Bay Run '09

eliwallach

Anyone else up for this next Sunday?
My first time doing this and am looking forward to the course (it's a straight run from Glengarrif to Bantry {no loop} which I prefer).
Long term forecast for Sunday looks promising too.
Am aiming for a (soft?) 01:44 (PB currently stands at 01:50.51 from last Sept), but would love to break 01:42.
Did 13.1 miles yesterday in 01:42.17 so the omens are good, but I find it v hard to pace myself over the longer distances.

trotter_inc

Did this a couple of years ago alright, it's a lovely run and would be a great warm up for Cork, quite hilly in a lot of the route. Some of the scenery along the route is lovely. Due to other commitments I can't make it this year though.

Best of luck with it!

eliwallach

trotter_inc wrote: »

it's a lovely run and would be a great warm up for Cork,

That was my initial plan, but decided against doing the full in Cork. So this Half Marathon (rather oddly) stands alone as I had committed this.

Slogger Jogger

Did it last year and really enjoyed it. The start is a bit confusing as you start running in Glengarriff heading away from Bantry before the course doubles back on itself and you start into the hills For every uphill theres a nice downhill though.

Without question it was the best race I've run for having after race physio. Quite a few in attendance and they weren't overrun (pardon the pun) by runners.

TFBubendorfer

I've done that race every year since it started (4 years ago, I think). This is the first time I'm passing because the Boston marathon is still in my legs, and I didn't think running a hilly race would be a great idea.

The scenery is great, you have a great view over the bay, but don't go looking for a fast time. The course description does mention a mile ling climb. That's a barefaced lie. It's 1.9 miles, and it's a drag. On the plus side, you have 3 downhill miles after that.

As mentioned, it's not a straight point-to-point course. You first do a 3-mile loop in Glengarrif before heading towards Bantry. You can park in either place. The recommendation is to park in Bantry and take a bus to the start; last year I parked at the start (I came from Kerry, and it was much easier that way) and got a lift back. Either way works perfectly fine.

eliwallach

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

but don't go looking for a fast time. The course description does mention a mile ling climb. That's a barefaced lie. It's 1.9 miles, and it's a drag.

:(:(

PS - TFB, surely after Boston you'll be changing the title of your blog?!

Gringo78

Did this race last year and really is a great race. If you run back from the start line towards bantry on your warmup you will get a feel for the 1.9mile hill that TF Bubendorfer talks about. (I think it starts after 3 miles) Its the longest, most serious hill and once you don't push too hard on that hill you'll be fine for the rest of the race as all the hills are followed by downhills. If you park in bantry and get the bus to glengariff you will be frightened though by the amount of hills on the way! Enjoy....unfortunately not doing it this year. Best of luck to all running it.

TFBubendorfer

eliwallach wrote: »

TFB, surely after Boston you'll be changing the title of your blog?!

Nope.

1) I like that title
2) I was 5 minutes slower than in Dublin
3) I was 10:37 minutes slower than I want to be


Btw., as far as the time in the bay run is concerned, I'd guess the hills (especially the big one) will add about 3 minutes to your HM time compared to a flat course. At least that's what it did to me last year.

SharkTale

I am doing The Bay Run also, my second year, great run a well organised. Great views across the bay etc. Did it last year in 1 hour 50 mins, aiming to break 1:45. If you wish to do the run together "eliwallach" could keep you company on the run. PM if you wish to meet up.If not best of luck on the day.

boarddotie

I will be there, really looking forward to it. I am local so its really nice to run on roads you know and then when you finish all you have to do us trot up home and straight into the shower!

Will be hoping for 2hr 5 or so as my training has been a little hit and miss and I havent actually done anything near 13miles in training.

They normally have reguar water stations which is lovely and they are manned by local people and its a really friendly race! Enjoy it!

Slogger Jogger

I PB'ed there last year but then again I don't run too many HMs. We were lucky with the weather last year though. If theres wind and rain that will add to the fun. BTW, I stayed in Glengarriff for a few days and there are some lovely trail runs around there.. the start of the race goes through part of the nature reserve.

eliwallach

Quick synopsis:
got up at 5:50am Sunday morning, collected (already awake) pink baby en route to kitchen and had a half-hearted bowl of porridge. Pink baby finished it off.
Put her in front of TV (straight from page 5 of "How to be a Below Average Parent") and went to sort out my gear.
Shock (& horror) awaited for me when I got to the boot of my car! Only 1 of my running shoes was to be found. I searched & searched in vain, thinking that it was just a matter of time before I found it. Maybe my wife hid it in a sneaky attempt to thwart my participation in the race. Not her style. Finally accepted that it was gone (must have fallen from my bag last Friday when leaving the changing room - and I know, my gear should have been sorted at least the day before...).
I had an old pair of "runners" in the garage. These were suitable for indoor soccer, a game of tennis, even walking - almost a fashion item; I did wear them a couple of times when starting out on this running lark but paid the price (in the form of blisters). F**k it they would have to do - but it was going to be a painful 13.1 miles.
Put Pinky baby into bed with wife and told wife of the potential disaster awaiting me - "but don't you have a pair (referring to the tennis shoes), it could be worse..."

Struck off for Bantry at 6:55am. All the while with thoughts of nothing else but my (real) missing runner. Contemplated wearing my one good shoe and one of the other pair. To be honest my worries weren't just about the possible ill-effects to my feet and legs, but (vainly) I was just as worried about what the other participants would think when they saw "yer man" with the tennis shoes "God love him".

Got to (beautiful) Bantry fo 7:50am and it was truly a fantastic morning. A fleet of buses was waiting to ferry us to the start line in Glengarriff. Organisation seemed top class. I was even approached by a physio, who told me where to go for post race rub. Off we went with me hiding my feet (or more appropriately. what was on them) unber the seat. The journey to Glengarriff was scenic but it was akin to an excutioner showing the Death Row inmate the poison he was going to be injected with. The "route analysis" on the website didn't mention all of these hills?

Start area was already milling with people when our bus got there. Collected Race pack and pinned on my number. Went to the loo, and then for a small warm-up run. Did I mention that it was a beautiful morning. Of course no one noticed my "runners", but I was checking out all footwear on show. There was a few lads from local GAA clubs wearing those black runners ("God love them"). No ill-effects from the small warm up run, but the 13.1 miles still had to be negotiated. Loaded our (provided) bags into a bus for ferrying to the Finish line.
ANd then the starting formation began to assemble. Race finally got off at 9:05.

Ran in the direction of Kenmare firs and through Glengarriff park. Lovely. My gels weren't sitting well in pockets and as we were leaving the Park one of them fell out my pocket! I dashed back to get it. and held onto both until consumption time. After 1.5miles we swung around and headed for Bantry proper, back though the pictureesque Glengarriff and Hill No 1 and 3 mile marker. TFB described this hill as a drag in an earlier post - it was a 2.5 mile nasty uphill. Got to the top of this hill where a split timing mat was placed (5.3 miles?) I was joined my a girl at this stage and she told me we had 4 miles of downhill to follow. Great. We ran together for this and we gradually upped the pacefrom 8:00/mile to 7:50/mile to 7:40/mile. Glad to report that i was feeling no ill-effects fron my shoes. This girl (Mary) told me she was aiming for 1:45, and I recriprocated with 1:44. She then said she'd try and stick with me for the remainder of the race, which she did doggedly. Ifelt it only good manners to explain my footwear to her.

We hif hill after hill from mile 9 until mile 12. therse hills really were relentless, just when I thought this must be the last one, there was another one sprawled out in front of us. Dug in but the pace was suffering slightly.
Just after mile 12 the descent into Bantry began in earnest. Mary edged ahead of me(!) but I tracked her all the way. We both knew at this stage that our target times were in the bag. I got level with her again, all the while passing other runners, I said we should go for it for the final 400m nad we sprint finished to the line. I has a little bit more in the tank but ther was nothing to be gained (bar 2 seconds off my time) by passing her on the line so we crossed the line in a chp time of 1:42.18.

Anew PB for me. Thanked Mary for the compand ans she likewise. Never ran with someone like this before and it sure had its benefits. Collected my medal and 2(!) T-shirts (long story), some sports drinks, a mars bar (as many as you needed (take note Ballycotton) and a bananna. Declined the massage and retired to the car and gingerly removed my "runners" blisters were numerous but bearable, but in all honesty I cannot say that I would have run any better with my other dedicated running shoes. But having said that, a trip to John Buckley's is in order.

Pleasedwith my time but on inspection of the total results, I noticed that two guys I beat in the UCC 10K got times of 1:33.xx.
Took the gloss off my PB:(.

hunnymonster

Great report Eliwallach, You could write the race version of "are you dave gorman?" book. Same style of writing. Unfortunately that would mean at least one major disaster (the shoes here) for each race.

eliwallach

Just called into changing rooms I used last Friday. No sign of shoe. Called into caretakers office, and there it was....:mad:
Contemplated throwing it into the Lee.
Trip to John Buckley's still in order as my current (separated) pair have 500 miles on the clock.

hunnymonster

but if they are legally separated, then there should be a division of assets (and mileage) giving you only 250 each..... no seriously, get yourself to buckleys.