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Leader Of The (Mid) Pack
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OOnegative wrote: »Super stuff again J, delighted for you on the new PB!!!
Thanks B, I was still getting used to the old one! This one will last a bit longer
Great read as always J. Really strong finish, well done. On reading a few race reports I actually believe that the slower first mile suited lots of people and may in fact have been a benefit to their race.
Thanks S, that's undoubtedly true. Not so sure with me though. I was getting a bit frustrated with the slow opening, and was worried I might end up overcompensating. mister paul timed his opening mile at 6:51, so it would seem I was actually something like 6:45-6:50 for that one. It felt a lot slower!Ah i was waiting for this! Brilliant report as we've come to expect. Well done on a brilliant performance too. You kept it going even with all the mental acrobatics.
Ah thanks E. Yes I have those in every race to which I attach any significance. Sometimes I win those battlesDubh Geannain wrote: »Great report. Congrats on the PB
Nice one, more to follow I hope!Sunny Dayz wrote: »I was waiting for this race report to see how you got on! Well done to you. It can be hard when the mind tries to win out over the legs. Sounds like you had a great race! Great strong finish!
Thanks AM, you had a great run yourself! I enjoyed the trip over to your log.AuldManKing wrote: »Nice one J, congrats on the PB - I didn't hang around at the end - walked down with Farreller and Johnny.
Cheers A. Lads done good - quite a few PBs to be had, throughout the field.MisterDrak wrote: »Good mad J, nice to bag a PB there.
As i said to AMK (and yourself last week), you need to be well forward for a clean first mile in Raheny.
I was in a "stitch" pain fest from mile 2 - 4, so lost out badly on the day.
Well done again.
Thanks D. Next time I think I'll just park myself beside your gang at the start, and we'll see what happens from there. I'd an idea you were struggling, given I didn't encounter any resistance as I went by, but still you were under 34Laineyfrecks wrote: »Super running & brill race report:) Well done!
Thanks E! That was more an observation over on your log by the way (as opposed to a challenge) :pac:Mellow Yellow 26.2 wrote: »Well done congratulations on the PB
Cheers S, a great race to be able to take part in. Well done to you too.scotindublin wrote: »Brilliant run J great stuff. Some start to 2020 long may it continue!
Thanks C, plenty more good days to come fingers crossed!Bluesquare wrote: »Great racing - and a great read! Well done
Thanks R, glad you enjoyed it. Sure if it makes that commute a bit easierComic Book Guy wrote: »Great racing J.
Epic report as always, could almost feel every stride! Amazing attention to detail in it.
Thanks J, I'm not sure how or why I remember that much about these races, but it helps with the writing I supposeSuper pb J, superbly ran. I was so impressed with you yesterday, how in the zone you were. You looked so strong.
Can't get my head around how you're always able to remember such fine details of a race :pac:
Great report.
Nice one C. I'm not normally that tuned in with a mile to go of 5. I think the fact that I knew it was on at that stage gave me more incentive.Swashbuckler wrote: »Love your reports. Always exciting and great insight into the inner monologue that goes on. Well done on the pb. Hard to know if those delays at the start cost you or actually benefited you. Congrats
Thanks P, glad you enjoyed it, took me a while to put together I doubt if I will have the same kind of delays in any other race this year. Looking forward to testing out that theory.Mr. Guappa wrote: »Super report as always! Huge congrats on the PB... great to see.
Do you not wear the watch during races?
Thanks A, no I'm proper old school. Hard to manage these things by feel/effort. I think I'm slowly but surely improving in that area.Congrats on the PB, I really enjoyed the race report. Your confidence must be sky high at the moment, racing brilliantly.
Thanks T, yes a lot of positivity round here these days! It weren't always thus. More happy reports to follow soon.
To quickly summarise what's gone on since...
Mon 27/1 - Rest
Tue 28/1 - 5.18 miles @9:11/mi
A boring DOMS-free three Carpo loops, only notable for the fact that I wore a hat and gloves throughout. Five years away from playing GAA has me going all soft in my old age. I decided to have a bit of fun on the Strava, by mentioning the absence of leggings. Fair play to OOnegative and Swash - they knew how that was to work. I set them up, ye knock them down :pac:
Wed 29/1 - Club session, Morton Stadium
No traffic drama en route to Santry this time, but we did have a strong breeze and steady drizzle in our faces from 250-450m of the 6 x 600 (200m w/u) reps. I was feeling a bit leggy after the race, but got my bearings after what felt like a super slow opening (2:20). Pleased with my ability to significantly increase the pace in short bursts - might try a bit more of that in the future. For the others, my times were 2:18/2:15/2:14/2:15/2:11 - a bit more gas on the last one.
Thu 30/1 - 5.58 miles @9:08/mi
I think I changed my planned route three times in running. I eventually decided to include the long (c. 0.9 miles) drag from Blanch Main Street up to the "Millennium" (Power City) roundabout, into the strong breeze for added impact. Not very exciting, but needs must. No repeat of Tuesday's chills.
Fri 31/1 - Rest
January Review
A double parkrun on New Year's Day brought plenty of cheer, more for the fact that I was comfortable for the runs to and from than the runs themselves (22:45/22:25). Another parkrun three days later brought a disappointing 21:xx outcome, however, as mister paul pointed out, it was 3 x 3.1 mile tempo runs in three days, so realistically I shouldn't have been expecting much better.
My first race of the year was a windy but mostly dry BHAA Bank of Ireland XC at Tymon Park. A footwear malfunction at the start didn't impede me unduly, and I was very happy with an improvement on my result in the 2019 race (42% vs. 45%). The good mood continued over in Cherryfield, as I shocked myself with a 33:08 time in the BHAA Eir 5 mile XC. One of those where I just ran and didn't think about times, most of it just seemed to click into place for me. Good ground again, but to be fair there were a few nice little ups and downs (x 3) to negotiate.
So on to Raheny. Even though the cross had certainly put it out there that a sub 33 was on the cards, I would still have to beat my course PB (35:17) by over two minutes to get it. As ye know, I'm one of the kings of the internal chat in these here parts. It doesn't make such races any easier, but believe you and me, it's more satisfying when things do work out!
Major kudos to whoever took the FB photos for My Run Results. There's a great photo of me going by a fella wearing pink Nike 4%s just before the finish line. In the finish straight I also passed a chap in an Armagh GAA jersey, and some Raheny young wan, among others. Not bad for an aul fella wearing an ancient and war weary (2 years old?) pair of New Balance (860 v.9). Had I not emptied the tank there, yes I would have got the PB, but I'd have been rightly annoyed over missing sub-33. Just shows you the value of giving it your best till the end.
Races: 3
parkruns: 3
Mileage: 110
Days Active: 19/31
Next
I'm hoping to run XC races on the first four of five Saturdays in February (including National Masters on the 8th), with a Leap Year Day parkrun on the 29th. As previously mentioned, I have entered the GIR. However, I will not be running the K Club. With a few non running related trips happening down the line, some other planned races have been cut from my provisional schedule, including the Inishbofin HM - but I'm thinking the Terenure 5 might give me a chance to improve on the Raheny time.
As well as that, I won't be taking the start for the Connemara HM either. Hence, I'm offering you, the reader, an opportunity to take my entry. Like I say, at the moment it's for the half, but it can be changed to the full (or ultra!) if you wish. PM me if you're interested. Hope to see some of ye down by the Magazine Fort on Saturday. Thanks for reading. J.0 -
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Sat 1/2 - BHAA Garda XC, Phoenix Park
As January turned to February in the midst of a howling gale overnight, once the sun rose it was time for me to spring back into cross country action. Yeah, I know. Not your usual highbrow stuff :pac:
I'd run this race four years in a row, but skipped it last year due to a clash with the National Masters. Arrived nice and early, had a chat with RedRunner as I was collecting my number. Back up to the car to grab the spikes for a 2.5 mile warmup (one long lap, one short) with Graham and Paddy. With the course being so exposed, we were wide open for the gale force blasts. After cheering on the women (featuring HelenAnne and Marthastew) through their 2 mile race, it was time to ditch the layers and head to the start for a few strides.
Lap 1
Plenty of room to line up across the Acres, yet there was still a bit of congestion initially, as people were reluctant to run through the clumpy grass. Once it opened out a bit, I took off, and made up about 20 places in jig time. When we turned at the Magazine Fort, it seemed like there was a gale behind us. "Only" 4 miles today. No messing. Turn right, down into the gully, as opposed to heading straight over the Munich hills. Sharp left, and up the hill from the bottom of the Khyber, for about 400? metres. Days like this, it feels like a lot longer. Shorten the stride, work the arms, move a bit further up the running order. Wind at the top of the climb is straight in our faces. Oooofff. The shelter in the trees is warmly welcomed! Ian (on photography duty today) gives me a shout as I pass him. Down the hill into the valley, no time to ease off. Tough little climb back to the start/finish straight. Push hard past the finish. Close the gap to the group ahead. That's the short one done!
Lap 2
Still lots of work to do - grit the teeth and dig in. It's like someone turns the wind off at the Magazine Fort. No time for breathers though. One or two pass me at the start of the hill, but I return the favour nearer the top. Feeling the pain at the top, but we're not even at halfway yet. Remember that this is about getting that sense of HTFU that I'll need for the Nats, and dig in again.
At the end of the valley, the short and long laps diverge, as we go right up a short stiff climb and turn left alongside the Khyber Road. On my warmup lap, there was a pole at the right turn, which I understood we were to go around. However, this was gone for the race itself. A few lads took advantage, and shaved about 15-20 metres off the corner. One was a fella who I'd beaten in Cherryfield, and I made it my business to beat him again for that. A regular too. Disappointing to say the least.
Those of you who follow Laura C on Strava will have read about her encounter with a parkrun cheat in Cork yesterday. It drives me mad that people would be so desperate to do this, especially when hardly anyone else even knows we're there! Anyway. Work to the end of the trees, almost up to the Papal Cross, then turn left, following the tree line. When I turn left, it's like I'm hit with a left hook, the wind is that strong. Left again and now it's from the side. I pass a DCH guy and another fella wearing a Derby Dale AC top - there had been a mini race going on between us for a while. Nice to get a few shouts on the way around actually This is the longest straight in the race, all the way back to the fort. No feeling sorry for myself - one more long lap.
Lap 3
Get a shout from Tommy Swift as I turn left at the Magazine Fort, and hammer it down the hill as hard as I can. About a mile to go as we climb the Khyber hill for the last time. Fight the pain, come on! Wind nearly knocks me backwards at the top, but I battle through it, knowing there's only a few minutes left. Get a shout from RedRunner as I descend through the trees. Dig in hard up the short drag to the Khyber Road. Only about maybe three minutes to go. Pass another one or two. Soak up the blast of wind on the first turn left. Over the mat. 500 metres? left. Just put the foot down, and see where it takes us. Get a shout from Marthastew with about 200 remaining. Of course, she also knows the fella chasing me :pac: Doing my damnedest to keep him at bay, when some kid comes blasting by on my right. Ah here, leave ir ou! I thought that might be it, but then the other fella got me with a few strides to go - AIB, think he runs with DSD? A little bit disappointed that I didn't keep him behind me, but overall a pleasing outcome.
Position: 62/196
Time: 27:43
Because there are so many running this race as part of the 5 Alive Challenge (aimed primarily at new runners), percentages are misleading when trying to compare to other events. What I can say is that yesterday was a course PB, 46 seconds faster than 2018. In such windy conditions, I'll take that, although the course was quite dry, which certainly helped when attempting to go through the gears. I also got a couple of nice scalps which I hadn't been expecting. Had a good chat with FBOT afterwards, before throwing the layers back on and heading home. Probably one of my best BHAA performances ever.
Sun 2/2 - 11.85 miles @8:41/mi
Between the race, and drinks while watching the Dubs win away to Mayo, I thought this morning might be a major struggle. How wrong I was. Great to have the company heading around the Phoenix Park as the sun came up. Even on tired legs, and with a bit of a woolly head on me at first, the miles flew by. Another successful week in the bag. Thanks for reading. J.0 -
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passinginterest wrote: »That’s a great run in the XC. I was looking at the pictures and the amount of pained faces made me kinda glad I missed it!
Thanks P. Yes, he picked some fine spots for photos, around the top of the Khyber hill and at the finish line - not much showboating going on there!You're in fine form at the moment! I'm only belatedly getting to read your Raheny report, and now I get two for the price of one with the XC too. Well done on both! Some wind out in the park yesterday, not easy racing by any means.
Thanks C
glad you're getting the value from reading here Yes, the wind made it more difficult, but at the same time more satisfying when it went well.OOnegative wrote: »That’s a smashing performance on the back of Raheny J, in great shape lately, keep it going.
Thanks B. I think I made the right decision in choosing this one over the Trim 10. While there were some fine performances from such as Healy and quick feet, some others I know got badly burned out there. I'd love to think I could have just sat in behind the 70 min pacers, and then cruised by whenever I felt like it, but the reality may well have been somewhat different.scotindublin wrote: »Another great week J some running just now. In fine nick heading for Avondale. Hoping to make it down to watch.
Also another weekend closer to league being over!
C
Thanks C, hope I can keep my good run going, and that the Nats don't turn out to be a race too far. I think I'd about ten behind me last year, so surely I can do better this time?
Yes, hard to believe the Reds are 22 points clear at this stage of the season, yet the haters are still trying to denigrate their achievements. Exhibit A here.Swashbuckler wrote: »I have to say I'm seriously impressed with how much quality racing you get in[/QUOTEMellow Yellow 26.2 wrote: »Racing yourself fit!
Thanks lads, it probably goes against a lot of what wiser heads than me believe, but so far this year it seems to be working. It won't continue like this too much longer, but these races should hopefully stand to me later in the year.You certainly did take off; I started right behind you and 200m in you were completely out of sight and gone. Great racing!
Thanks G, nice to see you on Saturday. Good to know I didn't imagine that bit :pac: the bit of speedwork in Santry seems to be helping me in that area.0 -
Mon 3/2 - Rest
Letting all the Super Bowl over indulgence settle.
Tue 4/2 - 5.21 miles @9:00/mi
Out, loop around, loop again (and again), sin an méid.
Wed 5/2 - Club session, Morton Stadium
For a few minutes it was touch and go whether I'd make it, as my wife got stuck in work. However, one of the new lads saved the day, which I was very pleased about, as I wasn't looking forward to paced miles through Laurel Lodge. After a few warmup laps, stretches and strides, I was ready for 6 x 600 (200m w/u). Delighted with these, particularly from a consistency standpoint. 2:13/2:13/2:13/2:13/2:14/2:08 - I gave it a bit of welly on the last lap, for a nice bit of stat padding
Thu 6/2 - 4.89 miles @8:45/mi
By the numbers plod around D15. Well, not quite. I have to say I was a bit concerned by my overall time here. Maybe there were less traffic related stops than usual? Can't remember now, although I do recall walking down the far side of the railway/canal bridge into Roselawn - a common occurrence, as the path is so narrow, and it's quite a busy road.
Fri 7/2 - Rest
Sat 8/2 - National Masters XC, Avondale - Helter Skelter
Pre Race
Coming off a run of PBs and/or improved finishing positions, beforehand I was quite confident of improving on last year's Nats debut. On that day at a cold and wet Dundalk IT, I'd only about 10 behind me out of 250 or so. Perhaps not surprising, considering I'd been on a cruise, followed by a few days in Orlando, returning over half a stone heavier.
So what would constitute "nailing the Nats" for me? I will (almost certainly!) never be in a position to contest a category win, let alone win the thing. Being realistic, probably less than 90%, in addition to feeling that I gave it my best, as opposed to just turning up and throwing on the singlet. I got most of a warmup lap done before the Masters Women got away. That hill is going to knock a few for six, right enough. Cheered the women home while stretchin and stridin.
Bit of a wait at the start line, while Lucy was trying to weed out O/65s who should have been running with the Masters women. Good luck to Fletch, who's looking fit and ready to knock it out of the park. overpronator is over yonder, out of range. I have to say I'm having a few feelings of imposter syndrome, even though there are quite a few BHAA regulars lining up. Would this be the race that's one too many?
Lap 1
In this 7k race, we first complete a short 1k loop, followed by three 2k laps. Uphill start, I'm about three quarters of the way through the field. I can spot Tom C (who I surprisingly beat last week) over to my left. Lots of others I don't recognise. Start off slow, I'm thinking. Downhill after we pass the finish, then a bit of a drag - I can actually see Mel at this stage! - and a loop down below the start area. I did laugh looking at the video on My Run Results this morning. Even with less than a kilometre gone, I'm nowhere near featuring in the clip :pac: I nearly go on my snot at the start of the left hander. Tom F gives me a shout as he goes by on the inside. Hang on to him, I'm thinking - Porterstown bragging rights up for grabs again! Up through a narrow tree lined section, where somebody has come a cropper, so we're steered around him. "Only" 6k to go. 'Kinell.
Lap 2
"When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide,
Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride"
I know, the Beatles weren't on about cross country racing at all. Even Charles Manson didn't interpret the lyrics as such Never mind! Downhill again to start. Not too bad at the start, then into a heavy, wet and steep section. I very nearly lose the legs from under myself. Brake, brake! Just get through this bit, and pick up on the drag to the bottom bend. Left around the bottom, with the wind behind us initially. Get a few places back, although Tom has pulled away. Breathe in, breathe out. Here we go! "The Big Ride" is only about 200 metres long perhaps, but it's a steep climb which really hurts the legs, and even first time around, I've to work my a$s off to get up and drive on at the top. Down through the drop around the start, neatly dodging a tree branch! Loop to the left, a Bros Pearse guy in my mirrors, I move cleanly to the left to block that move. Hard up to the finish. Great support from Emilia and Eimear, as well as Caroline (I think) around here. Not even half way there yet. My legs are in ribbons already. Sweet lord.
Lap 3
A former work colleague ran in the Masters women's race, and she's out on the course in several spots to give me badly needed support. In a way that steep downhill is nearly as bad as the hill opposite. I'm that worried about falling that I'm almost down to walking pace. Pick it up again, come on! Bit of downhill coming back to the Big Ride. Hammer it now, get back to the group ahead. Shorten the stride. Work the arms! Hard! Push! I've another Bros Pearse on my six (BHAA regular, 3:07 in DCM 2019) as well as three Sportsworld lads, all of whom are marks for me. They're getting plenty of shouts, so I know they're close! Can't ease off at the top of the hill. Try to find a less slippy route around the bend, and pick it up again on the drag back to the finish. I can see 23 minutes plus gone on the clock. Not lapped. One more round.
Lap 4
The downhill is really no advantage for me. As I'm trying to stay upright through the slop, a Tuam lad absolutely belts down the hill. Wouldn't have worked for me. Try to make up the difference after. On the radar as we turn around the bottom of the course for the last time - Tuam, two Tullamore Harriers, GCH, and the first mentioned Bros Pearse. Catch one of the Harriers before the climb. Can't stop now. Legs are on fire going up the steep hill. If I stop I could lose a lot of places. Not good enough. Stay on it. Catch GCH half way up, even though I feel like I'm barely moving. Desperate, but I know there's not long to go after this. I think I've got the other Tullamore guy, but he turns on the afterburners at the top of the hill, and I can't respond. Last descent towards Avondale House. Round the bend, and now uphill to the finish. 200 to go. If that. Give it everything. I'm catching Bros Pearse and Tullamore. Few seconds left. Leave it all out there! Finish comes too soon for me though - at least as far as catching those two is concerned. In a heap after I cross the line, but I've done it, on a real cross country course in windy (but thankfully dry!) Wicklow.
Position: 222/258
Category: 37/42 M45
Time: 32:31
So yes, a big improvement on last year. Time was a lot slower than 2019 (30:56). However, I would counter that this one is much more like a true cross country course than running around the soccer and GAA pitches in Dundalk IT. Here, I never felt like I was getting any respite - virtually everything was up or down, to a greater degree than any XC course I've taken on before. The beginnings of Storm Ciara added to the fun, but we had a fair bit of tree cover, and the rain stayed away. Overall, plenty of reasons to be cheerful on the "breezy" drive back to D15.
Next
Still a bit to go in my XC season, with two BHAA races on the cards. The first is the long 5 miler at ALSAA next Saturday, with a new 4 miler the following Saturday at Wesley College. After that, I'm back to the roads, for a tilt at the Carlingford Half. Still no takers for the Connemara Half. Just so you know.
Sun 9/2 - 6.80 miles @9:17/mi
Between the race, getting drenched while supporting the Dubs, and then a few beers at a family birthday party, it was a struggle to get out of bed and down to Castleknock Gate for 8:45. It was well worth it though. Just a lap of the Park for me this time. Spotted scotindublin and his merry men over by Garda HQ. Very few bodies around this morning - not that many ran 50k races or cross country yesterday The wind hit us full on between Ashtown Gate and the Castleknock roundabout - it was just a relief to get out of the way of it. Chalk it up. No way would I have done that run on my own today. Leanfaimid ar aghaidh! Thanks for reading. J. 0 -
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Well done on the nationals run, your XC reports read as proper racing accounts. Great stuff, keep it going, you are having a great start to the year.
Cheers T ! Back to run of the mill roady stuff soon. Hope I can bring the form with mescotindublin wrote: »Great effort yesterday that was some killer hill to negotiate! A few of the DH masters were traumatised after their warm up lap!
Nice one C. Judging by how far most/all of your lads left me behind, they got over their collective trauma fairly quickly :pac: Super course, and hopefully I'll get to race it again while my times and overall performance levels are still on an upward curve.0 -
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Dealerz2.0 wrote: »"Older guy with good hair" brilliant!
I’d love to be that guy F! Beats being “Younger guy with very little hair”
:pac:
Great report as always J, congrats on toughing it out and finishing really well.0 -
Comic Book Guy wrote: »I’d love to be that guy F! Beats being “Younger guy with very little hair” :pac:
Really? :pac:0 -
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Dealerz2.0 wrote: »"Older guy with good hair" brilliant!Comic Book Guy wrote: »I’d love to be that guy F! Beats being “Younger guy with very little hair” :pac:
Great report as always J, congrats on toughing it out and finishing really well.Really? :pac:MisterDrak wrote: »Great report as usual J, particularly like the few lines :-
"I'm catching an older guy with good hair."...
"but I still manage to take out good hair guy"
Its the little things ...
Thanks all. Yeah nice to get a reasonable placing when I wasn't feeling particularly motivated.
If you have a bit of spare time, here's the finish line video. Good hair at the 5 minute mark.
Much to my surprise, I've actually gone to the top of the BHAA Winter League Division C standings, as the leader didn't run on Saturday - I was in second pre ALSAA. However, although I might beat that guy again (2-2 in this series), there are several lads with a race in hand, who are likely to overhaul me if they fill up their set. It's the best 5 results from 7, with Wesley and Maynooth remaining. Sure I didn't know I was in the hunt at all until this morning :pac:0 -
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Turns out that I was third after the last round, in spite of the fact that I beat the lad who is now second. Long story short, standards (his is one lower than mine) come into it too. Ah sure. We won't worry.
Mon 17/2 - Rest
Tue 18/2 - "5.10 miles @9:09/mi"
Those who follow me on Strava may be mildly amused by the lines I allegedly took through people's gardens etc in the course of three Carpenterstown loops. A chance encounter with the Porterstown ED made one of them go quicker at least.
Wed 19/2 - Club session, Morton Stadium
Not cold tonight, but we had the obligatory strong wind heading around by the stand for our 600s. There were cakes in the office this afternoon, consumption of which left me feeling very fat even before the speedwork started. Happy with the first three (2:14/2:13/2:14) but the effort levels dipped for the next one (2:19). Glad I was able to recover for the final two (2:15/2:12).
Thu 20/2 - 7.42 miles @8:20/mi
It felt a lot faster than the above. Certainly considerably quicker than I would normally run solo on a Thursday. From the Carpenterstown shops the long way around to Hartstown, most of a lap of the park, exiting at St Peregrines GAA and home via Mountview. I was just hoping it didn't leave me banjaxed for Saturday.
Fri 21/2 - Rest
Sat 22/2 - BHAA Central Bank XC, Wesley College
After another poor night's sleep amidst howling winds, I made the drive over Southside for a new addition to the BHAA calendar. Being told I looked like a "serious runner", by one of the volunteers as I was driving in, brought a smile. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be long before her illusions of me were shattered :pac:
Lots of familiar faces around as I sauntered through my warmup lap. 4 x 1 mile laps today - at least it wouldn't be an endurance test, like the ALSAA and National Masters races were.
Lap 1
In mid division as we went around the sticky opening righthander, breeze behind us as we made our way to the far end of the grounds. I noticed my lace had come undone almost instantly after the start. Right again, slightly downhill but into the strong wind. Already I was huffing and puffing way more than I would normally expect to be at this stage. Struggling for grip in the heavy patches at the bottom of the course. Caprica went by, as did a few others. Another field further on, Mr Skinny did the same. I've had the better of G the last couple of outings, but this time I had no answer. About two thirds of the way through the lap, I decided to stop and tie the lace. I lost lots more places while doing this, but I didn't care. I would try and work my way into it. Big lake at the end of the penultimate field. It was possible to go around it, but I decided to go straight through. 7:0x with three laps to go.
Lap 2
Really, I was just passing people who had overtaken me while I was attending to my footwear malfunction, so already it was feeling like a damage limitation exercise. I just felt drained. No zip in the legs at all. Just as well there weren't any hills. I did however make it my business to catch Graham before we reached halfway. With him being "fresh" from the Barcelona HM, he didn't put up any resistance as I went by. Still two laps left. Even with the support from Jim and RedRunner, I just wasn't feeling the love today.
Lap 3
While battling through the strong wind at the far end of the course, I recognised a guy on my shoulder as the Bros Pearse who had narrowly beaten me in the Nats. Ok, maybe I can summon up a bit of fight for this one? To my surprise, I was able to get clear of him, and catch someone else just after the sharp little left hander into the second last field. Some strong runners out this morning, but not strong enough to lap me. Phew.
Lap 4
Only 7 and a bit minutes left. Could I catch anyone else in that time? Somebody stepped off up ahead. Strange to do that at this stage. He didn't look overly distressed as I went by. Two women up ahead - I was slowly catching them, but time was running out. Only a few corners left now - I turned up the power, through the lake one more time. I tried to get out of third for the last few seconds, but although I made up a fair bit of ground on the women, I didn't catch either of them before the finish. Kind of summed up my race really. I was just glad it was over.
Position: 69/180 (11/16 M45)
Time: 29:00
This definitely felt like a race too many. Seven races in seven weekends, and although I've seen a good few of the same faces on my recent rounds, this one was a struggle, right from the start. Very well organised by RedRunner and his crew, with lots of cakes to get through upstairs afterwards. I laughed when Caprica told me we'd won a team prize, with me being third scorer. Some good news to finish off
Sun 23/2 - 6.56 miles @8:18/mi
Most of our newer members wouldn't even know we have a clubhouse, let alone where to find it. Hence, it was nice for some of them to experience Sarah Place in Islandbridge for the first time. We started from there, doing a lap of the Phoenix Park, and back for coffee, cakes and a shower. Great to see the older lads who run from there regularly, as well as John Coghlan and AMK Seán Hehir, who tiptoed their way around at sub-8 minute mile pace. I sat back a bit from the front group, as I was feeling tired after the race and post-match beers last night. Delighted I was able to get out and do it all the same.
Next
For most of the last two months, my weeks have been following a fairly consistent pattern, with easy work sandwiching Wednesday intervals, and a race on Saturday (apart from the Raheny 5 on a Sunday of course). This will change next week, with life stuff requiring some runs to be scrapped or switched.
No race next week :eek: Mind you, I was half tempted to enter next Sunday's 4 mile road race out in Lusk, if only for the fact that my 4 mile PB (26:40) is so poor. However, it might be for the best if I skip it this time.
The Carlingford half is coming down the tracks the following Saturday. I'll probably have an idea early enough in the proceedings whether I'll be chasing a time or enjoying the scenery. Thanks for reading. J.0 -
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Mellow Yellow 26.2 wrote: »Great stuff. How many races this year so far?
Thanks S, seven so far, looking forward to a break.Laineyfrecks wrote: »Great Stuff J, i love reading your posts
Thanks E ! Enjoying your log too, an early contender for LOTY dare I say!AuldManKing wrote: »7 races in 7 weeks :eek:
Great to see Sean H back at it.
Absolutely. Had a chat with him back in the clubhouse. A lot of racing right enough, but I'd say the Raheny 5 and the Masters were the two I particularly had my eye on.MisterDrak wrote: »Whats the The Carlingford half like J (standard, course ) ?
Glad to help D. Standard is better than I remembered, with 78 going sub-90 last year. There are a few hills in the first four miles, then for the next 3.5 or so you're working your way gradually downhill to the sea. After that, apart from a sharp little climb at the ten mile mark, it largely depends on which way the wind is blowing. If I'm lucky, I'll have it behind me coming back in alongside Carlingford Lough.0 -
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scotindublin wrote: »Great start to the year and a great February. Horrific performance and result Thursday unfortunately!
Thanks C, at least matters have improved on the domestic front
To get the new month up and running....
Sun 1/3 - 11.79 miles @8:35/mi
Nice sunny morning, and thankfully Storm Jorge had moved on, although it was still breezy enough in the usual areas. Having the company was a big help, as first we ran through "Eugene's Lap" (couple of sub-8 miles in there!) and then a lap of the Phoenix Park. Enjoyable way to start the month/finish the week.
Mon 2/3 - Rest
Tue 3/3 - "5.13 miles @8:58/mi"
Back to the Carpo loops, after a two week absence. Feeling fat, and a bit miserable starting off, but better than nothing. Some of the Porterstown Panthers were back in action after their Paris adventure. Even though the race was cancelled after they (40+) had all arrived, they concocted a route that covered a lot of the touristy bits, and ran around that instead
Wed 4/3 - "5.87 miles @8:54/mi"
I couldn't get to Santry tonight, so I returned to an old session which I used a few times in the lead up to last year's Connemara HM GIR. This was 2M warmup / 2M @10k pace / 2M cooldown. Well, it was supposed to be 10k pace, but ended up closer to HMP, due to numerous traffic stops including a particularly long one at Laurel Lodge shops early in the first "fast" mile. 7:27/7:27 as per Strava - it's actually a little over 6 miles overall. It felt a lot harder than HMP, but nice to do it.
Thu 5/3 - 4.73 miles @9:23/mi
Easy D15 run. I bumped into my brother no more than 2-3 minutes after I started. Few minutes there and on I went. Not bothered about speed this time.
Fri 6/3 - Rest
I'm on one of the "Marchathon" teams in work, so even though I won't be running today as such, I'll be getting the step count up regardless
So as it stands, I'll be heading to Carlingford in the morning. It's highly unlikely IMO that it will fall through. I'm not expecting a PB tomorrow, as it's feeling more and more like a day to enjoy the scenery, but if it happens I'll take it :pac:
Unfortunately, since the last update, the Paris Marathon has been cancelled/postponed, as has the Rome marathon. No doubt more big marathons will follow, as the levels of panic and/or pandemic delay increase. However, I'm a bit more positive about the whole thing than some out there. It's going to be with us for a while, but I don't believe the doomsday scenarios either. Keep on living, try not to worry about what might happen.
I'll leave you with a lyric shamelessly stolen from a famous American C&W singer (and of course, taken out of context)
"It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it"
Thanks for reading. J.0 -
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Sat 7/3 - Carlingford Half Marathon
Pre Race
I was feeling quite nervous all morning, before and during the trip North. I don't know why. I'd run this one twice before, and this wasn't a goal race. Maybe I was worried about not having enough long work done, although I think I've more miles on the clock at this stage of the year than ever.
Anyway. Arrived with just under an hour to spare, plenty of time to find a spot to park the car and get a warmup and some stretches done. Clubmate B was also present, for his longest race since breaking through the 3:30 barrier in last year's DCM. Healy was there as well (3rd!), but I missed him. Bit of a delay while we waited for the start area to be cleared, and then we were off.
Miles 1-4
We knew that the first four miles would be the hardest. Plenty of climbing, and mostly into the wind. Hence, we kept it fairly relaxed on the way out of the town, up a steep hill past the church. Short downhill, then more up and up. It was five years since the last time I ran this race, so having B around was a massive help - as we're at around the same standard, we could keep each other in check. Hard work in the more exposed sections, but just over 23 minutes for the first 5k wasn't too bad, and we were passing a lot more than were passing us. Working with a guy in yellow, and a Sperrin Harrier. Legs were feeling the climbs, but overall in reasonable shape. We got to the 4 mile mark at the townland known as The Bush, just before crossing the Dundalk road. All good for now.
Miles 5-7
With the worst of it over, I was glad of water at the school, although I took a little too much on board, which caused problems for a few minutes afterwards. Mainly flat now, with the breeze at our backs. The roads were not closed for this race, so everyone had to keep their eyes and ears open, especially when a large truck came down the other side of a narrow country lane before the 5 mile mark. Sperrin had gone ahead by then, but we were still back and forth with yellow top. Overall for these few miles, working well with B, with the 10th and 11th ks coming in at 4:22 and 4:21. Too fast today?
Miles 8-10
The road turned around to the right, and downhill towards the sea, as we caught up to two Tafelta AC runners. On reaching the coast road, we turned left, and had the breeze at our backs again, with the Irish Sea on our right, and the Mournes in the far distance. For me anyway, it made the difficult third quarter seem a bit easier to get through. Here you could see where remedial work had been done on the road. My first time to run this race was in 2014, when this section was closed due to storm damage. Slight left just after the 8 mile mark, with the breeze a little bit side on now, but still with great views. We were starting to catch a few more people now, including yellow top, and had left the Tafelta two behind. A guy just ahead nearly got taken out of the race, by a goat which ran across the road while tied to a tree by the sea. I moved as far left as I could just in case :pac:
At 9 miles, I decided to see could I up the pace a bit. Not by that much, but even so, B wasn't coming with me. On I pushed, passing a couple more as I could see people turning off the seafront up ahead. A guy in a blue Gaelforce top appeared ahead of me, presumably having stopped for a call of nature. 10 mile marker. Only a parkrun to go.
Miles 11-13.1
Just after the 10 mile marker, the road turned left, away from the seafront and up a short sharp climb into the breeze. I had to work to get up there, but it didn't last long, and soon there was tree cover again, with mainly downhill running for the next half mile or so. Plenty of targets ahead, as I continued to make progress. The only one that passed me (I think) was the guy from Tafelta who we first encountered at the 7 mile mark. He rocketed past - I made no effort to stay with him. Just after the 11 mile marker, we turned right at a T junction just before the Dundalk road. Definitely left in other years, but not to worry. Passed two more before a short run at the side of the Dundalk road, then right onto the run for home.
Now we were going through the 10k backmarkers too. Still I knew that the next two HM runners ahead were a girl from Lisburn, and the Gaelforce guy. This stretch can be brutal when the wind is against you, but this time it was in our favour. Keep concentrating, keep the breathing going. Past Lisburn girl. Dodging in and out of more 10k runners. 12 mile mark just after the end of the golf course, and now I could see across Carlingford Lough, with the long straight up to the town. It seemed a long way away all of a sudden. About half a mile left, I caught Gaelforce. Somebody else who I guessed was a HM runner, about 150m ahead. No harm in trying at this stage. Right onto the road towards the sailing club, along the stretch we started on. Little rise and then a downhill for about 100 metres. Couldn't get to that other guy, but I could hear somebody (Collie) getting shouts behind me. I didn't want to get caught at the end, so I gave it a bit more gas up the short climb to the finish, and that was enough. It turns out Collie was yellow top. Nice to win that one, when we'd passed each other a fair bit over the course of the race.
Time: 1:36:04 (1:35:56)
Position: 99/926
Pleasantly surprised by how well that turned out, when beforehand I was thinking I would struggle to go under 1:40. Actually my second fastest HM ever. Nearly two minutes slower than Ratoath last year, but a return to that race was always going to be the target half for 2020. By then hopefully I'll be in sub-90 shape. Lot to happen in the meantime though Some brilliant results from Bohermeen today, in what were fairly wretched conditions at times, hailstones and all. At least it stayed dry for this one.
Next
As it stands, I'm going to be pacing 25 mins in the MSB 5k next Sunday. This race got cancelled two years ago due to snow, so fingers crossed we can get the go ahead this time! Hope to see some of you there if so. Thanks for reading. J.0 -
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