Once I got back home, even though I had a decent snack at lunch the weather looked just perfect. I ran 30 mins plus yesterday - how would my feet hold out today? Would it be too much. I stretched real good before and gave it a shot. Oh man - what a joy - This is the route I took - it may be tough to follow - however, I went from the apartment complex (point A) and headed across and down into Druid's Valley, and up onto the bike lane on the highway which led to Cabinteely traffic lights. I took a left here and then a right and up about 300 yards to enter the park on the left (14:50 approx) - I did the outer loop of the park - keeping as far to the outer perimeter as possible discovering new trails! And then when I got back to the gate (25:00 or so) I did the inner loop as shown to exit the gate, and back to point M at (45:00 approx) - and I did the Druid's Valley loop up by the back of my brother Brian's house to finish back at the apartments (point Q) just shy of 54:00 minutes.Martin Nolan (I mentioned him before hand) prayed for my leg the other night. When he did I was surprised - Joe Kerrigan my good friend said that is rare for Martin to do that. Yet I felt it was something led of God's Spirit and what was more amazing - he prayed a prayer in a manner of something that I was telling him I read recently. I read in Romans 5 about how if by Christs death we were brought into a good relationship finally with God - all was now forgiven and we were reconciled - even though we were originally at odds - even though we in a real sense were enemies of God. If his death brought reconciliation then how much more will his risen life bring to our lives now and for eternity?! Paul in Romans really brings this out. I was telling Martin how I believe we can 'apply the life of Christ' to our current situations. Anyway, just before I left Martin asked if he could pray for my leg and everything, and in his prayer he pretty much referred to applying the life of Christ to my leg and foot and for it's complete healing. I had a sense this was from God. So running today was fabulous to not have any pain - for no Achilles tendon inssues and even just as amazing no shin splint issues. Will this continue - I don't know but for now I am drinking in the blessing of being able to run.
On the last stretch back - between points L and M - I had been running about 40 mins - oddly I often get a surge of energy. I did again and sped up the pace considerably. This feels superb - and amazing. There is a strong inner urge to push one's self - to push the limits and get the lungs burning. Yet after about half way I backed off - primarily because I know I'm not a spring chicken - and I can be over eager and can injure myself. However, on the loop of Druid's Valley, on the last section up the hill back to the apartments I kept up a nice steady pace that really worked me nicely. Fabulous run today! Real delight.
Yesterday, just before I went out for a run up the leadmines, Brian from Denmark called for my dad. I got talking to him and it turns out that he has done tons of marathons with a PR of 2:28:00 - unbelievable time! Anything under 3 hours for 26.2 miles is phenomenal. I asked him for one key pointer he'd give in training. He encouraged me to check out advice given by Peter Greiff. He basically said to do one long run a week - not at your marathon pace - but at the time you'd hope. So if you want a 3:30:00 then run for 3 hours 30 min. During the rest of the week do speed training, fahrtelech, interval training, strength training. etc. He advised against doing too many marathons distances in preparations - he said our bodies really aren't built for that and it takes away from your performance on the day. Interesting advice!
No comments:
Post a Comment