Off the Fence....and looking to go sub 3 hrs

13/12/2015 9.2m @ 08:18 avg pace (General Aerobic - Easy)

Another nice easy enjoyable run on another mild December evening. Ignored the watch and just ran.

First week running 6 days and over 50 miles since the Frank Duffy in August.

16/12/2015 - 7.7m @ 08:11 avg pace (Genera Aerobic - Easy)

Another nice pleasant stroll around a local loop with Ferris. Passed the ever smiling HelenAnne probably doing the same loop in the opposite direction. Also passed a good crew lining up for the Raheny Winter Series Race. Lovely mild evening for a run. Good clear sky. If I had gotten out earlier I would have been tempted to make the trek to the Summit. City normally looks great from up there on night like this.

annapr wrote: »

hope you are in good shape for tomorrow.... watch charged, spare watch for the other arm (BG wants to be doubly sure).... inspirational speeches....

Took me a while but I think I have it right now. How does this sound "Right folks, HTFU!!!"....sleep tight

Happy New Year, Folks. May it be full of PB's for you all....ENJOY!!!

17/12/2015 - Rest

18/12/2015 - 4.35m @ 09:00 avg pace (AM Recovery) & 6.48m @ 08:19 avg pace (PM General Aerobic - Easy)

19/12/2015 - St Anne's parkrun (pacing 21mins) plus 1m wu

The story of this have been well told at this stage. All went well from my part. We had to slightly slow 4th K but I think if we hadn't have reeled it back and banked on the pacees being able to push a bit down the straight I think we would have lost them all before they even hit the Avenue. In the end we had Kennyg and another non-boards parkrunner in under 21mins with a few of more PBs from the boards crew including a sub 26 from Mrs Mc. Great buzz around and glad to catch up with so many in the cafe afterwards.

20/12/2015 -14.7m @ 08:20 avg pace (General Aerobic - Howth)

Had been itching for a while to get back up Howth and the clear night that was in it made up my mind. Didn't leave the house until 9:45 so it was almost a Dexys. Enjoyable run other than the fact that poor lighting along the coast resulted in me taking a tumble after entangling my feet in the ring from a car hubcap. Saw it when it was too late to prevent a fall but early enough to brace for the impact. Biggest impact was my chest hitting my hand that I had put down to break my fall. Breathing was a struggle for the last 3 mile home.

21/12/2015 5.1m @ 09:12 avg pace (Recovery with Dog)

22/12/2105 7.2m @ 08:00 avg pace (General Aerobic)

23/12/2015 10.3m @ 07:37 avg pace (General Aerobic)

24/12/2015 7.1m @ 08:32 avg pace (General Aerobic)

25/12/2015 Goal "almost" Mile in St Anne's

As has become tradition I do this in the company of my youngest. We were also joined by Ferris and plenty of other boardies and parkrunners. Great atmosphere around despite the horrible conditions. Started off mid pack and took it nice and handy waiting for herself to make her break. True to form after moaning about being wrecked she made her dart for the finish from 150 out when I turned to greet a cousin of mine. I didn't put up much of a fight and ended up having to listen to the story of her 3s victory for a few days afterwards.

26/12/2015 St Anne's parkrun (19:15) w/2m wu

Lined up with Ferris for this one and let him set the pace for the first k and then held it at that pace for the next 3k to keep him honest. Coming down the Avenue I spotted a young guy gaining on us so I flagged it to Ferris. He was happy to let him past but I decided I would make him work for it so as he came along side I upped the pace. I continued to do this until the last 50m when he made his final push and I let him cross the line in front me. I thought I was helping him by pushing him all the way but found afterwards the he had no barcode so should have finished him off .

Ferris came in pretty close behind with a comeback PB to close out the year. Was great that the cafe was open so coffee and cakes were available to top off the morning.

27/12/2015 15m @ 07:50 avg pace (General Aerobic)

Another enjoyable run. First 7 along the coast in the company of Ferris before heading inland to pick up a few small hills to vary it up.

28/12/2015 Fat Turkey 10K (42:30) plus 4m wu

Late entry to this and decided to run out to get a decent warm-up in. Loads of folks from around here and from St Anne's parkrun were toeing the line and everyone seemed in great form although the gale blowing out on the route made most a little anxious about what they faced.

Again lined up with Ferris and we took off nice and steady. As we headed up towards the summit our pace got progressively quicker while a lot of other seemed to be flagging on the accent. Past a lot of runners on the way up. As we turned at the top Ferris joked about taking the leash off so I decided to go with the flow, open up the stride a little and see how the legs got on. Gravity worked a treat and I got into a nice groove, picking my next target as went. Just over a mile from home there is a small dip and incline before the final decent and you can see a good 400/600m ahead. I could count 6 runners between me and the next rise so decided to see how many of them I could catch. Although the small group of 4 furthest from me were a tall ask the two singles looked catchable. Caught the first of them coming down by the grave yard and was gaining on the other but running out of road. A timingly shout from Dubgal and Firedance about 400m out made sure I wasn't going to repeat my gracious gestures from Christmas Day and Stephen Day but instead I was going to pass the guy in front of me or die trying. Upped the pace as we hit the path for the final run in and stormed by him with time to spare. Job done and the first time I have felt the racing feeling in a while. The pain of the final push followed by the satisfaction of knowing you put in a good shift.

Splits were : 07:37/07:30/07:21/06:28/06:09/05:39 and pace read 05:06 for the extra 0.3 on the watch.

Loads of happy runners around the clubhouse afterwards with a big crew from here bagging course PBs. Well done to all.

29/12/2015 - Rest

30/12/2015 - 7.3m @ 07:54 avg pace (General Aerobic)

In the US for a few days over New Year and this run was just finding my bearings in Jersey City were we were staying....should have turned right instead of left when I came out of the apartment. Glad it was early morning rather than late night

31/12/2015 - 7m @ 08:07 avg pace (General Aerobic)

Turned right this time. Last run of the year and what better place to do it than along the Hudson with the New York Skyline as a back drop. Loved it!!!