Jiggling the fat, running in the rain, crossfit and doing it fabulously...

Wind and rain have been the most constant thing on most of my runs this month. Also the temperature, for this time of the year has been quite moderate except for a day or two when the temperature dropped.  The constant wet gear has led to an ever increasing pile of washing each week - the joys of winter running.

I often read about runners who due to weather conditions or time, run on treadmills. I tried maybe once or twice to run on a treadmill but I felt awkward. I could see the fat jiggling, in the full length mirror in front of the treadmill!!! Not a good look for anyone!

Misty Hill runs..

Hill running/training isn't on the list of my favourites things although I know it has to be done. I have a few runs coming up over the next few months so have try to put in one at least once a week. As I'm usually soaking wet from the rain it has given me added impetus to finish and get the pain over as quickly as possible. I really do find them the toughest thing I do....

This weeks hill run was this past weekend, there was a small gap in the weather so as I started there was no rain. The first mile and half were fine, a few rolling hills, manageable. Then I hit the next hill which seemed to go on for a while, so a quick chat to self and I just kept moving to the first bend and then the next and the next.. I still haven't mastered the keep running part.  So as I climbed to the top of each bend I stopped maybe only for a second or two but I stopped all the same. Finally I reached the top! What must go up must come down as the saying goes, so down the hills I went and as I hit level ground again my quads were beginning to cry. Thankfully,there wasn't too far to go and hill training was done. Although, my quads haven't yet forgiven me for it!

The day closes in so quickly at the moment, during one of my longer runs, the sky just kept darkening as I kept running. My illuminous running vest is part of the kit whatever time of the day it seems. I am also trying to curtail the urge to take off like Mo Farah and not burn out towards the end of each run. My aim is to run at a steady pace, it works sometimes. Its like my running in general a work in progress. I am trying to put the miles on my legs as I have the 10K in Clonakilty and the 10 Mile Valentines run in Tralee at the start of February.

The weather has also being playing havoc on our running group schedule. I look forward to Monday,  to run with someone other than my own thoughts. When there is someone ahead of you, I tend to move better, its like they set the pace.  I also do more pre and post run stretching with the girls which as we all know is a plus! I'm not great for talking as I  move, so a catchup before or after adds to the enjoyment. This week it was great to see Siobhan back running and she was flying. I predict great runs by our little running group in 2016. #RIOTRUNNERS

I am also determined to conquer some specific goals at Crossfit. I've picked two things which really bug me even though there are many moves I haven't conquered yet, I am determined to get these down - Double unders and walk walks. So I decided to invest in some Reeboks which I'm hoping will give me magic Crossfit powers.

I'll keep you updated on how I get on with conquering these moves and my Reeboks.

The motto for January...

Thinking of the month ahead and looking for a motto to carry me through the miles and workouts I must do in order to achieve the goals I've set for myself, I read this and I think this motto will carry me not only through the month ahead but maybe the year

'I know I can't do everything 

so I will do what I CAN fabulously....'

Kicking off 2016..

Running in 2016 has been a bit of a washout. It started on New Years Day, which is when I did my years first run of 2016. Start the year off as I mean to go on etc....
The Riot runners and myself headed to Beaufort to take place in their annual New years day run. Bernie, Eileen and Michelle signed up for the 5K. Anna and myself signed up for the 10K.

Getting on the layers to face into the weather!

I had been suffering from a bit of a head cold but felt much better. As I signed up, I mentioned to the girl at the desk I would be slow, 'You won't be later than an hour fifteen?', she asked, 'Hopefully, not',  I replied but I thought 'No pressure, so'.

I happily brought down by 10K run to under 70mins over the last year which I am quite proud of.
Sometimes, Athletic clubs and fast runners think only in their fast times and forget that a 10K run at 38/48 Min's is the same distance as a 10K run at 70/80 Min's.

The start was delayed by 30 minutes, as we started it was dry and other than a light mist it was that way for the first mile. Anna and I stuck close  as the girls sprinted off in the 5K.
I could feel my chest wheeze slightly so catching my breath was a bit problematic after a while,
although not debilitating. Fun running! Hahahaha!

As always I never take a good running pic... Nothing changes!

The route itself was a loop.  The first miles or so passed as we house watched but the rain began to fall heavily. The road was open to traffic but we didn't meet to many cars as the back splash as they passed wouldn't have been fairly large.  The puddles were getting larger and I found myself walking up any bit of a hill. The wind was fairly strong so battling against that also added to the fun of the years first run. I kept thinking to myself that surely the wind would be to my back soon, it never happened. I just wasn't feeling great but I was determined not to start the year off with a DNF. My legs were fine but head was just so foggy. I was having my only little pity party as I ran and I had only myself to blame for how miserable I was feeling.

We were really sopping wet, Anna ran ahead but soon we came to a crossroads, we didn't know which way to turn.

Thankfully, we flagged a car and they were able to direct us on the right road, (left to our own devices we would have taken the wrong road). So with a Kilometre to go, it was time to kick it up a notch.  That kick that comes at the end of most runs didn't materialise. I met my mum who herself had done the 5K, she said just around the corner and you are there. Thankfully! As we came up to the finish line the stewards were calling for our numbers, which they duly noted.

Done! 

I was so glad to be out of the rain as we went into the community hall. Susan and my dad went to the car to get our gear. Our cheer leading squad were as always fabulous!! Bernie and Michelle got us lovely hot coffee... After a quick change and putting on more layers, I soon began to warm up. We had all felt the effects of the wind and rain. Bernie was the 4th lady home in the 5K,
Michelle too had a good run and Eileen (my mum) had powered through the rain too. We waited a while to cheer on those who had received prizes and then headed home to hit a hot shower.

Mum and I, getting warm after the wind and rain...

There was a delay in putting up the results as they had a technical fault with the timing. I had my trusty garmin with me so I knew that I had run a 72.5 min 10K. The results did go up during the week and apparently Anna and I got the following result 'NO TIME'. After 68 Min's there were no times recorded  which is disappointing for those who finished after this.

But all thinks considered, I was happy enough with the time I finished in because at times it felt I was running for hours.

What a way to kick off the running year!

It had to last me a while as I was knocked down with my sinuses for most of last week, towards the end of the week I turned a corner. I was unable to go to Crossfit either. So I'm ready and looking forward to heading out on the road and heading into do some AMRAPS, WODS. I'm sure as I do the first WOD I won't be thinking that..


So this week coming is when I start of my 2016 in earnest.

2015 summed up with a glance at 2016..

I started 2016 of  by doing the Beaufort 10K with some of the Riot runners, the weather was appalling. It was a tough one!  I'll put 'pen to paper' about it soon.

Since I've started this blog I've done bit of  of a yearly sum up as the old year ends to see what I have achieved and get me ready to face the new year ahead.

My Running Year 2015


Total Mileage:-                       554.55 miles      

Highest Mileage
Month:-                                  June

Lowest Mileage
Month:-                                  December

Runs done:-                            132

Pace:-                                      Improving

My Races:-                              6

Half Marathon                        Run Killarney Half Marathon

10 Mile                                   Tralee Valentine  10 mile run

10K                                         Killarney women's mini marathon

4m                                           Maurice Collins Memorial run

5K                                           Run for the Angels 5K
                                             
                                                Colour Run 5k

I also started attending my local Park run on Saturday mornings in Killarney National Park.

This year I also started doing core and strength training at Crossfit Training. This has transformed my running.


Pb's 
At the start of the year my aim was to achieve 10K in 70 Min's and a half marathon within 2hr 30 I happy to say I met all these goals. I  have run a 62 min 10K while training but on a time race I ran a 66 min 10K at the Killarney Mini marathon. In July I ran a 2.21 half marathon.
I also achieved PBS 1 mile and 5K Pb's.

Looking ahead to 2016 I want to be more consistent.

I have so far decided to do the following runs:

February                     Clonakilty 10K
                                    Valentines 10 Mile Tralee

March                         Tralee Half Marathon

This will keep me busy for the first few months of the year.
Looks like a fun year ahead!

December running...

Well I haven't done much running so the title of this post is highly ironic. The last post was just before I was to do the Clonakilty marathon. The weather that weekend was appalling and there was a red weather warning. Having checked all social media, email etc..the morning of the run all systems were go, so at 4.30 am I headed down to Clonakilty. It was still raining but as I drove through floods, I was looking forward to running. But pulling into the car park, the marshall said the run was cancelled! I was peeved but more than that I was disappointed. It has since been rescheduled for the 6th of February 2016. 

I did go for a run the following day,it felt good to run. But storm desmond had left a few obstacles on my usual route.

The weather hasn't been the best over the past few weeks, living here in Ireland you would think I would be  used to it. Running during December hasn't been the greatest. Although I have managed to run most weeks I know I haven't had the best of running months although I have been going to crossfit, so at least I have  been using some of my muscles!!

Eleven days left in the month so hopefully I'll get in a couple of runs.

Getting positive!

Well its 48 hours before, I head to Clonakilty along with the rest of the Riot runners to run. I have had mixed running fortunes with this 10K, see previous posts  'Not a happy camper' - December 2013 and 'Clonakilty 10K -group trip' December 2014. It is a hilly course, which offers the full running experience. I have great admiration for the brave souls who hit the hills of West Cork, to run the half and full marathon. Hats off!! The weather forecast for Saturday is not the best, wind and rain.  But we're well used to that at this stage. Most of the Riotrunners will be running others will be cheer leading, it seems ages since we were all together, whether due to weather, injury or just life! So, Saturday will be enjoyable as I'll be catching up with the girls. My running hope is that all will go to plan (fingers and toes crossed!), the plan being to run to my ability, enjoy the run and cross the finish line smiling. A serious dose of positivity and  I'm sure, my next post will be full of cheer and running happiness!!!! 

Dark evenings, puddles and hi-viz..

I have been running mostly in the evenings and all though they have been damp even showery, I haven't had any really serious downpours. My running has been consistent enough in pace except for one extremely fast mile which I ran with Anna, a pure anomaly which happened as a result of us chatting.
I've put in a few miles over the past weeks but not nearly enough I'm sure. Fingers crossed those miles I have run and the work done at Crossfit Killarney will get me over the line smiling in Clonakilty.

So once again I say #bringiton!

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..