I actually was originally going to try a ( 2E, 2 @10k pace, 2E ) session, which I got from the John O'Regan Connemara HM plan, and which I've run through Laurel Lodge and Carpenterstown in the past. Maybe even something like that is overegging it at the moment though. Thoughts? Thanks for reading. Fan Slán. J.

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Lidl where? I won't recognise the place if I get back for a visit with all these changes to cycle paths, canals etc!

Lidl everywhere :pac:

From the northern side of the level crossing at Clonsilla, turn right and within 100 metres or so the Applegreen will be on your right. Just before this, there's a newish road towards Hartstown. The new Lidl is under construction on this corner - it will take the total number of Lidl stores in D15 to five. Sure we can't get enough of them out here

No running in the rest of September. I had planned to head out on Tuesday morning, but between a late night after the Reds' glorious win over Arsenal, and babysitting with wifey in SIL's house from Tuesday AM, while she was giving birth to her second (all good, everyone healthy and happy), I didn't get home till Wednesday afternoon, and had no interest in going for a run afterwards.

Thu 1/10 - 3.95 miles @8:48/mi

Easy couple of laps around Porterstown. With the days rapidly getting shorter, I'm having to wait a lot longer before getting going on these laps. For the last two months or so, I've had the NBA to keep me entertained first thing, but all the evidence so far points to a 4-0 sweep for the Lakers. If Coach Spo can pull this one out of the bag (2-0 down as I type, with two of their three best players injured) it'll surely go down as one of the greatest coaching feats of all time.

Fri 2/10 - Rest

Sat 3/10 - 6.72 miles @8:10/mi

In the absence of a plan, and having decided to leave sessions to the side for now, I'm firmly in make it up as I go along territory. Earlyish start from the Papal Cross for me this time. A spin around the Acres triangle to start off. On the way back up from the hospital, I spotted a group of 15? on the road. It seems ReeReeG was in there somewhere, although I didn't see her as I passed. I decided to run the Simon 5 Mile course, which is basically the Jingle Bells course with the S bends uphill, down Military Hill, and up the Khyber added on. Feeling fairly comfortable on a medium effort stint, with the Donore posse making their way around the Magazine loop as I was pushing up the hill. Spotted a couple of Crusaders on my rounds too - the PP was full of runners today. Back at the car park, the Dublin Track Club were starting their session, with 52 year old Shane Healy leading out a sizeable group, most of whom were lads less than half his age. Some man.

Sun 4/10 - 6.44 miles @8:34/mi

With more family stuff on the agenda this morning, it was an early return to PP, for a clockwise lap commencing in semi darkness in the rain. Nice to spot Murph_D early in my stint, near Ashtown Gate, and again on the S-bends. It took a while for me to wake up, downhill on the North Road to start off. The fun started at the bottom of Wellington Road, when I headed left up the Military Hill, into the wind and rain. Bit of respite through the S bends, then more work up the Glen Road, then in and out of the Furry Glen before following the trails to Castleknock Gate. Although my pace was slower than yesterday, this felt a fair bit tougher. Still and all, glad I got out and did it Thanks for reading. Fan Slán. J.

Mon 12/10 - Rest

Tue 13/10 - 5.37 miles @8:23/mi

Delighted to be back in action. For this one, I headed over to Phoenix Park once there was sufficient light. I gave myself an easy start, heading down the Khyber first, instead of coming up it at the end, like I did a couple of Saturdays back.

Wed 14/10 - 5.18 miles @8:16/mi

Life stuff meant I had no chance to run before work, so at lunchtime I headed over to St Catherine's Park for a rare midweek afternoon outing. First loop was the long lap including the woodland trail that I normally run. Well, not quite. On reaching the Kildare side of the park, I found a wall sealing off the path running round the back of the Leixlip houses :eek: Gubbermint closing county borders? Not quite so interesting or controversial, apparently - as Browneyes informed me, all that's going on is pipelaying :pac: Either way, second time around I turned down past where the reservoir used to be instead.
A surprise bonus came my way earlier in the day. Lovely to talk to Applegirl in person for the first time, as our paths crossed while I was walking from the shops to the car. Is bean spreagúil í

Thu 15/10 - 4.43 miles @8:19/mi

Three different laps of Porterstown before work, getting smaller each time. I enjoyed this one - nice to get it done early.

Fri 16/10 - Rest

Sat 17/10 - Happy Birthday Porterstown parkrun

After what might be my last haircut for several months, I shuffled up to Porterstown for my first ever virtual parkrun. Warmup lap complete, I was getting my stretches done as our ED finished her run with one of our regulars. One of our former EDs appeared while we were chatting - probably as close as we'll get to an actual parkrun the rest of the year. Anyway, once I could see a bit of space ahead, off I went. Overegged the first lap a bit (6:34 for the first mile), but thankfully I recognised this at the time, and slowed down sufficiently to make laps 2 and 3 much more comfortable. I had to dodge and weave quite a bit. With soccer and GAA underage training taking place, as well as an abundance of walkers and dogs, in addition to a few other runners, twas packed. Not to worry.
21:48 is a lot better than I was expecting this morning, not that I gave times a lot of thought. All that said, at the time of writing, I have the fastest (not) parkrun time for Porterstown this week :pac: 5 years of our parkrun merited an aul lemon slice when I got home. Not the same as L's cakes, but this year it did the job

Sun 18/10 - 7.87 miles @8:25/mi

Back to Phoenix Park to finish off the week. We parked at the Papal Cross, and my wife went for a walk while I headed away on an anticlockwise lap. I don't think I've seen the Park so busy, with walkers, runners, cyclists (including Catherina McKiernan!) and dogs everywhere. Fantastic to see loads of Great Pink Run tops as I meandered around. I was delighted for aquinn yesterday, as she successfully completed the 10k in the aforementioned event. Another inspiring lady. Great day for her and P, and also nice to see that a few from here were present to help them through it. I passed annapr (one of the "cheer squad") just before the end of my stint - very surprised I didn't encounter anyone else from these parts, given that half the population of Dublin seemed to be there. Probably similar activity next week - although I might throw in a virtual HM at something faster than shuffle pace, if the other runs go well. Thanks for reading. Fan Slán. J.

So the outcome of the above was a few days of running taking a back seat, however eating didn't follow suit. Note to self: make sure to have water handy to take on board during those long runs / virtual races :rolleyes:

Sat 31/10 - 4.25 miles @8:43/mi

Back in action, with a slimmed down version of a run I did a month or so ago. In that one, I ran a single lap of five different D15 parks. This time, just the smaller three of those five. Porterstown first up, wind against me on the downhill, busy enough with MSB, GAA and soccer training all going on. Wind behind me down to the hotel, before swinging through the trees for a Tír na nÓg lap (hive of GAA activity), and finally M50 Park to complete the set for the day. I didn't feel uncomfortable at any stage - had I been in trouble at the above overall pace, it would have been cause for concern right enough. Lots of fireworks and bangers going off out here later on, but no callers - it seems that most parents brought their Hallowe'en celebrating kids to their friends' gardens earlier in the day.

Sun 1/11 - 3.96 miles @8:18/mi

Just because I could, I pulled on the runners again, and out into the wind. This time, I went to Millennium Park to run a lap and come back. The breeze was particularly strong as I was almost down to walking pace coming back over Porterstown bridge. No harm done overall - glad I got out and got a few miles under my belt.
I'm now thinking I might try something I did during the first lockdown i.e. easy miles early(ish) every day. I got up to 31 consecutive days between the end of March and most of April. Difference then was, the mornings were getting longer, and hence more scope even allowing for the 2k from home restriction in place at the time. Now, the opposite is the case. Lunchtime runs might have to be the way forward for the winter months.
Also, it's getting close to time to decide whether I'll train for the Connemara HM again. Its scheduled date as I type is April 18, 2021. As for whether it will actually take place on that day (having been postponed twice already), that is not something within my control, so I'll try not to bother my head with that part of it. Onwards! Thanks for reading. Fan Slán. J.

Mon 9/11 - 3.98 miles @8:39/mi

Not the prettiest of runs, with late nights and early mornings catching up with me big style. Plus point: run done before work

Tue 10/11 - 4.09 miles @8:19/mi

Back to Porterstown, for anticlockwise laps this time. Busier than I thought it would be at lunchtime.

Wed 11/11 - 5.22 miles @8:52/mi

Originally, I was considering a session on the grass track in Porterstown. However, wifey suggested getting a lunchtime bite to eat, so that plan went by the wayside. I'd have been slipping and sliding all over the place, so maybe not a bad alternative Nearly didn't go out later on, but eventually dragged myself out after work for three Carpenterstown loops. I nearly skidded into the wall at the entrance to Riverwood; a combination of wet grass and leaves meant I was briefly aquaplaning, but I got my hands up in time.

Thu 12/11 - Rest

Not what was intended, just one of those days when life got in the way.

Fri 13/11 - 4.83 miles @8:20/mi

One of my standard loops (Laurel Lodge - Roselawn - Coolmine) but for a change I did it at lunchtime. Bit of schools traffic early on, but other than that nothing to really bother me.

Sat 14/11 - 3.34 miles @6:35/mi

The captain put a session up on the WhatsApp, so for better or worse I decided I'd try my first interval session since September. After a warmup during which I spent nearly as much time chatting to various people I met along the way as actually running (2.66 miles @9:33/mi) I was readyish to go.

This one was a tricky enough 5 x 1k (3 mins) in Porterstown Park. The park was very busy with walkers, dogs and other runners as well as soccer, GAA and MSB training. Starting near the parkrun start, down to the first corner in 40 seconds or so, right through the trees and reaching the bottom of the park around 2 minutes. Another minute or so to get around the back of the GAA pitches, then a 300 metre plus drag back up to the start. 4:23 for the first one - I remember thinking getting that time took a lot out of me? Go again, another 4:23. Nearly stopped altogether by a loose dog on the downhill part of the third rep, 4:29 the time for that one. Back to 4:23 in the 4th, in spite of Jasper running across me on my way up the hill. I tried to get a big finish in for the last, but all the dodging around and having to run on the grass wasn't really helping me, with a 4:24 being the outcome.

Surprise surprise, the loop I ran was a good bit over 1k. Strava helpfully had a 1k segment - my times for this were 4:08/4:08/4:17/4:10/4:09. Happy to get a tough workout done - to be honest the times weren't all that important, but at least the consistency was there. Good support from clubmates as I made my way around - a few there who I hadn't actually spoken to in quite a while, so nice to catch up.

Sun 15/11 - 6.84 miles @8:23/mi

I had to get this one done early, so I threw the car near Castleknock Gate before the masses arrived. Running clockwise meant that I had the long North Road section downhill and with the wind behind me. Easy enough really, until I got to the bottom of Wellington Road and started up Military Hill, struggling into the wind and rain. Bit of respite on the S bends, then the second hill from Chapelizod Gate before a turn downhill into the Furry Glen. Great to see plenty of clubmates as I reached the top of the hill from the pond up to Knockmaroon Gate - it gave me a boost for the last stint past the Ordnance Survey (more shouts from clubmates here) and back up to Castleknock Gate. I got a bit of a laugh from the mile splits - big difference between 1-4 and 5 (S bends/Upper Glen Road) and 6 (Furry Glen/OS Road). 31.5 miles for the week, spread over 6 days running.

Next week I'm planning to run a virtual 2 mile relay leg. Hopefully, I'll make a better job of it than the 10 minute TT in July. Thanks for reading. Fan Slán. J.

Mon 14/12 - Rest

Invested in a new pair of XC runners - not as flashy as the old "MSB runners", but hopefully they'll do the job anyway.

Tue 15/12 - 4.04 miles @7:58/mi

One of the Clonsilla loops, taking in the latest addition to the family of Lidl stores in D15. Can't get enough of our discount supermarkets out here

Wed 16/12 - 4.38 miles @8:19/mi

I didn't start this one till after 2 PM for some reason (meetings?) - a wet and windy run on the Porterstown paths, with darkness already not far off.

Thu 17/12 - "5.07 miles @8:20/mi"

Weird start to this. Apparently Strava had a bit of a "moment" seconds after I set off. I remember running along the outside of Tír na nÓg, checking my pace to see 4:45 :eek: yet it felt really easy Must have accidentally changed it to kms, I'm thinking. Hence the 6:56 for Mile 1 on Strava is way off - the other miles were mostly in the 8:40s.

Fri 18/12 - Rest

Sat 19/12 - 3.12 miles @8:04/mi

Yo Ho Ho, It's Six In A Row

The old runners made a comeback this morning, for a trail run with a difficult enough climb at the end of it. Getting that run in the bag meant I felt less guilty about the amount I ate and drank later on, during, before and after the Dubs' glorious triumph over Mayo. It felt so strange though, due to, for example, (1) not being there, and (2) watching an All Ireland final being played in an empty Croke Park, with Christmas coming next week. Can they make it a "Magnificent Seven" in 2021 ? Here's hoping! Not forgetting Liverpool winning 7-0 in the early PL kickoff, to cement their top of the table position. I might add that I hadn't started drinking *that* early :pac:

Sun 20/12 - MSB Doyle Cup XC Handicap (6 Miles) - DNS

On Tuesday, we were offered a cancellation for a stay in a hotel down the country. With more and more restrictions set to be enforced earlier than anticipated (IMO, at the time of writing) taking up that offer turned out to be a good move. On the other hand, I had to reluctantly knock the race on the head. Too much risk involved in being "probably" over the limit driving back at such an early hour - had I tried it, knowing my luck I would have been stopped. Anyway, I would have needed a lot more than two minutes of a head start on the winner - our club secretary, a regular National Masters XC participant, who crossed the finish line with nobody else to be seen in the home straight.

Mon 21/12 - 4.00 miles @8:17/mi

More drinks last night, with Sunday's four in a row for the Dublin ladies footballers, as well as Celtic winning the quadruple treble (on penalties!) adding to my general good humour. On the shortest day of the year, it all left me feeling quite tired on the old Porterstown parkrun route, which was populated by quite a few dog walkers during my stint. Glad I wasn't trying any speedwork, that's for sure. On arriving back at base, I checked Strava to see 3.99 miles on the display. I seem to have picked up some running OCD from AMK over the years, as I ran up and down the path until I saw 4 appearing :pac:

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Well that's more or less it for 2020 I think. Like pretty much all of us I'd say, my running year can be split into before and after Covid restrictions being imposed. Luckily enough, I raced early and often in 2020, totting up eight race efforts over nine weekends (the ninth saw me run a Leap Year Day parkrun).

Highlights were breaking my 5 mile PB twice in the space of eight days, the second of which was a sub-33 in the Raheny 5, on a glorious sunny Sunday afternoon. February was all XC, starting with a course PB in the BHAA Garda XC in the Phoenix Park. I doubled my number of National Masters XC appearances the following Saturday, on the testing and extremely hilly Avondale course, while Storm Ciara raged around us. The Carlingford HM, on March 7, brought a better than expected outcome of 1:35, my second fastest HM time. At that stage, I'd set my heart on a sub-90 tilt at Ratoath in September.

Little did we know then how long we'd be in this void. Major kudos to everyone here who managed to set blistering times (some at unbelievable hours too!) without anyone to push them along. Try as I may, I just don't have the same grá or sense of HTFU when it comes to virtual racing. Even the Boards 5k TT in April was a bust, although starting at 6:40 AM is something I might revise if we're doing it again.
Christmas Day is going to feel strange without Waterstown parkrun, as I ran that one four years in a row from 2016-2019 inclusive, with numerous other past/present/active/inactive Boardsies - always a great occasion for festive cheer.

Hard to say with any certainty what 2021 will bring running wise. Can't see the aforementioned new XC runners getting an airing until closer to 2022, unfortunately. I haven't done anything with my Conn entry, but surely it's only a matter of time before that one gets cancelled or postponed. I'll keep the training going - being back running with people again will help with the motivation.
I really miss the races and parkruns. Getting those back on stream would help with the log too - to be honest, keeping this updated felt like a chore a lot of the last nine months, occasionally with basketball musings and Corona rants dominating at the expense of any training or racing related news. Sure I didn't even get a nomination for LOTY this time. 2021 can only be better

Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise oraibh uilig. Fan Slán. J.

coogy wrote: »

Happy New Year to you J. Glad to see I wasn't the only one who suffered from over-indulging!
Been largely absent around these parts for most of the year and I have a lot to catch up on but hoping to make my visits/log entries a bit more frequent.
Hope 2021 is good to you and yours!

Thanks K, same to you and yours! Lack of live racing hasn't slowed you down, that's for sure.

scotindublin wrote: »

Happy New Year J and always good to break through the 1000 mile mark. Sounds like a great Christmas you have had to yourself; plenty of over indulging in food and Brew Dogs aswell.....normal service will resume Monday.

Praying for a victory tomorrow and better 2021 all round; there is light at the end of the tunnel hopefully.

May even crank open the log again!

C

Thanks C, no luck on the above! Even under Tommy Burns we never lost to Rangers without them having a shot on target of their own :mad:

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New Year's Day - 3.68 miles @8:37/mi

Into my 10th year as a runner. Hope D doesn't mind me stealing that one :pac:

I knew this would be tricky, when even walking across the car park to the grass I nearly went up in the air. Hence, I almost tiptoed over to the Hole In The Wall and down the North Road past Garda HQ and the zoo. Still had a couple of near misses. I saw a cyclist's bike slide out from under her outside the People's Park - conditions weren't just treacherous on the paths. I had intended a longer run than this, but instead of running up Khyber Road and going around the Furze - OS Road - Chesterfield triangle (as per original plan) I ran up the hill from the bottom of the Khyber which is part of the BHAA Garda XC route, and back to the car park from there. Lovely sunny morning this time, with PP only getting busier as I was heading home.

Sat 2/1 - 4.17 miles @8:41/mi

I would have gone out earlier, but for another day of frosty paths. As mentioned above, watching Celtic wave cheerio to 10 in a row had me in a foul mood heading out. Up to Porterstown where, although the frost had cleared from the paths, the place was plódaithe with famblies, walkers, and dogs. Hence after less than one lap I decided to shuffle around the grass track instead. Bit more space there, although one or two still insisted on coming into the infield.

Sun 3/1 - 4.14 miles @8:30/mi

The Porterstown Panthers have lots of little running related challenges to help them through the latest lockdown, and having seen one of the lads put his county colours up on Strava, I decided to follow suit. With it being nearly a year since I attended any GAA match, this was a good excuse to give the Dubs top an airing
Back to Porterstown, in the afternoon again, but this time doing three different loops, each one smaller than the previous. I stayed on the grass for the most part, as I reckoned the nice crunchy underfoot conditions would be more secure than the paths.

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In other news, as mentioned on The Black Oil's log, I have deferred my Connemara HM entry to 2022. I just can't see it getting the go ahead in April, what with large numbers of overseas entrants, as well as buses transporting runners to the start and from the finish of the various races. Besides, this time next year I should hopefully be a lot fitter and healthier, with plenty of strong racing performances behind me, in order to help build the confidence in advance of starting the training plan. At this time, I don't have any of that. In the meantime, I'm running on my own again, after one day back in the MSB training pack. Hopefully it won't be too long before that changes. Thanks for reading. J.

Mon 4/1 - 5.29 miles @8:30/mi

I left this one till after work. Started out heading around the Carpenterstown loop, then towards the end of my second lap I took a detour to M50 Park. There are a few spotlights along the wooden fencing which separates it from the motorway, one of which comes on when someone's in the vicinity. Quiet enough there, and cold too, with some hailstones to help keep me switched on through an otherwise run of the mill stint.

Tue 5/1 - Rest

Wed 6/1 and Thu 7/1 - No running

Not what I originally intended, but motivation was quite low for a lot of this week I'm afraid.

Fri 8/1 - 4.12 miles @8:47/mi

The last few days had seen very icy paths, so pre work running wasn't really an option. After a decent sized lunchtime feed, I went to Porterstown for some laps around the Doyle Cup XC course. The grass was crunchy for a lot of the lap. It kept me out of the way of walkers and dogs, although post lunch running rarely works for me. Today was no exception - bit of a struggle on a nearly full stomach :pac:

Sat 9/1 - No running

I had planned to get a few miles in, but it was a bit of a mad day, so nothing happened.

Sun 10/1 - 10.81 miles @8:29/mi

I hadn't left the house since the aforementioned Porterstown run on Friday, so today's outing was badly needed. Starting from the Papal Cross, down the Acres Road into a chilly breeze to Chapelizod Gate, and right towards the Furry Glen. Continued around the loop, with a lot of grass running to avoid famblies and dog walkers - very busy all the way around. Near the bottom of Military Hill, I was passing this couple, when their dog (on a long lead) runs into the road to try and get to me. "What are you doing?" says she to the dog. "What are YOU doing!" I'm thinking. I love dogs, but so many dog owners are too ignorant, stupid or both to be allowed out in public with them :rolleyes:

Anyway. I completed the loop, and then turned up Acres Road. A large herd of deer very near the path, and looking like they're about to take off, with a load of morons in close proximity. Rewind an hour or so. As I'm warming up on the grass, this fambly are emerging from their car. Little boy goes "I want to see the deer". At least, that's what I hope he said! It's amazing how many people see nothing wrong with giving whatever junk they can get their hands on to these animals. Back to the Acres triangle, and I'm mainly on the grass here, just on the edge of the cutting - very windy heading back from the Magazine Fort to Acres Road. To finish, I turned left at the Fort, followed the BHAA XC course back to Khyber Road, and across to the car park from there. Very slippy on the drop down from the trees, which explains the serious dip in "pace" near the end. Delighted to get out today - a nice finish to the week. Thanks for reading. J.

Mon 11/1 - 4.87 miles @8:33/mi

Standard D15 loop via Laurel Lodge and Roselawn, over Dr Troy (Porterstown) Bridge on the way back.

Tue 12/1 - Rest

Wed 13/1 - 4.76 miles @8:30/mi

Same as Monday, until I went straight past the Roselawn shops instead of turning left up Delwood Road. Back through Woodview, and over the railway line at the level crossing this time.

Thu 14/1 - 7.53 miles @8:16/mi

I wasn't going to bother with this one hour January challenge jobbie, but after this I might reconsider. Over Dr Troy Bridge to Power City, right around the fish shaped loop that goes over the N3, past the National Sports Campus up to Ballycoolin, and back down the far side of Corduff and Blanchardstown SC. Not a busy route really, especially after I cleared the entrance to the "West End" shops. 1:02 on the clock overall

Fri 15/1 - Rest

Sat 16/1 - 4.12 miles @8:23/mi

My wife wanted to go for a walk in PP this sunny and dry but windy morning, so we went for a stroll around the Acres triangle together. I was well wrapped up against the elements - coat, scarf, beanie and all. So much so that when scotindublin passed on his warmup, he barely recognised me with all my layers on :pac:

Later I got out for my own run. I decided not to go back to PP this time, instead turning left at Castleknock College, left again at Myo's, and through Laurel Lodge back to base.

Sun 17/1 - 6.25 miles @8:12/mi

Back running in PP again. I parked the car at the Hole In The Wall, which led to a cold and windy start heading up North Road past Ashtown Gate. Shortly after this I passed C again. He had no problem picking me out in more familiar attire Plenty of runners out today - I passed several clubmates on my lap, as well as some others that I'd know. Always good when that happens, especially as I'm back to running solo until further notice.

St Brendan's AC Virtual 5k / Waterstown (not)parkrun

The real boss wanted to walk in Waterstown, so less than an hour and a half after completing my PP lap, I lined up at the Waterstown parkrun start, while she went for a stroll. I hadn't been there since the beginnings of lockdown, so it was nice to be back, even though it was a lot busier than during my early morning March/April stints.
Especially with over six miles in the bag already, there was no way I was going to attempt anything close to race pace. Having said that, the hills back up from the Liffey, as well as the "gentle incline", still required a bit of effort. Having seen Nop's run on Strava, it then occurred to me that diego_b of this parish had tagged me in relation to his club's virtual 5k, so I decided to use this for my entry. Like I say, the time (23:42) was pretty much irrelevant.

This was my first double in nearly five years. The last time was when I set my 5k PB at Porterstown parkrun, and then two hours later ran the IKA 5k, way back in May 2016. Before that, I vaguely recall doing a few doubles while training for DCM 2014. Not something I plan to do regularly, but today it was kind of nice to try it without any pressure. Just under 10 miles for the day, 31 for the week. Next week I'll go back to my "usual" five days a week, and maybe if it goes well I'll try a session on Saturday. Thanks for reading. J.

scotindublin wrote: »

Still laughing about pretty much walking past you yesterday.....its funny how our brains are locked into the fellow runners wearing running gear and just gets confused when in Civvies!!

A Pool win on the way later hopefully.

Yeah I'd probably have been the same if the roles were reversed....many's a time I've got a shout out in a race and not had a clue who it was :pac:

As for the Reds....unbelievably frustrating to watch these days, hard to believe they won the league just 7 months ago!

Murph_D wrote: »

Every time I run in Castleknock I get lost. Those places you mention all sound familiar but in a very vague, unconnected kind of way.

Not a bad run in Waterstown at all - anything under 25 mins on that course is a decent workout. Good man.

:pac: You're not the first to get lost out that direction, and you won't be the last. I think especially if you're off the DCM course, a lot of the roads kind of blend into each other, particularly for non-natives/non-residents.

As for Waterstown, I'm happy with that looking back. I wasn't aiming for a time at all, but I got a couple of nice pickups when not climbing hills or negotiating human/animal traffic.
Interestingly enough, this (not)parkrun registered on Porterstown for me, as that's my home PR. Faster than anyone in either (not)parkrun last week - the speedy lads and lassies tend not to bother

diego_b wrote: »

I hadn't clocked you did a double yesterday till reading your log now. Fairplay and thanks for supporting the run!

No hassle D, glad to help out Nice to see you're working your way back to fitness and form. Keep it up.

A running week of two halves, you might say....

Mon 25/1 - Wed 27/1 - Nothing

Monday was a rest day anyway, but Tuesday and Wednesday I just didn't have the motivation to get out. Bleedin sick of this now, I really am.

Thu 28/1 - 7.04 miles @8:35/mi

After last week's ridiculously bad attempt at the one hour challenge, today it was time for a rematch. Same course, same distance, although this time I decided I'd get it done before work. This called for what I thought was slow pace. Consistent if nothing else, with 3 and 4 being practically identical. I knew I was a lot closer than last week, and had I not eased down in the last stretch (thinking I was ahead) I'd have been a lot less than 24 seconds out (1:00:24). Mildly amused to discover that my birthday buddy Murph_D had submitted the same time, although he later went back out and improved on it. So much so that doubts were cast on the veracity of both his time and mine!
Elsewhere, I got home from my first visit to the office in over five months, to discover that I passed my Irish course, just missing out on my third Distinction. Later still, the Reds put Spurs to the sword, to hopefully reignite their title defence (this was written before the West Ham game). A good day's work, with a few beers to finish off

Fri 29/1 - 4.76 miles @8:48/mi

Back to more run of the mill stuff, on a loop through Laurel Lodge and Roselawn, back via Coolmine and Porterstown bridge. Surprised that nobody spotted the Bottom reference on Strava. Surely I'm not the only one here to have recognised the comic talents of Ade Edmondson and the late Rik Mayall

Sat 30/1 - 2.87 miles @9:14/mi

I skipped the prescribed club session, instead tipping around to Tír na nÓg on a brutal, dark, and extremely wet morning, straight into the gale on the long side of the triangle. Quite a few lakes around the half mile stretch too. This all meant that the only people I encountered in the course of five laps, were two walkers, and the park ranger collecting the rubbish. I still managed another dog encounter, as one of the two I met ran towards and after me. The owner was grand though. I stopped so the dog might settle, but when she wouldn't even go to him, he went off in a different direction. When I saw them again shortly afterwards, he'd managed to get her on the lead Five sets of strides to get the legs turning over quicker in advance of the next task.

Sun 31/1 - Virtual Raheny 5 Mile

I'd spent a lot of time deliberating about whether to run this in Raheny (for extra authenticity) or just go to the Phoenix Park and run 5 miles there. In the end, I'm pleased to say I went with the former, although I had to abandon my planned 3 PM start time (so not *that* authentic), as the car wasn't available.

I parked near the start/finish, in conditions which were again dark and wet, but not near as bad as yesterday. A spin around the 1 mile Wade's Avenue loop, with a bit added on before and after, had me feeling better prepared. To be honest, I didn't think too much about targets, although I thought that beating my 37:08 virtual 5 mile from nearly six months ago (in the PP) might be nice.

1

I decided to run around the old course, which I ran "live" from 2013-2015 inclusive. It felt strange heading out from at or near the start with nobody around, but here we are. I'd a bit more pace in me than I thought in the early stages, round the first couple of corners with St Anne's Park on the right, and then left towards Raheny village. Couple of little drags up here, and left onto the Howth Road. 6:58.

2

I used to dread the long Howth Road section, but running on the paths meant that I had a lot of tree cover to reduce the impact of the breeze on this occasion. Oddly enough, it didn't feel so long this morning, although the respite on turning downhill onto Sybil Hill Road was still warmly welcomed. I had to slow down a few times due to walkers around the main park entrance. 7:00.

3

Cards on the table time. I know that this morning I'm running at a pace which I'm not going to be able to sustain for another three miles. It's not that often I recognise these things, let alone do anything about them, but it worked out this time. Certainly the drag back up towards the Clontarf GAA dressing rooms at the bend towards Dollymount felt a lot better as a result. 7:20.

4

Past the entrance near the Red Stables and downhill to the seafront. I'd read some accounts on Strava from people who'd really struggled along here yesterday. Thankfully, today the breeze was in my favour, as I headed alongside the southeastern corner of St Anne's, with the sea on my right. Left at the lights and the "Easter Island" sculpture, starting up another hill I used to dread. 7:18.

5

Continuing up the hill, I'm still fairly in control, as the hardest thing I've to do along here is negotiate several walkers shortly before the turn back onto All Saints Road. Only a few more minutes. Check the Strava and I'm not doing too bad. Give it a little bit more along here. Back to the little park, right (on the paths this time ) right and right for the last time, into the start/finish straight. I'm not tempted to try a sprint finish About 50 yards ahead of me, a couple cross the "finish line" with someone else recording them. No celebrations from me today - few seconds stop to get my breath, quick well dones and back to the car :pac: 7:15 for the last mile.

35:52 is actually faster than any of my three efforts on the original? course fadó fadó (best was 36:06 in 2013). Not that I was thinking of that at all as I made my way around. I was more mindful that I'd made a total fubar of my last 5 mile "race", which ended with a last mile of 8:12, so this one was a much more controlled effort. I got home and celebrated with a Raheny esque goodie bag once I'd showered. Nice to be able to do it :pac:

February should hopefully mean being a bit fitter, with some more interval sessions under my belt, as well as the 10k challenge, which will probably be a lot closer to the end of the month than the beginning. Thanks for reading. J.

Mon 1/2 - Rest

Tue 2/2 - 6.41 miles @8:51/mi

On Groundhog Day, I decided to pick one of the most boring local routes I know, if not the most commonly used - Carpenterstown loops would have been a bit much today. Hence, I ran out through Clonsilla to Ongar, and back along nearly two miles of virtually dead straight road to the Power City roundabout. At least the sun was up by then.

Wed 3/2 - 4.81 miles @8:32/mi

Slightly later start today, on a sunnier day than yesterday. A run of the mill spin was brightened up further for a few minutes, as I caught up to a clubmate and we ran together for a bit. It's very seldom I run with anyone these days, even randomly, and I hadn't actually spoken to her in over a year, so it was nice to catch up.

Thu 4/2 - 4.84 miles @8:33/mi

A reverse (clockwise) direction run around one of my regular loops. Unusually (at least as far as the last 11 months go) I ran after work. The days are long enough now that there was still some light as I set off. It got dark soon enough though. On Roselawn Road (between Tesco and Castleknock train station) I saw a lad up ahead doing this mad looking power walk, with the widest swinging arms I ever did see. I gave him a very wide berth (actually went onto the road!) just to be sure I didn't catch a stray swinging arm :rolleyes:
The rest of the run was an uneventful trundle home, through the deepening darkness descending on D15.

Fri 5/2 - Rest

Sat 6/2 - 8.52 miles @9:28/mi

Drinking and playing "Pandemic Poker" till after 1 AM wasn't really textbook preparation for the club session, but you know....YOLO :pac: Nice to do something else!

After a 2 mile or so warmup followed by stretches and strides, I was "ready" for the first part. This was six of the "long hills" from the session of a couple of weeks ago, with recovery being the jog back down - although I waited a few more seconds on some of these, to reduce the possibility of running into people and/or dogs. As far as I was concerned, the main thing was just to get these done at some kind of consistent pace. Certainly none of the CSH gang running in Porterstown would have been quaking in their boots watching me
The recovery before the second part of the session was stated as 5 minutes - I shuffled around the western half of the parkrun lap for this. Nice to catch up with John Todd along the way. Quick breather back at the parkrun start line, and then it was time for 3 x 1k (400m rec). Bit of dodging around at times, but again, I tried to keep it at some kind of consistent pace overall. There were three clubmates doing the session, who had started after me. As I was coming around to the last hill to finish off, they had about a fifteen second head start on me, on the last of their six hills above. Normally, I'd expect to make up a fair bit of ground on all of them. But although I was catching M, K and J were leaving me for dust, especially on the last drag between the MSB cabins and the parkrun start. Serves me right for drinking wha' :pac: Anyhow, glad I made the effort to get out and do it. It would have been easy enough not to.

Sun 7/2 - 11.80 miles @8:33/mi

An alcohol free Saturday night left me in better shape for this morning's run, although sleep wasn't great. Nice to chat to Kenny as I was warming up at Castleknock Gate - another clubmate who I hadn't seen or spoken to in quite some time. I opened up with "Eugene's Lap" - windy and cold two miles plus downhill to Wellington Road, and back towards Áras an Uachtaráin via the Khyber. Wind behind me as I turned back to Castleknock Gate. Turned around at the Slí na Sláinte pole, and off again for an anticlockwise lap of the Park. Passed my predecessor as club captain for the second time, near Knockmaroon Gate - unusual for the wind to be behind me here. The S bends were particularly tough going - uphill into the wind, with a few hailstones tossed into the mix. On the flipside, Military Hill brought about a bit of relief before the last climb of the day, back up Wellington Road. Unless you count the short drag from People's Park to the zoo/Garda HQ (sorry AMK, that's not a hill ) I upped the pace near the end, taking advantage of a rare instance of the wind being behind me heading up the North Road. Great to see so many runners out, and also the weather seemed to have deterred some of the usual gaggle of famblies and coffee tourists flooding the place in recent months.
36.3 miles for the week, my highest of 2021. With snow forecast for next week (Tuesday?) it's unlikely that I'll be running much if that comes to pass. The February challenge will probably have to wait so Thanks for reading. J.

Mon 8/2 - Rest

Tue 9/2 - 5.54 miles @8:45/mi

The blizzards didn't land in D15, but there was enough cover to deter me from a morning or afternoon stint. I still had enough light after work to get a lap of Porterstown Park in, before crossing the bridge and coming back through Coolmine, diverting to M50 Park for one lap near the end.

Wed 10/2 - 4.78 miles @8:37/mi

Another snowy sprinkle overnight, but thankfully it was short lived. I wasn't really in the humour by the time I'd finished work, but got one of the standard loops done anyway.

Thu 11/2 - 6.31 miles @8:35/mi

Out after work for the third night in a row. Started off with a very regular two mile spin to the end of Laurel Lodge, but then I headed for Castleknock to run a rare loop of sorts, via Auburn Avenue, the tennis club, and Beechpark Avenue. Longer than I thought, and very windy. I might also mention how quiet it was on occasion along Castleknock Road - normally quite busy at 6:15, but now sometimes spookily quiet.

Fri 12/2 - 4.02 miles @8:36/mi

With clear paths and improved energy levels, I finally got back to running early again. Up to Porterstown for a few easyish laps. As I was approaching the house, I realised I hadn't quite covered 4 miles, so I ran a few yards past and then turned back. I'd passed a neighbour walking her dog just before I did this. She's a runner herself, so she knows about runner's OCD :pac: Most other people would have thought I was nuts

Sat 13/2 - 11.80 miles @8:26/mi

I decided to bring my LR forward a day, which meant no club session or February challenge attempt this weekend. Wife dropped me to Castleknock Gate, the same place where I started last week's LR, but the route would be a bit different. This time I started with an anticlockwise lap of the park, which I completed over a minute and a half quicker than last week, overall feeling fairly comfortable in doing so. However, last Sunday I had an extra 5 miles in the bag before I started the lap. Very windy again on the hilly side, which meant that coming out of the Furry Glen, the S bends, and Wellington Road were the hard bits. On completing the loop, I turned left down Chesterfield and back into the gale, to run the Tom Brennan triangle (felt like the wind was turned off on the Furze) before leaving PP via Castleknock Gate.
Once I got through Castleknock village, I eased off the gas, while there were also a few stoppages due to traffic junctions and walkers. Up to Blanchardstown village for a change, and home from there via Roselawn and Coolmine.
I wasn't sure of the distance, which made it all the more surprising when I found that I'd run the same distance as last Sunday, albeit a little bit quicker. Overall I didn't feel like I was working as hard as I was that day, which might be a positive in relation to fitness.

Sun 14/2 - Rest

Onwards to week 3 of February. I have a hill picked out, but not sure yet when I'll get to taking this one on. Thanks for reading. J.

Sun 21/2 - Thu 25/2 - No running

A combination of giving my leg time to heal, and having little motivation to get out running anyway.
I hadn't mentioned it here, but towards the end of last year, I was asked back to help out with the hurlers again. Unfortunately, it seems like the return of "Stat Attack" is "several" months away yet. On Monday night, we had a Zoom call which included most of the management and 15-20 players. Nice to catch up for a while, as I hadn't seen most of them in over two years, and in the case of the youngest players, never before! Something else I really miss.

Fri 26/2 - 3.04 miles @9:02/mi

Back into it, for a nice easy pace shuffle around Tír na nÓg, with some strides thrown in. I took a slight detour on the way home, to ensure I was just over rather than just under the three miles.

Sat 27/2 - Porterstown (not)parkrun

Big dinner and drinks, and a lateish poker night, wasn't great prep for any serious attempt at a fast time. Even so, after a 1.5 mile warmup and stretches, I set off at around 21 min 5k pace. I ran the Porterstown parkrun on my birthday in 2016, in 21:22, a course PB at the time. I felt the hamstring getting tight at the car park, so I scrubbed that one and walked back to the start, for a slower paced attempt. Fairly comfortable at just over 8 min/mi pace for the second attempt, although the number of walkers and dogs had significantly increased - serious amounts of bobbing and weaving going on. Anyway, I reached the car park on the last lap, and just as I turned - POP! B'stard! I felt that!

The rest of it was a half run half walk around to the parkrun finish (26:01). Painful, but at least I didn't have to go up any hills. For a minute I was thinking of ringing my wife to come and get me. Thankfully that course of action wasn't required Few moments to settle down, and then a slow walk back through the estates. Not the perfect way to start my birthday, but there will still be more eating and drinking later to mark the occasion

So no February challenge for me. Hope nobody's too upset over that one. I'm hoping I'll have recovered sufficiently to run the MSB virtual 5k (March 13-21) at faster than what TbL would call NHS pace. Hard to know at this stage. In the meantime, I might put the log into cold storage, as walks aren't really worth reporting on here, to be fair. Right, where's the birthday beers ? :pac: Thanks for reading. J.

You're grand C, no hassle I laughed when I saw that, you were of course factually correct in your statement. Great to see you back in Stravaland
Yes, more beer and another Zoom call (parkrun this time) on the menu tonight :pac: