It has to be the last thing you think of before you go to the bed at night and the first thing you think of in the morning....... WHAT!!!!!!!!
These were the sage words I received from Colm Daly (from now on known only as R.P... (Running Partner) Back in June as we attempted 3 x 1mile repeats.... I could only manage 2!!!
Every Tuesday we met up in Lees Road and discussed tactics, diet and training.... And of course ran those dreaded mile repeats..... And little by little we improved and got stronger.... All the time building up miles.... Long slow runs...10k tempo... intervals (mile repeats) recovery sessions and you know what.... After a while “it does” become the last thing you think of before you go to bed at night and the first thing you think of in the morning......
I borrowed some of Siobhain’s lipstick to write 2.57 in red on our bedroom mirror!!! That went down well?*!* I suggested writing down 3.57 on her side but felt it might distract me from “the goal”
Miles were added on 10k’s turning in to 10 miles very quickly.... 50... 60... 70 miles a week..... Here Eugene Moynihan comes into play... with a weekly dose of assisted stretching & psychology (your in great shape Frank)!!! Tender calf muscles & tight hamstrings worked on to allow this chef’s body last another week of training....
By now RP and myself were clocking up some serious miles... somedays doubts might creep into your head but a quick “positive” word from RP and they were truly banished.
Example: “Don’t know Colm if I’ll be ready for 6.49min pace?.... What do you think?
“Yea”... says Colm “ Your right go for 6.39” Welcome to my world...’TRAIN HARD ,WIN EASY’
Satuurdays were super and loved catching up with the rest of the Crusader Crew..Banter was mighty and with the added bonus of my brother Martin taking on his first Dublin marathon.... Excitement levels were growing week by week....
“Here we go.... Here we go... Here we go.... Dublin 2014
I only remember the good training sessions..... so when you’ve had a bad run just think back to a good run or training session and get in the zone for the next run!!!!!!
When you put it out there.... “the time” that is, you live by the sword or you can die on that very same blade.... But you HAVE to have a target a goal to keep from dribbling away in training or worse skipping runs.... Spoke to Fintan & John Conroy.... More positive words.... More tips and sound advice.
Dublin..... a little matter of the Munster Juvenile Cross Country took place on the Sunday before the Marathon.... “The Squad” ran awesome and we won Team Gold for the girls and Silver for the Boys... A lovely send off for the Marathon thanks “2005 Squad”
There is nowhere I’d rather be on Marathon morning than on the steps of Buswells..... Nervous energy couple with serious excitement.... Old friends reunited.... Last minute tips given and of course a few words of encouragement from Flan & Gordon and we were ready. A couple of photos and off en masse to the start..... Missed Paddy Flannery up there this year (always great for a hug and a warm smile).....
Early on you could feel the humidity in the air.... Warm start to the day.... Temperatures eventually raising to 18.c (for fecking October!!! Global warming my arse!!!! Now... this year... ffs) Tried to stay hydrated and focus mile after mile after mile 6:27... 6:22...6:29... slow down – 6:43...6:40...6:31...... easy Frank...Turned the half 3min in the bag.... Keep steady...I’ve ran a lot of marathons and the odd Ultra but never before have I seen so many runners pull up and start walking or just quit! Feck.... Am I going too fast?? Multiply miles left by time, divided by pace per mile??? Oh Jesus I’m going to do it in.... WTF!!!!!
Mile 23 ouch.... And here he comes.... Our friend PAIN!!! Okay lets do this.... Too much training to quit now.... No walking.... Keep going... Never give up.... Gave back a few minutes in the last 3 miles (had no choice) and eased myself in at 2:59.19 JOB DONE....WOOOOHOOOO
Quick change of clothes and back out on course to support the Crusaders Crew... One by one the beautiful orange shirts arrived some with wide bright smiles, some with heads bowed, some came supporting one another, Derek, Carmel, Siobhan, Cormac, Suzanne, Flan, Olive, Kay, Siobhain L & Barry, Pat and of course Martin (little bro) Landy in serious pain but unbroken on his way to a PB (not too many of us could say that this day). Well done all!
So whats left to say only... tough one!!! But we’ll be back.... Dublin 2015 is already looming on the horizon. A new team in place... Pádraig & Barry are two men that its very hard to say no to!!!!
I ran my first Marathon in 2008 after being inspired by a little girl called Katie Kelly and what the clinic did to help her on her journey. Her mum Mary often told me about all the help the small bungalow out in Barefield gave them both.... Hope was born and lives were changed.... Katie sadly passed away this year and I know that she helped me throughout this marathon journey. Often when I was wrecked from training I’d think back to my first marathon and Katie and I knew I could do it.....
R.I.P Katie Kelly (Clare Crusader)...
Chef Frank Landy
“Sub 3hour Marathoner”
These were the sage words I received from Colm Daly (from now on known only as R.P... (Running Partner) Back in June as we attempted 3 x 1mile repeats.... I could only manage 2!!!
Every Tuesday we met up in Lees Road and discussed tactics, diet and training.... And of course ran those dreaded mile repeats..... And little by little we improved and got stronger.... All the time building up miles.... Long slow runs...10k tempo... intervals (mile repeats) recovery sessions and you know what.... After a while “it does” become the last thing you think of before you go to bed at night and the first thing you think of in the morning......
I borrowed some of Siobhain’s lipstick to write 2.57 in red on our bedroom mirror!!! That went down well?*!* I suggested writing down 3.57 on her side but felt it might distract me from “the goal”
Miles were added on 10k’s turning in to 10 miles very quickly.... 50... 60... 70 miles a week..... Here Eugene Moynihan comes into play... with a weekly dose of assisted stretching & psychology (your in great shape Frank)!!! Tender calf muscles & tight hamstrings worked on to allow this chef’s body last another week of training....
By now RP and myself were clocking up some serious miles... somedays doubts might creep into your head but a quick “positive” word from RP and they were truly banished.
Example: “Don’t know Colm if I’ll be ready for 6.49min pace?.... What do you think?
“Yea”... says Colm “ Your right go for 6.39” Welcome to my world...’TRAIN HARD ,WIN EASY’
Satuurdays were super and loved catching up with the rest of the Crusader Crew..Banter was mighty and with the added bonus of my brother Martin taking on his first Dublin marathon.... Excitement levels were growing week by week....
“Here we go.... Here we go... Here we go.... Dublin 2014
I only remember the good training sessions..... so when you’ve had a bad run just think back to a good run or training session and get in the zone for the next run!!!!!!
When you put it out there.... “the time” that is, you live by the sword or you can die on that very same blade.... But you HAVE to have a target a goal to keep from dribbling away in training or worse skipping runs.... Spoke to Fintan & John Conroy.... More positive words.... More tips and sound advice.
Dublin..... a little matter of the Munster Juvenile Cross Country took place on the Sunday before the Marathon.... “The Squad” ran awesome and we won Team Gold for the girls and Silver for the Boys... A lovely send off for the Marathon thanks “2005 Squad”
There is nowhere I’d rather be on Marathon morning than on the steps of Buswells..... Nervous energy couple with serious excitement.... Old friends reunited.... Last minute tips given and of course a few words of encouragement from Flan & Gordon and we were ready. A couple of photos and off en masse to the start..... Missed Paddy Flannery up there this year (always great for a hug and a warm smile).....
Early on you could feel the humidity in the air.... Warm start to the day.... Temperatures eventually raising to 18.c (for fecking October!!! Global warming my arse!!!! Now... this year... ffs) Tried to stay hydrated and focus mile after mile after mile 6:27... 6:22...6:29... slow down – 6:43...6:40...6:31...... easy Frank...Turned the half 3min in the bag.... Keep steady...I’ve ran a lot of marathons and the odd Ultra but never before have I seen so many runners pull up and start walking or just quit! Feck.... Am I going too fast?? Multiply miles left by time, divided by pace per mile??? Oh Jesus I’m going to do it in.... WTF!!!!!
Mile 23 ouch.... And here he comes.... Our friend PAIN!!! Okay lets do this.... Too much training to quit now.... No walking.... Keep going... Never give up.... Gave back a few minutes in the last 3 miles (had no choice) and eased myself in at 2:59.19 JOB DONE....WOOOOHOOOO
Quick change of clothes and back out on course to support the Crusaders Crew... One by one the beautiful orange shirts arrived some with wide bright smiles, some with heads bowed, some came supporting one another, Derek, Carmel, Siobhan, Cormac, Suzanne, Flan, Olive, Kay, Siobhain L & Barry, Pat and of course Martin (little bro) Landy in serious pain but unbroken on his way to a PB (not too many of us could say that this day). Well done all!
So whats left to say only... tough one!!! But we’ll be back.... Dublin 2015 is already looming on the horizon. A new team in place... Pádraig & Barry are two men that its very hard to say no to!!!!
I ran my first Marathon in 2008 after being inspired by a little girl called Katie Kelly and what the clinic did to help her on her journey. Her mum Mary often told me about all the help the small bungalow out in Barefield gave them both.... Hope was born and lives were changed.... Katie sadly passed away this year and I know that she helped me throughout this marathon journey. Often when I was wrecked from training I’d think back to my first marathon and Katie and I knew I could do it.....
R.I.P Katie Kelly (Clare Crusader)...
Chef Frank Landy
“Sub 3hour Marathoner”