Paul’s Blog It’s safe to say that time really is flying by at breakneck speed. I just can’t believe it’s practically Christmas already. Training is going well. Basically, I’m keeping the head down as ever.
I really think that this time of the year is one of the most boring to try to write about because everyday is almost the exact same as the day before. It’s all about routine.
This winter has almost been even more about routine, as I’m back in Ireland now. I haven’t travelled out of Dublin all that much really. I think that was really highlighted for me last night when I saw a plane coming in over Malahide and realised I hadn’t been in the air since I came back from my holiday in October. Two full months without a flight…must be my longest gap in 5 or 6 years! Sometimes that sort of strict routine can make time pass slowly. Not this winter though! It only feels like yesterday that I went back training but when I look at my training diary I realise how much work I have put in.
And I haven’t missed a session…except for the last two days that is! Yes, unfortunately I’ve succumbed to a winter cold, which, though it seemed innocuous at first, has knocked me a bit for six. It feels weird to miss a bit of training but I think it has also made me reflect on how few problems I’ve had in the last couple of months, allowing me to train fully. The only thing I guess is this niggly Achilles, but even that has been pretty good compared with recent years. I’ve now gotten an even better feel for the training group and the experience has been all positive. It’s still hard to know realistically exactly how well everyone is going. It’s a bit different to Stuart’s training in that everything is not timed. In fact, most weeks I only do one session (Tuesday tempo) that is timed in this sort of sense, though I also time Friday’s conditioning session to get a feel for how fast I’m going. However, I might just get a good idea this Thursday, as long as I can shake this bloody cold! I’m doing a testing session with the Irish Institute of Sport using some equipment they have gotten their hands on. It should tell me stuff like ground contact time, stride length, frequency, and a lot else. To be honest, the first set of data is not going to be worth anything in it’s own right, but the idea is get a few sessions in to establish norms and see where I am going. Should be a welcome distraction from the normal slog!
I’m heading home to Galway on Friday for Christmas. Looking forward to getting back and seeing the family for a longer period than normal. And of course getting to indulge with slightly less guilt…Christmas Day, at least, is a free for all! I reckon it’s important to have something to look forward to. You’re less likely to stray for the rest of the time otherwise. When Ciara is up at the weekends, I make sure that we get to eat out once. I’m a big fan of quality food, and Malahide (as well as nearby Howth) never fails to disappoint in that regard. Really am enjoying living here…there’s a good buzz about the place but it’s still nice and quiet. I must have something in common with the posh northsiders…coming from ‘right’ side of the Shannon I never thought I’d say that! Maybe it’s because it’s so far from the city centre. Anyway, despite all that, I’m still a Galwayman true and true, and there’s nothing to beat Christmas at home. Even if it means training becomes a pain in the backside for a few days! It’s at times like then that I realise how important the Morton Stadium in Santry really is for sprint and technical events. Without that facility, it’s safe to say that I would never have come home in the first place.
Then, on New Years’s Eve I head to South Africa. People who know me, and have spoken to me in the last couple of months, will have heard me rabbiting on about how much I love it there. Our holiday there this year was such an amazing experience. Anyway, ever since I came back I’ve been working at getting there again for a training trip. I went to Stellenbosch in 2008, and I really believed at the time that it was one of the best training destinations for a longer camp I had ever been in. It’s been my little project, and I have done most of the research and organising. Gradually, various members of the group have said they will go. Now we are up to 6 athletes, coach John, plus Ciaran, my therapist. Having John there is obviously a prerequisite, and the fact that he could make it for 2 weeks meant the trip was a runner. Getting Ciaran there will be a massive bonus, and I’m hoping the regular work I get from him will keep me fit, healthy and mobile. The whole trip is costing me a serious amount of cash, but that’s where I’ve got to thank my sponsors Cadbury, Aspen and Adidas, as well as the ISC and AAI. I’m a bit of a part pooper heading away on New Year’s Eve but, to be honest, the reason it’s that day is because a new phase starts on the 2rd of January. By arriving on the 1st, we get our whole phase in over there with the minimum disruption to training. Back home after, and on to some low-key indoor races. Can’t wait! Happy Christmas to Everyone!
This winter has almost been even more about routine, as I’m back in Ireland now. I haven’t travelled out of Dublin all that much really. I think that was really highlighted for me last night when I saw a plane coming in over Malahide and realised I hadn’t been in the air since I came back from my holiday in October. Two full months without a flight…must be my longest gap in 5 or 6 years! Sometimes that sort of strict routine can make time pass slowly. Not this winter though! It only feels like yesterday that I went back training but when I look at my training diary I realise how much work I have put in.
And I haven’t missed a session…except for the last two days that is! Yes, unfortunately I’ve succumbed to a winter cold, which, though it seemed innocuous at first, has knocked me a bit for six. It feels weird to miss a bit of training but I think it has also made me reflect on how few problems I’ve had in the last couple of months, allowing me to train fully. The only thing I guess is this niggly Achilles, but even that has been pretty good compared with recent years. I’ve now gotten an even better feel for the training group and the experience has been all positive. It’s still hard to know realistically exactly how well everyone is going. It’s a bit different to Stuart’s training in that everything is not timed. In fact, most weeks I only do one session (Tuesday tempo) that is timed in this sort of sense, though I also time Friday’s conditioning session to get a feel for how fast I’m going. However, I might just get a good idea this Thursday, as long as I can shake this bloody cold! I’m doing a testing session with the Irish Institute of Sport using some equipment they have gotten their hands on. It should tell me stuff like ground contact time, stride length, frequency, and a lot else. To be honest, the first set of data is not going to be worth anything in it’s own right, but the idea is get a few sessions in to establish norms and see where I am going. Should be a welcome distraction from the normal slog!
I’m heading home to Galway on Friday for Christmas. Looking forward to getting back and seeing the family for a longer period than normal. And of course getting to indulge with slightly less guilt…Christmas Day, at least, is a free for all! I reckon it’s important to have something to look forward to. You’re less likely to stray for the rest of the time otherwise. When Ciara is up at the weekends, I make sure that we get to eat out once. I’m a big fan of quality food, and Malahide (as well as nearby Howth) never fails to disappoint in that regard. Really am enjoying living here…there’s a good buzz about the place but it’s still nice and quiet. I must have something in common with the posh northsiders…coming from ‘right’ side of the Shannon I never thought I’d say that! Maybe it’s because it’s so far from the city centre. Anyway, despite all that, I’m still a Galwayman true and true, and there’s nothing to beat Christmas at home. Even if it means training becomes a pain in the backside for a few days! It’s at times like then that I realise how important the Morton Stadium in Santry really is for sprint and technical events. Without that facility, it’s safe to say that I would never have come home in the first place.
Then, on New Years’s Eve I head to South Africa. People who know me, and have spoken to me in the last couple of months, will have heard me rabbiting on about how much I love it there. Our holiday there this year was such an amazing experience. Anyway, ever since I came back I’ve been working at getting there again for a training trip. I went to Stellenbosch in 2008, and I really believed at the time that it was one of the best training destinations for a longer camp I had ever been in. It’s been my little project, and I have done most of the research and organising. Gradually, various members of the group have said they will go. Now we are up to 6 athletes, coach John, plus Ciaran, my therapist. Having John there is obviously a prerequisite, and the fact that he could make it for 2 weeks meant the trip was a runner. Getting Ciaran there will be a massive bonus, and I’m hoping the regular work I get from him will keep me fit, healthy and mobile. The whole trip is costing me a serious amount of cash, but that’s where I’ve got to thank my sponsors Cadbury, Aspen and Adidas, as well as the ISC and AAI. I’m a bit of a part pooper heading away on New Year’s Eve but, to be honest, the reason it’s that day is because a new phase starts on the 2rd of January. By arriving on the 1st, we get our whole phase in over there with the minimum disruption to training. Back home after, and on to some low-key indoor races. Can’t wait! Happy Christmas to Everyone!
