Leaving Normal

I havent been here in a long time.

Tempted to get logging again.

The last few months have been solidly back running and now have decided I need to join a club here in Cork. I miss the track sessions from West Limerick / Doneen when I was in Limerick on the UL track.

I have totted upwards of 60 and 70 mile weeks with everything in between the last while. Structured but not anal with structure on the training. Marathon was in the marks but i hadn't decided on one. Was thinking Cork in June as a good target to PB (3:13:xx). I, on a whim, signed up for Limerick so am doing that Sunday but it won't be my A race this year.

I know that I can PB Sunday. I raced only twice last year and the year before 30k in 2:05:xx tells me that I already know I am close to 3 hours. Last summers string of training and the last 2-3 months tell me that my fitness is on par with the 30k race, if not a little better. It's a lack of confidence to some degree on my part .... and for me, it's much easier to say a safe option of 3:05 because that way I don't set myself up for failure. I know that I have to take a risk though. A club will help me tremendously here and I should have done so at the start of the year.

I am in two minds on Sunday. It's not my A race as I am not 'A' ready but I reckon that I will slot in between the 3:00 and 3:15 pacers. I have some longer runs done fairly comfortable at 7:00 and 6:50 miles and faster. I don't wan't a bad experience Sunday and to make recovery longer than it should. I want to finish and not be destroyed.

The last 2 weeks have not been ideal from a taper POV. Last week, not enough sleep and rest. This week I felt my throat get sore so decided to step back from any training Tue - Thurs and feel just fine now. Will get in 4 miles later this morning and 10-15 minutes tomorrow easy wearing all my kit for Sunday. This week I have been travelling to Edinburgh for Work so although sleep has been just fine, food has been ****e- eating out the last 2 nights in Pizza Express FFS but am back to the plain foods for the next 2 days and let my digestive system chillout.

Anyway, the ramblings of a madman who hasn't ran a marathon since DCM 2011 .... so even though this isn't an A race, and in theory, I should be able to relax, I am still in a little mini taper frenzy. I know i was in a mini taper frenzy when work colleagues went to the pub for 2 drinks after a work event yesterday and i was there with my water and pepsi thinking 'there are far too many people in this pub', 'did she sneeze behind me'.

Let the fun and games begin.

Just a repost of what I threw up on the GLR thread

Well done to all that ran.

I clocked in officially at 3:06:10. Mixed emotions about it but happy as it's a decent clip off my last marathon and I knew waking up yesterday morning that the legs were a little 'lifeless' for the want of a better word. Ran the second half slightly faster and picked it up for the last 10k coming towards the city from Raheen with a few sub 7 miles for the first time in the race. Coming into Raheen and the industrial estate onto the long drag after the pass-over / bridge adjacent to the Crescent Shopping Centre, it was great as there was mise, a runner from Doneen AC and another guy and it was great having us all bang on pace, working together. Once I picked up the pace in the last 10k, it was lonely in Thomandgate. Running out to towards Thomand Park, I was alone and it's hard at that stage. Ran by a handful of runners at the Gaelic grounds and again in North Circular Road and it helped pick me up. When I passed by the final timer at the mile to go mark, I knew it was all good and got the final kick coming into Clancy's strand and the city again.

I won't really comment on the organization as my aim was the run but yes, I think there were little bits and pieces that could be flagged for next year. I thought the marathon was just fine, most marshalls helpful, good support on the route (helps when you know the locals!).

Cheers Niall, yeah I was chatting to the Doneen chap after in baggage collection and sent bulmers a PM there to suss out if it's him as it ties into the time he said he finished.

I will have a think about the autumn, I don;t want to half commit to it. I might just chase some new PBs with a half and 10k and be content there ................

opus wrote: »

And continuing in the 'Ireland is a small place' vein think you walked past ThePiedPiper & myself after the finish

Congrats on the result btw!

You should have said 'hello'!

opus wrote: »

Yes you're right but I just thought is was you based on seeing a pic in the photos thread here & must admit I'm a bit shy about wandering up to people saying "hello I'm opus from the interwebs are you metamorphosis"

You make a good point! Well, next time, say hi, and more likely than not, I wont give a you a funny look.

Anyway, after 0 running since last Sunday and sitting back enjoying my food and working all week, I am heading out in a few minutes to clock a few miles and see how I feel.

Few more days to decide what I will do re. Cork - I think the half is pretty much nearly sold out and i have been asked to do a relay. Not sure which to do, but not much time to decide.

Sunday, I just jumped on the bike indoors. I teach a class that has indoor bikes and strain gauge technology to measure power.

I did 6 rounds of of 6 minute intervals at 7-10 beats below lactate threshold heart rate / a few % below functional threshold power. Felt good. That reminds me, I must organize myself to get my threshold tested soon, it has been a while.

Monday, I did 4 easy miles @8:08. Felt better than Saturdays 7 mile disaster.

Same loop this evening as Tuesday and I managed to squeeze in some slightly faster miles from miles 6-10. The watch died just before mile 11 so will post splits later.

Few little bumps and trumps in the body. Booked in for sports massage Saturday morning at 10am .... and will serve as a quick health check and look around to ensure everything that I need functioning is functioning.

I do not like a massage that works to a pain scale!!!

Was teaching last night and got out for a few fast miles after. Felt really good after the weekends rub down and felt strong pushing out some faster miles.

6.64 miles

6:50/6:13/5:56/6:10/6:30/6:30 and 4:49 for the last .64. Stopped the Garmin and had a little jog back to the apartment.

6 easy miles last night after teaching. Untimed and ran to feel.

Gonna head out for a few miles tonight, then a longer run the weekend and begin to drop some mileage next week a little before the half next weekend.

Another rob down booked in for next week (a.k.a sports massacre) ... which will help my tired body, I hope.

I did what I probably shouldn't had on Friday

4 easy miles early
Met a friend for a few miles later the day and kept on going and did 10.5. The last mile, my tummy acted up again like Thursday run. It had been over 3 hours since I ate and I had gone to the loo so I thought all should be fine. I increased my milk intake last week which I think is to blame as is muesli. Those 2 things generally ensure I go to the toilet in a run so ditch the muesli and drop the milk more.

Saturday was teaching in UL, Limerick that morning and caught some of the referendum count action down in the courts after which was awesome, When I got back to Cork later, did 4 easy miles.

Was teaching Sunday, no run.

A little over 56 miles for the week.

Easier week this week. Need to prioritize sleep more leading up to next Monday.

Not feeling fresh or on the ball leading up to the half so not sure what to expect but a week is still a long time to recoup mentally and physically.

I'm a douche ...

13.01 miles 8:44 min avg pace