Starting at the Very Start

FIFA2004 · 10-10-2015 05:46PM

Saturday 10th October
5km
44.47mins
8.58mins/km

Unsurprisingly didn't make it up in time for parkrun this am! Did my own 5km in the afternoon. The heaviness from the past few runs seemed to be gone, gave way to quite a sharp pain in my left knee which only really went after 4.5km. Might think about a physio for that soon if it doesn't settle, have felt it before but not that bad.
Was wrecked and out of breath after the first km. took the headphones out and slowed right down and the rest of the run went fine. I think I've been getting caught up with times again after a few good runs so putting those thoughts out of the head again! Hopefully a few good runs during the week and then back at parkrun next week to see how things have gone since last time I was there

Maximus Alexander · 10-10-2015 06:31PM

Really enjoyed reading your log Fifa. It's great to see someone starting out and putting so much work in - I wish I'd been as committed as you when I started, I'd flying at this stage!

The parkruns sounds like fun, you're making me think I should get out and do some myself since there's one nearby in Marlay Park.

Keep up the good work!

Dub13 · 10-10-2015 06:36PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Really enjoyed reading your log Fifa. It's great to see someone starting out and putting so much work in - I wish I'd been as committed as you when I started, I'd flying at this stage!

The parkruns sounds like fun, you're making me think I should get out and do some myself since there's one nearby in Marlay Park.

Keep up the good work!

Parkrun's are great and you are lucky having Marlay Park close to you as that's one of the biggest. Give one a go you will not regret it.

FIFA2004 · 10-10-2015 11:59PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Really enjoyed reading your log Fifa. It's great to see someone starting out and putting so much work in - I wish I'd been as committed as you when I started, I'd flying at this stage!

The parkruns sounds like fun, you're making me think I should get out and do some myself since there's one nearby in Marlay Park.

Keep up the good work!

Hey! Thanks for that, really appreciate it! once I get into a habit I'm fairly good at sticking with things so hoping I'll see some results from the effort soon! Definitely try a park run, can't say enough good things about them!

The Muppet · 11-10-2015 09:34AM

once I get into a habit I'm fairly good at sticking with things so hoping I'll see some results from the effort soon! Definitely try a park run, can't say enough good things about them

keep at it and you definitely will see the results' in fact i'd say you all ready can .

Agree about the park runs, Ive only done the one because they don't fit into the plan I'm on at the moment but I really enjoyed that one and I will do some some down the line.

Keep at it and keep logging.

FIFA2004 · 12-10-2015 12:11AM

Sunday 12th October
3.5km
28.30mins
8.07min/km
Spilts: 8.03, 8.21, 8.21, 7.22

After a morning studying decided to take a break, cut things down to 3.5km to make sure I was back for the rugby! Tried to push myself a bit seeing as I was doing a shorter distance, had the headphones in and was probably on the edge of very short of breath for it all! Managed to hold the pace but should really have gone slower! Ran on the grass mostly to give my knees a rest. Legs felt good going a bit faster, especially when I pushed it for the last .5km... Now to let the lungs catch up!

Knees were both hurting a bit when I was walking to warm up, settled down as soon as I started running. Toying with the idea of a physio but afraid the answer there will be not to run until I've lost weight so not too sure! Will see how things go

FIFA2004 · 14-10-2015 08:43PM

Wednesday 14th October
5km (3km fartlek)
39.39mins
7.55min/km
Splits: 8.24, 7.54, 7.37, 7.40, 8.00

3rd fartlek run. Felt good from the start. Ran as normal for 1km, then 3km fartlek, then 1 normal. Tried to make the faster segments longer, and added in some doing 50% of all out for longer sections. Was really happy with how it went. Tried to concentrate on running better when fast, have noticed that when I speed up the head goes down, shoulders up, arms really bent and hands clenched and I hold my breath a bit til I stopped, dunno if it helped!
First time I've got under 40mins apart from at park runs, the knee wasn't really at me apart from at the end. Happy days!
Im probably slowing down a bit too much in between fast sections seen as the splits end up pretty much equal as the normal running, something to work on!

FIFA2004 · 17-10-2015 11:53AM

Saturday 17th October
4.99km
43.01mins
8.37mins/km
8.06, 8.30, 8.50, 9.00, 8.40

The ocd part of me is raging at the 4.99km! Due to work and a course I hadn't slept for 49 hours prior to 10 last night. Decided if I woke up for parkrun great, if not ah well... Suprisingly I didn't!
Out on my own so. Nothing to exciting, faded over the 5km, probably because I'm still tired.
Will definitely be at parkrun next week!

Looking at a race to try aim for, not particularly for a pb or the end of any plan, just something to have in my head. Was thinking the mo run in November, but I might be away, or the jingle bells one in December.
Anybody know of any other 5k's coming up in either Dublin or the west?

The Muppet · 17-10-2015 01:06PM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Saturday 17th October
4.99km
43.01mins
8.37mins/km
8.06, 8.30, 8.50, 9.00, 8.40

The ocd part of me is raging at the 4.99km!

Yeah I'm like that too, that extra .01 of a km makes all the difference. It can't be easy to get out and run on so little sleep , that's commitment, well done .

Firedance · 17-10-2015 01:10PM

come and do jingle bells

its a super race, fantastic atmosphere, well organised by Donore Harriers and there will be a big boards crew there too!

FIFA2004 · 19-10-2015 03:11PM

Monday 19th October
5km
39.35mins
7.55mins/km
7.14, 7.32, 8.05, 8.30, 8.15

A strange one! Took off way too fast, got to 500m in 3.30mins, 1km at 7.13... Faster than I'd ever run. 1.5km at 10.30mins. Realised then I needed to slow down cuz I'd never last otherwise. Was at the top of a few football pitches on a downward slope so instead of going straight down to try lower my time, went across and back to slow myself down. Running across long wet grass slowed the time down but didn't decrease the effort much. Last 1.5km back on the path and tried to stay at a steadier pace, except for sprinting the last 150m.
An old man congratulated me when I finished as I was stretching, put a huge smile on my face!

Lessons learnt today:
Stop trying to race in training runs (shudda remembered that one from before!)
I'm further away from running 5km in under 35mins than I thought. Re-jigging the expectations to try get there at jingle bells.

IvoryTower · 19-10-2015 03:45PM

Hi Fifa, I'm not sure if it's been mentioned but if there's a club in your area that caters for all levels it might be worth looking into, a lot of fun to be had! You seem to be doing great anyway, very consistent, best of luck with your goal. I second jingle bells, I hear it's great for a PB

FIFA2004 · 19-10-2015 05:12PM

IvoryTower wrote: »

Hi Fifa, I'm not sure if it's been mentioned but if there's a club in your area that caters for all levels it might be worth looking into, a lot of fun to be had

Hey Ivory Tower,
I've never looked at running clubs actually, never considered there might be one slow enough for me! There is a fit for life group that have overtaken me a few times when I've been running, I might get in touch with them and see if anyone is close to my speed! Some company would be great!
Thanks for the idea!!

mel.b · 19-10-2015 06:04PM

Hey Fifa,

You'll get there with the sub 35...don't worry! I did my first sub 35 on Saturday at a parkrun. While I have absolutely no experience whatsoever, just wondering if you are doing any runs longer than 5k? I haven't seen any posted in your log for a while and I think increasing the distance gradually of one run a week will help. So will running with others (says me, who only went out on my first group run last week!) so def look at the fit for life group.

Sunny Dayz · 19-10-2015 06:22PM

I would second running with other people. I think it's ok to do the C25K program on your own but once you have completed that it is really helpful to start running with other people. When you run by yourself the whole time it is easy to get complacent. I found this to be the case after I did C25K and didn't see any improvement in my times afterwards, there was no one there to "watch" me. When I started running with a group July last year I was about 40mins for 5k, now I am about 32 mins for 5k. It's also handy if you have any questions or concerns, also for picking up little tips. It's also nice to have the motivation of arranging to meet other people, making yourself get out on a not so nice evening, especially with the winter coming in.

You're doing really well, I'm enjoying your log.

FIFA2004 · 19-10-2015 07:48PM

Mel.b - haven't done a longer run in ages, since I decided that 10km training plan was a little too much to fit in now. I've been thinking about adding more distance on, just doing it more slowly this time. Great advice, thanks! You're in a great place to give advice, you're absolutely flying. Love your log! Sometimes the best people to give advice are the people just ahead of where you are, as well as the actual experts!

Sunnydayz - thanks for the advice re groups! Now the idea is in my head it's something I really want to try. Going to get some more info on the group, once they aren't all a million times faster I'll head down. Still a little bit nervous to look stupid and slow! If they are too fast, I'll keep working til I feel fast enough to go

The Muppet · 19-10-2015 08:07PM

Hi Fifa theres a group over here in Swords called sloggers to joggers I often see them out in the evening and they might be just what your are looking for, I'm pretty sure there is a malahide group too . They are on Facebook as far as I know.

FIFA2004 · 19-10-2015 09:08PM

The Muppet wrote: »

Hi Fifa theres a group over here in Swords called sloggers to joggers I often see them out in the evening and they might be just what your are looking for, I'm pretty sure there is a malahide group too . They are on Facebook as far as I know.

Hey Muppet,
Thanks for the suggestion! Had a look at that Facebook page, looks like exactly what I need! Stuck in Castlebar weekdays for work at the moment, only home some weekends unfortunately. Maybe they'll spread to the west

FIFA2004 · 21-10-2015 03:31PM

Wednesday 21st October
5km (3km fartlek)
41.55mins

Tough run! Not really sure why. Didn't feel particularly motivated which made making myself run fast harder, was running into a breeze for a long time, a route I really don't like much.... the legs just didn't really feel into it!
Slower overall than the same run last week. Still, another one down.
May look into a more structured 'speed' session in the next few weeks so that how my head is doesn't have as much of an impact!
Taking Mel.b's advice, 6km run tomorrow!

FIFA2004 · 22-10-2015 07:20PM

Thursday 22nd October
7km
57.36mins
8.13mins/km
7.44, 8.22, 7.52, 8.17, 8.46, 8.23, 8.07

What a difference a day makes! Took Mel.b's advice and headed out for a 6km run. Ditched the route I hate and just headed anywhere, no real plan where to go. First 2km were a bit of a drag, then seemed to get into it a bit and really enjoyed it from there! Got to 6km and felt really good, was naturally getting faster without trying, and wasn't very close to home so said I'd run a bit more, and stop when I felt crap! Kept going, breezed up a hill I was trying to avoid (slight exaggeration on the breezed!) and 7km came just outside the door. Probably would have kept going only for that!

Next up: parkrun on Saturday

mel.b · 22-10-2015 09:22PM

Well done & good luck with the Parkrun

i'll be taking this weeks parkrun nice and easy

FIFA2004 · 22-10-2015 09:28PM

mel.b wrote: »

Well done & good luck with the Parkrun i'll be taking this weeks parkrun nice and easy

Thanks! I haven't been there in ages so not sure what to expect. If I can beat my last time I'll be happy anyway!

FIFA2004 · 24-10-2015 11:47AM

Saturday 24th October
5km parkrun
38.48mins

Toughest parkrun yet! There was a lot of women from sloggers to joggers in groups around me, thought that would make life easier because I'm usually on my own! But they were doing walk/run, for the first time stopping to catch my breath seemed like an option, I didn't but it was tough work convincing myself not to. Kinda felt like they were all cheating me, which obviously they weren't! Had to keep telling myself that if I was walking bits I'd look as fresh and happy as they were!
Took off way to fast again... My legs seem to think they can keep up with everyone else until my lungs realise they can't. It definitely hurts my time later on. Next time I'm starting at the very back!

I said I'd be happy with a pb, and got one, 14 seconds. Still a little disappointed because I probably could have done better... Ah there's always next time!

Maximus Alexander · 24-10-2015 12:48PM

It's still a PB! Congrats.

Ososlo · 24-10-2015 01:12PM

Good on ya FIFA! Yes a pb is definitely a pb and it's all going in the right direction! It's very windy out there this morning too compared to previous weeks and that would slow things down a good bit along with the other obstacles you had to contend with this morning.

Keep the weekly runs lovely and easy now and save the racing for the Parkruns, Races and faster workouts. Great idea to extend one of the runs a bit too.

Congrats!

mel.b · 24-10-2015 01:18PM

Well done FIfa

. I didn't make it to the Parkrun this morning as i went to a trivia night last night which ended up being a very late night, so will have to head out later myself instead.

FIFA2004 · 24-10-2015 02:14PM

Thanks guys! Appreciate the kind words! Looking back now I'm actually happy enough, I did some run keeper maths wrong and came up with 37.xx so was a bit disappointed it was higher... Turns out I just can't add! It was pretty windy and the ground was covered with wet leaves which didn't help

Ososlo: you make it sound so easy! I promise I'll try thou!

Mel.b: haha you deserve it with all your hard work! Shall be indulging in one or two myself tonight!

The Muppet · 24-10-2015 05:30PM

FIFA2004 wrote: »

Saturday 24th October
5km parkrun
38.48mins

Toughest parkrun yet! There was a lot of women from sloggers to joggers in groups around me, thought that would make life easier because I'm usually on my own! But they were doing walk/run, for the first time stopping to catch my breath seemed like an option, I didn't but it was tough work convincing myself not to. Kinda felt like they were all cheating me, which obviously they weren't! Had to keep telling myself that if I was walking bits I'd look as fresh and happy as they were!
Took off way to fast again... My legs seem to think they can keep up with everyone else until my lungs realise they can't. It definitely hurts my time later on. Next time I'm starting at the very back!

I said I'd be happy with a pb, and got one, 14 seconds. Still a little disappointed because I probably could have done better... Ah there's always next time!

Congrats on the PB fifa . Was it Malahide ? Those will hills add a few seconds .

Firedance · 24-10-2015 05:34PM

Well done! A pb is always to be celebrated:)

FIFA2004 · 24-10-2015 05:44PM

The Muppet wrote: »

Congrats on the PB fifa . Was it Malahide ? Those will hills add a few seconds .

Thanks! Yup, malahide! Ah those hills are a killer, glad to see its not just me that thinks so! Especially the last one when ur so so close to the end and it come out of nowhere!

Starting at the Very Start

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