me running…
about training
Oh my… Today was really bad day. Haven’t finished my training which wasn’t super hard really. Did similar, or maybe even harder, exercise a week ago and in warmer weather and all was good. But today it was a disaster. It supposed to be 8 km @ 5.15 pace followed 6 km @ 4.50. Run not too long, not too fast all the time…
Ok… First marathon booked now. For now only one and for fall next year – Amsterdam. Sorry… This is not true. I have just got spot in Dublin Marathon through ballot. I couldn’t just say no to that. At the moment plan for Amsterdam is for my Wife to run half-marathon and me full with my Cousin from Canada (hopefully covid will allow this). As my Cousin wants to run her first marathon I will try to help her out with that and if possible to get her to 4 hours. First thing is to get myself to fitness level when I can get full distance… I would like to get back to pace I was running marathons couple years ago but I know that I need to put much more work into it. But would be nice.
I have quite a number if books about running. From runners biographies to books about running technique. Most of those have some kind of the running programs – 80/20, Daniel’s method. Tried most of them. Tried to adjust them to my (then) current pace. I was always failing on creating program for myself. As a ‘mathematics brain’ I was always trying to follow program to the letter. So, this was my failure when I was getting something like – 45 minutes of running. It can’t be more vague. I can work with ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ but not ‘some running’. I know that sounds like moaning but that is me…
So, first thing to do is to rebuild my marathon endurance. Lost that along the way. I need to be sure that I will be able to run marathon without pitstops and with proper pace. And to do that I have came back to boring tables in ‘Daniels’ running formula’ book. That book is bad but formula has helped so many runners. It just works. So, why not try. Idea is to have 2 proper races during a year. To build form twice for particular, planned race. 26 weeks training plan. Now I planning to get my pick form ready for June.
But for now just training and it kinda feel strange… I haven’t run any race since Ballina (which I have DNF) at the beginning of November. I wanted to check my fitness and endurance levels in Clonakilty but this marathon was unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) postponed cause if the weather. So, now I’m just focusing at training runs. Trying to get my mileage higher and run longer. As I was saying in the previous post I have now trying ‘Daniels’ running formula’. Will see how that will work. I can feel that legs are getting now stronger but still missing my speed. Another thing is food again and still. Trying to consume less and maybe little bit healthier but I’m finding that really hard. I know that if nutrition would be sorted I could get back my speed and endurance much quicker. For now it is slow process but hopefully I will be ready for June and will be in pick of the form then.
When looking at year 2015 back I was able to reach all my goals. My ‘THE PLAN’ has been fulfilled. I was even surprised with some of results I have reached. To be fair looking back at those ultra runs I still can’t believe what I have achieved. With results got in 100 K and 100 miles I got into Spartathlon race. Not as automatic access (my mistake, missed that by 4 minutes when running 100 miles). But still hoping that I will be allowed to run that race. Tough race but you need to do that. So, last year I was aiming to finish 50K in Donadea, 50 miles in Roundwood, 100 K in Portumna, 12 hours run in Belfast and last but not least 100 miles in Connemara. Was second in Roundwood, Portumna and Connemara. Won in Belfast. What I could want more. First year in ultra running. Besides ultra runs I was running almost every weekend till end of October. Have clocked quite amount of miles. I’m not sure about number of marathons I have already run but I will be around 63-64. Considering that I have closed 2014 with 20 I think is big number. Each of these run to the maximum of my abilities. No resting, no jogging, just running…
And now going into 2016 I have new goals, new PLAN. This year main one is sub 3 marathon. Hopefully I will be able to do that. Next one will be to finish Spartathlon in 36 hours. So, that’s two goals. If reached I will come back to clocking marathons again. Less goals this year but I think these are much tougher. Will see how that will work out. Now waiting for mid January when the Sparthatlon registration will be open and will take it from there.
Thanks to Facebook I have found gym close by which had (still have) such a programs, 8 weeks of classes and you should get fitter. Sounds ok, but it is always like that. Most important are results and for these I had to wait. Problem with such a programs is that you need to follow the instructions. No problem doing that when comes to exercising but struggle with food. Ok, will reveal now the name of the gym. ABC Gym – Athletic Body Coaching. Andy, Noel and Rory, three lads who know what to do to put you back in the shape.
When I started I was overweight and sluggish. My body fat huge 15% and fitness level poor. Cause I wanted still continue my running I have opted for 3 times a week option. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays were fat burning sessions – fitness, Tuesdays and Thursdays – strength session. Additionally one extra fitness and strength on Saturday. Usually I was participated in classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and depending on weekend (if I had marathon run or not) Thursday or Friday. We always started with 20 minutes stretching and warm up exercises. Sometimes warm up was already exhausting and that wasn’t yet the main set of the class. When we were coming little bit earlier we should do stretching on our own. We had set of exercises which we suppose to do before class. Lads were waiting for us to finish ‘our’ warm up set and then proper stretching was starting. Fitness sessions and strength ones were always challenging and were pushing at least me almost each and every time to the edge. I know plenty of you, who attended any fitness classes would say that their gym is best and trainers doing their job really well. But trust me, they are good. My fitness level went up, body fat down by 3%, gain weight but that just means that I have more muscle now…
My 8 weeks program finished but I’m sure that I will come back on some stage and sign for next ‘back in shape’ session. This time will try to stick to diet. Thanks lads for your help… And you readers, if you looking for help in fitness look up them – ABC Gym.
That post was inspired by Theresa again. When I was complaining about myself and didn’t want to bored her she just said ‘Brag’. So, I’m doing that but would like to know if you have such a experiences as me when self-esteem is low and it is very hard to pull yourself together. Please share your stories. It is always better to know that you are not alone.
As a feature image. Me, very tired in the plane (very early flight) heading to Szczecin to pace 4 hours marathon.
I haven’t got the idea that just 8 kilometers could make such a big difference. Painful difference. On Sunday I did recovery run. It was very slow. Haven’t idea that I can run so slow 😉 Tiredness on Sunday I could predicted easily. But Monday? Every muscle on my legs (maybe not on feets) hurts. Done 10 miles, should have done more. Was faster than day before but still slow. Tomorrow another day of training, covering probably 15 miles or more. And then rest day. Recharge… two days of training and day of before marathon…
Gels… recovery creams… that should help.
Frustration… Second part of 2013 and first half of last year I was able to run 27 – 30 km a day four working days a week and over the weekends two half-marathons. Why not now? Now I suppose to do more millage to prepare my body for endurance races… And stop shoving my mouth with huge amount of food (not always healthy)…
I really want to do 100 miles this year… Connemara. Or maybe WOS (not for wusses)…
That’s about the meds. Now, about the runs… After the ‘Lock Up the Year’ marathon (and the long visit in the bushes) I thought that recovering will be very long process. And I wasn’t mistaken. Thursday treadmill run. 12 km was interupted twice. Friday same training, same outcome. Then doctor visit came and got new meds. Saturday got two 12 km sessions. First one interupted once, but was able to run second part (10 km) at speed of 14 km/h. Second session, speed 13.6 km/h and no problem. Felt great but knew that I was not out of the woods yet… Today I wanted to got more km at one go. Decided for half marathon distance… And guess what? No toilet call. Hurray… Hope that means it will get just better. So, looks that THE PLAN is still on the cards. So glad that I have still chance to accomplish it… And by the way – 1:35:12 for half-marathon (in Hoka’s). Not bad for my condition and running since Wednesday without any break (Wednesday was marathon)…
Did my two training sessions during the day, one on the treadmill (usually that one is harder then on road one) and during lunch break run on the road (and that one was really tough, freezing rain and low temperature). Nothing special but I think that early mornings just cought up with me. I almost fall asleep in work, missed phone call from AC guy (which I have actually invited to check our faulty unit)… I couldn’t even start my excercises in the evening…
Fasting… haven’t finished… I’m screwed today… Don no comments, please. I’m just tired.