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Making every mile count

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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 558 ✭✭✭ECOLII


    Pretty confident I'll go sub 6.40. That'll take the win I reckon. Sad I know but this year I won't do a 10 miler beforehand and I'll actually practice my swigging.

    Sub 6.40? That's pavement smashing form my friend! I want to also lap ECOLII if he mans up and turns up this time.

    All this talk of Marathons, Ultra's and 5k's is a smoke screen this is the real goal for the year :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,900 ✭✭✭KielyUnusual


    ECOLII wrote: »
    All this talk of Marathons, Ultra's and 5k's is a smoke screen this is the real goal for the year :P

    :) He nearly had trr thrown off the scent too


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    This week can be divided into two distinct parts:

    1. Monday-Friday

    Running. By running I mean simply that. Nothing fancy, just ticking over and keeping the legs moving. In reality this week is week 1 of 5k training.

    2. Saturday-Tuesday: Lisbon

    Looking forward to some bad food and some time away. There will be intense training sessions in the evenings with the the countdown to the National Beer Mile on the horizon :). I may lower my target to 6.30 with the prospect of a fierce battle looking likely.


    The boring stuff.......

    Interesting to read that jebuz has secretly stolen my hidden plan for the week! A quick look through the drawer (that drawer and has everything and nothing in it) meant I found the trusty casio stopwatch. The colour? A fetching pink. Everyone PB has be run using just the stopwatch. Time to go back to basics and back to the 80's (thanks jebuz.)

    The plan? Run everyday for 60 minutes. Pink casio on the right wrist and the garmin on the left. I never looked once at the garmin, relying purely on feel. The garmin served as a evaluation tool, only to be used on competition.


    Monday 16/2

    60 Minutes Easy: 8.85 Miles @6.59p/m in 1.01:44

    Tuesday 17/2

    60 Minutes Easy: 8.75 Miles @6.56p/m in 1.00:42

    Wednesday 18/2

    60 Minutes Easy:
    8.80 Miles @6.56p/m in 1.00:58


    *Interesting to note that all three runs averaged within quite a small window (6.56-6.59p/m), despite the contrasting routes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Two more 60 minute runs to round off the week......


    Thursday 19/2

    60 Minutes: 9.50 Miles @6.24p/m in 1.00.48

    https://connect.garmin.com/activity/701087360


    I guess we should call this a steady run. The opening few miles felt handy enough. Sticking to the plan for the week I neglected the watch but made the mistake of instinctively looking at the it after it beeped (Mile 4). I was pretty surprised to see 6.14 for the mile pop up as it really didn't feel that fast. Anyway me being me I stubbornly stuck to the same effort, dodging the good people in Donnybrook to maintain the pace. The stretch along the canal heading towards Harold's Cross was fairly grim (6.24 pace) with a very strong headwind, hailstones and rain to contend with. The drivers in traffic must think us runners are a tad bit mad. The long drag from Rathmines and up the Rathgar Village was tough enough going and the effort was approaching tempo effort. This mile was a 6.10 but I reckon it would be 5.40 pace on a flat surface (and without the wind!).

    An enjoyable run, completely unplanned but felt right.



    Friday 20/2


    60 Minutes: 9.25 Miles @6.44 in 1.02:20

    https://connect.garmin.com/activity/701703169


    Much like the previous days run, I was interested to see that the pace was a fair bit quicker than thought. I decided to push the pace at the end and finish fast (5.24 pace). Why not? :).


    Saturday 21/2: Holidays
    Sunday 22/2: Holidays



    WEEK TOTAL: 45.15 MILES





    Happy to say that things are slowly taking shape heading into the next block. I am going to make big efforts in strength and conditioning heading into the next phase (and lose a stone in weight).


    Some observations from the week:

    -I have lost my sense of pace. I have very little idea how fast/slow I am running. In fact, without referring to the watch I tend to run 15-20 seconds a mile faster

    -Felt very weak in the arms and shoulders (see s&c above)

    -If you put a spread of biscuits, homemade cakes/buns and chocolate brownies in from of me I will buckle. I will eat. I will eat for a small family. The intermission in the show I am playing in this week has the most impressive halftime spread yet seen. A blessing and a curse!


    *I have just checked the last day I took a rest. This is far from a self-congratulatory observation but it was the 16/11 last year when I had food poisoning. That will make it 97 days. Put simply, running has become a habit. It's only broken when I am very ill (I don't get injured....touch wood!). It's a pretty stupid habit to have gotten myself into and in many ways is completely counterproductive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    The trip away unfortunately coincided with a small cold. I think the reduction in training and the three days off itself brought on the cold, although it was slightly there the week before Donadea. Lisbon is a great city and I ate way too much and drank far too much but weekends like these don't happen too often so I took full advantage! Lisbon must the hilliest city I have ever visited. How they have such a fast half-marathon course I will never know.



    Tuesday 24/2

    6.75 Miles Easy @7.10p/m in 48:23


    I have easily put on half a stone over the past week and how it shows! Arrived back in Dublin at 1pm, delighted to have survived the flight. I am an awful flyer. I hate every second on being cramped into a tiny seat on a Boeing 737.


    Wednesday 25/2
    12.30 Miles Various


    AM

    6.50 Miles Easy @6.45p/m in 43:55

    The few days off left the body refreshed and ready to tackle some proper training. Not. The legs were in a particular bad way during this run with everything from tight hamstrings/calfs/right shin and sore right knee to make this run tough and somewhat forgettable. How it ended up averaging at 6.45p/m I will never know.


    PM


    5.80 Miles Recovery @9.09p/m in 53:06 (inc. 2.5 mile tempo)

    I was in no humour to run this evening but I was scheduled in to meet someone I couch to do run a tempo run. The run kind of did the trick and helped to loosen out the heavy legs. It won't be long before I will be struggling to keep up with her at the rate she is improving.



    Thursday 26/2


    5+ Miles Easy (no watch) in 37:30


    A few easy miles before work. The legs felt like they could have snapped during this run. The body has seized up somewhat. I struggled to even walk in the morning after just getting up. Walking like an old man, never a good look!


    Friday 27/2

    8+ Miles @6.52p/m in 54:57


    I reluctantly pulled out of the planned morning session with ECOLII. The legs just weren't playing ball and I just couldn't risk banging out any type of session. Not the most enjoyable run but the legs have slowly woken up a small bit :).



    *Oh, I am in Cork over the weekend so if anyone fancies giving me a running tour of the city give me a PM or text! I have a good few hours free. Staying in Jurys Inn so right in the city centre. I see there's a 5km on Sunday morning so if anyone is doing that I might jump in and do my it for charity. Willing to pace, won't be racing haha :D.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Saturday 28/2
    9.36+ Miles Various


    AM

    3.36+ Miles @7.48p/m in 26:13


    A gentle shake-out before some S&C with ECOLII. Tempted to run the Tymon Parkrun but time was against me this morning.


    -Strength and Conditioning

    A good session that showed up some weaknesses. Rather than being annoyed at having some issues I take a great encouragement that there's a lot I can easily improve on if I put the work in. A good scope for improvement that will hopefully help me run faster and run more efficiently.



    PM

    6 Miles Easy @6.54p/m in 41:28


    I had a bit of time to kill in Cork so I ticked off some miles still wearing the same gear used this morning (time was really against me!). The weather was truly awful but the run proved enjoyable. The change of scenery was a very welcome distraction.


    Sunday 1/3

    6.30 Miles Easy @6.51p/m in 43:10


    A late night put any chance of an early run to bed. No chance. Back to the capital and a gentle run around the southside. The first mile (7.40) was way off (garmin struggles in Rathgar) but it helpfully corrected itself by the second mile.

    Never fully trust the garmin! :)


    WEEK TOTAL: 47.71+ MILES




    Very low mileage coupled with very little intensity this week. I am not worried one bit as I know I need some downtime. The S&C session on Saturday really freed the legs of a lot of tightness and as a result I am feeling pretty strong at the moment. The easy miles are still on quick side, with many coming in at 6.3x a mile. The introduction of some session work this week should see the easy days naturally come in a bit slower.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Monday 2/3

    8 Miles Easy @6.54pm in 55:14
    -inc. 5 x (30 second hill repeats @5k effort ~jog back recovery)


    Desperately needed to get some speed back into the legs today so I settled on some hill repeats to waken the legs after all the easy running. Legs felt in good shape and it's always good to get those bemused looks from onlookers that come with hill repeats :pac:.



    Tuesday 3/3
    9.2 Miles Various


    AM

    CORE & UPPER BODY WORK


    Back to the stuff I hate doing. While the core feels strong, the arms and general strength are currently both appalling. In terms of strength I rate somewhere between an 80 year old granny and a darts player.

    The good thing is that it won't be hard to improve on my current rate of fitness and strength in this department. I wouldn't mind putting on a bit of muscle in the upper body without putting on weight, if that's possible. Although I have naturally put on a small bit of weight recently my body rate percentage is still quite low I reckon.


    PM


    Club Track Session

    4.50+ Miles


    Plan: 3x(4x400m ~30 seconds recovery between reps, 5 min between sets)

    Actual:

    -W/U 1.25 Miles inc. drills and strides


    Set 1: 74,75,76,75
    Set 2: 76,74,76,74
    Set 3: 75,75,75,72

    -W/D .25 Miles


    Back to the track and the first chance to blow off some cobwebs. It has been a while since I was last on the track to I was looking forward to some faster running. The first set was definitely the toughest. I struggled to adjust and held on the to back of the front pack, content to run consistent and run my own pace. I finally settled midway through the second set, feeling comfortable enough and in control. While the recovery between sets was generous enough, the same could not have been said for the gap between the reps.

    Happy enough with the session but I am very realistic. I really need to get the 400m reps down to around 70 seconds over the next few weeks and months.

    Straight into the car after a very short recovery lap. The plan was to pace someone through their session and evaluate the development made.

    4.7 Miles @9.06p/m in 42:46
    -inc. 8x400m @their 5k pace



    Wednesday 4/3

    10 Miles Easy @7.01p/m in 1.10:06


    An easy run? Not quite. Found this morning a hard enough run. The weather didn't call for a base layer and gloves so I was a bit hot for the entire 70 minutes. I need to ease back on the easy runs a bit but I have a very easy day tomorrow (very busy) so a run like this on tired legs probably had it benefits without impacting on the planned session this Friday.


    -LIGHT PLYOMETRICS SESSION

    A very light session to round off the day.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 558 ✭✭✭ECOLII


    Wednesday 4/3

    10 Miles Easy @7.01p/m in 1.00:06

    Your either trying to convince yourself you are slowing your easy days down or you miscalculated :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    ECOLII wrote: »
    Your either trying to convince yourself you are slowing your easy days down or you miscalculated :p

    Haha.....Proof read Anthony, PROOF READ!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 558 ✭✭✭ECOLII


    Haha.....Proof read Anthony, PROOF READ!!

    Maybe it was the pink casio trying not to hurt your feelings :p


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    ECOLII wrote: »
    Maybe it was the pink casio trying not to hurt your feelings :p

    Back to the grimness of the black garmin unfortunately!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    CATCH UP: PART 1

    It's hard to log your training when each and every run over the past week or two has been a right struggle. The body, while uninjured, is just not my friend at the moment. It seems the less miles I run the worse I feel. I have felt in better condition after a marathon or after consecutive weeks of high mileage as I do right now. The most annoying this is that I can't put my finger on the cause of it all!


    Thursday 5/3

    5 Miles @7.17p/m 36:25


    What should have been a bread-and-butter short easy run turned into a slog. The heart-rate was very high on finishing. I donated blood the previous evening so I expected the energy levels to be a bit low but not this low. I decided to scrap the evening run and rest.



    Friday 6/3
    11 Miles Various


    AM

    Aborted session with company.


    9 Miles @6.54p/m in 1.02:02

    -2 Miles Easy
    -4 Miles Steady (6.12, 6.13, 6.17, 6.14)
    -3 Miles Easy



    The plan was to tick off 8 miles around the 6.10 a mile mark, with a few easy miles framing the steady/tempo miles. The legs and body felt great setting out and the pace felt comfortable for the first 2 miles of the faster miles. Then bang. The heart-rate spiked and the lungs began to work extremely hard. This sort of pace is usually pretty comfortable but today it felt unmanageable. I first pulled the plug after 3 miles before finally giving up the fight after 4 (he kindly came back to me and tried to help).

    The solo three miles back to the car were a right struggle, with the heart-rate still worryingly high. Most forgettable. I really cannot remember the last time I quit mid-session. I could put it down to the blood donation on Wednesday but I am unconvinced.


    PM

    2 Miles Recovery @10.17p/m in 20:37

    A gentle run with company. Legs in a bad way but sort of loosened up a bit. Happy to finish though.



    Saturday 7/3

    8.55 Miles @7.04p/m in 1.00:25



    Sunday 8/3

    REST DAY

    The body was in a heap so any type of run would have been counterproductive.


    WEEK TOTAL: 51.75+ MILES


    A really frustrating week and a long way shy of expectations.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,420 ✭✭✭Ososlo


    Have you had a blood test recently? Could be a bit low on something? Iron etc...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Ososlo wrote: »
    Have you had a blood test recently? Could be a bit low on something? Iron etc...

    Hey. Yeah, the thought has definitely crossed my mind. I think there maybe a calcium deficiency so will investigate for sure. I am a typical Irish man when comes to that sort of stuff. I am great for putting everything on the long finger!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Monday 9/3

    10 Miles Easy @7.10p/m 1.12:20


    Another fairly joyless experence. I hate to moan but I really take running discomfort free for granted. I am very luckily to have remained virtually injury free sine I began running but the issue in the lower part of the right leg has really sucked any enjoyment out of every run. Later that night I had a twenty minute break during work so I decided on a short stroll to loosen the legs. Needless to say it didn't help much. Time to bite the bullet and book a physio.



    Tuesday 10/3


    AM

    A painful enough physio that showed up no real injury, just the usual tightness etc. Legs felt a lot better after.


    PM


    Club Track Session

    6.75+ Miles


    Plan: 8x300m @1 mile pace with 100m jog recovery

    -W/U 2.25+ Miles inc. drills and strides
    -300m (60,58,60,61,60,59,59,59)
    -W/D 3 Miles



    With the go ahead from the physio I headed to Santry (traffic, er!) feeling somewhat better. I knew running at my mile pace would probably prove foolish so I settled on getting into a rhythm and hitting an effort level that suited. The legs felt good after a two mile warm-up on grass but I felt very sluggish on the lap of strides. The issue on my right-hand side meant I was landing mid-foot. I am very much a forefoot runner so the right foot-strike really hampered me, meaning I simply could not generate any power.



    Wednesday 11/3

    15.25 Miles @7.19p/m in 1.51:29


    Plan: 4,3,2,1 Miles @6.50ish effort (mile easy between each)

    4 Miles: 6.58, 6.42, 6.47, 6.57
    3 Miles: 6.58, 6.49, 6.51
    2 Miles: 6.29, 6.39
    1 Mile: 7.01 :eek:



    Desperate for company :) I tagged along with Luke and Andy and jump into TbL's session. The plan was a good and after a brief chat we headed out the door. Unfortunately we were a man down by mile 2 but I was feeling pretty decent and looking forward to getting stuck into the first long run in quite a while. With the legs woken up we headed into the first block of faster miles. The weather at this point was fairly agreeable, with just a small to medium strong headwind to keep us on our toes. I took the lead into the wind as I am trying to teach myself how to lead from the front, rather than settle in. I find that negative thoughts can quickly creep in when running behind someone. The climb up Braemor Road and towards Churchtown was a real slog. The weather quickly turned and to hold any sort of pace was a real struggle. I was quite happy to have an easy mile before the 3 mile block. Mile after mile into the wind. Mile after mile into rain. The effort of even running 6.50 pace began to take it's toll. The weather was relentless. To prove how bad it was the pace dropped from 7 minute pace to 6.2x pace after turning off the Templeogue road, finally into a tailwind for a short bit during the 2 mile block. Here TbL looked very strong and pushed the pace on (nice to have someone to chase at last!). By this point I was seriously tired, with the lack on miles showing. I wasn't looking forward to the last mile so I took the easy mile well, easy! The last mile was beyond grim. Even now I find it hard to write how difficult it was. We made a left turn and were confronted with a brick wall of a headwind. The effort levels soared and I was beginning to work hard. Very hard. I have never experienced that running at 7 minute mile pace. It really felt like the closing stages on a 10km race. The feeling you get when you are just hanging on!

    A surprisingly tough morning but very enjoyable. Great to see TbL looking strong. I have never before been so battered by the elements. I am definitely a bit stronger for the experience.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,196 ✭✭✭PaulieC


    Monday 9/3
    Plan: 4,3,2,1 Miles @6.50ish effort (mile easy between each)

    4 Miles: 6.58, 6.42, 6.47, 6.57
    3 Miles: 6.58, 6.49, 6.51
    2 Miles: 6.29, 6.39
    1 Mile: 7.01 :eek:



    Desperate for company :) I tagged along with Luke and Andy and jump into TbL's session. The plan was a good and after a brief chat we headed out the door. Unfortunately we were a man down by mile 2 but I was feeling pretty decent and looking forward to getting stuck into the first long run in quite a while. With the legs woken up we headed into the first block of faster miles. The weather at this point was fairly agreeable, with just a small to medium strong headwind to keep us on our toes. I took the lead into the wind as I am trying to teach myself how to lead from the front, rather than settle in. I find that negative thoughts can quickly creep in when running behind someone. The climb up Braemor Road and towards Churchtown was a real slog. The weather quickly turned and to hold any sort of pace was a real struggle. I was quite happy to have an easy mile before the 3 mile block. Mile after mile into the wind. Mile after mile into rain. The effort of even running 6.50 pace began to take it's toll. The weather was relentless. To prove how bad it was the pace dropped from 7 minute pace to 6.2x pace after turning off the Templeogue road, finally into a tailwind for a short bit during the 2 mile block. Here TbL looked very strong and pushed the pace on (nice to have someone to chase at last!). By this point I was seriously tired, with the lack on miles showing. I wasn't looking forward to the last mile so I took the easy mile well, easy! The last mile was beyond grim. Even now I find it hard to write how difficult it was. We made a left turn and were confronted with a brick wall of a headwind. The effort levels soared and I was beginning to work hard. Very hard. I have never experienced that running at 7 minute mile pace. It really felt like the closing stages on a 10km race. The feeling you get when you are just hanging on!

    A surprisingly tough morning but very enjoyable. Great to see TbL looking strong. I have never before been so battered by the elements. I am definitely a bit stronger for the experience.

    Nice session, sounds plenty tough


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    PaulieC wrote: »
    Nice session, sounds plenty tough

    It was just the weather that made it bloody tough. Think it would have a pain if running 12 minute miles. A right pain in the ar$e. Roll on the summer!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,610 ✭✭✭yaboya1


    It was just the weather that made it bloody tough. Think it would have a pain if running 12 minute miles. A right pain in the ar$e. Roll on the summer!

    +1
    So sick of this windy weather.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,742 ✭✭✭ultraman1


    12 minute miles. A right pain in the ar$e.
    Elitest . . .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Rather than go into much detail I will rate every run out of 10, with 10 feeling great and 1 feeling like sh1te (not sure what 0/10 feels like!).


    Thursday 12/3


    AM

    4.25 Miles Very Easy @7.32p/m in 32:00

    DR RATING: 2/10


    PM

    Too sore, tired and mentally drained after a long day of teaching to tick off some planned miles. They would have served little purpose only to appease my inner mileage demons.



    Friday 13/3

    9 Miles Easy @7.22p/m in 1.06:24

    DR RATING: 3/10



    Saturday 14/3

    8 Miles @7.23p/m in 59:10

    DR RATING: 3.5/10



    Sunday 15/3

    8 Miles @7.16p/m in 58:08

    DR RATING: 7/10

    Running makes no sense. After a pretty epic day long session of eating and drinking the body felt finally alive. Despite heading to bed at 6am after many drinks the body felt good for the first time in ages. Take what you will from that :)*

    *Anthony says: Please drink responsibly and with moderation


    WEEK TOTAL: 61.25+ MILES


    Despite being quite far behind expectations the legs are finally coming along. I know myself well enough at this stage to know how to manage myself through such annoyances. Next week will be building and getting myself strong before upping the mileage and intensity. I may look at a race or two over the next few weeks to focus the mind and become race sharp.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    The plan this week was quite a simple one. The goal was to both to run more miles and eliminate all sessions. The training was forced to change because I had a small inkling that I may have tweaked my peroneal tendon last week, this changed my gait and annoyed the hell out of me. Not an injury, just a small manageable niggle. It has happened before after I unknowingly went over on my ankle. Anyway, I seem to have gotten away with it after training smartly (experience is a great thing!).

    The short-term goal has changed slightly. With the BHAA K-Club 10km a mere 3 weeks away, it will provide a good benchmark heading into the block of 5k/10k training.

    So, I am back to enjoying my training and feeling quite strong. I will visit my GP next week to get my blood tested. If anyone has had experience with this drop me a text or PM.


    March 16-20


    Monday 16/3

    12 Miles

    AM 6.10 Miles Easy @7.15p/m in 44:13
    PM 6 Miles Easy @7.25p/m in 44:34


    Tuesday 17/3

    11.10 Miles

    AM 3 Miles Very Easy @7.31p/m in 22:36
    PM 8.10 Miles Easy @7.05p/m in 57:22
    -inc. 5x(30 second strides @5k effort-jog back rec)


    Wednesday 18/3

    10.10 Miles Easy @7.01p/m in 1.10:54


    Thursday 19/3

    11.10 Miles

    AM 5.60 Miles Easy @7.10p/m in 40:08
    PM 5.50+ Miles Recovery @9.42p/m in 55:17
    (-Coaching~Time based 5k pyramid. Delighted with her progress-sub 20 this year :))


    Friday 20/3

    10.10 Miles Easy @6.58p/m in 1.10:25


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Saturday 21/3

    8.20 Miles Easy @7.11p/m in 58:57

    A pleasant run in glorious weather. I am really trying to run more on grass so I incorpoated 4 laps of Bushy Park into the run. Starting to enjoy running on the softer surface. With the running box ticked the time was right to crack open the first beer of the day and sit down and watch the rugby with a friend all day. Just an amazing days entertainment. BOOM.


    Sunday 22/3

    8.50 Miles
    -inc. 8 Miles Steady @6.25p/m in 51:19


    The body felt very well rested, despite the previous night activities! I let the legs decide the pace on this one. I was probably working a bit harder than I normally would have been at this pace. After many laps around the bridges of the liffey it was time to head and tick off the last 1/2 a mile and run to a brilliant Chinese restaurant just off O'Connell Street. Delicious.

    There's actually quite a decent uninterrupted mile loop, using both Talbot Memorial Bridge and Samuel Beckett Bridge. Thank you Strava.


    WEEK TOTAL: 71.20 MILES



    Getting there......

    Simple game-plan again for the upcoming week. Essentially, I need to run faster and slower :rolleyes:. I really need to slow down my easy runs and reintroduce track work.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    I will be glad to see the end of this month. Pretty unfocused, mediocre running for the majority but I am not too concerned (yet). This time last year I was in flying form but I would rather be in good nick in the mid-part of the year this time around.


    March 23-29


    Monday 23/3

    AM: 6 Miles Very Easy @7.32p/m in 45:12
    PM: 5 Miles Easy @7.07p/m in 35:36


    Tuesday 24/3

    AM: 3.50 Miles Very Easy @7.36p/m in 26:27
    PM: 6.50+ Miles Various

    2x(800m, 800m, 400m) ~800 reps @5k, 400m @1 mile

    Splits:
    2.40, 2.40, 73
    2.40, 2.41, 74

    Pretty lackluster running tonight. Still struggling slightly with my leg. I slightly changed the club session into more of a Magness type workout.


    Wednesday 25/3

    10.25 Miles Easy @7.20p/m in 1.15:15


    Thursday 26/3

    7 Miles Very Easy @7.34p/m in 52:57


    Friday 27/3

    10 Miles
    -inc. 8 Miles Steady (PMP 6.00p/m) with 7th mile @5.46p/m and 8th Mile @5.30p/m


    Saturday 28/3

    AM: 6 Miles Very Easy @7.32p/m in 45:13
    PM: 5 Miles Easy @7.14p/m in 36:12


    Sunday 29/3

    Medium Long Run
    -14 Miles @7.11p/m in 1.40:31


    WEEK TOTAL: 73.25+ MILES


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Monday 30/3

    REST DAY

    Very much under the weather/hungover. It's a tad early for hayfever but I was in a bad way today. An early start meant I was fairly tired all day and in no humour for a run today.


    Tuesday 31/3

    AM: 3.25+ Miles Very Easy Shakeout (watch mishap)
    PM: 8+ Miles

    inc.
    -7 Miles Easy @7.07p/m in 49:53
    -Magness Hill Sprints: 6x10sec, 2x20sec
    -1 Mile Very Easy @7.37p/m



    Despite feeling a bit better, I decided to skip the club pyramid session and do a short sharpener. Hill sprints are very fun but not easy in the slightest (cue hands on knees!).


    Wednesday 1/4

    AM: 6 Miles Very Easy @7.21p/m in 44:10
    PM: 5 Miles Easy @7.10p/m in 35:51


    Thursday 2/4

    AM: Failed Session: 5.50 Miles Easy @7.15p/m in 39:52
    PM: 6.75 Miles Very Easy @7.23p/m in 49:51


    This morning has a bit of disaster. I had planned on another Magness Session ~2x(800,800,400 @5k effort) but things transpired against me. I settled on a location close to my house, where there was a nice quiet loop. While the loop (400m approx.) was perfect for easy runs it quickly became apparent that it was not conducive to 'fast' running. I tried twice (2x400m) but there was no benefit as the loop entailed many puddles, sharp turns and dogs. Added to mix was the garmin which was laughably off! Quite annoyed with myself but definitely the right call.

    Lesson most definitely learned. Er.........


    Friday 3/4

    10.5 Miles (treadmill)

    inc.
    -1.5 Miles Progressive Warm-Up
    -8 Miles Tempo
    -1 Mile Warm-Down



    Wow this was a tough but incredibly enjoyable. I am back to using the treadmill once a week as I find it a great way to stay off the unforgiving surface of the road. As any good tempo should be effort based the treadmill works very well. The plan was to hold 6 minute miles for the first four miles and work down, holding a pace @85% effort for the last tempo mile. The last tempo mile was at 5.10p/m. As I always use one of two treadmills (and gradient) in the gym I know the effort equates to 5.25-5.30p/m on the road. I was working pretty damn hard by the end but managed to tick off the last bit despite a small case of wobbly legs :o.

    Things are looking up. Feeling stronger and sharper.




    It's decision time regarding the K-Club 10km next week. I haven't raced in so long I am now thinking of using it as a sharpener before the Dundalk 10km on the 22nd. Decisions........


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Saturday 4/4

    Medium Long Run
    -13.50 Miles Easy :rolleyes: @7.14p/m in 1.37:38

    https://connect.garmin.com/activity/737106576


    Any lingering doubts about the previous days tempo run were resoundingly answered within the first mile of today's run. I was unsure whether the tempo run hit the right effort level as the legs felt quite fresh that night, although I was very sleepy in the evening. Today the legs were completely banjaxed but strong. The type of feeling you usually get the week or two before marathon taper (The 'M' Word.....yuck!!).

    The plan was to head-up towards Marlay Park and take it from there. By mile 3 I was dying for a drink so I ploughed straight for the magic spring (aka a road side water tap on Kilmashogue Lane). As per usual it did the trick and the remaining miles ticked by, accompanied by the noticeable fatigue in the legs.

    I finally feel like I am getting some much missed spring back in the legs. For the past few weeks I have been slightly compensating due to some tightness in the right leg. I have been managing but it has negatively affected my gait, causing lack of power as I couldn't push-off as normal (I am very much a forefoot runner).

    Today was too fast. A housewarming tonight and a trip to Sligo in the morning will mean a few VERY easy miles tomorrow :).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Monday 6/4

    6 Miles Easy @7.19p/m in 43:52


    A rather late night meant me sleeping in and missing my AM run. I was up just in time to watch a very defensive display in Division 2 of Sligo football. Watching football always reminds me how much I miss it. In saying that I back two years ago and was pretty much embarrassed. The fitness levels of the lads was quite impressive and left me the runner in no man's lad. Give me a straight road anyday!



    Tuesday 7/4
    10+ Miles Various


    AM

    4 Miles Very Easy @7.41p/m in 30:47

    Slowly does it.


    PM

    Club Track Session

    6 Miles Various

    ~3x(3x400) @5k effort

    1.74,76,76
    2.75,77,74 (watch mishap on 2nd I think)
    3.75,76,73


    A decent session with varying lengths of recovery, some short and a few slightly more generous. The lads were doing 600m reps but I decided to shorten the reps as I didn't want to completely flog myself as I missed quite a few sessions recently. A step in the right direction?



    Wednesday 8/4
    11.10 Miles


    AM

    6 Miles Very Easy @7.34 in 45:24


    PM

    5.10 Easy @7.08p/m n 36:25


    A very enjoyable run in glorious sunshine with Kev E.



    Thursday 9/4

    7.45+ Miles


    -1 Mile Easy @7.33p/m (inc. drills)
    -3.15 Miles (5km) Progressive Tempo in 18:42 (Splits: 6.05,6.02,5.46,5.29)
    -3.30 Miles Easy @7.18p/m in 24:05



    I made a complete mess of today's session. Just about everything went wrong but I managed to rescue a decent run. I had no idea what I was going to do setting out so I followed the legs and left the brain in the car.



    Friday 10/4
    16.50 Miles


    AM

    Medium Long Run
    -13 Miles Very Easy @7.42pm in 1.40:02


    Another really enjoyable run with P&L (sounds like ferry company!). The legs were a small bit tired but I was pumped full of coffee having secured a place to live that morning. By God I hate the morning. A new place to live that's by the coast, close to town and even closer to the Beer Mile Stadium. A very successful few hours!


    PM

    Coaching: 3.50 Miles @9.06p/m in 31:53



    Saturday 11/4
    11.50 Miles


    Cheeky Triple:

    -8 Miles Easy @7.07p/m in 56:55
    -1 Mile Easy @7.34p/m
    -2.50 Miles Easy @7.21p/m in 21:34



    An afternoon enjoying the Great Ireland Run (and running). The first run involved a fair chunk of the course. Luckily I caught a fair bit of the action. As advised I ran from just after the 3km mark to the finish straight. Fupp me the wind was bad! 2.5 miles back to the car was a tad awkward, with Fionnuala B and Sarah M just ahead on their warm-down. Thought it'd be a bit rude to overtake (didn't want to spoil their day!).



    Sunday 12/4

    8 Miles Easy @6.54p/m in 55:10
    -inc. 5/6 x(30 second strides @5k effort)


    WEEK TOTAL: 70.55+ MILES




    I put a self-imposed limit of 70 miles on the week with the aim of getting strong. Happy to report the body finished in great nick and things are looking up.

    This day last year I was in an Irish pub disappointed with my time of 2.50 at that mornings Rotterdam Marathon. What was I thinking? It has taken me a full 12 months to realise that :). Looking forward to smashing that time later in the year though!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 352 ✭✭NetwerkErrer


    Any short-term goal races coming up DR? I hear you on the marathon. I always find it takes a few months to appreciate how it went. Always searching for the perfect performance at the time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Any short-term goal races coming up DR? I hear you on the marathon. I always find it takes a few months to appreciate how it went. Always searching for the perfect performance at the time.

    A few? 12 to be exact!

    I am playing the long game with all eyes on a good 5k (possibly 10k as well) at the end of summer. I am willing to go through agony to get there so here's hoping. I have made a few changes so very confident they will make a big difference. I know what I can run so it's all about the process now and getting there as efficiently as possible. Short-term? No idea to be honest. I'll give something a bash soon but not worried yet. A slight issue with my leg (impacting my gait) has set me back a bit but all is looking good.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    Monday 13/4
    12 Miles


    AM: 6 Miles Very Easy @7.31p/m in 45:09
    PM: 6 Miles Easy @7.04p/m in 42:23


    Tuesday 14/4
    10 Miles


    AM: 3 Miles Shake-out @7.42pm in 23:08


    PM

    Club Track Session

    7 Miles

    Session: 2 x(3x600m) @5k ~80-90 seconds between reps, 5 minutes jog between sets

    -W/U 1.25 Mile inc. drills/strides
    Set 1: 1.54,1.55,1.54
    Set 2: 1.53,1.55,1.53
    -W/D 2.5 Miles



    Rather than stick to the club plan and do 800m reps, I decided to cut the length to 600. The purpose was to give myself a bit of extra recovery. I still I need a bit more recovery as the track still tests the right leg. It has much improved but in no way am I going to risk an injury at this stage. In summation, a very positive night. I finished very strong and always in control. Happy. Perhaps I could have pushed myself a bit more and ticked off the 800m reps but it's a question of risk vs. reward. Looking forward to the next few track sessions. Nice to see Mark English fly by us several times. A reminder of what real pace looks like. Felt like a right elephant standing next to him!


    Wednesday 15/4
    13.20 Miles


    AM: 5.10 Miles Very Easy @7.37p/m in 38:51
    PM: 8.10 Miles Easy @7.05p/m in 57:21


    Thursday 16/4
    11.50 Mile


    AM: 6.50 Miles Easy @7.12p/m in 46:50
    PM: 5 Miles Very Easy @7.28p/m in 37:23


    Friday 17/4
    11 Miles


    -W/U 1.50 Miles Progressive
    -8 Mile Tempo in 47:01 (5.52p/m average)
    -W/D 1.50 Miles


    Tempo (treadmill): Miles 1-4 @6.07p/m, Miles 5-7 Progression, Mile 8 @5.00p/m (85% effort) ~equates to 5.20-5.25 on road approx.


    A very similar session to two weeks ago, with the last mile at faster pace (same effort). As the tempo is all about effort I most certainly was working very hard at the end by very much in control. Another positive run. I always use the same treadmill and elevation so in many ways this run often serves as an evaluation type session. Very promising morning.


    Saturday 18/4

    Medium Long Run
    -11.25 Miles @6.51p/m in 1.17:01


    With the first mile beeping at 7.40 I knew the garmin was once again way off. Looking back on the trace I ntice that I am 'running' through several back gardens! At this stage I know not to trust the garmin when running close to my house. When the second mile beeped in at 6.42 for the mile I thought it might have been the garmin correcting itself. It wasn't. I continued on and once again got lost in Dublin 12. It's a good sign when I am running 6.40 miles very comfortably. I just have to be careful to now to put the brakes slightly on and concentrate on the hard session days and not overdo the mundane easy runs.


    Sunday 19/4

    8 Miles General Aerobic @6.44p/m in

    https://connect.garmin.com/activity/752741414


    I really didn't learn from the mistakes of yesterday. Today was once again way too fast. The run itself was one of the most enjoyable runs in quite a long time. I decided to run from my old house in Rathgar to my new dwelling in South County Dublin. I decided to take the long route, taking in the canal and Sandymount Strand before reaching Blackrock and a nice drag up to the new place. I have already found a crackin' hill for some hill sessions :).

    Dublin in glorious sunshine. Quite hard to beat.


    WEEK TOTAL: 76.95+ MILES


    My best week in months. Long may in continue! Time to get a race or two under the belt before real training commences.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,196 ✭✭✭PaulieC


    I have already found a crackin' hill for some hill sessions

    Alma Road by any chance ?


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