nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

Running for fun, running for sanity

Blueskye

Ok, well I've been posting on here for a few months and found it a great support for my training for DCM (first marathon) and it's really encouraging to read how everyone else is getting on. So now that I've a few new goals I figure a log might be a good idea.

I've always run a little bit, off and on, but never more than 5 miles and decided to train properly in January of this year in preparation for the Berlin half in April. My sister's suggestion. She never wanted to run again after it whereas I was totally hooked! I'm pretty slow but I'm improving all the time and I am totally mad about running. What I have learned this year is humility and that you can only compete against yourself, I like that.
This year I've run:
Ballycotton 10 mile: 96.30
Berlin Half Marathon: 2.16.22
Burren Half Marathon: 2.30 (ish) difficult one to run but such a laugh!
Cappamore 10km: 56.39
Adidas Dublin Half Marathon: 2.04
Claregalway 10km: 55.59
Dublin Marathon: 5.06.55 - this was a total disaster for me. I had planned to do 4.30 or 4.40 and followed Hal Higdon Intermediate 1. Training went pretty well, I had a few problems with glutes and got some physio which sorted it out. But my long runs were mostly great. Unfortunately things went horribly wrong on the day, I got some serious tummy problems from mile 3, then really bad nausea, became almost delirious, had to walk a lot and well, let's just say, it was awful. I almost quit at mile 15 because I felt so bad but I managed to reach the finish line. I think it was down to the gels I used early on, I had used them several times in training with no problems but they didn't seem to agree with me on the day and made me feel really ill. Plus there were a few other issues but lots of lessons learned.

So, I've signed up for the Connemara full and Edinburgh. I'm also thinking of doing the Puck Warriors 10k on the 28th in Kerry. I'm taking it easy at the moment, running and cross-training. In a couple of weeks I'll pick it up. I want to do more speedwork this time around, will be focusing on hill training also, as well as strength training and I wouldn't mind getting some swimming in, as I'm not a great swimmer and would like to improve. So, lots of lovely goals.

Today:
5M run in the wind and rain. The temperature is really getting cooler. Furthest distance since the marathon. Lovely run, felt strong.
9.35/mi
Upper body strength training plus core work

Find more posts tagged with

Quick Links

Comments

Blueskye

littlebug wrote: »

Good to see you're back in action again Blueskye. What races have you lined up?

Thanks Littlebug. I'm doing the 10miler in Dublin on the 21st and the HM in Sept...hoping to do DCM in October but have also registered for the Florence marathon in November just in case...how about yourself, what's next for you?

littlebug

You'll have a heavy training schedule then so!
I have Streets of Galway 8k this saturday, then the Galway City Half marathon on 29th August and if that all goes well and I stay injury free I plan to sign up for DCM (eek!)

Blueskye

littlebug wrote: »

You'll have a heavy training schedule then so!
I have Streets of Galway 8k this saturday, then the Galway City Half marathon on 29th August and if that all goes well and I stay injury free I plan to sign up for DCM (eek!)

Cool

DCM is such a great race...all going well let's hope we're both injury free on Oct 25th...

Blueskye

8 miles along the Marina, beautiful evening with the sun setting and the water on one side. Finished it off with 6 x 160m strides.
Physio exercises
Foam roller

Blueskye

Wow, the logs are busy. Took a rest day yesterday as lsr planned for today. Busy this weekend so took a half day to make sure I got my long run done today. 16 miles planned. Was a bit nervous about this as I really struggled with the 13 two weeks ago. Aimed for 10.30/mi pace and had an absolutely brilliant run. Felt really comfortable. Dropped off water so drank every 4 miles, had a gel at 7 and 11 miles. Knee felt a bit swollen towards the end but no pain and icing it here now. Ended up running 16.5 very comfortable miles. Most at 10.15/mi pace with the last mile at 9.47/mi. Feeling much more confident now. Just have to keep up the foam roller, physio exercises, icing, strength training and consistent running and I'll be ok I think.
16.5 miles

littlebug

Blueskye wrote: »

Just have to keep up the foam roller, physio exercises, icing, strength training and consistent running and I'll be ok I think.
16.5 miles

Funny how a hobby can turn into a full time job!

Blueskye

littlebug wrote: »

Funny how a hobby can turn into a full time job!

I know! I'm enjoying it all, which is the main thing and managing to balance my social life which is v. important. TBH I'm terrified I'll get injured before DCM and not be able to run. Obviously missing Connemara and Edinburgh has had an effect. But if it means I'm being more careful, well that's no harm.

4 easy miles this morning.
Foam roller and physio exercises after
40.5miles this week. Highest mileage in ages

Blueskye

Felt rotten Monday and Tuesday and still feel ****e today (sinuses do not like this sunny weather) so missed the gym and 4 miles yesterday (will make them up later in the week). Pushed on tonight with 8 miles. Note to self, do NOT wear new sportsbra on an 8 mile run. Not the most supportive. That, coupled with post nasal drip, sore throat and a head like a zombie, it wasn't the most comfortable run but it's done. Managed to pick up the pace tonight, for the 6 miles in the middle. Found myself trying to take over any runners I saw. Decent session.
Physio stretches
Foam roller

Blueskye

4 miles
Foam roller
Core work
At physio this morning. Some massage and acupuncture and got the all clear. Happy days

dolliemix

Great news!

Blueskye

Tomorrow's 8 miles tonight. Enjoyed the first 6 and then just got bored. Luckily wasn't near home or I would have just stopped. Anyway, it's done. Everyone in Cork seemed to be in good humour tonight, lots of cars beeping their horns and waving (maybe I look like someone?) and a man living round the corner joked was I training for 2010 :eek: Anyway, he said keep up the good work

Nice.

Ice (slight niggle on the infamous knee) Physio actually told me I should be having ice baths after the long runs...not sure if I can put myself through the torture...

Blueskye

17 miles planned for today. But it was never meant to be....a hilly route and the heat killed me. Stomach started acting up around 4 miles and didn't really improve - cramps mainly. Sweat was pumping out of me... Ended up running 9.83 miles and I'd say I walked another 4 miles. The few beers last night probably didn't help either...:rolleyes: I SHOULD have gone out earlier this morning, hitting the roads in the midday heat not the cleverest idea. But hey, tomorrow is another day.

littlebug

Bad luck today... it was really hot. I was starting to feel the effects when I was just finishing up before 11 so how you got through that many miles I don't know. As you say... just one of those days!

Blueskye

4 miles circa 9.10/mi
Foam roller - can really feel that I haven't done this in a few days. Had a bit of knee pain the past couple of days. No pain running tonight though.

Blueskye

Feeling like crap this week, really tired despite sleeping lots. Sinuses still giving me trouble too.
9 miles not very motivated but got it done. Skipping the 10mile race Saturday, just can't face the journey up and down after the week. Too much going on. But will do the HM next month.
Physio exercises
Stretching

Blueskye

Well after deciding not to run the race, too tired, not feeling ready to race etc. I changed my mind and got the train up at 5.35 this morn from Limerick :eek: It wasn't so bad, managed to sleep some of the way.

Met RQ, RK, OI, Xebec, Racheljev, Robinph and Menoscemo for the first time, so that was cool.

Hung back at the start, as I had absolutely no idea how I was going to get on today pace-wise. Took it easy at first and then got fairly comfortable for a few miles. But the heat killed me. Not enough water at the first station (I was pouring my own water into a cup and a girl stole it out of my hand!!) and was parched by the second water station. At 7 miles the race finished for me, my legs just stopped working. They really wouldn't move!! So 2 very slow miles, some walk breaks and managed to pick it up a bit for the last mile. I left the garmin on autolap which was stupid but it was fairly accurate with the miles:
9.26
9.22
9.08
9.43
9.26
9.00
9.49
10.28
10.22
9.24

1.36.38, not a pb, in fact I got almost the same time (1.36.31) at Ballycotton 2009 - my only other 10mile race. So I guess it means I haven't gotten any worse but also haven't improved. But that would make sense given I've been out with injury since March and spent June/July away travelling. So hopefully with more consistent training I'll get that speed up. Great to be back out there again.

10 miles

racheljev

Fair play, it was tough today wasn't it? The heat nearly killed me as well, never run in that before. Great to meet you today, are you doing the half?

osnola ibax

Nice to meet you today. The first water station was a bit chaotic in what was otherwise a well organised race. Congrats on a great run particularly considering everything you mentioned. Twas a great day.

menoscemo

so cool to meet you!!! you could have stayed with us more. you would have been surprised with your endurance in the sun.

Blueskye

racheljev wrote: »

Fair play, it was tough today wasn't it? The heat nearly killed me as well, never run in that before. Great to meet you today, are you doing the half?

Great to meet you too. Yep I'll be up again for the half.

Blueskye

menoscemo wrote: »

so cool to meet you!!! you could have stayed with us more. you would have been surprised with your endurance in the sun.

Cool to meet you too :)You're so positive menoscemo!! Endurance? Don't think I have too much of that at the moment!!

Blueskye

4.6 hungover miles Quite a session last night in Limerick and wasn't even sure if I'd make it out today. Breathing pretty bad but it was a hilly route, which I need given my performance yesterday.
Foam roller
Physio stretches

Blueskye

Busy this evening and all day tomorrow so swapped today and tomorrow's runs to fit the long one in this afternoon 9 miles. Wow it's hot out there. Sinuses still at me so not feeling 100%. Still lovely to be out running rather than working

Will do 4 tomorrow and 4 Thursday and then it's 19 on Saturday...

Blueskye

4 miles this morning. Legs felt tired for the first two miles but loosened up after that.

Blueskye

Skipped 4 miler yesterday, fell asleep after work. Wrecked this week.

Supposed to do 19 today and 9 tomorrow. Just couldn't psych myself up for the 19 so did the 9 instead. Head totally stuffed up from sinuses, coughing up all sorts of lovely gunk. Slight twinge in knee.
9 miles
Foam roller

Blueskye

19.35miles at a sloooow pace - circa 10.30 - 10.45/mi
Knee felt a bit stiff towards the end but nothing serious. 2 gels and water every 4/5 miles. Perfect weather for running - cloudy and drizzly at times.

First ice bath - not as bad as I thought it would be but probably need more ice (had 2 bags plus cold water). Once you don't move you get used to the cold. Will do that again.

41.35miles this week

Bally8

Well done Bluesky, I wouldnt worry about running slower than usual, its the covering the distance that counts at this stage (10.30 min miles is actually fast for me:eek:). I found the ice baths great last year, a real help in recovery.

littlebug

well done Blue skye. another lsr done and dusted.
I'm the same as Bally8 when I hear someone say slow @10.30 I think "pfft they don't know slow":p

metamorphosis

nice one on todays run

Blueskye

10 miles tonight with 4 (kindof) speedy miles in the middle. Felt absolutely fantastic out there tonight. Breathing good, legs felt good, slight twinge at mile two but nothing after that. Haven't had a run like that in ages.

Haven't been to gym in 4 weeks so really need to give myself a kick up the ass in that regard. Have also let core work slip. Just feel zonked after work and don't feel like doing anything but once I get going I'm fine. Need to HTFU!!!

Physio exercises tonight
Stretching

Listened to marathontalk podcast with that barefoot runner dude (Ted?). Interesting and makes a change, I usually listen to music but enjoyed it.