Achill 10k and 5k

kensey

Hey everyone,
So I decided to take up running about 4 months ago as a weight loss method (& a get up off my ass method!). All going well so far and enjoying it alot more than I ever thought I could. Entering my first 10k this Saturday in Achill. Going to use it as a training event for the Connemara Challenge on 7th May. Was just wondering if anyone from here is doing it (Achill 10k) and if any of you have done it last year - what advice you could give to a newcomer! What you thought of the course? The info on this forum is excellent and many thanks to all of you for sharing tips and advice. Really looking forward to it now. All advice welcome!

woody1

yeah im doing the 10k, brothers doing the 5k,
im only a year at this meself so i wouldnt be giving much advice other than to stick to your own pace and dont get dragged away at the start..
havent run the course before but ive cycled parts of it a few times, theres a couple of hills in there that i expect to be nasty enough, i dont think its going to be one for a personal best or anything ..
if its a nice day itl be a nice race, if it isnt ..well there isnt any shelter anywhere !!

kensey

Thanks woody. Ya I'd expect that Achill being Achill, theres going to be hills (and prob plenty of them!) Will try and stick to my own training pace as I've ran 10k a few times now. I understand it will be different with lots of others running with me. Still though, a good experience to be had.. Bring on sat morning!!

woody1

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/56959434

race route and profile..
actually only one bad looking hill in it..and the second half is all downhill..

kensey

Thanks! That's not half as bad as I thought!! Its great to have a good idea of what's in store come Saturday! It's all literally downhill after the 5k water-station.
Thanks for the link

I wonder if there's many entrants?

woody1

email from 26 extreme says allow plenty of time as they have a large amount of entries
could just be the usual bull though..to make sure people are there on time,

kensey

Well, I'm planning on being down around Keel for about 9.30 to 10am. Should be loads of time to register and prepare for the race. Fortunately it's a fairly local event for me so don't have too far to travel

snailsong

I got off my ass in dec 09 and this was my first event last year. I'd never run the distance so my target was to finish, not be last and ideally beat the 1 hour mark. The atmosphere at the start was was great but I was apprehensive as everybody looked younger and fitter than me. I started at the back but was able to pass a lot of people gradually throughout the race. the hills are short and steep with no long drags, very manageable. the whole route is very scenic especially the last 2k along the strand (compact sand with a few puddles, lovely to run on). I enjoyed it immensely, finishing in 52.30, delighted with that. I've done a few 10k's since but i would rate this as the prettiest course I've seen, hopefully the sun will shine again for us on sat. The event was well run and marshalled no complaints. The start area on the Sandybanks and the finish on the beach are pretty special.
My advice would be to relax and enjoy the day out. You've done the training and earned your day in the sun. Good luck.

Edit: Kensey, i forgot to say I'm mad envious of you on the beginning of your journey, if you enjoy it half as much as I do you'll have a great time.

domall

I did this myself last year, and I am looking forward to tomorrow again (although my training hasn't been ideal, friggin virus!). I'm local as well, but not living locally, so travelling down from Dublin for the weekend! I've done a handful of 10km's now over the last few years and I really enjoyed the Achill 10km last year. It was pretty well run and there was a great atmosphere, I think around 200 did it last year, so I'd be expecting more this year. Only gripe I had last year was that the chip timing only recorded your finishing time, as in everyone started when the clock started, despite quite a deep group on a narrow starting road (but that's only a small thing).

Have to disagree slightly with snailsong regarding the hills, there's one or two steady enough climbs in it (rather than steep & short), but they are quite manageable. The 2nd half of the race is definitely the easier, and the final 2km along Keel strand is a delight, & something you're not likely to do too often in a well organised event like this. It's nice on the legs too and a good place to drive hard for home over the last 1500m or so, you can also see the finish line from way off (which may be a good or a bad thing depending on your perspective & mindset).

I hope everyone enjoys it and I hope the weather is kind to us also. The craic around the island should be good for the whole day, and the night of course ;-) I may be slightly ambitious with hopes of getting close to or beating last years time of 48:30, given the few set backs I've had, but I'll give it a crack anyway!

PS: do give yourselves plently of time for 'traffic' (it doesn't take a lot on the island!) and for registration. And bring a towel & soak the body in the 'cool' Atlantic bath at the finish line, a great refresher & good for the sore legs!!

kensey

Thanks Snailsong! It sounds like I am now where you were last year. My first event also. I too don't want to be last and would be delighted to finish under the hour. Here's keeping the fingers crossed!! Best of luck tomorrow and enjoy the day. Many thanks again for the tips!!

kensey

@ domall.
Thanks for the tips also. If I come in at 48:30 I'll be absolutely delighted with that! I just might take your advice on bringing a towel for a quick dip after the race. Will be great on the legs! With the weather promised a sunny 18 degrees its looking up to be a great day. Best of luck tomorrow, enjoy the run and the craic afterwards!

woody1

sub 50 49 54, pb by almost 4 mins so i have to be happy with that, younger brother was 2nd in the 5k at 21 mins , which says it all about the standard of runner there, no offence meant to anyone, im pretty bad meself,
nice course.. good day..couldnt ask for much more ..
chip times wrong by 20 secs but sure it doesnt matter

snailsong

Good day, did 45.28 so happy with that. I reckon the chip times were about 30 seconds out, what's the point of chip timing if thats the case. The standard wasn't great in the 10k either, only one guy broke 40 min.
Enjoyed the day though and i was delighted with the buff as I'd lost the one from last year.
Kensey, how did you do?

woody1

couldve done with the buff before as i got the head burnt off meself.. yeah i dont see the point of the chip either if their not gonna have a start and finish matt, otherwise its down to working off a clock and subtracting.. ( i presume ) and you lose accuracy then.. started my watch well before the line too but it was under 50 so i dont care really about the extra few seconds, chip time was over 50 so im disregarding it

kensey

snailsong wrote: »

Good day, did 45.28 so happy with that. I reckon the chip times were about 30 seconds out, what's the point of chip timing if thats the case. The standard wasn't great in the 10k either, only one guy broke 40 min.
Enjoyed the day though and i was delighted with the buff as I'd lost the one from last year.
Kensey, how did you do?

I finished in place 105 @ 56:55. Very happy with that for my first event. The start was a little difficult to set pace with as many runners on the narrow little road. Thought the day was great and that breeze was welcome as I thought it was very hot. (I've been doing the vast majority of my running after 9pm). Great atmosphere and craic after. Thought the last 2k along the beach was brilliant. Will do this event again. Have gained alot of confidence in my running due to this event and hopefully can use some of that for next Saturday!! That's a great time snailsong, well done!

kensey

woody1 wrote: »

couldve done with the buff before as i got the head burnt off meself..

Me too, scorchio!!!

domall

Congrats all on yee're times. Was delighted with my own too, came in at 46:44 (22nd place apparently!) on the chip but I had clocked myself at 46:17, so I'm glad others found the chips times to be very harsh!!

Loved it again this year, cracking day but the wind was tough enough, I'd say we were into it for a good 7km, but it was good that it was driving us on the last 2km! I'm delighted with my time, PB for a 10km and I must have averaged it out well for the whole race as I had nothing left to really push for home towards the end. It was punishing enough for me personally, but that's what makes a good time all the more fulfilling.

The dip in the tide afterwards was nice & refreshing, if not a little baltic! Now I need to decide if I start training for the Achill Half Marathon in July...

woody1

photos on 26 extremes website, although there seems to be a bunch of 10k finishes , including mine , not in it, pity cos it was maybe the first time ive made a genuine sprint to the finish, thought it might have been a good pic

kensey

Me too but I'm a long way from the finish line. Another one of me just after starting and have my eyes closed. Ah well, always the next event, it's proof I took part anyway!