Be still my beating heart

Monday 11 January
Another disturbed night in bed. Was in Kilkenny and couldn't sleep. I found an old sleeping tablet which my sister left in the bedroom over xmas. It was very blue and looked very serious, but I was at the end of my tether with exhaustion so took a chance of taking half of it. It gave me 4 hours sleep, so not great really. But after another hour of tossing and turning I conked out again and my mother had to wake me from my stupor at 11!
Had a nice final run around Kilkenny City with my brother before his return to NZ. We took in the canal walk, part of the Castle, the mental hospital and environs. Fabulously crisply splendid morning but for me, the world was tinted with sadness after hearing the news about David Bowie.
am: 5.5 miles @ 9:48
pm: 5 miles easy @ 9:53
back in Dublin, local run

Tuesday 12 January
am: 4.9 miles easy @ 9:50
Second time running to work but to my other job so different complicated logistics involved so as not arriving in a sweaty smelly mess. Managed to sort it and it'll be fine going forward.
Lunchtime: 6.8 miles easy @ 9:49
Work was pissing me off so just said 'shag it' and left. I decided to just head out towards my sister's from town. Wasn't sure of the route but thought I could figure it out. This was a mistake as I should never underestimate my dreadful sense of direction! The wind was in my face the whole way so it wasn't the mostest pleasantest of runs and looking at the elevation later, I was actually climbing the whole way but didn't realise it at the time. When I got to the Red Cow I was a bit concerned about the best path to take for the Belgard Road and asked advice from a guy who suggested going down towards Ballymount and then lots of other complicated directions. I got very confused as the directions went in one ear and out the other while he was telling me Didn't really know where I was going but just sensed it was generally in the right direction. Then I passed who I think was Belcarra going in the other direction but I wasn't 100% sure but we exchanged waves like you do with other runners. Headed on another bit and took a right at a roundabout. Rang my sister who didn't have a bog where I was either (only a mile or two away from her house:)) so no joy there but I felt a force was pushing me in certain direction so just went with it. I was getting a bit worried at one point as I had stopped, and turned around and totally lost any sense of the best way to go. Then ahead, like a mirage I saw the large red letters of B2R (Base to Race) so I knew I was safe

Wednesday 13 January
am: 5.2 miles easy @ 9:55
Run to work.
My backpack is quite heavy even though I've minimised contents as much as possible. I think it's an extra good workout carrying the load however but my shoulders do get a bit achey at times. I need to relax more when running with it I think.
pm: 5.8 miles easy @ 9:52
Run home from work

Thursday 14 January
am: 2.5 slippy miles @ 10:26
I don't get it. I really don't. Other people seem to be able to walk and jog on ice, but I just can't. I have absolutely no confidence running in slippy conditions. I was on my way in to work and was sliding all over the paths so called it a day at 2 miles and got the bus to the edge of town where the paths had thawed and ran the rest of the way. Really pissed off that my run was disrupted as it takes a lot of work getting my commute backpack ready and changing in and out of clothes etc. for the sake of a measly 2.5 miles.
pm: 5.8 miles easy @ 9:53
The run home was grand. Paths all thawed. Snowing a little but pleasant. I find now that I'm much stronger on the climb up from Gardiner Street all the way to Santry. It's uphill all the way and I used to find it quite tough but now I find my legs feel very strong on the hilly bits.

Friday 15 January
I was too wussy to run in the early morning due to the slippy conditions and was busy all day. Toyed with the idea of taking the day off completely as it's 3 weeks since last one but found myself changed into my running gear while I was still trying to decide what to do. Managed to find a route that was mainly dry but a few patches of path were treacherous so walked those. Really enjoyable.
6 miles easy @ 9:47

Saturday 16 January
am: 6 miles easy @ 9:51
Local loops. My park is finally clear of water. I enjoyed this so much and felt so good, it's hard to put it into words. It was such a novelty running without a backpack too.
pm: 5.3 miles easy @ 9:36

Sunday 17 January
3 miles w/u, 7 miles @ AT (2hr race effort) & cooldown
As always, slightly apprehensive about this session in the hours preceding it. My car was a few miles away, downhill, so I decided I'd go easy on myself and do 3 laps of park as my warm up and start the AT on the downhill section. As it turned out, I felt great after the warmup so decided to use the slightly more challenging laps of the local park and not to wuss out and run downhill after all. This was a super session. I felt so strong and very relaxed and in control running at the faster pace. As per usual, I ran it by effort and didn't concern myself with the watch at all. I definiltey had another few miles in me at that effort. What surprises me most of all about today's session is the pace of the cool down miles. I know they were net downhill, but still, I'd usually run about 9:40 pace on this route for usual easy runs and today they were sub 9 pace!
Splits:
w/u: 10:01 9:34 9:31
A/T: 8:45 8:35 8:33 8:26 8:20 8:23 8:13
c/d: 8:58 8:57 8:48 8:52
13.7 @ 8:51

72.7 miles weekly total

Couldn't be happier with how things are going, and I feel fitter and faster than ever even though I'm running more than ever.

Next up is Staplestown marathon on Saturday which is a training run. I'll have 50+ miles in the legs by the time I run it so won't expect to do anything near my capabilities over 26.2 at this point but I should get a decent (25-30 mins) pb out it without too much bother and do it in or around 4-4.10, but it'll be done progressively and by feel, so whatever happens happens... I am actually really looking forward to it. I might do a few miles after it to bring the total up to 30 miles if I'm feeling good on the day. Let's see!

Neady83 wrote: »

There's not many that would be able to write this in their log You're doing amazing and with lots of time in hand to make sure you have the capabilities to run a comfortable ultra in April. Well done on the consistent no-bulls**te training

thanks so much Neady. All going in the right direction so far! But it's early days! My sister actually signed up for the Half so it's going to be a fun gals weekend away!

aero2k wrote: »

It's great to see your consistent effort being rewarded - long may it continue.

Best of luck in Staplestown.

Cheers Sean! I might give you a shout for a few miles of the next long one in the Park!

jake1970 wrote: »

Best of luck tomorrow.

Ah cheers jake! It's only a little 26.2 mile training run:) so not treating it as a big deal but thank you kindly! I've covered the distance twice now in training but it's still only my 2nd official marathon so hopefully it will be as enjoyable an experience as my first which I absolutely loved! The biggest challenge will be getting out of bed at bloody 6:30 in the morning! I'm a disaster in the mornings!

Believe it or not, I was just wondering this morning (after reading Graduates' thread) how your injury is and if you're back running?

RubyK wrote: »

Very impressive mileage, best of luck tomorrow.

Thanks so much Ruby!

Hope your own training for London is going really well