To Connemara and Beyond ...

Bungy Girl wrote: »

Well done nop98! Savage time on a very windy day. Congrats on the PB

Thank you

Sunday: rest. Well, no running, but rest only within the parameters of an active 8 year-old boy, who's proud owner of a new ball, and wants to recreate Robbie Henshaw's try against England with his dad providing the final pass (over and over and over and over again, and then again).

Monday: woke-up to surprisingly sore legs. Quick decision to not run outside at lunchtime, instead opting for the boring safety of the treadmill. Slogged out 5km in 2hr HM pace, focussed on keeping the breathing as controlled as possible. Actually quite enjoyable, watching the world go by, followed by some good stretching

It was also time for some inflection. The Connemara Half is in less than 5 weeks. The last couple of weeks has seen plenty of running, and most enjoyable so - but I really have to focus on some longer distances. I really only have 2 weekends left, as we're bringing our kids ski'ing in France for the first time, in the beginning of April. Fun! But not good running prep. So, here's a solemn pledge to hit 20k this weekend, and the next. That, and 3 lunchtime runs per week, is about as much as I'll be able to muster.

annapr wrote: »

Surely you can do some hill sprints in the Alps?

Definitely, in my snowboots, to a deafening "sacreblue!" from the locals, no doubt!

Sunday: 18.2km in 1h46 (5:51 min/km). Despite it being Mother's Day, I was given the green light for a few hours running. I had foregone any "long" run (by my standards, that is) in favour of some shorter, faster stuff lately, so I was keen to get the prep for the Connemara Half back on track.

I kept debating if I would go for long-and-reasonably-flat, or long-and-hilly (and then probably not that long). Eventually, the lure of the nice views from the hills, combined with the lovely solitude won out, so into the (outskirts of the) Dublin mountains I went once again.

I started off very, very slow, as my hamstrings were tight from the Friday circuits session. A couple of kilometres in Shanganah Park to make up the distance, and then I was north- and then westbound. The fist 5-6km are all gradually uphill so I took my sweet time. The run itself was uneventful - other than almost getting clattered by a group of cyclists coming down Barnaslingan Lane at breakneck speed (while chatting away).

Through about 15km I felt great (despite the ropey start) and really strong - and was mentally signing up for DCM. A few minutes later, my legs were screaming, and I was telling myself that those are crazy distances. Nothing new, really - I always have that chat with myself once I hit 10 miles

On arriving home, the legs were sore and I was ravenous. However, the little fella showed no mercy and demanded I come out to the local green area to play with him. He wants his personal trainer (that would be me) to hit tennis-balls high up with his hurley, for him to catch. We did this about a million times, and I actually think this'll help in the recovery - as the legs feel a lot better. Oh, and the Irish cricket team has a decent fielder in about 12 years time, if he doesn't declare for Netherlands that is

I have some vague plans for coming Friday afternoon, take a cheeky half-day and go running Djouce (first time!) with an iron-man/marathoner colleague. Excited!

Wednesday: Pilates-with-weights. Actually a very nice combination. Great session. The instructor is bonkers (but good-bonkers) and I really like her classes. Us lads were given heavier weights, and we suggested, ever-so-politely, that she was taking her issues with the entire male race out on us. Suffice it to say that we regretted that soon after (and we got little sympathy from the rest of the class, either).

Thursday: 6.9km in 34m. Usual lunchtime loop with a colleague. Uneventful - much warmer than we thought so ended up carrying up several layers (instead of wearing them).

Friday: 11.1km in 1h16m (6:52 min/km). Left work just after lunchtime to go running up Maulin and Djouce (in Wicklow Mts) with a colleague, who seems to know these trails like the back of his hand. Our plans were somewhat scuppered on arrival, when the carpark warned us gravely that it would close at 4pm. So we cut our planned route way back (didn't want to run all the way back to Dublin ). I am not a hill runner in any shape or form, so I was struggling on the uphills and taking it easy (read: bricking it) on the downhills. Still, we got a good way up Djouce before we had to turn back. My buddy seemed to have hardly broken a sweat. The views were AMAZING and I loved running up there, despite the struggles! Next time I'll take an entire day off for it.

Tuesday: no running. I followed Dubgal72's advice and took another day off - despite definitely feeling better already. I kept referring to it as a 'refresher' and the advice actually helped me to be OK about it. So, thanks again! I must say I actually appreciated the time off. Some niggles in knees and hips that were almost omni-present have almost completely disappeared.

Wednesday: 6.7km in ~33min. Feeling plenty better today, so brought my gear for some gym work. However, the lure of the nice weather proved to strong and went for my usual lunchtime loop with a colleague. I didn't have my watch with me, but we took it very handy.

Thursday: 6.7km in 32m14 (4:49 min/km). Same story today. Back to 99% so no excuse to stay inside. Flew through the lunchtime loop, helped by a tail-wind for the first 2km, which somehow seemed to have disappeared when we had to battle back into it.

Hopefully there'll be time for a shorter run tomorrow, too, and I am hoping to give the inaugural Shanganah parkrun a go on Saturday.

Friday: no running. Too busy in work and that evening, we went to see "I, Keano" in the Olympia theatre. Can't recall having laughed as much in a long time!

Saturday: 5km in ??? [edit: times are published: 22m54s]. Inaugural Shanganah parkrun! My OH and I both were quite keen to run in the first parkrun in Shanganah. After having solved the logistical jig-saw called "child-minding", I found myself in the odd luxury of being able to jog to a running event (instead of drive). There was a reasonable crowd, and a great atmosphere. Blustery, but sunny, the rain stayed away. Only a minute before the start I realized I had forgotten my watch! Oh well, had planned to take it easy anyway.

I was a bit far back at the start and my resolve to "take it easy" lasted about 200 metres. I spotted an acquaintance about 30 metres ahead and there and then, my race-goals were set! Towards the end of the first lap (which was 1k, a volunteer called out "4:21", I seem to remember) I overtook him. During the second loop (which was 2k) I tried my hardest not to look over my shoulder. At that point, I'm well aware I'm not sure if this guy knew I was ahead of him, but it sure helped me focus.

At the end of the second lap, I realized I was far too hot and took of my long-sleeved top (t-shirt underneath - worry not), left it, and immediately felt better. The wind made keeping the effort up hard, but was in our backs for the last kilometre. The course ends on a long bend, slightly downhill, and I gave it as much as I could - to the finish line. Not to 100m before the finish-line, as I usually seem to do. It can't have been a pleasant sight. Nearly collapsed over the finish-line.

After getting "processed", I turned around to see my "target" cross the finish-line. Sure enough, he hadn't even realized I was there! My OH finished slightly after that and we trotted home, both *very* pleased with the parkrun coming to our local park!

As for time, I have no idea but it feels similar to my previous parkrun time. Once I get it I'll post it here.

And this, my dear reader, is it from me for a week. Tomorrow, off to the slopes of La Douce France for a week, with my two dare-devil kids getting their first alpine experience. The thought of the fine local vino's somewhat reduces the fear in me I'm bringing the runners on an off-chance there's a treadmill lurking somewhere.

Tuesday: no running. Back-to-work blues.

Wednesday: Pilates, easy session. Really good stretch afterwards, as recommended by the ski-instructor. She specifically warned against running too quickly after the skiing, without proper stretching.

Thursday: 6.8km in 35m30 (5:17 min/km). Lunchtime loop, magnificent weather. My running buddy had to stop several times as the heat got to him. For me, it was relatively easy despite the warm weather, and the legs felt great, for what will be my last run before Sunday. I was surprised at the pace (didn't check watch at all).

And so, alea iacta est.

The training for the Connemara Half, such as it was, is done. The pre-race jitters are taking hold - I have many imaginary niggles and worries. I am checking the course profile incessantly. As I have 2 friends from Netherlands coming over and run with me (they arrive tomorrow evening), I am double and triple checking our registration, our hotel, etc. Bitta OCD, I guess. My friends, by the way, are both sub 90-minutes half marathoners, although one of them claims he's far off that at the moment.

So, the question now is, what to expect and aim for on Sunday? I have been thinking about this quite a lot, and I still don't know.

I am reasonably pleased with the training up until 3 weeks ago. I ran longer long-runs and certainly more hills then I have done before. I am very lucky with my lack of injuries, which allowed a good routine (again, for my standard, and in the context of all other things happening). I have set PBs at 5 and 10km in the last couple of months (5km time I still expect to improve on, 10km is better than I thought I would be at this stage), all good signs.

The last couple of weeks have been less than ideal. I won't complain about the ski-trip but before that, I ran a bit less than I would have liked, too, due to illness/niggles. Maybe not so bad, as Dubgal pointed out, but still, I would have preferred a few more kms. Well, to quote hillside's race report, "c'est la vie". It is what it is.

So, what to aim for on Sunday? In November, I broke 1h50 in Clontarf by a few seconds, during perfect running conditions (fresh, no rain, little wind, and a pacer that dragged me to my goal time during the last couple of kms). I think I am in better shape at the moment, but Connemara is a significant harder course, the weather forecast is not great, there's no pacer I think I can follow, etc. A PB would be a dream, but I think it's not realistic and I won't beat myself up if it doesn't happen. I do know that anything over 2 hours would be disappointing.

That said, I don't want to have "no goal" for the race.
So, I am thinking: Gold < 1h50 < Silver < 1h52m30 < Bronze < 1h55 < OK then < 2h < Bleeh.

It feels odd to not be trying to set a PB, but I simply don't think its realistic. If any of the more experienced runners / racers have any thoughts on the matter, I would be very interested to hear how they would approach a race like this.