Warriors Run 2017, Sat 26th August

demfad

A few missed this last year so.... Registration opening at 4pm this Thursday 28th June. Total of 850 places. First 150 places will already be gone to Sligonians and Strandhillians on Wednesday. The remaining 700 places will sell out well within the hour so be ready at 4pm Thursday!

€40 euro sounds steep but ask anyone who's been!

Website

and Route Map

Previous Results:
2014 results
2013 results

Previous Threads:
Last years thread
2013 Thread
2012 Thread

Krusty_Clown

I'm in!

rovers_runner

In

In, by the skin of my teeth.

That took it right bloody out of me that did :eek:

Professey Chin

Balls! Completely forgot and missed out.
/sits around transfer lurking

demfad

In!

Professey Chin wrote: »

Balls! Completely forgot and missed out.
/sits around transfer lurking

There are always dozens that spring onto the transfer list close to race time. Youll deffo get in

ooter

28th June?

Slogger Jogger

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I'm in!

Better get practising at some hill races so :-)

dna_leri

I'm not in but looking forward to watching the race, especially the head-to-head of Demfad v's Krusty.

Krusty_Clown

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Better get practising at some hill races so :-)

There's a hill? :eek:

libelula

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

There's a hill? :eek:

It's only small, a wee nipple of a yoke

Krusty_Clown

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

There's a hill? :eek:

Gradual incline moreso

Mint Sauce

Got my place at The Strand last night.

Deleted User wrote: »

Gradual incline moreso

More downhill though.

Mint Sauce

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Got my place at The Strand last night.



More downhill though.

Mostly downhill like

demfad

I'm not this excited and enthusiastic (below from Social Media.)
But I'm not far off!

"Registration done for my xxth succecutive Warriors run! See you all in August for the greatest racing event on Earth."

conavitzky

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I'm in!

Good stuff. Will be interesting to see how you fair.:)

W.B. Yeats

I missed registration; only remembered during club session that night... by the time we were finished and I got home it was full. I'll keep an eye out on the website for cancellations. I want to have a go again as there are a few more minutes there for me from last year

Señor Fancy Pants

Anyone interested in an entry to this?

It's free on the condition that you want to do the event and not just to sell it on.

I presume transfers are straight forward enough.

1st PM gets it. Enjoy

EDIT: Entry gone, thanks Demfad.

mullser

I've one place available to transfer for this if somebody wants it?
Let me know and we can sort it by pm for the first taker 😊

mullser

mullser wrote: »

I've one place available to transfer for this if somebody wants it?
Let me know and we can sort it by pm for the first taker 😊

The above place is now gone, can't edit the post.

Thanks!

SligoBrewer

Ran the route minus the mountain during the week, never had done it before.

My God the Glen Road is ridiculous!

demfad

SligoBrewer wrote: »

Ran the route minus the mountain during the week, never had done it before.

My God the Glen Road is ridiculous!

As weird as it sounds the actual route is not that much more mentally difficult from running around the mountain. If a "change is as good as a break" then you get a "break" for the off-road bit.
Many will walk a lot of the uphill so there is a break of sorts there for the running muscles. Coming down is hard on the legs but the heart rate comes down a bit (or should), and is a good mental break from the hard grind.
Unfortunately due to the mountain being in the legs, the late parts of the road back sometimes feel...unpleasant.... to say the least. The glen road is special allright though.
Dont know why I look forward to this race. But I do. Best of luck.

Edit: I did the Knocknarea loop 8 miler last weekend. A good prep for the warriors. Maybe one for next year if youre doing it again.

Krusty_Clown

Looking forward to the race, though my training has largely all been flat-land marathon-specific training (did do a long run up to Glencree, and some hill repeats over the last two weeks though).

What's the down-hill like? Is it technical?

SligoBrewer

demfad wrote: »

As weird as it sounds the actual route is not that much more mentally difficult from running around the mountain. If a "change is as good as a break" then you get a "break" for the off-road bit.
Many will walk a lot of the uphill so there is a break of sorts there for the running muscles. Coming down is hard on the legs but the heart rate comes down a bit (or should), and is a good mental break from the hard grind.
Unfortunately due to the mountain being in the legs, the late parts of the road back sometimes feel...unpleasant.... to say the least. The glen road is special allright though.
Dont know why I look forward to this race. But I do. Best of luck.

Edit: I did the Knocknarea loop 8 miler last weekend. A good prep for the warriors. Maybe one for next year if youre doing it again.

Would have done it this year, but I was in Edinburgh at the time this year.
Plan to give the mountain another run around on Monday just to see if I can beat my time again.

Slogger Jogger

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Looking forward to the race, though my training has largely all been flat-land marathon-specific training (did do a long run up to Glencree, and some hill repeats over the last two weeks though).

What's the down-hill like? Is it technical?

Its a few years since I did it but if I recall it was short steep but rocky enough. Certainly on the technical side but its a small piece of the overall distance. Best of luck.

demfad

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Looking forward to the race, though my training has largely all been flat-land marathon-specific training (did do a long run up to Glencree, and some hill repeats over the last two weeks though).

What's the down-hill like? Is it technical?

Hi Krusty. The first half of the downhill is gravel first, then steep and mostly grassy, a little bit of rock near the end. Like descending a long flight of stairs. Technical because its steep, but if you had 10 pints of micro brewery in you, you could manage it in under 2 mins. Normally Takes 2 minutes something that bit. Next bit is on a shallow path. Its stony, but not enough to be really technical. You need to just run with the same effort as if it was a tarmac downhill with 7k left to race. You just have to concentrate on slight (and not so slight) adjustmensts to foot placements.

Overall, you dont want to slow unnecessarily, and you dont want to tire yourself unnecessarly.

Fastest descent time last year in total was about 4:40.

A tip would be to look at descending videos online, steep descending if possible. Killian jornet should have loads. I dont know if its the kids thing with copying but being able to watch descents helps for sure.

Edit: the first part is a lovely relief after the climb and is exhilerating. The second part you can use as a transition back into the road.

Best attitude is not to think of running fast down, instead think of avoiding slowing down as much as possible. Making time by saving time. Dont force the fast bits and try as much as possibly to concentrate and stay relaxed through each of the slower bits.

Did the 8 mile loop route a few of weeks ago, The Glen Road wrecked my hip as did the camber of the road when running against traffic. My plan is to run in the middle of the road where to possible to avoid the sciatica flaring up again. Going to have to take it easy enough though as I have the great north run half marathon in a few weeks and dublin marathon coming up after that so avoiding injury is my main concern on the day. Will try to avoid dislocating ribs like last year too!

6781

demfad wrote: »

Fastest descent time last year in total was about 4:40.

Took me 8:30 the other day in practice. I was been careful on it as it was foggy.

spurscormac

Was looking at my previous times from 2012 & 2013.
Excuses of lack of training aside, I would still hop to take some time off those two runs.

The question is...
Do I hold back on the initial run to the climb, saving legs for it & the run back on the road?
OR
Do I go for it from the off, hoping to get ahead of people as it's hard to make ground on the climb?

I held back at the start in 2013, and managed the clim quicker, descent was a little slower, but my run home was nearly 90 seconds better off.

descisons, decisions

dna_leri

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Its a few years since I did it but if I recall it was short steep but rocky enough. Certainly on the technical side but its a small piece of the overall distance. Best of luck.

I did it same year as SJ - he was the only one to pass me on the downhill. I had done a few recce's on that part of the route which helped. Looking back on my race report, it took me about 16 mins to ascend and 6 mins to descend so less than 10% of the total time. The start of the descent is a gravel path, then there is a steeper grassy section. After an open gate there is a nice fast section, then after the turn it gets a bit bumpy. If it is wet the rocks here can be slippy - I had a near miss on a test run. On a bad day the grassy bit is dangerous too but in good conditions, the downhill is the most enjoyable part where you can let gravity do its job and just lift your feet off the ground as quickly as possible.

For me the most important thing is not to go out too fast - I passed so many people on the early part of the climb who had got carried away with themselves and the atmosphere at the start. The toughest section can be the rolling hills after the descent where I ended up running on my own for most of the way. At the end of that there is a nice downhill to loosen out the legs again and once you reach the main road its about 2km to the finish.

I am planning to be out there to cheer you all on this Saturday.
@Krusty - there should be a few familiar faces in the top 10 that you would beat in a 10 mile race so I will be expecting to see you well up there.

demfad

spurscormac wrote: »

Was looking at my previous times from 2012 & 2013.
Excuses of lack of training aside, I would still hop to take some time off those two runs.

The question is...
Do I hold back on the initial run to the climb, saving legs for it & the run back on the road?
OR
Do I go for it from the off, hoping to get ahead of people as it's hard to make ground on the climb?

I held back at the start in 2013, and managed the clim quicker, descent was a little slower, but my run home was nearly 90 seconds better off.

descisons, decisions

There can be a lot of bodies on the climb but there is room to pass. As a rule I run within myself to the top of the hill @ 1k. At that stage I'm warmed up and unlikely to overpace so I start to gently pick it up.

Anywhere there is recovery to be had on the climb, take it. So if you get stuck behind runners, be patient, take the recovery but definately move passed once it opens up again.

The last flattish bit over to the cairn I would generally try and run comfortably. You might lose a few seconds but if you have a good descent you'll gain a minute. On the lower part try and stay as relaxed as possible. Slightly slower here and you'll feel a lot better on the road home.

Overall if you feel you gave an even enough effort, that will be almost the fastest possible time for you. Most people put in too much too early (as DNA said) and the pace on the road going back reflects this for many.

demfad

Transfers close in 6 hours. There are several places available from people who cant run on the website if anyone fancies a crack at this race in Strandhill this weekend.

http://www.warriorsfestival.com/messageboard.php?controller=pjLoad&action=pjActionIndex&pjPage=1

rovers_runner

So how's everyone fixed?
Weather seems to suggest showers around the time of the race but light winds from S/SE which wouldn't hurt.
I'd be weary of the roads being greasy from car park coming off the mountain and again at the church going back onto the Strandhill road near finish as the road surfaces there aren't the best.

Otherwise looking forward to it and blissfully ignorant of the 300m odd climb in the middle....

Last training run this morning, short and slow with some hill sprints included, and I felt it in my calves. Be grand. Be grand.

demfad

Sorry, Just to mention that John Lenihan will be signing his running book in Strandhill for the event.

For those who don't know John won the first 5 races from 1985-89 and these performances contributed massively to the prestige, reputation and fearfulness of this race.
With a 10 mile PB of 47 mins and being of world mountain running championship winning calibre, he was simply untouchable against all competitors local or foreign. His winning time of 50 mins on the old course (1 min longer I believe so equivalent to 49 mins today) is a time that will probably never be bettered or approached.

The long hair Kerry athlete was hugely popular locally. And the feeling was mutual. In 1991 when he won the world mountain running title in Switzerland he didn't go to straight home to Kerry. He went directly from the plane to Strandhill to show the trophy locally and to the local schools.

Years later on the 21st anniversary of that first race, when Lenihans feats had faded to myth, and people began to doubt, the master returned to demolish the field in one of his most commanding victories over a strong field of young rivals.

He's friendly, polite and witty personality is at odds with his fearlfulness on the mountains so say hello!

The book is great value and a great read with plenty on the Warriors run, training and his very interesting upbringing on the Stacks mountains.

Señor Fancy Pants

Good luck tomorrow folks.

Hope the weather is kind, be careful on the decent.

Have fun!

6781

Good luck tomorrow everyone doing it ☺

rovers_runner

1:27 for myself, will take that kindly off 20 miles a week and no hill training at all ☺

Ian Conroy had some performance to win and beat a good field too. Pity Dunleavy didn't square up against him but another time maybe.

Fierce warm out there.

dna_leri

Well done all.
Always a great event to watch and enjoy the atmosphere.

Nice time from Conroy - also Krusty_Clown, Bazman and Demfad

http://www.precisiontiming.net/result.aspx?v=2848

spurscormac

That was an enjoyable run. Knocked 30 seconds off my time from 2013 so happy out with 1:19:12.
All of it was picked up on the descent, while I was a few seconds slower getting to the mountain, but evened it out being a few seconds quicker coming back to the finish.

Had a stretch goal of sub 1:19, but didn't really think it was achievable based off my lack of training. Happy to get that close to it to be honest and its a good sign ahead of Dingle Half in 2 weeks.

6781

First time doing it. I was a bit disappointed with my climb I thought I would be able to give more but it got the better of me. I was one minute 34 faster then my best training time going down. Overall a hour and fifteen which I was happy with as I hadn't a time in my head as a goal.

demfad

Hope a great day was had by all. Race report HERE

rovers_runner

Ye have 10 mins.......:pac:

Slogger Jogger

Registered.

Coffee Fulled Runner

It hasn't sold out yet. Are numbers down a bit this?

rovers_runner

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote: »

It hasn't sold out yet. Are numbers down a bit this?

People have copped on to the charade that the committee are and why they won't address why the event is 40 when overheads are no than any event across the north west.
900 entries x 40 euro is a lot more than is spent on the race.

They tried to drum up business for pubs in Strandhill last night too buy getting people to "queue" for a running race entry in a pub ffs.
Never occurred to use the soccer clubs house or golf club up the road.
Chancers.

I say this as a paying customer for the sixth time now so more fool me..

demfad

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote: »

It hasn't sold out yet. Are numbers down a bit this?

Numbers are down for races all over the country this year it seems.

demfad

rovers_runner wrote: »

People have copped on to the charade that the committee are and why they won't address why the event is 40 when overheads are no than any event across the north west.
900 entries x 40 euro is a lot more than is spent on the race.

They tried to drum up business for pubs in Strandhill last night too buy getting people to "queue" for a running race entry in a pub ffs.
Never occurred to use the soccer clubs house or golf club up the road.
Chancers.

I say this as a paying customer for the sixth time now so more fool me..

Putting it mildly, I think that post is very unfair and cant be left unchallenged

When we were getting our signed books off John Lenihan at the registration last year he said to myself and my Dad that every race organiser in the country should come to Strandhill to observe and take note on how the race is organised and run their own race accordingly.

There was a large group down from Newcastle AC (Co Down) one year and Marty a prominent member told me that at first they thought the price was steep, but after the race he said everyone thought it was more than worth it, again citing the organisation and experience.

Now the Warriors festival has an AGM and other meetings year round. If you have any issues with how you think entry fee is being spent you should listen to the financial report at their AGM and if you are not satisfied then air your concerns there. Anyone can join the committee too.....

The reason you keep coming back is the reason that I do and many others do. Not because we are fools. Its because we love the race. The committee produce the race year in/year out.

There is a general decline in registration along with wider trends nationally this year. If the issue was the entry fee then there would have been a drop years ago.

If you ever decide not to race you can always watch the runners summit the cairn streamed live to the massive screen at the beach front, or else you could avail of any of the excellent live music that is on offer in the race marquis or on the beachfront.

The Strandhill peninsula is now a huge resource for Strandhill people, Sligo town folk to enoy. You even get visitors from places as obscure as Rosses Point. :pac:

Don't underestimate the role of the Warriors run in the areas development.

Coffee Fulled Runner

I wouldn't just write it off as numbers are down nationally in races as there are races which are going against current trends and getting bigger numbers. You'd know better yourself demfad but as a casual observer there didn't seem to be as much hype or advertising about it this year. I wasn't going to register for it this year as it has a higher potential to cause injury then your regular road race and I've my eye on Dublin marathon but I always really enjoy it, especially towards the finish line. Always a great buzz around and in fairness it is a very well organised race. You will do well to find any better organised races around. I see I can still do it on line so I think I'll risk it

rovers_runner

demfad wrote: »

Putting it mildly, I think that post is very unfair and cant be left unchallenged

When we were getting our signed books off John Lenihan at the registration last year he said to myself and my Dad that every race organiser in the country should come to Strandhill to observe and take note on how the race is organised and run their own race accordingly.

There was a large group down from Newcastle AC (Co Down) one year and Marty a prominent member told me that at first they thought the price was steep, but after the race he said everyone thought it was more than worth it, again citing the organisation and experience.

Now the Warriors festival has an AGM and other meetings year round. If you have any issues with how you think entry fee is being spent you should listen to the financial report at their AGM and if you are not satisfied then air your concerns there. Anyone can join the committee too.....

The reason you keep coming back is the reason that I do and many others do. Not because we are fools. Its because we love the race. The committee produce the race year in/year out.

There is a general decline in registration along with wider trends nationally this year. If the issue was the entry fee then there would have been a drop years ago.

If you ever decide not to race you can always watch the runners summit the cairn streamed live to the massive screen at the beach front, or else you could avail of any of the excellent live music that is on offer in the race marquis or on the beachfront.

The Strandhill peninsula is now a huge resource for Strandhill people, Sligo town folk to enoy. You even get visitors from places as obscure as Rosses Point. :pac:

Don't underestimate the role of the Warriors run in the areas development.

But did I question how well organized it is?
No I didn't so stick to my point if you want to discuss the cost of the race versus output.

There are many races in the country half the price and just as well organized.
How do they do it?

A solution to the cost would be to half the price and have wave starts to allow many more participants over the afternoon.
Alternatively add an adventure race on the Sunday or make a themed road race excluding the mountain.

That in turn would bring far more footfall to the area over that weekend, if promoting the area is what the overall goal is.

Djoucer

rovers_runner wrote: »

But did I question how well organized it is?
No I didn't so stick to my point if you want to discuss the cost of the race versus output.

There are many races in the country half the price and just as well organized.
How do they do it?

A solution to the cost would be to half the price and have wave starts to allow many more participants over the afternoon.
Alternatively add an adventure race on the Sunday or make a themed road race excluding the mountain.

That in turn would bring far more footfall to the area over that weekend, if promoting the area is what the overall goal is.

They're awful ideas. Would ruin a classic race over night. A road race without the mountain?

They seem to be completely transparent when it comes to the finances? Money all goes back to the community?