Odysseus's Journey

Odysseus

Friday 27th July.

One hour of bag-work.

Also I entered for the Dublin Marathon today I think that will be me for the rest of the year.

Odysseus

Saturday 28th July.

30 mins of bag-work.

I had to stop after five rounds today as the bracket broke at the end of that round:mad: It was tough going today as the room temp was 25 degrees. Ironic that in a few months I be starting my heat training for the Sahara again and I have to have the heating on for about 90 minutes to get it up to that temp. Ah well looks like I have to get a new bracket on Monday!

Odysseus

Saturday 4th August.

One hour of bag-work.

It was a pain in the hole trying to get a new bracket, I have to get a different type to the one I was using which meant changing the fixings. I missed not being able to train during the week and I was tempted to go for a run, but I strart back running on Monday week. I just have to acquire a new pair for trainers.

Odysseus

Staurday 11 August.

One hour of bag-work.

With life invading my training I had another easy week, but I'm not too bothered about it as I kick off running again on Monday and hopefully things will get back to normal.

Odysseus

Sunday 12 August.

One hour of bag-work.

I have to say I'm looking forward to tomorrow, hopefully the weather will play nice. I'd hate to have my first run back in the rain.

Odysseus

Monday 13th August.

Ran 12.5k. Lunch time run.

The sun even came out for the second half:)

Odysseus

Saturday 18th August.

Ran 10k. 47.28

Just taking it nice and easy at the moment. I'll start my long runs again next week though they will only be 20 to 30k, with one or two 40k before the marathon. Dublin will be my charity event this year ans I'm doing in fancy dress so I'll have to do at least one long one in costume before hand, so if I get myself sorted before hand, I might use the half marathon for that. Tested out a new set of trainers today, which seem to be fine, they should get me through Dublin and the Sahara early next year.

Odysseus

Friday 24 August.

Ran 12k 1.00.44

A slower time that normal for this run, however I have done nothing since Saturday. It's typical, after all the long runs I have done this year, I take a six week break and get some minor injuries. My achilles and hamstring tendon did'nt feel right, so hopefully the rest will have sorted them out.

Odysseus

Saturday 25th August.

Ran 18k 1.40.50

A nice easy pace and the sun even came out:)

Odysseus

Monday 27th August.

Ran 12.5k 55.59. Lunch time run.

I don't get too caught up on my timings, but I think that was the quickest time ever for that particular run, so I happy with that.

Odysseus

Friday 31th August.

Ran 12.5k 56.45. Lunch time run.

My laptop died on me the other night so i'm going to have to post in blocks until I get a new one.

Odysseus

Saturday 1st Sept.

Ran 10k 48.44.

I seem to have a psychological barrier about long runs at the moment I just couldn't motivate myself to do 20k.

Odysseus

Sunday 2nd Sept.

One hour of bag work.

Odysseus

Monday 3rd Sept.

Ran 12.5k 55.08.

I well pleased with that time today as an aside my costume for the marathon arrived today so I will have to look at testing that.

Odysseus

Wednesday 5th Sept.

One hour swimming class.

Can't really say that much on this as it was my first night, I know I will have problems with my co-ordination and sorting out my breathing but I'm sure it will come together at some stage. What I do know is that I was really tired last night so I must have been doing something right.

BossArky

Are you learning to swim?

Odysseus

Yeah its not going to be easy for me, I have no fear of water just crap co-ordination.

Odysseus

Saturday 8th Sept.


Ran 20k 1.44.20

Odysseus

Monday 10th Sept.

Ran 12k 53.37.

Really enjoyed todays run. I'm off work sick ear problems so I went running down the park, which I really enjoyed. I only get to run there in races now that I live outside Dublin, so today was a bonus for me.

Odysseus

Wednesday 12th Sept.

One hour swimming class. I think I did a tad better at time this week as oppossed to last week. Mostly swimming across the pool and focusing on kicking. For myself I need to focus more on my breathing as I tend to forget to breath!

Odysseus

Friday 14th Sept.

Ran 12.5k 56.13. Lunch time run.

Odysseus

Saturday 15th Sept.

Ran 20k 1.43.25.

Odysseus

Tuesday 18th Sept.

Ran 12k 53.52.

Odysseus

Wednesday 19th Sept.

One hour swimming class.

Odysseus

Saturday 22nd Sept.

Dublin half marathon. 1.35.14.


A tad slower than last year but I this is only the second time since I returned from Lapland I have covered this distance so two mins on last year isn't bad. The race didn't work out for me as a test run for the costume for the marathon.

My girl friend who is usually my support team, mind my stuff and providing support was called away on family business. So I had to carry my kit on my bike and just didn't have enough space for the costume. As usual it is only when someone isn't there you realise how much of a part they play. Aside from that thought it was a good day out.

BossArky

Well done. What was the costume supposed to be anyway?

Odysseus

BossArky wrote:

Well done. What was the costume supposed to be anyway?

Cheers mate, as I have been slacking a bit I was pleased enough with the day. I'm planning on doing Dublin as the character V from V for vendatta. I guess now my only other option is to try doing a couple of hours of bag work with the wig and mask on. I must make sure the blinds are down for those seessions;)

Odysseus

Wednesday 26th Sept.

Ran 12.5k 54.15. Lunch time run.

Odysseus

Wednesday 26th Sept.

One hour swimming class.

Odysseus

Saturday 29th Sept.


Ran 28k 2.10.43.

This is the longest run I have done since returning from Lapland and I must say I really enjoyed it. The plan between now and Dublin is one 30k and one if not two 40k.

Odysseus

Sunday 30th Sept.

Ran 10k 48.11


I was'nt planning on running today but I had the time and took the opportunity as I am mad busy over the next couple of weeks and it will be difficult to get my three runs in.

Odysseus

Wednesday 3rd Oct.

One hour swimming class.

Odysseus

Friday 5th Oct.

Ran 12.k 56.44. Lunch time run

Odysseus

Saturday 6th Oct.


Ran 30k. 2.34.19

An interesting run this, weather was wonderful I don't think I'll get too many more days like this for a while. I encountered my old friend the wall, its been a while since I have had to run through it and today was difficult. What made it more difficult was the stupid cow who nearly ran me over, there can be dangers running on country roads, and today was the closest I have come to it. I was luckly there was a bank there to jump up on.

Odysseus

Sunday 7th Oct.


Ran 10k 48.26.


I just took it at a very easy pace today, I try to avoid doing three days on the trot, but I'm just so busy at the moment its the only way I can get three runs in one week. Well I'm off training until friday now I'm away to spend some quality time with my partner.

Odysseus

Saturday 13th Oct.

Ran 30k 2.31.02

I was planning to do 40k today but my achilles is a tad tender so I'm trying to balance getting the miles in with avoiding injury. Ah well there is always next week for 40k.

Odysseus

Monday 15th Oct.

Ran 12.5k 56.30. Lunch time run.

Odysseus

Wednesday 17th Oct.


One hour swimming class.

Odysseus

Saturday 20th Oct.

Ran 38k 3.36.20


That's me now in terms of long runs now, not inly until the marathon but for the rest of the year as I'm having a break from running until Christmas. I ran the above using my ultra plan of run 20k rest 20 minutes, though on the day I usually walk for 15 mintues at the half way point.

My training for this one has been very bad, too many things going on. Work have sent me on a college training course which has interferred with my lunch time runs, and of course now there is the pharmacy strike, however, you can only do what you can and I know I will get across the finish line, so that's enough for me.

Odysseus

Wednesday 24th Oct.


One hour swimmimg class. Well that's the beginners class done though it does'nt feel like that to me. My breathing and co-ordination need a lot of work. I start the improvers class next week.

Odysseus

Saturday 27th Oct.

Ran 10k 48.18

Well that's that, my last run before the marathon. I have been slacking a bit recently but still expecting a sub 4 hour. I won't be doing it in fancy dress as planned, any way I tried the wig and mask on I ended up with a bad headach after 20mins. At least I reckon that I still will have raised a 1,000e for a kiddies HIV charity in Kenya. In a way I will be glad of the rest after Monday, as I have been neglecting my MA training.

On a fitness related topic I started my first dose of champix an anti-smoking med today, my stop date being two weeks from today. Hopefully this time I can at last get rid of the double paradox in my life. Being a long distance runner and by day a psychotherapist who specialises in the treatment of addictive disorder, who smokes up to 20 gitanes a day!

Odysseus

Monday 29th Oct.


Dublin City Marathon 3.46.29

It was a mixed day for me, I thought that I would have come in around this time as that is my normal time. However, I reckon that I could have done better. My mental discipline was not as strong as normally today. It was about the 8 mile mark before I got to my normal pace, thinking about it I am getting more used to smaller events. Sahara approx 250 people, Connemara Ultra 100 at the start line, Lapland Ultra even less. Maybe this had something to do with it, but I'm not sure.

However, I recovered well and at the 20mile mark I was well on track for a PB, but then like an idiot I took a high 5 gel they were giving and things when down hill from there. I have to stop quick a few times as I was dry-reaching. My PB for a marathon is nothing special 3.40 but it was within reach foday and I missed it, and it was down to me.

However, with saying this it was still a good day out, the weather ok, the organisation was good and as always the people of Dublin who came out to watch were wonderful.

g'em

I was in town today and saw a few of the marathoners - one of them could have been you!!!

Congrats on getting the race done - it may not be a PB but just being able to run for nearly 4 hours solidly is beyond comprehension for me!! Congrats!!

Odysseus

Cheers g'em, I always stick out I run with a 3 liter camo camlebak. So if saw someone struggling in a blue t-shirt with a camlebak on it was me. Thought with saying that it town was packed, it took me 20 mins to find my partner and she was only about 20 meters from me!

BossArky

Odysseus wrote: »

Dublin City Marathon 3.46.29

Well done on the race! Unlucky with the gel but onwards and upwards. Still great work.

Odysseus

BossArky wrote: »

Well done on the race! Unlucky with the gel but onwards and upwards. Still great work.

Cheers mate, both yourself and g'em are spot on I'm pleased with the result but there is just that niggling thing in the back of my mind. But every marathon is a learning experience, and I certainly learned my lesson yesterday.

Odysseus

Wednesday 31 Oct.


One hour swimming class.

Started another 10 week course of lessons last night.

Odysseus

Sunday 4th Oct.


One hour of bag-work.

I missed this aspect of my training, coupled with the fact that I have a lot going on for me at the moment, so it was good to just switch off and lash the bag out of it. God I have'nt been to an MA class in months, so unlike me. But with the swimming classes there is only so much I can do.

The plan now is to just focus on my swimming and bag-work until Christmas, then I start running again as the Sahara Marathon is in Feb. I will add in my heel-palm/push-up to the bag-work next, the start the madness which is heat training again.

Odysseus

Saturday 10th Oct.


One hour of bag-work. My training has been bad this week, missed my swimming class due to a family emergency. If the way I felt last Monday and Tuesday are anything to go by, I am expecting serious DOMS tomorrow, as I lashed the bag out of it tonight. Today was also my first day off the smokes, and I'm feeling good about it. I am using the new medication champix, whilst today has not been easy it has not been really hard either, so hopefully onwards and upwards.

Odysseus

Wednesday 14th Oct.

One hour swimming class.

I am starting to notice small improvements now but the are very small, I'm going to have to try get to the pool in between classes myself to improve at a better pace, but the way my life is at the moment that is not going to be easy.