Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try

Job done #noexcuses

Put the champers on ice ladies

Ososlo wrote: »

How'd you do? Pleased obviously! Well done!!!

For the non stalkers 24:51

By the way, I didn't see AMK so had to do all the work myself

Rathfarnham 5K race: pb 24.51 (previous 5k pb jingle bells 2014 25:35)

Since Blessington I"ve been working off a specific 5K training plan and have to say I've been enjoying it. There is a definite benefit to running my easy runs by heart rate and thanks to Meno for all the advice you've given me on this.
In the run up to the race I went over the course in my head and was really looking forward to getting this done but then I woke up on Thursday with a cough and things got a little worse from there although I've managed to keep it out of my chest, a fitful sleep on Friday and Saturday night were not ideal. But no excuses, right?

Got up this morning feeling good, had brekkie and was out the door at 8.30 meaning I was at Rathfarnham at 8.50 for a race that started at 10am – I think even Bungy would LOL at that but anyway, did a warm up jog and some drills and tried to gauge when best to take the inhaler. It was a beautiful morning weather wise. Jogged up to the start and did some dynamic stretches and had a sneaky look around to see if I could see AMK or any clubmates. Spotted the only other clubmate taking part and we chatted before lining up.

Mile 1: avg pace 7:55 fastest pace 7:17
Having realised the finish line was way further down than I originally thought I needed to be careful here. This felt really comfortable but a sneaky look at the watch showed 7:20 so I dialled it back a bit, I wanted to bank something here but not overcook it. Was overtaking & weaving a bit as the usual people starting in the wrong place went on. There was a guy at the first mile mark (myles you were bang on just at the bus stop) reading splits, he said 7:45, my watch beeped a little after that and it said 7:55, it was the last time I'd look at it.

Mile 2: avg pace 8:08 fastest pace 7:36, up the 'hill' into Terenure village I was passing people all along here, still felt comfortable(ish) and was repeating positive 'you can do this' type mantras. The drag up to Terenure college was tough and I knew that would be the case, my breathing started to become more laboured by the time we got to Bush Park and the first of the negative thoughts started to creep in. I told myself there was no way in hell I was coming home to type a race report that didn’t have a 24 in the finish time and pushed on.

Mile 3: avg pace 7:45 fastest pace 7:11 (7.45? sorry, who's legs ran that mile????) I'm not sure where this started but we'll go with somewhere near the lights where we turned for the downhill home, I was hurting now breathing wise, body wise all was good, foot ok, hip which had been sore on the warm up was good, legs felt strong. I let gravity do its thing here and it temporarily took the pressure off my lungs. We got to the 800m sign, 2 laps of the track, then the 400m sign I felt I was slowing a lot here, was coughing now and couldn't muster a sprint, I saw the finish line, it was reading 24:4x?, I pushed on, I knew I had gone under the gantry 20 secs after the gun (after blessington I will never take the chip for granted again!) so if I could get under when the clock was reading 24.xx I'd be very happy, missed it by 2 seconds! Clock said 25.01 but my watch said 24.50.

Had to sit down (actually I had to lie down!) I was wrecked, nothing left in the tank. Had some water and then went to find my clubmate. Jogged back to the car with another friend and my breathing here even on a jog was wheezy – more practice required with the inhaler I think but it definitely did its job today. Did some stretching and got to the car to find several text messages and some congrats already on my log thanks guys!

A couple of thoughts on today. The weather was near perfect, a smidge too warm coming down lower dodder road the second time but well shaded up to that. I don't see how I could do another 3 miles at those paces, so how do I get to a point where I can string 6 of those miles together? Better paced tempo runs? Longer speed intervals? I was determined not to let the negative thoughts win today, I need to remember that for every race I do from here on. I think the shorter stuff suits me better, I think I will target Bohermeen in the spring to see if I can EVER do a decent half marathon and then just park that & keep working on 5k's and 10k's. In the meantime over the winter there are the Raheny 2 miles races and our own club 2 mile races and of course, there's Longwood Thanks to everyone for all the advice and support, I know I haven't broken any world records but it’s a goal achieved for me.

Reading all the great times coming in from Berlin, one of my clubmates, who's a super runner and a lovely lovely girl has come in in 3:11 and the lads have their sub 3 hour pb's. So looks like a great day all round and I know I'll be having a glass bottle of bubbly later on

annapr wrote: »

first of all BG would approve completely of your arrival time

secondly, I can't believe you already started doubting yourself about longer distances

Finally... great stuff again, really well done!!!! we'll toast you later

Just to clarify (in case you didn't hear me over the cocktails) I'm not doubting myself im asking what changes I need to make to convert that 3 mile pb ti a 6 mile pb bungy has offered some sage advice there so all systems go starting tomorrow.....ok maybe Tuesday!

Bungy Girl wrote: »

Disclaimer: Anything I say after a Lemon Sherbert Martini should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Salt, is that not tequila??