Training Log Archive: Cjcollins

Warmup pre race

Bit of a disaster really. Woke up again feeling very stiff and with a sore back. Sleeping in a very soft bed in my laws house isn’t doing it any favours. Headed down to the race, picked up numbers and did a short warmup. Back felt a bit better at this point. Started the race in an industrial estate where we did a couple of laps during which a fairly large proportion of us were sent the wrong way, ie. back round for another lap of the estate! Chaos then followed with people running all sorts of directions! Once I worked out the right way to go it wasn’t long before I passed the 3 mile marker with my watch showing 3.7 miles! Totally demoralising and I felt like pulling out but decided to keep going but not push too hard. Even with easing off though I still didn’t feel that great and was having a bit of stomach trouble which culminated in me having to duck into a field at the 9 mile mark to relieve myself! Never had to do this in a race before. I also had to head straight to the portaloos after crossing the line. So not a great day all in all and one to chalk off as a bit of experience.

Warmup

Steady run at Cannonhill parkrun in Birmingham with my brother in law ahead of tomorrow’s race. Feeling quite tired and stiff at the outset but good by the end. Didn’t sleep well in my wife’s parents house and have had to take a couple of short naps during the day.

Cooldown followed by strideouts

Met up with some of the guys from the club to run out and back along the flat Loughshore path. Another very mild day (almost shorts and T-shirt weather!) and dry with little wind. Started out fairly easy for the first mile then the pace quickened as we ran along and chatted. Was able to maintain conversation for the majority of the run although there were a couple of miles towards the end that were bordering on more of a tempo pace. Flying to England this afternoon and planning to run easy around Cannon Hill parkrun tomorrow morning with my brother in law in advance of Sunday’s race

Easy run around Ballyboley Forest with a friend. Nice mild and dry day with little wind so great for running. Generally comfortable although could feel a little bit of yesterday’s race still in the legs

Warmup run with clubmates

Mild day for this time of year and generally good conditions for running. Was very unsure how this race would go given the lack of speedwork recently due to the injury so decided I wouldn’t go out too hard at the start. It was quite a good course with a few lumps and bumps but quite a lot of flat sections also. The last mile had a bit of a climb up towards the finish where I felt like I struggled a bit although I suspect most people would have been the same at that point. Generally pleased with how it went as I kept the pace fairly consistent throughout (taking gradients into account) and good to get a short race in the legs. Something to build on. Just need to take at least a minute of this time for Raheny!

Short cool down around an adjacent playing field

No chance of getting a run in today with everything going on. Got to bed very late then up early with the kids

Easy spin on the turbo. Legs have been feeling a bit battered today so thought this would help to loosen things up. Still feeling quite tight this evening