Parkrun Number 100....

Yep, it took a while, but I made it today - 

Today was my 100th parkrun. Having had a hamstring strain for the past few weeks, with limited running, today was all about completing the 100 with friends and family, with the time being irrelevant. Took a walk break up the hill on this course, along with a couple of other breather breaks, but kicked to the finish line, perhaps unwisely with the hamstring, but had to be done. and grateful to my friends for the Cake and the lovely wine that they presented to me to celebrate. 

The Cake that my friends presented to celebrate. 

The road to parkrun 100

Following my post on FB regarding my impending 100th parkrun - doesn't sound particularly interesting, but overall, once you know the reasons why it's taken so long to hit 100, given 20 years of parkrun, it may be of interest. parkrun Ireland asked me to elaborate, and I have written this for them, but in order to save it all, I post it here to remind me, and others, of the journey so far....  

I was living in Argentina when parkrun started, and listened to Tom Williams and Martin Yelling extolling the news of this wonderful new addition to the running scene. I had been a relatively serious club runner for 25 plus years, but naturally, as age progresses, speed tends to leave the legs, and running had become more for fun and exercise, than competition. Upon my return to Ireland, I signed up and ran my first parkrun at Wallace Park in Lisburn in August 2013, and really enjoyed the buzz. The following year, back in Dublin, I built on that love affair with parkrun, and started to become a regular attender, either running or volunteering when other commitments allowed. This continued and by February 2017 I had racked up my 50 and a red t-shirt was proudly being worn. 

At every opportunity on Social Media I praised parkrun, and wrote a regular Saturday morning motivational scribble on a Running Groups FB page (The Runners Support Page), getting many people to get out of bed and get to their local parkrun, and exercise. Things were going along nicely, and I was working my way towards 100 runs and 25 volunteer when a Bombshell occurred! A regular health check up offered by my GP, including a colonoscopy, given my impending 60th birthday showed that I had "acquired" a cancerous tumour in my colon, that needed dealing with. Obviously this was tough to here, and surgery was the course of action in this case, and in January 2018 I had surgery to remove the tumour, and 15cm of my colon, resulting in a stoma & "temporary" ileostomy bag being fitted. I was determined to recover from this, and with World Cancer Day taking place on Feb 3rd 2018, I returned to parkrun as the Volunteer Tailwalker that day, supported by many friends, at Poolbeg parkrun in Dublin, just 4 weeks after the surgery. It was a little longer before I was able to run again, but later that year I returned to parkrun and started to get nearer to that 100 run mark. Then, another Bombshell - When they "temporary" bag was removed in April 2019, I found it very difficult to adjust and was unable to run at all, with weight increasing and fitness levels at an all time low. Then COVID happened, and we all know that meant parkrun was suspended, and time moved on.

As the COVID issues were lifted by the summer of 2022, I had managed to start running again without problems arising, and was looking forward to getting back into some form of shape to be able to go running again, and then BOMBSHELL #2 - A slight tickle in my throat saw a visit to the doctor, who sent me to a consultant, and after examination by camera etc., a Stage 4, thankfully static and small, tumour was located at the base of the tongue, top of the throat. This was hard to take on board, totally unrelated to my previous Cancer, and in many ways more serious. The course of action here was Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, and in November 2022 I commenced the treatment. Suffice to say, as others who have gone through similar will appreciate, this was very unpleasant, albeit necessary, and very painful. I was on a liquid only diet for over 3 months, lost 30% of my body weight, from 100Kgs down to 70Kgs (I don't recommend the diet), with muscle atrophy making me feel, and look, even worse. All through the harrowing process, I was determined to win the battle, and made a pledge that I would get back to running and get back to parkrun and beyond. 

2023 was a year of recovery, and gradually getting back to a level of fitness to enable me to start running again, slowly, very slowly, and in April this year, I returned to Poolbeg and completed my 93rd run, some 5 years plus since my 92nd. I never lost sight of my goal to return to running, and to parkrun specifically. It was always the light at the end of the tunnel, and the goal of reaching 100 parkrun will be achieved on September 14th at Poolbeg again. Thankfully, as I write this, I am Showing Clear of Both Cancers, and although I will continue with regular checks for a few years yet, I really hope there is nothing else lurking in my body, and that the road to 200 will be a lot easier, and quicker. 

Irish Runner 5K

First actual "race" of the year, after my parkrun last month. In between I have had a chest infection which excluded me from running for four weeks, so I ran today with little expectation, and a hope that I would be under 32:30 (6:30 pace). Started well, and managed to stay under that 6:30 average for my splits for the first 3K - Nice hill between 3 and 4 slowed me down, along with a couple of walk breaks, but still managed to come home over a minute inside my "hope" time - So happy with that, and plenty of scope for improvement over the summer. 

Run In The Dark 5K - The First Back

 

Was it nerves, was it anxiety? I don't know for sure, but Tuesday night, I was trembling as I walked from home down to Dublin Dockland. This was it - My first time back as, loosely, a runner - a racer! yes, it was to be an actual Race Event - The Dublin Run In The Dark 5k - A great charity event, and one I have taken part in, in years gone by. But, for me, it's been a while. I won't bore readers with my history, but my last "Race" was the Raheny Shamrock 5m in January 2019, and a heck of a lot of water had travelled down the Liffey and under many bridges since then - But here we were - I was walking down to the Gathering, and was about to re-enter the world of Taking Part - Yes, I was nervous, yes I was anxious, and boy was I trembling.

OK - Let me be honest, I had no conception of what I could do on the night. My limited re-training, has been just that - limited. In my head, I wanted to run 25 minutes- Yeh! - Why not? - That's what I was running back in 2016/17 - I can do that - Can't I? - Well, that was my head, the bit of my head that lives in dream world. Thankfully, these days, I'm realistic about what I am able for - I was looking at somewhere between 33 and 35 minutes - Times that would have seemed pedestrian to me, only a few short years ago, but today, seemed just attainable, if things went well. My fingers, and toes were crossed.

I met up with a few friends from my Rin & Beers Running Group before the race, and despite the name of the Group, they are all good runners, with their own goals, all superior to mine, with the one exception, we all wanted to do well. There were a lot of people milling around the start line at the Point (3 arena), and I said goodbye to my friends as I lined up near the back of the starting pens - I knew my limitations...  It was chilly, people were chatting with their pals - My nerves were getting to me - Why? I have raced so many times over nearly 40 years - why was I so tense as we waited?

Finally - We were off - A mass crowd strung out across the narrow road before we hit the Riverside, and a little bit of space. I knew I needed to keep the pace easy - I tagged onto "The Pony" - an old trait from Marathon days years ago - Catch someone running a similar pace, latch on behind, focus on them rather than yourself, and follow that Pony (For those still not comprehending, it's a Pony Tail of a runner ahead, 95% of the time female, and it helps to follow a swishing tail, taking the focus of yourself - probably not woke in 2023, but give me a break, it''s been a while!).

I stayed with "My Pony" through a tough first Km, - almost 7 minutes! Oh No! - The second Km was more productive, still with my fellow runner, and this time, the rhythm had set in, and I was feeling more comfortable, faster - 6.29 - Easing in...

We crossed the river, back into territory well known to me, having lived in this part of the City between 2006 and 2009 - on towards The Ferryman. my old local, and a HUGE shout-out for Jane, one of our Running Group, spectating their - It certainly gave me a HUGE boost, 3 km next up, 6.13 - I was feeling good - Keep it going - The long drag down John Rogerson Quay - The Sharp Turnabout Hairpin, back along the River - and 4 km - YES! 6.07 - I was heading for under 33 - And now, into unchartered territory - Post 4km outside... Would I survive?

I have (had) a tendency during the later stretch of a long training run, or even a marathon, to count out the strides, knowing how many strides constitute 50m, 100m, am I getting near the finish - Not something I can recall using in a 5Km Race, but I was doing it now! - And it worked - it took my mind off the fact that my legs were starting to feel the run - As I said at the start - It's been a while - But, I dug in... I can do this - I really can - I was nearly in tears as I turned off the quays - the finish line in sight, although why wasn't it getting nearer? It seemed an age, and my ancient (and under-trained) legs couldn't kick any faster, but after what seemed an age, the Finish Gantry was there _ I had done it - I had finished ! - My first Finish Line in 58 months - It was complete. - 

Officially, my time was 32:04 - that last Km on my watch was 6:01 - I finished 1093 out of 2105, but I don't really care, where, or even when - I finished - Thank you body for not giving up on me - Fingers, and toes, crossed, the first of many more to come - 

Base Run

 Every time I have been out of the game for a while, upon my return, I like to run a short base test to gauge where I am starting from, and use this from time to time to see what progress, or lack thereof, I am making. For the past 8 years or so, this has been a lap around the block, across from my home in Rathmines. Its a square block of 1.12kms, starting off with a gentle incline for the first 300m before levelling out for 100m, with another small rise, before turning into the third section which is a slight downhill, reversing the gain in the early stage, and finally turning for home, with a dip in the last 25m to the finish.

This morning I ran this in 6:44, a pace a shade over 6m per Km., and surprisingly when I look back, this is the best "Initial" gauge run in recent years. I didn't feel as if I was overstraining, or pushing things at all. I actually felt very comfortable at this pace, which is somewhat surprising, given the lack of sustained running since my ills. 

I won't be taking anything for granted, but pleased with this mornings effort, and here's to a bright future. My entry to the lottery for next year's Dublin Marathon has been made, I'll know by the end of this month, fingers crossed (I think!). I will plan races through 2024 at varying intervals, not going mad, but the one target that will always take precedence will be the Marthon and that Sub 4 hour run. A long way to go from here, but as a certain Chines Proverb paraphrased to - "The journey of 42.195km starts here" 

Remember Me ?

I'm sure that nobody is reading this, but that's not the point of me writing today, but if you are, I hope you stay for the journey, at least to the end of this post. 

 Today, November 1st 2023, marks the 1st Anniversary of my Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy commencing as I fought against Cancer for the 2nd time in the last 6 years, and a time to reflect, and strike out, going forward. The first "issue" being bowel cancer back in 2017/18, already well documented, but when I was diagnosed with the Tongue/Throat Cancer in September 2022, it was a different kettle of fish. I could understand an operation, cutting the tumour out, along with 15cm of the bowel, and while it wasn't easy, the effects on my lifestyle were relatively minimal. The Chemo and Radiotherapy (35 sessions) were a totally different situation, and took a heck of a lot out of my body, and even my spirit. The sickness, the inability to eat solid food for three months, ending up in hospital on more than one occassion, were tough, on me and my family. In the end, I came through it, and after 5 long months, in March I was given the All Clear - No cancer was showing on the scans - I had come through it again. 

 This time, while I was clear, there were side effects, which are still lingering twelve months later. My taste buds have not fully recovered, although improving. I still suffer from an inability to create adequate saliva, resulting in dry mouth, which is extremely unpleasant, but I'm hoping that will clear up in the next twelve months or so. On the plus side, if you can have such a thing, I lost 25kgs in weight during my treatment, although I don't recommend the diet - Tiredness has been an issue too, although those effects are fading. 

 The most important thing is I want, I might even say NEED, to get back running again. It should be easy, given I'm so much lighter than a few years ago. And this is why I am posting this, and aiming to get back in the saddle - I was always one to set ambitious goals - Aiming for the stars - And why not - It's better to try and fail, rather than wonder what if? So, here we are, a few days after once again spectating at the Dublin Marathon, feeling the buzz of the crowd, the agony and ecstasy of the runners, the joy of seeing old friends out on the road, not to mention even the joy of getting soaked cheering strangers on. 

So what are the goals. 

  Short Term: Back out running with my Wednesday Night "Run & Beers" Group - That starts TONIGHT 

  Medium Term: Parkrun, to get back to taking part on Saturday mornings in the 5Km Parkruns - Slightly more complicated as I now work on Saturday's, but I will overcome that, no excuses. I'm also giving myself a Target of running 25 minutes by next summer, if not before, we shall see. I also have the little matter of the Run In The Dark on Nov 14th which I entered a few weeks back, but that will be treated more as a fun evening, as I will not be 10K ready by then. 

  2024 Goals: Well, I have my entry already in for the Dingle Half Marathon on September 7th next year, and come Thursday I will be putting my name in the "hat" for the Dublin City Marathon 2024 - And those Stars I am aiming for, well, my goal is to run this in under 4 hours - I said I was ambitious. My first aim for 2024 will be the Raheny 5 in the New Year, and I'm sure there will be a few other stepping stones on the way. 

The journey back starts here. 

No better day to set off than that 1st anniversary - A year I can write off as a blip, and move forward, with new strength, new life, and a new purpose - Hope you come along for the ride if you are reading this - Otherwise, this will simply be my personal chronicle of the journey, that's OK - It has always helped me to write about life, the good and the bad - let's hope that in the next twelve months it's more of the former.

End of the Year Scribble - Here's hoping 2020 is Way Better

OK, it's not Saturday morning, but, as it's the end of the year, I thought I do a Scribble anyway. It's a time to reflect on the year gone by, and look forward to the year ahead, planning what we hope for.

Personally it's been a very mixed year. My own running has been virtually non existant, due to my surgery in April, and the lengthy recovery process. On the plus side, despite the time involved, after two years of worry, I'm Cancer Free, and can look forward to 2020 in a positive way, and aim to be back on the running scene in January, having signed up for the Lord Mayors Challenge to restart.

One of the things I have loved during the year has been seeing the posts from folk on here as their running lives have developed. I won't embarrass anyone by naming names, but it is a joy to see how fellow runners, friends, have enjoyed their running, improved and become more confident in their own abilities. Continue on into 2020 and beyond.

Having been sidelined all year myself, I empathise with those still struggling to recover from injury, illness, or, as in my case too, the onset of older age catching up with us. Here's hoping we can all get back to what we love to do over the next 366 days, Yes We Can.

Sadly the last week of the year saw the news that a friend, and local runner lost her life tragically, and a dear friend of mine on the other side of the world in Argentina, also a runner, died after a short illness on Saturday past. The world will be worse off for both losses.

Finally, let me sign off by wishing everyone here a Happy New Year. If you're running on New Years Day, it's still OK to raise a glass to the turn of the year tonight. Never forget that we do this for fun, no need to head to bed at 10 o'clock and miss the festivities, running should be part of our lives, not all consuming.

I'm still on holiday for a few more days, enduring the heat (38C) in Buenos Aires, but looking forward to joining you all on the roads and trails of an Irish January next week and beyond. I look forward to catching up with old friends, and New, in 2020 at races, parkruns and even on the streets of Dublin. Have a great time tonight, and an even better 2020, and quite simply, whatever your goals for the New Year, go for them, and of course...... ENJOY!

Scribble Time - Saturday 9th November 2019

Good morning all, Happy #parkrunday. Yes, these Saturdays come around quickly don't they? The DCM40 is now in the dim and distant past, and hopefully those that ran the streets od Dublin are now fully recovered from their neck pains, having worn their medal for these past two weeks 😂... With pride of course..

So, getting back to normal, and thoughts turned to what's next. Maybe it's time to just relax a bit, enjoy a non specific training block of running, take in a #parkrun or two over the next few weeks and simply run for fun. With Christmas around the corner, and all that brings with it, don't just hang up your runners until the New Year, but equally, no need to be overdoing things either. Just enjoy your running, with no pressure for a few weeks.

One thing I'd like to mention this week is aimed at new runners, as well as those of us who have been around a while. From time to time, we see posts asking as to which pair of runners is best? Or, something along the lines of, "I'm getting a niggle with the new version of xyz runners, which companies new shoe should I change to?"..... Along come the answers, based on individual preferences, all well intentioned, but can be the worst possible information for someone else. We are all different, our feet, our style of running, our weight, even our age. What works for one, can be a disaster for others...

So, please, if you feel your tried and tested shoe has changed, and you are thinking of something new, go to a running shop. Get yourself checked, talk to the experts, explain what type of athlete you are, what you are aiming for. Don't risk injury by simply taking "advice" from a friend on here who swears by the new jkl23 shoe. Not only that, runners aren't cheap, buy a pair that you can't run in after a week and you're out of pocket by a tidy sum, and you still need to go back and buy another pair.

Anyway, enough of my rant. Good running this weekend, with the Remembrance Run taking centre stage in Dublin, a good way to remember friends and family no longer with us along the road. Wherever you may be running this week, long or short, always remember to smile, say Hi to a fellow runner you pass and always, always, have fun out there, ENJOY...

357 Days to #DCM2020 - Yes, I'm back - My Saturday Scribble - Nov 2nd 2019...

Well, it's Saturday, and by now, those 35,000 odd legs that travelled around Dublin last Sunday, should be getting back to normal. With all the hype about the lottery and entry for next years #DCM2020 that's been going on this week, we can easily forget that there are a lot of other races, runs, trails, cross country and #parkruns that take place all year round, not just on the Bank Holiday Weekend every October. So, why not think positively about them, aim in the short term, look at the obvious, #parkrun, they are a lot easier to run than a marathon, and can be just as much fun (without the threat of not being able to get down stairs the next day!).

But I know, that many will have already forked out there entry fee for #DCM2020, myself included, and it's only 358 days to the start - So, should we be thinking that far ahead? The simple answer is NO. Of course, having paid your 93 euro, it's a;ready in the back (or front) of your mind, but first and foremost, if you ran last weekend, is getting back gently into running. A rest is a good thing after a marathon, especially if it was your first, but that doesn't have to mean feet up until Xmas, and think about starting again once the New Year arrives, and those extra kilos of turkey and ham will fall off .... No, it means easy running, gentle, maybe a parkrun or two, possibly one of the many races coming up in November, and in the run up to Xmas.

Time to refocus, think off priorities, be they family, be they a spring marathon, or something simpler. there is plenty of time to think about DCM2020 come Easter. one BIG advantage for 2020 is that you get ONE extra Day to prepare, could make all the difference, yes, next year has a Feb 29th - so, no excuses of not enough time, you get a whole extra 24 hours :)...

It was an absolute delight for me to see so many of you on route last Sunday - Hugs a plenty, along with Hi Fives and Shout Outs as you passed me with just 1Km to go. That was my fifth year there in the past six (I ran DCM in 2016), but next year, come hell or high water, I will have to leave a cardboard cut-out of myself at that spot, as I will be running the event. You all know why I haven't been able to do so in the last couple of years, but, that is almost all behind me, and while I wrote above about not looking so far ahead for #DCM2020 just yet, I'm not listening to my own advice, as it is my focus for the next 357 days, 22 hours, 29 minutes and 30 seconds (as I type this) - Yes, I'm sad, I have a Countdown Clock set up already.......

But there will be a lot of steps along the way, and I hope you can join me on some, and I am so looking forward to getting back to races, catching up with old friends and making new ones along the way - One thing is for sure, I'm going to be out there, smiling, and you know what, I'm going to do with every step, ENJOY!!!

Saturday Scribble - Oct 26th 2019 - The Dublin City Marathon #40

Well, this is it! The weekend of DCM40. For many, the culmination of many months of early morning run, family sacrifices, black toes, weekends being planned around long runs, and hard work. And all for a trot around the City of Dublin for a piece of metal, and a t shirt.... But of course, it's far more than that.....

We all have our different reasons for signing up, training, and taking part. Whatever yours was, whether it's your first time, or your 101st, the hard work is all over, and by Monday, you will be back to normal, well, apart from the sore legs, and the inability to get down the stairs 😂.

With 24 hours left before the big day the nerves kick in, so how should you spend these hours of nervous energy? If you have to go the expo today, don't spend hours there walking around. Get in, get your number, yes, take a look at the stands, pick up a few freebies, but today is not the day to be on your feet, leave that for tomorrow. Not the best day to go sightseeing if Dublin is unfamiliar to you, best to save that for another time. You'll see quite a lot of the City tomorrow......

No, today is about taking it easy. Personally, I like to put on my runners the day before the big one, get out, and JOG, a very easy couple of miles, just to ease the nerves, release some of that nervous energy, it's always helped me. By late afternoon, early evening, it's time to eat your last meal, the pre marathon gourge.. WAIT, NO, don't gourge, eat normally. Yes, it's a good idea to take on carbs, pasta was my fave, but don't eat anything new to the system, stick to tried and tested foods. Don't over do it.

Try and get to bed at a normal time. You won't sleep too well, rare that anyone does the night before. Remember the clocks go back, so you get an extra hour to be restless 😁. Lay out your kit before hitting the sack, be prepared, no last minute glitches, and set the alarm to make sure you're not rushing in the morning.

Breakfast should be arranged. Again, don't take anything unfamiliar, you should know what you need, and what you can eat before a long run by now, so don't go mad. For me, it was a bagel, yoghurt and banana, for many, it's porridge, but don't overdo it. Most importantly, hydrate. Bríng a bottle of water with you to the start line, sip as you wait, nice, easy sips, and once the race starts, always take on a small amount of water at each feed station. Remember, if you start to feel thirsty, it's too late.

One last thing to remember.. Stick to your plan. Hardest thing is to run slow, the buzz of the crowd, your fellow runners etc., will make the first few miles seem very easy, but keep a close eye on your pace, keep it steady, you have a long way to go.

Friends, family, and total strangers will cheer you, carry you along. When you get to see me, it's the home straight, 1 km to go, you really are Nearly There... I'll be trying to give everyone a shout out, a Hi 5, a hug if needed, but sadly, no donkey backs, those final meters are yours to ENJOY.... Good Luck to everyone... You've got this......