9 weeks and counting.
It’s been a while since I have updated my blog so I think it’s time to get the finger out and start updating.
It’s been an interesting few weeks and I have slid well off my original schedule. In the last few weeks I have had injuries, long runs, races with PB’s and also a trip to Berlin to see Mr Bolt running 19.19 for 200mt.
First I’ll start with my injury. Calf muscle gave me a nice bit of trouble some time ago. I think it was the increase in mileage. This ALWAYS happens me when I start my marathon training programs. Not specifically a calf injury but something always goes wrong that knocks me off my schedule. (Note to self - Next schedule needs to have a slower build up in mileage)
In the last few weeks I am happy to have got in a 19 mile run. Some of the lads in the club are running the Longford marathon and it worked out that they were doing a long run a few weeks ago. (Best of luck this Sunday lads).
On the 31st of July I ran a 5 miler in Kinsale. A really fast course (Mostly downhill). Debateable really if it can be considered a PB as there is so much downhill. Anyway for myself I was happy with my time of 31.48. A week later I did an 8k race in Galway. Felt crappy all the way around but still did an ok time for me - 32.49. I’m going through a spell of feeling crap in all my runs so hoping that will go away soon.
Lastly I went to Berlin last week to see the World Championships. An amazing time and to see U Bolt powering up the track to put in a 19.19 for 200mt was something I will always remember. Also to watch Bekele take on the 5000mt after he had picked up the 10000mt medal was unreal. If they could bottle some of what he has then they could make a lot of money. It will be interesting to see if he decides to take on the Marathon in years to come. That is just 2 highlights and I could go on forever. Women’s high jump, Marathon, Women’s 1500mt and on and on. Only disappointment was in relation to the Marathon. No Paula and no runners from Ireland or the UK in either the men’s or women’s Marathon. As Michael Johnson said on the BBC “it is now up to Europe to up its game in regards to track running.” I think it’s not just track runners. No reason why athletes in Ireland can’t compete with the best if they are given the proper funding and support. Fingers crossed. Last item on this is that I can’t wait for London. If it’s half as good as Berlin then it will be top class.
Now on to the running. Up and down all the time but I feel now that I am starting to get in some good miles. Only problem is I’m going through a patch of being tired every time I run. Not sure what this is about as it has never happened me before but hopefully in a few week I’ll be back to normal.
Ballycotton 5 tomorrow night and hoping to get into the top 50 when the 4 races are totalled up. At the moment I am somewhere in the mid 60’s.
Next update will be after the Blarney half marathon on the 13th of September. I’ll have a week’s holidays in Italy in the week leading up to the race, so I will be getting in some warm weather training. :-)
Take care
Paudie
