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Earning my go-faster stripes...
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Must. Find. Motivation. To update log... Let's continue the catch up quickly so, moving on to the week away (now two weeks ago, oy
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3rd - 9th September
Away all week for a mix of holiday and work travel. Running opportunities were always going to be very limited so I brought the gear but didn't plan to force it.
Monday 3rd - Torturous run around Dubrovnik
4.4 miles / 10:55 avg pace / 146 HR avg
The heat! The hills! Felt a bit decrepit on this. Left Dubrovnik to get a bus to Mostar, in Bosnia.
Tuesday 4th - no chance to run but lots of walking around Mostar. What a place.
Wednesday 5th - 4 (instead of 7) x 4 min @ CV pace plus some easy miles
8.45 miles / 10:27 avg pace / 156 HR avg
Interval paces (goal: 7:43 - 7:33): 7:37, 7:40, 7:34, 7:38
Half a session. I wasn’t very committed to making this a session which is never a great start, but it was baking hot, I had no water, and the footpaths kept randomly disappearing and I’d have to stop to let cars pass so maintaining a pace for reps was a bit impossible anyway. I gave up and kept the rest easy.
Left Mostar that afternoon. Felt as if my legs were still feeling the 20 miler from the previous Friday, is that possible?
Thursday 6th - easy run
4.1 miles / 10:15 avg pace / 143 avg HR
Lovely run, finally! In Sarajevo at a work meeting all day, but managed to get out for a short run between the meeting and the work dinner. A great place to run, it turns out. Ran along the river in the centre of the city. There were huge groups of runners out, as well as families out walking, kids learning to ride bikes, etc, great atmosphere.
Friday 7th - work and no chance to run
Saturday 8th - a "five hour" bus journey back to Dubrovnik that took 8 hours. No running
Sunday 9th - Home! 60 mins 'marathon effort'
8.8 miles / 9:09 avg pace / 154 HR avg
Splits: 10:37, 8:33, 8:41, 8:41, 8:50, 8:49, 8:33, 9:37, 10:06 (0.8).
Back to Dublin in the early evening and straight out for a run. In lieu of a long run or anything proper, decided to go for a 'marathon effort' run, whatever that might be. It felt great, nice to be running without worrying about getting lost for a change. The first pace mile was too quick and I kept trying to slow the rest of them down, although the last one came out way too fast.
Mileage for the week: 25.75
A poor excuse for a week's running, but I had built a buffer week into the plan to accommodate this travel so hopefully on balance it's not too big a deal.0 -
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To add to the other posts as well as doing your highest mileage week ever what is jumping out at me is that you also ran 7 consecutive days, you're bound to be tired after a week with no rest day. I don't know if you felt under pressure because you missed a couple of runs the previous week i.e. you were chasing lost miles (something i've been accused and guilty of myself recently) or if it's something that's part of a modified plan you're following... If it was just a one-off because of the previous week then there was no need but no point in saying that now, if it's part of your plan going forward then my own feeling for what it's worth is that there is a place for a rest day even in marathon training :cool:
There is something that often happens around 2-3 weeks before marathon taper and it's very similar to what happens the night before an exam - panic sets in and a tendency to start cramming happens! It's a case of suddenly worrying that you're haven't been doing enough miles and trying to cram in extra near the end. You've been following the plan brilliantly, proven with super PBs along the way, and you are set for a fantastic first marathon, all you need to do now is keep the head and let common sense prevail, mind yourself x
Edited to add - congrats on the 50 mile week by the way, great achievement!0 -
Thanks all, appreciate the input.
Grand I think, it was a stressful week for other reasons and that has an impact. Nothing serious, and I feel much better this week. Though nutrition could always be better, for sure!So, sleep isn't great, but how's everything (nutrition, hydration) else?
How are your legs feeling now??
Oh I must try the lavender - I love the smell anyway but I've heard it's good for sleep too, thanks for the reminderI think we are all getting to the heaviest stages of the plans and our bodies are tired and niggly. Definitely get yourself to a physio or sports massage and make sure you are having Epsom salts baths. They work wonders. I add lavender oil in at night time to help make me sleepy.
Would you normally run 7 days in the week? I don't think I noticed before, but that has to add to general fatigue also.To add to the other posts as well as doing your highest mileage week ever what is jumping out at me is that you also ran 7 consecutive days, you're bound to be tired after a week with no rest day. I don't know if you felt under pressure because you missed a couple of runs the previous week i.e. you were chasing lost miles (something i've been accused and guilty of myself recently) or if it's something that's part of a modified plan you're following... If it was just a one-off because of the previous week then there was no need but no point in saying that now, if it's part of your plan going forward then my own feeling for what it's worth is that there is a place for a rest day even in marathon training :cool:
There is something that often happens around 2-3 weeks before marathon taper and it's very similar to what happens the night before an exam - panic sets in and a tendency to start cramming happens! It's a case of suddenly worrying that you're haven't been doing enough miles and trying to cram in extra near the end. You've been following the plan brilliantly, proven with super PBs along the way, and you are set for a fantastic first marathon, all you need to do now is keep the head and let common sense prevail, mind yourself x
Edited to add - congrats on the 50 mile week by the way, great achievement!
Thanks both. No, I don't normally run 7 days, but I would frequently run 6, and the only extra this week was a 3 mile recovery which I don't normally bother doing. I only did it this week because I was at 47 miles so figured why not :pac:
I hear what you're saying but to be honest the tiredness was there from the start last week, so genuinely not to do with running heavy mileage because I hadn't at that stage. In fact, I was coming off a break. I think it was just down to life stuff really, nothing serious. I'm not chasing lost miles, I feel confident that I've put in the mileage fairly consistently so far and I'm happy with that.
Thanks again for the comments though, I'm really grateful for this community and being able to bounce thoughts off other people who are going or have been through the same stuff!
Now I just need to work up the courage to go for that sports massage :eek:0 -
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I haven't tried it that way actually, I'll give it a go. Though I'm not sure my brain will like it, it tends to go into total shutdown if I'm running (not during easy runs, obviously, but I don't need to do it on easy runs). I'm always amused/amazed at the people who talk about calculating finish times based on how their pace is changing in the middle of a race - I'm grand at maths normally but I'd struggle with even the most basic sums while running hardOn the counting to 100 thing, have you ever tried counting down from 100? That's my distraction method of choice. It might not be as calming as your way, though, but it takes the mind off the pain a bit.
How are you enjoying the (well earned) rest period? Started knitting yet?
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I haven't tried it that way actually, I'll give it a go. Though I'm not sure my brain will like it, it tends to go into total shutdown if I'm running (not during easy runs, obviously, but I don't need to do it on easy runs). I'm always amused/amazed at the people who talk about calculating finish times based on how their pace is changing in the middle of a race - I'm grand at maths normally but I'd struggle with even the most basic sums while running hard
How are you enjoying the (well earned) rest period? Started knitting yet?
Oh, yeah, it's really difficult and I never manage to count the full way down, so it distracts well from the pain but wouldn't be at all relaxing.
Enjoying not running a bit too much. I might want to get back into it sooner rather than later or it will be January and I'll wonder where my fitness has gone!0 -
DCM Training (Grads plan) - 5 weeks to go
24th - 30th September
Monday - 60 mins very easy
5.5 miles / 10:24 avg pace / 145 (155) HR avg (max)
A morning run to start the week. Surprised to find the effort rise a bit over the second half. Later in the day I was very aware of the ongoing niggle in the right hip and a bit in the knee too. I don't feel it at all when running but it's noticeable the rest of the time.
Tuesday - 3 x 12 mins @ Threshold (7:55 - 8:04), 4 min recoveries
7.25 miles / 9:23 avg pace / 169 (193) HR avg (max)
Intervals: 7:56 (1.51 miles), 8:03 (1.49 miles), 8:00 (1.5 miles).
A really tough workout. Done first thing in the morning and on empty, so tiredness was a bit of a factor. It took a really hard effort to complete the reps, and I really wanted to stop. As is often the case, once I calmed down and relaxed into it it got easier, but I was still very relieved to finish. Jogged all recoveries (slowly).
Wednesday - 3ish slow miles (instead of 60 mins very easy) + yoga
3.2 miles / 11:02 avg pace / 146 (161) HR avg (max)
Planned 6-7 miles and knew very quickly I wasn't going to stay out for that. It was taking a proper effort to maintain a pace slower than usual easy pace, and I figured the time would be better spent doing some proper stretching and foam rolling. Just regretted not having stayed in bed for the extra sleep instead!
30 mins runner's yoga in the evening had the legs feeling much better.
Thursday - 70 mins easy
6.9 miles / 10:27 avg pace / 149 (165) HR avg (max)
Better than yesterday. Slow to start this time too, but not as bad as the previous day, and it got easier. Effort is still definitely higher than it should be, but not alarmingly so.
Friday - 75 mins tempo (goal 8:30 - 8:14)
12.75 miles / 9:01 avg pace / 167 (187) HR avg (max)
Tempo splits: 8:44, 8:24, 8:12, 8:25, 8:36, 8:34, 8:24, 8:24, 8:14 pace for 0.88 mile
This was hard. It was a shock to the system trying to pick up the pace to start with, after the warm up, and I was a bit thrown by the effort required as I didn't expect it to be that bad really. After that it got better, but to be honest the pace varied a lot more than I would have liked, mostly according to gradient (did this in the Phoenix Park so it was fairly up and down). The grade-adjusted pace is a lot more even so I guess that's ok, but really I'd like to be finding this easier at this stage.
Saturday - 3 recovery miles + 30 mins runner's yoga
Beautiful autumn morning. Still tired, still feels like effort. Did the runner's yoga video again later and again it seemed to do wonders for my battered legs!
Sunday - 75 mins easy
7.7 miles / 10:17 avg pace / 142 HR avg
A nice run to end the week. Felt much springy-er than I have of late.
Weekly mileage: 46.3 miles
A week where I was grateful for the wisdom of Boards! I've been feeling generally tired and bleh and like I'm getting less fit and worse at running, but reading similar enough comments on the novice's thread and other logs makes me think it's (hopefully!) just down to where we are in the training rather than some other weird situation going on. So, perseverance! I guess this is what people mean by cumulative fatigue...
Oh and I bit the bullet and booked a sports massage last week, so I have that to look forward to on Wednesday 0 -
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A week where I was grateful for the wisdom of Boards! I've been feeling generally tired and bleh and like I'm getting less fit and worse at running, but reading similar enough comments on the novice's thread and other logs makes me think it's (hopefully!) just down to where we are in the training rather than some other weird situation going on. So, perseverance! I guess this is what people mean by cumulative fatigue...
Oh and I bit the bullet and booked a sports massage last week, so I have that to look forward to on Wednesday
You are doing some very solid consistent training!
This is good to read though, albeit selfishly.
I've been struggling for a while, and to my shame avoiding the novices thread (because they all look like their training is amazing on Strava). I feel like I'm going backwards...guess it's normal for some people.
Enjoy the massage - even if it hurts, it will do you wonders 0 -
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Come back to the novices! There are definitely lots of people flying through their training, but plenty of struggles too and sure we're all in it together.You are doing some very solid consistent training!
This is good to read though, albeit selfishly.
I've been struggling for a while, and to my shame avoiding the novices thread (because they all look like their training is amazing on Strava). I feel like I'm going backwards...guess it's normal for some people.
More like drag myself through them :eek:Major respect for the morning workouts, I imagine they are extra hard if the legs are still waking up but you seem to bang them out regardless!
Just good ol' youtube! Yoga with Adriene - have you come across her? She has a million different videos and I've only tried a fraction, but I like her style. She's fairly down to earth and approachable. This is the runner's one I've been doing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hTllAb4XGgIs the runner's yoga workout on YouTube or you purchased somewhere??
It was a bit of a shock realising how tight my hips are when I tried to do some of the poses!0 -
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The dread is no joke. I'm considering taking a load of painkillers before it. Or hitting the gin. At 8 in the morning... :eek:
Lol there'll be no need for that :pac: it may not be so bad for you - the fact you've no injury history and haven't been experiencing too many niggles bodes well for you
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I'm not sure I've ever managed to get my log update up on a Sunday evening, but that's what spending the day on the laptop doing 'college work' will do for you apparently
DCM Training (Grads plan) - 4 weeks to go
1st - 7th October
So here we are, somehow it's the last week of full training before the (oh so welcome!) wind down starts
Monday - 2 x 30 min tempo (8:30 - 8:14)
9.5 miles / 9:20 avg pace / 167 (189) HR avg (max)
Tempo splits: Rep 1 - 8:26, 8:25, 8:22, 8:16 for 0.58 | Rep 2 - 8:23, 8:27, 8:29, 8:31 for 0.55 mile
A sneaky one. The first 30 min rep wasn't too bad. It felt easier than the extended tempo last week, although the HR was as high I think so I was probably working as hard, yet it felt easier somehow. Not so for the second rep, which was pure misery. I was running into strong wind for the second half of it, and it was such a battle. I'm actually amazed I didn't slow down more, but I'm sure I was working harder than I should have just to keep in touch with the target pace. One of those runs where you feel sick afterwards.
Tuesday - 50 mins easy
4.7 miles / 10:55 avg pace / 150 (158) HR avg (max)
Still dead tired for this, not helped by very little sleep once again, but it was nice to be out all the same. Quite dark in the mornings now, already.
Wednesday - 40 mins easy + 30 mins runner's yoga
4 miles / 10:40 avg pace / 141 HR avg
Finally bit the bullet and went for a sports massage. After all the warnings I was expecting pure torture but it was suspiciously un-painful in the end. I almost felt cheated... PT said my legs were in surprisingly good shape for the training, so happy with that.
Thursday - Rest. Was going to go out for a short one but why bother really? I was knackered and the plan had this as a rest day anyway.
Friday - 60 mins moderate (9:30 - 9:14)
9.3 miles / 9:32 avg pace / 164 (181) HR avg (max)
Moderate splits: 9:26, 9:22, 9:13, 9:15, 9:17, 9:06, 9:17 pace for last 0.5 mile
Usually love these. Not this time. I was feeling it from the start on the warm up. Got through it fine but felt I was working a bit harder than I should have had to. Hoping it's just a case of cumulative tiredness.
Saturday - LSR day: the last big one!
20 miles / 9:51 avg pace / 161 (179) HR avg (max)
Let myself get a bit too nervous about this one, I think. I was afraid of not being able for it, because of how I've been feeling the last while. So I headed out cautiously and decided to keep it slow and easy throughout. It's easy to feel like you (I) have to throw in all sorts of stuff to try and make sure I've all the bases covered, but I have to remind myself this is my first time training for a marathon. Followed a lot of the DCM route for the run. Loved the bits in the park - it's stunning at the moment with the leaves all changing colour. We Dubs really are lucky to have it.
Fuel - took two gels to practice (mile 7 and 15 ish). First was grand. For the second I planned to try out one with caffeine as I've never used them before. It was disgusting but no adverse affects.
From about halfway I started to feel tired, and that continued pretty much to the end, but more like general weariness than anything more. I kept saying to myself, "I'm tired, but I can run", and just focused on keeping going.
It feels good to get it finished, and I'm delighted to note that I wasn't half as wrecked after it as after the last one, and the legs don't feel too bad at all.
Sunday - 35 mins recovery + 30 mins runner's yoga
3.5 miles / 10:28 avg pace / 138 HR avg
Felt great after the yoga.
Weekly mileage: 51 miles.
Aaaaaand now we taper
It feels gooood to have gotten to this point, but the actual marathon still doesn't feel real to be honest. I still find it very hard to think about the day itself and start getting organised for it. But that will come, I'm sure. For now I'm happy to have the heavy training done, and to hopefully start to recover a bit. 0 -
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My sister's been raving about Yoga with Adrienne for years but I finally tried it out this week after the mentions she's been getting in these parts. I only got as far as her 7 min post-run workouts but it was quite enjoyable - I must try the full 30 min runners work out sometime.Let myself get a bit too nervous about this one, I think. I was afraid of not being able for it, because of how I've been feeling the last while. So I headed out cautiously and decided to keep it slow and easy throughout. It's easy to feel like you (I) have to throw in all sorts of stuff to try and make sure I've all the bases covered, but I have to remind myself this is my first time training for a marathon. Followed a lot of the DCM route for the run. Loved the bits in the park - it's stunning at the moment with the leaves all changing colour. We Dubs really are lucky to have it.
Fuel - took two gels to practice (mile 7 and 15 ish). First was grand. For the second I planned to try out one with caffeine as I've never used them before. It was disgusting but no adverse affects.
From about halfway I started to feel tired, and that continued pretty much to the end, but more like general weariness than anything more. I kept saying to myself, "I'm tired, but I can run", and just focused on keeping going.
It feels good to get it finished, and I'm delighted to note that I wasn't half as wrecked after it as after the last one, and the legs don't feel too bad at all.
Super stuff eyrie, I think a few of us have to remind ourselves that it's your first time training for a marathon too, you make it look easy 0
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