Taming the marathon beast...

Murph_D

Yeah, well done, and good decision to stop when you did. Hope the physio looks after you!

Runchick

Physio today. Strained quad muscle, grade 1+ strain whatever that means, requiring a week off running Not too bad but enough to cause much worse damage if I keep running on it so I'm gonna heed the advice and suck it up. Told I could cycle if it doesn't aggravate things...just back from a 9 mile spin on the bike and no problems so at least I can do that. I'll ignore the fact that I bloody hate the bike - I get sooo bored :rolleyes: Ah well looks like I don't have to feel guilty about a 3 hour run during our weekend away this weekend - I'll just have to slink off to the hotel pool for some cross training Glad I squeezed this week's session run in - all being well I'll be back in action in time for next week's fun

Gavlor

Sorry to hear about the injury but how dare you diss the two wheels.... You'll be divorced!

It's only a week, so it'll probably do you the world of good

New runner

Gavlor wrote: »

Sorry to hear about the injury but how dare you diss the two wheels.... You'll be divorced!

It's only a week, so it'll probably do you the world of good

Sorry to hear u injured Runchick but at least u able to cross train so it's not too bad, u won't lose any fitness in that time esp when u can do some exercise . Enjoy your time away n try not to overdo it incase it makes the strain worse.

Runchick

Gavlor wrote: »

Sorry to hear about the injury but how dare you diss the two wheels.... You'll be divorced!

It's only a week, so it'll probably do you the world of good

Bike equals faffing about, sore butt, lycra, feeling cold. Running equals pure bliss - simples

Gavlor

Runchick wrote: »

Bike equals faffing about, sore butt, lycra

You said BIKE, right???!

Runchick

Gavlor wrote: »

You said BIKE, right???!

:eek:

Dilbert75

Sorry to hear about this A - hope you're just getting your injuries out of the way early.

RedRunner

Hope it's only a week Runchick. Speedy recovery and enjoy the break and come back strong.

blockic

Runchick wrote: »

Physio today. Strained quad muscle, grade 1+ strain whatever that means, requiring a week off running Not too bad but enough to cause much worse damage if I keep running on it so I'm gonna heed the advice and suck it up. Told I could cycle if it doesn't aggravate things...just back from a 9 mile spin on the bike and no problems so at least I can do that. I'll ignore the fact that I bloody hate the bike - I get sooo bored :rolleyes: Ah well looks like I don't have to feel guilty about a 3 hour run during our weekend away this weekend - I'll just have to slink off to the hotel pool for some cross training Glad I squeezed this week's session run in - all being well I'll be back in action in time for next week's fun

Tough break but the week will fly. What I want to know is what are you going to do at 6am in the morning now?

Hardly sleep? :pac::D

Runchick

blockic wrote: »

Tough break but the week will fly. What I want to know is what are you going to do at 6am in the morning now?

Hardly sleep? :pac::D

Haha truthful answer? core work, stretching, foam rolling then icing leg while reading boards.ie Absolute bliss to get this done while the kids are asleep What on earth would I sleep for

Murph_D

Tough break but could be worse of course; recover well.

Willie42

Enjoy the weekend away Runchick and hope you have a speedy recovery

Runchick

Back to physio today after a week of being a good girl and not running. Good news, injury well mended and I can ease back in...yeah right

Training for the past week looks like it belongs in a different forum:

Wed - bike, 9m...meh
Thur - bike, 20m...with company so good fun
Fri - rest
Sat - swim, 1k in 26 mins...haven't swam for a few years, took a wee while to get into it but enjoyable
Sun - swim, 1m in 39 mins...easier than previous day even though I was hungover :eek:
Mon -bike, 13m...windy, meh
Tues - bike 15m...again with company - so much better that way. I only have one speed on the bike regardless of distance, 15mpm on fairly hilly roads.

Anyway, back to running

Wed 4 Sept

4.63m @ 10.15 Av HR 145

Slow leg loosener to get back into things. Legs were really heavy from the bike, actually felt like I'd done a 20 miler the day before. The thought of adding a spin to my weekly routine has crossed my mind - definitely uses different muscle groups and surely that can only help things.

Planning Meno's session tomorrow but having read other reports so far I'm fully expecting 2 hours of torture :eek: I'm so excited though cause for the first time in many many years all my babies are shipped off to school (well pre -school for the little one) meaning I can run after the school run, yippee

Gavlor

A lot of people would be delighted with an average of 15 mph on a hilly route.....

Have you considered sticking to the bike and packing in that injury inducing boards addiction affliction called running??

Runchick

Gavlor wrote: »

A lot of people would be delighted with an average of 15 mph on a hilly route.....

Have you considered sticking to the bike and packing in that injury inducing boards addiction affliction called running??

OMG wash your virtual mouth out with soap, its absolutely ludicrous to suggest giving up this madness

Runchick

Thur 5 Sep - session day

12.05m @ 9.00 Av HR 158

2m w/u, 4 x 2@hmp with 2min recoveries, 2m c/d

HMP traing pace 8.15

1. 8.13, 8.08 - easy, fun, cruising
2. 8.15, 8.20 - bit more challenging but under control
3. 8.11, 8.26 - telling myself 'relax into it' - worked for a while but last 0.5m was hard
4. 8.14, 8.33 - wheels finally come off - only got through my giving myself a 1min rest between miles

Tough session but I gave all I had. I struggled to hold 8.30 pace in similar sessions in March so I suppose the pace is right and I'm making progress (slowly but surely )

Wrecked now but I promised my wee man I'd pick him up on the bike, what on earth was I thinking :eek:

Willie42

Well done Runchick - you're very hard on yourself, that was another completed session - so you stopped between miles (after mile 7 @ HMP)for a few seconds - you kept going and finished the session:)

Murph_D

Good session, Runchick - you managed a good average pace there and cheated far less than I did!

Runchick

Fri 7 Sept - recovery

3.61m @ 10.48

Uneventful except for being bloody freezing. Woke the house at 6.15am turning lights on looking for cold weather running gear :eek: Had long sleeves on but regretted not wearing gloves...brrr

Sat - rest

Sun - LSR - best ever

21.27m in 3hrs29 Av HR 147

One of those runs that you couldn't predict. Have had sore ears since yesterday, didn't sleep well and woke up a bit croaky. So today started with thoughts of giving up on DCM and heading back to bed. After some breakfast I felt a bit better so decided to head out and cut it short if I felt like I was struggling.

Planned session was 10m slow then 10m steady so my planned paces were 10 @ 10.15-10.30 and 10 @ 9.20.

Slow 10:
11.11, 10.38, 10.32, 10.17, 10.17, 10.22, 10.21, 10.11, 10.22, 10.19.
Took a while to get going. Walked part of first mile to adjust hydration belt (first time wearing this contraption but it felt surprisingly comfortable). Once I relaxed and got going I found the pace very easy - but I think that was the point.

Steady 10:
9.30, 9.14, 9.13, 9.08, 9.08, 9.02, 9.14, 9.17, 9.03, 8.51
Couldn't' believe how good I felt and couldn't resist throwing in a MP mile at the end. Felt strong throughout and could have run on. Was only 0.5m from home but doubled back to run over a mile c/d. Considered running further but didn't want to push my luck. Came home feeling fantastic. My last 2 LSRs have ended in dizziness and feeling very fatigued so this is a great confidence booster, something is working

I'm putting the sore ears down to time spent in the swimming pool last weekend. The last time I got sick I had spent quite a lot of time in the pool with the kids immediately before so no more swimming for me until after DCM. I took a few gels today too after 10m so that really helped too. The good days like this make it all worth while. Its something I love about running - just when you think you can't do it, you surprise yourself

DOCO12

Runchick wrote: »

The good days like this make it all worth while. Its something I love about running - just when you think you can't do it, you surprise yourself

Love it thats a quote we should all follow!

Go you, you absolutely nailed that session, steady miles seriously impressive, nothing like a good run to leave a smile on your face

Big Logger

Runchick wrote: »

Fri 7 Sept - recovery

3.61m @ 10.48

Uneventful except for being bloody freezing. Woke the house at 6.15am turning lights on looking for cold weather running gear :eek: Had long sleeves on but regretted not wearing gloves...brrr

Sat - rest

Sun - LSR - best ever

21.27m in 3hrs29 Av HR 147

One of those runs that you couldn't predict. Have had sore ears since yesterday, didn't sleep well and woke up a bit croaky. So today started with thoughts of giving up on DCM and heading back to bed. After some breakfast I felt a bit better so decided to head out and cut it short if I felt like I was struggling.

Planned session was 10m slow then 10m steady so my planned paces were 10 @ 10.15-10.30 and 10 @ 9.20.

Slow 10:
11.11, 10.38, 10.32, 10.17, 10.17, 10.22, 10.21, 10.11, 10.22, 10.19.
Took a while to get going. Walked part of first mile to adjust hydration belt (first time wearing this contraption but it felt surprisingly comfortable). Once I relaxed and got going I found the pace very easy - but I think that was the point.

Steady 10:
9.30, 9.14, 9.13, 9.08, 9.08, 9.02, 9.14, 9.17, 9.03, 8.51
Couldn't' believe how good I felt and couldn't resist throwing in a MP mile at the end. Felt strong throughout and could have run on. Was only 0.5m from home but doubled back to run over a mile c/d. Considered running further but didn't want to push my luck. Came home feeling fantastic. My last 2 LSRs have ended in dizziness and feeling very fatigued so this is a great confidence booster, something is working

I'm putting the sore ears down to time spent in the swimming pool last weekend. The last time I got sick I had spent quite a lot of time in the pool with the kids immediately before so no more swimming for me until after DCM. I took a few gels today too after 10m so that really helped too. The good days like this make it all worth while. Its something I love about running - just when you think you can't do it, you surprise yourself

Sometimes reading your log reminds me of watching a lassie film, with the apprehension and then the happy ending
Great to see the run working out well for you!

docjewel

Good session Runchick, it is amazing the buzz one gets from a good session.
That week off seems to done you no harm at all,it may even have been a blessing in disguise :-)

Murph_D

Hey, good stuff- really enjoyed this one myself and had a similar experience!

belcarra

The easier first half followed by the faster second half could be your optimum strategy for the main thing. Make sure you ease into it on the day and maybe aim for a slight negative split?
Well done on nailing it today anyways!

Willie42

Great session Runchick - out of interest what gels are you using - I tried GU Vanilla Bean on Sunday only took one after 10 miles but to be honest while I was not as tired immediately afterwards don't know if it did a whole lot either - probably should have taken more than one

Runchick

belcarra wrote: »

The easier first half followed by the faster second half could be your optimum strategy for the main thing. Make sure you ease into it on the day and maybe aim for a slight negative split?
Well done on nailing it today anyways!

I've never been able to start slow - I get the theory but just get excited and carried away on race day...typical newbie stuff I suppose...but after this LSR I'm really starting to get it. I honestly didn't feel tired after yesterday - I've never ran 20+ miles so easily...the negative split scares me though - there's not really room for slowing down in those last few miles and still staying on target...

Willie42 wrote: »

Great session Runchick - out of interest what gels are you using - I tried GU Vanilla Bean on Sunday only took one after 10 miles but to be honest while I was not as tired immediately afterwards don't know if it did a whole lot either - probably should have taken more than one

I have always taken High5 isogels. I've ran out of the normal ones though and only have the caffeinated ones left, so I had 2 of those plus an espresso before the run...rocket fuel

RedRunner

Delighted for you RC...great running.

Runchick

Mon 9 Sep - recovery

4.06m @ 10.53 Av HR 132

Early morning shuffle with the dog. Left calf (the one which is normally fine) very tight.

Tues - easy with strides

6m @ 9.31 Av HR 147

Easy with 12 x 100m strides. Only meant to do 10 but lost count. Really enjoyable session.

Wed - session day

13.2m @ 9.12 Av HR 155
2m w/u, 10m @ MP, 1.2m c/d

PMP 8.50 - 9min/m

MP spilts:
8.55, 8.46, 8.43, 8.48, 8.45, 8.46, 8.53, 8.51, 9.00, 8.51

Cruised through the first 7 but did have to work a bit more for the last 3. 9 was mostly uphill and that made the last one harder than I would have liked. Was glad to finish to be honest but not any where near as hard as the HMP session last week. Holding that pace for 26.2 is terrifying although I was listening to Scott Jurek's Eat and Run while running today and stories of running ultras make our wee ventures seem a bit more manageable

Tight calf absolutely fine today - rolling and stretching have worked

dazza21ie

Fair play Runchick your getting back into the grove at the right time, good session

menoscemo

Runchick wrote: »

Wed - session day

13.2m @ 9.12 Av HR 155
2m w/u, 10m @ MP, 1.2m c/d

PMP 8.50 - 9min/m

MP spilts:
8.55, 8.46, 8.43, 8.48, 8.45, 8.46, 8.53, 8.51, 9.00, 8.51

Cruised through the first 7 but did have to work a bit more for the last 3. 9 was mostly uphill and that made the last one harder than I would have liked. Was glad to finish to be honest but not any where near as hard as the HMP session last week. Holding that pace for 26.2 is terrifying although I was listening to Scott Jurek's Eat and Run while running today and stories of running ultras make our wee ventures seem a bit more manageable

Tight calf absolutely fine today - rolling and stretching have worked

Good stuff Runchick. A good rule of thumb I have for MP is that if you are still just about able to listen to the Radio/Podcast and follow everything then you are just about on MP. Sounds like you nailed it. You just have to start believing you can hold that pace....

Runchick

Thur 12 Sept - recovery

4.3m @ 10.54 Av HR 131

Fri - rest

Sat - LSR

18.06m @ 9.28 Av HR 157

Includes 4 x 2m @ MP:
8.46, 8.38, 8.42, 8.34, 8.40, 8.43, 8.40, 8.45
All other miles in and around 10 min/m.

Enjoyed this run although the last MP mile was mile 17 and harder than the rest. My only problem today was dialling in MP. Usually I can pretty well judge 8.50/8.55 pace without looking at the watch but here all the MP miles started around 8.3x and I spent a lot of time trying to get back to the correct pace. Not happy about this tbh as I want to get as much time at MP as possible at this stage.

Sun - recovery

5.13m @ 10.37

Howling wind, yuck...worst weather for running :rolleyes:

Another 50 mile week under the belt and legs feeling really good. Only concern at the minute is a lingering under-the-weather feeling - sore ears and throat which I can't shift. Wasn't helped today by my 5 year-old insisting on a trip to the swimming pool as her prize for being the pupil of the week in school...tried to convince her that the cinema was a better option but she didn't fall for it, meaning an hour spent in the pool - always a recipe for making me feel icky I have a week to shift it - Belfast HM next Sunday and I really want to run a sub 1.50. Not only do I think I need that to run a sub 4 in Dublin, but my OH has decided to run it - he doesn't run!! He reckons he could get around in 1.50 and there's no bloody way he'll be crossing that line ahead of me :eek::cool:

New runner

That made me smile Runchick agree you've got to beat him! Make that your motivating factor if/when u needing something to keep u going at the required pace. I think u will do sub 1.50 with no bother anyway. Take it handy this week, plenty rest, n an odd lie in really hope u have a great run in belfast.

ncmc

Great running over the last few weeks runchick, best of luck in Belfast. If you're feeling under the weather, then err on the side of caution and take it handy this week.

Laughing at your OH deciding to run 13.1 miles when he doesn't run! Your running fever is obviously catching! The five year old will be announcing she's running next

Murph_D

Runchick wrote: »

... my OH has decided to run it - he doesn't run!!

It's the Mr. and Mrs. Runchick smackdown. Take him down!

Runchick

Mon and Tues - rest

Only planned one rest day but took an extra one to try to get rid of the sore throat.

Wed - 10m easy with strides

10.46m @ 9.23

Meant to run at 10min/m but ran to feel and this felt very easy so didn't worry too much. Threw in 6x100m strides. Had calf maintenance work at physio - ouch - and legs feel great now though This close to DCM last year they were in bits so I'm happy with this side of things.

Thur - recovery

4.05m @ 10.40

First run of the season in a base-layer, chilly out there

Now for the not so good...ramble ahead...

Saw the doc on Tuesday suspecting yet another chest infection. No infection but I have inflammation on my lungs...I have exercise-induced-asthma and he gave me a bloody inhaler However he said I could still run but have to use this contraption before exercise. Now this brought up a lot of questions including if this explains why I can run at a slower pace for a long time but struggle with breathing when I speed things up? Absolutely. Could this be related to a proneness to chest infections. Absolutely.

I have found during HMP sessions that its the difficulty breathing that gets me - of course I thought this was simply down to lack of fitness but seems something else may be going on also. The doc said I should see improvement in a week (getting rid of the inflammation that is) - I said I don't have a week I only have 5 days (nutter alert :eek:) and he said I may feel some improvement by then but doubts I'll be really back to normal for about 2 weeks...not what I was hoping to hear.

So with Belfast half on Sunday I'm not a happy girl. I intend to wait until Sunday to decide if I'm fit to race it so I'll not run again until then. If I'm not feeling like I can race I'll run it at MP...this would be a real shame as I've done this in enough races recently and feel that training has been going well enough to reward me with a good race. If I knew now that I wasn't racing it I would continue training but I'm gonna stay hopeful and taper for Sunday.

The only upside is that training at MP is absolutely fine, I feel strong at that pace and don't have any breathing issues. I really don't think this will hold me back for the main event. After all the main thing is the main thing is the main thing :P

career_move

Jeez A sorry to hear that. Just be careful you don't do permanent damage for the sake of a race!

From the novices thread:

Dow99 wrote: »

remember the "Neck Rule"... anything that affects below the neck do NOT train

Runchick

career_move wrote: »

Jeez A sorry to hear that. Just be careful you don't do permanent damage for the sake of a race!

From the novices thread:

Thanks K I thought about the neck rule but the doc gave me the ok to run so I'm trusting his advice, I'll know myself if things have improved by Sunday, if not I'll not take any risks, as disheartening as that is...

Murph_D

Wow - sorry to hear that Runchick. But at least you know now what's going on. Didn't Paula Radcliffe have that too? Didn't hold her back too much!

RedRunner

murphd77 wrote: »

Wow - sorry to hear that Runchick. But at least you know now what's going on. Didn't Paula Radcliffe have that too? Didn't hold her back too much!

+1

There are lots of famous sports people with asthma.

Hope things work out for you this week and you have a great run on Sunday!

Gavlor

I think it's good that you've finally had that diagnosis. At least now you know what the issue was and will be in a position to keep it under control from now on. Today is the start of the your new, revived running career, starting with keeping that cyclist in his box

belcarra

I'd say just do Belfast like you would have before you got that diagnosis. Sure you'll be slower than optimum but at least you have a reason so you can have that as a very valid consolation of you fail to hit your target time. And then afterwards, when your asthma is under control, you will kick on and get even better times for sure. Seeing as the Doc says you may still run then there's no other problem really?

The main thing is you know what's sagging your performance and hopefully things will pick up for you from now on. Look at Claralara after she struggled through and then overcame the iron deficiency...her hard miles through the deficiency seemed to act as money in the bank and she hasn't looked back since (apart from taking the opportunity to see Meno's faceful of dust!).

As Gavlor says - you have just moved onto a new level with the diagnosis and things will only get better now that you can manage it!

Willie42

+1 to all of the above - at least now you know what you are dealing with - really hope Sunday works out for you Runchick in whatever form that now takes.

Runchick

Thanks for all the encouragement guys, I've 48 hours to shift this sore throat which just isn't improving but plenty of rest between now and then will hopefully help. If I'm running I'll be racing - life's too short

@ Gavlor - putting the cyclist in his box is such a good motivator - he went and bought himself the latest and greatest garmin yesterday just for this race...adding fuel to my fire..he's goin down :cool:

ncmc

Best of luck on Sunday Runchick, I know there's no point in saying take it handy cos I'm sure you're going to go all out, so just run safe! Looking forward to the race report.

blockic

Best of luck Runchick with the race, I'm sure the inhaler will be a great help for you now you finally got to the bottom of it!

Take hubby down at all costs!

DOCO12

Sorry to hear of the asthma Runchick but as the others have said least now you know what your dealing with and there will be no stopping you once you start treating it Best of luck on Sunday, especially with beating your OH

New runner

Best wishes on Sunday Runchick , give it your best shot , sorry hear about your asthma , hopefully inhalers will soon have it all under control , looking forward to reading all about it!

Murph_D

I second the above. Hope you have more benign conditions than in Dublin this morning! Run well.

Runchick

No HM for me this weekend, the sore throat has turned in to something much nastier resulting in a day on the sofa, barely able to walk never mind run and not able to go to work. Not overly bothered tbh as I just feel like cr@p. The news that some poor guy lost his life at the Dublin half today gives perspective, thoughts are with his family.