Everyday im shuffling

I have been very lazy with the blog and the month of March has passed with mixed feelings.
I have been on an upward curve with my running since I started back and finally hit a brick wall.
It started with the flu and decided to race,the race went ok and ran 16.04 for 5k on the road so I didn't think
the dose of flu was that bad.Three days later I cut a session of 5 x 1mile short as I felt rotten and was getting slower on each rep.

A trip to the doctor and he said I was over a virus and to take another couple of days off.
That evening I fainted early int he morning and banged my head hard so another 2 days off.
So today was my first run in over a week and managed 90minutes and has given me back the confidence.

This coming week I will be working in our Galway store and looking forward to a fresh place to train.

Moving on and up.........

Well it's been over two months since I updated this log and we all know why runners don't update their blog (INJURY)
I had a problem with my knee soon after I ran the Clonliffe 5k.The race went well and was just outside 16 minutes but the following day I knew something wasn't right.
I was struggling to walk never mind running and after some treatment I realised I had damaged the meniscus.
I was given a two week programme to follow which was to run every second day and build up my runs from 6minutes to 45 minutes by week two.

Long story short it worked and I decided to run an I.M.R.A race last week.Plan was to run it steady but not to risk anything on the downhill.The race was very enjoyable and I was a distant third place but well clear of 4th place so could enjoy the scenery for a change.Coming into the finish no sign of the two leaders and I was told I was first across the line.The lads had taken a wrong turn and I was winner by default.Well I have been known for going wrong myself a few times so maybe lady luck was shining on me :)

This week was some easy running with a couple of double runs as I have more free time right now.
I ran the Urban trail series in Marlay Park,a race which is sponsored by AK.The race had nearly 500 people in the 8.8k race and 200 in the 4.4k race.I won the race which was nice and got some lovely pottery and I donated my AK voucher to a lucky runner.
The race was my sisters first venture into a race,she has started a couch 2 5k run programme 9 weeks ago and was delighted with her run.Have to say she looked fresh as a daisy coming into the finish.

So what is next for Kevin English ???

Well I am starting a running group from the Phoenix park three times per week.
the target will be the Great Ireland run on the 14th April so if people would like more info email
me at      kevinenglish1@yahoo.ie

Tipping away

Since the 10mile race things have gone to plan.I have managed two sessions per week and every week
I have noticed the times are getting a little quicker which is great for the confidence.
Last Sunday I ran my first cross country race in nearly 5 years.The race was 5k and the surface was great,I went out a little hard and paid the price on the second lap but managed to recover and finished up in second place.Our manager in Bray Gary was also running and finished 4th place,maybe next time we will get a full team out.

I also purchased a running buggy a couple weeks ago and it's very handy for days where my wife Elaine is working and I can take it to the phoenix park for a spin.

So I have signed up for the Clonliffe 5k this coming Sunday and hope to run as close to or under 16minutes.
This is silly season now regarding work parties and club parties so head down ad keep the legs moving.

Stook 10mile race

Hit the road early with Gary in the van for the 10mile race organised by Gowran ac.The weather looked perfect and we found our way to the race without any wrong turns for a change.
We unloaded the van and set up the shop with a short 1mile warmup and a few strides.
I was in a really good frame of mind before the race even though most people said the course was full of hills.
A friend of mine David Mc Carthy who is one of the favourites for next weeks National Intercounty cross country was
out with his training partner Philip Harty and was planning on running 6minute miles which suited me so I asked if he would run around/pace me :)
Philip would be Gary's biggest rival today and both very good runners on the hills with Gary having the slight advantage on the downhills and with the final 2miles this proved to be decisive as Gary won in 51.59 around 30+ seconds ahead.

The start of the race was strange for me as I was holding myself back and sticking to my 6minute mile plan.
Back in about 14th place after mile1 I was chatting away to Dave and as we passed each mile we started to pick of some runners that went out a little too fast.
After 5miles of running I was running 6minute miles handy enough but was preparing forthe real hills at 5.5miles.
The next mile was the slowest of the race in 6.15/20 and as we passed the next runner on a climb I got excited and my legs where abit like jelly near the top,at this point Dave slowed to wait for me(thanks Dave)

Mile 7 I was back rolling and suddenly at mile 8 I saw this huge downhill and let the legs stride out.We passed another runner and I now found myself well inside the top10.
My last 2miles I ran 9.20/30 and finished(8th place) strongly with this race giving me the appetite to train harder/smarter and look forward to 2013.

Well done  to Simon and Gowran ac on a fantastic race.

Berlin marathon awaits me.............

Never a good sign when a blog hasn't been updated in over five weeks.Trying to go back and remember things when I should be logging my training in a diary.
Since the last time I posted I ran a marathon in 2.55 and blew up badly in the last 5-6 miles.I have signed up for Berlin marathon next September and with the right training can have a good crack at a 2.3x marathon.

This week has gone well with a good session Tuesday of 8 x 1k repeats and one long run of 95minutes.The rest are my usual 4mile commute to work.

This weekend we are one of the sponsors of the Stook 10mile road race in Kilkenny.I plan on running 6minute miles with the last 2-3 a little quicker.

the boys are flying...........

I had a great weeks training last week with no injuries.

For most of the week I ran 40-60 minutes running.On Friday I decided to run  a long one considering I was going to have a long day working at the Athlone 3/4 which AK are sponsors.

Sunday at the last minute i decided to help Barry out and do the pacing for 3hour marathon pace.

I ran nice and controlled at 7.05-710 pace and at 15miles most where starting to suffer on the hills.

Finished up in 2.16 and body feels great.

A couple of easy recovery days ahead and then time to put a proper training schedule in place.

Well done to team AK who won the Hell & back race for a third year in a row.I had to give it a miss this year as i couldn't risk an injury again.

Well done to our sponsored athletes the weekend.Jt was 5th in the Tallaght 5miler and Goh was 2nd in the Athone 3/4 marathon.

Perfect shoes !!!

The last few weeks I have managed some consistant training.Most runs are 30mins and have along run Sunday 70mins.
Decided to give Hell & Back race a miss this year and instead will head down to the Athlone three quarter marathon
which Amphibian King will be doing a shop at.

 I love this time of the year seeing so many people out testing their bodies with punishing long runs.
Good luck to everyone training for the marathon.

I have gone back tothe Mizuno riders for training and love them.The last model I feel out of love with Mizuno but very happy now with the Rider 15's.

The new year myself and my mate Gary O Hanlon will be starting up a training group and plans for people
interested in 5k-marathon programmes.
If anyone is interested they can mail me at kevinenglish1@yahoo.ie