Confessions of a Comrade Cailin

hot to trot · 16-12-2010 02:08PM

I didnt get back to Mayo til 4.45 am once Flight arrived in Dublin. My windscreen was frozen inside, once I cleared off all the snow. My bottle of water was frozen solid and as the heater was gone in my car I nearly froze on the way down. I had to keep clearing the ice off the inside of the windscreen with my tesco clubcard and any condensation from breathing would just freeze again. I was so cold and stiff on the way . A feckin ejit in the supposed M4 service station told me to get water in the AIR/WATER supply at the side of the forecourt , when I asked him for water to defrost the windscreen. It was minus 8 outside .FFS. Service station had no internal access - just a window. So dont rely on a comfort stop here except for fuel.
My toes were painful for four days after the chilling I got in the car.I took about 2 days to get proper sensation back in my feet.

My knee and hip felt "off" for the next two weeks. It felt like it was out of place. I could feel the whole length of my thigh bone. I think what happened was during the Venice marathon a few weeks before.
I jumped down half a flight of steps coming off the last bridge about mile 26 . I felt a kick on the side of my knee and I hobbled ot the finish but it settled over the night. I think this is what has lingered on.

So with snow in place. I screwed screws into my shoes and after resting the leg for a few days it was back to the Comrades training ( via Clonakilty marathon in two weeks)

Thursday Dec 2nd 5 miles at -4 degrees

hot to trot · 16-12-2010 02:10PM

-4 again. Got funny looks running past people trying not to fall. ( love the screws)
:52 mins 9.46mm ( 150) 5 miles

hot to trot · 16-12-2010 02:12PM

10 M 1:41 10;08mm ( 158) -3
Very icy after slight thaw. Hard work on the legs too which isnt helping my sore achilles,

hot to trot · 16-12-2010 02:13PM

Dying of hangover. Had planned to run 10 miles back to recover car but thought I would have a heart attack after .25 Miles so I hitched and just ran the last 2 miles.

hot to trot · 16-12-2010 02:17PM

7.5 miles in screws again. -4 degrees still. Planned a 10 but achilles just too sore to do anymore.
I am fine running in the evening but this morning running just seems to break it down even more. Stil , have appointment to fix it in January so will get a few more marathons out of it before that.
Hip/knee still aching so think I might rest it before the marathon at the weekend. Concerned that I have shifted the balance right off. Worried also that i am losing my training benefit already.

hot to trot · 16-12-2010 02:27PM

Well after 7 hours drive down I thought I would never restore the feeling and use to my arse and legs. Am limping all the time now with hip, so am just goign to jog along and it might work itself out. Anyway am looking forward to meeting up with runners that I might know from the boards.
Lovely morning and great atmosphere. santa dress on and after some great chats we are off.
#Met lovely people on the way and really enjoyed the scenery. Not sure what my pace was going to be. Plan was about working heart rate of 160-165 as I know I can run it all at that.
Achilles was sore for 10 miles , typical for being forced to run in the morning. I guess that is the price for doing most of my runs at 10pm at night .
I didint think the hills were bad. They werent that steep and the ones that were , were short enough. Some of the downhills were steep and as I have zero control on downhills , I ran down like a screaming banshee hoping I wouldnt fall. I got great support in my santa dress and enjoyed the craic along the way.
I found the drag along the muddy road tough. Dont know was it uphill but I found it draining.
Held on to the finish and just met Declan, another regular marathon stalwart at the end. We came across the line together.

26.2M 4:13 9:36mm ( 166)

Hip has certainly eased since this. It is only sore at night now. But I still feel it is out of line. Just need to get back into the routine now.

hot to trot · 16-12-2010 02:31PM

Feel it is ages since I ran
6M :57 9:33mm (161)
Felt legs were comfortable but heart rate was quite high for recover kind of pace. MIght give it an extra day off.
Feel depressed. Think it is post marathon blues. I know its a long way from Comrades but will I be able to get the training done? Have busy time at work and wont get to run before 10pm any night this week.
Do I have it in me ? Doubts lurk

Well ,up to date now again , so at least there wont be a million posts from me for another while. Sorry. But it is the only place I have now to log my stuff , so it eventually has to get up here.

hot to trot · 17-12-2010 10:47PM

-2 and snowing hard. Did 8 miles in screws along the hard shoulder . NO torch required. Must have looked like a spastic running along with head back ,mouth open wide and tongue out ...catching snowflakes

Felt I needed a more easy run so tried to keep heart rate lowish.
8M 1:19 9:59mm ( 155)

hot to trot · 17-12-2010 10:54PM

Near blizzard conditions so took back road. Hips and knees back to happy state since I upped the runs again. Definitley taper doesnt suit me.
Heart rate/effort always greater in the snow and its hard to do Easy/hard alternate runs so decided I might as well push it. Did steadyish on the way out and then a hard 3 miles finishing with a steady 2.

Overall 10M 1:31 9:07mm ( 167)
9:14(150)
9:18(160)
9:16(163)
9:29(165)
9:28(168)
8:38(169)
8:20(178)
8:47(180)
9:22(172) plus stretching afterwards.
9:14(174)

hot to trot · 18-12-2010 07:37PM

Miserable run.
Heavy falls of snow made it deep on the ground. It was such an effort to try and clear it and step up /lift the knees much higher than usual. By mile 3 my shin was really knotting, so I made it onto compacted snow and ice and this was much easier but I ran out of road, Was also very wet by then and had to go and change into dry clothes. NOt sure what I will do tomorrow. Screws still doing a great job , slippy wise.

4.7 Miles 10.04mm ( 155)

hot to trot · 19-12-2010 09:41PM

Well much better staying on a small back road with compressed snow and ice. Managed 10 miles before I ran out of time.

10 Miles 1:38 9:48mm ( 157) 75% WHR

Then ate about 3,000 calories. Bah

Woundedknee. · 19-12-2010 11:29PM

Snow miles are better than no miles

I admire your dedication and I think you have it in you for the Comrades.

hot to trot · 22-12-2010 12:17AM

Just in from 12 miles in the snow. Moonlight for the last 6. Truly magical. Was -8 when I came in and my hair was frozen into lacy patterns on the side of my head as if I was wearing a doily under my buff. Looks also like I have whie mascara sticking my eyelashes together. Was definitely not worth losing heart after bad run the other day. Also didnt hink I would make it out when I didnt get out til after 9 tonight. Better hit the shower before I freeze int eh kitchen. GO ME !!:D

12 M 1:58 9:51mm ( 154)

hot to trot · 23-12-2010 03:17PM

-4 blue sky and white compact snow. Very pretty. Feels harder though.

16 miles 2:35 9:42mm (154)

I AM surprised that the pace and effort seems as good as that.
Pleased with that but havent done any hills in a month . Gulp. HOpefully I still have time.

hot to trot · 24-12-2010 06:02PM

Another beautiful but very cold day. Havent run in minus 9 before. 2010 is full of firsts

ANother flat run in compacted snow.NO Chasing Dogs

:D

10M 1:35 9:36mm (150) 70%

hot to trot · 25-12-2010 09:39PM

Didnt get a chance to get out til nearly 8pm. Did major amount of eating while preparing the dinner. Dangerous to leave me in the kitchen alone.

So , wind has picked up a lot and felt quite a bit colder , -8 up to -5 so it is actually warmer than earlier. Moon gone so head torch came back out.Tried to run the last few miles at a faster pace but couldnt sustain it.

5.7M :51 8.56 mm (162)

9:13(150)
9.11( 159)
9:13( 159)
8:28(167)
8:24(173)
9:07(170)

hot to trot · 26-12-2010 04:11PM

[FONT=arial, helvetica]If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial, helvetica]John Bingham, Runner and author [/FONT]

hot to trot · 28-12-2010 11:32AM

Poor effort last few days, with busy work and lots of ice.
Meagre 5 flat miles in +7 degrees. Nearly roasted! They all count and at least it will stop me seizing til I get back into a routine again.

5M :45 9:09mm (161)

hot to trot · 02-01-2011 03:52AM

Managed to run a bit around Fingal. Should probably have driven to Howth and done hills but didnt know if it was still snowy and icy. Am running effort levels that are neither rest/recovery or fast pace building miles. Need to wind that up again and sort it out so I am not wasting time doing ineffecitve stuff , if there is such a thing.

9M 1:24 9:30mm ( 159)

hot to trot · 02-01-2011 03:56AM

Nearly roasted running in 22 degrees C. Was stiff after 15 hours travelling yesterday so was happy to get any miles and exercise at all.
Very flat miles. Very .Effort was greater than it seems . Had to stop at junctions and road crossings so it brought HR back down.

10M 1:33 9:23mm (154)

hot to trot · 02-01-2011 04:01AM

Hot again today. Brought drinks so it was easier. Hip still very dodgy and achilles lump is getting very big and hard and very sore. Will be getting that sorted soon. Now if I could get the rest of me sorted before the big training kicks in.
I wanted to do some treadmill hillwork or stairs but was afraid to do anything too stressful at the moment in case it makes me have to take a break from training. So ....

12.5 M 2:00 9:35 ( 152)

hot to trot · 02-01-2011 02:58PM

When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race.

[FONT=arial, helvetica]Jay Foonberg, 72-year-old runner [/FONT]

hot to trot · 03-01-2011 03:29AM

Got new runners today. First pair that isnt structured. WIll see how i get on with them. Its very hard to know what to get when you havent run in them.
Did treadmill session to try them out .
5x yassos at 8mph and 6mph. Total about 5 miles including one warm up mile.

5 M 43 mins .

hot to trot · 05-01-2011 04:15AM

Disaster strikes!
Had awful sick stomach yesterday and during the day the hip got very sore. Today I can hardly walk on it . Major limp and lots of pain. Had massage that didnt help one bit. NOt sure what I have done or how? ??? the treadmill session?
Anyway. If stomach settles I will take anti inflamms until the weekend and see if I can even walk the damn thing. Cant believe my bad luck. 40 miles with this will be a right punishment. I need to be able to continue my training but if I have to stop for a few weeks , then I have no choice. Am devastated to travel all this way for nothing.:(

Woundedknee. · 05-01-2011 09:48AM

Sounds like it's time to take a step back and give yourself time to rest and recover. Best to be on the start line slightly undertrained but healthy and injury free rather than injured and not knowing if you'll manage the distance. Don't forget the Comrades has a cut of time.

Now is not the time to change running shoes.

hot to trot · 06-01-2011 03:32AM

Thanks Wounded Knee. Had major meltdown yesterday in a panic

but this morning I localised the trouble spot and got stuck into it. It has freed up hugely and I reckon by the weekend I should be good for one if not both events.
The plan was a break after this weekend anyhow, so will do that when I get back. I was just going to run these at a slow fun training pace to discipline myself to hold back on training runs when I am doing them as events . I will need to get used to running slower for Comrades anyway if I am to cover the distance and not burn out in the first half.

I am long overdue a change of shoes. The last ones were a disaster and I had gone back to wearing old ones that have thousands of miles in them. I havent seen any brooks ones here, which I got on well with before , so I had to get something. I reckon with shoes you pay your money and take your chance until you find a pair that you like and you can keep buying the same ones.
So , apologies for the panic attack. Going to keep working on the hip and make a decisioin on Friday . Comrades is my goal. I wont risk screwing it all up .

Magnet · 06-01-2011 12:27PM

Keep up the good work - the panic is good, its keeps me grounded but I add hyperventilating to the mix

:D
Have you entered already? You have a good few months training yet though don`t you?
You`re coming along really well, getting your sub4hr marathon and consistent enough training.

hot to trot · 10-01-2011 01:21AM

In a funny kind of way the hip crisis on Sunday did me a huge favour in that I was able to target the exact spot that is causing all the trouble. It feels a bit tight on certain movemement but the referral to the knee and ankle has gone completely and it doesnt hurt now.

So I got up at 3am. Was only a half marathon so didnt bother trying to source breakfast - had a cereal bar and made my way down the road. Start was at 5.35am :eek: but we ended up standing around in the cold from nearly 4am . Things were brilliantly organised. Loads of loos , good baggage drop and at least 8 corrals down to 15mm paced runners/walkers.

There was a videolink to EYE-RAQ to the armed forces there , One Soldier was supposed to run the half with his wife in Disney but was sent to Iraq, so he organised a half marathon around the compound so they could both did it at the same time. Was a bit sad to hear his little girl say " I love you Daddy", when she might not see him again.There were a lot of military among the runners and there was huge support for them.There were a number of blind and disabled servicemen too. The American anthem was sung and with jets of lovely warm flames shot out the top of the starting gantry we were off.
I couldnt believe how many supporters were standing all along the route in the cold and dark at 5.35. The Americans supersize everything , especially support for runners and this was a big party for them. There was music practically all around the route and plenty of Disney characters . Runners could stop and get their photos taken with them. There was ;powerade and water and more toilets at every mile and medical aid regularly too. tables of everything from vaseline and biofreeze to drugs!
We started at Epcot car park and skirted the side of the park and headed to the Magic Kingdom. We ran around the MK and it was lovely with all the lights. It was FULL Of screaming people and there was a great atmosphere. Then pretty much back to the starting area.
Good Jawhb everyone !!:rolleyes:

My plan was to take it very easy and see what the hip would do .I wanted to do both runs as training runs and not go too fast anyway. It felt very comfortable and my new runners were sheer delight to run in . They were well broken in walking around with the girls all week. I settled into a steady pace and without a hitch or a hiccup I finished in 2:07

13.1 2:07 9:43mm ( 148) 48% WHR

hot to trot · 11-01-2011 11:43PM

Third time lucky with this report!!!
Abridged version this time around.

Similar start as Half but with additional fireworks accompanying the off for each separate corral until all 17,000 were off. Brilliant support including high school brass bands and cheerleaders all the way from about mile 2. Characters all along the route where people could stop and get their photos taken with them. All in all we went from park to park and all through each park being lauded like we had conquered Everest rather than run a few miles. One of the DJ's recognised me from the previous day's half , from my Irish tricolour vest. He said " I recognise you from yesterday ! I dunno , 26 miles isnt enough for some people , they have to do more than 39 over the weekend". I had such a laugh thinking about what he would think about Magnet!
If I had a dollar for every time I heard "GO MIAMI"!! Er , colours are a bit smiliar right enough :rolleyes:. The runners passing me would say " GO IRISH".

I cant remember what miles we were at - about 21ish and I passed another medical aid table. Shouts of biofreeze, vaseline and then " anyone for Tylenol"?:eek: I couldnt believe my ears. Nothing like stressing the liver a bit more for the craic!!
The sun was well up and it was getting warmer and I met up again with a Girl in Union Jack outfit . We jogged together for the last 5 or so miles so pace was easier as we just enjoyed the scenery and the atmosphere and with a final sprint we were over the line to collect the biggest medals I have ever collected.2:21
I couldnt believe the hip held up as well. Its the first couple of runs since I jumped down the flight of steps at the end of the Venice marathon in October that I havent had some pain down the leg. I am so glad I have nearly cleared the problem area already. Great stuff.Feeling much more confident about the training facing me . GOOd Jawb!!

26.2 M 4:24 avg 9:55mm ( 158)/75% whr.
First and second splits 2:21 each.

Aimman · 12-01-2011 12:17AM

Well done, a half and a full marathon back to back. The one thing about running around Disney is that you are not sure if you are halucinating from exhaustion when you start seeing Mickey Mouse and Goofey at the sideline cheering people on!

Thats a great start to 2011.

Confessions of a Comrade Cailin

Comments