Dublin 10 mile road race

For me to call this (or any organised run I'm involved in) a race is a misnomer - i'm definitely on the jogger end of the spectrum.

I decided i needed motivation to get out and run, so 3 weeks ago i signed up for the 10 miler portion of the Dublin Race Series.

It still took another week to get out and run - so a few 5ks, 5 milers and two 7.5 milers i lined up (at the back of the pack naturally) in the Phoenix Park at 10a.m. this morning.

After a lot of bad rain during the week there was a window of grey but dry weather while we actually ran.

It was interesting to run this with no level of anticipation, no attempt for a PB, no sense of anything but forcing myself to get out and run.   What was interesting was being an observer of the camaraderie all around; that sense of excitement for first timers.

The run took me 1hr39min39secs (still waiting for the chip time, gun time was circa 1hr45, but had garmin on, chip time doesn't seem to have registered).

The run was as well organised as usual, however when the slower runners were finishing there was a lot of congestion on the final bit of road; it was very inconsiderate of people to be crossing in front of runners (a couple of women even stopped for for a chat , causing a female runner to nearly crash into them).

The half marathon is on in a few weeks, and i reckon i might give it a whirl, its a pity i dont have the miles in my legs for the Dublin marathon, but who knows, maybe one in November or December....Clonakilty looks nice.

Am I doing the marathon or not?

Not...it seems....

I just can't motivate myself to get out.

The biggest drawback at the moment is the sheer level of exhaustion i'm feeling with D.  Since we got the pump we've been upping the night-time checks.

If you ever want to demotivate yourself (or convince yourself that you are on the edge of a heart attack) lace some sleep deprivation with lashings of caffine and you'll get that never to be missed can't run another step without keeling over feeling.

Not only that, but for your added enjoyment, sleep deprivation comes with the added benefit of wanting to eat all around and do no exercise whatsoever.

M & I are alternating the nightime checks every couple of days.   Checks are at 12a.m., 3a.m. (or 2a.m. depending on the reading) and 6a.m. with one of us watching till 3, and the other taking over for 6..    Although when i'm on checks i prefer to stay awake until 3, as i dont trust myself to wake up on the alarm.  Therefore, this morning started at 6a.m., its now 1:30am, and i'll get to bed at approx 3:30....(having said all that, the pump benefits far outweigh this one disadvantage).

In order to get myself moving i signed up last night for the dublin 10 mile race on 25th August.   I didnt go out today, but there is nothing like spent money to motivate a cheapskate, so here's hoping this week will be better (there is no way i could get thru 10 miles without prepping myself somewhat over the next fortnight).....

So marathon or not?  Let's see.....