No runs

Still not running. Started and hot a chest infection for a week. Back in action today again.

Day 2

I was aiming for 7.5 miles for my second run. Since I had kind of struggled to do 6.5 miles yesterday I wasn't looking forward to it. Once again I waited until the last possible moment to leave the house 16:40. I headed to Clontarf coast and got to the bridge. The weather was windy in my favour. Once on the bridge heading out to the sea point it started to get crazy windy. I got to the halfway mark and though, fuck it I'm going to head to the virgin mary and turn back then. Jesus, it was pitch dark, the wind was howling and I started to get cold. It was very stormy and I had a few occasions where I thought there's be a man swept out to see that day. When I got back to the coast on my way back I began to suffer, the wind against me was relentless and since I had eaten fuck all that day (2 eggs, 1/2 tin baked beans) I actually started bonking. In then end I made it to westwood and then had to walk back to the house. I even had to walk the final .25 miles. I was in bits all night and I'm shattered. I may have to stall the digger with a short easy run tomorrow instead. I have blisters on my toes. The good news is that I spoke to Karl and he said that there was plenty of time to get in shape for the race. I can afford to take it handy. 7.52mi, 10'09''/mi, 1:26m, 1066 cals

Day 1

My first day of training for the connemara ultra was fairly tough. I decided to get back to the coast again even though it just opens up the potential to do very long runs. I ran as far as the wooden bridge and on to it a little. The weather was great and I waited until the last possible moment to do my run rather than doing it first thing. It's funny what you do when you are so lazy. 6.51 miles, 9:32/mi, 1h03m, 953cals

I'm back

I decided that next year is my ultra year. I'm really going to do it. I was on the phone to Karl and he said I've plenty of time to train, I will need to have someone on a bike though. I am 90.7kg.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Monday run 50mins

Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for
Monday run 50mins

IMRA race in wicklow

With the help of the lads I went to the race in wicklow today. It was 16 km and the route was the toughest I've ever done.

Here is the race on the IMRA site.

From the very start it was uphill. I found it very tough. I deliberately brought my iPod loaded up with music. I knew that it was going to be very difficult and I'd have to knuckle down. I ran behind the guys since I knew it would be too much mental pressure for me to match them. I knew I had to go easy and like when I did the 1/2 marathon with jojo and gav it.

Fairly soon we turned right to go up the first mountain, Maulin. I took it handy, quickly going to walk mode. Karl was in front of me for most of the time but I passed him out when others behind me passed both of us out. At the top we turned and then went down. I fairly belted it down but slightly in fear. I wanted to make up the time I spent walking up it. The environment was like going to Mordor muck, stones, roots, uneven surface, steep incline. Eventually I caught up with Neil. I thought, at least I'm with Neil now I can follow his steps without having to constant look at the ground. I start to relax when he hit the deck hard. I thought, yikes, that had to hurt. He bounced back up but I knew I had to make my own route. At the bottom of the incline he let me by, his ankle was not in great shape. Then it was up up and up again. Eventually I got to the top of another mountain only to turn left and then right to go up Djouce. It was back to walking again. I remember Jacques Brel signing in Flemish. I knew I'd messed up on my song choice at that stage. I ended up chatting to a fellow runner for a bit before letting her go on and going solo again.

Eventually I reached the top, at which stage my lower lip was numb with cold and it was just pure cloud cover. After spinning around a rock at the top I turned left to experience a crazy strong side wind. I wondered if I would be blown over by it. I pulled my hat on very tight to my head to stop it flying off. Then it was down again, at a very scary steep incline. More rocks, mud, bushes and the like. It was very hard not to go hurtling down. I had to think, relax - relax. My legs and body were constantly being pounded. It was very unpleasent. Around this stage I was thinking, I've had enough of this. After a while things started to level off a bit.

Then I can across Tom Kelly on his mountain bike, who gave me a drink of water and a gel. Once I popped the gel I began to really feel better. I was in pain and was exhausted but Tom encouraged me to keep trucking. Then there was more steep narrow incline and steep ascent. When was this going to bloody end.

I got to the final decent, must have been about 4 km to go. Even though it was going downhill I really had to dig deep to keep going. I so wanted to just stop. I reflected on how running on these tired legs would build me up for the ultra. I felt awful. In the end I came across the line fast and relieved.

I have just been doing 6km runs home. Clearly that's not going to do it training wise. It's time I started to get training properly.

I can honestly say, if I have to suffer so hard in the big race on the day it's not going to good. I just have to spread the pain over the weeks to come to assure I complete the race and to not feel absolutely awful on the day. It's going to hard enough. Once I get a plan that's realistic I will just do that plan whether I'm with someone training or not. I've ordered my Garmin watch and I can't wait to get it.

Despite having gone through absolute hell today, I do feel the reward of having completed something scary and way beyond my current ability. It proves that I have the mental and physical talent to set my goals and achieve them. I feel really elated by the whole thing!

Going strong

I've set up a daily text from Google calendar to remind me on my focus to complete the Ultra.

I ran Monday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Each day was tough to do. My legs are sore. I haven't done any stretching.

I am 13st 12lbs.