Ever Decreasing Circles:

BeepBeep67

Sat Nov 21st

After having guests for dinner last night, drinking too much alcohol and consuming nice rich food and getting to bed at 2am, this morning with the wind and the rain was a real motivation tester - nonetheless managed to trot around Wicklow Town for 5.5miles in 46mins - glad it's done!

Slogger Jogger

Good man. Nice to see you've your life/training balance sorted . Overnighted it in Wexford. Had alarm set for early to run, but rain is blowing horizontal. No point trying to run in that. So its either rest or see what pans out later.

BeepBeep67

Sun Nov 22nd

Great run this morning for 2 reasons:
1. Longest I have run in about 13 years.
2. Starting to mix it up on my longer runs now to address my speed endurance.
So 14 miles in total, 1 small Ashford/Killoughter lap and 1 long one.
First 10miles @ 7:53 pace and the last 4 @ 6:59 pace, which I was pretty happy with considering the majority was against a head wind - so overall 1:46:38 (7:36 pace) and feeling pretty comfortable, hoping to get up to 15 and 16 over the next 2 weeks and that'll be the max for me.

WTD - 43
MTD - 99.1
YTD - 1872

Slogger Jogger

Great running. Just when most of us are settling in to run shorter distances for the Winter you go against convention and show us up

BeepBeep67

It's about time I moved away from my comfort zone, you never know after all of this I might be tempted to race a 10M or a HM, on second thoughts maybe not :rolleyes:!

BeepBeep67

Mon Nov 23rd

5 mile recovery run @ 8:04 pace at lunch time along the Morrough, quiet slippy and wet in patches.

BeepBeep67

Wed Nov 25th

Obviously looks lie lots of heavy Winter training taking by the rest of the Boardsies, I take a planned day off and find myself on page 3.
Anyway feel like I'm getting a bit of a chesty cough so took it handy tonight: 7.06miles @ 8:12 pace.

BeepBeep67

Thurs Nov 26th

Same as yesterday with the addition of 6 x 40sec hill strides.
8.11 miles.

BeepBeep67

Fri Nov 27th

Easy recovery run, must say found running slow really hard and tiring!

4.34 miles in 36mins.

BeepBeep67

Sat Nov 28th

Starting to like these longer runs, today was 16.1miles (my longest run EVER) in 1:57:40 (7:19pace) with the last 5k in just over 21.
Garmin upload is acting up, missing one full mile in the summary and splits, although it's there on the player and missing from the watch data, though I did run 3 laps of a 5.37mile loop, the first data transfer failed so I'm not sure if that caused something - very disappointed as it was one of my best training runs .

Slogger Jogger

Great running. Would have loved to run this morning but family commitments ruled.

Try out SportsTracks as an alternate software for your upload and it might work. Its freebie and PC based, not browser.

Krusty_Clown

Great running Beepbeep. You're in solid marathon short distance running shape. Do you have Garmin Training Centre Installed? I generally send the data to training centre as well, just as a backup. So if anything fails on the upload, at least you will have the run saved on your local machine, which you can later export and upload manually to Garmin Connect/sportstracks etc.

BeepBeep67

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Do you have Garmin Training Centre Installed? I generally send the data to training centre as well, just as a backup. So if anything fails on the upload, at least you will have the run saved on your local machine, which you can later export and upload manually to Garmin Connect/sportstracks etc.

Yep have that installed, the funny thing is going through that it shows split 9 as a 2mile split (but not in the total time and distance), although during the run I got splits at every mile and knew I went through 16miles on the watch. I see on Google Maps & Earth that the 16.1 miles were run.
I can only think that I accidentially deleted a split, can't think how though. as I stopped to stretch and watch went into powersave mode and I just popped it beside the PC at home.
I'm gettin' over it - guess I'll just have to do it again next week :rolleyes:.

BeepBeep67

Sun Nov 29th

After several attempts to get going this morning, there was only one thing for it!
Have a nice bowl of stew and settle down to watch the Merseyside derby, poor performance, but it's the result that counts .
Anyway after that did get out the door for a wet and breezy 7.1 miles recovery run.

WTD - 47.7
MTD - 146.8
YTD - 1715.5

BeepBeep67

Mon Nov 30th

Easy recovery run to Ashford and back, happy enough with November considering I was recovering from injury and only ran 12miles in the first week, but ended up over 150 for the month.

Nov - 153.9

BeepBeep67

Tues Dec 1st

December already and not a child in house washed!
Bit of a Brucie Bonus tonight did not expect to be having a mild dry run, so sweated up a bit in my layers.
Just headed out the door with no plan in mind, ended running up the black castle and done 6 x .75mile loops of Dunbar Rd and Castle St, nice climb up and down, took it handy working a little bit extra on uphills.
7.1miles @ 8:11 pace.

BeepBeep67

Weds Dec 2nd

Felt a little tired going into this one, I think a combination of increasing the mileage, stringing 8 days together (1st 5day + since the injury) and a sh1ty evening had me in that fame of mind. Planned to run about 8 miles, but bailed out shortly after 5.5. Ran from Whitegates across the Leitrim and along the Morrough, was starting to get dark and there was a heavy mist/drizzle, so visibility and footing weren't great, so the slow pace suited me, eerie view turning back to Wicklow, dusk, mist and the glow from harbour spotlights as some cargo was been henched off a boat would have been a magic camera moment - that was the highlight of the run tonight.

Thinking ahead - I'm finding base training tough from a motivational perspective, it's feeling like chore, so think I'll pop an Interval session in over the next few days, also just found out the club will hold a 5k Christmas handicap next Thurs, so that's something to look forward to - will make a call after that whether I run the Senior XC on the 20th, but more than likely will do the Tom Brennan on NYD, just to keep me on the straight and narrow over Christmas.
Have decided to skip the Raheny 5 as I'll be in India for 10 days from the 10th of Jan and know I'll just fit in about 5 30min treadmill jaunts, so I'm pencilling in the 10k in Enniscorthy (Valentine's WE?).

Popped into Elvery's today to look at the Horizon II treadmill, reduced from 1200 to 599, looks sturdy and folds, decision now is between that and the Powertrek on Irish Sports direct which has a 3hp motor versus the 1.75 on the Horizon.

Sorry bit of a brain dump tonight!

Woddle

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Irish Sports direct which has a 3hp motor versus the 1.75 on the Horizon.

Because I have a Horizon I would highly recommend them and I'm nearly sure you get a lifetime warranty/guarantee (can't remember) on the motor because they are that sure of the motor, you should send thirstyworker a pm regarding treadmill purchase.

Slogger Jogger

Enniscorthy 10k is pencilled in for 14th Feb, but its on early in the day so you shouldn't lose brownie points.

If you do buy the treadie, remember its not just for Christmas. It'll take up a sizeable space in the gaff for quite a while after. Despite the OH disagreements about it from time to time, its a worthwhile investment IMO.

BeepBeep67

Night time hillrun from Balinastoe to Djouce, great fun, great climbing and like entering two different worlds with the difference in conditions from the nice sheltered carpark to the artic like conditions at the top.
6.8 miles

BeepBeep67

Sat Dec 5th

Out early due to family commitments today, so a longish easy run of 15.17 miles in 1:58:31 (7:48pace), nice morning for a trot, but I felt a little underdressed on the way back into chilly head wind.

BeepBeep67

Cr@py run this evening: Since yesterday I have driven 300miles, spent about 5hrs walking around shopping malls, had a McDonalds, a Burger King and packet of wine gums and box of popcorn, about 1ltr of Coke and bottle of wine. So got home and had a short window before the OH was heading off to James Morrison, planned to run 8 in 1hr, but as I farted, belched and hobbled up the road with a stitch after 1 mile, I threw in towel just after 2 miles. 4.72 miles @ walking pace!

The only 2 positives since finishing yesterday's run and starting this one were:
1. If you have kids, get yourself to Planet 51, in fact if you don't have kids go anyway, it's actually not that great, but if you want to switch off for 90mins and forget about life and not having to worry about a complicated plot, you'll achieve that!
2. After a final round of negotiations with the OH, where she says she will also use the treadmill, we made the splash, when it arrives in about 2 weeks - I'll post a full report!

WTD - 46.6
MTD - 39.5
YTD - 1762.1

RacoonQueen

Shows how diet really can effect your running doesn't it? I think a lot of it is psychological though, you're thinking you've eaten crap so your run will be affected and thus it is.

ultraman1

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

, had a McDonalds, a Burger King and packet of wine gums and box of popcorn, about 1ltr of Coke and bottle of wine.

i feel ur pain

BeepBeep67

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I think a lot of it is psychological though,

If only!
I think I'll have to punish myself tomorrow!

RacoonQueen

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

If only!
I think I'll have to punish myself tomorrow!

20 miles should make you feel better. Go on, I dare you.

BeepBeep67

RacoonQueen wrote: »

20 miles should make you feel better. Go on, I dare you.

eh hello - this is BeepBeep not Tunguska - I'm thinking it's time to return to the track, anyone up for 6 x 800 @ 2:45 - 2:50 in Charlesland @ 6 bells?

RacoonQueen

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

eh hello - this is BeepBeep not Tunguska - I'm thinking it's time to return to the track, anyone up for 6 x 800 @ 2:45 - 2:50 in Charlesland @ 6 bells?

Thats why it's a dare. :pac:

BeepBeep67

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Thats why it's a dare. :pac:

You win , long runs and I don't socialize in same circles.

BeepBeep67

The plan was to do 6 x 800 at I pace (2:54), looking back it's àlmost 9 weeks since I done a structured interval session and 6 weeks since my injury and 4 weeks of endurance type training, so maybe I was hitting the track with rose tinted glasses and that turned out to be the case. So hit a cold, windy Charlesland at 6 bells and warmed up for 2.4k in the dark followed by some stretching. The first interval seemed handy and a combination of the wrong settings on my watch and the dark meant I had no idea of my pace and it turned out to be 3:07. Try as much as I could I failed to hit the mark for the next 4 (3:00, 3:00, 3:02, 3:02), at least they were consistent, managed to get in 1 at 2:54 for the last one. So I'm putting tonight down as a benchmark, tried hard, but plently of room for improvement C-. 10.15k.

6 x 800m

BeepBeep67

10.7k of an uninteresting run after a long day in work - when do the clocks go forward

Slogger Jogger

You should have joined my interesting run so. Twas on your way home and all

BeepBeep67

Felt wrecked yesterday evening so took an unplanned day off, a combination of work, trying to fight off a chest something or other and I'm convinced I'm a SAD sufferer has me at a low point and I know my running feels tougher than it should.
Anyway dragged myself out the door this evening after another 12hr stint, 9.87k with 8 x 420mts thrown in which were really hard going 4 uphill and 4 in reverse, anyhoo I'll keep plugging away and keep stuffing my body full of Vitamin C and Multi-Vitamins!

BeepBeep67

10.72k just for the sake of running - @ 4:57 pace, looking forward to seeing some daylight on my runs for the weekend.

BeepBeep67

Sat Dec 12th

Busy day ahead - so 16.4k before breakfast 77:14 (4:43k/7:35M pace)

Good Luck to everyone doing the Aware 9k!!!

BeepBeep67

Today was a recovery day in every sense of the word, Christmas night out last night with the neighbours involved, mulled wine, white wine and Miller. So when I eventually convinced myself to get out, post putting up the Christmas lights, I was feeling wrecked. So headed to Devil's Glen and realised pretty quickly that I wasn't up to much, so I just slowed it down and enjoyed the scenery - 8.5k @ 5:29 per k pace, with 818mts of climbing.

WTD - 41.2
MTD - 80.6
YTD - 1803.3

Slogger Jogger

Ha. Almost feel sorry for you
818mts? That sounds like you were doing constant hill repeats

BeepBeep67

Worked out like that alright - felt like there was very few flat sections and from the river back to the main road is a cheeky little climb!

BeepBeep67

11.3k at a slow pace, still feel like I'm plodding along, it's all a bit of struggle at the moment, but the chest seems to be clearing up - I'll do another interval session on Weds and decide after that if I'll run the County Senior XC on Sunday

BeepBeep67

9.23k at lunch time due to time constraints - 4:38 per k pace.

BeepBeep67

6 x 800m w/ 2min rec with Slogger in Charlesland - average 2:54 - up 7 secs on average from last week. Felt stronger doing these ones and grew into the session.
11.25k in 55mins.

Slogger Jogger

I reckon your splits are faster again. My gps splits average was 2:53 and you were faster on the last 2. Well done, particularly with the blustery conditions.

BeepBeep67

Just checking the detail I'm getting 830 - 850 for the splits and I was hitting the laps per the track markings, so could be GPS inaccuracy.

BeepBeep67

Was tempted to take a night off tonight, but have the race hanging over me on Sunday, but when I seen Slogger was having a night off I just had to get out .
Easy 10k run from the house, little bit of wind, little of hail, threw in a couple of strides between lamp posts for a mile to keep the boredom at bay.

BeepBeep67

Easy run on my new treadmill this evening.
Just 4 miles @ 7.5mph, day off tomorrow and the Wicklow Senior XC on Sunday - 4 laps of that hill in Avondale OMG!

Slogger Jogger

Nice one. Forgot to say it does tend to move backwards slightly over the course of your run. I have mine on a leftover piece of carpet and that sorted it.

BeepBeep67

Still not 100% going into this as the chest thingy is still lingering, so the plan was to run fairly conservatively and then see what happened.
So this was 4 laps in Avondale with a killer hill on each lap which is like a mini-mountain, the surface was frozen in parts, boggy in parts, uphill, downhill and sideways - so there's not much point in looking at times or splits in this one. I'm guessing there were 30 or so brave souls on the start line and I was part of a depleted Bray Runner's squad of 5, with various injury, work and family commitments keep the rest away.
Got a reasonable start and after a k the race settled into it's shape, felt strongish for the majority of the lap, but the hill was a killer, however I mainly gained ground on the first and that would be telling later on.
Hit lap 2 in 18th place after trading up and down few places and was trying to tag on to Colin Daly, took Cormac O'Ceillaigh on the 'little mountain' and had to drive over the top as he stayed with me.
So hit lap 3 in 17th, passing Cormac and hitting the half way mark perked me up a bit and started to focus on running, Colin was getting away from me, but I could see Billy Porter coming back to me and I caught him about half way around lap 3 and that's how it stayed me in 16th slightly catching Gerry Kinsella but not closing enough to challenge him.

Summary: 9.44k in 40:06 / 1st Bray Runner/ 16th overall

Happy enough overall, but glad it's over.

Slogger Jogger

Nice running. I'm happy to jog Avondale but racing that green avenue scares me

Results up already. here

BeepBeep67

The weather outside is frightful so 2 recovery runs on the treadmill today:

AM: 4 miles in 33:01 - watched most of last week's the panel

PM: 5 miles in 38:47 - started watching 21, will watch the rest Weds morning

BeepBeep67

Squeezed in 6 miles on the treadmill in between meetings - handy for that and now I'm a family man at 6pm and heading shopping.
Still have about 15mins left to watch in 21, need to find some 45min documentaries and I don't ever see myself running 90mins on the treadie.
Have a fan arriving tonight as the last 2 days have been like warm weather training.
Looking forward to finishing early tomorrow and hitting the Morrough.