Grey skies give way to......

Two weeks of an update - few things going on in the background which affected my being able to get out for runs.

16 - 22 May

Mon: online workout that morn. Track running that evening - 2 x 10 mins and 2 x 8 mins. I think the 8 min sets felt longer than the 10 mins! 7km covered in total in 47 mins including warm up, cool down and recoveries inbetween.

Tues: a short walk that morning and a bit of yoga stretching in the evening.

Weds: online workout that morn

Thurs: 5km walk that morn. 8km easy run that eve in 56mins (had a free hour as the youngster was doing his first driving lesson!). A lovely, clear the head, type of run.

Fri: just a short walk around the block before bed.

Sat: 9km run in 57 mins. First half of it felt a bit slow and sluggish but the second half felt I'd more energy and the body loosened right up. Had planned 8 but pushed on for another km. Online workout done after as I'd missed Friday's one.

Sun: went out for an easy 20 min or so run and ended up getting 2 miles done and felt enjoyable. 15 mins stretching after.

23 - 29 May

Mon: a 3km walk that evening, I don't even remember it!

Tues: online workout

Weds: online workout

Thurs: nothing

Fri: 5km walk and then a good half hour of yoga stretching after, outside in the sun

Sat: I had volunteered to help at parkrun so I went out for an early 5 miles. Like the previous weekend it was slow getting started but after a few kms I had settled into it. 8km done in 53 and a half mins. Got back to the house to freshen up and change for parkrun to find a message from one of the core team who couldn't find a child minder and wanted to know if we needed any help - we actually had a full roster but you can't very well turn away help as it might not be as forecoming again - so I asked if she'd cover my marshal spot for me and I could run instead. So an unscheduled last minute 5kms done in 28:41 - which I was delighted with, my second fastest parkrun on our local course, missing my pb by 4 seconds! Went for a long scenic 10 km walk that afternoon, canal walk from car park to coffee hut and return.

Sun: my last 10km before the mini marathon! Ended up being a solo run as the rest of the gang were meeting a little later but I needed an early run. Like my runs the last week or two I seemed to be slow enough for the first half but flying it for the second half - I wonder is it because I've been running out and back routes? 10.1kms done in 1hr 5 mins.

Nervous excitement about the mini marathon this weekend. I'm confident I can get my first official sub 60 min 10km which is a good feeling. But I am hoping to go out and run my best to see where I am really with a 10km time, I just don't know what that could be!!

Sun 5 June 2022 - Women's Mini Marathon (10km) official time 53:21 (pb)

Splits: 5:25, 5:25, 5:27, 5:22, 5:27, 5:18, 5:14, 5:23, 5:25, 5:19

Was nervously excited about this race. It's such a great event - I love how women of all ages, abilities and walks of life take part. I appreciate that so many charities benefit from the event and that so many women get enjoyment out of the day.

Parked up early in Heuston and weren't waiting long for the Luas into the city centre. Walked from O'Connell St to St Stephen's Green - a nice stretch of the legs. Munched on a bagel with peanut butter and a banana. At the top of Grafton Street myself and himself departed - he was given a backpack with a hoody etc and I popped on a bin bag - wasn't a good look but I'll tell ya it kept me warm and dry! Himself headed to a pub to watch a match. Bumped into some women I knew from home and we walked to the starting area, queued for loos and then into our starting pens. One of the girls from the athletics club was there and it was great to have the company and chats while we were waiting. First time for me to be in the runners section and to see the start line so close! Eeeek!!

First km started off ok - I was mindful of getting pulled along with a crowd too fast but no I started off at I think an ok pace. Not much congestion or dodging around slower movers. 2nd km felt I had settled into a pace - it was a little faster that my planned pace but it felt ok. That was what much of the race was like - pace faster than planned but feeling ok!! 3rd km felt a little tougher. A little drag as you come out of Donnybrook and past the bus depot. Starting to feel a little warm out. 4th km onto the Stillorgan road and soon we are starting to see the front runners passing on the other side of the road. Passed my Alma Mater of UCD!

5th km a little slower coming up under the UCD flyover and a little climb up to Fosters Avenue. During this km I feel into step with two women and chatted for a min. Watched beeped for 5km in 27 mins - ok that was quite good, hopefully not too fast, hoping I can get through the next 5km ok. 6th km heading back up the Stillorgan Road and spotted a lady from my athletics club so big cheer and wave across the divide! Paced with the two women still from 5km but they dropped behind me at the end of 6 km at the turn for Nutley Lane. 7th km somehow ended up being my quickest km - I don't know why. I guess I knew that when you get to the end of that road past Vincents Hospital that after the next junction you were faced for home really. 8th km was when it was starting to feel tough. I remembered I had fruit pastilles in my pocket so had one of them. I was well passed the 8km marker when my watched beeped at me for the km and even shortly after that was two lads holding a big balloon with 8.5km on it. I panicked a little wondering was the course going to measure up really short or had something gone wrong with my watch. Nothing I could do at that stage - just keep going. 9th km was getting tough mentally - I was glad of the music blaring and the crowds cheering in Ballsbridge. Watched beeped for the 9th km in the right place and ok this was it one km to go.

I don't think I picked up the pace massively or that I was able to. One last sharp climb over the canal to Baggot St and this was when I could really feel my mental and physical strength as I powered up over that bridge. After that I could see the finish but I didn't have much push on left in the legs. Really couldn't believe that I crossed the line on 53:xx!

Stood around the finish for a couple of minutes chatting to girls from the Athletics Club. Dandered on then to get medal, tshirt (which was really nice) and got the medal engraved. Bag of salty chips from Supermacs after hit the spot!

I still can't believe I got that time! Had thought I'd finish around 56-57 mins - was secretly hoping for 55:xx. I just ran at what I felt was a good but manageable pace for me. I really enjoyed that run!! 😁 This was my first official 10km under the hour. The last mini marathon I did was in 2017 and just under 63mins.

04 - 10 July

Mon: track session: warm up, 3 x 5 mins of hills with a 2 min recovery, a set of 90sec faster runs with a minute off. 6km covered in a 45min session.

Tues: short 2km walk before Love Island!

Weds: morning workout. running session that evening: a pyramid session which is tough but interesting, requires a bit of work to manage your pacing. 5km covered in the session in 35mins including recoveries.

Thurs: met with a friend for an early morning run. 5km in 30 mins, tried to keep it easy enough but I think we were both a bit mindful of the time and having to get to work so will go out earlier next time.

Fri: morning workout. 5km walk in the early evening.

Sat: run director at parkrun so no run for me. A 5km walk that afternoon.

Sun: 16.12km 1hr 59. Had planned on running 7 miles but was feeling ok so when we got to the end of the 7 mile loop I stuck with the gang instead of heading back to the car. Nice enjoyable easy run with lots of chatting. It was very humid and heavy out, thankfully not sunny yet, but still around 9km we took a bit of a walking break to regroup. Nice to get 10 miles in the legs.

18 - 24 July

Mon: 5km walk in the morning.

Tues: another early morning 5km walk.

Weds: morning workout. Running session that evening: a lovely session of 5 x 2mins plus a speedy bit at the end with a few 90secs, hard to get the push for these at the end, practically clung to another runner to get around! 5.5km covered in 35mins including recoveries.

Thurs: nado.

Fri: Away for a few days so got out for a run before breakfast to the nearby park. A little unsure about running in a park I didn't know on my own in the early morning but there were a few others in walking and running. 5.75km 37mins.

Sat: nothing

Sun: zero

A planned off week for me between the weather, trying to get work done and some annual leave to go away. Nice to take a step back now and again. My first official 10 mile race is in less than 2 weeks.

15-21 August

Mon: up early for my morning workout. Enjoying the format with the weight focus. Track running that evening, felt like ages since I'd been at training. A good session of 15 mins running, 2 laps on/1 lap off. Then 3 x 3mins with 2mins rec. Legs felt tired at that stage. Covered 5.25kms in 35 mins including recoveries. When I got home husband was out for his long run and before I hopped into the shower I went out and did the last mile with him.

Tues: rest day. 5km walk

Weds: morning workout. Evening training, bit of a different session. We did a fartlek session where we ran a different route and were instructed to faster up hills and easy/recovery on downhills. Mixes it up a bit and a nice little bit of hillwork. I used to hate hills and couldn't deal with them but hill training over the years I've seen an improvement with them mentally and physically. Covered 4.35kms in 28 mins. Did a little cool down jog after to round up to 5kms.

Thurs: rest day 4km walk.

Fri: morning workout. Glad to get all 3 done this week.

Sat: Nothing. Was away on a shopping expedition.

Sun: Short long run. The marathon runners had planned 2 loops 12km+10km so I joined them for the first loop of 12km. 1hr 22mins. I did find this tough enough, the legs and body felt tired. It has me nervous for the half this coming weekend. It's my last goal race of the year. I'm confident I'll beat my pb of 2hr20 but I would like to do well enough in it all the same, fingers crossed. Based on my 10 mile race the other weekend, it points to 2hr 9mins half so I might side up with the 2-10 pacers and see how it goes. Eeekk!! 😬

I wasn't planning to taper back the gym this week, my last class of the week is early Fri morn. Now I'm wondering should I switch it to Thurs morn?

Might move it to the Thurs morn so. Thanks, I wouldn't have thought of it otherwise.

22-28 August

Mon: Morning workout. Enjoying the format with the weight focus. Out for a little walk at lunchtime. Track running that evening, interesting session where the focus was on identifying and running different paces based on effort and control. Cool down jog to bring it to 5km in the half hour.

Tues: rest day. 5km walk.

Weds: morning workout. Evening training, tried to keep the pace control enough, not going too fast. 2 x 8 mins with 2 mins recover. Then 3 x 1 mins with 1.5min recovery. I did allow myself one push on the last rep! Warm up and cool down brought me to 5.4km in 38 mins.

Thurs: rest day 4km walk.

Fri: From the advise here and from my fitness instructor, I didn't do the morning workout. Went out for an early morning walk instead to stretch out the legs.

Sat: Race: Tullamore half marathon 2:08:12

Will do race report in the next post.

Sun: nada! Body not too bad, quads a tad sore going down stairs, hips a little stiff if I sit down for a while. 

29 Aug - 04 Sept

Mon: morning workout. Evening - 5km on the track just over 30 mins, legs still work after the half marathon!

Tues: morning and afternoon walks

Weds: morning workout. Evening shorter session but plenty of drills beforehand. 4km in 27 mins.

Thurs: afternoon and evening walk

Fri: morning workout and evening walk.

Sat: a new parkrun for me. Out and back along a canal. 4.88km in 25:58, measured a bit short as the turning point as in the wrong place, sure what harm! Hadn't planned on going that fast but as it was a smaller field I think for the first time ever I was in the top 10 in parkrun so I kinds wanted that. Also it was raining so I wanted to be done. I'll be back to do that route again, please with that time 1 week after a half marathon.

Sun: Lovely relaxed 10km in 1hr 10mins. Lovely group of women to run with, very experienced runners but have all had health, fitness and injury struggles over the last year or so on and off. So it was strange for me to be the most springy out of them all and to support and encourage them for a change. But they have each been a fantastic support to me over the years, it was the least I could do and I was just happy that I feel like a strong enough runner to now be able to support others.

05 - 11 Sept

A busy week where I was travelling abroad for an event later in the week. Mon morn did my workout. Was working late so didn't get to track running. Tues morn got out early for a 5km run. Weds morn a short early walk and into work early. Got a running session in on the track to burn off the excited energy! 2 x 8 mins followed by some 60 sec intervals - session suited me perfectly! Away the rest of the week.

12 - 18 Sept

Back from my trip in the first half of the week, busy few days in work and then off for a wedding. No running or workouts until Sunday. 10km in an hour with a running buddy, started a bit too fast for the first half but we were chatting, second half was a bit of a struggle back to the car.

19 - 25 Sept

Week started off well on Monday - morning workout and evening track session, lovely session of 3 x 8 mins. But the rest of the week was a write off. I was up to my eyes in work, had a lot on my plate and was physically and mentally exhausted. Healthy eating which I knew would help was thrown by the wayside replaced with comfort eating. Because I have no events signed up I figured I don't need to run if I don't want to. Volunteered at my local parkrun on Sat morn and did a workout that afternoon. Didn't go for a run Sun morn, instead I watched the Berlin marathon until the live stream was cut a few kms before the finish! Did a local charity walk Sun afternoon and it was a great boost. Head feels a lot clearer now.

03 - 09 Oct

Mon: nothing as I was travelling.

Tues: it had been over a week since I last ran. Went out for a slow run 5.4km in 40mins. Legs felt a little stiff and rusty but good to get moving at least.

Weds: back to track training. A nice tempo session of 6 x 3 mins with 2mins recovery. I wasn't on time for a warm up jog so did a couple of laps cool down to bring it over 5kms. 5.25km in 34:30 mins including recovery and cool down.

Thurs: an early morning 5km walk and then another bit of walking 3km while kiddo was at the dentist.

Fri: morning workout.

Sat: now a sensible person would rest the day before a half marathon, especially one they only signed up for at the beginning of the week and hadn't really done any training for. But no, not me! I'd heard that Sonia O'Sullivan was making an appearance at Tullamore parkrun and as it's not too far away from me I tipped over that far. Got there good and early and did a short jog out and back to keep warm.

Parkrun 5km 29:14. Splits: 5:40, 5:41, 5:53, 5:43, 6:08. Yeah take it nice and easy she said!! A lovely flat route bar a little climb at the canal lock. Hard to pull the pace back when there was such a good atmosphere and lovely morning for running. At the start of my last km I caught up with some people I knew so the chatting slowed me down on the last km.

Sun: Tarmonbarry half marathon. 2:14:17

10 - 16 Oct

Mon: Jaysus I wasn't able for anything! My quads were so sore, sideways walking down the stairs!

Tues: a morning walk to stretch the poor legs out

Weds: Interesting training session "Fartlek" he called it, to me is was practice controlling your run at different pacing. A good one. Paces were slightly slow on account of the poor tired legs. 7km in 48 mins incl rest intervals and cool down.

Thurs: Nothing

Fri: Still nothing, up to my eyeballs in work.

Sat: Run director at parkrun. Thought I might nip in early a run a bit before setting up but it was lashing. Thankfully it stopped at exactly 9:30am!

Sun: Long run 12km 1hr 20 mins. Grand morning for a run, first one in the long sleeves and bottoms. It took me a good while to get into this run and I was trailing a bit at the back of the pack. I don't think I really got into it until about 8km out. I'd have liked to run longer if I'm honest but mammy taxi duties were required.

Himself is into his marathon taper now, the madness hasn't set in with him as yet. I'm glad now I didn't sign up for DCM this year, I wouldn't have gotten enough training done and this would have really stressed me out.

24 - 30 Oct

Mon: track training, pace session. Different feel paces for different parts of the track. I enjoy these sessions cos it makes me focus more on what 5km, 10km etc pace should FEEL like and not be relying on the watch. Covered 4km in 25 mins including recovery. Shorter session this week as there was a photo call for club members doing the marathon.

Tues: rest

Weds: Didn't go running as I thought the weather mightn't be great. I decided to do a workout instead from home. It was good but I'm just struggling to find the time for them lately with work.

Thurs: rest

Fri: Nothing.

Sat: Got to run at my local parkrun for the first time in ages. Yes it was still as tough as I remembered. Did 1.5km warm up. Rain stopped just in time. Started off run well, just kept it easy-ish and ticking over. After 1.5km I fell into step with a visitor and stayed with them for the rest of the run chatting. While it was a bit slower than I had planned, it felt good to chat with someone, guide them around the course and not have to worry about my time or pace. I've no races coming up, I'm up to my eyes in work so I don't need to worry about paces or anything - just get out when I can, get some air and stretch the legs. Parkrun 32:58

Sun: DCM Day! No running for me but almost a half marathon done in walking around the city to different view points! Himself completed the marathon after being doubtful the week before, it was a tummy bug that was doing the rounds and he was in better form by midweek. Really enjoyed spectating, such a crowd doing it and a great atmosphere. I was wearing my newly acquired club gear and it got a great response from fellow club members taking part. I was around mile 25.5 for the last part and it did look tough going then, not too many smiling faces and many digging deep or walking.

Edit to add: let me know when DCM Novices 2023 thread is set up.....

07 - 13 Nov

Mon - Fri : nothing done bar a couple of very short walks when I had a spare 20 mins. Up the walls and out the door with work deadline.

Sat: Had gotten enough work done during the week to be able to take the weekend off. Volunteered to marshal at parkrun as there was a local 5km on that afternoon. A charity untimed run/walk but you know yourself you like to give it a good run out. Start was delayed over half an hour due to the crowds turning up - a good complaint! 5km 29:03. Splits: 5:15, 5:31, 5:36, 5:48, 6:06. Started off down hill - a great way to run away with your pace! Next 2 kms settled into my pace. After 3.5km there was a good left turn and a climb. Well that was it. Just a climb, and another, and another. Not a fan of hills but I remind myself that what goes up must come down. Nope, we got the respective downhill at the start it seems. I didn't realise it would climb so much, and when I thought it was near finished, there would be another. Not mad hills but just enough on a tired body on a warm November afternoon. A little disappointed that I walked a little, I'd have hoped I would have been a bit stronger mentally. But it was nice to run a completely new to me route and I think I'd go back out there again myself someday to use it as a hill work training run.

Sun: 10km 1:05. Another change of scenery for me. A neighbouring athletics club put up that they were doing a 10km run, not a race and posted up the route and invited non-club members to join so a few of us went over. Even though I know that town, I was still out country roads I'd never been on before. It was hilly in spots so good training. I'd forgotten my water and it was a fairly warm morning - sweating like mad in tshirt and shorts in November. Lovely for a change - I think over the winter I'm going to try do different routes for the Sunday long run, to keep things interesting.

21 - 27 Nov

Mon: Had to bring someone to an appointment in Galway and while I waited I did what any other sensible person would do - went for a run! I've always wanted to run from the Claddagh out along the Salthill Prom. Nice and quite on a Mon morn. Bar getting my right leg soaked when a car went through a puddle I was lucky enough with the weather. Took it handy as I'd my long run yesterday. Continuing my theme of running somewhere different. 13km in 1hr 29mins.

Tues: rest

Weds: first night back at the track in ages. Was lovely to see those familiar faces and to catch up with a few whom I hadn't seen since their marathon. Wasn't a bad session, bit of a rain shower in the middle. I did find the session tougher than I expected, I guess fitness is down a little.

Thurs: a 2km walk at lunch time. Trying to get back into the habit of a km or 2 on my lunch break.

Fri: online workout in the morning. Afternoon a bit of free time so went for a short run after work. Found it tough enough going, the legs felt tired. 4km 28 mins.

Sat: Was on the road early on Sat and had planned that we would stop off on the way and do a parkrun, it was a good excuse to get on the road early. The aim was Sligo parkrun and made it there in plenty of time. Not a bad route, met beside a playground, run along a path and into a park for 2 loops and back again. Bit of a climb for the first part of the park which I wasn't expecting but was prepared for it on the second loop. 5km 28mins 24sec - not bad.

Sun: Had packed the runners and the good intentions but didn't get out. Was out for drinks the night before so the head was a bit fuzzy. Plus we were on a flying visit so I needed the time for tea and chats. Went out for a 2.5km walk when we got home to stretch the legs.

Also - I got into Dublin Marathon in the lottery round 2!! Relieved TBH - when I had been telling people I didn't get in on round 1 I got well meaning replies such as you can get a charity entry, people will be selling their entries, etc. I have now taken the "maybe" out of the equation. Nervous I'm not going to lie - but it will be a good motivator now to get back to my workouts, keep the weight in check and get the legs moving over the winter months.

05 - 11 Dec

Mon: Morning workout. short walk at lunchtime. Back to the track for training, it was so cold. Intervals of 400m, 300m and 200m with 100m jog recoveries between each one. There was to be a 3 min recovery between each set but to be honest I kept walking or jogging to stay warm. 4.25km in 25mins.

Tues: rest day.

Weds: Did my workout in the evening. Followed by an easy run down the town, had planned 3/4kms in my head and ended up doing 5km in 34 mins. Legs were very tired by the end.

Thurs: lunchtime walk

Fri: Morning workout. Late afternoon walk doing laps around the estate on the road in the cold fog.

Sat: parkrun 5km 31mins 30. Hadn't thought this one through. Was out the night before for a Christmas party and wasn't in the best shape for a parkrun. Rocked up with warm layers and was told we're grand for volunteers. Shouldn't complain really, there's been plenty of times I've forgone my run to volunteer. First km or 2 was spent getting warm. Conditions underfoot were ok and the trail runners helped. As the run went on I could feel my head getting sore and the pounding on the hard ground. Was glad to finish and that I had the foresight to leave my coat at the finish line area to put on straight after while waiting for my husband to finish his 100 run! The first hot cuppa after parkrun was down in one go!

Sun: First Sunday morning lie-in in forever. Curled up in bed watching the Europeans cross country. In the afternoon I left a bit earlier for collecting the young lad from work and jogged over to the nearby park for a few laps while it was still bright out. The paths in the park aren't smooth which means grip. I really enjoyed it and wished I had gone out earlier to get a longer run in. 4.3km 28 mins

I'm getting close to my mileage target for the year. But the track training has been cancelled because of the weather, local footpaths are dicey, it's dark in the mornings and evenings, I haven't access to a treadmill and I'm not risking driving on those roads to the next town just for a run. I may be doing loops of the housing estate this week!

19 - 25 Dec

Mon: Back to training at last. Still bitterly cold so jogged the rest periods to stay warm. Pyramid intervals from 2 mins up to 5 mins and back down again. 6.2kms in 41 mins including warm up and cool down.

Tues: Been crazy busy trying to get work finished up and organised for Christmas. Went out for a late night walk to clear my head, few loops around the estate. 3.5kms.

Weds: Morning workout done. Hadn't planned on going to training tonight as I'd a nail appointment so I landed early and got a mile done beforehand and left training early. 6kms 42 mins

Thurs: rest day.

Fri: Staying with the inlaws and husband working remotely. So I went out for a run myself. Decided on a 10km loop and set off when it was just a tad misty. Running jacket came off after a km but went back on at 3.5km as there was a breeze off the shore. First half of the run was fine. Second half I knew would be tough from 5km to about 7km, but it coincided with the rain getting heavy. And then I missed a turn and only realised when I was almost at the bottom of a hill so I had to climb that again. I ended up nearly adding a km onto my run and was saturated by the end of it. Landed into my inlaws for them to have neighbours in for tea and sure they all though I was stone mad!! 11km 1hr 14mins

Sat: Had planned on the local parkrun but didn't get a chance

Sun: Christmas day. Wouldn't have minded a little walk for some air but it was fairly wet out.

Seen a few logs here do end of year reviews. Might be a good idea myself to help me get my head around the past year of running.

Total distance ran: 1,228 (target 1,200)

New PB's - 5km 25:40 (Roscommon Apr) 10km 53:21 (Mini marathon June) 10 mile 1:36 (Kilbeggan Aug) Half marathon 2:08 (Tullamore Aug)

First race of the year was Raheny 5 mile - even though it was technically a 5 mile pb - it was difficult to gauge due to the mix up on the course.

First race I noticed something different about my running was Tullamore 5km in March. First km or two I was trying not to go out too fast as I tend to run out of steam in the 4th km but my body just wanted to go faster, so I let it away from km3 onwards. Blasting up a hill, passing people - I honestly didn't know who I was! One of my most memorable races.

5km pb came at the end of the Roscommon race series - one of those sure feck it runs and the last km or 2 I tried to cling onto the lady ahead of me.

Only ran one 10km race - the women's mini marathon. Didn't feel the best prepared for this but I honestly couldn't have predicted a time of 53:xx! A race where I felt I quite enjoyed the run, only the last maybe 2/3 km felt tough.

The 10 miler was the first time I'd raced that distance. Found it tough enough as it was a very hot day and was glad to see the finish line. Time of 1:36 seems like a good marker.

Tullamore half was one of those runs where I went in confident I was going to pb but not sure by how much. It was a good run, felt comfortable for most of it. While I got a good pb, I did hope to be nearer 2:05.

Joining an athletics club was a great decision this year. The regular running, the training intervals where you push yourself just a little, the company. Even outside of the club there felt like a good running vibe locally and within the running community this year. The strength work has also been a help, first time in my life that I've felt strong in myself, a strange but nice feeling.

Otherwise I've just felt more confident in my running, I feel like a runner if that makes sense and that I deserve to line up with everyone else, not hide away at the back.

02 - 08 Jan

Mon - Fri: no running as I was just cleared of Covid, straight back to work. Got out for a walk most days 20-30 mins.

Sat: Was visiting someone in Dublin so decided to tick a run off my bucket list and do Marlay parkrun. Well it was some experience, I have run parkruns with 200/250 people but never a crowd like this - 600+ Had no idea where was the start area, first timers briefing or anything, just stood around where there were crowds and the poor run director couldn't be heard, even with a loud speaker. Very congested for the first km. The crowds settled after that. Enjoyable run through the trees. I could feel it in my lungs for the last 2km and the last 500m I was out of push really and hadn't any fight for the finish. 5km 28:21. Splits: 6:02, 5:22, 5:44, 5:38, 5:34

Sun: as I'd successfully run the previous day and there was a lot of chat in the local running whataspp about the sunday long run I had FOMO and when I seen a few names whom I knew would be a good pace for me I opted in. I was nervous about this, but as we got chatting and shuffled along I relaxed into it. An out and back on the greenway and felt like we were at the turning point in no time. On the way back I got in step with a couple of girls and I felt the pace picking up a bit and to be fair I did pull back a couple of times. But overall I was glad to get a long run under my belt, my chest and everything felt fine. 10.67km 1hr 15mins. I was shattered later on and had a nap. Also I decided I wasn't going to do Trim 10 miler, it would be too much of a push I feel to be up to 10 miles in a few weeks and I'm also signed up Raheny 5 miler the week before.