The Boggers Log

ThebitterLemon · 14-02-2015 08:21PM

Plan today called for 4/9 miles easy am/pm.

Today called for some logistics planning to get the runs in as Mrs TbL and eldest daughter were having a day and overnight girlie bonding session.

Got up early enough and switched the runs around getting 8 miles in @ 8.18 before breakfast coz I had the two younger lads and wasn't sure that I'd get a pm run in!

Brought them to the cinema and the choice was either 50 Shades of Grey or Shaun the Sheep. The middle lad said he'd seen 50 Shades on a pirate download so Shaun the Sheep it was

Had to do some serious juggling and conniving to get the pm run, got 4 miles in @ 7.58, but ended up with an 11 year old nephew for a sleepover for my trouble. I won't be running early tomorrow!

12 miles for the day happy with that given the circumstances

TbL

ThebitterLemon · 15-02-2015 07:23PM

Plan called for 20 miles LR.

Couldn't get out this morning as I'd my two young lads and their cousin to mind. Didn't think I was gonna get out till very late tonight and I hate running late as I find it hard to sleep afterwards. Around 2pm Mrs TbL was coming out of town and we met in the petrol station in Spiddal where I handed over the three, changed quickly into the gear and ran into Salthill prom along the Spidal Road and back. I said two weeks ago that I wouldn't do this route again as it's terrible. Narrow cut up paths, cars zipping by and I was getting constantly splashed but I figured that it was better than starting a LR at 9pm!

The groin was good till about mile 16 and it then started to slightly throb but it's much better than it has been and I think it's on the mend.

Finished this week with just over 80 miles and at last I'm starting to see some positive movement on the weight loss.

20 miles @ 8.04

Splits:

8.31
7.56
8.08
8.03
8.07
8.12
8.13
8.10
8.06
8.15
8.08
8.10
8.10
7.58
8.13
8.13
8.23
7.58
7.34
7.09

TbL

Tom Joad · 15-02-2015 11:16PM

Nice running and a strong finish too. You are flying these days.

Murph_D · 15-02-2015 11:35PM

+1 Great running, especially on that road. Lookin' good.

blockic · 16-02-2015 05:02PM

Great long run and very impressive mileage considering all the travel! Making me guilty with my measly 50 mile weeks..

Giving me the kick up the ass I need just in time before i see the PB boat sail away into the distance..

PaulieC · 16-02-2015 05:06PM

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

The groin was good till about mile 16 and it then started to slightly throb but it's much better than it has been and I think it's on the mend.

Lovely image, thanks :P

Micilin Muc · 16-02-2015 05:20PM

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

I said two weeks ago that I wouldn't do this route again as it's terrible. Narrow cut up paths, cars zipping by and I was getting constantly splashed but I figured that it was better than starting a LR at 9pm!

Amen to that. You should try the back roads around the windfarms. Nice hills and a lot less traffic.

ThebitterLemon · 16-02-2015 09:37PM

PaulieC wrote: »

Lovely image, thanks :P

Haha Paulie,

I had initially written that the groin issue had reared its ugly head, but I thought that conjured up some unpleasant imagery

TbL

ThebitterLemon · 16-02-2015 09:40PM

Today called for a 4 mile nursing home special.

As I reckon I'm gonna leak some miles over the next two weeks due to work travel, I had hoped to get a double recovery in today.

A very early start with work this morning put paid to that and a serious case of pissedoffness almost caused me to can the run this evening.

Only managed 3.2 miles @ 10.17

TbL

ThebitterLemon · 17-02-2015 11:55PM

Today the plan called for a bit of a session, 5/4/3 miles at easy/steady/pmp.

I knew yesterday that I wouldn't have time to get this done this morning and I was travelling to Dublin in the afternoon, hate running any type of session in the dark as I'm so short sighted I find I expend to much effort watching my foot placement and can never seem to hit the planned pace.

Away again tomorrow so I couldn't really afford to miss this session and I didn't know of any decent well light route to do this on. Double D, Duannington very kindly agreed to be my escort on this and I waited like a hooker in a high viz vest outside Pearce Station for him.

Traffic was a bit mad and I was all over the place trying to avoid cars, bikes and pedestrians, DD told me to think of them as big sheep and cows and I was grand after that

We headed out on the seafront to Clontarf for the easy miles and had a great chat and before I knew it we had done the 5 easy. I think we passed Yaboya but he seemed to be in the zone and glided by us in the opposite direction. Was enjoying the run at this stage and the pace was dipping below my steady pace. DD is in savage nick and he's gonna have some spectacular race results in the coming months. A train crossing meant we had to double back a bit and resulted in us doing an extra steady mile. We headed back onto the seafront pathway and what wind there was was slightly against us, we also had to contend with some lunatic who looked like he wanted to fight us and actually lashed out at DD! Truth be told the pace at this stage wasn't as easy as I thought it should be and I was starting to struggle. DD was continuing to chat away without any bother whereas I was conversing like a lad you'd see in the chipper on a Saturday night, after a dozen pints and with half a burger in his mouth and the other half on his shirt.
Told DD to push on for the last bit and he effortlessly flew ahead.

Finished with 2.5 miles warm down to bring the total to 15.5 miles.

Thanks for the hospitality DD you're a gent and I wouldn't have got the session done without you.

Splits for steady/PMP:

7.33
7.27
7.32
7.17
7.08
6.45
6.49
6.39

TbL

FBOT01 · 18-02-2015 03:20PM

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Today the plan called for a bit of a session, 5/4/3 miles at easy/steady/pmp.

I knew yesterday that I wouldn't have time to get this done this morning and I was travelling to Dublin in the afternoon, hate running any type of session in the dark as I'm so short sighted I find I expend to much effort watching my foot placement and can never seem to hit the planned pace.

Away again tomorrow so I couldn't really afford to miss this session and I didn't know of any decent well light route to do this on. Double D, Duannington very kindly agreed to be my escort on this and I waited like a hooker in a high viz vest outside Pearce Station for him.

Traffic was a bit mad and I was all over the place trying to avoid cars, bikes and pedestrians, DD told me to think of them as big sheep and cows and I was grand after that We headed out on the seafront to Clontarf for the easy miles and had a great chat and before I knew it we had done the 5 easy. I think we passed Yaboya but he seemed to be in the zone and glided by us in the opposite direction. Was enjoying the run at this stage and the pace was dipping below my steady pace. DD is in savage nick and he's gonna have some spectacular race results in the coming months. A train crossing meant we had to double back a bit and resulted in us doing an extra steady mile. We headed back onto the seafront pathway and what wind there was was slightly against us, we also had to contend with some lunatic who looked like he wanted to fight us and actually lashed out at DD! Truth be told the pace at this stage wasn't as easy as I thought it should be and I was starting to struggle. DD was continuing to chat away without any bother whereas I was conversing like a lad you'd see in the chipper on a Saturday night, after a dozen pints and with half a burger in his mouth and the other half on his shirt.
Told DD to push on for the last bit and he effortlessly flew ahead.

Finished with 2.5 miles warm down to bring the total to 15.5 miles.

Thanks for the hospitality DD you're a gent and I wouldn't have got the session done without you.

Splits for steady/PMP:

7.33
7.27
7.32
7.17
7.08
6.45
6.49
6.39

TbL

Nice session. I was out that way myself on a recovery slog early yesterday evening but before you ask it wasn't me that lashed out. If you ever stuck for company for a run on DNS drop me a PM.

PaulieC · 18-02-2015 03:37PM

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

A train crossing meant we had to double back a bit and resulted in us doing an extra steady mile.

Where is the train crossing on the coast road ?

pistol_75 · 18-02-2015 03:44PM

PaulieC wrote: »

Where is the train crossing on the coast road ?

Must be out in Sutton??

ThebitterLemon · 18-02-2015 05:30PM

pistol_75 wrote: »

Must be out in Sutton??

Not Sutton Pistol, it was the one before that begins with a "B", we originally were gonna do a loop around and turned off the coast road but coz I couldn't see properly we turned back the way we came and got stuck at the level crossing.

TbL

yaboya1 · 18-02-2015 05:52PM

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Not Sutton Pistol, it was the one before that begins with a "B", we originally were gonna do a loop around and turned off the coast road but coz I couldn't see properly we turned back the way we came and got stuck at the level crossing.

TbL

Baldoyle

ThebitterLemon · 18-02-2015 08:54PM

Today the plan called for 4/9 miles easy am/pm.

Given that I'm in Athens today this was never gonna happen. Arrived at 6pm local time and got a taxi to my hotel, staying in a decent place with views of the Acropolis. Taxi driver on the way in wanted to talk politics and when he heard that I was from Ireland he started ranting about the Euro and it been bad for small countries. I was in grumpier form than usual and didn't want to engage in taxi small talk, traffic was bad and he wouldn't shut up. When I offered to pay in Drachmas at the hotel he gave me a filty scornful look that suggested I was an Angela Merkel flunky!

It freezing cold over here they even had a few snow showers this morning so I was grateful that I'd packed a base layer and a hat. Decided to head out and do tomorrow's 4 mile nursing home special. My bogger compas is terrible and I got hopelessly lost, the 3G wasn't coming up on the e phone and Google maps was ****e, had to do it the old fashioned way and ask for directions!

Paths are in crap condition and the going was very slow and the place seems chaotic but in a cool way and despite getting lost I enjoyed the ramble. Hopefully I'll find a better area for the 9 miler tomorrow.

Got 6.87 miles in very very slow.

TbL

Murph_D · 18-02-2015 11:02PM

Saving the Greeks now, are you?

Reminds me of the time I got lost in Rome and came across a huge street map sign that had everything on it except the "You Are Here" bit...

ThebitterLemon · 19-02-2015 09:24PM

Given I had switched yesterday's and today's runs around, the plan today called for 9/4 easy miles am/pm.

Only had a short enough window to get this done and I asked the hotel to suggest a route and was directed to a running track!! Headed up around the old Olympic stadium, the temple of Zeus, the House of Parliament and got in a few laps of a small park and came across some young soldiers been marched around a square while been bollocked by the drill sergeant. It was nice and sunny but very chilly and when I eventually stumbled upon the track it was locked and the grass in the centre was covered in snow! Again the run was very stop/starty but very enjoyable with lots of people milling about well wrapped up against the cold. Only got 7.53 miles in again very slow. Had a couple of meetings and everyone is talking about the euro crisis, most people here seem to support the new government but one auld lad said the only thing the new government didn't promise during the election was to "dig the graveyards and undead the dead"

Was brought out to a seafood restaurant near Pireaus harbour with very nice views. My host said he knew all the best dishes and would order for me, felt I couldn't refuse but I should have. The first course was sea urchin and 'twas bringing bile up to my throat and I started getting the sweats. Everyone else was lashing into it but I was trying to eat it with bread and eventually had to push it away much to the disappointment of my host. Next up was baby squid in pesto with parmasean flakes and a tomatoe compote, quickly followed by prawns in some gunk with feta cheese crumble and cherry tomatoes. Main course was a grilled white fish that was ok.

Felt a little queasy after the meal and the stomach was revolting so I decided to can the evening run before reconsidering and heading to the treadmill determined to stop if I started feeling any worse. Didn't feel too bad but only managed 4 miles at varying paces.

Total for the day 11.5

Have 9 miles steady planned for tomorrow but as I'm flying back I might struggle to get this done.

TbL

pgmcpq · 19-02-2015 09:29PM

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Was brought out to a seafood restaurant near Pireaus harbour with very nice views. My host said he knew all the best dishes and would order for me, felt I couldn't refuse but I should have. The first course was sea urchin and 'twas bringing bile up to my throat and I started getting the sweats. Everyone else was lashing into it but I was trying to eat it with bread and eventually had to push it away much to the disappointment of my host. Next up was baby squid in pesto with parmasean flakes and a tomatoe compote, quickly followed by prawns in some gunk with feta cheese crumble and cherry tomatoes. Main course was a grilled white fish that was ok

I read this last entry without reading the earlier and once I got to the food it's "Ahhhhhhh - Greece". Brings back memories of a meal near the harbour in Athens years ago. "Bring back" being the key words here.

ThebitterLemon · 20-02-2015 11:34PM

Today the plan called for 9 miles steady.

Got very little sleep last night and I travelled back from Athens this morning.

Got into Dublin via London just after lunch time and was feeling pretty shattered.

I knew I still had a few hours work to do when I got back to Galway and the thought of running after a few hours driving wasn't appealing at all. Low on motivation I had an ingenious thought, I'd ring the RAH, [runners assistance helpline]. Got through to Meno but he didn't want to come out to play (didn't was to show his hand too early for the Bohermeen smack down) said he was down the country at some high altitude training camp

The RAH operator eventually managed to put me through to FBOT, and fair play to the Samaritan, he said he'd be ready to run in 20 mins. ( now that's the kind of date I like, keen, eager and punctual!). Drove from the airport and we hooked up at Clontarf Castle, great to see the man in the flesh and he even wore his Connemara marathon shirt to make me feel at home.

Like DD he looks like a proper runner, and after a quick chat we got going at a decent clip. Said my steady pace was (max) 7.20 but we were soon hitting closer to 7's and had to pull it back a bit. Similar route as the last night with DD, straight out the coast and back. It's a great facility to have and it was a beautiful day out there, bit of a wind on the way back but nothing that would lessen the enjoyment of the run. I've said it before but running with someone makes a session miles easier and the miles ticked by easily and fairly comfortably as we chatted away. Amoung many topics we talked about FBOTs close encounter of the sub 3 kind in Berlin, and I told him that he really exhibited a positive approach to the experience, if it was me I'd still be crying like Jimmy Swaggert after been caught with the hooker

Tnx M for stepping into the breech with so little notice, really appreciate it. That's two DNS Boardsies that have rescued my runs this week, but at least on this run there was no psycho on the path swinging punches!

Best of luck in Ballycotton M, I'm sure you pick up one of those coveted t shirts you've improved massively over the last few months.

Ps. Ferris you're dead right He does talk a LOT when he's running

Splits:

7.28
7.04
7.12
7.17
7.11
7.13
7.15
7.12
7.10

FBOT01 · 21-02-2015 08:10PM

Nice to finally meet you yesterday. Apologies about the ear ache, the RAH obviously forgot the mention that bit:D

I don't know what kind of shape Meno is in but you were cruising yesterday and I can see you giving a good account of yourself in Bohermeen (if the coach lets you). As Duanington said earlier in the week you are sandbagging big time on that log of yours;)

Finally in my defence when I ask you at the start what pace you were planning you said 7:20 it was only with half a mile to go that you throw in the fact that 7:20 was the lower limits given by your coach. Next time I will be texting him for pacing instruction before we start:D

Keep up the good work....

ThebitterLemon · 21-02-2015 10:29PM

Plan today called for 9/4 miles easy am/pm.

Given that I didn't get back till after 9pm last night and I'm heading off for 10 days tomorrow at lunch time, I didn't want to be taking the piss with Mrs TbL so decided I'd only run once today.

By the time I eventually out at 8, I was in no mood for this, I think I'm becoming a bit soft and am starting to need company on my runs

I felt like an auld arthritic dog with early stage hernia issues! I hated every mile of this (FBOT ran me ragged yesterday) and canned it after 4 miles.

Bit disappointed as I'll definitely have a few days of no running next week.

Anyone want to come down from Dublin and join me for an attempt on 16 miles steady tomorrow morning

TbL

ThebitterLemon · 22-02-2015 04:07PM

Today the plan called for 16 miles steady.

Was reluctantly up early this morning to get this done. Could hear the wind howling and the rain lashing down from the comfort of my bed!

The weather app said the wind was 37kph.

Was really miserable weather and I got soaked just waiting for the garmin to spark. I ran this from the house down past Rossaveal and on towards Tully Cross. There are a couple of inclines but nothing too drastic although the last 3 miles are probably the worst. Felt mainly ok on this and was happy enough to be able to pick it up again slightly for the ladies mile after two tough enough miles at 14 & 15. The head wind also appeared to stiffen on the way back.

Ended up with a 7.20 average which is 4 seconds quicker than the 15 steady I ran on the same route two weeks ago in less challenging weather conditions.

This time last year that was around my marathon pb pace!

Got back in the door and Mrs TbL handed me the Irish breakfast to beat all breakfasts

Only got in about 64 miles this week but 33 of them were at steady pace or better.

Splits:

7.40
7.17
7.23
7.15
7.15
7.28
7.20
7.18
7.22
6.55
7.09
7.17
7.30
7.30
7.35
7.13

TbL

FBOT01 · 22-02-2015 08:19PM

FairPlay, C, that was a nice solid run to wrap up the week particularly if the weather was anything like it was up here today.

menoscemo · 23-02-2015 11:21AM

Just back from my high altitude training camp :rolleyes: :pac: Nice to see you got sorted out on Friday

ThebitterLemon · 23-02-2015 09:34PM

Today the plan called for a 4 mile nursing home special.

I travelled to Heathrow last night and I'm staying at Wentworth Golf Club, I hate golf and I'd be just as happy in a caravan beside a pitch and putt course! They take their golf very very seriously here and I should have packed a pair of plus fours if I wanted to fit in! Every corner of the place is covered in golfing memorabilia. Was at early morning meeting so didn't get out to see if I could run around the estate, I'd probably be shot by the green keeper

Got just over 3 miles done (I was tight for time) in the clubhouse gym this evening. Here again tonight and I've a long haul flight tomorrow so I'm hoping to get some class of a run in tomorrow morning.

TbL

pistol_75 · 23-02-2015 09:52PM

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Today the plan called for a 4 mile nursing home special.

I travelled to Heathrow last night and I'm staying at Wentworth Golf Club, I hate golf and I'd be just as happy in a caravan beside a pitch and putt course! They take their golf very very seriously here and I should have packed a pair of plus fours if I wanted to fit in! Every corner of the place is covered in golfing memorabilia. Was at early morning meeting so didn't get out to see if I could run around the estate, I'd probably be shot by the green keeper

Got just over 3 miles done (I was tight for time) in the clubhouse gym this evening. Here again tonight and I've a long haul flight tomorrow so I'm hoping to get some class of a run in tomorrow morning.

TbL

Good aul Seve :-(

FBOT01 · 23-02-2015 11:44PM

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Today the plan called for a 4 mile nursing home special.

I travelled to Heathrow last night and I'm staying at Wentworth Golf Club, I hate golf and I'd be just as happy in a caravan beside a pitch and putt course! They take their golf very very seriously here and I should have packed a pair of plus fours if I wanted to fit in! Every corner of the place is covered in golfing memorabilia. Was at early morning meeting so didn't get out to see if I could run around the estate, I'd probably be shot by the green keeper

Got just over 3 miles done (I was tight for time) in the clubhouse gym this evening. Here again tonight and I've a long haul flight tomorrow so I'm hoping to get some class of a run in tomorrow morning.

TbL

I have an offer of "run" there over the summer and will be packing the plus fours to make sure I fit in:)

ThebitterLemon · 24-02-2015 06:02PM

The plan called for a session today, but with an early morning start at work and given that I'm on a long haul later, this was never gonna happen and I'll have to try and squeeze it in later in the week.

Was inbetween two minds whether or not to take a rest day but as I'm gonna struggle to get running this week I decided to get out of the bed and get a few miles easy done.

Stumbled by complete chance on a fantastic area for running, Victoria Water Park, beautifully scenic park and lake in a woodland setting. Really was stunning and I've no idea of the size but it looked impressive. Only pity was that I didn't have more time to get some extra miles in.

5 miles easy

TbL

PaulieC · 24-02-2015 08:40PM

We should make a game of this - where in the world is tBL ? You could describe where you are and we'd guess. Winner gets a running date with you on your return.
I've already sold the format to rte

The Boggers Log

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