Barcelona Marathon 2014

Slow_Runner

Just booked this marathon for next march and can't see a thread on it yet so here it goes:
Last years thread:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81316316

Marathon websire:
http://www.zurichmaratobarcelona.com/

Anyone done this before have any advise or any pitfalls to watch out for. Any recommendations for hotels?

Thanks

cian_r

just ran my first marathon yesterday and was also looking at barcelona as a possible event for marathon #2. is there special conditions for entry, like there is for london, boston, ny etc.?

plumber77

No special conditions, fantastic event. Did it last year and thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip.

cian_r

Anyone else with any past experiences on the Barca marathon??

I havent signed up just yet, but its likely I'll be heading over on my tod as apparently leaving 3 kids under five years of age at home on their own is frowned upon - so the missus wont be coming over with me to cheer me along. :P

As "Slow_Runner" mentioned, any hotel recommendations would be appreciated - especially something cheap and cheerful, and preferably withing crawling distance from the finish line.

belcarra

Any more interest in this marathon?
Marthastew - Are you out there??

Thinking about doing this as a good excuse to get out of ireland for Paddy's weekend (and to be boorish in another country instead!)
A couple of non-boardsie people I know are looking to do this so I may tip along for the occasion.
Might come too soon for a full-on tilt at a PB but will play that one by ear...

Izoard

belcarra wrote: »

Any more interest in this marathon?
Marthastew - Are you out there??

Thinking about doing this as a good excuse to get out of ireland for Paddy's weekend (and to be boorish in another country instead!)
A couple of non-boardsie people I know are looking to do this so I may tip along for the occasion.
Might come too soon for a full-on tilt at a PB but will play that one by ear...

I'm in. First real marathon in years, having dodged via pacing/ultra/IM for the past while.

Time to get training!

belcarra

How did you enjoy Clontarf on Saturday Izoard?

Izoard

belcarra wrote: »

How did you enjoy Clontarf on Saturday Izoard?

Good day out - I'd say if the wind/rain wasn't behaving, it would be a completely different story.

Did you do 1:40 in the end?

belcarra

Yip, 1:40 but really struggled over the final few kms.
Think I'll stand down from the pacing for a while now though...

So it sounds like if you are gonna race Barca does that mean no Donadea 50k for you?

Izoard

belcarra wrote: »

Yip, 1:40 but really struggled over the final few kms.
Think I'll stand down from the pacing for a while now though...

So it sounds like if you are gonna race Barca does that mean no Donadea 50k for you?

Nice one - I'd say you were feeling the return leg along the beach!

Down to do Donadea - although I plan to do some training for Barca, logic and process will be largely absent...:)

Marthastew

Just spotted this thread now......
Mr S and I are also racing Barcelona via Donadea; smack down city in our house;)
Cousin Stew is also signed up so the family bragging rights are definitely on the line.

15 week training plan starts December 2nd and after the half on Saturday I've set myself an ambitious goal of 3.09:) a lot can happen between now and then but with a lot of hard work and plenty of black cats and magpies I just might get lucky:D

ac20

I have ran the Barcelona Marathon the last two years. It’s a great marathon I have to say. I had been to Barcelona a few times before so I based myself in the L’eixample area of the city. On marathon morning I strolled down to the start line at Place d’Espanya, about 25 mins or so stroll, but there were plenty of buses or taxis to be had. The course itself is pretty flat,with the exception of the last 1.5 to 2km which is a long straight drag called Avegunda del Paral-lel. I got up it pretty ok in 2012, alas it was a different story in 2013. Good atmosphere and support along the route, decent expo aswell. I have no complaints about it at all and would recommend it as a Spring marathon . Wont be doing it in 2014 myself, Im heading to Prague instead for the marathon in May.

neilc

I highly recommend this marathon too. We had a great Paddy's weekend there this year. Save something for the end though cause as ac20 said there's a drag for the last 2k. Another thing to consider is if it's your first trip to Barcelona (like us) the city is fantastic, so there'll be a lot of sight seeing which isn't the best prep for marathon running (might explain my collapse on the last 2k ).
We stayed in the Jazz Hotel which was very reasonable and very central. The metro was practically outside the door which was only a few stops from the start at Place d’Espanya.

sideswipe

Have been torn between this and Rotterdam but my mind is made up on this now. Really enjoyed it last year, looking forward to going back already......just need to sort out the training plan now!

Willo2011

I've signed up for this one too - mainly cos I fancy spending Paddy's weekend in Barcelona!

I haven't booked my flights yet as I was hoping for a sale of some description. Has anyone advice on when to book and what is a reasonable price? I would probably like to get in early Friday and leave maybe late Tuesday. Hopefully that would give me Monday or Tuesday to look around the city (depending on how crazy the nightlife is and what time I manage to get out of bed!). I think skyscanner is quoting flights around €190 but I was hoping for about €150..

belcarra

Willo2011 wrote: »

I've signed up for this one too - mainly cos I fancy spending Paddy's weekend in Barcelona!

I haven't booked my flights yet as I was hoping for a sale of some description. Has anyone advice on when to book and what is a reasonable price? I would probably like to get in early Friday and leave maybe late Tuesday. Hopefully that would give me Monday or Tuesday to look around the city (depending on how crazy the nightlife is and what time I manage to get out of bed!). I think skyscanner is quoting flights around €190 but I was hoping for about €150..

There was a bit of a sale last week where you could have got them for about €130 or so (That was out Sat morning with AL and back Mon afternoon with Ryanair). I imagine you'll get a drop in price again from them in the next month or so.

johnp23

Hey Willo only booked my flights last week 108 return with Aer lingus going out friday morning home wednesday night

cian_r

Got my flights for about 130e a few weeks back. Very impressed with 108e though. Looks like I should have held out a little while longer.

Willo2011

I eventually go my flights sorted for €115. Prices seem to be yoyo-ing over the last month. Glad I had a bit of patience for once.

If anyone else has a recommendation for a place that is central, reasonably priced, close to the start/finish and to a good Irish bar (:D) it would be massively appreciated. (update: I see someone has recommended Jazz Hotel. I'll check that out.)

I'm heading over with a friend who is going for sub 2:30. I'll be going for sub 3. I've ran 2:56 and 2:54 the last 2 times in Dublin but I'm doing this as part of Ironman training so not exactly sure how I will fair.

belcarra

Willo2011 wrote: »

If anyone else has a recommendation for a place that is central, reasonably priced, close to the start/finish and to a good Irish bar (:D) it would be massively appreciated. (update: I see someone has recommended Jazz Hotel. I'll check that out.)

The start/finish is actually a decent bit away from the centre of Town (La Rambla). It depends on what you want more really - to be convenient for the race or to be close to the busy part of town. The metro service is pretty good and the taxis wouldn't cost that much to get to the race start which would mean Town would be a better location.
Having said that I still haven't looked for accommodation properly myself yet. The past few years most boardsies have gone to the George Payne, so maybe close to here is the main consideration!!

Willo2011

belcarra wrote: »

The start/finish is actually a decent bit away from the centre of Town (La Rambla). It depends on what you want more really - to be convenient for the race or to be close to the busy part of town. The metro service is pretty good and the taxis wouldn't cost that much to get to the race start which would mean Town would be a better location.
Having said that I still haven't looked for accommodation properly myself yet. The past few years most boardsies have gone to the George Payne, so maybe close to here is the main consideration!!

Close to the George Payne would be the main consideration! Thanks a million

Slow_Runner

Missed out on the cheap flights - AL was E530 for 2 of us!!! Settled for ryanair at E160 each flying out Fri coming back Mon, now for the hotel.......

pudgeydev

Hey all, I'm in for this one! Any hotel recommendations??

belcarra

So, with only 54 days remaining I think it's time to put up a table of who is doing this marathon and target times!
Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:19:59|

Don't think I'll be doing this race at 100% (Might wait for one in April/May instead) but would still like to go sub 3:20 which would be a PB by a couple of minutes.
Mainly, I'll be going for the drinking!!;)

Slow_Runner

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:19:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|

Willo2011

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:19:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|

I haven't ran in nearly 2 weeks with a sore knee and only started training at the beginning of January so I might not run the marathon but I'll be there for the cerveza and to cheer ye on. Hopefully I'll be back running by the weekend

SharkTale

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:19:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|
SharkTale |3:42:00|

Marthastew

Willo2011 wrote: »

I haven't ran in nearly 2 weeks with a sore knee and only started training at the beginning of January so I might not run the marathon but I'll be there for the cerveza and to cheer ye on. Hopefully I'll be back running by the weekend

Oh no, sorry to hear that Will.


Mr Stew, cousin Stew and I are booked on Ryanair, travelling over Friday evening, returning Monday. I'll pop on here with a predicted time after we race Raheny on Sunday.

sideswipe

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:19:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|
SharkTale |3:42:00|
Sideswipe|3:14:59|

Not sure yet if this time will be a stretch! Training going OKish- next few weeks with some tune up races will tell a lot. Hope to be back to hotel and changed ready for Man U v Liverpool & Spurs v Arsenal in the pub!!!

belcarra

Didn't realise that those games are on that day! Looks like another update from AMK should be forthcoming in the Rant thread...!

sideswipe

belcarra wrote: »

Didn't realise that those games are on that day! Looks like another update from AMK should be forthcoming in the Rant thread...!

Yep, Super Sunday indeed. All I want is 5 all draw in North London- 1 nil win for the Pool and a sub 3:15 marathon and I'll be happy!

Slow_Runner

belcarra wrote: »

Didn't realise that those games are on that day! Looks like another update from AMK should be forthcoming in the Rant thread...!

Looks like some motivation to run faster so! On the football theme I was toying with the idea of going to the Barca match (depending on start time). Has anyone done this after a marathon and is it wise (lots of steps?)

belcarra

I hadn't realised it was on Sunday (thought it was on Saturday but perhaps it's been changed for TV rights? Or maybe I was just plain wrong!).
A decent chance I might go along but if the craic in the pub is too good after the run then it may be difficult to move from there!

neilc

Slow_Runner wrote: »

Looks like some motivation to run faster so! On the football theme I was toying with the idea of going to the Barca match (depending on start time). Has anyone done this after a marathon and is it wise (lots of steps?)

We went last year, was pretty jarred heading off to see the game but it was well worth it!! Got my tickets directly from the barca site before hand and got great seats in the lower tier.

jebuz

Same as above, went to the game last year after a quick nap (steps are manageable don't worry) then got completely jarred after it in the George Payne! Flight home was a nightmare the next morning but great weekend, you'll have a great time

Marthastew

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:19:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|
SharkTale |3:42:00|
Sideswipe|3:14:59|
marthastew | 3.11.59|
Mr Stew is still undecided on his goal time and will most likely decide on the start line ;-)


Very best of luck to all over the next few weeks of training.

belcarra

Marthastew wrote: »

Mr Stew is still undecided on his goal time and will most likely decide on the start line ;-)

If Saturday was anything to go by then he's targeting sub 3!

pudgeydev

I'm in!

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:19:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|
SharkTale |3:42:00|
Sideswipe|3:14:59|
marthastew | 3.11.59|
pudgeydev | 3.39.59|


Heel is healing up nicely so should be right for road!

pudgeydev

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:19:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|
SharkTale |3:42:00|
Sideswipe|3:14:59|
marthastew | 3.11.59|
pudgeydev | 5.39.59|


Went over on the heel..... just off the crutches today. Looks like I'll be seeing Barcelona at a much slower rate than planned!

belcarra

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:29:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|
SharkTale |3:42:00|
Sideswipe|3:14:59|
marthastew | 3.11.59|
pudgeydev | 5.39.59|

After discovering just how poor my endurance is at the moment during laps 6 & 7 in Donadea it has helped firm up my mind to take Barca easy and focus on another marathon at the end of April for my goal time.
So, I will row back to a sub 3:30 finish in a bid to finish strong and with something left in the tank. That will make for a good training run if it all goes to plan!

pudgeydev wrote: »

Went over on the heel..... just off the crutches today. Looks like I'll be seeing Barcelona at a much slower rate than planned!

Bad luck there Dev! Just don't take too long on getting to the pub!!:pac:

Slow_Runner

So last 20 miler out of the way (which went strangely well) let the taper madness begin:D: Where do I start:

The strange non existent pain in my left knee.
Airport strike!!
Turning up without my lucky undies
getting jarred the night before after Ireland win the grand slam
getting my porridge in before the race

so much to worry about:D:D:D

sideswipe

Well here we are.....less than 3 weeks to go. How's everybody fixed?

My plan has me down for a 3 week taper which I'm not usually keen on, however my body is calling out for it this time! Trying to manage a niggely ankle by running as much as possible on grass and hoping reduced mileage will help!!! Let the taper madness commence!

sideswipe

Slow_Runner wrote: »

let the taper madness begin:D: Where do I start:


getting jarred the night before after Ireland win the grand slam


so much to worry about:D:D:D

Oh we'll- one thing less to stress about!

Izoard

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:29:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|
SharkTale |3:42:00|
Sideswipe|3:14:59|
marthastew | 3.11.59|
Izoard | 3.45.00|
pudgeydev | 5.39.59|

Have completely fallen off the love bus for running at the moment - averaging 1 run a week, currently.:eek:

Breaking 3:40 would move me up a few pens for the start of Comrades (if I ever get there), but I think breaking sub-4 would be a result, if my Donadea performance was anything to go by.

Nevertheless, watching Arsenal hammer Tottenham in the George Payne, is keeping me fully motivated...:)

belcarra

Izoard wrote: »

Username|Target time:|Actual Time:
belcarra|3:29:59|
slow_runner|3:56:59|
Willo2011|2:59:00|
SharkTale |3:42:00|
Sideswipe|3:14:59|
marthastew | 3.11.59|
Izoard | 3.45.00|
pudgeydev | 5.39.59|

Have completely fallen off the love bus for running at the moment - averaging 1 run a week, currently.:eek:

Breaking 3:40 would move me up a few pens for the start of Comrades (if I ever get there), but I think breaking sub-4 would be a result, if my Donadea performance was anything to go by.

Nevertheless, watching Arsenal hammer Tottenham in the George Payne, is keeping me fully motivated...:)

I never realised that was that afternoon. Arsenal jersey now takes priority over the runners in the packing for the trip!

Izoard

belcarra wrote: »

I never realised that was that afternoon. Arsenal jersey now takes priority over the runners in the packing for the trip!

You've just gone up a couple of divisions in my estimation

1700 CET kick off...I might make the 2nd half..!

Slow_Runner

sideswipe wrote: »

Oh we'll- one thing less to stress about!

Yeah, think I jinxed that one:o. Better not mention the 6 nations championship still up for grabs so!

cian_r

Regarding our race number & chip pickup, the website is a little unclear. It says "It will be compulsory to print and bring the bib number mail you received, alongside your ID".

Should I expect to get this mail in the post or email? Has anyone gotten theirs yet?

Thanks!

sideswipe

cian_r wrote: »

Regarding our race number & chip pickup, the website is a little unclear. It says "It will be compulsory to print and bring the bib number mail you received, alongside your ID".

Should I expect to get this mail in the post or email? Has anyone gotten theirs yet?

Thanks!

Got mine this evening.

cian_r

sideswipe wrote: »

Got mine this evening.

Looks like you can download it from the web now anyway.

Slow_Runner

Got my email this morning. Anyone doing the breakfast run on Sat morning? Is it worth doing? Thinking it would be nice to run into the Olympic stadium.