Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Running not Crohns-ing
Options
-
16-08-2018 4:37pm#1So I'm taking the well-trodden path of starting up a log here, after joining the DCM Novices thread.
(Couldn't decide between "Running, not Crohns-ing" and "Stand Up and Fight Run" for the log name, but went with the former. I was a bit reluctant, but if any fellow Crohn's sufferers out there happen to see this and get something from it, then it's worth it).
Background:
Limerick by birth, Dublin by grace of living here the past 12 years or so. Had a 9 month hiatus in New Zealand as well, which was..... a mixed bag.
I started running occasionally with my housemate in 2010. I initially found it tough going, but soon loved it and I remember completing a 5m race, finishing it in 37:30. Alone it stands as the only PB I have from this period, but I was getting hooked.
I then moved to NZ in 2011. I was absolutely loving my time over there, a small part of which included joining friends for longer distance runs. One friend in particular had run a few marathons and I was toying with the idea of doing one myself.
And then one morning, I woke up in absolute agony, ended up in hospital for weeks and was (eventually) diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
Crohn's-ing:
If anyone's never heard of it Crohn's disease is an auto-immune disease that can, at best, be very fatiguing but at worst, completely debilitating. I found myself largely in the latter category for almost 2 years.
I had to return to Ireland for treatment and, among other symptoms, couldn't so much as walk for 10 minutes without being out of breath, let alone consider a run.
I still remember trying to run on one occasion during this time, more out of pure bloody-minded frustration than anything. It inevitably ended badly; I had to stop after 2 minutes of very slow jogging, feeling exhausted. I wondered if I would ever get back to anything resembling healthy again. It was tough, but I tried to stay positive. (My friends and family are kinda legends as well, they were amazing to me during this period).
Back to Running:
It took the best part of 2 years, and the right combination of medication and diet to get the Crohn's under control. I still have to be vigilant with my diet (straddling that particular line on occasion) but for the most part, it behaves itself. Occasionally it flares up and gives me a bit of grief but even then, it is nowhere near as severe as it was. I'm very lucky, to be honest.
And eventually, I was able to start running again. Naturally, it took some time to build up my distances. I remember having trouble getting over 6k for about 3 months. But I also remember my first 10k, and the elation I felt after it. (Hint: I was finally able to do it by slowing down.
).
DCM:
I decided early in the year that 2018 was gonna be the year I finally tackle a marathon. I've put in a decent 6-8 months of training, have PB'd 10k and HM distances already and intend to give the training (and hopefully the day itself) a right good rattle. Y'know what they say, "To the brave and faithful..."
Current PB's:
5k: 24:56 (Sept '17)
10k: 52:30 (Jul '18)
HM: 2:00:58 (June '18)
Goals:
For 2018, the only goal is to finish DCM but others, would be:
HM: Sub 2 hours
5k: Sub 24 mins
10k: Sub 50 mins
Also, as mentioned, pre-Crohn's I ran 5 miles in 37:30. I'm miles away from that kinda pace at the moment, but long-term, it would mean alot to me to be able to beat that. And from now on, I intend all my posts to be more about the running, and less about the Crohns-ing!
(*Bonus points for anyone who spots the thinly veiled Munster Rugby references I crow-barred in throughout!)28
Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
DCM Training - Week 8:
Mon:. Rest
Tue: 4m Easy. Completed 4m in 43:14 @ 10:48 pace.
Wed: 1m WU, 6m PMP, 1m CD. Completed 8 miles in 1:20:44 @ 10:05 pace overall.
Thurs: 4m Easy. Completed 4.45m in 47:39 @ 10:42 pace.
Fri:. Friends wedding.
Sat:. Wedding recovery.
Sun: 16 miles LSR in the morning, 2:53:41 @ 10:51 pace. Limerick won an All-Ireland in the afternoon. Safe to say, I'll never forget the week I started a training log.
Can't remember much from the long run now, with the day that was in it, so an abbreviated "Things I noticed / learned" this week:
- Winning the All Ireland for the first time in 45 years is some craic! :pac:0 -
-
DCM Training - Week 8:
Mon:. Rest
Tue: 4m Easy. Completed 4m in 43:14 @ 10:48 pace.
Wed: 1m WU, 6m PMP, 1m CD. Completed 8 miles in 1:20:44 @ 10:05 pace overall.
Thurs: 4m Easy. Completed 4.45m in 47:39 @ 10:42 pace.
Fri:. Friends wedding.
Sat:. Wedding recovery.
Sun: 16 miles LSR in the morning, 2:53:41 @ 10:51 pace. Limerick won an All-Ireland in the afternoon. Safe to say, I'll never forget the week I started a training log.
Can't remember much from the long run now, with the day that was in it, so an abbreviated "Things I noticed / learned" this week:
- Winning the All Ireland for the first time in 45 years is some craic! :pac:
Congratulations on the win - though it pains me to say it it was well deserved on the day
Best of luck with the log, you've come a long way and i've no doubt you'll go a lot further too.0 -
Honesty is the best thing around here and especially on your opening post, good for you.
I want to wish you all the very best.
The mentors and fellow novices are always a fanstastic source of help and encouragement.
What plan are you following for DCM? It looks like the Boards rather than Hal.
Well done on getting healthy enough to run and continue to do so. That's a fantastic achievement.
Thanks very much! I'm only now getting around to reading some logs, but the advice and general encouragement on the Novices thread has been amazing so far.
Yep, I'm following the Boards plan (having missed a couple of recovery runs of late, due to moving house among other things) but am determined not to miss any more between now and 28th October!0 -
Congratulations on the win - though it pains me to say it it was well deserved on the day
Best of luck with the log, you've come a long way and i've no doubt you'll go a lot further too.
Commiserations, Ariana! I've only just seen on your log where your allegiances were, but I must say, every single Galway person I met after was extremely gracious in defeat. Ye gave us one hell of a scare tho! 0 -
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
DCM Week 10 complete, weeks really are flying by! Bit of a mixed bag of a week, was off sick early in the week so missed 2 training runs but finished with a race and a new PB.
Day | Plan | Actual
Mon| Rest | Rest
Tue| 4m Easy | Rest
Wed| 4m w 5x strides | Rest
Thu| 5m Easy | 4m Easy
Fri| Rest | Rest
Sat| 2m Easy| 2m Easy
Sun| Frank Duffy 10m| New PB! 1:28:55
Total | 25m | 16m
Frank Duffy 10m Race Report
Earlier in the week, I was strongly thinking I might have to ditch this race, but come Thursday I was feeling much improved. Got some solid advice on the Novices thread and decided to wait til Saturday / Sunday to see how I was feeling and what kind of pace I'd attempt. General systems check on Sunday morning and I decided to give it socks!
Goal was sub 1:30 so 9 minute miles all the way. Felt this was a reasonable goal, somewhere between my pace from the South Dublin 10k (8:27) and Cork Half Marathon pace (9:14). In retrospect, 9min/mi made it pretty easy to do all the mental arithmetic you end up doing during these things!
Arrived out to Swords later than I had planned, so did a quick warm-up before shuffling into position, down the back of Wave 1. I remember thinking that this was the least nervous I've ever been for a race, which I think is in large part down to the marathon training. 10 miles now seems like a short distance. Which is mad!
And before long, we were off!
Miles 1-3
Bit of bunching for the first mile but I settled into a nice rhythm pretty quickly. Mile 1 was done before I knew it, watch beeping for 9 minutes on the dot. Occasional glances at the watch to make sure the pace was ok and I wasn't over-doing it. Saw an 8:15 pace at one point during mile 2 so reined that in pretty quickly.
It was a warm and sunny day, so I was thankful for the first water stop. Drinking from a cup while running is far from easy tho! :pac: Decided to walk whenever I picked up a cup at the other water stops.
Miles 4-6
Think it was during this section that, at one point, the road opened up and we could see a left turn with a huge line of runners ahead of us all. Was still feeling very strong tho, so nothing to be discouraged by.
My Garmin was beeping a decent bit before the mile markers by now, so I made sure to check my time when passing the mile markers instead of relying on the GPS (lesson learned from a previous race!). At 5 miles I was at 45:13 and 6 miles was 54:15. 15 seconds over pace with 4 miles to go. I'd have taken that at the start of the day, hoping that I could negative split it.
At this point I decided to try gain 5 seconds back each mile for the next 3, which would have me bang on pace after 9 miles and ready to attack the last mile.
Miles 7-10
Tried to keep it ticking over here and mile 7 came in at 1:03:10 so I had gained those 5 seconds. Got chatting to someone briefly during mile 8. The chat made me realise I was feeling tired but good so tried to kick on a bit. Mile 8 was at exactly 1:12:00 so I had made up the deficit a mile earlier than planned. Just 2 more 9 minute miles and I'd have my goal!
Feeling tired now but knew I had it in me. Few more glances at the Garmin, pace was varying between 8:35-9:00. Mile 9 went by and 1:20:48 was on the watch. Thoughts of "12 seconds to spare" quickly changed to "have I got a bit more in the tank here". Tried to up the pace a bit again. About half a mile from home, I remember hearing the tannoy in the distance and kicked on as best I could. Last push for home and it looked like I had came in under 1:29! Text later in the afternoon confirmed it, 1:28:55!
Overall, cannot state how much I enjoyed this race! It's yet another PB in the bag (albeit against a pretty soft time from 2 years ago) but I really feel the marathon training is paying off, especially at the longer distances. Over 6 minutes off my 10m time and over 4 off my Half are testament to that.
The volunteers and supporters all along the route were great as well, tried to give them all a "thank you" shout as I made my way around. Ultimately, these things don't go ahead without them!
So just the 8 weeks to go! Time to dig in, there's a 20 mile LSR looming large...0 -
-
Week 12 of DCM Boards plan complete.
Day | Plan | Actual
Mon| Rest | Rest
Tue| 6m Easy | 6.1m Easy
Wed| 1m wu, 9m PMP, 1m cd | 1m wu, 9m PMP, 1m cd.
Thu| 3m Rec | Rest
Fri| Rest | 2.1m Rec
Sat| 16m LSR| 16m
Sun| 3m Rec | Rest; Crohn's kicked of so skipped it.
Total | 39m | 35.2m
Things I noticed / learned this week:
- 9 miles at PMP was tough but good; found it difficult to slow down for the final cd mile!
- LSR included last 15m of the DCM route. Was great to get this done to have an idea of what's in store. I've now run every part of the route at some point. Almost got lost, except a fellow runner kindly came over and asked "are you looking for the marathon route?" and pointed us in the right direction. Was much appreciated, and further re-emphasised to me that runners are generally a sound bunch.
- Tried an extra bottle in the flip belt and found it way too annoying. Ran back to the car after 0.25m to get rid.
- Tried Clif Shot Bloks and Tailwind for fuelling. Taking them together definitely didn't work, stomach felt dodgy, so back to the drawing board (possibly together they were too much). Thinking of just going with the bloks, complemented by some High5, as I've had the most success with them so far.
- Ran this one with a friend, definitely noticed the miles skipping along quicker. That should bode well when there's another 20,000 people or so around me! 0 -
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
DCM Boards plan - Week 18
Day | Plan | Actual
Mon| Rest | Rest
Tue| 2m Easy | 2m Easy
Wed| 1m, 3m PMP, 1m| 1m, 3m PMP, 1m
Thu| 3m Easy | Rest
Fri| Rest | Rest
Sat| 2m Easy | 2m Easy
Sun| DCM! | DCM!
Total | 38.2m | 35.2m
Race report here.
Can't really add much to that, absolutely amazing weekend. (And as an added bonus, Munster won with a penalty from half-way when time was up) 0
Advertisement