Cork City Marathon, June 4th 2012.

EauRouge79 · 28-03-2012 12:21am

The race is on my doorstep so I dont think I have it in me to just ignore it. Cork isnt the focus for me this year but I feel that I might run it, no harm to support the event anyway.

My question is about pacing or more specifically, acting as a pacer. The idea of giving a little back appeals to me, with others having paced for me in the past.
In terms of experience, Cork would be my 10th Marathon. PB: 3:05:00 and hoping for sub 3 in Berlin later this year. I would be happy to pace 4hrs in Cork.
If others here have experience of pacing, am I the type they would be looking for or will they have plenty of volunteers.

I know the obvious thing is to e-mail the organisers, but would be interested in hearing from some runners here 1st. Dont think I could deal with being rejected by the organisers

ha ha

RayCun · 28-03-2012 9:32am

PM hunnymonster
She's looking after the Cork pacers this year - don't know how many she has already.

TFBubendorfer · 28-03-2012 10:30am

The pacer slots got assigned at the start of February; if you contact Hunnymonster, she might put you on the waiting list or at least keep your name for next year.

You should probably get the mods to give you access to the pacers forum.

With a 3:05 PB you qualify for any slot from 3:30.

EauRouge79 · 28-03-2012 11:12am

RayCun wrote: »

PM hunnymonster
She's looking after the Cork pacers this year - don't know how many she has already.

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

The pacer slots got assigned at the start of February; if you contact Hunnymonster, she might put you on the waiting list or at least keep your name for next year.
.

Thanks Lads.
Appreciate that and I will PM Hunnymonster.

Before posting last night, I had a google and saw that they were looking for pacers a month or so beforehand in 2010 - I guess this was the 1st time they had pacers. Good to see so much interest these days as its a great help to people on the day.

nellocono · 28-03-2012 11:40am

Will they have a 3.45 pacer?

menoscemo · 28-03-2012 11:43am

nellocono wrote: »

Will they have a 3.45 pacer?

yep, there should be at least 2.

Wexford1996 · 28-03-2012 12:38pm

I have a question in relation to the registration. Considering doing Cork as my first marathon and had hoped to travel down on race day but the registration is only on the Saturday and the Sunday. Is it possible to get someone to do the registration on my behalf or do I have to do it in person. Obviously if not it would require travelling down on the Sunday and booking accommodation for the Sunday night. I would appreciate any help in relation to this.

Oisin11178 · 28-03-2012 1:53pm

nellocono wrote: »

Will they have a 3.45 pacer?

2 sound blokes john desmond and Paul brunnock. Your in very good hands with those 2 lads.

sideswipe · 28-03-2012 2:04pm

Wexford1996 wrote: »

I have a question in relation to the registration. Considering doing Cork as my first marathon and had hoped to travel down on race day but the registration is only on the Saturday and the Sunday. Is it possible to get someone to do the registration on my behalf or do I have to do it in person. Obviously if not it would require travelling down on the Sunday and booking accommodation for the Sunday night. I would appreciate any help in relation to this.

I had somebody else register on my behalf last year no problems.

nellocono · 28-03-2012 5:00pm

Oisin11178 wrote: »

2 sound blokes john desmond and Paul brunnock. Your in very good hands with those 2 lads.

This the 'John Desmond' who writes the Cork Running blog...?

Oisin11178 · 28-03-2012 9:06pm

nellocono wrote: »

This the 'John Desmond' who writes the Cork Running blog...?

It is yeah.

grahmmorgan · 30-03-2012 9:00pm

I had pull out of Rotterdam this week due to a nagging calf problem so I signed up for this today looking forward to it,I have always wanted to do this race.Just hope the calf problems heals up quick.

foxyboxer · 31-03-2012 10:26am

A group are short a man for a 4 team relay.

They have asked me to complete the first leg for them (though I'm doing the full).

Would there be an issue there?

31-03-2012 7:52pm

Did 16 miles today. With about 450m of ascent. Legs a bit sore now. And it's boogy night. Hike tomorrow, then might try and do 4 on Monday just to take it into 40 for a week, which is good going for me.

opus · 12-04-2012 8:54pm

Mahers have a free marathon & road running seminar coming up for anyone interested & based in Cork, they normally hand out a discount voucher, some free stuff & have the odd spot prize as well. Details below:

Following on from the past few years successful road running seminars, Mahers Sports are arranging two more this year with the Cork City Marathon 2012 in mind.
The first of these will take place on Wednesday April 25th 7-9pm.
This will take place in Mahers Sports, Oliver Plunkett St.
FREE ENTRY!
ALL Levels welcome.
Discounts given on the evening!

To register:
Email: mmaher at mahersports . ie

28-04-2012 5:03pm

Good week of running, my first time breaking 50 miles, 1 competitive 10 mile run, 2 good 7 mile training runs, 1 tough interval session, and after all that pushing myself, 1 lsr today to break the 50 miles. It was a bit ugly, and know some would regard 50 miles as a slow week, but glad to get a few miles into the legs.

EauRouge79 · 30-04-2012 11:37pm

Will go up by €10 at midnight tonight.

knipper · 01-05-2012 12:50pm

I was wondering are there pacers for the half marathon. First timer asking.

psychozeb · 01-05-2012 2:08pm

knipper wrote: »

I was wondering are there pacers for the half marathon. First timer asking.

Yeah there's pacemakers alright,I'm doing 1:40 with another lad from my club.there's also pacers for 90mins,110mins and I'd imagine for 120 mins.

rainbow kirby · 01-05-2012 2:13pm

psychozeb wrote: »

Yeah there's pacemakers alright,I'm doing 1:40 with another lad from my club.there's also pacers for 90mins,110mins and I'd imagine for 120 mins.

List here.

3:00-5:00 for the marathon and 1:30-2:30 for the half.

01-05-2012 8:10pm

Hi folks. I finally decided to enter this last night. I had been humming and hawing for a while, but I came through my 20-miler well on Sunday, so I'll give to a lash.

Just wondering, is there a half-marathon on in the run-up that people are running as preparation? I'd usually do a half about a month in advance to see what kind of shape I'm in. Is Bandon on the May 12 the only contender?

Aimman · 02-05-2012 5:43pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Just wondering, is there a half-marathon on in the run-up that people are running as preparation? I'd usually do a half about a month in advance to see what kind of shape I'm in. Is Bandon on the May 12 the only contender?

There's one on 13th May in Kildare, running alongside the full marathon and 10k, if you fancy a trip up the M8. Details are here, but not sure if they are still taking entries

robinph · 02-05-2012 5:43pm

Finally got round to booking my flights to come over for the relay now.

Have we decided on a pub yet...don't leave it to me and brianderunner.

Aimman · 02-05-2012 5:48pm

robinph wrote: »

Finally got round to booking my flights to come over for the relay now.

Are the Brazillians coming?:D

Brianderunner · 02-05-2012 6:26pm

robinph wrote: »

Finally got round to booking my flights to come over for the relay now.

Have we decided on a pub yet...don't leave it to me and brianderunner.

Haha nice one

The pub from 2010 seemed fine.

Flights were far from cheap for this one, everyone's heading home for the double bank holiday.

Our relay "dream team" isnt looking so good these days. Meno is struggling to finish his races, I'm only just back, Chinguetti is injured, Digger is getting on and you kaboomed in London

chinguetti · 02-05-2012 6:34pm

Fellow team members:

Chances of me making it ain't great lads. I'm only allowed run 3 to 5 k and all runs have to be on grass so if ye get someone else, i won't be offended.

However i do know the lap of the Polo Grounds blindfolded at this stage.

Brianderunner · 02-05-2012 6:43pm

chinguetti wrote: »

Fellow team members:

Chances of me making it ain't great lads. I'm only allowed run 3 to 5 k and all runs have to be on grass so if ye get someone else, i won't be offended.

However i do know the lap of the Polo Grounds blindfolded at this stage.

Ah its no biggie, one of us (most likely Robin) can run 2 legs if we dont find a replacement. Its 4 weeks away yet you never know.

robinph · 02-05-2012 6:52pm

Brianderunner wrote: »

Haha nice one The pub from 2010 seemed fine.

Flights were far from cheap for this one, everyone's heading home for the double bank holiday.

Our relay "dream team" isnt looking so good these days. Meno is struggling to finish his races, I'm only just back, Chinguetti is injured, Digger is getting on and you kaboomed in London

I was finished after London alright, but unless I fall through a hole in the pavement I'll be flying again by then. As long as I don't end up having to run the full distance in Cork, I do need to be fresh for the pub afterwards.

shels4ever · 02-05-2012 7:01pm

robinph wrote: »

I was finished after London alright, but unless I fall through a hole in the pavement I'll be flying again by then. As long as I don't end up having to run the full distance in Cork, I do need to be fresh for the pub afterwards.

Yep and i'll sort out a nice T-Shirt for you... you'd look good with a nice TriColour top.

menoscemo · 02-05-2012 7:13pm

Brianderunner wrote: »

Our relay "dream team" isnt looking so good these days. Meno is struggling to finish his races, I'm only just back, Chinguetti is injured, Digger is getting on and you kaboomed in London

Yeah the team is looking crocked at the moment. As it stands digger is not actually on the team, woddle provisionally replaced him a few months ago. This is all subject to change, we might need Digger (and maybe claralara) to help out.

Should be a bit of fun. Last year there was a big crowd in the pub they named for the official after party. Apparently there was a free BBQ in the evening but we never actually made it.

Woddle · 02-05-2012 7:22pm

I'm still good to go and I can give Briandrunner his €20 win bet
I'm running the RTE 5 miler on Saturday now so will give me an idea of what shape I'm in.

menoscemo · 02-05-2012 7:26pm

Woddle wrote: »

I'm still good to go and I can give Briandrunner his €20 win bet
I'm running the RTE 5 miler on Saturday now so will give me an idea of what shape I'm in.

Good stuff. I am going to see if I can book back into the lancaster. Really like that hotel and It's nice and lcose to a few pubs for the afters :pac:

Brianderunner · 02-05-2012 11:07pm

Woddle wrote: »

I'm still good to go and I can give Briandrunner his €20 win bet
I'm running the RTE 5 miler on Saturday now so will give me an idea of what shape I'm in.

Ah no i'm not taking your money without a race first. We'll call it a tenner. Sub 33 double or nothing? Bet void if your garmin shows less than 4.95 mls?

Woddle · 03-05-2012 8:09am

Brianderunner wrote: »

Ah no i'm not taking your money without a race first. We'll call it a tenner. Sub 33 double or nothing? Bet void if your garmin shows less than 4.95 mls?

Great suits me

but lets go with sportsworld as I reckon the garmin will read about 4.9 at RTE?

Brianderunner · 03-05-2012 8:34am

Woddle wrote: »

Great suits me but lets go with sportsworld as I reckon the garmin will read about 4.9 at RTE?

Yeah no problem. First few pints on the Monday night after the relay payed for by you

You'd think at this stage that the BHAA would find a way to make it 5 mls even.

foxyboxer · 03-05-2012 11:57am

A group are short a man for a 5 team relay.
They have asked me to complete the first leg for them (though I'm doing the full).
Would there be an issue there?

menoscemo · 03-05-2012 12:02pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

A group are short a man for a 5 team relay.
They have asked me to complete the first leg for them (though I'm doing the full).
Would there be an issue there?

Can one of them not do two legs?

I'd say you'll get away with it if that's what you mean. They only check the time of the last guy coming home, there are no real checks anywhere else on the course. Technically someone could just wait with the timing chip on his foot just before the last corner and run home whenever he felt like it and I doubt his team would be disqualified.

foxyboxer · 03-05-2012 1:23pm

menoscemo wrote: »

Can one of them not do two legs?

I'd say you'll get away with it if that's what you mean. They only check the time of the last guy coming home, there are no real checks anywhere else on the course. Technically someone could just wait with the timing chip on his foot just before the last corner and run home whenever he felt like it and I doubt his team would be disqualified.

None of them up for it I'm afraid (not even the last 2 legs of 9 miles or so :rolleyes:) hence me getting roped in. I assume that I'll have to start with two timing chips and thought there might be a conflict with the times. I checked the terms and conditions but there's no mention of that scenario, would have been nice to have a legitimate reason to bow out!

robinph · 03-05-2012 1:47pm

The person who crosses the finish line is the one that need the timing chip, if doing a relay there is no time for crossing the start line.

robinph · 03-05-2012 1:53pm

If I'm doing two legs for the chairmen then baggsy the last two. Should be able to cover that in about an hour, that leave the other three of you to do the 16'ish miles in ...oh, I'll be generous and give you 1:20 for your legs.

corkrunner71 · 03-05-2012 2:31pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

None of them up for it I'm afraid (not even the last 2 legs of 9 miles or so :rolleyes:) hence me getting roped in. I assume that I'll have to start with two timing chips and thought there might be a conflict with the times. I checked the terms and conditions but there's no mention of that scenario, would have been nice to have a legitimate reason to bow out!

I'm not sure if the chip is on the back of the number or not so you may actually need to don both numbers if you're doing the final leg !! Will definitely stand out more than a chip on the foot.

menoscemo · 03-05-2012 2:59pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

None of them up for it I'm afraid (not even the last 2 legs of 9 miles or so :rolleyes:) hence me getting roped in. I assume that I'll have to start with two timing chips and thought there might be a conflict with the times. I checked the terms and conditions but there's no mention of that scenario, would have been nice to have a legitimate reason to bow out!

Nope only the person on the last leg of the relay has to wear a timing chip (on his/her shoe). There is a little bracelet that is supposed to be passed on from runner to runner at the changeover points, but it really proves nothing as there are no checks, the last runner could easily just wear it and the chip and take off when he/she likes.
The relay is actually rife for cheating when you think of it but i don't think there are any prizes so there is no real incentive for doing so.

robinph · 03-05-2012 3:23pm

menoscemo wrote: »

Nope only the person on the last leg of the relay has to wear a timing chip (on his/her shoe). There is a little bracelet that is supposed to be passed on from runner to runner at the changeover points, but it really proves nothing as there are no checks, the last runner could easily just wear it and the chip and take off when he/she likes.
The relay is actually rife for cheating when you think of it but i don't think there are any prizes so there is no real incentive for doing so.

We are all just a very honorable bunch us relay runners and wouldn't dream of doing such things. It is very exciting hanging around the relay changeovers and handing over to your team mates.

foxyboxer · 03-05-2012 3:50pm

Certainly no question of them cheating. Just stuck/lazy (delete as applicable)
It's just that the last thing you need before running the full one is having hassle about their timing chip and your own.

menoscemo · 03-05-2012 4:02pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

Certainly no question of them cheating. Just stuck/lazy (delete as applicable)
It's just that the last thing you need before running the full one is having hassle about their timing chip and your own.

You won't have to wear two timing chips (or numbers). You'll just have to hand over a bracelet at the first realy changeover point (about 5 miles in).

robinph · 03-05-2012 4:24pm

Technically as a relay runner for the first leg you should also be wearing a different number on your back, but I think your OK with the plan you have. You then have to try and beat the four of them to run 20'ish miles after you have already run a 5'ish mile "warm up".

That should suitably shame the lot of them if you do beat them on your own.

alitoast · 07-05-2012 3:33pm

This day next month.....eek.

Can someone tell me a bit more about how the pacing works? i assume its a big group behind one guy who knows what pace to run at? hoping to run witht he 3:45 group but i'm a novice marathon runner so any advice appreciated.

Aimman · 07-05-2012 7:27pm

The pacers (armed with balloons with the finishing time on them) will start out at a steady pace and stick to that all the way around, so that the pace for each mile is the same. In the case of the 3:45 pacers, they will be running at approximately 8:34 per mile all the way. If you keep with them, they'll be helping you not to head out too fast and struggle later on and will also give you a bit of support when you need it and try to rally up the spectators to cheer you on.

the pacer will relieve you of having to check your time, check your speed, do the maths to get you to the finish line in 3:45. IF you're feeling strong in the latter part of the race, they might encourage you to push ahead of them a bit to put a slightly bigger dent in the sub 3:45 time.

One bit of advice is to start either beside them or just behind them. If you are ahead of them crossing the line, your chip time will be started before theirs and if you finish with them, you'll have extra time on your results. If you start too far behind them, then there might be the urge to run too fast in the first mile to catch up with them. If for any reason, you need to stop during the race, for a drink or a toilet break, dont feel you have to go at breakneck speed to catch up with them over the next 200m, you'll be able to see the balloons ahead and just bring up the pace gradually. If it takes you a mile to slowly creep back up on them, it will be less taxing then bursting into a sprint to catch them ASAP.

TFBubendorfer · 07-05-2012 7:36pm

alitoast wrote: »

Can someone tell me a bit more about how the pacing works? i assume its a big group behind one guy who knows what pace to run at? hoping to run witht he 3:45 group but i'm a novice marathon runner so any advice appreciated.

That's pretty much it. There are usually 2 or 3 pacers per pace band. They will carry balloons with the target time and will run at even pace. It's then up to the runners to try and stick with them.

Update: Beaten by Aimann. Doh!

Aimman · 07-05-2012 7:41pm

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Update: Beaten by Aimann. Doh!

I very seldom get to hear those words, so I'm printing this it out and framing it,

Cork City Marathon, June 4th 2012.

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