Let the madness continue

BrokenMan · 14-02-2011 12:24PM

A short long run saturday. Just over 11 miles very easy for the first 6 but picked it up over the last 5. Bit tired heading out but felt good after a couple of miles. No pains of note at all.

Distance 11.15 miles
Pace : 8:46
Weather: dry, cool

Totals
Week: 24.15
Month : 42.3
Year : 184.43

BrokenMan · 14-02-2011 12:26PM

A nice steady run on Sunday, took in bit of trails in the local woods just to mix it up a little. Must do it a bit more often.

Distance 7:02 miles
Pace : 8:29
Weather: dry, cool

Totals
Week: 31.17
Month : 49.32
Year : 191.45

BrokenMan · 15-02-2011 12:30PM

Really bad run last night, serious stiffness in my calves and a really bad dose of shin splints. Dont know where it came from weekend runs felt grand. Lots of Ice and anti inflamatories when I got home. Will see how it feels today.

Distance 4 miles
Pace : 9:07
Weather: dry, cold

Totals
Week: 4
Month : 53.32
Year : 195.45

BrokenMan · 15-02-2011 02:22PM

Very worried going out at lunch time, took a really easy first mile and stopped for a good stretch before continuing on. Legs were definitely on the tight side but no sign of the shin splints at least. They actually felt better once I got into the run a bit. Dont think I will do any speed work this week and just stick to some easy stuff with plenty of ice and stretching.

Distance 5.05 miles
Pace : 8:37
Weather: windy, light drizzly

Totals
Week: 9.05
Month : 58.37
Year : 200.5

claralara · 15-02-2011 08:21PM

I was having some shin issues over the last couple of weeks. I ended up missing a few runs because of the pain. Went to the Physio on Saturday who explained that my calves were really tight and knotted. She dry needled the left shin and calf which was the sorer one (it wasn't painful but it certainly wasn't pleasant!) and then gave both calves a good deep massage. My legs were black and blue after it but the the relief is brilliant. Still not 100% but the 'ouch' pain is gone and the legs are just a little heavy now. So glad I went, it was really starting to upset me!

Hope your's ease up. The training looks to be going well otherwise!

BrokenMan · 16-02-2011 10:15AM

Thanks Claralara, I am really trying to avoid having to go down the dry needling, I have seen the results a coupel of time and Im a big chicken really.

Im a bit behind where I was hoping on training, missed a week a little while back havent been able to get in some of my faster sessions. Not going to worry too much about it though.

BrokenMan · 16-02-2011 10:22AM

Battery on the Garmin was dead so no idea about time today but the pace felt reasonable at a guess around 8:30. Definite improvement in my legs they didnt feel as tight at all thankfully.
Looking forward in a strange way to the weeeknds planned 20 miler, reckon I should be OK for it again now.

Distance 4 miles
Pace : Unknown
Weather: sunny, cold

Totals
Week: 13.05
Month : 62.37
Year : 204.5

BrokenMan · 17-02-2011 02:46PM

Just over 5 miles again today. Took it a little bit faster than the last few days with no ill effects. Legs were still tight for the first mile and a half but were grand again after that. Nice rest day tomorrow and theres a bottle of red wine with my name on it at home

Distance 5.05 miles
Pace : 8:20
Weather: foggy, cold

Totals
Week: 18.1
Month : 67.42
Year : 209.55

BrokenMan · 21-02-2011 12:37PM

Saturdays long run was a bit of an eye opener. Wnet grand for the first 17 miles but my body kinda gave up on me after that. I probably hadnt enough fuel on board, only 2 gels, have been trying to cut back on them. Wont make that mistake again. Managed to struggle round to the end but very slowly, over 10 min mile pace from mile 17.
On a plius side it was a seriously hilly run and its got to stand to me in 7 weeks.

Distance 20.75 miles
Pace : 9:20
Weather: dry, cool

Totals
Week: 38.85
Month : 88.17
Year : 230.3

BrokenMan · 21-02-2011 12:38PM

Sunday very easy 3 miles. the legs were a bit of a mess from Saturday so just took it handy.

Distance 3 miles
Pace : 9:01
Weather: dry, breezy

Totals
Week: 41.85
Month : 91.17
Year : 233.3

BrokenMan · 22-02-2011 02:32PM

No running yesterday, my legs were in bits. Did some swimming and stretching instead.

Nice 5 mile run today, could definitely feel the benefit of the day off yesterday. Legs were stiff for the first mile or so but after that it was grand.

Distance 5 miles
Pace : 8:37
Weather: light rain but mild

Totals
Week: 5
Month : 95.17
Year : 238.3

BrokenMan · 24-02-2011 10:32AM

Noticed yesterday lookig at the log that I really have been neglecting my midweek longish run so Wednesdays from now to Conn will be for 8-10 mile runs.
Last night 10 miles, started out nice and handy with a few 9:20s to ease out the legs, still al little stiff from the weekend, before picking it up to finishe with 3 X 8:30. Overall pace bang on 9 min miles.

Felt pretty good once the stiffness went from the legs.

Distance 10.1 miles
Pace : 9:00
Weather: mild and a little breezy

Totals
Week: 15.1
Month : 105.27
Year : 248.4

BrokenMan · 24-02-2011 02:36PM

5 miles today at a handy enough pace for the first 2.5, picked it up to around 8 min miles for the return run. Nice run even though it was fairly breezy. Legs needed a good stretch.

Distance 5 miles
Pace : 8:35
Weather: mild and breezy

Totals
Week: 20.1
Month : 110.27
Year : 253.4

BrokenMan · 28-02-2011 02:45PM

No running at all over the weekend, was feeling really off on Saturday, think I ate something dodgy and just had no time yesterday, had a load of work to do around the garden.......lets call that cross training :rolleyes: Total mileage for Feb not great either.
Am getting seriously worried about where I'm gonna be fitness wise come Connemara now, definitely dont think I will be near DCM standard.

Anyway back to it today with a nice 6 mile run in the sunshine. Was actually very sore from the uncommon manual labour yesterday so took the first 3 miles nice and handy, once the back had losened out I picked it up on the way back. A lovely run and nice to feel the sun on my back again.

Distance 6 miles
Pace : 8:42
Weather: sunny

Totals
Week: 6
Month : 116.27
Year : 259.4

BrokenMan · 01-03-2011 02:19PM

6 mile tempo run today. Actually one of my most enjoyable runs for a while. Legs felt grand apart from a little stiffness around the hip at the start. Just seemed to get into my stride nice and easy. If only every day could be like today.

Distance 6.04 miles
Pace : 8:09
Weather: sunny, light breeze

Totals
Week: 12.04
Month : 6.04
Year : 265.44

BrokenMan · 03-03-2011 09:13AM

Last night midweek longish run time again. Really didnt feel like this run as have the start of a cold comin gon with the associated aches and pains in my back. Glad that I did go out though, it was a lovely crisp celar night and the aches disappeared once I got moving. Little faster than last week and enjoyable.

Half marathon in Kinvara coming up now on Saturday so lookign forward to that. Hopefully the cold wont get any worse.

Distance 10.07 miles
Pace : 8:47
Weather: cool, clear

Totals
Week: 22.11
Month : 16.11
Year : 275.54

BrokenMan · 03-03-2011 02:13PM

Today was supposed to be a nice easy 4 mile run taking a break at 2 miles for a good stretch. I just couldn't seem to get myself to drop down to my recovery pace though. Eventually gave up trying after a mile and just ran at what felt right. I did stop after 2 miles and spend 10 mins stretching before turning back for the office.

A lovely run in every sense of the word.

Distance 4.04 miles
Pace : 8:29
Weather: dry sunny light breeze

Totals
Week: 26.15
Month : 20.15
Year : 279.58

ronanmac · 03-03-2011 06:50PM

Best of luck in Kinvara, Brokenman. The forecast is good, so all you have to do now is head down by the Burren and run the race of your life! Enjoy!

BrokenMan · 07-03-2011 12:17PM

Headed into this race on Saturday not really knowing where I am fitness wise. Not a target race by any means so no tepr done and still suffering with a bit of a head cold.

Registration was a little chaotic as there seemed to be alot of people still registering on the day, something that needs to be looked at for sure.

Once the race got going I found myself going along at a pretty good pace for the first couple of miles, but I realised that the recent cold had taken more out of me then I though as I could feel my breathing wasnt quiet right my lungs felt a little clogged up.

By half way my lungs seemed to have cleared out and I was definitely breathing easier legs were grand and a quick check showed that I had dropped the pace back from my usual unrealistic start. A big drag around mile 8 really took the spring from my legs but once we crested that I felt ok agan and got back on pace. Found mysefl in a group of 5 around this time and we were all moving along together fairly well up until around mile 11 when one last hill came up, I dropped the rest of the group here and was actually feeling pretty good, pushed on a bit once I hit the 12 mile marker but my legs didnt have anything really left, could feel the lack of a taper in them. Once I saw the finishing line I managed to have a half hearted sprint for the line but Im pretty sure it didnt look like one to anyone watching.

Crossed the line with a 1 second PB on my watch which surprised me, I really am going to have to have a proper go at a half again soon that PB must be way too soft.

Overall it was a pretty good race needs a few things improved organisation wise, around registration and they need to get some portable toilets at the start/finish area. Definitely think its got the potential to be a good addition to the calendar.

Distance 13.1 miles
Pace : 7:45
Weather: overcast, cool

Totals
Week: 39.25
Month : 33.55
Year : 292.78

BrokenMan · 08-03-2011 02:22PM

Took 2 days off to try and shake the cold fully, still there though but cant really afford to take any longer.
6 miles today in pretty windy conditions. Goin out Salthill was tough, nice when I got to turn and run with it at my back on the way in though. Legs felt fine after Saturday.
Had definitely been spoilt by the weather the last few weeks though.

Distance 6 miles
Pace : 8:38
Weather: overcast, cool, very windy

Totals
Week: 6
Month : 39.55
Year : 298.78

claralara · 08-03-2011 03:43PM

Well done in Kinvara! Every second counts!

Hope you’re feeling a bit better now. The training seems to be going well? How are you feeling about Connemara at this stage? Not long now...

BrokenMan · 08-03-2011 04:01PM

Thanks claralara, feeling a bit better but still not 100%, got to get back out there though.
Not overly confident for Connemara, missed a good few key sessions, going to try and get 3 good quality weeks in now with 2 20 milers and have a 2 week taper and see what happens. Going to try and enjoy it, if you can enjoy a marathon. Half was class last yer.

BrokenMan · 10-03-2011 09:02AM

Last night 5 mile tempo run. Was very tough given the weather but the company made it easier. Breathing still not back right though but my legs were fine. Really starting to look forward to the longer evenings, running in the dark isn't fun.

Distance 5.04 miles
Pace : 8:07
Weather: very windy, showers

Totals
Week: 11.4
Month : 43.59
Year : 303.82

BrokenMan · 13-03-2011 07:33PM

Saturday.
One of the kids banged her head on thiursday and wound up in hospital for observation overnight so no running since Wednesday. No problems with the little one either thankfully.

Planned a 10 mile PMP run Saturday morning and misjudged the distance slightly so went a little over. An enjoyable run in pretty cold conditions, snow on the ground when I was heading out. No real bother with my legs and the cold seems to be pretty much gone by now...I dont get many but they last a long time when I do.

Distance 10.7 miles
Pace : 8:21
Weather: cold

Totals
Week: 22.1
Month : 54.29
Year : 314.52

BrokenMan · 13-03-2011 07:39PM

Todat, definitely time to crack out a good 20 miler. Started off grand feeling OK but made a bit of a mess of my fueling, tried out some jellies instead of a Gel at one stage and just didnt get a proper hit off them. Hadnt brought a spare Gel just in case so had to struggle on. By the end I was really struggling, just nothing left in the legs.
My pace didnt drop off too bad though just around 10 sec per mile for the last 3
Think it was a combination of the 10 miles yesterday, messing up the fueling and not eating properly yesterday.

Well these runs are there to learn from.

Distance 20.15 miles
Pace : 9:10
Weather: cold, breezy

Totals
Week: 42.25
Month : 74.44
Year : 344.67

BrokenMan · 15-03-2011 02:29PM

Todays run was pretty tough, I just didnt seem to have any energy at all. Wonderid it somethign to do with my lack of junk food for the last week. Probably shoul dlook into replacing it with something.

I suppose any day you can get out and run on a day like today has to be a good day.

Distance 5 miles
Pace : 8:33
Weather: dry and sunny

Totals
Week: 5
Month : 79.44
Year : 349.67

BrokenMan · 17-03-2011 08:49AM

Real confidence boosting run last night. Went out with a few others and their pace was faster than what I would normally run at. Found it tough enough for the first mile to get the legs going but after that I was flying along, really felt strong at the end and I could definitely have put in a few more miles. Had to get home though as my OH was going out.

Distance 6.11 miles
Pace : 8:01
Weather: dry and cool

Totals
Week: 11.11
Month : 85.55
Year : 355.78

BrokenMan · 20-03-2011 07:44PM

Yesterday, Saturday. Just a nice normal run nothing special about it. felt good with no aches or pains. Put the foot down a bit for the last mile just to get the lungs working.

Distance 5.8 miles
Pace : 8:24
Weather: dry and cool

Totals
Week: 16.81
Month : 91.35
Year : 361.58

BrokenMan · 20-03-2011 07:57PM

After last year Craughwell had set themselves a very high standard to match. Everything about last years race was first rate and today was no different. Paking, registration, marshalling and the post race food were first rate once again.

As for my own race I didnt really know where I was preperation wise for this, hadnt targeted it bur I was coming off a relatively easy week mileage wise.

First mile is downhill so just let the legs go and see where I was, mile 1 in 7:07, thats quick for me but it was downhill so I though may as well just go with the flow. After the second mile I got in with a group or 3 other runners and we were pacing very nicely off each other. through half way and the pace had eased off from the fast start but was still going good. Half way in 36:18 and still feeling pretty good. Next lap was somehow a 7:06 it didnt feel that fast but that was the fastest mile for me. Was starting to hurt a bit now but figured I would hang on in there for as long as I could, was still running more or less with the same group of runners and there was no one coming past us, we were picking off a good few runners as well. Next two miles were tough, breathing was getting pretty difficult. Mile 9 was a bit better but I knew that the last mile was a tough uphill one so I didnt try to pick the pace up too early. Really felt the burn in my legs on that last mile coming back up the hill to the village but managed to dig in and hold a steady pace. Had nothing left in the legs for a sprint though and lost 2 places in the last 200 meters. I really have to work more on my finishing sprint.

All in all delighted with a 3 min PB. And unlike the last 2 PB this one isnt that soft

According to Mcmillan thats my best ever race result.

Hopefully this sets me up nicely for Connemara now.

Distance 510 miles
Pace : 7:16
Weather: little damp starting off but cleared up

Totals
Week: 26.81
Month : 101.35
Year : 371.58

littlebug · 20-03-2011 09:14PM

Well done , congrats on the pb! Sounds like a great race again... your report has me kicking myself that I didn't make it!

Let the madness continue

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