Thursday, October 01, 2009

No Moon

If you’re reading this blog directly from its source rather than google reader or similar, you might have spotted that Moon gadget on the right hand side. This isn’t there due to my keen interest in astronomy (though there is some of that as well), but because it’s around this time of the year that I start taking notice of the moon phases again. From about 2 days before Full Moon to about 10 days later, cloud conditions permitting, I get a natural light source that means I don’t have to bring a head lamp on my runs, something I hate for some reason. Sadly, yesterday wasn’t in that window, and I was still used to not needing a light source after all those summer months.

It was almost completely dark when I left the house, but I know that the darkest bit is our driveway, and once I’m out on the road I can usually at least make out the side. Not this time. After stumbling all the way out to the road I took off, only to land in a bush within 3 steps. I didn’t get hurt, and since nobody else was around at 5:30 in the morning there was no need to get embarrassed either. I was being stupid and stubbornly decided to press on, which was quite a challenge for the next half mile. Eventually I was literally out of the woods and there was enough light to just about see where I was going. Since this first stretch had been done at about 11:00 pace I slightly pushed the effort for the rest of the workout because somewhere in the back of my mind there was this little voice telling me to make up time. This was my first run around Caragh Lake since Dingle, but after doing it 3 times a week during the summer it still felt very familiar. I passed the hills without problems, but started to feel a little bit weary after 12 or so miles. The rest of the run went ok, but I was glad to be home. There is something about running more than a half-marathon distance. It might just be a mental thing.

I took it much easier today, with only 5 miles to make sure I’m recovered from that run as well as the weekend excursions. I took it very easy, but the heart was a little high, not sure why. The legs felt fine.

I also played an hour of indoor soccer in the evening, something I haven’t done in ages. I used to play religiously two times a week, until running well and truly took over. But I do remember that there is something in my legs that running doesn’t seem to reach. Maybe the series of short sprints that are inherent to football will do some good, but I won’t be doing a lot of sessions before Dublin, that’s for sure. This is for fun, not training, and I didn't get hurt either.
30 Sep
15 miles, 1:56:51, 7:47 pace, HR 154
1 Oct
5 miles, 40:54, 8:11 pace, HR 141

3 comments:

  1. Dear Thomas, Falling into a bush does not really cut it in my book, when you knock yourself out on a low hanging branch or run staight into a lamp post and spilt your head open, then you can join the 'running plonkers club' so I'm sorry your just hard to try harder!

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  2. Cloud cover will always be a problem in Ireland, except when there is no moonlight. You must have really pushed the pace to get 7:47 avg after startng out at 11:00 pace.

    Now faling into a bush is certainly a running hazard I hadn't come across before - one to add to the list.

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  3. I did a similar thing earlier in the year, although I left too late in the afternoon and was returning on a trail in the dark - tripped over a rock and lost a fair bit of skin. Still have the scars, so maybe I qualify for Rick's 'running plonkers club'.

    The soccer would be useful for firing the fast twitch fibres - esp the quads. See how it goes. I'd prefer short 50m all-out sprints, but soccer sounds like fun.

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