Training Log Archive: Dooby

Some jogging around the field for the cross country. Nice course, sooooo much better than Meath.

National Novice Cross Country 2012
46th

What a result, to come from 174th last year to 46th shows that something has been going right in the last year. I don't think everyone else is getting slower. My hope for today was to be one of the scorers for Kerry, we'd 7 runners but only 6 to score, but I was 3rd scorer with Kerry 6th overall. Also an improvement on last year.

Felt good before the start, was cold before I warmed up but a bit of running had me in a better humour for racing. Didn't have too long to wait in the chutes. Ed told me to stay with him at the start, and said the same to George. So I listened to his advice and stuck with him when the gun went. George was there and Rob was a couple of metres ahead. Took the outside for space on the descent down the very gradual hill, then into the inner loop weaving through runners, plenty of bodies around. I just stuck with the lads and started picking people off. Went up to Rob and on the hill at the end of the lap I attacked it a small bit. After that not too many came past, I just kept on working, with runner after runner being passed.

There was even a few small gaps that I bridged. Every now and again I looked at my watch and the HR was manageable, just under the 180, went over on the 2nd lap for a bit. Took a few shoulders every now and again with lads who seemed to be running strong, but all of these lads fell back from me. On the 3rd lap I saw Arthur in front of me, hadn't seen him before then. I seemed to be gaining on him. Arthur runs 5ks 30 seconds faster than me for fun, so no way should I be gaining on him. He did hurt his ankle before the race warming up so that was affecting him. But despite me gaining on Arthur when I looked over my shoulder I was looking for those behind and also Kerry vests, wasn't confident that i'd dropped them.

At the start of the last lap i'd caught up with Arthur, he came back to me. Went past him and just kept on going. On the inner loop I was running on my own, in between a couple of lads in front and what seemed like a bigger group behind. I fought to maintain this gap and tried to increase the pace on the section back along by the road before the little climb. On the climb I passed a Crusaders lad and there was a Tipp fella in front but he kicked at the same time as me and I was unable to close the gap. My chasers didn't get close to me, I was able to maintain the gap. Was very pleased once over the line, once I got my breath back and steadied myself, bit wobbly.

I was buzzin after training on Wednesday feeling good doing speed so looks like that was a good omen. This is definitely a result to build on, can't go backwards from here.

Work Christmas Party last night. Got to bed late and got up around 12 today, haven't got up that late in ages. Still didn't sleep well though.

Very tired this afternoon and got an early start tomorrow to get to Wexford. There's a bus going so might try and have a sleep on that.

Avg Cadence = 93rpm

Legs felt ok this evening and had better motivation than monday. Watched the end of the original Casino Royale and then an episode of My Name is Earl.

Sore calf/ankle felt ok today.

Muckross - Friday loop on a Thursday

Windy out there. I also left my Garmin at work so just used my watch.

Was all going well until I went over on my ankle on my way back after Killegy House, ouch. That slowed me down for a bit. Got going again but any stones were a pain. Felt ok once I got onto the road and pushed it up the hill home.

Sore afterwards and when putting on my shoes my left calf cramped/spasmed. A bit tight after.

Got soaked as well around Torc, heavy rain shower. But at least I don't have to run until Sunday. My legs will be glad of that. Turbo tomorrow and rest on Saturday.

In bed with ice on my ankle and hot water bottle on my calf. Interesting combination. Can always swap for some hot/cold treatment. Ankle doesn't feel great, it needs to not be turned anytime soon.

3 laps of around Ríocht. Freezing.

Another lap before starting the session.

6 laps of the track.
Took splits after each 2, they are about a mile each.
5.37
5.48
5.42

I compared the overal time to last week, didn't take splits last week, and tonight I was 17 seconds faster but overall I felt more comfortable, that being said the last 2 laps tonight and last week were an effort.

Was more lads this week than last. George was back and Arthur but Rob went on the icy track with spikes. I took off at the start and built up a lead. Tough running on my own but decided it'd be good for me. Could see a torch light behind me so I went off that.

The 2nd mile was slow after a quick first one. I suppose I did struggle a bit in the middle. Lungs don't like the cold but i'm happy enough with my new asthma medication, despite the massive cost of it. No respite today in the Budget with the Drugs Payment Scheme being increase, might save me €1 every month!!!

Ed and Arthur started to catch me on the 5th and drew level on the hill before the last lap. The opened up a small gap but I fought to maintain it and was even catching up on the last hill.

Was buzzing on the way home after the session, not often that happens! Looking forward to Sunday and plan on destroying myself in the race.

4 laps of a warm down. Max HR is from the very start of the warm down before the heart relaxed. Was pretty cold at the end of the warm down so was glad to get changed into some warm clothes.

Muckross

Cold evening. Calf felt a bit better today but still a small niggle. Didn't really affect me running though. Quads started to ache on the descent down Torc, but ok once back on flatter ground.

Got rained on heavily on my way back around Blue Pool, it'd been alright until then. Plenty of layers worn. Saw a few animals this evening too, deer and rabbits.

Tracks are very wet at the moment.

Have had a nice few weeks of similar distance covered running. Around 45km a week. That's been combined with some turbo trainer. So happy with how that's going. Plan for the week is therefore to keep things consistent. After yesterday my left calf is tight and my right foot is sore, think it's the shoe causing the foot problem but not sure yet. Still going to try and front load the week with running, hopefully the legs hold up. Think i'll go down around the Park tonight and tomorrow do my usual loop. Got work Christmas Party on Friday so think getting some training done might prove difficult but will keep an open mind.

Monday - Running
Tuesday - Running
Wednesday - Running (Intervals)
Thursday - Turbo Trainer
Friday - Rest (?)
Saturday - Turbo Trainer
Sunday - National Novices Cross Country

Avg Cadence = 89rpm

Calf was a bit niggly during the day so I decided not to run on it and to go on the bike instead. Stretched it a good bit during the day.

Watched some more of the original Casino Royale. Wasn't enjoying myself too much on the bike, would have liked to have pedalled for longer but had enough after 40mins.