No Mow May

 Due a update....as I write I had planned to pop out for a 14 mile run but the quad and/or thigh area has giving me gip since Thursday.  I tried but after a mile had to head back, started to tighten up completely. It was rock hard, a problem I have had over the years. Usually caused by over use or lack of foam rolling/ stretching, both issues I probably can hold my hands up too. I was running well this last few weeks, targeting the Cork half marathon on the June weekend. 

This week was a 3.5 mile jog to collect Iseult from afterschool and a jog back. Herself wasn't too impressed being in the walking company of "sweaty Daddy". Too warm and too fine a evening to be using the treadmill. I think the problem started on the Wednesday . I did a fair bit of walking in Cork on the morning walking to and form the car (2 miles) and then with the pupils to Fitzgerald park museum (3 miles). Later that evening I ran 8 miles at half marathon pace (7.45 average) and I probably felt a slight twinge that evening going up the stairs. 

Thursday I ran the hilly 7 miler during my lunch break - Wellington Road to Mayfield to North Ring Road back to work - 8.35 pace. Low heart rate (139)  very relaxed. Friday evening was the 4 mile race in Buttevant. I did this in October 2021 , training for the Donadea 50k. I ran 30.18 that day a slow time. This time I was way down the back and it cost me a bit of time. I finished in 28.54 a bit off a sub 28 minutes but a decent enough personal effort nevertheless. The leg was sore going into it and was twingey for the first 1.5 miles but during the race felt ok. The cooldown felt difficult. By Saturday I was limping a bit watching the small one take part in a camoige blitz.

We will see how it goes. I should be able to manage it ok but have to be careful not to do something more harmful.

The 2 previous weeks before that were good too - 37 miles last week and 32  miles the week before. It consisted of 14 mile long runs each Sunday. Speed sessions were 4 x 1 miles (7.10 average inc one 6.57 mile) and a 4 mile race in Galbally last Friday (28.40). In between a number of 7 mile runs around town here and hillier efforts in Mayfield.

See below photo of Buttevant 4 mile race. Never pretty...!!! (The same guy caught me at the finish in Newtown 4 miler too)