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Zooming swiftly on from the Dublin Half 2012..

zooming

Thanks RayCun who suggested I open up a training log on here now the thread for the Dublin Half will be winding down, what a great idea!
Firstly I better give you a brief history of my running & reasons for starting.
April 2010 was a wake up month. In exactly 6 months time I was going to be 40.
Crap.
I was 39 and a half and 17 and a half stone.
Double crap.
I realised that I was heading for a heart attack/stroke/diabetes etc etc so decided to do something about it, around then there was an upswing in people out running and I thought to myself 'you dont see too many fat runners' so I printed off a beginners beginners running plan and headed off.
Week 1 started off by walking 9 mins, running 1 min (x3) four days a week. Week 2 was walk 8 mins run 2 mins (x3) again four times that week and so it built up. By the third week when I was asked to run 3 mins non stop I thought I was going to DIE :eek: but i kept on. At the end of the 12 week period I was running (SLOWLY) for 30 mins constantly.
The next point I have to make is I live on the top of a mountain in County Armagh, well not a mountain perhaps but its VERY hilly, and hence very tough for a fatty in lycra. As I was trying to get the weight down and didnt really want anyone to see me I went out at 5am to avoid traffic and people! I continued my jogging and entered the Race For Life in 2011, it was a 5k and I raised a few quid for Cancer Research, bawled round Stormont thinking of my mother who died of lung Cancer back in 1996 and was overcome by the volume of Cancer sufferers and survivors who took part. An amazing experience! After a year running I had lost 5 stone and felt great, so I made my next running goal the Flora Womens Mini Marathon in May 2012, which I was delighted to complete in 71 minutes and I ran the whole way. Obviously my next goal was going to be the next distance up which was a...GULP Half Marathon, and anyone who was over in the Dublin Half Marathon 2012 thread will know the trials and tribulations of getting to the start line.... so here we are, half done in 2 hours 34 and looking for the next goal. Will it be a full Marathon? I told myself if I did the half in 2hrs 30 (or near about) and felt good physically after the race I would think about a full distance in 2013.

All hints, tips, advice, comments, encouragement or warnings all gratefully received, this has been a great journey as the Americans say and I hope to keep up this thread to encourage ANY wannabe runner out there.

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zooming

Im back!
Had a lovely week away in the SUN, ran one day and almost collapsed from the heat so gave it a miss.
Back at the training this week, gulp!
Booked my flight to Edinburgh, double gulp!!!
Does anyone know a centrally located hotel in Edinburgh that offers late check out?

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

Im back!
Had a lovely week away in the SUN, ran one day and almost collapsed from the heat so gave it a miss.
Back at the training this week, gulp!
Booked my flight to Edinburgh, double gulp!!!
Does anyone know a centrally located hotel in Edinburgh that offers late check out?

Hope you had a great holiday, have to give the Edinburgh a miss

RedRunner

zooming wrote: »

Im back!
Had a lovely week away in the SUN, ran one day and almost collapsed from the heat so gave it a miss.
Back at the training this week, gulp!
Booked my flight to Edinburgh, double gulp!!!
Does anyone know a centrally located hotel in Edinburgh that offers late check out?

I stayed in the Holiday Inn Express just a couple of weeks ago .Location wise it was nice and central ( about 5-10 min walk from Princes St) Not sure if it does late checkouts though

zooming

Yesterday I am making my first official training day for Edinburgh 2013.
The last 2 weeks have been a non event training wise, between the heat and then a weeks worth of the dreaded jetlag I really did feck all.
So, wide awake at 3am yesterday I had a bagel and coffee and at first light headed out for a 10k. Actually I enjoyed it! But a new enemy has raised it's ugly head... ICE! The roads were slippy and I had to be cautious, it probably is a good idea to wait a little later in the day to do my long Sunday runs during winter.
As if there was not enough to think of!
Thanks for the Holiday Inn recommendation, I'm only staying 2 nights so it will be great. Darren that's a pity you can't make it, any race plans for early 2013? I know you are doing Dublin race series next year.
Now the holiday is over, and my marathon place and flights are booked I fully intend to enjoy this 6 month countdown to Edinburgh. I know it's going to fly!
Here is a little challenge, who is going to join me in a Christmas Day run, around your own training routes of course not an actual event! And we can all post our comments before the big feed of turkey! I'm going to run 12 miles Christmas Morning, a nice start to the day.
Oh and I have decided to try and raise a few quid for CANCER RESEARCH along the way. So many charities need help, but I lost my mum to cancer and they do great work.

career_move

I'm up for the xmas day run

zooming

career_move wrote: »

I'm up for the xmas day run

That's 2 of us!
How far you gonna run?

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

Yesterday I am making my first official training day for Edinburgh 2013.
The last 2 weeks have been a non event training wise, between the heat and then a weeks worth of the dreaded jetlag I really did feck all.
So, wide awake at 3am yesterday I had a bagel and coffee and at first light headed out for a 10k. Actually I enjoyed it! But a new enemy has raised it's ugly head... ICE! The roads were slippy and I had to be cautious, it probably is a good idea to wait a little later in the day to do my long Sunday runs during winter.
As if there was not enough to think of!
Thanks for the Holiday Inn recommendation, I'm only staying 2 nights so it will be great. Darren that's a pity you can't make it, any race plans for early 2013? I know you are doing Dublin race series next year.
Now the holiday is over, and my marathon place and flights are booked I fully intend to enjoy this 6 month countdown to Edinburgh. I know it's going to fly!
Here is a little challenge, who is going to join me in a Christmas Day run, around your own training routes of course not an actual event! And we can all post our comments before the big feed of turkey! I'm going to run 12 miles Christmas Morning, a nice start to the day.
Oh and I have decided to try and raise a few quid for CANCER RESEARCH along the way. So many charities need help, but I lost my mum to cancer and they do great work.

Have no races planed yet, Delayed my run yesterday cause of ice ran the other way around very muddy, My garmin name is DarrenEJ11

career_move

zooming wrote: »

That's 2 of us!
How far you gonna run?

Hmmh not sure yet.....i'll keep you informed

zooming

Yeah it's really hard to run on ice, it's scary!!! That's partly why I invested in a treadmill for winter running. According to my Hal Higdon training plan for Novice Marathon training, my official plan will begin on January 21 in countdown to May 26. Until then I'm going to do my runs on the treadmill during the week and Sundays run outside. I'm figuring by late Feb when the mid week miles start to increase the mornings will be getting that wee bit longer which will be ideal

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

Yeah it's really hard to run on ice, it's scary!!! That's partly why I invested in a treadmill for winter running. According to my Hal Higdon training plan for Novice Marathon training, my official plan will begin on January 21 in countdown to May 26. Until then I'm going to do my runs on the treadmill during the week and Sundays run outside. I'm figuring by late Feb when the mid week miles start to increase the mornings will be getting that wee bit longer which will be ideal

Met a man on my run yesterday ran a bit with him, He was telling me he ran 100 miles per week until he retired at 60 still does his 10 mile on a sunday. hope that is me in years to come.

RedRunner

zooming wrote: »

Thanks for the Holiday Inn recommendation, I'm only staying 2 nights so it will be great.

No problem. Its the one on Picardy place where I stayed

[/QUOTE]Here is a little challenge, who is going to join me in a Christmas Day run, [/QUOTE]
Would love to do it but with Santa still in the house , no chance of that!

[/QUOTE]Oh and I have decided to try and raise a few quid for CANCER RESEARCH along the way. [/QUOTE]

Good on you. I did same for DCM11 and 12 as I lost my Dad to Cancer 4 yrs ago. Be sure to post the link if you set up an charity page online!

Darren 83

RedRunner wrote: »

No problem. Its the one on Picardy place where I stayed

Here is a little challenge, who is going to join me in a Christmas Day run, [/QUOTE]
Would love to do it but with Santa still in the house , no chance of that!

[/QUOTE]Oh and I have decided to try and raise a few quid for CANCER RESEARCH along the way. [/QUOTE]

Good on you. I did same for DCM11 and 12 as I lost my Dad to Cancer 4 yrs ago. Be sure to post the link if you set up an charity page online![/QUOTE]

Sorry to hear that your Dad, Ran the Dublin half for Irish Cancer Society a lot off people are generous even in these hard times.

RedRunner

Darren 83 wrote: »

Sorry to hear that your Dad, Ran the Dublin half for Irish Cancer Society a lot off people are generous even in these hard times.

Thanks Darren. Lost a former colleague recently too to this disease and she was taken from us too early too.

I agree with you. I'm amazed at how generous people still are even in these difficult times. I've raised almost €1300 this year from mostly work colleagues and friends. Really delighted with that.

Darren 83

RedRunner wrote: »

Thanks Darren. Lost a former colleague recently too to this disease and she was taken from us too early too.

I agree with you. I'm amazed at how generous people still are even in these difficult times. I've raised almost €1300 this year from mostly work colleagues and friends. Really delighted with that.

Fair play to you, people I didn't even know sponsored me I was blown away

zooming

People are very generous, even in tough times, I think everyone realises the brilliant work charities do and respect that they need funding!

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

People are very generous, even in tough times, I think everyone realises the brilliant work charities do and respect that they need funding!

Did you get your spin bike yet?

zooming

No not yet, I want a second hand one as the new ones are very expensive!

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

No not yet, I want a second hand one as the new ones are very expensive!

I'll be looking for a second hand treadmill, weather is getting a lot worse has not stopped me yet

zooming

Yeah, its a great investment, I really did get the value out of mine last winter. I dont use it at all from March till October, but the winter is loooong and icy!

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

Yeah, its a great investment, I really did get the value out of mine last winter. I dont use it at all from March till October, but the winter is loooong and icy!

Im still doing doing my three runs a week so far but its getting to risky could do more harm to myself by falling

zooming

Yes I know what you mean, I did 5k on the TM this morning in 35 mins at a 2% incline

zooming

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056806123

I started a thread in Events for Edinburgh if anyone is interested!

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

Yes I know what you mean, I did 5k on the TM this morning in 35 mins at a 2% incline

How are you're times improviing

zooming

Ask me again in a month!
I have been a bit slack in my training over the past fortnight due to holidays etc, but Im back with a vengeance now!
My fastest EVER 5K on the TM was 33 mins I think, I seem to be able to increase my distance but not really my speed if that makes sense?
What about you

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

Ask me again in a month!
I have been a bit slack in my training over the past fortnight due to holidays etc, but Im back with a vengeance now!
My fastest EVER 5K on the TM was 33 mins I think, I seem to be able to increase my distance but not really my speed if that makes sense?
What about you

I did 13.18 miles on Sunday in 2:16 bet my half marathon time by 18 mins, my times have improved a lot. I was able to keep within 10;30 to 11:00

zooming

Darren 83 wrote: »

I did 13.18 miles on Sunday in 2:16 bet my half marathon time by 18 mins, my times
have improved a lot. I was able to keep within 10;30 to 11:00

Wow!!! That is FANTASTIC! Well done! I bet you are over the moon, how have you done that?

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

Wow!!! That is FANTASTIC! Well done! I bet you are over the moon, how have you done that?

i was reading that you do be too comfortable at a certain speed so I started to do speed bursts, I was sore after wards but just kept it up, gradually I got that bit faster.

zooming

Darren 83 wrote: »

i was reading that you do be too comfortable at a certain speed so I started to do speed bursts, I was sore after wards but just kept it up, gradually I got that bit faster.

You are doing great!!! Bet you feel great

Darren 83

zooming wrote: »

You are doing great!!! Bet you feel great

Id like to do the half in 2 hours, so I will be pushing myself to get that.

zooming

Last night was a first!
I got home from work early at 7pm and decided to give the treadmill a blast, so off I went and it was great! I ran faster than normal trying to get the speed up a bit and did 6k in 39.56 which is brilliant for me, I couldn't keep that pace up over a long distance but at least I'm improving albeit slowly.