New Year’s Resolution No. 1 - Start a training log on Boards….tick, and well ahead of time too!
I’m biting the bullet and setting up a training log, after seeing all the great ones on here, especially those recently set up by the class of 2014 DCM graduates. I like the idea of keeping track of my training, and welcome any feedback in any way, shape or form. Also I am hoping it will keep me honest & accountable!
About Me
I’m a 30 year old female, with a sedentary office job. Played GAA from a young age until about age 18, then went well & truly the radar! No previous experience in running.
Background
I have posted my background before on here so people are probably sick of reading it, but I suppose best to have it all together in one place. January 2013, I was 28, very overweight with zero fitness, and decided enough was enough. I was very unhappy with myself, and realised that with 30 not too far off I needed to make some serious changes.
I joined Slimming World (Jan – Sept 2013) and began walking, which eventually moved to slow jogging (C25K), and was playing camogie all year. In September 2013 joined a gym and got into strength & core training, classes, spin, and was running on a treadmill 3-4 times per week, mainly interval sessions, up to 10km. Moved away from Slimming World and just continued to eat healthy, sustainable and whole foods. By April 2014 I had lost 8 stone, and I was absolutely delighted. I wanted a challenge to push myself further, and a goal to work towards, especially as 30 was fast approaching.
I had really started to enjoy running so decided to sign up for the Dublin Race Series 5 Mile, 10 Mile & Half Marathon, with a view to doing DCM. I moved my running to outdoors and was really enjoying it. I also signed up for Tough Mudder in Punchestown with a friend. I came across the DCM Mentors Novice Thread which was my absolutely life saver, and got me to 27th October in one piece (Thanks to everyone on that thread big time, especially Ososlo who is a complete & utter legend!). Running DCM was most definitely one of the best experiences of my life so far, I feel like I have well and truly caught the running bug! My race report is located
here
Since the marathon I had taken a step back from running, think I was a bit burnt out after the training to be honest, so once my legs were working again I went back to focusing on the gym, strength and core work, with the odd spin class thrown in. I am doing a couple of short easy runs a week at the moment, nothing too hectic, just want to keep ticking over. Really looking forward to 2015 & getting into running in a big way.
Lessons Learnt 2014
The main things I know I need to work on after my DCM experience are:
- Increase weekly mileage – I now realise it was too low overall. I would like to develop a good running schedule in 2015 and maintain it.
- Running Base – Again my running base pre DCM was pretty low. I really only got outdoors running properly in May, and although I had been playing camogie & treadmill running, they are no substitute.
- Types of Training - I now know I need to add intervals / hill training / fartlek to my training if I have any hope of getting faster.
Current PB’s:
I have only every run 4 races (all in 2014) so plenty of scope for improvement!
- RS 5 Mile - 43:17
- RS 10 Mile - 1:32:13
- RS HM - 2:09:30
- DCM 2014 - 4:52:53
Thinking ahead to 2015
Looking back I think I got completely and utterly caught up in the mentality that the longer the distance the better/more successful I was, so went straight to marathon distance when really I probably should have focused on improving my times over shorter distances first. Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t change one single second of my running this year, I enjoyed every bit of it, and the sense of accomplishment is unreal. For me personally it was a great goal to work towards, and I can admit I am a bit ocd so loved the idea of following a plan and ticking off each session as I went along. I loved the structured nature of the training, rather than just running for the sake of it, I was building up towards something and each week I could see progress. The day after the marathon I knew I wanted to do another one and started to look for another to sign up for. Having now had time to think about it and do research (and read many many training logs!) I think that the best thing to do is focus on shorter distances and improve my pace and go from there. However even typing this it is still in the back of my mind to just get stuck into marathon training again on the 1st Jan as I enjoyed it that much – So any advice here would be appreciated!
What I am hoping to do is sign up for a few shorter distance races for the first part of the year, 5 Mile, 10 Mile and then maybe a HM or two. I don’t know if it best to stick to one distance and work upwards, or mix the distances as I go along, more research is needed on this. I am getting married in August so I don’t know if I can commit to DCM again, even though I really really want to do it again – but where there is a will there is a way! I guess the sensible thing to do would be to work on my running for the year, improve form and pace, with a view to DCM 2016 as an ultimate goal.
What I do know I need is a structured training plan that I can complete. I have been keeping an eye on the great plan by Clearlier “DCM Graduates – the next step forward” so would like to get stuck into that properly early in the new year. Again great advice in the thread and can ask plenty of questions. I really like the idea of training by HR, and although I know it won’t happen overnight, seems to be a great way of improving over time.
I have come into running as a complete and utter beginner, and I have learned so much this year alone, I thought it was just stick on a pair of runners and run, honestly how daft was that! I want to continue to read and research. I am never going to be a fast runner I know that, but for the level I am at I want to be a faster runner than I am now if that makes sense!
2015 Goals
So my 2015 goals (currently work in progress) at this stage include:
- Run 1000+ miles – Get a good running basis and routine on the go.
- Complete a variety of races from 5km to HM (to be decided and confirmed). Initial thoughts are: 5km – 25 mins & HM – Under 2 hours – Not to sure on goal times for other races, need to sit down and think about that one, I guess I need to do a few races early in the year to gauge where I am and work from there.
- Work on improving pace overall
- Work on running form / foam roller / stretching & strengthening
- Consider joining a running club – All of my running so far has been on my own, and having read a lot about running clubs I think it would really help in terms of pushing myself more & learning about different types of training. I really enjoy training on my own, so even if I could attend one session a week to start it would be great.
- Follow a clear and structured running plan – Firstly decide on exact what my goal is, then follow a suitable plan, simples! Clearlier’s plan looks great & would like to get stuck into that, feel like I am a bit behind now.
- Balance Gym & Running - One thing I would like to know is how to balance the gym with running. Coming up to DCM running took over, which was great and I absolutely loved it, but I had to cut back a lot on gym sessions which I have to say I did miss. I would like to strike a balance between the two.
Right I think I have covered everything there, apologies for what is a complete and utter rambling post! I welcome any advice anyone may wish to offer :-)