I don't seem to be so good at setting targets this year!

Ummm, I am definitely slipping at setting my goals as I continue my comeback from the long absence. At the beginning of the month I set a PHDPB (Post Herniated Disc Personal Best) of 28:30, and felt that I was well on target to go sub 28 minutes by the end of September.

Since then, I have been continuing the bi-daily training, and have felt good as I was appreciably running faster times for the routes I run, without trying to run deliberately fast times, just running at the pace I felt comfortable at. I missed the last two weeks at Parkrun, the first as I volunteered at the run, and last weekend when I was otherwise engaged. So, after a very comfortable run on Friday morning, I headed off to Palmerstown, and Waterstown Park for today's 5K.

It was a grey day, a little chillier than it has been, especially given it's August, and I only arrived with 10 minutes to go to the race. I didn't have a specific time goal in mind, but felt that I would be close to 28 minutes if I stuck to my plans. One goal I was intent on achieving was the final hill. Every other time I have done this race, the hill has beaten me, but I was determined to beat it today, and wore my "What Hill" t-shirt, originally from Boston back in the days, but very appropriate for our more than gentle incline.

Given the nature of Parkrun, many runners each week are regulars, and as a gauge of where I am, in relation to potential decent runs, I kept an eye out for those who had regularly have been ahead of me. Around the big downhill loop in the first section, everyone settled down into place, and I found myself in a little battle with a woman in white (subsequently found out her name was Lisa NÍ DHONNCHADHA) on her first Parkrun. Every time the route took a downhill stretch Lisa accelerated and pulled ahead of me, once we levelled out I closed the gap, and on the uphills I went ahead. This was the pattern for the two laps, and with just THAT hill to go, we were side by side. I was determined to work the hill this week, and did just that, dug in, head down, shorter stride and beat it. Lisa was following me up the hill, but I had enough in the tank to push on to the finish, and crossed the line a few strides ahead, and stopped my watch at 27:06.... Yes, 27:06.... Lisa thanked me for pulling her up the hill, and I was delighted with the time.

Not only did I break that 28 minute target, but I was close to breaking 27! I better be careful as I readjust that goal for the end of September. The target is aimed at the Rathfarnham 5K on September 28th. A much flatter course than my Waterstown Parkrun, and if all goes well, I have to consider that 25 minutes must be in close proximity that day. There is definitely still more to come from me at this stage, so I shall have to be more ambitious in my target setting - OK, I will be - This one could be a tougher nut to crack, but I'll go for it - 25 minutes by the end of September.

Oops! Got that wrong - Sub 29 by August 9th.....

Surprised myself today... After writing just a few days ago that I was aiming to tun the Parkrun 5K in under 29 minutes by the end of September, I, not only achieved that, I got half way towards the 28 minute mark.

A beautiful morning, with a warm sun on our backs, and a great turnout of over 100 runners at the Park, with pacers put in for the 20/25/30 minute marks. I started just ahead of the 30 minute pacer, as I was hoping to run comfortably under 30, aiming at staying ahead of the pace group all run. I started nice and steady, feeling comfortable on the early downhill stretch to the river. Continued smoothly along the river valley, and then when we turned for the first real hill on that first lap, I eased up the hill, not taking a walk break and continued on. The second lap was much like the first, only, for the first time, I was overtaking runners. It has been the pattern in the last few weeks to slot into a position early on, and gaps in front and behind and meant that I haven't passed anyone, nor been passed. Today it was much better, and I plugged on, caught a fellow traveller, and checking the watch, I knew I was on to be well inside my Parkrun PR.

Just the last stretch to face. Julie O'Connor, our Race Director calls it the Waterstown Gentle Incline - She lies well! It's a feckin' hard climb, and I am still confessing to walking this bit - I'll rest my target goal, it's to run this hill and finish strong before the end of September - Today, I walked it, and started to run as I saw the finish line, before the peak of the hill, and kicked on, crossing the line in 44th place, out of 105 finishers, and far more importantly, in a time of 28:30, yep, well under that 29 minute target -

OK, revised goal, Sub 28 minutes by end of September.... Might run the Rathfarnham 5kn on the 28th, the course is actually easier than my Parkrun, but there are plenty more Parkruns before then.....

Still Alive, running again, and it's starting to be fun again!

I know I am really writing this for myself, and, yes, it helps to put it down on the screen (doesn't seem right saying, on paper!).

I haven't been exactly tearing the streets apart over the past few months, but in the past month or so I have been slowly getting back into a routine which includes running, and even taking part in some Races. Now, I can confess to running very slowly in comparison to earlier years, but there is a method in my madness. Over far too many recent years, I have attempted to get running again, started with good intentions, and then fallen by the wayside - for a variety of reasons - some genuine, my back injury for example, and some less so, more down to a lack of motivation and enjoying the lazy life too much.

What's different now? Well, I have no expectation of breaking records,(my own, I hasten to add), but I do have goals and targets. Realistic ones, not vain hopes of my ancient legs suddenly getting back to super speed! And helping me along the way has been Parkrun. If you've never heard of this, then check it out, it's a brilliant concept. A 5K Run every Saturday morning, timed, places, a race of sorts, but more importantly a community spirit, at least the ones that I have run have been. I did a couple last year up in Lisburn, but living back in Dublin now, I ran in Marlay Park in January, and was keen to get back into them when I discovered the Waterstown Parkrun last month. It's a small field, around 70 regular people, from good club type runners, to Couch 2 5K Starters, which means I don't feel too slow. It's an undulating course with a nasty hill to finish, and so far I have completed three, bringing my times down from 30:37 to 29:52. Again, confession time - I walked the hill each week, but that will come.

I'm taking things easy, building the blocks slowly. I have a goal of getting under 29 minutes by the end of September, which might come sooner as my training improves. I'm finding my cardio slow to respond, with breathing and VO2 intake a struggle, which again will come with perseverence. No unrealistic aim, just to enjoy the Parkrun, maybe do the odd other race, and maybe even a 10K before the end of the year. I even got my mojo back last Monday when along with Paula and the team from Waterstown Parkrun I helped Marshall the Rock n Roll Dublin half Marathon - Great to see so many out enjoying the Phoenix Park - I am enjoying running again - Let's hope it continues....

This week's goal - 29:51....