I nearly forgot I had a blog. No desire to talk about running the last 6 months as not a lot happened. Anyways today is the 1st of August as ever the Dublin marathon is the key race to face into into 12 weeks time. If I get to the start line it will be my 3rd DCM in a row and my 7th overall. First one was 2010, then 2011, 2012, 2017, (virtual 2020), 2022 and 2023.
So where do I stand?
51 years old in September. 18 official marathons completed plus a couple unofficial efforts. I want to get to 20 marathons preferably this year. I dropped out of Donadea 50k in 2022 (Covid) and Clonakilty 2023 (injured ankle) and my failure to make the start line in Manchester 2018, DCM 2018, DCM 2020 and Connemara 2019 still bothers me.
My resting heart rate was at it's lowest in 2017 (under 40) . These days its around 52. My ability to do high mileage has declined (from a peak of 70 miles to now 35miles). I am a lot more heavier and lacking the mental and physical sharpness of the past. All I can do is work with what I have..
So .... here's the plan. Get to the start line of DCM having completed at least 2 x 20 milers. Maybe peak at 45 miles in terms of training, ideally a few times. Race a couple of half marathons. Maybe a few runs in the hillier parts of Cork city. Maybe a few speed sessions and a midweek long run.
Ideally the last couple of weeks of training would look like this:
Monday Recovery (3mls), Tuesday (7 miles with 5mile tempo), Wednesday (10 miles hilly), Thursday 5- 7 miles easy paced, Friday Rest, Saturday 20- 22 miles
Then in the actual marathon itself - finish and get under 4hrs 10 mins. Dreamtime sub 4 hours.
Currently I'm around 92 kgs. Ran 3 miles Monday, 6 miles Tuesday, 6 miles Wednesday hilly, Thursday 3.2 mile walk.
We will see how it goes. If it doesn't happen time to draw a line under it.
