"The one with the Duathlon, Half Marathon and the Adventure Race"

backspacer

right finished my 10k in 56:20, but should be quicker as i forgot to stop my stopwatch.will fill you in on the details tomorrow when i get to a pc.happy days though:)

backspacer

Just checked the chip time now for the Milltown 10K, i completed it in 55:25 so was happy enough with that.

The race itself as a whole was a good, had to stop at the 6k mark to grab my breath as i found it a bit warm, but that was my own fault, as i wore a long sleeve t-shirt as it was raining at the start of the race and then the sun came out, making it a bit uncomfortable to run, so a lesson learned by me yesterday.

The track as a whole was quite enjoyable, nice quiet country roads with minimum traffic and lots of water stops, plus i think some of the locals were also putting out water between stops just in case, so was well impressed with that. It was well stewarded and distance markers at every km.

Distance: 10km
Pace: 9:05 p/mile
Time: 55:25

I should be doing some 8 and 10k races to compare times within the upcoming months hopefully. I also decided last week that I’m going to move up to the Galway Bay half marathon instead of doing the Galway Bay 10k on the 1st October which is 15 weeks away, am going to use the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Novice plan over 12 weeks, which would mean i’d have progressed from 0km to 21km in less than a year:D So here’s hoping i can do it!!

ronanmac

Fair play, backspacer, anothe 10k in Annaghdown tomorrow evening to keep the momentum going .
You'll have no problem with a half marathon by October, I might even join you for it myself!

backspacer

ronanmac wrote: »

Fair play, backspacer, anothe 10k in Annaghdown tomorrow evening to keep the momentum going .
You'll have no problem with a half marathon by October, I might even join you for it myself!

The 10k tomorrow i might give a miss, don't think the legs can handle it:) But looking forward to getting into the half marathon training now and see how far i get!

backspacer

Monday:

Started the Hal Higdon programme today for the half marathon, the first day was strength training and stretching, so dusted off the weights bench and got my first session out of the way. Surprisingly stiff after, weights were never my friend though:D

Tuesday:

Went for a run with the Fit4Life group last night in Galway. It was interval training last night down in Dangan and felt good to stretch the running muscles after the Milltown race. Enjoyed the interval, good to get the heart rate up and put the foot down, even for a short bit.

Distance: 7.24km
Pace: 11:20 p/mile
Time: 51.21

Was meant to move up to intermediate joggers this week but was still a bit apprehensive after the Milltown race that i may suffer, but may give it a crack next week when i head in again.

backspacer

Wednesday:

Went playing soccer this evening to loosen up the limbs, played full pitch 10 a side for about 70 minutes. So this was my cross-training for today. Felt good, if a bit stiff after.

Thursday:

Went for a group run last night doing a 5km loop in Inverin, was happy enough as i made it over the incline that stumped me last week without stopping, felt some satisfaction out of that, but felt like it just kept going upwards though. Even as a short run it felt pretty good, even if my speed was only ok, but that is something i can improve on over time i'm sure of that now.

Location: Inverin Loop
Distance: 5km (3.1 miles)
Pace: 9:21 per mile
Time: 29.02

Fourth successive day training, felt good. Only thing i didn't get to do yesterday was strength training as part of the program, but that is down to my own time management more than anything, will have to make time to do weight training on these days as well. But today is a rest day so am going to do just that i think

backspacer

Saturday:

Despite my best intentions, i didn't get a chance to do any type of cross training yesterday as i was out of the house most the day shopping, so that day is out i'm afraid. But something i'm going to have to work on is my time management to fit in sessions on days like this.

Sunday:

Out of the house at 10:30 this morning and parked the car down at the local hotel and ran as far as Trá an Dóilín and back. Its a nice run as there's a nice mix of hills and level road, plus a sharp enough incline on the way back from the beach. The total distance run works out at about 4.2 miles but was more happy with the fact i was able to run the inclines without stopping, was given a hint though about this about pushing my arms up higher to give me more momentum when going against hills.

Location:: Carraroe Hotel to Trá an Dóilín and back
Distance: 6.76km (4.2 miles)
Pace: 9:42 p/mile
Time: 40:46

Thats Week 1 of the Training plan done, 11 more to do Roll on Week 2!!!

backspacer

Monday:

Monday was a write off this week unfortunately, was meant to do some strength training but that went out the window. Between running errands after work, mowing the lawn and general work around the house, it was 10:40 pm before i finished, so was too tired to consider anything else :mad:

Tuesday:

Ah back to normality yesterday, went on the group run last night, which consisted of some interval training as well in Dangan. Was not exactly a blistering pace, but some good speed work done so was happy enough with that.

Distance: 8.44 km (5.25 miles)
Pace: 10:59 p/mile
Time: 57:41

Like i said not exactly a fast pace, but just glad to get out and clock up some miles.

backspacer

Wednesday:

Took to the soccer pitch tonight to get the limbs moving, spent about 60 minutes with plenty of jogging and sprinting, bit sore the day after though.

Thursday:

Went on a solo run tonight as the group run wasn't on this week, so took the same loop around Inverin to get some miles in the legs. Was dragging my heels about doing the run but have to say when i got out and started running, i felt so much better, lovely to go for a run on a beautiful evening, especially with some of the scenery around this way.

Location: Inverin Loop
Distance: 5km (3.1 miles)
Pace: 9:37 p/mile
Time: 29.48

backspacer

Friday:

My favourite day of the week, rest day

Saturday:

Just took a 30 minute hill walk to get the legs going again, was a lovely evening for it.

Sunday:

After imbibing several alcoholic beverages while watching the fight on Saturday night, my plan for an early run went out the window on Sunday. Went out at about 3pm when the sun was beating down and started to pound the pavement, a lot warmer than i was expecting but a good run none the less, plenty of sweating done anyways

Location: Carraroe Hotel to Trá an Dóilín and back
Distance: 6.76km (4.2 miles)
Pace: 9:31 p/mile
Time: 39.59

So thats Week 2 completed and still trundling along, mileage starts to up slightly in Week 3 so should be pushing on for the 5 mile LSR next Sunday.

backspacer

Monday:

Strength training tonight, felt I was neglecting this so was glad to get back on the bench and do it.

Tuesday:

Went solo tonight and took a run down to Trá an Dóilín tonight, was feeling a bit ropey heading out but after the first mile found my running legs again. Lovely breezy evening heading down to the sea, made it totally worth the run.

Location: Carraroe Hotel to Trá an Dóilín and back
Distance: 6.44 km (4.0 miles)
Pace: 9:36 p/mile
Time: 38:24

backspacer

Wednesday:

Went out playing soccer this evening for about 70 minutes, good pace to the game, plenty of sprints so good session.

Thursday

Disaster last night, went to do the Fit4Life group session and pulled up as soon as I started the warm up jog, the muscles in the middle of my back tightened up and got very painful. So couldn't do a run last night. Its my own fault, i didn't stretch after the soccer on Wednesday night, thinking i'd be fine but paid for it then when I tried to get started. This is going to set me back a couple of days as I'm still in pain today(Friday), hopefully it'll pass over the weekend as long as i take it easy.

backspacer

Friday - Monday:

Got nothing done over the weekend as my back was still at me, Monday evening i started to feel back to normal at long last, only a few days out but felt like forever.

Tuesday:

Back on the road tonight Went for a run with the Fit4Life group tonight, was a bit apprehensive that i'd have a repeat of Thursday but thankfully went through the session unscathed.

Anyways, was a lovely warm evening for a run from westside to the quincentennial bridge and back, worked out at about 4.6 miles, hard going in places but was good to get out and do it anyways. Am just happy to have my half marathon training back on track(so to speak:) )

Location: Westside Library to Quincentennial Bridge (and back)
Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km)
Pace: 9:26 p/mile
Time: 43:26

backspacer

Wednesday:

Got nothing done on Wednesday, was taking it easy as my back my still only so so after Tuesday night, so erred on the side of caution this week.

Thursday:

Went out with the Fit4Life group tonight with a nice slow pace, as we were doing some hill sprints half way through on Bushypark Avenue, good sharp incline and got the legs going hard. Felt good but was sore enough after it.

Location: Westside to Bushypark
Distance: 4 miles(approx)
Pace: n/a
Time: 46:00

backspacer

Friday:

Rest Day

Saturday:

Went for a run/jog for about 20 minutes, before been spectacularly rained out of it, pretty much killed the humour i had for anything longer.

Sunday:

Out for my 5 mile run this afternoon, was not a great one as my pace was way too fast for a training run, which would explain feeling fairly crappy come the end of it. Still struggled along in a horrible crosswind that was intent on putting me off finishing it at every attempt.

Location: Cuileain to Trá an Dóilín (and back)
Distance: 5 miles
Pace: 9:07 p/mile
Time: 45:33

Thats week 3 completed now, at the second attempt. So hopefully this week will be a straight run with no injury concerns.

backspacer

Monday:

Alas nothing done today, strength training is not working out for me at all :mad:

Tuesday:

Out with the Fit4Life group tonight, was a nice run tonight. Bit of a change of scenery as well. From Westside out to the Prom, up Leisureland towards Pearse Stadium, up the Threadneedle road and back towards Westside, worked out at approximately 6.5km.

Location: Westside to Prom (Loop)
Distance: 4.0 miles (6.5 km)
Time: 40:40
Pace: 10:10 p/mile

Looking forward to next Tuesday, will be doing a practice run on the Streets of Galway route, will be good to get a first hand look at it.

backspacer

Tuesday:

Took a week off due to a family wedding and all round general craziness at home coming up to it. Plus was feeling fairly tired the last week or so so thought this would be a good time to step back and take it easy for a few days.

Anyways, got back into it last night, went with the Fit4Life group and ran the Streets of Galway route, was a glorious evening for running. The route itself is pretty decent, one or two deceptive inclines but all in all a very nice race route.

Route: Streets of Galway 8k
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Pace: 9:39 p/mile
Time: 48:19

Have to say am looking forward to this now, plus the last 2km across the prom is great on evenings like last night, so hopefully some similar weather for the 6th August.

backspacer

Thursday:

Group run again tonight, up from Westside around Dangan. Felt fairly tough after the 5 miles on Tuesday, but put it down to tiredness after a long day at work. Still am clocking up the miles and looks like its 6 miles for the LSR on Sunday, thinking of doing this in town as it is easier to clock on mapmyrun how far i have to run. Plus will get me familiar with the Streets of Galway route again so i'll be ready for it:)

Location: Westside to Dangan
Distance: 4.0 miles
Pace: 10:15 p/mile
Time: 41:03

As an aside, would be grateful for any input - what does everyone think of the Garmin Forerunner 205, have seen them on Amazon for about £80 and am tempted to take a punt on it? I'd be mainly at the moment using it for pace and distance, so would it be worth a go i wonder, trying to keep to a budget as well:)

RayCun

backspacer wrote: »

As an aside, would be grateful for any input - what does everyone think of the Garmin Forerunner 205, have seen them on Amazon for about £80 and am tempted to take a punt on it? I'd be mainly at the moment using it for pace and distance, so would it be worth a go i wonder, trying to keep to a budget as well:)

I think the 205 is the same as the 305, but doesn't support a heart rate monitor? The 305 is great, and I've never used the HRM...

shazkea

RayCun wrote: »

I think the 205 is the same as the 305, but doesn't support a heart rate monitor? The 305 is great, and I've never used the HRM...

+1 on what Ray says - that's the only difference. I have the 205 for a couple of years now and never had problem with it. It's visited numerous puddles, hit off a few walls etc so its nice and durable! Like you I went for it purely because of budget and I don't regret it.

backspacer

Cheers for the feedback guys, was hoping to hear some good stuff about it, would be good to have one instead of having to making estimates for distance and pace which can be tricky at the best of times.

backspacer

Sunday:

Headed into Galway City this morning, figured the change of scenery would do me good. Started at the Claddagh, in through town, out the cathedral road and out past the hospital to Taylor's Hill, down the Threadneedle Rd, and across the Prom, in through South Park finishing at the Claddagh again. Lovely run, just shy of 6 miles.

Location: Galway City and Salthill Loop
Distance: 5.9 miles
Pace: 9:47 p/mile
Time: 53:49

Micilin Muc

Neart cnoc ar an rith sin!

backspacer

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Neart cnoc ar an rith sin!

Cinnte,neart cnocain agus ni thug an teas moran cunamh dhom ach an oiread

backspacer

Tuesday

Nothing worth talking about really, just sneaked in a quick run last night, just 3.1 miles in about 26 minutes, not exactly sure of the time as i forgot to stop the watch at the end:rolleyes:

Still just anything to keep me loose for Saturday:)

backspacer

Wednesday:

Just went for a 40 minute walk to stretch the legs today, did me the world of good to loosen my legs:)

Thursday:

Just another 3 mile run tonight to get myself sorted for the Streets on Saturday.

Location: Westside Track
Distance: 3.1 miles
Pace: 8:49 p/mile
Time: 27:20

backspacer

Just a quick post on the Streets of Galway time, i registered a time of 42:49, a good 3 and a half minutes off my best time for 8k so was delighted. But will wait for the chip timing to see the official time first, but definitely below my last 8k time so am happy out:D

backspacer

Just checked online now for the Streets of Galway official time, clocked 42:50 for 8k so am very happy, great improvement since Rás an Spidéal on the 29th May (46:19 was the time), so happy days

Location: Streets of Galway 8k
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Pace: 8:34 p/mile
Time: 42:50

Always gives you a great feeling of motivation when work starts to pay off, here's hoping thats not a one off improvement

ronanmac

Brilliant stuff, backspacer. That's some improvement in a short period of time!

backspacer

ronanmac wrote: »

Brilliant stuff, backspacer. That's some improvement in a short period of time!

Thanks Ronan,its a great encouragement to make some progress, i know i have a long way to go to catch up with some people yet but this time last year i wouldn't have even thought of running anywhere so is a great feeling.

backspacer

Monday

Nothing major here, just went for a walk to stretch the legs after the weekend, find it very hard not to break into a jog/run though:D

Tuesday

Took off for a run tonight to try and get back into a routine, usually slack off after a race for a couple of days, but can't do that with the half marathon getting closer.

Anyways, decided to head to Inverin and take a run up the bog road which has a nice mix of small inclines and flats to test the legs. Was a so so evening for a run, can't remember the last time i had to wear a long sleeve top and a hat for a run so that says it all.

The route itself is challenging with some deceptive little inclines, but definitely made for a good hard run which i always enjoy. Plus the quiet road is always a plus for me anyways, and the scenery is something else, i always forget how nice and peaceful it can be in certain places where i live.

Location: Inverin Wind Farms and Bog roads
Distance: 5.2 miles
Pace: 9:29 p/mile
Time: 49:21

backspacer

Thursday:

Back up the bog road in Inverin tonight, feels good to head up that way and clear the head, although met about 10 walkers on the road, so i guess i'm not the only one to get the bright idea to head up there

Anyhow, took a nice steady pace last night, felt a bit lazy but like everything when you get into it you feel a lot better for it. Was a bit of a blustery evening, some light showers but doesn't really bother me anymore. Must be this running bug that everyone talks about

Location: Inverin Wind Farms and Bog roads
Distance: 5.2 miles
Pace: 9:05 p/mile
Time: 47:15

Just as an aside, i decided in order to keep me honest for the half marathon, i got in contact with Western Alzheimers and offered to collect sponsorship for them. So my sponsorship cards landed in the post yesterday, will definitely keep my eye on the ball now as i've no choice now

backspacer

Sunday:

Took to town on Sunday to do a 7 mile loop around the city, found it tough enough when i hit Taylors Hill, the gradual climb up that road for nearly a mile is a killer but found it a lot easier when i finally hit the top, great feeling as well to beat it.

I more or less followed a similar route to the 6 mile plan except turn up the hill before College Road and instead of going down Threadneedle Rd after Taylors Hill, i proceeded on the Knocknacarra Rd and back down towards Salthill. Was feeling it towards the last km but that said felt some great satisfaction out of it. Would never have thought of being able to do 7 miles without stopping before, now i'm starting to think anything is possible

Location: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/45124618/
Distance: 7.08 miles (11.40km)
Pace: 9:15 p/mile
Time: 1:05:30

backspacer

Tuesday:

Back to the bogs of Inverin again tonight, i'd say the repitition will start to get to people reading this after a while:D Anyways took a nice steady pace for my 5 miles, there was a strong cross breeze that made it a bit tougher coming back, but i guess i better get used to that - i'd imagine that Salthill on the 1st October will be a bit breezy unless things change

Location: Inverin Windmills and Bogs
Distance: 5.2 miles
Pace: 9:16 p/mile
Time: 48:15

Micilin Muc

backspacer wrote: »

Back to the bogs of Inverin again tonight, i'd say the repitition will start to get to people reading this after a while:D

The more you mention your running in the bogs of Inverin the more I want to go myself!

backspacer

Micilin Muc wrote: »

The more you mention your running in the bogs of Inverin the more I want to go myself!

Ha you'd be the first i imagine, its just handy as its quiet, minimum traffic and no dogs

Micilin Muc

backspacer wrote: »

Ha you'd be the first i imagine, its just handy as its quiet, minimum traffic and no dogs

It beats running on the concrete pavements of Dublin!

backspacer

Micilin Muc wrote: »

It beats running on the concrete pavements of Dublin!

Aye i believe it, can't beat some the peace you get out here for running sometimes.

backspacer

Right i disappeared off this for a few days, but between one thing and another a lot conspired against me to get any runs in. However as i was with family for a few days, did more walking than running, although walking around Inis Oirr on Sunday was a bit of good exercise for the legs.

Monday:
My long run was pushed back to Monday this week due to not been home on the weekend but hopefully will get back to normal after this week. Took to Salthill tonight to follow the route of the Galway Bay Half (well the first 13km of it). Found the route to be decent and flat, which is a nice change from the usual runs up Taylor's Hill which i've been doing of late. I reckon that the second loop around the caravan park at the 14km mark will be where the suffering will start for the less seasoned runners like myself. But am delighted to knock out the first 13 and a bit km without stopping. A massive jump since April for me, when 5-10km was the target.

Location: First 13km of Galway Bay Half route
Distance: 8.2 miles (13.2 km)
Pace: 8:31 p/mile
Time: 1:09:54

backspacer

I hadn't originally planned to stick a run in last night but for some strange reason after getting home at 10 o'clock I just fancied stretching the legs and sneaking in a couple of miles, some would probably call it an affliction, I would call it an addiction

Anyways when I got home i settled on retreading an old route which I used to do when I started running last winter, plenty of street lamps so that i didn't have to wander too far off the beaten track. So i parked up and off i went, first time in a long time i wore a hat and hoody for a run which was strange in itself. It's a nice feeling to just hit the road and get a few miles in, even the wind and cold don't bother me anymore. Going through Carraroe it was so quiet, but just made the run more pleasant for me.

Location: Short Run - Carraroe
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.62 km)
Pace: 10:26 p/mile
Time: 36:34

Back out again tonight for a group run around Spiddal, has just pelted down rain here - so here's hoping for some dry spells even for 45 minutes tonight

Micilin Muc

Ainm nua i ndán don log seo! 10km to Half-Marathon?

backspacer

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Ainm nua i ndán don log seo! 10km to Half-Marathon?

Bhí mé ag cuimhniú ar sin mé fhéin an lá cheana, is cineál bréag atá san ainm faoi láthair

backspacer

Never realised there was bogs up in Spiddal until last night, and some big potholes to boot, which the rain didn't help matters with, so plenty of bog hopping last night

Anyways I met up with the local athletics club Tríspórt last night at 7:30 to join them for a group run. Running on your own can be a bit tiring at times and enjoy heading out with them whenever i get the chance. Even the threat of a torrential downpour last night that thankfully didn't materialize didn't deter me.

The course itself was a 7KM run. We ran on the main Spiddal to Inverin road and turned right at the pier road and went up Bohoona for 2KM. At the top of Bohoona we turned left and continued across a bog trail for 1.5KM and then turned left again and went down Salathúna for 1.5KM. This took us out on the main Galway road and headed back to Spiddal for 2KM.

This was a new route for me and thought it was great, always love a change of variety in my routes and the lads and ladies of Tríspórt are great for finding these routes. I can't even find them on mapmyrun.com so that says it all really Think it may be time soon to invest in a GPS watch.

Location: Spiddal Loop
Distance: 4.35 miles (7 km)
Pace: 8:28 p/mile
Time: 36:51

Micilin Muc

backspacer wrote: »

The course itself was a 7KM run. We ran on the main Spiddal to Inverin road and turned right at the pier road and went up Bohoona for 2KM. At the top of Bohoona we turned left and continued across a bog trail for 1.5KM and then turned left again and went down Salathúna for 1.5KM. This took us out on the main Galway road and headed back to Spiddal for 2KM.

Instead of turning left down Salathúna as you did, you could turn right at that junction to go further up the bog for a mile and a bit. I wish that road kept going as it's lovely and quiet.

Edit: Here's that run I did back in June on Garmin Connect.

backspacer

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Instead of turning left down Salathúna as you did, you could turn right at that junction to go further up the bog for a mile and a bit. I wish that road kept going as it's lovely and quiet.

Edit: Here's that run I did back in June on Garmin Connect.

Cheers for that, i noticed that the road split in two alright, but followed the group last night. Might check that out myself to see what kind of route it is. Never seen so many potholes in one place though

backspacer

I took off for Salthill on Saturday this week to get my LSR in, a bit apprehensive that i may be hitting my wall in terms of distance for training. I suppose with this being new to me this is to be expected, but felt really stressed thinking about how am I going to pace myself? What if i have to stop? What if this is as far as i can go?

The best thing probably is that these questions pop up in my training runs, and hopefully these things will be gone by the time i do the half marathon. But got on with it anyways as I took off from the Claddagh and made my way towards the Prom, consciously trying to keep the pace nice and steady so not to blow up half way down the road. After the first 3km or so, I started to feel like myself again and felt my breathing start to settle and feel a bit more comfortable in my run. As I reached the end of the Prom i headed up the road towards the turn down to the caravan park and started to loop back and was beginning to feel that maybe this isn't my wall just yet.

Into my second loop and coming towards the 13km mark at the end of the Prom I got that familiar sore legs as i knew the hill towards the caravan park was coming up again (talk about mid games), and said "screw it" and just pushed on up the hill. I'm telling you, i never felt that hill so long as i did on Saturday, even though its only about 800 metres. When i finally got to the top i turned left, and was never so happy to see a downhill section and plodded around to come back to the Prom. That was it, 15.25km - was never so happy (and sore) as I was then, such a great feeling.

This time last year this would have been nothing more than me making excuses that i could never do this, and have somehow come this far. Its a great feeling, long may it last

Location: 15.25km Galway Bay Half Marathon Route
Distance: 9.48 miles (15.25km)
Pace: 8:42 p/mile
Time: 1:22:30

MarySamsonite

backspacer wrote: »

This time last year this would have been nothing more than me making excuses that i could never do this, and have somehow come this far. Its a great feeling, long may it last

It definitely is a great feeling to up the miles and actually be able to run them . When I started running in May 2010 I couldn't ever imagine being able to run the distances that I'm running now. Well done on Saturday's run.

backspacer

MarySamsonite wrote: »

It definitely is a great feeling to up the miles and actually be able to run them . When I started running in May 2010 I couldn't ever imagine being able to run the distances that I'm running now. Well done on Saturday's run.

Thanks for that Mary, 10 miles this weekend, but with the Ironman on, looks like town is out as a training option..will have to be creative i guess

backspacer

After the weekend of running and walking (did a sponsored 6 mile walk on Sunday), it was back to the training last night. Was not sure where to go but stuck to the old reliable of the Inverin Bogs where the roads are long and very quiet (bar the odd car that flew by me).

One thing about that road is you simply can't beat it for scenery, plus the mix of modern life and countryside side by side. I parked up at the local wind farm, quick stretch and off I went. The evening was ideal for a run, not cold or warm - just a pleasant evening to hit the road and knock out a few miles.

I'm starting to enjoy these 5 mile training runs, i don't really feel the discomfort anymore running them - even the inclines on the bog roads are getting easier and hopefully will keep me in good stead for the long miles ahead of me. Its a great feeling of peace running in a place like this, and sometimes think I'm blessed to have this kind of quiet when training.

Next up is a 6 mile training run on Thursday in Baile an tSagairt, a serious hill challenge for a novice like myself. So here's hoping that my training is starting to pay off.

Location: Inverin Bogs
Distance: 5.2 miles (8.37 km)
Pace: 8:46 p/mile
Time: 45:38

backspacer

As I only had one run done last week I was a bit worried about hitting the 10 mile mark in my training and probably couldn't have picked a harder route to have done it in (although difficulty is relative to the person doing it I imagine )

Anyways I arrive in Galway early on Saturday morning, fully conscious of the fact that the half-Ironman competitors were arriving and was greeted by a form of chaos and cheery individuals all rolled into one. I was even mistaken for one of the athletes doing this incredible feat - which did my confidence the world of good as well as my ego:D

So I got down to the Prom in Salthill, had a quick stretch and off I went. I have to say I was fairly distracted by the activity in Salthill but loved the buzz, plus you could only imagine my envy at the bikes on display as I jogged by thinking "I want one of those". I eventually negotiated my way out of Salthill and off I went, into town and out towards Renmore which is a nice change of scenery for me, even if the inclines killed me a little, but i know thats going to be my weakness when it comes to running, but something to work on in the next year or so. I reached Renmore and turned back towards the roundabout which lead back towards the Headford Road and out towards the Quincentenary Bridge. Out past the hospital i went and out towards Taylors Hill (God I'm really beginning to hate that hill), which is about 10km into my run i slowed to a walk for 90 seconds as the hill finally beat me. That hill is now my challenge to beat in the future, i was not happy having to slow down to a crawl to beat it.

As i finally reached the top of Taylor's Hill I proceeded across to the Knocknacarra road, and plodded along, grateful to finally see the road back into Salthill It never ceases to amaze me when you know the end is near that you can find an extra gear in your legs to finish the run. As i landed back at where i started I felt a great degree of satisfaction, even if the walk up Taylor's Hill felt like a bit of cheat in my head, hopefully that was a once off and won't happen again

Location: 10 mile loop - Galway City
Distance: 10.14 miles (16.32 km)
Pace: 9:24 p/mile
Time: 1:35:20