Send in the Clowns - BAC 10K Challenge

Krusty_Clown

Tonight: 5 easy miles
Headed to the park, dressed as a luminescent ninja, complete with tights, flashy head-torch and silent but deadly shoes. Didn't meet a soul, except for a pair of yellow eyes, glaring out at me from the direction of the cemetery. Starting to feel stronger, and the muscles around the hip are getting better, so I'm slowly turning back to the subject of goals. I haven't done an interval or tempo session in two months, so it's time to start thinking about upping the effort levels again in preparation for next year's races.

Summary: 5 miles in 39 mins, @7:54, HR=138

shotgunmcos

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Summary: 5 miles in 39 mins, @7:54, HR=138

LOL that route is hilarious, did you do it blindfolded too

Krusty_Clown

shotgunmcos wrote: »

LOL that route is hilarious, did you do it blindfolded too

You obviously don't recognise stealth ninja patterns.
(it makes a lot more sense if you look at it in satellite view!).

BeepBeep67

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

You obviously don't recognise stealth ninja patterns.
(it makes a lot more sense if you look at it in satellite view!).

Not as adventurous as yours!
http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/56867584

Krusty_Clown

A bit of catching up to do:

Wednesday: Could only manage a 3 mile easy run on the grass in Shanganagh, as I had to make a bit of a dash for the airport. Very soggy in the Park (close to my XC experience!) but the Inov8s were very capable.

Summary: 3.2 miles in 26 mins @7:59 min/mile

Krusty_Clown

Thursday: Ugh.. 5 Mile Treadmill run
I...hate...these...things....
But sometimes it's the difference between getting a run in and not running. Arriving back from the office, I was pretty shagged (2:30am Irish time) and having drank about 12 cups of coffee to keep ticking over I wasn't in the best shape for a run, but needs must (and I always feel better after a run, even in the early hours of the morning). Hotel gym was stifling, and had big reflective windows, so you're forced to watch yourself running, which bothers me (check out my guns, work it baby). Managed a couple of quick miles (6:30, and 6:18), before a quick splash in the pool to cool-down afterwards.

Summary: 5.2 miles in 36 mins, @6:56/mile

Krusty_Clown

Saturday:10 Mile run along the Pacific Coast
Headed out to Big Sur for a drive and caught some spectacular views, before heading back to Monterey. Decided to run along the coast towards Carmel alog Pacific Grove. After the initial spell of tourist dodging in the trendy but crass Cannery Row, I hit the sandy trails along Pacofoc Grove, which are a runners paradise. Soft underfoot (while being off the beaches), spectacular sounds and sights from the crashing surfer waves and barking Harbour Seals, a fab place to run. Next time, I'd like to give the 17 mile drive a go, and catch the Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach, but for today, this will do.

Summary: 10 miles in 1:18, @7:36/mile

TheRoadRunner

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Saturday:10 Mile run along the Pacific Coast
Headed out to Big Sur for a drive and caught some spectacular views, before heading back to Monterey. Decided to run along the coast towards Carmel alog Pacific Grove. After the initial spell of tourist dodging in the trendy but crass Cannery Row, I hit the sandy trails along Pacofoc Grove, which are a runners paradise. Soft underfoot (while being off the beaches), spectacular sounds and sights from the crashing surfer waves and barking Harbour Seals, a fab place to run. Next time, I'd like to give the 17 mile drive a go, and catch the Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach, but for today, this will do.

Summary: 10 miles in 1:18, @7:36/mile

Sure is spectacular. I was in that part of the world back in 2007 for a week with work. And basically ran the route you just described daily. Definitely one of my favourite places to have run. First run I headed out on over there I literally stumbled across pebble beach golf club. Never actually knew where that was and tried to go in and have a little run around. Give it a bash if you get the chance. You'll get a great chase

Krusty_Clown

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Sure is spectacular. I was in that part of the world back in 2007 for a week with work. And basically ran the route you just described daily. Definitely one of my favourite places to have run. First run I headed out on over there I literally stumbled across pebble beach golf club. Never actually knew where that was and tried to go in and have a little run around. Give it a bash if you get the chance. You'll get a great chase

Unfortunately I'm working and staying 50+ miles away in the very underwhelming town of Milpitas in Silicon Valley. Went out for another 10 mile run this morning and wow is it underwhelming! I managed to find a trail called 'Coyote Creek trail' which sounded really promising, but was a big disappointment. It started off well, but soon ran parallel to the highway so was noisy and ugly, and a sign of Sillicon Valley's darker underbelly, where the Mexicans and poor immigrants build plywood shacks alongside disused factories. I figured I would have more luck heading in the other direction, but as I passed under a highway underpass a couple of rubbish bags turned out to be around 5 or 6 homeless people, one of which umped up and started screaming at me, so tat was the end of Coyote Creek! Finished my run doing a loop around the strip malls and Hi-Tech offices in the pissing rain. Exciting stuff!

Summary: 10 miles in 1:11, @7:11/mile, HR=139

Emer911

I never knew running was such a dangerous sport!?! :eek:
Stay safe there KC!

Krusty_Clown

Today: 5 mile circuit up Mine Hill Road
Haven't had the chance to run for four days, due to long days in work, so I planned to go for a run after arriving back from the airport. Fell into bed after 18 hours of sleepless travel and woke up at 4pm, so threw on the gear and headed our before it got dark. Headed up Mine Hill Road, which was a rude awakening after a few days without running, but it's a great circuit, as you get a couple of fast miles and good leg turnover as a reward for the tough climb. I reckon a couple of repeats of this loop would make for a grueling but very rewarding training run and they've laid down some new tarmacadam, so the surface is quite forgiving.

Now, back to dozing in front of the telly-box.

Summary: 5.2 miles in 39 mins, @7:30/mile, HR=153

Krusty_Clown

Today: 10k crunching through the snow in Shanganagh Park
After a pretty sleepless night (more down to the jetlag than the thunder and lightning (which was amazing) I managed to sleep through to 1pm, so any thoughs of an early run were shot despite lovely snowy conditions. Managed to get out just after 4pm and the snow was still lovely underfoot once I got to the park. 4 miles turned to 5, and then to 6, which is a sign that the appetite is back, and it's time to start thinking of plans again.

Hoping there'll be more snowfall tonight, so I can head up to the hills, and finish off my 2,000 miles in style.

Summary: 10k in 49 mins, @7:52/mile, HR=148

Krusty_Clown

Summary: 2,000 miles in 11 months, HR=Healthy

Sosa

~Nice pics Krusty,i must tot up my own...i must be close or just gone through

2056.25m since this morning,passed through 2k two weeks ago...

Krusty_Clown

Not much to see here recently. I slipped on the road, after finishing the above hill run, dusted off the snow, laughed, and ran home. Finished off with 3 x 10 push-ups, and later that evening couldn't bend over for the pain in my back. Pain got worse over Monday and Tuesday, so went to the doc on Wednesday, and he confirmed my internet diagnosis of a herniated disk. So I'm on a dose of Difene and Valium (more on this later), and can do no running, no core work, no swimming, nothing.

On a positive note:

• If you've got to be injured, well, being injured during the snow means it's hard to do yourself any further harm
• The legs are fine and are getting a well deserved rest
• I managed to complete my 2,000 mile challenge
• I didn't sign up for an early March marathon, which would see me knee-deep in training already
• I've got a prescription for Valium!

There's always a silver lining.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

I am sure the legs will be glad of the rest with all the recent marathons!! Have a safe and speedy recovery.

liamo123

Speedy recovery Krusty..enjoy the enforced break ( if thats possible )..

meathcountysec

Sorry to hear that Krusty. Been there, done that, had the back surgery.

Can I "non-medically" refer you to a book by Robin McKenzie called Treat your own Back. I found it of some assistance when in a similar circumstance.

donothoponpop

That's a shame Krusty, sorry to hear about that. I guess if there's a "good" time for something like that to happen, its now, after the year you've had.

Plenty of gin with that valium should see you right.

Krusty_Clown

donothoponpop wrote: »

Plenty of gin with that valium should see you right.

Hmm, that sounds very borderline medical advice.

meathcountysec wrote:

Can I "non-medically" refer you to a book by Robin McKenzie called Treat your own Back. I found it of some assistance when in a similar circumstance.

Thanks man. Will definitely look out for it. This is the second time I've had disk trouble (though the last time was in the 90s, in a basketball related incident). After 5 days I'm definitely on the path to recovery. Tonight I managed to remove my own socks. It's the small victories!

theboyblunder

hard luck krusty - hopefully you wont be out for long.

havent ruled you out of barcelona yet

maria74

Take care, and as you said there is no better time to be injured than in this snow. Not even many runners going by to remind you!!
Valium and Gin would keep you warm anyway!!;)

donothoponpop

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hmm, that sounds very borderline medical advice.

You're right, I've lightly admonished myself for giving it.

However, you get a ban for back-seat modding:p

pgmcpq

Sorry to hear this Krusty. Speedy (in all senses) recovery. Amazing weather you are getting - the snow is not uncommon here but the ice is a very nasty twist. Btw, I met a guy who is from Cape Town and running the Two-Oceans ultra next year.

Krusty_Clown

Great, tell him to look out for me! Even the kids are roped in to do the 5k friendship run!

asimonov

valium; :cool: you can probably even watch primetime now.

gerard65

asimonov wrote: »

valium; :cool: you can probably even watch primetime now.

Lol.:D:D
Com'on KC, its only a herniated disk, bite the bullet, HTFU, and get out there.:rolleyes:
Joking aside, get well soon.;)

Krusty_Clown

Tonight: 5 miles on the dreadmill
Back is still a little sore when bending over, but walking and running up and down stairs seems fine, so figured I'd give it a lash in the gym, where I could switch to a recumbent bike if I needed to. They seem to have replaced a load of the old dreadmills in the local walk-in-off-the-street gym (Loughlinstown), so a little better than I remember (though all of the treadmills are facing mirrors, which is a bit crap). Still hate running on the rolling contraptions, but at least they work properly. Back only a small bit stiffer afterwards. Just happy to be running again.

Activity: 5 miles in around 36 mins, Gradient 1.5%, 5kms @12 km/hour and 3 kms@16.5km/hour

TheRoadRunner

Did you whack up the speed for the final few k just so you could get off the treadmill?

Krusty_Clown

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Did you whack up the speed for the final few k just so you could get off the treadmill?

Always! But this time my shorts were giving me a wedgie, so I had to slow down. This is the problem when you're running with your back to everyone. You can't pull the shorts out of your... Anyway, great craic...