The Walking Dead

12:01 pm Sunday 26th June 2016 and Victoria Park Belfast has been taken over by zombies. These previously healthy and mentally stable human beings had not been bitten by some unknown pathogen but rather had picked up the Ultra running bug. The last 24 hours had proved to me that Ultra Running is a tough sport especially once you go into races that go over 12 Hours. There is a huge difference between a 24 Hour race and a 50K, even though both are called Ultra Marathons the difference is like 100M and a marathon. One could apply if you want to win an ultra run 50K if you want to experience one do a 24 Hour. From the evidence presented to me over the previous 24 hours I am currently have no intention of ever doing one but stranger things have happened.

Injured or Getting Injured

Runners have two states you are injured and can’t run or getting injured because you can. Currently I fall in to the first which is why I was on the other side of the fence this weekend. One of the few weekends I have free over the year allowed me to be in a position to crew for that Friendly Austrian Runner Thomas Bubendorfer in the Energia 24 Hour race in Belfast. Arrived in Belfast and Mrs Google landed me at the wrong gate locked, issue with my Simm and no data to try a get to the correct entrance. Luckily a friendly Taxi Driver guided me in. Never got to thank him but he did go out of his way. Couldn’t park as there was a parkrun on so had to abandon the car. Got in and found Thomas eventually. After his recent Head Shave for his Sister in Law so I didn’t recognise him at first. Went through his nutrition plan which was give me something every 2-3 laps and mix it up between sweet and savoury. Also the instruction with regard to his pain pills was to refuse and tell him to HTFU the first time he looked for them.

Thomas Race from the sideline

Thomas along with other runners were moving along at a very easy pace early on and he was sticking to eating something every second or third lap with water on all laps. The first 4 hours where very casual but It got hot in the afternoon, water was been rationed from the athletes table, but I was still managing to make sure he had enough. Everything was going to plan until shortly after 6, Thomas started to not be able to take solids and very quickly arrived at the table barely able to stand up, distressed and looking for sugar. Quickly got a gel into him with some jelly babies. Shortly after this he looked for his pain pills he was duly told to HTFU. This normally quite reserved person was a little more demanding a few laps later. Clearly he was suffering. At this point I was starting to worry as it was very early in the race to be running into issues. Luckily Valerie arrived at 9 reviewed his nutrition up to that point. Thomas had taken too much on so there after he was on a diet of melon the odd gel and coke. Well watered down coke but he wasn’t told this. So we started a good cop bad cop routine on Thomas. He complained to me which probably helped him let of some steam or whatever but obeyed Valerie instructions without even a hint of dissent. I went to bed for a few hours and got back at 2 AM to see he was in a much better place. Shortly after bad cop went to bed he started to struggle around 4 AM, walked maybe 2 or 3 laps. Tried to get him running again “11 minute miles will get you 207K” His reply is unprintable.  Valerie got up at six, Thomas complained to her that the last few miles had been hell her answer was at least you did them and he was sent on his way again. A few laps later he stopped stomach problems again “Don’t know if its hunger or a stomach cramp ?”  While I was scratching my head, Valerie suggests a nice cup of tea. I went to bed for another few hours knowing he was in very capable hands.
The sound of an aircraft taking off lifted me in the tent around 8:30.  Thomas was back running and running his best since 12 hours earlier.  He continued in this vein until the end of the race making up 5 or 6 places to finish just over 207Km. I would love to have seen his lap splits and I would dare say the last 4 hours would have been his best. It was honour and as Valerie put it to crew for a real Ultra Runner. I can safely say that had Valerie not turned up when she did Thomas may very well have fallen before the 12 hour mark and that both myself and Thomas learnt a lot from her.

The other Races

The one advantage to having to crew was I was getting to spectate on the race as well. Situated with the crews for Sean, Brenda, Derek, Katherine, Alex and Aidan it was good mix. Also knew quite a few of the runners in all races so able to give them a shout out. First few hours everyone is moving along nicely with the exception of Billy and some Dutch guy looking to break a world record for his age in the 100K. He was flying and in the end did posting 7:07 amazing running when you consider the Irish record is only a few minutes faster and this guy was shoving 60. The race was progressing nicely and a lot of people where worried about Alex O’Shea and Aidan Hogan early pace. Keith Whyte started slowly but hit a bad patch in around 3 o’clock. He got through it to take the lead around the 50 mile mark. This did last long as he soon had to pull out. I haven’t spoke with him since so I don’t know what the issue was. We also lost Thomas Kilmas, Ger Copeland and Brian Ankers early so he was in good company. Brenda and Seans efforts in the Comrades meant they both retired early as well As with these races things really don’t get going until 18 hours into the race. This was true in both the ladies and men’s race. Alex had started to drop back but at least not at an alarming rate. Eoin had caught and passed Aidan but was having to work to keep him at bay. The every reliable Eddie Gallen was showing us all that age doesn’t matter. Both Thomas and Don made up a lot of ground on the field as well in the later stages with Don just finishing a bit up the road. In the ladies race the winner was well ahead but Katherine Guthrie swept through the field to take second spot. What was notable on her run was she kept pace with Eddie for several laps in the later end of the race. Of course Finn with her sense of humour every time she passed us picked up a very credible 3rd Spot. I didn’t take much notice to the relay race but it was a close and by all accounts a cracking affair in the end between the Mayflies and Clonmel AC. Overall a record number of runners passed both the 200K and 100 Mile mark for the race. This tells its own story. A lot of runners complained about the surface and it was an unforgiving concrete base with a dash thrown over it. There was also a noticeable camber towards the lake on the far side. In saying this it’s not an ideal surface but it was the same for everyone.

Performance of the day

Everyone agrees and was probably surprised that the performance of the day was Aidan Hogan run coming very close to the A standard in his first outing. Should we have been surprised? No, his coach/mentor and crew was none other than Jan Uzik a previous winner of this race on his debut in 2014. Proving once again if you want to excel at the pointy end of these races you need a very experienced crew in your corner. However my vote for performance of the Day goes to Maryse O’Connor and Lindsey Guthrie, They kept 3 or 4 crews feed and watered over the course of the 24 Hours. They crewed the crews and did a very good job of it.

The Biggest Smile - Part 1

So here I was a little disappointed but relived as I approached the finish line. Marathon number 50 done, my first official Ultra but the wheels had come off big time over the final 6K that I missed my secondary target of 4:10 which I felt was well within my scope. This feeling didn’t last long as once I crossed the line it turned to sheer joy, I suddenly had as Seb put it “the Biggest Smile in Portumna”

The night before

On receipt of an Email prior to the event I soon realised that we could pitch tents the night before the event. This appealed to me as there would be less stress involved in trying to get to the 7AM start if I went the night before. Went to Limerick on Thursday and picked up on of these pop-up tents. As not to look stupid I did a trial run on setting it up. Popup tent does what it says on the tin, but getting it back into the bag took an half an hour to figure out. Arrived in Portumna on Friday evening to see several hotels already pitched there. So I set my minion tent besides Finns minion tent in the shadow of Hotel MacKessy fitted with its own elevator and en suite bathrooms. What a way to relax the night before an event burgers, wine both red and yellow, Mo produced a guitar so a sing-song started. Only downside was the midgets where having a field day on us. Pretty soon we all retired to our respective abodes for the night. Didn’t sleep to well but never do before a goal race any way.

Race Time

Courtesy of Mary Mockett

Up at 5 am got my number, breakfast. Alan Gorski joined me at the table and he was bemused that I could eat so close to a race. Luckily that has always been the case my issues seem to be on other side of that particular equation. Vincent Gutherie had the kettle on and I got a coffee which moved the necessary, a quick warm up and off to the start.
I had initial after a strong finish in The Burren thought that sub 4 was a possibility but the recent heat/humidity had raised doubts on this. I decided not to wear a GPS watch and wear a HRM for the first few laps to ensure I didn’t overdo the effort early. Took off at the start and found myself a bit to close to the front HR showed the effort to be a bit too high ignored it for 1K. It was however still rising so I dropped the pace back. This left me running comfortably with Mark who I meet in Ballyvaughan for the first two laps. Both came in over 25 minutes so I decided that 4:10 would be more likely time. Discarded the HR Strap and picked up the pace from here and try and hold the effort till the end.
My original plan was to bring my Son Christopher with me to act as crew, he neither had the inclination of getting up at 3 AM or coming camping with me for the pleasure of watching his dad run around in circles for the day. So on Lap 3 as I rummaged through my supplies under the MCI table Brenda Barrett Dunphy immediately volunteered to take over the roll. Nutrition for the day was going to be a mix of Jaffa’s and Pringles every second lap. It worked very well, I would tell Brenda what I needed for the next lap and it was available on arrival.

Courtesy of Mary Mockett

Not much to say about the race, laps flew by, the half marathoners soon joined us and the course was now busy. As they passed me it didn’t bother me as I was well in tune with my pace and moving nicely. Briefly spoke with CM from boards where we discussed which was worse been dead or injured, I think we concurred that death was the better option. At around 38K I passed Alan Gorski he was struggling, I was motoring. Passed the 40K mark and I was about a minute up on 4:10 pace but from here on things started to get difficult. Once we passed the 2K marker I really had to grind. My legs were starting to feel dead as doorknobs. Antos friend gave me a lift after this which got me going again until I hit 44K. The cool breeze we had in the morning on the long last kilometre of the loop had suddenly turned into a Calima. This knocked the stuffing out of me. Kept running, I was not going to walk just keep in moving. Hit 45K 3:45:xx on the clock, this meant I needed a sub 25 final 5K, spurred on by the crowd I lifted the pace but once I hit the climb at 1K the pace dropped again to I kept going but the pace was gone from my legs 4:10 was gone at this point. Got to the turnaround looking for coke or anything to lift me. No coke took an orange instead. Started to walk for a bit. Saw Alan coming against me and decided there and then right he is not passing me out so I started running again. Combination of the Orange and the downhill I got up to a reasonable pace but once we hit the 4K again it was a death march to the finish. In my head just keep running while trying to listen for footsteps behind, they never came I crossed the line in 4:12:24.

You can’t be serious

Courtesy of Mary Mockett

I then heard Seb announce over the microphone 3rd place finisher in the 50K. What I initially thought there is a mistake here, but then slowly remembered who was doing the timing. My God the sensation of going from the dejection of missing a target to finishing 3rd from 100 runners in the race was some buzz. Immediately returned to the MCI table and gave my stand-in crew a massive hug. Sheer joy Seb was right I had the biggest smile on my face. Cracked open a can of 95.7% water for rehydration and took my rightful place on the Podium.

Results

Courtesy of Trish Carey

On looking at the results I gained places troughout the race. My last lap was not as slow as I thought on the course and everyone seemed to to suffer to the same degree. I was only 2 minutes outside 2nd place but those 2 minutes where outside my reach. The winner Rory Mooney was of course a country mile ahead and the closest I got to him all day was on the podium.
 
 

 

 

 

Splits for the nerds
0:25:54,0:25:43,0:24:45,0:24:28,0:23:57,0:24:33,0:24:28,0:24:58,0:25:37,0:28:02 4:12:24 3/97

If Carlsberg did aid stations ?

They still would be nowhere near the standard of the ones found at the Clare Burren Marathon Challenge. As seen everything Apples, Oranges Bananas, Mars Twix Crunchies and water. Not an Energy drink or Gel in sight or required for that matter. One of these tables every 3-4 miles then there is no need for a fuelling strategy or a chance that the tail runners may not get any. Every box ticked and plenty to go around. Some of the major city marathons in this country where put to shame not by a running club but I might add a walking club. My only disappointment was there were no crisps at the tables and on saying that at the end a Diamond of a volunteer appeared with the most delicious bag of Salt and Vinegar Tayto’s I have ever consumed.

There was running (& walking) involved as well

I had planned this to run the off road sections at 8 min pace my planned pace for Portumna, but as the weather has picked up I wore the HR to try and not overcook it. This meant 50K pace/effort for the following 1-3, 8-11, 16-19 and just shy of 4 miles to the finish. At the start I was full sure that by taking this approach I would cruise in under 4 hours very easily. This would make up for the disappointment of missing out the last time I ran here. First 3 miles I went off a little too quick as I was dragged along by the 10K runners. While the pace didn’t seem bad the HR was indicating otherwise so I backed off slightly to come back to a more prescribed pace. Hit the 3 mile mark just under 24 Minutes. First climb was ahead and I had a visit to to the porto potty at mile 4. Took it easy on the climbs and meet with a local ultra runner so ran along with him until Mile 8. Downhill road so opened up the legs for 22:55 3 mile split. From 11-12 there is a section that is walk unless of course you are a mountain gaot. There was one David from Kerry passed me again on this section but once the surface levellled out I quickly passed him again. Third section had a run along the dunes of Fanore beach and was also into a stiff breeze. This really was tough HR was too high and rarely got under or near 8 min pace. Hit 19 mile marker at 2:57. At this point my average pace was 9:20 odd so I had resigned myself to a finish beginning with a 4. I was not going to hit any pace over the next 3 miles due to the rough terrain. Last thing I needed was a slip and do myself an injury. Terrible visions of me rocking up to the start line of Portumna on crutches filled my thoughts over this section. Again the goat from Kerry passed by bouncing along with easy. Finally we hit the run down the field to the road. Watch reads 3:30:15 with 4 miles to go, I decided to just go as hard as I could manage and see if I could make the time. Two years ago the exact same scenario and I got to 25 before throwing in the towel. This year was different, I was able to push hard and hold the pace all the way to 26. Passed that marker at 3:57:30 so I knew I had it nailed as that’s the time on my 4 hour pace band any time I pace. Still drove home to finish in 3:58:49. Then I got a shout out from my parkrun cheerleaders. They had done the half and gave me a good shout coming home, thanks girls. Delighted with the sub 4 and the manner in which I got it. I passed the goat from Kerry somewhere shortly after we hit the road. As they say horses for courses.

Afterwards

Went for the bowl of soup and some yellow wine. Meet Antonio, Aidan and Yvonne from the club so it was good to see some familiar faces. Also sat down beside Mark from Tramore who had just done his 49th Marathon as well today. Strange old world this marathon running is. All that’s left is now stay injury free and get to the start line in Portumna fresh

Dumb and Dumber

That’s me when will I learn that I am not made of Titanium. Mile 23 in the lovely surroundings of the Demense of the National Park in Killarney and I am on the floor literally. I have done some hard races before but this is a pacing gig and its meant to be easy. Well it wasn’t and whose fault was that, mine of course. Roll back 2 days earlier, I had overnight accommodation lined up for a change which meant not having to drive down early before hand, that soon change as we picked up an early gig in Carrigaholt for 70th Anniversary of O’Currys GAA Football club the night before the race. Well the early gig turned out to be a late one which meant me home at 4 AM and still having to face into a 2 hour drive to Killarney. A bit more planning and I could have cut my drive in half If I somehow could read ferry timetables correctly. Arrived in Killarney at the appointed time of 8 AM after picking up two hours sleep in the car on the way down. Sure I’ll be grand have done this before. Set of with my pacing partner Norman whos always seemed to be in front of me by about a half a minute. The trick to paciong this race having done it before is to ignore the GPS watch and pace of the mile markers. Memory was a bit fuzzy but it soon came back that some markers would be out and they duelly where. Again don’t press the panic button and I trusted my pace. Ran with Eamon and Cathy and a few more for the first two laps. All seemed to be struggling with the warm conditions and the truth be known I wasn’t finding this to be easy at all. It was only on our third lap when myself and Norman hooked up again and we soon discovered our pacing bands differed which is why he thought I was behind pace and I thought he was ahead.  Third lap however both the heat and warm summer sunshine where finally got to me. Once we came out of Ross Castle loop for the third time I told Norman to hit away as I really didn’t think I could hold the pace any longer. Mile 23 came and I was just basically spent. Considered stopping but then realised I would be left here for a while and most likely have to walk/struggle to the finish anyway. So I just kept going, I could not hold the prescribed pace any longer and wasn’t even bothered either. Luckily we had no pacess at this point and Norman was going to get home on time anyway. Struggle to Mile 25 and discovered I was only down 30 seconds on 3:59:30 band, this lifted me and I managed to get my rhythm going again. We hit 26 where I had caught back up with Norman but suddenly we were down by more than a minute, panic stations, so we both picked up the pace which briefly made me experience a bout of dizziness, then I suddenly remembered that this marker was out last year so I dropped back again and fell literally over the finish line in 3:59:24. Chris clearly seeing I was in some distress helped me to where I could lie down, finally started to come around and a mug of Coffee with some chocolate soon revived the spirits. Quick shower afterwards and I said my goodbyes, still had to face a 2 hour drive home. Got to Farenfore and pulled in, slept for 3 hours in the car best sleep ever.

Winding it up

Mileage that is in preperation for the 50K in Portumna. Started once I cleared the 7 days antibiotic prescription with 65 Miles and two key sessions. 7 miles at HMP and a planned 4 * 5K MP loops on the Royal Canal Marathon. I only managed top complete 3 as the legs go very tired on the fourth rep. Needing to be in good shape for pacing Limerick the next week I backed off the last rep early. The run in Longford was another good event but you would expect no less from Brendan Doyle.

Going Solo

Due to unforseen circumstances my fellow pacer Paul was unable to be my partner in crime pacing 4 hours in Limerick and it ended up me doing the gig solo. I would be lying if I was a little bit nervous doing this for the 4 hour band but clearly the boss had the utmost confidence in me. I had this band last year and it was my third time pacing Limerick. At the start meet with Lizzie again, I think it was her third time in my pace group for Limerick. We had quite a big group form the start and lost a good chunk of time at the start, i didnt panic as the section from Limerick to UL is downhill so its easy to pick back up the time. Went through halfway in 1:59:41. The second half was a new course again but finally I think they have this part of the course got right. I thought that the congection of half coming against us on the out and back along Rosbrien road would be an issue but it wasnt in the slightest. We meet the the start of the half on this section and runners kept to there own sides. Shortly after this we hit the drag up to punches at which point the group discentigrated. I had taken it very easy to try and get as many up as the city section is normally quicker. We passed the 20 mile marker down 30 second but I stil only had a handful of runners. From there to the finish it was a matter of getting those home. Five of the group managed it. Some had hit for home early and where not seen again while others got caught and passed. Nothing you can do as a pacer other then a small bit of gentle encouragment and keep the pace as steady as possible. Crossed the line in 3:59:25 one second slower then last year. Job done.

Number 25

Celebration time in the Geogre for Paula and Desmond recieving their 25th Marathon medals. Not only that but time to congragulate Paula on smashing her PB the week before in Dusseldorf. I quered her about the guy with the balloon who finished with her, so she told me the tale of the 4 Hour Pacer cutting the course and finishing just behind her in 3:56 ish.

Back to Ballybeg

Hill trainig Ballybeg Woods, I do a 1 mile loop with three hills, One long one 400m and 2 very short steep ones (with hand rails). Six reps at 10K effort was the plan, on the last short one of the fourth loop my legs where like jelly so I canned the last 2. Didnt feel disappointed in not finishing the last 2 as this is always a toughie and with 2 marathons in the previous 2 weeks in the legs its best not to totally trash them. Took it easy over the weekend with 9 & 13 at steady pace. Sunday run was harder due to the unexpected clammy day and tempatures in the low 20’s and the hills around Thurles while the young fella and his mates watched the Banner rob Waterford of the League title. Intention was to do it at 8:15 (planned pace for 50K)but under the conditions it ended up been a little over 8:30. Mileage for the week 81 biggest week ever.

Womans Flu

April so far has been as wash out as regards running or training. I got the female version of the Man Flu and was thrown down for the best part of a week. Never in my life have I been so sick and for the first time in I don’t know how long did not run for a full week. After several rants on Face book I got some replies that made me feel much better.
This had an adverse effect on whatever chance I had off getting some faster work done in preparation for the Kilnaboy Ten Mile. I think the Friday before I managed to do 2 * 2 Mile at 10 Mile Pace. Could have done a third but as per usual the after effects of been sick was still somewhat in my chest

Sonny Murphy

courtesy of John O Neill

The morning of the race the chest was still a bit tight, so I decided I would do this at an easy pace. Maybe I would have been best advised not to do it but I just love this race, so I headed to Kilnaboy with best intentions. Got to the start late so I found myself well up the front. Yeah run it easy went straight out the window. As there was a severe headwind for the first 3 miles I found myself in a big group going @ ~ 7:15 pace. Options leave the group and have to work just as hard or stay in it, took the second option. After half a mile I noticed only Mary Cahill (Ennis Track) and a young lad from Fergus AC were the only ones in the group cutting out the pace or doing any work. I made my way to the front and pulled it along for 2-3 minutes, damn hard, however none of the others where even bothered to help out. Really made my blood boil so this just left the three of us cutting out the pace. Once we turned into the tail wind the group fragmented and I eased off. I was not near race fitness and my early endeavours where coming back in spades. Finished with 72:50, over 3 minutes slower than last year in similar conditions. The result has left me in no doubt that I have a lot of work to do to get back to where I was last year. Now even 4:15 for 50K is doubtful in June. Following this I have put together a plan to be in better shape for Portuma and I may throw a race or two in between.

Curragh of Kildare

Courtesy of Stephen Mooney

Marathon number 45 and after last week I decided that there would be some structure to this. I reckon my 50K pace is a little over 8 minute pace. So I decided to do 3 * 5 miles at that pace off 5 min recovery during the race. The Curragh Plains was the destination and been an ex Solider I knew from experience that it was not flat. A lot of the runners on the day where quite surprised at how undulating the course was but I knew better. It was a return to the Curragh Rugby club, last time I was there as a young Apprentice trying to chat up some young Kildare bird in the 80’s. How things have changed. Easy First lap followed by the prescribed session’s over the next 3 laps. For the last lap I discarded the shoes and socks and ran barefoot. It’s a thing I have be doing lately 4-5 miles barefoot around St Flannan’s once or twice a week. It is something I have started to enjoy and tend to run much easier as a result. On Saturday it got some funny remarks from other runners but it felt really good.

March Madness

Where has this month gone literally flew. Meant to post after Tralee which only felt like yesterday. Safely completed Marathon 4 & 5 for the year in UL and Tralee. Both felt hard and I really struggled towards the end of Tralee. I was on pacing duties that day and had no wiggle room to stop and walk, I could have as both myself and the inllustrious John Brady had no one with us from Fenit to Tralee where we picked up a few on the last few miles. I am now up to 44 so only 6 more between now and August. The plan is to do my 50th in Portumna and make my offical long awaiterd Ultra debut by running the 50K. I will race it so May and April will be busy as I hope to have 49 done a few weeks beforehand so I can give myself a chance to freshen up. Sub 4 would be a dream time but I dont think I am in that shape or close to it.

Rest Recovery and Fast Stuff

Taking a break after Tralee I dropped the mileage down to 4-5 miles easy running for about ten days. Felt very good and have decided to Race the Kilnaboy 10 Miler. Sub 70 or a PB would be great but then its Kilnaboy and windy conditions on the day will reek havoc on a good time. Cobbled together a 20 day plan with some 10/HMP and 5K paced work in it. Body felt strange at first getting back to faster work, mainly because I have done no such thing since last Summer and failed to keep strides in the routine on my easy runs over the winter. First workout so I wore the HRM just to evaluate where I was at. 4 * 2 Mile at 10K pace/Effort, however the day was windy so mile out with the wind and back into was the torture. While not happy with the pace (7:15) was very happy that the last two I pushed the pace to 14:10. HR suggest I am close enough to the shape I was in when I ran a PB in Craughwell 10 (69:33) last year. I went out too quick that day and probably cost myself 60-90 seconds that day. Ran 6*1K off 2 minute recovery last night, first time I have ever got these all under 4 Minutes. First 4 went to plan rep 5 was proably the best timed rep I have every done, on the last one I was 3 seconds down @ 800M (3:15) and pushed the last 200 to sneak under the 4. Thought I was going to die, didnt. HR showed my highest reading every so very happy that I was stupid enough to want it and go for it. Kinda mentality I will need for the the last 2 miles Up to Kilnaboy in two weeks time

not a pluviophile

That much is certain. On a wet Saturday morning I and club mate Paul Conway headed for Killeigh Co Offaly for another 26.2 mile trot. Good to have company again on these drives, as it makes the Four hour round trip a lot easier. As for the race itself I started off at a relatively slow pace keeping in mind I would be doing four of these over the next month. Biggest issue however was that I wasn’t running fast enough to keep warm so I had to pick up the pace in sections. From memory this was the first time I have run a marathon where it had rained from start to finish. I can honestly say I hope it is also my last. Job done in 4:14:05 and went to the local school for a much appreciated cup of warm soup some sambos and of course some chocolate biscuits as well. Also on offer was so more torture in the form of rub downs provided free of charge by Michelle Flynn. On reflection it looked more like a scene from M.A.S.H

Marathon Day 26.2.2016

Once Cezary and posted his intention to run a 28 loop course I had to do it. A marathon with more loops then the Eddie Murphy so I had to checkl out the competition. Left reasonably early but a lot of Roadwork’s on the way up meant hitting outskirts of Ballina at 9:30. Facing a huge traffic jam I pulled up Mrs Google on the phone and found a way around the town and traffic to get me to the star with 20 minutes to spare. Strange to be running on a work day so after dealing with some work calls I went to the start. Briefing was 28 laps of 1524 meters. I asked what was it in yards but Cezary didn’t take the bait. Loop was a nice mix of tarmac and small wooed path section. It did however have three very small but sharp rises one after another. You know the ones that take the stuffing out of your legs. I pretty much ran each loop in Nine minutes as was glad to finish in 4:08:43. More Tea and biscuits again afterwards and I wished those taking part in another 3 marathons over the weekend the best of luck.

A new PB

I set a new PB on Sunday well a pretty soft one at that. I have never an a 5 Mile (8K) race before so even if I crawled it would always be a PB. This is part of the Run Clare Series and I had promised Paula I would pace her for a shot at sub 40. On raceday she wasn’t confident and said anything under 43 minutes would be a PB. It was a lovely day for it, PB running weather. We got caught a little behind slower traffic at the start but no panic hit Mile one in 8:30 and Mile 2 in 16:50. I slowly picked up the pace until Paula was no longer talking. This got us to Mile 3 in 25:00 flat. I tried to pick it up again slightly but her breathing was becoming very laboured and she was starting to drop back on the hills. For the next mile the pace was about 8:10 or so, we hit the final mile which has a climb before getting a downhill to the finish. Paula had mentioned this several times in the race and once we hit it again the pace dropped. I tried to get her to attack the hill crest and push on for sub 41. It wasn’t there, she plugged away to finish in 4 or 5 seconds behind me and was extremely happy with her shiny new PB

My new trustee Stead

The start of the month was a sad affair. Drove my every reliable 99 Ford Focus to Corofin Dismantlers where it had a short retirement before finally been placed in a crusher. IT just needed too much minor work to get it through the NCT so after Nine years in which it never let me down it was time to say goodbye. In selecting the dismantlers I choose one that would allow me to run home and get a long run of 14 miles in. Two dismantlers fitted that bill, but storm Imogen was brewing so I chose the one where she would assist me on the way home. Well after two weeks of searching I finally got my new Trustee stead. While it is not an ever reliable ford it does have the same engine as the new Ford Focus and C-Maxa 06 Peugeot 307 1.6 HDI. If my new stead gives me half of what I got from its predecessor then I will be more than happy.

4 in a Row

That is what lies ahead. Four weekends, and four more marathons to get me closer to my 50th Marathon. So on tomorrow morning it begins as I travel to Killeigh Co Offaly for four loops of a tough enough course. Judging by the promised whether, swimming goggles will be required. Going to take this very easy as I never have done Four on the bounce. I have previously done Three so I have no doubt if I mind the body I should manage to complete the task in hand. The plan is Marathon Day in Ballina on the 26th, followed by either Saturday or Sunday in UL culminating in a pacing gig in Tralee on the 12th of March.

A streak of sorts

Normally I dont do running streaks, just love my leaba on a Sunday too much. I was surprised to see on my log last year that I did manage 41 Days and 380 miles last May to June. This year I have a different streak, 24 days of been able to plan a run without having to ensure proximity to a toilet, either close to home or in Lees Road. My colitis has thankfully gone into remission and Two things helped this.

Item one the prescrided scud missiles from the doctor. They came with what my daughter described as finger condoms and I found that vasealine has another use other then preventing chaffing. So no need to draw a picture on this one.

Item two Turmeric and black pepper. I was doing a job for Micheal of Plexus BioEnergy recently and this came up in conversation with his receptionist Frances. Basically sweat onions garlic tumeric powder and black pepper as a base for stews, curries and soups. Luckily I love black pepper and now every Sunday night I take to the kitchen to make up a weeks supply of Kale soup. Basically chop and sweet off onion, garlic, mushrooms and a green pepperin 2-3 tabnlespoons of cocunut oil. Add probably 1-2 tablespoons of tumeric powder with a tablespoon of ground black pepper, if it is pasting too much add a small driop of water. After ten minutes add tin of tomatoes, fistful or two of kale, potatoe and carrot washed, chopped and unpeeled (like the Cork lads eat them) and some dark cabbage, water bring to a simmer and leave for an  30 minute. Eat as is or liquidise it. You will need to add salt when eating as it does taste quite bland , but so far it is working a treat for me in the rear end departmernt

As regards running I have fully commited to ticking off my remaining 11 Marathons to get to 50 before I will start back at trying to improve the times in the shorter stuff. I am hoping to have this done before June leaving me the summer to attack some PB’s and finally dip my toe into some XC in the autumn.

Whats another Decade

Its the big one Year 50. If I teleported back Ten years to life approaching my 40th Birthday I could not have even dreamt up some of the things I have done since. A lot of stuff changed and for the better I may add. It all stemed from running up a hill one day getting to the top knackered and out of breath, deciding that turning back was not an option. So whats ahead for the next Ten (if I get that far) who knows but I am really looking forward to pushing out the boundaries on this.

Christmas Pudding

Yes that little thing that sits just below your stomach and appears every year without fail in the New Year. Had dreaded the stand on the scale on Monday morning and even threattent the scales with the bold corner if it did not behave. Well the scales are in the bold corner, up 10lbs since Frankfurt and I honestly cannot think of how that happened. Anyway its a good incentive to start the year on.

Goals for the Year

Before I can go about setting some I will need to get back to where I was last summer before a few niggles set me back. Currently my easy running pace is slow, the extra pudding is not helping. How would it. I have decided to complete the my 50th Marathon a bit quicker then planned, just get them done ASAP, and during this time I will try and get weekly mileage up a bit more so that I have a good solid base to come off. This means not racing a spring marathon or for that matter anything longer then 10K.

parkrun

As many now know Operation Transformation has joined up with parkrun this year. Well last week they where to film in Lees Road. We had heard they where coming but at 9:15 got a phone call with a request to delay the star until after 10. This didnt happen. parkrubn starts at 9:30 and changes for nobody. They duelly arrived at 10:15 when most of the runners had gone home. Spent the next hour filming and getting the poor remaining souls to shout “Operation Transformartion” and jump up and down. Roll on next week and we had our record attendance of 249, hopefully we can get these people to come back in March and April. Clearly the advantage of getting some national TV airtime outweigh the disadvantage of having to spend a morning in the cold with a film crew.