Highs and Lows of training -Week 2

• Sunday January 24th Parkrun 7.2km at 42:37.

• Monday January 25th Roadrun 4.2 km at 25:42.

• Tuesday January 26th Hot Pilates class.

• Wednesday January 27th Track Run 12 laps (3 miles) at 26:15.

• Thursday January 28th Roadrun 5.1km at 29:13.

• Saturday January 30th Group 8 km at 48:43.

Feeling on fire from my first group run I took to the road the next day to put in 5km on the Ballina Parkrun route in Belleek woods. This is a great fast little trail, a few hilly moments but nothing too hairy, although I slowed down sufficiently to say hello to all the cute dogs I met along the way. There are always other walkers/runners around so I don't feel unsafe going alone and I have yet to come across the "weirdos in the woods" my mother keeps mentioning! I managed to hit the 5km in under 30 mins so being the dedicated pro that I am I decided to double back a km, making my end run 7.2km. I thought I would be wrecked from the day before but my legs felt fine and I was neither tried nor out of breathe, so happy with this effort!

My eagerness didn't last too long! Monday I decided to do my usual road run at home. But I was't really feeling it, I thought I was coming down with something, my head was all stuffed up and I was shattered! The thought of going out in the cold was less than enticing but Monday is Runday, no excuses! So off  I went. The beginning of the run is a killer because its up a sloping hill, it took all my effort not to turn back but once I was on the main road on the even surface I manned up. I usually fly this route and am knackered afterwards, I'm not sure if this is because I am aware of all the traffic going by and people glancing out the windows that I speed up, but it always seems to be the case. To be honest I really didn't enjoy this one, my breathing was all over the place, I felt ill, my headed ached and I kicked my run happy mantra to the curb! 

I still didn't feel great by Tueday's Hot Pilates class, but I had committed myself to go at least once a week and my run schedule would've been all messed up if I skipped. Plus I figured the heat might loosen some of my congestion (gross) and I'd sweat out my system so off I popped. At the start of the class we spend about 5 minutes lying down in silence focusing our breathe and acclimatising ourselves to the heat and I found this particularly helpful to talk myself into staying and not running for the door despite feeling poorly. The class as usual was intense and there were a couple of minutes toward the end that I thought I wouldn't make it! I focused my energy on finishing strong (cursing under my breath the whole time) and our little meditation afterwards allowed me to remind myself why I am doing this in the first place. Onward and upward!

This was my third Pilates class since I started the programme and I would usually expect to feel stiff and sore, but on Wednesday I felt great! Not a bit of achiness and my cold seemed to have improved, I was on top of the world so I decided to hit up the Ballina athletic track for some laps. I set a goal of 12 laps and and it honestly didn't feel like I had done 3 miles. The track is a nice alternative to my road run, the surface is so springy and I felt so light on my feet. I kept a steady pace and even when it started to rain I didn't whinge and give up, I stuck with it and manage to finish in under the time I had allocated myself. I think the Pilates classes are starting to stand to me now, even after only 3 classes my core and my legs feel stronger and I am more confident in my running ability.

I decided to brave Storm Gertrude on Thursday night and armed with my new light up arm reflectors from Penneys (nerd) I began my road run. The first 2.5 km were easy as the wind was behind me doing all the work (bliss). I couldn't help laughing the whole way back, I probably looked like a nutcase, I got splashed several times by cars and the rain had dissolved not only my mascara but also the glue from my eyelash extensions so as you can imagine I was looking pretty cute!  Despite the rubbish weather I actually enjoyed this run, I kept positive thoughts on a loop in my head and was looking forward to the group run on Saturday.

Group run rolled around again and after feeling pretty successful last week I was really looking forward to it again. This week we were instructed to go 2km further than the previous week, while I was apprehensive I put the distance to the back of my mind and focused on getting to know the group and keeping a comfortable pace. The route was a mixture of wood trail and road with some small scattered hills.By the end of the wood trail at 2.5km I was feeling a little ache in my right leg, but I was enjoying the chat and managed to keep the pace with my running buddy, we realised that the front group were moving a bit quicker but it honestly didn't bother either of us, I was delighted to keep a pace where I could hold a conversation without losing breathe and my buddy was focusing on running continuously without stopping. We were the last back to the starting point but I was happy with how the morning went and for right now I am focusing on distance rather than speed.

I was optimistic at the start of my running week, but the head cold did throw me off a bit. I'm glad I stuck with my running plan even though I felt lousy. I know the consistency of my training at this point is crucial, so that every new week I am prepared to clock up more kms and go further. I am also really grateful for the support of the group too, everyone keeps an eye out for each other and I've gotten some great tips from the others. 

Also I have decided that my training week will begin on a Sunday, this is so I am not tempted to go on mad benders on Saturday nights! This is also to ensure I am not slacking off the rest of the  weekend especially considering our group run is first thing Saturday morning and I don't want to write off just because its the weekend. 

Thanks for the support guys and keep running happy!

First training week toward half marathon goal.

• Saturday January 16th Parkrun 5km at 29.34
• Sunday   January 17th Parkrun 5km at 37.56
• Monday  January 18th Roadrun 6km    45.00
• Tuesday  January 19th Hot Pilates
• Wednesday and Thursday crippled from said class
• Friday     January 22nd Roadrun 5km at 33.00
• Saturday  January 23rd Group     6.5km at 38.00

All I can say is I had high notions of myself when I decided to do this! It was so easy for me to say "ya, half marathon, no problem" but the training is tough and I am feeling the pain.

I am not a total beginner. I started really running in November 2015 right after I got home from travelling, and I suppose it was more of a time killer than anything else since I was unemployed. I could run 5 km in a little over 35 mins by the time I decided to sign up for the half in January. As I had plenty of time I was running about 4 days a week and also doing a lot of brisk walks to increase my lung capacity. 

So when I joined my marathon training group and was instructed to do 3 solo 30 minute runs a week and a 45 minute group run at the weekend, it seemed positively doable. 

I decided to start my first solo run by doing my local Parkrun, I figured it would force me to push myself to get into the 30 minute mark for 5km and its location in the woods is beautiful. I have to say I was nervous, as I hadn't run in a group situation since the summer before and I was used to fairly flat concrete roads. My dad also decided to partake and we headed off. It was a great run and I managed to cross the line in just over 29 minutes without pushing myself at all, so delighted with that. 

I then decided to do the same trail the next day. Alas, I found this one much tougher. My legs felt achy and heavy from the day before, it was cold and rainy and my breathing was all over the place. I had to stop several times and I was incredibly disappointed with my performance. 

Monday I decided to go out again on my usual road run and went a km further, my breathing again was out of whack but I tried to slow down and focus and did not have to stop.

As part of the training programme I do a Hot Pilates class, affectionately (or frighteningly) referred to as Inferno. Focusing on the core and in temperatures up to 30 degrees it is TOUGH! Our trainer is incredibly motivating and I find his countdown system really pushes me because I know the pain (ooooh that awful ab pain) will only last for 8 rounds. I find the most difficult parts for me are the standing up repetitions as I can really feel the heat. But overall the class is great and I always feel motivated and elated afterwards (pesky endorphins).

I was instructed that 48 hours after the Inferno class is when I would have muscle pain, but this sunk in almost straight away for me. My body was in bits and I couldn't face running on Wednesday or Thursday, I brisk walked instead and promised to push myself on Friday doing my usual road route (which I am now incredibly bored by).

Group run took place on Saturday and I had major apprehension. I had no idea of the group ability and feared I would be the last person finishing or that I wouldn't finish at all. And I didn't think I could cope with the embarrassment. I need not have worried, everyone else had the same fears and we were all dreading the pace. Off we headed with a 4 mile route and an approximation of 10 minutes a mile. It felt great to be with like minded people and we pushed on as a group at a nice slow pace. We ended up finishing a bit quicker than anticipated and did a 400m lap of the track as a finisher along with a cool down. Really not a bad way to start the weekend. I should say I decided not to time myself or look at my watch for the route and I am glad I wasn't aware because my pace was comfortable and I managed to get back in under the allocated time, I definitely would have been more anxious if I had kept an eye on my watch.

Overall I feel happy and motivated, but my body was achy and sore. I read an article that said a runner can expect an injury in the first 3 months of their training so I am really trying to stretch properly and do proper warm up and cool down. This week was tough and it won't get any easier, we will be running further and faster in a couple of weeks and I need to get into the mind frame. But I am doing this for me too and for my well being and I will continue my positive outlook and run happy.

Healthy eating as a runner and pescetarian.

What a lousy time to decide I am reverting back to pescetarianism. I find a lot of people are still suspicious of me when I mention this. The inexplicable reason to live without bacon seems baffling to most. Yes bacon is delicious and yes the wafting smell is mouth watering and tempting but I just feel it and other meat does absolutely nothing good or healthy for my particular body. So I am going without for awhile and see how I fair. My increased exercise might eventually impact my decision but I am holding out until then.

I found the majority of healthy eating recipes involve meat of some sort. Chicken features a hella lot along with beef. So I shall feature these recipes on my blog and include alternatives to the meat. I know here in Ireland it can be difficult to see past the meat and two veg option so I am going to be as creative as I can with my recipes, I am definitely no culinary genius and there will no doubt be mishaps in the kitchen but I will try to make varied and tasty dishes.

Stay tuned!

Running happy toward my first half marathon

I first heard the phrase 'Run Happy' during a VERY short lived attempt at running while living in Vancouver. Running is second nature for most Vancouverites, I can't even count the amount of people I met who had done marathons, halfs and 10kms, they spent their weekends getting up at 6 am to run the entirety of the seawall. I decided to acclimatise myself to my new city and join these crazies, after all I played Gaelic football in national school and a little basketball in secondary, I was practically a runner already! Right?! I confidently decided C25K was not for me, and I went hell for leather into the unknown.

My first attempt was abysmal, in fact I gave my poor underused lungs exercise induced asthma and had to borrow an inhaler.Not ideal.
However my quiet competitiveness was undeterred, I signed up with a running group and away I went. I was miserable. I pushed myself way too hard in the first 2 weeks and and eventually even the thoughts of going out for a session in the evening caused panic, the sweats and the occasional tear.

I gave up, deciding runners were crazy, my legs were tired and it was time to hang up my unsuitable Forever21 runners. I dreaded telling my group, if it was in Ireland they would lament my loss at the pub and move on, but no, this was Vancouver, the healthiest city in Canada, where kale is king and exercise is practically a religion.These people knew where I lived and worked so avoidance was not an option, I showed up at what I decided would be my last group run and half heartedly confided in one of the girls. She immediately ratted me out to the group (traitor) and I was hurled with what I can only say was positive abuse!
I feigned outward interest in their advice to keep at it and not to give up, but inside I was already imagining all the Saturday morning lie ins I could have instead of training for 5 and 10 km races. But it wasn't until someone mentioned running happy, that I actually perked up and took some notice.
The concept of running without a watch or a view to a personal best had never entered my mind. That some people just run. Run for nothing, run for happiness, run to escape the monotony of their working day.

I never went back after that. I guess for me I just needed time to decide whether a runners life was for me. I took up Bikram Yoga instead, easy on my muscles and nothing too challenging. But I always thought back to that Run Happy mantra and now that I am back in Ireland I'm giving it a go.

This is my last year before I hit 30 and I want to make it a memorable year. I want to do all the things I never thought I would or could do. So I'm hitting the half marathon goal and challenging myself physically and mentally. I've joined a total half marathon beginners group and adding a hot pilates class in once a week to start off with. This time I am totally determined!

Wish me luck!