What's Next Up For You...?

Mick Rice

Ok, shoot me, I'm bored.

After the Portumna 50km I'm in loadsa different minds about what/where to run next. I fancy having a blast at a standard marathon but, as usual, I'm being seduced by thoughs of ultras. I suspect it'll all just click and I'll wake up one morning soon with a clear head and know exactly what/where/how I should run.

What's your next big challenge and why is it important to you?

Krusty_Clown

What's your marathon PB Mick? I wonder what you could achieve if you put your mind to it? You mentioned before that you had a fondness for DCM. Have a go at the national marathon?

My next two goals are a 2:48 in Berlin in September (current PB: 2:55), and then try and get a silver medal in the Two Oceans Ultra (56K) in April 2011. Silver is sub four hours, which would be approximately 6:51/mile pace.

Izoard

Mick Rice wrote: »

Ok, shoot me, I'm bored.

After the Portumna 50km I'm in loadsa different minds about what/where to run next. I fancy having a blast at a standard marathon but, as usual, I'm being seduced by thoughs of ultras. I suspect it'll all just click and I'll wake up one morning soon with a clear head and know exactly what/where/how I should run.

What's your next big challenge and why is it important to you?

Congrats on knocking that one off the list.

At the risk of getting waaayyy ahead of myself, I'm already thinking post IM Switzerland (July 25th).

I've volunteered for a modest pacing slot at DCM, but I'm having dreams about the Conn Ultra.
However, I would not have the inclination to do more than the standard (for me) marathon training (couple of 20 milers before the big day..and as for back-to-back long runs?:rolleyes:).

I know it is not clever, but I'm wondering if that would be enough to get me around, given that I will have a reasonable base.

TFBubendorfer

I've been looking forward to the Dingle Ultra from the moment it was first announced last September. It sure counts as a big challenge and it's important to me because I cannot call myself an ultra runner until I've crossed that finish line. Those 39 mile jogs in Connemara are pretty but too short to count as a proper ultra.

And it's a stepping stone to longer races ..

Plus, I love the fact that nowadays I'm running marathons for training purposes.

Krusty_Clown

Izoard wrote: »

couple of 20 milers before the big day..and as for back-to-back long runs? I know it is not clever, but I'm wondering if that would be enough to get me around, given that I will have a reasonable base.

That's what I did earlier this year. Certainly the last few miles wont be as pretty as they will be for those who do sufficient training, but it's definitely achievable. I reckon I'd be of a similar enough standard to Mithril. He did some ultra training, while I followed a marathon program and subsequent race (5 weeks before Connemara). He finished Connemara 15 minutes before me (and in a lot more comfort), which will give you some sort of idea of what you can expect.

Oisin11178

This year my aim was to do as many marathons as i could. 3 pbs which is a bonus. Next year will be ultra year. Hopefully the gloucester 50km will be on in january. There to conn maybe. Upwards and onwards.

griffin100

but I'm having dreams about the Conn Ultra.

ha ha me too. Post IM I need something to occupy the mind (and body) so DCM followed by Conn Ultra is something I've thought about. I'd also like to try and do Snowdonia but it may be too soon after IM.

From a tri perspective dont think I'll do another IM in 2011, I'm leaning towards either Alpe D'Huez or Escape From Alcatraz. Given the cost it'll have to be one or the other (unless I win the lotto).

hunnymonster

I just want the all clear to start running again.

dna_leri

hunnymonster wrote: »

I just want the all clear to start running again.

+1

knee surgery tomorrow

gerard65

dna_leri wrote: »

+1

knee surgery tomorrow

Due to running?? I hope not, I always get a bit worried when I hear of runners needing surgery:(

Mick Rice

Marathon pb is 2:46 in Dublin a few years ago. Dublin is a great race and comes at a perfect time of year for me, a last hurrah before slogging through frost and muck for the winter months. I've thought before that I was probably in better shape than that (1:16:10 half last year) but never got the figures down so I'll never know. It's hard to train properly for ultras and do well at the the marathon as well. Did ten 'Dublins' '99 - '08 and missed last year when we had another child - really bad planning on our part - and it's certainly in the plan to be there this year all other things being equal.

Krusty_Clown

Mick Rice wrote: »

It's hard to train properly for ultras and do well at the the marathon as well. Did ten 'Dublins' '99 - '08 and missed last year when we had another child - really bad planning on our part - and it's certainly in the plan to be there this year all other things being equal.

But in the same way that I use 10k training as a launchpad for my marathon training, you could use a fast marathon to kick off your next competitive ultra. You must be due a serious dent to that marathon PB, based on your 10k/10 mile times this year.

Izoard

griffin100 wrote: »

ha ha me too. Post IM I need something to occupy the mind (and body) so DCM followed by Conn Ultra is something I've thought about. I'd also like to try and do Snowdonia but it may be too soon after IM.

From a tri perspective dont think I'll do another IM in 2011, I'm leaning towards either Alpe D'Huez or Escape From Alcatraz. Given the cost it'll have to be one or the other (unless I win the lotto).

Alpe d'Huez sounds fantastic...I've some unfinished business on that mountain from L'Etape '06!

HM's suggestion of a US IM really appeals too.
Maybe IM Florida, but with the family in tow so we can do Orlando after.

Would be the only way to get IM back on the agenda for 2011:eek:

shels4ever

All this talk of ironman and ultras all I want to do is a 1500m or a 3k but for now i'll just be doing a slower half mara.

ecoli

shels4ever wrote: »

All this talk of ironman and ultras all I want to do is a 1500m or a 3k but for now i'll just be doing a slower half mara.

Haha finally more my area thou have 2 halfs i looking at now Waterford and Torrevieja. Time wise i wanna dip under the 75 mark would be nice and in Torrevieja also wanna go one better by taking home u23 title i missed out on last year (managed second though i dunno how:D)

shels4ever

ecoli wrote: »

Haha finally more my area thou have 2 halfs i looking at now Waterford and Torrevieja. Time wise i wanna dip under the 75 mark would be nice and in Torrevieja also wanna go one better by taking home u23 title i missed out on last year (managed second though i dunno how:D)

National half mara could be one for you too, give you 8 weeks to get in shape, maybe cutting it a bit fine. Waterford is one I may do but will depend if i get into good shape i'll focus on Xc.

calistro

For me, I really wanna do my first DCM, mainly 'cos I don't reckon I'll have the same amount of time to give over to training as I did this year.
Only running a year and so far I enjoyed. PB of 45 for 10K down from 48 and PB of 1:41.11 for the Achill Half Marathon down from 1:48:XX. The only worry is that I have 2 weeks holidays booked for end of July/start August. Head down and here's hoping.

ecoli

shels4ever wrote: »

National half mara could be one for you too, give you 8 weeks to get in shape, maybe cutting it a bit fine. Waterford is one I may do but will depend if i get into good shape i'll focus on Xc.

I think it may be a bit soon wanna get a good build up only back training so gonna be patient about it rather than rush and be disappointed. Like to have my winter training working towards the half rather than xc because it worked for me last year and spurred me on to a decent track season

aburke

Mick Rice wrote: »

Ok, shoot me, I'm bored.

Then rebuild the database server on a different filesystem - just for the craic...

aero2k

Mick Rice wrote: »

What's your next big challenge and why is it important to you?

Given how comfortable you looked in Cork, you'd have no problem beating 2:46 on a calm day!

My next big challenge is the Adidas 10 in August - a little sooner than I'd like, but no way to change that.

My real long term goal is to run a fast marathon, but before committing to that for 6 months or so I want to see how much I can knock off my PBs for shorter distances with specific training.

I'm thinking of a marathon in March / April '11, but I'll wait until DCM 2011 if I think it makes sense (i.e.if I think I'll get significantly faster by then).

Ath36

Mick. Dare I mention the war and suggest a challenge such as Malin to Mizen. Or in your case Maybe Malin to Mizen and back to Malin again.
Theres a question actually - Has anybody ever run there and back in one go.

Aimman

Mick, If you want a shot at a PB in Ireland, you could have a go at the Longford marathon. The course is a bit remote in a lot of places, but very flat. Then make you're way to Dingle the next week and tackle Connor's Pass for a bit of a contrast.

Killerz

Great idea for a thread, Mick.

For you, how bout the Western States/ Leadville 100?

For me, I've had a good H1 2010, and would like to build on that in H2 2010 and H1 2011. Managed to get through a 50 mile ultra (defo didnt do enough training tho), and get a decent 10k time in those 6 months. In September, I'm gonna do my best to get as close to a 3hour 'thon as possible (hopefully under 3, but at least a BQ sub 3:11 - current PB: 3:11:21, DCM 09).

In October, I'm hoping to give something back to running, by pacing a 4 hr or so group for the Toronto Goodlife Marathon. I think that excites me a little more than my own goal in September.

After that..... who knows!!!

kingQuez

Mick Rice wrote: »

What's your next big challenge and why is it important to you?

My next big challenge is to do an IM next year. Its important to me because I don't know if I can actually train properly for it and finish yet; thinking about finishing it makes me giddy, while knowing I'm registered makes my stomach churn. Its got me feeling like I did when I started training for my first marathon.

misty floyd

dna_leri wrote: »

+1

knee surgery tomorrow

Best of luck with that. Hope you recover well.

brutes1

Mick Rice wrote: »

Ok, shoot me, I'm bored.

After the Portumna 50km I'm in loadsa different minds about what/where to run next. I fancy having a blast at a standard marathon but, as usual, I'm being seduced by thoughs of ultras. I suspect it'll all just click and I'll wake up one morning soon with a clear head and know exactly what/where/how I should run.

What's your next big challenge and why is it important to you?

Might try the Streets of Galway man,

sarsfieldsrock

Will be trying to get a PB at the Dublin marathon in Oct. Current best was 03:53:16 in Longford a few years ago and ran 03:57 in Cork so hopefully its on.
Before that though will be the Dingle Ultra but I will be happy to finish that.
With that in mind I will be off to the Bogtrotters marathon to use as a more entertaining than usual long run.
Doing the race series as well and might sign up for the Mooathon but that will depend on Dingle a lot.

Then in Dec will be off to France for the SainteLyon again. That is my end of season now.

Would anyone think that running the Longford marathon 6 days before Dingle is a good idea?
Toying with the idea but it seems too close.

griffin100

Alpe d'Huez sounds fantastic...I've some unfinished business on that mountain from L'Etape '06!

HM's suggestion of a US IM really appeals too.
Maybe IM Florida, but with the family in tow so we can do Orlando after.

Would be the only way to get IM back on the agenda for 2011

My wife has laid down the law for 2011 and another IM will only be on the cards if it can be combined with a nice holiday and if I do all of my training in the mornings before work:D Slightly considering IM South Africa, more likley to be IM France if I go again. IM Lanza ia already sold out for 2011.

If Alpe D'Huex appeals what about this one. Its in french but you'll get the picture.

tunney

kingQuez wrote: »

My next big challenge is to do an IM next year. Its important to me because I don't know if I can actually train properly for it and finish yet; thinking about finishing it makes me giddy, while knowing I'm registered makes my stomach churn. Its got me feeling like I did when I started training for my first marathon.

Which IM?

catweazle

griffin100 wrote: »

If Alpe D'Huex appeals what about this one. Its in french but you'll get the picture.

Ha good man Griffin, I was scratching the chin thinking the distances are doable until I clicked the cycle elevation route. I wouldnt even trust my car to get up that mountain

MarieC

Mick Rice wrote: »

What's your next big challenge and why is it important to you?

For me, I think it is the Brian Boru Triathlon. I would never ever have put myself in the triathlete category, never thought I was up to it, but Im working to push myself out of my comfort zone and into the triathlon one.

Its an important one for me as my 2 brothers will also be doing it, with one of them celebrating his 30th on the day. Also, I am planning to go travel the world in September so it would be cool to get to compete in an event with them before I go.

hunnymonster

Does anyone have contact details for DNA leri? I'd like to send get well messages for the knee surgery recovery.

kingQuez

tunney wrote: »

Which IM?

Austria. I'm looking forward to your report

tunney

kingQuez wrote: »

Austria. I'm looking forward to your report

Absolutely fantastic race, great course, great place, great support.

hunnymonster

you need to give a whole not more than that Tunney :-)

christeb

tunney wrote: »

Which IM?

Yeah tunney we're all waiting with baited breath....HTFU

For me I want to qualify for Boston first and then go sub 3 (doing it there would be nice but tough), hope to do so in the Baystate Marathon in October. Sub 3'11 here I come!

MaroonTam

For me - First Marathon - DCM 2010....

Mick Rice

dna_leri wrote: »

+1

knee surgery tomorrow

Look after yourself man...

mithril

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I reckon I'd be of a similar enough standard to Mithril. He did some ultra training, while I followed a marathon program and subsequent race (5 weeks before Connemara). He finished Connemara 15 minutes before me (and in a lot more comfort), which will give you some sort of idea of what you can expect.

I think you are naturally a good bit faster than me.
The difference was that I went into that run fresh and after a training program specifically oriented towards the demands of that race.

I agree Connemara Ultra is runnable well off purely marathon training. Ultra specific training will provide additional strength and improved recovery but the trade-off is that you also lose some sharpness and speed.

For me, Laugavegur Ultra in Iceland next week followed by Dingle Ultra in September.

Next year, Boston marathon and a 100k off-road over the summer.

Mick Rice

Aimman wrote: »

Mick, If you want a shot at a PB in Ireland, you could have a go at the Longford marathon. The course is a bit remote in a lot of places, but very flat. Then make you're way to Dingle the next week and tackle Connor's Pass for a bit of a contrast.

Cheers Aimman - Absolutely agree about Longford - a great race - but have volunteered to pace a sub-three there. There are already a few volunteers. Might try to give Dublin a real blast though. Dingle might be a bit beyond me though ...

Mick Rice

Killerz wrote: »

Great idea for a thread, Mick.

For you, how bout the Western States/ Leadville 100?

For me, I've had a good H1 2010, and would like to build on that in H2 2010 and H1 2011. Managed to get through a 50 mile ultra (defo didnt do enough training tho), and get a decent 10k time in those 6 months. In September, I'm gonna do my best to get as close to a 3hour 'thon as possible (hopefully under 3, but at least a BQ sub 3:11 - current PB: 3:11:21, DCM 09).

In October, I'm hoping to give something back to running, by pacing a 4 hr or so group for the Toronto Goodlife Marathon. I think that excites me a little more than my own goal in September.

After that..... who knows!!!

Killerz - You've hit the nail on the head here - would love to do a Trail 100 and have been thinking that 2011 would be the year to have a go - am not sure what one to do though. Any suggestions? I'm not great at navigation so it'd have to be one where the route was clear. My mother always said that I'd get lost going to the shops. Western States is kinda hard to get into isn't it and I've always been attracted to smaller more homely races rather than the 'big deal' races - although they have their place too as well.

pgibbo

Mick Rice wrote: »

Killerz - You've hit the nail on the head here - would love to do a Trail 100 and have been thinking that 2011 would be the year to have a go - am not sure what one to do though. Any suggestions? I'm not great at navigation so it'd have to be one where the route was clear. My mother always said that I'd get lost going to the shops. Western States is kinda hard to get into isn't it and I've always been attracted to smaller more homely races rather than the 'big deal' races - although they have their place too as well.

Might be worth having a chat with Dee Mick while she's in the US or when she gets back. Sounds like she has hooked up with a good few trail runners.

ecoli

Mick two words "Comrades Marathon" i think next one is even the nett uphill course for an extra challenge;)

Sosa

Hey Mick,
Since you guided me around Cork under the 3 hours...i have 2 target races.
The Island 5k next Sunday down here where sub 17 is the aim,maybe a lofty target but will have a lash.
then i plan to do the national half on sept 5th in Carlow...sub 80 mins is the target there.
are you available to pace ?
A few shorter race in the mean time just to keep ticking over.

opus

Mick Rice wrote: »

What's your next big challenge and why is it important to you?

The Berlin marathon at the end of Sept & I'm hoping to knock 10-15 mins off my time for the Cork one. I've some very good friends living in Germany so it's as much of a holiday (albeit with a bit of running involved) as anything else

Killerz

Mick Rice wrote: »

Killerz - You've hit the nail on the head here - would love to do a Trail 100 and have been thinking that 2011 would be the year to have a go - am not sure what one to do though. Any suggestions? I'm not great at navigation so it'd have to be one where the route was clear. My mother always said that I'd get lost going to the shops. Western States is kinda hard to get into isn't it and I've always been attracted to smaller more homely races rather than the 'big deal' races - although they have their place too as well.

Ya, I hear WS is tough to get into. It'd be a while before i'd try anything like that though.

I dunno much about Ireland's offerings - I'd imagine the IMRA ultras are as close you may get to the longer distance trail runs, altho maybe locteau has something up his sleeve!

there's a great ultra series in Ontario though if you ever visit Canada - small races, great atmosphere:

http://www.ouser.org/

... including the 100 mile version of the 50 miler I did:

http://www.burlingtonrunners.com/index.cfm?id=5711

But apparently the "to do" 100 miler in Canada is this one:

http://www.ouser.org/races/hali.htm

hunnymonster

wow, killerz thanks for those links. I love the look of the halliburton race. We ernt walking in the trees there a couple of years ago. It's a beautiful part of the world. <raids pigy bank>

asimonov

what's next? faster, fitter and emm, forty.

RubyK

MaroonTam wrote: »

For me - First Marathon - DCM 2010....

Me too MaroonTam

Mick Rice

opus wrote: »

The Berlin marathon at the end of Sept & I'm hoping to knock 10-15 mins off my time for the Cork one. I've some very good friends living in Germany so it's as much of a holiday (albeit with a bit of running involved) as anything else

Opus - did Berlin a few years ago. A quick getaway is absolutely essential if you're hoping to run fast. Beg, blag, hustle your way as close to the front as you can, or you can find yourself doing a lot of weaving around to get clear of the sharp elbows. Good luck. It's a great race.

dna_leri

Thanks for good wishes guys.

Had knee surgery yesterday and walked out of the hospital (with a crutch).
Even better my surgeon tells me my cruciate ligament is not damaged.

The meniscus was torn as expected but hopefully that damage has been removed.
Medial ligament was also damaged as well as some bone bruising.

So plans for the next few weeks are knee rehab. Then if I get the all-clear in 2 weeks start back with easy exercise. When I do, I plan to start an online log 'cos I think I'll need all the motivation I can get.

I have to set a goal for myself or I will go mad, so plan is to run a 5K by the end of the year and all going well to be within 30s of my PB from 2 years ago. I have no idea if that is anyway realistic. If it is, then I have another target for this time next year, which I am keeping to myself for now.

By the way I injured my knee (3 months ago) doing some bounding exercises at the end of a speed session. I rested for a few days and then went back out and I think that's when I did the most damage. Lessons learnt: old joints get injured jumping around and take longer to heal than you think.

So no Ultra's for me in the coming months - not that there ever was anyway - but I will continue to live vicariously through the rest of you. Keep running.