Friday 24 December 2010

45....

...(3 x 15)
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I turned 45 today. Got the idea a few years ago from this guy. He turns 30 on 30th - today I wished I was as young as him. Had decided a month ago that I was going to do it but didn't know if I could pull it off (logistically and physically). I knew I wasn't going to do a continuous 45 as I was not in that sort of shape and being out for 6 to 7 straight hours on Christmas Eve was going to be a big ask.
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#1 - 0002hrs - 2:04:12 (8:17 pace) - Icy conditions particularly just after mile 6 where I had my one and only scary moment. No life except for taxis and a few lone walkers from the pub. Carried 1 gel but did not take it. In bed just after 3. Up at 0830hrs to no water (frozen service pipe) which delayed start of #2.
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#2 - 1100hrs - 2:07:55 (8:32 pace) - similar route to #1. Took 2 gels at 5 & 10. last 2 miles were drudgery as bonk set in. Arrived home ravenous to find food stocks depleted, Abina heading out to work and a shopping list on the table. Lay on the couch for an hour after shopping and eating all round me wondering how I was going to get through #3.
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#3 - 1630hrs - 2:06:50 (8:27 pace) - Decided to run on the snow covered grass of UCC Farm (2.3 mile loop) where I could feed from my goodie bag of coke and cereal bars after each loop. Surprised myself as I was expecting two and a half hours of hell - survived on coke alone and got my fastest (39 @ 7:41) and slowest (44 @ 9:17) miles of the day. Finished up in the dark. Legs not too bad and no issues - yet!
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Time for beer and rest - oh yeah!
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HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. Hope this post finds you in good spirits and health.
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11 comments:

  1. Holy cow, that's some birthday present to yourself, congratulations.

    You could have been easier on yourself an done 45km instead, but what you did was much more impressive.

    Happy Birthday! At least we don't have to compete for the age category prizes for a while.

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  2. Ture enough Thomas. I have a few years to train before taking you on again. I though about the 45k alright but decided that it was a poor plan B.

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  3. Crikey Grellan, that's a super impressive Thomasesque effort on the spur of the moment. Rest assured, I will not be trying to replicate or better your feat on my 47th on 29/12. Happy birthday and I hope you and yours get through this first Christmas without your Mum all the best

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  4. Pretty impressive (and pretty crazy). I was also thinking 45k would be plenty.
    You're a young 45! Certainly your legs are....

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  5. Crazy but cool idea, not so good for me as I turn 50 next year!
    Happy seasons greetings wishing good health and happy running times :]

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  6. P.S. My challenge is simply to break 2.45 at London!

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  7. Well done big fella!

    Happy B'day and Xmas and New Year to you!

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  8. Amazing! I'll be 36 couple weeks later but for sure won't dare to hit the number on my B-day (colder weather and much more snow in Astana, KAZ is sort of 'excuse' for me). You had to be a trully Desperado Runner to make this. I'll think about it. May be one day I will, keeping in mind your B-day on the run.
    Happy Holidays!!!

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  9. Awesome achivement, I think I will learn to ride a bike for my next milestone birthday. Happy New Year, see you in Bandon!!

    Denis

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  10. Nice one grellan. See you in 2011. Might try the 'short course' 3x13 myself ... I've got till end feb to train for it though!!! ;)

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  11. I wish I was as young as you! Belated birthday wishes Grellan. Yes, take that tip from Bob and switch to ks next year ;)

    All the best with your running in 2011.

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