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Connemarathon 1/4/2012

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,688 ✭✭✭BrokenMan


    Provisional results up on the connemara website now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 467 ✭✭Mick Rice




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,496 ✭✭✭Oisin11178


    Just got off the phone from nasa, they said they have my explosion on tape. visable from outer space apparently:D


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 20,366 Mod ✭✭✭✭RacoonQueen


    Oisin11178 wrote: »
    Just got off the phone from nasa, they said they have my explosion on tape. visable from outer space apparently:D

    You even lost to that Karl Henry eejit.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,548 ✭✭✭Marthastew


    You even lost to that Karl Henry eejit.

    Yes but CL and I chicked him so all is not lost ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,496 ✭✭✭Oisin11178


    You even lost to that Karl Henry eejit.
    You wanna here him in the last mile. Screaming like a mental patient:D


  • Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    Not long back from Letterfrack. Well done to all who took part yesterday...What an occasion... Myself ,TFB and Ray Lanigan even made a cameo appearance on RTE :rolleyes:.. Last year the Ultra tore me to shreds, this year it tore me to shreds and next year it will probably do the same :D

    In a heap today but over the moon with 4.52.47....... Will write up something in the next few days ...


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,510 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Connamara Marathon Race Report
    So my third marathon since June 2011, my best time previously was the DCM which I finished in 3:58 making it my first sub4 marathon and was thrilled.

    So with connemarathon I hoped it either also hit 3:58 or better it, my pace target was 5:36 per km making for a sub 3:57, potentially too ambitious given my lack of hill training and that I've been sick all of late but here goes.

    Got to the start and off we went, felt pretty good but at this stage I was worried about the weather as I had expected it to be cooler and with less sun so I had made the mistake of bringing everything else except for sun cream.

    All went well and had chats to lots of people as time progressed, met one chap who had run the course a number of times so he knew exactly where the hills started/ended, perhaps in hindsight I should have studied the course better :)

    Now this is where I made by biggest mistake, I wasn't paying attention to my pacing and instead of 5:36 I was doing much closer to 5:25 avg pace up until near Leenane.

    As I hit Leenane I knew things were just about to get much harder which wasn't going to be good as I knew that certainly at mile 22 the hills were going to really make bits of me.

    The climb out of Leenane hit me hard and I found it awfully hard to make it up the hill, it killed me but this was the first time I walked although I only did so for maybe 50metres.

    After the climb out of Leenane I soldiered on, at I think around mile 21 menoscemo passed me for the first time...but certainly not the last, despite the pain he mentioned he was in I still told him he'd finish far ahead of me. I passed him twice more before he finally passed me not to be seen again.

    The last climb towards Maam Cross really chewed me up and spat me out, at this stage I was walking for 100-200metres at a time just to keep making progress, the legs were in alot of pain, I was exhausted and saw my watch get closer to 4hrs so I knew that there was no chance I was passing that line before the 4hr mark.

    2miles out from Maam Cross I decided sod this I'm going to run to the finish for the rest of this with no more of this walking lark!....that and I doubt I'm the only person that noticed him but I was determent as hell for the chap running in jeans not to beat me :D

    The first mile downhill felt great and it was a huge lift to finally pass so many people after being passed when I walked, the second mile didn't feel so great but I kept on going, gave it one last push to pass the finish in 4:11 (garmin).

    So I didn't hit my target and some of that is down to me going to fast and also the heat really killed me.

    Did I enjoy?? Hell yes!, the hills chewed me up and spat me out and I feel glorious! :pac::pac:


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,902 ✭✭✭Emer911


    Great race, great day (if a bit too much on the sunny side for comfort) and the hill didn't beat me up (that much) this time. Really happy with my time 02:01:28 which is a full 16 minutes off my last Connemara HM from 2010 :cool:

    Superbly organised event - all ran very smooth - and the soup at the end was like nectar! Fantastic support out too, and the atmosphere was so friendly and supportive. Loved it. I think I may be back :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,340 ✭✭✭TFBubendorfer


    I have my race report on my blog.
    A word of warning, it is of the usual, epic rambling style.

    http://rubbishrunner.blogspot.com/2012/04/hell-is-lonely-place.html


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,548 ✭✭✭Marthastew


    I have my race report on my blog.
    A word of warning, it is of the usual, epic rambling style.

    http://rubbishrunner.blogspot.com/2012/04/hell-is-lonely-place.html

    Congratulations on your top 10 finish! I really enjoyed your race report.
    My cousin ran the half and was describing to me the crazy sounds an Ultra runner was making as he passed, now that I know it was you I'll have to tell him those sounds came from a running legend:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,340 ✭✭✭TFBubendorfer


    Marthastew wrote: »
    My cousin ran the half and was describing to me the crazy sounds an Ultra runner was making as he passed

    Haha, I dare say he's not the only one who thought that! :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 239 ✭✭NoGutsNoGlory


    I have my race report on my blog.
    A word of warning, it is of the usual, epic rambling style.

    http://rubbishrunner.blogspot.com/2012/04/hell-is-lonely-place.html

    great report.. i even got the missus to read it... to try and get her to understand the madness.....:D:D

    i presume the "noise" in question is the same as in BC!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,437 ✭✭✭Izoard


    I have my race report on my blog.
    A word of warning, it is of the usual, epic rambling style.

    http://rubbishrunner.blogspot.com/2012/04/hell-is-lonely-place.html

    Well done TFB - fantastic result!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,759 ✭✭✭belcarra




  • Registered Users Posts: 2,432 ✭✭✭sideswipe


    I have my race report on my blog.
    A word of warning, it is of the usual, epic rambling style.

    http://rubbishrunner.blogspot.com/2012/04/hell-is-lonely-place.html
    Great stuff, really enjoyed that report.....not sure about the name of the blog though- if that's rubbish running I dread to think of a suitable description for my plodding!


  • Registered Users Posts: 20 isogel


    Nice blog there TFBubendorfer.. a nice inside story of an ultra runner and of course well done on breaking the 5 hours ..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 339 ✭✭Patrick_K


    Here's a set of photos I took - http://bit.ly/HbETiF - very much a Le Cheile slant to them but plenty of others too ...
    Cracking day out there, well done to you all, was very jealous I couldn't run.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,915 ✭✭✭✭menoscemo


    Patrick_K wrote: »
    Here's a set of photos I took - http://bit.ly/HbETiF - very much a Le Cheile slant to them but plenty of others too ...
    Cracking day out there, well done to you all, was very jealous I couldn't run.

    Thanks Patrick. I managed to find one of myself there that's actually presentable (unlike the offical photos). I'm guessing that was near the finish line? If so i am really surprised I was still able to bend my left knee :pac:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭nerraw1111


    I have my race report on my blog.
    A word of warning, it is of the usual, epic rambling style.

    http://rubbishrunner.blogspot.com/2012/04/hell-is-lonely-place.html

    Excellent report. Great result too


  • Registered Users Posts: 497 ✭✭Bugsy2000


    Here's my two cents worth, sorry if it rambles. I seem incapable of writing a short report.

    What a scorcher!

    After running the Craughwell 10 comfortably in 82mins recently I decided to set a target of 1.50 for the half in Connemara. I spent days looking at the course elevation on MapMyRun & plotting out my pace band, allowing myself some extra time for the hill at Leenane & the HOTW. I finally settled on my fourth incarnation after many deliberations..

    I’d been watching the forecast all week & was expecting a mild but clear day. By arrival at 10am in Leenane I knew we were in for a hot one, and of course had not brought the sun cream. Myself & a mate had decided to go off together & aim for the 1.50. We also had my mates neighbour who said he was aiming for 2.00 (he’d been sick & injured lately). Midday and we’re off and within half a mile the neighbour is out ahead and soon out of sight (him being a first time Conn I was sure I’d see him later).

    I’d given myself slow splits (10.00 & 9.20) for the first two miles coming up the hill from Leenane but the starting adrenaline had me well ahead (8.30 & 8.23) so I had time in the bank straight away & felt comfortable. Myself & Keith stayed together until about mile 4 (7.34 & 7.54 splits) & I think we both started to feel the pace a bit. We both slowed & at some stage here I lost Keith & ran the rest on my own. I put the head down & kept at it. I’d forgotten how undulating the middle of this course is. It became a story of ‘get to the top of the next rise and you can rest then’. I was hurting & it was still fairly early. It wasn’t a good sign.

    I managed to keep plodding away with miles 5 – 9 averaging at 8.20’s - below my predicted splits but not by much. I had taken a gel pre-race & one at miles 3 & 6. I couldn’t get my usual Powerbar gels & instead went for Kinetica. They taste nice but there is a lot in them. By mile 8 my tummy was cramping a bit & I was unsure if I’d be able to take my next scheduled gel at mile 9 in time for the HOTW.

    By the time I hit the Hell I was feeling relatively comfortable again bar the tummy. I got stuck in and was able to keep a steady pace going although I did feel I was weakening. I took the gel with plenty of water about quarter way up & was willing to deal with the consequences:o. I was passing plenty of people & after every bend I thought ‘nearly there, nearly there’. How wrong was I. Even though I’m very familiar with this area the road seemed to be playing tricks on me, it was never ending. Along the top half of the hill the spectators were in full flow & there were plenty of shouts for ‘C’mon Athenry’ – if I didn’t acknowledge you I apologise but I needed everything at this stage, I was telling myself ‘just one more step, one more step’. I managed to get up the hill in splits of 9.09 & 9.53, again ahead of my predicted splits for the hills.

    After losing time in the middle of the course, at mile 11 (the top of the hill) I was about 30 seconds off my time. This wasn’t exactly a good thing as I soon realised that I was a bit over exuberant with my predicted final two mile splits. I really had to go for it. So I did. Mile 12 down the hill was 7.33 & I was hurting. 1 mile to go & I was feeling it. I could feel myself slowing but kept at it. I was passing plenty with few passing me so I knew I was doing something right. With about a half mile to go three ultra-lads passed me, one of them was wearing a t-shirt that said ‘Never Give Up’ on the back. It was all I needed to put the boot down again. A quick wave to Pam & my little Rachel on the side-lines & I was off for a 7.43 13 mile split & 6.51 (pace) split for the last .21 on the garmin.

    Crossed the line in 1.50.54 chip time. Missed the target by 54 seconds but delighted all the same. I honestly couldn’t have given it another second. 34mins off my time from last year & a PB for the half by 9mins.

    Learned a lot about myself too. I now realise how big a part mental attitude plays in a race. A lot of times I wanted to stop to walk but wouldn’t allow myself. Whereas before, especially if I was running on my own, I would have stopped too easily. I kept telling myself the pain would pass, and most times it did. I can only remember talking to 3 people on the whole course, I was just in my own little world talking myself through the race. Usually I’m chatty & enjoying the banter.

    Secondly I now realise how important a target is. It’s the first time I’ve targeted a specific time. Previously I would say ‘Ah, I’d be happy getting under 2hrs’ & anything under that would be a bonus. But with the 1.50 target I kept pushing myself, especially on the last two miles. Without that target I probably would have took it easy on the last two, safe in the knowledge I’d get under the 2hr mark.

    It was easily my best ran race to date, if for no other reason than my dogged determination out there, so happy out:)………..oh yeah, my mates neighbour who was training for a 2hr (after being sick & injured)………..1.47. Sickener isn’t it.

    Congrats to all who took part. See ye all next year for the ultra:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 339 ✭✭Patrick_K


    menoscemo wrote: »
    Thanks Patrick. I managed to find one of myself there that's actually presentable (unlike the offical photos). I'm guessing that was near the finish line? If so i am really surprised I was still able to bend my left knee :pac:

    I thought that was yourself alright. Yeah that was at about 38.5 miles for you :-) To be fair you didn't look too bad passing us, I wouldn't have guessed the pain you'd gone through. Well done.


  • Registered Users Posts: 497 ✭✭Bugsy2000


    Excerpt from Diary of a Rubbish Runner - TFB's Connemarathon Ultra report.

    'I had by now passed the majority of the half marathon field (as well as 90% of the marathon field) and the runners around me were of reasonable standard, roughly 2-hour half-marathon runners and sub-3:30 marathon runners, but the Hell is a challenging climb for everyone.'

    Woo-hoo, the legend that is TFB thinks I'm a runner of reasonable standard. It's the little things in life that make it all worth while.:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,340 ✭✭✭TFBubendorfer


    i presume the "noise" in question is the same as in BC!!!!

    I presume so, too :rolleyes:

    Bugsy2000 wrote: »
    Excerpt from Diary of a Rubbish Runner - TFB's Connemarathon Ultra report.

    'I had by now passed the majority of the half marathon field (as well as 90% of the marathon field) and the runners around me were of reasonable standard, roughly 2-hour half-marathon runners and sub-3:30 marathon runners, but the Hell is a challenging climb for everyone.'

    Woo-hoo, the legend that is TFB thinks I'm a runner of reasonable standard. It's the little things in life that make it all worth while.:D

    When I wrote that I was worried someone would accuse me of being elitist. Glad you're happy. :-)


  • Registered Users Posts: 178 ✭✭househunter


    Thoroughly enjoyed my first Connemarathon weekend. Race was very tough but a beautiful course. Well organised especially with all the busing people about. Only complaint is that I was given an x-large t-shirt when I asked for small and only noticed it when I got home :(


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,548 ✭✭✭Marthastew


    I'm still on ahigh after Sunday and my first Connemara Ultra.
    Connemara is a race I would recommend to anyone whatever the distance, the fact that it sells out so fast every year speaks for itself. The wonderful volunteers along the course ranged in age from approx. 4 years old to over 80 and every one of them had a smile for us all. I know we were blessed with perfect conditions but the scenery is out of this world, this is a race I would do again and again although I suspect the HOTW will always be a tough goingwink.gif
    VERY long emotional report of my race can be found here

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77934269#post77934269


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,171 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    or even the Italian tv crew?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,027 ✭✭✭opus


    Great reports & even better running by everyone here, it was enough to push me into registering for the ultra myself this evening for next year, think I have to get a piece of this action next April :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 239 ✭✭NoGutsNoGlory


    there was a stand at the number collection expo handing out leaflets for a half in clontarf.. main selling point was "irelands flattest half marathon"............ just wondering was he at the finish line?????...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,496 ✭✭✭Oisin11178


    opus wrote: »
    Great reports & even better running by everyone here, it was enough to push me into registering for the ultra myself this evening for next year, think I have to get a piece of this action next April :)

    See you there:D


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,432 ✭✭✭sideswipe


    opus wrote: »
    Great reports & even better running by everyone here, it was enough to push me into registering for the ultra myself this evening for next year, think I have to get a piece of this action next April :)

    Same here:D


  • Registered Users Posts: 497 ✭✭Bugsy2000


    seanin4711 wrote: »
    or even the Italian tv crew?

    RTE Plyer has the Six One news from Sunday. It had a couple of minutes coverage on it. Not sure about the 9 o' clock news.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,759 ✭✭✭belcarra


    Anyone else loving the fact that the first bit of bad weather this year coincides with recovery from Connemara and guilt-free staying indoors!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,957 ✭✭✭digger2d2


    belcarra wrote: »
    Anyone else loving the fact that the first bit of bad weather this year coincides with recovery from Connemara and guilt-free staying indoors!

    +1 :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 192 ✭✭doctorchick


    Bugsy2000 wrote: »
    RTE Plyer has the Six One news from Sunday. It had a couple of minutes coverage on it. Not sure about the 9 o' clock news.

    9 O'Clock news showed the exact same report as the six one, I even got a cameo roll as I was taking the pics on the finish line.

    Have separated all the ultra photos out from the weekend and there are currently 1100 of them so planning on getting them down to a sensible number and will have them up on Flickr sometime tonight.

    Was a great weekend to be out there, and fantastic performances all round. Was great to see people run the invitational and then do the full/ultra the next day AND put in some good times.


  • Registered Users Posts: 511 ✭✭✭EauRouge79


    9 O'Clock news showed the exact same report as the six one, I even got a cameo roll as I was taking the pics on the finish line.
    .

    And thats me being interviewed in the red t-shirt holding my daughter. Never thought I would make the RTE sports news!


  • Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    Official splits are now up on the Conn website..

    My Conn Ultra thoughts are here for anyone whose interested. Ye might want to crack open a can of Dutch Gold :)


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77946868#post77946868


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,663 ✭✭✭claralara


    Well done again to everyone who took part in this fantastic event!! I have nothing bad to say about it so take my silence as nothing but positive feedback! (I did write a 10,000 word love letter/essay in the feedback book that was handed to me in the pub on Sunday night so I apologise to whomever has to read that.

    My race report can be found at the link below, but be warned – it is for insomniacs alone! ;)

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77930657&postcount=1941


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,832 ✭✭✭littlebug


    There are loads of photos on the Connemarathon facebook page Thankfully I don't feature in any of them :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,915 ✭✭✭✭menoscemo


    menoscemo wrote: »
    Really tough day at the office for me. Got through the full in 3:29 bang on target but felt cramp in the left hamstring coming up the hill after lenaune and it stuck for the first time at about mile 29 (a full 4 miles sooner than last year). From there on it was a matter of run/shuffle quarter a mile, stop stretch walk a few minutes repeat.
    Managed to jog the last 2 miles just under 10 min/mile to come in just under 5:40 (2:10 for the last 13.1 after two halfs of 1:44:xx :o)

    Stil a PB on last year by 11 minutes so not all doom and gloom.

    Here's my full race report for anyone who is bored interested enough to read it:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77910169&postcount=2575


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  • Registered Users Posts: 137 ✭✭corkrunner71


    menoscemo wrote: »
    Here's my full race report for anyone who is bored interested enough to read it:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77910169&postcount=2575

    Well done again on the PB. It was great running so many miles on Sunday with you. I know it became hard work out there but remember you managed a PB by 11 mins. Best of luck with the training for Berlin.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 192 ✭✭doctorchick


    OK, so alcohol got in the way yesterday and so didn't get the pics up.

    First gallery is now up which includes the Ultra briefing and the start of the Ultra race:-

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/51512923@N07/sets/72157629380405062/



    Ultra finishers will be going up later.


  • Registered Users Posts: 191 ✭✭Running Fool


    Just a quick update but my first ultra and was amazing.....even if the wheels came off a bit between miles 27 and 32 but finished in 6.59, pretty happy but sore and sunburnt. Will def be back next year, a lot wiser and fitter!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,883 ✭✭✭Younganne


    A huge congratulations to eveyone who ran in Conn on Sunday...it sounds like one hell of an ordeal a day. :D

    I'm so inspired that I will be signing up next year for the full. Congrats to anyone who got a PB as that's some course to do it on!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,759 ✭✭✭belcarra


    Just a quick update but my first ultra and was amazing.....even if the wheels came off a bit between miles 27 and 32 but finished in 6.59, pretty happy but sore and sunburnt. Will def be back next year, a lot wiser and fitter!

    Very similar experience to me Running Fool...My race died around those miles as well before spluttering back into life later on!


  • Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭Canine Marathoner


    yeah, even splits for me for the first two thirds, then lost seven or so minutes on HOTW which surprised me as I'd done a lot of hill running to try & prevent this, but as we all know it's where it comes in the ultra: 1:52:19 1:51:54 2:00:03
    going to avenge the HOTW next year! had a dream about it last night!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 192 ✭✭doctorchick


    OK, after wading through 1100 Ultra photos I have a gallery of 177 pictures of ultra finishers. Apologies to those I missed, it got busy at some points and a lot of people came across together, also I ran out of memory cards (rookie mistake I know - but I had shot 17Gb of pictures) after about 7h30m.

    Enjoy

    Iain

    P.S. Pleae feel free to post them to facebook profiles/blogs etc but please let me know if you plan to sell them :D

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/51512923@N07/sets/72157629745912301/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    Wonderful photos, doctorchick. Almost makes me regret not doing the ultra, so I could have a nice finish line photo. :)
    Did you take any photos of the top Half marathon finishers (e.g. between Keith white and Mick Rice)? :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 192 ✭✭doctorchick


    Wonderful photos, doctorchick. Almost makes me regret not doing the ultra, so I could have a nice finish line photo. :)
    Did you take any photos of the top Half marathon finishers (e.g. between Keith white and Mick Rice)? :)

    KC - I have heard that the sole reason for some people doing the ultra is to get a finish line picture - but i do question their sanity sometimes :)

    I will have photos of the half and full up next week but there are 3000 of those to go through :(

    I think i did get most of the top HM people though.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,548 ✭✭✭Marthastew


    KC - I have heard that the sole reason for some people doing the ultra is to get a finish line picture - but i do question their sanity sometimes :)

    The photo was definitely the reason I signed up for the Ultra and you didn't dissappoint docchick, thanks:)
    I've already uploaded my photo to Bragbook Facebook for some more adulation but I think most of my friends are now unfriending me....


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