Dream big, work hard, achieve your goals - My DCM '19 Journey

Manchester Marathon Week 10

Mon 13th – Rest day

Tues 14th - W/U, 10*400's C/D

A bit of an emotional night & morning so set off to the PP for this as I find it very peaceful there. Ran my reps on The Furze road between the bollards. Ran by feeling for some of them as the GPS kept jumping. Enjoyed this run on a lovely sunny day.

Weds 15th – AM 1k,2k,1k,2k,1k          PM – 15*200’s

AM Dropped my son off to school then set off for this run. Enjoyed it & the legs felt good.

PM Collected my daughter from work then went out for this, I always like the 200s, nice for keeping the form. Was a lovely evening too with beautiful skies.

Thurs 16th - W/U, 6*1k with 5 strides C/D

This felt fine, don’t really remember much about it.

Fri 17th - W/U, 10*400s, C/D

Again I don’t remember too much about this run.

Sat 18th - Rest

Enjoyed watching Liverpool win, cracking goal by Keita!

Sun 19th – 2m w/u, 13m 4 – 8mins slower than my best, 2m c/d

Had quite a restless emotional night but still wanted to get this done early enough. Went out just after 8, weather was lovely. Decided to stay around Tallaght for this run. Set off for the warmup then I was hoping to average between 7:30/40 for the 13miles. Started off feeling good, averaging about 7:35ish at this stage & it felt good. Around mile 5 my mind started wandering, I couldn’t shake it. The pace started slipping to 7:40, then 41,42. No matter what I did it seemed to stay here. My legs didn’t feel overly tired, but I just couldn’t seem to get the pace back to where I wanted it. The route was getting hillier too & the wind seemed to be picking up for the last few miles, I wasn’t sure if I was just going to walk at this stage. It would take a lot for me to give up & just walk so I just agreed with myself that if the pace has to be that bit slower then so be it, just don’t stop – so I didn’t. Finished it with an average pace of 7:45. Wasn’t what I wanted but we’ll draw a line in the sand & move on. Hopefully I will run well in Manchester, sure who knows really? I think this is around the time doubts start setting in. Main thing for now for me to work on is my mind, if I can crack that I have a much better chance of a good run.

Miles for the week – 55.9

Miles for the year – 1,783.2

Thanks D, it was tough enough but ideally I would have liked to have stayed at the 7:35/40 range but sure I will move on🤗

I don't have a proper target time in mind , trying to keep the pressure off myself really. For now I think I will set a realistic pace for halfway & then reevaluate where I am at that stage. Obviously a nice PB would be very very welcome too😂

Manchester Marathon Week 11

Mon 27th – Rest Day

Tues 28th - W/U, 5*400's, 7*200's, C/D

Went out to the Park for this, ran these on the Furze Road. Passed by an elderly man walking his dog a few times, 1st time he shouted "God I wish I had your energy", then 2nd time "And your pace!" I just smiled back at him, I love the friendliness of most people when I'm running in the park.

Weds 29th – AM W/U, 6M with surges C/D - PM W/U, 15*200's, C/D

Got out after dropping my son to school as my daughter was looking for a lift to the airport as she was heading away to the sun(not jealous at all). Run felt good.

Left my 2nd run till 6ish, again no problems here, always enjoy this one! Found my old DCM19 training top & wore it out as I felt chilly heading out the door but sure the top ended up tied around my waist!

Thurs 30th - W/U, 2*1k,2*1k with 5 strides C/D

Liked that this run was a bit different, enjoyed it.

Fri 1st Oct - W/U, 4*400's, 6*200's, C/D

How is it October already? Feels like time is flying but dragging by too if that makes any sense at all!

I had a few things on today & was hoping to get this done in between apps but that just didn't happen. My daughter booked me in to get my hair done(I don't think it has ever been this bad😲) Unfortunately it took a good bit longer than expected so I was feeling quite anxious, anyway I finally have blonde hair again & a fringe I can see through 😉 Went out for my run but not really sure how I even got out the door with the way I was feeling - glad to have it done!

Sat 2nd - Rest Day

Sun 3rd – W/U, 6M@7:05/15, C/D

For the 2nd time this week I decided to run in the park. Had received my new runners yesterday, the NB Rebel V2, a bargain on Lifestyle sports, no choice on colours so lucky for me I like pink/purple runners😉 They felt really nice from the start, very airy, good toe space, spongy but not as spongy as the Novablasts, overall I was happy in them. I also wore my New NB sorts, these felt great they never moved on my thighs which was great as some of the tight shorts end up rolling up, I think these will be the ones I wear next week. Set of for the warm up down to the Furze/OS loop to do the 6 miles at pace. The wind was quite strong along Chesterfield then onto the OS side but got a nice break on the Furze side. I felt good but then doubts started creeping in after about a mile & a half, lot's & lot's of doubts🙄 I really had to fight hard with my head as I knew physically I wasn't struggling at all!! I will put it down to Maranoia at this stage & just pray that it doesn't fook me up next Sunday!!

Overall another good week of training. I really can't believe this time next week I will hopefully have completed my 2nd marathon😊 It was originally just myself going then my 3 daughters & bf's decided to come support me, for this I am very grateful🤗 They plan a night of 2 of partying (we are going Fri evening till Mon evening) but I will just be relaxing & preparing for Sunday then hopefully a celebratory meal & drinks Sunday night, either way we will toast my dad❤️

Miles for the week – 42.4

Miles for the year – 1,879.7

Ah thanks D, bet you say that to all the runners 😉

Yep & the NB shorts go perfect with them😜

Ah D it's ages since I bought a new pair & in fairness they were a proper bargain😉 I have 4 pairs in rotation that I use mostly, then a couple more pairs if I feel like a change. Variety is the spice of life😜😁

Shhh🤫😂