Barcelona Marathon 2013

richy316

Hi looking for marathon training partner to do barceloina marathon mar 17 2013. I'll be looking to do the marathon in 3hrs. I live in Dublin/Galway anyone interested let me know

Trampas

anyone else doing this race?

ac20

Im doing it. Ran it last March, great marathon. Booked my flights today. Added bonus next year of a Barcelona game in the Nou Camp on Paddys night.

estariol

Anyone found a decent price for flights and/or accomodation, I know its st. patricks weekend but flights alone are costing as much as flights+hotel+race entry for warsaw marathon!

ac20

estariol wrote: »

Anyone found a decent price for flights and/or accomodation, I know its st. patricks weekend but flights alone are costing as much as flights+hotel+race entry for warsaw marathon!

Best I could find was 175 with Aer Lingus, out on the 6.50 am flight on the Sat and home on Monday evening. If memory serves me correct flights with Ryanair were booked except for the Sat evening flight but then you would miss The Expo. I didnt check out flights on Friday mind you.

neilc

estariol wrote: »

Anyone found a decent price for flights and/or accomodation, I know its st. patricks weekend but flights alone are costing as much as flights+hotel+race entry for warsaw marathon!

I'm on the first flight out Friday morning and the last flight back Monday night with aer lingus. €280 incl taxes for both myself and herself, booked it when they announced their sale last week. Haven't looked at accommodation yet but will probably go with an apartment.

liamo123

Just saw this thread now... Doing this aswell ( 3rd time in 4 years )... Great city and marathon... Flying out Sat morning with Air Lingus and home Mon afternoon with Ryanair..Am staying here : http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/nuevotriunfo.html?aid=311076;label=hotel-90374-es-D45ozhYDyjreKMyvWnWhcgS11096341740:pl:ta:p1:p2:ac:ap1t1:neg;ws=&gclid=CJ-SzeL64rMCFcIf4QodSxMAwgIts a no frills hotel about 15 mins walk from start/finish line.. Very reasonable and ideal if travelling alone but mybe not so if bringing OH with u...

estariol

flights for 200E, flying out saturday morning and back sunday evening...will sort out some cheap room later! Feel a bit better about it now.

Jimh

I am on the Saturday Morning flight with Aer Lingus amd back on the Wed for €145 - I have a place 2hrs from Barca in France so I am going there on Monday, I did it in 2011 and I am hoping to improve on my 3:58 in Dublin this year. I am Winter training in a Health club - got 3 months for €120 - Unfortunately there are no 3:45 pacers in Barca - I was hoping to tag along with them as 3:30 would be too much for me

jebuz

Hi lads, latecomer to this party but just registered for Barcelona this morning. Completely insane and impulsive decision but I've been itching for a new goal since Dublin in October and this one is ideal. I'm heading away travelling around the end of March so this suits me perfectly until then. 10 weeks out, not ideal but confident I can get some good training done, I've been running away since the marathon in October, joined a club and have been consistently putting 30-40 miles in per week so hopefully I'll adapt quite quickly to this plan.

Turns out I will have a buddy to do it with too, texted my cousin earlier on the off-chance who surprisingly agreed to the madness which is great. We trained on our long runs for Dublin together and we both went sub 3 so that'll be the plan again. Looking forward to it now and we'll all have to meet up over there if there's a group going it being Paddy's weekend and all, talk about a well deserved pint

Jimh

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/GEORGE-PAYNE-IRISH-BAR/115978851811196?fref=ts

www.thegeorgepayne.com/
The only place to be :D:D:D:D

neilc

Jimh wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/GEORGE-PAYNE-IRISH-BAR/115978851811196?fref=ts

www.thegeorgepayne.com/
The only place to be :D:D:D:D

Only booked our hotel the other day and just looking at the map of the George Payne it seems we're only staying 500 or 600m from there.
So I guess we'll be making an appearance at some stage anyway

Jimh

Got my Shorts today for the St Patricks Day Barcelona Marathon
http://www.soark.com/images_new/flagIre.jpg
Bit expensive at €35 (including postage)- had a bit of trouble when I orderered as they charged $35 postage by default but when I contacted them they posted them for $6:)

jebuz

Jimh wrote: »

Got my Shorts today for the St Patricks Day Barcelona Marathon
http://www.soark.com/images_new/flagIre.jpg
Bit expensive at €35 (including postage)- had a bit of trouble when I orderered as they charged $35 postage by default but when I contacted them they posted them for $6:)

Love it Jim! but might be slight overkill wearing them with this...or are they a perfect match

http://www.irishfit.eu/shop/mens-running-apparel/mens-t-shirts-singlets/mens-irish-flag-singlet

Ordered couple of those yesterday, one for myself and one for my training buddy. 20 quid each (5e postage) and Barcelona Marathon on Paddys day - simply have to fly the colours!!

Jimh

Very Quiet on here - Is it the cold weather? I did another 17 miler this weekend on the treadmill 8.9Km at 5Min/Km pace and the rest at 10.7Km/hr so a total time of 2hr 28 Min

Followed that up today with 5 x 2 Km

2 @ 11.5 Km/hr

2@ 12 Km/hr

2@ 12, 5Km/hr

2@ 13 Km/hr

2@ 13,5 Km/hr

Peak mileage has been 35 Mile - I was over 50 mpw regularly for the Dublin Marathon but I seem to be running a little better than last year so I hope to knock 10+ minutes off my 3:58 time

Jimh

Still on the treadmill (1 week Gym membership left) then it is back on the road.

Today I did 18.5 miles in 2:42:30 - so I am happy with that

Bohermeen half on 3rd of March - I more long run to do yet (22 Miles) and then I wind down

ac20

So just under 4 weeks to this. Not long now.
The George Payne for post race drinks as mentioned , was there afterwards last year with a few guys from my club and met a few Irish folk there. Should be a good spot with it being Paddys Day this year.

Jimh

I have just signed up for the Bohermeen 1/2 - Good value at €26 - I only managed twenty mile on Saturday and speed was dropping the further I went - Winding down a bit now - Think I will try doing the 1/2 at race pace for the marathon

Jimh

I did a sub 49 minute 10Km two days after the 20 miler - That's my fastest 10 km on the track and it was fairly cold with a stiff breeze - I am doing between 17-21 Km on Saturday - Probably at Race Pace - I am doing the Meath Spring Half Marathon 8 days later on the 3rd and I am tempted to try and stay with the 1:45 pacers for as long as I can but am a little worried it may take too much out of me with only two weeks to go from there to Barcelona

Jimh

I did a training 1/2 Marathon today, very cold but no wind - a tiny little bit of snow 1.5C but I had a lot of gear on leggings/hat/gloves/jacket so I was happy with 1:51:17 - Will try to get closer to 1:45 next week in race conditions. McMillan has me at 3:53 for Marathon but I think my 1/2 time will drop next week - I would like to get below 3:50 with below 3 :45 as my dream time - Pity there are no 3:45 pacers

Jimh

I have to say a big thanks to the 1:45 pacers at the Meath Spring Marathon - I stayed with them till the last big hill (little hill) then fell about 50 metres behind them but they came back for me and dragged me over the line as last of their Group in 1:44:58. I just need a bit of a recovery now ( Double big thanks to the pacers)

neilc

Weather looks perfect for Sunday, no excuses so !!

jebuz

Lovely, would gladly take those conditions. how's everybody fixed? Taper paranoia kicking in yet?

Jimh

Will only do two runs this week 9Km at race pace Wed 5Km Slow Thursday and nothing till Sunday
Weather Forecast is different on every site you go on - I will wait till 3 Day forecast

calabi yau

On my taper now, last run was 20 miles two weeks ago, can't believe how nervous I am, also really looking forward to it. Conditions look good, that's what I got aswell

jebuz

Nothing to be nervous about, you've got the training done keep reminding yourself that and visualise yourself running over the line with the clock exactly where you want it to be

When does everybody fly? I'm heading out with Ryanair at 6pm on Friday, got a whole day Saturday then to relax, visit the expo and maybe do some mild sightseeing, hoping for a scorcher Monday so I can get some well earned beach time in!

sideswipe

jebuz wrote: »

Nothing to be nervous about, you've got the training done keep reminding yourself that and visualise yourself running over the line with the clock exactly where you want it to be

When does everybody fly? I'm heading out with Ryanair at 6pm on Friday, got a whole day Saturday then to relax, visit the expo and maybe do some mild sightseeing, hoping for a scorcher Monday so I can get some well earned beach time in!

Heading out Friday evening till Monday morning, looking forward to it now. Weather looks good alright, It'll probably feel tropical after running around here in snow and ice....... went for an easy 7 miler last night and it must have been -10 with the windchill! Don't remember ever feeling so cold on a run.
Enjoy the last few easy run's folks.

calabi yau

Yeah I'm heading out Friday evening aswell, back Monday avo

Jimh

I am heading out Saturday morning back on Wednesday ( Couple of days in Perpignan)

neilc

Heading over ourselves early Friday morning and back late Monday night.
Has the makings of a great weekend! Hoping to do the breakfast run Saturday morning with the finish in the Olympic stadium. Then obviously the marathon Sunday morning, hopefully a few celebratory pints in the George Payne afterwards and then to cap it all off heading to the game in the Camp Nou Sunday night!!
Hopefully might see some of ye in the pub after!

ac20

neilc wrote: »

Heading over ourselves early Friday morning and back late Monday night.
Has the makings of a great weekend! Hoping to do the breakfast run Saturday morning with the finish in the Olympic stadium. Then obviously the marathon Sunday morning, hopefully a few celebratory pints in the George Payne afterwards and then to cap it all off heading to the game in the Camp Nou Sunday night!!
Hopefully might see some of ye in the pub after!

Im headin to the Nou Camp Sunday night myself. Great weekend in store. Anyone who hasnt run this marathon yet are in for a treat, its a really great marathon. Flying out Saturday morning back Monday evening.

jebuz

ac20 wrote: »

Im headin to the Nou Camp Sunday night myself. Great weekend in store. Anyone who hasnt run this marathon yet are in for a treat, its a really great marathon. Flying out Saturday morning back Monday evening.

Heading to the match too and we're sitting up with the gods, I think you have the climb the whole way :rolleyes:

Starting to get excited about it now, weather conditions still looking good

sideswipe

Booked tickets for the match ages ago and went to print them off this morning only to get a 'purchase cancelled' message:mad:

ac20

sideswipe wrote: »

Booked tickets for the match ages ago and went to print them off this morning only to get a 'purchase cancelled' message:mad:

when I went to print them off on Monday I got the same message, however this morning I am not getting the message. But what it is saying is that the time and date of the match are not confirmed??

The cost of the ticket was not returned to me so Im assuming the puchase has not been cancelled. If I cant print them off prior to departure Im going to head to the ticket office at the Nou Camp on Saturday with my confirmation email.

sideswipe

ac20 wrote: »

when I went to print them off on Monday I got the same message, however this morning I am not getting the message. But what it is saying is that the time and date of the match are not confirmed??

The cost of the ticket was not returned to me so Im assuming the puchase has not been cancelled. If I cant print them off prior to departure Im going to head to the ticket office at the Nou Camp on Saturday with my confirmation email.

Yep, got 'Time and Date Not Confirmed' message, then a 'Cancelled' message and now a 'No Booking Exists With this Card' when I put in my credit card details. I'll call to the ticket office anyway just in case before starting a charge back with my bank. TBH I would mind too much if it was cancelled so long as I get my money back- this will be myself and Mrs Swipe's first child free trip away over a year so she thinks it's a romantic weekend:o
I've been informed that running a marathon + watching a football match + going to the pub = not romantic

neilc

sideswipe wrote: »

I've been informed that running a marathon + watching a football match + going to the pub = not romantic

I hear ya, took me a while to persuade my mrs how much she'd enjoy this match

monthehoops

You shouldn't have any problems getting a ticket for the Camp Nou unless it's a Madrid game. On the day just get to the stadium early and you'll see a line of touts outside the ticket office. Breeze by them and buy official tickets.

monthehoops

Also my missus liked it there and she's not into soccer at all. If you want to curry some favour before hand, spend the few hours before it on the open top bus before heading to the game. The bus would stop out there too.

Jmcmen

Heading over Friday evening till Monday night. looking forward to it now. last wee run this am. Feel ok but not sure about what pace to run at. Guess thats just the good old nerves. See how I am in the morning.
Route Looks Hilly enough.

Looking forward to a well deserved few beers after and a bit of relaxing.

Good Luck to all

sideswipe

Jmcmen wrote: »

Heading over Friday evening till Monday night. looking forward to it now. last wee run this am. Feel ok but not sure about what pace to run at. Guess thats just the good old nerves. See how I am in the morning.
Route Looks Hilly enough.

Looking forward to a well deserved few beers after and a bit of relaxing.

Good Luck to all

Just looking at the elevation map yesterday, I don't think it looks too bad actually, bit of a drag for the first 5K and the last few, but apart from that it looks pretty good.

liamo123

Have run this a couple of times.. Signed up again but unfortunately injured so not running but still travelling over...... little elevation at the start but nothing to worry about... Overall a great course.

Something small to bear in mind ; coming up to halfway there's an out and back section where runners are seperated by cones. I always found this section tough as its a little offputting looking across at the gang 10 or so minutes ahead . Other than that happy days so enjoy !!!


Best of luck to all running and c ye in George Payne Sunday ( or in Temple bar pub Sat night if anyone fancied a drink to calm the nerves )

pgmcpq

Jmcmen wrote: »

Heading over Friday evening till Monday night. looking forward to it now. last wee run this am. Feel ok but not sure about what pace to run at. Guess thats just the good old nerves. See how I am in the morning.
Route Looks Hilly enough.

Looking forward to a well deserved few beers after and a bit of relaxing.

Good Luck to all

Best of luck to all. Ran this two years ago - brilliant event. Beware the final three miles is a gentle uphill -- looks innocent enough but it's decpetively tough at that stage in the race.

Jimh

I will be on the 06:50 Aer Lingus flight in the morning - good luck to everybody
At least I have a few days to recover - not back until Wednesday

calabi yau

Best of luck to anyone participating in this

sideswipe

All done in 3:23. Happy enough as I nearly pulled out because I'd been sick all week. Decided to do it and take it easy but felt better the longer the race went on so it turned into a progression run!! Was disappointed I didn't go harder at the start but didn't want to crash and burn before Conn. Nice cool weather too!

neilc

3:10:28 happy enough. On the beer since in the George Payne and a place called Scobies :-) Camp Nou now and back to Scobies layer :-) Happy fu*king days.

jebuz

2:54:46. Everything just seemed to go right on the day, felt really good the whole way through and finished very strongly. Great course, great conditions, great support and a great great hangover today too thanks to George Payne himself, worth it all Hope you all had a good race.

sideswipe

jebuz wrote: »

2:54:46. Everything just seemed to go right on the day, felt really good the whole way through and finished very strongly. Great course, great conditions, great support and a great great hangover today too thanks to George Payne himself, worth it all Hope you all had a good race.

You forgot to mention first Irish man home! Well done.

RacoonQueen

jebuz wrote: »

2:54:46. Everything just seemed to go right on the day, felt really good the whole way through and finished very strongly. Great course, great conditions, great support and a great great hangover today too thanks to George Payne himself, worth it all Hope you all had a good race.

Well done C. Flying the Donore flag nicely!

happygoose

Link to results anyone?

Jimh

Someone has to be negative so it may as well be me

There were not enough toilets at the start - I stood in line for over 20 minutes and gave up in the end as I thought I would miss the start of the race and that came back to haunt me at the 30Km mark where I had to spend quite some time in one of the chemical toilets - I never really recovered and struggled to the finish.

I thought the course was quite dangerous - I saw 4 people crash to the ground tripped by other runners because it was just too crowded ( unless it was just everyone was running the same pace as me) - Trying to get water at the water stations was particularly dangerous because it was so congested and there were numerous bottle necks on the course even near the end. I also had two near misses with pedestrians trying to run across the road.

I think a number of factors affected my performance on the day, firstly I think I had pushed myself too hard two weeks before doing a 1:45 half marathon, secondly was the toilet issue above, third was the lack of sleep (early flight Saturday up early Sunday).

I followed the 3:45 pacers and even though the pace was well inside what I was capable of I never felt comfortable. I started to fall a little behind at 30Km and knew I could not keep up the pace but then the emergency toilet stop kicked in - I then had to walk a number of times to reach the end - I matched my Dublin time even with the problems I had but I dropped 14 minutes in the last 12k.

Lessons to be learned - Don't race too close to the main event - Make sure you get that final toilet visit before the start- Get some sleep. This is the worst I have felt after any marathon in terms of pain and stiffness - I also looked like I had been shot by a sniper as both nipples got destroyed with a combination of sweat, rain and rubbing of the shirt.

Back to the drawing board
Real time: 03:58:59 10 km time: 00:52:45 1/2 Marathon time: 01:51:59 30 km time: 02:40:21