Sunday 30 June 2013

Sunday Running

Woop! Woop! I just ran 7 miles without stopping at an average pace of 10.34 per mile.  Two weeks ago I wasn't able to run 1 mile at that pace without stopping.  It's a funny game this running crack. I was so pissed off with myself after Thursdays training, and when I looked over my blog again on Friday, I was thinking that perhaps I should let the dust settle before writing how I feel about a run, because by Friday I wasn't as negative about Thursdays torture. Then I thought, that if this blog is going to let people know how I'm finding the training, then writing as soon as possible after each run will probably be more accurate.

So, at the moment I'm delighted. This morning I set myself the goal of not stopping on todays' run. I thought I'd have to average around 11 min and 15 sec per mile to achieve that, and if that was what it took then so be it.  I put plasters on my nipples, and off I went. John suggested Vaseline, but I was afraid it would look like I was lactating, instead, by the end of the run the plasters could be seen through my wet Tshirt, and I looked like something from a Madonna video! oh well, you wouldn't want to be too vain when you start running.

There was a good turnout at the Harriers, and again a very friendly bunch, it doesn't seem to matter what level you're at, The crowd up there are always very welcoming ( it must be all the endorphin's from running, as a friend pointed out to me the other night.) We started at a comfortable pace, and I was surprised to discover that by 2 miles we were running at a 10.40 pace, my breathing wasn't laboured and I was feeling good. We continued in that fashion although when I found the going tough, I just slowed down. When we were about a mile from home, we were overtaken by some of the gang, who had gone on a longer run, and Ray kicked on with them. John stayed with me, and when we got to Charleville gate( about .5 mile from home) I knew I was going to finish without stopping, so I kicked on a bit and finished at a good pace. I was thoroughly out of breath when I finished, but I was delighted with myself.

That's two weeks of preparation so far, and by and large it's been a very positive experience. At the moment, the biggest piece of advice I would give to anybody starting off would be to join a club. The running will still be your own personal battle, but it helps hugely to be able to ask others for advice, and to know that you have to go at a certain time, because that's when the club trains. The one caveat I would put with that, is to not try and be as good as the good lads straight off, it could disheartening when you see lads and ladies running and barely seeming out of breath while you're struggling on the warm up. You've got to realise that it takes time to get good at anything and that if you stick at it, you'll get there in the end.

So that gives me the rest of the day off, I'm going to lie up and watch the golf, hopefully Shane Lowry will have a good day on his home course. Until Tue night, Slán.

Thursday 27 June 2013

The Canal Run

OW, OW, OW, I don't know what part of me is not sore.  This was definitely the toughest training session  we've had to date.  We ran 10k along the canal bank, which is a lovely place for a walk, but I didn't enjoy running it. My legs were sore for most of the run, and then for the first time, I got nipple burn near the end. I've never experienced that before, but had heard about it, now I'll have to do something about it before the next run.

The one plus from this evening's run is that my breathing seems to be getting better, I wasn't as out of breath as much as before, but that may be due to the fact that we went at a slower pace than last Tue, due mainly to ground conditions.

The other big learning from this evening for me was the mental side of running. If I was on my own this evening I definitely would not have ran as far, I think I'd have done about half. It was a battle every step not to stop, and we did stop plenty of times. I worry about this, because when race day comes, I'll more than likely be running alone, or at the very least with someone who has their own goals for the race. I don't know what the answer is, I guess the first step is just to get fitter and stronger.

When I used to play rugby, and we had the hard training sessions, I never enjoyed them, but persevered because I didn't want to let my team mates down, or lose my place on the team, this time it's different, there are no team mates depending on me, and I'm not going to be dropped. My motivation has got to come from within, and not wither at the first sign of adversity. I know others might laugh at these thoughts, but I'm writing this blog as a warts and all diary of how I'm finding training, and these are the thoughts I'm having at the moment.

Anyway, trying to stay positive, I'm really looking forward to the weekends sport. Shane Lowry to do well in the Golf and the Lions to win the series on Sat. All that will hopefully set me up to have a good run on Sun Morning, and end the second week of my preparation feeling like I've progressed. Until then Slán.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

A Night in Athlone

This evening Ray and myself took up Mike Murphy's offer to listen to some lads give a talk about running styles and the mechanics of running In Athlone IT.  It was on at 8pm, so Ray and Myself decided to go for our run in Athlone this evening before the talk. Ray will be giving an analysis of what he learned on his blog www.runbubbyrun.blogspot.ie

They have good facilities in Athlone and we were running on the outdoor track. There was three groups, An Athletic club, which is trained by Mike, and then an initiative called "Fit For Life", Which is aimed at people who haven't previously ran, but now want to make an effort to get fit. This group warmed up together before splitting in two.  Ray went with the slightly faster group, while I stayed with the absolute beginners.  Our group's aim was to run for 2 minutes and then walk for two minutes, and continue for 30 minutes. The pace they started at was even slower than I'd normally go, So I just kicked on and ran at my own pace for 30 minutes I stopped twice, once for some water, and once for Ray, who was pushing himself that bit harder, we ran the last three laps together, and I was delighted with my session. My legs were stiff to begin with, but hopefully I'll be in top shape for tomorrow nights run. Until then, Slán.

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Goodbye Introduction, Hello phase 1!

Well there I was, looking forward to tonights' run all day, huh, boy have I a lot to learn.  The evening started well, One lap for a warm up and then off to Charleville, John, Ray and myself, all in good form chatting about the Rugby and the Hurling from the weekend, We did mention the celebrations afterwards, and in hindsight, this may have been an error.

Just to fill you in, last Tue we ran 4 lengths (from the Tree to the Castle gate, each about .75 mile) with plenty of stops, Wed we ran 3 lengths, slower, but with fewer stops, and then on Thur we ran another 4, a good bit faster and only stopping after each length. So imagine my Surprise and absolute Joy when John suggested we run 9 lengths, stopping after every 3!!  In the end we managed 3 then 2 and finished with 3, although I had to stop a few times on the last three.  By the time we got back to the Harriers we had run 6 miles in 63 minutes. That's a fair step up from last week, and my legs are sore again, but sure I suppose that's part of it.

Ray is a good bit fitter, and I definitely held him back tonight, We'll have to try and do something to balance that up. I can't be only one with a red face, buckets of sweat and snot, while he's just going through the motions. The rest of the Harriers were down there training as well, and I got to see first hand just how far I have to go, They were all going up and down the drive as if The Ghost from the Castle was after them at one end, and the Model from last week was waiting for them at the other end!

John gave us Tullamore Harriers Vests when we got back, and Ray wanted a picture for his blog (www.runbubbyrun.blogspot.ie) of John presenting them to us, I wonder will Ray want a picture of us presenting the money for them back to John on Thur?

When I got home, I had another ice bath, Margaret ( My Wife), Ambushed me and took a picture, when she heard the racket of me getting into the cold water. I've debated whether or not to post the picture, and decided I would, as I don't take myself too seriously, and I thought it might give someone a laugh.  Although, I do have to say in my own defence, that the water was very cold ( Therefore no offensive bits!)

Sunday 23 June 2013

Saturday Run

Well folks as you might or might not know, The Lions won a great match yesterday. I also completed 4 miles in the morning, and after the weeks mileage, a celebration was always likely to be on the cards. And celebrate I did, hense it's Sun afternoon before I get to update my blog.

I arrived at the Harriers yesterday morning just before 8, and I had the good fortune to run into a bunch of Ladies who were going for a run. They were kind enough to wait for Bubbles, as we were all going in the same direction. We ran with the girls as far as the fingerboard and then they wheeled left to finish their 8mile run, while Ray and myself continued to Mucklagh bridge, where we rested for about 1 minute, before running back, we stopped twice on the way back, and arrived back at Harriers back gate 47 min after we left it, including the rest breaks.

The one thing I learned on the run is that Mary Mann is not a chatterbox, as I had been led to believe. I know this because Mary told me as we were leaving the Harriers, on Adams Villas and at least twice when we were on Charleville rd. I think she may also have made the same claims to Bubbles a similar amount of times!

I played golf this morning and I'm now looking forward to an afternoon off. I might go for a cycle or swim tomorrow, before I go back to the Harriers for our next run on Tue. I've really enjoyed the first week, accepting the challenge, meeting a lot of new people up in the Harriers, and the great reaction I've been getting for writing this blog. Thanks for all your support and kind words, I hope you continue to enjoy the blog, and keep following me as I continue to train for the Half Marathon on the 31st August.

Friday 21 June 2013

Change of Time for Sat Run

Hi Folks,

Don't know if anyone was intending to join us tomorrow or not, but Ray and Myself have just decided to go at 8 am, this is to allow us to get up to the Rugby Club in plenty of time for the match.  Sorry if that lets anyone down, and if you turn up at 9, and only read this after, then I'm doubly sorry, but maybe you'll join us  for another run. Make sure to let me know though. I might buy you a Mr Freeze at the Fingerboard on the way back as a means of apology!

Thursday 20 June 2013

A Thursday night trundle

Well that's three nights in a row now. Another four miles clocked tonight, and It was a bit easier than Tuesday night. A lot less breaks, but the same red faced, sore legged, breathing hard, sweaty body at the end of it. Ah Progress, don't ya just love it!

The Peter English Annual race was on tonight, another example of how the Club remembers one of it's popular members. Peter used to run with the Harriers, but died in a car crash a number of years ago. They now hold a race every year in his name. There was a good turnout for the race, but John, Bubbles and myself headed off to Charleville for the usual run. We've set ourselves the target of competing in the Marian Geraghty 10k in Mountbolus on the 7th of July as our first race.  When I say "We", I mean John. I was thinking more of The Tullamore Harriers Charleville Forest 5k, on the 19th of July, as being our first race, But John's the Boss, and he reckons the Tullamore Harriers race will be a doddle after completing the Mountbolus run. There is an option of 5k, in the Mountbolus run, but that wasn't even entertained.  I'm only joking of course, I do hope to be able to run 10k by the 7th of July, and if I have to walk a bit of it, well so be it. At the end of training we got in for a photograph with some of the gang. I've also posted the picture of Ray, John and Myself, I'll let you work out who's who yourself, but suffice to say, one of us is fit, one sort of fit, and then Me.

After training I went up to the Rugby Club to referee a tag match between The Wolftrap and The Lions, A close game, which added another 40 minutes of running onto my total exercise count for the day.  It was good to see the amount of people up there enjoying themselves, as well as Members of the Executive, preparing for Saturday's event. The Rugby Club in association with The Tullamore Lions club are holding a fundraiser on Sat morning, before the First Test between Australia and The British and Irish Lions. There's breakfast, a free pint, and the game on all the screens, Tickets are €20, and I still have a few if anyone would like to go.

That means that Ray and Myself are going for our Weekend run on Sat before that. We're going to leave the Harriers at 9am, and head to Mucklagh bridge and back, 4 miles I think.  It'll be at a leisurely pace, as I want to try and do it without stopping at all. Anybody who wants to join us is more than welcome. Just Turn up at 9. Until then have a good weekend, and I'll put the next blog up on Sat, although a good performance by the Lions, may delay the posting of the next installment!


Wednesday 19 June 2013

Backing it up

Just finished my second run, I found this one a lot tougher, my thighs were quite stiff from yesterday, and there was only Bubbles and myself.  I learned from yesterday, and did a much shorter warm up(1 lap as opposed to 4), and after stretching, I felt a good bit looser, and we headed off to Charleville.

We were only supposed to be doing a light run, to loosen up, but I set myself a challange - To do the same run as last night, but with far less stops. We got from the King Tree to the Gate of the Castle (about .75 mile), without stopping. Although I thought Bubbles was going to stop when he saw the stunner of a model in the trees posing for a photographer. I don't know if this was crafty motivation technique by the Harriers, but I'm sure we ran that little bit faster, and without blowing snot, as we passed by the photo shoot! Back to the running though, after a little break at the gates, we ran back to the King Tree without stopping, but I could feel blisters on my feet as we were coming to the end of that leg.  We took another break, and then on the way back down the track, the blisters were feeling worse. I asked Ray if he'd mind if we only went half way down and then turned back.  I felt like I was wimping out, and was bit annoyed with myself, but at the same time, I wanted to be able to run tomorrow without being in total agony.

When we got back to the Harriers, we met up with Pauline Curley, who was just starting her session with another group of beginners. We ran one lap with Pauline, and gave her an update on what we'd done last night and today. She gave out to us, and told us we should only have gone for a half hour run today to loosen  up instead of the hour we did in total. I think I like Pauline's style of coaching.  We also saw John, running at a proper pace, after babysitting us last night. It just proves again the efforts these people are putting in to train us. It gives me extra motivation just to be sure that I don't let them down.

I'd also like to mention Elverys for the help and advice they've given us regarding what running equipment we need. I bought a pair of proper running shorts in there today, as rugby shorts, fat legs, heat and no Vaseline led to some sore parts after yesterdays run, Than God for Canesten, the best cure I've come across for jock rash.  I also have to say a big thank you to Kate Sheehan from Footbalance (www.footbalance.com) who sponsored a pair of insoles for Ray and myself. They were custom fitted in Elverys, and straight away I felt the extra support they gave me.

Just before I finish this post, Ray is also writing a blog about our training, although he's coming at it from a slightly different angle, he'll be talking to different people to get more advice on nutrition, injury prevention and things like that. Check his blog out on www.runbubbyrun.blogspot.ie. Until tomorrow, Slan.

Tuesday 18 June 2013

First night's Training

The Gods were smiling on me today. What a beautiful evening to go for a run. If I couldn't run this evening, then I don't think I'd ever run again.  Anyway, I arrived up at the Harriers a bit early ( Wanted to put on a good show, don't ya know) and was met by Mary Daly and her friend (Sorry I forgot the name!) no time for hanging around and off we went on the Warm up.  I was going grand until the first bend, that was the end of conversation, Oxygen was too important to waste chatting, but I did enjoy listening to Mary and her friend .

We met the club captain Adrian Martin on the lap, and I was introduced, and he ran with us and had a good chat on the way around. ( again, I was saying very little) It felt like we had done five laps before Bubbles (Ray Bell, The other experiment) turned up, but it was actually only three, so we did another one, before gathering to hear the Captains plan for the evening.

The Brilliant Club Spirit was immediately evident as Adrian complemented the members who ran in different races over the weekend, before he introduced Ray and myself.  He also led a round of applause for the people who are organising the Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon in August. We were warmly welcomed by one and all, and many of the members made a special effort to wish us luck, offer advice or just slag us.  The great Catch Grennan came over with all his Tattoos,  to wish us well. He was running before I arrived at at 6.15pm and was still running when I left after 8pm, he's probably still running as I'm writing this. I can only dream of being that fit.

I was surprised by how many faces I knew up there and I wasn't at all disappointed when John O'Connell said he'd different plans for Ray and myself, and we were off to Charleville Forest while the rest of the group went into the Tartan Track for their session. Hopper Farrell AKA Peri Weepu, a good friend from the Rugby Club joined us along with Bernie Daly, and the five of us set off.  John set the rule, that we were going to go as fast as the slowest Man, (i.e me) and if my breathing was becoming too difficult we should walk. We let the other two Greyhounds off, as it wouldn't be doing them much good to be travelling at my pace, and we went along at what I thought was a fair clip for a beginner.  We ran for about 30 - 40 minutes, and covered over four miles, with plenty of stops and water breaks on the way.  John was brilliant, he gave us loads of advice on things like running style, diet, setting expectations and generally just encouragement.

Bubbles is definitely fitter than I am, but we're meeting again tomorrow to go for another run.  I had an ice bath when I got home as my legs are quite stiff already. I hope this will help to reduce the stiffness that I know is going to be there in the morning.

If you're still here, thanks for reading.  I'm going to keep posting a blog after every training session, so feel free to come back, although I don't expect them all to be as long as this one.  Also don't be afraid to leave a comment, I'd like to hear how others are getting on as well.  Until Tommorow, Slan.

Monday 17 June 2013

First Day Of Commitment

So, as this is my first post, let me set the scene.  I'm a 38 year old Dad of two boys, weighing in at 17 and 1/2 Stone.  I used to be fit and played Rugby with my local club, Tullamore.  I finished training regularly about 6 years ago, (although I did play at the end of the last few seasons without actually training). I also took up refereeing rugby, but alas, so far I haven't put in the extra hours training necessary to increase my fitness, and I have been steadily getting heavier and finding it harder to do any exercise for a reasonable period of time.

Today I went on the local radio station (Midlands 103), and committed to running a half marathon organised by Tullamore Harriers on the 31st August.  The Harriers are running a project with another Salad Dodger and myself, to try and get us fit in the next 10 weeks to be able to complete the 13 miles.  Ray Bell is the other Lads name and while he's not fantastically fit, he's a good bit further down the road than I am, so I've a bit of catching up to do just to get to his level.  I've known Ray for a good while, and while I wouldn't claim to be close friends, he is a good laugh and I'm looking forward to training with him over the next few weeks.

So, What's the Goal? 
Well ideally I'd like to complete the race without stopping, although if I have to walk a bit, I will, but really I want to get into the habit of training regularly, competing in races, and maybe completing a Marathon in the next 12 - 18 months. Losing Weight would be a handy by product, but I do realise that I'd also have to alter my diet for this to happen.

Why?
I love playing football out the back with my two Sons, Frank (10) and Rory(8), but It's starting to get embarrassing when I've to go in Goal after 10 minutes, because I'm out of puff. I'm worried that if I'm like this at 38, what will I be like at 48?  I'd also like to take my refereeing further, but obviously to ref matches at higher grades, I need to increase my fitness and speed.

So what's the plan?
Well I'll be starting training tomorrow night, and then every Tue, Wed, Thur and a long run at the weekend.  I intend to keep a note here of how I'm getting on, how hard or easy I find the training, the diet and any races I run in.  I'm doing this so that anybody who's in a similar position to myself, and wants to give it a go, can see how I'm getting on, and compare their own progress to mine.  I'm sure it's not going to be easy and some days might seem harder than others, and that there'll be setbacks along the way, but if I keep the goal in mind, then hopefully I'll carry on, and in a years time, be leading a healthier life, refereeing at a higher standard and running rings around Frank and Rory on the soccer pitch outside.