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!

So it begins.......

And so the journey begins (again!). After 19 months with something attached to my side following surgery, on Monday of this week I was finally free of bags, attachments and bandages. Finally, and with 10 Kgs more to carry than in February, I was able to get out the door and feel free as I ran. I use the word "run" lightly, as it was tough, but I made the loop, tagging on a little extra to make it 1.25 kms. It will be a long journey to regain a good level of fitness, but the journey of etc..... has to start somewhere, and today, it did.

ALIVE................ And still running....

Yes, I am still around, just don't write as much as I used to - No excuses, just got to the stage where I felt I was boring everyone. Still, I maintain my race results on here, so thought I'd add some words, and after running my 6th Raheny 5 Miler yesterday, started doing some calculations and came up with the following which I share elsewhere, so why not on my own blog.......

I know this is sad, but I have meticulously kept training records since I started running seriously back in 1986, (yep, I'm that old!), when I retired from playing Rugby. I actually had 8 years off between 1990 and 1997, when next to nothing was run or recorded, and then slipped a disc in 2012 writing off the best part of two years, and of course, my present ailment, which has reduced my level of activity these past 14 months

For some strange reason, I started totting up my distance ran over the years, and I can report that I have recorded 21,808 kms over the years - 127 5 K Races, 53 5 milers, 63 10 K's, 30 10 milers, 24 1/2 Marathons, and 21 Full Marathons, along the way (plus other odd distance races) -

Not too sure if I should be proud at my achievements, or sad as to how much of a geek I have been in recording every detail of my journey.

The moral of this post, is that it's been great to have kept the diaries, and be able to look back on runs over a lengthy running career. From when I was a respectable club runner (long time ago!), through the setbacks and injuries, to today, where I still run and seek out age bests and calculate the age related grades, and can compare back to my younger days. I would recommend to everyone, whether you are just starting out on your journey, or like me, been a round a while, to keep a record of the trip, it's great to see where we have come from, and how we reach our goals, warts and all - Enjoy.....

Probably about time I updated this blog

It's been far too long since I gave an update, so stay tuned and in the next few days I will let you know everything that has been happening since April - To be honest, there isn't a huge amount to report. Nothing sensational, at least. But running is coming back to the fore, albeit it's been a lengthy journey this year, and still a long way to go, but I'll update - promise....

First #parkrun post surgery completed

I set myself a target back when I was lying in my hospital bed in January, that I would run a #parkrun before the end of March and get some semblance of fitness back, despite the issues I have had to deal with. well, I didn't quite make it, due to a number of small issues, resulting in false starts, but I was only a week out!

Gout, snow, and finally a chest infection which laid me up for ten days, all combined to stop me from running with any continuity. A few sessions on the treadmill in the gym, but no regularity could be done, and as April started, it was Re-launch version 3. This time, I bit the bullet, and with only one 2km session in the gym following my chest infection, it was with trepidation that I decided to head to Hartstown for my first attempt at running seriously in the 13 weeks since my surgery. I posted my intent on RSP, aiming to break 40 minutes, with a walk/run strategy, but in all honesty, I had no idea what I could do.

Thankfully, I under-estimated my level of fitness, or lack thereof, and I lined up this morning planning to see how it went. Once we started, I settled into a very even, steady pace, by previous standards very slow, and had a minimum of 5 minutes for the first run phase in mind. But I felt comfortable, and pushed on, through 1 Km, and kept going to the 10 minute mark. I then walked 2 minutes, got my breath back, and then started running again. The next two phases I went 5 minutes running, 2 minutes walking, times two, taking me to 26 minutes, and a little over 1 Km to go. Obviously I was well under my estimate, and a further 5 minutes running, and just one minute walking, saw me visualising the finish line, and a sub 34 minute run. I picked it up and ran with a purpose over the last 400m or so, and crossed the line in the official time of 33:41, well pleased with myself.

Obviously there is still a long way to go to get back to the fitness levels I would want to be at, but every journey has to build up, and this was a far better start than I had expected. If I can get a couple of weeks of continuity, with three/four sessions a week, I can be looking at 30 minutes by the end of the month, so that is my next target. Lets hope for no more setbacks on the road. Onwards and Upwards...

#mymillionthparkrun