The "flatline" Athlone Half Marathon – Sat 14th Sept 2013, 11am

RunningKing · 04-09-2013 8:55pm

PaulieYifter wrote: »

At the risk of making a complete balls of things I'm out.
Took 4 days off after a familiar niggle on Thursday. Did club session last night and niggle returned - today I'm walking with a limp!
200k in 2 weeks + cold + long haul flights = injury (I'm old too)
Going to physio tomorrow but experience before is a min of 2 weeks off + 1 easy week.
Means Eindhoven marathon is definitely out and probably Dublin too.

thats bad news, sorry to hear that Paulie.

iarmhi1975 · 04-09-2013 9:51pm

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Heard something new about the course yesterday. I know its advertised as flat, so good place for PBs, but have been told its twisty (bar the first couple and last kms), narrow in places, and alot of country lanes, so can be quite congested, this is turn could effect PBs.

Anyone with any local knowledge, or previous runners comment.

Hi Folk,

The course is run in the Shannon callows and across bog roads before joining the old Galway road and then back across country.

As already pointed out the start needed attention so we have added a start mat and we will section people off as per timings. We will try to give 15 seconds before each wave starts but as you all know people don't follow that instruction.

It is a 4 mile straight road into the village before you take a turn, then a section with a couple of turns but nothing that would be described as twisty. They are country roads and there is grass in the middle of some of them but we removed that last year(I dont think we can do that this year as we got in trouble for doing it last year)

We are told by county council that they will remove it for us. We will be cutting back hedging as we did in certain areas once we get the appropriate permissions. In the areas where it is narrow there will have been a very good spread of the runners. We have also limited numbers so that the course can take the numbers on the day. Its important to us as runners that people going for a PB have a right good go at it.

We have also been able to secure the old showgrounds beside the college for extra parking so an awful lot of the parking of the day will be within 200m of the race start and will be free.

We have a team working on the route and they will do everything they can to improve it. It is a PB route and there were PB's from 1:20 upwards last year.

Good luck to you all. Thanks for choosing the race. No issues answering any questions at all and welcome comments to help improve things. Its a work in progress.

Flyer · 04-09-2013 10:13pm

antomagoo wrote: »

I hear ya, 3rd seeding has rightly made we weak at the knees

Pleased to meet you antomagoo! We're 3rd already. I did this last year - that will intimidate the opposition even more! If I post tips here they are only for you. Nobody else is to read them. Fine course - country roads but a PB always takes an effort. That's my encouragement!

Flyer · 04-09-2013 10:23pm

iarmhi1975 wrote: »

Hi Folk,

The course is run in the Shannon callows and across bog roads before joining the old Galway road and then back across country.

As already pointed out the start needed attention so we have added a start mat and we will section people off as per timings. We will try to give 15 seconds before each wave starts but as you all know people don't follow that instruction.

It is a 4 mile straight road into the village before you take a turn, then a section with a couple of turns but nothing that would be described as twisty. They are country roads and there is grass in the middle of some of them but we removed that last year(I dont think we can do that this year as we got in trouble for doing it last year)

We are told by county council that they will remove it for us. We will be cutting back hedging as we did in certain areas once we get the appropriate permissions. In the areas where it is narrow there will have been a very good spread of the runners. We have also limited numbers so that the course can take the numbers on the day. Its important to us as runners that people going for a PB have a right good go at it.

We have also been able to secure the old showgrounds beside the college for extra parking so an awful lot of the parking of the day will be within 200m of the race start and will be free.

We have a team working on the route and they will do everything they can to improve it. It is a PB route and there were PB's from 1:20 upwards last year.

Good luck to you all. Thanks for choosing the race. No issues answering any questions at all and welcome comments to help improve things. Its a work in progress.

You mentioned a start mat but the main problem at the start last year was that when runners walked to the start from registration the fast runners went to the front and the slower runners to the back. They then discovered the race was going in the opposite direction and it was difficult to change position.

neilc · 04-09-2013 10:57pm

PaulieYifter wrote: »

I don't think that's allowed on boards but either way there's a few in my running club looking for an entry as far as I know. I'm only going to give it to somebody that can guarantee me a PB

I'm out myself at the minute

. I messaged the Flatline guys on Facebook and they had no problem deferring my entry till next year

PaulieYifter · 04-09-2013 11:00pm

neilc wrote: »

I'm out myself at the minute . I messaged the Flatline guys on Facebook and they had no problem deferring my entry till next year

Oh dear - hope you recover soon. If you don't get injured at least once a year you're not trying hard enough

digger2d2 · 05-09-2013 1:08pm

pistol_75 wrote: »

Who is this Claralara one I've been paired with? Hope she can run fast.

Jaybus Pete.... Don't go putting vaseline on your feet or she'll kill you

pistol_75 · 05-09-2013 1:26pm

digger2d2 wrote: »

Jaybus Pete.... Don't go putting vaseline on your feet or she'll kill you

She has already tracked me down on Book Face and issued various threats. If I didn't know better I'd nearly swear she was a stalker :rolleyes:

antomagoo · 05-09-2013 5:13pm

Flyer wrote: »

Pleased to meet you antomagoo! We're 3rd already. I did this last year - that will intimidate the opposition even more! If I post tips here they are only for you. Nobody else is to read them. Fine course - country roads but a PB always takes an effort. That's my encouragement!

How ya Flyer, thanks for the encouragement but I've now got country roads by John Denver stuck in my head. And you can bet a pound to a pinch of ****e it will pop into my head on the first bog road we hit and stay there all the way to the finish. It will be like Kildare 2011 all over again when Jedward were at eurovision :mad:

iarmhi1975 · 05-09-2013 11:42pm

Flyer wrote: »

You mentioned a start mat but the main problem at the start last year was that when runners walked to the start from registration the fast runners went to the front and the slower runners to the back. They then discovered the race was going in the opposite direction and it was difficult to change position.

We will be walking you around the back on the registration area so that you are facing the correct way. Pacers will already be in place at the start lines so that people can line up according to their pace.

But as you know yourself there is no way to stop for people who just dont follow instructions.

It all sounds logical doesnt it:P

RedRunner · 05-09-2013 11:46pm

Recurrence of back problem has me in doubt now for 14th. Not ruling myself out yet but just thought I'd flag it here.Had been really looking forward to this too, would hate to miss it. Not having much luck this year with injuries:(

Lostnfound · 06-09-2013 10:32am

iarmhi1975 wrote: »

We will be walking you around the back on the registration area so that you are facing the correct way. Pacers will already be in place at the start lines so that people can line up according to their pace.

But as you know yourself there is no way to stop for people who just dont follow instructions.

It all sounds logical doesnt it:P

Well done, I ran this last year and found it to be a good route and a very well organised race. Any - although minor - issues that anyone might have had have been addressed. Lets hope we have a good day next week.

martyboy48 · 07-09-2013 1:36pm

So, hows everybody doing?? Are ye all feeling confident going into this one? Team Pac-man/martyboy should be ready to go(although pac-man hasn't replied to thread since

), and I have had my big race haircut/shave

Won't be long now, I can see tears at the end of this one, and not tears of happiness!!!

Should make for a nice bit of banter if nothing else

Oh, and are any of ye still planning any cross the line celebrations/poses???

career_move · 07-09-2013 2:45pm

Team stass/cm is ready to kick ass

Can't see the first two teams being caught but we have 3rd place .....

...... in the bag

statss · 07-09-2013 2:47pm

damn straight. I'm even planning a haircut next Friday for the after race photo op.

blockic · 07-09-2013 2:56pm

career_move wrote: »

Team stass/cm is ready to kick ass

Can't see the first two teams being caught but we have 3rd place

...... in the bag

Over my collapsed rotterdam body ye might....other than that...no chance!!

Looking forward to looking down on RK in the team results also!

Flyer · 07-09-2013 3:07pm

blockic wrote: »

Over my collapsed rotterdam body ye might....other than that...no chance!!

Looking forward to looking down on RK in the team results also!

Flyer and antomagoo in third. Combine names to make Floo as in FLOW- it will feel so easy to keep this position.

career_move · 07-09-2013 4:58pm

blockic wrote: »

Over my collapsed rotterdam body ye might....other than that...no chance!!

We'll see your collapsed Rotterdam body and raise you Stass' dodgy Connemara ankle

Flyer wrote: »

Flyer and antomagoo in third. Combine names to make Floo as in FLOW- it will feel so easy to keep this position.

The only place you two will be flowing is down the leaderboard

blockic · 07-09-2013 5:00pm

career_move wrote: »

The only place you two will be flowing is down the leaderboard

BOOM!

Flyer · 07-09-2013 8:33pm

statss wrote: »

damn straight. I'm even planning a haircut next Friday for the after race photo op.

Ahead of you already got the haircut today. Do you get it? AHEAD ....HAIRCUT...no I guess you are a bit SLOW!

RunningKing · 07-09-2013 9:21pm

blockic wrote: »

Over my collapsed rotterdam body ye might....other than that...no chance!!

Looking forward to looking down on RK in the team results also!

I need to get my partners a$$ in gear................

Anyway, by then RR will be injured

RedRunner · 07-09-2013 9:38pm

RunningKing wrote: »

I need to get my partners a$$ in gear................

Anyway, by then RR will be injured

Dont underestimate the healing powers of the human body! Be afraid of Blocky and I.....be very afraid!

slowsteady · 07-09-2013 10:39pm

career_move wrote: »

Team stass/cm is ready to kick ass

Can't see the first two teams being caught but we have 3rd place .....

...... in the bag

Love the reverse psychology....

As 50% of team in 2nd place and having blown my legs in Longford and twice more this week, good recovery or some second hand calves are required, I can't speak for my partner but he(she?) might need to come good.

However, if I was to see you down the road a mile or two from the finish.....

Aimman · 08-09-2013 1:11pm

With all the banter and 'walk the walk' talk, I can see an Anchorman standoff between all the teams in Athlone on Saturday.

People showing up branishing Foam Rollers, The Stick and tying up people in Kenesio tape!

pointer28 · 08-09-2013 2:26pm

RunningKing wrote: »

I need to get my partners a$$ in gear................

Anyway, by then RR will be injured

My ass is well in gear, just not necessarily top gear. Struggled to get out of 1st this morning

Anyway, with a name like RunningKing you'll surely make good on any time I lose.

career_move · 08-09-2013 2:58pm

pointer28 wrote: »

Anyway, with a name like RunningKing you'll surely make good on any time I lose.

I wouldn't be too sure about that pointer

'not all that glitters is gold'

AuldManKing · 08-09-2013 4:33pm

pointer28 wrote: »

My ass is well in gear, just not necessarily top gear. Struggled to get out of 1st this morning

Anyway, with a name like RunningKing you'll surely make good on any time I lose.

Maybe this one is more appropriate. (Might become permanent next year :pac: )

iarmhi1975 · 08-09-2013 4:58pm

We have a video organised again for this years race. This league table has been noticed by all the guys on the team and is being watched with interest.

Could I have a few representative of Boards AC during registration to have a chat and explain all, lay down the gauntlet and all that.

blockic · 08-09-2013 5:18pm

iarmhi1975 wrote: »

Could I have a few representative of Boards AC during registration to have a chat and explain all, lay down the gauntlet and all that.

Great stuff I'll be around early anyway and will call over.

Lad's will be a good opportunity to get a group snap at this. How bout we meet in the registration hall at 10:15 for a pre race chat and pic? I'll wear my boards t-shirt so ye all know who we are!

RedRunner · 08-09-2013 5:21pm

blockic wrote: »

Great stuff I'll be around early anyway and will call over.

Lad's will be a good opportunity to get a group snap at this. How bout we meet in the registration hall at 10:15 for a pre race chat and pic? I'll wear my boards t-shirt so ye all know who we are!

I'll be the one on crutches and reeking of deep heat

The "flatline" Athlone Half Marathon – Sat 14th Sept 2013, 11am

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