Warriors Run 2014

Scarlet42

See they have announced the date of the Warriors Run .. 23rd August .. It was always the last weekend in August .. can't believe they have moved it ..it now clashes with the Lough Gill 10K swim, which moved its date because of the Fleadh.. such a pity as both are great events and I'm sure a lot of people did both of them last year.

Plazaman

I heard only this morning that date might be changed as there was a very recent change to the schedule for the Northwest Cup and this is now due to be held in Strand Celtic (aka The Runners Village) on 23rd & 24th August. This would obviously have a knock on effect.

Scarlet42

Fingers crossed it will be changed!

Scarlet42

just heard that the Northwest Cup has been moved to accomodate the warriors! .. damm!

Mint Sauce

How dare you OP, I create the Warriors Run Threads around here!!



LOL, I jest.

After finishing it last year, I really questioned weather or not I would do it this year, but kinda getting very tempted again, only problem for me is The Gaelforce is the month before, so I will either be in the best shape of my life for it, or crippled.



I also read somewhere the Roses Point/Strandhill swim was on the same weekend, although really doubt that is correct.

Just waiting now though to see what date the entries open so I can book afternoon off work so I can be infront of a computer.

PS. Cheers OP, I actually forgot to create this on seeing the announcement in the week.

LaGlisse

Scarlet42 wrote: »

See they have announced the date of the Warriors Run .. 23rd August .. It was always the last weekend in August .. can't believe they have moved it ..it now clashes with the Lough Gill 10K swim, which moved its date because of the Fleadh.. such a pity as both are great events and I'm sure a lot of people did both of them last year.

Hopefully the Lough Gill organisers will make the starting time earlier in the day so people can do both:pac:

Scarlet42

Sorry Mint Sauce .. didn't mean to steal your show!! not opening till May

The Warrior Of the Sea (Rosses Point/Strandhill Swim) is on the 12th July ..which is a great date as the weather is always nearly good on THAT day!

Last year was my best time so was hoping to get back into that shape again but .. (not that it was great by any standards!)

LaGlisse - wouldn't really fancy having to race over to Strandhill from Doorly Park to get at the start line in time .. getting parking and all would be a nightmare :rolleyes:....then there is the whole running up a mountain after doing a 10K swim bit .. couldn't lift my left arm for three days after last years! first time my wife has undressed me in years!!

Plazaman

I say the Lough Gill crew and the Warriors crew should all work together with the An Post cycle crew and we'll have ourselves one humdinger of a triathalon.

Scarlet42

Swim from Rosses Point to Strandhill...run up knocknarea.....cycle around Lough gill....Will probably clash with the Sligo Rovers v Sligo GAA match :-) :-)

promethius

someone did do the warriors run route last year directly after warrior of the sea. did it for charity, fair play.
there's a good chance the lough gill hospice swim will move to the weekend after given the run was plopped down on top of them like that.

Scarlet42

Yeah?? wow .. didn't hear that, fair play to them .. and last year that day was one of the hottest of the year..hopefully it will the same this year!

IrishLad2012

promethius wrote: »

someone did do the warriors run route last year directly after warrior of the sea. did it for charity, fair play.
there's a good chance the lough gill hospice swim will move to the weekend after given the run was plopped down on top of them like that.

That's amazing, I wasn't fit to move after the Warriors Run..

Mint Sauce

On line registration opening on 22 May. In person night before in Strandhill.

Mint Sauce

Online registration from 4pm

http://precisiontiming.primo-solutions.co.uk/ps/event/WarriorsRunStrandhillSligo2014

Scarlet42

got mine last night in Belle Vista ...very well organised!

Gipo3

That was easy, registered online already

Charliebull

just got in, yipee

IrishLad2012

Just got in. It is closed now.

Gipo3

Checked at 15:57 and it was open.

IrishLad2012

Yes I noticed that, I checked at 16.10 and it was closed, I just got in and no more.

bennyc

I got in about 15:56 , that's really annoying for anyone who missed out.
Now as someone who has only just started running a few months back what the hell have I let myself in for...

IrishLad2012

bennyc wrote: »

I got in about 15:56 , that's really annoying for anyone who missed out.
Now as someone who has only just started running a few months back what the hell have I let myself in for...

I did it for the first time last year. I was dreading it before but that feeling you get when you hit the last 200metres and everyone is cheering you across the finish line is something else.

bennyc

IrishLad2012 wrote: »

I did it for the first time last year. I was dreading it before but that feeling you get when you hit the last 200metres and everyone is cheering you across the finish line is something else.

I am really looking forward to the physiological boost I hope to get when i reach the top of the mountain, even though at the moment downhill is where I seem to suffer the most.

Mint Sauce

The taming of the hill. There could a PB or two this year.

Was up there this morning for the first time since last years event, took the tourist path up and down. If you were to say run down in a zig zag fashion, there is a more marked path, although this could be down to the recent very heavy rain. If you are one of those who take the straightest route, just above the gate the hill has been stepped for about 10/20 metres, with the gate widened, and the area around it smoothed out. A bench has also been installed just above the gate should you wish to take a break.



The race route up, I imagine will be as tough as ever.

T runner

Mint Sauce wrote: »

The taming of the hill. There could a PB or two this year.

Was up there this morning for the first time since last years event, took the tourist path up and down. If you were to say run down in a zig zag fashion, there is a more marked path, although this could be down to the recent very heavy rain. If you are one of those who take the straightest route, just above the gate the hill has been stepped for about 10/20 metres, with the gate widened, and the area around it smoothed out. A bench has also been installed just above the gate should you wish to take a break.



The race route up, I imagine will be as tough as ever.

Hi Mint. When you say stepped, do you mean stone/concrete steps climbing for 10-20 metres lenght?

Mint Sauce

T runner wrote: »

Hi Mint. When you say stepped, do you mean stone/concrete steps climbing for 10-20 metres lenght?

No. Like railway sleepers set into the slope, about a metre to metre and half apart. Leveled out clay and earth behind each one.

Didn't get up to close as was sticking with the tried and tested zigzag route up and down.

T runner

Mint Sauce wrote: »

No. Like railway sleepers set into the slope, about a metre to metre and half apart. Leveled out clay and earth behind each one.

Didn't get up to close as was sticking with the tried and tested zigzag route up and down.

I usually keep left on the way down. When I get to the "ledge" about 20-30 metres above the gate, I have a sneaky way of dropping down without having to go all the way right to the fence. Ill have to look at it again now.

Mint Sauce

T runner wrote: »

I usually keep left on the way down. When I get to the "ledge" about 20-30 metres above the gate, I have a sneaky way of dropping down without having to go all the way right to the fence. Ill have to look at it again now.

The ledge is still there, then 'the steps'. I usally head left as well, and totally avoid the ledge, and head for the gate at an angle.

Whilst the area around the gate has not been totally leveled, the drop though it is not as fierce.

Even though I didn't attack the decent today, compination of new trail runners, walkers, and wearing a pack that was chaffing (also training for the Gaelforce), was quite happy with the run.

T runner

Mint Sauce wrote: »

The ledge is still there, then 'the steps'. I usally head left as well, and totally avoid the ledge, and head for the gate at an angle.

Whilst the area around the gate has not been totally leveled, the drop though it is not as fierce.

Even though I didn't attack the decent today, compination of new trail runners, walkers, and wearing a pack that was chaffing (also training for the Gaelforce), was quite happy with the run.

I go straight down the ledge...there is a hidden step in the middle of it.....i usually go left thereafter to avoid the small loose rock area. Its handy because you can go almost straight down all the way then. Quads need to be conditioned though

I know the descent route you follow i think.....its out left and zig zags.......its a good one.....ill use it if i havent the legs ready for a good pounding!

Mint Sauce

Anyone running The Streets of Sligo tomorrow. Whilst nothing like the terrain of The Warriors, and only a third of the distance, it could be a good fitness indicator, especially for any first time entrants.

T runner wrote: »

I go straight down the ledge...there is a hidden step in the middle of it.....i usually go left thereafter to avoid the small loose rock area. Its handy because you can go almost straight down all the way then. Quads need to be conditioned though

I know the descent route you follow i think.....its out left and zig zags.......its a good one.....ill use it if i havent the legs ready for a good pounding!

I usally head right just as you leave the wide path heading away from the cairn, then cross the hill a few times. The left approach is the angle that I am heading for towards the gate. I would usally be no where near the fence just above the gate.

Scarlet42

yes .. great run .. weather was perfect .. such a nice race .. never did it before .. and really nice medals!!

dakar

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Anyone running The Streets of Sligo tomorrow. Whilst nothing like the terrain of The Warriors, and only a third of the distance, it could be a good fitness indicator, especially for any first time entrants.

I would be one of those first time entrants. Happy enough with my Streets of Sligo run. I finished in 23:57 and had a bit of juice in the legs for a gallop down O'Connell St. My first ever 5k. In fact, it was my first race of any sort since the community games twenty something years ago, now that I think about it!

I took a recce up the mountain as the kids were doing the sponsored walk for Diabetes Ireland straight after. What I learned was that I'll need to get a lot of hill work in between now and the end of August to toughen up my quads especially.

I've now had conversations with several people who've done it before. The first told me the hardest bit is the steep drag up to Kelly's. The second said it's the Glen Rd. The third said the Glen Rd is ok, it's the grassy path up that's the worst. The next said the descent of the mountain path's the killer. And last but not least, someone told me the run home was the toughest bit because they'd crucified their legs on the uphill bits!

So, any top tips for a newbie other than get the miles in, do plenty of hill repeats and spend some time on the mountain?

T runner

Mint Sauce wrote: »

I usally head right just as you leave the wide path heading away from the cairn, then cross the hill a few times. The left approach is the angle that I am heading for towards the gate. I would usally be no where near the fence just above the gate.

Different so. I keep to the left of the wide path and when the wide path narroes and meanders right I leave it continuing (off-path) straight down. This brings me eventually to the ledge which I negotiate as described before. Its a technically difficult but is the quickest way down. Killer on the quads so if they aren't ready, ill modify.

dakar wrote: »

I would be one of those first time entrants. Happy enough with my Streets of Sligo run. I finished in 23:57 and had a bit of juice in the legs for a gallop down O'Connell St. My first ever 5k. In fact, it was my first race of any sort since the community games twenty something years ago, now that I think about it!

I took a recce up the mountain as the kids were doing the sponsored walk for Diabetes Ireland straight after. What I learned was that I'll need to get a lot of hill work in between now and the end of August to toughen up my quads especially.

I've now had conversations with several people who've done it before. The first told me the hardest bit is the steep drag up to Kelly's. The second said it's the Glen Rd. The third said the Glen Rd is ok, it's the grassy path up that's the worst. The next said the descent of the mountain path's the killer. And last but not least, someone told me the run home was the toughest bit because they'd crucified their legs on the uphill bits!

So, any top tips for a newbie other than get the miles in, do plenty of hill repeats and spend some time on the mountain?

Great time! Well done.

The toughest part is the run home. Imagine trying to run the 5k race after a 10k road run with a mountain at the end! Its torture.

From HERE that 5k time gives you a 10k pace of 8 min miles.
Use this as a target pace/effort for the road sections on race day.
When you do hill work do some of running at this pace after the work.

e.g warm up----hill work

---

2 x mile @ 8min miles (rest 2 mins between)

Give me a PM if you need any more advice.

spurscormac

T runner wrote: »

Different so. I keep to the left of the wide path and when the wide path narroes and meanders right I leave it continuing (off-path) straight down. This brings me eventually to the ledge which I negotiate as described before. Its a technically difficult but is the quickest way down. Killer on the quads so if they aren't ready, ill modify.

Can you clarify where you're talking of here, is this at the very top or further down?
Where is it in relation to the stoney path?

Will be my 3rd time this year, but as I'm not local I'm unlikely to get a chance to reccie your suggestion.

T runner

spurscormac wrote: »

Can you clarify where you're talking of here, is this at the very top or further down?
Where is it in relation to the stoney path?

Will be my 3rd time this year, but as I'm not local I'm unlikely to get a chance to reccie your suggestion.

Its not really a suggestion to be honest, were just discussing slightly different routes from the Cairn down to the stoney path.

After the Cairn the path is very wide and graveled for about 100 metres, with 2-3 mini drops. After that the path narrows and zig-zags right and left before then heading straight down to the gate to the stoney path.

The only difference with my route choice is that I go straight down before the zigzag and and rejoin the path after. It saves a few seconds but is steeper, more technical and harder on the quads. Stick to what you're used to. Im local to the area and do a good bit of hill-running so it suits me.

The one change you will encounter is, as Mint Sauce says, that there are now Railway sleepers as steps for the last 20 metres above the stoney path, with the gate to the stoney path being wider.

On this video (going up) the zigzags start at 40 secs , and the point where I miss the zigzags can be seen to the right at 1:23-7

Again I would recommend doing what you're used to on the day.

stmochtas

Folks, i missed the registration for personal reasons this year and had hoped to participate. I know the entries were handled by Precision timing so just wondering does anyone have any info on how the transfers process (if any) will work. Anyone successfully used a transferred entry for past events?

Charliebull

can anyone recommend a good spot for hill training

i just got into running this year after a 10 years away from training (football)

currently up to 8-9k running, what should i be at for the warriors run

Mint Sauce

Charliebull wrote: »

can anyone recommend a good spot for hill training

i just got into running this year after a 10 years away from training (football)

currently up to 8-9k running, what should i be at for the warriors run

Do part of the course, no better training.

The tourist path on Knocknarea is open all the time, this is the decent on race day. You can also do the mountain loop, which takes in most of the course including the glen road. Only part it doesn't cover is the mountain.

There is a group that does this most weekends, may have even seen it mentioned on this thread.

T runner

Charliebull wrote: »

can anyone recommend a good spot for hill training

i just got into running this year after a 10 years away from training (football)

currently up to 8-9k running, what should i be at for the warriors run

Hi Charlie.

Try and build one run a week up to 20k.

Hill training should consist of road reps (for the road sections) and off road- work for the mountain.

The road reps would be 2 min efforts with 1 min rest. Start at 5 x 2mins and add a rep per week. Do a session once per week.

The off-road hill trainig would be practicing walking at a hard but sustainable pace up the mountain. Try and do 2 reps (2 climbs of the mountain on tourist route). Youll be tired on race day climbing it so the second rep will be key. Get used to run the descent controlled and with little effort on tired legs. Just get your eye in. The way to progress after reaching 2 reps is to add road running after. That teaches the body to road run after mountain work, which is vital.
A session every other week for this.
Also try and run one of your normal runs faster. Warm up. 3-4 k comfortably hard. warm down. Add a kilometer every session. Once per week.

A Week might look like:
one long run up to 20k (hilly road if possible-laps of knocknarea is perfect)
1 hill session (2 min reps)
1 fast run as described
1 mountain climbing session every other week.
easy runs apart from that (5-10k)

So if youre doing 8-9k runs now 4 times a week.

next week might be

11k long. easy pace on hilly road if possible.
W-up then 5 x 2mins up glen road. Warm down
WU. Fast run 4k. WD
WU. Walk hard up knocknarea, jog down. 15 minutes easy on road after.

Build from there. Try and run 5-6 times a week if you can. But build slowly.

daveboy01

stmochtas wrote: »

Folks, i missed the registration for personal reasons this year and had hoped to participate. I know the entries were handled by Precision timing so just wondering does anyone have any info on how the transfers process (if any) will work. Anyone successfully used a transferred entry for past events?

I'm the same... missed registration because I wasn't anywhere near a computer at the time. Unless I get a transfer it'll be the first time in about 10 years I'll have missed it. I'm desperate to get a place so if anyone knows anything about the transfer system please reveal all!

T runner

stmochtas wrote: »

Folks, i missed the registration for personal reasons this year and had hoped to participate. I know the entries were handled by Precision timing so just wondering does anyone have any info on how the transfers process (if any) will work. Anyone successfully used a transferred entry for past events?

daveboy01 wrote: »

I'm the same... missed registration because I wasn't anywhere near a computer at the time. Unless I get a transfer it'll be the first time in about 10 years I'll have missed it. I'm desperate to get a place so if anyone knows anything about the transfer system please reveal all!

Apologies Folks just spotting these posts. Basically you find someone to transfer with and email the results company who will facilitate.

The entry fee recompensation etc. is sorted privately between the two parties involved in the transfer I believe.


This is from the Registration confirmed email I received:

TRANSFERS

If you cannot take place in this year’s Warriors Run for any reason you may Transfer your place to someone else. Once you have found someone to transfer to you MUST contact info@precisiontiming.net in order to complete the Transfer. All online transfers (via Precision Timing) must be completed by 8pm Thursday 21st August, 2014. You may also transfer your registration IN PERSON at the Warriors Marquee on Friday 22nd August between 6.30pm and 8pm with the Precision Timing representative. STRICTLY NO TRANSFERS CAN BE DONE ON RACE DAY.

ANYONE TAKING PART IN THE WARRIORS RUN WITHOUT COMPLETING THE TRANSFER PROCESS WITH PRECISION TIMING WILL BE DEEMED DISQUALIFIED.

Mint Sauce

Ransboro 10km tomorrow evening. Whilst quite flat, all on roads, and shorter than the Warriors, still a useful event for those wanting race experience.

Dazzler88

Anyone been out running the course recently? Have been meaning to get out for the last few weeks but just haven't got a chance.

Charliebull

Dazzler88 wrote: »

Anyone been out running the course recently? Have been meaning to get out for the last few weeks but just haven't got a chance.

same as that, must get out to run once at least

Mint Sauce

Dazzler88 wrote: »

Anyone been out running the course recently? Have been meaning to get out for the last few weeks but just haven't got a chance.

Have done the full course twice, and just the mountain section once in the last few weeks, will probably do at least the mountain twice again before the day.

Its tough, have ventured down the new steps at half speed, but will probably stick to my tried and tested zig zag route on the day.

Charliebull

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Have done the full course twice, and just the mountain section once in the last few weeks, will probably do at least the mountain twice again before the day.

Its tough, have ventured down the new steps at half speed, but will probably stick to my tried and tested zig zag route on the day.

do you run up and down tourist trial mint,

Mint Sauce

Charliebull wrote: »

do you run up and down tourist trial mint,

Only down. Theres a few who go up the race route, and have met including who I assume was one of the farmers up there, and with out issue.

Charliebull

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Only down. Theres a few who go up the race route, and have met including who I assume was one of the farmers up there, and with out issue.

how do you access the race route up (ie from where)

Mint Sauce

Charliebull wrote: »

how do you access the race route up (ie from where)

Half way up the Glen road theres a Layby on the right hand side. Just before that theres a big ungated gap leading into a feild. Go through there, top of that feild theres a gate on the left, though that and right, though another gate up another steep section, then follow the fence on your right, whilst continuing to climb. Not great and directing from there, but eventually you will turn left away from the fence, where the hill levels out abit. Eventually you will come across a stone wall which will lead you to the top.

T Runner, if about might be able to direct you better.

Mint Sauce

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Half way up the Glen road theres a Layby on the right hand side. Just before that theres a big ungated gap leading into a feild. Go through there, top of that feild theres a gate on the left, though that and right, though another gate up another steep section, then follow the fence on your right, whilst continuing to climb. Not great and directing from there, but eventually you will turn left away from the fence, where the hill levels out abit. Eventually you will come across a stone wall which will lead you to the top.

T Runner, if about might be able to direct you better.

Some Clarification. The gap into the field is directly across for the layby.

Through the gates as above.

Follow the fence as above. Eventually a stone wall will come into view above you on your left, this wall is broken in places, when its no more then turn left almost 180 degrees away from the fence, start climbing the hill at an diagonal so the same wall is again on you left but this time below you. Keep climbing at the same angle till the wall is out of veiw. Eventually up ahead a stone wall will appear going left to right up the hill, probably the same one. Head for this, then follow it to the top.

Then clockwise around the Cairn, before heading down the tourist trail.

From entering the field, back down to the tourist trail car park, is around or just over 5k. Only about 1.5 of this is from the Cairn to the carpark.

Again, T Runner should be able to offer clarification.

T runner

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Some Clarification. The gap into the field is directly across for the layby.

Through the gates as above.

Follow the fence as above. Eventually a stone wall will come into view above you on your left, this wall is broken in places, when its no more then turn left almost 180 degrees away from the fence, start climbing the hill at an diagonal so the same wall is again on you left but this time below you. Keep climbing at the same angle till the wall is out of veiw. Eventually up ahead a stone wall will appear going left to right up the hill, probably the same one. Head for this, then follow it to the top.

Then clockwise around the Cairn, before heading down the tourist trail.

From entering the field, back down to the tourist trail car park, is around or just over 5k. Only about 1.5 of this is from the Cairn to the carpark.

Again, T Runner should be able to offer clarification.

Its as Mint sauce says there. To give a few more ques (with the caveat that this land is private):

I think opposite the layby there may be a gate to cross. brings you into a couple of fields. Climb and exit at top left. Above you youll see a gate. Do a big zigzag left and right to reach the gate. (you can go straight but the race zigzags). Through the gate and theres a fence on your right. follow it steeply up to the bowl of the mountain. Then follow the fence anti-clockwise around mountain. It gets tight and narrow...when it opens out look for the wall as mints says, but generally go up and left now...if you find any sort of sheep track take it. Youre aiming up and left at an angle. Keep to the left of the heather until the top of this steep section. Now the ground levels....keep following the sheep tracks (west) till you hit a wall. Follow the wall right for a horrible climb..it levels off and there thankfully you can see the cairn. 3/4 way around and down the tourist trail.

So to recap: print the directions... when you reach the gate. Look at the mountain you should see the high gate and where you will have to run around the bowl of the mountain.

Now look at this video.

At 2:01 you see the part just after the high gate where they start to run around the bowl. At 2:06 you can see the main climb that the runners take left and up. That's the tricky part. If you park at the tourist car park you should be able to see this part route from there.
You can see how it misses the heather. Take a screenshot and print it out. Once you have that part sorted its easy. Run towards the back of the mountain to hit the wall..and follow it right to the cairn.

PS Im down in Strandhill for..ahem.. a week (from today) for altitude acclimitasition and specific terrain training :pac:

If anyone fancies a run (at any pace) PM me or post here. The more excuses I can get to have a run on the mountain the better.