If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again

Emer911

Give it socks tomorrow girl!

rainbow kirby

I'm racing this one vicariously through you. Sub-50 please

jcsmum

So the aim was sub 50 in Dunshauglin. Wasn't sure how this was going to play out at all. My running has been pretty non-existant since Newry and combined with the negativity of that day I wasn't sure if it was going to affect me.

Had enough time at the start to collect my number, say hello to all the boardsies... and headed to the start line.
I was not prepared for that heat. I struggled until 4k. I had started too fast, I did my first mile in 7:20 and the second mile in 7:40 (I paid for that later!)

By 5k I had eased somewhat into it, but again at 7k I was struggling. I was absolutely exhausted. I did charge up the hill (it IS a hill!) and at the top of it, I nearly collapsed into the ditch. I avoided looking at the garmin, because as I was drinking from cups of water, I had to slow down and walk at this stage.

With about 1.5k to go, I checked my time and knew that the sub 50 was there for the taking. I put the head down and just went for it. The finish line was a welcome sight, boardsies shouting encouragement on the left, family on the right. Chip time 49:28

I have never felt so exhausted crossing a finish line EVER. The steward at the finish line had to help me take the top off my water bottle. Once I joined the gang again, my breathing came back to normal :rolleyes:.

I am absolutely thrilled with my PB. I found the race really tough. Again, all the questions about my sanity/ability have resurfaced. I am completing all my race goals, the sub 4 marathon is the only one left. I know in my heart and soul that the times I am posting now are the best I can do. My training is not intense enough to knock much more time off them.
To be honest I'm happy with that. I just want to enjoy running a bit more and concentrate less on the times and PBs.

(Yeah, I say that now..... who knows)

Mr Slow

Well done K!

Aimman

Well done, great stuff! :-)

RubyK

Well done jcsmum, I knew that sub50 would be a cert

Brianderunner

Great way to bounce back from Newry, well done!

pistol_75

Well done. Great time. Thrilled for you.

tHE vAGGABOND

Great work, well done

shazkea

Woohoo sub 50 - go girl, that's brilliant . Thrilled for you and a great comeback performance.

racheljev

Well done! Great time because, holy crap, it was tough out there (I'm such a wuss, i know!)

rainbow kirby

Fantastic running there on Saturday evening, those strawberries were well earned at the end

DigiJem

Congrats K, that's a great time given the heat, well done!

W.B. Yeats

Well done
Great running all things considered
Don't rule out the club entirely- there's a group that does long runs on Saturday mornings that might suit

Mr Slow

W.B. Yeats wrote: »

there's a group that does long runs on Saturday mornings that might suit

She knows us already :P

jcsmum

Mr Slow wrote: »

She knows us already :P

:pac:

jcsmum

Headed to Marlay in the evening for a change of scenery. Didn't bring the garmin, did 2 laps (4 miles), I think about 9 min pace.
First 2 miles were a bit ugh, second 2 much better.

Nules10

Just catching up on your fab PB. Well done you

claralara

Hey missus, just wanted to say well done again on a savage PB. Absolutely delighted for you. And you looked as fresh as a daisy when I saw you at the finish - granted you'd had about an hour to recover by that stage!

jcsmum

claralara wrote: »

Hey missus, just wanted to say well done again on a savage PB. Absolutely delighted for you. And you looked as fresh as a daisy when I saw you at the finish - granted you'd had about an hour to recover by that stage!

Oh pur-lease!!! :rolleyes: You should have seen me cross the finish line. Now there's a photo which could be used at Halloween!

jcsmum

Due to time constraints (story of my life), I only managed 4 miles yesterday afternoon. Because the run was short, I did up the tempo. No garmin, so no idea of time, but I felt like I was fast
I'm liking this 'no garmin' phase!

jcsmum

On Friday, managed 5 nine minute miles.

RubyK

Congrats on the 10K pb jcsmum, great running!

jcsmum

Saturday was officially a rest day before the Clontarf Half, although I did a 90 min walk around Marlay with 2 friends. Walking is so borrrr-ing!

Anyway, up bright and early on Sunday morning, probably a bit too early. I had a rubbish nights sleep and was not really prepared for running. We arrived in Clontarf before 8:30, picked up our number and did a bit of sunbathing before the race kicked off. The weather was glorious, obviously a bit hot for running, but who doesn't love a challenge :rolleyes:

My PB in Waterford was 1:52, so anything sub that would be great, but I wasn't going to put any pressure on myself. I have not enjoyed my last 2 races and I need to break that streak. I need to start enjoying this again.

I have no clue where I started, the start line was a bit of a free for all really.. think I was half way between the 1:45 and the 2hrs pacers. It was hot out there, but I was doing 8:30 pace and seemed pretty comfortable. I was running with some guy until the first water station, it passed the time for sure. He was aiming for a sub 2hr, so I felt I had more in me and I pushed on. Running on that soft sand wasn't easy, but it wasn't easy for anyone plus it was only for a short while. I forged on up the road from the beach and on to the prom again towards the half way point. It was distracting in a good way watching all the race leaders on their way back to base. Thanks to Digger for his shout out. I was in my zen like state by then. While the way back was definitely tougher, I never felt out of my depth or in pain or distress like I was in Newry or Dunshaughlin. I figured I would be sub 1:53 but not a second more! And I was right, by my watch it was 1:52:59, so am delighted with that. I needed a feel-good race to get my positivity flowing again. The half is definitely my favourite distance & a sub 1:50 is definitely on the cards.

Lovely to meet up with all the boardsies again.

rainbow kirby

jcsmum wrote: »

The half is definitely my favourite distance & a sub 1:50 is definitely on the cards.

Nice work yesterday, good to see you feeling a bit more positive about things again. Sub-1:50 is definitely there this year for you :cool:

Mr Slow

Well done K, you looked fine afterwards, there's definately more to come off of that time!

jcsmum

Mr Slow wrote: »

Well done K, you looked fine afterwards, there's definately more to come off of that time!

Thanks C, I felt that maybe I could have pushed it a bit more for the last few miles, but I was really enjoying it and I didn't want to jeopardise that. :cool:

RubyK

Another great run! You are in great form by the sounds of it

Nules10

Well done on a great run on sunday.

menoscemo

Looked like an easy run for you. You didn't even look out of breath at the finish. Sub 1.50 at the Dublin Half?