So another year is coming to a close. 2012 has quickly come and is on it's way out. How was the running year for you? Hopefully it was one full of good training, good races and great times. This year for me was one of no races and very little running.
In comparison with 2011 where I ran 100 times in the year, (a run every 3.65 days), this year I managed to get out 46 times, (almost a run every 8 days). While it was under half the number of runs from 2011 it was the difference in distance that got me when I looked at it. In 2011 I managed to cover 922.52km compared with 225.7km this year.
On reflection I'm hoping, well planning, that 2013 will be a more productive year running wise. I still have all my goals from this year to achieve and I will achieve them in 2013. I'm also planning to get in four races at the very least next year, a 5km, a 10km, a half marathon and one other distance to be decided in the next while, maybe a 5 miler.
I also have one other goal but I'm going to keep that to myself until the summer and hopefully when I blog about it I will be on course to achieving that too.
Here goes to a New Year and a new start. Wishing you all the best for 2013 in your personal, professional and running life. Bring it on...
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Reflection
This weekend was a weekend of reflection, or as my wife would call it, being moody and depressed. There is a lot of change taking place in my life at the moment, especially in the area of work and as we are but creatures of habit, sometimes change can scare us.
As part of my 5km loop there is a inner relief road that I run along which is 1km long. This straight flat road is lined on both sides by deciduous trees, all the same type. On my last run, the 7th of November, as I ran along through the beauty of the golden leaves I noticed one of the trees was still all green. I wondered why was this. Was it younger? Was it planted later in the season? Was it just fighting the change?
As I ran the loop today I noticed a few trees were getting bare, others were still beautifully golden and as I ran I looked out for my green tree. As I got to it I noticed that mother nature had finally caught up to it, although it was still fighting. Half its leaves are still green but the other half have started to turn. All of this got me thinking, why do we fight change so hard? One thing about life is that it is constantly changing and we can spend so much energy and time trying prevent change from happening or worrying about something we have no control over. With change comes new experiences and new opportunities and if we are awake, aware and alert the changes can be beautiful too. We just need to look at it a different way.
Taking this into my running, I ran my heart out today but didn't manage to break the 25 minutes for 5km. I could get annoyed by the change in my times that lack of exercising has brought on or I could look at the opportunity that this brings. This is a time in my life where I need to be mentally strong. While I don't have much time to run long runs, I have the opportunity to once again focus on my developing my inner strength by pushing through shorter runs that are tought for me now but previously would not have been so hard. Maybe it is something I need now and change has brought this to me
Words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama
"If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry."
I didn't blog for my run on the 7th but here it is
As part of my 5km loop there is a inner relief road that I run along which is 1km long. This straight flat road is lined on both sides by deciduous trees, all the same type. On my last run, the 7th of November, as I ran along through the beauty of the golden leaves I noticed one of the trees was still all green. I wondered why was this. Was it younger? Was it planted later in the season? Was it just fighting the change?
As I ran the loop today I noticed a few trees were getting bare, others were still beautifully golden and as I ran I looked out for my green tree. As I got to it I noticed that mother nature had finally caught up to it, although it was still fighting. Half its leaves are still green but the other half have started to turn. All of this got me thinking, why do we fight change so hard? One thing about life is that it is constantly changing and we can spend so much energy and time trying prevent change from happening or worrying about something we have no control over. With change comes new experiences and new opportunities and if we are awake, aware and alert the changes can be beautiful too. We just need to look at it a different way.
Taking this into my running, I ran my heart out today but didn't manage to break the 25 minutes for 5km. I could get annoyed by the change in my times that lack of exercising has brought on or I could look at the opportunity that this brings. This is a time in my life where I need to be mentally strong. While I don't have much time to run long runs, I have the opportunity to once again focus on my developing my inner strength by pushing through shorter runs that are tought for me now but previously would not have been so hard. Maybe it is something I need now and change has brought this to me
Words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama
"If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry."
I didn't blog for my run on the 7th but here it is
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Cool Evening
After Sunday's 5km run I decided to brave the cold and run again on Monday. It was a nice cool evening and a tough 5km run by my current fitness standards. I really enjoyed the run and mentally I feel I've missed it.
While I didn't run last night I did try to boost my motivation by downloading the sample of Eat and Run by Scott Jurek to read on my kindle. I think I may just by the book as an early birthday present to myself, it looks a good read. Has anyone read it?
Looking forward to another 5km tonight.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Start Stop, Start Stop
This year, as the title suggests, has been struggle to maintain any sort of consistency in my running. I tend to get the idea that I need to run and start running for a couple of days, or weeks and then stop for a month or two. Then a wave of needing to run hits again and the cycle continues. What I am lacking this year is complete motivation and focus. While I want to run, and recognise and feel the benefits of running, it has been hard for me to manifest that into actual running.
I decided to tune back into reading blogs, which I've really not done this year, and came across this post from Eric of Just a Mile To Go. It really resonated with me and made me realise that last year I had a focus with all my runs and my training that I did't have this year. Last year I was running for a reason and it was easy to go out on the cold, wet windy days because of this. This year I have felt lost.
I am currently re-finding (if that is a word) my reason for running and looking forward to the challenge ahead. To that means, after not running a single race this year, I've signed up for the first race I ever ran again. The Great Ireland Run in April 2013, a nice 10km... Just trying to put a little focus into my running calendar.
I decided to tune back into reading blogs, which I've really not done this year, and came across this post from Eric of Just a Mile To Go. It really resonated with me and made me realise that last year I had a focus with all my runs and my training that I did't have this year. Last year I was running for a reason and it was easy to go out on the cold, wet windy days because of this. This year I have felt lost.
I am currently re-finding (if that is a word) my reason for running and looking forward to the challenge ahead. To that means, after not running a single race this year, I've signed up for the first race I ever ran again. The Great Ireland Run in April 2013, a nice 10km... Just trying to put a little focus into my running calendar.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Disappeared
I disappeared from the running planet for a few weeks... why... well because I wasn't running. My 30 day challenge ended on day 8, which was my best day. It was my only 5km under 35 minutes and I felt I was breaking through the barrier and getting back to some shape. Then day 9 I wake up with a fever and aches and pains all over. After much deliberation I decided that a break was needed and I didn't go for a run on day 9.
I didn't intend for the break to be so long but I got lazy. Time to break the bad cycle again and hit the road so I went for a lovely, slow 3.5km last night and am aiming for the same tonight.
This has been a poor year for me running wise, especially compared to last year when I was recovering this week after the Dublin City Marathon. I miss the feeling you get after a nice half marathon and the knowledge that you can go out and run for 3 hours or so. Right now I'd struggle to run for 30 minutes. Luckily it is never too late to put on those runners and start all over again. It may be a little disheartening at first when you see where you were and where you are and it will take a bit of mental adjustment but I got to the level of running a marathon once... I can get there again.
I didn't intend for the break to be so long but I got lazy. Time to break the bad cycle again and hit the road so I went for a lovely, slow 3.5km last night and am aiming for the same tonight.
This has been a poor year for me running wise, especially compared to last year when I was recovering this week after the Dublin City Marathon. I miss the feeling you get after a nice half marathon and the knowledge that you can go out and run for 3 hours or so. Right now I'd struggle to run for 30 minutes. Luckily it is never too late to put on those runners and start all over again. It may be a little disheartening at first when you see where you were and where you are and it will take a bit of mental adjustment but I got to the level of running a marathon once... I can get there again.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Day 7 of 30 - A Week Down
One week gone, seven runs ran. This week has been tougher than I thought it would be. I'm a more tired than I thought I would be and my legs are sorer than I though they would be. My Achilles that caused me grief while training for the marathon last year is acting up and I'm going to have to take it easy and watch this to make sure it doesn't become a problem.
I'm enjoying the running though and am happy that I've succeeded in run seven days consecutively. Just another 23 more days to go...
I'm enjoying the running though and am happy that I've succeeded in run seven days consecutively. Just another 23 more days to go...
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Day 6 of 30 - The Difference Half A Day Makes
Another beautiful sunny day... long may it last. I got out for a run today after work, a good day and a half since my last run and that half a day makes a big difference. Yesterday with approx half a day between runs I was sore, sluggish and slow. Today with a bigger gap between runs I felt fresh, free and almost fast.
I enjoyed today's run but think I'll have to slow them down over the next few days, not that they are fast to begin with, to save the legs a bit.
I enjoyed today's run but think I'll have to slow them down over the next few days, not that they are fast to begin with, to save the legs a bit.
Day 5 of 30 - Early Start
Today was going to be a busy day. The only time that I could get a run in was early in the morning. I'm not a morning person so it was with difficulty that I dragged myself out of the bed, on a fresh morning, to run.
The run itself was nice, a bit slow, but with two runs close together I didn't mind the slow pace, my legs needed it. It was lovely running along the river with the sun just up and the fog rising up off the water... A great start to the day.
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The run itself was nice, a bit slow, but with two runs close together I didn't mind the slow pace, my legs needed it. It was lovely running along the river with the sun just up and the fog rising up off the water... A great start to the day.
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Day 4 of 30 - Worse But Better
Today was a first for me. The first time I've run four days in a row. My legs were definitely feeling it today. My first two kilometres were in line with what I had run the past three days but the last three kilometres were a good deal slower. At least my heart rate was in a better zone than the last three days so I can see good parts with the bad parts.
I realise that I'm probably going to be going slower for the next few runs until my legs adjust, if they do. This running every day is a little harder than I first expected. Tomorrow is block booked with things to do so the run will have to be done early or I risk not getting it done. Despite feeling more tired than I have in a while I'm enjoying running again.
I realise that I'm probably going to be going slower for the next few runs until my legs adjust, if they do. This running every day is a little harder than I first expected. Tomorrow is block booked with things to do so the run will have to be done early or I risk not getting it done. Despite feeling more tired than I have in a while I'm enjoying running again.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Day 3 of 30 - Steady
After my first day in work for over two and a half weeks I ran my 5km for the day. It was a steady 5km with the fastest kilometre within 5 seconds of the slowest, nice. My legs were a little heavy today, not used to three runs in a row. Tomorrow I'm going for 4 in a row. This could be the first time I've ran 4 days in a row. I must check that out.
I'm currently looking for a race to finish off the year. The only one I will do this year, but not sure which one yet. Maybe a race in November might be nice... I hope to have some level of fitness by then.
I'm currently looking for a race to finish off the year. The only one I will do this year, but not sure which one yet. Maybe a race in November might be nice... I hope to have some level of fitness by then.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Day 2 of 30 - Panic Stations
When I got up this morning I got ready to go out for my 5km. I wanted to get it over early today so that I could settle in and watch Liverpool v Arsenal. I went to turn on my Garmin forerunner 305 and nothing, I was full sure I charged it last night. I plugged it in and again nothing... I fiddled around with it, removing connections restarting my computer and again nothing. I was starting to get the feeling I would have to replace it, but hoping not to have to do this. One last try, I Googled the problem. Apparently the forerunner was locked, not sure how this happens, a quick press of mode, reset and power and the watch sprung back to life, happy days.
With a little power in the watch I left the house and ran the same 5km as yesterday on a lovely sunny Sunday morning. Great feeling to be out in it. 2 days down 28 to go.
With a little power in the watch I left the house and ran the same 5km as yesterday on a lovely sunny Sunday morning. Great feeling to be out in it. 2 days down 28 to go.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Day 1 of 30 - A Month To Change
I feel that I need to change. I've been saying that for a few months now but have not really done anything about it. This month I've decided that I need a challenge. I've not run any races this year and have not signed up for any either and this lack of a target I know has affected my motivation. I guess I've lost the habit of running.
They say it takes 21 days to make a habit so I'm going to use this month to make and then strengthen a habit. I aim to run at least 5km a day, each day for the month. A total of 30 runs and at least 150km. It is a big challenge for me as the most runs I've ever done before in one calendar month has been 12. Well challenges are supposed to be challenging.
I'm also going to cut out chocolate for the month, I eat too much of it and I really should be eating a piece of fruit when I get peckish. I each practically no fruit at all. Let's see if I can make two habits and break another.
This is my month to change.
They say it takes 21 days to make a habit so I'm going to use this month to make and then strengthen a habit. I aim to run at least 5km a day, each day for the month. A total of 30 runs and at least 150km. It is a big challenge for me as the most runs I've ever done before in one calendar month has been 12. Well challenges are supposed to be challenging.
I'm also going to cut out chocolate for the month, I eat too much of it and I really should be eating a piece of fruit when I get peckish. I each practically no fruit at all. Let's see if I can make two habits and break another.
This is my month to change.
July - A Month In Review
Just a quick up date on the month of July which was another good running month for me. I managed to get in 10 runs totalling 56km. Not a huge distance but it was good to get out those days. The month of August was a wash out in terms of running, as I never once got out for a run. I hope to rectify that in September. With just 31 runs completed this year its been a slow year. Still any run is better than no run.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Been Away But Been Running
With the wet month of June over in our very green country and with with looks like a wetter July on the way I'm glad I've got back into running to try and cheer me up on these wet days. June was a great month for me running wise. While I may not have ran great distances, just 51.68km for the whole month, I did manage to get myself out the door ten times during the month, which is not bad considering I ran 11 time in the whole five months before it.
I finished the month of June on a sunny, by Irish standards, day with a run along the river. Out from home it is 800m to the river and the track that runs alongside it. With my longest run begin just 6.25km this year I was aiming for 7 or 8km. I decided to run with music, which I normally don't do and I was glad I did. I really enjoyed myself, the music was great, the sun was out the scenery was calming and peaceful and I found myself smiling the while run. Before I knew it I had run 10km and was feeling great.
It feels great to be back on the road.
I finished the month of June on a sunny, by Irish standards, day with a run along the river. Out from home it is 800m to the river and the track that runs alongside it. With my longest run begin just 6.25km this year I was aiming for 7 or 8km. I decided to run with music, which I normally don't do and I was glad I did. I really enjoyed myself, the music was great, the sun was out the scenery was calming and peaceful and I found myself smiling the while run. Before I knew it I had run 10km and was feeling great.
It feels great to be back on the road.
June 2012
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| June 2012 - Runs |
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| June 2012 - Total |
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
2 Run Week
Not so bad this week, only two runs but at least I'm still running. 5 runs in two weeks must be a record for me this year.
My planned Tuesday run never happened. I finished late at work and by the time I got everything sorted it was time to go to bed so that run was scrapped.
Thursday - 5.5km
I did get out on Thursday for a run with a friend. A nice 5.5km run in a slight bit of drizzle out on the back roads of Carlow. During the run we got to formulate our plans for a bit of a running challenge. We decided to run the gauntlet on the 18th of November. It is a half marathon through the gap of Dunloe in Kerry, south west Ireland and will provide some nice hills. As I have never really run hills and am a bit out of shape due to lack of running during the last 6 months it seemed like a good challenge. Luckily for us we have Killeshin Hill nearby for a bit of training that should get us in nice stead for the race. I'm looking forward to this now. It is great to have a race on the cards to provide some mush needed motivation to get out there and to have the challenge of trying something new.
Sunday - 6.25km
Sunday in Ireland was Father's Day. I had a nice lie in and when I got up my son, who is almost 3 gave me a card that he coloured in himself. A great start to the day. I told him I was going for a run and he wanted to come and was not so happy when I told he he had to stay inside until I got back. He cheered up when I told him I'd run with him when I came back.
Out around the roundabouts I went and over the bridges, a nice 6.25km run. I stopped 750m from home and walked the rest as a cool down. After a few stretches I went inside and then back out again as me and my son ran a nice 400m around the green in our estate. A great start to a great day.
My planned Tuesday run never happened. I finished late at work and by the time I got everything sorted it was time to go to bed so that run was scrapped.
Thursday - 5.5km
I did get out on Thursday for a run with a friend. A nice 5.5km run in a slight bit of drizzle out on the back roads of Carlow. During the run we got to formulate our plans for a bit of a running challenge. We decided to run the gauntlet on the 18th of November. It is a half marathon through the gap of Dunloe in Kerry, south west Ireland and will provide some nice hills. As I have never really run hills and am a bit out of shape due to lack of running during the last 6 months it seemed like a good challenge. Luckily for us we have Killeshin Hill nearby for a bit of training that should get us in nice stead for the race. I'm looking forward to this now. It is great to have a race on the cards to provide some mush needed motivation to get out there and to have the challenge of trying something new.
Sunday - 6.25km
Sunday in Ireland was Father's Day. I had a nice lie in and when I got up my son, who is almost 3 gave me a card that he coloured in himself. A great start to the day. I told him I was going for a run and he wanted to come and was not so happy when I told he he had to stay inside until I got back. He cheered up when I told him I'd run with him when I came back.
Out around the roundabouts I went and over the bridges, a nice 6.25km run. I stopped 750m from home and walked the rest as a cool down. After a few stretches I went inside and then back out again as me and my son ran a nice 400m around the green in our estate. A great start to a great day.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
A Step In The Right Direction - A Week In Review
This is the first week this year that I have managed to get in 3 runs. I feel like my motivation to run is coming back. I'm a long way off where I was but I'm enjoying every step of getting back there.
Tuesday - 5th June 2012
I met up with two friends on a nice country road and we ran a comfortable 3.5km. It is always nice to run with friends, to catch up and push each other on. We finished with a small hill to round out the 3.5km.
Thursday - 7th June 2012
You would hardly believe it is summer around these parts. Thursday was another miserably wet day in this green country. I was still going to go out for a run despite the flood warnings and torrential downpour. I actually don't mind running in the rain, there is something oddly relaxing about it. So, with another friend we decided on 2km out and then turn around and head back. All in all a nice 4km run.
Sunday - 10th June 2012
For the first time this year I hit 3 runs in one week. My year has been off to a very poor start. With 6 months almost gone the comparison with last year is non-existent. I might do a six month comparison at the end of the month. Today I decided to go out for 15 minutes, then turn around a head home. I was hoping to hit somewhere around 5.8km.
It's funny that when I started running I couldn't see how I could run under a 6 minutes for a kilometre. When I did it I thought how can people run under 5 minutes for a kilometre, so the other goal today was to try to run one kilometre under 5 minutes.
When I finished I had completed 5.77km, in 30 minutes 11 seconds. I did stop to tie my shoelace on the run which took 11 seconds so I added them on at the end. I was happy with my run, but checking the runs so far this year my longest is 5.78km, maybe I'll break that next week.
KM Breakdown:
1km: 5:23
2km: 5:17
3km: 5:20
4km: 5:12
5km: 4:53
770m: 5:20
1 kilometre under 5 minutes and the others were at a fairly consistent pace, happy days.
Plan for next week:
Tuesday - 4km
Thursday - 4km
Sunday - 30 minutes
Now to get ready to watch Ireland play Croatia in the Euro 2012's. Hopefully a win is on the cards.
Tuesday - 5th June 2012
I met up with two friends on a nice country road and we ran a comfortable 3.5km. It is always nice to run with friends, to catch up and push each other on. We finished with a small hill to round out the 3.5km.
Thursday - 7th June 2012
You would hardly believe it is summer around these parts. Thursday was another miserably wet day in this green country. I was still going to go out for a run despite the flood warnings and torrential downpour. I actually don't mind running in the rain, there is something oddly relaxing about it. So, with another friend we decided on 2km out and then turn around and head back. All in all a nice 4km run.
Sunday - 10th June 2012
For the first time this year I hit 3 runs in one week. My year has been off to a very poor start. With 6 months almost gone the comparison with last year is non-existent. I might do a six month comparison at the end of the month. Today I decided to go out for 15 minutes, then turn around a head home. I was hoping to hit somewhere around 5.8km.
It's funny that when I started running I couldn't see how I could run under a 6 minutes for a kilometre. When I did it I thought how can people run under 5 minutes for a kilometre, so the other goal today was to try to run one kilometre under 5 minutes.
When I finished I had completed 5.77km, in 30 minutes 11 seconds. I did stop to tie my shoelace on the run which took 11 seconds so I added them on at the end. I was happy with my run, but checking the runs so far this year my longest is 5.78km, maybe I'll break that next week.
KM Breakdown:
1km: 5:23
2km: 5:17
3km: 5:20
4km: 5:12
5km: 4:53
770m: 5:20
1 kilometre under 5 minutes and the others were at a fairly consistent pace, happy days.
Plan for next week:
Tuesday - 4km
Thursday - 4km
Sunday - 30 minutes
Now to get ready to watch Ireland play Croatia in the Euro 2012's. Hopefully a win is on the cards.
Monday, June 4, 2012
2 Week Review (part 2)
I only completed one run this week, which was on the last day of the week. I woke up and in my head decided that I was not going for a run, it was going to another runless week. My desire to run has wavered this year and I've been running and blogging sporadically. I guess the sub-text of the blog name is appropriate.
The weather was bad, 10ºC in June, with wind and rain, but as I looked out my window feeling guilty at not running I saw a neighbour running around the green and felt jealous that he was running. I decided the best way not to feel guilty about not running is to run. I got kitted out, laced up my runners and got in a nice 20 minute run. As usual it felt great to be out, even more so in the cold, the wind and the rain. It is such a simple pleasure and easy to do. I just have to kick this lazy rhythm that I find myself in.
The week hasn't been a total loss though. I've joined a site called Slimkicker, which is new and hopefully will help get me back in the right frame of mind. The site is worth checking out and has most features of similar sites. as in the meal tracker, which has virtually every type of food in it but for me the thing I like at present is the challenges, some of which are basic enough for me to follow.
When I signed up I took on four challenges, two I should complete by the end of the week, the other two I ran into a stumbling block but will try them again next week. The other feature of the site that is different is that the more you exercise, complete challenges and log food you get points, and level up allowing you to take on new challenges, etc. There are also challenges that offer the chance to win rewards, such as vouchers if completed. It is a new way of looking at the model that is out there. I'm going to try it out for the month and see how much of a motivating factor it is for me and try to us it to focus myself on core work outside of running.
Until next time...
The weather was bad, 10ºC in June, with wind and rain, but as I looked out my window feeling guilty at not running I saw a neighbour running around the green and felt jealous that he was running. I decided the best way not to feel guilty about not running is to run. I got kitted out, laced up my runners and got in a nice 20 minute run. As usual it felt great to be out, even more so in the cold, the wind and the rain. It is such a simple pleasure and easy to do. I just have to kick this lazy rhythm that I find myself in.
The week hasn't been a total loss though. I've joined a site called Slimkicker, which is new and hopefully will help get me back in the right frame of mind. The site is worth checking out and has most features of similar sites. as in the meal tracker, which has virtually every type of food in it but for me the thing I like at present is the challenges, some of which are basic enough for me to follow.
When I signed up I took on four challenges, two I should complete by the end of the week, the other two I ran into a stumbling block but will try them again next week. The other feature of the site that is different is that the more you exercise, complete challenges and log food you get points, and level up allowing you to take on new challenges, etc. There are also challenges that offer the chance to win rewards, such as vouchers if completed. It is a new way of looking at the model that is out there. I'm going to try it out for the month and see how much of a motivating factor it is for me and try to us it to focus myself on core work outside of running.
Until next time...
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Missing Post
Seems I overshot a post. In the post Starting Back I said I was going to do a 5km run in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. It was the "Run For Freedom" 5km race. Well with the way work has been going lately I've not had much energy or desire to get out on the streets. Needless to say I didn't go to the race. At least the money went to charity, so I had no problem losing the fee. To make up for missing out I went out the next day and covered the 5km plus a little extra and it felt great.
2 Week Review (part 1)
I've been doing a little bit over the past two weeks, trying to get back into a bit of exercising. I've started to plan a little to make sure that I do a bit of exercising, running or otherwise each week. 2 weeks ago my exercising was as follows:
(21/05/2012 - 27/05/2012)
Monday: A 3.5km run.
This was a nice run out on a countryside road at an easy pace with a sprint near the end. I'm a bit out of shape, heart rate peaked at 195bpm, but in time that will come down. All in all an enjoyable run.
Tuesday: A 2.65km cycle followed by a 4.4km cycle.
I decided that I should really get my bike in shape too. It's been in the shed for 3 years, unused and unloved and needed a bit of tender loving care. I brought it to the shop and get new tyres and tubes, mud-guards put on (needed ion this wet country) and the breaks sorted. The aim was to cycle to work, when possible. It's 2.65km to work, which was my first cycle at a nice easy pace. The way home was slightly longer. The aim is to cycle directly to work but take a bit of a detour on the way home to clock some distance and get sued to the bike again.
Wednesday: Nothing done
Thursday: A 4km run.
Again this was a nice run with two friends around the block. Felt good to get out.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Nothing done
(21/05/2012 - 27/05/2012)
Monday: A 3.5km run.
This was a nice run out on a countryside road at an easy pace with a sprint near the end. I'm a bit out of shape, heart rate peaked at 195bpm, but in time that will come down. All in all an enjoyable run.
Tuesday: A 2.65km cycle followed by a 4.4km cycle.
I decided that I should really get my bike in shape too. It's been in the shed for 3 years, unused and unloved and needed a bit of tender loving care. I brought it to the shop and get new tyres and tubes, mud-guards put on (needed ion this wet country) and the breaks sorted. The aim was to cycle to work, when possible. It's 2.65km to work, which was my first cycle at a nice easy pace. The way home was slightly longer. The aim is to cycle directly to work but take a bit of a detour on the way home to clock some distance and get sued to the bike again.
Wednesday: Nothing done
Thursday: A 4km run.
Again this was a nice run with two friends around the block. Felt good to get out.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Nothing done
Monday, April 23, 2012
Starting Back
OK so the plan for last week was to be two 3km runs followed by a 5km run, well that didn't happen. All I managed was a nice 3.2km run on the Thursday and 30 minutes of squash. Apart from that there was not much exercise to talk about.
At least this week I've started a bit better with a 3.6km run and it's only Monday. I hope to get in another 3km run before the end of the week and then I have a "Run For Freedom" 5km race in the Phoenix Park in Dublin on Saturday morning. Hope it will be a good day. I'm just looking forward to running with a bunch of people again... It has been too long.
At least this week I've started a bit better with a 3.6km run and it's only Monday. I hope to get in another 3km run before the end of the week and then I have a "Run For Freedom" 5km race in the Phoenix Park in Dublin on Saturday morning. Hope it will be a good day. I'm just looking forward to running with a bunch of people again... It has been too long.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Lost My Running Mojo - If Found Please Return
Over the past few months I've not been great when it comes to running or blogging, in fact I've been pretty poor. This year I have run once in January, once in February, twice in March and twice again this month and to be truthful I've been pretty apathetic to the whole process on putting one foot in front of the other. I've been trying to figure out what's up and why my love for running seems to have abandoned me over the past few months. These are my current thoughts...
The last major run I did was the Dublin City Marathon on the 31st of October last year. When this was over my feet hurt a lot and I decided to take a little break to rest up. I probably wasn't at the required fitness to run the marathon, but I did it, had the aches and pains to prove it and felt my body deserved a break after it. After a week or two I tried to get back to running and managed to run twice in November but stopped again not having much desire to run. I got out one week also in December for a few runs but again stopped after that. Maybe the rest and the slump in running has added to my reluctance to get back on the road or maybe it was marathon blues and at the end of completing a big goal my body has decided to take it's own break. I'm not sure.
However I pretty sure part of it is connected to the difficult year that was 2011. In March 2011 a friend of mine was diagnosed with Leukemia. When I heard what had happened I decided to try and raise some money for the Irish cancer society by registering for the Dublin City Marathon. In the 6 or 7 months I was training my friend had a lot of ups and downs but she always stayed extremely positive. Then at the end of the summer she got the bad news that the chemo was no longer having an effect and there was nothing more that the doctors could do for her. On the 25th of October 2011 my friend passed away, she was only 29. It was a shock for all of us. I haven't really felt much like running since.
I'm starting to feel tired, which I know is how I felt before I started running a fews years ago. I know that I need to run for my mental health and I need to start running regularly. With that in mind I have registered for a 5km at the end of the month and have come back to blogging to keep me motivated as I try to get back in shape and get back to regular running. I'm also getting back to reading blogs, which I know will motivate me. Next week starts the first week of proper training for 2012, 4 months late but better late than never.
The plan is 3km easy on Tuesday, 3km easy on Thursday and 5km easy on Saturday. I have to start somewhere. We'll see by Saturday if I manage to complete 11km.
For a start I ran a 5km yesterday to check my fitness. I ran it as fast as I could and didn't check the watch until the end. I've slowed down by almost 4 minutes over 5km since October but I feel that that is not too bad considering the lack of running. I'm sure if I stick to it I be back to good fitness in a few months.
Talk to you next week... Keep on running...
The last major run I did was the Dublin City Marathon on the 31st of October last year. When this was over my feet hurt a lot and I decided to take a little break to rest up. I probably wasn't at the required fitness to run the marathon, but I did it, had the aches and pains to prove it and felt my body deserved a break after it. After a week or two I tried to get back to running and managed to run twice in November but stopped again not having much desire to run. I got out one week also in December for a few runs but again stopped after that. Maybe the rest and the slump in running has added to my reluctance to get back on the road or maybe it was marathon blues and at the end of completing a big goal my body has decided to take it's own break. I'm not sure.
However I pretty sure part of it is connected to the difficult year that was 2011. In March 2011 a friend of mine was diagnosed with Leukemia. When I heard what had happened I decided to try and raise some money for the Irish cancer society by registering for the Dublin City Marathon. In the 6 or 7 months I was training my friend had a lot of ups and downs but she always stayed extremely positive. Then at the end of the summer she got the bad news that the chemo was no longer having an effect and there was nothing more that the doctors could do for her. On the 25th of October 2011 my friend passed away, she was only 29. It was a shock for all of us. I haven't really felt much like running since.
I'm starting to feel tired, which I know is how I felt before I started running a fews years ago. I know that I need to run for my mental health and I need to start running regularly. With that in mind I have registered for a 5km at the end of the month and have come back to blogging to keep me motivated as I try to get back in shape and get back to regular running. I'm also getting back to reading blogs, which I know will motivate me. Next week starts the first week of proper training for 2012, 4 months late but better late than never.
The plan is 3km easy on Tuesday, 3km easy on Thursday and 5km easy on Saturday. I have to start somewhere. We'll see by Saturday if I manage to complete 11km.
For a start I ran a 5km yesterday to check my fitness. I ran it as fast as I could and didn't check the watch until the end. I've slowed down by almost 4 minutes over 5km since October but I feel that that is not too bad considering the lack of running. I'm sure if I stick to it I be back to good fitness in a few months.
Talk to you next week... Keep on running...
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