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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Kennyg71


    Best luck Diego , hope to catch you there.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,199 ✭✭✭denis b


    See ya there D. Make the treadmill count today!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    Good luck today!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,199 ✭✭✭denis b


    Hope ye all got home safely D. Great to see you again and congrats to the family on some sterling performances.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    denis b wrote: »
    Hope ye all got home safely D. Great to see you again and congrats to the family on some sterling performances.
    We did indeed, bit later home than planned but with the adrenaline I could have drove for hours more!! Ta very much!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Thursday 28-01-2016 and Friday 29-01-2016

    With the niggle in the glut after my stupid session on Wednesday night I took two rest days to allow it hopefully clear before Raheny


    Saturday 30-01-2016

    Just the ankle/balance exercises, glut was feeling a bit better so thought I'd be okay to race the next day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Raheny 5 mile, Sunday 31-01-2016

    Delayed report as have been over and back to Manchester on Tuesday/Wednesday.

    Plan for the race was a PB attempt (stood at 38:53 from a 10K race on New Years Day, only previous 5mile race that I raced I had a time of 39:36 in May 2014). Coupled with my recent 5K PB and the marathon cycle I decided that I would try go out reasonably hard for the race and see if I could hold the pace.
    I felt that even with the niggle I picked up on Wednesday that I was good to try this. My planned pace for the race was to run between 7:40-7:45 a minute mile to do this.
    Got to Raheny around 2pm having traveled from my parents place in Laois, wasn't ideal prep arriving this late relatively speaking as getting parking was a challenge. Bumped into a few people I knew so was chatting as the time tipped away. Warm up was fairly minimal and I got into the starting pen for around 2:50....again too late as it was difficult to move up through the pack so it meant for a congested start but I suspect given the narrow road relative to the crowd doing the race it's the same for everyone. Maybe as an improvement they could stick a few signs up for 5-10min intervals to give people an idea of how far to stand forward/back.

    Mile 1
    Found this mile very frustrating as a lot of weaving, more than I have done in a long time in a race but I wanted to try get a clear path in front of me to try get into my pace. As we came to the mile marker I was delighted when my watch beeped and I saw 7:38. On course pace wise so happy days.

    Mile 2
    Directed up onto the footpath at the corner for during this mile, found that a bit odd as pretty sure last year we were kept on the road for that point but guess it's easier for traffic management to do what they did and that's fair enough. Felt pretty strong on this split and recorded a time of 7:36.

    Mile 3
    Started to feel the pinch of the pace a bit at this point but again as always for me once we got through the psychological barrier of halfway I started to think that I will be okay, just keep going. This thought process has been with me since I started running 3 years ago, no matter the distance ran whenever halfway through I'd think that didn't kill me so go do it again!
    During this mile I got a nice pat on the shoulder from a fellow DCM graduate, Nop. He said he was going to try stick with me for a bit but I think I told him to keep going....wasn't going to be much talk out of me at this pace! Just as we were about to turn into the park and onto the new segment of the race we passed the mile marker....split time was 7:30. Started to think if you just keep it going and don't suddenly drop to 8min miles I should get a new best time.

    Mile 4
    This mile sucked a lot I found, the up and back section seemed endless and I felt I was slowing down despite best efforts to maintain effort. When we joined the avenue some pretty bloody fast people were running the other way so figured we've a bit to run up/down here given the calibre/pace of what I am seeing opposite us. Was dying to see Nop again as he'd pushed on again a bit from me but knew he was probably only a minute or two ahead so once I saw him again I said yippee the turn is coming soon. I hate 180 degrees turns like this, feel I drop right down in pace to do them....maybe I should try take them wide to slow down less. Once we turned I got a bit of a boost and what wind we had going up the avenue seemed to be gone now or moreso well sheltered away. Mile marker 4 and I had a mental checkpoint of make sure to hit that before 31mins and you're laughing. Just going past the marker I checked my time and saw 30:40...delighted with that it gave me a boost. My split was 7:45 so I had slowed a bit.

    Mile 5
    First half of this mile I pushed it a bit, passing a few but once we hit the final loop I was fairly fecked. I was keeping an eye out for some familiar faces as between work colleagues and Dubgal I was expecting to see a few people.
    For some reason after going around the first corner on the loop I went up onto the footpath, no idea why I did that....have a vague idea it was to try past someone on the straight but can't recall. I spotted Dubgal and Firedance I think it was, and gave them a hello ladies and I got a good cheer back with my name which was nice. I think I went around the corner and then took myself off the footpath as realised I had just cut a corner. Got a good cheer off a mate from work which was nice to go for the final push around the final bend and down the home straight. I ran my best down the last 100 metres or so, could see the clock ticking and it hit 39:10 as I passed it (I started at 01:00). Very happy and felt I gave it my best. Final split was 7:34 and a total distance of 5.02miles ran.

    Official time was 38:10, 43 seconds off my last 5mile PB set on New Years Day.

    After the race I bumped into denis b at the final corner and we wandered back to the GAA hall catching up on what each has been at training wise. Met Nop and Singer then in the entrance hallway before we were joined by a good few other boardies. Especially nice to catch up with my fellow DCM novices/graduates whilst tucking into some tasty flapjacks, really liked those denis b!!
    My father and wife who also ran the wife came back to the hall for a bit then so a bit later we hit the road for home. Dinner at my parents place in Laois and picked up our daughter before hitting the road for Kerry around 7:30pm. Thought I might be too tired to drive but the adrenaline contradicted that and could have drove all night, twas just the four to five hours I actually ended up driving on Sunday on top of the race but no ill effects thankfully.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Monday 01-02-2016

    5K recovery run on treadmill in 31:30 or so, going between 9.5-10kph and 0-1% incline. Very handy session to ease out the legs.


    Tuesday 02-02-2016

    Travelling


    Wednesday 03-02-2016

    Ankle/balance work and glut work.


    Plan to do a longer run with my clubmates tomorrow night and 1-2 runs at the weekend to get to around 20 miles for the week.
    Have a 10 mile race on Sunday week so will probably do a progression run at the weekend to get a few miles at race pace. Planned race pace for that 10miler is 8min/mi to try for 1:20 and a pb at this distance too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Monday 01-02-2016

    5K recovery run on treadmill in 31:30 or so, going between 9.5-10kph and 0-1% incline. Very handy session to ease out the legs.


    Tuesday 02-02-2016

    Travelling


    Wednesday 03-02-2016

    Ankle/balance work and glut work.


    Plan to do a longer run with my clubmates tomorrow night and 1-2 runs at the weekend to get to around 20 miles for the week.
    Have a 10 mile race on Sunday week so will probably do a progression run at the weekend to get a few miles at race pace. Planned race pace for that 10miler is 8min/mi to try for 1:20 and a pb at this distance too.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,119 ✭✭✭Mrs Mc


    Great report D congrats on the pb looks like the injury has been managed well patience and following the plan definately paid off for you. Onwards and upwards. Ballycotton is next for you isn't it ? Will see you there me and FBOT doing it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Nice one Diego, well done. What a result after coming back to injury, delighted to see that it paid off :) I agree with you on the 180 turns on courses, it's very difficult to pick up the pace after the turn and they tend to be congested so you can't make the turn the way you like


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    Really enjoyed your report! Well done and well run! :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Mrs Mc wrote: »
    Great report D congrats on the pb looks like the injury has been managed well patience and following the plan definately paid off for you. Onwards and upwards. Ballycotton is next for you isn't it ? Will see you there me and FBOT doing it.

    Thanks Mrs Mc, have a 10miler in Tralee on Valentine's Day and after that it's Ballycotton. I am hoping to get sub 1:20 in one of those, haven't done much study on the Ballycotton course to see what it's like. Tralee one should be okay but it's coming too soon so will settle for breaking my pb there (currently 1:25:16 from a half marathon last summer), think I can get a good chunk off that.
    Will see ye in Ballycotton so!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Neady83 wrote: »
    Nice one Diego, well done. What a result after coming back to injury, delighted to see that it paid off :) I agree with you on the 180 turns on courses, it's very difficult to pick up the pace after the turn and they tend to be congested so you can't make the turn the way you like

    Thanks very much, tipping along pretty well all right...gotta love setting new fastest times. I am in a nice phase still with running where I can do them frequently enough when training consistently, few more years and I guess it will get harder to get faster!!
    Aha not just me so, literally end up almost stopping for a stride on the turn, would be afraid to pull a groin muscle if turning too sharp. Tralee parkrun has a 180 turn on each of the 3 laps, I curse it every single time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Really enjoyed your report! Well done and well run! :D

    Thanks C and well done you too, keep up the training as it's working well for you.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 3,355 ✭✭✭Bungy Girl


    diego_b wrote: »
    Mile 4
    This mile sucked a lot

    I hear ya! My sentiments exactly.

    Great report and very nice splits. Well done! Plenty more PBs to come I suspect.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Kennyg71


    well done D, great to get PB. Great report. Looks like good year to come.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Bungy Girl wrote: »
    I hear ya! My sentiments exactly.

    Great report and very nice splits. Well done! Plenty more PBs to come I suspect.

    Thanks very much and hopefully so!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Kennyg71 wrote: »
    well done D, great to get PB. Great report. Looks like good year to come.

    Thanks G, not too many 5 mile races so have to make them count when they come along. I know one of the organizers well from working with him in years gone by and he suggested sub 35 next....bit of work in that now but we'll see what I can do next Jan!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,585 ✭✭✭nop98


    Good work Diego - nice to see you on the day and afterwards (and Mrs_B and Mr_B Sr) - great stuff on the PB. Sub 35 next year! :eek:
    diego_b wrote: »
    Was dying to see Nop again...

    Thank you - I have that effect on people. :P:cool: [hides]


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    nop98 wrote: »
    Good work Diego - nice to see you on the day and afterwards (and Mrs_B and Mr_B Sr) - great stuff on the PB. Sub 35 next year! :eek:



    Thank you - I have that effect on people. :P:cool: [hides]

    Haha thanks!
    I think sub 35 might be a few years away if I can try manage that, we'll see!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 902 ✭✭✭JMSE


    Well done Diego on the pb in Raheny and well done over the past 3 years, inspiring stuff to go from where you started to where you are now


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    JMSE wrote: »
    Well done Diego on the pb in Raheny and well done over the past 3 years, inspiring stuff to go from where you started to where you are now

    Thanks very much, very nice of you to say that! Now and again I get little reminders of where I was at when people say such things or else I see old pictures.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Thursday 04-02-2016

    7.6m club run completed, avg pace was 8:47min/mi. Nothing too hectic on the pace front and the effort felt reasonably high....guess feeling the effects of the race last weekend still. Steady climb in the first mile and then again in mile's 5, 6, 7.

    Splits were:
    8:59
    8:09
    8:23
    8:47
    8:54
    9:07
    9:06


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Friday 05-02-2016

    Nothing


    Saturday 06-02-2016

    Tralee parkrun, ran with my 3.75 year old daughter in the buggy.
    Finished 84th out of 215 in a time of 30:56. Was pretty happy with that and I couldn't but take it easy for at least 2 of the 3 laps due to having to start at the back and the amount of overtaking needed to be done. Only my second time running with the buggy and it was alright, it's not so good on turns as the front wheel is fixed so a bit awkward to do tight corners....Tralee parkrun has quite a few sharp corners. Last lap was good and could open it up a bit and was able to get up to top speed on the last few hundred meters as the widest part of the course. Splits were 11:37 (took me about 30 seconds to get past the start line from the back), 9:51, 9:17. I think with a course with less bends and a decent run at it I could probably do 26/27mins with the buggy/coperative daughter!!

    Did some ankle/balance work in the evening then which actually finishes that program I was on. Back to the physio in a week or so.


    Sunday 07-02-2016

    1m warm up, 4m progression, 0.5m cool down.
    Enjoyed this run despite the conditions however I definitely missed the worst of the wind if I'd gone out later in the day.
    I should have cooled the pace a bit more in the 3rd mile as it would have meant for easier splits to achieve in the 4th and 5th mile but I enjoy this kinda of session.

    Splits
    9:02
    8:40
    8:15
    8:04
    8:01
    4:35 for 0.5 mile.

    Some glut exercises then this evening.
    Have a 10 mile race coming up next Sunday and a trip up to Dublin on Wed/Thur (will get a run in the Phoenix Park Wed evening) so a bit of disruption. Possibly will do a treadmill run tomorrow (on a half day as up till stupid o'clock tonight to watch the Superbowl). And then PP on Wed with a short run on Fri or Sat before the race on Sunday.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Friday 05-02-2016

    Nothing


    Saturday 06-02-2016

    Tralee parkrun, ran with my 3.75 year old daughter in the buggy.
    Finished 84th out of 215 in a time of 30:56. Was pretty happy with that and I couldn't but take it easy for at least 2 of the 3 laps due to having to start at the back and the amount of overtaking needed to be done. Only my second time running with the buggy and it was alright, it's not so good on turns as the front wheel is fixed so a bit awkward to do tight corners....Tralee parkrun has quite a few sharp corners. Last lap was good and could open it up a bit and was able to get up to top speed on the last few hundred meters as the widest part of the course. Splits were 11:37 (took me about 30 seconds to get past the start line from the back), 9:51, 9:17. I think with a course with less bends and a decent run at it I could probably do 26/27mins with the buggy/coperative daughter!!

    Did some ankle/balance work in the evening then which actually finishes that program I was on. Back to the physio in a week or so.


    Sunday 07-02-2016

    1m warm up, 4m progression, 0.5m cool down.
    Enjoyed this run despite the conditions however I definitely missed the worst of the wind if I'd gone out later in the day.
    I should have cooled the pace a bit more in the 3rd mile as it would have meant for easier splits to achieve in the 4th and 5th mile but I enjoy this kinda of session.

    Splits
    9:02
    8:40
    8:15
    8:04
    8:01
    4:35 for 0.5 mile.

    Some glut exercises then this evening.
    Have a 10 mile race coming up next Sunday and a trip up to Dublin on Wed/Thur (will get a run in the Phoenix Park Wed evening) so a bit of disruption. Possibly will do a treadmill run tomorrow (on a half day as up till stupid o'clock tonight to watch the Superbowl). And then PP on Wed with a short run on Fri or Sat before the race on Sunday.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,119 ✭✭✭Mrs Mc


    Your 3.75 year old ... Love it .... When your 3.75 that .75 is so important .... Funny how when you get older you round down :) nice solid week running D.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Mrs Mc wrote: »
    Your 3.75 year old ... Love it .... When your 3.75 that .75 is so important .... Funny how when you get older you round down :) nice solid week running D.

    Haha indeed it is, she's changed so much in that 0.75! Thanks!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Monday 08-02-2016

    3.1m on Treadmill, 8-11kph & 1% incline in 29:30


    Tuesday 09-02-2016

    Nothing


    Wednesday 10-02-2016

    5.35m in 46:25 @ 8:40min/mi
    Up in Dublin for the night and staying near Phoenix Park so got out for a run @5:50pm after work, due to the darkness that had already engulfed the park I decided I would do an easy pace run up and down Chesterfield Avenue. I ran in the bicycle lane...wearing a hi-viz top and ensured to give way to cyclists by moving to the side or onto the grass on a case by case basis, hope I didn't disrupt anyone's commute and not one cyclist passed comment. Felt bad doing it though! Next time I'm up I'll bring my head torch, enjoyed the run but ended up running in complete darkness after the turn around at the Castleknock gate for about half a mile. Splits were 9:05, 8:37, 8:49, 8:46, 8:07.
    First time running in the park since Dublin City Marathon so some nice moments to think of in spots.

    Thursday-Saturday
    Travel home to Kerry, travel to Laois for a funeral and back to Kerry. Few days written off but maybe the rest was good as life has been too hectic of late.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Monday 08-02-2016

    3.1m on Treadmill, 8-11kph & 1% incline in 29:30


    Tuesday 09-02-2016

    Nothing


    Wednesday 10-02-2016

    5.35m in 46:25 @ 8:40min/mi
    Up in Dublin for the night and staying near Phoenix Park so got out for a run @5:50pm after work, due to the darkness that had already engulfed the park I decided I would do an easy pace run up and down Chesterfield Avenue. I ran in the bicycle lane...wearing a hi-viz top and ensured to give way to cyclists by moving to the side or onto the grass on a case by case basis, hope I didn't disrupt anyone's commute and not one cyclist passed comment. Felt bad doing it though! Next time I'm up I'll bring my head torch, enjoyed the run but ended up running in complete darkness after the turn around at the Castleknock gate for about half a mile. Splits were 9:05, 8:37, 8:49, 8:46, 8:07.
    First time running in the park since Dublin City Marathon so some nice moments to think of in spots.

    Thursday-Saturday
    Travel home to Kerry, travel to Laois for a funeral and back to Kerry. Few days written off but maybe the rest was good as life has been too hectic of late.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Valentine's Day 10 Mile, Tralee
    14-02-2016

    Today was a good day.
    Since the Raheny 5miler and getting a 5 mile PB there I have been thinking about what I would try for both in the Valentine's 10 Miler in Tralee and Ballycotton 10 next month. I knew a PB was there today even with some sandbagging but it was going to be both my longest run and race since DCM so there was a bit of the unknown for me in it. I wanted to go for sub 1:20 which would give me over 5 mins off my previous best for the distance (in a half marathon race last July I got 1:25:16, 10 mile race in April 2015 was 1:26:20) but my preperation this week has been far from ideal, not running since Wednesday and a lot of traveling up and down the country so excuses were at the ready. Was expecting poor conditions this morning as well and a route likely exposed to wind so I could have went for 1:23-24, tipped away comfortably a pat on the back for a PB got. This morning when I got up and looked out the window I thought hmmm, not bad now at all...that's one excuse gone so. Pretty cold out, for some that's a hindrance but for me I think I am better in the cold than heat. Maybe maybe we might try this, tipped away into Tralee to get to park the car at 9:30am ahead of a 10am start. Bumped into a few clubmates and exchanged ideas/plans for the race, told them I was thinking of trying for a right proper chunk of my PB...they encouraged me to go with it so I said feck it why not. Even if I go out too fast for the first half....slowing a bit in the second half will still likely give me a new fastest time even if not the 1:20 I planned.
    Down to the starting area in the Wetlands centre and did a lap of the area (less than a K) to warm up, pretty chilly still but was feeling good. Looked to be about 500 runners for the race and the road is pretty wide there so no congestion getting into a nice spot for the start.....then we were off, my aim being 8min/miles and see how it goes.

    Mile 1&2
    Quick enough start as we meandered out of the town, have ran the first two miles of this route before in another race and also on training runs so very familiar with it. Tip in the second mile is that there is a steady climb, not much but enough that people can burn up a bit doing it...just keep it nice and steady with no weaving but with the sole aim of getting into my pace. Passed a male clubmate in the first mile, had a chat for a sec and we said it's nice day for it and he wished me luck for the race. Tipped away and then passed a female club mate coming up to the 2nd mile marker. She has been faster than me over a few 10Ks races we've done together so was wondering would she be passing me later in the race.
    Splits for mile 1 and 2 were 7:56 and 7:53.

    Mile 3&4
    Heading proper out of town, the Fenit direction for those in the know of the area. I have ran this road once before in training run for DCM with a clubmate and with the course info I could find on Strava I knew it was flat. Once the wind gods were good to us it was going to be good time to maybe bank a few seconds for the hills to come in mile 5&6. Water stop near the start of mile 3 so took a bottle and ran with it for about 100 meters and discarded it after two sips. Didn't especially want it but knew there would be none for another 4 miles or so. Splits for these miles were 7:46, 7:42.
    I was a bit faster than planned at this stage but said I'd just try keep it as I was and hopefully was not going too hard. Effort wise it felt fine and felt like less than a 10K effort.

    Mile 5&6
    Turn back towards town, first half of mile 5 was fast....kinda running on windy country lanes with a bit of up and down fast. I have a road like this where I live and have done a bit of running of it of late, it's a nice type of road to run and I have practiced getting a good racing line for this. Second half of this mile was the first bit of climbing. Bit of a sting but okay. Through the halfway point in 39:15 so was very happy with that. Started to think now that barring something silly if I can hold this pace then should be pretty good for my a target of sub 1:20. Mile 6 stung nicely, good climb for the first half of it (had ran it once before in a training run in the summer so whilst it was pretty long the gradiant wasn't too bad). One lady passed me going up the climb and I could see her for the rest of the race about two minutes ahead of me. Passed a few people too myself so going okay. Could feel my right quad a small bit cresting the top of the hill but it was more one of those hello pain type things (thanks for that idea Dubgal, some things really have stuck). Crested over the top of the hill for the descent back into town....again a spot to gain back a bit of time from the climb.
    Splits were 7:49 and 8:07

    Mile 7&8
    I could see from my watch time I really on the money now for my A goal as were again turned halfway into Mile 7 to run out of the town towards the coast again. Bit of a climb going out of the town but not too bad. Got passed by a blue t-shirted guy in mile 7 but he held his ground a few paces ahead of me with what seemed to be a mate of his who I'd gained ground on. They had a good chat away as we working out towards coastline. I levelled up beside them for a few words/strides before the end of 8th mile . One of the nice things about having nice round goal of 8min miles it was very easy do the maths so said get to two miles to go before 1:04 and you should be fine. I passed the mile 8 marker with 1:03:xx on the watch.
    Splits were 7:42 & 7:41

    Mile 9&10
    Water stop just after the final turn towards town and the push down the canal, I was a bit concerned with wind exposure here as with any running I have done out the area there's always been wind. There's a good reason why Blennerville windmill is out that part of town. However as it's a canal it's flat as can be so a good time to push a bit. Was starting to feel it for sure now but not too bad. Blue-shirted guy came up beside me then again for a chat, nice fella but I wasn't really in the talking mode, eyes on the prize! He said to me he'd been behind me since 2 miles into the race and he said I was running a very even paced race (he was using the race a training run for a marathon next month) so had been using me a gauge. I told him I was planning 8min/mi to go sub 1:20 but I appeared to be faster than that.
    Into the last mile then he said he'd push on for the finish and I said work away, last half a mile we were back into the town and some meandering to do with 90 degree turns. Was really feeling it now for the last half a mile but come on I said half a mile stop moaning and get it done. A marshal shouted at me from a good distance across the canal to give me a push and it was a nice boost.
    Up past the Brandon hotel now and only a few hundred meters to go. I checked the watch and could see 1:18 and suddenly got worried than it might take me more than 2mins to get to the finish line but said come on push it. Into the home straight and pushed hard for those last 100 meters or so, nice support from the sidelines with a good few runners families out.
    Even heard someone cheer my name (later found out it was my wife!) and also the commentator on the race mentioned me as someone in the area who does a good few of the races. I could see the race clock was still 1:18:xx just as I was about to cross the line and I was proper delighted to have done it...may have let a roar or two in celebration.
    My watch time was 1:18:52, my gross race time was 1:18:59 but my chip didn't register at the start so the net time is also 1:18:59. No matter I started the day with an aim of 1:20 if I ran well and came home with sub 1:19 :-).
    Final splits were 7:57 and 7:57.

    After the race I met my wife and daughter who had surprised me to come in, they got there just a min or two before I finished. I also chatted with a few clubmates who all had fine days as well with some other personal records recorded. The lady clubmate who I passed around mile 2 told me I was really flying it, I was pretty pleased with myself alright.
    Overall I was very happy with the day, happy that I decided to go for the time and even more happy that I was able to do it plus my pacing was good.
    It bodes really well for me to get nice chunk of my half marathon time the next time I race that distance....currently planned for Connemarathon Half.
    Next up is Ballycotton 10.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,119 ✭✭✭Mrs Mc


    Super stuff D and what a time to knock off the pb. See you in Ballycotton. Keep up that training plan it seems to be working well for you.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Kennyg71


    Well done on pb D, really hitting form now, keep it going for ballycotton now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Mrs Mc wrote: »
    Super stuff D and what a time to knock off the pb. See you in Ballycotton. Keep up that training plan it seems to be working well for you.

    Thank you kindly, I am looking forward to Ballycotton more now as I don't feel the pressure as my goal was sub 1:20 for one of the races and that's done. No idea of the Ballycotton route yet to see if it's a fast course but it's one I've heard of for a few years and looking forward to giving it a go.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Kennyg71 wrote: »
    Well done on pb D, really hitting form now, keep it going for ballycotton now.

    Thanks G, it's been a good start to the year for me for sure! Fingers crossed I have a few weeks and months of good form left in me!.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,009 ✭✭✭Firedance


    that's fantastic :) well done D, very well run race and lots more to come too.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,119 ✭✭✭Mrs Mc


    diego_b wrote: »
    Thank you kindly, I am looking forward to Ballycotton more now as I don't feel the pressure as my goal was sub 1:20 for one of the races and that's done. No idea of the Ballycotton route yet to see if it's a fast course but it's one I've heard of for a few years and looking forward to giving it a go.

    It's a bit hilly but I pb'd in it last year before DCM training the last mile or so is a steady hill into the village but great support to get you across the line and around the course. It was a gorgeous day last year nearly a bit too warm. I don't remember any awful hills was enjoying the lovely scenery.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,199 ✭✭✭denis b


    Well done Diego. That is a satisfying piece of work.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,585 ✭✭✭nop98


    Great stuff D - that's a fine time over 10M!


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Nice going Diego, what a way to smash 1:20 :) you should be well chuffed


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Firedance wrote: »
    that's fantastic :) well done D, very well run race and lots more to come too.

    Thanks very much, very happy with how it went and hopefully so...have a few more clubmates to try catch!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Mrs Mc wrote: »
    It's a bit hilly but I pb'd in it last year before DCM training the last mile or so is a steady hill into the village but great support to get you across the line and around the course. It was a gorgeous day last year nearly a bit too warm. I don't remember any awful hills was enjoying the lovely scenery.

    Cool sounds good, first heard of the race about 13-14 years ago before ever the thoughts of running came to me so really looking forward to it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    denis b wrote: »
    Well done Diego. That is a satisfying piece of work.

    Thanks Denis, it really was as my time in Raheny gave me great confidence that I go give it a go. I think I remember saying to you and Nop possibly that my aim was sub 1:20 in either Tralee or Ballycotton so nice to get the job done.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    nop98 wrote: »
    Great stuff D - that's a fine time over 10M!

    Thanks N!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    Fab running, D! Exciting race report, well done on the PB!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Neady83 wrote: »
    Nice going Diego, what a way to smash 1:20 :) you should be well chuffed

    Thank you kindly, indeed I was delighted then to get sub 1:19 as there would have been a teeny part of me that would have been disappointed if it was 1:19:02 etc. Stupid brain/ego!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Fab running, D! Exciting race report, well done on the PB!

    Thanks C, I rambled out the report late last night so was fairly fresh in the mind!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭jake1970


    Well done Diego, congrats on the PB.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    jake1970 wrote: »
    Well done Diego, congrats on the PB.
    Thanks Jake, hope you well on the road again yourself!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    diego_b wrote: »
    Thank you kindly, indeed I was delighted then to get sub 1:19 as there would have been a teeny part of me that would have been disappointed if it was 1:19:02 etc. Stupid brain/ego!

    I completely understand, I did 3:59:58 in the marathon. If it had been 4:00:02, I'd have been gutted :D It's the small victories


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