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Road to sub 3:25 and beyond... ?!

  • 13-05-2021 5:44pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭


    Hi all

    Long time lurker and beginning to get more active on the running forum again.

    Was quite active here with others as part of the DCM Novices thread in 2019, and followed a basic plan that got me over the line in 4:13:xx . My initial aim was to get under the 4:30 mark so was delighted.

    A couple of months of fluttering around with maintenance runs - 5km/10kms here and there, I signed up in early 2020 for Galway Marathon in October 2020.

    In May 2020 I got myself a coach to get myself set up for the sub 4hr journey. Galway got cancelled so did a virtual and ran 3:35, then the Dublin virtual 3 weeks later in 3:31!

    Between now and then, I've PB's ​in all distances, but the marathon is my favourite by far.

    Galway was due to be on last Saturday, 8th of May but it was postponed til October again! I ran my own marathon anyway, after continuing the training and came in at 3:28:41. Delighted !

    My goals at the moment is to get back into a 16 week marathon plan in June for the Galway marathon on the 3rd October this year (fingers crossed! If it doesn't go ahead I'll do a virtual/look for another marathon around that time to aim for a sub 3:25

    Hoping to get a few TTs in training sessions also. Few other aims this year:

    Sub 90 HM - Current 90:xx
    Sub 40 10km - current 41:00
    Sub 19 5km - current 19:11

    Hit the sub 70 10M already and that was part of my goal so I'm quite happy with that. Might give it another bash during a HM TT.

    Only getting around to joining the local athletic club this week too - will be nice to get to run with others as 95% of my runs are solo.

    I would love to connect on Strava with ye lot here, don't be shy please :)

    https://www.strava.com/athletes/15324146

    Making this log to be more accountable for training and hopefully link up with some boardsies in the future! Currently doing maintenance and recovering from the weekends marathon, planning on keeping this updated at the end of every week :)


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    Welcome to the logs, you inhabit a part of Ireland I know very well. Best of luck with the goals.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    OOnegative wrote: »
    Welcome to the logs, you inhabit a part of Ireland I know very well. Best of luck with the goals.

    Thanks very much :) Really lucky to have really nice routes fairly close by!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    rizzee wrote: »
    Thanks very much :) Really lucky to have really nice routes fairly close by!

    You have arguably the fastest 10k route in Ireland on your doorstep!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    OOnegative wrote: »
    You have arguably the fastest 10k route in Ireland on your doorstep!!

    No excuses for a sub 40 so :D
    The local race in 2019 (after an all night session!) , DCM 19 and X2 5km staff relay races are all I've done.

    Everything else is virtual/TTs. Madness!!

    I believe this year's local 10km race will be virtual. I will have to ask the coach can I give the 10km TT a blast on the day if it doesn't interfere with training - we will see!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    Yeah the Braveheart in Trim(my club) is virtual to, shame to see great Meath races going virtual again but hopefully 2022 will be all guns blazing. Your coach is a great man.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    OOnegative wrote: »
    Yeah the Braveheart in Trim(my club) is virtual to, shame to see great Meath races going virtual again but hopefully 2022 will be all guns blazing. Your coach is a great man.

    Ah, didn't realise you knew him. He's a top bloke (maybe I'm a little biased haha). The Trim 10M is a very popular race!


    I only really caught the running bug proper within the last year or so, DCM19 being a marathon as a "life" goal. Now with races open towards the end of this year and into next year I'm really looking forward to it - in particular the travelling aspect, it's like the journey has only started :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,208 ✭✭✭shotgunmcos


    Welcome to logs! Well done on your recent marathon :) Good mileage done so far this year and some good numbers to improve. Great that you see it as a journey and will be interested to see how you go.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Welcome to logs! Well done on your recent marathon :) Good mileage done so far this year and some good numbers to improve. Great that you see it as a journey and will be interested to see how you go.

    Thanks a million!! Appreciate it :) Good to connect on Strava too! Let's see how it goes :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭Laineyfrecks


    Best of luck with your log & your goals! You have made great improvements with your consistent training. Hopefully you will get to run a real marathon this year :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Best of luck with your log & your goals! You have made great improvements with your consistent training. Hopefully you will get to run a real marathon this year :)

    Thanks E! Fingers crossed :D Have you any races planned yourself?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,632 ✭✭✭token56


    Welcome and best of luck! Judging by your times in Strava I think we are at a very similar level for the shorter distances. I look forward to seeing your progress in the marathon :).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    token56 wrote: »
    Welcome and best of luck! Judging by your times in Strava I think we are at a very similar level for the shorter distances. I look forward to seeing your progress in the marathon :).

    Thanks for message & connection :) I need to join you in the sub 19 club! :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,476 ✭✭✭Comic Book Guy


    Welcome to the thread and Happy Logging!

    PS. I think ya need to adjust your thread title! You'll easily go sub 3:25 in an actual race after doing a 3:28 as a solo effort.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Welcome to the thread and Happy Logging!

    PS. I think ya need to adjust your thread title! You'll easily go sub 3:25 in an actual race after doing a 3:28 as a solo effort.

    Thanks CBG - Fingers crossed!! I forget what a race is at this stage, will be great to soak up the atmosphere and get that extra push on the day!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭Laineyfrecks


    rizzee wrote: »
    Thanks E! Fingers crossed :D Have you any races planned yourself?

    Yeah I have DCM deferred from last year so really hoping that gets the go ahead, Manchester booked incase it doesn't! Also have the Antrim half booked in August, can't wait to race again!

    Doing a TT next weekend hoping to finally go sub 20!! We'll see how that goes :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Yeah I have DCM deferred from last year so really hoping that gets the go ahead, Manchester booked incase it doesn't! Also have the Antrim half booked in August, can't wait to race again!

    Doing a TT next weekend hoping to finally go sub 20!! We'll see how that goes :D

    Ah that's brilliant!! I'm sure you'll smash it! I've kept an eye on your new training programme too, very interesting :)

    Get the carbon plates on - no bother to you, it's not cheating, honest!!! :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,807 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    Best of luck with it all. As CBG said you are probably being a bit conservative with your targets but just consider them as stepping stones. There is plenty of evidence on these logs to show what consistent training and a good attitude can do for all ye young lads ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    skyblue46 wrote: »
    Best of luck with it all. As CBG said you are probably being a bit conservative with your targets but just consider them as stepping stones. There is plenty of evidence on these logs to show what consistent training and a good attitude can do for all ye young lads ;)

    That's it exactly! Take it one step at a time - focus on getting the training in and the results will follow :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 735 ✭✭✭Treviso


    Good to see you logging. The novices from DCM2019 have kept me up to date on your progress over the last couple of years. We've all been impressed with the rapid improvement


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Treviso wrote: »
    Good to see you logging. The novices from DCM2019 have kept me up to date on your progress over the last couple of years. We've all been impressed with the rapid improvement

    Thanks T - managed to find you on Strava earlier! Reading your Q&A thread at the moment.

    I still have to find logs from the folks from DCM19 here, hopefully they are still around, a great bunch of people here full of support in the Novice thread back then :D

    Will give a mini update on this week tomorrow/Sunday (rest day) then get back into a couple of sessions from Monday.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Just a quick update from this week:

    Did a couple of easy walks early in the week to get back into the swing of things after last weekend marathon.

    Wore calf sleeves during the week too, made a huge difference. Definitely one to remember when recovering from long runs. Stocked up on the supplements from H&B to get me through the next phase of training too.

    Wednesday - 4km easy loosener + 6km walk

    Thursday - 5km moderate AVG 4:24/km

    Friday - 6km : 3km <4:30/km pace & 3km @ <5:00/km pace

    Saturday - 10km easy 50mins

    Felt really good to get back it. Looking forward to building it back up in the last 2 weeks of May before the 16/17 week marathon block training begins (might even be an 18 week block if the coach gets me started the last week of the month)

    Oh, another question I've been asked - my Strava Activities names and they're meaning:

    e.g yesterday run was #107(12.9)

    #107 - 107th run of the year

    12 - My 12th month with the coach

    .XX The session number I am on within the current month.

    May seem complicated but it's just a little routine I'm in the last year now so I don't think it's going to change! Handy for keeping count too.

    I only work in KMs too so that may annoy some of ye! :D:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Quick update on this week

    Monday
    8km @ avg 4:35/km

    Tuesday
    8km @ avg 4:40/km

    Wednesday
    Rest / 2 x walks (10km) & quick S&C session

    Thursday
    10km @ avg 4:55/km

    Friday
    6km @ avg 4:50/km & physio loosener

    Saturday
    10km @ avg 5:05/km

    Weekly total
    42km

    Looking forward to increasing this, probably 50-60 km next week and getting back to sessions in addition to easy runs.

    Also bought a pair of Endorphin Speeds so looking forward to giving them a blast when they arrive!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,476 ✭✭✭Comic Book Guy


    Where did ya buy the speeds out of interest? They are on my wish list!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Where did ya buy the speeds out of interest? They are on my wish list!

    It was actually an impulse buy on Adverts, saw them in my size while browsing and got them for €85 including delivery, so saving roughly €100 from the RRP! I've heard nothing but positive reviews from them so really looking forward to getting out and seeing what the fuss is :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,476 ✭✭✭Comic Book Guy


    rizzee wrote: »
    It was actually an impulse buy on Adverts, saw them in my size while browsing and got them for €85 including delivery, so saving roughly €100 from the RRP! I've heard nothing but positive reviews from them so really looking forward to getting out and seeing what the fuss is :D

    85 quid :eek:

    Haven't been on adverts in ages as I usually end up down some kind of wormhole that has no relation to my original search but must check it out!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Decent week increasing the mileage gradually.

    Monday
    5km @ <4:50/km
    10 x 100m sprints
    3.5km Walk

    Tuesday
    5km @ <4:35km & 5km easy

    Wednesday
    3km WU
    5KM Progressive run (4:27 to 4:04 range)
    2km CD

    First run in the Endo Speeds. Really nice shoe!

    Thursday
    10km easy (49mins avg 4:50ish/km)

    First club run. Nice to run in a group for a change and put a few names to faces with local people i've connected with on Strava over the last year or so!

    Friday
    Short S&C Sesh

    Saturday
    15km - Mixed Paces - avg 4:38

    3rd fastest 15km according to Strava (1:08:xx) - 10 mile PB is 1:09:xx so based off this session and how comfortable I was, I reckon I could beat this at current form.


    New plan starting today - Just under 18 weeks to Galway Marathon October 2nd (fingers crossed 3rd time lucky it'll happen!!) - otherwise it's another Virtual. Woo :D

    Weekly Total : 54km


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Monday 1st June
    3km WU
    6 x 10s Sprints (60s Walk off)
    3km CD

    Tuesday
    3km WU
    15 x 200m (<4:00/km pace / 60s walk off)

    Wednesday
    10km Recovery run @ average 5:15/km pace.

    Meant to be 5:30-5:45/km pace, not used to holding back so much, really messes with the rhythm but I'll learn to hold back as these are important runs to do too. Wednesdays will be recovery 10s for the month of June.


    Thursday
    3km WU
    6km @ <4:50/km pace
    3km CD


    Friday
    Short S&C Sesh

    Saturday
    10M easy avg 4:59/km (1:20:xx)



    Weekly Total: 53km


    Only increasing 2-5 km a week in June but it's nice to have a mix of different sessions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,485 ✭✭✭✭Murph_D


    Hi there - interesting log, promising progress since 2019, kudos for that.

    Agree with the others that 3:25 seems like a low bar for someone running your kind of times over the 5k-HM distances.

    3:25 marathon pace is something like 4:50/k but you seem to be doing a lot of running at that pace, which you describe as ‘easy’, which looks a bit contradictory (if MP is easy you’re doing it wrong). :)

    What’s the coaching philosophy, as a matter of interest - or does the coach have a different target in mind?

    Best of luck with all this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Murph_D wrote: »
    Hi there - interesting log, promising progress since 2019, kudos for that.

    Agree with the others that 3:25 seems like a low bar for someone running your kind of times over the 5k-HM distances.

    3:25 marathon pace is something like 4:50/k but you seem to be doing a lot of running at that pace, which you describe as ‘easy’, which looks a bit contradictory (if MP is easy you’re doing it wrong). :)

    What’s the coaching philosophy, as a matter of interest - or does the coach have a different target in mind?

    Best of luck with all this.


    Thanks a mil!

    Completely agree with you regarding the easy runs and how I'm contradicting myself with them. Easy runs should be run at an easy pace!! I have to learn to hold back more.

    He agrees the 3:25 more than achievable - I'm going to push for sub 3:20 anyway in October. It will be a completely different experience if there's an actual race on :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Hectic week in work hence the late update.


    Monday 7th June
    3km WU
    6 x 10s Sprints (60s Walk-off)
    3km CD

    Tuesday
    12km @5min/km pace

    Wednesday
    10km Recovery run @ average 5:21/km pace.
    Short S&C Session


    Thursday
    3km WU
    6km @ <4:50/km pace
    3km CD


    Saturday
    17km avg 5:00/km pace



    Weekly Total: 58km


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Monday 14th June

    3km Wu
    6 x 10-20s sprints
    3km Cd


    Tuesday

    Plan:
    - 3km Wu
    - 4(800 ,400, 200m @&lt;4min/km pace) w/ 75s off each and 3 Min between sets
    - CD

    Managed the Wu and 1 set - I think I went far too quick and ended up with a niggle around the ankle/calf area. Walked home to be safe.



    Wednesday

    Calf strap on and felt much better after a good night sleep.

    10km - 53:xx


    Thursday

    3.5kmish WU
    10km 48:xx
    1.5km-ish CD

    Club run this evening, stayed in with the middle group.



    Saturday

    19 x 1km laps at a fairly steady 4:55-5:10ish throughout. Leg felt good, no issues

    59.5km for the week


    So the leg is at me after today's run, called it quits early with a niggle. Looking to get into physio this week just for a service - it'll probably be walks, S&C , stretches or maybe a very very light jog depending how I am. The main thing is to not let it get worse.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Finally able to post after the Boards update!


    Bit of a mad couple of weeks week an injury and holidays but here's how it went!:



    ******************


    Monday 21st June


    2.9km - Calf niggle came up during the warm-up so left the session


    Tuesday


    20mins short S&C

    6.5km walk


    Thursday


    5km @ 5:10/km avg


    Friday


    6km @ 5min pace

    2km walk


    Saturday


    40km Cycle


    Sunday


    5.25km @ 5:05/km avg


    Milage and intensity kept low this week due to the niggle. Physio booked in for the next week


    ******************


    Monday 28th June


    Physio session: slight damage on the tendon near the tibia. 

    No speed sessions for 1+ week - take it easy & play it by ear. Run when comfortable & report back.


    Wednesday


    5km (Grass) @ 4:49/km avg

    1.5km walk/swim


    Friday


    25mins S&C

    4km walk


    Saturday


    10km @ 5:10/km avg- starting to feel back to normal but with redcued fitness levels. Was very humid and had a jacket on, stupid decision.



    ******************



    Monday 5th July - Holiday week Mon - Fri


    3km WU

    6 x 10s Hill Sprints, walk down recovery

    3km CD


    Nice to have a session away in a new spot - down in Valentia Island, Kenmare & Youghal for the week.


    Tuesday


    3km wu

    5 x 100m on/off

    3km cd


    Wednesday


    6.3km @ 4:44/km avg



    Thursday


    Missed Thursday's session as I was traveling but managed over 10km walking.


    Friday


    6km @ 4:44/km avg. Legs feeling good.

    6 hours driving today in total!


    Saturday 10th July


    Was aiming to get out for a 22/23km easy run.


    Struggled from the start, with really heavy breathing and rhythm all over the place. Got sick just after 4km so I called it. Did some light 200m on/off on the way back - A bit too much food and drink on the holidays during the week I think



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    1 month since an update - partially due to Boards sh!tting itself!!


    Tipping away nicely now and into the 20 mile runs the last 2 weekends. Signed up for the Ratoath Half Marathon on September 11th so hoping for a PB (sub 90) if I can get myself back to how I was running earlier this year.

    https://www.strava.com/athletes/15324146

    No update on Galway Full 2nd October from the organisers but I'm keeping the head down and will run (another) virtual if it comes to it.


    Will get back to weekly / biweekly reports from next week



  • Registered Users Posts: 2,191 ✭✭✭healy1835


    Hope your marathon gets the go ahead 👍3 weeks might be a little short on recovery time for Galway if you're planning a PB half marathon effort in Ratoath.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    Thanks for the follow, some impressive running there J!!!


    Yeah I agree it's a bit short but the coach gave me the push and seems to think it's ok, I'll blame him :D



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭rizzee


    I seem to be using Strava as a daily log instead of this!! (I think with Boards down / being upgraded I was off for a while!)


    Ended up doing Galway in 3:27, I wasn't 100% coming into it with some injuries in the training block and the flu in the week leading up to it, but it's a 66s PB and 46/7 minute official race PB.


    Taking a few days' rest now / light walks before a 5km in Sandymount on the 26th of October. I'll probably tip over with 5/10km training/maintenance until the end of the year and get into another marathon block training in Jan/Feb for an April/May marathon. Name in the London 2022 lotto but won't know until February about that.



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