Run for your life!!!!

ariana`

coogy wrote: »

Thanks D, it certainly helped to put the previous week's experience to bed.

I think what I experienced more than anything that day was pure nerves and zero adrenaline.

It's interesting you feel that way when adrenaline is typically released as a response to nerve wracking situations.

Well done on the 5k. Nothing easy about getting a big PB like that in a solo TT.

coogy

ariana` wrote: »

It's interesting you feel that way when adrenaline is typically released as a response to nerve wracking situations.

Well done on the 5k. Nothing easy about getting a big PB like that in a solo TT.

Thanks E! I think I must associate the adrenaline rush with situations that cause excitement as well as nerves.

On the whole, my experiences with time trials over the last few months have been hit and miss (mostly miss) so with each one that I prepare for, there is a huge amount of trepidation in the days leading up to it, which in turn creates a level of anxiety that is both irrational and uncontrollable.

Basically, I just need to CHILL THE HELL OUT! :rolleyes:

coogy

Brief update here, no details of any runs or sessions....more a moment of reflection and random ponderings.

Since my failed 10k time trial on 4th July, I have been going through a period of a serious lack of confidence/form/ability that I am finding impossible to shake off. There have been several occasions since - almost exclusively on session days when I would be running at pace - where I have had to do everything in my power to not pull the plug and collapse like a sack of spuds.
The 5k time trial I did a few weeks ago ("hilariously" illustrated above) was no joke. With my breathing once again all over the place, the last km was pure torture and I was so wasted that my pace for the last 100 metres dropped to what felt like walking pace. A 5k PB of 19:16 felt meaningless.
Last week, a four mile session (6:40 pace) ended prematurely with a whole mile left to run, as a result of another meltdown.
This morning's 6km run (6:50 pace) was also a struggle with me just about holding it together without having to pack it in early.
The upshot of all of this is that the confidence has taken a severe pounding, not helped by the knock-on effect each of these episodes is having on my running. To the point where I am asking lots of questions of myself, the most frequent being "are you actually up to this?"
The jury is still out.
A week of no running a couple of weeks ago should have had me raring to go but all it did was put the feelings of anxiety on ice.

What's the problem? Hard to say really. Coach says I should try not to over-analyse it and that things will just fall into place.
However, over-analysing things is something I AM very good at so I have been doing plenty of it. My last race (the Naas 10 mile) back in March was a world away from what I am experiencing. Now, I can't even run 4 miles at that pace without thoughts of stopping or desperately trying to control out-of-control breathing.

In short, I am clearly stuck in a rut and I just need to find a way to break out of it. How long that takes is down to me but the way things are right now, it can only get better. I know that sometimes we go through a bad patch from time to time. This feels different though.

Would be very interested to hear if any of you out there have had similar experiences.


Hope everyone's doing well.

Treviso

Hey K,

Sorry to hear that you're suffering from a lack of confidence but I do think you are being incredible harsh on yourself. I am finding my training at the moment very tiring myself. Indeed this week, I have taken a mini break of easy running to give my legs some welcome relief. I had an abandoned session a few weeks back too, which came as a shock

There are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration

- Weather at the moment is incredibly hot and humid, it can cause the out of control breathing quite easily. If the weather is quite humid, I would normally dial back the pace a bit to allow for it.
- These are unprecedented times with COVID. Everything has turned upside down and every which way. People seemed more focussed at the start of the initial lockdown but the longevity of the whole thing has worn down everyone. It has been mentally draining in different ways and there seems to be no end in sight.
- Running 6:40 in a race is so different to running it in a session, even if it is only 4 miles. I ran a similar 10 mile in February and still find any session at that pace quite taxing
- Similar to the last one, 10 seconds a mile is a big difference when you're running around the 6:xx mark. Trying to improve from 6:40 to 6:30 does not come as easy, unfortunately, as going from 7:10 to 7:00

Lastly, you need to step back and look at the improvements you've made this year as a runner. You, like the rest of us, just need some races to happen in order to seek fulfilment for all our sacrifices. It will happen (I hope!!)

The worst thing you could do now is to ease up/stop your running - I think you would regret it and then find you'll need to build up the fitness all over again. Maybe a change of strategy, focus on HM training maybe? Longer runs at a slower pace

Comic Book Guy

Hey K,

T has done a great job above so not much I would add.
I wouldn't underestimate the mental side of things at the moment. Those speed sessions are so much easier when you actually have a race and a goal to focus on and drive you on.

Race pace is also what it says- pace you are capable of running in a race. I know I can't replicate race pace in solo sessions. There's nothing like having runners on the road up ahead to drive you on through the pain, it's only natural that your body and mind will give out when trying to push when you are by yourself on a training run.

Like T said focus on how far you have come in the last 2 years. You have made unreal progress in that time and I'm certain you will continue to do so.
Try mix up your training, new routes, new sessions etc.
Heck all the inspiration you need is in this log, just flick back to your DCM19 report!

coogy

Treviso wrote: »

Hey K,

Sorry to hear that you're suffering from a lack of confidence but I do think you are being incredible harsh on yourself. I am finding my training at the moment very tiring myself. Indeed this week, I have taken a mini break of easy running to give my legs some welcome relief. I had an abandoned session a few weeks back too, which came as a shock

There are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration

- Weather at the moment is incredibly hot and humid, it can cause the out of control breathing quite easily. If the weather is quite humid, I would normally dial back the pace a bit to allow for it.
- These are unprecedented times with COVID. Everything has turned upside down and every which way. People seemed more focussed at the start of the initial lockdown but the longevity of the whole thing has worn down everyone. It has been mentally draining in different ways and there seems to be no end in sight.
- Running 6:40 in a race is so different to running it in a session, even if it is only 4 miles. I ran a similar 10 mile in February and still find any session at that pace quite taxing
- Similar to the last one, 10 seconds a mile is a big difference when you're running around the 6:xx mark. Trying to improve from 6:40 to 6:30 does not come as easy, unfortunately, as going from 7:10 to 7:00

Lastly, you need to step back and look at the improvements you've made this year as a runner. You, like the rest of us, just need some races to happen in order to seek fulfilment for all our sacrifices. It will happen (I hope!!)

The worst thing you could do now is to ease up/stop your running - I think you would regret it and then find you'll need to build up the fitness all over again. Maybe a change of strategy, focus on HM training maybe? Longer runs at a slower pace

Thanks for your input T, much appreciated.
I think what you've said makes perfect sense and I know that the race environment is a different kettle of fish completely to a session or time trial. Sometimes it surprises me, or sometimes I simply forget just how different.
In some ways, in running terms, perhaps I've been oblivious to the impact the last 5 or 6 months has had and that right now, it's starting to show.
You're right too, I am most likely being hard on myself. This is not new. What I always thrived on was not only taking part in races but also seeing how I was improving with each one.
Training for such a sustained period without a target race to aim for is that is a hard pill to swallow but as you said, we're all in the same boat.
Definitely lots of food for thought here.

Cheers!

coogy

Comic Book Guy wrote: »

Hey K,

T has done a great job above so not much I would add.
I wouldn't underestimate the mental side of things at the moment. Those speed sessions are so much easier when you actually have a race and a goal to focus on and drive you on.

Race pace is also what it says- pace you are capable of running in a race. I know I can't replicate race pace in solo sessions. There's nothing like having runners on the road up ahead to drive you on through the pain, it's only natural that your body and mind will give out when trying to push when you are by yourself on a training run.

Like T said focus on how far you have come in the last 2 years. You have made unreal progress in that time and I'm certain you will continue to do so.
Try mix up your training, new routes, new sessions etc.
Heck all the inspiration you need is in this log, just flick back to your DCM19 report!

Thanks J.
You both reminded me how far I've come in the last two years which is definitely a positive but what I forget is that I've really only been running at this level for three years. I'm still a relative newbie compared to most folks on here.
My downfall is that I am sometimes impatient for success and that when I dont see any evidence of any improvements being made - or in this case, when I feeling am going backwards - it gets inside my head and niggles away until I start questioning myself. Just like I am right now.
I know things will come good eventually. Patience!!!!

Laineyfrecks

I'm really sorry to hear that you are struggling K but I have absolutely no doubt that it will pass & that's not me being dismissive! I completely echo what the 2 boys have already said...
Times are different & I think it's something we are going to have to get used to for a long time yet. No races plays a huge factor in us runners having a lack of motivation as they have always been there previously as a target at the end of a plan & now they are not. At the start of lockdown most people were super motivated about one thing or another but the longer this has gone on I feel the more people are being affected by it mentally. I still run 6 days a week & luckily I found my love for it again as I did have a huge wobble during the height of lockdown. As the boys mentioned you have made huge gains since I started on here!! I remember messaging you about the marathon for a bit of advice as so many people said we were quite simular & you gave me some sound advice so I would like to repay that! Find your love for running again! If it means dialing back from the numbers & pressure of sessions then try that, but find that enjoyment again
I have absolutely no doubt that we will see a lot more gains from you in the future but for now be kind to yourself, you will get there:)

coogy

Laineyfrecks wrote: »

I'm really sorry to hear that you are struggling K but I have absolutely no doubt that it will pass & that's not me being dismissive! I completely echo what the 2 boys have already said...
Times are different & I think it's something we are going to have to get used to for a long time yet. No races plays a huge factor in us runners having a lack of motivation as they have always been there previously as a target at the end of a plan & now they are not. At the start of lockdown most people were super motivated about one thing or another but the longer this has gone on I feel the more people are being affected by it mentally. I still run 6 days a week & luckily I found my love for it again as I did have a huge wobble during the height of lockdown. As the boys mentioned you have made huge gains since I started on here!! I remember messaging you about the marathon for a bit of advice as so many people said we were quite simular & you gave me some sound advice so I would like to repay that! Find your love for running again! If it means dialing back from the numbers & pressure of sessions then try that, but find that enjoyment again
I have absolutely no doubt that we will see a lot more gains from you in the future but for now be kind to yourself, you will get there:)

And the award for the most delayed response to a posT on the Training Logs thread goes to.........(seriously, can we please make that a thing?)

E, I did read your message that you posted (over a month ago!) but I completely forgot to acknowledge it!!! :rolleyes:

Thanks for your words of encouragement, I do appreciate it.

Thankfully, in a much better place now, and am able to think way more clearly in terms of my running and my goals. More importantly, I am enjoying my running now more than I ever did.
I guess life throws us these curveballs from time to time and some are just more prickly to deal with than others.

Onwards and upwards!!

coogy

Is this thing on?

Ok, I think it míght be time to resurrect the ol' logging. No harm eh? Let's see if I can remember how to do this......

Hope you've all been well. In short, it's been a bit of a mixed bag since my last log entry. Finished 2020 on a reasonably high note, running a sub-1:30 half marathon for the first time and ending the year with a 19:05 5k time trial.
Sat out most of January, February and March with a niggly knee so gave it plenty of rest and treated myself to a few physio appointments.
Very gradually eased my way back into it and am happy to say that all appears to be tickety-boo. Ran a 20:02 5k time trial last weekend so lots to work on but defo heading in the right direction. Training paces are picking up too so all is good.

Can't say I'm keen on running any virtual races, would rather hold out for whatever actual races become available between now and the end of the year.
So yeah, raring to go again!!

Comic Book Guy

Welcome back K!

Great to see the mileage creeping up after your injury layoff.

Laineyfrecks

Ah welcome back. Glad to hear things are going in the right direction for you

coogy

Ok, may as well get this show back on the road........



Monday 17th May
Rest day


Tuesday 18th May
5 miles @ 8:00



Wednesday 19th May
6 x 800s @ 6:30 pace, off 90 secs
Started off with a 1.5 mile warm up of Griffeen Park before the session.
The loop I was using measures 600m exactly and it's nice a flat too so it's great for sessions like this one.
Can't quite remember the last time I did 800's but what I do remember is the feeling after rep number six.
Paces were: 6:25/6:24/6:17/6:21/6:24/6:23


Thursday 20th May
4 miles easy


Friday 21st May
Rest day



Saturday 22nd May
4 mile progression run
Back down to Griffeen for 4 loops of the main park. Woke up that morning with a feeling of dread about the session ahead and the hurt that it would involve. So much so, that half way through my warm up, I was in two minds about turning back for home. Just didn't feel right.
Anyway, we'll not go over old ground......
Finished the warm up and did some drills and stretches and got ready for the off.
Target pace for mile 1 - 7:30 min/mile pace. Actual - 7:28. Handy enough without any problems
Target pace for mile 2 - 7:00 min/mile pace. Actual - 6:58. Reasonably manageable pace but conscious of the effort levels needed here
Target pace for mile 3 - 6:45 min/mile pace. Actual - 6:43. First signs of having to push hard to hit target pace
Target pace for mile 4 - 6:30 min/mile pace. Actual - 6:31. Most of this mile was spent really struggling to reach the desired pace and even for the last quarter of a mile, when I put the foot down even ore, I just about managed to shade it.

Clearly, still in 'comeback' mode but boy, that was by far the toughest test in the last few weeks.



Sunday 23rd May
10 miles easy
Headed down to St. Catherine's Park for a mixture of forest trails, fields and paths. Weather was ok but the skies showed ominous signs of what was in store. Managed to avoid the worst of the rain and kept the paces in and around the 8:15/8:20 mark. Enjoyed this.


Miles for the week: 33
Miles for the year: 366

coogy

Forgot to post this at the weekend!


Monday 24th May
Rest day


Tuesday 25th May
4 miles @ approx 8:15
Yadda yadda yadda.



Wednesday 26th May
6 mile out and back run - 3 miles @7:30/3 miles @7:00
Warm day for this I seem to recall (my memory is shot!) and by the end of the 3 miles @7:30, I wasn't sure if I had another 3 miles in me at a quicker pace.
Turns out, I did, but just about. I started to wonder what coach had in store for me with this particular session. I had a hunch but I tried my best to put it out of my head


Thursday 27th May
5.5 miles @ 8:00



Friday 28th May
Rest day



Saturday 29th May
4 x 2 mins, off 1 min/4 x 1 min, off 30 sec/4 x 30 sec, off 15 secs. 2 mins rec between sets.
Beautiful morning for it, and in a way, I was grateful for the presence of the Griffeen (not Parkrun) crowd who were gathered just beside where I was doing the session. Most of them had just finished their runs and having them there made me feel more confident of the session going well. Hard to explain.
That said, I was also quite self-conscious of them being there also in case I ended up looking like a pleb.
Average paces for each set were: 6:15, 5:45, 5:30


Sunday 23rd May
9 miles easy
Absolutely stunning morning out, and knowing that St. Catherine's Park gives some wonderful views out over Dublin, I decided to head there again for a nice relaxing Sunday stretch.

Afterwards, the following week's schedule was waiting for me in my inbox and lo and behold, my hunch was right. 'Saturday, 5k TT'. :rolleyes:


Miles for the week: 33.72
Miles for the year: 400

coogy

Sorry, a little more about this 5k TT at the weekend.

Coach is thinking that I'll do it in or around 19:20 and I would be reasonably pleased with that but he also said that he wouldn't be surprised if I just shaded a sub-19. Obviously, going into a 5k time trial, it's not ideal to not have a pacing strategy so I'm trying to get a sense of where I'm at and what I think I might be capable of on Saturday.
Currently looking at possible locations that I'm familiar enough with but where I've not done a 5k time trial before. Maybe Phoenix Park (Ashtown Castle loop) or Catherine's Park.


The 5k distance will always torment me, no matter what.

AL_Andreasen

coogy wrote: »

Sorry, a little more about this 5k TT at the weekend.

Coach is thinking that I'll do it in or around 19:20 and I would be reasonably pleased with that but he also said that he wouldn't be surprised if I just shaded a sub-19. Obviously, going into a 5k time trial, it's not ideal to not have a pacing strategy so I'm trying to get a sense of where I'm at and what I think I might be capable of on Saturday.
Currently looking at possible locations that I'm familiar enough with but where I've not done a 5k time trial before. Maybe Phoenix Park (Ashtown Castle loop) or Catherine's Park.


The 5k distance will always torment me, no matter what.

Just remember to save some energy for the last 500m. 5k is a brutal distance - I ran my PB a few months ago 18:39 (very pleased with this result).

Personally I'm more into the longer distances e.g. half and above.

coogy

Monday 31st May
5 miles easy


Tuesday 1st June
6 x 1200 @ 6:35 pace/off 2 mins
It was a stunning day out and I knew that no matter what time I did this session, it would be hot, hot, hot. Was well hydrated from the day before and made sure I was well topped up beforehand too.
Even after the 2 mile warm up, I was already dripping with sweat. There was a nice cooling breeze too which did help.
I think these 1200's may have been the longest distance I've done for a session like this so I knew I'd have to work hard to keep the effort levels consistent (2 laps of the Griffeen park GAA football pitch).
The heat, even though it was still only late morning, was pretty strong so I decided to walk the 2 minutes recoveries. Definitely the right thing to do.
Overall, the session went well and the paces were averaging around a pace of 6:25 per rep. Happy with that.
Finished with a two mile cooldown.

Also got the first of my two Pfizer vaccines out of the way!


Wednesday 2nd June
4 miles easy (approx 8:30 pace)


Thursday 3rd June
Rest day


Friday 4th June
3 miles easy


Saturday 5th June
5k time trial, Phoenix Park.
I was going to post a long-winded account of what went down but I will spare the readers of this log the details of what can only be described as an utter sh*tshow.
To the extent that it made me seriously question whether or not I should just pull the plug and pack it all in completely.
I feel like I am putting myself under way too much pressure with these time trials and if I am to carry on with running, I think the first thing that needs to happen is to lower my expectations and set myself more realistic goals. I am pretty much nailing the weekly sessions but when it comes down to executing a time trial, it seems to all count for nothing.
Anyway, I need to let the dust settle and to clear my head of any more irrational thoughts before moving on.
Bloody hell.



Sunday 6th June
8 miles easy
With yesterday's omnishambles still fresh in the memory, I was reluctant to do this run at all and even when I eventually did set out to do it, there were several moments where I almost came to a stop and walk the rest of the way home.
Something's clearly not clicking so I need to figure out what it is and I need to do to rectify it.


Miles for the week: 35-ish
Miles for the year: 430

Comic Book Guy

I wouldn't stress the TT K, that can happen to anyone at any level.
Despite what ya are telling yourself about them, deep down you know its not a race so it's easy to just mentally bail out.
There's no replicating the adrenaline rush of toeing the line at a proper race and have people around you, behind you and just a few metres in front of you.

You aren't long back from injury either so defo think it's a case of you being too hard on yourself.
Head up and go again tomorrow!

coogy

Comic Book Guy wrote: »

I wouldn't stress the TT K, that can happen to anyone at any level.
Despite what ya are telling yourself about them, deep down you know its not a race so it's easy to just mentally bail out.
There's no replicating the adrenaline rush of toeing the line at a proper race and have people around you, behind you and just a few metres in front of you.

You aren't long back from injury either so defo think it's a case of you being too hard on yourself.
Head up and go again tomorrow!

Cheers J. There was no real need for me to post any of the above but I thought that if I did, it might wake me up a bit and see for myself that - as you say yourself - it's not the end of the world. I guess I take things too hard when they don't go according to plan and the knee-jerk reactions soon follow.
Plan is to go again in a few week's time. By then, I should be over this little wobble.

Laineyfrecks

I agree with J, TT'S will never ever replicate a race! It's a hard blow at the time when it doesn't go your way but to me it's not a true reflection of your capability! I was like this when I started running, so hard on myself & got upset by times, quite a pain in the a$$ to be around, but the longer I'm running I'm realizing that we have to take the bad days along with the good! It's good to write it down too so that you can look back & see how you felt! When i've had a bad TT recently I've wrote about & then looked back through my log on good days where a session went well or I raced well(always cheers me up)it helps me remember that this is a journey that will have bumps along the way but if it's something you love then you'll pick yourself up & start again tomorrow:D

coogy

Laineyfrecks wrote: »

I agree with J, TT'S will never ever replicate a race! It's a hard blow at the time when it doesn't go your way but to me it's not a true reflection of your capability! I was like this when I started running, so hard on myself & got upset by times, quite a pain in the a$$ to be around, but the longer I'm running I'm realizing that we have to take the bad days along with the good! It's good to write it down too so that you can look back & see how you felt! When i've had a bad TT recently I've wrote about & then looked back through my log on good days where a session went well or I raced well(always cheers me up)it helps me remember that this is a journey that will have bumps along the way but if it's something you love then you'll pick yourself up & start again tomorrow:D

Thanks E!
As you can see, my activity around these parts is about as infrequent as it comes so apologies for the delayed response!! (again).
I totally get what you are saying but I've had a couple of runs since my last log entry and something still doesn't feel right. Yesterday was a classic example,13 miles at about 30 seconds quicker than easy pace. I was really looking forward to it but by mile 11, the end couldn't come quickly enough, I was spent. That should not happen. It's almost like my mind and body has forgotten how to run.
Don't know if you've experienced anything similar, but for me, that's when I have thoughts of just giving up. I convince myself that there's no real reason to keep running and worryingly, it seems to be getting easier for me to actually stop. It's definitely more than a physical thing. That said, I am currently working on building up my stamina levels with coach (hence yesterday's 13 miler) and next weekend will be the same again. Perhaps that's all I need but definitely not enjoying this prolonged wobble.

Laineyfrecks

coogy wrote: »

Thanks E!
As you can see, my activity around these parts is about as infrequent as it comes so apologies for the delayed response!! (again).
I totally get what you are saying but I've had a couple of runs since my last log entry and something still doesn't feel right. Yesterday was a classic example,13 miles at about 30 seconds quicker than easy pace. I was really looking forward to it but by mile 11, the end couldn't come quickly enough, I was spent. That should not happen. It's almost like my mind and body has forgotten how to run.
Don't know if you've experienced anything similar, but for me, that's when I have thoughts of just giving up. I convince myself that there's no real reason to keep running and worryingly, it seems to be getting easier for me to actually stop. It's definitely more than a physical thing. That said, I am currently working on building up my stamina levels with coach (hence yesterday's 13 miler) and next weekend will be the same again. Perhaps that's all I need but definitely not enjoying this prolonged wobble.

You know your body best so do what feels right to make your running better & more enjoyable. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves a lot of time when there's actually no need to!
Best of luck on building the stamina, keep going & hopefully this wobble will end soon enough.

coogy

Time to get back on the Boards train I reckon.....I figured 6 months was enough of a hiatus. 😀

Perhaps getting back into the habit of keeping a weekly/regular log will help keeping things focused.

So what has happened in 6 months? Been running as consistently as ever and apart from a couple of time trials and one race (Bohermeen 5 mile back in August which could only be described as a horror show) not a lot to report. Took a couple of months away from training, replacing it with a handful of casual runs a week.

For the most part, my weekly running schedules have been going exactly as planned and I feel I am in pretty decent shape so it's time to start thinking about some target races.

Manchester marathon 2022 was the preferred option but having just learned that it's now sold out, that won't be happening. Limerick is now a possibility but with our daughter's confirmation happening around that time, I can't really book anything until I know exact dates.

Have entered Trim 10 miler in February so at least there's that to train for. Goal time for that will become known to me over the next month or so.

So, yesterday we had Jingle Bells 5k. Beautiful morning for it despite the Baltic conditions. Going into this, I had visions in my head of what I thought was a realistic goal time and although a sub-19 would have been a great way to finish off the year, I didn't feel quite ready yet. I think of all the race distances, a sub-19 5k feels like the one that - for lots of reasons - feels the furthest from reach. Crossed the finish line in 19:40 with splits of 6:26/6:34/5:55 (6:03). In hindsight, if I had approached the race with a different mentality and run 20 seconds quicker for each of the first two miles, I'd have ended up where I needed to be. Hard to see it as anything other than a missed opportunity but no point dwelling on these things. Lesson learned and move on.

Was great to meet up with so many of the Boards gang afterwards too. Chatting with Wubble Wubble afterwards, I learned the value of keeping a log of a regular basis, hence my decision to make these entries more of a regular 'thing'. 🙂

Murph_D

Good result K - wouldn't say missed opportunity. 20 secs a mile is a huge difference, and those opening two miles are uphill! Good to see you afterwards.

coogy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118272724#Comment_118272724

Thanks D. Yeah, I appreciate that that's a big chunk in the difference alright but I do think I could have left a bit more out there than I actually did.

Still, really enjoyed it!

coogy

Monday 6th December - 5 miles @ approx 8:15 pace -

Nice bright sunny morning out, no signs of Storm Barra just yet but already wondering if I am going to get all my runs in this week!

Tuesday 7th December - Rest day

Wednesday 8th December - 3 miles @ 7:40 pace/4 miles @ 6:50 pace/3 miles @7:40 pace

Was looking forward to this ever since the weekly schedule arrived in my inbox but with Storm Barra having already landed and the schools off, it didn't look good for a while. By the time I headed out, the worst of the conditions seemed to have eased off but no sooner had I reached the end of the first 3 miles, who decides to show up in the form of the worst headwind I have ever run in, but Barra itself. After half a mile of running (?) at 6:40 pace, the gusts were so bad that the target pace was the furthest thing from my mind and stopping completely seemed like the sensible option. As soon as I turned the corner, I was back into a cross-wind which was less of an issue and once I got back on to the canal, I was sailing. Still horrendous running conditions though. Pacing wise, it was all on the nose and I was delighted that I managed to squeeze this one in.

Thursday 9th December - 4 miles easy -

Another very pleasant morning run

Friday 10th December - Rest day

Saturday 11th December - 10 x 20 second hills (fast)/off 60 secs

Hill sessions are always a favorite of mine. It's that feeling of not knowing if you have that last hill in you but somehow you manage to do it. Next week will see the reps double in duration with the same efforts. Bring it on.

Sunday 12th December - 11 miles easy

With Lucan Harriers Juniors having officially finished up last week, it's time to get back into the weekly Junior Parkruns! Would have managed the 11 miles if I'd just woken up earlier but I figured I'd just head out after my son's Parkrun. Lots of his Lucan Harriers pals out on force and they almost exclusively made up the top 10 finishers (including my son, who finished 9th). Yes, I know it's not a race but, you know......... 😏

Anyway, between one thing and another (watching European Cross Country on tv, amongst other things) my run didn't happen during the afternoon and by the time I started my run, it was 9pm. Not much of a spring in the step at that time of night but managed a decent enough run nonetheless. Knackered afterwards though but slept like a baby. ☺️

Miles for the week - 36

Miles for the year - 1,254

Sunny Dayz

"Hill sessions are always a favorite of mine. It's that feeling of not knowing if you have that last hill in you but somehow you manage to do it. "

This comment is so true, there's always just enough in the tank for one last hill rep!

coogy

Ok, let's give this another go shall we?

Lazare

Absolutely K, nice one. Great to see.

Kellygirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119694293#Comment_119694293

Definitely do, what have you been up to?

coogy

Hey K. Yes, I thought it was time to dust off the cobwebs and dive back in after what seems like an eternity.

I won't go into too much detail (famous last words!) but between losing my way a little, a not at all badly timed injury and some much-needed time away from running, I seem to have rediscovered an appetite for it again.

The last couple of years were pretty intense on the running front and it seemed that the more I ran, the less I had to show for it. Basically, the confidence was shot and it went downhill from there.

Picked things up again before the summer, just easing myself into really. Since then I've been building up the mileage bit by bit. Also, a big game changer has been the decision to start running with a group every Sunday morning. They're all local lads who I've known for a while from the local parkrun, who have been meeting up most Sundays for the last couple of years. They're a great bunch and I've been heading out with them for the last three or four weeks. It's made me realise how it's something I could really have benefitted from when I was in the middle of training for all those races from DCM 2018 onwards. Anyway, better late than never!

Registered for Jingle Bells too so I will focus on getting myself into reasonable shape for that. Am currently using KSU's 6-week base from the DCM graduates log but not sticking to it too religiously.

Long term, I definitely want to tackle another marathon so whether that's DCM 2023 or something a little less high profile, I'm not too sure but that 's loosely the plan.

So yeah......it's all good!

Huzzah!

Good to have you back, K!

coogy

Alright so, first 'proper' log entry in quite some. Let's see if I can manage this without the usual typos and getting dates wrong.......🙄

Monday 3rd October

Rest day.

Tuesday 4th October

Busy day in work so had to give today's easy run a miss.

Wednesday 5th October

Easy run

4.61 miles

Pace - 8.34 mins/mile

Pretty run of the mill stuff

Thursday 6th October

Easy run - 3.34 miles

Pace - 8.38 mins/mile

Early start today as Thursdays are my day in the office

Friday 7th October

Rest day

Saturday 8th October

40 mins easy + 5 mins a@ threshold pace

5.44 miles @ 8:16 mins/mile

Finding myself now really looking forward to getting back into the 'pacey' stuff so was waiting for this all week, ever though it was only 5 mins of threshold pace at the end.

Sunday 9th October.

90 mins easy

10:07 miles @ 8:31 mins/mile

Another earlier-than-usual start as our son had cross country up in Tymon Park, so didn't get to head out with our running group. Our son decided to give up the athletics at the beginning of this year but after a few unsuccessful attempts at finding another sport, we came back full circle and he's now back at it.

Been finding it a little easier to keep the easy miles easy during the long runs but I like to up the pace a little towards the end for the last few miles.

A lot of my motivation for running in the last while has come from my fellow Boardsies and others I know who are now coming to the end of their training for DCM. I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous but it's so great to see some of the incredible dedication and commitment in 'getting it done'. I will be cheering you all on come 30th October so enjoy the taper madness one and all!!! 😊

Total mileage for the week - 25.5

Wubble Wubble

Delighted to see this log back again. Your recent experiences sound not completely unlike my own!

coogy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119726556#Comment_119726556

Cheers J!

I know it's early days but already weighing up my options for races next year!

coogy

Two weeks on the trot, this must be a record!

Monday 10th October

Rest day.

Tuesday 11th October

1 hour easy

7 miles @ 8.40 mi

Still keeping the easy miles relatively easy

Wednesday 12th October

Should have been a 60 min progression run (easy to MP) but with another crazy day in work, the only window of opportunity was to do this as a runmute. Started off just past the Garda Boat Club but was feeling knackered after only a few hundred metres, and with a bag on my back to contend with, I knew that this was a terrible idea. Last time I ran with a bag on my back was training for DCM 2018 and it was a terrible idea then, too.

I made it as far as the top of the old Lucan Road (after a steady climb of over 1 km) and called it a day before hopping on a bus the rest of the way home.

Thursday 13th October

1 hour easy

6.43 miles @ 8.32 mi

Still annoyed at the previous evening's missed opportunity/b**ls up so went a little beyond easy pace for the last mile of this run.

Friday 14th October

Rest day

Saturday 15th October

5 x 9 mins easy, 1 min hard

6.16 miles @ 8:07 mi

Wasn't the most pleasant morning for running but when did that ever stop anyone? Back down to Griffeen for this, just before the start of the Parkrun.

Saw all the usual heads, some going hell for leather, others just taking it nice and handy. There was rain and wind coming from all sides, just the way I like it. 🙂

Felt good putting the foot down for the 1 minute hard pace. and made sure to keep it nice and easy in between.

Sunday 16th October.

1hr 45 mins easy

12:04 miles @ 8:29 mins/mile

Met up with my new running buddies (I've actually known most of them for ages but just never thought of joining them on a Sunday) at 9am for our usual route. I needed to add a couple of miles on to last week's distance so about 5 miles in, I separated from the group and had a lovely couple of miles along the trail path in Catherine's Park/Lucan Demesne. Still, as the mileage entered double figures, I was starting to tire and did struggle a little for the last couple of miles. Met the others back at our finishing point for the usual post-run chats.

This weekend, I need to keep the pace a bit more consistent to make sure I last the distance.

Total mileage for the week - 31.6

coogy

Two weeks on the trot, this must be a record!

Monday 17th October

Rest day.

Tuesday 18th October

1 hour easy

6.45 miles @ 8.38 mi

Nice lunchtime run along the canal.

Wednesday 19th October

50 mins moderate pace

6.30 miles @ 7.59 mi

Having little or no recent race experience to speak of, knowing what my 'moderate pace' should be, left me scratching my head for a bit but just went with what felt right.

Decided on 8 (ish) minute miles for this which I felt more than comfortable with. Thankfully, with each week that passes, I feel like I'm clawing back a little bit of where I was at before the beginning of the year.

Thursday 20th October

40 mins easy

4.4 miles @ 8.45 mi

Early one today, as I was in the office so had to get this one out of the way. As I ran along the canal (still in the dark), there were a few swans along the canal, two of which were still as statues with their head and necks immersed in the water.

Do they sleep that way?

Do they even sleep?

Friday 21st October

Rest day

Saturday 22nd October

45 mins easy + 5 mins @ threshold

6.01 miles @ 8:19 mi

Sunday 23rd October.

10 miles kind of easy

12:04 miles @ 8:29 mins/mile

Met up with my new running buddies (I've actually known most of them for ages but just never thought of joining them on a Sunday) at 9am for our usual route. I needed to add a couple of miles on to last week's distance so about 5 miles in, I separated from the group and had a lovely couple of miles along the trail path in Catherine's Park/Lucan Demesne. Still, as the mileage entered double figures, I was starting to tire and did struggle a little for the last couple of miles. Met the others back at our finishing point for the usual post-run chats.

This weekend, I need to keep the pace a bit more consistent to make sure I last the distance.

Total mileage for the week - 34.4

coogy

Quick update as I've gone too long without a log entry to start playing catch up.

Everything is going as well as can be expected and am as close as I can be to where I was pre-injury at the beginning of this year.

Having chipped away at the six week base plan, I made the decision to revisit the weekly training plans that were sent to me at the end of 2019 by my then coach as I was starting to train for Manchester. It got me in great shape at the time so I'll stick with it for a few months and try to get some sort of performance in a Spring half or something like that.

Have registered for the DCM lottery so should find out this week whether or not I have a place. Being honest, the thought of doing another marathon sort of terrifies me. I already know that no matter what marathon I do in 2023, I will be going for a time which I have in my head, even now. 😬

Finally, I have been going a little bit running shoe crazy. As someone who, up till this point, has always worn running shoes to death before begrudgingly investing in another pair, I have just ordered two new pairs for myself. Got a pair of Pegasus last week and earlier today, took advantage of a decent sale in Lifestyle Sports and treated myself to a pair of Puma Velocity Nitro 2.

This time, it's WAR!!!!!!

(or something like that).

Murph_D

What will the marathon target time be?

coogy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119884252#Comment_119884252

Right now, I would be very happy with a 3:10/15 finish time. That for me, would be as good as it could get. Knowing my limitations by now, aiming higher would be too big an ask, I reckon.

Plus, we'll we well into 'M50' age category by then! All downhill from here........😉

coogy

Monday 14th November - Rest day

Tuesday 15th November - 5 miles easy @ 8:30 pace

Local park for this one. Forgot to throw in the strides at the end!

Wednesday 16th November - 3 sets of 4 x 400 @ 5k pace/off 75 secs/2 mins rest between sets

Tried out the new footwear today and enjoyed the entra bounce they gave me, serving as a reminder to try to rotate my running shoes a bit more frequently, something I've always been a little reluctant to do. With so many great deals around nowadays, there's not much of an excuse.

The session itself was ok, hit the paces no problem but still inclined to make most of my recoveries a half walk/half jog effort. Will seee if I can change that over the coming weeks.

Thursday 17th November - Recovery run

This didn't happen for more reasons than you could shake a stick at.

Friday 18th November - Rest day (and payday!)

Also, received a much needed 'schooling' from a fellow boardsie on the do's and dont's when it comes to choosing the best running shoe. Turns out there was actually more that I didn't know about running shoe technology that I thought!! 😬

Saturday 19th November - 2 miles @ 8:15/3 miles @ 7:45/2 miles @8:15

Once again, lifted from a training plan from my old coach from the tail end of 2019. Tweaked the paces a little to make them a little quicker. Really enjoyed this one and was so locked into the faster pace that I went into mile six forgetting to slow the paces down.

Sunday 20th November - 11 mile long run

Met up with the gang down at Griffeen at 9am and did our usual route through Lucan into Catherine's Park and back. It's got its fair share of hills which I mostly dread but gradualy getting used to them. I definitely do feel that I'm getting closer to where I was at at the end of 2021, before the injury came. Just need to keep things consistent for now. Had registed for Jingle Bells but had to pass the entry on as my son will be racing at the Uneven age XC Nationals down in Cork on the same day.

In other news, was thankfully successful in securing a place for DCM 23 in the lottery. Have already registered so it's game on! In the new year, will be aiming for either Naas 10 miler of Bohermeen half and will see what the lay of the land is. It's going to be an interesting 11 months!!! 😉

Miles for the week - 31

Miles for the year - 491

coogy

Monday 21st November - 40 mins easy with strides

Once again, using the training plan from 2019. Have been questioning this decision a fair bit over the last week, wondering if it's the right thing to do and if I should be trying out something new. I know some folks in running circles (most of whom are sub-3 marathon runners) who have told me they'd be happy to send me on a training plan if I ever needed one. Might just take them up on that offer but for now, as I mentioned last week (I think), I'll probably stick with it till the new year.

Tuesday 22nd November - 5 miles easy @ 8:40 pace

A friend of mine (casual runner) told me he secured an entry for DCM - his first one - and I mentioned to him about the Boards Novice marathon thread, recommending that he check it out when the time comes for it to start up again. Decided just for the hell of it to take a look back (mostly done through my fingers) at the 2018 version and relive some of the experience. I'm now glad that I did because it reminded me just how important it all was, and how I may not have fully appreciated the advice at the time (I did, of course but in a different way). The constant and repetitive advice to 'SLOW DOWN' by the then mentors took a while to sink in and my understanding of what an 'easy pace' was couldn't have been any further off the mark. At one point - this is even before the proper training started - I posted with pride about how I managed a 10 mile 'easy' run, expecting to be inundated with virtual high fives galore. First question thrown in my direction from the 'sensible pace department' (their words, not mine 😉) was "how slow did you go?" My jaw dropped when I saw what I had responded with: "Average pace of around 7:37 mins/mile". Jesus wept. Hats off to the mentors (and the other experienced folk) that year, patience of saints I tell you. Why am I telling you this? Well, I figured that my easy runs of late have been lacking in that 'relaxed' feel that i eventually became used to when the proper training kicked in back in 2018. I decided for this run to just let go, stop staring at the watch and enjoy the run. Which I did, and loved every second of it. More of the same please.

Wednesday 23rd November - Rest day

Thursday 24th November - 8 x 400 @ 5k pace/off 75 secs/4 x 200 hard / off 1 min

Was in the office today with meetings coming out of my ears so couldn't do this until evening time. Dropped my son off to athletics and ran across the road to Griffeen Park, in the pitch dark. Parts of the loop I was running on were mostly poorly lit and had to rely on my new head-light hat, which helped only slightly. Was conscious of getting back in time to collect himself so decided to do 6 x 400 and 2 x 200 instead. Turns out I would have had time to fit it all in but I reasoned that doing an interval session in the dark AND the rain was enough to not feel like it was a wasted outing.

First time I did this particular session was just before Jingle Bells 2019. Unfortunately had to pass my entry on for this year but did consider the Tom Brennan memorial 5k on New Year's Day.

Friday 25th November - Rest day

Should have actually done a 30 mins recovery run but again, busy day in work from the word go.

Saturday 26th November - 30 mins easy - @ 8:42 pace

Went for the more relaxed pace again, and what do you know, another really enjoyable run, even though it was only 4 miles.

Sunday 27th November - 8 mile progression run @ 8.24 pace

Another run with the Sunday morning crew. Perfect morning for it too. I knew I would have to cut this run short due to my son's early training session so managed just the 8 miles. The plan was to do it as a progression run but looking back at my last five or six long runs, they've all started off easy with the pace picking up gradually........ nothing different about this one so! 🤷‍♂️

Bit of a drop in the mileage this week. Not too concerned though as I am keeping things relatively consistent.

Also. I think it has just hit home that I am doing the Dublin marathon next year.

Miles for the week - 27

Miles for the year - 517

coogy

Nowt to report this week due to being hit with Covid, and boy did it hit me!!

Caught it briefly last year and experienced the usual symptoms but this time around, it was far more severe. I actually started feeling aches and pains in my shoulder during last week's long run which I mistook for something else. This became steadily worse as the week progressed and by Wednesday, the temperature had rocketed and the headaches and other symptoms were at their worst.

Over the worst of it now thankfully and dying to get back to running so hoping to pick things up again midweek all being well.

So great to see so many impressive performances over the weekend, well done to everyone!!

coogy

Wednesday 7th December - 6-ish miles easy

My bout of Covid from last week pretty much had me floored but thankfully made a speedy enough recovery. Still decided not to rush back into anything silly. Took advantage of a day in the office with an enjoyable run through the city on Wednesday, into the Phoenix Park and back again. Used to do this run (about 10k), back when the term 'pacing' meant nothing to me. I would have squeezed a 10k into about 50 minutes during my lunch hour, thinking I was taking it handy. Utter madness.

Thursday 8th December - 5 miles easy

Not much to report about this. Just glad to get out.

Saturday 10th December - 5k tempo-ish run

Woke to the 'ping' of WhatsApp messages from the Griffeen crew asking who was up for a 5k/10k in place of the cancelled Parkrun. Paths still very icy so stuck to the grass for the most part which, although a little energy-sapping, was manageable enough. Felt good afterwards, and was happy that I decided not to stay under the duvet. 🙂

Sunday 11th December - 10 miles easy

First word I uttered when I looked out the window was "nope". Went outside for a closer inspection and saw that it wasn't too bad. Met up with a few other hardy souls down in Griffeen at 9am and we did our usual 10 miles in the glorious winter sunshine. Very enjoyable, relaxed run.

Been a very busy couple of weeks with my extra-curricular sideline as a live caricature artist. Have had about two or three corporate Christmas parties a week for the last few weeks and it's not over yet. It's mostly enjoyable but as ever, when the punters can't get the booze down their necks quick enough, it makes the job of an artist all the more challenging. Fun times!!! 🤪

Murph_D

Interesting sideline! Sounds like fun, although it possibly explains the covid too. 😉

coogy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119985014#Comment_119985014

Yes, no doubt that's where I picked it up! Had to cancel a couple of bookings too unfortunately!

Feel free to look around!! 👇️

https://www.caricaturesbyken.ie/

Murph_D

Oh wow, some fabulous work there! I can really see the animation background coming through alright. Full of surprises. 😉

coogy

Monday 12th December - Rest day

Tuesday 13th December - 6.5 miles with strides

Knowing it would be a busy week with little running, this was a couple of miles longer than originally planned, making sure there were some strides tagged on at the end.

Wednesday 14th December - 5 miles steady

Was a toss up between an interval session and this but there's not been many of these runs in my training of late so just decided to go with it. Can focus more on the speedier stuff after Christmas. Enjoyed this. Had a couple of wobbles along the canal where it was still pretty icy.

Thursday 15th December -

Work too busy to even think about getting out the door for a run. Had two caricature gigs in the city during the evening too so had to just strike it off.

Friday 16th December - rest day

Saturday 17th December -

Too much going on with just over a week to go before Chrimmah and way too much left to do.

Sunday 18th December - 14 miles easy

Had been looking forward to this for a couple of weeks after it was originally planned with skyblue. Arrived at the Visitors Centre in the Phoenix Park to meet skyblue himself, Laineyfrecks, Lazare and ReeReeG - none of whom I had seen in person since DCM 2019 - and was introduced for the first time to scotindublin.

We set off just after 10am and started on a big loop of the park and had some nice chats along the way, lots of talk about what our respective plans for the year ahead were. V left us just past the 9 mile stage and we continued on out of the park, into the beautiful surroundings of the Memorial Park along the Liffey, leading us back into the park for what was easily the most enjoyable run of the year. Felt it at the end though!!! 😉

Miles for the week - 30.

Mile for the year - 576

ReeReeG

Thanks for the run on Sunday 😊

Laineyfrecks

Yeah cheers, it was lovely to run & chat & have no real focus😊