Up and Over

Marathon De Escargot’s in Portarlington was the destination for my latest Marathon. Having meet Mark chief bottle washer for the day on the course in Dublin twice, once as a runner and secondly as a DJ I felt it was time to participate in his event. This event’s funds go 100% to charity so I was happy enough to part with the few €’s and once I got an accurately measured course with a bit of grub afterwards was all I was looking for and that's what I got.

Pre Race

Unfortunately this race coincided with Willie week. This normally means gigs in Milltown Malbay into the early hours. This was the case on Friday night got home at 4am so the decision to get the train to this race was a safer option then driving as I could very well fall asleep at the wheel on the return leg. Train from Ennis would get me to the start with 20 minutes to spare. That's if Irish rail play ball. They didn't, I had to change and Vaseline up in the bog of the train, which was a new experience. Train arrived in Portarlington @ 9:15 and even with the short walk to number pickup it was 9:20, ten minutes before the start. This still left enough time to meet with some old friends, Eamon who I had not meet since his Dalmatian Run in November was about to try a Marathon again as well Frank, John, Dipak, Leo and Patrick the Belgium.

Race Time

Soon we set off. Water was in short supply for the first 3 or 4 miles and of course it was the one time I was thirsty. Plenty of water and fruit, jellies etc. after that. Todays race plan was, 4.5 Miles Warm Up followed by 4 sets of 7:10 min pace for 2 miles and 8:00 min pace for 2.5 miles. Race went pretty much to plan expect the third set was into the wind and when we turned out of it, I was expecting a cross/tail wind, but it was still in my face, a bit demoralising but toughed through it. The marshals where great along the way and passing/catching runners makes this type of session easier to do in a race then on ones own. Finished the set and after 1-2 miles easy picked up the pace to roughly 8 minute pace again to finish in 3:36:34. Medal is class acts as a bottle opener as well. T-Shirt was cotton, in fairness the organisers where trying to do something different with this, I would prefer none and give more funds to the charity.

Tea Party

Got my cuppa tea and several (packets) of Custard Creams. The girl doing the tea/food was solo which didn't help things but it turned out there was a valid enough reason for this. Having been involved in organising club races I get what happened. Traffic on the course meant runners safety was far more important then the speed of tea pouring. I still got a good feed so no complaints here. Not a photograph of me to be found must start wearing a pink running gear again.

Travelled home in the company of Club mate Antonio who failed again to go sub 3:30, but as he said he was in a better state afterwards this time. His time will come in Dublin.

Pretty in Pink

Another pacing gig this time at the Viking Waterford Marathon. I was a bit nervous on this one as the distance was not correct on the two previous years of this event. A quick look at the course showed it had changed again and had a very windy twisty start to it. I would be worried if I was the 3:00 pacer but seen as I was 4:15 it was a case of follow those in front. Arrived on Saturday morning a bit frazzled. Parking meters don't take €50 notes and it took me a good 15 minutes to get an open shop to get change. Made my way to the Meeting point in the Tower Hotel to collect my balloons. Also in the bag was a lovely pink singlet with our time all over it. To be fair to the organisers there would be no complaints about the visibility of the pacers.

Jump might as well jump

Down to the start where we had to line up several times for photos. There was loads and we had to jump each time, well at least it was at the start and not a requested for a Dargan jump at the finish. Finally we where on our way myself and Paul for the day along with a small group of warriors. Goal for today was to bring home the balloon for some eager nieces and nephews of my pacing partner.

Different Folks Different Strokes

A couple of lads from Balbriggan, Pat the Belgium from MCI, Paula, Fidelma and several others including some half runners set out at the start. Plenty of banter in the opening half with everyone in good spirits. New requirement for pacers is to shave our legs, the female of the species need something nice to look at while they run. The miles flew by as usual meet with the normal mad people who do this every week along the way. Then there is the first timers worried they wont get there, one such person was Louise. In Tramore she said to us when we get to 18 she would walk, next thing at 20 there she is ahead of us, we catch her at 24 she stays with us before that nasty hill in the last mile finally got her to walk. Look around coming into the track there she is again on our shoulders powering home for the finish.  We crossed the line and the final task of handed over my Balloon was all that was left to do. Jogged back to the hotel to change and hit home pretty much straight away so didn't get to meet any of the usual gang afterwards. Tramore surf drew me back and my legs got some well deserved love and attention

Feeling good or so I thought

The sea water of Tramore did my legs pretty good and I was nearly tempted to go for a loosen out on Sunday. I wisely didn't break my routine. Monday an easy 6 miles and the really felt good. Plan to run Thursdays 5K race looking good. Tuesday night however put doubts in my mind if it was going to happen. 5 * 600 @ 5K pace was a lot harder then it should have been. Wednesday legs felt like I had weights tied on to them. With that in mind I canned the idea of a 5K race on Thursday night, M45 prize is not worth getting injured for, did 3-4 miles easy instead. Nothing easy about it, but a bit better then the previous day.This evening set out at an easy pace but suddenly there was a spring in the step so I did 2 * 2 mile tempo @ 7 minute pace with 1 mile recovery. Delighted to have the legs back again. This week has proved or brought home to me that regardless of the pace running 26 miles, it does have an effect on the body. Thankfully I am wiser to allowing how I feel to dictate my training as apposed to blindly following a laid out training plan. This week was my first under 50 miles in a while but honestly it was probably needed.