IMRA season 2012

Peterx · 23-01-2012 12:27pm

donothoponpop wrote: »

Is this directed at my post?

As far as I know, IMRA policy leaves it up to the RD of each race to make a call on what a safe amount of runners is for that race. There's a number of criteria for that, such as car-pooling and parking facilities, and trail conservation. Any cut-off's or restrictions are pointed out beforehand on the IMRA forum, in good time.

I've never heard of cut-off's or restrictions in numbers being implemented at any IMRA race but that is now the territory we are heading for. 300~450 runners in any forestry/pub carpark will cause logistical problems.

The farmers field model of parking remains the best way of placing hundred's of runners in close proximity to a hillrace startline. It's a winwin, we park safely off the road, some local farmer's son gets a few euro per car.

T runner · 23-01-2012 2:02pm

nerraw1111 wrote: »

It seems that this year's results were a lot faster than last year, any reason? Winning time last year was 24 mins, this year it looks like 8 people ran under 24 mins.

The first two times were 22.25 and 23.02ish so slighly slower than on the site. The rest are right. Conditions not as slippy, and the rock was dry underfoot. Also, i dont remember climbing those steps up from deerpark lasr year??? may have made the route quicker. Id say, maybe 1 minute quicker thann last year overall. The wind although in our faces going out when we could shelter was on our backs in the run in when we needed it.

donothoponpop · 23-01-2012 2:07pm

Peterx wrote: »

I've never heard of cut-off's or restrictions in numbers being implemented at any IMRA race but that is now the territory we are heading for. 300~450 runners in any forestry/pub carpark will cause logistical problems.

The farmers field model of parking remains the best way of placing hundred's of runners in close proximity to a hillrace startline. It's a winwin, we park safely off the road, some local farmer's son gets a few euro per car.

Restrictions in that single-occupancy cars are often refused entry/turned away. I might have been thinking about a WWTrail in past years that had a cut-off in numbers; in any case I was under the (perhaps mistaken) assumption that the RD had say over what he/she thought was acceptable in regards to numbers.

A farmers field is great all round in the summer, but boggy winter muck can swallow cars. Great fun to watch then try and get out, though!

It wouldn't be such a problem, if the carpool facility was utilized more often. Only 4 seats, of the 12 available, were taken up for Howth. If numbers are to grow,the size of IMRA's footprint needs to be taken seriously, and planned for accordingly. (whether its a good thing that numbers are growing is a different matter. I much prefer the races with <50).

ocnoc · 23-01-2012 2:07pm

Howth appears to change every year given the heather/gorse growth throughout the year.

T Runner dominated with a 1min lead. Does it really matter what the time was?

I know I do it (a lot), but comparing times in mountain running is futile. Weather and ground conditions play such a big part in it in how quick you get around.

ocnoc · 23-01-2012 2:46pm

I enjoy racing in the mountains surrounded in mist, knowing there are only a few other people around me, slowly turning into shadows in front and to my left and right as the mist envelopes around us as we attack off the peak, all taking different route choices, everyone wanting the win. The tactics playing out of when to wait and when to attack.

IMRA being open and welcoming to all is fantastic. There is such a range of personalities that something interesting always goes down at every race. Post race, you could be sitting down enjoying a pint with an international athlete or a crew from Mountain Rescue or a newbie that is still a little shell shocked over the 8k with 200m of climb on muddy trails they have just completed.

As much as I love open mountain, and the more people being involved in IMRA the better the atmosphere. I don't want to swap the mist swallowing me up for been swallowed up in a crowd of people as I race through the heather...

Peterx · 23-01-2012 4:06pm

donothoponpop wrote: »

Restrictions in that single-occupancy cars are often refused entry/turned away. I might have been thinking about a WWTrail in past years that had a cut-off in numbers; in any case I was under the (perhaps mistaken) assumption that the RD had say over what he/she thought was acceptable in regards to numbers.

A farmers field is great all round in the summer, but boggy winter muck can swallow cars. Great fun to watch then try and get out, though!

It wouldn't be such a problem, if the carpool facility was utilized more often. Only 4 seats, of the 12 available, were taken up for Howth. If numbers are to grow,the size of IMRA's footprint needs to be taken seriously, and planned for accordingly. (whether its a good thing that numbers are growing is a different matter. I much prefer the races with <50).

The carpool function does not appear to work very well, most race threads will have a few people noting their details/email/car didn't show up when they tried to use the carpool system.
It is irrelevant if an expert can use it, if Joe or Jill Punter can't use it it is a failure.
As for boggy winter mucky fields swallowing cars, well then...........................cancel the winter league!

donothoponpop · 23-01-2012 4:18pm

Agree with you on the carpool function, most posters on the IMRA forum are tech savvy almost by definition, yet it seems to cause a lot of confusion/errors. If imra is to cater for larger numbers, this function needs to be foolproof.

Peterx wrote: »

As for boggy winter mucky fields swallowing cars, well then...........................cancel the winter league!

Do you know how hard I bit the lip? Don't post it, I thought; grist to his mill, I thought; he's set you up into saying boggy February fields don't work...

Well played, Mr. Cancel the Winter League

nerraw1111 · 23-01-2012 5:08pm

I agree it a is futile exercise comparing race times year on year. Just interested to note the quicker times this year on the same course as from what I can recall, conditions were pretty similar, plus its a relatively short distance.

Pretty sure we went up the steps last year T runner. My garmin profiles are identical.

ocnoc · 23-01-2012 8:09pm

Donothoponpop, bravo for making a big call!

donothoponpop · 23-01-2012 8:22pm

ocnoc wrote: »

Donothoponpop, bravo for making a big call!

Well, I kicked it upstairs first, and upstairs agreed. The real arbiter is the facilities available, if numbers are growing we need people to co-operate. There's only so many tin cans that will fit into the box. The days of most everyone driving their own car to a race and getting parking are over, we need to start implementing practical ways on lessening our car footprint.

Peterx · 28-01-2012 4:05pm

G'wan T runner!

ocnoc · 28-01-2012 4:28pm

Peterx wrote: »

G'wan T runner!

Two outa two I take it?

DogSlySmile · 28-01-2012 6:25pm

Good race today. I was a bit annoyed with the late route change but having run it I think its a better course with the changes. Got a few scrapes along the way, nothing nearly as bad as this guy though....

IMG154.jpg?w=347dcfa7

And what did we learn today kids???? That's right, don't wear Vibrams in a mountain race!

jeffontour · 28-01-2012 8:22pm

DogSlySmile wrote:

And what did we learn today kids???? That's right, don't wear Vibrams in a mountain race!

Is that you? If so, had you run on trail in the Vibrams before? What was your expectation of their performance, traction wise? Did you genuinely think they were suitable?

I am just a little baffled as to why anyone would turn up to a winter hill race in footwear which has feck all traction. The volunteer first aiders have enough to handle with accidents let alone accidents waiting to happen, which in my view vibrams in a winter hill race are.

thirstywork2 · 28-01-2012 9:22pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze5bEwJU9cg

DogSlySmile · 28-01-2012 9:23pm

jeffontour wrote: »

Is that you?

Eh, no. I was close by as he was getting a bit of first aid.

Last week it was headphones, this week its vibrams... what's next!??:rolleyes:

nerraw1111 · 28-01-2012 9:31pm

Ouch at the vibrams. I'd say it was icy up there today?

That's some field thirstywork. Looks huge.

ocnoc · 28-01-2012 10:26pm

...spanner

Good war wounds though!

Slogger Jogger · 29-01-2012 12:59am

Results up. 224 runners.

Well done T. He was adamant he wouldn't run another WL race after Howth.

Now 2 out of 2 he's odds on to make it to Annagh.

Fair play to the 2nd place guy. I gave him a lift up. His first mountain race.

Re: the vibrams. Not a good call. It looks a lot worse than it was. Only grazes under the crimson legs.

Lots of runners out there with road runners. They've no place on a route like Ticknock. 2 runners twisted their ankle today. It was icy and slippy in places.

I believe there was at least one muppet with headphones too :mad:

Peterx · 29-01-2012 12:38pm

Road shoes are fine, you can't expect someone at their first hillrace to have forked out a lot of money on a pair of specialist hillrunning shoes.

The winter league will have races run in icy conditions and ice is just slippy no matter what shoe you wear.

That video is great, it would be great to have video at some more races. So many runners..

Slogger Jogger · 29-01-2012 1:58pm

Hmm. Would be good to have a video for the Annagh hill climb. The pain etched on the faces

Or on the puddle from hell to see if anyone disappears.

ThisRegard · 29-01-2012 3:33pm

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Hmm. Would be good to have a video for the Annagh hill climb. The pain etched on the faces Or on the puddle from hell to see if anyone disappears.

I'm volunteering so if I'm stuck up a hill I'll bring something to capture the pain.

nerraw1111 · 01-02-2012 1:48pm

Beautiful film about fell running. Nice lunch time viewing. Great soundtrack too.

SureWhyNot! · 01-02-2012 11:47pm

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Beautiful film about fell running. Nice lunch time viewing. Great soundtrack too.

Had to go a book a place in the bus to Annagh Hill after watching that. Lets just hope the organiser can provide the nice clear sunny sky.

donothoponpop · 02-02-2012 12:13am

SureWhyNot! wrote: »

Had to go a book a place in the bus to Annagh Hill after watching that. Lets just hope the organiser can provide the nice clear sunny sky.

Summit Marshall will be firing of silver iodide into the clouds. Lets hope we get good views.

15 spots left on the bus. Passenger list reads like a who's who of imra:)

Slogger Jogger · 05-02-2012 1:28pm

Some photos taken on a run of the route this morning
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickhanney/sets/72157629182845267/

Very wet and muddy underfoot in places. Good grip is vital. Anyone running in road shoes is looking for trouble.

The first 2 pools you can get past at the side. The last of 3 you'd be better off charging through the middle.

Seems to be more recent deforestation up there. Theres lots of wood debris across the trail. Care is needed.

Garmin track: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/147276635

ocnoc · 06-02-2012 9:56am

The climb looks nice...

jeffontour · 06-02-2012 11:40am

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

The last of 3 you'd be better off charging through the middle.

I took that approach last year. Half way through I thought I'd have to start doggy paddling.

Does the coach driver know to expect half of the hillside stuck to the runners on the way home? Or is there a well placed pond to race through towards the end which will wash us off?

jeffontour · 06-02-2012 11:41am

ocnoc wrote: »

The climb looks nice...

You wouldn't like it. Not nearly as steep as it looks.

Stay at home and leave us a percentage point closer to the winning time.

nerraw1111 · 06-02-2012 12:47pm

Cheers for the pics. The third pool does get deep in places. Arm bands are mandatory kit for small people.

Actually worth noting there could be mandatory kit on Sunday.

What's the general wisdom on running across felled branches? Last year I thought the section was quite tricky given the sheer amount of them. Potential to cause damage. Is it quick high feet or heel strike the branches to prevent tripping?

IMRA season 2012

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