I am off to Prague tomorrow! It has been 3 long months of training through snow, rain, ice and sunshine but the day is nearly here! I am very nervous as all my twitter friends have experienced but I think I've finally calmed those nerves and am in a happy place where I will be okay. I have a slight headache and sniffles but I had this before the Run to the Beat (which opened today if anyone is interested in a boring run around east London?) so I think I should be okay. I hope! Next run update I will let you know sure ;)
I have decided against running before the race now. I am taking 3 days off which Holly (@hollycall01) told me to do as she felt great before her Lancaster when she did this. I have practiced running with my baseball hat so I hope this should be okay for if it rains. All I have to do is pack now!
Aiming for a PB which would be anything below 2hours 7mins. Still not sure about chasing the pacer but we'll see! I love Prague so looking forward to getting back to the old city and relaxing on Saturday evening!
173miles of training this year so far so lets see if all that practice can help me in the next 13.1miles! :)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
...tapering can become boring!
So last week I began tapering. I always worry about this part of the training as I think I should be running as many miles as I can up to race day and that I'll forget how to run! I know I'm mover reacting but what if?! My longest run last week was a nice 5mile and to make things better I actually got all my training done this week! No skipping out on the CT or pushing a little 4mile into the next week until it's too late. I did them all and all at about 8.30min/miles. I know I should be running at race pace or slower but I tend to run fast with short runs.
So the week summed up was 3.5miles, 4miles, 5miles, 2.5miles with a CT thrown in for good measure. The weather has been great with the sunshine but I do hope it gets cooler for Prague. I'm starting to make a list of everything I need to bring and water will be top of that list from the lesson I learnt last year! The worst run of the week was my 2.5mile as I went through the Wormwood scrubs which was a bit wet from the cool night. I was sure I was going to fall and break my leg in either one of the many holes or along the wet grass. Last year my good running friend Holly's best friend injured herself the week before the Run to the Beat. She still completed it in 2hours 5mins but she went straight to A&E after and basically, I don't want to be in that situation!
Last final days before the race now....have a gentle (I'll try) 3miles tomorrow and Wednesday and then 20mins run in Prague on the Friday and then it's The Race (it does need capitals!). Flying out to Prague on Thurs and picking up the race pack Friday. Very nervous even typing about it now :/
One thing I will or might be doing differently this run is maybe taking pain killers before the race to stop any aches during the run. I'm still not sure about this one. My twitter family has told me that they do it all the time and it's normal but my head is telling me that so far with all my training I haven't needed any help so maybe stick with what I know? Will let ye know what happens anyway and at which point I collapse ;)
T - 6days!
So the week summed up was 3.5miles, 4miles, 5miles, 2.5miles with a CT thrown in for good measure. The weather has been great with the sunshine but I do hope it gets cooler for Prague. I'm starting to make a list of everything I need to bring and water will be top of that list from the lesson I learnt last year! The worst run of the week was my 2.5mile as I went through the Wormwood scrubs which was a bit wet from the cool night. I was sure I was going to fall and break my leg in either one of the many holes or along the wet grass. Last year my good running friend Holly's best friend injured herself the week before the Run to the Beat. She still completed it in 2hours 5mins but she went straight to A&E after and basically, I don't want to be in that situation!
Last final days before the race now....have a gentle (I'll try) 3miles tomorrow and Wednesday and then 20mins run in Prague on the Friday and then it's The Race (it does need capitals!). Flying out to Prague on Thurs and picking up the race pack Friday. Very nervous even typing about it now :/
One thing I will or might be doing differently this run is maybe taking pain killers before the race to stop any aches during the run. I'm still not sure about this one. My twitter family has told me that they do it all the time and it's normal but my head is telling me that so far with all my training I haven't needed any help so maybe stick with what I know? Will let ye know what happens anyway and at which point I collapse ;)
T - 6days!
Friday, March 16, 2012
...you hurt
I don't want to moan but I hurt. So long run this week was supposed to be maybe 14miles but I got bored where I had to make my run longer and only ended up doing 13miles. I think the main reason I hurt, well 2 main reasons was 1) I ran fast for 13miles and 2) I didn't get my 5miles done on Tuesday. I think now that I definitely needed those 5miles to loosen my legs and get me ready for my long Thursday run. They didn't happen because I was impromptly invited to a dinner with all the most amazing people in my field of research which meant I was not missing it for the world! So no 5miles....oops!
I did get out for my 13miles. I didn't want to but I had to. Started off really well and I thought I was going slow enough and the usual aches were from doing a longer run. Hitting the canal was nice. Went earlier then normal so there were fewer people including those damn bikes about! I did however pass a guy who decided he could make it to the loo to go for a pee but oh well, the swans were beautiful! Went .5miles longer down the canal then normal and then turned back to begin my little loop of my house. All along the canal my legs were okay until I hit about mile 9 and my left IT band started to hurt but I pushed on. Turning some corners would mean my leg screamed but for most of the straight flat parts I was okay! I wasn't too hot or dehydrated at all so at least that was a plus! Coming up the wormwood scrubs hill I was wrecked. I was at mile 11/12 and going uphill. I did run faster then a guy on a bike up the hill but I was trying to not compete with him as I knew it would hurt. Back down hill then for the last mile and I could feel my IT screaming at me a lot! As I came to an end at my house I couldn't take another step. My legs were sore! Lying on the bed and waiting for the rush of completing 13miles to come over me I realised it wasn't. This was mainly due to the fact that all I could think about was...."This is going to be me in 2 weeks! Who will be at the end to give me a hug and make sure I don'e collapse?!". I do have a friend coming with me to Prague but right at the end of the race I'm pretty sure we'll be no where near each other! I stretched a little and then after my shower headed into lab where my legs were not happy with me!
During the evening my legs were very tight and I hit the foam roller to try loosen them out. My legs weren't that painful on the foam roller and didn't try too hard. This morning getting up told me I should have tried harder...oops. 2.5miles of a recovery run sorted most of the aches but my quads are still a bit moany. Rest day tomorrow (plus lots of alcohol, roll on Paddy's!) will mean they will be in better shape for a quick run Sunday.
Now this means....no more long runs until the half!! Oh and my pace for the 13miles yesterday....8.56min/miles. Where did that come from?! Just need to make sure my IT doesn't snap and my sore toes heal....
I did get out for my 13miles. I didn't want to but I had to. Started off really well and I thought I was going slow enough and the usual aches were from doing a longer run. Hitting the canal was nice. Went earlier then normal so there were fewer people including those damn bikes about! I did however pass a guy who decided he could make it to the loo to go for a pee but oh well, the swans were beautiful! Went .5miles longer down the canal then normal and then turned back to begin my little loop of my house. All along the canal my legs were okay until I hit about mile 9 and my left IT band started to hurt but I pushed on. Turning some corners would mean my leg screamed but for most of the straight flat parts I was okay! I wasn't too hot or dehydrated at all so at least that was a plus! Coming up the wormwood scrubs hill I was wrecked. I was at mile 11/12 and going uphill. I did run faster then a guy on a bike up the hill but I was trying to not compete with him as I knew it would hurt. Back down hill then for the last mile and I could feel my IT screaming at me a lot! As I came to an end at my house I couldn't take another step. My legs were sore! Lying on the bed and waiting for the rush of completing 13miles to come over me I realised it wasn't. This was mainly due to the fact that all I could think about was...."This is going to be me in 2 weeks! Who will be at the end to give me a hug and make sure I don'e collapse?!". I do have a friend coming with me to Prague but right at the end of the race I'm pretty sure we'll be no where near each other! I stretched a little and then after my shower headed into lab where my legs were not happy with me!
During the evening my legs were very tight and I hit the foam roller to try loosen them out. My legs weren't that painful on the foam roller and didn't try too hard. This morning getting up told me I should have tried harder...oops. 2.5miles of a recovery run sorted most of the aches but my quads are still a bit moany. Rest day tomorrow (plus lots of alcohol, roll on Paddy's!) will mean they will be in better shape for a quick run Sunday.
Now this means....no more long runs until the half!! Oh and my pace for the 13miles yesterday....8.56min/miles. Where did that come from?! Just need to make sure my IT doesn't snap and my sore toes heal....
Friday, March 9, 2012
..you are addicted to "The Runner's High"
Hi my name is Aine and I am an addict. Though I think this is one addiction I'm not going to fight! I think most runners can agree with me that whether your long run is 6miles or 16miles while out on the trail/road each pound into the ground can be tough! You're sweating with enough salt for a large portion of chips coming from your face. Climbing that hill at mile 11 you sound like a tennis player with each step. And just when you think you haven't an ounce of breath left you reach home. Then one of the greatest feelings rushes over you! The feeling that yes you did it! You ran that crazy distance and didn't die! Well that's what it's like for me. I get so happy and won't stop talking if there's someone near me. I may look like a gross sweaty red tomato but at that moment it's all about the power you didn't know you had to keep going and achieve that mileage goal you wanted for the week!
So getting back to running not the high. I have ran a bit this week. I started with a nice 4miler on Tuesday to stretch everything out and get my speed up. I've begun to do my long runs during the week so I can actually enjoy my weekend without passing up on every alcohol opportunity or late dinner due to the "long run I have in the morning". I began this a couple weeks back when my mileage was lower so I am used to now getting back from my long run, a quick 5min pat on my back, stretch, shower and back out the door to do my days work. I do crash about 8pm but that's normal really and allows me to run when it's less busy and plan my weekends! So this week it was the turn of 12miles take 2! There was one little minor detail about this run....I did go for 2 cocktails the night before but carb loaded with www.runnersworld.co.uk fettuccine alfredo and 2 pints of water before bed. Out I headed at about 8am to pound the ground. The run went really well. Felt I was going at a nice pace. Stretched an extra .6miles (Garmin you aren't my friend when you tell me it was only .3miles.....) and headed for that dreaded hill at mile 11 with a better pace! It was hot! But I felt great. Managed it all in 1hour and 48mins and 30secs. Big whoop!! I am hoping to keep this up for Prague coz that would mean breaking my PB. Fingers crossed no injury or slip up!
This morning I woke up at 6.30am thinking it was Saturday and turned over and went back to sleep coz I didn't need to run on Saturday. 20mins later I woke realising I actually hadn't done Friday yet so up I got and pulled on my running gear. 3.2miles later in a respectable 8.40min/mile pace I was back in the door grinning from ear to ear. The slight aches I had walking out the door 25mins before were loosened up and feeling good. I read somewhere that recovery runs don't do much for you...I think they are great to be honest. I think they really loosen you up and fix any aches that may have come about from your long run the day before! I do love recovery running!
To finish my week I have a 5miler to do on Sunday which will leave me with one more week of long runs before tapering!! 3weeks tomorrow I will know if all this hard work has paid off....until then, enjoy your high!! :)
So getting back to running not the high. I have ran a bit this week. I started with a nice 4miler on Tuesday to stretch everything out and get my speed up. I've begun to do my long runs during the week so I can actually enjoy my weekend without passing up on every alcohol opportunity or late dinner due to the "long run I have in the morning". I began this a couple weeks back when my mileage was lower so I am used to now getting back from my long run, a quick 5min pat on my back, stretch, shower and back out the door to do my days work. I do crash about 8pm but that's normal really and allows me to run when it's less busy and plan my weekends! So this week it was the turn of 12miles take 2! There was one little minor detail about this run....I did go for 2 cocktails the night before but carb loaded with www.runnersworld.co.uk fettuccine alfredo and 2 pints of water before bed. Out I headed at about 8am to pound the ground. The run went really well. Felt I was going at a nice pace. Stretched an extra .6miles (Garmin you aren't my friend when you tell me it was only .3miles.....) and headed for that dreaded hill at mile 11 with a better pace! It was hot! But I felt great. Managed it all in 1hour and 48mins and 30secs. Big whoop!! I am hoping to keep this up for Prague coz that would mean breaking my PB. Fingers crossed no injury or slip up!
This morning I woke up at 6.30am thinking it was Saturday and turned over and went back to sleep coz I didn't need to run on Saturday. 20mins later I woke realising I actually hadn't done Friday yet so up I got and pulled on my running gear. 3.2miles later in a respectable 8.40min/mile pace I was back in the door grinning from ear to ear. The slight aches I had walking out the door 25mins before were loosened up and feeling good. I read somewhere that recovery runs don't do much for you...I think they are great to be honest. I think they really loosen you up and fix any aches that may have come about from your long run the day before! I do love recovery running!
To finish my week I have a 5miler to do on Sunday which will leave me with one more week of long runs before tapering!! 3weeks tomorrow I will know if all this hard work has paid off....until then, enjoy your high!! :)
Friday, March 2, 2012
..you hate cyclists!
I hate cyclists! Okay I don't mean every single one of them as I know lots of very nice cyclists. I just hate some of them as they are mean to me when I run! But more about that later. Long run update! According to my training it was supposed to be a shorter long run of 8miles but I decided I wanted to do the same run again as last week the 10.4miles. I thought it would be better for my training if I mixed it up a bit so that I actually did 14miles before the half. Psychologically know I can run more then I need to. I dunno thought it might be a good plan.
Ate a nice pasta dish last night courtesy of runnersworld.co.uk and drank 2 pints of water before bed. Yes this meant I got up in the middle of the night and staggered my way to the loo but it also meant I was hydrated! Weetabix this morning and another pint of water and I was ready to rock and roll! Brought a bottle of water this time but still wore my long shirt as it seemed cold out. Forerunner 110 logged into the satellite though I didn't trust the first mile anyway. Off I went! The miles beeped on as I ran comfortably along to ASDA. I thought I was maybe going at a slower pace as I felt so good but kept it up. No point in wasting myself in the first couple of miles. I went an extra .3mile down the canal before I turned around and retraced my steps so I could maybe push for 11miles. I really wanted to do 11miles. My legs weren't sore, the weather was great. I was greeting runners, moving out for pedestrians and letting bicycles go ahead of me in short spaces. Then I met Mr. I'm-going-to-yell-in-your-face. I know I may be being a bit dramatic but there was lots of space for this cyclist and I was on mile 6 (I later found out that runners have right of way on the canal!). He cycled fast towards me and didn't change his path at all until I was in the ditch and his face was beside mine yelling "NO!". I wasn't pleasant with what I yelled back but really, was it necessary to shove me into the ditch just to prove he thought he was in the right. I ruined about a mile of my run as I was grumpy and then glaring at every other cyclist in case they were about to do the same thing (they didn't because they were nice :) ). But I kept pounding along until I got to Scrubs Lane where I decided it was mile 10.4 and I could push myself. I felt tired and could have gone home happy then but I would've known I didn't push myself to the limit. I went uphill....slowly back to the canal. 11.7miles later I stopped. I couldn't stop smiling and the runners high was great! My house mate was just about to leave and I was like a giddy school girl telling him about how I had pushed my body and won! Plugging my Forerunner in I found out I had a 9.08min/mile pace which meant I would've finished a half marathon in 2hours! Wowzer. I wasn't that tired and everything was not aching. I hope this is a great sign of things to come! After some stretching and showering I made it into work where I am still managing to get work done.
This day 4 weeks I will be in Prague and I cannot wait! Please let me stay injury free and motivation don't leave me!
Long run? Check! 4miles more then I was scheduled to do? Check! :)
Ate a nice pasta dish last night courtesy of runnersworld.co.uk and drank 2 pints of water before bed. Yes this meant I got up in the middle of the night and staggered my way to the loo but it also meant I was hydrated! Weetabix this morning and another pint of water and I was ready to rock and roll! Brought a bottle of water this time but still wore my long shirt as it seemed cold out. Forerunner 110 logged into the satellite though I didn't trust the first mile anyway. Off I went! The miles beeped on as I ran comfortably along to ASDA. I thought I was maybe going at a slower pace as I felt so good but kept it up. No point in wasting myself in the first couple of miles. I went an extra .3mile down the canal before I turned around and retraced my steps so I could maybe push for 11miles. I really wanted to do 11miles. My legs weren't sore, the weather was great. I was greeting runners, moving out for pedestrians and letting bicycles go ahead of me in short spaces. Then I met Mr. I'm-going-to-yell-in-your-face. I know I may be being a bit dramatic but there was lots of space for this cyclist and I was on mile 6 (I later found out that runners have right of way on the canal!). He cycled fast towards me and didn't change his path at all until I was in the ditch and his face was beside mine yelling "NO!". I wasn't pleasant with what I yelled back but really, was it necessary to shove me into the ditch just to prove he thought he was in the right. I ruined about a mile of my run as I was grumpy and then glaring at every other cyclist in case they were about to do the same thing (they didn't because they were nice :) ). But I kept pounding along until I got to Scrubs Lane where I decided it was mile 10.4 and I could push myself. I felt tired and could have gone home happy then but I would've known I didn't push myself to the limit. I went uphill....slowly back to the canal. 11.7miles later I stopped. I couldn't stop smiling and the runners high was great! My house mate was just about to leave and I was like a giddy school girl telling him about how I had pushed my body and won! Plugging my Forerunner in I found out I had a 9.08min/mile pace which meant I would've finished a half marathon in 2hours! Wowzer. I wasn't that tired and everything was not aching. I hope this is a great sign of things to come! After some stretching and showering I made it into work where I am still managing to get work done.
This day 4 weeks I will be in Prague and I cannot wait! Please let me stay injury free and motivation don't leave me!
Long run? Check! 4miles more then I was scheduled to do? Check! :)
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