Random Running Questions

Thanks jebuz, a fairly detailed reply and I tip my hat to your superior knowledge.

I just constantly see people running poorly saying they need to up their mileage. When they clearly need to cut back as they are not running correctly as is.

I'd agree a lot us to do with caution when increasing mileage.

Seems kinda logical if you are running a 10 mile race.

It makes no difference. I’ve found it useful to be comfortable with both systems, not for training purposes but for being able to understand runners of both persuasions. To misquote Father Ted, it’s an ecumenical matter.

There's no 50km in Ireland I wouldn't recommend for someone stepping up from marathons. The bigger question for you is whether you want to move to trails as well (and I can only recommend that you give trail/mountain running a go ASAP.... most people regret not starting sooner once they try their first one). Most 50kms in Ireland are trail races. IMRA organise a few, including Ireland's oldest ultra, the Maurice Mullins Ultra. If you do give trail running a go even sticking to the same distance will be a bigger effort than the flat/road equivalent. THe Donadea 50km is another obvious one to try, but I think that

Has anyone got recommendations for a good / interesting / different half marathon training plan?

I'm in no man's land at the moment having just finished (Can I still say that after 2 weeks?) the Hanson full marathon plan and really enjoyed it and I've now signed up for the Half in Paris early March.

Things I'm looking for in a plan are quite simple 5/6 days running and one that supports a target time of 1'25 ish.

Thanks

The Portumna Forest marathon also includes a 50k and a 100k, all done on a lovely, flat 5k loop. It's very well organised.

The Langford Canal course is a bit mind-numbing, running down one side of the canal and back to other way did get a bit old after a few hours, but the one time I did it it was very well organised as well, and I would not rule it out.

There's a 50k in Tralee as well. And the Kerry Way Ultra Lite at 58k is a decent option as well if you like trails.

All of the above are well worth it, Donadea would usually be the number one choice but is sold out for next year (and if you are slower than 5 hours make sure you can handle being on the receiving end of a sarcastic comment)

IMRA is extremely inclusive, with a very wide range of runners, in speed and ability terms, taking part in nearly every race. Give it a go ASAP! As I say, your only regret is likely to be that you didn't start sooner.

Also, bear in mind that any hilly race is going to feel like a step up in effort (and will take more time) than an equivalent distance on the flat. So if you want to step up in effort as opposed to purely distance, you could also look out for hillier events of around marathon distance, whether road (like the lap the gap marathon) or trails (loads of races of around marathon distance. Again, IMRA organise a few).

Is there any way to contact Cork Athletics County board and get a response?

I've sent multiple emails, a Facebook message and a letter regarding a simple query about a transfer and have received no response.

You could follow a plan for a Half marathon or 10k to get a bit of consistency going before launching into the marathon training. If you did a 12-14 week plan, race around late March/April followed by a bit of recovery then you'd nearly be ready to start marathon training for DCM, or maybe a few weeks of a base plan to bridge the gap. There are plenty of plans on the internet, pick one that isn't too demanding as it sounds like it's more about something to motivate you to get going again. Signing up for a race will help with motivation too, it's a long time until June and even longer until next October so I don't expect DCM is going to motivate you just yet. Best of luck.

No worries, I did not even consider that this could be regarded as a dig.

The new layout is a complete disaster. The single worst upgrade I've witnessed in 25 years of working in IT.

So you guys are saying that TFB and the mods are preventing us from deleting our posts? That's terrible form.

Only within 24hrs though right? After that it's necessary to contact a mod.

Thanks a million Ariana - signed up for an end of March half and have a plan to follow.

I've recently ran a 10k for the first time, slow pace just above 1 hour, could get it below an hour probably. Started thinking that maybe I could attempt a half marathon before the summer, am I mad, has anyone done this and is it a huge step up?

Quick question on using final surge. I have the plan I am using on there is it possible to get that to include the pace I should be running automatically?

Does anyone have any particular hints or tips for running around hairpin bends/180 degree turns etc

At Raheny on Sunday it felt like i came to a standstill going around that cone in St Anne's park, and a couple of people came past me so i figure they must have been doing it right. I was very tight to the cone so better to approach these turns at a wide angle?