Running in the Real World

Dubgal72 wrote: »

Am running out of smiles after reading this page First 50, hay in the barn, 1000 miles, back to work full time on top of everything else and still compos mentis, wine and chocolate rewards, aquinn being, well, aquinn Murph giving up running to give you more running cards after reading chickey's post....well done on the upwards curve, bring it on!

ha, I'm not so sure about the compos mentis part

... and hay in the barn, didn't think they had such things in Tallaght and not entirely sure what it means...

yes, Murph has bowed to pressure on this log and is going to announce his retirement from running... oh wait, he's gone for a run so that will have to wait

Firedance wrote: »

Yes, you should, maybe cross the border next time yeah?

I don't recognise borders in this country

... Oh you mean go to the south side? Hmmm... Is that safe?

Sunday, October 11: 16 Mile LSR (well almost)
15.7 mi @ 10:36/mi; 25.2 Km @ 6:35/Km

Ah, God be with the days when 16 miles seemed daunting (i.e., August ) Did this one with Murph, who had to practice 4:40 marathon pace for his DCM pacing duties (quite a challenge for him). Up the canal to Ashtown, around the park trails — with a little detour loop of last week’s XC course (even more respect to everyone who did that race now, tough little course), out the Cabra gate and back down the canal home, admiring the beautiful swans from a distance and the autumn colours in the park. Stopped for a short visit with the MIL a mile from home, so it wasn’t continuous and didn’t quite hit 16 Miles.

So the distance didn’t seem daunting, but the legs were well tired at the end.

The first week of “taper", meno-style — 40.1 miles for the week :eek: Same as the peak week in the HH plan I did last year!

So looking forward to a mere 30 miles next week :rolleyes:

aquinn wrote: »

#****faced

And #****legged too

I'm over-achieving at tapering this week...

Monday, Tuesday: Rest
Tuesday just couldn't get organised to find the time to run.

Wednesday, 14: early and easy
3.73mi @ 9:51; 6 Km @ 6:07

Up and out just after 6am for this one. Lovely morning for running... Malahide Rd, Collins ave loop to include some incline. Thought to myself, this will set you up for the day, you should do this every morning.

Thursday, 15: Plan called for 10 mi/8 @ mp. Quick calculation told me there was no way I was getting up early enough to do this before work :eek:. Thought I would do after work, but of course got delayed leaving and my eye was flared up a bit so decided to postpone, despite aquinn offering her company.

Friday, 16: set the alarm for 5:45, running gear all laid out the night before... tried to convince myself to get out of bed... this argument was futile, but meant I got no more sleep but no run either. Sigh.

No time after work either because I was heading out to see some old friends for a girly night of chat and yes, wine.

Saturday 17: 10 mi w/8 @ MP
10.1 mi @ 9:14/mi; 16.2 Km @ 5:44/km

Got to bed after 2, woke up hungover (how did that happen!? ). I was delayed getting out by a 5 year old deciding to empty a bucket of toys that include 2 million tiny pieces of lego, and then very slowly picking them all up, protesting all the time. :cool:

Headed out the sea front, around glorious St. Anne's, thinking that there was no way I'd be able to do 8 @ MP, what with being hungover and all, then decided to take it one Km at a time. My legs felt very rusty at the beginning but after 2k warm up, went into MP. I am so crap at judging pace... MP is 5:55/km (9:33/mi) ... the splits for 12k @ MP were:

5:44, 5:36, 5:37, 5:47, 5:17, 5:34, 5:29, 5:23, 5:22, 5:36, 5:45, 5:33 (8:31- 9:19/mi for the metrically challenged).

This was the most enjoyable run i've had in ages, I was grinning like a fool most of the way, the pace felt very comfortable... but I know I will have to be very careful not to go out too fast on the 26th.

I stopped briefly to admire the birds emerging from the tree sculpture at the corner of St Anne's, a little crowd had gathered to gaze at it. And again to get water at the Red stables, said hello to Killerz on his way home from parkrun duties.

The weather was perfect... dare we hope that it will last another week!

I love these taper endorphins, perfect hangover cure. No more over-indulgence for me until McGrattans!

Pacing Mule wrote: »

Lovely confidence boosting last longish run

Thanks PM! Hope you are feeling good yourself this week.

The plan actually has a 12 mile easy run for tomorrow, I was all set to do it... but I have been advised (yes by D) that it wouldn't be a good idea after today. I really should know better by now

Pacing Mule wrote: »

He speaks much sense !!!!

Sigh... Yes I have to admit you are right!

hillsiderunner wrote: »

Just as well you waited for taper time to go back to full-time working!

Looking forward to the DCM report already (came round by the KCR this evening doing my walk/run session )

no kidding, although if I was smart I would have waited til November

Neady83 wrote: »

That has to be the most positive taper week running and posting I've read so far you're a breath of fresh air

Aw shucks thanks Neady . But what's not to like

career move wrote: »

Just popping in to wish you well for Monday. Hope you have a good one

Monday....?!!!! Bloody hell... It's almost here :eek:

Thanks CM!

tang1 wrote: »

Best of luck Monday Anna, i'm sure you will do the Hills proud. Enjoy it.

Thanks B! Thanks for all the encouragement along the way and for calling me on it when the commitment was slipping!