Getting back to running...

luvlylady

Sunday (20/09) - 7 miles.

My longest ever run and I lived to tell the tale! Had to revert back to taking a couple of walk breaks to get some water in. It was really hot. I'm really happy to have covered the distance. Took me 1.17 so I did 11 minute miles. I'm still slow but at least I'm getting the miles done! If I do that pace at the 10k this Sunday I should finish in 1.06 which will knock a minute off my PB from last week. I'm going to aim for sub 1.05 as I should be quicker the day.

Diet-wise, today I've started as I mean to go on and had porridge for breakfast. I hope I can keep it up!

rainbow kirby

luvlylady wrote: »

Took me 1.17 so I did 11 minute miles. I'm still slow but at least I'm getting the miles done!

More important to be getting the miles in at this stage than to be worrying about pace... I do my long runs at close to 11 minute/mile pace too (and I race at ~8-8.30/mile for shorter races). You'll find too that the adrenaline should kick in on race day and you'll go a bit faster, I wouldn't be surprised if you were somewhere between 59 minutes and 1:02 rather than 1:05-1:06 for 10k.

Also, porridge is a great runner's breakfast, I *always* have it before anything long! Add raisins, cinnamon and a bit of honey and it's damn good

luvlylady

Went to do a speed session at the local track last night. It was my first time and I ended up in the wrong group. I was with complete beginners so spent the hour running half way round the track, walking the rest and then stopping for a while. It felt like a complete waste of time when I could have been out running 4 miles by myself. I'm going back again next week but will ensure I get into the next group up. They were constantly on the move.

College for me tonight so rest day today.

Porridge again for breakfast

luvlylady

Wednesday (24/09) - 4 miles in 41.30 minutes. Was one of those days that hurt from the off! Nothing felt right and it almost felt like I hadn't run a day in my life. Stuck at it though and got my best time (by seconds!) for my 4 mile route.

I've loved reading the reports from the Berlin marathon this week, they are so inspiring. At the moment the 10k run this Sunday is my marathon but one day I might get to the real thing. That's the (very very very very far off!) dream!

Eating going ok, could be better but an improvement on what I was like previously.

luvlylady

Sunday (27/09) - 10k run in Dungarvan. New PB achieved for me, completed it in 61.39 and I was thrilled with that. Two weeks ago the same distance took me 67.24. I had been hoping to go sub 65 so I out did myself! I didn't know what pace I was doing but knew I was going a little faster than last time.

rainbow kirby wrote: »

You'll find too that the adrenaline should kick in on race day and you'll go a bit faster, I wouldn't be surprised if you were somewhere between 59 minutes and 1:02 rather than 1:05-1:06 for 10k.

Spot on

10 miler is in 3 weeks time. I haven't fully committed myself to it but would really love to give it a go. Going to increase my training starting this week and I'll make a decision next weekend. The distance is daunting for a newbie like me but if I can cover 10k surely with a bit of training I can do 10 miles....or can I?! :eek:

RubyK

Well done luvlylady, you must be delighted with your PB

I think you should definately sign up to the Run for Life - I'm in the same boat as you, but I think I'm going to give it a go. I find it easier to stay motiviated when I have something to aim for.

Best of luck with your training.

rainbow kirby

luvlylady wrote: »

10 miler is in 3 weeks time. I haven't fully committed myself to it but would really love to give it a go. Going to increase my training starting this week and I'll make a decision next weekend. The distance is daunting for a newbie like me but if I can cover 10k surely with a bit of training I can do 10 miles....or can I?! :eek:

12km (7-ish miles) long run next week, 14km (8.5-ish miles) long run the week after, then race day is only another 2km. Keep on truckin'

littlebug

Well done luvlylady. That's a great improvement! Sub 60 for the next 10k!

luvlylady

rainbow kirby wrote: »

12km (7-ish miles) long run next week, 14km (8.5-ish miles) long run the week after, then race day is only another 2km. Keep on truckin'

My longest long run was 7 miles which I did last weekend so I'm thinking 8 miles this weekend, 9 miles next week and the following week is the 10 miles.

littlebug wrote: »

Sub 60 for the next 10k!

For sure :eek: !!

luvlylady

Monday (28/09) - went to the track again for a speed session.

I joined a different group to the one I was in last week and loved it. We did 100m fast, 100m recovery, 200m fast, 200m recovery etc. Overall we covered 4.7 miles and I really pushed myself so I'm pleased with that.

Only problem now is an ache I have in my leg. Don't know how to describe it but it's at the top of my leg at the front, where my leg joins my body! I could feel a niggle over my last few runs, and especially after Sunday's 10k, but it's worse than ever now. College for me tonight so I'll be resting it and hopefully that will help.

luvlylady

Wednesday (30/09/09) - 5.2 miles.

Kept it slow and steady because I wanted to conquer two hills that I have feared until now. No bother to me!

Longest run with no walk breaks, love these little signs of progress that I get every now and then!

bourne99

Well done, 5 miles is a good distance to run nonstop - now to conquer THREE hills!

luvlylady

Due to a weekend of over indulgence on food and drink I didn't get any running done My long run (8 miles) for this week was to be done on Saturday so I'm now behind. I have the track tonight but I'm thinking I will skip it and do the 8 miles instead, I think the long run would be more beneficial to me. Think I read somewhere that the long runs are the most important? Less than two weeks to the ten miler so don't want to be falling behind now. Any advice appreciated.

luvlylady

Monday (05/10) - decided to stick with the track.

I felt exhausted and didn't want to force the 8 miles. Just as well really because I would never have made it all the way 'round. We didn't cover the same distance as last week but I found it much tougher. Needless to say it was caused by the booze at the weekend. I really felt like I was getting somewhere and now I'm behind again :mad: College tonight so it will be tomorrow before I get back out again.

luvlylady

Wednesday (07/10) - 5.2 miles.

Felt good throughout. The first 2 miles were really slow because I had my 2 cousins with me and they're just starting out. I did the last 3.2 on my own so upped the pace a bit. I covered a route that I haven't done in a few weeks and loved running up the hill that I had to walk up before.

I felt like an old pro heading off with my cousins last night! They are at the stage that I was at months ago. I was barely breaking a sweat while they were panting and sweating good-o! Delighted I was It really showed me how much I have come on. Happy camper today!

luvlylady

Friday (09/10) - 3.2 miles.

Saturday (10/10) - 8.2 miles.

Longest run to date on Saturday. Felt it tough starting off but once I got into it the legs just seemed to go by themselves. Happy enough

Blueskye

Well done . It's a great buzz when you run further than you've run before.

metamorphosis

luvlylady wrote: »

Friday (09/10) - 3.2 miles.

Saturday (10/10) - 8.2 miles.

Longest run to date on Saturday. Felt it tough starting off but once I got into it the legs just seemed to go by themselves. Happy enough

No better feeling than running longer than you ever had before ... congrats. Onwards and longer:)

luvlylady

Monday (13/10) - 3 slow miles.

Went to the track but training was called off so headed off on the roads with two of the girls from there. They were slower than me so I was sticking to their pace. I would have preferred to go at my own pace but didn't like to just run off on them. A bit annoyed with myself really.

My leg is really sore now. The niggle that I used feel after every run has now turned into pain after most runs. I'll keep going for the week and might need to see a physio after the 10 miler on Sunday.

College tonight so rest day.

luvlylady

Wednesday (15/10) - 6 miles.

I probably shouldn't have gone running on the leg but I went ahead anyway and tried to cover the 6 miles. Bad idea. It was sore from the word go and finally buckled with about half a mile or so to go. I had to hobble back to the car. I'm limping now today and am just fit to cry Only 4 days to the 10 miler and this had to happen. I'll be resting it until Sunday and will hopefully still be able to do it. I don't know if I should be icing it or Deep Heat-ing it.

RubyK

Sorry to read your post luvlylady, I really hope it's nothing serious. Stay off it till Sunday, and see how you are. I hurt my knee last year, and found that Voltrol gel very good.

Hope you'll be feeling 100% again asap.

rainbow kirby

Might be best to go to a physio (if you can) to get it checked out. Hope you feel better soon!

luvlylady

Thanks guys. I'm not hobbling now as much as I was this morning so hopefully the few days of rest will see me flying fit on Sunday!

useurename

best o luck with the ten miler.stay positive

luvlylady

Sunday (19/10) - 10 mile Run for Life

Rested the leg since Wednesday and luckily it was fine for yesterday's run. I ended up having a great day I got my breathing under control and my pace right from the start so I got settled in to it quickly. I had set myself 3 goals, one to finish the course (!), the second to run the full thing and not take any walk breaks and the third to come in under 1:45:00. I am delighted to report I reached all these goals and crossed the line in 1:41:xx. Edited to add McMillan had me at 1:43:00 which is where I got the goal of 1:45:00. My longest run in training was 8 miles and I had a couple of walk breaks so it's a huge achievement for me to run the entire 10 miles. I'm still on a high!

I took my first ever gel after about 6 miles or so and I felt it really did wonders for me. I still had a bit left in the tank at the end. Eight weeks to the Waterford Half Marathon....do I dare dream....? :eek:;):p

RubyK

Congratulations luvlylady, 3 goals conquered in one day!!

I was thinking about you yesterday (that sounds strange, but don't worry I'm not some wierdo, promise ) and hoping you're leg was better, and not causing you any problems.

I too am having slight thoughs about the half marathon. Yesterday was much more enjoyable than I could have imagined!!

littlebug

great running luvlylady and Rubyk. Well done! Sure a half marathon is only a hop skip and a jump after that!

rainbow kirby

RubyK wrote: »

I too am having slight thoughs about the half marathon. Yesterday was much more enjoyable than I could have imagined!!

They should be more than *slight* thoughts!

luvlylady

Wednesday (21/10) - less than 2 soaking wet miles :mad:

RubyK

Hey, fair dues to you for getting out!! I looked out the windown at 6 and it was p**ing down, and that was the end of my good intentions.

luvlylady

RubyK wrote: »

Hey, fair dues to you for getting out!! I looked out the windown at 6 and it was p**ing down, and that was the end of my good intentions.

It was hardly worth my while for the distance I did! Couldn't go any further though, couldn't see in front of me with the rain. :eek:

luvlylady

Tuesday (27/10) - 5 miles

Not much running done in the past week. Had a busy few days and was in Dublin at the weekend for the marathon. My brother ran it, not me! What an atmosphere on the day. I found it quite emotional just being a spectator, I don't know how anyone crossed the line without shedding a tear!

So having watched the marathon and being inspired by all the reports on here I decided to properly start training for the Half Marathon in December. Last night was the first night of it and my leg is at me again :mad: Phoning the physio today, like I should have done weeks ago.

luvlylady

Wednesday (28/10) - 7 miles.

Thursday (29/10) - rest day.

luvlylady

Saturday (31/10) - started out to do 9 miles and hobbled home after 1 :mad:

No training for me this week as I haven't been able to see the physio yet. Registering for the winter league tonight and don't know whether to give it a miss tomorrow night or not. I really don't want to miss the first night. Might do the shorter route to be on the safe side. Think my Half Marathon in December dream might be just that, a dream

luvlylady

Very little training done by me over the last couple of weeks. Resting the leg and it's getting better. Did the local Winter League the last two Thursdays, 4 mile route, and that was it. Going to slowly start back into my training this week. I've decided to knock the idea of the half marathon on the head and keep my distances short. I'm going to work on my speed and do some hill work for a few weeks and I'll take a look at where I want to go next in the new year. I'm going to look for a couple of 10k runs over the next couple of months.

Speed session at the track tonight.

luvlylady

I've set myself a goal to work towards to keep me focused for the next couple of months. I'm signing up for the Dungarvan 10 miler at the end of January. That gives me ten weeks to slowly get back in to it. I'm going to follow Hal Higdon's 10 week 10 mile (or 15k) training programme. I'm going to do the Novice programme as the mileage is quite lowe and this suits me for two reasons; firstly I don't want to do too much too soon in case my leg gets hurt again and secondly it will be easier to get myself out the door for a short run than a longer run in the dark and wet nights, particularly over the festive season! It will be easier to stick to the programme. I'm going to work on speed and try to beat my previous 10 mile time from last month.

So that's the goal. Today, day 1 of the programme, calls for a handy 2 miles tonight. It includes two days of cross training and two days of 'stretch and strengthen' so I'm going to do Pilates those two days. I'm also doing the winter league which is 4 miles every Thursday so I will fit that into the plan too.

Here goes...

luvlylady

This week so far

Tuesday (24/11) - 2 miles
Wednesday (25/11) - REST
Thursday (26/11) - 4 miles (winter league)
Friday (27/11) - 30 minute walk (cross training day)

rainbow kirby

Best of luck with the 10-miler, it's good to have a race in the depths of winter for a bit of motivation

Totally agree too about it being easier to get out for shorter runs at this time of year too, that's part of the reason why I'm concentrating on shorter stuff for the next while instead of doing a spring marathon (well that, and I'm also trying to get a bit faster!).

luvlylady

Monday (30/11) - Speed session at the track.

It was a toughie!

luvlylady

Haven't been well the past couple of weeks so have hardly been outside the door, not to mention running. I'm gradually coming back to the land of the living but it's slow! Just checking in, not running but not fallen off the wagon either

luvlylady

What a Christmas! Plenty of partying - good times, no running - bad times.

Feel fully back on form today so looking forward to hitting the roads tonight for my first run in AGES. 3 miles is the plan.

Going to give it socks in 2010

luvlylady

And I'm off! First run of 2010 last night. I'll take the rain over the ice any day!

Wednesday (13/01) - 2.77 miles, followed by upper body workout section of my dvd.

Didn't time it, just enjoyed it. Man it feels good to be back

RubyK

Good stuff luvylylady, bet your delighted to be back at it!

Best of luck with your training.

luvlylady

Thursday (14/01) - 4 miles in Winter League.

First week back at the league and I was slower than ever! I took my time and felt comfortable all the way. It's the first week that I truly enjoyed it so not bothered in the least by my time. I'm just thrilled to be back running

Stiff out today though!

luvlylady

Saturday (16/01) - Full exercise DVD (60 minutes)

Sunday (17/01) - 4 miles.

This run was tough, I seem to have lost the strength I had built up in my legs. The power just wasn't there. I trained for months to build it up and lost it all over Christmas :mad:

Savage Cabbage

Hey fair play to you keep it going I admire the dedication. You should look into getting Nike Plus Ipod runners it tracks your distances, times, lets you set playlists to motivate you and you can track your progress on the comp and join huge running community online... do challenhes and stuff.. I got one while ago and its great.. Anyway just a thought keep up the good work

luvlylady

Monday (18/01) - 'stretch & strengthen' day on my programme so did some of my workout dvd.

luvlylady

Tuesday (19/01) - 2.73 miles.

I must have taken a wrong turn along the way because I mapped out a route which was over 3 miles but I just mapped what I actually ran and it wasn't even 3. :mad:

Going to start varying my route and taking in the killer hill from Thursday's winter league. I have no strength for going up hills so want to work on that. Hopefully with a bit more power in my legs I might start getting a bit faster.

luvlylady

Wednesday (20/01) - 3.59 miles, including the dreaded hill!

luvlylady

Monday (25/01) - workout dvd.