Connemarathon 24.4.22

I'm in for the half. I originally was entered for the full in 2019, changed to the half, then had to defer. 2016 was the coldest conditions I've ever run in (HM) - I couldn't feel my hands early on. Hopefully we'll get there again in April. 1:40 for me that day, I'd hope to improve on that with a decent training block.

Would love to but missed out on a bib. Any idea if places arising from withdrawals will be re-released?

And don't forget to throw in the Connemara weather in April... Russian roulette!

Some places are available according to organisers on Facebook.

What's your marathon time?

Well, I ran the ultra in connemara twice. Obviously, there's the course profile, with the flat first third, slightly up and down 2nd third, followed by the last third which is the toughest, with 2 big climbs including the Hell of the West which is 2 miles up at 4 miles to go. The course profile is not the problem though: you know it in advance, you can prepare physically and more importantly mentally for it. I would take the first third as a warm-up. It is the most lonely part of the course. After 13 miles you'll get to pick the slowest of the marathon runners eventually, so that's something to forward to. Same after Lennane.

The problem with the Connemarathon is the weather: it can be glorious or it can be very raw. If it is windy in the West you'll suffer for sure and that is very tough mentally because whatever target you may have had goes out of the window. The course is very exposed and the wind funnels in parts (down to Lennane). You may get soaked or have hail showers. Watch out for the wind chill effect, especially if wet. In an ultra, you run slower than in a marathon so your body temperature is lower. 2016 was an awful year with ambulances everywhere picking up people suffering from hypothermia...

As far as training goes, I would not change much from marathon training except that you need to do back to back long runs. So for example, you need to do a couple of progression runs of 16 miles on Saturday followed by 20 miles on Sunday. That should get your legs and mind ready.

Looking forward to it myself, but just the marathon this year.

Fair play to you!

In 2019 (the last edition), the wind was pretty strong too (yellow warnings if I remember correctly...). Fingers crossed for 2022!

Hi Piorun,

on back to back runs, I think you'd be better off running 18m + 18m in two days rather than a long run of 30m: frequency is just as important as distance, it's a longer distance anyway and it's easier to recover from.

Regarding the aid stations: I simply did not leave anything at them. In an ultra, you run slower than in a marathon so the risk of hitting the wall is actually lesser. I carried my own gel and there's plenty of water on the course. I really don't see the need for a change of dry clothes: the thought of stopping, taking shoes off, putting on new socks, putting shoes back on at the side of the road and then starting to run again on really stiff legs after 5 minutes of fumbling really does not appeal to me. Very little to gain, just an increase in mental strain. Inevitably, a lot of items get lost on the ultra aid station tables... the stuff you left may not be there when you come to them or it may take you a while to find it: not worth the stress.

In an ultra, the mind plays a bigger role than the physical aspect compared with a marathon: if you start looking forward to the aid stations then it gets harder to start again from them.

The only exception I would perhaps make would be if the weather is forecast to change during the race: but then again predictions are never that accurate so if windchill is gonna be a factor, you'd be better off having a rain jacket, gloves and hat with you during the entire run, because as mentioned the forecast may be wrong and those clothes may be in scattered by the time you get to the aid station tables.

Best of luck.

"Peacockes Hotel at the finish area will be an accommodation centre for Ukrainian nationals" according to connemarathon Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/connemarathon/

So expect changes for the start of the Ultra and the finish line for all races.

I have a marathon distance to sell. I'll cover the transfer costs.

Getting closer...

Does anyone know of a public swimming pool (or hotel with public access) in Galway open Sunday? I just fancy a swim and a shower after the run before I drive back to Carlow...

I'm heading for the Ultra now aswell, bit of a last minute decision. It's been 5 years since I last did it but love running around connemara. After a bit of back and fort with the coach I've still no idea of a plan yet😂. Go hard and hang on, possibly get passed out but gain from pushing through the pain. Or run a little more Conservative try and nail the last 1/3 and pick some people off. Weather is definitely a factor around the micro climate there.

Are any of you ultra runners collecting race numbers? I stupidly didn't go for postage when I signed up in 2020 and only realised now most people have received theirs and I haven't. I live way north of the course and Galway... if there's any chance anyone would able to pick mine up too and meet at the pre-race briefing it would be so helpful.

Gonna be a scorcher guys, don't forget your hydration and electrolytes today and tomorrow.

Windy enough though.

Enjoy!

Did ultra Yesterday, my god that was tough. Was struggling by the first 13. God only knows how I managed to finish it. That weather was mental. Down to a t shirt after the first few miles.

and hell of the west !!!! Like climbing a 3 mile stairs.