It's now fun to run

Friday 4th January

4.90 Miles @ 8:56

Same route as yesterday. Part of the route was used for the 5k I did last July, the markings can still be seen on the road. The roads are very exposed in these parts. I am more used to roads lined with trees. Even on a calm day like today you get hit with a strong head wind in some directions. Will explore a few other routes that I have thought off in the weeks ahead. Pacing was alot more consistent this time.

Note to self, do not start a conversation with someone just before lunchtime, it only delays getting ready and out running

Tuesday 8th January

3..03 miles @ 8:52

Only really had half an hour for lunch today so was debating whether to bother at all going out. Knew that there was no chance of a run this evening and need to make the most of any opportunities going. Headed off a bit quick at the start but settled into the run and couldn't resist tagging on a little extra at the end to get over the 3 miles.

Thursday 10th January

4.92 miles @ 8:56

Still quite cool out there today and windy. My left calf felt a bit tight heading off but that went away after the first mile but then came back near the end of the run up a slight climb. Will have to do some extra stretching and rolling tonight. Legs still getting used to being back running regularly.

rasher_m wrote: »

How is your baby Dazza, is it in a routine yet?

He is doing good thanks. He getting into a little routine alright, he is settling better at night in between feeds which means much appreciated sleep!!

Sunday 13th January

4.2 Miles @ 9:54

Had planned to go out for a longer run for this one but a mixture of very little sleep on Saturday night and lazyness nearly had me cancel run altogether. Decided to go out and do the bare minimum required to get me in to the 30's for the week. Probably good that I wasn't planning on going to long with this one because left calf was a bit tight again. A bit of rolling afterwards seemed to ease things off.

Week Summary
No. of Runs |Week Total|January to Date|YTD | Weight
6|30.28 |43.24|43.24| 89.2 kg

Tuesday 15th January

5.02 miles @ 8:49

Took a different route again today. After about a mile and half turned off onto another country road. It was quite narrow but you are flanked on but sides with nice lakes. Turned back after 3 miles and legs were feeling pretty good. Pace picked itself up a bit from there and for a change it was downhill or flat for the last half a mile. Another good run, just wondering now whether should try a session tomorrow evening. Had been planning on just keeping it easy this week again, not sure now.

career_move wrote: »

I'd do a session......just for the craic

Think I will, have eight weeks counting this one to the Bundoran 10 so might start with week 1 of Meno's 10 mile sessions see how I get on.

Thursday 17th January

4.01 miles @ 9:12

Another different route. Was investigating this one to see if it would be suitable for recovery runs in the future as it is a little shorter. First 1 and half miles were along familar footpaths and then I turned into the country. Was meet with a lung buster of a hill that took plenty not to stop and walk up. After this it was quite pleasant as it was mostly downhill again . Don't think it will be a recovery route but another one to add to the memory bank.

Sunday 20th January

10 Miles @ 9:07
Sunday nights are a terrible time to schedule a long run but needs must. Just wanted to get the mileage for this one into double digits. Will hopefully be able to work on building it up again over the next few weeks. Legs felt good throughout and could have easily have done another few miles if asked, so they tell me anyway

Week Summary
No. of Runs |Week Total|January to Date|YTD | Weight
6|36.94 |80.18|80.18| 87.8 kg

Tuesday 22nd January

5.23 miles @ 8:52

Nice enough day for a run today, it was cold out but no wind, rain or sleet to contend with. Actually think I felt a bit of sunshine hit my back.

rasher_m wrote: »

How is the bambino Dazza, settling in well?

He was great craic last night, up till 3 am, but in fairness to him he had been very good for the last few nights. He just wasn't tired and wanted some company. I reckon babies are made cute so you can't be annoyed with them!

How things with you, any sign of that injury clearing up yet?

rasher_m wrote: »

Yeah, defo...he sounds like a little gooch.
I went for a brisk walk about two weeks ago and was getting a sore ankle just standing the next day. So I've been really good since, driving everywhere and resting it. I'll give it 2 more weeks and then try to get back at it. Your training is coming on great.

Here's hoping a bit of rest will get you sorted.

Yeah training going ok for me, trying to keep things consistent, get 30-40 miles in a week and work on the sessions. Having a few niggles so am thinking alot more about stretching etc.

Friday 25th - 0 Miles
Saturday 26th - 0 Miles
Sunday 27th - 0 Miles

Work as expected got in the way of running on Friday. Had expected though to get out for a longer run on Sunday evening. However, it was the little fella's christening yesterday so by the time we got back to the house we were all wrecked - except him ironically! Added to that the heavy rain and sleet falling outside, it just wasn't in anyway enticing to head out for a run. Had been eating all the wrong stuff all weekend too which didn't help matters.

Week Summary
No. of Runs |Week Total|January to Date|YTD | Weight
4|23.61 |103.71|103.71|90.2 kg


Monday 28th January

6.45 miles @ 8:47

Had pretty much resigned myself to a fourth straight day without running. It was (still is) blowing a gale outside with heavy rain thrown in for good measure. Reckoned one would be mad to go out in that.... was still contemplating it. Reckoned it may not be any better in the evening and am trying to keep evening runs to minimum and when really needed.
If I ever needed a sign that I was meant to go out for a run I got it today! A half an hour before lunch lands my recently ordered new shoes, a pair of mizuno wave rider 15's. On they went and out I went and by chance the wind dropped ever so slightly and the rain stopped altogether.
It was almost quite pleasant out. I had put on my marathon t-shirt as an extra layer underneath and it was feeling quite mild out. However once I moved out of the town the full force of the wind could be felt. It was tough in places just to keep balance, and on some stretches it was tough to run downhill. Had a bit more time than normal so made good use of it and clocked up my longest lunchtime run to date.

Wednesday 30th January

7.77 Miles @ 8.36

Plan was 2 miles easy, 2 Miles at HMP, 1 Mile Easy, 2 Miles at HMP & 2 Mile Easy

Was quite late heading out to start this so knew I wasn't going to get all the miles as planned in. I made sure to get the HMP miles done and shortened the warm down which ended up being 0.77. Target for HMP was around 8:05 pace, splits for the HMP miles were:

8:00
8:01
8:07
7:51

Was a little annoyed with the third of those miles as I felt like I was cruising along only to realise after 1/2 a mile that my cruising speed was too slow. Got the pace back as best I could without over doing it.

Thursday 31st January

3.65 miles @ 9:09

Had given up the ghost on getting out for this run. So much so that I had started to eat some lunch when my window of opportunity opened again. Didn't get out for as long as would have liked but better than nothing. Reverted back to the asics for this run, new runners have help develop some blisters on my feet, probably shouldn't have done last nights run in them just yet.

Monthly Summary
Month| No. of Runs| 2012 | No. of Runs | 2013
January| 14 | 34.22 | 23 | 127.01
February|16| 46.21
March|16| 52.11
April|14|49.98
May|22| 95.18
June|17| 85.79
July| 18| 101.16
August| 17| 126.55
September| 18| 151.64
October| 16| 115.04
November| 21| 91.63
December| 16| 89.14
Totals 2012 | 205| 1,038.51 | 23 | 127.01


A nice improvement in mileage on January last year!