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It's now fun to run

dazza21ie

Okay so have been gearing up towards DCM 2012 since the start of the year. Have already posted and am following religously the mentored novices. Gonna keep a seperate log to track progress in training and other races that tickle my fancy.

Background
Have always been naturally unfit! Very much a sport fanatic but never really matched it with effort or fitness. Took up leisurely running in college for a couple of years and managed to lose around 5 stone in weight. However a change in locations, loss of easy running routes along footpaths and the running stopped altogether.

Fast forward to last year. I decided that I was going to get back running a for a challenge decided I would do the DCM 2011 before even taking to the roads. At that stage all the weight had piled back on. Training was hillariously bad with runs never really going beyound 40 mins and no real schedule, timing or measure of what was being done. If I could go back in time I would just tell myself to log into boards and see what is actually involved. Had I posted this time last year I would no doubt have been told that i was mad. Anyway as the marathon approached I decided to do some research and it dawned on me that I hadn't done anything close to proper training. A new plan was devised I would run as far as I could and then try and carry on running and walking in intervals.

DCM 2011 was actually my first organised road race. Might as well start at the top! I managed to get around in 6:14:03. It didn't take too long after the whole thing was over for me to want to do it right and give it a proper go. Didn't get straight back into training as I had a few war wounds from my marathon debut and then the weather didn't seem to appealing.

So got back out onto the road last January and started to build things up slowly from their. Took part in a couple of local 5k & 10 road races along the way. So far have managed 285 miles this year. PB for 5K stands at 26:21 and 10k 58:03. Weekly mileage has been building up slowly as far as 25 miles per week. Training had been Monday to Friday with runs early in the morning. However I plan to follow the HH Novice 2 plan so this Saturday morning will be the first weekend LSR. Plan to take up week 1 of the plan from next week so as to have a few spare weeks in the bank. I know of two potential weekends in august which might conflict with running.

Goals

My goal for DCM 2012 is a sub 4:15 and ideally a sub 4:14:03 which would give a 2 hour PB.

Outside of that I would like to get my 5k time under 25 mins, 10k time is quite soft too and if i can find a local race would like to get a sub 55 mins.

Weight now stands at 15 stone even. Thats is a loss of 1 1/2 stone since January. I would hope with increased training between now and October that I would have a DCM racing weight starting with a 13..

Wed 6/6/2012

After an extended long weekend this morning was the first run of the week. Done 5 miles at a comfortable 10:16/mil pace. Same again planned for tomorrow.

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dazza21ie

Wednesday 26th September

8.09 miles in 1:19:06 at 9:46 mins/mile

I think this was meant to be an easy run this morning. It ended up half way between an easy run and a pace run. I blame the strong wind this morning that made me work a little bit harder at the start. Once the legs warmed up that pace seemed easy to them. That's the end of the longer midweek runs till after the marathon.

rasher_m

dazza21ie wrote: »

Wednesday 26th September

8.09 miles in 1:19:06 at 9:46 mins/mile

That's the end of the longer midweek runs till after the marathon.

Thank God for that

dazza21ie

Thursday 27th September

5 miles in 48:15 @ 9:39 mins/mile

Not sure what the rush was with this run this morning. Have some theories: due to improved fitness my easy pace has become quicker (probably some truth in that), or subconsciously I knew that I would need access to a toilet quite soon so my legs were told to HTFU

. Will just have to keep the pace in check on Saturday's LSR as the average pace this week so far is 9:45 mins/mile.

dazza21ie

Saturday 29th September

12.01 miles in 1:58:54 @ 9:54 mins/mile

Was nice being able to go out this morning without having to worry about belt for water or gels. Was also nice the extra hour in bed this morning due to the shorter run. This run felt very comfortable and quite enjoyable. Picked up the pace for the last 3 but really it was a struggle hold the pace to slow. Only really one proper week of training left now, with a nice 20 miler at the end of it, shouldn't be a problem!

dazza21ie

Tuesday 2nd October

5.05 miles in 49:42 @ 9:51 mins/mile

Hardest part of this run was getting out of bed. Once you get the first mile and a half out of the way the run just eases by. A couple more of these runs and then a nice 20 miler!

rasher_m

dazza21ie wrote: »

Tuesday 2nd October

5.05 miles in 49:42 @ 9:51 mins/mile

Hardest part of this run was getting out of bed. Once you get the first mile and a half out of the way the run just eases by. A couple more of these runs and then a nice 20 miler!

Fair play to you getting out of bed dazza...id never be able to do it.

dazza21ie

rasher_m wrote: »

Fair play to you getting out of bed dazza...id never be able to do it.

It's not getting any easier these days but I would be too annoyed with myself if i missed a run now.

dazza21ie

Wendesday 3rd October

5.05 miles in 47:16 mins @ 9:22 mins/mile

A MP run was on the menu for this morning. It was quite wet heading out. Funny how that bothers me more when just taking off but not during a run. It did stop raining at some stage during the run but I don't really know when! Another good run.

rasher_m

dazza21ie wrote: »

Wendesday 3rd October

5.05 miles in 47:16 mins @ 9:22 mins/mile

A MP run was on the menu for this morning. It was quite wet heading out. Funny how that bothers me more when just taking off but not during a run. It did stop raining at some stage during the run but I don't really know when! Another good run.

Are ya going for the 4 hrs Dazza?

dazza21ie

rasher_m wrote: »

Are ya going for the 4 hrs Dazza?

Plan at the moment is to head off with 4:15 pacers. Hopefully I will still be with them after 21 or so miles, see how I feel then and maybe kick on a bit. Goal at the start of this log was for a 2 hour PB from last year which is 4:14 or so. Reckon that looks a posibility.

How about yourself, have you any set plans yet timewise?

rasher_m

dazza21ie wrote: »

rasher_m wrote: »

Are ya going for the 4 hrs Dazza?

Plan at the moment is to head off with 4:15 pacers. Hopefully I will still be with them after 21 or so miles, see how I feel then and maybe kick on a bit. Goal at the start of this log was for a 2 hour PB from last year which is 4:14 or so. Reckon that looks a posibility.

How about yourself, have you any set plans yet timewise?

I would love to get 4.15 or under but im not sure if im up to it. ive been thinking about going with the pacers but im not an even type of runner and couldnt see myself doing even splits. il go out myself and give it a go but il be happy to finish feeling good

dazza21ie

rasher_m wrote: »

I would love to get 4.15 or under but im not sure if im up to it. ive been thinking about going with the pacers but im not an even type of runner and couldnt see myself doing even splits. il go out myself and give it a go but il be happy to finish feeling good

Yeah bit like that myself pace can fluctuate quite a bit. Definitely pros and cons with going with pacers but hoping running a steady pace will make the last few miles that bit easier. All trial and error though.

rasher_m

dazza21ie wrote: »

Yeah bit like that myself pace can fluctuate quite a bit. Definitely pros and cons with going with pacers but hoping running a steady pace will make the last few miles that bit easier. All trial and error though.

Yeah it really seems to be, I'm none the wiser about the time to go for really even after the half and the 20 milers.
After my last 20 miler I was pretty sore and that was only 10.19 pace, though the first 15 was 10 pace. So I'm wondering how I'm supposed to pick up the pace for a 9.44 time for 26 miles.
I know the crowd and the day will add momentum but how much I wonder?

dazza21ie

Thursday 4th October

5.05 miles in 49:36 @ 9:50 mins/mile

A cold one this morning. Was glad to get that first mile done to warm up. Kept things easy and uneventful. That's the midweek runs out of the way, now just one more proper LSR to get done.

dazza21ie

rasher_m wrote: »

Yeah it really seems to be, I'm none the wiser about the time to go for really even after the half and the 20 milers.
After my last 20 miler I was pretty sore and that was only 10.19 pace, though the first 15 was 10 pace. So I'm wondering how I'm supposed to pick up the pace for a 9.44 time for 26 miles.I know the crowd and the day will add momentum but how much I wonder?

26.2 ....:D

Don't forget that you will have the benefit of a couple of weeks taper. Your long runs to date have been done on tired legs so thats bound to be worth a few second. The crowds will definitely make you more determined to keep going too. And you will be in a racing enviroment as opposed to a training one so it is only natural that you will push yourself that little bit more.

rasher_m

dazza21ie wrote: »

rasher_m wrote: »

Yeah it really seems to be, I'm none the wiser about the time to go for really even after the half and the 20 milers.
After my last 20 miler I was pretty sore and that was only 10.19 pace, though the first 15 was 10 pace. So I'm wondering how I'm supposed to pick up the pace for a 9.44 time for 26 miles.I know the crowd and the day will add momentum but how much I wonder?

26.2 ....:D

Don't forget that you will have the benefit of a couple of weeks taper. Your long runs to date have been done on tired legs so thats bound to be worth a few second. The crowds will definitely make you more determined to keep going too. And you will be in a racing enviroment as opposed to a training one so it is only natural that you will push yourself that little bit more.

sounds great on paper, hopefully yeah. ha by the way think you'll find it works out at about 26.5. We'll be running i have been told.

dazza21ie

rasher_m wrote: »

sounds great on paper, hopefully yeah. ha by the way think you'll find it works out at about 26.5. We'll be running i have been told.

Yes everything looks great on paper! Just hoping to be still running at the end so won't really mind an extra .3. Hopefully that will probably be the most enjoyable part of the race.

dazza21ie

Saturday 6th October

20 Miles in 3:27:05 @ 10:21 mins/mile

This was the run that stood out from the plan from the very begining. When I was struggling to do those shorter runs earlier in the year it was hard to think of trying a 20 mile run. But after building up over the last few weeks it didn't seem as daunting.

So the plan heading of at around 5:20 this morning was to do loops of 7, 5 and then 8 miles to get to the magical number. Like the last two LSR's that I done I planned to do the last 5 miles at MP. Because of this I was purposefully being strict on myself re pace early on with the aim of keeping it between 10:20 and 10:30. Done a good enough job of this too. First loop went by quite easily. After mile nine started to feel a bit of tightness in right leg again, bit like for LSR two weeks ago. It wasn't as bad as then and was just a bit annoying more than anything else. Kept the pace steady as planned and didn't really have to work hard at all until mile 14 which was a mile full of climb, the third proper climb of the run. It was at this stage I slightly regretted my decision for some reason to not bother with gels on the run. I had carried 3 with me but took non. While I managed mile 14 ok it was the energy used up that made things difficult after it. I would normally recover quite quickly and be able to pick up the pace easily but it didn't happen as easily this time. The tightness at the back of my right leg had become more noticeable too.

Start of mile 16 picked up the pace as planned to MP. Mile started on a downhill which should have made it quite easy but just didn't feel as comfortable as two weeks ago. The tightness in my right leg had now confired itself down to my calf. I kept it going for a mile and half or so but decided then just to back off. I don't doubt that I could have kept it going if I really had too. Didn't want to risk a silly injury now. Kept it easy till the end. Glad to have it done.

dazza21ie

Tuesday 9th October

5.04 miles in 50:31 mins

First run of taper and after the 20 miler on Saturday. Legs felt ok for first 3 mile or so and then calf started to say hello. It came and went for the rest of the run. I eased right down but this didn't do much. When I picked pace up it was gone strangely. Will have to spend a bit more time on stretching and maybe get one of those rollers everyone is talking about.

rasher_m

dazza21ie wrote: »

Tuesday 9th October

5.04 miles in 50:31 mins

First run of taper and after the 20 miler on Saturday. Legs felt ok for first 3 mile or so and then calf started to say hello. It came and went for the rest of the run. I eased right down but this didn't do much. When I picked pace up it was gone strangely. Will have to spend a bit more time on stretching and maybe get one of those rollers everyone is talking about.

I got the roller, I think if I was buying anything again I would buy the stick. It sounds a lot better and is more mobile as well.

career_move

+ 1 on the stick. Was just thinking this morning how glad I was I got it cause my left calf has a bit of DOMS after Athlone on Sunday and it really helps

dazza21ie

rasher_m wrote: »

I got the roller, I think if I was buying anything again I would buy the stick. It sounds a lot better and is more mobile as well.

career_move wrote: »

+ 1 on the stick. Was just thinking this morning how glad I was I got it cause my left calf has a bit of DOMS after Athlone on Sunday and it really helps

Thanks will look into the stick so.

dazza21ie

Wednesday 10th October

4.24 miles in 40:34 mins @ 9:34 mins/mile

Wasn't sure how this one would go as I was still feeling the calf slightly after yesterdays run. However, woke up this morning and didn't feel it and made it around without any problems which is positive. This was the last of the MP runs under HHN2. Only 9 more runs actually left under the plan too which just shows how close the marathon is getting.

Anyways have ordered "The Stick" to give any tight or knotted muscles a bit of attention. From what I have read about it I am due lots of fun in the coming future!

dazza21ie

Thursday 11th October

5 miles in 8:34 @ 9.43 mins/mile

This was one of those bonus runs were you are pleased with yourself at the finish that you done it but were very reluctant at the start to go out. As I was rolling out of bed all you could hear was the rain battering down outside. I was up and dressed before I realised how heavy it was. Since I was up I wasn't giving myself the chance of getting back in bed. Put on a light jacket and headed out. Decided to judge the pace of this one by feel as the long sleeves were covering the garmin and wanted to be using my eyes to keep look out for big puddles and more importantly water filled potholes. Once you get going in the rain you nearly forget about it. Only problem I was having was keeping water out of my eyes. Miles went by quite quickly and I was a slightly surprised by the pace in the end as it didn't feel like I was going anything quicker than easy pace. Only 8 more to do!

dazza21ie

Saturday 13th October

12 miles in 2:01:02 @ 10:05 mins/mile

12 Miles no longer seems too daunting after the higher mileage of the past few weeks. Still it had to be done. My garmin decided to frustrate me with at least five minutes of searching for satelittes before I could get going. Just kept things easy with a view of picking up the pace for the last 3 or so miles. Right calf gave a gentle reminder that it was still there but didn't cause any pain or affect pace in any way. My new "Stick" arrived yesterday so will be giving these little knots in the muscles a bit more attention now.

Today's run put me over 800 miles for the year. Should be able to break 1,000 before the end of the year as long as it doesn't take too long to recover from DCM.

dazza21ie

Tuesday 16th October

4.24 miles in 42 mins @ 9:54 mins/mile

Nice easy run to start the day with. Hardest part was keeping the pace easy.

dazza21ie

Wednesday 17th October

3.05 miles in 30:22 mins @ 9:56 mins/mile

It just feels wrong only doing 3 miles of a run now.

rasher_m

dazza21ie wrote: »

Wednesday 17th October

3.05 miles in 30:22 mins @ 9:56 mins/mile

It just feels wrong only doing 3 miles of a run now.

It was bliss...I never enjoyed and looked forward to a run so much

dazza21ie

Thursday 18th October

4.24 miles in 42:04 miles @ 9:55 mins/mile

For first two miles of this legs felt quite heavy. Once warmed up it became an easy run. Was using the stick on legs yesterday evening so may that had affected them.