As one should, the end of each year is a time to reflect on how the year progressed, what we learn, and a time to look forward to the New Year with expectations. As this is supposed to be my ramblings about running, I'll leave reflections about the state of the world to other fora.
Since I wrecked my back in February 2012, I had been unable to run properly for nearly two years, with a couple of small attempts during 2013, but as 2014 started I was determined to have one last chance of getting fit again and re-starting my running. January saw me jumping in with both feet and I ran the Marlay Park 5K Parkrun - Well, when I say "run", I completed the course in 33:39, not an auspicious start, and to be fair, it was a pretty true reflection of where I was at, fitness wise. BUT, it was a start....
Actually it was a hic-cup! I did start training, but I didn't feel right and felt that a little longer was needed before I could really test myself. So, I decided to diet a little, and by the end of June I felt I was ready to "run". Through work, in years gone by, I had regularly ran in BHAA Races (Business House Athletic Association), and a 5K was coming up in Irishtown, under the BHAA banner, and Revenue were promoting this to try and encourage fitness at the workplace, so an ideal (re)-starting point. I had last run this race in 2007, in 23:50, so I had a measure.... It was no magnificent return, but I got around, and clocked 30:17, and I was determined to move on from there.
Three days later and I discovered Waterstown Parkrun... Living in Ballsbridge, without a car, it is hard for me to get to Marlay Park, or many of the other Parkruns in the Dublin area. However, Waterstown is on the bus route that goes past my apartment, so despite a 35 minute journey, it seemed to be the easiest to get to, so I went. Really glad I did, as I have met some great people there, and must mention Julie O'Connor and all the work she and her team have put in creating a family friendly running event every week. But my first venture there was a shock to the system. It's a tough course, with some lovely gentle inclines, and my first time out, I recorded 30:37 for the trip - Ouch, and it hurt too!
But I persevered, I was up to running three times a week, and the following Saturday I ducked under 30 minutes, 29:52, and thankfully haven't been over again since. The training went well through the summer, and I continued to run the Waterstown Parkruns into September, bringing my time down to 25:28 in two months. I had set a target of getting under 25 minutes for 5Km by the end of September, and I achieved this at the Rathfarnham 5Km at the end of the month, managing to bring my 5Km PHD (Post-Herniated Disc) PBB, down to 24:39 - I was on the right road..
The last three months have been a little up and down, with a 5M Race best of 42:29, and a couple of over distance 8.5Km Races (They were supposed to be 8Km, but for one reason or another they were long), one in Argentina while back there on holiday, and the last race of the year in Clontarf with my new running friends from #RSP - The runners Support Page on Facebook. Unfortunately I came home from my holiday with a cold, and Clontarf was a little tricky as I hadn't shaken it off, and it turned into a chest infection, which resulted in two weeks off running at the start of December. Pleased to report I am now back healthy, and raring to go. I set myself a challenge of The 12 Runs of Christmas, i.e. running every day over the holidays, my twist on the Irish 12 Pubs of Christmas - And NO, I don't have a beer on every run!
So, after a false start, a tough time getting back into it, I have ended the year with a total of 412.5Km in the bank, which given it was only for half a year in truth, is my best return since 2008 - A lot to look forward to in 2015.
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