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IMRA Season 2018

24

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭Arsenium


    Thinking of doing this run as its local to me. I have trained in Mullaghmeen a lot over the years but not recently. What's the policy in relation to participants having to walk chunks of it? I really cant see myself tackling some of the steeper climbs so am fully aware I will end up walking parts of it.

    I presume there shouldnt be any issue but just wanted to check.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,441 ✭✭✭Slogger Jogger


    Arsenium wrote: »
    Thinking of doing this run as its local to me. I have trained in Mullaghmeen a lot over the years but not recently. What's the policy in relation to participants having to walk chunks of it? I really cant see myself tackling some of the steeper climbs so am fully aware I will end up walking parts of it.

    I presume there shouldnt be any issue but just wanted to check.

    Walking steeper bits is perfectly legit strategy and can be faster than trying to jog at times when the gradient ramps up and/or the ground is very rough.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,122 ✭✭✭Peterx


    Arsenium wrote: »
    Thinking of doing this run as its local to me. I have trained in Mullaghmeen a lot over the years but not recently. What's the policy in relation to participants having to walk chunks of it? I really cant see myself tackling some of the steeper climbs so am fully aware I will end up walking parts of it.

    I presume there shouldnt be any issue but just wanted to check.

    No issue. Walking the climbs is fine. Walking the entire course is not fine, purely from the point of view of how long the organisers would have to wait which would delay the results process in the pub.

    The range of finishing times in 2017
    ( https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/1426 )
    was from 49 minutes to 113 minutes


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,938 ✭✭✭AdpRo


    Great race this morning in Mullaghmeen, muck, snow, falls, savage climbs....it had the lot!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 933 ✭✭✭jamule


    That was great fun. I face planted myself at downhill around 2.7k, ruined my race for me but still great fun. I had to stop twice for a HIA from a marshall. I have my first black eye from running after 40 yrs! I fell 4 times in a row on the downhill bit with the camber around 2.5k. And as for that last foooker of a hill!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,441 ✭✭✭Slogger Jogger


    Great fun indeed. Never checked the weather forecast so was most surprised to see it getting snowier as we neared Mullaghmeen. First time there and not knowing anything about a route is nice for a change. Snowy, muddy, slippery goodness. Was sliding around like an ice skater at times on uphills, downhills and single track, despite the usually grippy inov-8s which struggled to cope with the unique conditions. A fine spread of food and other refreshments afterwards too. Ace.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 888 ✭✭✭seamusk84


    Was a great race today in Mullaghmeen alright, well worth the journey. Loved the uphills and the flats on track, was slipping and sliding on the downhills but thoroughly enjoyed it.
    Going to miss Trooperstown as have a race in Lusk the same day unfortunately that I'm booked in for. But I'll be back for Maulin!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Great fun indeed. Never checked the weather forecast so was most surprised to see it getting snowier as we neared Mullaghmeen. First time there and not knowing anything about a route is nice for a change. Snowy, muddy, slippery goodness. Was sliding around like an ice skater at times on uphills, downhills and single track, despite the usually grippy inov-8s which struggled to cope with the unique conditions. A fine spread of food and other refreshments afterwards too. Ace.


    Would second what everyone has already said - the route was exceptional, it had everything and 'The Wall' at the end ill say no more!! The Salomons Speedcross didn't fair much better!! Normally traction is super but with yesterdays conditions there was many a slip and slide.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭Arsenium


    Absolutely loved this yesterday. My God the mud was unreal. The downhill sections were hilarious and the uphill to the cairn was a mud bath also. I thought we had reached the wall until we turned left and realised what they were talking about haha. They werent kidding.

    Great fun. Will definitely do it again.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    So its Trooperstown Hill this Saturday morning. One of the few previous races I did back a few years ago but dont remember specifics. I recollect it as being a constant but gradual climb for the first 7km with about 1km of flat / downhill in the middle until the final last few km all being downhill.

    https://www.imra.ie/events/maps/id/1567/

    its rated as more difficult than Mullaghmeen but has less climbing and is shorter? Is this due to the technical decent?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Has anyone here done the Glendalough Clover?

    It's coming up on Feb 24th and I've signed up. Have read the really detailed race pack but has anyone any pointers on the route etc. I've not been on St. Kevins Way and I've little recollection of the WW. Cheers in advance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,292 ✭✭✭DubOnHoliday


    So its Trooperstown Hill this Saturday morning. One of the few previous races I did back a few years ago but dont remember specifics. I recollect it as being a constant but gradual climb for the first 7km with about 1km of flat / downhill in the middle until the final last few km all being downhill.

    https://www.imra.ie/events/maps/id/1567/

    its rated as more difficult than Mullaghmeen but has less climbing and is shorter? Is this due to the technical decent?

    It’s more or less 5k up with the first 3 being toughest. Then 5k back down...there is a difficult stretch of the descent -25% or something but it doesn’t last too long.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 620 ✭✭✭Djoucer


    Mullaghmore is comparable to Trooperstown in difficultly. Think there's a typo there in terms of grade.

    TTown is hard as it's fast from start and completely runnable. Last climb is tough and the descent tests the legs immediately afterwards. It's a great route. Plenty of places to be made on descent.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Looks like we wont get the majestic snow falls we had the pleasure of running in Mullaghmeen last weekend for tomorrows Trooperstown Hill. Sunny and a balmy 6 degrees is predicted!!! Might make it slightly easier :-)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 888 ✭✭✭seamusk84


    Best of luck to everyone doing Trooperstown tomorrow.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Leinster Championship

    https://www.imra.ie/leagues/view/id/282/

    Obviously tougher than the Winter / Spring League with distance and climbing? Whats needed to take these on? Navigation wise its states they are typically not marked. As the majority of venues I would be unfamiliar with and unlikely to have a chance to travel and recce in advance is it realistic to think you can show up on day and follow the trail?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,317 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    There's no real trail to follow on a lot of the championship courses. You really should know the course well or be able to navigate by compass and map and shouldn't bank on following others or a trail.

    Even knowing the course may not be good enough once the cloud and mist come down, which seems to be more of than that not around Lug for example. (Although having said that Log Na Coille this year is out and back and there is a bit of a track to follow, compared to the Fraughan Rock Glen race ).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 620 ✭✭✭Djoucer


    You would need to be able to use a compass and map for champ races.

    Some of them are fairly straight forward in good conditions but you'd be screwed in poor visibility.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    Neady83 wrote: »
    Has anyone here done the Glendalough Clover?

    It's coming up on Feb 24th and I've signed up. Have read the really detailed race pack but has anyone any pointers on the route etc. I've not been on St. Kevins Way and I've little recollection of the WW. Cheers in advance.

    The Leg 1 the red route is one of my favourite walks in Glendalough ( all though I prefer to do it in reverse) , you start in the carpark and head back out the gate turning left onto a forest dirt/stone road you are sheltered by the trees and it is flat for about 2km running with the upper lake to your left. The path does narrow and is wet in spots as you make your way through the old miners village and then it does start to climb but nothing to steep just more rock and winding as far as I remember, watch out for mountain goats you might see a few here on the left . The path continues on till you reach a little bridge and cross over the Glenealo river and start the climb up towards the spinc.

    It is mostly grass and dirt underfoot and hopefully not slippy as you make your way up towards the planks which you will stay on as you cross over the spinc and glenealo valley .if it is any way windy it will be worse up here like any mountain :P and some some of the planks are very close to the cliff edge on your left .but I think you will move fairly fast along the planks, it's more rolling hills with a nice bit of flat section in the middle and some epic views hopefully the weather is good with clear skies so you can enjoy them, you descend down from the spinc via more plank/ stairs back on to the forest path and down hill past the Poulanass waterfall to through the car park and across behind the toilets and cafe to follow a path on more boards through the Glendalough Monastic site through the stone arches on to the road cross over the bridge and you join the wicklow way again on to a trail leading you on to a dirt road along ST Kevins way. I have never walked that way myself but you pass where they filmed Reign of Fire and you will be climbing again as you head up to the turnaround point which I think is the car park at Tourlough Hill
    I hope that helps a little and someone else knows the other two routes its been years since I was up near Mullacor or Lough Dan


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Trooperstown was another well run event this weekend gone. Conditions were great and huge work by volunteers and organisers. The initial 5km of gradual climbing for me, seemed to go on forever! The pace set by the top twenty not to mention top 3 as they disappeared to the horizon made it tough to deal with. Don't think i really ever recovered enough to make any significant gains on that wonderful decent.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 872 ✭✭✭grahamor


    Really enjoyed Trooperstown too, nice Spring like conditions and a challenging route. I tried to run all the uphills which worked out OK but gradually made my legs feel numb when on the flat parts of the course! Played cat and mouse with a lot of other runners who took it easy on the uphills then bombed the downhills.

    There's some great photos on the IMRA site and their Facebook page.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,360 ✭✭✭stampydmonkey


    Ssme as above for Trooperstown. Really well organised as usual. The course was tough for me as all was runable. A lot more training needed as was really feeling the pace. The downhill was brilliant tho. Passed a few that passed me on the uphills. These races are so much fun. Nice dip in river after too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    So Maulin in up next for the winter/spring league!! Looks like the first 2-3 km is all ascending with some sharp inclines in spots? Hands and knees stuff?!?! Never easy to tell by the graph whats its actually going to be like on the ground.

    With the weather ever topical at the moment - have there ever been any postponed events or is it likely to have an IMRA race postponed? Obviously hard to tell at this point in time but just wondering what the norm is?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,317 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    There's a wall after about 2k that lives up to it's name, hands and knees, and all fours in places. Would certainly be very tricky if it's snowy or icey.

    Races have been ran in snow and ice before but I suppose it's down to the weather at the time, a couple of years ago the then Wicklow Way Trail/Ultra was ran in some pretty vicious conditions, there was a decent attrition rate amongst the ultras.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 620 ✭✭✭Djoucer


    It'll be postponed if people can't make it/parking or roads are dangerous.

    Howth was postponed a few years back as parking/ref was like an ice rink.

    Maulin is hand and knees for a fair whack. Fast descent. Back up another wall, then fast descent. Then another wall.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Thanks Djoucer from the sounds of it its a tough slog. Looks like the hardest part might be just getting to the start line!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 933 ✭✭✭jamule


    Raced changed to Bray Head, good decision, getting to Crone on Saturday would not have been fun.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,317 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    jamule wrote: »
    Raced changed to Bray Head, good decision, getting to Crone on Saturday would not have been fun.

    Bray Head is relatively short in comparison, handy for those not fully back in the swing of things.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    looking at the summer Bray route which i presume will be the same its 6km roughly? It did note that everyone should still monitor the forum as further updates may come. Could be still difficult travelling sat morning if thursday and friday bring further snow. Would hope its doable do as it will make for savage racing!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,317 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Race director may drag the route down towards Greystones and back to lengthen it, otherwise yeah, summer route is just shy of 6km.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,803 ✭✭✭Enduro


    Race now cancelled, due to current weather outlook.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 888 ✭✭✭seamusk84


    Can't argue with Maulin being cancelled. Sure we will be all fired up for Annagh Hill now...Love that race. Pint in the pub afterwards naturally :)

    Only a month now until the Maurice Mullins too! Opted for the half last time I did it but this year I'm doing the Ultra...Lets see how that works out :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Looks like the organizers are hoping to reschedule Maulin for Saturday 17th March. Would be great if they could, missing this Sunday in Annagh Hill due to clash with Debra Ireland Half and would love to get another race in for the Winter / Spring
    league.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Maulin confirmed for 17th March :-)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Kurt.Godel


    Annagh Hill race is unfortunately postponed. Very deep snow up there, and much as we would have liked to host something, there are no alternate trails without snow. Further details on the IMRA forum.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 620 ✭✭✭Djoucer


    Fair play KG. Cheers for doing pre-race check. Was planning on running it. Hopefully it can be re-arranged.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Kurt.Godel


    Djoucer wrote: »
    Fair play KG. Cheers for doing pre-race check. Was planning on running it. Hopefully it can be re-arranged.

    It wasn't a decision that came easy- the first wall climb took about 40mins, we thought "thats the worst of it over", but the ridge was a different matter... snow banks over 2m in places (Mick has photos up on IMRA), any "running" was knee deep at best. We thought at first it just meant an alternate route but even the lower trails were unrunnable, and unlikely to thaw significantly by Sunday (North facing). It would have made for an epic race, but foolhardy if anyone got injured and needed assistance.

    Ah well, hopefully we can get another date!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 933 ✭✭✭jamule


    Wasn't going to make it so secretly happy as I now have a chance to get to Maulin on paddys day for the o40s winter league battle!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,441 ✭✭✭Slogger Jogger


    38867768320_782e38e3aa_b.jpg

    25807096937_3249bfb6c9_b.jpg


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    there was mention of a possible alternative for Sun but id imagine this would be very difficult with permissions at this stage not to mention trying to find an alternative that hasnt been impacted by snow! The Debra Half scheduled for Sunday is also postponed due to the lack of thawing on route.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Unfortunately as suspected an alternative for Sunday couldnt be found so its confirmed that Maulin rescheduled for March 17th will be the final race in the Winter / Spring League


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,441 ✭✭✭Slogger Jogger


    Unfortunately as suspected an alternative for Sunday couldnt be found so its confirmed that Maulin rescheduled for March 17th will be the final race in the Winter / Spring League

    Its a pity. Not for the want of trying that's for sure. Snow is melting very slowly on our favourite hills. Enough of this darned road running in training :rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Kurt.Godel


    Its a pity. Not for the want of trying that's for sure. Snow is melting very slowly on our favourite hills. Enough of this darned road running in training :rolleyes:

    Gotta say Mick, that course inspection on Wed was a blast! :D It would have been fantastic to run a race in those conditions except:
    a) there would have been no running
    b) there would have been little parking!
    c) there would have been HUGE problems getting first aid onto the course!!!

    However, living in a world without consequence:
    d) it would have been EPIC and the session back in the pun EVEN EPIC-ER!!!

    But, hopefully we will get to run it in the Summer. For the moment, anyone who wants to make memories; get up on those snow-covered hills!:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 888 ✭✭✭seamusk84


    Anyone know when Maulin on Paddys Day will reopen for online registration?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,317 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    It's there now for purchase.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Kurt.Godel


    Annagh is now rescheduled and will run Saturday 31st March. Full details www.imra.ie


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Kurt.Godel


    Maulin has been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,317 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    It's a bad day and weekend really. Bank holiday weekend, St Patrick's Day, rugby all creating a perfect storm to be either out with family or away watching the game for many.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    pity but if not enough volunteers nothing that can be done


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 james quinn


    Would hardly be rescheduled again at this stage given it was the second time and the year is ticking along. Are we likely to see Annagh Hill as the last race?


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