Aware 10K

57.25... that's under an hour and that's all we need to know!

Jingle Bells 5K

First run since the marathon, including training, and it showed in my 27 minute time!! I had hoped to do a lot better but if you don't put in the time...

Proof of the pain!!

The photos are in and get a load of this look... a combination of pain, relief, disbelief & never again will I do something as stupid as this!!

What followed was a creamy pint, a healthy tuna sanger and thoughts turned to maybe I COULD do it again!!! ...SOOOO I've signed up for Dublin 2008! At least I've got an easy personal best to beat!!

Dublin City Marathon: 05:29:04

A marathon... it really is such a long way, much more that my legs were expecting!!

I felt really good at mile 14 which is hardly surprising as the longest I had ran during training was a 1/2 marathon. I was following my “take it easy and save it for later” strategy which seemed to be working (running an average of 11.5 minute miles).

BUT I had no idea what would happen after 14 miles and it wasn’t long before I realized that all was not well despite my carb loading diet leading up to the race and regular consumption of carb rich gel packs during the race; my legs were just not willing to do what they were told and as the miles went on they became less and less interested.

By mile 22 they had met with their union and were threatening to go on strike unless this ridiculous exercise ceased, I managed to keep them going for another mile or so but they finally had enough somewhere near mile 24 and we were walking for the next 2 miles.

It wasn’t until we got back into the city that their ego took over and responded the cheering crowds that lined the streets along the final stretch.

Crossing the line was an awesome experience, it somehow made up for the pain.

Great North Run: 02:26:52

Fantastic weekend, great day and a pretty good time of 02:26:52... I managed to run the entire length of the course although the last couple of miles were a real struggle, so much so that some walkers were passing me by. It really was a brilliant experience; the atmosphere was fantastic and the entire route was lined with cheering spectators which made the run so enjoyable.

Roll on the Dublin city marathon in 3 weeks!!!!!

Dublin 1/2 Marathon: 02:22:34

It was a real worry... I wasn't sure if I could run the course as I hadn't been training for the last few weeks through injury and sheer laziness... but as soon as I started I realised that it would be fine. The first 9 miles went well; I managed to keep a good pace and enjoyed the run. After mile 9 it quickly turned, by mile 11 I was ready to drop and had to walk for the first time but it did the trick and I was back running well into mile 12, crossing the line in a fantastic (in my opinion) time of 02:22:34.

It's seems obvious now...

...but try to avoid sneezing when riding home on your motorcycle, especially if the visor's down. Enough said?

GNR thought...

I’m really looking forward to the Great North Run in Newcastle, even if my training schedule doesn’t reflect my enthusiasm… I’m not going to push it too hard during the Dublin ½ marathon (the previous week), I’ll be sticking to my 3 mile run, short walk, 3 mile run (ditto until the finish line) strategy, what can go wrong… just thought of one thing that could go wrong but what are the chances of a grand piano falling from a high rise?

Washout weekend...

OK, pretty rubbish weekend of running, in a word... none! Tuesday AM is the next on the list: 4 miles, then 8 and another 4 before a 10 miler at the weekend!

Ouchious Maximious

A little disappointing this morning... got out early (good start) but started to feel a little achy in my left foot early on. I thought I could run through it but got worse. After almost 3 miles I had to stop and walk the rest of the way. Will ice and rest tomorrow, see how we go. Can't afford to get injured now, especially as time is ticking away for the marathon... less than 7 weeks to go!!

5.6 miles later... feeling good

I was supposed to run 4 miles this morning, but due to my amazingly retarded navigation skills I managed to clock up 5.6 miles. A pleasant surprise and, considering I was out at 6am (that's long before dawn) I felt pretty good afterwards.

OK, back on track

It's been a while but we're back on track... Ran my 4 mile last night in a reasonable 42mins. 7 miles tonight...

OMG

Took the ol' legs out for a run last night after a lengthy rest... now officially worried! Only 2 weeks to the 10 mile adidas run, that's gonna hurt!

Adidas 5 mile

50:57... really happy with this time, and it's looking good for the 10 mile run in 3 weeks.

Achill 1/2 Marathon!!

2:39:45! A respectable time... seriously, it is! My first 1/2 marathon and what an event!! We started and finished on the sandy beach of Keel. It was a glorious day... looking forward to doing it again next year!

Shinsplints... my achilles heel

Went for my scheduled 7K run last night and was forced to stop after only 20 minutes... my lower legs were killing me! Later on I learn that I've got shin splints, not uncommon but bloody sore. I need to take it easy for a while, this means no running until my sports therapist gives the all clear. Normally I say "yeah! TV and beer all 'round" but now that I'm really quite serious about getting into marathon distance shape I'm a little gutted. Never mind, I can cycle to continue building my fitness levels. Other than that all's well!

Consistancy in a world gone mad...

Good new is that I finally got my ass into gear and ran tonight... bad news is that I'm not getting any faster... consistancy is not something I need right now. That damn pensioner passed my twice again tonight. Tonights tally: 8.60km in 00:56:18. Golf tomorrow, I've put that down as cross training. Then another 8.6K on Thursday.

"Good things come to those who wait"...

...is relevant in most cases but not here I'm afraid. Familiar story... missed a day here and there, & there and here, unfortunately they were in series adding up to 4 days sans running. But I did get out this morning (very early) and managed 5.79K in 00:36:43, not completely rubbish but I'm getting there.

I've planned a recovery week ahead: Slow running all week; 6.5K Monday, then 3K Tuesday, 6.5K Wednesday, and finally 6.5 K Thursday. Cycle Friday, rest on Saturday and then a 5K race on Sunday. If I can do the 5K race in under 30mins I'll be happy, really happy!!

I did pass the same pensioner twice during my run, overtook would be more accurate... he over took me would be even more accurate. I have convinced myself that he was running a totally different route; a much shorter, less hilly route and he probably used his bus pass to cheat.

Stick to the program!!

It's been four days since I last ran but I'm back and I can feel it... Managed 3.75 miles (about 6K) but it was a real struggle, I had to walk a little at the middle bit... to the end bit. Yes it was another valient effort but nature did bite back and said "NO... you're just not fit enough to sprint around the park, we'll stop you here and you can walk the rest of the way" as my legs felt as if they had picked up a couple of hitchikers. It's a weird feeling, you've got to ignore the temptation to stop (and it's really tempting) because you will pass through a barrier & there it is... your second wind!

Oh, did I mention that my time was 42 mins.? And yes, that is crap... and yes I am getting slower...

The lesson today is: Stick to the program!! Don't misss a run, if you do then make up for it the VERY NEXT DAY!! Otherwise it's hitchiker time, and those guys hang on!

60 Days to go...

Just arrived into work and I have just realised that my running gear is still in my kitchen... many, many miles away. That may sound like a pathetic excuse but I assure you it was completely accidental...

UPDATE: Crap... didn't get out, that's 4 days in a row!!

Holiday Monday... do I have to??

You know, I really wanted to get out and run today but spent the entire day gardening instead. On the plus side the garden looks great!! It's been 3 days since I ran, must get act together tomorrow... Oh! There's that word again!! Annie, eat your heart out!!

Good thing about tommorow...

How pathetic is this.... missed my "tomorrow" run yet again, but the good this about tomorrow is that there's one just around the corner!!

Sad but true...

Missed my run today... supposed to be a massive 6K, let's try again tomorrow...

OOOUUUUUUCCCCHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Managed 2.5 miles, but boy was it sore when I finished... Turns out it was to do with the orientation of my foot; for some reason I was running with my foot leaning slightly inward which was putting a little strain on one of my lower leg muscles. 6K tomorrow, hopefully sans ouch!!

Ouch!

Managed 6K tonight, tough going! Really had to work hard to complete the last 3K. I'm putting it down to the fact that I had 2 rest days in a row. 3K tomorrow night and 6K on Saturday, then a massive 8K on Sunday!!

...need to massage my schedule... again...

Missed my run tonight, I had a 2hr. motorbike lesson and I was in no fit state to run after that terrifying experience. So once again my schedule has to be pushed ahead by a day, no big deal.

...amazing what you find when you look!!

Having utilised the measurement tool from map24.com, it turns out that my earlier distances were a little... emmm... optimistic. What I thought was 3K was in fact 2.7K, not a huge difference so I'm not beating myself up about it.

Tonight was a long run... 4.24 miles or almost 8K. I was REALLY tired after 6K and sooooo wanted to stop but I had to stick to the plan. It's amazing what you can find when you really want to go a little further. My time was 42mins. My pace was a little slower than previous, shorter runs but I'm really working on distance right now; time can wait a little longer!!

My mate Kerry wondered if I got an email invitation to the 2008 London Marathon from fetcheveryone.com... I didn't get one!! I reckon she's on a special list... whereas I'm just listed as special...

Day off tomorrow... then running on Wed, Thurs and Fri . Off on Saturday and a big run on Sunday!! Only 67 days to the Achill 1/2 Marathon!! Yikes!

I wonder when I will feel less like a waddling walrus and more like a sprinting athlete... I'm still getting sympathy looks from passers by! You know that type... "Ah.. bless, keep going, you'll get there..."

Damn that sun...

OK, plans have temporally changed... unfortunately this weekend was so sunny & warm & nice that I just couldn't muster up the energy or desire to run around the Curragh for 8K! So, as I cracked open another beer, I decided to postpone my Sunday long run to Monday; to many that may sound like an excuse but to me it's a sensible solution to a difficult situation. While everything has been pushed forward by one day this week I'm not skipping any sessions, back to normal next week!!

Finish line

Having a well deserted pint.

I have to admit it's getting better...

Just ran 6K in the same time (33 minutes) as last night but with much less pain... now that is progress. Day off tomorrow, cross training on Saturday (probably an hour cycle) and then a massive 8K run on Sunday to complete my first week of training!!

It starts NOW!!

OK, I've got it all worked out! 11 weeks of training ahead, culminating with the Achill 1/2 marathon in July... I'm aiming for a time of no more than 2 hrs.

Tonight I ran an impressive 6K in 33 minutes! Well I'm impressed. Same again tomorrow night.

These used to work...

Started my Achill 1/2 marathon training plan tonight! I had planned to run 6K but my legs had other ideas, after 3K they decided they'd had enough and as I'm an accomodating kind of guy I let them take the rest of the evening off.

GIR 2007...

Finished in a little over 1.08... DAMN & BLAST IT!! I wanted to break the hour but it wasn't to be... 'till next time!!

Andrew

Work

Rougher than a badgers arse...

The person who introduced me to the term "rougher than a badgers arse" has just talked me into entering the GNR 2007 ballot. If I win I'll be very, very upset... especially now that I've heard the marathon horror story, it's too grim to repeat here but let me assure you that it's put me right off running a marathon. I must ask her how she knows how rough a badgers arse is...

This is the first of many entries, I'm on a mission! The Great Ireland Run and the Achill Half Marathon, both in April this year. And, if luck fails, the GNR in October. I plan to transform myself from an aging tub of lard to and aging tub of low-fat marg.

Dublin Port Tunnel Run 2006

Finished in (an unofficial) 1.05!! Almost ran all the way, just couldn't manage the last uphill K. Strange running in a tunnel; loud & no weather, and nowhere to go if you're caught short!!

...now that I think about it...

Just had a moment of clarity... forget my previous posting, it's just not going to happen!

...just checkin' in

Been very lazy... but tomorrow is the start of next challange, actually set of challanges, 3 runs coming up in July, August and September: 5 miles, 10 miles and half marathon respectively.

...getting back on track

After all my GREAT intensions I haven't put on a pair of trainers, let alone ran, since the GIR in April.

GIR 2006

Finished in 1:12:19!!! And yes, it hurts!

Has it been that long??

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last went running... and I was crap then, can you imagine how I'd fair now?? At least it'll give passers by something to giggle at and tell the folks back home.All joking aside, it's about 3 weeks to the big event and I'm getting worried. I spent last week in Madrid, eating, drinking, sightseeing, drinking, eating and drinking; in that order, several times a day. I've also put on a little weight, I'm up to 91KG but that could be down to my new weighing scales and the well-known increases in gravity at this time of year.'Till next time!!

...tired... so tired...

The title says it all, my poor legs decided that they'd had enough... I managed to cover almost 3K before I had to turn around, my legs were tired and I became incredible hungry?? I felt like I hadn't eaten in weeks! I had skipped lunch so I guess my body had decided to teach me a lesson... I turned around and tried a few sprints but it hurt, really hurt.... walking through the town I passed by several fast-food outlets, thanks god I didn't have any money!!

Friday Night... 75mins

I managed to shake off my two hitchikers early on tonight, no improvemnt on time, 'till next time...

Sunday Night... 75mins

As I have to shave off a huge 35 minutes I decided to start running sooner rather than walking the first Kilometre, BIG MISTAKE!! I quickly felt like two kids were hanging onto my legs, and they were getting heavier and heavier... after about 1K I had to stop running, and after walking for another .5K I had to stop, feeling rather pathetic I sat on a garden wall while my legs came back to life. After a couple of minutes I had shaken off my two hitchhikers and started briskly walking again, this is what I should have done in the first place.Feeling pretty good after another Kilometre or so I started running and it felt pretty good, tiring but good. The more I ran the harder it got but at one stage I hit the pain barrier and got through it!! So that was me for the next Kilometre or so when I had to walk, it wasn't long before reached the 5K mark and time to turn around for the return journey. 40 minutes had passed which meant the a similar effort would get me in at 80 mins.

The return journey was much easier, running most of the way and making up 5 minutes on route. The final lap time was 75 minutes, outstanding (by my standards) but a whopping 25 minutes over my target time.Next outing is on Tuesday night! Here's looking at another timely shave!!

Tuesday Night... 85mins

Just back from my run, well walk with some runny bits. At any rate I'm doing 10K in 85 minutes, I know that's a whopping 35 minutes over my target but it's my best yet!

I'm back on track...

Yes, I have finally dragged myself off the couch, Wednesday night marked the first day of my comeback! I'm easing myself back into the swing of things. Some might say an athlete of my standard needn't worry about pushing it too early, they are lying of course! An athlete of my standard needs to be pushed before it's too late...

Indian, Chinese or jog...

OK, you can rule out the third option! This is my week of post Christmas recovery, it's not just an excuse... it's a poor excuse but it's all I've got.

...easy does it!

I've decided that rushing into training so soon after Christmas would be a mistake, the prudent approach is to really think hard about it this week and start next week.

03/01: ...post-Christmas pre-Schedule present-Optimism...

...that about sums it up! Well, it's the beginning of a new year and there's a little over 3 months to the 10K run in Dublin!! Where has the time gone, only 3 months!! BUT, I have plans! Number one can't fail, it's a 6 week plan that we have me running 5K non-stop. Assuming I succeed, I'll move onto plan #2, another 6 week plan that will have me running 10K (hopefully non-stop). First instalment is tonight!

The rocky road ahead... just gets rockier

Getting there was never in doubt, is not in doubt, however my timetable has had to be modified somewhat, some might say stretched. Yes you've guessed, I've had a serious relaplse, I haven't ventured out to run for, oh, 3 weeks and it's coming up to Christmas! That is significant, Christmas that is, for this is a time of induldgence and excess. Now, I don't make the rules, they say rules are made to be broken but until I find out who "they" are I can't possibly that it seriously, can I?

... a touch of deja vous

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record... yes, you've guessed it, something came up and... you know the rest. BUT, tonight is the night! the night! the night! scratch!!!

...it was worth it at the time!

Tragedy last night! After my 5th creamy pint of Guinness I realised I had no chance of running anywhere other than back to the bar. Yet again, tonight is the night!

I'm not one for excuses but...

Well, it's almost 11pm and I've just finished working out how little money I have, is it too late to go out for a run? My heart says yes, and every other organ agrees, and as a supporter of democracy I feel compelled to bow to the wishes of the majority. OK, a pretty pathetic excuse, but it is very late don't you think?

That was a particularly cold winters night...

Well, I didn't manage to go for a run last night, it was Monday after all and I felt that I had achieved so much that day (i.e. getting up and going to work) that I deserved a little rest. However, tonight will be a different story let me assure you, 10K here I come!!

It all began on a cold winters night...

This is the first day of my Marathon training!! Now, we are looking at a seriously long term plan here, let's not deny it! I've broken it down into achievable goals, starting with tying my own shoe laces (done) and moving onto getting out into the cold winter evening... (almost done).

Seriously though, I have just committed to running a 10K mini-mini marathon in Dublin next year (April 10th I think), and looking forward I plan to participate in the Great North Run in Newcastle next October, that's 20K, significantly more that I can walk right now, luckily I have almost a year to prepare, unluckily I tend to procrastinate and will probably start training the night before. I may need help!Here's my plan: I've got a 10K circuit around my town that I both walk and jog, initially jogging was literally painful, but it's getting better, slowly but surely...

I'm up to jogging 5K and walking 5K, that's about 1hr 15 to complete, my target is 50mins, that may be a little optimistic but I do have until April next year.'Till next time!