Abhainn .....You are in the well

Sosa

Quitely doing some fantastic training for the Ultra in Connemara.
One of the training logs i always read because most of his runs are quality ...no messing around with this fella....no 4 mile recovery at 8 min miles...oh no ...he does fall over every once in a while,but like slogger and hop the pop,lives in the middle of nowhere and those fellas are touger that us city boys !

Do you train alone all the time ?
Do you struggle with motivation ?
What is your PB for a regular marathon ?
PB's for 5m and 10k ?
Are you looking forward to the Ultra or do you ever think ....39.3 miles...how am i going to do that at race pace ?
Would you ever drive a few miles so that you could run a flattish route ?

TheRoadRunner

How many marathons / ultramarathons have you run previously ?

TFBubendorfer

What's your favourite race distance?
Do you do some special training for the Connemara hills?

donothoponpop

Whats your favourite Wicklow hill route?

Whats harder to train for, the Ultra or your fastest marathon?

Abhainn

Well heh thanks SOSA. Not going to give too much away here now;)
But to correct you! Actually don’t live in the middle of no where, but some of my runs do take me to the quieter parts of the sticks, which I love.

Do you train alone all the time ?
Yes. It a habit I got into. I tend to be very set in my own ways, a bit selfish I know.
It originated back to my early 20’s and having to train on my own for the GAA. It was hard then.
You know most of the time it’s great to run on your own. It clears your mind. Other times especially on long runs I wouldn’t mind a companion

Do you struggle with motivation ?
No as long as I have some race /event that I am working towards.

What is your PB for a regular marathon ?
Berlin 2008 3:01:00. The sub 3 slipped away from me in the last 3k, which I put down to not taking my last gel.
I consider my 3:03:00 in Dublin 4 weeks later as been better as I had to stop for a no.1 and 2 on the way. I wasn’t going for a sub 3 there anyway.

PB's for 5m and 10k ?
I have only ran one 5 mile race ever – Sportworld 5 mile May 2008. Did it in 31:12. But recently beat that twice during Dungarvan 10 mile, first 5 miles and then second 5 miles. Best was 30:54
10K – Only one also. Dunshaughlin July 2008. Did that in 38:50 odd. Went through 6.2 mile in Dungarvan again in around 38:20. So taking that one also!

Are you looking forward to the Ultra or do you ever think ....39.3 miles...how am i going to do that at race pace ?
I wouldn’t say looking forward, but I am apprehensive about it. It a bloody long way. I am confident to 30 miles but after that … It’s all about the pacing yourself and been conservative. Keeping well hydrated and regular in take of gels or whatever.
All my runs long and short to date have been quicker than planned race pace. It’ll be a challenge to keep it at that for first 15 miles anyway.

Would you ever drive a few miles so that you could run a flattish route ?
Yes, and have done many times in Cyprus. In law’s have a villa in the up lands. Nothing but mad hills and driving heat where when you take a breath your throat is dry immediately
So I’d drive to the beach 6 miles away in the evenings and get in anything up to 10 miles. I don’t really consider the hills around my immediate vicinity me as been bad though

Abhainn

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

How many marathons / ultramarathons have you run previously ?

4 marathons, 0 ultra.

First marathon was Dublin 2007

Abhainn

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

What's your favourite race distance?
Do you do some special training for the Connemara hills?

Favourite distance is 26.2 miles. Any distance I have ran below that and it seems your in top gear the whole way. Marathons are very special days.

I have incorporated some steep climbs into my medium and long medium. Can't wait for the hills straight after Leenane

Abhainn

donothoponpop wrote: »

Whats your favourite Wicklow hill route?

Whats harder to train for, the Ultra or your fastest marathon?

I am not blessed with Wicklow great hill routes like yourself but I like the road from Newtown (at the N11) through to where it connects to the Roundwood rd R764 at Killiskey.

Definatley the Ultra. I peaked at 55 miles for Berlin. Last weeks total neared 75. Though I hadn't intended going beyond 65 miles when I first set out on the plan.

TheRoadRunner

assuming your first ultra goes to plan (fingers crossed:)) are you planning running more ultra events and what is the maximum distance you would consider covering ?

cfitz

Recently, you ran 24 miles at 7:18/mile pace in training. Do you think in preparation for any future marathons (rather than ultras) that you will ever go 26.2 miles or further on a training run?

Abhainn

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

assuming your first ultra goes to plan (fingers crossed:)) are you planning running more ultra events and what is the maximum distance you would consider covering ?

I am not built as a marathoner and would still like to be a few kg lower. So not planning any more ultras but that's not to say it won't ever be done.

There were two reasons behind my decision to do this ultra
1. One day I hope to do an IM. This race would give me a good indication if I've got the aptitude for one.
2. I thought it would be good to complete the Connemara series.
My first race in some 20 years was the Conn half in 2007, then last year I did the Full so why not the Ultra in 2009?

Abhainn

cfitz wrote: »

Recently, you ran 24 miles at 7:18/mile pace in training. Do you think in preparation for any future marathons (rather than ultras) that you will ever go 26.2 miles or further on a training run?

I have no plans ever to run up to 24 miles again in a training run. 23 possibly.
The day after I ran 21 miler just at a little slower pace which seems just madness now.
But most ultra plans have back to back long runs so what was called for had to be done. They are tough.

MCOS

If you could pick one key session that contributed most to your 3'01 and 3'03 marathons what would it be?
Would you do the Beast of the East again?
You are clearly a natural athlete, what is your background in sport?
Who amongst the current boardsie 'runner only' brigade would you invisage as most likely to meet at an IM someday?
What is your favourite food?
Who would you most like to beat on boards and who do you think would give you a run for your money?
Anniston or Jolie?

TFBubendorfer

Abhainn wrote: »

Can't wait for the hills straight after Leenane

I did the Connemara Ultra in 2007 and 2008, and both times I thought the Leenane hill wasn't too bad. It only really hit me around mile 30 or so.

Anyway, I'm supposed to ask a question here. Any sub-3 marathon plans in the near future?

Abhainn

MCOS wrote: »

If you could pick one key session that contributed most to your 3'01 and 3'03 marathons what would it be?
Would you do the Beast of the East again?
You are clearly a natural athlete, what is your background in sport?
Who amongst the current boardsie 'runner only' brigade would you invisage as most likely to meet at an IM someday?
What is your favourite food?
Who would you most like to beat on boards and who do you think would give you a run for your money?
Anniston or Jolie?

Some of these are toughies MCOS!

If you could pick one key session that contributed most to your 3'01 and 3'03 marathons what would it be?
Probably the long runs. You need the prepare the legs for the marathon milage and mind for the miles after 20.
But I found the intervals and marathon pace runs very important also.

Would you do the Beast of the East again?
Yes planning to do it again this year. Its a great challenge.

You are clearly a natural athlete, what is your background in sport?
Doubt I could be called a natural athlete.
Won some races in community games and wasn't bad at the shot putt either.
Was an average GAA footballer. Played in 2nd school and also college. Always dreamed of scoring the winning point for my club in Croke Park on March 17- still do.

Who amongst the current boardsie 'runner only' brigade would you invisage as most likely to meet at an IM someday?
Well from recent post it would seem to be Amadeus. He seems to fancy that as a challenge some day. Other than that probably SOSA. He's would seem to have the physic and strength to take it on.

What is your favourite food?
Italien, especially pasta with sea food in a spicy sauce. Load of garlic and olive oil thrown in for flavour.

Who would you most like to beat on boards and who do you think would give you a run for your money?
Over the marathon distance I'd love to beat Racing Flat. Think SUNGOD would give me a good race

Anniston or Jolie?
Had a soft spot for Anniston, now definately Jolie

Abhainn

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I did the Connemara Ultra in 2007 and 2008, and both times I thought the Leenane hill wasn't too bad. It only really hit me around mile 30 or so.

Anyway, I'm supposed to ask a question here. Any sub-3 marathon plans in the near future?

Firstly fair play TFBubendorfer on doing it in successive years.
Yes planning the Dublin marathon as my next quest for a sub 3. I had thought of Amsterdam (where an school mate did it in 2:33 last year) but will have a little more time to prepare for Dublin after a planned half IM in August and then a two week holiday.

Racing Flat

Abhainn wrote: »

Who would you most like to beat on boards and who do you think would give you a run for your money?
Over the marathon distance I'd love to beat Racing Flat.

You're a much better marathon runner than me. I just put a lot into the last one (had a few 70 mile weeks) as I never wanted to do another one again. Whereas you like them. Plus I was a bit sneaky, when you were shouting come on sligo and come on ireland to the irish fans I ducked my head the other way and ran past .

Abhainn

Racing Flat wrote: »

Plus I was a bit sneaky, when you were shouting come on sligo and come on ireland to the irish fans I ducked my head the other way and ran past .

RF I will never forgive you for that. My sub 3 dream was slipping away from me and you wouldn't help a struggling fellow country man in his mins of need:)

Woddle

Are you doing Berlin this year ?
Any of your kids shown an interest in running ?
Would you prefer your kids to be gaa or athletics ?

Abhainn

Woddle wrote: »

Are you doing Berlin this year ??

No fraid not. Deciding to do H IM in late August and then two week holiday. Want to re focus then for DM.

Woddle wrote: »

Any of your kids shown an interest in running ?

Little girl is 3 on Sat. She seems definately keen. Will be entering her into some of the kiddies fun races this year.
Expecting no.2 at end April

Woddle wrote: »

Would you prefer your kids to be gaa or athletics ?

I will introduce them to both, but I don't have a preference. I remember when I was growing up my my Dad amd Mom would cart all of us off (there are 9 of us now) each Sunday to sports days all over Sligo and Mayo. It was great. I'll be probably doing the same.

Racing Flat

Abhainn wrote: »

RF I will never forgive you for that. My sub 3 dream was slipping away from me and you wouldn't help a struggling fellow country man in his mins of need:)

I was too afraid that using up an ounce of energy in shouting encouragement might hamper my own chances. Selfish athlete . Also, the last thing I wanted at that stage was to get into a race with someone!

eliwallach

Abhainn wrote: »

Little girl is 3 on Sat. She seems definately keen. Will be entering her into some of the kiddies fun races this year.
Expecting no.2 at end April

Abhainn, we may never be connected by marathon times but we will always have the connection that both of us became daddies on the same day (07-03-06), and to little girls too!
My little girl is also a "flyer" - she has my stamina and her mother's legs - a star is born!

Sosa

eliwallach wrote: »

Abhainn, we may never be connected by marathon times but we will always have the connection that both of us became daddies on the same day (07-03-06), and to little girls too!
My little girl is also a "flyer" - she has my stamina and her mother's legs - a star is born!

I'm 34 on Saturday .....happy birthday to us ! :D

Abhainn

eliwallach wrote: »

Abhainn, we may never be connected by marathon times but we will always have the connection that both of us became daddies on the same day (07-03-06), and to little girls too!
My little girl is also a "flyer" - she has my stamina and her mother's legs - a star is born!

Nice one eliwallach. You never know they may be racing against each other one day

Abhainn

Sosa wrote: »

I'm 34 on Saturday .....happy birthday to us ! :D

SOSA if you've nothing planned on Sunday go out and celebrate Sat night. It's not every day your 34. Oh I remember 34....

Sosa

Abhainn wrote: »

SOSA if you've nothing planned on Sunday go out and celebrate Sat night. It's not every day your 34. Oh I remember 34....

I was supposed to do Ballycotton,but i am shattered from the last three weekends of racing,so i knocked it on the head as i would not be anywhere near 100% ...as well as that Sungod is injured so there goes my lift up !

I will be going out Saturday night with the missus now and get my mother to take our little fella overnight

MCOS

Sosa wrote: »

I will be going out Saturday night with the missus now and get my mother to take our little fella overnight

Doing precisely the same thing myself, I'll be 31 on Saturday

earlyevening

MCOS wrote: »

Doing precisely the same thing myself, I'll be 31 on Saturday

I'm 33 tomorrow. Happy Birthday everyone!!

Magnet

Ive just turned 34!
Mid-life crisis anyone?!?!
Nope ill just do an Ultra!!:D

questions:
What gels and how many can you stomach in a race?
Which do you prefer Early morning or late evening runs?
Tights/shorts?
Colour coordinated or mix n match?
How many toenails have you lost?

Abhainn

Magnet wrote: »

What gels and how many can you stomach in a race?
Which do you prefer Early morning or late evening runs?
Tights/shorts?
Colour coordinated or mix n match?
How many toenails have you lost?

Hi Magnet

Magnet wrote: »

What gels and how many can you stomach in a race? ]

I've been trying the Torg and Power Gels for my long runs. I've just been taking one gel though on long runs of 20 miles+. Think I prefer the Torg one.
I'd say I'll stomach a max of 4 on the day of the ultra

Magnet wrote: »

Which do you prefer Early morning or late evening runs?

Weekdays I run at lunch time but at weekends its always done in the morning. It's important to have sessions done then so that rest of the day is free for family time or other stuff that needs to be done

Magnet wrote: »

Tights/shorts?

Shorts always when temp is above 4C

Magnet wrote: »

Colour coordinated or mix n match?

Races coordinated, training runs are mix

Magnet wrote: »

How many toenails have you lost?

Never lost one yet. I always keep them cut short