A Slow Journey to Faster Times

kit3 wrote: »

Really interested in your theory on the driving - I did two such training sessions over the weekend - found my right leg was a bit wrecked after the first leg (Saturday) but I seem to be ok today after yesterday's leg ! Would you put that down to building muscle memory on the first leg ??

I'm not going to lie, I'm no expert on it.
You'd probably be better off consulting a coach who could give you a proper schedule for stuff like that (e.g. a driving instructor). I'm probably doing everything wrong or in the incorrect order, hence the poor race performances. Wouldn't want to similarly misguide anybody else.

dublin runner wrote: »

Serious question


How do you think your running sabbatical impacts on your results? Do you see it as a need mental and physical break that helps you in the long run (restores motivation etc.)?

Honestly? Probably not positively. I definitely don't think it 'helps' me. I'm just prone to going from flat out to zero after a marathon, because that's usually the ultimate goal and I'm a little bit aimless afterwards. Even in the case where I'm already signed up for something else (NYC) because it's so far away.

dublin runner wrote: »

We are quite different when it comes to training. I am on on/on runner (to my detriment a lot of the time) and you are an on/off runner. When you are 'on' there is no doubt you train hard and smart. Without really knowing, I wonder is there a possible ideal compromise between these two contrasting approaches. It crossed my mind during a run that you possibly could benefit from just simply ticking over for a number of weeks after a marathon. Then again, I am not convinced!

Hope that makes sense.

I would like to think there is a compromise and hope to see the results to match when I eventually cop on to doing things the right way. I definitely agree with the ticking over part. After I ran Seville last year, I was back running after 3/4 days and within 2 weeks was running pbs, continuing to do so all the way up to Berlin. In fact, the Dublin Marathon was the first time I failed to pb in a race......ever!

If you want the honest truth I don't think I've been anywhere near the shape I was in last summer since Berlin. I've slacked off in one department or the other, but feel like I'm getting away with it by running similar times or narrow pbs. My lifestyle is not an ideal one for a runner, but I've always been averse to making big sacrifices as it may then become a chore which I don't want. In saying that, I don't feel like I make any at the moment. Bar putting the miles in, I didn't forego anything in the run up to Hamburg, whereas even back as far as Dublin 2010 my diet was better and I gave up alcohol for the guts of two months. Whether that has made a big difference, I really don't know. I suppose I might have to try out a more professional approach to find out. We'll see. The 'beer' mile being my next race (with pints afterwards) probably doesn't help there

Regarding the total exodus from running recently, a lot of that has been down to a change in working hours and problems with transport etc.
It has just been really difficult to organise getting myself out the door for a few miles (believe it or not). However, everyone has issues like this in their day to day lives so it's not really a valid excuse. I had put today in the calendar as the one where I stopped messing around and got back out there. I'll be hitting the road sometime this evening. Haven't decided how far yet.

Update: 59.38 miles in the last 10 days

Less than I would like, but have been forced to take some rest/recovery days through no fault of my own. Anyway good to be back on the horse. Most of these were 'easy' effort, but felt like far more of a struggle than they should have. Probably all psychological though, as the few miles I ran with FBOT01 felt much less difficult than the rest.

Tuesday 2nd June: 60 minutes Easy
Wednesday 3rd June A.M.: 40 minutes Easy
Wednesday 3rd June P.M.: 80 minutes Easy
Thursday 4th June A.M.: 50 minutes Easy
Thursday 4th June P.M.: 40 minutes Easy
Friday 5th June: 90 minutes Easy
Saturday 6th June: 45 minutes Easy
Wednesday 10th June: 80 minutes Easy


I'm hoping to get a few miles in after work tomorrow, before a warm-up on Saturday morning pacing at the St Anne's parkrun. After that it's the main event

annapr wrote: »

so.... have you committed to a pacing time for St Anne's yet???

I'll give the people what they want

Saturday 13th June (P.M.) - Boards Beer Mile (8:27 unofficial)

I'll post a full report tomorrow when I get a chance, but for the moment here's my Garmin link: https://connect.garmin.com/activity/804237854

Very happy with a 3+ minute pb

Boards Beer Mile 2015 (8:27)

This would be my second Beer Mile. Last year was a bit of a shock to the system, having never experienced anything remotely similar and running on tired legs from a 19 mile LSR that morning. I knew I was way better prepared this year.


Pre-Race

My goal since crossing the finish line in 11:30 last year was to improve to at least a sub 10 this year (Why is this not on the round numbers thread btw?)
I put in two really solid training sessions though, so that by the time the race rolled around I was very confident of a sub 9 and hopeful of even better. I warmed up for the event with a few beers on Friday night, followed by a pacing gig at the St Anne's parkrun on Saturday morning. The preparation was almost parallel to an elite Olympian. I'd have no excuses.


The Race

I lined up at the start waiting for annapr and the timing crew to give us the go ahead. Having spent the previous twenty minutes laughing, joking and participating in general banter on the infield, the start line was eerily quiet. The pre-race nerves were kicking in. Novices & veterans alike frozen solid from fear of failure. Chivito even dropped his bottle on the ground, his hand muscles paralysed from the pressure of his own expectation after two afternoon pbs and a solid block of training. Then we got a '3-2-1-Go!' and the silence was broken with the sound of 25 beers being cracked open simultaneously. The 2015 National Championship was under way.


Beer 1: 0:25 I've just knocked back a beer in 25 seconds and I'm not even in the top 20. Wtf? However I didn't panic. This is a mile, not a 400m or even a 200m as recent early leaders have discovered to their demise. I knew I'd be overtaking many by the end and stuck to my original strategy.

Run 1: 1:29 I remember passing meno (as he has mentioned), but not a lot else. I was totally focused on burping and expelling as much gas as possible before the lap was over. I was probably a bit too conservative and possibly could have gone a little faster, but was always reminding myself of how fine the line is between too slow and a pukefest.

Beer 2: 0:38 Slower than the first, but that was to be expected. I made a lot of places in this transition as the beer 200m/400m specialists started to struggle. This is where the marathon training and specific beer mile sessions start to kick in. I was happy to see it had been all worthwhile. Meno still got away ahead of me though.

Run 2: 1:24 A little quicker than the first lap and passed meno once again. The field was starting to sort itself out now and positions wouldn't change an awful lot around me from here on in. I knew I'd be battling meno all the way to the line just like last year.

Beer 3: 0:46 Slightly slower again, but far better than last year where I was taking double the time at this stage. Meno away in front of me again. Myself and KU were having a similar battle, with me getting away in front and him overtaking me on the lap.

Run 3: 1:33 Disappointed with this lap. I lost focus halfway down the back straight and got engaged in a full blown conversation with meno as we watched the epic finish on the other side. Maybe if I'd kicked on here instead I'd have beat him.

Beer 4: 0:51 Inevitably this was the slowest transition of the night. Anyone who has done a beer mile will understand that's going to be the case. Happy enough with it. I remember it well and couldn't have got it down any quicker. Meno on the other hand took an insurmountable fifteen second lead on me here. I was sure I saw beer/froth spewing out of the bottle as he tossed it aside and raised a Hawkeye style challenge as a result. The umpire (Dubgal72) waved my objections away. As I moved away in vain pursuit, I noticed KU was still drinking his last beer. I couldn't believe it. This time last year himself & Dogslysmile were about to lap me!

Run 4: 1:14 I had almost managed to expel any gas and bloatedness by the time I hit the first bend, so knew I could put the hammer down as a result. Meno was a long way ahead at this stage though and I knew it was very unlikely I would catch him. I could feel myself gaining all the time, but in the straight I just ran out of ground. He took a sneaky look over his shoulder before he celebrated just to make sure
I ran all the way through the finish and was given 8th position with a time of 8:27. I've lost seven seconds in there somewhere, but I don't know where as I've watched the video a few times now and that's the best I can come up with :P


Verdict

Very happy with the result, as sub 9 was the goal going in and I was considerably better than that. Disgusted Little bit disappointed I didn't beat meno though. Delighted to finish ahead of some top athletes, especially KU who lapped me last year. I think we have to recognise that anyone (KU, Chivito, Timaay) who ran a race in lecheile earlier that afternoon seriously underperformed though, so it's a bit of a hollow victory. Those races obviously took a lot out of the lads. Some top performances by a fair few debutants with plenty of sub 10's which is really impressive. Finally a big thanks to TRR for organising such a wonderful event and an even bigger shout out to the volunteers and spectators who attended on the night (pity you had to put up with meno's moaning! ). It was hugely appreciated by all taking part. I know a few names, but not all and I don't want to leave anyone out.

Until next year.......