DCM 2012 Graduates - the next step

scriba

Ditto on everything said above. I only have a drink on occasions now, and even then, it'll be 2-3 bottles of beer or glasses of wine max. The days of lashing into pints are over. It wasn't even a conscious decision in the end, it's more a case of priorities. And running is way more important than drinking. It just kind of took over!

Well, that and I'm old and hangovers can last for days. Just not worth it.

Jesus, is it another training week already?

Runchick

Great to read so many positive posts today, something I really needed. I ran a recovery run this morning wearing a heart rate monitor for the first time. My fear that I was running too fast by heart rate came true. I ran 6 miles at a very easy 10.50min pace and average HR was 159! Way above where I want it to be for such a slow run. So now I'm confused. I know that to train by heart rate and build a good aerobic base would mean slowing right down and forgetting about pace, and this is something I think I want to do in the longer term. But with 10 weeks to go until Limerick I don't know what to do for the rest of my training.

Should I slow things down and work on 10 weeks of trying to decrease my HR on each type of training run, even if this means lots of running much slower than PMP. Or should I continue as I have been, running to feel even though I know this is way too fast going by heart rate. Which option will give me the best chance in Limerick? Very confused, any input welcome

menoscemo

Runchick wrote: »

Great to read so many positive posts today, something I really needed. I ran a recovery run this morning wearing a heart rate monitor for the first time. My fear that I was running too fast by heart rate came true. I ran 6 miles at a very easy 10.50min pace and average HR was 159! Way above where I want it to be for such a slow run. So now I'm confused. I know that to train by heart rate and build a good aerobic base would mean slowing right down and forgetting about pace, and this is something I think I want to do in the longer term. But with 10 weeks to go until Limerick I don't know what to do for the rest of my training.

Should I slow things down and work on 10 weeks of trying to decrease my HR on each type of training run, even if this means lots of running much slower than PMP. Or should I continue as I have been, running to feel even though I know this is way too fast going by heart rate. Which option will give me the best chance in Limerick? Very confused, any input welcome

I think that you just have to run easy and PMP runs seperately. Define some of your runs as PMP and run them at PMP (by pace).
Define other runs as 'easy' and run them by HR however slow that might be, (it doesn't matter how slow as it is training your aerobic system). The only problem with HR training is to define your 'zones' you need to know your max. Max HR can vary a lot in different people (even people of the same age/sex), so while 159 might be easy for one person, it might be 10k pace for another.

Runchick

menoscemo wrote: »

I think that you just have to run easy and PMP runs seperately. Define some of your runs as PMP and run them at PMP (by pace).
Define other runs as 'easy' and run them by HR however slow that might be, (it doesn't matter how slow as it is training your aerobic system). The only problem with HR training is to define your 'zones' you need to know your max. Max HR can vary a lot in different people (even people of the same age/sex), so while 159 might be easy for one person, it might be 10k pace for another.

Thanks meno that makes sense. I think I have read so much on this over the last few weeks that I'm in information overload - your advice has really simplified things. I want HR to be around 140 during these very easy runs so looks like they are going to take an awful lot longer. The dog will be delighted, she'll be able to stop more often :P

KillianByrne

Runchick wrote: »

Should I slow things down and work on 10 weeks of trying to decrease my HR on each type of training run, even if this means lots of running much slower than PMP. Or should I continue as I have been, running to feel even though I know this is way too fast going by heart rate. Which option will give me the best chance in Limerick? Very confused, any input welcome

You an I run around the same pace, I know that means nothing when it comes to HR, but I have started to pay more attention to it recently. Firstly, I'd wait until you get a few runs under your belt before you start to pay attention to the HR.

Keep running 'to feel' for a while and after you have a couple of runs done, then compare feel, times, distance and HR as a general package.

I've recently moved my 'easy' run to about 9.30 pace from 10 and it made little difference to the HR, maybe 2 or 3 beats. I still plan on keeping my LSR's at the 9.50 / 10 pace.

Give it time, today's run could have been affected by a whole host of variables like wind, temperature, hills, fatigue etc. let things settle down and look to see a pattern rather than one off runs.

miguelk

Wahey, this thread has sprung back to life!

Throw a bit of alcohol into the mix and everyone turns into a chatter box.

Runchick

KillianByrne wrote: »

You an I run around the same pace, I know that means nothing when it comes to HR, but I have started to pay more attention to it recently. Firstly, I'd wait until you get a few runs under your belt before you start to pay attention to the HR.

Keep running 'to feel' for a while and after you have a couple of runs done, then compare feel, times, distance and HR as a general package.

I've recently moved my 'easy' run to about 9.30 pace from 10 and it made little difference to the HR, maybe 2 or 3 beats. I still plan on keeping my LSR's at the 9.50 / 10 pace.

Give it time, today's run could have been affected by a whole host of variables like wind, temperature, hills, fatigue etc. let things settle down and look to see a pattern rather than one off runs.

Thanks Killian great advice there. I know I have only one run to go by but I was so shocked at the high HR it completely knocked my confidence. I shall be putting the HR strap on every run now and see what patterns develop. I think underlying it all I know I'm running too fast. Sunday's 18 miles was at 9.22 mpm pace. All the advice here and everything I know tells me that's a bit too fast but it felt comfortable and I couldn't bring myself to slow down. Maybe the HR strap will shock me into it :eek:

coalshed

Nice day for my first annual lunch time run.

five mile out and back from St James's Gate to the Phoenix Monument in the park-of-the-same-name.

Lovely sunshine out there.

I consumed no alcohol prior to the run.

Go spring!

scriba

I'm gasping for a daytime pint all day. Best do that 8 miler instead. Might even slow my easy pace too for it.

docrock

Runchick wrote: »

Great to read so many positive posts today, something I really needed. I ran a recovery run this morning wearing a heart rate monitor for the first time. My fear that I was running too fast by heart rate came true. I ran 6 miles at a very easy 10.50min pace and average HR was 159! Way above where I want it to be for such a slow run. So now I'm confused. I know that to train by heart rate and build a good aerobic base would mean slowing right down and forgetting about pace, and this is something I think I want to do in the longer term. But with 10 weeks to go until Limerick I don't know what to do for the rest of my training.

Should I slow things down and work on 10 weeks of trying to decrease my HR on each type of training run, even if this means lots of running much slower than PMP. Or should I continue as I have been, running to feel even though I know this is way too fast going by heart rate. Which option will give me the best chance in Limerick? Very confused, any input welcome

Hi Runchick,
I know absolutely nothing about heart rate monitors except that a guy put one on me in a gym one time to try it out when I was on a treadmill.I would imagine that judging your heart rate would be similar to someone getting a blood pressure monitor put on for a day as it averages it out over time as opposed to at a specific time.Your bp could be up & down depending on things happening during the day so I would imagine that your heart rate would be the same depending on what time of the day you run & at what pace etc so its probably beter to average it out over time on different scenarios - thats my 2 pence worth anyway:D

KillianByrne

scriba wrote: »

I'm gasping for a daytime pint all day. Best do that 8 miler instead. Might even slow my easy pace too for it.

I could never mix running & having a few pints. I would spill far to much to make it worthwhile.

coalshed

I used to cycle home from work years ago. I remember that just one Friday evening pint before heading for home used to leave me destroyed on the bike. It was amazing how much influence the jar had on my energy levels.

Murph_D

miguelk wrote: »

Throw a bit of alcohol into the mix and everyone turns into a chatter box.

scriba

KillianByrne wrote: »

I could never mix running & having a few pints. I would spill far to much to make it worthwhile.

Ah, former rugby player then. Specialised training.

ncmc

Decided to take another rest day after hurting my knee at Sunday's race. It's pretty ok now, but after a hectic finish to last week, I don't want to push it too much. Will make up the mileage later in the week.

I'm reading a great book, it's called Born to Run by Christopher Mc Dougall, it's a great read. It's about a low mileage runner who goes to a sports therapist about a mysterious pain in his foot, and ends up with him following the trail of an ancient Mexican tribe who can run hundreds of miles at a time, hungover, in sandals while barely breaking a sweat! It's a real rollicking read and it makes you long to be out running! Also there's a scene at the start were he's getting his gait analysed that had me laughing out loud.

Would highly recommend it, might be a good audio book for those that listen while doing their LSR's.

KillianByrne

ncmc wrote: »

Decided to take another rest day after hurting my knee at Sunday's race. It's pretty ok now, but after a hectic finish to last week, I don't want to push it too much. Will make up the mileage later in the week.

I'm reading a great book, it's called Born to Run by Christopher Mc Dougall, it's a great read. It's about a low mileage runner who goes to a sports therapist about a mysterious pain in his foot, and ends up with him following the trail of an ancient Mexican tribe who can run hundreds of miles at a time, hungover, in sandals while barely breaking a sweat! It's a real rollicking read and it makes you long to be out running! Also there's a scene at the start were he's getting his gait analysed that had me laughing out loud.

Would highly recommend it, might be a good audio book for those that listen while doing their LSR's.

Have that book, it's supposed to be the real 'inspirational' running book.

It's currently sitting in the massive pile of running books that I got as presents & said I'd read every night since I started running!

ncmc

KillianByrne wrote: »

Have that book, it's supposed to be the real 'inspirational' running book.

It's currently sitting in the massive pile of running books that I got as presents & said I'd read every night since I started running!

I wouldn't normally be into running books (I spend enough time thinking about it as it is) but this is really entertaining and you definitely don't need to be a runner to enjoy it. If you like travelogue/adventure type books then you'll love it. The running part is a bonus!

coalshed

ncmc wrote: »

I wouldn't normally be into running books (I spend enough time thinking about it as it is) but this is really entertaining and you definitely don't need to be a runner to enjoy it. If you like travelogue/adventure type books then you'll love it. The running part is a bonus!

Yup, it's a great read. I've been eating chia seeds ever since I read it - they feature in the book as a staple food of the people the author ends up running with.

RedRunner

ncmc wrote: »

Decided to take another rest day after hurting my knee at Sunday's race. It's pretty ok now, but after a hectic finish to last week, I don't want to push it too much. Will make up the mileage later in the week.

I'm reading a great book, it's called Born to Run by Christopher Mc Dougall, it's a great read. It's about a low mileage runner who goes to a sports therapist about a mysterious pain in his foot, and ends up with him following the trail of an ancient Mexican tribe who can run hundreds of miles at a time, hungover, in sandals while barely breaking a sweat! It's a real rollicking read and it makes you long to be out running! Also there's a scene at the start were he's getting his gait analysed that had me laughing out loud.

Would highly recommend it, might be a good audio book for those that listen while doing their LSR's.

Read that book. Found the first 100 pages are hard read but after that it was brilliant. Was on the chia seeds soon after but haven't tried them since maraton training. Must try them out again.

RedRunner

6.52 Club Run with StephenR tonight @8.19avg moving pace(couple of traffic light stops)

Enjoyed this, it was a perfect tempo run for me at this stage in my recovery from injury and it was great to meet another boardsie. We were like the Boardsie twins with the Boards AC tops!:) Ste went off for an extra couple of miles , sticking religiously to his P&D plan no doubt. Went out with a group of five, there werent many members around due to race on tonight and one scheduled tomorrow too.

Hopefully this will be a regular run now and we can edge our way into the club scene.

ncmc

I must try some chia seeds, I wouldn't be the best when it comes to my diet so need all the help I can get!

tang1

With all the talk of alcohol it turns out i had genuine reason to have a drink tonight, my wife got a promotion at work so i had to help her celebrate. Got just over 5 miles in earlier so don't feel to guilty. Does 18 holes of golf count as cross training?? Played this morning in Carton House, lovely morning to do anything. Weighed myself this morning for first time in ages, down to 79kgs, thats a 10kg loss on Christmas according to my diary, delighted with that.

RedRunner

ncmc wrote: »

I must try some chia seeds, I wouldn't be the best when it comes to my diet so need all the help I can get!

They are tiny little things that taste of nothing at all!. I used to throw a spoonful over my porridge. A guy in work used them in his water in long runs raher than using gels. When in water though they expand and has a weird texture. I heard someone refer to it once as like drinking frog spawn!..Yuk

I probably didn't use them enough to know if they made any difference or not though but I have seen an increae recently in them being put forward as another "super food". I have sliced pan in the kitchen for instance now and it has chia seeds in it. Only noticed that by accident though.

blockic

tang1 wrote: »

With all the talk of alcohol it turns out i had genuine reason to have a drink tonight, my wife got a promotion at work so i had to help her celebrate. Got just over 5 miles in earlier so don't feel to guilty. Does 18 holes of golf count as cross training?? Played this morning in Carton House, lovely morning to do anything. Weighed myself this morning for first time in ages, down to 79kgs, thats a 10kg loss on Christmas according to my diary, delighted with that.

Congrats tang on the weight loss, that's great going I'd say Carton is nice alright, would love to get up there some day for a round and of course it counts...I'm going 'cross-training' saturday!

rasher_m

tang1 wrote: »

With all the talk of alcohol it turns out i had genuine reason to have a drink tonight, my wife got a promotion at work so i had to help her celebrate. Got just over 5 miles in earlier so don't feel to guilty. Does 18 holes of golf count as cross training?? Played this morning in Carton House, lovely morning to do anything. Weighed myself this morning for first time in ages, down to 79kgs, thats a 10kg loss on Christmas according to my diary, delighted with that.

Carton House is lovely, went for a nice meal and a conference there a few months ago and then into Maynooth for a going away party. Was as sick as a dog the next day, up and into work first thing.

tang1

blockic wrote: »

Congrats tang on the weight loss, that's great going I'd say Carton is nice alright, would love to get up there some day for a round and of course it counts...I'm going 'cross-training' saturday!

Cheers blockic, played the O'Meara it was nice but expected more to be honest. It was bit un-kept in places. Wheres the cross country race??

tang1

rasher_m wrote: »

Carton House is lovely, went for a nice meal and a conference there a few months ago and then into Maynooth for a going away party. Was as sick as a dog the next day, up and into work first thing.

Yeah the hotel was lovely, Irish Rugby team were there and my wife has a soft spot for Donnacha Ryan, like a rabbit in headlights when she seen him at breakfast this morning! Hes a seriously big man!

rasher_m

tang1 wrote: »

Yeah the hotel was lovely, Irish Rugby team were there and my wife has a soft spot for Donnacha Ryan, like a rabbit in headlights when she seen him at breakfast this morning! Hes a seriously big man!

Yeah, thats where they train isn't it...I remember they were there when we were as well but I didn't spot any of them. I like Johnny Sexton myself

blockic

tang1 wrote: »

Cheers blockic, played the O'Meara it was nice but expected more to be honest. It was bit un-kept in places. Wheres the cross country race??

Yeah, I hear the changes there won't be ready in time for the Irish Open either so they have to switch back to the Monty course.

Heading to Esker with the lads across the water in the Golf forum on Saturday. Love the course, ran there once before Very undulating so defo not a PB course! Weathers looking dodge though!

RunningKing

Make sure you wear your spikes.....