Mad in a nice way that is.
Last year I was contacted by the Irish Embassy here in Buenos Aires, to see if I, or people I knew here, could help an Irish Runner who was attempting to run around the world! Naturally, I said I would see what I could do, and I discovered the exploits of Tony Mangan, an Irish Ultra Runner, who I had come across some years ago when he was attempting a World Treadmill record for 48 hours at the Dublin Marathon. Well, now he is running around the World, and after finishing a leg running around Europe he was completing his North American part of the journey, pushing a stroller with his kit. Unfortunately, the terrain in Central America and into South America was not conducive to pushing a stroller and he was looking to ship it to Buenos Aires to collect when he reached here. I managed to help him with his request, by contacting another Irish ex-pat here who has a storage business here, and all is awaiting his arrival.
He has now completed North America, and is presently in Colombia, having just started the South American leg, and he is recording his exploits on his fantastic blog CLICK HERE - THE WORLD JOG and I recommend it as a great read, and also if you want to support his run in any way you can. There are some who might question his sanity in attempting such a feat, including himself, but I admire him for this, and his many other feats of endurance. Next time I find an 8Km run tough, maybe I should remind myself about Tony's Run, and zip my own man-suit up. Check it out......
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Cooler days, no alcohol, good run, and YES, we have electricity!
After 90 hours, we finally got the electric back on, amazing what you take for granted, and miss like mad when it goes out, at least for a day or so, then you get used to dealing without it - Having said that I am glad it's back on again.
Thankfully the last few days have seen cooler temperatures, with the hottest part of the day only getting into the high 20's - and never did I think I would be saying that the high 20's was a cool day! Compared to the 40 degrees it hit at the beginning of the week, it was almost time to pull out the thermals......
With the weather having drained me, and tight hamstrings I decided to take a rest for a serious run on Thursday and Friday, with just a coaching session on Friday as a modest run for me. So, Saturday morning arrived, after a night out Frinking, where I spent a great evening in the bar with friends, drinking Aqua sin Gas, and surprising a few at my determination on this front. Two weeks into the regime now, and all going well on that front. So, Saturday, and up for a morning run, with the temperature around 23 degrees, excellent running weather. the sun high in the sky and at 11am I was off. Ran the same as Tuesday, the trip to Parque Dominico, and two laps around the park. This time, no worries with the heat, and ten minutes faster for the 8.7 Km run. Felt freer and lighter in the legs, and very comfortable at this pace of around 5:15 per Km.
Thankfully the last few days have seen cooler temperatures, with the hottest part of the day only getting into the high 20's - and never did I think I would be saying that the high 20's was a cool day! Compared to the 40 degrees it hit at the beginning of the week, it was almost time to pull out the thermals......
With the weather having drained me, and tight hamstrings I decided to take a rest for a serious run on Thursday and Friday, with just a coaching session on Friday as a modest run for me. So, Saturday morning arrived, after a night out Frinking, where I spent a great evening in the bar with friends, drinking Aqua sin Gas, and surprising a few at my determination on this front. Two weeks into the regime now, and all going well on that front. So, Saturday, and up for a morning run, with the temperature around 23 degrees, excellent running weather. the sun high in the sky and at 11am I was off. Ran the same as Tuesday, the trip to Parque Dominico, and two laps around the park. This time, no worries with the heat, and ten minutes faster for the 8.7 Km run. Felt freer and lighter in the legs, and very comfortable at this pace of around 5:15 per Km.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Heatwave and No Electricity
Phew! What a scorcher!!!!
Well, the first couple of days this week have been unbearably hot - Temps hit the 40 mark on Tuesday afternoon, certainly not conducive for running. To make matters worse, our electricity went out at 10:22 on Monday night, and with midnight temperatures still around the 30 mark, and no air con, it was a very difficult nights sleep. But I managed to get up and out for an early morning run. I would have liked to have got out an hour earlier, but at 8.30 I was out - with the temp already reaching the 30 mark.
I had planned a 10Km run, using a regular route to the park at Villa Dominico, and instead of the one circuit I have been doing, I would make three laps, with each one being 1.3 Kms, hence my 10. However, the temperature was climbing rapidly as I ran, bit the air, and mine, and by the time I got to the park I was feeling the heat. I had tried to run in the shade on the road to the park, but once I arrived, there was no hiding place. I managed two laps, and was feeling the heat, so decided to live to fight another day, and cut the run short to 8.7 Kms, feeling terrible by the time I got home. The day got worse with the heat, and still no electricity!
Wednesday morning and, thankfully, the temps had dropped to the 20's, after some rain overnight, which had allowed a decent(ish) sleep, but still no electric! I was feeling the effects of the run from yesterday, so went for a short recovery run of only 3.25 Kms, and legs were feeling heavy, as one would expect at present. Clearly have to take consideration of the heat this month, as I build the daily runs, and the stamina in the legs, but happy enough with the progress being made.
Well, the first couple of days this week have been unbearably hot - Temps hit the 40 mark on Tuesday afternoon, certainly not conducive for running. To make matters worse, our electricity went out at 10:22 on Monday night, and with midnight temperatures still around the 30 mark, and no air con, it was a very difficult nights sleep. But I managed to get up and out for an early morning run. I would have liked to have got out an hour earlier, but at 8.30 I was out - with the temp already reaching the 30 mark.
I had planned a 10Km run, using a regular route to the park at Villa Dominico, and instead of the one circuit I have been doing, I would make three laps, with each one being 1.3 Kms, hence my 10. However, the temperature was climbing rapidly as I ran, bit the air, and mine, and by the time I got to the park I was feeling the heat. I had tried to run in the shade on the road to the park, but once I arrived, there was no hiding place. I managed two laps, and was feeling the heat, so decided to live to fight another day, and cut the run short to 8.7 Kms, feeling terrible by the time I got home. The day got worse with the heat, and still no electricity!
Wednesday morning and, thankfully, the temps had dropped to the 20's, after some rain overnight, which had allowed a decent(ish) sleep, but still no electric! I was feeling the effects of the run from yesterday, so went for a short recovery run of only 3.25 Kms, and legs were feeling heavy, as one would expect at present. Clearly have to take consideration of the heat this month, as I build the daily runs, and the stamina in the legs, but happy enough with the progress being made.
Monday, January 09, 2012
First week of Santiago Training.... Great
Despite the unnatural temperatures down here, I managed to survive the first week of training for Santiago, and it more or less went according to plan. I went dry from last Monday, and I was to be tested at the weekend, as a group of us from here were off to San Pedro, a county town on the River Parana, about 160 Kms from BsAs, where one of our group has a house. It was an extremely hot weekend, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees on Friday, not exactly conducive to running, and with the party atmosphere around, it was likely to be hard to sustain the alcohol free time, and get some runs in. But I managed both.... easily to be honest.
Saturday and Sunday mornings, Marlo, an Australian running friend who was with the gang, and myself were up at 7 and out with a run down to the river in the early morning heat (still around 25!), but before the day really heated up. Both runs were between 6 and 7 kms, with Sunday being slightly longer. One great thing about this run, was the long gradual hill back from the river, and while I am still in the early days of re-training, given there are no hills in BsAs to run, it was great to actually get a hill run in.
So the first week has been completed with 6 runs, and 35Km completed. Nothing fast, but the aim for January is simply to run 6 days a week and build the distance gradually, trying to ensure no injuries. Doing a body check today, I have a few aches, understandably, and quite tight hamstrings, but nothing too severe, so I can chalk week one down to a success. Now for week two, and with today my official rest day, thankfully, as it hit 40 degrees this afternoon, I look forward to tomorrow mornings 10Km run, along with the forecast for the week with temps dropping back to the high 20s, relatively cool.
Saturday and Sunday mornings, Marlo, an Australian running friend who was with the gang, and myself were up at 7 and out with a run down to the river in the early morning heat (still around 25!), but before the day really heated up. Both runs were between 6 and 7 kms, with Sunday being slightly longer. One great thing about this run, was the long gradual hill back from the river, and while I am still in the early days of re-training, given there are no hills in BsAs to run, it was great to actually get a hill run in.
So the first week has been completed with 6 runs, and 35Km completed. Nothing fast, but the aim for January is simply to run 6 days a week and build the distance gradually, trying to ensure no injuries. Doing a body check today, I have a few aches, understandably, and quite tight hamstrings, but nothing too severe, so I can chalk week one down to a success. Now for week two, and with today my official rest day, thankfully, as it hit 40 degrees this afternoon, I look forward to tomorrow mornings 10Km run, along with the forecast for the week with temps dropping back to the high 20s, relatively cool.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Increasing the distance
After my four days in a row, I needed a rest yesterday, my ageing limbs aren't used to all this exercise, so I put my feet up, and allowed the muscles to adjust. This morning, I woke early and checked the forecast for today, with a Max High of 33 showing, so after taking in some fluids, I was out on the road just after 8am, even though it was already up to 23 degrees.
Obviously, I need to increase the mileage, and as previously suggested, it's a balance to daily running and distance, without overdoing it. One of my difficulties for running from the front door is the lack of green space nearby. All runs have to commence with a fair amount of roads, and as the sidewalks/pavements here are terribly maintained, it is the road that I hit.
Today's run took me to the park, but it also takes a 3Km straight run along a main road to get there, and, naturally enough, it's 3Km back. But it is worth it, and whilst I don't plan to simply add laps of the park to make distance, it is easy enough, and won't get boring for a while. A lap of the park is around 1.25Km, so easy enough to build up distance by using this park. An alternative is to head to the Capital, and Puerto Madero, the modern docklands of the city, where there are loads of runners, and open spaces, without vehicles, but again, it's a long urban run to get there, around 5Km, so those runs will be a few weeks away once I start getting up into the high teens and above. But there is hope...
Back to today's run, and despite the heat, I ran steadily, enjoyed the lap of the park, also seeing a few other morning runners, not a common sight locally, and headed back as the intensity of the sun increased. No wild animals to report, a few urban ones, and a siamese cat who gave me an evil eye as I approached, and scooted off in front of me, looking back, before darting into a doorway - Oh well.... managed the run at a pace of a tad over 5:30 per Km, not feeling too bad, although the legs needed some good stretching when I got back.
Already 22.5 for the month, which is way ahead of last year - The pace may be slow, but themiles Kilometres are getting there...
Obviously, I need to increase the mileage, and as previously suggested, it's a balance to daily running and distance, without overdoing it. One of my difficulties for running from the front door is the lack of green space nearby. All runs have to commence with a fair amount of roads, and as the sidewalks/pavements here are terribly maintained, it is the road that I hit.
Today's run took me to the park, but it also takes a 3Km straight run along a main road to get there, and, naturally enough, it's 3Km back. But it is worth it, and whilst I don't plan to simply add laps of the park to make distance, it is easy enough, and won't get boring for a while. A lap of the park is around 1.25Km, so easy enough to build up distance by using this park. An alternative is to head to the Capital, and Puerto Madero, the modern docklands of the city, where there are loads of runners, and open spaces, without vehicles, but again, it's a long urban run to get there, around 5Km, so those runs will be a few weeks away once I start getting up into the high teens and above. But there is hope...
Back to today's run, and despite the heat, I ran steadily, enjoyed the lap of the park, also seeing a few other morning runners, not a common sight locally, and headed back as the intensity of the sun increased. No wild animals to report, a few urban ones, and a siamese cat who gave me an evil eye as I approached, and scooted off in front of me, looking back, before darting into a doorway - Oh well.... managed the run at a pace of a tad over 5:30 per Km, not feeling too bad, although the legs needed some good stretching when I got back.
Already 22.5 for the month, which is way ahead of last year - The pace may be slow, but the
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Four days in a row - I must be getting serious...
Day 3 of the year, and my fourth run in a row - It's been a long time since I wrote that. And to make matters better, the temperature had dropped a little this morning, and at mid-morning it was only around 23 degrees, so instead of a trip to the gym, I managed to get outside and enjoy a run I call Belgrano 4100, which is 4.2Km long, an out and back street run.
Pleased to report that although my legs could feel I have been running regularly, they eased into the run, and I reached the turnaround point without feeling any discomfort at all. I increased the pace a little on the return run, and, although breathing heavily, I finished strongly, and recorded my quickest time on this route. Now, whilst it is important not to be timing every run, or trying to beat my best time, what is important is to gauge the feelings of my body as I run. So, if I keep a check on my times for the distances, I can compare how I felt for each time I run a particular course. So, today, I went out easily, increased the pace a little on the return, and noted my breath levels, so I can judge in a week or so, when I do this route again - Today I ran 21:49, we will see what happens next.
Here is a picture from Sunday, which makes me look pregnant, something else I can compare with in a few weeks - Hopefully, just like my times, this will be coming down as well!
Pleased to report that although my legs could feel I have been running regularly, they eased into the run, and I reached the turnaround point without feeling any discomfort at all. I increased the pace a little on the return run, and, although breathing heavily, I finished strongly, and recorded my quickest time on this route. Now, whilst it is important not to be timing every run, or trying to beat my best time, what is important is to gauge the feelings of my body as I run. So, if I keep a check on my times for the distances, I can compare how I felt for each time I run a particular course. So, today, I went out easily, increased the pace a little on the return, and noted my breath levels, so I can judge in a week or so, when I do this route again - Today I ran 21:49, we will see what happens next.
Here is a picture from Sunday, which makes me look pregnant, something else I can compare with in a few weeks - Hopefully, just like my times, this will be coming down as well!
Monday, January 02, 2012
New Year, and here we go again....
Well, I have started the year with confidence, if not fitness. 90 days to go to the Santiago marathon, and no target set, simply get to the start line and, all being well, to the finish line. So, with this in mind, I should report my main training resolution - I am off the pop for three months. Years ago, when I was running seriously, this was a regular occurrence, but in recent years I have failed to keep this up, but this year I have good reason. My weight at the start of the year is hovering around the 92 Kgs, and by the race I definitely want to be under 85 Kgs, and if I can get nearer 82 Kgs, I would be even happier.
With all this in mind, Sunday saw me running the first 75% of the Hash as a FRB (Front Running Bas***d), which was around 8Km, and at a healthy pace, given the temperature was over the 30 mark. Obviously the summer weather here does not make for ideal training conditions, so today, an even hotter day, I went to the gym, and did an easy 3Km run in 16:11. I aim to use the treadmill four times a week, with two longer runs outdoors, either early morning, or evening, to turn over a 6 day a week regime. Easy at first, and then adding a hint of speed work as the stamina increases.
No easy tasks over the next few weeks, but lets hope this years beginnings can be maintained over the 13 weeks left to me. If all goes well with Santiago, and that simply means a finish, then Rosario in June may be on the cards, and Punte de Este in Uruguay, come September, when the winter temps here are more conducive to training, should me races that I can target with a degree of confidence, ending with the plan to run the Dublin Marathon back home at the end of October, along with my son.
That's mapped out the year, now, on with the training.....
With all this in mind, Sunday saw me running the first 75% of the Hash as a FRB (Front Running Bas***d), which was around 8Km, and at a healthy pace, given the temperature was over the 30 mark. Obviously the summer weather here does not make for ideal training conditions, so today, an even hotter day, I went to the gym, and did an easy 3Km run in 16:11. I aim to use the treadmill four times a week, with two longer runs outdoors, either early morning, or evening, to turn over a 6 day a week regime. Easy at first, and then adding a hint of speed work as the stamina increases.
No easy tasks over the next few weeks, but lets hope this years beginnings can be maintained over the 13 weeks left to me. If all goes well with Santiago, and that simply means a finish, then Rosario in June may be on the cards, and Punte de Este in Uruguay, come September, when the winter temps here are more conducive to training, should me races that I can target with a degree of confidence, ending with the plan to run the Dublin Marathon back home at the end of October, along with my son.
That's mapped out the year, now, on with the training.....
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The end of the year... And a final run before the bell tolls...
The last couple of weeks have seen little activity due to a couple of things. After my session in mid-month with a form of interval training, I suffered a reaction which I feared might have been a re-occurence of the problem I had earlier in the year - the dreaded Gout! Thankfully, I think this was more a simple stress injury in the tendon in my left foot, but I felt it best to lay off the running for a week, so as not to cause any more damage, and to ensure that it wasn't gout again.
So, this week I ventured to the gym on Tuesday, and managed an easy 3km, and followed this up tonight with the final run of the year, an easy 3.25Km run in 16:56, on a familiar route, which felt easy, and with no niggles as I ran. I conclude a roller-coaster year with very little to shout about, but a determination to put the problems behind me in 2012, and have a great running year.
Looking back on 2011, there were very few running highs to write about, with the exception of actually filling in the entry form, and paying for, the Santiago Marathon next year. But the obvious highlight of the year was the arrival of little Maisie, my first grand-child, and being there when she was just a few hours old - a new life entering the world - Let's hope she grows up to see a better place than the present state.
It's usual for people to make resolutions today, that last a week, if they are lucky, and every year we sit down as runners, and plan that the next year will be better, our training more structured, our goals set out, and by March we have forgotten everything. By way of getting myself motivated I have a plan in my my head, which will involve a number of Marathons, which mean a lot of training, hard work, and an ability to overcome the Hot Summer weather here, at least twice a week, for a long run, which I cannot complete in the gym.
I'm starting the year by signing up for Jantastic, a wonderful motivational bit of fun from the guys at Marathon Talk, a wonderful, weekly, Podcast which I thoroughly recommend you listen to if you haven't already tuned in - Their interviews each week are brilliant, none more so than the recent one with Steve Jones, who was my motivation back in the 80's when I started running seriously. Make yourself a resolution to listen in each week - well worth it....
The final note from me to the two people left who read this - Have a Very Happy New Year, don't celebrate too much, get a run in on New Years Day to Kickstart the year, and may you reach your goals for 2012, as I aim to reach my own.
So, this week I ventured to the gym on Tuesday, and managed an easy 3km, and followed this up tonight with the final run of the year, an easy 3.25Km run in 16:56, on a familiar route, which felt easy, and with no niggles as I ran. I conclude a roller-coaster year with very little to shout about, but a determination to put the problems behind me in 2012, and have a great running year.
Looking back on 2011, there were very few running highs to write about, with the exception of actually filling in the entry form, and paying for, the Santiago Marathon next year. But the obvious highlight of the year was the arrival of little Maisie, my first grand-child, and being there when she was just a few hours old - a new life entering the world - Let's hope she grows up to see a better place than the present state.
It's usual for people to make resolutions today, that last a week, if they are lucky, and every year we sit down as runners, and plan that the next year will be better, our training more structured, our goals set out, and by March we have forgotten everything. By way of getting myself motivated I have a plan in my my head, which will involve a number of Marathons, which mean a lot of training, hard work, and an ability to overcome the Hot Summer weather here, at least twice a week, for a long run, which I cannot complete in the gym.
I'm starting the year by signing up for Jantastic, a wonderful motivational bit of fun from the guys at Marathon Talk, a wonderful, weekly, Podcast which I thoroughly recommend you listen to if you haven't already tuned in - Their interviews each week are brilliant, none more so than the recent one with Steve Jones, who was my motivation back in the 80's when I started running seriously. Make yourself a resolution to listen in each week - well worth it....
The final note from me to the two people left who read this - Have a Very Happy New Year, don't celebrate too much, get a run in on New Years Day to Kickstart the year, and may you reach your goals for 2012, as I aim to reach my own.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Those darn legs
As I said in earlier posts this week, my legs have been feeling tired, and added to that where some events that I couldn't avoid (not that I wanted to!), and so, I decided to let the legs rest for a couple of days, hoping that all would be well.
Today, I went to the gym after classes, and decided to try a tempo based progression interval session, just to see what I may be capable off. I warmed up with 2 Km at an easy pace, then ran 5 x 400m, with 1 minute intervals, progressing from 12 Kph, 12.2. 12.6, 12.8 and finally 13 Kph, before finishing with an easy Km warm down. Have to say that while I didn't find these easy, nor where they too hard. At no point did I feel incapable of achieving the goal, and I was actually quite pleased with the workout. I appreciate these are not super fast, but another stepping stone to building up the legs and the cardio fitness.
We will have to see how the legs feel in the morning.......
Today, I went to the gym after classes, and decided to try a tempo based progression interval session, just to see what I may be capable off. I warmed up with 2 Km at an easy pace, then ran 5 x 400m, with 1 minute intervals, progressing from 12 Kph, 12.2. 12.6, 12.8 and finally 13 Kph, before finishing with an easy Km warm down. Have to say that while I didn't find these easy, nor where they too hard. At no point did I feel incapable of achieving the goal, and I was actually quite pleased with the workout. I appreciate these are not super fast, but another stepping stone to building up the legs and the cardio fitness.
We will have to see how the legs feel in the morning.......
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tired Legs
An interesting weekend in my latest quest to regain fitness, and listened to some good advice.
After the race on Thursday, I felt good, encouraged by it, despite the relative slow time, and on Friday evening I attended the Despedida Hash here in BA for the imminent departure of our long serving GM. The run was around 6Km, in three stages, and I actually enjoyed the full run, no great pace, but consistently running along.
I had planned to race on Sunday morning, again over 10Km, but listening to experienced heads over at Kickrunners, and listening to my own body, I felt that it was a bit much to be asking the body at this stage, to run another 10Km at race pace so soon after Thursday. so, discretion took place and I didn't go to the race.
Am I glad I passed. I went for a morning run, intending to run an easy 7Km, but within 100 meters of the house, my legs felt like lead. Obviously the 10Km, followed by the 6Km had left their mark, and I was struggling. I hoped that they would loosen up after a few more minutes of running, but they didn't, so I decided to cut short the run, and completed a 4.2 km run in just over 22 minutes. Not a bad pace, given how I felt, but a wake up call to say how much work is still needed before I can expect to have great runs every day.
16 Weeks to Santiago and a heck of a journey of Hard Work over this period....
After the race on Thursday, I felt good, encouraged by it, despite the relative slow time, and on Friday evening I attended the Despedida Hash here in BA for the imminent departure of our long serving GM. The run was around 6Km, in three stages, and I actually enjoyed the full run, no great pace, but consistently running along.
I had planned to race on Sunday morning, again over 10Km, but listening to experienced heads over at Kickrunners, and listening to my own body, I felt that it was a bit much to be asking the body at this stage, to run another 10Km at race pace so soon after Thursday. so, discretion took place and I didn't go to the race.
Am I glad I passed. I went for a morning run, intending to run an easy 7Km, but within 100 meters of the house, my legs felt like lead. Obviously the 10Km, followed by the 6Km had left their mark, and I was struggling. I hoped that they would loosen up after a few more minutes of running, but they didn't, so I decided to cut short the run, and completed a 4.2 km run in just over 22 minutes. Not a bad pace, given how I felt, but a wake up call to say how much work is still needed before I can expect to have great runs every day.
16 Weeks to Santiago and a heck of a journey of Hard Work over this period....
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