Jesters first Marathon & HIM attempt's.

jester1980 · 24-04-2012 9:47am

Great Start to the week last night. Went out with a friend who is new to this but a very fit fella and very decent on the bike.

We did 30 km on the bike in a min or two over the hour mark. Went up some hills in Howth which were very tough and then back the coast.

Then straight of the bikes and into a 10.5 km hill run. Did the Hill of Howth and wasn't too bad, havent been running too much since maratrhon but felt okay yesterday. From 7.5km - 9.5 km he started to speed up and i kept with him for the two km which were 4 mins each, whole body just felt like giving up then so told him to go on ahead and finish the 1 km and i took a short cut back at a nice recovery pace which brougt my run to 10km.

Good start to the week though.

jester1980 · 24-04-2012 1:41pm

I was asked today if i wanted to partake in a charity cycle from Dublin to galway near end of June, distance is 202 km i think.

I'd love to do this but really not sure if i'd be able. They do stop 4 times however and i feel like my cycling is improving all the time.

Said i'd decide by thursday.

Perfect date as 2 weeks after my second Tri and two weeks before the next one.

jester1980 · 25-04-2012 3:12pm

Ankle was a little sore tonight so decided to skip a run so it was in better condition for run trianing with the Tri club tonight.

With my first Tri of the year coming up on Sunday i said i'd go up to the pool early before my swim fit class and do the 750 M swim to ease any nerves.

Went well and finished in 16.23. Hope to get this closer to 15 mins in Limerick on Sunday.

Few mins stretching before Swim fit. I forgot this is the last week and the coach likes to push us.

4*20 Warm UP 80M

Main set was a straight out 30 min swim and i did 72 lengths so 72*20 = 1440 which i was happy with.

4*20 Cool down.80M

Total for evening = 2,350 M

jester1980 · 26-04-2012 9:59am

What an evening yesterday, running got the go ahead with the Tri Club so was up there at 7 and came straight from work, no warm clothes at all.

Not too many turned up so we just did a run in the group around the roads. Big circle up there of 3km so did 3 laps of that and a 1 km warm down.

Glad i went because if i went home there was no hope i was moving from the couch.

jester1980 · 30-04-2012 12:12pm

Just the swim fit class on Thursday, there was 3 of the 5 of us doing Limerick so we spent a bit of time doing technique and moving of the wall quicker etc befroe doing a bit of a workout.

1000 M

jester1980 · 30-04-2012 3:07pm

First Tri of the year and second ever Sprint. Headed down on Sat night and got a nice cheap hotel for 42.50 with the wife who was doing the Super Sprint.

Swim - Got to the lane 5 mins before kick off as had been out supporting wife and Brother. Was hoping for 15 mins and ended up going 10th out of 12 in the lane as everyone said they wanted under 15 mins. Started off and was very congested at the start. Had been keeping track of my time and was going ok for 2 mins per 100M. Passed 3 people out in first 500 M. Then things started to slow again as swimmers got tired and i was stuck behind 4 swimmers tiring with a big gap to front two. So after 550 i made a move for it and got past all 4 and was able to finish last few lenths to keep to my pace, checked watch getting out of water and was 14.47 which was my best time since getting back swimming last year. Crossing the mat i clocked 15.40 so that was prob few seconds getting out of pool and about 40 seconds starting 10th.

T1 was very fast and was on the bike after 1.35. Funnily i couldnt get my right foot in the peddle, i say this took me a full 45 seconds and I was scarlet.

Cycle - Had hoped to get under 40mins and when i clocked 24.30 mins to the half way point i was gutted, but luckily didnt realise the course was 24 km again. Felt good on the bike, defo my weakest leg but am working on that. Passed a few people and was passed by a few in turn. Finished this at 49.20 just over 2 min per km.

T2 again was good and decided to save time and not bother putting on socks with my runners so fot through this in 1.22

Run - First 1 km went very well, i was flying but started to get a little tired, have not put in half as much running as needs be since the Marathon. Got a second wind about 3.5 km and finished strong enough in 23.02. Was third time i ran a 5 k in a race, one run and one Tri race and this was my best so far by 30 seconds. Happy enough as was tired.

Finished in 1.31.01 which was good enough for 55th or 56th i think. Was very happy as expected to be much lower than that.

Whoel thing was well organised.

My positions below.

Swim 70th / 206
TI 32nd / 206
Bike 79th / 206
T2 44th / 206
Run 44th /206

Bally8 · 30-04-2012 8:41pm

Well done Jester, excellent performance yesterday. That was a great run time.

jester1980 · 01-05-2012 8:22am

Thanks Bally, really enjoyed this race, mostly because it was probably the first one i wasn't nervous for

jester1980 · 01-05-2012 10:25am

Out for a long cycle last night, nice route out to Skerries and then back towards Balbriggan before home to Swords. 3 weeks in a row now cycling on Mondays. Nice day for it. Was windy as hell. 42 KM

Need to up the running again this month as has dipped a bit since the Marathon.

April
Running - 100 km
Swimming 9.55 km
Cycling 213.5 km

YTD
Running - 589 km
Swimming - 40.35 km
Cycling - 347.5 km

jester1980 · 02-05-2012 2:29pm

Run - Morning run done for the first time ever i think, only did 4k but knew i had to work late so was better than nothing.

Swim - Swim fit last night, Few sets of 100 and then some technique work on legs and arms followed by few sprints at the end. 1000 M

jester1980 · 03-05-2012 9:24am

Did this race last year and really liked it and not too far from me so signed up again.

2.7km run - 13 km cycle - 2.7 km run

Went off well in the run and didnt feel too tired, put in an extra bit of speed in last 500 metres to finish 10.46, last years time was 11.56.

Into Transition and was quick here and changed to my bike shoes and off i went, got my shoes clipped in first time yayyyyyyyyy. T1 1.01.

Cycle went well, i always seem to bomb down hill and pass loads of people out going down the Kyber, however diff story going up hill, putting loads of effort in and just seem to be slow. Work needed here

. Was 3 laps on the bike and finished in 23.05, last years time was 25.54.

Tried to take my feet out of shoes instead of unclipping but worked with one foot and not the other so has all over the shop running in with the bike, this happened in Limerick too. Work needed here too.T 2 - 1 min.

Set off on the last run and started to cramp up a little, 15 second quick stretch and off i went again. A bit slower on time here and finished in 12.09 and last year was 13.11.

So good night all round with a time off 48.04 beating last years 53.09 by 5 mins.

jester1980 · 03-05-2012 8:55pm

Swim fit class tonight, was exhausted today and in no mood but went anyway.

120 Warm up
80 Front
160 - 20 doggy paddle follow by 20 sprint, 4 times
160 - Left arm only
160 - Right arm only.
480 consisting of 4 sets of 120 - Back stroke sprint 40, 80 front stroke gradual pace.
80 Sprint

1240 M

jester1980 · 04-05-2012 12:53pm

Swimming

Good swim session with the Tri club this morning, hadnt been in a few weeks so was good to get back.

400 M Warm UP

1000 M time Trial = 20.23

100 M Cool off

9*100 M Solid pace

100 M Cool Down

2500 M

jester1980 · 06-05-2012 9:37am

This was my first ever race last year so thought it would be nice to go back to where it began and run my second 5 k race. Last year i completed it in 23.25.

Was hoping for a sub 22, in last weeks Tri i got a run of 23.01 so felt i could beat 22. Went better than expected and i ran a time of 20.31. I can't tell you how happy i was, such a great feeling knocking so much time off my PB.

1st km 4.10
2nd km 4.00
3rd km 4.11
4th km 4.10
5th km 4.00

Times are very similar for each km. Next target is to break 20 mins i suppose.

This is the best thing that cold have happened to me and a real boost i feel i needed on my running as was slighly turning off it and putting more time into cycling and swimming.

jester1980 · 08-05-2012 3:06pm

Was hungover to bits on Sunday as went out for liverpool match to town on Sat, promised the wife i'd go for a cycle with her so pathetically managed a 14km spin. No mood for anymore.

Yesterday was even worse, ultimate lazy day. Had planned on doing a long cycle but with weather changing non stop i just wasn't arsed. So that was a brutal two days.

jester1980 · 09-05-2012 9:18am

Running
Was a little tight on time before swimming so decided to do something different, during work i did out a few maps with exact distacnes for some speed training.

10 * 400 M at 5 k pace so triaed ot jeep around 1.35. Each 400 M was followed by a slow recovery 200M. Went well and sweated like hell.

Swimming
Swim fit, third class of this term and so far i've found it quite boring, not enough sets. We did roughly 1000 M, hopefully it will imrpove.

jester1980 · 10-05-2012 9:37am

Running
Running with the Tri club last night, was in no mood at all to go and had one of those days in work and really didnt want to be running up hills or doing fartleks. Luckily last night was a Long Run. I thought maybe 10 k but we did 16k in about 1.18. Wasn't too bad and glad i could still do the distance after not doing many long runs lately. Ankle is sore again today as didnt ice it last night and have a bit of a pain in right kneww, could be from 400m work the other night taking corners.

elvis jones · 10-05-2012 3:58pm

jester1980 wrote: »

This was my first ever race last year so thought it would be nice to go back to where it began and run my second 5 k race. Last year i completed it in 23.25.

Was hoping for a sub 22, in last weeks Tri i got a run of 23.01 so felt i could beat 22. Went better than expected and i ran a time of 20.31. I can't tell you how happy i was, such a great feeling knocking so much time off my PB.

1st km 4.10
2nd km 4.00
3rd km 4.11
4th km 4.10
5th km 4.00

Times are very similar for each km. Next target is to break 20 mins i suppose.

This is the best thing that cold have happened to me and a real boost i feel i needed on my running as was slighly turning off it and putting more time into cycling and swimming.

I hate you:D

jester1980 · 10-05-2012 4:16pm

ha ha Thanks mate.

jester1980 · 26-05-2012 7:01pm

Back to the land of Normality after 10 days in Lanzarote and then 2 days at a wedding straight after.

Did a bit of training away, couple of runs, 4 sea swims from 800 -1500 M and rented a bike twice for two long cycles. Better than nothing i suppose but drank alot of wine and a good few pints and the food is fantastic over there.

Myself and the wife happened to be over there for the Iron man so was great to watch and went out and supported the racers.

Have to start back with a training plan on Monday as signed up for the Lost Sheep HIM. Tomorrow i have the 1500 M in Swim Athy, looking forward to it.

jester1980 · 28-05-2012 12:57pm

First time to try this distance in a race or event. Was very nervous before hand, hadn't been this nervous since last year. Went well though, stuck to the bank upstream for the 600 M and then down the middle downstream. Upstream was tough enough in fairness but downstream was great fun.

Finished in a time of 27.26 so well pleased to get under 30 mins.

jester1980 · 29-05-2012 1:40pm

Started a 15 week programme for the Losp Sheep yesterday, found it on the net so will stick to this as close as possible and change a few things and add more brick sessions in etc.

Swimming
I think my swimming is going well so just going to stick to what i've done since xmas Which is two 45 min swim fit classes and one hour class with Tri Club, if i've time i'll fit another hour session in the weekend. That should equate to 6 - 7.5 KM

Bike
This is where i defo need to do my most work, i just need to get out on the bike more. 3 cycles a week planned. A cycle to work is 16km so will do that and then take a different route on way home to go through Howth which will be 40 km. Then one long ride at the weekend and one shorter one which i will use as a brick session.

Run
Now that i have a set programme i should get a kick up the hole. Brutal at going out on the road unless i have a programme to follow. Have the run session with club once a week, will do another long run, a speed session, a brick session and one slow recovery run.

Thats the plan so hopefully goes to plan. Fingers crossed

jester1980 · 29-05-2012 2:36pm

Long cycle of 56 KM and average pace of 29 KMPH.

Went and found a new route and really enjoyed it as not much traffic lights so i'll defo do this again. Swords - Oldtown - Naul - Balbriggan - Skerries - Rush - Swords. Distance was fine and furthest i've gone. Defo felt i could do more. Route was full of hills too which is good.

Went and did 1.5 km slow jogging after to make sure i could still move the legs. Have a Duathlon On wednesday which ill use as training session and Athy Olympic on Sat.

elvis jones · 29-05-2012 2:47pm

Good to see you got over 50k !

jester1980 · 30-05-2012 9:39am

Run - 10 K run last night at 5.15 pace which was grand, felt a little tired at but thats probably being out of practise on longer runs.

SwimFit
Decent class last night for the first time in a while.

Warmup - 80M - 40 Fornt and 40 Br stroke

Main Set - 600 M - 5*120 consiting of 80 M sprint and 40 M slow as recovery with 5 seconds rest

40 Metre Sprint while waiting for others to finish.

240 M - 3 Sets of 40 Lef kicks followed by 40 breast Stroke.

160 M - 2 sets of 40 left arm sprint and 40 back followed by 40 right arm sprint and 40 back,

80 Front stroke warm down

1200 M

elvis jones · 30-05-2012 9:51am

Thats a good pace, i need to drop another stone to be comfortable at that pace.

jester1980 · 30-05-2012 9:54am

Would love to drop a nother stone myself but ive been stuck at my weight last few months. Started a strict plan this weekend which mainly consists of cutting out rubbish like choclate, crisps etc, i'm a fiend for all that.

With the HIM trianing you wil prob see the stone come off in no time.

elvis jones · 30-05-2012 9:58am

jester1980 wrote: »

Would love to drop a nother stone myself but ive been stuck at my weight last few months. Started a strict plan this weekend which mainly consists of cutting out rubbish like choclate, crisps etc, i'm a fiend for all that.

With the HIM trianing you wil prob see the stone come off in no time.

Lets hope so ( for both of us )

jester1980 · 31-05-2012 3:59pm

Race 2 of the series.

2.7km run - 13 km cycle - 2.7 km run

Went off too fast in the run and hit 1 km about 3.10, struggled the rest of the lap and came in 10.37.

T 1 1.03 - Had a nightmare coming out and trying to clip my shows in, every time im racing i seem to have trouble here but when cycling its simple, must be the pressure

Felt that was one of my best ever cycles and thought i flew around but time was 23.25 which was 20 seconds down on the last race. It probably took me that time to clip shoes in but still thought i was faster.

T 2 - 1.06 min.

Last run was bad, cramped up in my thights and had to stretch it out for a few seconds as was affecting my running. got into a slow stride and finished 12.42 which was 35 seconds longer than earlier in month.

Total time was 48.55 and earlier in month was 48.04. Cant be too disspaointed as only back from 2 weeks holiday where i ate like a pig and drank like a fish.

All in all was a good trianing session before Saturdays Olympic in Athy.

catweazle · 31-05-2012 4:33pm

jester1980 wrote: »

Went off too fast in the run and hit 1 km about 3.10, struggled the rest of the lap and came in 10.37.

3.10 :eek: You must be watching to much ITU racing

Good running all the same, |I wouldn't worry too much about the time on the bike, too many vagaries with wind to be anyway accurate with it, if it felt better it probably was better!

jester1980 · 04-06-2012 1:17pm

This was my first Olympic Tri and the nerves were in bits, settled down once i met a few of my friends down there. Plan was to try and hit somewhere between 2.50 - 2.55.

Swim - Had swam the week before and completed it in 27.35 so was hoping for anything around this. Was in the wave with Jenson Bitton and he was right on front off me. Had planned on sticking to the side upstream and then thake the middle going down stream. Did really go according to plan and got a few slaps and kicks in first 10 mins. Down stream was a bit smoother and finished in 28.45, a little dissapointed but not far off last week.

T1 - Went well to start but then i couldnt get my number belt attached, this is after me ignoring so many peoples advise to stick it on under the wetsuit. Ill try that next time as dthis took at least 30 seconds. 1.53

Bike - My plan was to keep as close to 30 kmph as possible. Had heard it wasnt a bad course so anywhere around 1.25 would have been good for me. Got awful pains in my ankle and knee about 10 k in which was bad and started thinking to myself this is the last olympic ill do HA HA. Pain subsided after few mins though and got going into a nice rythem. Finished in 1.19.16 which i was over the moon with as cycling is really my weak point but i do feel like i'm improving slowly.

T2 - A bit faster here and made a quick call not to bother with socks. This was probably silly as feet were a little sore after race but are much better today 1.33

Run - First time for everything and that was no cramping up at all. Was going nicely and making each km in 5 mins. Went a little faster on second half and was able to get a good 2 last km in and had a good sprint finish with another lad from about 400 m out which helped get a 4 min km and a time of 48.16.

Total time was 2.39.44 which i'm delighted with, think place was 265 th which is decent for my first one. Love the Olympic distance now and looking at signing up for my next one.

jester1980 · 05-06-2012 9:21am

New week and week 2 of my programme

Cycling - Cycled into work yesterday morning from Swords hungover to bits after pints for the Dublin match. Distance was 19km and cycled back to Donabate as my car was there which was 23km so 42 km clocked up.

jester1980 · 12-06-2012 1:12pm

Well last week went well but no point in updating my log, ill take you straight to Sunday. Went off on a 65 km cycle and went great, was 49 km through when disatster struck. Having come down Howth Hill i was cycling towards Sutton on my way home when a parked car opened the driver door and caught me square in the shoulder. Nice hole there and i assume i went over the handle bars and landed on my head as i was knocked out cold.

Dont really rememeber much of the next hour and 1/2. Was told loads of people around and kept me from moving as looked like a neck injury. Ambulance arrived and the lads driving later told me i was begging for drugs as was complaining about pain.

So got to hospital and was given xrays and brain scan, luckily no bad damage just a concussion, a cracked rib, and a hole where the door caught me which has been stictched up. Was 12 hours in hospaital and luckily they let me out that night as long as i had supervision. So sitting at home two days later and body is black and blue, sore all over and keep getting dizzy spells every time i move, have to go back to hospital on friday for further check ups.

Im not sure how this leaves my Tri season as will be difficult swimming without tearing stitches.

Could have been worse though and helemt is banged up badly and doctor siad probably saved my life.

catweazle · 12-06-2012 2:01pm

Good to hear you are ok :eek:

Dory Dory · 12-06-2012 2:42pm

Wow. So glad you are in one piece and upright. Thank god for helmets - and did you have ID on you?? Take care of yourself.

jester1980 · 12-06-2012 3:02pm

Police rang me today and said i was able to give him some details from the back of the ambulance but I dont recall any of that. Once i got to hospital i did get a load of Morphine though

He said the woman wanted my number to ring and apologise and to check on me too. The helmet really did save me, the thing is smashed to bits so was blessed really. Could have been my skull without my helmet.

elvis jones · 12-06-2012 3:24pm

jester1980 wrote: »

Police rang me today and said i was able to give him some details from the back of the ambulance but I dont recall any of that. Once i got to hospital i did get a load of Morphine though

He said the woman wanted my number to ring and apologise and to check on me too. The helmet really did save me, the thing is smashed to bits so was blessed really. Could have been my skull without my helmet.

Naaaaaaaaaaaaasty,

I hope the women will be at least replacing the helmet !

Oh and good to hear your on the mend.

jester1980 · 14-06-2012 4:54pm

In an awful lot of pain today

Pain has moved from the ribs back to where the cut is and where muscle is damaged, still taking alot of pain killers but today was worst day to date. Back to the hospital tomorrow for more tests and a check up so hopefully get a few things sorted and cleared up.

elvis jones · 15-06-2012 7:47am

jester1980 wrote: »

In an awful lot of pain today

Pain has moved from the ribs back to where the cut is and where muscle is damaged, still taking alot of pain killers but today was worst day to date. Back to the hospital tomorrow for more tests and a check up so hopefully get a few things sorted and cleared up.

All i can say is.................ah $hite.

Bally8 · 15-06-2012 9:27am

Ah sh1te Jester that's awful. Hope your recovery is a swift one. Total bad luck.

jester1980 · 16-06-2012 11:08am

Well back to the hospital yesterday and with the injuries and pain i'm feeling the doctor has advised to take a minimum 4 weeks off training. Ill obviosly see how i feel myself but this is an awful long time.

Will need physio and he reckons i could have a lot of pain for 8-10 weeks.

So wheres that leave this year. HIM is defo out, ive been looking at ones next year and am thinking of doing one in May in Spain.

18 week training programme for the marathon starts in over a week so may jump into that about week 16 and that will keep me busy for rest of year. Problem with the tri will be swimming with the injury so will see how quick that recovers before deciding on any more tri's.

jester1980 · 09-07-2012 2:54pm

Well it was 4 weeks since the accident and still a bit of pain around shoulder and chest where the door punctured the muscle.

Its been a very hard 4 weeks and have been dying to get back training.

Last Tuesday i did a very slow 5 k, this took about 30 mins and was quite painful but no pain after it or next day, did the same thing on Thursday and felt a bit better.

Then sat i went out with the mrs and did 14.5 k, took forever but got through it in one piece so am going to try and get back proper training this week.

Ill jump straight into marathon training and havent missed too much. Back swiming tuesday and thursday too and that should help the injury hopefully.

No bike yet but may have a go the weekend, sort of being putting that off. Went and got my new helmet the weekend too.

Attached is the helmet, ya can see i landed on the back part of my head somehow, no idea how as was knocked clean out.

jester1980 · 10-07-2012 9:10am

8 K run ronight, went better than expected and finished in 41 mins so gradually improving which is good.

jester1980 · 16-07-2012 4:22pm

Tues 10th
5 K RUN

First time back swimming and found it very sore and tough.
200 FRONT
200 BACK
200 BREAST ST
200 KICKS
100 LEFT ARM
100 RIGHT ARM
100 WARM DOWN

Wed
5 K run

Thurs
Same as Tuesday
5 K RUN

200 FRONT
200 BACK
200 BREAST ST
200 KICKS
100 LEFT ARM
100 RIGHT ARM
100 WARM DOWN

Friday
First acupuncture session and went well, stopped pain until last night but will need a couple of sessions.

Saturday
10.5 k Run

Sunday - Rest Day

jester1980 · 24-07-2012 4:18pm

Monday
First time back on the bike today, been 5 weeks. THought i'd be fine but was actually a little nervey when cars went past me. Did 28 KM in about an hour.

Tuesday
Switched my weekend LSR totonight with the FIngal 10k on sunday. So was a 17.5 km run and was with a friend which is really helping so far. Smashing evening and the heat was tough. Went Swimming after and then about 1000 M of front stroke sets.

Wednesday
Feet were shattered tonight so didnt go back training with the tri club, went and did 8 km at about 5.15 pace.

Thursday
Run Speed session - 1 km warm up, followerd by 400 M UP HILL runs at 4 min km pace and then down hill at 6 min km pace. 5 sets of these followed by 1 km cool down.

Swim session after of 1200 M, again alot of work done on fitness with breathing the focus.

Friday and Sat - Two rest days

Sunday - Fingal 10 KM
Nice to get back to a race, this was right on the door step so was nice and handy.

Started out at back of first wave and was hard to get past people, first km was about 6.30 mins as was quite congested, my own fault for not arriving early, got into a nice pace after this and was going nicely. Hit a bit of a bad spot about 5 km through and started getting pain in the shoulder wound. Brutal stuff going through my mind here, like dropping out. Got a bit of a second wind and hit the hill and found it ok as i've run that a few times. Last 2 km's i ran close to 4 mins km so felt like i had left a bit out on the course which dissapointed me but was happy enough overall with 49.17 in first race back.

Solobally8 · 24-07-2012 7:16pm

Well done on the great 10k time, glad to see you back training.

Jesters first Marathon & HIM attempt's.

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