Connemarathon 1/4/2012

TFBubendorfer

thirstywork2 wrote: »

Havnt booked a hotel yet,whats the best location wise to the start

We always stay in Clifden, but anywhere in Galway or on the coast will do fine. There's a bus service to the start, check the web site.

thirstywork2 wrote: »

and can you put your own water bottles on the tables?

For the full? Of course not. There are water stations every 3 miles, and a couple of them serve energy drink as well. No need for your own water.

adamski8

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1.....
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59

gonna try my first half, hopefully leading up to a full dublin marathon

Aimman

menoscemo wrote: »

Wrap your goodies in a tampax bag. no-one will touch them then

HotToTrot showed me and Eddie her drop off bags in the coach last year, we nearly wet ourselves laughing. She put them into Always ULTRA bags, classic

Aimman

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1.....
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1

Signed up ages ago, but might as well make sure my name's on the list or I'm not getting in. :cool:

Oisin11178

Sub 9 so to beat anto eamonn:D

ultraman1

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1

Signed up ages ago, but might as well make sure my name's on the list or I'm not getting in. :cool

Roddy23

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1

Signed up ages ago, but might as well make sure my name's on the list or I'm not getting in. :cool

pansophelia

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
Pansophelia
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1

First time half-marathoner, will just have to see how it goes . . .

nellocono

Just contemplating doing the half here. Would prob go up on the Sunday and stay overnight. Anyone know where would be a good area to stay (clifden, or galway city etc?) and is there any/much craic around the place that night?

menoscemo

nellocono wrote: »

Just contemplating doing the half here. Would prob go up on the Sunday and stay overnight. Anyone know where would be a good area to stay (clifden, or galway city etc?) and is there any/much craic around the place that night?

Great Craic on the sunday in Galway

You have to collect you number on the saturday though; just be aware of that.

nellocono

In Galway City?

Crap, means I would have to stay on Saturday and Sunday night so. Any good hotel recommendations? Might convince the missus to run as well then...

menoscemo

nellocono wrote: »

In Galway City?

Crap, means I would have to stay on Saturday and Sunday night so. Any good hotel recommendations? Might convince the missus to run as well then...

Anything close to the city centre is fine (there are literally 100's of hotels- check booking.com or hotels.com). There are buses to the start from the cathedral and a buses back to the cathedral after the race.

There are also buses from clifden if you decide to stay there.

jonny99

Dunno if this helps, but back in 2005,I had two of my three drop bags completely cleaned out.Reckon the mistake i made was putting them at miles 32 and 35.I should have had them earlier.Some kick in the teeth to get at that stage, though.I blamed the halfmarathoners:rolleyes:

Micilin Muc

I presume this is standard practice at Ironmans, but during Ironman Wales, anybody who wanted to leave a bag at aid stations had to put their race number on their bags. The bags at each station were organised according to race number so when the athlete came along, the people manning the station had a look at the number on their bike/running top and could get the bag straight away.

Are the drop stations during the Ultra-marathon manned by volunteers? Why is there no system?

menoscemo

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Are the drop stations during the Ultra-marathon manned by volunteers? Why is there no system?

Yeah the stations are manned and most runners do put their numbers on their bags. In fairness I have only one years experience of the ultra and my bags were still there and so were those of others I know. Perhaps in the past the Ultra Tables were not manned?

jonny99

menoscemo wrote: »

Yeah the stations are manned and most runners do put their numbers on their bags. In fairness I have only one years experience of the ultra and my bags were still there and so were those of others I know. Perhaps in the past the Ultra Tables were not manned?

At the time the ultra tables were a few metres from the main tables,and didnt seem to be individually manned,but then again,there werent that many doing the ultra at the time.Judging by this thread, theres more doing the ultra than the half!I propose we steal their Marsbars this time:D

diddleyland

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
Pansophelia
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...
diddleyland-just get to the end.....

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1

First time half-marathoner, will just have to see how it goes . . .

Joeyde

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
Pansophelia
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...
diddleyland-just get to the end.....
Joey.de - Sub 4 and enjoy the Views

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1

Foxx92

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
Pansophelia
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...
diddleyland-just get to the end.....
Joey.de - Sub 4 and enjoy the Views
Foxx92 - Finish the damn thing (My first marathon woooo)

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1

benedictine monk

I'm doing the Connemara half for the 3rd time and hope to break the 2 hour mark for the 1st time.....I just did the NYC Full so i'm wondering how best to train for a half after a full.....all advice very welcome?

Alanm

What races are people planning in the build up to this? I've never run a race > 10k and am thinking it'd be a good idea to do a 1/2 before attempting the full? Would the Meath half on 4th March be too close to the race? Would I be better doing this as a training slow run or actually trying to run it? Or would people recommend that beginners should just concentrate on building mileage/following their plan?

EauRouge79

No harm in running the half as a training run as long as its fits into your plan. Personally, I like to leave off doing any races in the month coming up to a race just so I can focus and look forward to the one race. Thats just a personal prefference.
Much like footballers being being advised not to have carnal knowledge prior to a match...ha ha

elvis jones

Alanm wrote: »

What races are people planning in the build up to this? I've never run a race > 10k and am thinking it'd be a good idea to do a 1/2 before attempting the full? Would the Meath half on 4th March be too close to the race? Would I be better doing this as a training slow run or actually trying to run it? Or would people recommend that beginners should just concentrate on building mileage/following their plan?

I'd forget the races and stick to your plan. 4 weeks before Conna should be an 18 to 20 miler ?

Joeyde

elvis jones wrote: »

I'd forget the races and stick to your plan. 4 weeks before Conna should be an 18 to 20 miler ?

I agree, if you are getting the long runs in then you should have nothing to worry about. Just make sure that you don't skip any long runs, they are imo the most important miles to get in and you won't have a problem.

On another note; Contemplating getting a lot of my runs in on Howth for this race as the profile is reasonably similar.. any thoughts/experience? Better suited to LSRs or just a few weekday runs?

Oisin11178

Alanm wrote: »

What races are people planning in the build up to this? I've never run a race > 10k and am thinking it'd be a good idea to do a 1/2 before attempting the full? Would the Meath half on 4th March be too close to the race? Would I be better doing this as a training slow run or actually trying to run it? Or would people recommend that beginners should just concentrate on building mileage/following their plan?

As the previous posters have said build upto 20 if not 20 plus.

Alanm

Thanks guys, will forget about the races and concentrate on the plan! Another couple of questions if I may:
How do I set my pmp when the main aim is to finish? Am I as well off taking McMillan's prediction from 10k times and training towards that or ?
Is it really important to take some sort of gel during the race? Or do plodders get away with lucosade and water?
Any post race recovery tricks to aid beer drinking stamina? I'm guessing bed for a few hours after the race and beer in the evening would be the way to go?

grahamor

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
Pansophelia
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...
diddleyland-just get to the end.....
Joey.de - Sub 4 and enjoy the Views
Foxx92 - Finish the damn thing (My first marathon woooo)

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1
Grahamor - 6.30 (7.08 in 2011)

Micilin Muc

How are any of you full-marathoners (or half or ultra) planning your pacing? I'm aiming for a sub-4 marathon which I've worked out to be about 9:05min/mile. But obviously the two major hills will be slower.

Should I aim for 8:45min/mile and do the hills at about 9:30 to 10min/mile?

Put another way, how many minutes slower than a flat marathon is the Connemarathon on average? 10 minutes?

thirstywork2

Alanm wrote: »

What races are people planning in the build up to this? I've never run a race > 10k and am thinking it'd be a good idea to do a 1/2 before attempting the full? Would the Meath half on 4th March be too close to the race? Would I be better doing this as a training slow run or actually trying to run it? Or would people recommend that beginners should just concentrate on building mileage/following their plan?

I am doing the full and will probably run this race.my longest runs will be done and dusted at that stage and won't be trying to squeeze them in at that stage.Each to their own I suppose.If you havn't done many races it might help you to runa few to get used to the build up and controlling the nerves.

thirstywork2

Micilin Muc wrote: »

How are any of you full-marathoners (or half or ultra) planning your pacing? I'm aiming for a sub-4 marathon which I've worked out to be about 9:05min/mile. But obviously the two major hills will be slower.

Should I aim for 8:45min/mile and do the hills at about 9:30 to 10min/mile?

Put another way, how many minutes slower than a flat marathon is the Connemarathon on average? 10 minutes?

been thinking this myself and having never ran it i can't say for sure.A former winner of the marathon told me it 8-12mins for him and he is 2.31 in Conn yet 2.19 in Dublin
So some one int he 4 hour range im guessing you could add on 25-35mins maybe.looking at the splits runners loosing alot of time in the second half.

TFBubendorfer

thirstywork2 wrote: »

been thinking this myself and having never ran it i can't say for sure.A former winner of the marathon told me it 8-12mins for him and he is 2.31 in Conn yet 2.19 in Dublin
So some one int he 4 hour range im guessing you could add on 25-35mins maybe.looking at the splits runners loosing alot of time in the second half.

Have to disagree with that. I would add about 5-10 minutes to your "flat" marathon time, for everyone. I really don't think anyone would have to add 30 minutes - that's as long as it would take to walk the entire hill.

As for a sub-4 finish, a) the pace required is 9:09 per mile and b) the second half will be slower than the first but banking a lot of time in the first half is a recipe for disaster. My advice is to run at whatever pace you think will be maintainable for the entire distance and take whatever time that brings. Connemara is not a marathon where you would aim for a fast time, and most definitely if you're inexperienced.

thirstywork2

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Have to disagree with that. I would add about 5-10 minutes to your "flat" marathon time, for everyone. I really don't think anyone would have to add 30 minutes - that's as long as it would take to walk the entire hill.

As for a sub-4 finish, a) the pace required is 9:09 per mile and b) the second half will be slower than the first but banking a lot of time in the first half is a recipe for disaster. My advice is to run at whatever pace you think will be maintainable for the entire distance and take whatever time that brings. Connemara is not a marathon where you would aim for a fast time, and most definitely if you're inexperienced.

would you not think an inexcxperinced marathon runner running 4hour pace will slow more than a 2.30 marathon runner?
ok 25-35 mins might be extreme.
so if I think im in 2.40 shape for a flat you think i should aim for 2.45-50 in Conn?what would you expect my first half to be?

Micilin Muc

thirstywork2 wrote: »

been thinking this myself and having never ran it i can't say for sure.A former winner of the marathon told me it 8-12mins for him and he is 2.31 in Conn yet 2.19 in Dublin

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I would add about 5-10 minutes to your "flat" marathon time, for everyone.

As for a sub-4 finish, a) the pace required is 9:09 per mile and b) the second half will be slower than the first but banking a lot of time in the first half is a recipe for disaster. My advice is to run at whatever pace you think will be maintainable for the entire distance and take whatever time that brings. Connemara is not a marathon where you would aim for a fast time, and most definitely if you're inexperienced.

I made the average pace out to be 9:05min/mile since the total distance run is slightly more than 26.2 miles (not taking a straight line through corners).

I ran the Half Marathon (the second half of the marathon) last year in 1:59 and my splits were mostly 8:45 with the hills just over a minute slower per mile.

It's probably too simplistic for me to plan to do the first half in under two hours and replicate my splits from last year's half for the second half, but I can't think of a better plan!

menoscemo

Micilin Muc wrote: »

I made the average pace out to be 9:05min/mile since the total distance run is slightly more than 26.2 miles (not taking a straight line through corners).

I ran the Half Marathon (the second half of the marathon) last year in 1:59 and my splits were mostly 8:45 with the hills just over a minute slower per mile.

It's probably too simplistic for me to plan to do the first half in under two hours and replicate my splits from last year's half for the second half, but I can't think of a better plan!

I'd probably aim for something like 1:57/2:03 as the splits tbh. There are 3 miles of uphills (2 x 1.5 miles) so maybe take a min per mile slower on them. There are also plenty of downhills on the second half too.

TFBubendorfer

thirstywork2 wrote: »

would you not think an inexcxperinced marathon runner running 4hour pace will slow more than a 2.30 marathon runner?
ok 25-35 mins might be extreme.
so if I think im in 2.40 shape for a flat you think i should aim for 2.45-50 in Conn?what would you expect my first half to be?

Sure, an inexperienced 4 hour runner will lose more than a 2:30 marathon man; it's the 25-35 mins you mentioned that I disagree with. I'd still use 5-10 minutes as a rule of thumb for anyone (after all, that could mean 5 mins for the 2:30 and and 10 mins for the 4 hours).

The only time I ran the full marathon there, in 2006 when I just happened to be an inexperienced 4 hour runner, I ran 4:11, 15 minutes slower than my (then) PB but I wasn't feeling well that day (and probably shouldn't have run a marathon).

That's all just opinions and guesswork anyway. Mick Rice told me he only expects to add 2 minutes to his time and he's a 2:45 man (and, more importantly, has run that road more often that anyone else).

thirstywork2

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Sure, an inexperienced 4 hour runner will lose more than a 2:30 marathon man; it's the 25-35 mins you mentioned that I disagree with. I'd still use 5-10 minutes as a rule of thumb for anyone (after all, that could mean 5 mins for the 2:30 and and 10 mins for the 4 hours).

The only time I ran the full marathon there, in 2006 when I just happened to be an inexperienced 4 hour runner, I ran 4:11, 15 minutes slower than my (then) PB but I wasn't feeling well that day (and probably shouldn't have run a marathon).

That's all just opinions and guesswork anyway. Mick Rice told me he only expects to add 2 minutes to his time and he's a 2:45 man (and, more importantly, has run that road more often that anyone else).

Mick Rice is a machine !!!

brownian

To all intents and purposes, what differentiates Conn from (say) Dublin is two biggish hills and a couple of smaller ones (up to the K2 adventure centre, up to the water stop before you drop down into the Maam valley proper). Assuming you run a minute or two per mile slower on these hills (and that's reasonable enough, they're not cliffs), and assuming you're already in the sub-3 "flat" group, and so are pretty fit, I don't see more than five or so minutes extra between a "Dublin" time and a "Conn" time. As others have pointed out, there are also some downhills - I highlight the drop down into Leenane and of course the drop off the last hill.

The hills are a shock to the system if you've only ever run a long race on flattish courses. But they're not 20-30 minutes of a shock...or if they are, you're not likely to be running sub-3 marathons.

That's my take, anyway

jonny99

I've done the course a number of times.I'd say 5mins is fair. No more,in my experience.But dont forget that the major variable over there is the wind,on a bad day it can seem like its trying to blow you backwards.But thats part of the fun;)

Oisin11178

I think it all boils down to how well you prepare for this lads. The better your preperation and training the less you will suffer on the hills and in the later stages. If you prepare badly it stands to reason the effects of the hills are going to be alot worse on you. Cant wait for this race it was the highlight of the year for me last year.

marchino

grahamor wrote: »

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
Pansophelia
marchino

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...
diddleyland-just get to the end.....
Joey.de - Sub 4 and enjoy the Views
Foxx92 - Finish the damn thing (My first marathon woooo)

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1
Grahamor - 6.30 (7.08 in 2011)

Looking foward to this. Got in the other day.
To ask a question thats been covered probaly 999 times before but, how does the half in Connemara compare in difficulty to the half in Achill..??
People who have ran both.
Any input appreciated.

The Hammer

thirstywork2 wrote: »

would you not think an inexcxperinced marathon runner running 4hour pace will slow more than a 2.30 marathon runner?
ok 25-35 mins might be extreme.
so if I think im in 2.40 shape for a flat you think i should aim for 2.45-50 in Conn?what would you expect my first half to be?

I know a few lads who have run this - and other hilly marathons - I think their approach is not to slow down your "fast flat" marathon - but plan separately for the "hilly one". Give it the respect it deserves. My opinion - given the elite time you are aiming for - don't be giving yourself a bracket - pick a time - say 2:45 and devise a race strategy based on this - get that into your head now and start visualising successful execution of it - this will have to factor in a proper coefficient for slowdown on the Hell Hill. Otherwise, if things didnt go well on the day - and it is only my opinion, 2 50 could become 2 55 ....

In Conn you have to factor in - running on your own for a long long period, most likely a head wind, (even too hot of weather is possible), etc on top of a pretty difficult course.

You could do worse than ask the lads who have ran well in Dingle or in Clonakilty over the last few years - both have been compared to Connemara full - and both have dogs of hill in them. Or the simplest way, as TFBubendorfer has said - just ask Mick Rice :-)

elvis jones

Just seen its now sold out:)

Booked a b&b for the night before the race so its all falling into place. Only negative i have is that the number collection isn't in the city centre.

Anyone know if kids under a certain age have to pay 4 euro on the bus ? Mine are 2 and 11 months.

elvis jones

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
Pansophelia
...

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...
diddleyland-just get to the end.....
Joey.de - Sub 4 and enjoy the Views
Foxx92 - Finish the damn thing (My first marathon woooo)
Elvis jones - 2nd marathon so a PB is what i want 9 sub 5 would be great.

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1
Grahamor - 6.30 (7.08 in 2011)

jester1980

Anyone recommend Clifden or Galway for a good aul night after..

TFBubendorfer

jester1980 wrote: »

Anyone recommend Clifden or Galway for a good aul night after..

The buzz in Clifden is always fantastic.

Krusty_Clown

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

The buzz in Clifden is always fantastic.

+1. The whole of Clifden gets caught up in with Connemarathon fever. It's a good place to be that night after the race.
Galway city is always good craic though, any time of year!

jb-ski

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

The buzz in Clifden is always fantastic.

+1

Oisin11178

About 6 or 7 of us had a massive session in galway city last year.

Nikki2510

marchino wrote: »

grahamor wrote: »

Half:
Dow99 - 2:15
Thirstywork2 (if training goes well will defer to the full)
Corked
KrustyClown
Emer911
RacoonQueen
Martyoo
adamski8
Roddy23 home before dark
Pansophelia
marchino
Nikki2510

Full:
Micilín Muc: 4.30 4.00 - Life is too short for plodding!
Alanm
Jester1980
Corkrunner71
Bugsy2000
Plodder
Acurno - 3.19
dx22 Sub 4hrs
Mithril
Cabaal
neilc - 3:30
HOT TO TROT- finish before cut off .
Ertred - 3:45
littlebug- get around...
diddleyland-just get to the end.....
Joey.de - Sub 4 and enjoy the Views
Foxx92 - Finish the damn thing (My first marathon woooo)

Ultra:
Mick Rice 4:15
menoscemo: 5:29:59
TFBubendorfer: 4:59:59
Izoard
Liamo123 : Too early to put my balls on the chopping block
theboyblunder: sticking to liamo like a limpet for as long as possible
Marthastew: finish with a smile on my face
Oisin11178: Sub 6
Belcarra: Aim is to finish, but it would be nice to be <6.5hrs...I'd be delighted to make the first page of the results (=6:25)!!
EauRouge79: Just aiming to finish this - but sub 6 hrs hopefully
ultraman1....not to be chicked by aimman
NoGutsNoGlory sub 5
Claralara sub 6:30
Digger sub 6:30
Canine Marathoner: 5:29:59
Aimman - Sub 6 and more importantly, Sub Ultraman1
Grahamor - 6.30 (7.08 in 2011)

thirstywork2

booking hotel this week in Galway city.Which is best?