Swashbuckler's Marathon Debut?

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118221488#Comment_118221488

Haha I did think the same but you know what, its a novelty again at least...Last log update was mid 2020? I cant even remember...

And true on the plan - part of the fun 😂

scotindublin

Who can resist a colorful training spreadsheet. Best of luck with the plan.

Definitely one I will be following with interest.

Swashbuckler

Thanks again everyone for the interest and inputs..Things have settled a bit in terms of the plan and its actually been four days since I looked at it! I'm not getting a sense of high optimism from people down these parts about it going ahead (not from any official sources I should add - just opinions of some running folks). Please God it will. I've no intention of a virtual attempt.

This weeks training I wanted to change it up slightly. Been a while since I did any raw speedwork and a vanilla long run so thats the route I went. I have a lot of strength based sessions done lately at HMP, MP , Threshold and CV so I wanted some pure turnover stuff added in this week.

This week featured me sampling the many playlists from the Boards playlist thread....More on that later.......

Monday - Easy with strides. (7.1M, 59mins. Avg 8.19min/mile)

This run featured the Donadea 50k playlist. Very eclectic and I must say I really enjoyed the bits I did hear. Will be putting that on shuffle again.

Tuesday - 16 x 1min on/1min off - Hard (8.25M, 65mins)

This used to be a regular one Luke used to throw at me when I was either in a 5k block or if he wanted me to get some fast, pure speed stuff in the middle of a stretch of strength training to help me keep in touch with the faster stuff (basically 16x300m off 60s).

It had been a while since I had done anything like this - infact I pretty much parked up the raw speed sessions when our third arrived. Felt like a good time to throw this in just to make sure the legs and lungs didnt forget what it was like to run "fast fast". Threw on the Endorphin Speeds for these. Did I ever say how much i love them???

Not much to tell about this session apart from it was great to get the lungs going again. The legs certainly felt it the day after. This is normal for me. The main thing for me is to be cautious as they can often trigger the hip issues again.

Paces for the splits were 5.06-5.18 although the 5.18 was an outlier and I was pleasantly surprised at the consistency. Form was good. Happy with this . 2M warmup and cooldown. I really should be addeing some strides and drills when I do these. Lazy.

Wednesday - Easy (55mins, 6.5M - Avg 8.25min/mile)

This one was sponsored by shotguns 90's hits...............................im not gonna speak ill of the man while he's not here so anything I have to say I will say to his face.............................................................................

Thursday - Easy (57mins, 7M - Avg 8.09min/mile)

Took a break from the playlist after the horror show from the day before. The legs were still a bit meh from the session. This is exactly why I shouldnt neglect the speed stuff. Once every two months isnt really enough. I also noted that because the Fuelcell TC are now retired I'm taking some other shoes I have towards retirement. The Pegasus 36 were brought to retirement this week. I have to say, i'm noticing the difference doing my easy/recovery runs on the non fancy shoes...............God forbid the Fuelcell TC would become my recovery shoe 😮

Friday - 14 miles easy, 1hr51mins - Avg 7:57

Firstly I had set out with the option of running a high volume session but with the fallback of a vanilla run. Mentally I was leaning towards the vanilla as I really have neglected easy miles/time on feet since our little girl was born. Also, crapppppppp night sleep so the decision was really made for me. The legs werent able for a session.

Secondly, this run was sponsored by Laineyfrecks Kickass Tunes playlist..........I can confirm that it is indeed a kickass playlist. The miles flew by with almost every song having me reminiscing or putting a smile to my face. Loads of tunes that I havent heard in years. Class stuff. I say "almost every song". I only picked out two duds in the 2hrs running but more to do with my taste than them being awful songs.....Great stuff E. I'll be using that playlist again.

I felt tired on this run. I definitely need to get a few more 14M/15M vanilla runs in before starting the marathon block. Received some sound advice from healy which confirmed the same.

Saturday - Rest day

This was kinda planned/kinda unplanned. I knew in advance it would be a busy day with Santa visit, gingerbread house decorating, watching the toy show with the eldest and basically spoiling her. I figured this would take up most of the day and evening. It worked out that she had zero interest in the toy show beyond the opening number so I did have an opportunity to head out in the evening if I wanted. I just decided not to and spend time chilling with the missus and having a few glasses of wine.

Sunday - Easy (9M, 73mins - Avg 8.03min/mile)

This run was sponsored by healys Lilywhites BBQ playlist. Another cracker. I had visions of relaxing in the sunshine with a beer in my hand and the choons playing away in the background...Magic. The run itself was good. I really needed the mental reset after no run on Saturday. Wore the Pegasus Turbo 2 for this. I just cant warm to them. I cant think of any run I would want to wear these for.

Total for the week: 52 miles

Total time on feet: 7hrs

Total miles year to date: 2593 miles

Decent week albeit a little on the tired and leggy side. Will play it by ear this week and see how the body is. Bad sleep again last night.

I'd like to get another vanilla long run in - maybe 15M if the legs are up to it. Will likely try for a threshold session on Tuesday.

In other news:

Was a great week for shopping wasnt it!? I think at this stage I've built up a reputation on here. I just love a good deal and even if I'm not buying I love sharing a good deal. Was texting Boardsies all weekend.

As for myself, I spent Thursday debating back and forth with myself on three deals and which one to go with: Endorphin Pro for 132, Fuelcell TC for 120, Alphafly for 180. I was this close to going with the Pro. A shoe I really like . I had always planned it as my marathon shoe until I bought the Next% last year. I cant honestly see myself picking the Pro over the Next% for a marathon. However 132 quid for a shoe that good , that can be used for big sessions in training was a super deal. Then the Alphafly with 120 quid off...............Hard to see that happening again any time soon. In the end I went with the Alphafly. Worst case I dont like them (or that awful clomping sound drives me nuts) and i'll pass them on to someone else.

Then AMK texts me Friday to point out the TC have further reduced to 100......Sigh...............

I also invested in a box of SIS gels to try them out. Thanks healy for the heads up (50% off on SIS website). Will try them out and see if they are agreeable. It's probably one of the things i'm most worried about with the marathon. I've a desperately sensitive digestive system when it comes to running. Anything eaten within an hour or two of running usually means acid burps. Hopefully the SIS work out.

Finally, anyone who would like to give a pair of Pegasus Turbo 2 a good home just let me know. Size 44.5 (UK 9.5).

MY BAD

I'm enjoying this log! Very interesting, keep it up. I haven't had much time to have any substantial input. I hope to follow your footsteps soon. I'm not sure how you guys manage it all family, running, everything else, work... I think Limerick half should be a good target for me then a late Autumn marathon

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118241440#Comment_118241440

Cheers S. Not sure how well I'm managing it to be honest! Probably non optimal training and the willingness to drop it if necessary....

Also, you're somewhat new to it...it gets easier....and it gets more manageable the more experience you and your missus get....I was in a heap with my first.

AuldManKing

You soft lads.

I trained for my 1st Marathon with 2 young kids and doing a Masters part time.

While walking to the shops barefoot.

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118243542#Comment_118243542

You had two young kids so that was probably 25 years ago? Different times. Back then kids were easily entertained by tipping a tyre along the road with a stick.😂 Shur colic didnt even exist back then. Neither did teething coz ye just rubbed whiskey on their gums......Handy work back then.

MY BAD

Normally it's country bumkins in the sticks calling city slickers soft. Times have changed 😆

Laineyfrecks

Glad to hear my playlist mostly got your seal of approval... what were the 2 duds🤔

As Meatloaf kinda sang 2 out of 85 ain't bad 😉

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118245737#Comment_118245737

Haha I didn't quite make it through 85 songs but of the 2hrs I did listen to I was loving it. And I'll be revisiting again for my next long run. The two were sweet like chocolate and Ann Le - two times. Two songs that have always grated on me.

Swashbuckler

A solid week although it didnt feel like it would be at the start of the week. Legs took a while to recover from the previous week. Slowly but surely they came back to me. Switched up my shoes a bit and retired the Pegasus 36. Not sure if that made the difference but helped mentally anyway.

As the week went on I was much happier and by the end it was a decent week.

Monday - Easy (6.6M, 54mins. Avg 8.07min/mile)

Legs a little dead. Crappy sleep the night before....A very "meh" run. Questioning how I'll ever manage a marathon block.

Tuesday - 8 x 4min off 2mins - Targeting ~threshold pace (6.00-6.10). (10.4M total. Avg 7.13min/mile)

Continuing to build up the volume at threshold pace this was a progression on the previous 10x3mins.

Was a little apprehensive heading out for this given the way the body felt on the Monday. Was pleasantly surprised. What a difference a decent nights sleep makes. Effort level was pretty spot on for this. I eased into it with the first rep coming in at 6.10 pace. Gradually got slightly quicker so the remaining ones were all between 5.57-6.09 pace. Wore the endorphin pro here. Definitely helps. Heart rate for the reps was in the region of where I'd expect it to be. All in all a good decent days work.

Wednesday - Easy (52mins, 10k - Avg 8.14min/mile)

Nothing major of note here. Took it handy. Felt like a recovery run. Avg HR was 126 which agrees with that theory. Legs a little heavy but not unusually so.

Thursday - Easy (56mins, 7M - Avg 7.58min/mile)

Recovered very well from the Tuesday. Legs felt good again. Tipping away and the miles passed by without much fuss. To be honest, by the end of the week I struggle to remember some of these easy runs.

Friday - 2hrs easy, 15.2M - Avg 7:55

I had noted previously I wanted to get a few more of these vanilla runs in ahead of starting the marathon block. This is my longest run in a while. I must say I really really enjoyed it. Took a nice route around limerick here taking in a section of UL too. I often wonder how other folks feel in the last few miles of these types of runs. I certainly dont feel fresh but not dead either. I presume it should feel like you've done a decent amount of work at the end of a 2hr run? Could have definitely managed a few miles more. I'm looking forward to getting a few of these long vanilla runs in the marathon block. The prospect of 17-20 milers is something new to me and exciting.

Saturday - Easy - (45mins, 5.5M, Avg 8.15min/mile)

Got out in the afternoon which was great. We had been in Elftown with the kids all morning so I was dreading the prospect of having to wait until late evening for this one. Thankfully a window of opportunity opened up earlier.

Sunday - Easy (10k, 51mins - Avg 8.07min/mile)

This run, on the otherhand, felt like it was gonna slip away from me. A day filled with entertaining and minding kids and babies. 8pm hit and I was contemplating skipping it.......Eventually got out at 8.30pm. Dragged myself out the door. Needed the mental reset above all else. Felt surprisingly good here.

Total for the week: 57.1 miles

Total time on feet: 7hrs 31mins (longest in a while)

Total miles year to date: 2650 miles

So all in all I'm happy with that week. Loved seeing all the Jingle Bells results and reports. We also had the Border Half marathon in these parts over the weekend so pretty much everyone I know was racing...........to say I was jealous is an understatement. Delighted for everyone but at the same time its tough to see everyone back out there and running pb's while i'm just ticking away...But my time will come no doubt....Half considering signing up for Mallow 10M in March which could be a decent test of where I'm at ahead of Limerick in May. I dont really see me getting any races in before the end of this year although I'd love to get a crack at getting the 5k pb back off AMK....Fecker has about 3 seconds on me there.

Edit: I tell a lie. I went back and checked and my official 5k PB is actually 17.36. I think the 17.22 was in a TT. Ah well.......

AuldManKing

I wouldn't get outa bed for 17.36

Swashbuckler

Any 5k's between now and xmas I wonder? 😂

Also, I meant to post earlier but anyone reading this log will you do me a favour and make sure to pop over to Oonegative's AR Awards log and get your votes in. It's a bit quiet around these parts lately but this is an age old tradition so please make the effort....And could you do me a second favour and post the same reminder in your own log updates this week.

Murph_D

Good question up there about the end of longish runs. Personally I usually feel OK, could certainly do more but but definitely ready to be done. I enjoy long runs and try to vary the route to keep things interesting but towards the end you're always on very familiar territory so it can get a bit old! But yes, you should definitely feel like some work has been done, even if the pace has been easy.

Swashbuckler

Cheers Murph. Thats actually a good way of putting it. Was just starting the fifteenth mile and thought yeah I could do more but I'm glad to be finishing. I'm not sure if the fact I typically do these with zero intake of liquids or food/gels makes a difference too. I expect not though as I'd say thats the case for most people.

ariana`

Yeah I'd be tired near the end of a 2hr easy long run for sure. Also I experience mental fatigue approaching 2 hrs I fatigue fast, basically I get bored 😳 I don't vary my routes so that may be part of the problem, I'm quite limited locally and with time constraints it's just easier to stay local so I'm pretty much running the same roads all week. With a bit of stuff thrown into a long run I find it much easier to stay alert & focussed. And yeah I think it's pretty normal not to take on fuel for an easy LR. I did 2hr 10min vanilla yesterday on an empty stomach. I'd eat before (and possibly during) a run if it had 'stuff' in it but these easy longs run, it's out of bed and out of the house as quickly and quietly as possible to avoid getting cornered by an early rising 6 year old kid wanting me to do a million little things for him including at least 10 goodbye hugs before I go 🤨

AuldManKing

Long slow runs certainly have their place, my views on them have changed over the years.

In a marathon block - I'd only really do a vanilla long run if its a down week of if it is preceded by a workout the day before - so you are running on tired legs.

For where you are - its probably the perfect thing to do and build upto it, but be careful that you dont add 4-5 weeks of 'inadvertant' marathon training in advance of starting your block - that only goes 1 way.

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118278211#Comment_118278211

That's actually been something I was meaning to ask you. It had been an open question in my head - best way to prep for the marathon block. I know im not coming from a zero base and I have several years of all sorts of sessions under my belt. Some of the training of late has felt like marathon type stuff.....Some bigger threshold sessions. Some longer vanilla runs albeit nothing more than 15M. I'm now really only doing two big runs a week. The past few weeks have been one "big" session midweek and then a longer session/longer vanilla later in the week. The rest of the runs have been easy. In your own opinion is it better to freshen up with some reduced volume and speedier stuff or to start building up to the bigger type sessions?

p.s. I have asked this question of others too but interested to hear your own opinion. I dont want to inadvertently turn a 17 week marathon block into a 21 week one!

Duanington

Nice to see things coming along here, P

I tend to find the 2+ hour long runs, especially the easy paced ones a bit of a drain towards the end. I suspect its a combination of fueling and mental fatigue but can't be sure obviously - it shouldn't surprise me really, 14\15 miles is not a short run. Right now, I'm starting back into that weekly 2 hour run routine and haven't particularly enjoyed either of the last 2 really (although, they haven't been awful either)

But - I ran A LOT of them over the summer months and got to the stage where they just felt effortless, 2 hours, 2.20, 2.30 - whatever....(we'll ignore the fact that I never put them to good use!), so I've no doubt you'll get to that stage.

I wouldn't underestimate the benefit of those runs either, they really are the cornerstone of building towards a marathon block and\or the meatier sessions that you are planning.

Interesting to watch Jerry Kiernan's (RIP) group train for marathons - week in, week out, they plod around at a conversational pace on their long runs - while banging out some really tough midweek marathon paced tempos. Chatting to one of the group that I know pretty well there and he tells me that he really found them tough for the first few months, boring, tired at the end, a bit achey on the legs but over time they just become something that he simply never misses.

Enjoying reading the log at the moment, keep up the good, honest work.

ThePiedPiper

I’ve just caught up with your log here from the start. You’re in a great place, keeping variety of distances and speeds is ideal for the marathon. There’s no reason not to aim for 2:5x in a debut. You’ve got such structure already that preparation will not be an issue.

The only suggestion I’d offer is that you allow yourself to be flexible. If you’re struggling a little, catch a cold, are exhausted due to young kids, etc, don’t feel like you have to stick rigidly to your goal. It’s a long long way from now to June, making the wrong decisions could mean losing a month instead of a week. The base of years of good training is there. Looking forward to seeing how this goes over the coming months.

E.coli

Like PP I am playing catch up here.

I knew the seeds had been sown for this the past 18 months, was only a matter of time. Definitely think you are in a great place going into your marathon debut. I know the long runs are somewhat new but don't underestimate those week in and week out +1hr40 min runs with decent mileage they will hugely stand to you in making a smooth transition.

As for the vanilla long runs, definitely something you need to get used to as Duanington said above. To this day I still find them a bit more draining than a long run session personally I think it's the mono-pace that means you are not engaged and ultimately wears you down mentally as the fueling creeps up on you.

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118293281#Comment_118293281

You jinxed me. I caught a dose of the healyvirus which is much much worse than manflu...😂

All joking aside I actually had to skip a run due to sickness...I dont think thats happened since 2019.

Cheers for the words of encouragement.

healy1835

In the 20 years I've been working with kids, i don't think I've ever escaped a bad dose at least once a year. Didn't really bother me until I started running! I just accept it now and hope it doesn't coincide with races.

Swashbuckler

In the four years since I started having kids I've never been sick so many times . Literally I reckon I've had more doses in the past four years than the 36 years prior. Feckin kids

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118300296#Comment_118300296

Great to see you back running and posting especially in this log!

As you know better than most, the biggest worry for me is balancing it all but I've probably become better at judging that since the early days.

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118285121#Comment_118285121

Cheers D.

Yeah I think the term Easy 15M has always confused me a bit...made me thing it should feel easy but how can anyone feel great after 15M. It's reassuring to know others feeling the same way as me. I won't doubt myself in future....Added to the fact most of my long runs have been on empty which is an added factor.

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118277882#Comment_118277882

So much of that post resonated with me...lol...the same routes, the kids...Ninja'ing out the door

Swashbuckler

Things were shuffled around a little this week for various reasons but still managed to get a decent week in with two good sessions.

Monday - Session - 2x2M at 6.10min/mile (4mins between each)/4x2min "Hard" off 90s (Total 10.5M, 75mins. Avg 7.08min/mile)

I had originally planned this for Tuesday but shifted it back a day with Barra on the way. I had it in my mind that I wanted to get some tempo/HM paced work followed by speedier/5k effort stuff on tired legs...I chose this from my collection of sessions. It's a tough enough session, especially when contending with the breezy conditions but I executed it well. The effort level felt about right on the tempo sections. 12.11 and 12.13 for the 2x2M. 4mins is plenty of recovery. For the 5k efforts they were all in the range of 5.34-5.38min/mile. Was happy with my days work.

Tuesday - Easy (5.75M, 47mins. Avg 8.14min/mile)

Got a look from my wife when I suggested I was heading out for a run. She's a worrier! To be fair all signs were that the storm wasnt due to hit til the afternoon and , while blustery, it wasnt too bad out. Just to be on the safe side I kept it to loops around my estate (~1.8M). This was grand..Hard to read too much into heart rate or anything like that when sections of the run were against a solid headwind.

Wednesday - Easy (7.5M, 60mins. Avg 8.00min/mile)

Cold. The tights made an appearance. Could hear groans of despair coming from the Netherlands.

Thursday - Rest

Was all set for a session. Woke during the night with a rasper of a sore throat and blocked nose. One of the million doses that has entered the house since September. Negative antigen and no surprise really. My daughter literally brings home every dose going. Wisely thought better than heading out for a run although it took some internal convincing in my mind. Stubborn bunch, us runners.

Friday - Session - 10mins WU/1hr Steady/10mins CD (Total 11.3M, 80mins. Avg 7.05min/mile)

Felt somewhat better on Friday. Another days rest probably would have been the wise thing to do but - runners, stubborn etc. Decided to head out for an easy mile and take it from there. I had it in my head that I wanted to run some steady miles. Limited it to one hour although I'd have preferred 70 or 80mins. Surprisingly I felt good on this . Most of the miles averaged around 6.50 with a few slightly lower (6.45). Slowest was 6.58. Could have done more but was caught a little for time. Pleased with the effort. The miles ticked by nicely.....I should note the playlists have been great this week. Delved deeper into Lainey's playlist. Super stuff especially for that type of run.

Saturday - Easy (6.3M, 49mins. Avg 7.48min/mile)

Legs felt perfect. Still a bit snuffly nosed. GPS was way off - they werent sub 8min miles. Was delighted to get out in the afternoon here after a busy morning with the kids.

Sunday - Easy with Strides (8M, 65mins. Avg 8.06min/mile)

GPS seemed to go haywire a few times on this run too. Enjoyed this. Legs felt good and strides were nice and bouncy despite the wine the night before.

So a decent week considering a storm and a headcold. Mileage a little lower than i'd like but you gotta roll with these things. Would like to get two sessions and a long run in this week but we'll see if life allows it.

Entering silly season now so alcohol and food consumption will be on the rise no doubt.

Total for the week: 49.3 miles

Total time on feet: 6hrs 15mins

Total miles year to date: 2700 miles (hoping to hit the 2800 mark by the end of the year.

scotindublin

Another solid week; like you said silly season is coming but we have to enjoy ourselves aswell.

Plenty of time to knuckle down in Jan.

AuldManKing

Headcold ➡️ Flu ➡️ ManFlu ➡️ HealyFlu ➡️ Covid

Laineyfrecks

Another solid week there P, glad to hear you are still enjoying the playlist😊

squinn2912

I think I’m blocked from these logs for some reason but I’ve just found this one and it’s an absolute gem so far, just skimmed it but lovin the detail.

I think you’re gonna absolutely smash the sub3. Your training at the moment is fantastic! Really inspiring reading through the various comments I’ll be following this with keen interest.

good luck with everything and enjoy the journey. I’m really rootin for ya!

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118328788#Comment_118328788

That's very kind. Thank you!

Glad you're enjoying the log. To be fair its moreso the engagement thats interesting rather than the logging itself!

squinn2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118330134#Comment_118330134

I love reading the numbers. You’re a very talented runner and Im sure it will translate itself into the big one. For my money you’re approaching it perfectly and sensibly.

The engagement is brilliant too so both for me! Making me half consider logging my own next steps.

Swashbuckler

We always welcome fresh logs on here. Get logging!

coogy

Sorry to be late to the party but I've been on a self-imposed exile from Boardsville for a while. Will play catch up here as soon as I can!

I also have my eye on Limerick 2022 but with my daughter's confirmation taking place end of April/beginning of May and with no confirmed date (could be announced at the 11th hour), it's hard to know what to do.

Regardless, will be following this log with interest!

squinn2912

SB and lads, I know this isn’t the platform to be asking this but it’s only one question. On the Jack Daniels plan… I’ve never seen it or got the books. I remember very vaguely discussing it with some of you guys who are in the know possibly on the Sub3 thread. I just took a quick look online and there are a few versions of it. Which one is the one for me to get? I think I could read it over the holidays and then decide if I wanna go with it or Advanced Marathoning or something in the middle. Maybe that will be the basis for my own log… if I get round to doing one! Thanks all.

AuldManKing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118335626#Comment_118335626

The Marathon plans are different from V2 to V3 - So I'd be advising to get V3 or V4.

V4 not much different from V3 and I believe the Marathon plans are unchanged - just added an ultra section apparently.

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118335626#Comment_118335626

Never any issues with asking questions unrelated to my training here. Often there isnt really a place for some of these questions and where better to ask Daniels question than in a log from someone training to a Daniels plan!

Just to add to what AMK said, maybe you've seen this before, but this is an interesting little link comparing plans and ranking them in terms of who they may or may not suit. It's actually what pointed me in the direction of the 2Q Daniels plan;

https://fellrnr.com/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Marathon_Training_Plans

MisterJinx

First time posting on your log, hi there! Been enjoying it so far and looking forward to seeing your progress. I've review that fellrnr webpage before and it's very useful, will be using it to select my marathon plan for next year :-)

scotindublin

Thanks for that link P, I will give that a read.....hoping to sit down over Christmas and put a plan together for Chicago, I know it is a long way away but gotta get planning.

I also need to focus on my training for DCM 19, review what went well and what I need to do better......off the top of my head not running enough MP miles stuck out like an eye sore, maybe sticking to doing both club sessions a week wasn't the best idea either.

I am probably going to look at quite a "short" actual official marathon plan from probably mid July.

Oh and sorry for hijacking 🤣

squinn2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118336000#Comment_118336000

That comparasion is very well done. I’m thinking of pushing back a bit and not doing JD now. The 7 days a week is putting me off. I’ll be doing 5-6. Wouldn’t mind reading the book anyhow but I do like AM and it’s worked for me before. Thanks to you both for your insight!

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118336321#Comment_118336321

Welcome MisterJinx!

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118337242#Comment_118337242

Howdy scot - any target in mind for Chicago? Would love to run one of those American majors.

You're gonna see a lot of MP miles in this log over the coming months! Daniels has plenty of them.

Someone linked these plans recently too and I took a peek - looked decenet enough to me;

https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/boston-marathon-training

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118337470#Comment_118337470

Not sure where you saw 7 days but thats certainly not the case. Basically the way the 2Q plan works is you have two sessions every week. You will also have a target mileage for any given week which is specified in the plan. Once you have your two sessions done, then you can make up the remaining easy miles any way you want. They could be spread across the remaining five days or four days or three days........Obviously the less days you run means the more miles you need to squeeze into your active days.

Swashbuckler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118332781#Comment_118332781

I'm not hugely confident it will go ahead to be honest but trying to stay optimistic.

scotindublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118338117#Comment_118338117

Cheers P will check that out aswell.....anything starting with a 2 will be the aim for Chicago. Will nail my colours to the mast early summer but 2.55ish or there abouts.

Chicago 2022 and Boston 2024 is the plan but don't tell the bank man 🤣

Swashbuckler

Started the week with a plan to run two sessions and one long run. Alas silly season took priority. Still managed two decent sessions.

Monday - Session - 10x40s Hills off jog back recover (~80-85s) (Total 9M, 70mins. Avg 7.47min/mile)

Been a while since I had some hill work so decided to get some 40s hills in. Plan was to have a slightly conservative session given the latter part of the week was planned to be bulky enough in terms of volume. Session went really well. I was bouncing up the hills. Averaged 5.20-5.30min/mile pace. Wasnt overly exerted and had plenty left in the tank in the end. Chunked this up with a decent warmup and cooldown.

Tuesday - Easy (10k, 51mins. Avg 8.07min/mile)

Pretty run of the mill. Legs a little tired from the day before so kept it handy. Enjoyed this.

Wednesday - Easy (7M, 55mins30s. Avg 7.55min/mile)

Still a little tired. Night feeds!! I feel like I've had as many night feeds as miles ran in the past month. Wine Wednesday night..........................great idea at the time.........

Thursday - An "at least I got out" Easy 8M , 65mins, Avg 8.08min/mile

This was intended to be session day but there was no way that was happening. Not hungover really, just tired from crappy drunk sleep. Anything with a higher effort would probably meant the HR going through the roof. Got a run in. No biggie. Given the discipline thats about to be coming in the next few months I'm not being too hard on myself here.

Friday - Session - 4x2M at 6.30min/mile off 2.30 (Total 14.6M, 105mins. Avg 7.12min/mile)

The plan had been two sessions and a vanilla 15M. Decided to make this one a chunkier session combined with a long run. This was a very solid session. One of the best I can remember in a while. Effort levels were bang on. Pacing was excellent. Was very happy. Nice heavy legs by the end.

Splits were 12.59, 12.57, 13.00, 13.00.

In fairness though this was a flat route so easy enough to keep everything consistent. Its these type of session I feel are prepping me for the Daniels plan (at least mentally anyway).

Saturday - Recovery (5.5M, 45mins. Avg 8.17min/mile)

Kept this very handy given the big session the day before - leggy but thats to be expected. Guinness was drank Saturday night....As sometimes happens when im drinking I have a very deep (but crappy) sleep. Woke up Sunday morning with that same hip/lower back niggle thats caught me several times in the past. I tend to move around a lot in my sleep as my body doesnt like to lie in the same position all night. When I've had a few beers this natural movement doesnt happen.

Sunday - Easy (6.7M, 53mins. Avg 7.55min/mile)

Got texts from a few buddies saying the walk-in clinic was open for over 40's to get the booster. Headed in around 5pm and got out for my run at 7.30pm. Felt super on the run but noticed the hip.

Woke up Sunday night to feed the baba and felt a little sh*te and the lower back was very tight. So i'm full of sympathy for myself today. The booster absolutely knocked me for six. In bed all day today (Monday). Definitely no run. High temp and drifting in and out of sleep. Hopefully its a one day thing. The hip is as much of a worry. Last thing I need is for that to flare up again.

Total for the week: 57 miles

Total time on feet: 7hrs 25mins

Total miles year to date: 2757 miles (hoping to hit the 2800 mark by the end of the year)

Marathon plan starts on the 30th assuming my body plays ball. Need to be extremely careful between now and then. Last thing I need to be doing is starting into a marathon plan on the back foot.

Dont forget to cast your votes in Oonegatives thread for A/R Awards 2021.......

Laineyfrecks

Take it easy P, you need to be in full health starting your marathon block. Plenty of rest & fluids, feel better soon🤗

scotindublin

Look after that hip P, do you have an exercise regime for that? Like E says need to make sure you are feeling good going into the marathon block.

Hope you feel better after the booster; I have mine Thursday, be good to get her done.

C