Maybe Santa Claus will help, because everything else seems to go wrong and I cant get more than a few weeks without another piece of my ageing body breaking down! I'm sure nobody wants to hear about YET another Liam Excuse/Injury, but I decided that the start of my training programme for Virginia Beach was obviously going too well, so I decided to pull a tendon in my left foot! Meant I could sit on my arse for three weeks and do no running!
Well, the good news is that its 90% cleared up now, and I have started running again. Monday night I rejoined the Dublin Hash and took part in an easy low key run on a chilly evening. Wednesday and Thursday I went to the gym and ran short 2Km runs each evening, hard enough to test the foot was OK, but short enough not to cause too much presure on the foot - Two short runs, but the foot seems to have got through the ordeal OK, and hopefully I can get going again - Don't hold your breath, something is bound to go wrong before the Year is out!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Well, so far so good...
The world hasn't stopped spinning on its axis, and Barack Obama will be President in 74 days - Welcome Back to the World America :)
But onto more serious matters - my running!
Well, for the first time in a very long time, I have managed to make the treadmill and run 5 days in a row, and in fact 7 out of the last 8 days, only Saturday last being missed. At the moment, I am taking very small steps, with next to no distance being undertaken, but I am doing the improtant bit, I'm lacing my shoes and getting out there. Yesterday was difficult. My legs felt very tired, I felt tight on the chest, and things were "yucky" - and I was only running 8:30 pace, and had to cut the run to a miniscule 2Km. Today I managed 2 miles, and felt a lot better, so I'll continue on the easy build up, and keep working hard.
But onto more serious matters - my running!
Well, for the first time in a very long time, I have managed to make the treadmill and run 5 days in a row, and in fact 7 out of the last 8 days, only Saturday last being missed. At the moment, I am taking very small steps, with next to no distance being undertaken, but I am doing the improtant bit, I'm lacing my shoes and getting out there. Yesterday was difficult. My legs felt very tired, I felt tight on the chest, and things were "yucky" - and I was only running 8:30 pace, and had to cut the run to a miniscule 2Km. Today I managed 2 miles, and felt a lot better, so I'll continue on the easy build up, and keep working hard.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Election Day - The World awaits with bated breath
And while we wait, I went to the gym and did a session on the treadmill, along with some leg curls and a sauna session. The run was average, only 2 miles at 8:22 pace, positively pedestrian, but it was another run, and I didn't feel too pressed at this pace - understandably. I need to start building up a mile or two each week, as I build up to the 10K run on Dec 6th - Slowly slowly -
Lets hope that the election in the US produces the "right" result, the world is hopeful, lets hope the Americans don't let the world down.....((See, I can be topical too!)...
Lets hope that the election in the US produces the "right" result, the world is hopeful, lets hope the Americans don't let the world down.....((See, I can be topical too!)...
Monday, November 03, 2008
Week 1 of 20 - The Countdown Begins
Well, I promised I was going to start again, and this time get there, so here we are, the start of a 20 week programme with a goal in mind. I have no excuses at the moment, apart from the excess weight I am carrying, so here I am, embarking on another Marathon, and once again its a US one.
Some time ago I we were invited to go to St Louis, for a Green Dress Hash Run for St Patrick's weekend, actually the run is on March 13th, and we were looking at making it a long weekend. But having now been invited to the
Shamrock Marathon Fest in Virginia Beach it's looking that the trip will encompass the Hash in St Louis, and then a lesiurely drive across country to Virginia Beach for the Marathon on March 22nd - That race being exactly 20 weeks away!
So today, Day 1 of Week 1, and in the 6 weeks of base building that my plan involves, it was a 4Km trot in 21:37 on the treadmill, an easy, even-paced run, a start which will be developed as we progress. I have a couple of local races in December which will begin the speed/interval phase, so won't be expecting anything spectacular there, one is a 10Km, the other a 5Km, so we'll see.
Just so you can see how much weight I am carrying, I include this lovely picture of me from this weekend Halloween Party - Boy have I got a job on my hands!
Some time ago I we were invited to go to St Louis, for a Green Dress Hash Run for St Patrick's weekend, actually the run is on March 13th, and we were looking at making it a long weekend. But having now been invited to the
Shamrock Marathon Fest in Virginia Beach it's looking that the trip will encompass the Hash in St Louis, and then a lesiurely drive across country to Virginia Beach for the Marathon on March 22nd - That race being exactly 20 weeks away!
So today, Day 1 of Week 1, and in the 6 weeks of base building that my plan involves, it was a 4Km trot in 21:37 on the treadmill, an easy, even-paced run, a start which will be developed as we progress. I have a couple of local races in December which will begin the speed/interval phase, so won't be expecting anything spectacular there, one is a 10Km, the other a 5Km, so we'll see.
Just so you can see how much weight I am carrying, I include this lovely picture of me from this weekend Halloween Party - Boy have I got a job on my hands!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
New York Times - Big Marathons Article
A few weeks ago I was called my a journalist on the New York Times and we had a telephone discussion about the state of play of large city Marathons - Here is a link to the article from today's NYT.
Big Marathons, Already Packed, May Still Grow
By JULIET MACUR
Published: October 29, 2008
Race directors are looking for ways to make their marathons even bigger, while somehow maintaining a safe and enjoyable experience for runners.
Wonder what others might think - Seems a very fair piece to me -
Big Marathons, Already Packed, May Still Grow
By JULIET MACUR
Published: October 29, 2008
Race directors are looking for ways to make their marathons even bigger, while somehow maintaining a safe and enjoyable experience for runners.
Wonder what others might think - Seems a very fair piece to me -
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Dublin Marathon Weekend 2008
As I reported earlier, obvioulsy I wasn't running this year, but it still meant a busy weekend at the Adidas Dublin Marathon. Went to the expo on Saturday to check out the stands, catch up with a few friends, and generally get re-enthused about the Marathon.
On Sunday, I was hareing a trail for the Dublin Hash House Harriers, and we welcomed a group of Runners/Hashers in from Sweden, along with a couple of Americans, and the usual Dublin crew. This was a sightseeing hash and a gentle run was planned for those taking part in the Marathon on Monday, and an enjoyable time was had as I showed them the sights of Dublin.
This took me through to Monday and Marathon Day. This year, it was no trip down to the start to wave good-bye and await the return - We were off at 7.30 to Terenure, and Mile 15 of the race. The Hash operate a Water Station here, and we arrived to find 10,000 bottles sat on pallets, tables awaiting building and a few like minded souls looking forward to the day. It was clear, cool, but dry, all in all a perfect day for running, and we quickly erected the tables, started to unpack the water bottle, having to pull off the plastic tops on 10,000 bottles. Then the van arrived with some banners, the FM104 Girls arrived in their Beetle, and 20 boxes of gels were dropped off for us - we were prepared -
At around 10.15 the lead car was spotted, and before we knew it the leaders were among us - and as quickly as they arrived, they were gone, their special drinks collected, drunk, discarded - water taken, and not a stride broken as they sped off. Gradually the rest of the field started to appear - Strung out at first as the leading Irish runners came through, then those looking to break 2:45, we spotted a few familar faces, some looking worse than others, and before we knew it, the masses were upon us. Hundreds of tired runners, pounding their way thru Mile 15, over half way, and starting the countdown to home.
Water was collected, dropped, gels ripped open, thank you's called to us volunteering. The kids helped us, handing out bottles without getting in every ones way, they were a welcome help - Runners must be the most polite people in the sporting world, as they thanked us for being there, we were all glad to help. After two hours of constant masses, the runners started to become walkers, the numbers dwindled, but still they came. Simon Baker, who would go on to set a world record for completeing a marathon on crutches, came by and chatted with us as he rested his arms - His "minders" complaining he was going too fast! We saw the Toucan, a friend of mine from Wales was yelled at - and went on to run 4:22, most looked great at our station, and the happy smiles of the walkers at the tail of the field said it all as they enjoyed their day out in Dublin.
Many were raising money for charities close to home, many just aiming to complete the run for their own satisfaction - One would come first, but everyone was a winner. Having run a fair few myself, I recalled the pleasures and pains of a marathon, part of me missing being out there running - As we wound down the operation as the numbers became a trickle, we waited for the last runners to pass, cheering them onwards to their own goals - I know I want to be a part of this again. Next year is Dublin's 30th Anniversary, my shoes will be laced, my training done, and I will be back on the streets of Terenure, and beyond - I'll be looking for my water at Mile 15 - On On ..
On Sunday, I was hareing a trail for the Dublin Hash House Harriers, and we welcomed a group of Runners/Hashers in from Sweden, along with a couple of Americans, and the usual Dublin crew. This was a sightseeing hash and a gentle run was planned for those taking part in the Marathon on Monday, and an enjoyable time was had as I showed them the sights of Dublin.
This took me through to Monday and Marathon Day. This year, it was no trip down to the start to wave good-bye and await the return - We were off at 7.30 to Terenure, and Mile 15 of the race. The Hash operate a Water Station here, and we arrived to find 10,000 bottles sat on pallets, tables awaiting building and a few like minded souls looking forward to the day. It was clear, cool, but dry, all in all a perfect day for running, and we quickly erected the tables, started to unpack the water bottle, having to pull off the plastic tops on 10,000 bottles. Then the van arrived with some banners, the FM104 Girls arrived in their Beetle, and 20 boxes of gels were dropped off for us - we were prepared -
At around 10.15 the lead car was spotted, and before we knew it the leaders were among us - and as quickly as they arrived, they were gone, their special drinks collected, drunk, discarded - water taken, and not a stride broken as they sped off. Gradually the rest of the field started to appear - Strung out at first as the leading Irish runners came through, then those looking to break 2:45, we spotted a few familar faces, some looking worse than others, and before we knew it, the masses were upon us. Hundreds of tired runners, pounding their way thru Mile 15, over half way, and starting the countdown to home.
Water was collected, dropped, gels ripped open, thank you's called to us volunteering. The kids helped us, handing out bottles without getting in every ones way, they were a welcome help - Runners must be the most polite people in the sporting world, as they thanked us for being there, we were all glad to help. After two hours of constant masses, the runners started to become walkers, the numbers dwindled, but still they came. Simon Baker, who would go on to set a world record for completeing a marathon on crutches, came by and chatted with us as he rested his arms - His "minders" complaining he was going too fast! We saw the Toucan, a friend of mine from Wales was yelled at - and went on to run 4:22, most looked great at our station, and the happy smiles of the walkers at the tail of the field said it all as they enjoyed their day out in Dublin.
Many were raising money for charities close to home, many just aiming to complete the run for their own satisfaction - One would come first, but everyone was a winner. Having run a fair few myself, I recalled the pleasures and pains of a marathon, part of me missing being out there running - As we wound down the operation as the numbers became a trickle, we waited for the last runners to pass, cheering them onwards to their own goals - I know I want to be a part of this again. Next year is Dublin's 30th Anniversary, my shoes will be laced, my training done, and I will be back on the streets of Terenure, and beyond - I'll be looking for my water at Mile 15 - On On ..
Friday, October 24, 2008
Stop - Start
Just in case I am talking to myself these days - I deserve to. I have been so irregular on here, I would be amazed if anyone has any patience left with me.
On the plus side, I am now injury free. I am still hashing and this has allowed me to keep some semblance of running in my life. This weekend here in Dublin, it's Marathon time. Obviously I am not running it this year, but I am contrbuting by Volunteering at a water station on Monday (Mile 15!), and I am also leading out a hash on Sunday for those visiting, a Sightseeing Hash!
But where does that leave my running. I had been thinking of running the Cross Country this winter, but knowing that being out of shape and running X-Country are not ideal friends, I will postpone those until the New Year, but I will target two low key races in December as runs. A 10K on Dec 6th, the Aware Race, and the Jingle Bells 5K the following weekend.
The biggest problem I have at present is my weight. I crept over 200lbs a couple of weeks ago, but glad to say I am back under again, and really will have to work on getting this back down to my Running Weight, which is below 185 - We shall see.....
On the plus side, I am now injury free. I am still hashing and this has allowed me to keep some semblance of running in my life. This weekend here in Dublin, it's Marathon time. Obviously I am not running it this year, but I am contrbuting by Volunteering at a water station on Monday (Mile 15!), and I am also leading out a hash on Sunday for those visiting, a Sightseeing Hash!
But where does that leave my running. I had been thinking of running the Cross Country this winter, but knowing that being out of shape and running X-Country are not ideal friends, I will postpone those until the New Year, but I will target two low key races in December as runs. A 10K on Dec 6th, the Aware Race, and the Jingle Bells 5K the following weekend.
The biggest problem I have at present is my weight. I crept over 200lbs a couple of weeks ago, but glad to say I am back under again, and really will have to work on getting this back down to my Running Weight, which is below 185 - We shall see.....
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Little acorns
You know the old saying about acorns, well, tonight saw a small step for Liam, a giant leap for my running! I headed to the gym, and ran a 3Km session. It was slow, painfully, 15:57. But it was a 3 Km run with no niggles as I ran, no running through pain, no feeling every muscle as I ran.
It's a long road back, I have 20 lbs extra around my belly - and a long way before I can honestly say I will be race fit again. Probably no real chance of anything this side of Xmas of note, but I will work at it, and get back. I love running too much to give up on the project....
It's a long road back, I have 20 lbs extra around my belly - and a long way before I can honestly say I will be race fit again. Probably no real chance of anything this side of Xmas of note, but I will work at it, and get back. I love running too much to give up on the project....
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Maybe not quite - But it's a start
Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day, and I didn't take advantage and run! But I did have a lovely day - walked around Greystones, had lunch al fresco, watched some soccer.... and that continued into Sunday.
But Monday, and a Hash in Santry! Now, hashing can sometimes be far more about the drinking afterwards, and little of the running. But Monday's was a run, and a good one to boot. For those not atune to hashing, it's nothing to do with smoking anything, it's running, following a trail laid by a hare before we all follow on, and it's all good fun, with a few beers at the end to justify the exercise! Well, last night we had a good run of around 75 minutes, and I got a good workout. OK, it's not a structured exercise routine, but it was a good run around Santry and Beaumont, and I felt it was well worth it as a way of kicking off the campaign.
Feeling stiff this morning, and will aim to go the gym tonight to work on a stiff right quad as well as take a nice sauna. I've added a little pic from the weekend, which shows my newly added weight quite well :)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Light at end of tunnel
Some of you will recall when I used to be a runner - Hey! Even I can just about remember the days, the Alzheimer's hasn't kicked in quite yet. This summer has been a write off - story of so many recent summers, but this year wasn't just me being lazy. The muscle in my back has cost me hard, and a virtual ten week layoff has ensued. Now, I can confess to Hashing a little, well, every week to be honest, but those of you who have hashed yourselves will know, that running is not the most important part of a Hash.
Well, 20 lbs extra from when I was in Cincy in May, clothes that barely fit me, and a chubbiness that I detest, here we are in mid-September, and I am ready to start running again. Ironically, I should be running a half-marathon on Saturday, but instead, I plan to start with a gentle, easy 2.4 miles around docklands, and as long as I can put one foot in front of the other, Saturday morning will be the start of something big.
Obviously any plans for this year are shelved, but I aim to be back running, with a proper level of fitness for the BHAA Cross Country Season. Now I hate cross country at the best of times, but I have to make a realistic target, and the road race season will be over by the time I am prepared again - so the BHAA Teaches XC on Oct 18th, over 4 miles, will be my comeback attempt.
I do plan to write garbage on here, to get me going again, and so my posts may actually make some sense :) - Here we go again - Come along for the ride...
Well, 20 lbs extra from when I was in Cincy in May, clothes that barely fit me, and a chubbiness that I detest, here we are in mid-September, and I am ready to start running again. Ironically, I should be running a half-marathon on Saturday, but instead, I plan to start with a gentle, easy 2.4 miles around docklands, and as long as I can put one foot in front of the other, Saturday morning will be the start of something big.
Obviously any plans for this year are shelved, but I aim to be back running, with a proper level of fitness for the BHAA Cross Country Season. Now I hate cross country at the best of times, but I have to make a realistic target, and the road race season will be over by the time I am prepared again - so the BHAA Teaches XC on Oct 18th, over 4 miles, will be my comeback attempt.
I do plan to write garbage on here, to get me going again, and so my posts may actually make some sense :) - Here we go again - Come along for the ride...
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Oh My Gawd - What happened to August ?
Where did it go - Did I sleep through it?
Well, I sure as hell didn't run through it at 90 miles an hour - or even ninety miles a month! My serious running has certainly taken a nose dive over recent months, and whilst I continue to Hash, the training in-between hashses has been sporadic at best, and non-existant in any structured plan. I have been struggling to run more than 5 km, and will continue to do so for a while, as my weight is only just hovering under the 200lbs mark. I could use excuses, I did incur an injury or two, but these were relatively minor, and normally I would have run through these, so what is it?
As I say, I am enjoying my Hashing with the Dublin Hash House Harriers, and have taken part in most of the runs since May, culminating in The Hash In The Bog last weekend, and a couple of pics are attached - although, sadly I'm not in any of them, I had the camera :), but you get the idea. Maybe the time has come to accept that my Serious Running Days are over for good, and I should just enjoy the fun that Hashing brings - a new set of friends - Maybe the next few months will tell me the direction to go - Maybe I can lose 10 lbs and start to run better again, and get motivated to run hard - Maybe Oasis will have a hit album!......
Time, as they say, will tell........
Thursday, July 31, 2008
I am still alive - No, really, I am
As you can see the operation was a complete success and I'm now able to run again having had a Red Dress Transplanted onto my body.....
OK, maybe not, but he truth is, apart from Hashing I haven't been running for a month, as I pulled a muscle on July 5th, in my lower back, and couldn't run. No whave the all clear, have added 10 lbs in weight, and will be chuggling along slowly as I lose tehweight and get back into shape. Don't you just hate getting old!
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Back to the Phoenix Park
Slowly but surely getting back into it. After a busy start to the weekend with a trip up to house in the North to get the builder set as he makes good the water damage from last week, it was home and an early night after watching the first games in the European Championships from Austria/Switzerland. With no Ireland, and even England failing to qualify, it's open as to who to cheer for, and tonight sees a potential good game between Germany & Poland, I have a lot of Polish friends here in Ireland, including my builder, so I'll be wanting them to win tonight, and I have drawn Croatia in the sweep at work, but it will be Spain that I will be following most attentively, they have 4 Liverpool players im their squad, so Viva Espana!
I digress away from running.
This morning I met up with my training partener and friend Kieran in the Phoenix Park and we took a leisurely 5 mile run around the park, catching up on our American trips, as he ran Cleveland Marathon while I was in Cincinnati. He is in better shape than I at present, so I let him run off on me (truth told, there was no way I could keep up!) over the last mile, and I have a lot of work to do to get back into proper shape.
24 weeks to Philadelphia, with Dublin 20 weeks tomorrow - The clock is ticking!
I digress away from running.
This morning I met up with my training partener and friend Kieran in the Phoenix Park and we took a leisurely 5 mile run around the park, catching up on our American trips, as he ran Cleveland Marathon while I was in Cincinnati. He is in better shape than I at present, so I let him run off on me (truth told, there was no way I could keep up!) over the last mile, and I have a lot of work to do to get back into proper shape.
24 weeks to Philadelphia, with Dublin 20 weeks tomorrow - The clock is ticking!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Update and Up and At Them
Thought I'd bring you up to date with what has happened since my run in Cincinnati, and where I'm planning on going next. Well, after the race, it was vacation time in San Diego and Palm Springs, and I only managed a few little runs between pool time, but it kept me ticking over, and the relaxation gave me the chance to re-charge the batteries, and take stock of whether running was still in the plans - maybe it was getting too hard to keep the fitness levels.
Well, I took stock, and decided that as running is in my blood, there is no way I can relinquish the adrenalin that comes from a good run, or a race finish, so it was home, and the Dockland Fun Run over 7.75 Km, starting right outside my front door. I ran it steadily, clocking an unimpressive time of 39:44, but happy enough, and then flew off to Belgium to run the Brussels 20Km Road Race, as part of a team from Irish Revenue, where on a very warm day, and avery tough course, I ran 2:01:26, to finish around 12,000th in the race, but with a further 10,000 behind me! It wasn't the time that I had hoped for, and I have to admit that it is not a race that I would want to repeat, the course is too hilly and the numbers too high for the size of the roads, but I did enjoy my weekend, where our Belgian hosts treated us superbly.
I returned from Belgium with a BIG Blister on my right foot, so I took the whole week off running to allow it to heal - This was down to new shoes, that I thought I had broken-in, obviously not, so they will be discarded as running shoes, and I'll switch to my new Asics Gel Nimbus 10's, over those 9's -
June is here, and I have a plan. I was always intending to run Philadelphia this year, a Thanksgiving Vacation to Pa is a regular occurrance now, visiting family, and Dublin is 4 weeks before Philly. So, Starting on June 9th, I have a 24 week build up to Philly, with Dublin being my last long run before Philly, which I will run as a long training run, and hopefully help a pal reach a goal of his own at the same time. He can reach his goal, and I can contain myself and treat the race as a 2 minute slower than desired pace, training run.
I would point out that my weight has crept up to 196 lbs again, and this WILL be reduced to 175 by the time of the races, and with a summer of running to look forward to, I intend to make this one to remember. Last night I ran with the Dublin Hash House Harriers for a bit of fun too, and will continue to do this, and maintain the fun element of running alongside my serious training.
Well, I took stock, and decided that as running is in my blood, there is no way I can relinquish the adrenalin that comes from a good run, or a race finish, so it was home, and the Dockland Fun Run over 7.75 Km, starting right outside my front door. I ran it steadily, clocking an unimpressive time of 39:44, but happy enough, and then flew off to Belgium to run the Brussels 20Km Road Race, as part of a team from Irish Revenue, where on a very warm day, and avery tough course, I ran 2:01:26, to finish around 12,000th in the race, but with a further 10,000 behind me! It wasn't the time that I had hoped for, and I have to admit that it is not a race that I would want to repeat, the course is too hilly and the numbers too high for the size of the roads, but I did enjoy my weekend, where our Belgian hosts treated us superbly.
I returned from Belgium with a BIG Blister on my right foot, so I took the whole week off running to allow it to heal - This was down to new shoes, that I thought I had broken-in, obviously not, so they will be discarded as running shoes, and I'll switch to my new Asics Gel Nimbus 10's, over those 9's -
June is here, and I have a plan. I was always intending to run Philadelphia this year, a Thanksgiving Vacation to Pa is a regular occurrance now, visiting family, and Dublin is 4 weeks before Philly. So, Starting on June 9th, I have a 24 week build up to Philly, with Dublin being my last long run before Philly, which I will run as a long training run, and hopefully help a pal reach a goal of his own at the same time. He can reach his goal, and I can contain myself and treat the race as a 2 minute slower than desired pace, training run.
I would point out that my weight has crept up to 196 lbs again, and this WILL be reduced to 175 by the time of the races, and with a summer of running to look forward to, I intend to make this one to remember. Last night I ran with the Dublin Hash House Harriers for a bit of fun too, and will continue to do this, and maintain the fun element of running alongside my serious training.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Swings and Arrows
As you can probably tell, when my running is going well, I post on a daily basis, but when it's not - There are HUGE blanks on the blog and it becomes dormant. The latter has been true in recent months, with the PF causing training to be curtailed and the running going down hill, and not with the wind behind me!
So, what have I been doing in these past weeks? Actually a surprising amount, but SLOW! April was a lean month, with only 39.2 miles run in total, but I was booked on my vacation and I was going to run something while I was away, so May 1st, we flew out to Cincinnati and the Flying Pig Marathon. I have been fortunate enough to make it to Cincy on two previous occassions, and really enjoy the friendliness that this race shows - and my good friend Jenny was there to meet us, and make us at home. On the Friday night I rekindled my affair with Hashing, taking part in the Sin City Hash which was great fun and prepared me well for Saturdays 5K race, part of the Marathon Weekend.
I had decided to run the 5K to see how I was feeling and to see that the foot would put up with racing - it also had to put up with torrential rain on the morning of the race. I took it steadily, and ran a 24:41 time, finishing 135th out of 918 participants, and 5th in my age group - If I had been actually racing this, my time from the St Patricks Day race would have had me 2nd in my age. The positive news was the foot was OK, no reaction.
With a pasta party at Jenny's on the Saturday night, I was prepared for the Race on Sunday, wisely having switched to the Half Marathon, but with no real running worth talking about in the month preceeding, I was uncertain what to expect. Cincy is a tough enough course, with a fair few hills in the 13 miles, so I set about a strategy to walk the worst hills, and jog around the rest - today was a day of testing the foot and not breaking anything :).
I was actually feeling bad after 3 Miles and almost ready to drop out of the race. The bridge you cross back into Ohio at this stage was a tougie, and my lack of training was showing dramatically. 3 Miles! And I used to run Marathons for breakfast! But I persevered, got running again, and stuck to my plan. I ran as much as I could, then when the hills came, I strolled up them, chatting to a fellow Marathon Maniac, also walking, although he had a better excuse as this was his Third Marathon in 8 days :) - We parted at Mile 9, and from there on in, it was easier. The long downhill stretch back into the City saw me picking up the pace, and almost flying along - who needs training when the road is down?
Lets just say I managed to finish the race in one piece, nothing spectacular in the last mile or so, did feel I picked up the pace, and nobody went past me, but it wasn't because of the time that I raised my arms as I crossed the finish line, it was the very fact that I had completed 13 miles with my foot feeling attached and no residual pain - maybe I could get back into running again. For the record, an all time PW of 2 hours 8 minutes and 34 seconds, which is of course my M50 PB, and something to aim at - I was 2721st finished out of 7357, so maybe not quite as bad as I thought, and I lived to fight again, go to California, enjoy a proper vacation around a pool, and start to think about Racing properly again and training hard for Philadelphia in November :)....
So, what have I been doing in these past weeks? Actually a surprising amount, but SLOW! April was a lean month, with only 39.2 miles run in total, but I was booked on my vacation and I was going to run something while I was away, so May 1st, we flew out to Cincinnati and the Flying Pig Marathon. I have been fortunate enough to make it to Cincy on two previous occassions, and really enjoy the friendliness that this race shows - and my good friend Jenny was there to meet us, and make us at home. On the Friday night I rekindled my affair with Hashing, taking part in the Sin City Hash which was great fun and prepared me well for Saturdays 5K race, part of the Marathon Weekend.
I had decided to run the 5K to see how I was feeling and to see that the foot would put up with racing - it also had to put up with torrential rain on the morning of the race. I took it steadily, and ran a 24:41 time, finishing 135th out of 918 participants, and 5th in my age group - If I had been actually racing this, my time from the St Patricks Day race would have had me 2nd in my age. The positive news was the foot was OK, no reaction.
With a pasta party at Jenny's on the Saturday night, I was prepared for the Race on Sunday, wisely having switched to the Half Marathon, but with no real running worth talking about in the month preceeding, I was uncertain what to expect. Cincy is a tough enough course, with a fair few hills in the 13 miles, so I set about a strategy to walk the worst hills, and jog around the rest - today was a day of testing the foot and not breaking anything :).
I was actually feeling bad after 3 Miles and almost ready to drop out of the race. The bridge you cross back into Ohio at this stage was a tougie, and my lack of training was showing dramatically. 3 Miles! And I used to run Marathons for breakfast! But I persevered, got running again, and stuck to my plan. I ran as much as I could, then when the hills came, I strolled up them, chatting to a fellow Marathon Maniac, also walking, although he had a better excuse as this was his Third Marathon in 8 days :) - We parted at Mile 9, and from there on in, it was easier. The long downhill stretch back into the City saw me picking up the pace, and almost flying along - who needs training when the road is down?
Lets just say I managed to finish the race in one piece, nothing spectacular in the last mile or so, did feel I picked up the pace, and nobody went past me, but it wasn't because of the time that I raised my arms as I crossed the finish line, it was the very fact that I had completed 13 miles with my foot feeling attached and no residual pain - maybe I could get back into running again. For the record, an all time PW of 2 hours 8 minutes and 34 seconds, which is of course my M50 PB, and something to aim at - I was 2721st finished out of 7357, so maybe not quite as bad as I thought, and I lived to fight again, go to California, enjoy a proper vacation around a pool, and start to think about Racing properly again and training hard for Philadelphia in November :)....
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Injuries - Injuries - Injuries
Suffice to say the posts have been blank as I have done little running of late. My PF flared up again, and as such I had to withdraw from the Half I had planned and the Connemara Marathon. Not a great start to my M50 career :( -
Hopefully things are improving, and whilst I won't be super fit - I will be in Cincy next month, so maybe something to write about :)
Hopefully things are improving, and whilst I won't be super fit - I will be in Cincy next month, so maybe something to write about :)
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Happy St Patricks Day
Well, it was a day early, and after the hectic last three weeks of studying, exams and school, it was a relief to be back running without thinking about Taxation! And as an added bonus the Dublin St Patrick's Festival Race was back in the City Centre, having been run in the Phoenix Park over 4 miles in recent times. Thankfully the City Council and the Race Organisers were able to recreate a City Centre 5K and the numbers were clearly up as there was a good turn out, with more than one fancy dressed St Patrick on show.
For me, I was guaranteed a new PR as a M50, as this was my first race since my birthday last Wednesday, but I was unsure of how I would run as I have to confess to a few pints on Saturday watching the Rugby - but the least said about that sport the better, at least this week!
The race was off around 10 am, and the weather was pleasant enough for March, with a little chill in the air, but dry and only a light wind. I am never too sure about how to run a 5K, as I am used to starting slowly and getting quicker during a longer race. You can't really do that over 5K, so I was unsure of myself. Although there were a lot of participants, as soon as we turned onto St Stephen's Green the race thinned out and there was no problem with other runners, and I heard the 1K time called at 4:45 - which seemed about right.
I didn't think I was speeding up but the 2K mark came around in 9:05 which meant I had run 4:20 for this Km, and as we ran along the Grand Canal I was feeling the effects of the beer from yesterday a little, so just tried to keep the pace going, checking my breathing and running easily hard - if you know what I mean. Obviously, 5K is fast for me as I train for Connemara and the Pig. so with 3 and 4 coming along in 4:55 and 4:50, I was happy enough and could try and see if I could run harder over the last 1000 metres.
Being in the City, it was a flat course, and I knew that the last 600 or so would be a long straight on the Green followed by a 200m run down Dawson Street to the finish outside the Mansion House, so as soon as we turned onto the straight I tried to pick up the pace and catch a few of my fellow runners. We passed the Shelbourne Hotel and as we did, Superwoman flew past - She must have been on her second lap, or had been sand-bagging, as she left me for dead and even though I was running past a fair few others myself, she probably finished 100m ahead of me! Back to me, and as we turned onto Dawson St, I kept up the accelerated pace, and kicked home to record a 4:20 last Km and a total time of 23:10 - A PR for M50 :) - and an age grade run of 63.67%, which is actually my best over 5K since 2003 - so not a bad day out.
After the race and a welcome cup of tea, managed to catch a few words with Eamonn Coghlan, whose father had been the inaugural Race Director of the St Patrick's Race back in the 70's, and he still looks as fit as in his days as the Chairman of The Boards - A true gent and a great athlete.
Next for me will be a Half Marathon up in Omagh in two weeks - probably different tactics - and definitely no beer the day before :)
For me, I was guaranteed a new PR as a M50, as this was my first race since my birthday last Wednesday, but I was unsure of how I would run as I have to confess to a few pints on Saturday watching the Rugby - but the least said about that sport the better, at least this week!
The race was off around 10 am, and the weather was pleasant enough for March, with a little chill in the air, but dry and only a light wind. I am never too sure about how to run a 5K, as I am used to starting slowly and getting quicker during a longer race. You can't really do that over 5K, so I was unsure of myself. Although there were a lot of participants, as soon as we turned onto St Stephen's Green the race thinned out and there was no problem with other runners, and I heard the 1K time called at 4:45 - which seemed about right.
I didn't think I was speeding up but the 2K mark came around in 9:05 which meant I had run 4:20 for this Km, and as we ran along the Grand Canal I was feeling the effects of the beer from yesterday a little, so just tried to keep the pace going, checking my breathing and running easily hard - if you know what I mean. Obviously, 5K is fast for me as I train for Connemara and the Pig. so with 3 and 4 coming along in 4:55 and 4:50, I was happy enough and could try and see if I could run harder over the last 1000 metres.
Being in the City, it was a flat course, and I knew that the last 600 or so would be a long straight on the Green followed by a 200m run down Dawson Street to the finish outside the Mansion House, so as soon as we turned onto the straight I tried to pick up the pace and catch a few of my fellow runners. We passed the Shelbourne Hotel and as we did, Superwoman flew past - She must have been on her second lap, or had been sand-bagging, as she left me for dead and even though I was running past a fair few others myself, she probably finished 100m ahead of me! Back to me, and as we turned onto Dawson St, I kept up the accelerated pace, and kicked home to record a 4:20 last Km and a total time of 23:10 - A PR for M50 :) - and an age grade run of 63.67%, which is actually my best over 5K since 2003 - so not a bad day out.
After the race and a welcome cup of tea, managed to catch a few words with Eamonn Coghlan, whose father had been the inaugural Race Director of the St Patrick's Race back in the 70's, and he still looks as fit as in his days as the Chairman of The Boards - A true gent and a great athlete.
Next for me will be a Half Marathon up in Omagh in two weeks - probably different tactics - and definitely no beer the day before :)
Monday, March 10, 2008
Ballycotton 10
Life has been hectic in the last few weeks with Work commitments taking over from anything else as I had to prepare for my exams which took place last week. A week of studying and a week of exams, five in five days, meant that training was not top of my agenda. But Friday saw the last exam and relief allowing me to travel down to Ballycotton in East Cork, for the Classic 10 Mile road race. This is a race I have run three times previously, and it takes place from a remote fishing village about 20 miles from Cork City in the South East of Ireland. I have no idea why, but this race attracts 3000 entries for a race where the weather can be suspect, and the roads are tight.
This year, we were expecting the worst as a major storm front was forecast to blow in on Sunday evening, but incredibly, upon arrival in Ballycotton, we we welcomes by a dry, still day with teh sun shining brightly - it was chilly, but not cold, almost a perfect day for running.
As I knew I wasn't in the best shape with, effectively, the last two weeks off, I hung back fom my Athenry Team mates and was looking to run around my marathon pace, and see how I felt. The first mile from the start is down hill, so I hung back with the pack, which wasn't that difficult given the numbers trying to traverse the narrow village streets at the start, and eased into my running. That first mile was completed in 8:39, nice and steady, and we left the village and out into the country. The view as you run this race are great on a day like today, with the headlands of the bay glimmering in the sunlit afternoon, and the green fields showing the best of Ireland off.
Mile two was a quick 7:59, again a little downhill here, and I checked back to ensure that I was within my 8:25 average pace goal, and Mile 3 was am 8:18. The first three miles and the last three, in reverse, are the same in this race, and just after Mile 3 the loop into the country takes place which is relatively flat and amongst the fileds. I look around at my running partners here and take stock of the various shapes and styles of runners around me. I realise what a diverse range of folk we are that run, and how anyone can do this if they put a mind to it. Mile 4 soon came along, at 8:24, and Mile 5, the halfway point was an 8:13.
It was just after halfway that the wheels nearly came off. My right leg started to go to sleep! I can't explain this sensation, it happens from time to time when I run. It usually goes away again after a short while, but its kind off like Pins and Needles, just a numbing of the lower part of the leg. I have no issues with circulation or anything, I have had it checked and nothing can be found. Whether its the camber of the road which effects it, I'm not sure, but today I had to drop to a walk and stamp my foot out, a strange sight I am sure to those around me, but after a while it started to "wake up" and I was back running again. This resulted, not surprisingly, with the slowest mile of the race, a 9:05, but I was back running again and Mile 7 saw the loop completed with an 8:12 mile.
I was trying to do the math in my head as to what I needed to finish under 84 minutes, my target, but was also aware that those last two miles were uphill, so needed to conserve my energy to ensure a strong finish, but I was disappointed to see an 8:37 mile at the 8 mark, and thought this would be tough. I was tiring and the climb back to the main Village road was taking its toll on me. I hit 9 miles with a slow 8:55 and thought my target was shot.
But sometimes, you can dig deep and find energy reserves that you wern't sure were there. The day before I had been running with Keiran in the Phoenix Park and had stopped a couple of times during the run as I was feeling full of indegestion, but as we neared the end of the run, we sped up and had a tremendous burst of energy, and as Kieran said, "It got the run over". So, I thought of that as I hit the rolling rises and dug in to get the run finished, and started to pass people who had been passing me over the previous couple of miles. I kept pushing, with the cruel twist that I knew the race ran through the village where the crowds were, but there was still 400m to go and I kept pushing, kept passing, got cheered on by a few of my Club Mates, and finished with a race best split of 7:28 for the last uphill mile - I got the run over!
A total time of 1:23:50, inside my target, but not exactly a perfect run of even splits, and now I sit back having run my last race as a M45, with the knowledge that as I step up a class on Wednesday, that every race in the next few weeks will be a new PR, at least in my new M50 category. The first race is on Sunday coming, and a St Patricks 5K here in the city - Here's hoping for a more consistent run and a sub 24 show.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Spring is in the Air
Saturday morning and an absolutely beautiful day had dawned. You know when, in winter, you get a day when the sun is shining, the temperature, while still on the chilly side, is just between when you are thinking of less layers and trying to remember where you put your lighter running gear - Well, today was one of those days.
I had a run planned with Keiran, and just after 9:30 we were in the Phoenix Park and raring to go. We decided that we wanted a 50 minute plus run and set off along the grassy trail on Chesterfield Avenue, the main drag, and we were not alone in our desire to enjoy the day - there were oodles of other runners out and about - It was like we were all the squirrels, fresh from our winter hibernation, scurrying around the parklands.
We turned off the main path and ran down where the deer were lying around soaking in the sun, and pushed on along the glen road, hardly noticing the climb, before heading back to Farmleigh, detouring to the Castleknock Gate before running back along Chesterfield Ave and the 2 mile or so back to our car.
A nice easy spring run, enjoying the weather, and happy to be able to run on such a glorious day - long may spring be like this.
I had a run planned with Keiran, and just after 9:30 we were in the Phoenix Park and raring to go. We decided that we wanted a 50 minute plus run and set off along the grassy trail on Chesterfield Avenue, the main drag, and we were not alone in our desire to enjoy the day - there were oodles of other runners out and about - It was like we were all the squirrels, fresh from our winter hibernation, scurrying around the parklands.
We turned off the main path and ran down where the deer were lying around soaking in the sun, and pushed on along the glen road, hardly noticing the climb, before heading back to Farmleigh, detouring to the Castleknock Gate before running back along Chesterfield Ave and the 2 mile or so back to our car.
A nice easy spring run, enjoying the weather, and happy to be able to run on such a glorious day - long may spring be like this.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Back into it
Well, since I got home last week, I was laid up in bed with a nasty little cold and chest bug. Thanks to flying in a metal box so far, the germs were distributed into my system and I ended up in bed for a few says laid low.
Thankfully it has now all but passed through my system, and I was able to get to the gym last night and managed a 3 mile treadmill run in 23:44 to turn the legs over. Absolutely no reaction from the legs, which were given the luxury after the marathon of a few days in bed, but the cardio was a little lacking, understandably.
Will just take it easy over the next couple of days, and rebuild gradually before racking up the training for the next set of races in March. I have two 5K's, a 10 Miler, and a Half marathon lined up next month as I build up for Connemara. Racing is the motivation to keep me progressing - fingers crossed it will work.
Thankfully it has now all but passed through my system, and I was able to get to the gym last night and managed a 3 mile treadmill run in 23:44 to turn the legs over. Absolutely no reaction from the legs, which were given the luxury after the marathon of a few days in bed, but the cardio was a little lacking, understandably.
Will just take it easy over the next couple of days, and rebuild gradually before racking up the training for the next set of races in March. I have two 5K's, a 10 Miler, and a Half marathon lined up next month as I build up for Connemara. Racing is the motivation to keep me progressing - fingers crossed it will work.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Surf City Marathon - Or Wet and Wild Adventures
OK, the picture above was taken on Saturday morning, 24 hours before the Marathon in Surf City, Huntington Beach, California. I didn't get a chance to take a picture on Monday morning, but it was a typical sunny, warm, California day. Unfortunately for everyone, the race, the inaugral Surf City Marathon (replacing the former Pacific Shoreline Marathon), was run on the Sunday - And This was more typical of a winters day in Ireland, in fact, to be honest, we don't get days quite like that at home either!
Let me start at the beginning... Last year I was aiming myself to run a Boston Qualifier at Philadelphia, but came down with PF and had to curtail my training in October. As I really wanted to make Boston this year as I celebrate my 50th burpday in March, I looked for an early marathon where the weather would possibly be conducive to running the 3:35 I needed, and plumped for Surf City in California, I mean, It Never Rains in Southern California!
What added to this being special was the fact that a large group of friends from Kickrunners were going to be there too, and a fair number of them are in the pic above.
In the build up to the race, I was aware that I hadn't done enough training to merit a crack at 3:35, but as I had paid my airfare, booked the hotel, I was going to fly a 24000 round trip and have a great time. I was planning on hooking up with Elizabeth, a fellow Kickster, who was planning a 3:50 crack at her own Boston qualifying time, so the plans were made to run together, along with another friend, Joe. All in all there were 5 of us running the full marathon from the group, with the others planning on running the 5K and 1/2 marathon - although there lies another story for some :).
I flew in on Friday, a few delays meant I didn't get in until 8pm, so went for dinner on my own and tried to have a reasonably early night, trying to adjust my body clock rapidly. Saturday was bright, sunny, and warm, if the race would have been run then, it would have been perfect. The expo was busy, easy to navigate, and the Crocs bag a welcome gift, along with the long sleeve technical shirt. We gathered around outside as new arrivals appeared, and I was delighted to meet Amy, one of the race organisers, who has been following this blog, and eventually we all wandered off to Wahoo's for Fish Taco's, taking over most of the restaurant.
After a return to the hotel, Joe and myself drove over to Brian and Becca's condo, or honeymoon retreat, for the pre-race gathering. What a blast, and I have to confess it's the first (and I'm guessing last) time that I turned up to a party with Kitchen Towels. A big thank you to all the chefs on the day, and meeting everyone and chatting away for a few hours was a great way to relax the day before the race.
OK, The Race Day!
I woke up at 3:15, looked out and it was dry! Maybe the forecasts were wrong. I went back to bed for an hour, only to woken by the rain lashing against the window - Oh dear! Why were the palm trees bending over at dangerous looking angles? Great, wild winds too, just what we needed.
Joe and I walked down to the start, were soaked before we got 100 yards, and met up with Elizabeth, Nettie and Tim were also around, but the Kick Tent was nowhere to be seen - It was too windy and horrible to even think about putting it up.
We lined up with the intention of running 8:35 pace, and at a little before 7 am, to the backdrop of Wet Sounds, as against Pet Sounds, we were off! The Marathon only had 1000 entrants, so it wasn't too packed and we soon eased into a steady pace, running Mile 1 in 8:38 along the sea front, although we had as much water coming down on our heads as the ocean was showing. Just after Mile 2 we turned off the PCH up Seapoint, and crossed a timing mat at Mile 3 - 25:29 (official time). Elizabeth had to make a potty break not long later and Joe and I pushed on, hoping she would be able to catch us up.
The race turned a few times around here, through parklands, with narrow paths, and great support from a lot of youngsters encouraging us all, despite the rain - they were a highlight of this part of the race. Joe and I were running very easily at this point, and another Timing Mat at Mile 6 had us at 50:42, an 8:27 average pace, and no sign of any wheels coming off. Joe was running very strong, and as we came out of the parklands, back onto the roads, we knew there was the only real hill, at Mile 8, and it came, we buckled down and reached the top, only to blown away with a Force 9 gale , and still it rained!
Just before Mile 10 we turned onto the PCH again, and passed the very appropriately named Bolsa Chica Wetlands - they were! Around this point I felt that my hamstrings had not warmed up at all, and were still very tight, something I would suffer from if I continued at this pace, so I told Joe to head on and keep up the good work, I would ease back and wait for Elizabeth to catch up, she couldn't be too far behind - she wasn't and was going well. I ran with her for a short while, and at Mile 12, another timing mat showed 1:42:31, still averaging 8:33 pace, and I made the half way point in 1:52:40 - I was very happy with that, but my legs were starting to cramp up a little, and still no loosening of the hammies.
It was around Mile 14 I met Tory, who was struggling badly. We walked a little, ran a little, she tried to persuade me to run on, but I couldn't leave a damsel in distress, so I made the decision to effectively end my race, and spend a couple of hours trying to ensure that Tory finished her 13th marathon with company. We turned off the PCH just before Mile 16 and ran along the coastal path for most of the rest of the race, meeting up with Tory's husband and kids around Mile 18, and chatted away, running lamposts, turning at Mile 20 and heading towards home. The running bits got shorter, and the walking a little longer, but we were determined to get to that finish line, so we persevered. The rain actually stopped somewhere along here as well, so not all was lost.
We plodded along, trying to keep Tory going, passing a few people, who then passed us as we walked, then I spotted my hotel, it was only a 10 minute walk to the finish from there, we were nearly done. Those nasty race organisers tried to inflict one last sadistic aside, with a little loop towards the pier and back, with a photographer waiting for us too - so we ran that bit, then climbed back onto the PCH and the finish was in sight. Tory was stuggling, but she gritted her teeth we passed Mile 26 and ran home - all the way she was chanting "Yes I can" - and she could, we crossed the line together...relief was on her face, and Jeff, her husband was thanking me for bringing her home and staying with her - I enjoyed the run with her, and so my final time of 4:31:14 didn't really reflect my own capabilities on the day, but I was happy to have helped, and I have my little surf board medal to show.
Joe ran a PR of 3:42 and Elizabeth made her Boston Qualifying time with 11 seconds to spare, and the beer garden was cold, but a welcome beer all the same. We then returned back to the hotels, before Joe and I walked up to Oggi's and watched the Superbowl with the gang, drank copious amounts of beer and ate pizza's - You can do that when you run a marathon :) - Nettie also made her PR and Tim had to drop out due to injury, but all in all a good weekend for the Kickrunners on Tour.
If I am being honest, I wasn't impressed by the course. Too much isolation along the coastal path, not helped by the awful weather. The fans were very thin on the ground, understandably, and maybe if the weather is better on another day, I would have a different perception of the race. On the plus side, the medal is awesome, the shirt was cool, and the enthusiasm of the youngsters in the park was great to behold. The flatness of the course does make it reasonably fast, at least on a good day - So maybe I might come back and run it again, just to spot the difference, as long as someone can guarantee the weather.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Perfect Tune Up for Surf City
With a week to go before my trip to California and the Surf City Marathon, it was a chance to see how the training has been going, and a chance to let the legs turn over sharply before putting them thru 26 miles next week. The Raheny 5 is a classic race here on the last Sunday in January, and this was the 24th running of the event, and my third year in a row taking part.
My training has been going well in the last three weeks since the cross country race at the beginning of the year, and whilst I may be short of the distances in my legs to have a chance of a Boston Qualifier next week, I was confident that my speed over shorter distances would be getting back to a respectable level. Before the race I was saying that I would hope to be around 38 minutes, whilst privately I was thinking that, if the weather conditions were right, I would go a bit faster. A speed session on Friday night augered well for a decent run, and with the weather being a perfect January day, sunny, and in the sun at least - semi-warm! - with only the slightest breeze, I would have no excuses.
As I said, this is a well established, and very well supported, road race, and the good day certainly brought the numbers out, so the start was a little cramped. The race starts on the road, in a housing estate, and as such there is limited space, so when the start came, there was a somewhat chaotic dash, then a stop as the domino effect took place, then within 14 seconds I was across the line and off, almost without a hitch.
It was obvious to me right away that I was feeling good and was up for a decent run. The first couple of turns saw me holding my position well, keeping flaying legs of fellow competitors away from myself as I bobbed and weaved around the slower starters. It was relatively incident free, which was a surprise given the numbers involved, but I soon settled into my stride, and before I knew it I was at Mile 1 and 7:35 was on my watch, almost perfect. The race settled into a pattern for me, easing along, with only one hiccup when a young runner tried to cut across me at a turn, and almost knocked me over, and as he had ear phones in (I hate people who race with earphones!!!!) he failed to hear my expletive, but he felt my elbow as I defended my position on the road!
Mile 2 was a 7:22 and the third mile down towards the coast road saw a 7:18 clocking. I started to push on as I felt strong and Mile 4 was reached in a further 7:10, progressively quicker each mile, and the Mile 4 marker is just as we climb away from the coast road towards home. Given I have run this race before I knew what to expect and I dug in as we completed the gentle slope - it's not a tough climb, but around 100 yards of gentle uphill after the initial lift. When it levelled off, I eased into a strong rhythm and prepared for the finish -
- I was deciding where to kick, and remembered that there are three turns as we approach the finish - The finish is back where we started, with a small park that we run around the outside of - You can hear and see the finish as you approach the first of the three turns, and a few people started to sprint out then, but I knew we still had 400 to go, so I held back, pushed on down the length of the park, before the second turn where I picked off the jump-starters and as we turned the last corner, I kicked out, sprinted for the line, some 50 yards, and crossed the line stopping my watch in 36:27, 7:02 for the last mile, and a very satisfying performance.
I also use the WAVA tables to work out my age related performances, and although I ran this same race two years ago in 36 minutes dead, this years performance was actually a better age performance, with a 66.83% performance, my best age adjusted performance over ANY distance since 2001!
Now I can look forward to next week with a confident feeling, although I won't be going mad and expecting to run a BQ performance, but I will be confident of a decent run and, more importantly, having a good time.
My training has been going well in the last three weeks since the cross country race at the beginning of the year, and whilst I may be short of the distances in my legs to have a chance of a Boston Qualifier next week, I was confident that my speed over shorter distances would be getting back to a respectable level. Before the race I was saying that I would hope to be around 38 minutes, whilst privately I was thinking that, if the weather conditions were right, I would go a bit faster. A speed session on Friday night augered well for a decent run, and with the weather being a perfect January day, sunny, and in the sun at least - semi-warm! - with only the slightest breeze, I would have no excuses.
As I said, this is a well established, and very well supported, road race, and the good day certainly brought the numbers out, so the start was a little cramped. The race starts on the road, in a housing estate, and as such there is limited space, so when the start came, there was a somewhat chaotic dash, then a stop as the domino effect took place, then within 14 seconds I was across the line and off, almost without a hitch.
It was obvious to me right away that I was feeling good and was up for a decent run. The first couple of turns saw me holding my position well, keeping flaying legs of fellow competitors away from myself as I bobbed and weaved around the slower starters. It was relatively incident free, which was a surprise given the numbers involved, but I soon settled into my stride, and before I knew it I was at Mile 1 and 7:35 was on my watch, almost perfect. The race settled into a pattern for me, easing along, with only one hiccup when a young runner tried to cut across me at a turn, and almost knocked me over, and as he had ear phones in (I hate people who race with earphones!!!!) he failed to hear my expletive, but he felt my elbow as I defended my position on the road!
Mile 2 was a 7:22 and the third mile down towards the coast road saw a 7:18 clocking. I started to push on as I felt strong and Mile 4 was reached in a further 7:10, progressively quicker each mile, and the Mile 4 marker is just as we climb away from the coast road towards home. Given I have run this race before I knew what to expect and I dug in as we completed the gentle slope - it's not a tough climb, but around 100 yards of gentle uphill after the initial lift. When it levelled off, I eased into a strong rhythm and prepared for the finish -
- I was deciding where to kick, and remembered that there are three turns as we approach the finish - The finish is back where we started, with a small park that we run around the outside of - You can hear and see the finish as you approach the first of the three turns, and a few people started to sprint out then, but I knew we still had 400 to go, so I held back, pushed on down the length of the park, before the second turn where I picked off the jump-starters and as we turned the last corner, I kicked out, sprinted for the line, some 50 yards, and crossed the line stopping my watch in 36:27, 7:02 for the last mile, and a very satisfying performance.
I also use the WAVA tables to work out my age related performances, and although I ran this same race two years ago in 36 minutes dead, this years performance was actually a better age performance, with a 66.83% performance, my best age adjusted performance over ANY distance since 2001!
Now I can look forward to next week with a confident feeling, although I won't be going mad and expecting to run a BQ performance, but I will be confident of a decent run and, more importantly, having a good time.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Slack Posting but running go OK
I know, I know, I'm as bad as ever at keeping this as up to date as I should. But on the plus side, I have been running well in the last two weeks, with training completed on 11 days out of the 14, and the base mileage building up and consistency becoming the key word.
Now, I appreciate that there are a few readers and fellow bloggers who train every day, but as the years have advanced for me (slowly I hope!), I have always programmed rest into my plans, so no apology for the rest days - we need to recover.
What I have been doing is planning out the next few months of racing and goals. This Sunday I have the Raheny 5 Road Race, and I would hope to be running sub 39, depending on weather. The following week I am off to sunnier climes, and California for the Surf City Marathon, and although this was originally planned as a Boston attempt, I will now be looking for around 3:50 and a good hard training run with friends :).
When I get back I have a couple of cross country races in February, all the time building the training for the spring and a few key races. Firstly, my last race in the M45 Category, the Ballycotton 10, and naturally following on, my first race in the M50 class, although I'm not certain which that will be, but I have entered the Omagh 1/2 Marathon on March 29th, however their are a couple of other races before that one which could make the First!
All these are gearing me up for the Connemara Marathon on April 6th, the tough Galway race that sorts the men out from the boys, and the women from the girls. All being well I am really hoping to run sub 4 here (worth 20 minutes elsewhere!), with the last 3 miles the tough part.
That's where I am at, and here's hoping that I can get through this period unscathed and all will be well for a late spring/early summer attempt at the 3:35 I need to make Boston next April.
Now, I appreciate that there are a few readers and fellow bloggers who train every day, but as the years have advanced for me (slowly I hope!), I have always programmed rest into my plans, so no apology for the rest days - we need to recover.
What I have been doing is planning out the next few months of racing and goals. This Sunday I have the Raheny 5 Road Race, and I would hope to be running sub 39, depending on weather. The following week I am off to sunnier climes, and California for the Surf City Marathon, and although this was originally planned as a Boston attempt, I will now be looking for around 3:50 and a good hard training run with friends :).
When I get back I have a couple of cross country races in February, all the time building the training for the spring and a few key races. Firstly, my last race in the M45 Category, the Ballycotton 10, and naturally following on, my first race in the M50 class, although I'm not certain which that will be, but I have entered the Omagh 1/2 Marathon on March 29th, however their are a couple of other races before that one which could make the First!
All these are gearing me up for the Connemara Marathon on April 6th, the tough Galway race that sorts the men out from the boys, and the women from the girls. All being well I am really hoping to run sub 4 here (worth 20 minutes elsewhere!), with the last 3 miles the tough part.
That's where I am at, and here's hoping that I can get through this period unscathed and all will be well for a late spring/early summer attempt at the 3:35 I need to make Boston next April.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
First Race (X-Country) of the year
Oh dear!
I did think I was getting back to a reasonable level of fitness - sadly, it was clear by the events today that I am either getting too old for all this, or I have a lot of work to do to get back to a decent level of fitness. Or (thinking positively), I just had a bad day!
A few years since I ran my last X-Country race, I was encouraged by colleagues to take part in the first BHAA race of the year - the South Dublin Co Co Cross Country 4 mile race in Tymon Park, Templeogue. It was a cold day, but fair to say the conditions underfoot were good, and I dusted my spikes off, and lined up with a few other hardy souls, and off we went on a 4 mile trudge around the park, three laps of the circuit.
I won't bore you with the painful details of the race, suffice to say I had a bad day at the office. I took 35:30 to run the 4 miles, and felt terrible. I have felt better at Mile 20 in a marathon when I wasn't fit :) - But I got around, and next week, it's Race 2 in the series, next one over 5 miles - Here's hoping I have a better week.
I did think I was getting back to a reasonable level of fitness - sadly, it was clear by the events today that I am either getting too old for all this, or I have a lot of work to do to get back to a decent level of fitness. Or (thinking positively), I just had a bad day!
A few years since I ran my last X-Country race, I was encouraged by colleagues to take part in the first BHAA race of the year - the South Dublin Co Co Cross Country 4 mile race in Tymon Park, Templeogue. It was a cold day, but fair to say the conditions underfoot were good, and I dusted my spikes off, and lined up with a few other hardy souls, and off we went on a 4 mile trudge around the park, three laps of the circuit.
I won't bore you with the painful details of the race, suffice to say I had a bad day at the office. I took 35:30 to run the 4 miles, and felt terrible. I have felt better at Mile 20 in a marathon when I wasn't fit :) - But I got around, and next week, it's Race 2 in the series, next one over 5 miles - Here's hoping I have a better week.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
And now for 2008..........................
Having given you my life lines on 2007, it's time to turn to my running and look back on 07 and forward to 08. 2007 was not my best year ever, but strides were taken in the second half of the year, albeit they were small strides, which lead one to hope for better things to come. It took until June for me to record 100 miles for the year, although there were good reasons, but July, August and September saw strong miles logged and improvements in my running was noted.
I was sidelined for most of October with PF, which put paid to my attempts to qualify for Boston at Philadelphia, but thankfully that seems to have cleared up, and I can renew my quest for 3:35:59 with vigour in 2008.
I was happy with a couple of my races in 07, with a reasonably decent run at the Dublin Half Marathon in September, recording 1:48:58, only 33 seconds off my M45 best, and the Spar Laganside 10K in Belfast saw me running my fastest 10K in four years, with negative splits and a WAVA equivalence of 66.58%, so all was not lost for the year. My total mileage for the year was only 543.8 miles, but given the missing months, I can be reasonably happy that things are going the right way.
The goals for 2008 must start with CONSISTANCY! One hundred miles per month must be the minimum target, and regular running, with no less than 5 days per week a target. I already have a number of races planned, with a trip to California and the Surf City Marathon on Feb 3rd first up. I would hope to be under 4 hours comfortably here, and then Connemara on April 6th, where I will be hoping to break 4 hours on a very tough course. After that, I am leaning towards another US trip and the Flying Pig Marathon on May 4th, where if all goes to plan I will be able to run that elusive Boston Qualifier.
As for other goals, obviously I will be setting new marks for all my distances as I hit the 50 mark in March and go into a new class, M50. Having said that, some of my times at M45 are soft, and I feel that I should be able to lower my times from 10K upwards. Goals of sub 45 for 10K, sub 72 for 10 miles, sub 1:40 for the half, and my marathon time of 4:07 from Prague is a very soft target. with a BQ of 3:35 the aim.
Philadelphia in November will round the year off, and if all goes to plan, and I can remain injury free, I should be running around 3:30 there.
All of this will depend on avoiding injuries and motivation. With the new age bracket I feel motivated to perform this year, only time will tell. One thing I do know, if I can remain injury free, I will have no excuses - As I've said before - If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me!!!.
I was sidelined for most of October with PF, which put paid to my attempts to qualify for Boston at Philadelphia, but thankfully that seems to have cleared up, and I can renew my quest for 3:35:59 with vigour in 2008.
I was happy with a couple of my races in 07, with a reasonably decent run at the Dublin Half Marathon in September, recording 1:48:58, only 33 seconds off my M45 best, and the Spar Laganside 10K in Belfast saw me running my fastest 10K in four years, with negative splits and a WAVA equivalence of 66.58%, so all was not lost for the year. My total mileage for the year was only 543.8 miles, but given the missing months, I can be reasonably happy that things are going the right way.
The goals for 2008 must start with CONSISTANCY! One hundred miles per month must be the minimum target, and regular running, with no less than 5 days per week a target. I already have a number of races planned, with a trip to California and the Surf City Marathon on Feb 3rd first up. I would hope to be under 4 hours comfortably here, and then Connemara on April 6th, where I will be hoping to break 4 hours on a very tough course. After that, I am leaning towards another US trip and the Flying Pig Marathon on May 4th, where if all goes to plan I will be able to run that elusive Boston Qualifier.
As for other goals, obviously I will be setting new marks for all my distances as I hit the 50 mark in March and go into a new class, M50. Having said that, some of my times at M45 are soft, and I feel that I should be able to lower my times from 10K upwards. Goals of sub 45 for 10K, sub 72 for 10 miles, sub 1:40 for the half, and my marathon time of 4:07 from Prague is a very soft target. with a BQ of 3:35 the aim.
Philadelphia in November will round the year off, and if all goes to plan, and I can remain injury free, I should be running around 3:30 there.
All of this will depend on avoiding injuries and motivation. With the new age bracket I feel motivated to perform this year, only time will tell. One thing I do know, if I can remain injury free, I will have no excuses - As I've said before - If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me!!!.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Relections on a year gone by
2007 – A reflection.
I thought I would jot down a few thoughts about life in general as 2007 slips away into memories. I will also write a plan for 2008 and a more in depth reflection on my running for 2007, but first the way 2007 panned out for me.
Obviously the major event in the family last year was the passing away of my mum on May 27th. She had celebrated her 93rd birthday on the 2nd May and whilst her health had been ailing for many months, and the reality to all that visited her was that her days were numbered, her death still came as a shock to us all, and whilst you can appreciate that it is coming, when it actually happens it hurts just as much. I can take solace from her passing peacefully, and knowing her great faith, she was ready and willing to go and join her brothers and sisters in heaven and all her friends that had gone before. She inevitably leaves a great gap in my life, a loss that can’t be put into words too easily, and I am only thankful that I decided to come home 5 years ago, along with Liam Óg, and we were able to spend precious time with her over her last years.
But mum was always one with a smile and a jovial quip, and life must go on, a cliché I know, but go on it does, and there were some bright moments within 2007.
I am living in an apartment in Dublin Docklands these days, and feel like a yuppie amongst the young and trendy who share my block. Maybe I should have said I feel like the proverbial old man amongst the young things, but in truth, I have a great apartment, in a great location in a rapidly developing area of the city. I am 5 minutes from work, and only ten minutes from the centre of town, so have turned “green” in walking most places, and my car gathers dust in the garage for most of the time.
In 2007 I met Adrienne, and we have become a firm fixture. She is a ray of sunshine who has come into my life and helped me through the worst of times, without having met mum. She has been a solid brick to me, and helped me move forward. She lives outside Dublin, around 20 miles out of the city, but we spend a lot of time together and ((fingers crossed)) we will spend a lot more in 2008 and beyond.
Work wise, I am settled into my role within the Irish Civil Service, and love the job. I spend all my time auditing taxpayers, and some non-taxpayers, and am now enrolled with the University of Limerick doing a degree in Applied Taxation, with one week a month spent back at school, and ominously, exams set for March!
Liam Óg is still at Queens University up in Belfast, but is home every weekend, and he has now acquired a steady girlfriend and is smiling and enjoying life. He is hoping to head to Canada in the summer for a vacation, and is working at Lillies Nightclub here at weekends to save for his trip. He celebrated his 22nd birthday in November, and Melanie had her 20th, albeit over in England. Mels had taken a gap year, but I am pleased to say she has been accepted to start at Sheffield University next September on a degree course in nursery education, so she too will be off to college to gain the tools for a successful career.
One of the highlights in 2007 was meeting distant relatives for the first time. A few years ago I was very fortuitous in coming across a namesake, Sarah Mycroft, in the results of a marathon race in Australia. I found an email address, made contact, and lo and behold, this contact led to me discovering family on my father’s side that I was unaware of. Time passed, contacts were made, and this year, Frank and Tricia Mycroft, Sarah’s parents, and my second cousins, came to Ireland and we met up a couple of times on their visit, and hopefully this will lead to more such “family” gatherings in the future.
My best wishes to one and all and hope that 2008 is bright and happy for all.
I thought I would jot down a few thoughts about life in general as 2007 slips away into memories. I will also write a plan for 2008 and a more in depth reflection on my running for 2007, but first the way 2007 panned out for me.
Obviously the major event in the family last year was the passing away of my mum on May 27th. She had celebrated her 93rd birthday on the 2nd May and whilst her health had been ailing for many months, and the reality to all that visited her was that her days were numbered, her death still came as a shock to us all, and whilst you can appreciate that it is coming, when it actually happens it hurts just as much. I can take solace from her passing peacefully, and knowing her great faith, she was ready and willing to go and join her brothers and sisters in heaven and all her friends that had gone before. She inevitably leaves a great gap in my life, a loss that can’t be put into words too easily, and I am only thankful that I decided to come home 5 years ago, along with Liam Óg, and we were able to spend precious time with her over her last years.
But mum was always one with a smile and a jovial quip, and life must go on, a cliché I know, but go on it does, and there were some bright moments within 2007.
I am living in an apartment in Dublin Docklands these days, and feel like a yuppie amongst the young and trendy who share my block. Maybe I should have said I feel like the proverbial old man amongst the young things, but in truth, I have a great apartment, in a great location in a rapidly developing area of the city. I am 5 minutes from work, and only ten minutes from the centre of town, so have turned “green” in walking most places, and my car gathers dust in the garage for most of the time.
In 2007 I met Adrienne, and we have become a firm fixture. She is a ray of sunshine who has come into my life and helped me through the worst of times, without having met mum. She has been a solid brick to me, and helped me move forward. She lives outside Dublin, around 20 miles out of the city, but we spend a lot of time together and ((fingers crossed)) we will spend a lot more in 2008 and beyond.
Work wise, I am settled into my role within the Irish Civil Service, and love the job. I spend all my time auditing taxpayers, and some non-taxpayers, and am now enrolled with the University of Limerick doing a degree in Applied Taxation, with one week a month spent back at school, and ominously, exams set for March!
Liam Óg is still at Queens University up in Belfast, but is home every weekend, and he has now acquired a steady girlfriend and is smiling and enjoying life. He is hoping to head to Canada in the summer for a vacation, and is working at Lillies Nightclub here at weekends to save for his trip. He celebrated his 22nd birthday in November, and Melanie had her 20th, albeit over in England. Mels had taken a gap year, but I am pleased to say she has been accepted to start at Sheffield University next September on a degree course in nursery education, so she too will be off to college to gain the tools for a successful career.
One of the highlights in 2007 was meeting distant relatives for the first time. A few years ago I was very fortuitous in coming across a namesake, Sarah Mycroft, in the results of a marathon race in Australia. I found an email address, made contact, and lo and behold, this contact led to me discovering family on my father’s side that I was unaware of. Time passed, contacts were made, and this year, Frank and Tricia Mycroft, Sarah’s parents, and my second cousins, came to Ireland and we met up a couple of times on their visit, and hopefully this will lead to more such “family” gatherings in the future.
My best wishes to one and all and hope that 2008 is bright and happy for all.
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