Often becomes easy when the easy is often..

Lazare · 03-10-2022 03:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119694765#Comment_119694765

Cheers A, really appreciate the advice.

Very sensible and simple strategies there.

I have had success with using that site before, found the paceband to be a great help in 2017. It's created by a guy called Greg Maclin, the spreadsheet is specific to Dublin and it's profile and you can play around with lots of different race strategies. http://mymarathonpace.com/

I'm still tweaking and playing around with it, haven't settled on anything yet. Do like the approach you've laid out though.

Lazare · 09-10-2022 10:57PM

Week 9 - Peak Week.

Monday Oct 3rd - 5m easy as per usual. 6:00km, 133bpm. Lunchtime run in Abbottstown XC. A couple of beers on Sunday night showed themselves, found it a bit gritty.

Tuesday Oct 4th - 6x 200s @ 5k , 400m rec. Couldn't do these before work as I was up a lot of the night with a sick 5 year old. So a rare evening session. 3k up and 3k down, less than usual with time pressure. Reps went great, 47, 48, 48, 48, 46, 48. Really loved this session. 6 miles total.

Wednesday Oct 5th - 5m easy. 5:54km, 120bpm. HR back in good shape.

Thursday Oct 6th - 5x 1m @ 10k, 2:45 recs. Was dreading this session tbh, had a bit of a sh1tty sleep the night before, couldn't get to sleep with stressing a bit over it. I really didn't want to miss it, I'd skipped the same session the week after the half. Didn't want the stress of having to try get it done in the evening again. Drove to the canal as the road there has gotten too dodgy to run in the pitch dark. Wore the head torch for the first 50 mins or so. Warmed up on the stretch between Lyons bridge and Hazelhatch, down and back. Wind really picked up then just as I was to start, and rain. The first one was tough because of it, was really dreading things then. It pretty much disappeared though, and I felt amazing on the remaining reps. Felt very strong.

Reps were 7:03, 6:52, 6:52, 6:48, 6:52. 10 miles total.

Saturday Oct 8th - 3 hour long run, MP + 30 secs. 40k on the plan which I'd decided from the outset that I wasn't doing. Decided to do 3 hours instead. Goal pace is 4:44km, this averaged 5:14 so spot on. 135bpm average which gives confidence too. An absolutely perfect day for running. Had a funny moment during it. Ran through Corkagh and the parkrun guys were still there wrapping things up. Jim Aughney is a reg and was still there. I pointed at the sky and said to him 'Jim, I'd like to request this please' and quick as a flash he responded 'I have it on order' 😃

On the way back through Corkagh I ran by Israel Olatunde and big group of elite sprinters training. That was pretty cool. 21.3 miles total.

Sunday Oct 9th - a little over 5 miles recovery, 6:26km, 126bpm.

52.56 miles for the week, longest week of the block (longest ever). Been living for the taper, just to get to it in one piece.

Plan now is to do 80% of peak week next week, so around 42 miles. Then 60% of PW the week after, 32 miles. Then 25%ish of PW race week, about 14 miles. Still including sessions, and still doing 6 days pw.

Kellygirl · 09-10-2022 11:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119723784#Comment_119723784

Let’s hope his order goes through. I was thinking that yesterday evening during my long run. Perfect weather! Well done in making it to taper!

Lazare · 09-10-2022 11:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119723825#Comment_119723825

Cheers K, you too. As I said yesterday, you've put in fantastic work. Let's get through the next 3x weeks 😊

Lazare · 16-10-2022 09:50PM

Week 10 - Week 1 of 3 week taper

Monday Oct 10th - 4 miles easy - 5:56km, 122bpm. Corkagh park on the way home from work. Nothing much to report other than to note I really hate the bit where I strip down to my jocks at the back of my van for these runs 😀

Tuesday Oct 11th - 10k @ MP + 30 (long run effort). Like last week's long run the average pace for this was bang on +30 secs at 5:14, which gave me a shot of confidence. 129bpm.

Wednesday Oct 12th - 4m easy - 5:51km, 121bpm.

Thursday Oct 13th - 6x 800s @10k. 3k ish up 3k ish down. Drove to the canal for this one. First morning since late Feb early March that I had to wear layers, a hat and a snood. Was absolutely baltic. Was beautiful though. Clear starry sky and the moon lighting the path. This is why we do it. Felt so alive alone down there. Reps went really well, although I never took off the hat and snood. 3:30, 3:28, 3:25, 3:25, 3:22, 3:19

Saturday Oct 15th - 7m easy - 5:49km, 128bpm. Enjoyed this run, one of those where your thoughts just wander. Spent most of it visualising DCM and thinking back over all the training. Nice.

Sunday Oct 16th - 14m long run. Had arranged a few weeks ago with @skyblue46 to meet him and @Laineyfrecks for a long run. A couple of dates mentioned and we settled on the 16th. Plan was to run the second half of the route. It's mad but there's so much of the second half that I'm just not familiar with. On both marathons, once we got beyond the KCR it's an absolute blur, a collage of snippet memories. It's gas, E was the exact same. If it wasn't for S we wouldn't have found our way around it.

S mentioned early doors the idea of doing the last 4 miles at pace. We all kinda agreed I think but didn't really confirm. When we got to Fosters Ave, the pace naturally heated on the downhill and we just kept it. I think I mentioned 'So are we running at pace then' and got the affirmative. We were a bit too nippy, running at about 3:15 pace. Nothing wrong with that though. Enjoyed it immensely, the two guys are great company, time just flew.

Target this week, 80% of peak week, was 42 miles. Ran a total of 42.81m.

Just a final note, it is normal right, at this stage to be sh1tting yourself and doubting you're capable?

I actually think it's a good sign that I feel that way, have doubts. In 2018 I was so naive. I missed two weeks with injury in September, then tapered. So pretty much four weeks of fitness drop. Then went into it full of confidence and ran a great 20 miles and died. Point is, I was so sure of myself then. Foolishly so.

This time I've put in a solid block of consistent running. Six days a week, only missing 1x run in the entire block. I feel in the best shape of my life yet I've doubts i can do it. Normal right?

Kellygirl · 16-10-2022 10:14PM

You long run sounds fab.

Having those doubts too but I know I couldn’t have done any more either. I think you are the same. Just have to not tear off like mad on the day and hope we have gotten it right.

Lazare · 16-10-2022 10:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119753930#Comment_119753930

My hunch is it's normal and healthy to have niggling doubts, and maybe, oddly, they're borne from the fact that we have done pretty much everything we could have.

We'll nail it.

Or will we? 😀

Kellygirl · 16-10-2022 10:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119753955#Comment_119753955

We will! I think 😂

scotindublin · 16-10-2022 10:59PM

Great run from you guys this morning and always good to venture to the dark side of the marathon route.

100% OK to have doubts, we all ask ourselves have we done enough/too much, what could we have done better? You have gotten through the training block really well.....I know its a cliche that is banded about but trust the process.

Taper well and get both the mind and body ready for the big day now. I would be more concerned if there were no doubts or nervous feelings those show that we care.

Go out with positivity and just smash it.

C

Lazare · 16-10-2022 11:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119754075#Comment_119754075

Cheers C. Excited and nervous in equal measures. 😊

scotindublin · 16-10-2022 11:18PM

That's the perfect way to be, I was exactly the same.

Lazare · 16-10-2022 11:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119754122#Comment_119754122

Just what I wanted to hear 😊

Laineyfrecks · 17-10-2022 09:26AM

Really enjoyable run C, thanks for the company!

Yes, I think we are all feeling the doubts & the nerves but as has been mentioned above this is all part of the process. Like we discussed on the run put a plan in place (which I think you pretty much have) & try to execute it as best you can but also be flexible with it. Having a plan makes us feel confident, makes us feel like we have our sh!t together which is a good thing but being prepared to change it during the race according to how we are feeling & what we think is realistic will really help. Having a good mindset (not overly confident but also not completely doubting ourselves) will also be a huge help. You have done a really good block of training so believe in it😊

Lazare · 17-10-2022 05:37PM

Bit of a punch in the gut this morning.

I felt a little rough last night, felt I was coming down with a head cold. Was relieved it was happening now, and not in twelve days time. Had a rough night then overnight, throat flaming and coughing.

Decided to work from home. My wife suggested I do a covid test to rule it out. Unfortunately it ruled itself in. I'm absolutely gutted.

I got in touch with S straight away to tell him and for him to tell E, given I was with them both yesterday. I'm just holding out all hope now that I haven't passed it to them.

It's my third time to get it, I'm feeling a little ill, but the last two times were a lot rougher than this is now. I'll just have to see how the next few days pan out and hope the guys have avoided it.

Gutted.

Kellygirl · 17-10-2022 05:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119757030#Comment_119757030

Oh no C. That’s awful. You must be absolutely gutted but from your own point of view, you are fully trained at this stage. Don’t even think about running and just get better and a few easy miles closer to the day will have you right I’m sure especially when you’ve had it twice already. Hopefully your immune system is well used to it.

Hopefully you weren’t contagious when you were with E and S.

scotindublin · 17-10-2022 07:00PM

Gutted to hear that, rest up well and like K said above don't even think about any running until much closer to M day.

You have the training done and the guts of 2 weeks to get over it. Plenty of rest and fluids into the system and hopefully you will be ok, you have the training done.

I am sure that S and E will be fine.

C

Murph_D · 17-10-2022 08:29PM

Oh, no - that's terrible timing for sure. There's nothing to say but look after yourself and recover as quickly as you can.

On the doubt thing - totally, totally normal and was a big part of my pondering last week, but that's not the issue now. Get well.

coogy · 17-10-2022 10:15PM

Ah no! Sorry to hear that C.

I really hope you make a swift recovery from this and as for the training, as K said already, I think all the hard work is done now, just focus on getting better!!

Swashbuckler · 17-10-2022 10:59PM

Sh*te sh*te sh*te

Lazare · 18-10-2022 05:27AM

Thanks so much all of you, and especially to E for the extremely sound and kind texts.

As far as my own marathon goes, I'm a lot more hopeful right now this morning than I was yesterday. I got in to bed a little after 8pm and had a really good sleep. Resting HR had been elevated to high 50s (didn't think much of it on Sunday morn) but this morning it is right back down. Avg resting HR during the block has been 46, was 42 this morning and I feel perfectly well.

I'm taking a lot from @Unknownability 's experience at Chicago where he was in the same boat as me and ran a superb marathon. His mini report is up on the Hanson's method thread.

Yesterday was pretty doom and gloomy but I'm a lot more positive this morning.

Kellygirl · 18-10-2022 08:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119758994#Comment_119758994

Phew. Glad to hear that. Definitely take it easy for this week as even if feeling good the virus is prob still in your system. You’ll still do great!

Swashbuckler · 18-10-2022 08:21AM

Yes yes yes!

ariana` · 18-10-2022 08:33AM

Great to read your update C. Hope the improvement continues over the coming days. You've had a super block and are in great shape. I'll be keeping everything crossed that you will be in the best of health toeing the line next week.

Lazare · 18-10-2022 10:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119759122#Comment_119759122

Thanks K. Yesterday I was considering seeing how I felt on Wed and attempting an easy few miles (zero issue with encountering other people), but I may just heed advice and stay off for a few more days. While things are looking good, I'm still not 100%

Mr. Guappa · 18-10-2022 12:42PM

Fingers crossed for you. Hopefully things stay going in the right direction from here.

Kellygirl · 18-10-2022 01:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119759479#Comment_119759479

I can totally see why you would want to but maybe go for a fast walk instead and see how you are?

Laineyfrecks · 18-10-2022 02:38PM

Really glad to read your positive update😊 Listen to your body right now, you have done all the hard work, getting to the start line healthy is the most important thing!

18-10-2022 07:14PM

Not sure what it is back home but only 5 days isolation over in the UK now. I've had it twice this year and was back running after 5 or 6 days.

Lazare · 18-10-2022 07:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119761971#Comment_119761971

Cheers, guidelines here are 7x days but tbh I'm not too concerned about that. I'll be staying away from people but I'll run if I can.

Did you feel you were right back where you left off afterwards? I know everyone is different.

I definitely had a fitness dent the first time I got it, a little less so the second time. While I'm not 100% this is definitely milder again.

18-10-2022 08:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119762130#Comment_119762130

Yeah I was ok, although I didn't try anything difficult the first week back. Sure ye will by next Sunday tbh.

Often becomes easy when the easy is often..

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