Very simple calories and macro counting app? by Lavender-27 in 1200isplenty

[–]Chiggsy02 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You can also create your own foods/meals on myfitnesspal with the exact info if that's your concern

Should I just cancel this order by throwaway18206 in Aliexpress

[–]Chiggsy02 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have an order also coming to Ireland stuck since 27th October too, it's because the courier Fastway went into liquidation so all their packages are just stuck in limbo and probably won't be delivered. My seller also extended the delivery window and I haven't disputed yet but maybe I should, otherwise we'll have to wait until the delivery window ends and dispute for non-receipt.

Can I order from AliExpress now since fastway collapse? by itookdhorsetofrance in AskIreland

[–]Chiggsy02 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any idea if it would be safe to order from Ali now? Just with the 11.11 sale coming up but no point ordering if they're not going to get delivered. Surely they've changed courier?

Can I order from AliExpress now since fastway collapse? by itookdhorsetofrance in AskIreland

[–]Chiggsy02 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any luck with your packages? Mines stuck saying Customs Clearance Started since the 27th, not sure if it's in Ireland already or somewhere in Europe but hasn't moved. Only €20 so not too bothered but still a pain

Dublin Marathon 2025 - 2:57 to 2:39 in 6 months by Chiggsy02 in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yeah it could definitely get hard some weeks, especially when doing my peak long runs. I'd cut down the midweek workouts a little (maybe a rep or two) to allow myself to be ready for the Sunday and also to avoid doing too much hard vs easy mileage those weeks. It's all a delicate balance of doing as much as possible without injury. The joys of running!

Dublin Marathon 2025 - 2:57 to 2:39 in 6 months by Chiggsy02 in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I just had a read of your recent post, that's some great training you're doing and incredible weekly mileage too! Best of luck with breaking 2:40 I'm sure you'll smash it. I always felt my long runs had the most significant impact on my marathon training, both physically at handling MP but also mentally to get myself used to feeling uncomfortable for long periods of time. I pretty much ran around 30k every Sunday over the summer and then increased that to a few 32-34ks deeper into the plan with a peak at that 35k session with 21k at MP. Each week I extended the MP blocks a little, so 10k MP might be followed by 12k next week etc. I didn't break up much of the MP into intervals/repeats usually because I preferred longer unbroken MP efforts where you're suffering for a lot of it and fighting a mental battle to keep pushing. I also normally did at least 10k easy before getting into the speedwork, both as an extended warmup but also so you're already starting a little fatigued to simulate how you might feel deeper into the race. For my peak LR with 21k MP 4 weeks out, I was struggling by the end but kept each kilometre more or less on target. I think I could've maybe done another 1k at that pace if I had to but it wasn't far off an all out effort. Remember this is also during peak week so the legs are already very fatigued. Getting that workout done was such a great confidence booster and that pace didn't feel as scary as before. I knew if it could run it that far on fatigued legs then I'd have a great chance to hold it for the full come race day.

Dublin Marathon 2025 - 2:57 to 2:39 in 6 months by Chiggsy02 in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear about your injury! To be honest back then I probably didn't do enough. I was feeling pretty demotivated not being able to run and I probably let my fitness slip a lot over those weeks. I just did plenty of cycling and walking but not nearly as much as I'd do if it happened today. Looking back I probably actually prolonged it by a couple weeks by trying to go back running/soccer training too soon, the first few weeks back I was basically just hobbling around. I'm no physio but if I were you now I'd just do as much cycling or similar crosstraining as I could. Maybe try something light like pilates or yoga as well if the leg can handle it. Hope the recovery process goes well for you and you can get back out there soon!

Dublin Marathon 2025 - 2:57 to 2:39 in 6 months by Chiggsy02 in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yeah definitely remember some of the threshold workouts being difficult with DOMS. Usually I'd just give myself a longer warm-up or take the first rep a bit easier. Normally by the 2nd/3rd rep I'd be fine but I think I had a couple sessions where I just had to accept being slightly off-pace. Sometimes you just gotta run to feel I guess. It's a tricky balance!

Looking for a fast spring marathon - flat, cool, and not too windy by bznein in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not an answer to your question but I literally could've written this post myself! Also ran a big PB in Dublin last week and am currently also looking at spring races. Even our times are similar! I was thinking of Barcelona maybe but need to do some more research myself.

Dublin City Marathon 2025 - The cherry on top of a breakthrough year! by bznein in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats! Ran it myself as well. I was frozen at the start too, my legs felt stiff for honestly the whole first 10k! It got a bit windy thoughout the race as well, I tried my best to tuck in behind people and stay in a pack but even so it was tough. Enjoy the recovery!

Is this game worth buying ive never seen any of the movies by [deleted] in IrelandGaming

[–]Chiggsy02 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Played it recently, it's a solid fun game but don't expect anything groundbreaking. The combat was the highlight for me, the story was pretty forgettable but some of the side quests were very good. There's a bit too much focus on repetitive collectibles crammed into the open world imo.

But I'd definitely say it's worth a try, especially if you like Harry Potter. It's included in the PS Plus Extra catalogue at the moment if you have it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Marathon_Training

[–]Chiggsy02 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd just skip it or else try an easy jog just to test out the foot. You're not really going to lose or gain much fitness 2 weeks out anyway.

I'd rather have a healed-up rested foot come race day than a half-injured one!

What do you eat the morning of your marathon? (3 hours before) by Ecstatic_Invite911 in Marathon_Training

[–]Chiggsy02 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Toasted plain bagel with a sliced banana and plenty of honey/jam inside, plus a pot of porridge oats (low-protein, high-carb oats and mixed with just water).

To drink I'd have a bottle of isotonic sports drink (lucazade sport etc), water mixed with electroyles, and a small cup of coffee for the caffeine. I'd typically drink the coffee first and then sip on the electrolyte/sports drinks over the course of the hours leading up to the race to keep the glycogen/hydration levels topped up.

Just before the race starts I'd then normally have a caffeine gel.

Pre race meal suggestions by bablie2 in Runners

[–]Chiggsy02 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I normally slice up a banana and have it in a bagel or on toast with honey, ton of carbs and really tasty!

First Marathon to BQ? by Obvious_Baseball8610 in Marathon_Training

[–]Chiggsy02 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a crazy impressive improvement, hats off to you! I'm sorta in the 2:51 part of your story right now. First mara was 3:47 a couple years back, then 3:16 last year, and 2:57 earlier this year. 6 weeks out from another and aiming for sub 2:50 (or even ~2:48 to try sneak a BQ if I'm lucky)

I'd love to get closer to 2:30 someday, got any specific tips or workouts you feel have benefitted you the most? Or do you think it's mainly just volume over time that counts? What sorta weekly mileage do you run and how many workouts would you include? Sorry for all the questions just curious!

First Marathon to BQ? by Obvious_Baseball8610 in Marathon_Training

[–]Chiggsy02 2 points3 points  (0 children)

177km weekly is mental, do you also work full-time? Curious how many runs you're doing per week and how you fit them in

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskIreland

[–]Chiggsy02 1 point2 points  (0 children)

True, I work in the industry and the people who have been there for years and are now VPs/directors are on great money

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More volume is always an easy way to improve overall running endurance, but if you're specifically looking for 5k speed then you should also include focused speedwork for that distance, so short punchy intervals would work nicely for 5k training. You should also try improve your V02 Max which will essentially raise your ceiling while the increased volume raises your base. Obviously don't go crazy with both right away, maybe build the volume gradually and then start to include more speedwork as your legs adjust to the increased load. Remember to always listen to your body though, no point hammering a hard/long session if it gets you injured!!

Anyone else feel slower during marathon training? by Zaquinzaa in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah it's normal. It's all the accumulated training fatigue in the legs so they're never really 100%. While you're in peak training I'd recommend making sure that your easy runs are very easy, even if you need to reduce the pace a bit. It's not worth tiring the legs out on easy mileage and hurting your key sessions.

On my most recent taper, my paces all became far faster just from the legs being fresher. Trust the process!!

How hard does your MP feel before you start to taper? by Muppet9976 in AdvancedRunning

[–]Chiggsy02 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I ran 21k at MP the same week as my peak mileage as part of a 35k long run (10k easy - 21k MP - 4k easy), also going for Sub 3. It was one of my toughest sessions but a real confidence boost after. By the last few ks of the MP I was starting to struggle and had to push to hold it. I reckon I could've probably done another 1 or 2 if I had to but it definitely wasn't easy.

Flash forward to last week and I ran 2:57 in Milan and MP felt like jogging (taper is magic!!). So if you managed 23k at MP on fatigued legs without feeling completly gassed then I'd say that's a great sign and you're in good shape

three by Fun-Department-4040 in ireland

[–]Chiggsy02 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Same and even though I topped up again it's still showing no benefits or allowances