IMRA season 2016

DubOnHoliday

The first race of the new Winter/Spring league is on Sunday 17 January 2016 @12. A nice run around Howth head.

www.imra.ie/events

Wild Garlic

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

The first race of the new Winter/Spring league is on Sunday 17 January 2016 @12. A nice run around Howth head.

www.imra.ie/events

I'd say you were checking that all day

DubOnHoliday

Wild Garlic wrote: »

I'd say you were checking that all day

My f5 button is fvcked

DubOnHoliday

Boardman cycling tops reduced at halfords, ideal for storing your rain coat in the back pocket:
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?msg=&catalogId=15551&langId=-1&categoryId=241556&productId=1125432&storeId=11101


(Have to give my bro SloggerJogger credit for this idea!)

Djoucer

Be careful with the yellow cycling jerseys. Frowned upon by the cycling community. You'll be called a Fred!

Cycling superstore has bicycle line cycling jerseys for sale on dec 24th for €26, reduced from €65.

ThisRegard

Has anyone come across running tops with similar pockets? I'm not mad about running in cycling tops, and tri tops tend to be a bit snug.

DogSlySmile

ThisRegard wrote: »

Has anyone come across running tops with similar pockets? I'm not mad about running in cycling tops, and tri tops tend to be a bit snug.

WAA do something similar

http://www.waa-ultra.com/fr/textile/63-ultra-carrier-shirt.html

Looks fairly snug though

ThisRegard

Looks good though, an incentive to work hard on your core before taking it out for a wear.

Peterx

I think Dunnes are starting a new range of sports clothes, I saw a sample of exactly that - a running technical Tee with pockets on the back.

In other news - the magnificent seven are released;

Sun Jan 17 12PM Howth Winter - 201m 5.15km 6
Sun Jan 31 12PM Hellfire Spring - 260m 5.00km 4
Sat Feb 13 12PM Brockagh Burst - 200m 6.00km 4
Sun Feb 28 11AM Ticknock Winter - 330m 7.80km 7
Sat Mar 5 11AM Trooperstown Hill - 380m 10.60km 6
Sat Mar 12 12PM Annagh Hill - 370m 11.00km 8
Sat Mar 19 11AM Maulin Winter League Route - 538m 7.50k

DubOnHoliday

Djouce woods social run on 27th Dec at 10am, you won't even have time to be hungover!

demfad

Peterx wrote: »

I think Dunnes are starting a new range of sports clothes, I saw a sample of exactly that - a running technical Tee with pockets on the back.

In other news - the magnificent seven are released;

Sun Jan 17 12PM Howth Winter - 201m 5.15km 6
Sun Jan 31 12PM Hellfire Spring - 260m 5.00km 4
Sat Feb 13 12PM Brockagh Burst - 200m 6.00km 4
Sun Feb 28 11AM Ticknock Winter - 330m 7.80km 7
Sat Mar 5 11AM Trooperstown Hill - 380m 10.60km 6
Sat Mar 12 12PM Annagh Hill - 370m 11.00km 8
Sat Mar 19 11AM Maulin Winter League Route - 538m 7.50k

Great stuff. Anybody have any GPS details for the current Howth route from the golfcourse?

ThisRegard

The thing with Howth is that it depends on the race director. With the GAA club out for use (if it still is) as a start and finish, and with the winter course shorter than the summer, it's likely to be a course never ran in recent years, if at all.

DubOnHoliday

Prepare for the worst case scenario of two loops of the two summits

ThisRegard

And a spin out and back into the golf course for some!

demfad

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

Prepare for the worst case scenario of two loops of the two summits

ThisRegard wrote: »

And a spin out and back into the golf course for some!

OK. So its like the old course except an extra summit loop and starting and finishing section at a different place. Nasty enough, going up that steep climb the second time will be horrible. Still a long way to go from there too (when you're already banjaxed). Closer to 7k than the 5.5k (old course) with the two big loops

ThisRegard

The two loops were done during the summer to make up the longer distance. One should be enough for the winter, it will probably be more or less the same as the regular winter route with the start/finish moved.

Slogger Jogger

Hi,

Ran this today
https://www.strava.com/activities/453985731
A few sections to tweak but its looking like a good testing course.
Very slippy on the climb back after the middle descent. Might have to vary this if it doesn't improve as I couldn't find traction at all for moments :-).

Regards,

Mick

demfad

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Hi,

Ran this today
https://www.strava.com/activities/453985731
A few sections to tweak but its looking like a good testing course.
Very slippy on the climb back after the middle descent. Might have to vary this if it doesn't improve as I couldn't find traction at all for moments :-).

Regards,

Mick

Hi Mick. I see its different from the 2011 + 2012 course. There was some fireroad and the climb back up then was on decent all weather ground. After the initial descent and right turn over the wall it was a bit sloppy but after that was all pretty good. The route you have there is probably better but the old route was a pretty safe all weather bet (2011 was bad) on what is a tough course.

Cant do it unfortunetely as im doing the Debra half. Gutted.

Slogger Jogger

Hi,
Yep, familiar with all those trails. Trying to avoid fire road this time around which we are manage apart from the start and finish stretch.
Would be happy T to do a recce some time if you were around for an easy run down this way.
Cheers,
Mick

Djoucer

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Might have to vary this if it doesn't improve as I couldn't find traction at all for moments :-).

Traction? Sure that's just a summer thing.

Good excuse to bring out the big lugs.

Ahead of 2016, when is it better to hike up a hill rather than run it?

Anything above 15 degrees it seems it's better to walk.

http://www.runnersworld.com/sweat-science/the-optimal-slope-for-running-uphill

demfad

Djoucer wrote: »

Traction? Sure that's just a summer thing.

Good excuse to bring out the big lugs.

Ahead of 2016, when is it better to hike up a hill rather than run it?

Anything above 15 degrees it seems it's better to walk.

http://www.runnersworld.com/sweat-science/the-optimal-slope-for-running-uphill

More efficient to walk, not necessarily better.The study stated "At all angles and speeds tested, both walking and running involved having at least one foot on the ground at all times". If that is a prerequisite for the test then it would affect the efficiency of the running reps as the achilles is nullified to some extent.

It depends on the runner but Im pretty sure that all of the records on Irish champ races < 90 mins were not set by walking. For very steep prolonged slopes and in long races there is something in it, Enduro will know there. Shorter races (which are not vertical kms) usually better to run IMO.

Djoucer

demfad wrote: »

It depends on the runner but Im pretty sure that all of the records on Irish champ races < 90 mins were not set by walking. For very steep prolonged slopes and in long races there is something in it, Enduro will know there. Shorter races (which are not vertical kms) usually better to run IMO.

Good points.

My initial post was more of a question on people's experiences rather than the study's findings.

Wouldn't agree on races less than 90 minutes. I've seen some pretty fast runners hiking in LL races less than 10km.

Biggest problem with hiking in race is psychological, much harder to convince yourself to start running again.

demfad

Djoucer wrote: »

Good points.
Wouldn't agree on races less than 90 minutes. I've seen some pretty fast runners hiking in LL races less than 10km.

You can cover the ground fast-ish but you shouldn't set any records IMO.
Lenihan's Carrauntoohil record of 71 mins (and all his Irish records) was all running, as John Brooks record on Galtee's and Croagh Patrick (42 mins).

You can do fine with walking and it depends on the person, but running is better on those shorter races if the runner is fit enough to do both and this would be even more pronounced on the LL races.

I agree about the difficulty in changing between. There is a physical element too. Practice makes perfect though. I never practiced race walking and ive paid for it in races where i wasnt able to run all the way.

Slogger Jogger

On Annagh there are short sections which are 20% grade. I found it more efficient to walk but that's an old man talking
Ye are welcome to come down, racing or reccing, and try alternate strategies.

demfad

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

On Annagh there are short sections which are 20% grade. I found it more efficient to walk but that's an old man talking
Ye are welcome to come down, racing or reccing, and try alternate strategies.

Ill try and swing a free weekend morning and give you a shout in advance.

demfad

Djoucer wrote: »

Good points.

My initial post was more of a question on people's experiences rather than the study's findings.

Wouldn't agree on races less than 90 minutes. I've seen some pretty fast runners hiking in LL races less than 10km.

Biggest problem with hiking in race is psychological, much harder to convince yourself to start running again.

Just thought more about that and I do think there is something in the study. I used to perform well in League races up to about 40 mins long but struggled in anything longer/more intense. I reasoned that each race has a minimum strength requirement. When you are strong enough (don't fade physically) you can concentrate on covering the ground faster.

Races are about finishing as fast as you can. If the runner will be mixing and matching walking and running then the proportion will depend on the runner's strenghts and the course. The Lenihans, Brysons, Brooks etc can run more of the race but they too will have a point where running + walking becomes faster.

John Lenihan always advised to try and run everything. I know that John Brooks tried to run everything he came across and were talking several big Scottish mountains in runs for him.

When I advise novices training for the Warriors run I tell them to "walk early" because it seems pointless to burn the legs out just to keep running for another minute probably gaining no time. My best time on Carrauntoohil was with a "walk early" strategy. I got an OK time then simply because I didn't fade. Clearly I wasn't strong enough to run it all. But if the race turned at the first peak I was grand. (hate racing that f**in' ridge).

The guy who won the warriors run surprisingly said that he walked a small portion of the climb. Anyone who does the race will probably know the bit he means. He said he could have ran it, but walking was the fastest way for him to complete the race. He also said he saw the lead guys in the World champs also walking up hills.

I think the study tells us that there is a point for every runner where walking is more efficient and there is another point where walking will improve race time. For the likes of Annagh hill I'd advise anyone to study the route and decide if and where the walking will happen. And start walking a little before the burn gets too hot.

If you are going to be walking in races then you should be practising that in training too.

Djoucer

Ian Corless has done fairly comprehensive post on this subject.

He's looked at it before and cites a few different research papers. He also has a look at the use of poles.

He does note that: "Importantly though, research confirms that walking should be a key element in any training plan."

http://iancorless.org/2015/12/22/running-or-walking-efficiency-when-climbing/

Djoucer

Djoucer wrote: »

Biggest problem with hiking in race is psychological, much harder to convince yourself to start running again.

It is a problem, it's almost like a listlessness or inertia sets in.

On the other hand, it's a psychological problem and I think you can train to overcome it. Just by repetition, constantly forcing yourself to start again while still ascending - not so much to gain time but to demonstrate to yourself that you can "turn it on". It's still an issue, but I find I can start up again more easily. And of course, on the psychology, it's always nice to appear to be cruising past someone going uphill...even if inside you're dying...

Notwork Error

Any news on the dates for the Munster League yet? Going to try get a few mountain races in again this year after missing everything last year.

ultrarunner

Munster IMRA races up until April are now posted. I see there's a new Ballyhoura Mountain Ultra to complement the marathon and half on the same day. It's a great event.

inigo

ultrarunner wrote: »

Munster IMRA races up until April are now posted. I see there's a new Ballyhoura Mountain Ultra to complement the marathon and half on the same day. It's a great event.

Any chance of a link to the route, even from a previous year?

ultrarunner

They change the route every year. Ultra is new for this year. Perhaps someone from MMRA will post the proposed route.

DubOnHoliday

Membership now open for 2016, so get registering! Best 10 Euro you'll ever spend!

Peterx

You can also buy an entry for Howth Winter on the website. Technology hey?

Peterx

Peterx wrote: »

You can also buy an entry for Howth Winter on the website. Technology hey?

You can only buy an entry for Howth Winter on the website (or on the day with a pre-purchased race voucher)
No on the day cash.

Great news.
Well done to the committee.

ThisRegard

No more wading through boxes of stinky, and often bloody, numbers either with the fact you now look after them yourself. Anyone got a laminate machine, might be a nice little earner for them at 50c a pop or so.

Sandwell

ThisRegard wrote: »

No more wading through boxes of stinky, and often bloody, numbers either with the fact you now look after them yourself. Anyone got a laminate machine, might be a nice little earner for them at 50c a pop or so.

Good decision. Glad to hear it. What happens when someone inevitably loses or forgets their number though?

DubOnHoliday

ThisRegard wrote: »

No more wading through boxes of stinky, and often bloody, numbers either with the fact you now look after them yourself. Anyone got a laminate machine, might be a nice little earner for them at 50c a pop or so.

Not to mention rusty and broken safefy pins. A great idea.

As for prior registration needed for Howth, this is another great idea, and means the laptop operator won't be burdened with signing up people who wouldn't click a few buttons on the internet and do it themselves.

DubOnHoliday

Sandwell wrote: »

Good decision. Glad to hear it. What happens when someone inevitably loses or forgets their number though?

There are temporary blank number sheets available.

muloc

Hi,
Am new to this game. I see this on the Howth 17th Jan instructions:

MANDATORY Equipment for this race is a Jacket. Failure to produce this at the Finish line will result in a DNF
Do you have to actually wear a rain jacket during the race or just carry one?

Thanks.

ThisRegard

You just need to carry one, a small packaway one or something that could fit in the pocket of a cycling jersey would do.

muloc

ThisRegard wrote: »

You just need to carry one, a small packaway one or something that could fit in the pocket of a cycling jersey would do.

Thanks...that makes it easier

Gael23

Is there no Ballyhoura race this year?

rollout

I am thinking of joining up this year.

The IMRA site says that beginners could wear regular running shoes for the first race and see what shoes others are wearing.

Is this OK or should I get a pair of trail shoes before howth?

DubOnHoliday

rollout wrote: »

I am thinking of joining up this year.

The IMRA site says that beginners could wear regular running shoes for the first race and see what shoes others are wearing.

Is this OK or should I get a pair of trail shoes before howth?

Wearing ordinary runners will have an impact on your racing ability, but you'll get around Howth just fine (or maybe you're doing the Munster course?. No need to go to great expense on your first trail runners, normally TK Maxx have good deals.

Tigerandahalf

Are the races in this confined to Munster and the Dublin area?

I gave a look at the site already.

Djoucer

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Are the races in this confined to Munster and the Dublin area?

I gave a look at the site already.

Here's last year's calendar. https://www.imra.ie/events/?year=2015

2016 locations shouldn't differ wildly.

Road runners will be grand for Howth and most of the spring/winter league. It'll be slippy in places but you'll get around. Same with Leinster league.

The Wicklow way trail race in March for instance, a lot of people would go for road runners over trail.

Dunebuggy

rollout wrote: »

I am thinking of joining up this year.

The IMRA site says that beginners could wear regular running shoes for the first race and see what shoes others are wearing.

Is this OK or should I get a pair of trail shoes before howth?

There is a couple of slippy parts in Howth, i would be saying its not great for road shoes, there is slippy underfoot conditions.

Advice would be go out and do a recce in your new trail shoes. Lok at the other forum post in relation to Trail shoes to see which ones would be good.

DubOnHoliday

Take note of the change to race start time to 10:30.

demfad

Spare a thought for Enduro tonight.... 3 days into the Spine race... and on his way to victory! This is world class stuff from a boardsie.
Follow it live here:http://live.thespinerace.com/
or search for IMRA on facebook

Bulmers

didn't know he was doing it again, followed it last year. some going

looks like he wont it this morning