Saturday Scribble - August 31st, 2019 - The last days of Summer

Yep, it's the last day of August - Where has the year gone? And as summer comes to an end (Did we have one this year?), the clock starts to speed up its countdown to the Big Prize for many - DCM. Only 8 weeks away now, and the training should all be about getting fine tuned for the Bank Holiday Weekend on the East Coast.

You should be feeling worn out every day, at least, if you've been getting in the miles over July & August. If you haven't been able to stick to your plans, don't go mad and start trying to play catch up - Work away gradually over the next 7 weeks (note I say 7, the last week is for tapering), try and build up by no more than 10%, do NOT jump from, say, your longest run of 10 miles, to suddenly try and do a 20 miler, it will hurt, and will not benefit you come October.

Don't worry about that feeling of tiredness, keep with your plan, get those long runs in, but ensure you run them at the right speed - Don't leave your best Marathon on the streets of Drogheda, or Sandymount Strand, keep your Long Runs slow and steady, slower pace than you plan to run on Marathon Day, and believe in yourself - That's the most important part of running a Marathon, especially if its your first - Belief... You can do it.

I appreciate that not everyone is aiming for a Marathon, we are all at different stages of our running journeys. After my long lay off (and still missing in action, or inaction!), my target is to regain some fitness to be able to run a #parkrun, with my long run to be 3 km! We all have our own targets, so don't get put off by all the fantastic marathon posts, we all started somewhere, and for many the Marathon has never been a goal, the target can be any distance - Remember, its your Target.

I'll love you and leave you to go out running now, be it a training run, your local #parkrunie , a race around the island, or maybe a rest day today with a long run tomorrow. Wherever you may be in your running life, have fun, smile when you run, say hi as you pass a fellow runner on your trails, and remember, ENJOY!

Saturday Scribble - August 24th 2019

Better late than never today. Had a wee lie on this morning, and have a few things to get done today, none of which include running unfortunately. Little matter of the Ireland / England match this afternoon to fit in too - I know it's only a warm up game, but its Ireland v England, so always an edge to these games, even with nothing at stake.

I'll keep this weeks scribble short and sweet, and thoroughly recommend a read of my good friend Orna's post from yesterday an excellent piece of writing, and a wonderful insight into what you can achieve, rather than feel you are not able - Read it and go for it..

"Long Long Post: For what it's worth! I've noticed a few posts lately with an underlying if not obvious tone, of runners starting to doubt their ability to run their 1st of a distance. Everyone to their own but for what it's worth I started running in my 40s and never really put myself under pressure to rush into a race/time but I always knew I found it a bit easier than some others to reach said goals. That's not showing off, that's, I'm small/slim, some might say thin and it wasn't what some of you amazing runners have had to go through to get results. In saying that, I trained, if nothing else I'm very consistent and I'm sometimes a go for it kinda gal. My first race was a 5km in 2011 and my 1st official half was Dublin in 2015. The plan for the half was a sub 1:50...fast to some, not for many others, the point is, I don't think it was conservative for MY 1st.. Ppl will always suggest you enjoy your first of any distance and don't race, well I get it but if you prepare, if you think you can, I say go for it, it's still one of my proudest races (Thank you James forever for helping me get there) Same with my first marathon, train, believe in your plan and I can't emphasize enough believe in yourself, some guy/gal wrote the plan but your feckin' running it! Again I went for it and my first marathon is still my PB (not sure what that says 🤔) The reason I'm telling you my experiences is because it's confidence and self belief that for me got me results. I'm not the most dedicated runner and some times I'll go all gut busting out but lately I pace, it's rewarding in another way (and also a bit of a cop out) but it is what I'm enjoying right now with my running. On an end note: Fact: Training doesn't always go to plan, but plans are built to accommodate that Fact: We ALL have doubts but equally we ALL have each others corner. Fact: I for one am inspired by each and every post. Fact: #runnersareawesome x "


I was out on calls yesterday, and around the Dun Laoghaire area, and noted all the signs for road closures tomorrow due to the Ironman taking place. As someone who can't swim, (just never learned!- I know, terrible, but it is what it is), I've never aspired to moving onto the triathlon, running is tough enough without drowning and torture of a bike saddle, but I admire those that do, so best of luck to anyone taking part tomorrow, or setting their sights on taking up the challenges - Again, go for it....

So, a brief note this week, normal service will be resumed next week. Wherever you may be running, be it on road, treadmill, grass or mountainside, have fun out there, run with a smile, and as always ENJOY!

Saturday Scribble - August 17th 2019

How did THAT happen! It's Saturday again - Is it me, or do weekends come around quicker these days? OK, before you say it, YES, I'm getting old, and we all know time moves faster when your get older.. My 5K's that used to take 20 minutes, now take nearer 30 - It's not that I'm getting slower, or put in less effort, it's simple science - Time moves faster the older we get - Problem solved - It's Not Me!!!

Talking of time, just checked the Countdown Clock to DCM40 - 10 Weeks tomorrow - Hopefully for everyone hopeful of a good run come October, the training is going well, and your long runs are starting to add up. The hard work now will reap the dividends on the Bank Holiday weekend. It's always tough as the miles increase, especially if you train alone - It can be boring, tiring, even painful, but believe me, it will be worth it in the end.

As you know, I have been off the scene for the last few months, unable to run. AT the back of mind has been the DCM race, and would it be possible to get some level of fitness to enable me to take part this year. Well, if you have seen my posts this last couple of weeks, that dream is clearly over. I'm struggling to get past 2.5km, and even if things improved dramatically in the next few weeks, there is no way I am going to attempt 42 Km, even walk/running, with such a short time to go. Yes, it's difficult to pull out of an event you have wanted to take part in, but if you have missed a large bulk of your training, been injured, ill, or just not been able to put in the effort for other reasons this summer - Think carefully of your own participation - There is always another race, another opportunity, don't put yourself at risk of injury that will have you sidelined for a long time. Frustrating ? - Yes! - But despite that time moving faster, there will always be another time, when everything clicks into place.

Well, that got that off my chest. Hopefully if you've got this far, you're fit and healthy, and maybe heading out to your #parkrun, or maybe a race somewhere around the country - If so, best of luck this weekend, and if its another long run weekend, stay hydrated, keep the pace steady, no heroics on a training run, and most of all, when you get out there, remember to have fun out there, and ENJOY!

Wednesday 14th August - Short and not too sweet..

Still working on my stamina and breathing. Feeling laboured on this run, but it was a little quicker again than previous runs. A long way to go, but it has to be done. Managed a 2 km run, in 11:19, up to Rathgar and back down to Kenilworth Road. Cut it short at 2 Km, rather than run all the way to home.

Sunday and another run out....

Having just got started again, I had to take a few days break, as I was working at the Dublin Horse Show, and actually walked around 15km everyday of the week, so was shattered by the time I got home. But I got out this morning, and ran a good 2.5km loop, including the drag up to Rathgar, which is always a tough start to a run, 1km up the incline, its not steep, but its a long gradual climb. On the plus side, the second half of the run is a gradual downhill, so it balances out.

Feels like the Big Brother House - Day 4.....

Day 4. Switched up the route today, for a one lap run, with an up slope first half, and a nice down stretch on the second half. These slopes are very gentle, but a good test as I gently build up.

Saturday Scribble - August 3rd 2019

Each week I write a Saturday Scribble for a Running Page on Facebook I've been active in for a number of years. Might as well add it to my blog each week as well, for posterity... Here is this weeks edition..

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Good morning all, and Happy Holiday Weekend everyone. Yep, it's August already, and by now many people will be racking up the miles in training as DCM40 starts to really get into focus.

No need to panic yet, still plenty of time to hone those muscles, build up the cardio, and be in top shape come the next Holiday Weekend in October. I trust everyone's training has been going well, although I know some will be feeling niggles, thinking everything is going wrong, you've not got enough miles in the legs, etc, etc..

Seriously, don't panic.. If you've missed a few sessions, had to sit out a few days with a sore calf, tight hamstring, don't rush back, don't over do it, definitely don't try and play catch up and make up the missing miles... You'll be fine, and you'll cross that finishing line come October feeling fantastic, and if it's your first Marathon, you'll shed a wee tear as you do..

I'm well aware, especially where I stand in my running renewal, that not everyone is focused on DCM. Like me, many of you may be coming back to running from an enforced layoff, it may be a case of regaining the mojo having become disillusioned with running, and for others, you may have just started your running road.

For us, the targets may be very different. Simply getting out for a run can be tough. This week, I restarted, and I confess it was a struggle. I set a very conservative goal of running 2km, and managed it, but it was tough, and I'll be out again today, and my new goal, 2.25km. Very soft you might say, but, when you are starting up, or over, don't overdo it. Be realistic in what you can achieve. Set yourself goals, short and medium.. Don't worry about that long term goal, stick to today and tomorrow, the future will come... I've set a medium target of being back at #parkrun on the 17th, two weeks away, but today, it's 2.25 km, nothing more.

One thing about being out of the sport for so long, is that I'm not as up to date with races taking place up and down the country. As it's a Holiday Weekend I know that there will be lots of people lining up on the start line somewhere, so, wherever you may be running, be it a race, a trail, a tough training session with friends, or a 2.25km run close to home as you start over, or even your first run to the corner, always remember, we do this for fun, and ENJOY!