Athlone ¾ Marathon, Sunday 5th Oct 2013 at 11am

AuldManKing

tang1 wrote: »

Volunteered at this today, first time had pleasure of observing Gary O Hanlon racing, he came through at my junction with a big smile on his face and was able to have a few words with me & man was he moving at the time.

The 3.40 DCM group are in safe hands judging by what i seen, AMK and meno had a fine group towing the line with them. Claralara was 4th placed lady when i seen her and running strong. Seemed to have went well from what i seen and there was a decent crowd running it.

Missed you today - apologies if you shouted and we missed it.

sideswipe

menoscemo wrote: »

You are absolutely right Killian. I was pacing 3:30 group with auldmanking and I was saying the same thing; nobody should be throwing bottles or gel wrappers on the side of the road in the road outside of water stations/bins. Thankfully most people took notice but there were still a few numpties who thought it was ok to throw their bottle into the grass at the side of the road. Luckily no-one decided to hurl the bottles into the nearest field or I might have had an eppo...

I think it's got worse rather than better in the 5 years i've been running. Saw one plonker today toss his water bottle onto the lawn of somebody's garden.

Also to the guy who I saw taking a half full box of Freddo's instead of a pack or two- I hope you get fat and slow:rolleyes:

AlsoRan

Really enjoyed this race, second year doing it and I enjoyed it even more than last year, I think it helps when you get more familiar with the route and can brace yourself for the hills (and not just that section at the end). I thought the atmosphere was great, loads of banter and chat from runners and some of the marshals were very good at keeping us going with encouragement. The top and bandana were great and the water stations and the goodies at the end were perfect, particularly the Red Bull which I gave to my other half who was on driving duty so that we got home in one piece! Definitely a race I'll do again as it's perfect prep for DCM, you just need to remember not to go at full tilt and hopefully reach the end with something left in the legs for a few weeks time. Well done to the race organisers!

Running Fool

Ran it with the 3.30 pacers - they did an amazing job and just through general chat from them throughout I learned a lot more about racing, prep etc. Both did a great job of keeping spirits up. Was able to push on from Mile 15 to do the last few at about 7.15 tp 7.3- pace, even the hills. Felt great to be able to pick people off. Maybe a little harder than I should have run but I felt great and had kept it conservative up to then. Hoping 3.30 is ok for me now for DCM.

Overall a great race. Well organised, friendly atmosphere and its just nice to be running on those country back roads.

tang1

AuldManKing wrote: »

Missed you today - apologies if you shouted and we missed it.

No worries, I gave ye a good shout but both of ye were engrossed in conversation with runners in the group.

petitmember

tang1 wrote: »

No worries, I gave ye a good shout but Meno was pontificating

FYP

menoscemo

petitmember wrote: »

FYP

Hello Andy :pac:

pistol_75

menoscemo wrote: »

Hello Andy :pac:

Did you play golf before or after the run Meno?

menoscemo

pistol_75 wrote: »

Did you play golf before or after the run Meno?

Nope, why? AMK says he played the course a few times though...

dublin runner

Great event yesterday. Very well organised and marshaled. My experience (as always) was extremely positive. One things to consider. I think the course could do with an extra water stop. For example, look at Moone last week when temperatures reached over 20 degrees. There was an abundance of water-stops. It was a freak day but it does happen.

A top-notch event on a fantastic course. Didn't really notice that little hill bump at the end.....yeah right!

pistol_75

menoscemo wrote: »

Nope, why? AMK says he played the course a few times though...

I was referring to your choice of headwear ;-)

TCDStudent1

dublin runner wrote: »

Great event yesterday. Very well organised and marshaled. My experience (as always) was extremely positive. One things to consider. I think the course could do with an extra water stop. For example, look at Moone last week when temperatures reached over 20 degrees. There was an abundance of water-stops. It was a freak day but it does happen.

A top-notch event on a fantastic course. Didn't really notice that little hill bump at the end.....yeah right!

Where would you have liked an extra water station? Every 4 miles seems reasonable to me over this distance.

I enjoyed it. But thought it was a little disorganised. For example, it wasnt clear to me where to go after the stewards directed me to parking spot. Others were confused too. And I didnt think the signage was very good in the hotel. I wouldnt have found the changing rooms, only I walked into a toilet and exited through a different door that magically brought me to the changing room!

dublin runner

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Where would you have liked an extra water station? Every 4 miles seems reasonable to me over this distance.

Take Dublin for example. There are water stations every 2.5 miles. This may be a bit excessive in a race just under 20 miles but a compromise may be every 5km.

I say that for two reasons:

1. Take someone is running 10 minute miles. Water stations every 40 minutes is not ideal.

2. A warm day. They may have provisions if that weather is unusually warm but it does and can happen.

It's a brilliant race and one I look forward it every year. The stations did not effect me but that's my view (reasons above).