Longford Marathon

Oisin11178

Hi was just wondering how many of you guys are doinng Longford.
If so where are you staying and any tips about the course ect would be helpful:)

Krusty_Clown

The water stations can be at irregular points (sometimes a mile before or after where they should be) so if you're planning your gel strategy around them, be prepared to take it early (or late!). The roads are open, so if you have family/friends around, they can meet you at a few points to cheer/give you water/drinks etc. You can even drive around beforehand, and drop a bottle or two in locations you'll remember.

Be prepared for long stretches of being by yourself! At one stage last year, I didn't see anybody for 10 minutes, until eventually I saw a couple of runners a mile ahead of me. Took me 10 minutes to catch up with them, and then didn't see anyone for another 10 minutes till I came across the next water-station. This is just on the backroads. There was good support in the towns etc.

Might do the half this year.

Oisin11178

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

The water stations can be at irregular points (sometimes a mile before or after where they should be) so if you're planning your gel strategy around them, be prepared to take it early (or late!). The roads are open, so if you have family/friends around, they can meet you at a few points to cheer/give you water/drinks etc. You can even drive around beforehand, and drop a bottle or two in locations you'll remember.

Be prepared for long stretches of being by yourself! At one stage last year, I didn't see anybody for 10 minutes, until eventually I saw a couple of runners a mile ahead of me. Took me 10 minutes to catch up with them, and then didn't see anyone for another 10 minutes till I came across the next water-station. This is just on the backroads. There was good support in the towns etc.

Might do the half this year.

thanks for the info:)
How many run it do you know?

Oisin11178

Is there no1 else doing this race, i find it hard to believe.
Come on dont be shy:)

RacoonQueen

I might do the half as a training run. Doing the dingle half and the dublin half though so it wouldn't be purely a training session.

Krusty_Clown

Oisin11178 wrote: »

thanks for the info:)
How many run it do you know?

You can see the results on their website: http://www.longfordmarathon.com/

Last year, it looks like they had:
Marathon
233 - Male
38 - Female

Half Marathon
It says 338, but I think there were closer to 1,000
220 - Female

rigal

I'm doing the half and will be heading up on the morning of the race. I haven't ran it before but have heard it's relatively flat so should be good pb potential.

Brienoian

Im running the half. Heading up on the morning of the race. It's my second half marathon. Caught the bug after doing Achill a few weeks ago. Hope to better my time

Oisin11178

Im doing the full, sounds like its going to be a lonely journey. Not to worry i have my tunes and the training is going well. Fingers crossed no injuries now. Im going up the night before and staying the night of the rac itself with the other half:)

average_runner

I be doing the half as part of my training program for Dublin.

Think Dublin half is a bit close to the Dublin Marathon

VanBosch

I was planning on doing the Half marathon as part of my training for the DCM. I was just wondering what the standard is like?

I would just be worried that with such a small field (compared to Dublin Race series for example) I might be last. I was hoping to complete a half in around 2:15:00.

Krusty_Clown

Why don't you look at last years results.
At least 139 people were 2:15+

watergal

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Why don't you look at last years results.
At least 139 people were 2:15+[/quote



I ran the full last year and am running it again.

Don't worry about the time as the field may be small but people will be coming in all through the day ( between the half and the full ). Also there will be walkers who will be coming in from the half around the 3 hour mark ..

good luck !

theFinishLine

Longford is a pretty good marathon setup. The field is small in comparison to Dublin (obviously), Cork, Belfast, and Connemara. For new marathon runners it can be a lonely course - it streches deep into rural Longford, Leitrim, and Roscommon. The only places you see human life after Tarmonbarry (7 miles) is at Waterstations or at the few villages you pass through. The course is flat - a bump here and there - but the rural parts of the course are not 100% traffic free. However the locals take to the race very well and have patience in driving past you - so you can pick a decent part of the road and follow your racing line. I found the miles 22 - 25 tough as there seems to be a slight incline as you run from the countryside into Longford town.

The one thing you should note is that there are NO shower facilities - there are really no facilities at all in terms of changing rooms, showers, etc. Toilet facilities at the start are very scarce but the few pubs and hotels opened on the mainstreet before marathon start have no problem with the runners using the toilets there.

It is about 1/4 mile from the race HQ to the start/finish line - so if you have no friends/family with you - you will probably need to leave a t-shirt/top on a window sill near the finish so that you have something warm to step into after crossing the line. The mainstreets are only kept closed for a few hours - so marathoners taking more than say 4 hours will find themselves in traffic as you navigate the last mile or so toward the finish line.

belcarra

I ran the full last year and have to admit to not enjoying it very much at all! I think the town and organisation in general is pretty decent but I just didn't get on with the course from the halfway mark onwards! As mentioned above there is a stretch from 20-25 miles that really broke my spirit! Of all the marathons I did last year (Dublin, Connemara, Cork, Newry, Belfast and Longford) this is the one i least enjoyed. Very lonely course also.

beamgirl

I had planned on doing the half but havnt signed up yet, not so sure i want to do it now after reading the above comments! Sounds very lonely but as we usually give out about overcrowding maybe that will be a good thing...

RoyMcC

beamgirl wrote: »

I had planned on doing the half but havnt signed up yet, not so sure i want to do it now after reading the above comments! Sounds very lonely but as we usually give out about overcrowding maybe that will be a good thing...

Depends what you're looking for I guess. I thought it was great being able to just enjoy the race and the scenery in comparative peace and quiet.

Krusty_Clown

Hi Beamgirl, I've only done the full, but I don't imagine the half will be quite as lonely/isolated. It's the stretch on the road back from Tarmonbarry and then the N11 that's very quiet. This is only part of the marathon route.

watergal

I've done the half twice and it's fine. Flat all the way. You do have to run down the hard shoulder on the strokestown road, but it's fine. Also, because it's the half, you won't be on your own (so not lonely).

The full marathon starts to get lonely after Termonbarry and then a bit of a spirit booster in Rooksy as there are people out. The last few miles are hard up the hard shoulder, but as I remember, there were quite a few of us battling along together last year so got there in the end. It's definitely more of a mental challenge than Dublin or Amsterdam as you don't have the crowds, but if you want something different other than running through city streets, it's worth doing once.

I drove down the morning of the race both for the halfs and the full and will do the same this year.

I did the Achill half this year also and the hills at 8 & 11- ish miles nearly did me in ...got there in the end though . The hills in the pheonix park seem like lumps after that ..

Aimman

I'm signed up for it, but havent received any offical confirmation of registering. I paid in Liam's shop (too tight to pay the booking fee, lol) The guy will be doing his 200th marathon on the day. Fair play to him. He said that there were water stations no more than 3 miles apart, but not sure if there are any energy drinks or gels along the way. If you need any pick me ups along the way, you can always stop into the Esso Garage in Termonbarry or the Centra at the bridge in Roosky for a coffee and a muffin.

I heard it was a good flat course, so I'm looking forward to seeing what my time will be, but I didnt realise the numbers were so low, hopefully they'll keep the finish line up a bit longer till I complete the course.

But I was hoping for a pb with Longford, as I doubt I'll beat any records in Donegal or Dublin shortly after it.

I dont mind running long stretches of road with no one about, as I have done all my 20M+ long runs on my own, and I've abandoned the ipod now for a while and just listen to the strange voices in my head instead. lol. But for such a spread out field, it might take away the incentive to pick up pace. Especially if you dont have many people to pick out and try to overtake, or to speed up if people are overtaking you. Might even feel like I've taken a wrong turn and running in the wrong direction (it has happened to people before)

Its actually the complete contrast to Berlin last year, It was also a very flat course, but I was always in a pack of people, because there were 48,000 of us on the road, It was actually hard work overtaking people running in packs, you had to run around clusters of people.

Opps, I'm waffling..... Needless to say, I realise it's going to be a more challenging run than I anticipated, in order to get a pb.
My supporters will be in Termonbarry, I might persuade them to take photos of everyone and stick them up on the RacePix site.

I'm planning to run the course on the 7th as my last long training run, so pehaps I can pass on any tips about the route after that.

Oisin11178

What time are you guys doing the full planning on running. Maybe a few of us can group together for some company. Just an idea, my planned pace is 8.30 miles so should bring me in about 3h43m.

watergal

Aimman wrote: »

I'm signed up for it, but havent received any offical confirmation of registering. I paid in Liam's shop (too tight to pay the booking fee, lol) The guy will be doing his 200th marathon on the day. Fair play to him. He said that there were water stations no more than 3 miles apart, but not sure if there are any energy drinks or gels along the way. If you need any pick me ups along the way, you can always stop into the Esso Garage in Termonbarry or the Centra at the bridge in Roosky for a coffee and a muffin.

I heard it was a good flat course, so I'm looking forward to seeing what my time will be, but I didnt realise the numbers were so low, hopefully they'll keep the finish line up a bit longer till I complete the course.

But I was hoping for a pb with Longford, as I doubt I'll beat any records in Donegal or Dublin shortly after it.

I dont mind running long stretches of road with no one about, as I have done all my 20M+ long runs on my own, and I've abandoned the ipod now for a while and just listen to the strange voices in my head instead. lol. But for such a spread out field, it might take away the incentive to pick up pace. Especially if you dont have many people to pick out and try to overtake, or to speed up if people are overtaking you. Might even feel like I've taken a wrong turn and running in the wrong direction (it has happened to people before)

Its actually the complete contrast to Berlin last year, It was also a very flat course, but I was always in a pack of people, because there were 48,000 of us on the road, It was actually hard work overtaking people running in packs, you had to run around clusters of people.

Opps, I'm waffling..... Needless to say, I realise it's going to be a more challenging run than I anticipated, in order to get a pb.
My supporters will be in Termonbarry, I might persuade them to take photos of everyone and stick them up on the RacePix site.

I'm planning to run the course on the 7th as my last long training run, so pehaps I can pass on any tips about the route after that.

I didn't manage a pb anyway ! ( In fact I ran the second slowest time ever at 3:49. I usually manage to get in around 3:40).
I found it hard to push myself when I was on my own, but then I decided to relax and enjoy the fields, cattle and strange smells that wafted over the ditches at some stages ..

it was hard, but different ! I wish they would give out more water though, it seemed a bit stingy last year !

buck65

watergal wrote: »

I did the Achill half this year also and the hills at 8 & 11- ish miles nearly did me in ...got there in the end though . The hills in the pheonix park seem like lumps after that ..

What about mile 2-4 inclusive? All a steady climb. The hill at the 8 mile marker was a bitch as were the following couple of climbs. A flat half may be the ticket - might run this!

Aimman

Oisin11178 wrote: »

What time are you guys doing the full planning on running. Maybe a few of us can group together for some company. Just an idea, my planned pace is 8.30 miles so should bring me in about 3h43m.

Well, my pb so far is 3:56, but been getting my speeds up lately. Might have to tie a rope around you Oisin to keep up with you, haha. I might be able to stay in a group for the first em.... 2 miles. :rolleyes:

Woddle

My opinion on Longford is that it is a nice quite flat course. I PBd on it. My advice would be when you can, try run in the middle of the roads/tracks. I have done Longford twice and have injured myself twice, I reckon the reason is that it's pretty much one big loop where the camber does not favour your right leg. Just an opinion, I'm sure many others have ran it with no such injuries.

watergal

buck65 wrote: »

What about mile 2-4 inclusive? All a steady climb. The hill at the 8 mile marker was a bitch as were the following couple of climbs. A flat half may be the ticket - might run this!

I had seen the incline that was there for the first couple of miles as I had driven down that way to the start, so I'd prepared myself for them and went out slowly for the first 10k. Then picked up the pace a bit, only to be hit in the face and kneecaps by the later hills !
Just as well I didn't look at the topology as I may have backed out and missed a really nice race ( eventhough my knees were burning and one took about 2 weeks to get back to normal afterwards..)

Lex Luther

i've also just signed up for the half as part of my DCM prep. Ran the half last year and found it a reasonably well run race , flat but unexciting course but with a nice finish in the centre of town. Thought it was a very good sharpener for the marathon though.

heffsarmy

Was going to do the half, but 54euro is a bite steep for late entry fee, Dublin half is only 25euro for late entires....rip off Ireland again in action!

Oisin11178

Last long run over thank god, bring on the race:)

Aimman

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Last long run over thank god, bring on the race:)

Fair play to you, I've mine tomorrow and dreading it. It will be along the course itself. Bit concerned about the roads from Tarmonbarry to Roosky and then another section from Rooksy to Newtownforbes. In some cases, the 'track' is just wide enought for one car, with grass growing down the middle of it (you know the type). Just hope there's no traffic on them tomorrow, some of the corners are quite blind. I drove along it this weekend to check it out. Thought I was on the wrong road, till I seen the mile markers from last year and arrows telling you which direction to turn etc.

Oisin11178

Aimman wrote: »

Fair play to you, I've mine tomorrow and dreading it. It will be along the course itself. Bit concerned about the roads from Tarmonbarry to Roosky and then another section from Rooksy to Newtownforbes. In some cases, the 'track' is just wide enought for one car, with grass growing down the middle of it (you know the type). Just hope there's no traffic on them tomorrow, some of the corners are quite blind. I drove along it this weekend to check it out. Thought I was on the wrong road, till I seen the mile markers from last year and arrows telling you which direction to turn etc.

How far you doing for your lasr long run?

Aimman

Well, I know some people dont really advise it, but I'm doing the full 26.2M for my LSR.

I got a training schedule off Cool Running a couple of years ago and use it up to each marathon. It brings you up to the full distance for the last long run. I find it handy, cos I have a much better recovery after the race.

Oisin11178

I did a 20,21,22 and yesterdays was 24 and a bit. Was tempted to do the full distance but my left hamstring was a bit dodgy so i think i was at about 24.25. Garmin died just short of 23 which was annoying. Well done bud:)

misty floyd

Aimman wrote: »

Well, I know some people dont really advise it, but I'm doing the full 26.2M for my LSR.

I got a training schedule off Cool Running a couple of years ago and use it up to each marathon. It brings you up to the full distance for the last long run. I find it handy, cos I have a much better recovery after the race.

How many weeks after the 26.2m is the actual marathon? Kind of goes against most of what I've read on boards but everyone is different. Best of luck.

Aimman

misty floyd wrote: »

How many weeks after the 26.2m is the actual marathon? Kind of goes against most of what I've read on boards but everyone is different. Best of luck.

The 26M is done 3 weeks before the race. The schedule I use is here

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/128.shtml

It's the one I started using two years ago, and use it out of habit now. I'm sure there are much better ones out there, or perhaps some of the more experienced runners could see problems or drawbacks to using it, but if there is anything out there for my 2010 schedule, I'll be gratefull for the advice.

It builds up the LSRs by 2 miles every two weeks. Granted, there is not a great selection of speed work in the rest of the plan.

I found the course quite a challenge on Friday, but I'm hoping that the race day will be a different matter.

Once you get out of the town after 1.5M, you are basically running on five straight roads for the rest of the route. Its not like the city marathons that wind around various roads that will keep your mind busy, looking out for landmarks to gauge your progress etc.

The road from Termanbarry to Roosky is long with some slight inclines and windy roads, but chances of having support on the road will be slim. The town (village?) of Roosky will be a bit of a boost if its nice and sunny, and there are boats on the Shannon. But after that the road towards Newtownforbes is one car wide with a grass verge. I found it quite challenging to keep up the will to live at this point, but the fact that I ran out of drinks at the 16M point and was gagging for a drink till I got to NewTownForbes at the 22M point, put me under a lot of pressure to keep going. I'm hoping that with plenty of water stops on the way, I'll find it easier to get through that section, but if you get to run with a bit of company for the narrow roads, it will be a bonus.

Just after you go through Newtownforbes, the race meets up with the half marathon course, so if you are fast enough, there will be a few extra runners to keep you company for the last stretch.

There is a bit of a hill at the 24M point where you have to go over a railway bridge, but after that, you're on the flat and on the N4 for the last couple of miles, which I wound quite easy to do, especially when I was back amongst cars, people and signs of life,

Generally, there shouldnt be any problems running this marathon. It is quite flat, and once you are forewarned that it runs around long stretches of road that are quite remote and not likely to have spectators on, it should be an enjoyable race.

I think we should round up some supporters to hang about Termonbarry, Roosky and Newtownforbes for a bit of a boost. :cool:

Krusty_Clown

Aimman wrote: »

There is a bit of a hill at the 24M point where you have to go over a railway bridge, but after that, you're on the flat and on the N4 for the last couple of miles, which I wound quite easy to do, especially when I was back amongst cars, people and signs of life,

I remember that railway bridge well! It felt like it was so steep that I needed a rope to climb it. You're description of the course is spot-on. I'll definitely go back some day.

Oisin11178

Any1 planning on doing around 3.45. If so you want some company:D

Aimman

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Any1 planning on doing around 3.45. If so you want some company:D

**** Tumbleweed blows pass *****

Looks like it's just me and you Oisin. My race number is 136. Not sure how that reflects on the final numbers, but at a a push, I'd be doing well to get in at 3:50, so you can buy the first round in the pub, and hopefully, it wont be too warm when I cross the finish line.:rolleyes:

Oisin11178

Aimman wrote: »

**** Tumbleweed blows pass *****

Looks like it's just me and you Oisin. My race number is 136. Not sure how that reflects on the final numbers, but at a a push, I'd be doing well to get in at 3:50, so you can buy the first round in the pub, and hopefully, it wont be too warm when I cross the finish line.:rolleyes:

Id be happy with 3.50 bud ill look out for you on the day. My number is 146:)

ManFromAtlantis

read somewhere? but now cant rem where that on line entries accepted up to mon 24th. i was half thinking of doing this race but only subject to an injury free lsr at the weekend. anyone know if entries accepted up till mon 24th . ta. i know postal entries are closed 21st .

Clum

How do you know what your number is? Has it been posted out to you?

I only entered yesterday so wouldn't expect any post yet but I've not received an email with a race number.

Kayano15

Folks, I am also doing the Longford Marathon. Just wondered if any of you tackled the Frank Duffy 10 mile at the weekend? Being mindful that we were just 2 weeks short of Longford I intended taking it easy and running 76 or 77 minutes. However, the adrenaline of the day drove me on to run a lot faster finishing in 72 minutes. I know the various programmes don't recommend racing so close to the marathon but fortunately I have recovered well from it with no injuries arising. I have reverted to my scheduled taper this week and will abide by the plan from here on in !

Oisin11178

Kayano15 wrote: »

Folks, I am also doing the Longford Marathon. Just wondered if any of you tackled the Frank Duffy 10 mile at the weekend? Being mindful that we were just 2 weeks short of Longford I intended taking it easy and running 76 or 77 minutes. However, the adrenaline of the day drove me on to run a lot faster finishing in 72 minutes. I know the various programmes don't recommend racing so close to the marathon but fortunately I have recovered well from it with no injuries arising. I have reverted to my scheduled taper this week and will abide by the plan from here on in !

Im in the exact same boat as you bud. Was meant to run it as a training run and ended up running it properly. Also in 72 mins, are you stalking me:)
Ive taken a couple of days off and am back on shedule now with taper. Only 4 mile runs and and 8 miler the weekend.

Aimman

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Im in the exact same boat as you bud. Was meant to run it as a training run and ended up running it properly. Also in 72 mins, are you stalking me:)
Ive taken a couple of days off and am back on shedule now with taper. Only 4 mile runs and and 8 miler the weekend.

I started back today too after the Frank Duffy race, and did 5M and have a 5M tomorrow. few small runs for the rest of the week, but a gentle 10M this Saturday.

Oisin11178

last 8 miles today. Only small runs left now. Looking forward to it to be honest::)

ManFromAtlantis

looks like ill be doing the longford mara. gen fitness good but only one real long run in the last 3 months. came thru 18 miles today unscathed so looking to give it a bash. sub 4 is the main aim. would snap ur hand off for sub 3.50.

Aimman

ManFromAtlantis wrote: »

looks like ill be doing the longford mara. gen fitness good but only one real long run in the last 3 months. came thru 18 miles today unscathed so looking to give it a bash. sub 4 is the main aim. would snap ur hand off for sub 3.50.

Nice one, see you there. I'm heading for the same target, so might be stalking you for the whole course. Let me know what your number is and I'll keep an eye out for you. Think mine is 136

ManFromAtlantis

Aimman wrote: »

Nice one, see you there. I'm heading for the same target, so might be stalking you for the whole course. Let me know what your number is and I'll keep an eye out for you. Think mine is 136

cool. i have to reg on line yet but hope to see u there.
hope the weather is favourable too.
i have in the past an awful habit of starting out too fast and losing it at about 15 miles so this hopefully will be my first 'stay within pace' attempt.'
did disappointing 4:01 in dub last year. did u do?

Iron Enthusiast

I'm thinking about giving Longford a bash, but just saw that the entry fee is €54!!!

Aimman

ManFromAtlantis wrote: »

cool. i have to reg on line yet but hope to see u there.
hope the weather is favourable too.
i have in the past an awful habit of starting out too fast and losing it at about 15 miles so this hopefully will be my first 'stay within pace' attempt.'
did disappointing 4:01 in dub last year. did u do?

Yeah, I did Dub last year. I did it in 3:56. Thankfully Wonderwoman ran along side me for the best part of the first 15 miles, we managed to keep pace for each other, until she headed off to the toilets at the Terenure College drinks station and I had to fend for myself for the rest of the way.

No Idea who the wonderwoman was. Never got her number or got to say thanks for helping with the pacing. Even the photos of her in her outfit, I coundn't make out her number.

Did you find out if you can still register? Think the on line cut off was on Friday. You might want to ring the Computer Clinic shop in Longford town. Think the organisers work there, ask for Liam. You might be able to beg for a late entry.

ManFromAtlantis

yeah if reg on line i was told you can do this week.

actually i rem wonderwoman was with her for about 3 miles from the 19 mile mark but couldnt keep the pace. the times are about right she must have def been under 4 but i reckon not alot under 3 56 .