Getting back on track

After putting in 43 miles this week, I am feeling the spring back in the step. I have mostly being doing 10k runs, twice a day some days with a long run on Sunday.

I use ENDOMONDO on my iPhone, and now that I am getting serious about the running I am looking for a gps watch. I have been considering the forerunner 210. Does anyone have any advice for a medium priced watch about 200 euro or so?

The week from hell

So, almost two weeks after the Limerick marathon and I still have not gotten back into training very well. I only managed to run twice this week, and only two 5 milers. My head cold which began last week had me feeling really miserable, and phlem started to work its way down to my chest.
on top of this, I had to work six days this week, and they were all really long days, with two trips to the canary islands and two trips to Poland for good measure.

I am feeling much better today and hope to start putting some serious work in from this weekend onwards. I am flying all earlies this week, which can be tough trying to run after going to work at 4.30 am, but the long evenings are a great help.

Not sure if I am going to have the miles in to do the waterford marathon at the end of June. I have two week long holidays planned with the wife and kids, and I don't know how the long runs would go in Portugal in June weather!

Post race illness

One week on from Limerick and I have been suffering with a really nasty head-cold since Wednesday. I did an easy 2 mile run on the track near the house on Thursday at 6.45 pace and really enjoyed it, although my head was thumping.

Back to work on Saturday, and the pressurisation didn't help my cold much. I had intended to run Saturday and today, but I just didn't feel up to it, so it will have to wait until tomorrow to start fresh. I am tempted to do the Waterford marathon at the end of June, not looking for a time, just try to run it at an easy pace, and try not to stop this time!

3rd Marathon - new plan required!

I am new to this blogging lark, so patience may be required. I ran the Limerick marathon last Sunday and the important thing to note was that I really enjoyed it. The weather was perfect, the crowds were great. The course terrain was a bit dubious, with alot of up and down curbs, uneven lane ways and alot of hills in the last four or five miles.

Anyway, I am starting this blog, even though it may never be read, for as much my own benefit as anything. I started running consistently , i.e. more than twice a week, 18 months ago. Bohermeen half marathon 2012 was my first ever race and I was very pleased with a 1.37 finish. 

I targeted Limerick 2012 for my first marathon, and following the hal higdon novice plan, ran my first marathon in 3.40 which i was delighted with. I don't think I have ever experienced the level of physical pain as i did in the hours after that run! I promised myself 'never again'! I had run a marathon, great achievement, now move on. But it seems running isn't so easy to ditch. As soon as the pain subsided, I was planning the next one. Dublin was the obvious choice.

I felt I trained well for Dublin and was hoping for a sub 3.30, which according to all the calculators and my own long runs should have be achievable. Two weeks before, I ran a local 5k and picked up an injury. I went out ok on the day at Dublin, but at 18 miles the injury started to give me trouble and I had to walk quite a bit after. I was gutted with a 3.44, I felt I could have done much better.

So the revenge run! Limerick 2013 here I come. Bohermeen 2013 half marathon, 1.30. Best 10k time 39.20. 16 miles training run at mp, 1.59. Surely a sub 3.30, and even maybe a 3.20 on the cards? The 'calculators' said no problem.

So to the day. Should I be conservative, go with the 3.30 pacers, and try to make up a few minutes toward the last 4 miles, or go with the 3.15's and expect to slow in the final 4, but come in around 3.20? OK, think positive, go 3.15. I felt really comfortable up to 15 miles and was sure this was going to be a good time. As we headed back into the city, the pace was 'less comfortable' and the pacer started to slip away from me. That was ok, I wasn't really expecting to stick with him for the entire race. 21 miles, on for a 3.25 ? starting to struggle, feeling very sick, didn't drink enough water in case I needed to stop for a toilet break. 23 miles, walking, 24 miles, 3.30 pacers go by me shouting encouragement. I try to run with them, my calfs start to cramp badly. 25 miles, I have taken on about a litre of water and feel alot better. I run the last mile and a bit in under 8 mins to cross the line in 3.37, a PB but disappointing considering my expectations.

So, I have two choices, adjust my expectations to match my ability, or the other way around. I am going with the second option, and am targeting Dublin this year.

I know the classic mistake, going out to fast, fading towards the finish. Its early days in my running career, I am only a young 40 in September. Here's hoping I can stop banging my head off the 'wall' before I get some sense !