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Making every mile count
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August 24-30
A distinct lack of focus this week. I feel like I am running well but not progressing. Running still if you will. I really wanted to run the Tullamore Half but with work in Mayo that night, it would have meant returning to Dublin or killing 5/6 hours in Tullamore. Hindsight is a great thing because I should have just ran it. With Charleville now very much on the horizon, I am quickly running out of time. Every weekend is a busy one so I am not sure how to approach the race. I know myself that I need to pin a number and run a race before then. A trip to Galway and Cork this weekend rules out The Lakes 10km.
So, not sure what to do at the moment in all honesty. I need things to click pretty quickly. If they don't I have a feeling of a very flat performance come the 20th. Added to all that it will be All-Ireland Final Day. A serious predicament in on the cards when Dublin dispatch Mayo back to the west on Saturday! #1951. I felt myself clock-watching a lot this week. Not a good sign it must to be said. Time to get a second wind and regain the focus and drive lost. Running this week has become more about a habit than a hobby (albeit a very important one).
Monday 24/8
12+ Miles
AM: 8 Miles Easy @6.56p/m in 55.32
PM: 4+ Miles (30 min treadmill) inc. 20 minutes hard tempo
Tuesday 25/8
8 Miles Easy @7.16p/m in 58.13
Wednesday 26/8
10 Miles
-inc. 5x1 miles @HMP ~90 seconds recovery
Splits (real splits, non-garmin): 5.47, 5.42. 5.41. 5.39. 5.40
A session to blow away some cobwebs. I didn't run this with any great enthusiasm. A session to tick a box.
Thursday 27/8
AM: 6 Miles Easy @7.12p/m in 43.14
PM: 6 Miles Easy @6.53p/m in 41.24
Felt terrible in the morning but great in the evening.
Friday 28/8
10 Miles Easy @7.05p/m in 1.10:53
Saturday 29/8
Long Run
-16 Miles Easy @7.01p/m in 1.52:25
A near disastrous run. I ran the entire thing very negatively. I planned on 18-20 but I pulled the plug after 16. In fact I got a very bad stitch for the first time ever, meaning a brief stop very close to home. Just one of those runs.
Sunday 30/8
13.60 Miles @7.13p/m in 1.38:04
Great to get out the door early and head to Donadea. Very tired throughout the run (4 hours sleep) but fantastic to have it done quite early. I mainly ran this with Eoin, we were both content that the pack would do their job
. A few steady miles towards the end rounded off an enjoyable run. Great morning and even better cake. Back just in time for the game. Cue an angry man shouting at the tv!
WEEK TOTAL: 81.6+ MILES0 -
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Monday 7/9
12 Miles
AM: 6 Miles @7.18p/m in 43:52
PM: 6 Miles @6.59p/m in 41:59
Tuesday 8/9
10.50+ Miles in 75 minutes (approx.)
-inc. 5x20sec strides @3k pace
The garmin was acting up and wouldn't charge. I got to 5.68 miles (to be precise!) @7.06p/m pace. Luckily I had the reliable Casio stopwatch to back up the much more expensive Garmin!
Wednesday 9/9
12.25+ Miles
AM
7.25+ Miles
Planned Session: 5x1,200m @10km pace ~2.30 rec
Splits (track):
4.07 (5.31p/m)
4.06 (5.30p/m)
4.06 (5.30p/m)
4.05 (5.28p/m)
4.03 (5.26p/m)
I aimed for laps of 82-83. That's about where I see my current 10km fitness. Although that's just an educated guess at this juncture. I have found the past few sessions quite tough mentally. The penny finally dropped today as to why. I simply don't have a concrete plan like I had with the Magness Plan. I haven't fully committed to a certain plan and I can only blame myself for that. I thrive on security and certainty, not on an unfocused outline. I need to fully commit to everything here on in and nail my colours to the mast.
The session itself was somewhat challenging but far from a killer. I could have done another rep or two so there was something still left in the tank. Every lap was once again similar to a fartlek session; hard slog down the back-straight and coast the home-straight. You have to love the wind in Kilbogget. Not!
*I should have done 6, not 5 reps. I made a mistake
PM
5 Miles Very Easy (grass) @7.40p/m in 38:26
A few monotonous laps of Sean Moore Park rounded off the day. At least it should have.
I did it again. A real man learns from his mistakes. Me? I bloody well repeat them!
We returned to the car (she was playing in the Gaa tournament in the park). I was starving and looking forward to dinner. I went as usual to my trusty wheel to retrieve my car key. At this stage it's a well rehearsed routine. In my haste I pushed the key off the wheel. No biggie. I looked around on the ground and my luck was definitely out. Sh!te. We did everything but there was no sign. I even managed to push the car a few feet to help in the search. We both looked at each-other. The shore. Could it have somehow fallen down? Despite being four feet away from the wheel I had no option. Desperate times, desperate measures. I won't lie, it was disgusting. Worse still there was still no sign. Imagine if I was recognised!
It was now time to seriously swallow the man pride and call in the professionals. An hour later the breakdown man called. Thank God, a real man. It had come to this. He must have thought I was the biggest idiot alive. Maybe I am. He raised the car and a nervous few minutes ensued. The key finally popped out. It was so lodged he almost missed it. I could have kissed him. Maybe I should have kissed him :eek:.....
One idiot. One mechanic. 90 minutes. One run.
This time I have finally learned my lesson. I thought I did the last time with Andy in the Phoenix Park but obviously I did not.
I am one idiot!
Enjoyable run all the same........ 0 -
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you can unlace your shoes and lace your keyring in. It won't come out unless the lace or the ring breaks
or get a little armwallet
if I carry my keys, I usually put one finger through the keyring so I can hold the keys loosely
That's very handy. I will definitely give it a go. thanks.
I might not need to anymore though.....I left the passenger window fully open for an hour today in PP. Thank God Peter noticed! Who needs keys, eh?! 0 -
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Monday 5/10
10 Miles
AM: 5 Miles Easy @7.13p/m in 36:05
PM: 5 Miles Very Easy @7.28p/m (grassy) in 37:21
Tuesday 6/10
DAY OFF.
Wednesday 7/10
9+ Miles
AM
6+ Miles inc. drills/strides
Sharpening Session: 3x800m @3k effort ~2.30 rec, 5x30sec hills @1m effort ~jog down recovery
Splits: 2.31, 2.29. 2.28
PM: 4 Miles Very Easy @7.37p/m in 30:34
Thursday 8/10
6.10 Miles Easy @7.13p/m in 44:05
Bags unpacked, passport gone AWOL but my runners are by the door. So, there goes the most ad hoc training blocks ever undertaken. I have learned a lot but times are a changin'! I am very much looking forward to starting up with the new club next week and get some structure back. I have no idea what to expect come Sunday but I am not too concerned. I know I am not in great shape for a half marathon but the aim is to enjoy it (especially the beers after!). That's not me being defeatist, merely realistic. I may run without the watch and whatever the clock says at the end I will regroup and refocus. The choice will be whether to simply take a step back from the sport or push on, picking a coach and dedicating a large chunk of my life to running the sort of times I want. Anywhoo, that will all come on Monday.
No pressure. Just me, 9000+ Dutch and hopefully a very very flat road
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