Connemarathon 24.4.22

ThePiedPiper

So, after being deferred twice in 2020 and again in 2021, hopefully we’ll make the start line in April. The date is a couple of weeks later than the last time I ran there in 2016, so hopefully spring sunshine! Places are all filled, according to the website, but it’ll be interesting to see whether the three deferrals result in late withdrawals. Despite my only DNF in 16 years of marathoning having occurred in Conn, I love it down there, it’s beautiful scenery, challenging course, solitude and camaraderie.

If everything goes my way, this will be my 30th marathon. It’s too early to be making predictions, but I’ll aim for a time beginning with 2:5.. for now, and see what I can do over the next four months on that.

Any of you out there entered?

Wubble Wubble

I'm in for the half. I originally was entered for the full in 2019, changed to the half, then had to defer. 2016 was the coldest conditions I've ever run in (HM) - I couldn't feel my hands early on. Hopefully we'll get there again in April. 1:40 for me that day, I'd hope to improve on that with a decent training block.

ReeReeG

I've a half entry carried over from 2020. I imagine I will just be running it for the experience of doing it ... because 1. it sounds bloody tough and 2. I'm hopefully running Berlin half a couple of weeks before it.

RonzoRonzo

Would love to but missed out on a bib. Any idea if places arising from withdrawals will be re-released?

ThePiedPiper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118277342#Comment_118277342

It’s a tough half marathon in particular. In the full, the first 13 miles are grand, maybe only a couple of small uphill sections, then a few good fast miles down to Leanaun where the half marathon starts.

Heading out of the village, there’s a very long drag, about a mile and a half, if memory serves me correctly. Following that, there’s about 6 or 7 miles on the flat as far as Maam. Turning right in Maam then it’s turning right for the infamous Hell of the West. This is a long long rise, about 3 miles I think, it probably looks tougher than it actually is however. Expect to lose about 30 seconds per mile at best. If the wheels are coming off before this point, you’ll likely see people walking up the hill. At the top of the hill, there’s then a fast, downhill section, maybe about a mile to the finish at Peacocks in Maam across. You might not make up time lost, but at least you’ll get moving well again.

For the ultra, the first 13.1 from Maam Cross to Inagh valley is flat and fast. Undoubtedly, the toughest of the three sections is the half marathon. That’s the beauty of it though. I’m looking forward to righting the wrongs of the last time out.

echancrure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118285576#Comment_118285576

And don't forget to throw in the Connemara weather in April... Russian roulette!

echancrure

Got a great email saying I am in for April. Here is the link to check if you are in!

https://www.connemarathon.com/entries-deferred-to-2022.pdf

echancrure

Some places are available according to organisers on Facebook.

PIORUN

doing Ultra this year ( if I can keep the injuries at bay ) ...first Ultra....anyone have any advice/ tips?

echancrure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118673297#Comment_118673297

What's your marathon time?

PIORUN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118719690#Comment_118719690

3.30 back in the day....10 years ago!..... on average about 3.40-3:45 over the last few years

echancrure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118720191#Comment_118720191

Well, I ran the ultra in connemara twice. Obviously, there's the course profile, with the flat first third, slightly up and down 2nd third, followed by the last third which is the toughest, with 2 big climbs including the Hell of the West which is 2 miles up at 4 miles to go. The course profile is not the problem though: you know it in advance, you can prepare physically and more importantly mentally for it. I would take the first third as a warm-up. It is the most lonely part of the course. After 13 miles you'll get to pick the slowest of the marathon runners eventually, so that's something to forward to. Same after Lennane.

The problem with the Connemarathon is the weather: it can be glorious or it can be very raw. If it is windy in the West you'll suffer for sure and that is very tough mentally because whatever target you may have had goes out of the window. The course is very exposed and the wind funnels in parts (down to Lennane). You may get soaked or have hail showers. Watch out for the wind chill effect, especially if wet. In an ultra, you run slower than in a marathon so your body temperature is lower. 2016 was an awful year with ambulances everywhere picking up people suffering from hypothermia...

As far as training goes, I would not change much from marathon training except that you need to do back to back long runs. So for example, you need to do a couple of progression runs of 16 miles on Saturday followed by 20 miles on Sunday. That should get your legs and mind ready.

Looking forward to it myself, but just the marathon this year.

AngelaRI

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118729746#Comment_118729746

2016 was the last time I ran Connemarathon (full) - it was the only race I've ever hated every step of, the weather was atrocious (rain, sleet, hail - all horizontal from the gale-force winds), I was soaked to the skin and absolutely frozen! Thank goodness I'd been able to arrange a shower at Peacock Hotel at the finish line (contacted them weeks in advance just so I'd have a shower to look forward to after a tough run), and they were so good, wrapped me up in a blanket while I waited for a shower to open up (in a room that hadn't been cleaned yet) - yeah I can well imagine a lot of folks suffered hypothermia, I was borderline myself, never been so cold and miserable in my life, before or since. My whole body hurt from the cold, shivered for hours after.

Compared to 2015, which was glorious, sun came out (to the point I was stripping off layers along the way!), clear blue skies, pleasantly warm, full enjoyment of the stunning scenery, just a lovely day out and I had a great time that day (experience and clock alike).

I enjoyed 2015 so much that I signed up for 2016 as soon as entries opened. Hated 2016 so much I refused to signed up again for years. Now I'm in for 2022, so let's hope the weather is good this time round again 🤞🙏

echancrure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118732737#Comment_118732737

Fair play to you!

In 2019 (the last edition), the wind was pretty strong too (yellow warnings if I remember correctly...). Fingers crossed for 2022!

PIORUN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118729746#Comment_118729746

thanks for this info echancrure.... haven't been able to run back to back long runs on weekends recently due to a niggle shin injury...don't want to push it too much as it had me out for 6 weeks a few years ago. I've got up to 26 miles yesterday but the plan is the try squeeze a couple of 30 miles in the next few weekends.... Yesterday I couldn't stop thinking about how much more I had to run on the day even after finishing 26 miles...I'd say there could be a lot of walking in the last 13 miles on the day.

how did you mange the aid stations of the day? did you leave much at the and would a change of socks /clothes be useful at one?

echancrure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118782370#Comment_118782370

Hi Piorun,

on back to back runs, I think you'd be better off running 18m + 18m in two days rather than a long run of 30m: frequency is just as important as distance, it's a longer distance anyway and it's easier to recover from.

Regarding the aid stations: I simply did not leave anything at them. In an ultra, you run slower than in a marathon so the risk of hitting the wall is actually lesser. I carried my own gel and there's plenty of water on the course. I really don't see the need for a change of dry clothes: the thought of stopping, taking shoes off, putting on new socks, putting shoes back on at the side of the road and then starting to run again on really stiff legs after 5 minutes of fumbling really does not appeal to me. Very little to gain, just an increase in mental strain. Inevitably, a lot of items get lost on the ultra aid station tables... the stuff you left may not be there when you come to them or it may take you a while to find it: not worth the stress.

In an ultra, the mind plays a bigger role than the physical aspect compared with a marathon: if you start looking forward to the aid stations then it gets harder to start again from them.

The only exception I would perhaps make would be if the weather is forecast to change during the race: but then again predictions are never that accurate so if windchill is gonna be a factor, you'd be better off having a rain jacket, gloves and hat with you during the entire run, because as mentioned the forecast may be wrong and those clothes may be in scattered by the time you get to the aid station tables.

Best of luck.

PIORUN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118786821#Comment_118786821

wow excellent advise again echancrure, thanks a lot ...that's load of my mind RE aid stations I was wasting too much time trying to think about what to leave at them and where. ...I wear a hydration vest anyway so I've plenty of room to carry stuff. I'll might give that a shot for the long runs so .

echancrure

"Peacockes Hotel at the finish area will be an accommodation centre for Ukrainian nationals" according to connemarathon Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/connemarathon/

So expect changes for the start of the Ultra and the finish line for all races.

littleredspot

littleredspot

I have a marathon distance to sell. I'll cover the transfer costs.

ThePhantomDenis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118732737#Comment_118732737

I ran the full in 2017; the weather was good, I had to take off the base layer half way through as I was getting too warm, I almost stopped for a pint (in Leenane I think it was) as there were people outsie a pub sitting out and enjoying the sun, the beer looked great! God knows what weather we'll end up with this year...

echancrure

Getting closer...

Does anyone know of a public swimming pool (or hotel with public access) in Galway open Sunday? I just fancy a swim and a shower after the run before I drive back to Carlow...

ThebitterLemon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118927336#Comment_118927336

Leisureland in Salthill is open to the public, check their website for times and prices

Or grow a pair and swim in the Bay 🤣

TbL

Ed......

I'm heading for the Ultra now aswell, bit of a last minute decision. It's been 5 years since I last did it but love running around connemara. After a bit of back and fort with the coach I've still no idea of a plan yet😂. Go hard and hang on, possibly get passed out but gain from pushing through the pain. Or run a little more Conservative try and nail the last 1/3 and pick some people off. Weather is definitely a factor around the micro climate there.

echancrure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118934345#Comment_118934345

Option 2.

Havelock12

Are any of you ultra runners collecting race numbers? I stupidly didn't go for postage when I signed up in 2020 and only realised now most people have received theirs and I haven't. I live way north of the course and Galway... if there's any chance anyone would able to pick mine up too and meet at the pre-race briefing it would be so helpful.

echancrure

Weather watching has started. I know there's very little point to it, but I can't resist.

At the moment it looks like an easterly wind of 20 kph, mild of 10C and likely dry. The wind is key as usual. With an easterly, the descent to Lennane may not be as pleasant as it should but it could be worse. If it could veer a little to the North it would be better. Some sites are indeed indicating North East winds which would be good.

With a Low over France, the forecasts should be pretty steady...

echancrure

Gonna be a scorcher guys, don't forget your hydration and electrolytes today and tomorrow.

Windy enough though.

Enjoy!

Ol' Donie

Rightio.

Did the half today. That wasn't easy.

Delighted I did it though.

PIORUN

Did ultra Yesterday, my god that was tough. Was struggling by the first 13. God only knows how I managed to finish it. That weather was mental. Down to a t shirt after the first few miles.

and hell of the west !!!! Like climbing a 3 mile stairs.

Jmcmen

That was really really tough going yesterday. The heat was one thing but I thought the wind was a killer. Just sapped the energy. No respite anywhere. It is a beast of a course.

Well Done to one and all. Massive respect to any runner who finished but especially the Ultra running lunatics on that course.

Ed......

Decided to run Conservative in the end. 1.33/1.36/1.35

4.44 to finish and 5th place in the ultra.

Was delighted with the 3rd section of the race, felt strong throughout.

Best weather yet for connemara I've had and was a joy to run in.

ReeReeG

I ran the half, fairly humbling when all the ultra runners are passing you! Stunning surroundings, serious weather. Privilege to run it really.

ThePiedPiper

Marathon went fairly well for me. The first 5 miles were the only easy part, even running downhill was hard work. I lost about 5 minutes on the last four miles when the wheels fell completely off. Very happy to make the top 10. The results are a tale of big positive splits everywhere. Fabulous day, it really is a very special race.

ThePhantomDenis

Nice one Piorun, I ran the ultra meself too, it was a hot one alright but it made the place look spectacular, felt like I was running in Arizona or the like at one stage.

That last 20k was rough, the 2 hills were brutal at the end. I was surprised hearing the course record was somewhere around 3:57, but flat-out shocked to hear that his fastest half marathon split was the last one, with all that climb, some effort there.

PIORUN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118980690#Comment_118980690

you too TPD.....it was beautiful up there....my wife said that on the way in that it looks like some wilderness in America up there.

last 20k with the wind too didn't help either. I'm already getting the itch to go back and give it another go next year!

its crazy what these things do to your head....I was on mile 15 ( struggling already) and I worked out that I had 14 to go and that was doable , until it dawned on my second last that NO, I had 24 more miles to go :-)

py

I have just noticed that they have opened up 2023 entries already: https://www.connemarathon.com/enter-now/

opus

And a year later, anybody heading West at the w/end? I'm going to attempt the ultra & a friend is doing the marathon. New route for the first part of the ultra this year heading towards the pier on Killary Fjord. Hopefully the weather will be ok, I was there in 2016 & it was horrendous as mentioned already on the thread.

degzs

I see there is a slight north head wind and wonder will this be against us on the half Marathon ?

artanevilla

Weather was perfect in the end.

darrenheaphy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118987073#Comment_118987073

That's brilliant! 🤣

opus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120518131#Comment_120518131

I was ready for the more normal cold/lashing rain/gales but didn't have any sun cream along with me :) Conn never disappointed with a weather surprise! Now it's a few days past I'm already thinking of signing up for the ultra again next year.

artanevilla

Done the halfer the last two years, last year was another gorgeous day.