Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads

The Black Oil

Week 6. July 29-August 4

Plan 61km. Actual 53.41.

No formal S&C this week - bad sleep again and a sore back (upper part). I had this last year too, waking up with it.

Monday

OTC class with 80s tunes. Fine evening for it.

Tuesday. Should have been easy w/u, 6x1k at interval pace, with 500m recovery and easy c/d. I bailed. Earlier in the day, I was playing with the watch and forgot to deselect cycling, so that's what it recorded. I edited it after. 9.12k easy at 7/km.

Wednesday. Was supposed to be 10k easy, with 6 strides. I must have done something wrong as it only has 0.03km on Garmin Connect. I was suspicious of it beeping as I was driving home. I do recall it showing 9k and I'd say I didn't save it right.

Tempo Thursday with the club. Three of us were at the front. Standard route up to Baldungan - the hill will serve us well. Homeward bound is mostly downhill. A great run - leaves you on a high. More like interval pace, though. 10.10k at 4:57/km.

Friday. Should have been 10k easy, plus 3 tempo. Maybe home by 8pm or later. M50 looked OK on the phone. Another OTC class as an alternative, yep, you bet. Off the M1 before 6pm, which was great. 80s tunes again, just 6 of us. Ankle weights, bench flys, goblet squats, bench press (empty bar), high plank with shoulder taps, Russian twists, med ball slams, etc. 40/30/20 with 10 seconds rest.

Saturday 10k easy before and including Donabate parkrun at super easy 7:05/km.

Sunday 24k: 8k easy, 10 marathon pace, 6k easy. 24.01k at 6:09. Somewhat damp out there, saw a few others.

MP stuff was 5:45, 5:41, 5:35, 5;39, 5:32, 5:33, 5:43, 5:35, 5:39, 5:37.

Week 7 August 5-11

Plan 61k. Actual 64.91.

3.83k easy at 6:31.

7x60-90 second hills

4:47, 5:11, 5:09, 5:01, 5:09, 5:10, 4:51

2.17 easy at 6:38

Warm ish evening

Weds 5k easy with 6 strides. Did 6 at 6:30 as I was still a little tired from the hills.

Thursday Strength class in the morning - pause squats, goblet squats, tuck ups, bent over rows, narrow push ups (regressed), etc. This was followed by a stretch class. Evening - headed out with the Thursday tempo crew, but not with that in mind, only needed to do marathon pace 10.01k at 5:36/km, a little quick in the early ones. Quiet enough at training, given the time of year.

Friday - a visit to the OTC. Russian twists, goblet squats, med ball slams, Bulgarian split squats, wall squats, bicep curls and more I forget the name of.

Saturday 16k easy at 6:54, bumped into @Singer at Donabate parkrun.

Sunday 24k consisting of 3k easy, 5k MP and 2k easy (x3)

5:35, 5:34, 5:53, 5:30, 5:42

5:33, 5:39, 5:41, 6:06, 5:50

5:47, 5:47, 5:38, 5:42, 5:43.

The strawberries on the ground didn't interest the seagulls at Loughshinny harbour.

Week 8, August 12-18, recovery week

Plan 52km. Actual 30.23k

Strength class x1. Zercher squats, med ball rotation throws, overhead press, cardio (ski machine/bike), sit ups, kettlebell swings, pulse lunge.

OTC x1. Russian twists, med ball slams, bicep curls, bench shoulder press, mountain climbers…and more I forget the name of. Same as before 40/30/20. 12 stations overall, with wall sits (weighted) after 6.

Headed to Cornwall on Tuesday for a holiday.

Pyramid session. 1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1

1 at 90% 4:25

2 at 85% 5:02

3 at 80% 5:17

4 at 75% 5:12

4 at 75% 5:21

3 at 80% 5:19

2 at 85% 5:10

1 at 90% 4:39

with 2 minutes rest. Tried to do these by feel, rather than watch.

10k easy with 6 strides at 6:46, pretty wet - reminded me of running to Loughshinny.

10k easy at 6:42.

I was pretty much in the middle of nowhere for accommodation, nice and quiet. No wifi, not always possible to get a phone signal, so asking locals for directions was helpful. Other non-running parts of the trip included coastal walks, the Eden Project, Geevor tin mine museum, Carbis Bay and St Ives.

Saturday was a drive to Land's End parkrun. Very enjoyable and a great location. A search and rescue helicopter arrived somewhat later, quite low to the water. Hopefully just training. 5.06km at 5:16 /km (plan called for 8 easy).

Got back just before 5pm on Sunday. Decided to let the 18km LSR go.

Week 9, August 19-25. Behold, the half way point.

Sadly heard that I bloke I was in the scouts with died (Owen), he gave back a lot. Good tribute online and the flag at half mast too.

Plan 63km. Actual 63:36.

Strength classes: zercher squats, shoulder press, wall throws for the main bit and two rounds of 5 stations for the last bit. Pause squats, e-centric chin up, some sort of press, narrow press ups, bent over rows, tuck ups, goblet squats. OTC - I think 14 of us as the 7pm and 8pm classes were merged. The planks at the end were a killer.

Monday - 2.45k easy to collect the car from the service place.

Tuesday - plan was a touch confusing because it was partly in miles which the km version (same PDF) isn't usually. 3k easy and 6x1 mile at 80% effort, with 2 minutes rest recovery, followed by 2k easy, so I thought maybe 10x1k instead. However, I cut it short to go from the southside to the memorial for Owen at the scout den. It was funny, thoughtful and compassionate.

3k easy at 6:38/km and 5:53, 5:31, 5:15, 5:32 for the effort bits.

Weds 10k easy with 6 strides, 6:29/km.

Thursday - The funeral went as well as these things can.

Plan 3k easy, 2x3k tempo/1k easy and 3k easy. Actual - out with the Thursday tempo crew for the usual Baldungan route. Quite a wet one. 10.01km at 4:55/km and just over half a k easy back to the Hub.

Friday 8.10km easy at 6:36/km after work.

Saturday - timekeeping

Sunday 24k, 16 easy, 8 MP

Pretty typical Sunday, overcast and a few sprinkles of rain.

Week 10 August 26-Sept 4.

Plan 67km. Actual 70.41.

Strength class: zercher squats, single arm press, ball throws from the hip and two rounds of a circuit. Stretch class.

Monday 7.01k easy evening with the 6am strength class crew at Ardgillan. Some of them are doing Hell and Back and are new to running.

Tuesday

3.72 easy at 6:52.

2.96k at 6:51 via 8x60-90 second hill reps

5:38, 5:48, 5:38, 5:44, 5:36, 5:26, 5:33, 5:16

2.28k easy at 6:44.

The early parts of the week were pretty tiring, including in the office, so I didn't push much on the hills.

Weds 8k easy fartlek, with 5x250m surges. 8.3k at 6:12.

Thurs called for 8 easy, 2 tempo via the Baldungan loop. I was briefly chased by a dog who came flying out of his yard. 10.01k at 6:27. 5:08 x2 for the final two.

Friday 6.12 easy at 6:26.

Saturday - tailwalking

Sunday 30km broken down as 2 easy 4x5km at marathon pace, 2k easy. 30k at 6:12. Pretty standard route over to Loughshinny, some of the Rush and around Lusk.

5:50, 5:45, 5:40, 5:39, 5:43

5:49, 5:44, 5:43, 6:02 (up from the harbour, effort isn't reflected here, really) 😎, 5:57

5:41, 5:54, 5:38, 5:42, 5:34

5:50, 5:38, 5:45, 5:39, 5:45.

For the MP bits.

Sunglasses for most the evening stuff this week, iirc. It felt little relentless at times. Running Up the Hill was just concluding as I headed into the local shop.

Onwards with September.

The Black Oil

This will be mostly a stats log as I fell behind on the details. I took two weeks off the formal S&C class – lots of many spinning plates, was asked to join a committee (again), so that needed a bio and a bit of thought. September being a heavy mileage month too. Overtraining did pop into my head once or twice and needing to be careful there. Most Saturdays have been rest as I don’t need the mileage. LSRs have been with a hydration vest (not for DCM).

Week 11, Sept 2-8.

Plan 69km. Actual 67.92.

Strength class - front squats, scap pulls, I forget the rest. OTC x1 started with Sweet Child of Mine on the soundtrack front. The usual mix of stations, we finished with some planks and Sally up/down.

Tues 10.14km easy at 6:43km after work

Weds rest

Thurs morning 5 easy at 6:12, followed by 4x400 at 90% effort, 4:20, 4:30, 4:26, 4:27 – probably faster than needed, by feel. Then 4:53km easy. Evening was 8:26km tempo at 5:10 at Newbridge House, with a few club folks.

Fri 6.13 easy at 6:11

Sun 32.01km at 6:28 – should have been 27 via 24 easy and 3k tempo. Tempo bits were 5:15, 5:10, 5:15.

Week 12, Sept 9-15.

Plan 61km, actual 61.13km

OTC x2, core and arms, generally.

Tues 17.01k at 6:13

Weds – saw a thing in AH about a 5k for people who are single, so pottered about Ranelagh for it, all easy. Did a little before and after too.

Thurs 5.15k easy at 6:15 followed by pyramid 4-3-2-1-1-2-3-4 with 2 mins rest and 0.70 easy.

Sun 28km at 6:09. 13 easy, 10 MP (probably a touch faster than needed), 5 easy. 2:52:26, per Garmin.

Was at an event on suicide for work, best one they’ve (HSE) done, imo.

Week 13, Sept 16-22

Busy with work’s AGM (presentation went fine) and an in person team meeting. M1 and M50 had horror film levels of fog, so it took over 2 hours to get there.

Tuesday 10k progression at 5:57

Weds 16.01k at 5:36…have no memory of the details of this

Thurs lunch time 5.25km at 6:21, evening 10k easy at 6:40.

Friday OTC

Sunday 32km at 6:17 min/k consisting of 16 easy, 13 marathon pace (5:43, 5:45, 5:43, 5:48, 5:54, 5:40, 5:36, 5:40, 5:35, 5:42, 5:35, 5:42, 5:34),  5 easy. Largely overcast over to Loughshinny and some of Rush. 3:21:06 on the watch. I wore the t-shirt I got made in R’s memory to test it out. No issues during the run. I rested after taking something to eat, shower, etc. After waking up, it hit me again that she’s gone.

Week 14, Sept 23-29

Plan 72km, actual 75.6.

Back at the strength class x2. OTC x1. Quite an autumnal feel to the mornings.

Tues 14:03km at 6:39 easy

Weds 5:39km at 6:15 easy

Thurs 8:06km at 6:12 easy post 6am S&C class

Fri 8km at 6:28 easy, plus 6x3 mins at interval pace (5:00, 4:50, 4:58, 4:48, 4:54, 4:41) with 2 mins rest. Did it largely by feel. Should have been 3x1 min too, but I knew I didn’t really need the mileage, so went by feel (5:31) back to the car park (3:25 mins). I was originally going to do this the previous evening…however, was conscious of not doing too much am and pm stuff.

Sat 35km LSR with 8 from the club shortly after 8am. Word on the group message was we were going to aim for 6 min/k which didn’t really happen. I broke off in front for a few k before the second water stop. 3-17k were in MP territory, along with 23-25. Picked it up at the end with 5:15. Quickpenny, Hedgestown, Ballyough, Wimbletown, Skidoo (!), Ballyboughal and Kilhedge. Great morning, run and camaraderie. The usual fuel bits I bring were fine. 3:25:48, per Garmin. I did this instead of 37k: 8 easy, 8 MP, 8 easy, 8 MP, 5 easy on Sunday.

Week 15, Sept 30-Oct 6

Plan 74km, actual 22.71.

Stretch class x1.

Some illness landed, lots of coughing and so on. Disappointing not to be able to do the final LSR. Hopefully back to normal in a few days.

The Black Oil

Similar to the last post, life got in the way of taking little notes. If Jean Luc Picard was logging, what would he say? Anyway. Same excuses as before, life's been busy. The last few weeks, I've reduced the weight at the S&C classes as well as mileage. A few months ago, I asked if a physio if we taper strength work and he said yes, about two weeks before the race for us mere mortals.

Week 16, Oct 7-13

Club OTC session x2, stretch class x1.

Plan 60km. Actual 35.39.

Week 1/3 of taper. I could have chanced coming back sooner with some easy stuff perhaps on Tuesday or Weds as the coughing had reduced a lot. Tested the waters on Friday with easy 4k. Saturday was Donabate parkrun 4.9k easy, first time running a parkrun since Land's End.

Sunday plan 24km: 2 easy, 16 marathon pace, 6 easy. Actual - club recce and brekkie. Starting from Merrion Square we covered a good bit of the course. Sizeable crowd doing it with a few groups and some bike and water support. Great to be in your home city when most people are probably still in bed. 26.48k at 5:35.

Week 17, Oct 14-20.

Plan 49km. Actual 49.19.

OTC x1. Formal S&C x1 and stretch class.

Tues 8.11km easy at 6:15 and some MP ks

Weds 11.82km all easy, 6:30.

Thurs 6.19 at 6:11

Saturday - rest.

Sunday, felt a slight twinge in the right glute for about the first 30 metres or so. Plan a whopping 13km, mostly easy with the last 4 at 5:32, 5:24, 5:19, 5:19.

Week 18, Oct 21-27.

Plan 23km. Actual 23.13

S&C class x2 (Mon/Thurs 6am). OTC x1 (Mon evening).

Tues - Full day work thing in person and a reminder that Irish public transport has the resilience of a house of cards. Gave a hand with the juveniles at training. Pretty attentive bunch, tbf.

Weds 11.15km at 6:10 kp/m, with some quicker bits 5:28, 5:36, 5:48, 5:37, 5:29

Thurs 7.02km mostly easy at 5:54.

Fri 2 easy and 3 at speed 4:39, 4:31, 4:32 (with 2 mins rest)

Sat finish tokens

I had experienced quite a lot of self-doubt this week - what to eat on Sunday? Have I trained well enough? Is the body up for it? Pace? Driving home on Weds evening coming off the M50 towards the M1, something clicked.

Sun - Game on.

SuspectZero

Good luck tomorrow hombre!

The Black Oil

DCM 2024 run through

Didn’t sleep well the night before. Had a bad dream where I missed all the waves which turned out to be almost predictive for the real thing. One of those dreams where, in the middle of it, feels quite real and you can’t snap out of it until it has played out. I parked in Whitehall, as usual. 41 bus only took three people, so I got a taxi. Felt like the taxi driver might be related to Kippchoge, given his ability with the accelerator. I was in McDonald’s on Grafton Street by about 7:45am. All fine, listened to some podcasts and made my way over to the bag drop, which was a smooth process. I was officially in wave 2, but had decided prior to the expo to drop down to 3. After following the lines, we snaked around and found some toilets. After that, I headed to the start area where there were more loos, which were generally quieter. I had forgotten about that from the last time (2019). Whilst I made it to the start area with time to spare, there wasn't much hope of moving through all the people. I could see the 4:20 balloons maybe 10 metres ahead and I couldn't make out the others - presumably 4:10. After they departed, we waited and the 4:30 crew started to weave through the crowds as a chorus of Molly Malone emerged from the PA, which led to some crowd support. There were a few specs of rain, nothing to worry about. Wave 4 it was. The truth is, I hadn't really made any firm goals as a mental note in the days before, certainly not goals A-C. My friend picked me up on this on the bank holiday Monday afterwards.

By Chesterfield Avenue, I slipped past the 4:30 pacers and ran of my own accord. I was thinking I had could follow the physio's advice treat it as a LSR re back-to-back marathons (more on that later), or having a made up on spec, goal D. The other thought I had was to find other Lusk AC members to see how they were getting on and give some encouragement, if needed. Did see the bloke I met in wave 4 at the start, he was walking about 12k in. Pretty early on I knew I was running a race, but not racing. What happened earlier was a strategy fail on my part - getting to the start area I wanted to in good time. I didn't get to do a proper warm up. That said, I wasn't worried. I had done the long runs, and it became a case of absorbing the event.

High points - got lots of shout outs from strangers, said hello to a few parkrun faces I knew in the crowd, the home stretch, seeing the usual Lusk crew at mile 26, the energy of the event. Catching up with people in the pub that evening, lots of happy faces. The supporter with the megaphone who said we were 'looking lovely' at Castleknock. We'll take that on any Sunday morning. Remembering spots from the recce and brekkie. Knew my aunt was going to be around mile 17 and which side of the road I'd aim for, that's the first time I've stopped to hug someone during a race. The emotion of it hit me after. I did sometimes feel the 4:30s might catch up, but the odd time I looked behind me, nope. Kids looking for bottles for the return scheme, good fun too. Heartbreak hill was grand. Oh, also before the start there was a TG4 crew looking for Irish speakers to say why they're running. Alas, I don't have the lingo, so that duty would fall to @Wubble Wubble next time.

Low points - nothing, really. Very, very minor complaints - imo, training can't replicate how the quads sometimes feel (hello, mile 15) and the constant hammering of the feet.

Fuel – I’ve never taken a huge about during marathons and tend to spread it out. It goes down fine, so it's not a stomach issue. Clif bloks x1 packet, x1 Kinetica energy gel, x1 Decathlon jelly and x2 nakd (sic) fruit bars. I carry water with a dissolved electrolyte tablet and took water from most stations, apart from the first, which I tend to skip due to how busy it is. In the weeks prior to the race, I listened to some podcasts with Anita Bean who isn't the biggest fan of supplements.

Official 4:18:10

Garmin 42.46km at 6:05. HR average was 146bpm, probably would have been lower if I hadn't messed up at the start.

I ran by feel the whole way, apart from about 100m to go where I looked at the watch for the first time for time, not pace. Apart from 5:08 at the end, I never went quicker than 5:47 (13k-18 were all under 6 kp/m). Feel I think was as much instinctual as physical. Only about a minute slower than my DCM novice experience in 2016, I was happy with that. Did I feel I had done a marathon? No, not at all, tbh. It was my least scripted/planned one. My friend said I looked far too relaxed when we met, she was supporting in Milltown.

My 8th overall marathon, 5th at DCM. Met my friend afterwards on Nassau Street. I wanted a photo with the t-shirt above, so we went to TCD. This is where my late cousin had done her doctorate…I hadn't thought of this as the reason to go the campus, I wanted to get away from the crowds. Back in the day I studied there too and still have a library card. Only when I got home and looked at the photo did it register…maybe it was subconscious or maybe she sent me a message.

On Monday, a few of us availed of free physiotherapy by going for a dip in the sea. Between this and lunch, I think the runner's high was starting to kick in. My friend who is coming back from illness asked if I'd be up for an easy 5k. I left it for an hour or two to reply as I was initially going to say feck off. We trotted around Lusk for about 7k at 7:28k pace. I went to the supermarket that evening and felt a bit funny after getting out of the car as I walked to the door, but it was grand. I had used the foam roller after getting home on Sunday.

I'm sure there's much more that could be said, other memories will come back.

Up next, is marathon number 9, on November 9. It's the first one I've done, which requires a kit list, self-navigation and well…

There is nothing I can say to prepare you for this course.

It will test you to the very limits.

The Black Oil

How it started

How it's going

The Black Oil

Lighthouse Marathon 2024

Backstory

In May, a few of us were on a club night out and the suggestion arose that we find a parkrun with a lighthouse attached. In the following days, I looked online and came across the Lighthouse marathon in Cornwall. Registrations weren't open at that stage, nor had I ticket for DCM. If I didn't get one for the DCM, the Lighthouse was going to be my aim for this year. I booked it in mid-July, three days before getting a ticket for DCM.

My holiday to Cornwall in August, mentioned on here, was partly a research trip to get a feel for the place, including Pendeen lighthouse, near the home of Pendeen Rovers, which is where the race starts.

Logistics

This time, due to fewer flights, or indeed, none at all with Aer Lingus in November, I took my own car. I had previously damaged a rental car in August mere hours after I collected it. Brand new, only 10 miles on it. Not extensive damage…I had the excess cover, thankfully.

Last week, I went to Pembroke via Rosslare and stayed a night in Exeter to break up the drive. Whilst not choppy, the ferry journey sparked some frustrating nausea and I couldn't sleep in the cabin because lying down made it worse, plus I was too warm. The following day, I drove to Gwithian and stayed there for 3 nights, a mere 6 minute drive from the registration point and Three Mile Beach. On the way, I stopped at the Minack theatre, which I'd recommend visiting. Sitting in the coffee shop, whilst having a bite to eat and looking out at the sea, whilst conditions were dreary, I felt relaxed and grateful.

Pre-race Nov 8

I prepped my gear for race day. Nerves isn't really the word I'd use, but I'd say uneasy and worried - food, toilets, sleep, watch, everything about the race was on my mind, with the thought I that I'd screw it up and easily get lost. I went to Three Mile Beach for a stroll, a lovely place, clearly adored by surfers. My friend felt sea air can be healing. The stroll and experience grounded me and my race concerns fell away. A helpful 'you've got this' voice note from her really helped too. That evening, I made a pasta and chicken thing. There was an old episode of Top Gear on TV where Clarkson, in a Fiat Panda, was up against a 2:20 marathon runner on the London course. Well, Clarkson lost. If man can beat machine, I thought, I can run my first trail marathon. I said to my friend this time tomorrow I'll be showered and wearing a medal.

Race day, November 9

My alarm went off at 5:30am and thankfully I had slept pretty well, partly due to feeling calmer, reading a food book by Stanley Tucci. I did also start James Patterson's books which was in the accommodation, only to give up after 20 pages because his writing, as I've said elsewhere, is such that makes you want to fling the text across the room.

I had some porridge, banana and yoghurt for breakfast and went through my gear again. I got to the café at about 6:30am where volunteers were checking kit outside. It was pretty quiet at this stage and still dark. At the end of the kit check, we were given a letter from Scrabble (R for me) which I took to the café where we got tagged and our bibs. I asked about the size of the field and they estimated it would be 200 ish. With time to spare, I went back to Tucci's book. It felt funny because I read a line where he was unhappy with some of his experience of Cornwall's cooking and here was I in the region.

We had to be at the coach pick up spot by 8:30am. The coach took us on a 45 minute journey to the start. Some soft rain had arrived shortly after 8am. I heard a bloke on the bus say Hula Hoops were part of his fuel, clearly unfamiliar with the wonders of Tayto. I didn't have much on me apart from a hat, rain jacket, longsleeve polyester shirt, club shirt, and club shorts and Columbia trail shoes. I had run in these before, but mostly only on tarmac and I never considered them as training or race shoes. Sturdy, firm…they were my go to for a river boat trip down the Grand Canyon in 2014. Whatever today's race might throw at me, they'd be up to the task.

The groundsman was painting the lines on the football pitch of Pendeen Rovers (who alas, didn't win) as we queued for the portaloos. The race briefing commenced at about 9:45, though without any audio device, a nod was given to the 2023 male record holder (3:59). We started a little ahead of schedule at 9:55am. This initial part was a tarmac stretch and the easiest aspect of getting moving 2k about 5:44, 5:47 by feel. Shortly after, we were into the real stuff where walking single file on the trail was on the order of business, along with gates, mud and rocks. I think I got to 8k ish in about 90 minutes. Later on, a woman remarked that the mud was akin to ice skating. I had my share of falls in the first half, thankfully without whacking any bones. There were also a few cattle, who every November, must meet to discuss why these two legged eejits trapes around their gaff.

At the halfway point, unmarked, so only the watch to go on, I saw was there by 4:08. Did it feel like 4 hours? No, not at all. It felt like 2. I'd say I walked about 80-85% of it. Your feet are largely here for stability, whilst your arms aided climbing and getting around. Throughout the race, a decent number of people had trekking poles. I did feel a little around 19k that my legs felt like running ability might be gone for the duration of what was to come. Hopefully a temporary physical and mental blip.

There were steps, both those found in nature and others set up by humans, but still nature-based, if that makes sense. I decided to call the annoying ones bastard steps and it's only swear word I felt applied to any aspect of the event. They weren't worthy of the f-word. Getting halfway was a confidence boost, I was reminded of my friend's message, which was still imprinted on mind from the early kms. I knew I'd finish today. Might I not make the 8.5 hour cut off - yes, that was a worry and if the second half had comparable boulders, terrain and muck, that might have been the final result.

Shortly after the halfway point, we were heading to St Ives. There was an aid station, so a bit of a regroup, water and people got to see their supporters. It was also familiar ground as I had been there in August. A volunteer around 22-23k confirmed the 'technical' bit of the event was over. Bloody great, I might make it OK. I ran a decent bit through St Ives, not that it was much pace. Later on we were parallel to a golf course (about 28k, iirc) and shortly after was another friendly aid station. The next stretch was getting to and through Hayle, another town I had seen a few months earlier. For the kms from 30 onwards, I felt I'd run/walk/run/walk. The outskirts of Hayle was the final aid station (mile 22 ish), where a volunteer said they were out of rum! His colleague said we had only had about 30 minutes of good light left at this stage. At this final station I was happy and said I've felt worse. I used it to finally take off the left shoe to remove grit from inside.

After this stop, there were two minor issues 1) going briefly off course and 2) not resuming the watch properly. For the former, I asked a local resident if he had seen any another runners - he knew the race we were doing and brought us through a laneway, we could see the beach again and other runners quickly appeared. The local asked how the marathon experience had been, I said, biblical. There were now 5 of us - would we finish as this 5? Ultimately, no. The others were struggling, one guy said the navigation on his watch gone 'tits up' and a woman up ahead seemed to disappear and was finding the last stretch 'horrible'. Part of my strategy during the harder bits was to remember some of Dara O'Briain's (non-running related!) comedy routines. A useful distraction, and whilst I was taking the event seriously, myself less so.

And so we became 3. We got to 37k and again, another helpful local gave us the right directions. I said there's only a parkrun left. Was there an opportunity to whip out the bivvy bag and slide down some of the dunes, not quite. By 39.55k we were back at the car park across from the café. Huh? Was something wrong? No, we had to do a loop of the pond and continue playing around in the dunes. Would it really stretch things to 42k, I wondered. After speaking to marshal for directions, it was time for the head torches. Dotted around the course were fistfuls of sawdust as route markers. I recalled that these were mentioned at one of the aid stations. Somewhere during the final bit I checked real time and it was 5:28pm. Earlier on at the car park, and later whilst lapping the pond, I was looking at Godrevy lighthouse, automated in this 1930s…was the fecker going to come on? It never did.

Garmin 7:37:47, 42.93km at 10:40/km.

Official 7:48:38.

A new course record of 3:57 was set by a someone else too. Looks like 176 finishers in the end.

The aftermath

Shook hands with the two lads I finished with. We ran in the last little bit.

Overall, challenging, exhilarating, mad, fun, good chats, great scenery. We were quite fortunate with the co-operative weather, including the generally non-existent wind. The early rain didn't stick around, though if I had, I'd have thought of as the same as LSRs to Loughshinny and Rush. Getting back to my car, I left my friend a brief voice note, 'what a race, wow'.

I got back to my accommodation and jumped in the shower, where I had to use my hands as Brillo pads to get the muck off of the legs. I knew my left one was also going to look like several cats had used it as a scratching post. Stairs were fine and I drove to St Ives to have a nice meal in the Sloop Inn. I was pretty high on adrenaline that evening and was still awake at 5am. I think I had amazed myself by completing it.

I was OK the following day, though I had a long, long drive to Wales. Before that, the brief drive back to revisit Three Mile Beach was the final postcard from the area. By Sunday evening and into Monday morning, there was some DOMS in the system - my legs and upper half of my body were trying to learn how to get out of bed normally and walk again. I searched online and found for a physio for a sports massage, which helped a lot.

Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.

marathon2022

Well done, and another fantastic report for the Boardsies to read.

Murph_D

I always enjoy your race reports - this one especially. Congrats on an excellent outing on what sounds like a really challenging course. 💪

The Black Oil

Thank you. It is an amazing event.

My next endurance race will be Queenstown marathon, New Zealand. A parkrun during my time there will be on the cards too.

I do have something shorter on the agenda for the first quarter part of 2025. I'll keep it under wraps for now.

The Black Oil

Spring update.

March brought two hour pacer duty at Bohermeen half marathon. Aside from the well-documented mess of the event itself, it was an enjoyable day. I said my fellow pacer we didn't want to hit 1:56 or 2:04. Took a little while to settle in, chatted to a few people during the race too.

Official 1:59:53

Watch 1:59:53 at 5:41 k/m.

March also saw marshalling at the DCHM, which was another day with fine weather a great atmosphere.

April - Lake District trip

The Hawkshead 16k

I booked this in early December and was training away via the 2016 grads plan, 10k-half version when I heard about pacing at Bohermeen, so I had a few 17-18k runs under my belt and an unplanned 20k with some club colleagues. I didn't do all the speedwork to the letter, however I wasn't fussed as it's a trail run. I signed up for the one with the longer cut off anyway, it was a holiday.

Thursday

Dublin - Holyhead - Lake Distract

Friday - some exploring

A foggy one to start off. The picture is the recreation ground where the race starts and finishes. I later paid a visit to Coniston Water and did a boat trip. The guide said a little about Donald Campbell.

Afterwards, I walked into Consiston where a fighter jet went overhead. I then drove to Ambleside for some food.

Saturday - parkrun (am), race (pm)

With my event not starting until 1pm, I headed to Fell Foot parkrun (28:04 by feel). I'd describe it as a combination of Oldbridge and Ardgillan. A fantastic parkrun. Easily 40+ people at the first time briefing. Chap getting married got a shout out at the main briefing. Bloke doing his 300 and another doing 301 because he forgot to say it last week. RD was handing out flapjacks provided by the bloke who is getting married. First time briefer had his daughter with a bell you'd see in primary school. The briefer said swimming afterwards is mandatory if you are a first timer…

I then headed back to Hawkshead to collect my number, rest and get prepared for the afternoon. Even with the website and emails, I didn't really know what to expect. Side note, one of the rules is no snot rockets. Makes you squirm reading it.

We left the recreation ground, and went out the road in the village and then reached the trail from about 1.25k onwards. If you have been to Wicklow or any forest trail, parts of it are similar. Shortly after 4k until approx the first water station at 7k (about 50 minutes) was very runnable and the course really opens up too. I did ease off at a few points because I was starting to stumble here and there. There's a nice section parallel to the lake too, cyclists and the public. Actually, you see the lake both from elevation and at ground level.

The second water station is around 11k just before the coffin trail part which is an approx 1 mile loop with plastic skeletons in high viz in the trees, etc. I originally thought this was a separate event, until someone told me the day before. After this, it's pretty runnable again to bring it home, though you do have to go single file over a wall at one point and there a few gates, a good dose of shale that I was on earlier.

Overall, I felt strong in the legs and was never out of breath. Did feel a little tired towards the end. I walked some parts because there were lots of shale, tree roots, etc and you might end up on your face otherwise. Well-marshalled and a little easier mostly because it wasn't wet due to the warm weather in the days prior.

Official 2:01:10

Watch 2:00:40 (16.07km at 7:30/km). I used the trail option for the first time and didn't realise I had autolap set to 1.61km, oops.

Nothing else on the cards for now, apart from a parkrun in the Netherlands next month.

Murph_D

Nice pacing at Bohermeen.

Love the snot rocket rule, it's one of my bugbears in Irish races. Have had a few near misses over the years. Yuck.

I like the sound of those Lakeland races.

The Black Oil

The road to Clonee 10k, June 26th. Trying to get under 44. My PB of 46:01 is from 2019, Wexford 10k. I've been following a club plan. The general set up is three prescribed runs Tues/Thursday/Sun, everything else is up to yourself and must be easy. It's taken a while to write this up, it mightn't be accurate. The plan comes through Whatsapp. I'll probably poster later as plain text so it's easier to follow.

Week 1

April 21-27

Monday S&C, designated as bank holiday Monday madness: Sweat central. Consisting of cardio (row/ski/bike), goblet squats, farmers carry, trap bar, burpees, inverted rows (new to me), planks and running outside - just a rest for you, TBO!, as one of the non-runners put it.

Tues

10k easy, with 5x20 sec strides. Wet, wet, wet. 10.01km at 6:23 /km.

Weds rest

Thurs 

Lift strong class (morning), easy 5.53k at 7/km (evening)

Friday 

Took the morning off. Ran and went to a social event for remote/hybrid workers, which was very enjoyable.

Plan stuff 20 minutes easy/20 tempo/10 easy

21:05 at 6:19, 20:01 at 4:40 and 10:30 at 6:23. Some of the tempo was a little uncomfortable. I sometimes get a feeling in my stomach, it's not nausea. I've had it the odd time towards the end of parkrun too.

Sat

Monaghan town parkrun, their 300th event. Good banter between the volunteers.

4.10km at 8:21.

Sun

LSR 16.01k easy at 6:14/km.

OTC strength session later in the morning.

Week 2

April 28-May 4th

Mon 

Lift strong class (am), OTC S&C (evening).

Tues quite a warm evening.

10 mins easy (did 12 and a bit)

10x90 seconds at 5k pace, 2 mins walk into jog recovery. 6.29km at 5:36/km

4:27, 3:57, 4:04, 4:19, 4:08, 4:22, 4:02, 4:05, 4:12, 4:12 (a bit all over the place)

10 mins easy (did 13 and a bit)

Weds 

Rest

Thurs 

Lift strong (am): Barbell split squats, single arm supported rows, front squats, lateral raises, kettlebell push press, medball slams, burpees, side planks.

Progression run 10.01/km at 4:58/km

4k easy, 3k steady, 2k tempo, 1k at 10 pace, 10 mins easy

5:26, 5:20, 5:11, 5:22, 4:53, 4:45, 4:58, 4:38, 4:44, 4:26

Didn't do the full 10 easy at the end, it was .4km at 6:08 and another bit, looking at it on Garmin Connect, I've no memory of it at all.

Fri evening S&C at the OTC.

Sat Donabate parkrun, 5.03 at 6:47/km

Sun 18k with 6k easy, 4k steady, 2k tempo, 6k easy. Didn't do this due to bad sleep, iirc. Sleep wasn't great in April and bits of May too. Did the OTC morning session, anyway.

Week 3

May 5th-11th

Mon S&C at 4pm, bank holiday OTC class a little earlier than the usual evening slot.

10 mins easy before

5x60 secs at 10k pace, 2 min walk

3:44, 4:11, 4:14, 4:19, 4:24

4x90 secs at 5k pace, 1 min walk

4:04, 4:09, 4:09, 4:12,

10 mins easy after

Tues

8.08km easy at 6:16.

Weds

Lift strong class

Thurs

Lift strong class

3 easy, 5 tempo, 3 easy 11.07km at 4:52. This was physically and mentally exhilarating. I found it hard to sleep after, tbh. Went with one of the faster groups, so the easy start was a quicker than what I normally do. I think runs like this are more manageable for me now due to S&C. I knew the tempo was getting to a little quicker than I should be doing and I thought I eased off, consciously.

5:29, 4:55, 4:49, 4:31, 4:34, 4:34, 4:29, 4:27, 5:23, 5:04, 5:13 (6:02)

Fri

Evening plyometrics class.

Sat rest, had to work in the morning. Got new shoes after a gait analysis.

Sun

19k as 5 easy, 2 steady, 4 easy, 2 steady, 6 easy. 19.01 at 5:55.

Speedy stuff was 5:01, 4:55 and 5:05 and 4:59. Tried a Salt Stick tablet, which I picked up with the new shoes.

OTC morning session at 10:30am.

Week 4

May 12th-18th

Mon Lift strong class in the morning. Same as week two/three.

Off script: ALSAA track session in the evening. Two easy laps warm up and some exercises. We did a few 400/walk/200/walk type stuff. I went by feel. Good session, track surface could do with being replaced, tbh. First time using the track option on the watch. If memory serves, i forgot to turn off the autolap feature as I didn't know it was on. Anyway, this was instead of 6x3 mins at 5k, 2 min walk recovery and 4x30 seconds at sprint (?) pace, 30 secs static recovery.

Tues 6.24km easy 6:08

Weds rest

Thurs Lift strong (am). Easy evening spin with a friend, 7:02km at 7:11.

Friday

Morning club plan: 3 easy, 4 tempo, 1k at 10pace and 3 easy. 11k at 5:21. 

6:12, 5:56, 5:46, 4:44, 4:35, 4:44, 4:44, 4:23, 5:49, 6:00, 6:02. Found it tricky to hit the 10k pace.

Listened to the Any Given Runday podcast with DCM pacer in the car later. What a character.

Evening OTC S&C. 4 stations per group, 4 groups, 8 minutes on per round.

Sat 

A trip to Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun with a friend. Three laps, a fine morning and enjoyable setting. 5.02km at 6:32.

Sun

19k as 5 easy, 2 steady, 1 tempo, 4 easy, 1 steady, 1 tempo, 5 easy. Actual 19.51 at 5:42/km

Key bits were 4:53, 4:54, 4:37, 4:53, 4:35. I thought there was something about this that wasn't working as I felt like I was giving it a fair effort and the watch wasn't budging, but anyway.

OTC session, Darbee spartan workout.

Week 5

May 19th-25th

A welcome step back week.

Mon

Lift strong in the morning…final week of this phase, iirc. I'm convinced split squats were invented by Satan himself.

Tues

10k with 6-7 fartlek bursts. Actual 9:48 at 6:15/km

Weds

Lift strong class

Thurs

Ardgillan hills, didn't do this as I had travel coming up. 18.01 easy at 5:47 instead of doing it on Sunday.

Fri

Travelled to Amsterdam.

Saturday

Amsterdamse Bos parkrun - very enjoyable. Watch 23:00, 4.84km at 4:45. Official 23:03. RD said they typically get about 50% as tourists.

The Dutch bike infrastructure is very impressive and works well, such a way of life for them.

Sun

Rest.

The Black Oil

Week 6

May 26th-June 1st

Mon

Final night in Amsterdam. Did a canal boat tour in the morning, which was good fun. Saw I’m With Her at the Paradiso, tickets were a mere €27 and €4 for membership of the venue. It was the first night of their tour. This and parkrun were the main reasons I travelled and because the band had no other European dates, apart from London. They got a rapturous reception and were in top form.

Tues

Flew home

Evening training

10 easy (9:45)

3x6 mins (plan called for 4, but everyone did 3) at 10k pace, walk 2 mins recovery

4x2 mins at 5k pace, 1 min recovery

10 easy (9:42)

Really enjoyed this as a group effort

10k stuff was 4:19, 4:18, 4:19 – a little quicker than needed

5k bits 4:21, 4:15, 4:08, 4:11

Weds 

Lift strong class. New phase – trap bar, push press and so on.

Thurs

Lift strong class.

Bunch in the club were doing Balbriggan 5k. If not, plan called for 10 easy with 5 strides, which I did on Friday. 11.72km at 5:55/km, plus an OTC session - iirc, this was our relentless training for 24 minutes episode (RT24). Then a guy from the development squad had us do a group chair exercise, which was good craic.

Sat

Trip down to Carlow parkrun. 6 strangers couldn't find the start at first. The RD said it had been voted as Ireland's most beautiful parkrun in a KCLR poll - one person voted. 4.98 easy at 6:31/km 

Defintely a little achey from Friday's class, as were others, going by the messages going around.

Sun

19k

10 easy, 4 tempo, 1k at 10pace, 4 easy

19.01k at 5:44/km

4:43, 4:50, 4:44, 4:46 and 4:27 for the faster stuff. Still not quite 10k pace, which has sometimes been the theme of this training block…

OTC S&C afterwards.

Week 7

June 2nd-8th 

Mon

OTC bank holiday session a little earlier than our usual slot.

10 easy

7x4 mins at 10 pace 2 mins walk recovery

10 easy

Meh. I believe this is one I gave up on.

Weds

Lift strong am class

Thurs evening

Plan 11k as 3 easy, 5 tempo, 3 easy

Actual 10.01k at 5:03/km. More like easy, steady, tempo

5:36, 5:12, 5:09, 5:12, 5:12, 5:02, 4:58, 4:48, 4:46 (3:54). Then 4 of us went for a swim at Rush south beach, which was lovely.

Fri

OTC S&C.

Sat

Longford parkrun. 5.11km at 6:28. Aside from the sports centre bit, it's quite a tranquil place, imo.

Sun

21k as 12 easy, 4 tempo, 5 easy

Tempo bits 4:47, 4:45, 4:44, 4:47

OTC S&C

Capped it off with the Roxanne burpee challenge which I recently discovered.

Week 8

June 9th-15th

Mon

OTC - were on stations for 4 minutes per round, jaysus - the sweat!

Tues 7.4k easy at 6:31 after work

Weds

Lift strong class. Trap bar, etc.

Thurs

Plan 5 easy, 3 tempo, 3 easy

Actual 11.01km at 5:09.

5:45, 5:28, 5:29, 5:05, 5:17, 4:38, 4:38, 4:35, 4:30, 5:39, 5:30 (6:21).

Baldungan loop and some of the hub. Not many out, it was pretty wet.

Fri

OTC RT24…bus drivers and such. If you lost form you had to do burpees, mountain climbers or squats.

Sat

Timekeeping at Laytown. Rain was up there with the time I did Edwin Carolan.

Sun

18.01 easy at 5:59. OTC session after.

Week 9

June 16th-22nd

This was when most on the plan were doing Dunshauglin on the Saturday. Had heard it was quite warm. The lead in runs for it were

15 easy. 4x4 at 10k pace, 2 mins walk. 15 easy

10k easy with 5x20 sec strides

Actual

Mon was OTC.

Tues 7.42k at 6:17.

Weds S&C am. 8.63k at 6:55 in the evening.

Thurs S&C am. 11k easy at 5:17, three of us did Baldungan

Fri

Job offer arrived, finally - after a few months of pre-employment checks with the civil service. Applied in April 2024.

OTC in the evening, as usual.

Sat - walked Donabate. Later did the session at the Forge. 15 easy. 4x4 at 10k pace, 2 mins walk. 15 easy. 4.71km at 5:15, with the 4x4s at 4:15, 4:15, 4:20, 4:11. Generally faster than needed.

Sun 15:01km easy 6/km. OTC after.

Week 10 - unofficial week.

June 23rd-29th

Mon S&C Trap bar and so on in the morning. OTC in the evening.

Tues 6 easy after work at 6:18.

Weds - more trap bar. Lifted a bit less this week to ease off.

Clonee 10k - June 26th

Some months ago, the intention was to get under 44 minutes. This was partly due to something about getting under 45 being important for attempting a sub 3:30 marathon…a reference to this in a Runners World article. So I wanted to push even a little more. RW, hah. The Running is BS podcast think very little of that particular outfit and tbh, it's not a site I really spend time on.

I knew from the training block, though, it was looking unlikely. I was happy enough with the 4x4 mins stuff and was doing those a touch faster than needed and felt pretty comfortable. The harder stuff was in the 11k - easy/tempo/10k/easy, i.e. nailing the 10k in that. The 4x4 stuff was a little easier to manage. Tempo bits at other times were generally fine. A few times I did wonder if it was something I could sustain for a marathon, which my friend felt sounded like it wasn't tempo enough. I felt similar. /shrug

Anyway. I went to Clonee with a friend who had an entry, but gave it to another club member due to injury. It was great to back at a smaller event in the evening time. The Man O War 7k in August 2021 I think was my last time racing something similar. I rolled across the start line and was pretty happy with the first 2k. 2-6k, not so much. Felt a bit better for the rest of it and was only looking at the watch for pace, not time elapsed. Such avoidance isn't great and had I done so and I might have shaved off a few seconds. Still, first PB since Wexford 10k in 2019 (46:01). Found it hard to sleep afterwards, quite a bit of that going around.

Official 45:31

Watch 10.07k at 4:31/km. 45:30.

4:45, 4:26, 4:26, 4:35, 4:30, 4:31, 4:32, 4:33, 4:36, 4:20 (3:41)

Fri OTC

Sat - walked Donabate

Sun OTC 

Next focus is preparation for New Zealand. Marathon season, let's be having ye.

The Black Oil

I'm not heading to New Zealand this year. Marathon prep is not under way. Recent change of jobs. It's more important for my career, personal circumstances and so on.

Hard to know if we'll even have boards next year…

I'll possibly be volunteering at the Lusk 20 mile/half/10k. The 20 miler sold out very fast, so I didn't put a link in the events forum.

parkruns over the past while, in no particular order

Clonmel, Con Smith, Cootehill, Rostrevor, New Ross, Castleblayney, Longford, Mullingar, Monaghan Town, Carlow Town and Knockbracken Reservoir.

The Muppet

Good to see you're still getting out and the progress you have made .

The Black Oil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123360965#Comment_123360965

I spoke to a couple who also ran the Hawkshead 16k. They said the Lakeland events are well organised. They were parkrun fans too.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123896030#Comment_123896030

Thanks T. Hope all is well with you.

New job is going very well. Still getting used to the routine of it, so I've done little running. I had a niggle around mid-October and had only ran three times that month at that point. I did get it checked and the physio couldn't replicate the pain. It had eased a bit when the appointment came up. Then it didn't really improve. I initially thought that a faulty move at an S&C class might have been the culprit, given the lack of running. It got a bit worse, then a week ago I noticed it was gone when walking the supermarket. No idea why it might right itself. Three of us did four sets of 100m repeats in the manky rain last Thursday and I had no negative effects on the leg afterwards.

I've had doubts if I can do a full block of months of typical training. Missing some weeks is unavoidable due to being on call - seven days and longer hours, constant Teams pings. I've not yet gotten back to 4 days of running, really. Before DCM I did 28k with who someone had previously only done 24 and needed to do 30. She was missing stuff due to her work. She ran 3:34 last Sunday, 9 min PB.

There's no big rush to getting back marathons, but I do like them and still want to travel. I'm not that interested in a half, really. Haven't used work's gym yet.

Volunteered at a pedestrian box at DCM last weekend. Good craic, as always. Aside from the usual mix of Dublin clubs, there were plenty from Clonmel, Dunboyne, Newbridge, West Waterford, Mayo and many more. Some folks from Estonia, Mongolia and Denmark too.

A few things that have come up my internet trawling:

• Canadian Death Race
• Gopher attack marathon, Canada
• Alexander the Great in Greece. It's flat, but I'd consider it for the name alone.
• A jungle race in Peru that's £3,500 per athlete - where's the old boards roll eyes emjoi?
• Norway has a few interesting trail races and other bits. One I wanted to link to and now can't find.
• This German one for its history and location.
• This 90k job
• Dragon's Back, Wales

Plenty more I haven't bookmarked, but for now, time to revise my French.

https://www.marathondelaliberte.fr/en/le-marathon-de-la-liberte/

The Muppet

The best of luck with the new job B and I hope those niggles continue to improve.

I fell off the wagon in 2020 . I have had my fair share of heatlth issues since but im back running a few months now. Had to start from scratch again so it will be just 5ks and parkruns for now and see where that takes me.

Good to hear from you take care.