Soaring with the Eagles

Took delivery of one of these on Thursday morning so I just had to try it out on a recovery run Thursday evening. I won't post up any of the graphs and charts firstly because I don't know how and secondly I am still trying to figure it all out (thirdly I think they are of little interest). I think the elevation function is a bit out as Friday mornings run suggested I fell off a 180' cliff on leaving the house (well a -51% grade is a cliff to me) only to return and find my house at the bottom of said cliff (glad I didn't have to climb it as my legs were shattered - result of a tiring week finally catching up with me).

.

My legs were somewhat recovered on Saturday morning for my base pace run. There were (and still are) a few aches in my glutes but nothing to worry about. As my base pace range is now largely below 8 minute miles (07:17 to 08:06) I decided to run towards the lower end of the range to separate it from my recovery run pace. I played it by ear on the distance setting out on an 11.5 mile loop but took a diversion in the regional park on the way home finally finishing up with 13.2 miles under the belt (07:28 pace). I was hoping it wouldn't impact on the 20 mile long run I had scheduled for this morning.

.

Woke to the alarm on my phone this morning at 06:30 as Pat (next door) and I had scheduled to meet with a couple of seasoned runners from Eagle AC at UCC Farm at 7:00 to go on a 20 miler. We met up with Joe and Pat shortly after 7 (the rest of the crew were heading up to Kilnaboy in County Clare for the fourth and final of the Munster Series 10 Mile Road Races). We headed South West out of Cork on the Bandon Road taking in a hilly loop which brought us back into Togher by mile 8 - these hills were certainly steeper than the ones i'm used to - great training for the hilly Half Marathon Bay Run next month. Joe and Pat appeared to amble along taking it all in their stride (I want some of this hill endurance). Our last serious hill up towards the airport was the steepest of all (with the grade showing 20% in spots) and was certainly tough. However we recovered well on the downhills and joined the City Marathon course for about 6.5 miles through Ballypheane, the Lough, Glasheen, Wilton, Model Farm Road and Straight Road. We picked up the pace along this section getting under 08:00 and down to 07:30 for the later miles. I still felt reasonably strong as we made our way back to the UCC farm by mile 18.8. We covered a large lap of the football pitches at the farm coming in at 21.05 miles in 02:48:22 (08:00 pace on the button). The last few miles around the pitches were tiring but altogether the run was very enjoyable and a very positive training experience. I will certainly return.

.

Have a good week.

.

Thur 10th Apr

4.15 Miles in 33:06 (07:58 pace @ 129 HR)

.

Fri 11th Apr

8.6 Miles in 01:08:20 (07:58 pace @ 130 HR) - Dead Legs

.

Sat 12th Apr

13.2 Miles in 01:38:38 (07:28 pace @ 136 HR)

.

Sun 13th Apr

21.05 Miles in 02:48:22 (08:00 pace @ 131 HR) - Hilly at Start

.

.

Marathon Training Week 17/24 - 82.8 Miles. (Didn't know it was that high)