That’s week 5 wrapped up with a nice easy 10 miler this morning and looking back over the last few weeks training, I’m pleased with how well it’s gone to this point. I’m getting stronger every week, motivation is high, no injuries to report and I’m looking forward to the 1/2 marathon coming up in 2 weeks. I cut down on the milage slightly this week totalling 65 miles as a sort of semi-breather, a half time lull before the next 4-5 weeks where I’ll gradually up the intensity and milage before starting the taper. To infinity and beyond – whatever that means.
Sunday – 22m
What should have been a gruelling, arduous chore this morning was actually a very enjoyable outing. The legs felt fresh throughout, pace was very consistent averaging 7:30 min/mile (see splits) and a great marker of progress over recent weeks. I hopped out of the bed at 8:15am as I wanted to make sure to be back well before the Enniscorthy 10k kicked off at 12pm, it runs near my house so don’t wanna get caught up in that storm. I went for a safe route today, 11 miles out the Wexford road and back. Despite the lack of things to look at, you can always rely on the Wexford road, never lets me down, ever. Got back in 2 hrs 45 feeling tired but not exhausted and ready to start working some marathon pace miles into the long runs next week. Went to take some photos of the 10k race later and lazed for the rest of the day watching sport sport sport.
Monday – 8m Steady
I’m glad to be at a stage now where 8 miles doesn’t seem particularly long to me, I guess it’s all relative to your current situation but a good sign anyway. I headed out the Wexford road as usual, warmed up for 15 minutes and then ran for 4 miles at 6:30-6:40 min/pace which is close to my planned marathon pace and I have to say it still doesn’t feel particularly comfortable but I’ve got to have patience, it’ll all come together won’t it? The session seemed to fly by, warmed down for 2 miles and then made a fool of a berry smoothie. A new pair of runners arrived for me today which I took out for a trial spin, the Asics gel trainer 18. Since I ordered them though a few weeks back, I’ve become quite comfortable with the Saucony Fastwitch, which felt too tight at the beginning but now they’re giving me no issues and are particularly comfortable on the long runs. The new trainers are a snug fit, heavier and more cushioned so I think they’ll come in handier for the recoveries and easier runs where I need to curb the pace. Anyway to summarise my shoe feelings, at the moment the shoe of choice for the marathon is the Saucony but subject to change so stay tuned. Weights session in the evening.
Tuesday – 5 x 1m @ w/1 min recovery (10m)
A hilly 20 minute warmup out to the Wexford road, the legs feeling the effects of the last few days training during the warmup which is to be expected in fairness, other than that I’m feeling good. The goal was to run these repetitions at my planned half marathon pace which is roughly 6:10, possibly optimistic but let’s aim high. I headed into the first mile which felt difficult and forced but then I settled into the pace for the next 4 reps, feeling strong for the last in particular so a good quality session. Splits were 6:15, 6:12, 6:08, 6:06, 6:09 which is pretty consistent, warm down for another 2 miles. Foam rolling & stretching in the evening.
Wednesday – 8m
Well holy mary mother of god what a horrible, HORRIBLE run. I looked out the window at 9:30am and it was pandemonium, storm force gusts and sideways rain, hmmm. I sat in bed with my laptop and a cup of coffee contemplating the treadmill but I felt it would pass soon. A while later I saw a gap, which was essentially a sliver of blue sky and the rain had subsided, good enough for me so I kitted up and went for it. Unfortunately for me that gap didn’t last for too long. I headed around the town on a hilly route aiming for a 7 min/mile steady pace, it started nicely, pretty windy which I didn’t mind too much but then it all went very wrong. After about 15 minutes, mother nature unleashed her fury upon me and solemnly declared war. The rain came hard, blasting me in the face like a stream of sand, gusts were sending me wobbling all over the place and almost into the ditch once or twice. The birds were now hilariously being jerked around the sky like a bunch of deflating balloons. Suddenly it wasn’t about keeping the pace steady, it was about getting home, alive. I battled the elements, up and down the hills and every direction I turned, the wind seemed to be against me, just no relief. Finally at the 6 mile mark, it eased a bit as I came back through the town and I could gather my bearings, ahhh. During the last mile I thought I was getting a break as the wind picked up and this time it started bringing me home, finally! Well that lasted for about 2 minutes as it ruthlessly turned on me once again for a horrible last uphill 1/2 mile into the wind. Happy to be home for a hot shower and as I’m listening to the radio now, it’s pure anarchy around the country, particularly the south west where I heard a cow flew into a bus*. Looking out the window now, it’s really gone up a gear so really could have been worse for me. Surprisingly when I checked my paces afterwards, it was pretty consistent, 7:07 min/mile avg. for the run which is a decent slog I reckon. It was memorable one and not for the right reasons but I got ‘er done, all part of the deal eh.
Thursday – 6.5m Progressive
Delighted to wake up to the sound of silence today, no wind, no rain and the sun is shining, much better mother nature. It was chilly with patches of ice that almost put me on my arse in the first minute so off I headed out on the quiet country roads around Brownswood. I picked up the pace after 10 minutes and ran hard for the next 25 working from a 7:30 min/mile pace down to finish at 5:30 min/mile. It felt good to run that fast for the last section but then I got a pain in my chest so cut it a little short, leaned against a wall and then ran easy for 10 mins. Avg. pace of 7:00 min/mile for the run, good session and looking forward to a rest tomorrow. Weight session in the evening followed by a lovely steamy sauna.
Friday – Rest
Today I did no exercise, it was nice but felt wrong also. I went to see “12 Years a Slave” in the cinema, really shocking carry on from the white man. I left the cinema pretty angered with humanity so I punched the first white person I saw right in the nose. I know it was rash but I apologised and she’s ok now.
Saturday – 10.5m Easy
A nice morning run around hilly Brownswood and Bree, the legs felt a little tired and my lower back slightly fatigued, not sure why they had a good chance to rest but felt pretty much ok overall. Averaged about 7:30 min/mile pace. Within 10 minutes of coming home I was straight off to the golf club for 9 holes with a buddy and now I’m back, I’ve eaten stew and cake and I’m fit for the couch for the afternoon. I’m really annoyed at my tooth because a part of it broke off this morning (molar) when I was eating stupid granola. I swallowed the broken piece and now I’m just really uncomfortable about the whole situation, my tongue won’t stop feeling the area where it’s broken and I can’t drink cold liquids, my life is a mess.
Weekly Total: 65m
