Is it Now?

Macanri · 10-06-2011 11:00PM

All the best for your race in the hills. Steady as she goes.

donothoponpop · 11-06-2011 11:32PM

Sat WW Relay, leg 7 for Boards B, 6th place overall.

I was woken from my slumber from a vital text from our leg 1 runner telling me he had arrived at the start. Thanks John. Curled back up for some more shut-eye for 30 seconds, until PN texted me asking if we had won yet, Funny man, I crawled out of bed, and vowed to keep them both off the team next year.

Krusty and PN were picked up, and we drove off to the start of leg 6. The only person there was a determined looking Paidraic McC from Rathfarmham, who has waited a year to atone for his navigation error last year. I had a phone conversation with PeterX two nights previous, and asked Peter what he thought of the new boardwalk section. "What Boardwalk?" says he, so on the morning I cautiously asked Padraig the same question, but luckily he knew of where I spoke.

Padraig ran off when Peter tagged him, then Des, and soon the ball of energy that is ocnoc came flying down, from having run the fastest leg 5 on the day, and nearly setting a new record. Paul set off, and me and Gary drove to leg 7 start. After a great 55 mins from PN, Gary set off hunting down Raighne who had a 6-7 min lead. I waited for my tag, while GoHard came running in, looking for Martin. No sign of Martin. Very demorilising when that happens, but after a few minutes Martin comes in his van, is nearly dragged from behind the wheel, top and track bottoms torn from him, and set on his way with a boot in the arse. So many of these tales in the Relay!

Soon Jeff came down, having run a brilliant leg under 59 minutes, tag, go, run. Up along the road, felt easy. Through the forest, no hassle. The run up the first hill would be a test, but I kept it steady, the breathing under control. Hit the crest in 22 mins, and really enjoyed the downhill to the road. Along, then up, and I was at the steep WW downhill offroad. I gave this some steam, and was on the road again. Half way, running at 4:53 average, about wheer I wanted to be. Got my drink, sipped it as I cruised along the backroad. I'd run this so many times before. Down to the bridge, feeling like I still had running in my legs. This uphill is never fun after 14k, but it's worse still if you have cramped legs. Asimonov, who unfortunately had to pull out of the relay a few weeks back, was at the bridge, and ran up with me, holding drinks, opening gates, generally pacing and encouraging. My lack of distance training was beginning to tell, it hurt running up these hills. However, stopping wasn't possible with company, and I ran slowly until the crest, where asimonov turned back. Thanks a million man, you certainly took me up that hill quicker than I would have done alone!

Down again, across the open trail, and into the forest. Jump the stile, and begin the long flat grass section. I could see my "secretly hoped for" 1:42-ish wasn't going to happen, so I kept plugging away as steadily as I could. After and age, out and down to the river, in 1:39:5x. Out onto the road, dodge traffic, and turn for the last (and worst) 750m. Up along the bends, starting to hurt now, nagging voices telling me to walk. 500m to go, pick up the knees, fight the pain. 250m to go, swimming in pain, wanting it to stop. I know a couple more bends will do it...reach out to tag Dom, and finished. 1:45:39, which I was a little disappointed with (I'd figured somewhere between 1:45 and 1:42), but I don't think I had left much out there, thats probably the limit of what I can do in this shape. I also paced the race well, only really tiring after all the clinbing was done, so all in all I'm very happy with how the day went.

There was a huge crowd back at the pub, and a lot of fun and chat going on. Woddle followed the whole race taking snaps and helping out, mithril came to support, and as mentioned asimonov played a vital part for me (and more so for KC too). Brilliant day, the best day's running of the year, and all on my own doorstep.

donothoponpop · 22-06-2011 08:24PM

10 days boozing on good French wine, a couple of swims in the pool with the kids, a cycle along the Loire into Saumur, and one run around the forests of Versaille. I. Am. An. IRONMAN.

Immediate goals: Stone Cross to Lug Relay in August. I was part of a team last year with PosNeg and Jeff, we were 2nd until I went astray coming off the summit of Lug in cloud, and came in 5th. The two of them have upped their game since, and I want to make amends by running a lot faster, a lot better. This means strong training, so I have a program in mind which will be good for the hills, and bring me to another sub 3 attempt in Dublin this year. Weight has to drop, milage has to increase. Consistency and discipline I can do, the inhaler should take care of breathing issues in races, I think the main priorities I need to work on are sustained endurance pain (Peckham "predator" long runs finishing faster), and more races in the build up.

Slogger Jogger · 22-06-2011 09:50PM

Good objectives dp. I'll be happy to share the pain of some of those runs, towards the sub 3 (again

). This time mate, this time.

donothoponpop · 22-06-2011 10:11PM

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

This time mate, this time.

I literally laughed out load. It'll be our epitaph! But, yeah, lets tick that f***ing box once and for all:D

theboyblunder · 23-06-2011 10:12AM

good luck dnp. will follow with interest. hope yu get it.

FWIW I found the daniels plan excellent and a lot easier on the family life schedule than it looks

donothoponpop · 24-06-2011 02:32PM

Fri 10k incl Annagh Hill in 1 hour 5 secs.

Heavy rain today, perfect weather for a slop around Annagh. Parked the car, jogged to start, and off I went. I tried to keep running up the first climb, but it was hard with the vegetation, higher than I've seen it before. Nevertheless, I maintained a decent running motion, even when at walking pace. Short steps rather than long knee-pushing, seems to work better.

The trails were as muddy as ever up on top, great fun to run into. It really is a special circuit, there's so much variety, and just the perfect amount of climb/rest ratio. Kept the run steady throughout, felt strong enough, and took the downhills very easy, not wanting to risk the knee just yet. A mad sprint for the line at the bottom, trying to dip under the hour, but I missed it by 5 secs:pac:

donothoponpop · 25-06-2011 06:28PM

Sat 5k easy

Handy run on a hot afternoon around Marlay Park, 4:40min/km pace.

I'm an emergency pacer for the half in Enniscorthy tomorrow, will be looking to run under 1:35 if not pacing. I'm not fit enough yet to be looking to go under 1:30, but soon.

donothoponpop · 26-06-2011 03:27PM

Sun Strawberry Half pacer, 1:45:05.

By the time me and SJ got there, I'd decided to run the first 4.5 miles at 8min/mile pace, speed up for the next 4.5 to 7:30, and run the last 4.5ish at 7 m/m. Very well organized race, we met up with all the other pacers, sorted out balloons, and headed down for the 10am start. It was going to be a hot one, muggy weather even at that early hour.

The first couple of miles are all about keeping the pace down, and not getting caught in the rush, and Slogger and jackyback (the other 1:45 pacer) were doing a very good job of control on these initial ups/downs through the town. After three miles I'd estimate that they had a crowd of 70-80 with them, which was larger than I'd seen when pacing a similar time last year. The two lads did a great job of shouting out km splits, or hill warnings, and you could tell they would bring quite a few of these runners with them all the way.

Unfortunately, just after 4 miles, as I was gearing up to say my goodbyes, jackyback had to drop out, a queasy stomach forcing an end to his gig. So I took his balloon, and paced the rest with Mick. (I gave fair warning to everyone when I took the balloon that I was a miserable git who loved shouting at people).

There were still a large group around us, although things were starting to get too hot for some. Up and down a few small bumps until we crossed the bridge and hit the motorway, I'd say I was about 45 seconds ahead of pace at this stage, with Mick a bit behind. The long three mile motorway section is a drag, you're passing walkers on one side, while cars are going by on the other side of the cones. It's relentless too, as you get to see just how far ahead you have to run. But there was still a decent bunch with me, so I told them we were a bit ahead of pace, and anyone who wanted should press on for home. No takers, silence. I maintained that pace for a couple of miles, before telling them to go on, and I slowed a bit and encouraged those behind me to press on too. There were (as last year) a few who started walking with a mile to go, but I got them going again. One guy in particular, he was spent those last few miles, but got under 1:45 in the end, and told me it was the shouting and encouragement that kept him going, he was thrilled. (Another guy last year who walked gave me a massive evil eye when I offered similar "encouragement", go figure:D).

Mick had caught up with me at this stage, and we rounded the bend on the bridge rounding up the last few stragglers. I think a load of our group hit or bettered their target. Finish 1:45:05, job done. Very friendly atmosphere after the race too, into the river for a dip, sweet.

donothoponpop · 27-06-2011 07:34PM

Mon 4 miles steady

Up in the forest, legs felt great, tried to keep the pace down, finished with a flourish, cracker of a short run.

donothoponpop · 28-06-2011 09:29PM

Tue 28th June 7.5 miles, incl. 3 mile 6:40 pace

16 weeks to go till the next attempt to tick the sub3 box, from whence I can retire to cigarettes and whoring. Until that blessed day, there's some hard work ahead. Toady was the first in a long stretch of them.

2 miles warm-up at 8:20 pace, then start running. Faster than I have done in quite some time. The plan said 4 miles at half-marathon pace, which is about 7 min miles currently I reckon. This however was faster, and I wanted to get three hard miles in at a decent clip. First half mile felt great, and then it was a matter of increasing effort to maintain the pace. Mile 1, 6:38, on to the second. Bit of a bump to cross, hit the forest, feeling it tough now, mile 2 6:43. Now it was a matter of ticking down the tenths, and keeping an eye on running form. As it happened, any time I felt like wilting, there was power in the legs to press on and through the pain. Finished the three miles, 6:40 average, and I didn't leave an awful lot out there. Two and a bit miles jog home, happy with the effort put in tonight, and mindful of the tough work ahead.
Bring it on.

donothoponpop · 29-06-2011 09:07PM

Wed 5 miles easy

Hard day's work, lovely dinner, 100+ bottles of wine upstairs calling to me. What goes well with the missus' famous lasagne? *Pop*

Several glasses later, I repose to training logs, and start reading Onocs latest. Guilt. P&D say day off. Guilt. Wine glass in hand. Guilt...

Shoe's on, out the door. Start plodding up the hill. Wine starts gurgling in belly. A feck it, turn around, this is nuts, start heading for home. Suddenly an image of ocnoc, barechested and flying down for the end of leg 5, screaming abuse at PN... better HTFU:D I won't get this sub3 taking rest days...

5 miles went by at an easy pace, glorious "after-the-rain" sort of evening. Legs felt strong enough, the sloshing kept the pace down to an easy level.

ocnoc · 29-06-2011 09:13PM

donothoponpop wrote: »

Wed Guilt. . . . Guilt. . . . Guilt . . .

Shoe's on, out the door. Start plodding up the hill. Wine starts gurgling in belly. A feck it, turn around, this is nuts, start heading for home. Suddenly an image of ocnoc, barechested and flying down for the end of leg 5, screaming abuse at PN... better HTFU I won't get this sub3 taking rest days...

Glad to see I'm not the only one haunted by demons.
Guilt is a b*tch.

Sure wasn't it a lovely evening for a run anyways

It'll stand to you.

donothoponpop · 29-06-2011 09:17PM

ocnoc wrote: »

It'll stand to you.

Any decent session for me is a mixture of guilt and lies (" just do one more interval, that's it... ah go on, one more": "just keep running hard to this tree... no, next tree..."), so whereever I get it from, its all good.

There's the answer for the decline in distance standards- there was a lot more Catholic guilt around in the 80's:D

donothoponpop · 30-06-2011 10:28PM

Thurs 7 miles steady 7:30av

Very busy all day, so I was looking forward to getting out on this run, and it was late and cool when I did. The legs felt on fire, I thought I was running 8 m/m pace, the Garmin said 7:20, for the first couple of miles. Third mile started climbing up a nasty hill up to the Hillbrook backroads, but I was motoring along the high road once I got there. Lovely, serene views clear to Lug. Picked up the pace for mile 6, 7:10, and put the foot down for the final mile, 6:30. Felt like I could have beat Usain Bolt tonight, one of those special sessions when you feel in top form.

donothoponpop · 02-07-2011 05:27PM

Sat Lug Hill race 73 mins

Woeful performance today. Previous 66 mins (2009), 70 mins (2008): I had figured around 68 mins based on current fitness. Both times I had done a run/walk thing on the uphill, while wheezing- this time the wheezing should be fine with the inhaler, and my plan was to run the whole ascent at a comfortable pace, and blitz the downhill. So I was happy not to push things going up Camarahill, and fell in behind Cormac. Alan A was just ahead of him, and we plodded along, the two lads getting ahead and then walking for stretches, I kept the legs turning over and would catch up when they walked. I was running well within myself, not really pushing the pace at all. Went left of the rocks to the top, trying it as it looked like a winner on the map. No real benefit, in fact Cormac and another lad gained ground on me here.

Round the summit, the plan was to pick off runners, but they had other ideas, Cormac flew off, Alan was nowhere to be seen, and the other lad went after Cormac. I had loads of energy, but checked my time at the summit and was disappointed at the slow time. Wrong choice of strategy! Anyway, going back down I again went (right this time) around the rocks, but I wouldn't do it again. (When I'm next here, for the Stone X to Lug relay). Saw Cormac had made opened more of a gap on me, so started chasing down the other lad. I caught him half way down, really it was embarrassing how much energy I had left myself with. Started to cut into Cormac, but he was too far ahead, and was going at a decent clip too. Coming down off Camarahill, Bernard was jogging back up, so I had a quick chat with him- he had come third. Took my eyes of the track, boom, flying through the air. No damage done on the landing, just some war wounds, which |I will have to lick, as I didn't get much more out of this race.

Certainly, running up conservatively was the wrong option. I'm still coming back to fitness, and carrying excess weight, but 73 mins is a very poor showing.

Good fun and chat back at Fentons, and for once I managed not to whack the head.

donothoponpop · 04-07-2011 09:19PM

Mon 20 mins easy

The knee was a bit sore after Lug, just enough to keep me off it yesterday, as a precaution. Took it easy today, no real issues.

Family run in the forest, the missus and the kids running too. My son's getting fond of the couch, so he's a bit of a project, but my daughter loves running, can't slow her down.

ocnoc · 05-07-2011 08:27AM

donothoponpop wrote: »

Mon My son's getting fond of the couch, so he's a bit of a project, but my daughter loves running, can't slow her down.

Was the same in my family.
I was stuck to the box all day every day, my (younger) sister was bringing home All Ireland XC Medals....

She is now an injured dirty track fairy (field events to boot) and I have been declared clinically insane. Wouldn't be too worried about him

ocnoc · 05-07-2011 08:42AM

donothoponpop wrote: »

Anyway, going back down I again went (right this time) around the rocks, but I wouldn't do it again. (When I'm next here, for the Stone X to Lug relay).

I'm not sure there is a best route... I reckon every time I down, I take a much different line coming off the mountain.
On Saturday, we went far left (3:13); in Stone Cross I think I went very far right(3:08); previous year, down the middle (3:29)... I can never find a track/clean line.
Does one exist? When I'm up there, I don't tend to want to take it easy to find a nice line, thats not fun...

Looking at satellite images of that section, their is a track to the left, but you then have to do a big curling run at the base...
There is also a very faint track down the middle but good luck trying to hit it and/or stay on it...

donothoponpop · 05-07-2011 08:50AM

ocnoc wrote: »

Wouldn't be too worried about him

Yeah, it's all about the fun at that age, I wouldn't want to scar him for life ("I said three laps of Lough Firrib, get back out there!"). There's a carrot and stick approach this week- he gets a WII game if he jogs a mile a day for a week...

ocnoc wrote: »

I'm not sure there is a best route... I reckon every time I down, I take a much different line coming off the mountain.
On Saturday, we went far left (3:13); in Stone Cross I think I went very far right(3:08); previous year, down the middle (3:29)... I can never find a track/clean line.
Does one exist? When I'm up there, I don't tend to want to take it easy to find a nice line, thats not fun...

It's much of a muchness. There's a track of sorts if you go right on the rocks coming down, but it meanders, and because you're on rocks you tend to follow that. Better use of time would be practicing rocky descents.

Slogger Jogger · 05-07-2011 08:16PM

Follow Amidou. He must have found a good track.

ocnoc · 05-07-2011 08:17PM

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Follow Amidou. He must have found a good track.

If his relay team get him to that point when I catch him, then I will follow him :P

donothoponpop · 06-07-2011 10:42PM

Tue 3 miles easy

Legs are sore from Lug- I'm way out of hill running form. 3 miles easy in the forest, with the missus, who is discovering the joys of jogging. She's far better at it than I was when first starting.

Wed 4 miles hilly

Swapped "how many bottles of wine brought back from France" stories with PN, up and around Annagh Hill. It was wet, cloudy, windy, up there, but a real head-clearer. We both took it easy enough going around, although he powered up the uphill (and paid the price on top). I tried knee-pushing my way up- 16:30 to the gate, so a bit slower than running the other day. Enjoyed the run, although my calves are hurting bad now- going to stay flat for a while, running downhill Lug when outta practice did a bit of damage.

ocnoc · 06-07-2011 11:12PM

donothoponpop wrote: »

Enjoyed the run, although my calves are hurting bad now- going to stay flat for a while, running downhill Lug when outta practice did a bit of damage.

....I don't follow...

So, your legs hurt from a hard descent, so your going to avoid hard descents to avoid the pain...

What happens when you want to race and your stuck to the bed for a week as your legs refuse to move?

Best to do a bit of a 75% down hill session to keep the legs tough. PN may disagree with me... I have youth on my side (or maybe its foolhardiness)

donothoponpop · 06-07-2011 11:28PM

ocnoc wrote: »

....I don't follow...

So, your legs hurt from a hard descent, so your going to avoid hard descents to avoid the pain...

What happens when you want to race and your stuck to the bed for a week as your legs refuse to move?

Best to do a bit of a 75% down hill session to keep the legs tough. PN may disagree with me... I have youth on my side (or maybe its foolhardiness)

Two years ago I ran Mt Leinster with a similar feeling in the calf... and heard a sound like someone hitting a tennis ball with a racquet, on my descent. It was my muscle ripping apart, and I was out for ages.

But 75% might be right, we cruised down Annagh downhill tonight, as ever its hard to keep the brakes on. No redemption at Mt. Leinster though, its going to be flat running until this goes away. Three weeks to Galtees, it'll be fine by then.

ocnoc · 06-07-2011 11:37PM

donothoponpop wrote: »

heard a sound like someone hitting a tennis ball with a racquet, on my descent. It was my muscle ripping apart, and I was out for ages.

:eek: (but more disgusted/horrified looking)

ignore everything i have said

donothoponpop · 07-07-2011 09:14PM

Thurs 4 miles easy

Calf was very sore today, so I'm going to baby it a few more days. As it happens, this spell of easy runs is coinciding with my wife just starting jogging, so the last few runs have been very pleasant forest excursions. Ran with the kids in the evening.

Slogger Jogger · 07-07-2011 10:02PM

Great! Hmm, can see heated discussions as to who minds the kids while the other runs

Rival training logs even

donothoponpop · 11-07-2011 10:43PM

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Great! Hmm, can see heated discussions as to who minds the kids while the other runs Rival training logs even

Lately they've been coming out with us:) Run the small forest loop for a week, get a WII game, deal!

donothoponpop · 11-07-2011 10:47PM

Mon 11th July 8 miles easy 62:14, 7:47 pace

My leg was in knots for a few days, coinciding with a very busy work/college period, so no runs for a few days. This week should make up for it though:)

8 miles in the forest, spitting flies on the way down to the turnaround, picked it up a little on the way back. Legs felt better for the few days off.

Is it Now?

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