Running along the road to nowhere

xebec

11.00 miles 1:38:43

Windy out today but managed to hold the pace even when I thought it would slow me down. Got soaked during a few showers and the wet t-shirt rubbed the crap out of my nipples, sore in the shower afterwards but I'll survive Well happy to have gotten that under my belt without any adverse reaction from the knee!

This week might be a little quieter, particularly cos of a surf trip next weekend, but I'll still try to get at least 3 sessions in...

YTD: 508.56 miles
Crossed the 500 miles marker without even realising it Who knows, might even make it to 1000 before the year is out!

xebec

4.81 miles 41:30

Another bad week because of work... Monday was working till 2330, Tuesday decided to socialise after an all day conference and was in bed by 2130, Wednesday my plan for finishing at 1800 and running before the footie fell apart...

Up at 6am this morning just to try to make up for it. Stupid GPS signal around London messes up a fair bit, ran the same route as one of the days last week and this week it came up shorter. Handy enough run, not really pushing it at all. Weekend of surfing ahead so expect little or no running. If my flight gets in at a reasonable hour might try to get up early again tomorrow, but it's going to be a long weekend so sleep will probably win out...

shels4ever

hows the knee holding up? Any races planned?

xebec

3.76 miles 32:19

Finally got back out. Weekend of drunkeness and surfing kinda got in the way, although I did make plans to go running with one of the girls on Saturday evening - the wind and the rain made the decision to take a nap instead too easy... Handy enough tonight although HR was flying.

On the negative side, I cut the top of both my feet while in the water at the weekend - think it was the board that did it - and now the cuts are a little infected and bloody sore! Not helped by the fact that the bend in my shoes when walking is exactly pressing into them. Treating them as best I can and didn't seem to bother me too much while running, the runners don't rub the cuts like my work shoes do.

xebec

shels4ever wrote: »

hows the knee holding up? Any races planned?

Knee is holding up reasonably ok I think. Haven't been pushing it too hard but the 11 miles a week ago went by without any problems. All going well, doing the 5 mile in the Park this weekend. Have a free entry to the Dublin 10k the week after that (thanks to racepix.com). Also debating doing the half in Roscommon that Saturday as a long run. I think that's enough races for now!

RacoonQueen

xebec wrote: »

On the negative side, I cut the top of both my feet while in the water at the weekend - think it was the board that did it - and now the cuts are a little infected and bloody sore! Not helped by the fact that the bend in my shoes when walking is exactly pressing into them. Treating them as best I can and didn't seem to bother me too much while running, the runners don't rub the cuts like my work shoes do.

Should have gone to the chemist and got savlon for it like you were told to!

xebec

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Should have gone to the chemist and got savlon for it like you were told to!

Yeah yeah yeah... At least I know what Savlon is, unlike the other stuff you mentioned Actually have some antibiotic cream since the last time I had an infection in my foot, but that's back in Dublin so will have to wait till Thursday.

xebec

5.83 miles 53:06

Been feeling crap all day. Didn't feel like going running after work but got myself out - figured seeing as I'd decided to be anti-social and not go bowling with work mates it was the least I could do. Run was handy enough although the pace was all over the place according to the watch - think this was more to do with the tall buildings and going under bridges than my actual pace though.

Think I'll give the early Thursday morning run a skip this week, sleep is more important, and just go for an easy 3 miles on Friday evening before the 5 mile race on Saturday morning.

xebec

2.81 miles 24:50

Just turning the legs over before the race tomorrow morning...

Brianderunner

Great run today xebec, well done.

xebec

Irish Runner "5 mile"

4.88 miles 36:21 (+ 1.00 mile 9:40 warm up)

Well that went well Had no real ambition going into this race as have been finding it quite hard to get any real consistency or pace in my training. Plan was to try for a PB if it felt on and to see how I felt as I went around.

Mile by mile:

1. Normally go out far too fast, but today I managed to 'hold' myself to 7:30/mile for the first half mile. Felt very comfortable and pushed on a bit going down the Khyber for 7:15.
2. This was a bit tougher, up the hill on Military Road. Tried to keep the effort up and not worry too much about the pace going up the hill. Seemed to work pretty well, only slowed my pace a little, passed loads of people and picked the pace up again once over the top. HR topped out here at 188, so I was working pretty hard!! Time was a very good 7:18 for this mile, still feeling pretty comfortable.
3. This is where things started to hurt a little. Found the going tough up the Upper Glen Road, tried to concentrate on breathing deeply and managed to get through it. This mile was tidy enough as well at 7:33.
4. This is where it all nearly fell apart. For some reason all my pace was gone at the top of the Glen Road. Pace slowed to 8:00/mile for the first half mile, managed to push on a bit for rest of mile to make a recover of sorts, 7:45 (slowest mile).
5. The last .88 mile was tough going, averaged 7:22/mile pace for it which I'm very please with, 6:28 for that distance.

Final chip time was 36:21. Using the Cool Running calculator to extend the race to 5 miles puts me at 37:15 for the race which would have been a PB by almost a minute. Obviously very pleased with how things went, have missed that feeling after a race for the last few months!

aero2k

Great running Xebec!

I think mile 4 is a right barsteward. I looked at the Garmin around the point where the road seems to have levelled out and my average speed was 23 sec/mile slower than mile 3, which has a big hill at the end. It was a bit of a struggle to get that back in line by the O/S HQ.

I've seen at least one very fast runner on here post similar splits. I think everyone hates mile 4!:)

xebec

aero2k wrote: »

Great running Xebec!

I think mile 4 is a right barsteward. I looked at the Garmin around the point where the road seems to have levelled out and my average speed was 23 sec/mile slower than mile 3, which has a big hill at the end. It was a bit of a struggle to get that back in line by the O/S HQ.

I've seen at least one very fast runner on here post similar splits. I think everyone hates mile 4!:)

Cheers aero, also wondering if the wind had a bit more effect on us there than it felt like. That was the only real point on the course where we were exposed before turning away from it again on the straight by OSI...

RacoonQueen

Mile four was my slowest as well I think. Though, I when I noticed that I picked up the pace. Had been keeping my eye on a few people around me and was still sticking with them in front of me, don't know how much of it was my pace dropping because of the difficulty of the course or my pace dropping because I was using some girls feet as a metronome!

RAL3

Good to see you back in form Xebec - well done today

menoscemo

Nice running.
Was gonna give you a buzz cos I was at croker yesterday as well but I don't have your mobile. I somehow managed to nab myself some premium level tickets late on friday.
Can't understand how I missed you at the end.
Did you not see RQ right at the finish line talking to me?

xebec

12.92 miles 1:58:08

Was going along fine for the first 6 miles this morning before I really lost interest. So tempted to take a turn off and head home. Decided that wasn't an acceptable option and that I should at least head for the next turn off which would make it close to 10 miles. Kept going after that. Last 4 miles were very tough, down to about 9:30/mile pace after the rest being much closer to 9:00/mile.

Glad I completed it. Was still sore after the race yesterday and I'm even sorer now but things will go on...

YTD: 544.57 miles

xebec

menoscemo wrote: »

Nice running.
Was gonna give you a buzz cos I was at croker yesterday as well but I don't have your mobile. I somehow managed to nab myself some premium level tickets late on friday.
Can't understand how I missed you at the end.
Did you not see RQ right at the finish line talking to me?

Spotted a few of the others and went to chat with them, didn't see yourself or RQ at all until I met up with her afterwards...

xebec

Unplanned night off. Idea was for 3-4 recovery miles, but my knee has been a little tender all day so decided better off taking a rest. Unpacked and went to a restaurant for an unhealthy (but tasty) dinner instead. Hopefully back out tomorrow...

xebec

3.07 miles 28:21

Easy recovery run down to the river, across Tower Bridge, back across London Bridge and back up to Shoreditch. Pretty warm, but felt ok. Lots of stretching and exercising afterwards to try to avoid any knee problems, no pain while running but felt a bit weak, hopefully not going to get problems again.

claralara

I want to run along the Thames and over London Bridge. The Stillorgan dual carriageway seems so unexotic now reading your log!!

xebec

claralara wrote: »

I want to run along the Thames and over London Bridge. The Stillorgan dual carriageway seems so unexotic now reading your log!!

Not as exotic as it sounds and the heat in this bloody city is a killer! Dread to think what it'd be like if I tried to train somewhere where it's actually hot! While it is a nice change, give me Phoenix Park any day!! Plan for this evening is to do a little exploring and see if I can find Victoria Park, only a couple of miles from the flat and a loop and back home should bring me nicely to about the planned 7 miles.

xebec

7.30 miles 1:04:39

Plan was for 7 miles and a little exploration this evening. Had a vague idea of what direction Victoria Park was in so headed that way through Bethnal Green, missed the turn I was supposed to take but made it into the park eventually. Nice little trot around the park before deciding to take a different way home - figured I'd be short a little over half a mile if I didn't. Ran along the Regents Canal for a little over a mile which was a great spot! Back along the busy Mile End Road through Stepney Green and back up to Shoreditch. All-in-all a pleasant run, pace was ok at about 8:50/mile and holding it steady the whole way round. Bit tired now, plan is for 3 miles tomorrow but the only chance to do that is 6am so might postpone it...

xebec

Bogtrotters Half Marathon, Strokestown, Co Roscommon

13.16 miles 1:50:02

Travelled down to Strokestown last night with RQ, sarsfieldsrock and oisin11178. Pleasant to have a bit of company and the bus journey wasn't as long as expected. TBH, still hadn't decided at that stage if I was going to run, but while having a wander with the guys we stumbled on early registration in Strokestown House so stumped up my €50 and took a ribbing for only doing the half - I definitely wasn't doing the full!!

Up nice and early this morning, little bit damp and cool, pretty much perfect running conditions. Hanging around before the start spotted some serious fast runners - they had upped the prize money compared to what was on their website. Bit weird being right up the front for the start, but even the top guys were hanging back from the start line and there was lots of room so went with it.

First 4 miles were pretty handy averaging a little under 8:00/mile pace, a little faster than planned but wasn't worried. Then came 'The Hill'. I knew it was coming, but I wasn't prepared for how high or how steep it was, by my estimate over 250 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. Had to take a few walking breaks going up just to try to keep everything in control. Got chatting to a guy from Raheny who was on his 15th marathon of the year and he was struggling too so that gave me a little heart! Ended up being 10:01 for the mile, PB chase was gone as I was wrecked after that.

Next mile was fast, steep downhill for the first quarter had me well under 7:00/mile pace without too much effort - just freewheeling down the hill. Rest of the mile was flat or slightly uphill so back in line for 7:44 for the mile. Miles 7, 8 & 9 were pretty uneventful, forward and back with a few others but nothing particularly exciting.

Took a short walking break at the start of mile 10 for a gel and some water, fatigue was starting to set in at that stage. Didn't enjoy miles 10, 11 & 12, surface was very uneven and quite soft in places. This hit my pace and took a little more out of me than I had in the tank but plugged on. Passed another runner shortly after the 10 mile marker and that was it for the race, running completely by myself for the last 3 miles which made things a little tougher.

At this stage, the PB was well gone and I was fighting to get sub-1:50. Back on the road for the last mile and a bit, tried to kick on and up the pace for the last mile but had nothing there. Best I could get out of my legs was 7:57 on a long straight and slightly uphill road. 1:06 for the last .16 miles and that was it. Finish time according to my watch was 1:50:02.

Tough day out, but a good fast workout and a reasonable confidence builder. On a flatter course with better footing I should be well able to go sub-1:45.

Biggest disappointment was yet to come though. Hung around at the half finish to give a shout to RQ and sarsfieldsrock as they were going through (missed Aimman). At this stage it was cold and damp out. The time between me finishing (1050) and me getting on a bus (1220) was pretty unacceptable, no shelter and nothing to cover myself up, I was shivering for the last 30-40 minutes of waiting. Can't afford to get sick now as work is going to be too busy over the next few weeks, so fingers crossed I'll be alright.

Eventually got back to Strokestown House shortly before 1245 in time to see Krusty and a few of the others finish the full. Got a rub down for the legs (and watched Aimman's sprint finish from the massage table) and they feel pretty good now.

Not racing again for a while - well except for a 10k tomorrow - so time for some decent training and build the miles properly over the next while.

Brianderunner

xebec wrote: »

Not racing again for a while - well except for a 10k tomorrow

Hmmm a contradication i think.

Well done on getting through the race, it's a fairly good run given the circumstances. Sorry that the race was spoiled by the bus at the end. If it makes you feel any better, when i dropped out of the DCM in 2007 at mile 17, they told me it would be 90 mins to get a bus back into town so i just walked it. No excuse for today's race though all the same. Don't overdo it tomorrow in the race, have a good run.

xebec

Brianderunner wrote: »

Hmmm a contradication i think.

Well done on getting through the race, it's a fairly good run given the circumstances. Sorry that the race was spoiled by the bus at the end. If it makes you feel any better, when i dropped out of the DCM in 2007 at mile 17, they told me it would be 90 mins to get a bus back into town so i just walked it. No excuse for today's race though all the same. Don't overdo it tomorrow in the race, have a good run.

Cheers Brian, was meant to be a contradiction, but there's no races planned for another 4 weeks after tomorrow until the Frank Duffy 10 mile. Will take it how I feel tomorrow, based on recent times I should be on for a PB if the legs are feeling up to it. Easy week coming next week so should be handy enough to recover...

xebec

Dublin 10km Parkwest

6.23 miles 47:31 (+.83 miles warmup)

Another PB :cool: Was feeling tired before the race after the half marathon the day before, but decided to go out at PB pace and see how I felt. Nice flat and fast course, only real problem was the headwind for much of the first 6k.

Well done to Eoin who ran another excellent race!

YTD: 575.16 miles

rainbow kirby

Good stuff!

Aimman

Congrats on the PB, particularly after racing the day before too.

shels4ever

xebec wrote: »

Dublin 10km Parkwest

6.23 miles 47:31 (+.83 miles warmup)

Another PB :cool: Was feeling tired before the race after the half marathon the day before, but decided to go out at PB pace and see how I felt. Nice flat and fast course, only real problem was the headwind for much of the first 6k.

Well done to Eoin who ran another excellent race!

YTD: 575.16 miles

Your just going to get harder and harder to beat arent you


Well done on that pb, will you run the 10k in Frihouse?