Getting Back To My Best

RAL3 · 05-03-2011 07:05PM

Good luck tomorrow Brian

metamorphosis · 05-03-2011 09:50PM

All the best tomorrow.

digger2d2 · 05-03-2011 11:08PM

Have a great run Brian!

Brianderunner · 06-03-2011 01:29PM

3'12'00 chip time. Stopped 5 times in the last 2 mls to stretch out cramp. But still a pb by 10 mins so can't complain. See the splits for the last 4km, painful. Off to the pub for a long one.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/71523343

chinguetti · 06-03-2011 02:33PM

3.12 and still more there. Savage going today, well done.

Will we be aiming for a sub 3 in the near future?

Brianderunner · 06-03-2011 02:38PM

chinguetti wrote: »

3.12 and still more there. Savage going today, well done.

Will we be aiming for a sub 3 in the near future?

Cheers. Yeah Berlin in Sept maybe. 40 mpw isn't gonna do it though :pac:

Brianderunner · 07-03-2011 11:27AM

Leadup; After last October's 3'26 in Dublin imade the conscious decision to take my running more seriously and to get 6 runs a week in. I showed an immediate improvement and knocked out a very good 10 miler over xmas and the 1'26 half in Waterford in January showed me i was a totally different runner this time around. I started work in London In Decemeber and got into a running routine which seemed to work. The training mostly consisted of 40 mile weeks with only 2 LSR's but some really good tempo's and speed sessions.

Race Day; Woke up around 6:30, forced down porridge and made the short walk to the start. Met Oisin11178 and Jackyback, they both thought i looked quite nervous and they were right. Oisin and myself had a pre ordained plan to run together for our mutual benefit. Off we went relatively conservatively with 4'30 km splits the target for a sub 3'10 finish. The first few kilometres ticked by without incident despite some long uphill drags, notably past the Nou Camp. 10k was reached in 45'02, pretty much perfect pacing. We then spotted the pacing balloons up ahead, which we thought were 3'10, until we got closer and noticed they were 3'15. They had clearly gone out too fast and it was a 2km long ordeal to get through the pacers and pacees.

Heading towards halfway it was good to see the other boardsies in the opposite direction, some looked far fresher than others. Halfway was reached in 1:34:59, you couldnt make it up. Oisin's watch didnt work so i was the donkey boy calling out the splits to him. We both started to feel unusually good at this stage and halfway to 30k breezed by. I was now forming a plan in my head to push on at 36k, i mean i felt as good at 30k as i did in the DCM last year, when i showed a huge negative split. All the while though i felt like a charge was being built up in my legs. Cramp has destroyed 4 out 7 previous marathons and it felt like my only barrier to sub 3'10. The beachfront was not easy, as there was no shade to be had and the temperature soared to 20 degrees or so. I then decided to increase the pace to 4'20 km's, why not? i felt good and there was only 4 mls left. Found myself pulling ahead of Oisin at this stage and i left the seafront still feeling ok. I did 5 runs over the last 2/3 mls of the course last July so i felt the local knowledge would get me home.

Heading under the arch of triumph and onto place catalunya i started to flatten out and the pace dropped. No big deal, i had banked about a minute and i could afford to fisish with 4'40's. The steps and cobbles of the gothic quarter took their toll and as i hit La Ramblas, bang, left calf cramps up, like i'd been shot, untold agony. Had to stop to stretch it out. Got back up to speed but 300 yards later, bang, right hamsting, forced to stop again. At this stage Oisin passed me looking quite surprised to see me. I had only 2k left at this stage but that can feel like a lot. Next to go was the inside of the right calf. This was the strangest one, it literally felt like a goldfish was trying to escape from my leg until the pain hit. More stretching, more time lost. 3'10 was now gone and i said sub 3'11 would be ok at this stage. Until the left calf goes again with just 500m left, stopped to stretch again. Stopped 5 times in total. Rounding the home turn i tried to up the pace for the last 200m to get under 3'12, but i felt the dreaded pre cramp impulse run through both my adductors. I didnt want to risk an injury so i coasted in, physically spent for a 3'12'00 finish and a PB by over 10 mins.

I'll be honest, my first instinct was f*ck, i blew it. What was i playing at dropping Oisin, why didnt i just bring it on home at 4'30 km's and not get illusions of sub 3'09 granduer. But with the sun splitting the rocks and an amazing post run atmosphere, the reality that i had set a huge pb and that i was transformed as a runner in the last 4 months sank in, the world was suddenly a better place and i felt delighted with the run. All in all a great race, great support, its just a pity it had to be so damn painful. :pac:

Lots of drink with the assorted boardsies afterwards, some great performances... in the karaoke, feeling it now but so what.

Where to Now; Berlin is the obvious answer. Not sure about sub 3 though i'll see how the Spring/Summer goes. Sub 30 for 5 mls and sub 63 for 10 would be awesome. Gonna take it very handy this week, give the muscles a chance to recover. I'll do Mallow in 3 weeks but not flat out i think.

Muchos Gracias Barcelona!

shotgunmcos · 07-03-2011 01:10PM

Well done on the pb Brian and kudos for digging it out with that pain on board! Good man. Hey I'm doing Berlin too and sub3 is on my mind. TBH I though you and Macrani would threaten the 3 hour mark last weekend but it sounds like it was hot there. No doubt You were in need of more fluid and/or electrolytes in the closing stages. Was it just the day o do you thing you would have to be in better than 84 half marathon shape to bag a sub 3?

Brianderunner · 07-03-2011 02:58PM

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Well done on the pb Brian and kudos for digging it out with that pain on board! Good man. Hey I'm doing Berlin too and sub3 is on my mind. TBH I though you and Macrani would threaten the 3 hour mark last weekend but it sounds like it was hot there. No doubt You were in need of more fluid and/or electrolytes in the closing stages. Was it just the day o do you thing you would have to be in better than 84 half marathon shape to bag a sub 3?

Cheers. I never thought sub 3 was on this weekend. I would say i'd want to be breaking 1'24 for the half for sub 3 tbh. I need to do 60-70 mpw as a rule if i'm serious about it.

fiddy3 · 07-03-2011 03:07PM

"I didn't think I needed it".

metamorphosis · 07-03-2011 03:30PM

Well done on the PB, serious result will come again in Berlin

hf4z6sqo7vjngi · 07-03-2011 04:03PM

Well done Brian don't be improving too much now!! give me a chance to catch up on you.:P

jcsmum · 07-03-2011 04:17PM

Well done, super time!

Pisco Sour · 08-03-2011 01:47PM

Cracking run. Fantastic stuff. What is it about Barcelona and good times eh? First track side for Derval winning silver and now a huge PB.

However your very graphic description of your last 3km's has put me off wanting to do another marathon for the time being. Sounds horrific!!

Brianderunner · 10-03-2011 10:37PM

Thurs 10th Mar, 3mls in 28'09 (9'23), slowest run i've ever done. Legs were not there at all, they've just not recovered from Barca yet. Lack of proper sleep since not helping i know.

I'm suffering from a serious lack of motivation since Barcelona, cut the run short tonight cause i cba going further. Normally i'm rearing to go after a marathon for the next training period. Even though there's races coming up i couldnt care less about them at the mo. It will pass i'm sure and i'll make sure i keep forcing myself to run nonetheless, it would be a sin to not build on the momentum i've built up. A runner has nothing without motivation i know. Happened to me a few times in the past, and its a dangerous game.

Macanri · 11-03-2011 11:12PM

Well done on your PB Brian, and nice to meet you again.
We'll have to get you up for some Karaokee next time!
I wouldn't worry to much about not feeling like a run last night. It's very soon after the race and you were cramping like a mad thing at the end, so maybe try again tomorrow or the next day. I am taking 2 weeks off myself.

Pisco Sour · 12-03-2011 08:53AM

Brianderunner wrote: »

Thurs 10th Mar, 3mls in 28'09 (9'23), slowest run i've ever done. Legs were not there at all, they've just not recovered from Barca yet. Lack of proper sleep since not helping i know.

I'm suffering from a serious lack of motivation since Barcelona, cut the run short tonight cause i cba going further. Normally i'm rearing to go after a marathon for the next training period. Even though there's races coming up i couldnt care less about them at the mo. It will pass i'm sure and i'll make sure i keep forcing myself to run nonetheless, it would be a sin to not build on the momentum i've built up. A runner has nothing without motivation i know. Happened to me a few times in the past, and its a dangerous game.

Track season not far away. I'm sure theres a decent setup in London. Maybe consider that. If motivation is a problem maybe you could be bored of the same thing over and over and mixing it up a bit could work.

Brianderunner · 12-03-2011 12:09PM

Sat 12th Mar, Parkrun 5k this morning in 23'10 i think. Legs (and head) not up for it at all but otherwise ok. The 8 pints i had after work yesterday didnt help but lovely day to be out.

I've done some thinking on the lack of motivation thing and its all down to the fact that Barcelona is over. It was always the thing that got me out the door nearly every day and without it i'm somewhat lost. Also the ghosts of rotterdam are now buried and i have a respectible marathon pb at last, so i feel like i've done it all a bit at the moment.

Theres loads to aim for though; sub 3 berlin, sub 30 min 5 mile, sub 5 mile etc. Hopefully next week the enjoyment of running will return for me.

04072511 wrote: »

Track season not far away. I'm sure theres a decent setup in London. Maybe consider that. If motivation is a problem maybe you could be bored of the same thing over and over and mixing it up a bit could work.

There seems to be a good setup here yeah, loads of graded meets etc. I plan on doing a few but sub 3 in berlin is the aim for the summer/autumn.

Oisin11178 · 13-03-2011 11:23PM

Brianderunner wrote: »

Sat 12th Mar, Parkrun 5k this morning in 23'10 i think. Legs (and head) not up for it at all but otherwise ok. The 8 pints i had after work yesterday didnt help but lovely day to be out.

I've done some thinking on the lack of motivation thing and its all down to the fact that Barcelona is over. It was always the thing that got me out the door nearly every day and without it i'm somewhat lost. Also the ghosts of rotterdam are now buried and i have a respectible marathon pb at last, so i feel like i've done it all a bit at the moment.

Theres loads to aim for though; sub 3 berlin, sub 30 min 5 mile, sub 5 mile etc. Hopefully next week the enjoyment of running will return for me.

There seems to be a good setup here yeah, loads of graded meets etc. I plan on doing a few but sub 3 in berlin is the aim for the summer/autumn.

Good luck with the sub 3 attempt brain. Im going to leave mine till next spring. Im decided where its going to be. Might be paris or rotterdam.

Brianderunner · 14-03-2011 11:28PM

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Good luck with the sub 3 attempt brian. Im going to leave mine till next spring. Im decided where its going to be. Might be paris or rotterdam.

I may be joining you next spring for the sub 3 attempt, depending on how the summer goes. 3'05 may be a more sensible target for Berlin. Your turn to do the pacing next time, until i shoot on at 34k trying to break 2'58 and blow up again

Mon 14th Mar, 7 mls in 58'40 (8'24), did a new route to freshen things up a bit. Ran past the train stations and then an outside lap of Regent's Park. Amazing amount of runners out despite the darkness. Almost taper madness time for them, enjoy! Legs almost recovered from Barca and i should be ok for the club session on Wednesday. Mallow is coming up very fast and i doubt i'll be able to run that flat out, i'll see. No running tomorrow due to a driving lesson after work. May be a bit of road rage if Quevega doesnt win the last in Cheltenham tomorrow

Sorted my holidays for Easter/Royal Wedding/May Bank Holiday. 11 days off for the price of 3, cause of the 4 bank holidays over here spaced over 2 weekends. Gonna head to Dublin/Limerick for a lot of gambling/drinking/sleeping and a bit of running if i find the time

, just like my old dole life then, oh how i miss it!

Oisin11178 · 14-03-2011 11:38PM

Brianderunner wrote: »

I may be joining you next spring for the sub 3 attempt, depending on how the summer goes. 3'05 may be a more sensible target for Berlin. Your turn to do the pacing next time, until i shoot on at 34k trying to break 2'58 and blow up again

Mon 14th Mar, 7 mls in 58'40 (8'24), did a new route to freshen things up a bit. Ran past the train stations and then an outside lap of Regent's Park. Amazing amount of runners out despite the darkness. Almost taper madness time for them, enjoy! Legs almost recovered from Barca and i should be ok for the club session on Wednesday. Mallow is coming up very fast and i doubt i'll be able to run that flat out, i'll see. No running tomorrow due to a driving lesson after work. May be a bit of road rage if Quevega doesnt win the last in Cheltenham tomorrow

Sorted my holidays for Easter/Royal Wedding/May Bank Holiday. 11 days off for the price of 3, cause of the 4 bank holidays over here spaced over 2 weekends. Gonna head to Dublin/Limerick for a lot of gambling/drinking/sleeping and a bit of running if i find the time , just like my old dole life then, oh how i miss it!

To be honest brian if you are not going for sub 3 id go for 3.09 instead of 3.05.
3.09 will get you efverything 3.05 will including a qualifying time for London plus is would be alot handier.

Brianderunner · 14-03-2011 11:50PM

Oisin11178 wrote: »

To be honest brian if you are not going for sub 3 id go for 3.09 instead of 3.05.
3.09 will get you efverything 3.05 will including a qualifying time for London plus is would be alot handier.

Don't want to sound arrogant but i feel like i've broken 3'10 in my head already, i would have too if it wasnt for the cramp i'm sure of it. I was still feeling ok and planning a big finish when it happened. Which means i've gotta set the bar a little higher next time.

Oisin11178 · 14-03-2011 11:52PM

Brianderunner wrote: »

Don't want to sound arrogant but i feel like i've broken 3'10 in my head already, i would have too if it wasnt for the cramp i'm sure of it. I was still feeling ok and planning a big finish when it happened. Which means i've gotta set the bar a little higher next time.

Yeah i understand mate. You have to make it worth your while. In saying what i said earlier i will most probably have atest run at 3.05 at some stage. I think 10 secs a mile of your pb is a worth while target:D

Brianderunner · 17-03-2011 12:06AM

Weds 16th Mar, Club session tonight. 2 mls w/u then 4 x 1 mile. I did the dirt on the first rep and took it handy 6'38, so i could avoid the A group for the rest of the session. Did the next 3 in 6'18, 6'18 then 6'12. Finished about 50m clear of the rest of the B group the last rep, which included 2 3'26 barca finishers. I could have went with the A group but its a bit soon after barca for that, i will in future.

During the post training drinking i ended up getting a race number for the Reading Half on Sunday, yes Reading i know, my would be home. Seemed like a good idea at the time but wondering now if its worth racing it. Might just do 1'49 to practice pacing the GLR. I'm in sub 1'26 half shape i think just its about a month too soon to think about racing it.

Working tomorrow for Paddy's Day. Depressing thought, although they normally hit the pub at lunchtime cause they're an Irish company so that will suit me fine. Paddys day has only meant one thing to me growing up anyway, Cheltenham! Sad but true.

Brianderunner · 19-03-2011 05:19PM

Fri 18th Mar, 4 mls in 31'30 (7'53) Felt fairly fresh despite the hangover. Working on paddy's day wasnt so bad and was let go to the pub at lunchtime!

Sat 19th Mar, 5 mls around hampstead heath in 43'00 (8'36). Felt good again today.

I've no idea how i'm going to run in the Reading half tomorrow. Part of me is thinking a marathon pace sub 3 run, which wouldnt be slow. The sensible half of me is saying take it handy and run at sub 1'50 pace as practice for the GLR. I'll be a bit back at the start anyway so may be forced to do the latter.

Brianderunner · 20-03-2011 08:20PM

Sun 20th Mar

This race never featured in my plans and only through luck did I manage to pick up a number for this race last Wednesday evening in the pub after the training session with the club from one of the lads who picked up a late injury. Its been sold out since November and my only new years resolution was to try new races in 2011.

Had no idea what my strategy was for this one. I'd 3 options, 1) go flat out, 2) run it at sub 3 hr MP or take it handy and coast around. I'd 6 pints last night during the rugby/boxing so option 1 seemed an impossibility, or so i thought. Walking up stairs while switching tubes at Kings Cross my legs felt dead, i was hungover and wanted to go back to bed and abandon this crazy idea. I mean Barca was only 2 weeks ago and i really put my body through it over there.

I had a white number which put me in the slowest pen, which had me in with the hobby joggers and assorted costumes. Fck that i said and hopped the fence just behind the elites in the 1'25-1'30 pen. Thats more like it i thought as a plan for an all out attempt formed in my head. To hell with it i thought, i might never do this again, might as well give it my best shot.

The gun went and the 12,500 of us were on our way, its one of the most popular half's in the south, given its proximity to the London marathon. After some crowding i settled into about 6'40 pace. Felt terrible to be honest. I was sweating out the hangover and the legs felt like i'd ran Barca yesterday. 2nd mile more of the same and the 3rd mile uphill was rough, i considered pulling out at this point. But the downhill which followed was a welcome sight and i got back up to speed with a 6'21 mile and started to feel good.

I then knocked out a 6'24 and a 6'21 and was passing runners who started out too fast hand over fist. I hit 10k in 40'42. Mile 7 through town was a bit of a tester, 6'34, but the huge crowds cheering were great. Out of town and i threw in a couple of 6'30's. I was now under 6'35 average pace which i did for my 1'26'23 PB in Waterford in January. Still feeling good i upped the pace again with a 6'17 and a 6'16. Passed 10 miles in 65'15 or so and only then did it start to feel tough.

The next 2 mls were beautiful, i proceeded to carve up the field ahead of me as i have done so often since the DCM, as they slowed i sped up and threw in a 6'26 uphill then a 6'04 13th mile. I'm not sure where this is coming from, but i'm finishing all my races like a train the last few months, with the exception of Barca, where cramp halted it. The Madejski stadium was getting closer and closer and entering it was easily the highpoint of my 17 year running life. There was some 5,000/6,000 people in the stands, all cheering us on and as the runner ahead of me gestured a "come on" to the crowd the was a roar that made the hairs on my neck stand up, amazing experience. Crossed the finish line to 1'24'59 on the garmin absolutely elated. I was slightly suspicious that a second or 2 would be added and that was the case as the results show me in 322nd place with a chip time of 1'25'01. A PB by 82 seconds. Only downside is i ran under a different name (Daniel Wrapson) but i'm claiming it. He was aiming for sub 2 hrs, which he got i suppose, haha! I have to say the race was excellent and up there with the best i have done. I'd recommend it to anyone.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/74130018

Honestly i've no idea where that came from, it should never have happened. Its possibly my finest performance in a road race, with a hangover and a marathon in my legs. Mc millan now gives me 2'59'18 for the full, with 6 months of training ahead of me to the sub 3 attempt.

Watch out Berlin, the Allies are coming

rainbow kirby · 20-03-2011 08:22PM

Savage run, well done

menoscemo · 20-03-2011 08:29PM

Brianderunner wrote: »

Sun 20th Mar

I'd 6 pints last night during the rugby/boxing

If you even managed to drink one pint during the boxing, that's some drinking :pac:
Well done on today. I'm sure you can take a few minutes of that time on another day, so sub 3 in Berlin is certainly a possibility. Now go train for it!

metamorphosis · 20-03-2011 08:46PM

Some running there Brian - cracking.

Brianderunner · 20-03-2011 11:43PM

Brianderunner wrote: »

Sun 20th Mar

This race never featured in my plans and only through luck did I manage to pick up a number for this race last Wednesday evening in the pub after the training session with the club from one of the lads who picked up a late injury. Its been sold out since November and my only new years resolution was to try new races in 2011.

Had no idea what my strategy was for this one. I'd 3 options, 1) go flat out, 2) run it at sub 3 hr MP or take it handy and coast around. I'd 6 pints last night during the rugby/boxing so option 1 seemed an impossibility, or so i thought. Walking up stairs while switching tubes at Kings Cross my legs felt dead, i was hungover and wanted to go back to bed and abandon this crazy idea. I mean Barca was only 2 weeks ago and i really put my body through it over there.

I had a white number which put me in the slowest pen, which had me in with the hobby joggers and assorted costumes. Fck that i said and hopped the fence just behind the elites in the 1'25-1'30 pen. Thats more like it i thought as a plan for an all out attempt formed in my head. To hell with it i thought, i might never do this again, might as well give it my best shot.

The gun went and the 12,500 of us were on our way, its one of the most popular half's in the south, given its proximity to the London marathon. After some crowding i settled into about 6'40 pace. Felt terrible to be honest. I was sweating out the hangover and the legs felt like i'd ran Barca yesterday. 2nd mile more of the same and the 3rd mile uphill was rough, i considered pulling out at this point. But the downhill which followed was a welcome sight and i got back up to speed with a 6'21 mile and started to feel good.

I then knocked out a 6'24 and a 6'21 and was passing runners who started out too fast hand over fist. I hit 10k in 40'42. Mile 7 through town was a bit of a tester, 6'34, but the huge crowds cheering were great. Out of town and i threw in a couple of 6'30's. I was now under 6'35 average pace which i did for my 1'26'23 PB in Waterford in January. Still feeling good i upped the pace again with a 6'17 and a 6'16. Passed 10 miles in 65'15 or so and only then did it start to feel tough.

The next 2 mls were beautiful, i proceeded to carve up the field ahead of me as i have done so often since the DCM, as they slowed i sped up and threw in a 6'26 uphill then a 6'04 13th mile. I'm not sure where this is coming from, but i'm finishing all my races like a train the last few months, with the exception of Barca, where cramp halted it. The Madejski stadium was getting closer and closer and entering it was easily the highpoint of my 17 year running life. There was some 5,000/6,000 people in the stands, all cheering us on and as the runner ahead of me gestured a "come on" to the crowd the was a roar that made the hairs on my neck stand up, amazing experience. Crossed the finish line to 1'24'59 on the garmin absolutely elated. I was slightly suspicious that a second or 2 would be added and that was the case as the results show me in 322nd place with a chip time of 1'25'01. A PB by 82 seconds. Only downside is i ran under a different name (Daniel Wrapson) but i'm claiming it. He was aiming for sub 2 hrs, which he got i suppose, haha! I have to say the race was excellent and up there with the best i have done. I'd recommend it to anyone.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/74130018

Honestly i've no idea where that came from, it should never have happened. Its possibly my finest performance in a road race, with a hangover and a marathon in my legs. Mc millan now gives me 2'59'18 for the full, with 6 months of training ahead of me to the sub 3 attempt.

Watch out Berlin, the Allies are coming

A few more thoughts on today;

Thats 3 pb's out of 3 races so far this year. do i dare pursue the impossible dream of going for a pb in every race this year. Its possible, although i'll have to pick my races carefully. The 3'12 marathon is looking a little soft now actually, never thought i'd say that!

Today totally has changed my opinion on what ideal preparation is, my diet has been shocking and much of thursday and yesterday was spent in the pub. If i can put in a lifetime best performance after that you have to ask, does meticulous preparation really make any difference apart from making you nervous?

Weekly Review, 5 runs and 37 miles. Much better week than last weeks loss of motivation week. I can say thats its back now alright

Yearly Mileage, 393 mls. I'll take this week handy, heading home Friday for the first time in ages. Doing Mallow on Sunday but sub 70 will do there before i give the Kilnaboy 10 a lash on April 10th.

Getting Back To My Best

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