Running mad in 2010

Krusty_Clown

donothoponpop wrote: »

It was three races. Three! I'm sure I mentioned it to SJ beforehand...;)

So, which was better, winning the race or getting the PB?

Slogger Jogger

donothoponpop wrote: »

It was three races. Three! I'm sure I mentioned it to SJ beforehand...;)

I must have missed that bit. I'm thinking long term Anyways, I probably realise I can't outkick you so I'd have to work up the pace earlier to try establish a lead. Either that or do wickedly inconsistent paced laps to throw off your metronome like stride.

Slogger Jogger

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

So, which was better, winning the race or getting the PB?

Didn't we have that thread before.. whether you can get a PB in training or not? It wasn't an accredited distance and he wasn't wearing a chip

donothoponpop

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Didn't we have that thread before.. whether you can get a PB in training or not? It wasn't an accredited distance and he wasn't wearing a chip

LOL, I'm backing down now, lest I give you a head of steam for next years imra races!

Tell you what though, that Tinahely Bridge to Bridge record will be getting a testing next week...

Slogger Jogger

A drudge of a filler run today to keep the legs loose. All over soreness after the reps yesterday evening. Never really got into this but glad to have done it all the same. Perfect conditions at lunchtime too.

8.58k, 4:38 pace. In retrospect the pace was much to fast. Started at 5 min k pace and should have tried to stay at that for the full loop around Kill Of the Grange.

Slogger Jogger

Half way through this run which brought me from Annacurra around backroads and linking onto a bit of the Wicklow way near Moyne I had a near magical moment of running towards a full rainbow which was almost close enough to touch. In Rainbows by Radiohead sprung to mind and that was going to be the title of todays entry. All changed with the downpour that came down soon after. The first 16k or so were net uphill and I reached a turn point on roads looking down onto Aughavannagh. From here the rains came and I speeded up. Ran fairly steadily and fairly within myself for the most part. When the rain became torrential a few k from home the thoughts of adding a few k on to bring it past 30 for the day were quickly dispatched. Getting home and getting warm and dry was the priority. Happy enough with the morning's efforts.
28.6k, 386m climb, 4:54 pace.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/51330786

Slogger Jogger

No Ryder cup earlier to while away a few hours so headed out after 9 and up along the trails. Body felt good and the very pleasant morning helped. The running was comfortable and the kilometres ticked by. Had to do a U-turn at one point on my trail as guys were out shooting (I presume deer) up ahead. You think you'd have better things to be doing on a Sunday morning. Anyway, diverted back and headed up the hill on a separate higher trail which took me all the way to the top. Handy enough pace on the downhill too. Didn't need to push it. Home to make breakfast for the hungry masses.
16.47k, 394m climb, 5:01 pace. 83.5k for the week.

Slogger Jogger

Monday:
9.42k run around Cabinteely at lunchtime, at a steady 4:40 pace.

Tuesday:
9.6k run around Kill O The Grange / N11, with a pace pick-up in the middle with some sub 4 min kilometres in there. 4.27 pace avg.

Wednesday:
Hit the trails again. A welcome distraction from the suburban pavements. Light was closing in, but I took a longer way around and really enjoyed this one, even if the running towards the end was taking a chance as regards where you were putting your foot - I need to develop night-vision.
12.24k, 4:37 pace, 238m of climb. Give me one of these runs to a run in the suburbs any day. Can't wait for marathon to be over so I can just enjoy doing these type of runs for the hell of it.

Slogger Jogger

Thursday: Running for the 6th consecutive day probably wasn't the best day for pushing the pace a bit but I'm a bit weird like that. Maybe it was the short window I had with the fading light that made me push it but in any event it worked. Headed out the backroads staying wholly on tarmac road for a change. Clad in my fluroescent yellow top to stay visible to the rare motorist I might meet. The idea was to do 10k distance. There wasn't a pace plan.. that just evolved as I ran. It was reasonably flat until 3.5k out and I ran that fairly strongly, not far off marathon pace. A blustery wind didn't help and it seemed to be more against me than not. Then the turn brought me up a hilly road, for some 80m of straight climb in just over a k. Kept the effort even and felt the burn but kept it going, head down, small steps. Levelled out a bit and turned around at the 5k point. Back down and used gravity for the next k or so... 3:49, 3:27 splits followed. Onto the level road again. Didn't notice the wind this time. Getting hard.. quads having suffered on the way up and down. Chest burning too. 3:45 and 3:48 and 3:50 kilometres followed nonetheless. 4:10 avg pace all in which is pretty good for a tough hilly 10k. Faster than the required marathon pace. Endorphins running through system now.. and a glass of wine.

donothoponpop

Sounds like a good run, blustery conditions out there! Just keep ticking over this week and you're in good shape. What's the plan for weekends LSR?

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Endorphins running through system now.. and a glass of wine.

Bang goes my five-day-old dry run, I'm uncorking. If it works for SJ...:)

Slogger Jogger

Cheers. I'm figuring on fitting in one more LSR c 30 to 33k depending on how it goes, Saturday morning. Up for it?

Carb loading starting early. Had a dinner at lunchtime, followed by left overs of last nights dinner when I came in. More freshly made dinner available too

donothoponpop

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Cheers. I'm figuring on fitting in one more LSR c 30 to 33k depending on how it goes, Saturday morning. Up for it?

I'll have to see how things go. Feeling very run down now, got chills and no energy- reckon its a 24-hr thing, but I expect its a bad idea to run long on Sat.

That's what I get for trying to keep up with PosNeg running up a mountain yesterday...

Slogger Jogger

Gorgeous morning for a run considering the time of year. Decided on a hilly route as I ran this morning and ran within myself for the most part. Felt very sluggish early on and this could be a sign of all the running this year catching up on me. Felt soreness building in the upper left leg as I ran and this made running downhill near the end uncomfortable. Ran through this as best I can seen as I expect I'll have to run through some discomfort come the big day in 2 weeks. I'm glad I'm now in taper mode. A great moment on this morning's run though saw a large deer running across my path on a forest trail, within about 10m of me. A great sight.
31.8k, 5:07 pace, 530m of climb.

Slogger Jogger

Decided to not run today after feeling the effects of yesterday's LSR so hopped on the bike instead late this afternoon. So much for the Indian summer weather that was expected.. Cool enough out there with a strong breeze which wasn't fun to cycle against. Happy enough though to stretch the legs a bit

Nice route though and just the distance for a long run at some stage. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/52430323

30.3k, 274m of climb, 23.4km/h

Total distance ran this week: 73k. Taper time.

Slogger Jogger

As I ran at lunchtime today the thought struck me that in 2 weeks time it'll be all over bar the shouting. Ran easily with my mate on a 9k loop around Kill O the Grange. Great conditions for running. 9.17k, 4:43 pace. No aches or pains after the Saturday LSR which is a good sign.

Arriving home this evening I so much wanted to run again (taper madness taking hold). Had to hold myself back and do some gardening instead :rolleyes:

Slogger Jogger

Quick update:

Yesterday, nice lunchtime run with friend Ian who is also aiming for sub 3 in DCM. Took it nice and easy. 8.4k, 4:39 pace.

Today, started slow and increased pace as I went along. By the time I had finished I had done the last 4k at 4 min/k pace or below and worked the overall avg down to pretty much MP. Very happy with this. Felt I was cruising it running along the N11. 9.85k, 4:15 pace. 60m of hill in there (mainly fosters ave) too.

Slogger Jogger

Thursday. Stuck for time. Brief window of opportunity to run around the roads from Charlesland. 7.69k, 4:13 pace

Friday. Backroads run near home. 8.26k, 4:19 pace

Saturday. 16.23k, 4:51 pace, 389m of climb. Today's run was the highlight of many a week. I forgot about the marathon a week off and ran for running sake. Stopped and took some photos en route. Took it handy on the ups and picked it up on the downs. A run to make you smile. D'pop.. you're hill is over there somewhere... Very curious to up on a hill looking down onto cloud.

asimonov

Nice one SJ, you're dead lucky to have those trails and tracks on your doorstep. Easy running next week!

donothoponpop

Wow, great photos! Only one more week left of this stupid road running, then back to those clear views for good:D

You still going to do that carb-starve diet? What runners are you wearing? I looked at racing flats today, crazy for a lump like me, but I presume you'd get benefit from them?

Slogger Jogger

donothoponpop wrote: »

Wow, great photos! Only one more week left of this stupid road running, then back to those clear views for good:D

You still going to do that carb-starve diet? What runners are you wearing? I looked at racing flats today, crazy for a lump like me, but I presume you'd get benefit from them?

Hi. Yeah, I'll give it a go. Don't know if I'll last though through to Thursday as I love my carbs. I figure on wearing my saucony racing flats that nearly got me to the 3 hours last year. I'll give them another chance to redeem themselves.

Slogger Jogger

Ideal conditions this morning for a nice half marathon ish distance run. That was the plan and it worked out fairly well. Took a backroads route out from Annacurra to Ironbridge on the Wicklow way and from there onto some trails before emerging out on roads again for the last 5k. A bit like yesterday I ran without thinking of next week or pace or anything really. Just took in the surroundings which were magic. Saw at least 6 deer in the trails below Rosahane cemetry near Ironbridge. Saw more deer on the run today than I did cars which tells you something.
21.8k, 4:41 pace, 268m climb.
In retrospect I probably ran too much this week but I'll reduce that total big time in the last week. 82.5k this week Monday through Sunday.

Slogger Jogger

9.6k recovery run this morning on tired legs around Kill of the Grange, 4:58 pace. Schedule calls for runs of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 miles over the coming days, so 6 mile run - Tick.

Going to give this carb depletion / carb loading thing a shot. What the hell. I'm not going to count carbs so its an approximated depletion. Usually I eat anything that moves or doesn't for that matter. Spent the day fairly hungry.. as didn't have the usual porridge breakfast or the scone mid morning. Lunch was a bowl of soup and a salad plate. Yogurt mid afternoon. Teas and coffees a plenty in there too. Couldn't cut out carbs completely (hunger rules and I have to be sensible) so had a sandwich when I came home. Dinner was a tuna, egg salad with other non-carb stuff thrown on top. Steered away from the pot of spuds that had been cooked for the clan. Hate this diet Still... its only a couple of days so brave face and look forward to the carb loading in a few days.

I think I'll go to bed early tonight and dream of beer and cake (not all at once).

donothoponpop

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Couldn't cut out carbs completely (hunger rules and I have to be sensible) so had a sandwich when I came home.

I'm no expert on this, so stand to be corrected, but from what I understand of this diet, it's all or nothing. Either your body is starved of carbs (and starts produce the necessary enzymes), or it just gets by with the limited carbs it finds (and doesn't produce the enzymes). So that sandwich brings you back to square one.

*Edit* someone posted on another forum that BO'S allows you 30g of carbs a day, so you're covered, and I'm talking crap as usual

Slogger Jogger

There's only a certain amount of non-carbs in my kitchen and I was starvin

I'll keep an eye on the weight as I conduct this experiment. Day 1, 67 kgs.

Slogger Jogger

8.25k at 4:41 pace at lunchtime. Strong wind made this far from enjoyable. Hope the weather is calmer come next Monday.

Continuing the carb depletion today. Not very enjoyable either. Didn't feel as hungry throughout the day as per yesterday. 2 yogurts for breakfast. Lunch: veg soup and tuna wrap (not completely carb free but a man has to eat) and you could go nuts simply eating salad plates from day to day. Had the munchies when I arrived home. Shared some of the kids popcorn which probably has no nutrional value but fills a gap. Had a quick snack of tomato, ham slice and cheese slice. Dinner was a 3 egg omlette with another ham slice and mushrooms. Yogurt desert. Lots of teas and coffees throughout day.

Weight, same as yesterday.. 67kg

donothoponpop

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Shared some of the kids popcorn which probably has no nutrional value but fills a gap.

You've only a day left, (and are bound to be cranky from your body revolting), so please take this in the spirit in which its meant http://www.carbs-information.com/popcorn/carbs-in-microwave-popcorn.htm

Cheers though, if a no-carb diet can include popcorn, a half bottle of red tonight has eased the pain of my no-alcohol pre-Dublin fast:D

Slogger Jogger

As I said.. not exactly carb free and a man can't go too hungry. :rolleyes:

You should know that I had to avoid a full carb dinner that was on offer (the OH doesn't think much for carb depletion) and bags of fresh doughnuts were bought in I think especially to upset me

Slogger Jogger

4 mile loop of Kill of the Grange, progressively faster. 4:14 pace. The theory is that blasts of speed on carb deprived muscles make them further depleted and ready to take on all the goodies I'll feed them in the coming days. I've a vague ache in some muscles so it could be working - despite the popcorn yesterday.

I'm not sure if its possible to have a zero carbs day without starving. Today was the 3rd and final day for me of the reduced carbs and I'm very happy its over. No porridge or cereal for breakfast. A small portion of fruit salad and a yoghurt was all. Lunch was a turkey wrap with soup and bits of salad that didn't look carby. Short run was after work. Dinner was an omlette with tuna salad. Was still hungry afterwards so gave in to having a treat afterwards and ate a doughnut. Well the OH offered it at least 5 times so it was the least I could do.

Weight marginally down I think. c. 66.5kgs. Need a digital scales for such precision but who cares.

RacoonQueen

God bless your (almost) perfect discipline. I've tried the whole meal with no carbs thing numerous times but no matter how much veg and protein you have you're still starving. :eek:

Slogger Jogger

RacoonQueen wrote: »

God bless your (almost) perfect discipline. I've tried the whole meal with no carbs thing numerous times but no matter how much veg and protein you have you're still starving. :eek:

I know! Never again. And who needs enemies when you've friends checking out 'you've eaten carbs.com' for every screed that you've ate.

donothoponpop

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

I know! Never again. And who needs enemies when you've friends checking out 'you've eaten carbs.com' for every screed that you've ate.

Just trying to help! I don't want you so thin I don't recognize my old mate as I slip by him over the bridge at mile 24;)

Enjoy your cornflakes tomorrow!

Abhainn

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Weight marginally down I think. c. 66.5kgs. Need a digital scales for such precision but who cares.

You sound that that daft tit Brigdet Jones ..... but I still love you man:D:D

Slogger Jogger

The good news is the low carb days are behind me. Real food tastes good.

The bad news is I've picked up an injury out of the blue Yesterday I had a mild discomfort in the left groin area. Never had a groin strain before but reckon this is what it is. This evening the discomfort level has grown and I'm even walking with a bit of a hobble. Lifting the left leg on my short run this evening was awkward. I'll try cold and hot treatment to ease it out. Injuries like this respond well to rest. Not much rest time left through. Not happy

5k around Charlesland, 4:36 pace

BeepBeep67

Hopefully it's just a niggle - colours to the mast time - what's the predicted time. Actually just tell me if you plan to finish in the morning or the afternoon

Slogger Jogger

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Hopefully it's just a niggle - colours to the mast time - what's the predicted time. Actually just tell me if you plan to finish in the morning or the afternoon

Any optimistic prediction has gone by the wayside I fear. Not even sitting or walking comfortably. 2 days rest might do me good. Time will tell.

kennyb3

Hot baths, lots of them. And get compression shorts for monday. Best of luck if you make it!!

Slogger Jogger

Great expo today. Wasn't in form to enjoy it as my discomfort continues and even walking brings an ache. Have had a couple of warm baths and have been icing up the sore area in recent days. I'm gutted to have picked up a last minute injury, out of nothing really, when I am probably in the best form I've even been for a marathon. C'est la vie. If I'm not 100% I still intend getting around the course as I'm part of the Wicklow Hospice group so I'd feel like I failed if I didn't do the course. Best of luck to fellow runners. In particular to the sub 3ers that I wish I was part of. Goes to show the very thin line between full fitness and something which can crash land your best laid plans. My last run was 5k on Weds. Feels like an age.

RacoonQueen

I saw you sitting down with the missus and kids but didn't want to scare your kids as the strange girl from the internet. Sorry that things haven't gone according to plan for you, was really gunning for you to go sub 3. Still time for a miraculous recovery.

Best of luck on Monday, whatever happens make sure you enjoy it.

Krusty_Clown

+1. Didn't get to keep track of the logs last week, so didn't realize you'd picked up an injury. But sure if it's not this marathon, it'll be the next one, or the next one after that. You'll be running sub-3's for a long time to come.

Good to see the young sloggers keeping you busy.

donothoponpop

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Great expo today. Wasn't in form to enjoy it as my discomfort continues and even walking brings an ache. Have had a couple of warm baths and have been icing up the sore area in recent days. I'm gutted to have picked up a last minute injury, out of nothing really, when I am probably in the best form I've even been for a marathon. C'est la vie. If I'm not 100% I still intend getting around the course as I'm part of the Wicklow Hospice group so I'd feel like I failed if I didn't do the course. Best of luck to fellow runners. In particular to the sub 3ers that I wish I was part of. Goes to show the very thin line between full fitness and something which can crash land your best laid plans. My last run was 5k on Weds. Feels like an age.

Feel gutted for you Mick, you never get injuries, and to get one now, in the shape you're in...

Listen, ENJOY the race if you run it, and soak up all the atmosphere you've missed on so many hard fast marathons you've run. Sub 3 is only a matter of time, there will be other races. See you Monday.

Abhainn

Gutted also Mick. Your never injured
I am sure sub 3 will come for you

BeepBeep67

Hope it works out for ya Mick - you'll be surprised how race day adrenaline can make the pain go away - be sensible though, plenty of other opportunities.

Slogger Jogger

I’d run a lot this year (nearly 2,200 miles) and generally ran well so I was looking forward to Dublin as an opportunity for a potential PB. A sub 3 attempt beckoned after 3:01:xx last year. This plan lay in ruins during the week when I picked up a groin strain out of nowhere and the prospect of not even starting was a real eventuality. I would have kicked myself not to have attempted to run and get a finish on the board at least. I was signed up as part of the great Wicklow Hospice Foundation group, more than 130 runners from around Wicklow raising money for this fine cause. I’d feel I’d be letting my sponsors down if I didn’t even try run, even though I was getting advice from various quarters not to run. Tried various things to help cure it. Lots of hot baths. Deep heat rubs. Ice cubes. And no running in recent days. Would it have the desired effect?

Anyway, to the big day. It’s strange to start a marathon with no pace plan. I’d no idea how the body would hold up so it was a case of starting and see what happens. Started near the 3 hr pacing group. Had no expectation of staying in that vicinity but started at a reasonable click. No major discomfort in the early stages. As I approached the 10k mark the dull pain in the groin was growing but it was at a level that I could get on with. Ran within myself. Scarcely looked at the watch at all in the race. Ran by feel really.
The race flew by. Took an isogel approaching the halfway mark. The fact that you can drink these gels back is good in my book. No water required. At each of the water stops I literally took 1 sip of water and that was it. Half way was a lot quicker than I would have expected considering the injury at c. 1:35ish but we all know that the marathon really only starts thereafter.

I could feel the pace dropping but I didn’t really care. I was getting more confident of actually finishing which was the new goal since Weds last. Some familiar faces passed me. I was locked in my own world. The pain in the groin dulled but was replaced by other emerging pains which the marathon likes to give you. Mainly quads. Again it was all bearable and I continued on. Saw some boardsies in passing including dp near Clonskeagh. Took my 2nd gel around this point. The miles continued to go by relatively quickly. I wasn’t mile post or clock watching which helped. Got up the hill and onto the N11 without any incident and from there it was a case of digging in for the next 6 or 7k. My pace was ponderous at this stage but at no time did I cramp or feel like walking. There must be something to the carb depletion / carb loading stuff I did this week. Seemed to work for me at least.

Had to smile at the buzz in the crowd when the 3:15 pacers went by me like a train heading towards Ballsbridge. Well done pacers and paces alike. A real Boards success that.

I was slow running along Nassau St. But, I was able to enjoy it and take in the atmosphere. Got a shout of encouragement from Bill Porter near the end. Crossed the line in 3:19:47. Some 18 mins off my best but I was still chuffed to do it. Afterwards, while I got cold very quickly I didn’t cramp (again unusual for me) – due to the carbs again?

Pre race my weight had gone up marginally to 68.5. Weighed myself when I was cleaning up this evening and my post race weight was a mere 65kgs. That’s what a marathon does to you.

Garmin measured 43:12. Pace: 4:38. Post race afterglow and carb loading begins. I’ll give running a miss for a week or 2 at least to try to ease away the soreness / any injury concerns. Afterwards I have full body tiredness but no discernable bad reaction from the groin.

7th DCM in a row and 22nd marathon in total. This was well up there in terms of overall enjoyment of any marathon I did, despite the injury.

tisnotover

Well done lad, great report there, def take the rest over next week or two, there's no rush back to it, you'll be flying up those hills again in no time!

Sosa

Well done mick...fair pay for doing it anyway....

Abhainn

SJ - Very respectible time considering you were nearly not going to start. Onwards 2011 beckons. Thanks for all the great race reports this year

--amadeus--

Well that must have been a tough race. Really gutted for you - I was convinced you were going to nail that last minute and set a cracking PB. But that fitness is all still there, couple of weeks off and a sneaky winter marathon to put us all to shame maybe?

Great run and race under the circumstances, congrats again

Slogger Jogger

Ha, those videos make for funny viewing. Don't know what kind of stride pattern I'm running with

Slogger Jogger

I haven't run since the marathon and I'm starting to feel fresh. Will probably do some easy runs during the week before the Powerscourt Ridge race next Saturday.

Today I brought 2 of my boys and joined up with dpop and kids for our first ever orienteering event. It was a blast. The course was short (easiest one available), then my kids were but 8 and 10, but some of the terrain was rough but epic in its own way. Views were great off the side of the hill, particularly from control 1 back along up the valley to where the Glenmacnass river was in full spate off the hills.

The yellow course was fairly handy and marked in places. The kids enjoyed the adventure of it all and splish splashed through the puddles. Lots more walking than running.

A brilliant event and the kids want to do more. Would be keen to try it out myself too at some stage. Next event I believe is at 3 Rock next week.

The format of the event is simple. 10 controls to find (at the easy level we did). You can start anytime between the advertised start range (11am to 1pm today). The control info is held on a 'SI' stick that gets downloaded at the finish point and you get a print out of your times. Simple but brilliant. Lots and lots of work go into making these events successful, theres no doubt. Thanks all.

Slogger Jogger