Dublin Mountains Plod 17/7/2011

Rinker

I've just seen the date for the 2011 race in the DMP newsletter. Its Sunday 17th July. I really enjoyed this event last year. Spectacular scenery, a great atmosphere and at just €15 was excellent value for money.:)

Garmin course

geld

3 stars (average)

My race of the year for 2010.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Excellent news. Was really looking forward to this one in 2010, but picked up an injury a few days beforehand, so ended up lugging directional arrows up the mountain, and cowering behind a rock in the freezing cold with a camera for 6 hours (thanks Slogger Jogger!), while all the runners enjoyed their merry jaunt. Not this year! There will be a reckoning!

Cool Running

Absolutely fantastic race!

While I suffered a small bit of an injury on it last year I still loved it. Well run, lovely scenery and not to much hype which I think is a good thing.

Would strongly advise doing a recce beforehand or studying the map as it makes it so much easier mentally when ya know whats ahead of ya.

aigster

I know it's not an ultra trail but for anybody whose done this one is it one for navigators... I've only done one off road a 50 k in London and I learned I'm crap at navigating!!!..looks really good

copacetic

No need for any navigation skills at all, well marked and marshalled. Good idea to do a run of it in advance to get a feel for it though. You'll have to hold back a far bit early on or you could blow up badly later in the race with the climb up tibradden still left.

Woddle

It can be tricky but you've two options if you're worried
1. If you have a garmin, upload the course
2. Do a recce, a few met up last year for this and it was probably a good thing they did

aigster

Thanks for speedy replies... Much obliged.... Recently purchased a garmin .. Not even sure on make 305maybe... Looks like a good test so in diary if not this time next...

brando1980

hey

looking to give this a go next month. just wondering if anyone has any advice on the training needed to get used to the climbs?
mostly running roads at the moment and average abt 30/40miles a week but increasing that over next few weeks, or if anyone is planning on doing a few runs over the next few weeks as prep, would love to come along get an idea of whats in store

cheers
brian

RacoonQueen

Woddle wrote: »

2. Do a recce, a few met up last year for this and it was probably a good thing they did

One of those recces was where the name menopause came from. My shoes are still stained with blood from my fall. Would love to do this one, doesn't fit with the plan at all though.

gerard65

It was actually €25 last year if you were not a member of the IMRA. The extra €10 is for membership.

T runner

3 stars (average)

brando1980 wrote: »

hey

looking to give this a go next month. just wondering if anyone has any advice on the training needed to get used to the climbs?
mostly running roads at the moment and average abt 30/40miles a week but increasing that over next few weeks, or if anyone is planning on doing a few runs over the next few weeks as prep, would love to come along get an idea of whats in store

cheers
brian

Do your long runs on similar hilly terrain. Run all the climbs. You may need to start each climb at very easy jogging pace but keep it very slow and try to run all the way up. Thjis will give your legs climbing endurance. Maybe add a medium longish cycle o the training week too. Train as usual apart from that. The long run will get you around, Intervals and tempo will get you around faster.

I could suggest these sessions to help, dont know if you ahve teh training to manage them but you can adapt based on fitness.

3 long hilly runs, 2 on actual course.

3 1.5-2.5 hour easy cycles on hills.

3 medium-long tempo runs warm up and warm down before each but keep the run contonuous #1 30 mins half marathon pace/effort. #2 50 mins marathon effort. #3 first 30mins marathon pace, next 20 half marathon pace
(use mcmillan running calculatoe to work out these paces based on a recent good race result)

4 Intervals: #1 12 by 400 at 5k effort with 1 min rest (no faster than 5k pace!!!)

#2 6 by 1 k with 90 secs rest between (best effort to keep pace even). You should finish being able for at least one more if your life depended on it i.e imagine someoene asking you after "run one more, same pace, your life depends on it", Well leave that much in the tank.

#3 5 by 1 mile (same as above).


#1 denotes week one etc

When doing this view it as a block of 3 weeks training with a week easy before the race.

When doing a session dont do it so hard that your training will be compromised sometime later. ie you need to be able to recover(not fully but mostly) before the next session.

between sessions run very easily with the sole objective of recovering

Last week should be easy running with a session like # 8 be 400 at 5k pace with 1 min rest. Last long run should be 60 min easy on the flat.

liamo123

Hoping to run this aswell... Just wondering if anyone wants to do ( so I wont get lost come race day ) a recce of this before the 17th.... I was going to suggest Saturday 9th July but whatever date suits those interested would b fine with me....

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

liamo123 wrote: »

Hoping to run this aswell... Just wondering if anyone wants to do ( so I wont get lost come race day ) a recce of this before the 17th.... I was going to suggest Saturday 9th July but whatever date suits those interested would b fine with me....

Hi Liamo, did you get any take-up on your offer? Might be up for a 'recce of the route on Saturday, if you're still interested.

Sandwell

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hi Liamo, did you get any take-up on your offer? Might be up for a 'recce of the route on Saturday, if you're still interested.

Hi folks. I'd be up for doing a recce this weekend too. Sunday might suit me better but Saturday wouldn't be out of the question either. I'll keep an eye on this thread in any case and we'll see what happens. I've ran the section through Masseys and Cruagh up as far as Tibradden before but I'd like to have a go at the downhill in advance of the race.

liamo123

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hi Liamo, did you get any take-up on your offer? Might be up for a 'recce of the route on Saturday, if you're still interested.

Krusty unfortunately due to work committments I wont b running this Sunday week so will give the recce a miss....

nerraw1111

4 stars (good)

Anyone know if IMRA members have to sign up to this in advance? i.e. will it sell out/cap on runners?

Slogger Jogger

4 stars (good)

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Anyone know if IMRA members have to sign up to this in advance? i.e. will it sell out/cap on runners?

If memory serves last year there was race registration on the day for anyone too, and it'll be all the quicker for prior IMRA runners.

Caprica

4 stars (good)

This is my first IMRA race, I have two quick questions

Do I just turn up on today and get my number?
Where exactly in the park is registration?

Slogger Jogger

4 stars (good)

Caprica wrote: »

This is my first IMRA race, I have two quick questions

Do I just turn up on today and get my number?
Where exactly in the park is registration?

Turn up a bit early. Half of the field last year hadn't ran an imra race before so that queue is going to be longer.

The entrance on College road, near the M50, brings you towards large car parks. Registration and start is here.

ThisRegard

I'm just reading the IMRA page now and it says pre-entry is required ?

T runner

3 stars (average)

ThisRegard wrote: »

I'm just reading the IMRA page now and it says pre-entry is required ?

Id go with whatever it says there. It says a limit of 400. That wont be revised up as that is an estimate of the numbers the route can take.

Who knows they might open it up if not full on the day but id certainly take it that to be certain: reg in advance.

makl

gerard65 wrote: »

It was actually €25 last year if you were not a member of the IMRA. The extra €10 is for membership.

...and it's €30 this year - can any of the organisers explain the 20% hike? thanks

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

makl wrote: »

...and it's €30 this year - can any of the organisers explain the 20% hike? thanks

Probably more prudent to discuss this on the IMRA forum.

Slogger Jogger

4 stars (good)

makl wrote: »

...and it's €30 this year - can any of the organisers explain the 20% hike? thanks

If memory serves.. and its a while since I booked.. there were various pricing options depending on whether you were already registered for imra or not and whether you wanted a finishers tee-shirt or not.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Weather forecast is looking pretty poor for Sunday, but at least it'll be consistent with last year. Ran the course several times last year, so am familiar with it, but would probably have benefited from doing a recce in recent months, to better determine uphill pace. Looks like around 50 runners reg'ed at the moment.

gerard65

Pity its on the same weekend as the Irish Runner 5. They'd get more entries if it did'nt clash with such a popular race. Did both last year, an experiment not to be repeated:eek:

nerraw1111

4 stars (good)

gerard65 wrote: »

Pity its on the same weekend as the Irish Runner 5. They'd get more entries if it did'nt clash with such a popular race. Did both last year, an experiment not to be repeated:eek:

Not sure if they would get more entries if you were to judge all that hysteria going in the five mile thread about the slight incline that is the Kyber.

You'd have lads showing up with rope and crampons.

Nialler73

Any advice on shoes if the weather turns nasty? I ran most of the course fairly comfortably in road shoes a few weeks ago. I'll be taking it easy on Sunday as I've managed to get myself a neck strain so I'll be waving any enthusiastic descenders past on the way down..that is if I'm still involved.

gerard65

Nialler73 wrote: »

Any advice on shoes if the weather turns nasty? I ran most of the course fairly comfortably in road shoes a few weeks ago. I'll be taking it easy on Sunday as I've managed to get myself a neck strain so I'll be waving any enthusiastic descenders past on the way down..that is if I'm still involved.

Stick to the road shoes. I've run this course in heavy rain in normal runners with no problem. The only muddy part is the climb in Masseys wood, but the rest is firm underfoot.

T runner

3 stars (average)

ThisRegard wrote: »

I'm just reading the IMRA page now and it says pre-entry is required ?

You can register on the morning: it has been confirmed on IMRA forum.

Nialler73 wrote: »

Any advice on shoes if the weather turns nasty? I ran most of the course fairly comfortably in road shoes a few weeks ago. I'll be taking it easy on Sunday as I've managed to get myself a neck strain so I'll be waving any enthusiastic descenders past on the way down..that is if I'm still involved.

As Gerard says a little mucky on the way up. The only fast semi technical part as after you turn sharp left (keeping on the Wicklow way) on the way towards Fairy Castle.

Another consideration may be having adequate cushioning on your shoes for the descent. The descent is fast so youll be hitting the ground hard on the way down.

Nialler73

Cheers lads, will go for regular road wear, hopefully they don't fill up with water before we leave Marlay. Any ideas how many will be running?

Peterx

T runner looking very strong in a lead group of 3 just ahead of Enduro at checkpoint 4 Rockbrook earlier. G'wan Lads! SloggerJogger not far back..

Slogger Jogger

4 stars (good)

Great race. T ran well until I believe an errant turn in Marley near the end let Enduro through to take 2nd. It could have been an unmarshalled junction at the time I didn't catch who finished 1st? I gained a few / lost a few places over the course of the run. I think I was c. 23th place. Happy enough. Lovely wind blowing us up Tibradden.

Strong running by KC who made top 10 by all accounts.

nerraw1111

4 stars (good)

Super race. Really enjoys that, it's a great course.

Delighted with my result, knocked 19 minutes off last year's time. Came in around 27th. I think KC won his age group. Fair play.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Very enjoyable route/race. Goal was to try and creep into the top 10 this morning, until I arrived in Marley and saw all the strong IMRA contingent, so I revised my goal back down to the top 20. Adrian Tucker and another solid runner passed me on the initial climb, so I decided to tuck in behind them and see how long I could hold on (the hope was Tibradden). Survived that far and had strong legs on the downhill back towards Marley, so kept up a good pace, and was very happy with a finish somewhere between 9th and 11th place. Thanks to Adrian and t'other runner who kept me going for the two big climbs.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

nerraw1111 wrote: »

I think KC won his age group. Fair play.

I did?

nerraw1111

4 stars (good)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

nerraw1111 wrote: »

I think KC won his age group. Fair play.

I did?

Are you're initials GC? You won a prize for something anyway

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Are you're initials GC? You won a prize for something anyway

Yep. Gary Condon. Probably 'most under-dressed runner', or 'runner who looked most ill going up Tibradden'.

nerraw1111

4 stars (good)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Are you're initials GC? You won a prize for something anyway

Yep. Gary Condon. Probably 'most under-dressed runner', or 'runner who looked most ill going up Tibradden'.

99% sure you won an age cat. Wasnt a spot prize. Ask enduro.

If it's a prize for most ill going up tibradden, I'll be requesting a steward's inquiry.

ThisRegard

I had a much better run than I expected, nowhere near you guys but had you said I'd finish under 2 hours at the start I'd be delighted. Took it handier than I usually would which meant I got caught in the congestion through the bushes near the start but the flip side was that I felt great going up Tibradden and picked up a few places and dropped the group I was with up until then. Great course with plenty of marshals and gardai helping us on the way.

I must start running with my head up more though, I didn't recognise Cruagh or Hellfire at all going through them !

Slogger Jogger

4 stars (good)

+1 about the marking and marshalling. I thought it was first class. Saw one runner running off course near the finish in Marlay, emerging out at the playground? Do people keep their wits about them at all? The race director said at the start the route in Marley in and out would be the same.

T runner

3 stars (average)

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Great race. T ran well until I believe an errant turn in Marley near the end let Enduro through to take 2nd. It could have been an unmarshalled junction at the time I didn't catch who finished 1st? I gained a few / lost a few places over the course of the run. I think I was c. 23th place. Happy enough. Lovely wind blowing us up Tibradden.

Strong running by KC who made top 10 by all accounts.

Yep, I missed the right turn onto the grass pitch after the bushy section. The marshall wasnt where he should have been. I ran on and after about a minute I ended up face to face with the baby train track. I F'ed Jim Fitz when we turned on the non sensical final loop and i marked him for death as I pondered if the best way out of the corner i found myself in was to follow the muppet express. Had to DNF.

Worse again was that the race leader, with an unassailable lead, (who had raced brilliantly) went wrong at the underpass near Marley and also DNFed I believe.

I think the Dublin Mountains Partnership do massive work but they are not experts on race organisation, IMRA are, and I think IMRA need to take control of all aspects of this race next year. I chatted to Peterx on the phone after and he suggested that they only need to handout prizes. They can supple volunteers but direction should come from IMRA.

Felt really good early in the race. Found it really hard to hold myself back. Enduro lead it out of the park and i was happy to tuck in behind him and Aengus Burke (eventual winner) with a very tall and strong looking athlete (2:31 marathon it turns out). (Eventual leader until a wrong turn near the underpass).
I have only done sporadic long runs, id be confident at having a cut at anyone in a race of up to 45 mins but in a 90 min race, i wouldnt last a sustaned hard pace. So my hope was that the pace would steady as far into the race as possible making my endurance issues less of a factor.
Enduro doesnt leave these things to hope and thus was at the front controling the pace. With his recent return from injury, the World Trail Champs (70k +) last weekend and a cycle to and strong race in Kippure, he confided later taht he was also favouring the conservative start.
Aengus and the tall fella (dont know his name) had different ideas. This wasnt a problem for me initially, i ahve good speed in the legs at the mo, but it wasnt good news either. Enduro let us go at that very fast clip, hoping to pick off any blow ups later on.
Any way i felt very strong all the way through Masseys until the steep climbing started.
Aengus kept the pace hard, this was hurting now and with little hill running or cycling training in my legs I too ahd to let the lads go.
I wasnt finished and knew the course levelled out once we crossed the road. Aengus was heartened by developements and managed to drop the tall fella before the road cross to Cruagh.
Once in Cruagh i was able to turn the legs over and reel the lads in. I kept a positive dialogue, certain that Aengus had expended too much in droppping us and was unlikely to maintain his strong pace.
I was closing on the tall fella and concentrated on getting into second where i could attack Aengus lead.
We were all within 15 secs of eachother as we summitted Cruagh. I cruised the descent passing teh tall fella but he immediately ducked behind me outta the wind. I couldnt really even 3/4 hammer that descent as i was getting tired and had another substantial climb and a half to deal with.
The tall fella stretched out now and almost caught Aengus.
I had him as favourite now, Aengus needed a gap on the next climb clearly before the final descent through Kilmashogue. I knew in my heart what was going to happen me when i tried to climb Tibradden. There was nothing there, it was just going to be a slow slog to get up to the left turn on the WW for Kilmashogue.
Aengus opened up a gap again but the tall fella fought back and had made contact by Tibradden summit. I was just trying to concentarte on keeping the cadence high to avoid slowly too badly.
The flat after Tibradden allowed me to cover that section at a reasonable speed. The lads were gone, and any thoughts i had were to the runners (Enduro) who might catch me. I figured the gap back must be large. I couldnt see anyone (i looked behind at the points where i could see the furthest). I figured I could cruise the descent conserving the energy, while maintaining most of whatever gap i had.
I saw above that the Big fella had turned left onto the WW (off the Fairy castle climb) with what looked like a 50 metre lead. Excellent racing, I thought. He can descend too, barring injury he should be home and dry.
I caught one glimpse of Aengus on the fast trail down to Kilmashogue carpark and never saw him again. I was probable running a little slowly here. Kept the steady pace up all the way to the Park. After a minute in the Park i looked around sensing a disturnace in teh force. There was Enduro! Kicking purposefully once he saw me.

I didnt panic, I had a large lead: had speed in the legs and there wasnt far to go. I twisted and turned through teh bushes eventually coming to the sorry little train track. If Mickey Mouse had come round the corner sitting on an engine, there would have been a murder in that secluded spot!
I wanted a good overdistance work out before the warriors run and national half in 6-7 weeks and by the devil i got that!
I didnt get the bonuses of a second or third place finish and finishing ahead of Enduro but there will be other times (i hope).

I felt for the race leader though, he deserved a lot more for his efforts. I think IMRA should de facto take complete control of the organisation next year though. Marshalling issues probbaly just down to delegation of responsibility (betwen IMRA and DMP). One clear organiser is needed and IMRA would be the obvious.

Well done to all who ran today, it was tough out there, and on Krusty for what sounded like a very well executed race. Any time ive been near Adran Tucker at the end of a race i have usually finished behind him!

Now im off the find Jim Fitz!!!!

Slogger Jogger

4 stars (good)

Its a pity your good race ended like that T. I have misgivings about IMRAs involvement in this race too. You really need a ganzee load of volunteers for the road and parkland path junctions.

I can't see how the race leader went wrong at the underpass. Thats unforgivable. If he was expecting to be contesting he needed to be a bit more route savvy. The instructions were to return to Marlay the way we went out. In the heat of the moment and if there wasn't a marshall there at the time I suppose you could see how it could happen.

When I re-entered Marlay the marshalling was in place. The signage was clear though too and I was very conscious of Dermot's message to return the same way. I looked out for the tape and the arrows and it was plain sailing. Granted I was running at a pace that made it easier to look around and take in the surroundings :rolleyes:

nerraw1111

4 stars (good)

That's harsh T runner. Feel for you.

I also went wrong at the same spot till i got a roar by runner behind me. Which in turn led me to roar at the runner in front of me. Up shot was that i gained a place as i was just metres past the turn.

That said, I missed the race briefing (was in the jacks). Will never miss a race briefing again as I kicked at the underpass to drop two guys. Went waaaay too early as a result

T runner

3 stars (average)

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

+1 about the marking and marshalling. I thought it was first class. Saw one runner running off course near the finish in Marlay, emerging out at the playground? Do people keep their wits about them at all? The race director said at the start the route in Marley in and out would be the same.

The map on the website indicated otherwise so nobody got to jog out the new finish before the race.


I fairness the lead runner being allowed to go wrong at the underpass means that we can assume no marshall at this point when he passed. That is not good. Road junctions should always be marshalled due to safety issues on public roads.

Marshalling and marking has to be judged on how it handles runners with no other runners to follow. That is the test. If 2 out of the first 3 runners DNF within 2k of the finish it points to an issue.

I saw no marshall or marking at the point where i was supposed to turn in.
I saw a marshall in the middle of the field with his back to me whom i had to discount. I couldnt see any markings. As the turning point was in the middle of the field there was nothing to tell me that it was at this point.

Enduro did spot it, but he reckoned he nearly missed it and i have a feeling the marshall might have realised he needed to get a little closer to the action at that stage.

The route change was also not published on the IMRA website.
The first indication that Jims suggestion was being headed was at the pre-race chat.

I dont like giving out about any event with IMRA organisation but changing the route on a whim was not a good idea. We need an established route on that course.

If it is changed, it should be published so people can prepare. I jogged the last 2 k before the race so i know where im going at the end. I did not realise that what i was jogging was not on the route until after the prerace talk and before the off, so no time to jog through it, note any potential difficulties, so i can control almost any eventuality (like a missing marshall).

Slogger Jogger

4 stars (good)

Fair enough. Sorry it spoiled what would otherwise have been a great result for you.

T runner

3 stars (average)

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Fair enough. Sorry it spoiled what would otherwise have been a great result for you.

Im just feeling sorry for myself, hope im not coming across too strongly. Only one thing will sort it. Jim Fitz to measure the Wicklow Round with a Jones Counter!

Anyway, it worked out for the vast majority of runners so it was a great day all around.

Although i dont like the final lap, have to say its a fantastic course. That climb on Tibradden is a real killer.

geld

3 stars (average)

Have to say that was really enjoyable. An ideal race for those of us who mix roads and hills. I was pleased with my run and knocked 5+ minutes off my time from last year so delighted with that.

Hadn't signed up for the tee-shirt but bought one at the end. It looks the business. The course was excellently marked. Fair dues to those responsible for this.

Constructive criticism - last year when we came back through the gates of Marlay we had a straight sprint down to the finish line. Happy days! Today we had to do the lap of Marlay that we did at the start. I felt like decking the poor marshal who was sending us left when we came in the gate.:D Next year lets get the Marlay bit out of the way at the start of the race. The other option is to do away with the Marlay laps - who says it has to equal a half-marathon distance?

Forgot to mention that there were loads of marshals in place again praise should be given to IMRA and the DMP for this.

Slogger Jogger

4 stars (good)

+1 about the non-running volunteers. The races won't happen without them.

Someone said beforehand to me why not add in Fairy Castle as a means of getting the extra distance in. Laps of Marlay park is not where my heart is at :rolleyes:

T runner

3 stars (average)

geld wrote: »

The other option is to do away with the Marlay laps - who says it has to equal a half-marathon distance?

Someone said beforehand to me why not add in Fairy Castle as a means of getting the extra distance in. Laps of Marlay park is not where my heart is at :rolleyes:

Id agree, id be happy if the Marley laps were dropped but if distance needs to be added it should be the good stuff up in the clouds.

How did your run today compare with last year Slogger?