Since my last update any progress back to a reasonable level of training has been hampered somewhat by a blister on the sole of my foot which got worse before it got better. All a bit frustrating as it seemed to be caused by wearing socks that had worn a bit during a tempo run and ended up with losing quite a bit of skin off the sole of my foot. Despite not having any real structure or consistency to training I have taken on a couple of races in the past couple of weeks just to get back racing again. Here's how they went:
Na Fianna 5K in 21:00 (6:37, 6:54, 6:51, 6:37*)
Headed into this not knowing what to expect or aim for having done one speed session in the last couple of months and generally been recovering from injury during that time.
After a jog down to the start we hung around for a bit before a couple of strides closer to the off.
Before long we set off and it struck me the quality of the field how many that were in front of us compared to normal.
Passed the 1K mark in around 4:10 I think and if anything the pace picked up a bit around the first corner and first mile was clocked at 6:37. Rosemary was beside me but she gradually opened up a bit of a gap and I was already feeling it having probably made the mistake of going out too fast. I wasn't sure if it was time to knuckle down and run my own race. Thoughts turned to pulling up but I copped on and thought of all the days I wasn't able to run. Legs were feeling every little bump in the road I was keeping an eye on the average pace and it was slowing slightly but felt like I was moving a lot slower.
Second mile clocked off in 6:54 and was I trying to convince myself it would be over soon enough. As we turned again I tried to pick it up a small bit and was happy to see the 4K mark on the road soon after. Legs were pretty fooked at this stage but still moving. Got passed by a couple of people in the last 400 and wasn't able to put up much of a fight. This wasn't a day for any sort of sprint finish.
Crossed the line in 21:07 gun time and 21:03 by my watch.
This is 32 seconds off my PB from last December which is not bad I suppose as comebacks go. Given fitness where it's at and also carrying a few extra KG I'm happy enough with the time. It was also a reminder of how much you have to push yourself in a 5K from the start right until the finish.
Navan 6K in 25:12 (6:50, 6:48, 6:39, 6:43*)
The afore mentioned blister had gotten worse they day after the previous race to the point where I ran on the Wednesday but then not again until the next Wednesday. This went ok so at late notice on Friday I decided to head to Navan to do their 6K race as a speed session. Sure who needs training when you have races :-) As this was a last minute decision having had a few pints the previous night with a friend home from Dubai was sure to be of assistance wasn't it?
Susan who was also doing the race was trying to convince me to set off at a certain pace but I wasn't being too responsive to the thoughts of it. In the end I figured maybe trying 6:50-7 pace to begin with and try to hang on. After a couple of laps of the track and a jog down to the start we were ready to go.
When we got going I was trying to keep it steady for the first 1/2 mile as everyone found their position. Susan was just ahead and I latched onto her tail as the pace seemed to settle around 6:50ish. It didn't feel too bad but then it shouldn't for that early in a race. Michelle & Maurice were also in close proximity as we completed the first mile in 6:50. I fell behind by a couple of metres after around 2K and had a decision to make as to whether to run my own race or tuck in with the others. I decided the company was decent so bridged the gap. Maurice had picked up at this stage as I hung on to Michelle & Susan somewhat. We were gradually passing people though so that was a good sign.
The second mile passed in 6:48 a slight increase in pace but we were now working pretty hard for it. There wasn't much let up as we all took turns at the front driving the pace. My only thoughts at the time were to try and stick with them until we got back to the track if I could. The pace and effort kept ramping up in the 3rd mile and at this point the legs were screaming out for some relief, but that would have to wait. Mile 3 completed in 6:39. The markers were in KM's and for once they counted down to the finish rather than up. With 1K to go I tried to put in a bit of a spurt and bridged a gap to a small group in front of us which I passed, we were then hit with an incline to the finish and my legs felt like I was running in treacle. The field was really strung out and I was closing slightly on a couple in front of me. I didn't hear anyone behind me but with a quick glance I noticed Michelle was right on my shoulder and Susan just behind. I was pretty sure they were going to come past me given how I felt but I thought if I could get to the track and the final 100 metres still ahead I might hold them off. This I did and although I spent the last 50 metres trying to get sick I crossed the line in 59th place with the others just behind me. Finally I could stop and I ended up bent over in two on the infield losing my pre race snack.
Michelle said afterwards that we dragged her around but I think it was the other way round. She ran a great race to pick up 2nd in her category. All that running in Ardgillan is paying off in spades.
Despite the extra distance this evening the pace was quicker than the 5K from the week before. Really happy with that.
I celebrated by doing the Ardgillan Parkrun on Saturday morning. The legs were tired to this was just an easy run on a glorious morning. A change to take in the scenery.
So that is it for the moment. A lot going on at the moment but hoping for no more setbacks and to get back to some structured training this month. Hopefully will be able to do Bohermeen 5K this week and Dunshaughlin 10K towards the end of the month.
The silly season is almost upon us where the race series kicks off and people's thoughts turn to Bank Holiday Monday in October. If I can get back to decent training this month sure you never know...
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