That’s it last - longish run for awhile SwissAlps100 in 3 weeks and 5 weeks after the 80k EcoTrail Mostly just maintenance and sharpening now I can not believe the difference in mood and desire to run with the increased energy This was a super effortless and enjoyable run #running #runsky

Twas a long weekend A lot of work on the house, a bit of down week free running, and now I get to enjoy a Guinness Zero on another glorious Irish evening in one of the nicest summers in the 29 years I have lived here Sláinte

All in

All hands on deck BIL and FIL helping lift and install last windows Wife and MIL assisting with positioning This one is 140kg and absolute muther fucker to move and get installed All in now - win! Only have large offset door in Center below to build and install For another day

Long runs decreasing in length, only one more set Weekly miles under 50, next week 40 etc Energy coming back, was a too-hard training block last months I think With the energy also my mood improving This run was so enjoyable Still think I need a coach or a therapist 🤣 #running #runsky

Hit a wall this week On my 6hr long run body said no Not sure if dodgy sambo, gels or over training but I ran out of my stash of tp in the first 14 mi lap Not going to move the needle at this stage with a hero run so fuck it Just going to sharpen and go with it Putting in last big windows

First long run of final peak week done. On way out door today Wife: when you back from your run Me: in about 3 hours Wife: oh - I thought you had a long run? ROFL!!! She’s super excited about crewing this race, the aid stations are in amazing places in the alps #running #runsky

Its getting real now Next week is the biggest back to back long run and a 75mi/wk before it finally starts winding down miles and shifting to sharpen mode before taper 5 weeks till show time ugh what have i gotten myself into #running #runsky

Im knackered from my 25mi run last night but have loads of remodel work have to get done after work to prep for contractor coming Days like this it helps to step back. This irish oak tree is 80 yrs old and that tree house tucked in I built for my girls 8 yrs ago. All are flourishing, all is good

Last large window We have been neck deep in this project for 3 1/2 years. Including me grinding out 12hr days 7 days a wk for 4 mths to get us in But strangely it all feels worth it when some random yoke we hire for a job I can’t do says “holy shit, fair play lad this is going to be amazing”

The back to back long runs are a killer - whew I think they are as great a training tool as the incline treadmill work You get that same “back half” of an ultra feeling with less injury risk Was hard going after the 16mi from yesterday but around 18 miles in got a second wind #running #runsky

One day when I’m a big boy and all growed up I’ll run hill repeats on this little gem - 18% 3min hill But for now it’s just a sweaty hike on my local Lovely little easy 9 before a really hard day of hill repeat doubles tomorrow #running #runsky

Me and this little fucker at it again Around 10 miles into long run got a knot inside of calf out of nowhere Calf got tight and couldn’t stretch it out Long way from home and managed to keep running mostly next 4 miles and walked last mile Hopefully can roll it out today #running #runsky

There are times when you are looking forward to a run and times when you aren’t This is one of the latter Have a 5.5hr long hilly run scheduled Only way forward is through Lace up and go #running #runsky

Happy #fathersday to all the Bluesky dads I’ll spend today in the workshop trying to figure out how to cleanly rip a couple of 4m lengths of wood with only 3.4m of space behind the saw A short run and then another bbq with the fam Perfect day

An absolute cracker of a day in Wicklow Another day in the workshop and another window finished, stained and ready for install Saved monster for last, 4.1m x 2.6m in 3 panes, start tomorrow But today we BBQ - some gorgeous steaks & burgers from local butcher Girls even sticking around for eats

Just not feeling it for my long run. 5hr scheduled, have to listen to my body. Think the running in the heat over the weekend zapped me a bit Eldest finished her leaving cert today as well Oh the drama Irish folks - amirite? So escape into the workshop gluing up the last crazy large window

Ireland is probably one of the most run friendly countries in the world - never too hot or too cold But not great for heat training Got my ass kicked first day in Toledo but body adapted a bit on day 2. 42c air temp over surface Hr > 10 bpm over normal h2o > 1l / hr ouch #running #runsky

Long and enjoyable head clearing run Last year this route used to wreck my legs and had to be careful running it once a week or every other week Uphill and descent training is working as today I did three loops of the climb and feel fresh still Woohoo!!! #running #runsky

Youngest living her best life riding through a local farmers field with the Sugarloaf Mtn in the background Ahh summer with no job - those were the days And yes I take full credit for her music choice - I raised her right

Best way in Ireland to make it rain is to have the gall to plan a BBQ Local farmers should pay me for the rain Front of the house is a full on construction site with the window install ongoing So moved under the new deck and used my saw stand to hold the shish kabobs while the grill heats up

Ok so I won’t lie It sucked and was also enjoyable in a weird way Strange to train with so much specificity Training heavily for non runnable segments of a race Never trained like this It’s more neuro-muscular than cardio And responds way faster Gonna kill these climbs #running #runsky

Gearing up for the climbs of the SwissAlps 100. The first climb 5.6mi @15% - 4,500’ The last monster is 3.73mi @ 18% - 3,500’ And lots of climbs between So now found these tips that let me take my two least favourite things and combine them Incline dreadmill with poles #running #runsky

I go through a relationship arc every long run with these damn poles Hour 1: who let these into my life Hour 2: ok you have some redeeming qualities Hour 4: I will never let anything come between us hour 20 of the race I’ll be apologizing to them for everything mean I ever said #running #runsky

Another large window milled Off on my run now, will cut rabbits and tenons for glue up tomorrow Another late night in workshop Only half day in shop tomorrow since youngest taking her c+ riding exam She wants to instruct so has her B next year and then she will be old enough and skilled enough

Stacking miles 65mi and stacking vert - 12k’ Legs feeling solid, no issues - I can’t believe it Just have to consistently and carefully keep building to 75mi and vert to 15k over next 8wks Feeling like this race has finally entered the possible #running #runsky

“Endurance sport is mental training. You are alone in your head for long periods of time with increasing levels of discomfort You have a goal your mind is screaming to abandon. You repeat this day after day and have no option but to figure it out” substack.com/@stevemagnes... #running #runsky

This bloody horse Ribs still really sore dammit Run today was brutal. Brought my poles and really glad I did Durability training for next 2 months leading to race Lots of long back to back days like this #running #runsky

This is the top half of the Strava segment appropriately named “The slow slog of Sisyphus” 17.5% for 1/2mi and the closest to the Swiss Alps climbs in my area The whole 3mi climb averages 11% and then down around the backside First blows out glutes then shreds knees and quads #running #runsky

Daughters horse spooked this morning and bashed me into the ground Wife noticed I was stiff asked if I still planned a long run Then she said “can we talk” “Your running is starting to affect family life. Can you shift your long runs to mon/tues?” Yes, yes I can Family first #running #runsky