"The dream is alive, I can run up the hills every night..."

rainbow kirby

Decided it's time I got myself a training log here

Background: I've only been running for 4 months. Pretty much all my previous sporting background is in the martial arts - I'm a black belt in taekwondo and I also hold a junior black belt in kenpo, with a total of about 12 years training. However before starting to follow the Couch to 5k program this summer, I'd been almost completely sedentary for 2 years while I spent all my time no-lifing it on World of Warcraft.
So this summer I decided to get a life, quit wasting time playing MMOs and start looking after myself again - I wanted to shed the weight I'd put on and start getting fit again. A quick perusal of Something Awful's Watch and Weight forum led me to Couch to 5k. I enjoyed every week of it, and finished the program in early September. Since then, I've been running 12-15 miles a week and I've lost 29lbs in total since July.
I ran my first race in early October - the Rathfarnham WSAF 5k. I finished in 30.24 and I was absolutely delighted with that, especially considering I'd been training at about a 12 minute mile pace.

Goal: Aware 10k on the 6th of December. Submitted my entry a week ago and my packet with sponsorship cards and a course map arrived during the week.
Ideally I'd love to break the hour for it, but given that McMillan Running has me pegged at 63 minutes for the distance based on my 5k time that's a little unlikely. I'm currently following the Hal Higdon novice 10k program - I jumped in last weekend at the start of week 4. It's required switching my gym days around somewhat, but so be it.

Complication! I'm a final year student in Computer Science - this month is full of deadlines! :eek:
I'm trying to fit my training in around doing large amounts of studying, I've got at least one deadline every week this month. I'm really kinda relying on the calming effect of getting out for runs to keep me sane.

The plan for this weekend is to get out for a 3 mile run tomorrow and 4 miles on Sunday. This is roughly in keeping with the program, apart from me replacing a cross training day with a running day, and that's mostly because I can't be arsed sitting on the bus for an hour to go to the UCD gym.

The title is a lyric from a Sonata Arctica song - I like to listen to lots of power metal while running.

Krusty_Clown

Best of luck in the race and the exams. Don't forget that you'll run faster on the day, with the added adrenaline, crowds (of deer), and other runners.

Was your 5k time based on a race or training?

rainbow kirby

The 5k time was based on a race. I'm a sloooooow runner.

Today's run - 3 miles around my area. Not one of my finest, I think I'm starting to get a bit of a cold because I was feeling a little congested this morning. The wind, rain and leaves blowing down the Firhouse Road into my face really didn't help either.

Bally8

Hi Rainbow Kirby, best of luck with the running. I just remembered where i know your name- the WW thread!!

I think you are doing really well so far. I ran my first 10k two years ago and it took me 66 minutes. Although Im now running at a faster pace, I can only do about 2 miles before I feel like my chest will explode. Wouldnt even attempt trying anything over 4 at the minute. But as I've seen before, if you put the work in and take your time, you will soon see big improvements in all areas of your wellness.

Best of luck

Woddle

Fair play for setting a goal and starting to aim for it, I see your only up the road from me, so I think thats 3 now that I know from boards AC around the area.Best of luck

rainbow kirby

I've been bad. Through a mixture of stinking weather yesterday and friends hauling me off for coffee and shopping today, I've managed to miss my long run. Should I try and make that up tomorrow, or just do the scheduled 3 mile run?

gerard65

The long run is most important. You can always juggle you daily sessions around to fit in your quality sessions.

rainbow kirby

Got my long run in this afternoon, on a bloody nice afternoon for it. 4 miles in just over 44 minutes, and it felt pretty damn good - I felt like I had another bit in the tank at the end.

rainbow kirby

3 miles relatively easy this evening, 33 minutes. Felt pretty good the whole way around, and it was a nice de-stress.

Of course, my buzz then got wrecked when I came home and got an email about a **** grade in one of my courses... :mad:

Fast_Mover

Remember "mens sana in corpore sano"...your grades will pick up!;)
Keep up the good work!:)

rainbow kirby

2 1/2 miles today, felt heavy and crap all the way around.

Peckham

Somedays it clicks, somedays it doesn't. Don't worry about it! Happens to all of us.

Although, maybe think about what was different today than yesterday to learn about the factors that impact on running...i.e. did you sleep less last night, what have you eaten in past 24 hours, were you drinking last night etc.

Part of the skill in running is learning how to listen to your body.

rainbow kirby

Just under 5 miles this afternoon - 55 minutes, I'm not dead - this makes me happy!

For some reason, I seem to feel best on my longest run of the week, maybe my body is just thinking "Hmm, long and slow, let's just relax and enjoy this". Either way, if I'm pretty ok at running 5 miles now, it makes me feel a lot more positive about the 10k in 3 weeks time!

Had a little bit of iPod serendipity on the way today too, just as I turned from Knocklyon to start up the Firhouse Road on the way home Iron Maiden's "Run To The Hills" came on, and this made me smile

Bally8

Silly question but can I ask what kind of ear phones you use? Ive given up listening to music as I run as I used to spend most of my run putting earphones back in because they kept falling out- very annoying. I would love to have a pair of headphones/earphones that would stay in as I run.

rainbow kirby

I use a pair of Sony MDR-E10LP ear phones (I paid €15.99 for mine in Tower Records), which stay in fine until it gets windy. If it's windy, I just use a headband (of the cheaparse Penneys kind) and that holds in the earphones just fine. I don't tend to have massive problems with earphones popping out on me, I used the standard Apple ones that come with the iPod until very recently.

That said - I would like a smaller MP3 player for running with, I currently have an 8GB iPod Touch, and it does hog the pocket of my trackies a bit.

rainbow kirby

3 miles this evening, today was never going to be a good day to run as it was the day a massive paper was due, worth 40% of my grade in one of my classes, and I'd been up since 6am trying to get it finished and submitted.

However it was pretty nice to get out and clear my head, despite the fact it felt like a wind tunnel when I was going up the Firhouse Road. Finished 3 miles in about 33 minutes.

chatoon

RK, well done on your running so far! I can so relate to your times, I'm not a fast runner at all but really enjoy it too. I can remember training for my first 10k and the buzz I got from actually finishing was enough to keep me running years later (not that my times show much improvement!); but keep up the training and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you make the Aware 10k under the hour...!:)

Roddy23

Well done on the running so far. I'm about the same pace as yourself, and have the Aware run pencilled in myself.

Getting out this weekend, going to try and run the course route, hope to break 60mins for the race (as it's mainly downhill compared to the Adidas race series), but taking it easy this weekend as its my first lsr in at least a month.

rainbow kirby

Well this week has almost been a complete washout in terms of running. I've had SO many assignments due in college and nowhere near enough sleep due to it - until last night. 14 hours sleep, assisted by only 3 pints, ftw... :pac:

3 miles this morning, very easy - pretty nice, and I wasn't as wrecked at the end of it as I thought I'd be after the week I've had. The plan is for 5 miles tomorrow, and tbh I'm looking forward to it in a crazy sort of way.

One little concern I've had - in the last week, I appear to have completely lost my appetite. I'm forcing myself to eat 3 meals a day, because I know I *should*, but I honestly haven't felt hungry in about the last week-week and a half. This is strange, because it has never happened before, normally I like my food a bit too much! (There's a very good reason why I'm 12 and a half stone...)

rainbow kirby

4.8 miles this afternoon in 49.30-ish. Pace seems to be improving anyway, I'm very surprised at being inside 11min/mile on my long run! Felt like crap after about 3.5 miles, but got a second wind afterwards. I blame the pesky M50 bridge.

Weight is finally down below 80kg too, which probably helps!

rainbow kirby

3 miles this evening, 30.06 - I'm a little proud of this, as it's very close to my 5k time from about 8 weeks ago!

10.02/mile pace. I'm definitely improving and I think that losing weight is making a big difference. I'm 31lbs lighter now than I was when I started running.

Peckham

Great progress there. Over 2 stone lost in 4 months - wow!

rainbow kirby

Another 3 miles this evening. Felt slightly flatter than I did last night, but was still a good run. Didn't bother bringing a watch to time things tonight.

Thanksgiving dinner at my American friend's house tomorrow night, so I'll need to run hard on Friday to make up for that! :pac:

rainbow kirby

Just over 5 miles in 55 minutes today. Found the cold and glare to be quite a bother, looks like I'm going to have to acquire myself either a cap or a pair of sunglasses.

Odysseus

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Just over 5 miles in 55 minutes today. Found the cold and glare to be quite a bother, looks like I'm going to have to acquire myself either a cap or a pair of sunglasses.

Just been catching up on your log, great stuff. You might find you end up with both, its strange when you need both at the same time, but that's Ireland for you.

rainbow kirby

2.85 miles this morning in 27.55. (I'm getting more precise, MapMyRun!)

Felt like I was having to work fairly hard today, especially on that poxy M50 bridge...

Just wondering - what should my plan be for this week? Aware 10k is this weekend, should I run tomorrow and then just do some walking on Thurs/Fri, or should I walk tomorrow and Friday, and do my normal ~3 mile run on Thursday?

rainbow kirby

3 miles this evening in just outside 30 minutes. Felt like I still had craploads of energy at the end - which makes me feel rather good about Saturday.

Have pretty much decided that I'm wearing a long sleeved t-shirt (Aldi long-sleeved technical shirts ftw ) and tracksuit bottoms, probably with one of my many heavy metal gig t-shirts over the long-sleeved shirt, for Saturday.

rainbow kirby

*drumroll*


1.06.15 by my watch in the end.

Very happy just to finish because I knew my preparation wasn't ideal (stupid college!), and the frost this morning made me feel like I was ice skating at a few points. Unfortunately I *did* manage to end up on my arse at the drink station after slipping on some ice, and that knocked the wind out of my sails quite considerably.

Ah well, there's always next time to try go sub-hour!

*edit* Chip time 1.05.59. 10.37/mile pace, according to the Runners World pace calculator.

Bally8

Well done rk, excellent result. Hope u dont hurt too much after the fall:).

shels4ever

rainbow kirby wrote: »

*drumroll*


1.06.15 by my watch in the end.

Very happy just to finish because I knew my preparation wasn't ideal (stupid college!), and the frost this morning made me feel like I was ice skating at a few points. Unfortunately I *did* manage to end up on my arse at the drink station after slipping on some ice, and that knocked the wind out of my sails quite considerably.

Ah well, there's always next time to try go sub-hour!

*edit* Chip time 1.05.59. 10.37/mile pace, according to the Runners World pace calculator.

Well done there, your going well now . Thats a good run sets you up nice to break the hour next time out, which i'm sure you will...

rainbow kirby

Fingers crossed. Breaking the hour for 10k is one of my goals for 2009 now. I'd also like to break 30 mins for 5k.

shels4ever

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Fingers crossed. Breaking the hour for 10k is one of my goals for 2009 now. I'd also like to break 30 mins for 5k.

By the way I ran 63 mins for a 10k back in April, and under 23 for 5k today so I know you can do it and your log shows that you will too.

rainbow kirby

Is it bad that I'm already trying to decide what the next race will be?

shels4ever

No its a great thing, shows your enjoying it thats the main thing:) lots of people here know exactly where they will be in 6 , 9 months time..

MCOS

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Is it bad that I'm already trying to decide what the next race will be?

Not at all, planning your races is a great incentive for yourself. As you get fitter and stronger you will probably plan further and further ahead! I started running nearly 2 years ago and I've just devised the most complex training and racing plan yet for 2009. This fitness stuff is really addictive:)

rainbow kirby

3 miles this evening, started out easy and kept getting faster...

Didn't time things at all tonight, as the intention was just to take it easy, but things didn't happen that way!

rainbow kirby

3 miles this evening in around 30 minutes.
Felt rather good, though I really should be studying for my smelly Operating Systems 2 exam which is on tomorrow! Down with that sort of thing...

rainbow kirby

Crapulent 3 miles today, felt tired all the way around. I blame exams.

shels4ever

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Crapulent 3 miles today, felt tired all the way around. I blame exams.

Exams are bound to take its toll on you, I know when I had a lot going on I found my form dipped, but on the plus side the run will be good for your exams

Best of luck with them

rainbow kirby

After a few exam-related days off, I went back to the usual tonight. Just went out for a nice quiet 3 miles, and it felt really nice to get some fresh air and to know that I'm finally free from the college monster, at least for a little while!

Didn't bother with a watch or anything tonight, just put some of my favourite music on and kept to a comfortable pace. I'm rather happy I did, that was a really enjoyable run.

rainbow kirby

3 miles this evening, had a couple of little niggles going on. On Thursday I wore different shoes to what I usually wear, and yesterday it felt like my shins were on fire. Today I went back to my old shoes, which are not in the best of condition because I've been wearing them for about 5 months and I'm fat enough to kill shoes quickly. Blargle.

Woddle

Hi Rainbow Kirby at least you got back out and learned a valuable lesson, I too flirted with the idea of changing runners, I normally wear Brooks adrenaline but fancied a change but at the last second said No you fool, don't risk injury, stick to what your feet know. Keep up the good work.

rainbow kirby

3 miles this evening, I need new shoes so bad it's not even funny - my NB 764s just feel horrible. Over the last couple of runs my left shin and right hip have been at me a little.

The problems are (a) lack of money, but I should get cash as pressies for Christmas, and (b) I need to find something new to wear, what i've been wearing is a 5 year old model! (769s are out on RRS)

gerard65

Get yourself into the arnotts sale starting on stephen's day and pick up a couple of pairs to keep you going for a while.

rainbow kirby

Gonna see if I can nip into Mick Dowling in Terenure tomorrow and get some shoe recommendations. Pretty much any online shoe recommender puts me in motion control shoes (because at just over 12st I'm a fat ****er), apart from the Road Runner Sports one which recommends well-cushioned stability ones. Was a little gutted to see all the lovely men's Asics stuff in the Marathon Sports outlet store in Tallaght yesterday when I can't get away with wearing anything other than women's styles in either a 7 or 7.5!

rainbow kirby

Damn my feet and their expensive tastes. Went into Mick Dowling's shop today to get some recommendations - after hating quite a few of the suggested Nike pairs (felt like walking on pillows going around the shop in them, didn't feel properly supported at all), I then tried a pair of Kayanos... felt like putting a glove on my feet. Goddamnit.

*ahem* Early start on Saturday for the Arnotts sale then.

Also - why do the mens colours have to be so much better? The red mens Kayano 15s I saw in Elverys today are hawt

Because this is a training log - haven't run since Monday. I don't want to run in either pair of shoes that I have here at the moment (my NB 764s are pretty much completely shot, and my Brooks Dyad 4s feel like running in clown shoes).

rainbow kirby

Bah, I think I'm addicted. Spent all of Christmas Eve and all of Christmas Day thinking "goddamnit, I want to go run". 3 miles just there this afternoon, the whole time with a mental conflict of "feck, I need new shoes" vs "goddamnit, this is an absolutely gorgeous day to run". Took things very slowly (at a guess, outside 11 minute mile pace, but I wasn't timing myself), felt a couple of niggles out of my left shin. Apart from that - everything was fine apart from feeling a bit heavy, but I expected that after several days of gluttony.

rainbow kirby

Bought Kayanos this morning in the Arnotts sale, a terrifying experience! Glad that I was able to get my hands on a pair of size 7s though - set me back €70. Found them to be rather comfortable straight out of the box. Did just under 3 miles this afternoon in 28.24, felt pretty good. Another lovely day to run, would have done more but I don't want to push things too much in new shoes.

Am also currently reading Murakami's book, and LOVING it.

rainbow kirby

Ok, I've been an awful slacker over the last few weeks, especially over Christmas. Time to harden the **** up. 4 miles today, and I'm going to try and do that for all my regular runs from now on. (and by "all my regular runs" I mean the ones during the week, I'll run longer on Sundays!)

Would have loved to have had a go at the Tom Brennan 5k on New Year's Day, but I'm visiting friends in Drogheda for New Year's and won't be around until the evening. Ah well, **** happens, plenty more reasons to lace up my shoes in 2009!

MCOS

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Am also currently reading Murakami's book, and LOVING it.

About 3/4 the way through it myself. Nice read and but certainly a couple things struck me so far.

He contradicts himself about how competitive he is!
Its poetic in comparison to other books I've read
I rowed on Charles a bit in Boston a few years back and I wish I had that route to run! I wish I lived in Boston for that reason!

rainbow kirby

And finally I get my first run of the new year in. 4 miles in 41.35.

Would have gone yesterday, but I drank an absolutely monumental amount on New Year's Eve, and was in no fit state to run anywhere. Getting stuck sitting in a backward-facing seat on a train from Drogheda to Dublin really didn't help matters either.

Also - new year, new playlist. Currently working on a playlist of Viking metal (Ensiferum, Tyr, Korpiklaani, Amon Amarth etc) to run to