Connemarathon - 22nd April 2018

The Black Oil

http://www.connemarathon.com/

Signed up for the full before Christmas, it'll be my first Conn. Website indicates ultra is almost sold out.

I glanced at last year's thread a while ago and know not to expect a PB. Gloves might also prove handy.

Just saw this comment on FB, so it'll do as inspiration.

Anyone thinking of doing this, do it, do it! It is not easy, I cried three times, I moaned more times than I can remember, but it is an amazing achievement and well worth the effort!

martyboy48

The Black Oil wrote: »

http://www.connemarathon.com/

Signed up for the full before Christmas, it'll be my first Conn. Website indicates ultra is almost sold out.

I glanced at last year's thread a while ago and know not to expect a PB. Gloves might also prove handy.

Just saw this comment on FB, so it'll do as inspiration.

Saw that comment myself. Brought back memories... Will go back again some day.....

Wubble Wubble

The Black Oil wrote: »

http://www.connemarathon.com/

Signed up for the full before Christmas, it'll be my first Conn. Website indicates ultra is almost sold out.

I glanced at last year's thread a while ago and know not to expect a PB. Gloves might also prove handy.

Just saw this comment on FB, so it'll do as inspiration.

Best of luck B. I can't go this time, as it's slap bang in the middle of my exams. Next year!

Down South

whilst the hills at halfway and at the end are well flagged, dont underestimate the rolling ground between them

Supercell

I signed up for this a couple of years ago and deferred last year because of injury. This year i have no excuse so far...have looked at the "hell of the west" on streetview in Google and it looks like a tough place to be on a windy day (or any other day) for sure! Looking forward to it, slightly intimidated by it, but one for the bucket list. Will be my first full as I missed the DCM though injury (car, not self inflicted this time), story of my life.

The Black Oil

Number arrived in the post. :eek:

The Black Oil

Looking at the pacer situation, they have 3:30, 4:00 and 4:30. From DCM, I'd fall in between 4:00 and 4:30, however, mindful of the nature of the Conn as discussed above. Could just go out with the 4:30s and and run it for enjoyment, rather than a time. Or, head out with the 4 hour and drop back fairly sharp ish, proceed at my own pace. Still a few weeks away yet!

Btw, for afterwards...

Yes, competitors will be transferred by bus from Maam Cross (finish area) to Oughterard, Clifden and Galway City throughout the afternoon after the race.

Please see www.connemarathon.com/getting-to-the-start/

TFBubendorfer

The Black Oil wrote: »

Looking at the pacer situation, they have 3:30, 4:00 and 4:30. From DCM, I'd fall in between 4:00 and 4:30, however, mindful of the nature of the Conn as discussed above. Could just go out with the 4:30s and and run it for enjoyment, rather than a time. Or, head out with the 4 hour and drop back fairly sharp ish, proceed at my own pace. Still a few weeks away yet!

Btw, for afterwards...

The Connemara hills can easily add 10 minutes to your time, obviously depending on how well you can cope with hills. My usual advice for Conn is to forget about time and enjoy the race instead. That doesn't mean you jog along at snails pace, but don't focus too much on time.

The Black Oil

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

Best of luck B. I can't go this time, as it's slap bang in the middle of my exams. Next year!

You will be sending me exam answers telepathically, I presume?

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

The Connemara hills can easily add 10 minutes to your time, obviously depending on how well you can cope with hills. My usual advice for Conn is to forget about time and enjoy the race instead. That doesn't mean you jog along at snails pace, but don't focus too much on time.

Yeah, the location and atmosphere are what it's about, really. Any particularly scenic parts I should look out for? Looking forward to seeing how folks from outside of Ireland make of it too.

TFBubendorfer

The Black Oil wrote: »

Yeah, the location and atmosphere are what it's about, really. Any particularly scenic parts I should look out for? Looking forward to seeing how folks from outside of Ireland make of it too.

For the marathon I can't think of a single mile that's not incredibly scenic. The problem tends to be that towards the end you're in too much pain to really enjoy the scenery. You'll know what I mean when you hit the Hell of the West

Neady83

I ran a section of the course on Saturday, Leenane to Joe Keanes at Maam ..... I'd forgotten just how magical it is out there. I'd also forgotten just how long those hills go on for and I stopped before the Hell of the West

The Black Oil

Neady83 wrote: »

I ran a section of the course on Saturday, Leenane to Joe Keanes at Maam ..... I'd forgotten just how magical it is out there. I'd also forgotten just how long those hills go on for and I stopped before the Hell of the West

:P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQeIoWl6bpY

Neady83

The Black Oil wrote: »

:P

ha ha it is yea, it's a hill all the way. Crikey, the only people I was picking off last year were the half marathon walkers. There's no denying it, it's brutal at that stage of the race but there's plenty of sheep to talk to

martyboy48

Neady83 wrote: »

ha ha it is yea, it's a hill all the way. Crikey, the only people I was picking off last year were the half marathon walkers. There's no denying it, it's brutal at that stage of the race but there's plenty of sheep to talk to

But you might not be able to talk as you may be trying to keep upright and not be blown across the road by the gales :D

Neady83

martyboy48 wrote: »

But you might not be able to talk as you may be trying to keep upright and not be blown across the road by the gales :D

or you could be enjoying a free dermabrasion facial a la Connemara

The Black Oil

Neady83 wrote: »

There's no denying it, it's brutal at that stage of the race but there's plenty of sheep to talk to

They'll probably too busying posting on sheep.forums.ie to be bothered talking to us mere humans. :pac:

Hitman3000

Neady83 wrote:

I ran a section of the course on Saturday, Leenane to Joe Keanes at Maam ..... I'd forgotten just how magical it is out there. I'd also forgotten just how long those hills go on for and I stopped before the Hell of the West

Ran that hill 3 times to date, soon to be 4.

The Black Oil

What comes after the Hell of the West, btw? :pac:

I'm not sure what to do re breakfast, including what to eat. Buses from Galway leave at 8am. The B&B I'm staying in starts breakfast at 7:30am, seemingly you've to be at the buses 10-15 minutes before hand. It's about a 3k walk from the B&B to the car park where the buses are.

Neady83

The Black Oil wrote: »

What comes after the Hell of the West, btw? :pac:

I'm not sure what to do re breakfast, including what to eat. Buses from Galway leave at 8am. The B&B I'm staying in starts breakfast at 7:30am, seemingly you've to be at the buses 10-15 minutes before hand. It's about a 3k walk from the B&B to the car park where the buses are.

The Hell of the West is the last climb and it's about one or two mile of a gentle downhill to the end. You'll see the roof of Peacocks hotel form the top of the Hell of the West, aim for it and let rip all the way home.

If you have a car, might be worth driving to Oughterard and getting the bus from there. Norb, his friends and I did that last year. We got the last bus from Oughterard to the start of the marathon and we pretty much got off, had time for a pee and off we went. very efficient and no waiting around.

echancrure

The Black Oil wrote: »

What comes after the Hell of the West, btw? :pac:

Actually I think that descent after the Hell of the West can be a struggle.

You've thought about the Hell of the West during your training, during the race and inevitably when you reach the top you think that you have made it, that your are over the worst.

Actually you are probably not. As you start to descend your breathing will improve no doubt, but your legs will remind themselves to you. Depending on the state of your legs after the climb the descent afterwards could be worse than the climb.

Then as the road levels off, you notice little dips in the road: it's not all descending, you have to go down and up these little dips too. And then the heavy breathing makes its unwelcome comeback...

If you are going for a time, remember this: your legs may well hurt like hell during the descent after the 'Hell of the West'. You need to be prepared mentally for this.

Enjoy, nonetheless...

Wubble Wubble

echancrure wrote: »

Actually I think that descent after the Hell of the West can be a struggle.

You've thought about the Hell of the West during your training, during the race and inevitably when you reach the top you think that you have made it, that your are over the worst.

Actually you are probably not. As you start to descent your breathing will improve no doubt, but your legs will remind themselves to you. Depending on the state of your legs after: the climb the descent afterwards could be worse than the climb.

Then as the road levels off, you notice little dips in the road: it's not all descent, you have to go down and up these little dips too. And then the heavy breathing makes its comeback...

If you are going for a time, remember this: your legs may well hurt like hell during the descent after the 'Hell of the West'. You need to be prepared mentally for this.

Enjoy, nonetheless...

I actually remember this very well, from running the half two years ago. Of course it's a significant net downhill from HOTW to the finish, but those little hills really hurt. But then, marathons are usually going to hurt anyway....

The Black Oil

Time for a new t-shirt.

The internet told me this one will hurt. :pac:

Will keep an eye on who boots it after Peacocks hotel and the state they're in later.:eek:

Btw, some good discussions here too, of past experiences. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031457253757340/

opus

My goal this year is just to finish the ultra as got stopped by one of the stewards around 28 miles last year when I had what's best described as a semi-fainting experience. To be fair although I was cheesed off at the time, it was the right thing to do.

Hopefully won't have any repeats of that sort of carry one this year!

echancrure

Aiming for the Ultra too again this year (4:59 last year) with an improved time hopefully.
Of course all this is weather permitting, last year was pretty ideal.

I am much better prepared this year and a little lighter which should help.
How much of an improvement remains to be seen and I'll decide my race pace in the last week; I'd be disappointed if I don't go below 4:45...

I still have an heavy week this week in training (85m, but with 10 miles of fillers, and 2 not back to back 18m) with more focus on speed. After that it's down to 56m with loads of recovery runs mixed with speed work. Last week is 33m with one speed session and all recovery.

I can't wait; it has been a long training block since January.

imp1

I have an entry for the half - but can't make it, and it's too late to defer.
Anyone looking for an entry - btw this is within the Connemarathon rules, but has to be done very soon, give me a shout.

The Black Oil

Seems that there's a 19 strong team from the Netherlands coming over. Wonder if they just Googled 'mad races on the edge of Europe' and found this one. :pac:

Looking forward to the international make up, tbf.

echancrure

The Black Oil wrote: »

Seems that there's a 19 strong team from the Netherlands coming over. Wonder if they just Googled 'mad races on the edge of Europe' and found this one. :pac:

Looking forward to the international make up, tbf.

Watch out for the French: usually tons of them, all in good spirit (at the start at least).

Milly33

Not a runner but wondering could people give advice... So, going to support my sister who is running the half mara, we are staying in a place in Letterfrack and wondering where is the best place to go park up and as such walk towards the finish line. We are going with a baby so kinda thinking the bus is too much.. Is there any easy spot you could drive to and park up and walk don't mind like a few miles

Hitman3000

Milly33 wrote:

Not a runner but wondering could people give advice... So, going to support my sister who is running the half mara, we are staying in a place in Letterfrack and wondering where is the best place to go park up and as such walk towards the finish line. We are going with a baby so kinda thinking the bus is too much.. Is there any easy spot you could drive to and park up and walk don't mind like a few miles

Head to Maam Cross. Peacocks hotel is the finish line.

echancrure

Milly33 wrote: »

Not a runner but wondering could people give advice... So, going to support my sister who is running the half mara, we are staying in a place in Letterfrack and wondering where is the best place to go park up and as such walk towards the finish line. We are going with a baby so kinda thinking the bus is too much.. Is there any easy spot you could drive to and park up and walk don't mind like a few miles

Very, very difficult if not impossible to park at the finish line.

If I were you I would get the organised bus at Oughterard, it's not too long of a journey. Ge t the bus back.

This is much better and less stressful than driving and having to park a mile away with baby in toe.

Enjoy!

Milly33

thank you both for the replies I shall take a looksee at Maam Cross.. See we don't mind the walk really echancrue she is quite a carefree baby so will be happy out in the buggy, and sure a little bit of exercise would be good...

echancrure

How's everyone feeling?

Started to look at the weather yet? https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/ie/maam-cross/date/2018-04-22

Should we have a table?

opus

Did actually take a peek at the long term forecast today Don't want to jinx it but dare I say it's looking ok at the moment will wait 'til later in the week before I start checking it every hour!

echancrure

opus wrote: »

Did actually take a peek at the long term forecast today Don't want to jinx it but dare I say it's looking ok at the moment will wait 'til later in the week before I start checking it every hour!

Well it depends, some forecasts are predicting 18 C by 2pm...

I can't remember when I last run in that 'heat'. If the clouds part it could be an issue for the slowest runners (because they'll finish later) or anybody going for a performance (because they will need to slow down or risk not finishing at all).

echancrure

Weather forecasts have cooled down (9C to 11C?) but the wind has picked up. At least with running in Ireland we are all used to the wind!

Will definitely go for a pb (ultra in 4:59 last year) by how much remains to be decided. It will be a good chunk (I'd be disappointed if not better than 4:44) so I may go for an aggressive first third (I know I know, but I am usually good at hanging on and both my endurance and speed training have been good).

Trying to do carb loading properly for the first time this year.

I am still a little undecided regarding shoes choice unfortunately. I had the intention of using my relatively new Asics Noosa FF but they are not properly broken in and gave me two blisters 3 weeks ago on a relatively short run. Then I have my old Asics DS Racer that I used last year but they are really worn out and did not provide me with enough cushioning last year. Then the safe choice is my old Asics DS trainer, the safe choice, they are old too but reliable I guess. I am a bit lighter this year so that should help with the cushioning. Will probably go with my DS trainer but I'll give one last little spin to my Noosa this afternoon which provide better cushioning and are lighter (that's the attraction) but I have never ran more than 12 miles in them... so it is a big risk.

The Black Oil

I was plagued with doubts when I ran after work yesterday. Bit more settled today.

Neady83

I'm hoping to be a Joe Keanes pub at Maam bridge (close to mile 22) from 12:30 so if there is anything you would like me to have for you, shout now.

opus

Took part in a local 4m race yesterday evening but didn't kill myself obviously Will get in a sneaky parkrun on my way to Galway on Sat morning as well I think.

Best of luck to everyone on Sunday, would personally have liked the hotter day but will make do and hopefully reach the finish line this year.

echancrure

Neady83 wrote: »

I'm hoping to be a Joe Keanes pub at Maam bridge (close to mile 22) from 12:30 so if there is anything you would like me to have for you, shout now.

Thanks for I don't plan on stopping there !

The Black Oil

Grand morning for a marathon...

martyboy48

So, how did everybody get on? ☺

Hitman3000

martyboy48 wrote:

So, how did everybody get on? ☺

4.30 Pacer, came in 4.29.26.

chavezychavez

3.30 pacer. Came in at 3.29.35

echancrure

Good day at the office (not perfect by all means) by 4:40:2? for the ultra which is a 19 minutes improvement on last year.

Awaiting the official results (gosh they are slow at RedTag timing, the live updates did not work either as was promised).

ISOP

Had to deal with driving rain for the first 10k after the start for the marathon and then it settled down. The hardest road marathon I ever done, but the best one I absolutely loved it. Great camaraderie. Unbelievably managed a pb in the marathon

Hitman3000

echancrure wrote:

Good day at the office (not perfect by all means) by 4:40:2? for the ultra which is a 19 minutes improvement on last year.

4.40.2? Ultra in Conn what were you driving? Joking, that's incredible fair play.

opus

echancrure wrote: »

Good day at the office (not perfect by all means) by 4:40:2? for the ultra which is a 19 minutes improvement on last year.

Awaiting the official results (gosh they are slow at RedTag timing, the live updates did not work either as was promised).

That's an absolutely fantastic run, congratulations!

Results are on the RedTag site here.

My approach this year was to run by heart rate (as in keep it low) and it went fine. In fact with 18 miles left to go I knew I was going to finish. Had to stop myself cheering when I went past the aid stop just after mile 28 where it all went to pieces last year

The accent of the final hill was a good test with the wind as well!

ArtieFufkin

Hitman3000 wrote: »

4.30 Pacer, came in 4.29.26.

Signed up at the last minute for the ultra. Finished in 4hrs35. Tried my best to catch the leader but my poor tired legs couldn't do it. Happy with the result considering the wind and rain!

Edit: oops replied to the wrong post.

The Black Oil

4:31:38 for the full (it's race, not chip, right?). Pleased with that, no sense of disappointment. Training did what it was supposed to. Pacers were great, had no idea we have a fjord (Killary Harbour) in Ireland! Forgot to use vaseline on the nipples, so feeling that a little this last while.

One to do again.

Hitman3000

ArtieFufkin wrote:

Signed up at the last minute for the ultra. Finished in 4hrs35. Tried my best to catch the leader but my poor tired legs couldn't do it. Happy with the result considering the wind and rain!

Serious last third on your behalf considering those 2 hills and the wind notching it up on the final ascent. Saw your splits. Impressive congrats on the finish.

Hitman3000

The Black Oil wrote:

4:31:38 for the full (it's race, not chip, right?). Pleased with that, no sense of disappointment. Training did what it was supposed to. Pacers were great, had no idea we have a fjord (Killary Harbour) in Ireland! Forgot to use vaseline on the nipples, so feeling that a little this last while.

Happy to share some of my vast array of general (useless) knowledge. Well done on the run it was a tough day. Your chip time is your finish time. Not everyone can cross the start mat at the same time.