Barcelona Marathon 2017

Shaungoater

So Dublin has come too soon injury wise so I have decided to try my luck with Barcelona. Any hints or tips?

Bruz82

https://my.asics.com/gb/en-gb

Used this twice and its great if you stick to it.
Done Barca 2 years ago and one thing that stood out for me was the surface.....really good, you could drive a formula 1 car on it

Slow_Runner

I did it 2 years ago too and it's great! Great transport links in the city means it's easy to get too and if you have supporters they can see you at a few places (my OH was at km 22/28/finish). Nice wide roads means there is no congestion and it's ridiculously flat. The start/finish area and the backdrop of the fountain is amazing with music pumping as you cross the start line. As for hotels there is too many choices - pick one near a metro stop and you're sorted.
Things to watch out for:
I found a there was a lack of toilets at the start! Maybe I couldn't find them but ended up finding a secluded corner.
Back in 2014 it was 24 degrees on race day which was a killer as it's a winter training plan. If you can prepare for warm weather the do (wear extra layers on your LSR to simulate heat). I believe that last year it was a lot cooler but it is unpredictable what the weather will be like on the day.
There is a lot of looonnng straights and a couple of out and backs - can be mentally tough if you're not into that sort of thing
Avoid the pasta party at the expo - food is nice but not worth the queuing!!

Most of all enjoy it. I died a death from 22 miles on and ended up run/walk the last 4 miles. I had my head down and missed all the sites that you pass through on the second half.

tang1

Slow_Runner wrote: »

if you have supporters they can see you at a few places (my OH was at mile 22/28/finish).

How many miles from 28 to finish was it...... Thanks for details, considering it myself if I don't get into London.

Slow_Runner

tang1 wrote: »

Slow_Runner wrote: »

if you have supporters they can see you at a few places (my OH was at mile 22/28/finish).

How many miles from 28 to finish was it...... Thanks for details, considering it myself if I don't get into London.

Well it felt like miles ! Should have read kms

Manone

Great event. Ran it the last 2 years. Would suggest booking flights early as they jump mid February and Air BnB an appartment for use of kitchen for breakfast on the morning of the run.

Easy to get around city, support on route really good with loads of gel\ waterstations.

Kerryfootball

Signed up myself, my first marathon and wanted it to be somewhere memorable.
Got flights yesterday at 240 for myself and my OH.
Really excited and now it's head down and focus..

The Davestator

Seriously considering this. Flight and entry can be got for 150 still so great value.

Is anyone doing Dublin and Barcelona. I'd be interested how to approach doing Dublin and what kind of plan to do for Barca.

(I'm doing Dublin)

chris85

I am considering this as my first marathon. Didnt consider DCM as got married and honeymoon last month so preparation would have been poor. In the meantime I am training for Run the Line 26km trail run at end of November. Should give me a good base to lead into marathon training for Barcelona.

chris85

Ok I am signed up for this race and flights booked. Plan to train for RTL 26km next month and take a week or two off and lead into a 3 month training plan for the marathon. Should be coming from a good base with the trail running at distance.

tang1

I'm in, London rejected me again so this is my early season goal for 2017. Any info from previous runners greatly appreciated.

tang1

Marathon booked, accommodation booked now to hold out and get the flights at the cheapest price possible!!! The focus is back, bring it on.

The Davestator

I bit the bullet at €90 for aer lingus return yesterday.

Just need to drop some more hints for someone to buy me my entry for Christmas!

tang1

The Davestator wrote: »

I bit the bullet at €90 for aer lingus return yesterday.

Just need to drop some more hints for someone to buy me my entry for Christmas!

Where you get the flights for €90 if you don't mind me asking?

RegisteredMice

What would you recommend, fly over the day before or two days before?

tang1

RegisteredMice wrote: »

What would you recommend, fly over the day before or two days before?

I'm going out Friday back Tuesday, taking in a few days in Barcelona after to keep herself happy(and me!!).

EagererBeaver

90e return to Barna is a great price.

The Davestator

tang1 wrote: »

Where you get the flights for €90 if you don't mind me asking?

Aer lingus. They're at 102 return now. The days and times were better than Ryanair.

The Davestator

tang1 wrote: »

I'm going out Friday back Tuesday, taking in a few days in Barcelona after to keep herself happy(and me!!).

Doing the same. Over late on Friday (so I'm not too tempted to have a beer!) and home Tuesday.

Apparently my entry is 'being taken care off' so looks like I'm all set:D

mbarr

Anyone have any idea of good tune up races for Barcelona?

tang1

mbarr wrote: »

Anyone have any idea of good tune up races for Barcelona?

Trim 10 mile is on the 5th of Feb next year M, that's 5 weeks out. I only plan on doing that as a tune up race, no half marathons on in the run up to it.

mbarr

K I'm in, race entered and flights booked

The Davestator

mbarr wrote: »

Anyone have any idea of good tune up races for Barcelona?

Dublin Marathon 😉

Healium

I ran this last year as my first marathon - lovely, relatively flat route. Takes you through the city (which is beautiful), you end up looping back on yourself once or twice, and then you go out by the coast which is stunning. The square you start and finish in is gorgeous too - fly over a few days earlier and hang out on the beach. It was about 18 degrees this year which was a nice break after training all winter in the cold

Name Changed

I'm considering doing this. I signed up for Dublin but sickness, a holiday and 3 weddings in October has finished that idea.

I'm trying to decide between this and Zurich on 31.12.16.

For people who have run this before, would it be too warm for someone who only runs in Irish weather and prefers the cold? The average March temperature appears to be about 16 which is pretty warm.

Healium

Name Changed wrote: »

I'm considering doing this. I signed up for Dublin but sickness, a holiday and 3 weddings in October has finished that idea.

I'm trying to decide between this and Zurich on 31.12.16.

For people who have run this before, would it be too warm for someone who only runs in Irish weather and prefers the cold? The average March temperature appears to be about 16 which is pretty warm.

It's not massively warm on paper, about 16 - 18 degrees. There was little cloud cover this year though so the sun is just beating down on you, bring sun cream

I say go for it - I had been training in the cold all winter and I didn't find that the heat affected me too much, just stay hydrated. It's well organised, really nice route, and the crowds are fantastic :cool:

Name Changed

Healium wrote: »

It's not massively warm on paper, about 16 - 18 degrees. There was little cloud cover this year though so the sun is just beating down on you, bring sun cream

I say go for it - I had been training in the cold all winter and I didn't find that the heat affected me too much, just stay hydrated. It's well organised, really nice route, and the crowds are fantastic :cool:

A lot hotter than Zürich? 16-18 is pretty warm! I'm not used to that at all.

Shaungoater

I feel training starts in earnest this week. The thoughts of the heat is already in my mind! Air bnb booked!

chris85

Training starts this week for me. looking forward to this as my first marathon. Hoping to get a few people going over with me as well as the wife who will be my "support crew" over there!!!
Any thoughts on getting a training group going for this? I am looking for a 4hr 15 min finish time or perhaps a little quicker if I can.

JPlinders

I'm considering this after a bad DCM'16 experience and the posts so far have had helpful information. To anyone who has run it before, was temperature a factor in your finishing time (in your op)? Hope for the best and plan for the worst so a marathon in 23 degrees doesn't sound like fun, its tough enough as it is

The Davestator

JPlinders wrote: »

I'm considering this after a bad DCM'16 experience and the posts so far have had helpful information. To anyone who has run it before, was temperature a factor in your finishing time (in your op)? Hope for the best and plan for the worst so a marathon in 23 degrees doesn't sound like fun, its tough enough as it is

I've never done Barcelona, but have done Paris and Rotterdam (Both in April) and both were fine. Certainly a bit warm toward the finish but nothing too bad.

EagererBeaver

We get "freak" weather during the winter sometimes in Barcelona, so definitely advisable to be prepared. I was a few miles down the coast in Sitges last year in mid February and it was 24c.

rainbow kirby

When I did it the weather was quite comfortable for running - 12-13 at the start and 17 ish a hair under 4 hours later

The area near the beach is very exposed though and can feel warmer than it actually is on a sunny day.

I'd personally be more worried about a hot day in a late April race, says she doing London!

tang1

Nearly 9,500 entries with over 3 months left to race day.

belcarra

Just signed up for this this morning.
I did it three years ago and really enjoyed it, albeit it was a little hot towards the end.
Plan will be to get around in approx 3:30-3:40 and then focus on going sub 3:20 in Summer time in perhaps Cork or Portmuna...

tang1

belcarra wrote: »

Just signed up for this this morning.
I did it three years ago and really enjoyed it, albeit it was a little hot towards the end.
Plan will be to get around in approx 3:30-3:40 and then focus on going sub 3:20 in Summer time in perhaps Cork or Portmuna...

That's our tour guide sorted so, Mayo men know the best pubs, god knows they have spend enough time drowning there sorrows in them.......

belcarra

tang1 wrote: »

That's our tour guide sorted so, Mayo men know the best pubs, god knows they have spend enough time drowning there sorrows in them.......

Ah jaysus Tang, straight in for the kill!
It's only been 2 months, I'm still raw from those dirty Dubs cheating their way to another AI with even the ref confirming he favoured the Dubs by not black carding John Small... And now the mother of all insults - A Westmeath man taking the piss!!!???:pac:

Last time in Barca we spent the evening drinking in the George Payne but to be honest I think we'll go elsewhere this time...We have a few months to work out the finer detail!

A pity Barca are playing away to Deportivo that weekend.:rolleyes:

golfer555

Does Barcelona generally sell out?

I'm pretty sure I'll enter but I've a house move on the way so training will be hampered for the guts of a month over January.

All going according to plan hoping to enter in February if there's places still left. Flights and accommodation will definitely be pricey then.

tang1

How's everyone's training going? 8 weeks from this Sunday till D-Day!! To early to be looking at weather forecasts.........

chris85

tang1 wrote: »

How's everyone's training going? 8 weeks from this Sunday till D-Day!! To early to be looking at weather forecasts.........

First marathon with long run up to 28km this weekend. All going well so far. Tempo and interval training also going well. Constantly hungry these days it seems. Definitely taking on more calories than ever before but weight staying consistent or even a little down.

JPlinders

So far so good although I won't be welcoming the forecast cold snap this week. Can do without ice and snow on an LSR. This will be my first marathon I run in a singlet. Fingers crossed for moderate temperatures. Do they till sell P20? lol

The Davestator

I'm having a disaster!

Got shin splints in December and barely ran. Did 15 miles last sat and it felt ok, so need to get back on plan now.

Shaungoater

Having a disaster too

Injured my knee start of December and could only go back last night. Managed 7km and it swelled up again

RegisteredMice

Managed an 18 miler last week and felt good throughout ... 3 days later I can barely breathe with a chest infection!!
Grand scheme of things, its not going too bad for me (I've tempted faith now, haven't I!!)

tang1

Ticking along well at the minute myself, 14 miles on the plan for Saturday. Averaged 40 miles a week at the minute but this week sees it move closer to 50. Only planning one build up race at the Trim 10 mile next month & then should have a better idea where I'm at and what time MAY be on the cards for Barcelona.

chris85

tang1 wrote: »

Ticking along well at the minute myself, 14 miles on the plan for Saturday. Averaged 40 miles a week at the minute but this week sees it move closer to 50. Only planning one build up race at the Trim 10 mile next month & then should have a better idea where I'm at and what time MAY be on the cards for Barcelona.

Was considering going to try a half early next month somewhere warmer perhaps abroad. Partly to get a weekend away and also to fit in some running in warmer weather.

tang1

chris85 wrote: »

Was considering going to try a half early next month somewhere warmer perhaps abroad. Partly to get a weekend away and also to fit in some running in warmer weather.

Good plan if you can do it, no go for me I'm afraid and hoping it won't be overly warm in Spain come early March. Was lucky with Rotterdam last April, hoping for same from the weather gods this year!!

Stevo1983

Anyone taking on the marathon ?
Looking forward to taking in the sights in differently this time

tang1

Any interest for post marathon meet up beers? Is that not the whole reason we're running the marathon:D:D:D.

The http://www.thegeorgepayne.com has been popular in the past with Boardsies.

Other suggestions??

My first port of call after is this place http://www.abirradero.com, its only across the road from where we're staying and has a good choice of craft beers.

mbarr

tang1 wrote: »

Any interest for post marathon meet up beers? Is that not the whole reason we're running the marathon:D:D:D.

The http://www.thegeorgepayne.com has been popular in the past with Boardsies.

Other suggestions??

My first port of call after is this place http://www.abirradero.com, its only across the road from where we're staying and has a good choice of craft beers.

I'd say we're staying fairly close to you B, that's around the corner from ours. Definitely up for post marathon beers.

EagererBeaver

The George Payne is ****e. Big cavernous hollow sports bar type of place. If looking to go to a decent bar, go to the Michael Collins or Flahertys. Drop me a PM if any interest in non Irish (and consequently much better value) spots.