Cork Marathon for a 1st timer

elvis jones

Hi all,

Looking to run my 1st marathon and date wise the Cork marathon 2010 suits.

Whats it like for a 1st timer ?

I'm currently at about 5 miles with ease and doing my 1st 10km in Dec and want to build from there.

Oryx

Follow a training plan. Thats really important as it will stop you cutting corners and make sure you do enough mileage to get you to the finish in one piece. Find a good physio and use them.

Dont set yourself an unrealistic time target, youll burn out trying to achieve it.

Just done my first, its a real learning experience. I wish you luck with yours.

DustyBin

If you look in the biki / wiki (??) there are some great reviews by posters of different races
The following link is a review of Cork by amadeus:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55883666&postcount=44

elvis jones

Oh i won't cut corners. Thats why i'm aiming for a marathon about 7 months away.

I have been told the Dublin course is fairly flat, i'd just be worried that the Cork one might be more demanding as i don't know it.

RoyMcC

Without the usual heatwave it would be one of the kinder Irish marathons. Not as flat as Longford but definitely flat compared with Conn, Achill & Dingle.

An excellent choice for a first mara with a great buzz due to the relay. But there will always be trepidation about the heat after the last two years.

Rebelrunner

elvis jones wrote: »

Oh i won't cut corners. Thats why i'm aiming for a marathon about 7 months away.

I have been told the Dublin course is fairly flat, i'd just be worried that the Cork one might be more demanding as i don't know it.

I heard that the cork route is going to be changed next year to make it more flat. Not sure how true it is though as I've heard nothing official.

hunnymonster

there will be some changes to the route next year, but these will be based on minimising traffic disruption not flatness if I understand the organisers correctly. The current route is probably as flat as a 26.2 can be in Cork. I'm still trying to convince them that a sprint up Patricks hill would be a good way to start but no one seems convinced :-)

elvis jones

I'm org from Longford and i know that is very flat but i don't think the dates will suit me.

So woud Cork be a good choice ?

hunnymonster

Every race has pro's and con's, a better question would be "is cork a good race for ME?" And that will depend on your own circumstances
-Cork is in June, if you're doing exams (or parent to an exam student) possibly not ideal
-Cork is in June, for the last three years it's been a heatwave, do you run well in the heat? (of course their luck is bound to run out at some stage so there may be snow in 2010)
- Cork has a lot of relays, are these likely to spur you on when a new runner takes over, or dishearten you when your legs are not so fresh?
......

elvis jones

Good points.

June suits me work wise as i have a Dj business and no bookings in for that weekend so i can box it off now.

I don't know about the heat but its a variable in this country:D

I don't know what the relays are as this is all new to me to be honest:o


My goal is to train and get my weight down while getting fit to do the marathon.

eliwallach

Rebelrunner wrote: »

I heard that the cork route is going to be changed next year to make it more flat.

There is going to be an extra loop included along by the old railway line (?) in Mahon.
The Model Farm Road section is then going to be cut short (right before the final hill there) by cutting down Inchagaggin Lane bringing you onto the 'Straight Rd. The Carrigrohane Straight Road will therefore (thankfully) be cut short by 1 mile .

thebouldwhacker

When last years winner was interviewed live on radio the commentator asked him about the challenging course and how he dealt with the climbs, his answer was 'what hills, I found it a very easy course':D

Cork 2010 is my target for my first marathon too, I have competed in the relay before and its a great day, I'm choosing Cork to be my first cos I'm from Cork:o (its as good a reason as any). I'm aiming to complete it and then train away to post a good time for Dublin.

As for Paddys Hill being included in the course.......
not even in jest.....:D

elvis jones

Might a ask those from Cork what hotel would be close to the course start ?

hunnymonster

victoria would be closest to start (i.e. about 5 meters away)

elvis jones

Booked out................next please:p

thebouldwhacker

Jurys inn and/or hotel
Imperial
Metropole
Clarion

All pretty close, there really are loads tbh

hunnymonster

You don't want much do you? Each of the following would be within 5 minutes of the start
Clarion
Lancaster Lodgy
Jurys hotel
Imperial
Gresham
There may be others that I've forgotten.

elvis jones

hey i plan running 26.2 miles, i don't want to walk to far to the start line:D

Thanks for the replies.

henryporter

Not knowing where the start is, I would suggest Issacs as an option. Stayed there a couple of times and its good as hotels go. Only problem is you have to walk a bit up Patricks hill at the end to get home

elvis jones

Just reserved Jurys.

I can always change closer anyway but good to have that little bit done as with a lot traveling i can see rooms filling up rather quickly.

RJC

On the revised course: At a guess I'm assuming that they'll take the diversion somewhere near mile 9 or 10 (Mahon point shopping centre) and bring you around the amenity walk in some sort of loop that mimics one of the local 5k races.

henryporter

Jurys Inn is the noisiest spot I ever stayed in Cork - stay at your peril! Also food wise the breakfast won't exactly set you up for 26.2 miles. One great spot worth considering is Cafe Paradiso on Lancaster Quay - only three rooms but what a breakfast - it's a vegetarian restaurant as well

Zuisse

elvis jones wrote: »

Hi all,

Looking to run my 1st marathon and date wise the Cork marathon 2010 suits.

Whats it like for a 1st timer ?

I'm currently at about 5 miles with ease and doing my 1st 10km in Dec and want to build from there.

I'm planning on running Cork as my first marathon too, just want to finish it and use it as a base to give me confidence to enter Dublin.

I've only been running for just under a year & I think you need about 18 months training to complete a marathon. My aim is to run 2-3 half marathons before Cork.
You'll need to build up your weekly mileage considerably- & incorporate long runs once a week.
My approach has been to train for increasingly long distances - 5km, 10km & HM & do races at each distance. The races will give you a good indication of where you're at with your training.

elvis jones

Zuisse wrote: »

I'm planning on running Cork as my first marathon too, just want to finish it and use it as a base to give me confidence to enter Dublin.

I've only been running for just under a year & I think you need about 18 months training to complete a marathon. My aim is to run 2-3 half marathons before Cork.
You'll need to build up your weekly mileage considerably- & incorporate long runs once a week.
My approach has been to train for increasingly long distances - 5km, 10km & HM & do races at each distance. The races will give you a good indication of where you're at with your training.

Yeah my 1st 10k race is in Dec. I'm at 5 miles at the mo and will build from there. I'm seven months away and feel i've given myself enough time to get the training right and get to a level where i can do the marathon and be able to live afterwards:D

Zuppy

So far as I know the minimal changes to the course have not been decided upon. Would wait till there announced.

RoyMcC

henryporter wrote: »

Not knowing where the start is, I would suggest Issacs as an option. Stayed there a couple of times and its good as hotels go. Only problem is you have to walk a bit up Patricks hill at the end to get home

+1 for Hotel Isaacs - does the job and is about 5mins walk from the start.

baza1976

elvis jones wrote: »

hey i plan running 26.2 miles, i don't want to walk to far to the start line:D

Thanks for the replies.

I got up nice and early in Tipp last year drove to cork, completed marathon, straight back in car and back to Tipp. Did the same for Connemarathon.

elvis jones wrote: »

Hi all,

Looking to run my 1st marathon and date wise the Cork marathon 2010 suits.

Whats it like for a 1st timer ?

I'm currently at about 5 miles with ease and doing my 1st 10km in Dec and want to build from there.

On the marathon: I will prob(hope) to register again this year. I thought the heat made the marathon tougher than Connemarathon, I didn't really enjoy it and I knew after 5 or 6 miles that I would do well to get around in the heat. There was a lot of people pulling up, getting sick, dropping out. SO while I will register I prob will not run it if the weather is similar.

I would say with out the heat it would be a "handy" 26.2 miles.

Oh and hopefully the print on the finishers t-shirt will last longer than 1 wash!!!! ( I like my marathont-shirts )

chinguetti

Did Cork as my first marathon this year. The heat was a killer and out of anyone's control but its also a tough course, quite hilly with little inclines around the bends that creep up on you. Also the straight from 23 to 25 miles is a killer, people dropping like flies last year. Finished with the two calves in bits.

Would do plenty hill work and long boring straights to get yourself right for it. Not the best organised race ever, t-shirt a pure disgrace imo and there was a bit of a mess on the sports drink front if i remember right.

Wherever you stay, make sure they give you ice for the bath afterwards. Stayed in the Clarion and they give me a big bag of ice when i hobbled down to reception. God bless them

vinol

Zuisse wrote: »

I'm planning on running Cork as my first marathon too, just want to finish it and use it as a base to give me confidence to enter Dublin.

I've only been running for just under a year & I think you need about 18 months training to complete a marathon. My aim is to run 2-3 half marathons before Cork.
You'll need to build up your weekly mileage considerably- & incorporate long runs once a week.
My approach has been to train for increasingly long distances - 5km, 10km & HM & do races at each distance. The races will give you a good indication of where you're at with your training.

be carefull with 18mth build up to full marathon, i had an 8 mth build up for dublin and after was told that i had peaked too soon,around end of august :mad: hope to get it right for the cork.:)

Condo131

RoyMcC wrote: »

Without the usual heatwave it would be one of the kinder Irish marathons. Not as flat as Longford but definitely flat compared with Conn, Achill & Dingle.

Believe it or not, Cork is one of the flattest courses in Ireland. The main problem is the long drag on Model Farm Road and then the long sparsely populated (spectator wise) Carrigrohane Road (aka De Straight Road). We're working on it and have come up with several suggestions to make things easier. Unfortunately the Gardai aren't happy with some of the suggestions to date, but we're working on it.

RoyMcC wrote: »

An excellent choice for a first mara with a great buzz due to the relay.

Especially when Boards AC have about 4 minutes (based on 2009) to catch up on the geriatric Golden Eagles team!! :D

RoyMcC wrote: »

But there will always be trepidation about the heat after the last two years.

Even three! It was 18C at 7:45am on the day on 2007!

RoyMcC

Condo131 wrote: »

Especially when Boards AC have about 4 minutes (based on 2009) to catch up on the geriatric Golden Eagles team!! :D

True, selection will be rigorous next time around and pre-race drinks in Dan Lowrey's will be prohibited Plus no guest runners I suppose

How many Eagles teams competed this year Condo?

rainbow kirby

RoyMcC wrote: »

Condo131 wrote: »

Especially when Boards AC have about 4 minutes (based on 2009) to catch up on the geriatric Golden Eagles team!! :D

True, selection will be rigorous next time around and pre-race drinks in Dan Lowrey's will be encouraged

Fixed your post

RoyMcC

Thanks RK - you'll be in the 'A' team next June :P

rainbow kirby

RoyMcC wrote: »

Thanks RK - you'll be in the 'A' team next June :P

If 'A' is short for "Ahh, nice and slow" then that's about right

Condo131

RoyMcC wrote: »

How many Eagles teams competed this year Condo?

We were a bit disorganised this year, so 'officially', (to the best of my recollection) we only had four Eagle teams; Golden Eagles (average age 49 - we did have a 35 year old youngster on board) in 2:59:52 and Murphy Eagles, a 2 man team who did half & half (wasn't official change-over at half-way, but they did it anyway) and finished just 7 secs behind us in 2:59:59 - talk about cutting it close! Togher Eagles also had high hopes of being the first Eagles home, but fell away to 3:14:08 and CSO Eagles in 4:12:55.

There were Eagles on about 15 other teams, but they included loads of non Eagles.

We had about 30 Eagles in the relay altogether and 16 finishers in the Marathon.

wrt the Gauntlet - Golden Eagles will, assuming no personnel changes, will have an average age of 50 next year. Can Boards AC make up the deficit on the 'old gits' (old age & treachery will overcome youth & skill :P) ?? . Hopefully, next year we won't have three 'passengers' (two carrying injuries and one coming back after major surgery), as this year!!