Winter running...Rain, wind and Hi-viz

It's November, so you thing it wouldn't be such a shock to my system that it has been raining
A LOT! I don't mind running in the rain but when its wet the evenings are darker and mentally a little more motivation is needed to move me to put on my running shoes. But with Clonakilty just a few weeks away I needed to put a few more miles in to be ready for the start line.
With the change of seasons, the park changes, some routes can be flooded due to the lake being high, so you have to add a bit or take off a bit of a route to achieve your required mileage. One Saturday morning on meeting the girls for a run we had planned a nice easy run, it was a dry morning but the rain wasn't too far off. Anna fell in beside me as Michelle and Tina ran ahead. By the second mile I was in need of a bathroom, thankfully we were headed towards Ross Castle, public restrooms.

Took a quick picture, the clouds were rolling in. Anna quickened the pace and headed back towards the car. As I ran on I hoped the rain wouldn't arrive too soon. Suddenly the sun peeped through the trees...

Blue sky memory

As I reached the car park, I turned off the Garmin a solid six miles done. I was thankful for the glimpse of blue sky, since that day most of my runs have been in the dark or rain.
To get in my run safely, I headed to the track wrapped up as it was cold and wet. I did a few laps at a fairly consistent pace. My legs felt strong. I timed it well as Storm Abigail began to kick in just as I arrived home. Hi-viz really is the runners friend at this time of the year..

All a glow..

I have tried to make stretching and foam rolling part of the weekly routine. I have been struggling with my overhead mobility at Crossfit so I have been doing some extra foam rolling, it really is a torture device. It really feels easier some days to do a run or a tough WOD than to head onto the floor to foam roll.

Last weekend , was a real wet one were the run was about dodging puddles. But at the same it was warm, half way through I had to take off my jacket so my the time I reached the car I was drenched. Like all runners my car is full off jumpers, jackets and other clothing so after a quick change I headed for a much needed coffee. 
The rain fell for most of the weekend and most of Monday,so by the evening we were down a few numbers for our run. We decided to revisit an old running haunt out by the Gleneagle hotel, Bernie, Mags and myself ran at our own pace. We each had a mileage number we wanted to complete, so we ran.. Amazingly running towards my dreaded stuff of nightmare stop sign wasn't too bad..

I had a good sweat when I was done and felt I had put in a good run.

Hi-viz styling..

I felt happier than I looked I promise!!!

The rain is still falling as I write and the wind is howling. Motivation may be needed by the bucket load if this is the weather for the Winter ahead. I saw a quote the other day which stuck,

'On your good days, run hard. On your bad days, run as long you need.'

So maybe this might be the motto for the Winter ahead!

Marathon envy, Heavy legs and running laps...

The October bank holiday weekend saw me in Dublin. I was there to cheer on Bernie and Anna as they ran their first marathon and Brenda as she rang her 12th of 12 marathons this year. To read about Brenda's marathon go to brendasmercymarathonchallenge.blogspot.com, what she has accomplished in the past year is inspirational! 

The morning of the marathon the girls headed to the start line both looked nervous but they were smiling. Michelle, Susan and I were the cheer squad, so firstly we headed to Starbucks for some much needed caffeine and then did a quick sprint down to our first viewing point. 

As the runners passed, we looked for familiar faces among the 1000's and then suddenly the girls passed. They looked comfortable and watching them pass in the marathon was a real buzz. We stayed to cheer until the last person passed, I found it very emotional and the tears came to my eyes. All these people who turned up to complete 26.5 miles on bank holiday whether for themselves or a charity was truly humbling as a spectator.

We headed to our next viewing point at around the 12 mile mark,  passing some iconic Dublin landmarks along the way..

I'm sure a few  pints were consumed after the marathon...

We had a great time cheering, we saw Brenda and Pat (#teamdoody) and before long we saw the girls...

Autumn running.

Next we headed to the finish line were we waited with 1000's of others who were there to see their friends and families finish , the rain began to fall, we cheered all those heading to the finish sign and then the girls were there crossing the finishing line.. 

Congratulations to all those who ran the Dublin marathon especially our Riot runners.

I have to confess I had a little marathon envy!

As I hadn't run since my fall, I headed to my local Parkrun unfortunately I was running late so missed it...AGHHH!!! But, I ran anyway and put in some solid miles although my legs felt so heavy and It felt like hard work in some parts. I could feel myself putting the brakes on my legs as I ran, subconsciously I didn't want to fall again. But it did feel so good to be out and moving.. 

I also signed up for the Clonakilty 10K . I have taken part for the last three years, it is tough run but there is always a great atmosphere around it.  It is in  December, so has a real festive feel. Also, as you run along the coast the scenery is quiet stunning!

As, the time has changed there is no more evening runs in the park. So our little group met in the car park of a local supermarket, we headed for a run around the town. I don't mind running around the town but the first evening we were a bit unsure of route we would run. Also, I always find the first run in the dark is a bit weary, its as though my brain is fighting with me telling me I should be at home by the fire.

I went to my local track this week, to do some laps it is not something I find comfortable. I like a bit of scenery and I would describe myself as a point to point runner, so laps are a challenge to the mind. I did a few sprints and then did a few laps. At the start I found it hard to pace myself but after a few laps I found was enjoying it. 

Slowly as the last week has passed,my legs are beginning to loosen up. I'm volunteering this week at my Parkrun and so will put in my run afterwards. Which I'm looking forward to, slow and steady will be the order of the day!
And as for my marathon envy, I am thinking where will I line up to cross my marathon start line in 2016? Any ideas?

#Bringiton..