So off we went to sunny Portugal. A nice relaxing break planned in a nice hotel. The weather wasn't that great for the Monday and Tuesday, so I hit the treadmill in the gym. A 5k followed by a light weights session on Monday, then a 10k in 44 mins on the Tuesday. All the while, an all you can eat buffet breakfast, mcdonalds twice for lunch, followed by three course dinners each evening, course three invariably my ultimate weakness, chocolate cake with cream.
Home to Ireland on Thursday and met up with the club members for 6 miles, with 1.5 down and back made 9. I had intended to run a 10k local race on Saturday, but family events dictated otherwise. So, on the spur of the moment I headed to another local 5k tonight. I wanted to play with my new toy, my Garmin 310xt. The plan was for an easy run, I knew a PB was not likely, so I aimed for a 19.30. I watched the pace all the way around. I went up to a 3.30 pace in the first 1k so slowed down to the target 3.55 and kept it pretty constant. The run pace felt pretty comfortable and I crossed the finish in 19.28, placed 11th overall. I was pretty happy with the run, and glad I hadn't pushed all out for this one, and will concentrate on another upcoming 10k next weekend when I am aiming for an official sub 40 10k.
When I got home, after some really excellent tea and cake (again) I jumped on the scales. Oh boy, I had gained 5 pounds!! That's the result of a serious lack for any meaningful distance runs, which I fully intend to rectify this week!
Friday 21 June 2013
Friday 14 June 2013
The next first step
So another week done and not alot of miles done. Recovering on Sunday and Monday from the mountain half on Saturday left a 5.5 slow run in 44 mins on Tues and same distance in 42 mins on Weds. Thursday evening I went and joined the local running club, star of the sea. I ran just over a mile to the training ground and did 3x2 mile loops at very easy pace, then jogged home again.
The club has training by Gary O'Hanlon on Tuesday which I am realy looking forward to and am hoping to get a bit out of.
I got a new garmin for fathers day on recommendation from Thomas Bubendofer, a 310xt, and i can't wait to try it out. We are heading to Portugal for a few days on Sunday, and I am allowed, under protest, to take my running gear along with me, although at this stage I have to accept that I am unlikely to register much more than 100 miles for the entire month. Back to work next month, and the training for Dublin begins in ernest.
The club has training by Gary O'Hanlon on Tuesday which I am realy looking forward to and am hoping to get a bit out of.
I got a new garmin for fathers day on recommendation from Thomas Bubendofer, a 310xt, and i can't wait to try it out. We are heading to Portugal for a few days on Sunday, and I am allowed, under protest, to take my running gear along with me, although at this stage I have to accept that I am unlikely to register much more than 100 miles for the entire month. Back to work next month, and the training for Dublin begins in ernest.
Sunday 9 June 2013
Mountain Running
So, it turns out that when you lose 32 pounds in weight, your body cannot tolerate the same amount of alcohol consumption that it once could, particularly if you have run two sub 1.35 half marathons over the previous three days. Which left me feeling pretty bad to say the least, last Monday morning.
The night before had been spent at a charity night for a very worthwhile cause, and catching up with some friends and acquaintances whom I hadn't see in some time. I spent quite a while listening to a few of them telling me how I had lost far too much weight, and it wasn't "healthy". This coming from guys who would likely be starting mile 3 as I finished a 10k. And it seems its perfectly acceptable to inform people when you consider that they have become too thin, but not correct to inform people when they are getting too fat!
Anyway, off we went to disney land paris on Tuesday, and the wife informs me that I am not allowed to go running for the four days, but I pack the gear anyway ( just in case ). As expected, disneyland is torture, the weather was up to 30 degrees C, and I eat ALOT of cake. I like to get my value from all you can eat buffets. Before I left I had a quick look to see if there were any races in the local area for the weekend I get back. I noticed a half marathon distance, which seemed to cover a senic route on the mourne coast. A quick call to my running buddy asking him to check it out when I am away as I likely won't have much chance for internet either.
Saturday morning, Glen rings and we agree a 11.30 set off for the half. I was up late, grabbed a quick bowl of cereal and a bar and an apple, and off I go. I throw a gel in the bag, although for half distance I usually wouldn't consume one. The race starts at 2, and I expect I won't eat before it. Myself and Glen have to travel up separately, so no pre-race chat. The start is from sign-on by bus, which I think is unusual. On the bus Glen says that we start up in the mountains and run back, which is pretty much as I expected. Sure, 7 min miles to take it easy I say, and he laughs, the winner last year was 1 hr 41. Ehhh, huhh? Its over some pretty diverse terrain he says, trail running I thought.
Anyway, off the bus, chatting and end up at the back of the start. Sure it's chipped so no big, but as we all know, trying to get around slower runners can cost valuable time. Off we go, on a lovely mountain road, in glorious sunshine. The first two miles are downhill, mile 1, 6.10, mile 2, 5.51 ! I can't believe it, my first sub 6 minute mile, and by a good margin. 1 hour 41 my arse, this is going to be quick! At the end of mile 2, suddenly we veer off the road and down a steep rocky embankment which requires careful footing. Up the next embankment and off across the mountains we go! Trail, not even a track!! Up sheer vertical climbs with very little footing and guys going down all around me, falling over rocks, shoes coming off in bogs, and a 12 minute mile! I should have picked up on the name I suppose, 26 extreme, and it was a qualifier over the ultra distance for the marathon de sable. After a few miles Glen catches, then passes me. Normally, straight line, flat run, I will be ahead of him every time, but over this terrain he is much stronger in the legs from his cycling and starts to pull away. My legs are like lead weights from the effort and my quads are burning, a mixture of running and walking for much of the way. The last 3 miles are only through forest trails to the finish and I manage to pick up to a 7.30 pace, crossing the line in 1.51. Exhausted, but happy on this beautiful day, medal and water well deserved! It was a good experience, but I don't see myself repeating it soon. The legs are the kind of sore today which I haven't felt in a long time!
Much respect to the marathon and ultra guys competing and finishing a really tough course.
The night before had been spent at a charity night for a very worthwhile cause, and catching up with some friends and acquaintances whom I hadn't see in some time. I spent quite a while listening to a few of them telling me how I had lost far too much weight, and it wasn't "healthy". This coming from guys who would likely be starting mile 3 as I finished a 10k. And it seems its perfectly acceptable to inform people when you consider that they have become too thin, but not correct to inform people when they are getting too fat!
Anyway, off we went to disney land paris on Tuesday, and the wife informs me that I am not allowed to go running for the four days, but I pack the gear anyway ( just in case ). As expected, disneyland is torture, the weather was up to 30 degrees C, and I eat ALOT of cake. I like to get my value from all you can eat buffets. Before I left I had a quick look to see if there were any races in the local area for the weekend I get back. I noticed a half marathon distance, which seemed to cover a senic route on the mourne coast. A quick call to my running buddy asking him to check it out when I am away as I likely won't have much chance for internet either.
Saturday morning, Glen rings and we agree a 11.30 set off for the half. I was up late, grabbed a quick bowl of cereal and a bar and an apple, and off I go. I throw a gel in the bag, although for half distance I usually wouldn't consume one. The race starts at 2, and I expect I won't eat before it. Myself and Glen have to travel up separately, so no pre-race chat. The start is from sign-on by bus, which I think is unusual. On the bus Glen says that we start up in the mountains and run back, which is pretty much as I expected. Sure, 7 min miles to take it easy I say, and he laughs, the winner last year was 1 hr 41. Ehhh, huhh? Its over some pretty diverse terrain he says, trail running I thought.
Anyway, off the bus, chatting and end up at the back of the start. Sure it's chipped so no big, but as we all know, trying to get around slower runners can cost valuable time. Off we go, on a lovely mountain road, in glorious sunshine. The first two miles are downhill, mile 1, 6.10, mile 2, 5.51 ! I can't believe it, my first sub 6 minute mile, and by a good margin. 1 hour 41 my arse, this is going to be quick! At the end of mile 2, suddenly we veer off the road and down a steep rocky embankment which requires careful footing. Up the next embankment and off across the mountains we go! Trail, not even a track!! Up sheer vertical climbs with very little footing and guys going down all around me, falling over rocks, shoes coming off in bogs, and a 12 minute mile! I should have picked up on the name I suppose, 26 extreme, and it was a qualifier over the ultra distance for the marathon de sable. After a few miles Glen catches, then passes me. Normally, straight line, flat run, I will be ahead of him every time, but over this terrain he is much stronger in the legs from his cycling and starts to pull away. My legs are like lead weights from the effort and my quads are burning, a mixture of running and walking for much of the way. The last 3 miles are only through forest trails to the finish and I manage to pick up to a 7.30 pace, crossing the line in 1.51. Exhausted, but happy on this beautiful day, medal and water well deserved! It was a good experience, but I don't see myself repeating it soon. The legs are the kind of sore today which I haven't felt in a long time!
Much respect to the marathon and ultra guys competing and finishing a really tough course.
Sunday 2 June 2013
First 5k Race
Tuesday evening I ran my first 5k race. It was of great help that it finished right outside my front door. The weather was pretty good and the race started at 8pm. It was the star of the sea's first event, and there were over 300 entries. There were alot of entries from club runners, and at the start line I felt just a little inadequate. However, there was a great atmosphere, and with every race I have been to anywhere, everyone was smiling and friendly, with some friendly ribbing between the friend who knew each other.
I had run some 8k distances over the previous days at an easy pace, and my legs felt very stiff at the groin and I struggled to get any kind of quick pace, so I was hoping I would come in around the 20 minute mark, and any second below 20 mins would be a bonus. I knew the form of a few local runners, so I figured if I tucked in behind them at the start it would give me a good pace.
We started off and I was looking for about a 4min kilometre pace. Whatever pace I was at with my target runners, it felt comfortable, and it seemed we were quite ahead of the main bunch. The course wasn't exactly flat, but I knew it well so I was able to prepare myself for the hills. At 3k, one of my targets started to fade and I found myself running alongside him. Should I stay with him which felt like an easy pace or go ahead. Go ahead I did passing about four other runners over the next kilometre. My lungs were starting to hurt going up the final straight and I was making the faces of a man with his privates in a vice, but the wife and kids at the finish line cheering me on gave me a lift to the line in 19.05 and 33rd out of a field of 357. I was really pleased with the time, and I think I may be able to improve on it with practise.
I didn't run Wednesday as I was back to work, started at 5.30 am and didn't land until 4pm so that kind of a day pretty much wipes you out. 13.5 miles Thursday at 7.25 pace, rest Friday and 13.5 miles Saturday at 7.15 pace. We are heading to disneyland paris on Tuesday, and I am wondering is it wrong of me to say I am not looking forward to it as it will interfere with my running? I am aiming for a mountain half marathon next Saturday. I am not looking for a good time, but i Believe the race course is over some truly stunning views so I intend to relax and enjoy this one.
I had run some 8k distances over the previous days at an easy pace, and my legs felt very stiff at the groin and I struggled to get any kind of quick pace, so I was hoping I would come in around the 20 minute mark, and any second below 20 mins would be a bonus. I knew the form of a few local runners, so I figured if I tucked in behind them at the start it would give me a good pace.
We started off and I was looking for about a 4min kilometre pace. Whatever pace I was at with my target runners, it felt comfortable, and it seemed we were quite ahead of the main bunch. The course wasn't exactly flat, but I knew it well so I was able to prepare myself for the hills. At 3k, one of my targets started to fade and I found myself running alongside him. Should I stay with him which felt like an easy pace or go ahead. Go ahead I did passing about four other runners over the next kilometre. My lungs were starting to hurt going up the final straight and I was making the faces of a man with his privates in a vice, but the wife and kids at the finish line cheering me on gave me a lift to the line in 19.05 and 33rd out of a field of 357. I was really pleased with the time, and I think I may be able to improve on it with practise.
I didn't run Wednesday as I was back to work, started at 5.30 am and didn't land until 4pm so that kind of a day pretty much wipes you out. 13.5 miles Thursday at 7.25 pace, rest Friday and 13.5 miles Saturday at 7.15 pace. We are heading to disneyland paris on Tuesday, and I am wondering is it wrong of me to say I am not looking forward to it as it will interfere with my running? I am aiming for a mountain half marathon next Saturday. I am not looking for a good time, but i Believe the race course is over some truly stunning views so I intend to relax and enjoy this one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)