The continuing story of a quack who's gone to the dogs

snailsong

martyboy48 wrote: »

Set in you say!!!!!!! Sure he's a mad mayo man all the time!!! ☺

Its all a matter of perspective, Marty. I'd be the last one to know.

How are things with yourself? Anything brewing? Your log has been quiet of late.

snailsong

Monday 27/3
Pilates. No run.

Tuesday 28/3
Did a few miles by myself before meeting the group. Threw in 8 x 100m strides and was happy enough with the effort, felt good. Followed by the usual 8k.
12.6k @ 5:11/k

Wednesday 29/3
A not atypical deviation from the plan. Should have had 7 miles with 3 x 1mile at 5k pace. I had already decided to substitute a medium brisk parkrun on Saturday for this. I know its not the same thing but I like to run with my friends. Met one of my regular partners and a special guest star, her sister. We did a very relaxed 9.5 miles on a lovely day.
15.4k @ 5:41/k.

Thursday 30/3
Met up with 3 other lads after work and another 7.5k at very easy pace.
7.6k @ 5:33/k

Friday 31/3
A very long day at work so didn't run. Not bothered

Saturday 1/4
I had planned to run parkrun in 20 minutes in lieu of speedwork. As I'd anticipated a few others said they'd take the opportunity to be paced. These included 2 of my regular training partners one of whom who'd broken 20 on her last attempt, 3 years ago. 6 of us set off but after the first 2 downhill km's in 3:48 and 3:46 we were already down to three. A 4:07 as we turned back up the slope and the one remaining pacee was my friend I'd run with on wednesday. She ran very strongly in the fourth k, 4:15, though I told her we were well ahead and on 19:45 schedule. The last k she didn't need much encouragement to power home for 19:36 and an 11 second improvement on the 3 year old pb. One of the others rallied towards the end and got 20:02 in his first parkrun.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing as always, much more fun than lung busting repeats by myself. The effort levels were very comfortable throughout, I find this encouraging.
Virtually no warmup or cooldown.
5k @ 3:55/k

Sunday 2/4
A lovely sunny morning to do the last longish run before Rotterdam. Four of us on this, should have been 12 miles but in the end it was 13. No injuries or issues to report.
21k @ 5:21/k

Weekly total 61.6k (38.3 miles)
A few less than planned, nothing new in that. Happy enough with where I am at this stage.

It being taper time the marathon has of course been foremost in my mind of late. My plan and targets are more or less finalised and I intend to post my thoughts here tomorrow or soon after when I have time. As always I welcome all and any feedback, comments or suggestions.

snailsong

So, 5 days to go until my spring goal, the Rotterdam marathon. A few thoughts.

The training.
By and large the training went well. I followed the p+d 18 week 55-70 mile plan, but in an approximate sort of way. As usual, life got in the way so not all the runs were completed. I did run 1480 km since the start of December though, which is the best sustained block of training I've done so far.
Along the way I set 4 pb's that I can remember, parkrun twice 18:39 and 18:15, a 10k pb set without really planning it on Stephen's Day 38:50, and a half marathon in Kinvara 1:27:06.
I didn't have any problem with injury, save a few minor niggles. Fingers crossed they won't flare up at the weekend.
Also, and importantly, I continued to enjoy my running greatly. Most of the runs were done with my friends and I even recruited a few more running partners along the way. This occasionally involved a little compromise with regard to pace but I'm happy to do so. I also got to try out a few new routes, some on trail. I think I'll be doing a lot more trail running in the future.

The target
My last 'raced' marathon was Rotterdam last year. I ran 3:06:52 for a near 4 minute pb. Starting into this cycle I had hoped the higher milage would lead to another pb, at the least sub 3:05 and the dream scenario would be a sub 3 attempt, however unlikely. I had always planned to base the target on the half in Kinvara. Well, as it happened, Kinvara was not an ideal trial. It came during a very busy period at work, I did 13 hours the previous day and felt pretty wrecked on the day. Even worse, the day was very windy and I ended up running 8k right in to the wind all by myself. Nevertheless, I finished fast for 1:27:06 and was left wondering what it might have been in better conditions.
I think I'd need 1:25:30 or better to justify a sub 3 shot so I'm going to base the target on what I've achieved rather than what I might have achieved. I plan to go to halfway in 1:32 or so, congestion allowing, and if I feel good try to come back slightly quicker. 3:03 would be fantastic, sub 3:05 and I'm very happy, if its a pb I won't moan. Anything worse and I'll be looking for excuses.
All targets are dependent on suitable weather. I think I can handle a little heat but I never run well in the wind so would go to plan B in that case. At this remove the forecast looks very good.

The plan
Traveling on Friday. Last year I left it to Saturday and it was all a bit of a frenzy. A friend is going with me so we'll have a day to aclimatise and orientate. Unlike last year, I hope to get to the start in good time and not forget the bag drop:). I'll line up close to the 3 hour pacers if possible but I'm pacing myself in any case. Its likely to lose some time with congestion early on but i wont panic, there's plenty room after a km or two to gradually claw it back. The goal pace will be 4:20/k for the first half anyway, as above, and adjust to taste in the business end. I'll carry 4 gels. There's an aid station every 5k, my plan is water at 5k, water and gel at 10k, isotonic drink at 15k, water and gel at 20k, isotonic drink at 25k and so on. The fourth gel will probably be 38k or so but that's the general pattern.

Later that evening I plan to drink about half as much as I had last year, which is still too much.:)

If anybody spots any glaring mistakes or omissions please speak up.

tang1

Drink half as much my eye!!! Think you have all the bases covered P, training has gone well as you say & you've every right to be confident in running a PB on the day. Please God the weather is good to you and you get to run the marathon you deserve.

martyboy48

Kinda gutted I'm not heading over for a jaunt, my FB newsfeed keeps reminding me of the good time I had there

Personally, I don't think you need a 1:25:30 to justify a sub 3 shot. All/most of those PB's(and I suspect there were more) were attained in less than ideal conditions. Kinvara was wild enough as was Athenry, 5k parkrun with curve-ball of realisation of redundant garmin, heavy work loads on occasion ect ect.... You were knocking out super runs all year while running decent mileage,you're in good nick.
*Note... I'm not saying you should go for sub 3, just saying don't be waiting on specific HM numbers ect ect...

Have a great run, you know best on how to attack this one. Go out and enjoy it while giving it everything you got
Have a good drink after no matter what the result, you put a lot of work in and deserve an end of "cycle" session
Head up on the Euromast tower this time, great views and some quality food if you are into fine cuisine

Neady83

There's no faulting that well thought out plan P. You've covered all bases with your training and with your prep. The sessions you've put in and the resulting PBs during this training block have been outstanding and a testament to your mindset and attitude to training.

It's clear since I first met you and since you started this log that you love to run and more importantly, you love the company of others when running - it's uplifting to see such sheer enjoyment in a running log.

I've no doubt that you'll do yourself and us proud in Rotterdam The very best of luck to you - go make it all count

snailsong

tang1 wrote: »

Drink half as much my eye!!! Think you have all the bases covered P, training has gone well as you say & you've every right to be confident in running a PB on the day. Please God the weather is good to you and you get to run the marathon you deserve.

Thanks, B. As you well know, you don't always get what you deserve. The forecast is for warm weather but fingers crossed for a pb.

martyboy48 wrote: »

Kinda gutted I'm not heading over for a jaunt, my FB newsfeed keeps reminding me of the good time I had there

Personally, I don't think you need a 1:25:30 to justify a sub 3 shot. All/most of those PB's(and I suspect there were more) were attained in less than ideal conditions. Kinvara was wild enough as was Athenry, 5k parkrun with curve-ball of realisation of redundant garmin, heavy work loads on occasion ect ect.... You were knocking out super runs all year while running decent mileage,you're in good nick.
*Note... I'm not saying you should go for sub 3, just saying don't be waiting on specific HM numbers ect ect...

Have a great run, you know best on how to attack this one. Go out and enjoy it while giving it everything you got
Have a good drink after no matter what the result, you put a lot of work in and deserve an end of "cycle" session
Head up on the Euromast tower this time, great views and some quality food if you are into fine cuisine

Pity you won't be there, Marty. Hopefully we'll all be on an oversea expedition before long. It'd be tempting to go all out for sub 3 but its very likely the wheels would come off eventually. You never know, if I feel super strong and the hr is low I'll try to hit half way closer to 1:31. I always try for negative splits.
The thing with the booze is this, last year I planned everything carefully up to and including the race but gave no thought to after. Inevitably ended up in the pub in the afternoon, never left, didnt eat properly, and suffering the next day as a result. After DCM this year I visited five different establishments but with a bit of planning and control. I avoided Coppers:) and was even able to run the next day, feeling smug.

Neady83 wrote: »

There's no faulting that well thought out plan P. You've covered all bases with your training and with your prep. The sessions you've put in and the resulting PBs during this training block have been outstanding and a testament to your mindset and attitude to training.

It's clear since I first met you and since you started this log that you love to run and more importantly, you love the company of others when running - it's uplifting to see such sheer enjoyment in a running log.

I've no doubt that you'll do yourself and us proud in Rotterdam The very best of luck to you - go make it all count

Thanks, S, for those kind words and support.
I know lots of people can put in the long training hours solo, I have great respect for them, but that's not me. I don't think i'd be running at all if I hadn't company. Happily my friends have a similar view. Maybe its not the quickest route to sub 3 but I'm enjoying the journey.

Monday 3/3
Pilates for 45 minutes. A lot of driving today, tired and sore back.

Tuesday 4/3
Usual 8k with the group. Started with six of us, had eight at one point as people fell in step with us, six finished. Wore the hrm and when it settled it was nice and low (for me). A bit quicker than I should be going.
8k @ 5:14/k

Wednesday
Ran with my wife. Should be a 'rehearsal' run but too cool to wear the singlet I'll have on at the weekend. I tried wearing my running hat, it was suggested as an option considering it looks like it'll be warm. I don't think I'll chance it, didn't feel natural. Wore the hrm again and the heart was waaay high, despite the easy pace. Felt ok. Very curious, maybe the hrm or maybe stress. Had planned to do the toenails after but when I took off my sock my foot was fairly bloody, little cut on one toe.
9.6k @ 6:03/k

Getting real now. Pity I have to work tomorrow, feel like I need to be in race mode.

Younganne

The very best of luck P. You have had an amazing block of training and you are getting stronger as all your PBs will testify. So enjoy the day.

Hope to be down West after Easter for a few days, you'll be in recovery mode so we should hook up for a run, if possible!!

snailsong

Younganne wrote: »

The very best of luck P. You have had an amazing block of training and you are getting stronger as all your PBs will testify. So enjoy the day.

Hope to be down West after Easter for a few days, you'll be in recovery mode so we should hook up for a run, if possible!!

Thanks, Anne. Give us a shout when you're down and we'll meet up for sure.

jake1970

Best of luck P, I hope it all goes to plan. Have a great race!

ThebitterLemon

Wishing you all the very best P, hope you hit your target.

I'll be a delighted for you but jealous at the same time

TbL

snailsong

jake1970 wrote: »

Best of luck P, I hope it all goes to plan. Have a great race!

Thanks, L. Looking forward to it.

snailsong

Thanks, big fella.
You know I'd go sub 3 but it'd be rude to jump ahead of you in the queue .

I'm afraid I can only give you a few more months though.

hot buttered scones

Best of luck. Hope all the training pays off and your basking in the glow of shiny new PB come Sunday evening.

Bawnmore_Ent.

The very best of luck Paul. I have enjoyed following your blog, certainly kept me motivated in my preperation as my marathon is a week behind yours.

I hope you get as close to 3 as possible, it will less work to do the next time out :-)

tang1

Try not drink Murphy's dry P, great running from you. Delighted you ran another sizeable PB, enjoy the celebrations, thoroughly deserved.

hot buttered scones

Well done on the PB. That was well predicted!

martyboy48

Well done P, super performance. Looking forward to the report... I'd put money you'll make it sound easy

Bawnmore_Ent.

Well done P, great running. Just checked accu weather, it looked fairly warm over there!!

snailsong

Thanks, guys. As I said in the other thread it was fierce hot. Might have liked to be closer to 3 but I'll take it. Heart rate was high from early on and kept rising. Not sure if that was the heat or something else. Report later.

FBOT01

Well done today, P. Excellent performance despite the weather being warmer than you would have liked. Enjoy the rest of the trip!

Neady83

Over the moon for you P A well deserved result. Really looking forward to the report. Enjoy the rehydration

jake1970

Well done P, excellent running.

hot buttered scones

Well done!! Enjoy the PB high.

Younganne

Delighted for you P. Spot on with the training and the pacing. The sub 3 will be there for the next one.

Annie get your Run

snailsong wrote: »

Report later.

*cough cough* I only came in to look for this Will try again next week!

snailsong

Annie get your Run wrote: »

snailsong wrote: »

Report later.

*cough cough* I only came in to look for this Will try again next week!

Ah g'way. I thought we'd lost you.
Report is coming but don't get too excited about it, I just ran the same pace all the way. Is there any point even posting this if you only check.once a week?
Between yourself and tang I've lost half my readership.

Annie get your Run

snailsong wrote: »

Between yourself and tang I've lost half my readership.

The funnier better looking half too tang has gone off to work on his jokes, it could take a while

Ah now there's more to it than running the same pace for 26.2, what about the atmosphere? Passing other runners? What the heat was like? How did you feel when you crossed the line? Was it better / worse than last year? Did you miss Martyboy? What did the PB beers taste like and how bad was your hangover

Yours in anticipation

AM

snailsong

Just spent ages writing a report only for the computer to crash and lose everything. Will try again later.

ThebitterLemon

snailsong wrote: »

Just spent ages writing a report only for the computer to crash and lose everything. Will try again later.

Sounds like my approach to sub 3

TbL

snailsong

I'll try again. Tablet this time.

Thursday 6/4
No run.

Friday 7/4
I was travelling and sharing accommodation with my friend and training partner, Sean, who was hoping to break 3:10. I collected him early and the first success of the weekend was when my aged jalopy made it all the way to Dublin airport. Here we met two more friends and clubmates and proceeded to Amsterdam and on to Rotterdam.
It was just a 25 minute walk to our air bnb. Our hostess was a lovely 70 year old Dutch lady, full of spirit and craic. In to town later and we met the others for a nice Italian meal.

Saturday 8/4
Had a lovely breakfast with our hostess as the sun streamed in from her garden. Then out for a two mile jog to loosen out the legs. In the afternoon we visited the expo and collected our numbers, had lunch and did a little tourist shopping in Decathlon. We bought two day travel tickets so we could minimise the walking around. That evening we dined again in another fine Italian. One concern was a slight sore throat I'd been feeling all day coupled with some congestion. I occasionally suffer from allergies and I took an anti histamine for this. Checked my resting heart rate that evening and it was 5-10 beats higher than normal.
3.2k @ 6:16/k

Sunday 9/4. Rotterdam marathon.
Slept well, up early and had another lovely leisurely breakfast with our hostess. My throat felt better but still quite stuffed up, took another tablet. The trams weren't running because of marathon road closures so we walked the 2 k or so to the bag drop. After the customary panic for water and toilets we were changed into race gear and met our friends for a few photos. It was already about 13 degrees and with clear skies and very little breeze so we knew it'd be a warm one. Final goodbyes and we headed for wave one where we took our place a few rows behind the 3 hour pacers. Before long Lee Towers (the Dutch Tom Jones) was raised in his hoist to sing 'You'll never walk alone'. Then the mayor fired the cannon and we were off.

0-5k
The plan was 4:20/k all other things being equal but heart rate was also going to determine the pace. Last year I began with the hr in the 155-160 zone and increased to 180 or so by the finish. From the start, this year, the hr was a little higher than I would have liked. For the first k or so I kept cool whilst the early congestion cleared. I then tried a little 4:15 (3 hour) pace and whilst it felt fine the hr was far too high, 165, so I resolved to keep to plan A until at least 30 k. Kept steady the next long way really at 4:20/ k or slightly under to allow for time lost at water stations and not running the racing line.
Official 5k split 22:05. Target would be 21:40 but lost 30 seconds early on and not rushing to get it back.

5-10k
More of the same. I like this part of the course. You run through residential areas but Dutch style with lots of parks, ponds, trees and playing fields. A few bands and a nice sprinkling of support too. Met a few lads from Monaghan who were going for 3:15. I suggested they'd set off a bit quick which they knew. I met one of them again in Dublin airport on Monday, they ran 3:13, well done. Took water and the first gel at 10k.
Split 21:37

10-15k
Still in the zone, feeling positive and enjoying the experience. Keeping to my pace and already passing a few people. Had planned to have some energy drink here and because of the heat took on water too. No bother to have two drinks as the water stations were long and well attended.
Split 21:38

15-20k
Just kept on keeping on. Feeling quite warm by now and I notice a few people already struggling. Passing quite a few people now. At one point I hear a chant of Por-tu-gal, Por-tu-gal. When I realise it's for me it's already too late to shout obrigado. The green and red Mayo singlet always gets a response! Another gel and water at 20k
Split 21:35

20-25k
Went through half way at 1:31:39, bang on target. Still harbouring faint ambitions of a negative split but happy to keep up this pace in the heat. At 23k I felt a familiar pain on the outside of my right knee. I've had this before, most recently at the Western Way 50 miler last June. On that day it meant I couldn't maintain a run for more than two minutes for the second half of the race. It was unwelcome, to say the least. I took the mature decision to ignore it and see what happened. By now the hr was high 160's, also a concern. Still trying to think positively but thoughts of a big finish were getting distant. More water and energy drink at 25k.
Split 21:43.

25-30k
Just after 25k you cross the iconic Erasmusbrug and arrive back in the city centre. The crowds are massive here, it's also the start and finish. The cheering, bands, drummers and the now fairly intense heat made for a real cauldron atmosphere. I was working hard now but loving it. This is what I trained for and what I came for. Even though I was suffering I was visualising the finishing straight already. Still feeling positive. Just before 30 k the pain in my knee miraculously subsided. Also my hr passed 170. Took another gel and water at 30k. The official splits have me slipping a bit from here on. Strava however says I kept to my pace until 37k or so. The difference being that my watch measured distance starts to diverge from the course markers from here. Partly due to not running a good racing line and partly because I was weaving around slower runners from here on.
Split 21:52

30-35k
Working hard, feeling like I can do this. From 31-37 k you run through a park, this is potentially the fastest part of the race but this year I wasn't in a position to accelerate. One k slipped to 4:27 due to lack of concentration but I gave myself a gee up and ran a 4:12 to make up for it. Not running in a group now, passing groups constantly. The heat is taking its toll, I think I was passing a lot of refugees from the sub 3 team. Glad now I didn't go with them. I caught up to one lad from Mullingar who had given up on 3 but thought he was still on for 3:05. I told him that was my plan but he wasn't with me for long. At the 35k water station I walked a few seconds in order to get a good drink of water and energy drink.
Split 21:49

35-40k
At 36k there was another aid station where I took water and the final gel in accordance with plan. Onwards to the 5k left point. My hr is now over 180. This is usually as high as it gets in a marathon. I'm working pretty much flat out, but still passing people all the way. Nevertheless I'm struggling to hold 4:20 pace. I do a few on the spot calculations, 5:00/k will get me a pb, 4:40/ k will be sub 3:05. I want more. Of course every sinew is telling me to stop but I won't even contemplate that. Km 38 is 4:21, km 39 is 4:29, I'll take 4:30's now, we're out of the park and the hr hits 185. I can smell the finish. I'm about to explode, I'm loving it. Km 40 comes in at 4:28.
Split 21:58

40-42.4
Two and a bit k to go and I'm rationing out the last of the fuel. I want to give it everything but still could come up short. Looking at the watch I think 3:05 is in the bag but it's hard to think. Km 41 finally ends in 4:31, that'll do. After another few miles, as it seems, I see the one km to go mark. Open all the taps, nothing can stop us now. Km 42 is 4:11. In to the Coolsingel, the finishing straight. Can I give more? The answer is yes, 4:04/k for the last few hundred metres, hr at 191.
I crossed the line in 3:03:44 official. Just over three minutes faster than last year.

It took a long time for the hr to come down after the finish. I waited at the finish for my friend Sean hoping he'd be close behind. After an agonising wait he came in at 3:18 having taken the sensible decision to ease back when the hr was high. If I had sense I might have done likewise,.

Watching people cross the line it was noticeable how pale, drained and pure wrecked everyone looked at the finish. Heat and marathons don't go well together. I'm sure I looked just as bad.

I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I'll post my thoughts on this and my future plans in the next day or two.

Paul.

Annie get your Run

Well worth the wait, great report and congrats again that's a super result especially given the heat. 'The answer is usually yes'

hot buttered scones

Nice one. Great report and great running. Congrats on the result.

ThebitterLemon

Super super effort and result P.

Delighted for you, on a cooler day you'd a run sub 3 damn close.

Recover well

TbL

Singer

snailsong wrote: »

. I can smell the finish. I'm about to explode, I'm loving it.

Brilliant

Nice report and great running - very controlled and consistent. 10 seconds off target isn't too bad either!

Ososlo

Fantastic report and well worth the wait! Delighted for you Paul. Huge congratulations!!!

martyboy48

Fantastic result and read Paul.. You're definitely going in the right direction ☺

jake1970

Great report P to match your great result. Well done!

Neady83

That's a very well written and informative report P and some great racing. You can really see how you're racing experience has paid off. You embraced the pain and made the right adjustments to your pace when they were needed - it would have been all too easy to chase sub-3 and blow your chances of a PB.

It's a very well deserved result, I'm really delighted for you Hope you're enjoying the down time.

So ... I'm just going to put this here so you have something to think about over the summer months

snailsong

Thanks, Neady. It was clear on the day that sub 3 wasn't on which made it all easier in a way.
And g'way with that Kerry Way ultra. Didn't I say how I haven't recovered from Western Way yet. We're not all bulletproof like you.

snailsong

quote=Annie get your run

Ah now there's more to it than running the same pace for 26.2, what about the atmosphere? Passing other runners? What the heat was like? How did you feel when you crossed the line? Was it better / worse than last year? Did you miss Martyboy? What did the PB beers taste like and how bad was your hangover

Yours in anticipation

AM[/quote]

I'll try to address each of these questions.

The atmosphere was excellent again. There's something about the Dutch that I love. The city really embraces this race.

Passed lots of runners. I'd love to see splits showing position as it feels like I made up thousands of places in the second half. Feel, though, can be deceptive. In any case, I ran almost dead even splits and would guess there were mainly positive splits on the day. A bit of lurking on Strava seems to confirm this.

The heat was hot. I don't really mind a bit of heat but the HR was high and maybe that's why.

To borrow from Krusty, the main emotion I felt crossing the line was relief. This could have gone badly wrong, as my hr rose over the last few k it was touch and go whether I'd get home without a major collapse. I'd trained hard for this and invested emotionally so if I didn't get a pb it would be hard to stomach and hard to reload and do it all again. Just relieved I'm not left with a difficult decision.

Last year I was a country bumpkin, greenhorn, 40 year old virgin, farmer in the city. I was a bit blown away by the whole experience. Also the race went better than I even hoped. This year I was older and wiser, less easily impressed. The race went well but maybe not quite as well as my dream scenario. Still loved it though and I'm likely to be back. In the words of Billy Bragg, 'Though it's never the same after the first time, it doesn't stop them coming back for more'.

At the finish I noticed a few people in tears. I swear I overheard one of the sob, 'if only Martyboy was here'. True story.
Seriously though, last year I knew quite a few boards it's there and met a few more. This year I knew no one and it was late when I got to Murphy's so didn't seek them out. It'd be great to have a trip away with Marty, tang, Anne and whoever again, yourself too of course. I did get to meet and still Ricky villa at the finish though.

Pb beers tasted great. Ordered some fancy beer off a menu! Whilst we visited three establishments and had some fine food and drink there was no reprise of the mayhem that followed last year's race. No two day hangover either, which was welcome. As Marty said, I love it when a plan comes together.

Younganne

Brilliant Running and brilliant report. well done P. Delighted all your hard training has paid off and the sub 3 is getting all the closer.

Neady83

How's the recovery going P? What's next on the agenda?

snailsong

Recovery is a bit slower this year, but getting there. No firm plans but I'll post my thoughts here soon. I'm hoping to do the last one Running in Westport in July. Watched it last year and it was great craic!
Might suit you too.

http://www.active.com/mayo-mayo/running/distance-running-races/last-one-running-2017

I hope the link works, otherwise copy in browser. I'm unlikely to do the Western Way 50 as its a big commitment for me right now, subject to change of course.

Neady83

I recall you telling me about the Last One Running before. It clashes with the Joyce Country mountain challenge but I've done that a few times now so maybe I'll give this ago Thanks for the link - it's in the diary.

I'm out for the Western Way this year too I'm on bridesmaid duty in Kerry the day before so I'll hardly make Westport on Saturday morning. There's a few other trail runs we could pencil in instead though

martyboy48

So, what's the story with this last one running/standing 😂😂

And where's the race report ffs.....

snailsong

martyboy48 wrote: »

So, what's the story with this last one running/standing 😂😂

And where's the race report ffs.....

Good to meet you again on Saturday. I'll linked you the thingy on fb. Will try to find a proper link for here. Planning on refloating this log soon, I'm shortly to resume training. Might even start marathon training. Do you know anything about the Galway Bay Marathon?
Happy to run a small pb on Saturday, maybe even report soon.

snailsong

From their fb page:

Elverys Sports SUPPORTS THE LAST ONE RUNNING - Saturday 15th July.



So what is ‘Ireland’s Last One Running’ ?
The event is run over a loop of 3.8km of the Greenway starting from the Skate Park.
Competitors are timed on each loop, with 30 minutes to complete the first loop the time for each loop thereafter will be reduced by 1 min. (.i.e. 29minutes for 2nd loop, 28 minutes for 3rd loop etc...)
Once finished the loop, runners enter the holding area and must wait for the start of the next loop. Any runner not finished inside the time limit will be locked outside the holding area and disqualified.
The next loop will NOT start until the time allocated for the previous loop has elapsed.

The time will continue be reduced by one minute for every loop until there is only one runner at the start line.
However, if there are two or more remaining at the start of what may be the final loop and all finish outside the allotted time for that loop the runner who crosses the finish first will be deemed the winner of the title Last One Running.

Neady83

snailsong wrote: »

Good to meet you again on Saturday. I'll linked you the thingy on fb. Will try to find a proper link for here. Planning on refloating this log soon, I'm shortly to resume training. Might even start marathon training. Do you know anything about the Galway Bay Marathon?
Happy to run a small pb on Saturday, maybe even report soon.

Looking forward to your report and looking forward to last one standing

I've done the Galway Bay half - the full is four loops of the prom. It's very flat but if it's windy, there's no hiding from the elements. The prom is concrete which can also be an issue, I try to avoid it on training runs as there's no give in it and I find my legs get more tired after it.

They say it's a good course for a PB though

OOnegative

Nice PB on Saturday P, great going in the heat. I'll see you in Amsterdam in October.........