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To Connemara and Beyond ...
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I shall see what I can do, DB
If you're looking for me in Raheny, I'll be clinging to your coattails.
If you're around these parts, let me know, we can run together. I'll be in Neths 26-30 and am playing a bridge tournament on the 1st (the "hangover" trophy
), but other than that
I'm in for Raheny 5 as well so see you there, should all arrange to meet up
nearer time:)0 -
Thanks again for helping out yesterday. I hope Santa brings nop junior his world map so he can learn that the capital of Albania is Tirana :P (I jest! He has seriously impressive knowledge for his age.)
He's obsessed with capitals and highest mountains etc. He'll be a great addition to any pub-quiz team in years to comeI'm in for Raheny 5 as well so see you there, should all arrange to meet up nearer time:)
I'd love to see y'all! Some coffees or pints post-race sound fabulous. I don't think I have ever done a 5M race so there'll be one guaranteed PB! 0 -
Didn't look there was going to be much running this week at all, but suddenly a window opened up with kids being invited to an afternoon movie, just before Storm Ava hit these parts. I quickly threw the gear on and went out for a lovely 10k. It was wet and windy but pleasant. Took it very handy (about 6 min/km) until I turned for home, which was a straight 1km downhill with the gale in my back. I stretched the legs to get the heart-rate going and clocked the last km in 4:15.
Tomorrow will see the Goal mile in the local park, and that'll be it running wise for the year (might get a few Dutch kilometres in too). For next year, first up is Raheny, and I am also signing up for the Wicklow Mountains Half Marathon (in March). After that, who knows? :rolleyes:0 -
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Thank you for taking us on a trip down memory lane with you Nop I'm sorry Almelo is struggling so much to recovery from Europes economic troubles, it sounds like a very beautiful place, especially the canal and the castle.
Looking forward to following your progress in the new year Nop Hope Santa delivered some nice running gear to you for Christmas 0 -
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Thank you for taking us on a trip down memory lane with you Nop I'm sorry Almelo is struggling so much to recovery from Europes economic troubles, it sounds like a very beautiful place, especially the canal and the castle.
Looking forward to following your progress in the new year Nop Hope Santa delivered some nice running gear to you for Christmas Nice post that N, sorry to hear your old town is not doing so good.
Thanks folks - unfortunately I see little future. It's been stuck in a rut since the 60s/70s, with the demise of the textile industry in the town. It's squeezed from all angles (there are more attractive. modern, busier cities near-by, as well as pitoresque villages that attract all the tourists). Most kids (especially the talented and ambitious ones) leave for third-level education elsewhere, and never return.
I actually don't really mind, I feel very little connection with the town - if it wasn't for my folks, I'd never return.Bungy Girl wrote: »Google translate doesn't really help with the quote, but I get the sentiment. What a great post Nop, paints a very poignant picture. Safe trip back and gelukkig nieuwjaar in advance.Very evocative, Nop... You can never go home...
Ha ha - didn't mean to be overly profound but it just felt it needed to be said.
I can see how machine-translating that quote wouldn't do it any justice. In fact, it's hard to transliterate, or even describe what it means, even tho I feel I know exactly what it is meant to say - if that makes any sense!
For those interested in improving their Dutch, that quote is from a truly wonderful book called My Father's Century.
Gelukkig nieuwjaar to you all! 0 -
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We're proud to claim you! All the very best to you for 2016!
Thank you DG Pleased to be claimed!
Back in Eire, from my old stomping grounds to my recent ones, I ran a lovely 10k, despite the rain and wind (and cold!) over Carrickgologan. To the day a year ago, I signed up for the Connemara Half, which started this log, and this is where I did most of my training. Quarry Road was a b*tch as usual and I was not to get rewarded with the usual beautiful views, but it was nice to be back home, and to be out. Coming down on the Kilternan end, a couple of cyclists were battling uphill when I came flying (relatively speaking) down. One of them said "I thought we were the only mad ones out!" to the laughter of us all. Loved it - after the sombre reflections above, this is just what the doctor ordered!
As for 2016 plans, it's all not entirely clear. The Wicklow Mountains Half is in doubt as one of my friends can't make it after all, and we want to run together again. Connemara is also not an option.0 -
As for 2016 plans, it's all not entirely clear. The Wicklow Mountains Half is in doubt as one of my friends can't make it after all, and we want to run together again. Connemara is also not an option.
How about the Wicklow Way Trail or another IMRA event. Calendar is a work in progress but the WWT (or Ultra
) date is fixed for March 26. More info here
Later in the year (July maybe?) Achill Half is a really nice, hilly, scenic run too, and if you haven't been to the area before it's beautifully unspoilt.0 -
Bungy Girl wrote: »How about the Wicklow Way Trail or another IMRA event. Calendar is a work in progress but the WWT (or Ultra) date is fixed for March 26. More info here
Later in the year (July maybe?) Achill Half is a really nice, hilly, scenic run too, and if you haven't been to the area before it's beautifully unspoilt.
Achill! Now there's an idea.. Messenger pigeons to the low countries have been dispatched!0 -
Happy New Year Nop, wishing you a happy, healthy and successful running year in 2016 Many thanks for being there with me on the DCM journey this year and on all the other races. I've no doubt but that you will knock out PBs in all distances this year Looking forward to following your progress 0
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Happy New Year Nop, wishing you a happy, healthy and successful running year in 2016 Many thanks for being there with me on the DCM journey this year and on all the other races. I've no doubt but that you will knock out PBs in all distances this year Looking forward to following your progress
Thank you Neady! I could say all the same to you! I was driving over Nutley Lane the other day and thinking about your race and fab achievement on the big day. Those 2 minutes still sting a little! Hopefully next time when we run together for >3 hours, we should try and say hello! 0 -
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Mon/Tue: schools were still off, which meant childminding, not working or running.
Wed (Jan 6): 6.9km @ 5:04 [4.2M @ 8:09]. First day back in work and immediately swamped. But I wasn't going to be denied a quick run, especially since it was finally not raining. I do this run regularly and during DCM training, it was always slow and easy. Since, the pace whenever I get out for this loop has picked up substantially. I guess its OK for now but getting a bit more disciplined about training paces.
Thu: nada
Fri (Jan 8): 9.2km @ 5:11 [5.7M @ 8:20]. This day threatened to get away from me when after lunch, a window opened up and I got out to Cabinteely Park with my DCM buddy.
Sat: kickabout with my son, his friend, and friend's dad in Kilbogget Park. Really good fun and nice to see my fella running around again after breaking his arm a bit before Christmas. An old groin injury seemed to raise its ugly head (avid followers of this log (all 2!) might recall I slipped in the lead-up to DCM and did something to my groin. It's been lingering ever since, doesn't really affect running, but it is certainly noticeable.
Sun (Jan 10): 21.3km @ 5:46 [13.2M @ 9:17]. The Myles plan called for a "2 hour easy" session and I had been looking forward to it all weekend. It was nice to apply the DCM training routines (get the kit ready the day before, plan the route, charge the Garmin, tape off sensitive areas, you know the drill). Down towards Bray to clock up a few miles, I toyed with the idea of going down to Greystones and take in the cliff-walk, but decided against it to not aggravate any lingering niggles - noticeably the groin.
Instead, Bray, Rathmichael, up North along the N11 to Cabinteely for a loop in the park. Overtaken by a young girl at frightening pace. I saw another runner (familiar face from the local Bray Runners) in the same Bay10k top as me, we shared a good laugh. Home through Kilbogget Park and Ballybrack.
Since I was very close to the HM distance, I decided to add a few more minutes (an aimless little loop in my estate), to clock the first HM of the year. Plenty of niggles and negative thoughts at the start, but much improved towards the second half. However, I do feel quite the old man afterwards - what happened to the days we knocked out these HM+ distances without any bother, I wonder.
I have signed up for circuits/strength classes. I used to do them plenty, but I dropped it all to free up the time for DCM training. But I do think it is essential for cross-training and injury prevention.0 -
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Sun Jan 31: Raheny 5M in 36:36 (PB): 8.1k @ 4:30 min/km [5M @ 7.14 min/mi]
Great day for my debut at the famous Raheny 5M, weather wasn't as bad as feared, the run went well, and it was great to see many boardsies and catch-up a bit.
Darted my way over in good time, collected my number and went to cheer on the kids-races (I had plenty of time). I ran into Denis B ("How are you? How are the flapjacks?") and met Singer, aquinn, and TFGR in the bag-drop queue. Did a bit of a warm-up with Denis, yapped away, all very chilled and relaxed. We got a little late to the start area and had no choice but to start a bit further back than we would have liked.
When we were off, it was clear we were waaaaay back as the first 2km was only ducking and waving. It was so congested that I lost Denis within a few hundred metres. On the Howth Road, it started to rain and I was actually getting annoyed with the amount of (running) traffic and being stuck all the time. No choice but to go a little slower than planned, but I did tell myself to chill and bide my time - as it would suggest having more in the tank for later. A bit of mental wand-waving [:rolleyes: *polishes halo* (c) HSR].
As we turned left, the road widened and it was easier. I felt good (no niggles, no issue maintaining planned pace once I had the space) and had latched onto a big dude in a red top, I realized he was probably going a little faster but as I felt behind, I'd see where it'd take me.
Another left turned followed and my red pacers was hammering away, still overtaking dozens of folks, with me clinging on for dear life.
By the way, I had no idea where I was or where I was going, and yours dorkhead had fiddled with his Garmin settings to make matters worse (it typically displays distance and time, that's hard enough to take in). I think it displayed time and pace, but I was really missing my trusted kilometers. Peeps, it is MUCH harder to run miles than kilometers, TFB even says so on his epic log, so it must be true.
Anyway, I was galloping away nicely and actually quite enjoying it. The annoyance from the first part had lifted, I enjoy overtaking and I felt strong but also felt I wasn't going to last this pace. I was just hoping I'd make it home before the crash!
A familiar top appeared on the left, it was diego_b. I swerved over to say hello. He quickly sent me on my way, I had half planned to hang around but wasn't going argue.
We finally approached what must be St Annes Park. Even in my state I realized how nice it must be. The course had changed to contain an out-and-back section into the heart of the park. I like out-and-backs as you can admire the faster runners. This one was tough going as the first bit appeared in the wind. I tuck in behind some bigger guys (my red pacer had drifted ahead) and I stick to the right where I can see the others. Wave after wave of Crusader singlets and I think I see aquinn at some stage.
We turn and it's noticeably easier coming this way. I finally see Denis B, just metres from the turn. Pace remains OK and I take stock. This is going OK and I will nail my 37:30 goal. Thoughts turn to sub-37. I decide to use the somewhat easier "back" section in the Park to maintain pace, and gather my breath for a hard push home.
A curious little bridge suddenly causes a lot of congestion, also as there are a few walkers who stubbornly refuse to make way. I almost have to slow down to a halt as a result, that doesn't really help.
As we exit the park, I try to get my bearings and wonder where the last little lap around All Saints Park starts. I absent-mindedly give a high-five to some kids (I more drop my hand to their height and they slap it with great gusto "thanks mista!"). At this point, I remember advice from DG: "When you go, go decisively" so I bide my time, even tho the watch beeps for 7km.
I finally recognize the roads from the race-map and decide to go. As I am dashing along the far-side of the final lap, I hear my name and in my lucid state I recognize Dubgal and annapr. They say something but I couldn't understand what it was. I hope I wasn't being judged on relaxedness or smiling. I extend my fine streak of missing Firedance along the various races(3 in a row now: FD10, DCM, and now Raheny), but she assured me she was right there with the others. 
Anyway, across the bend, another bend onto the finishing straight, get just beaten at the line by some dude but I'm delighted to see 36:3x on my watch, which pretty much was as much as I could have hoped for. :pac:
As I catch my breath, Denis finishes and we collect goodie-bags. He produces the most fabulous flap-jacks, and I scoff 3 of them before I realize that's not overly good manners. Nice chat with many fellow grads and other boardsies. BG has certainly ignited my interest in cross-country running (Irish style) with her glorious descriptions. :eek:
Splits (km)
4:44, 4:40, 4:34, 4:16, 4:28, 4:37, 4:30, 4:18, (3:24)
Splits (M)
7:33, 7:19, 7:03, 7:20, 7:00
The start was a little ugly but other than that, well satisfied. Well done to the organizers and volunteers, it's a super event.0 -
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ha! not just there with them but roaring at you to catch the guys ahead!!! as aquinn would say, *sake*, super report, and well done again on your PB and beating your goal handsomely! pity about the congestion, heard a few others with similar complaints. You should send your feedback to the organisers, constructive criticism should always be welcomed. 0
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