Leader Of The (Mid) Pack

The Great Western Conn Job Resurrection - Week 6 of 18

Mon 24/1 - Rest

Tue 25/1 - 6.11 miles @9:59/mi

The next phase of the plan brought a return to long hill reps. So it was that I returned to Chapelizod, for my first time to tackle the West County hill in almost three years. In order to get the overall distance up, I shuffled back towards Islandbridge, before turning around opposite the Garda Boat Club. Straight into it when I reached the bottom of the hill. "Just" three of them today, over 500 metres in length and gradually getting steeper. Bit slower with the other reps, and not as quick as before, but that will hopefully improve. Cooldown to Anna Livia Bridge and back.

Wed 26/1 - 6.38 miles @9:08/mi

Early start again, for three stingray laps. I wasn't sure how I'd manage after yesterday's session, but nothing startling to report.

Thu 27/1 - 6.40 miles @9:09/mi

This was something that D and I had discussed during our Eir XC cooldown. With a race at the weekend, I was happy with my decision to replace the 2E/3 @10k / 1E with more stingray laps.

Fri 28/1 - Rest

Sat 29/1 - 2.95 miles @9:38/mi

Back to an old pre race run. 5 laps of Tír na nÓg (roughly half a mile a lap) with five sets of strides thrown in. All good.

Sun 30/1 - Raheny 5

I didn't think a PB was remotely realistic, but even so I was looking forward to hopefully not making a complete fool of myself, having skipped the Thursday tempo. I was still thawing out as I arrived in Raheny, having resumed my role as statistician with the Erins Isle hurlers this morning, and straight to St Anne's church from our match in Swords. I wandered down to meet my clubmates about an hour beforehand, only deciding later to ditch the creature comfort of the base layer. Scotindublin passed by me while I was stretching near the start. Warmup and strides on Wade's Avenue, before taking our places in plenty of time for the tribute to Pat Hooper. Talking to Lazare at the start, I said I'd be happy with a sub 35.

I'm not going with a blow by blow account of this one. The first mile was very slow, with the traffic seemingly heavier than in the other years I'd run this one. Yet even when it thinned out a bit for the stretch into the wind in Mile 2, I wasn't making a lot of progress - unlike in 2020, when I went on to PB. I could see a few clubmates up ahead, and from the two mile mark I was trading places with one for a bit. Somewhere along Mount Prospect Avenue, Marthastew passed me back, and I never got by her again. The 3 mile mark came and went, as we turned up the main avenue in St Anne's Park. A cousin who I didn't even know was running passed me here, and away he went too. On and on we went up the avenue, with more and more familiar faces coming down the other side. How long is this ? After we finally turned, some randomer said to me that we were 4.2 miles in already. It did feel like longer, even for training run standards. Nice to get plenty of shout outs along the way - much appreciated, even if I did have an apologetic look on my coupon as I passed (for example) FBOT and Laura. Fletch was around the corner from the finish, having finished an age before I got there. "Lisa" was getting shouts behind me from about half way, seemingly every two seconds. I should have known before I turned around, that it was the double parkrun centurion and Cabinteely RD, Lisa "Cru". 40:09 on the clock, 39:17 chip time.

Was I really that slow ? Not quite, as it transpired. That randomer was right, as depending on who you spoke to, the course measured anything from 5.25 to 5.35 miles. The turnaround point was in the wrong place - it should have been before the path leading up to the tennis courts. Very unlike Raheny to make a mistake like that, I have to say. I was more than a little annoyed at the time, yet over four hours later I'm looking at a bit differently. Had I missed out on a PB I would have been p!$$3d off, no doubt. Yet for what turned out basically a training run, I'll live with that. Also, even with the extra distance, it was still a quicker time than the cross country last week. Sorry if ye were expecting something a la Livia Soprano "I wish the Lord would take me now" 😀 It's another week in the bag, now a third of the way through, so still more than salvageable.

Next

Probably something similar to this week, with the exception of the Trim 10. Thanks for reading! J.

Thanks C, had I seen this earlier, things may have turned out differently !

The Great Western Conn Job Resurrection - Week 7 of 18 - Stuffed With All The Trimmings

Mon 31/1 - Rest

Tue 1/2 - 6.12 miles @9:34/mi

February began with a reprise of last week's hill session. Even though it was fairly windy, I'd resolved to run a bit quicker overall. One very long stint into the wind, from the Garda Boat Club to the top of the West County Hill (1.9 miles approx.) Pace dropped on the second and third reps, but overall pleased to have completed another early morning session.

Wed 2/2 - 6.40 miles @9:05/mi

Kind of appropriately for Groundhog Day, I got three laps of the Ratoath stingray loop in to start the day (not at 6:00 AM though!) Bill Murray's a handy enough golfer btw, as those watching the PGA Tour pro-am this week may verify.

Thu 3/2 - 6.47 miles @9:11/mi

After a few beers before, during and after Celtic's easy win (hence C's Angeball reference above) I was himming and hawwing about whether to leave this one till later. Come on, get up and get out. Up through Clonsilla to Ongar, back down the long straight to Power City. I barely recognised Fletch as I passed him in the half light, shortly after I turned around. Similar to last week, this easy pace run replaced the 2E / 3 @10k pace / 1E on the plan.

Fri 4/2 - Rest

Sat 5/2 - 2.98 miles @9:09/mi

An old pre race shakeout, back to Tír na nÓg for five laps with five sets of strides thrown in. The wind was right into my face on the straight side of the triangle, where I ran the third and fifth sets. I wondered whether conditions would ease for Sunday, particularly while freezing during my first parkrun volunteering stint in over two years.

Sun 6/2 - Trim 10 Mile

Arrived very early to park at the courthouse, so one bit of stress taken out. Closer than the OPW car park, but still a fair bit from the race start and finish. Very windy, especially on the slightly uphill finishing straight. Noted. Nice chat with the ever smiling Marthastew (pacing 90 today, in advance of next week's Donadea 50) as well as a photo with some of the large contingent of Porterstown Panthers. I joined quick feet and new clubmate Rob G for a warmup, maybe half an hour before we were due away. I felt ok here, helped by my first bit of Deep Heat on the legs in about 20 years 😁

It seemed we were a long time in the pens before the start, but anyway, off we went, for my first 10 mile race since August 2019. That was the Kilcock 10 From 10, where I set a PB (1:10:31) which surpassed my 1:11:44 in their inaugural event the previous year.

Miles 1-4

I decided I'd start with the 70 min group and see where that took me. Downhill to start, left onto the main road and left again at the Lidl. I was somehow ahead of the group at this stage. It didn't last. Shortly after the entrance to the finish, they caught up, and after a brief half hearted attempt to stay with them, they eased away into the distance. I passed one or two back, but even with the advantage of the breeze, I was struggling as runner after runner left me trailing. Eventually we reached the village of Dunderry, downhill past the GAA club and left just before the four mile mark.

Miles 5 & 6

Straight into the breeze along here, with a few uphill drags into the mix. I was rapidly losing energy and interest, while being passed for fun. Getting a bit of water on board at 4 1/2 miles didn't help like I thought it might. I was just glad to turn out of the breeze and downhill, even if there were still over four miles remaining, and I was seemingly getting slower with every step.

Miles 7-10

There was a long straight with an uphill drag early in Mile 7, with the wind now side on, and hailstones for a few seconds, IIRC. Although we were on the way back in, it seemed the miles were getting longer. Few twists and turns through Cill Bhríde, where I took a badly needed pit stop before continuing. More water with about a quarter of the race remaining. No boost at all after that. There's a short but steep enough hill which brings you up to the 9 mile marker. I'd have raced up it when fit, but today I barely managed to put one foot in front of the other. I was feeling mentally and physically worn out, and the final kick came when the 80 min pace group caught and passed me, with about a kilometre remaining. Even factoring in how unfit I am, I'd said beforehand that I'd be happy with a sub 75 ! The finishing straight was brutal - one last stint into the teeth of the gale, with a bit of a hill added. I waddled over the line, feeling utterly dejected, after being passed by hundreds of runners - most of whom couldn't hold a candle to a fit me - in an extended spell of torture.

Time: 1:20:20 (1:20:03)

Position: 628/1512

Category: 123rd M45

Thoughts

Scotindublin had at some stage last week decided to give this one a swerve. Looking back, maybe I should have followed suit. The 8L on the plan might at least have been solo, and hence a lot less painful in a way. Instead I'm left wondering how I'm going to run a HM (Carlingford) in four weeks time, without looking like I have my legs tied together. I might even skip that one, if I'm not making sufficient progress. Wifey asked me afterwards if I'd be able to run the Connemara race. 11 weeks to go. Be grand !

They say you should try everything once. Well I reckon that's it for me and the Trim 10 mile I'm afraid. Imagine missing my favourite BHAA cross country (Garda XC) to take this on. Yet there were some fine performances from folks on here, such as Lambay island, Dubh Geannainn and Bananaleaf (all of whom I missed) so it was possible to run well, even with the conditions as bad as they were.

Next

More West County hills, with maybe my first time to try the 2E / 3 @10k /1E in this block. I'm also pondering running the BHAA Alsaa XC race next Saturday. If they'll have me back, that is 😄 Thanks for reading! J.

The Great Western Conn Job Resurrection - Week 8 of 18

One of those weeks where I was glad just to be able to do this.

Mon 7/2 - Rest

Tue 8/2 - 7.07 miles @10:23/mi

The third of the West County hill sessions, with the number of reps increasing from three to seven. With it being so close to a 10 mile race, I turned down the power on the hills, with the aim of getting them done at a consistent pace. Had I gone at the same pace as for the three, the last few would have felt like a crawl.

Wed 9/2 - 5.96 miles @9:16/mi

Twice around the Carpenterstown loop, then two laps of the Porterstown tarmac path.

Thu 10/2 - 6.00 miles @9:12/mi

I started this one shortly after 6:30 AM - a cold and windy one, sans tights 😁 Very slow warmup miles to the far end of Laurel Lodge. The body was probably still waking up, which might to some extent explain why I had to work so hard to attain splits of 7:55 and 7:48 for the "@10k" miles. The plan as I set off was to match the 2E / 3 @10k / 1E on the plan. However, factoring in the above (also hills and a long race) I decided to ease off the throttle when I got back to Castleknock Road, instead of going back uphill (+ 23 feet) and into the breeze for a third "fast" mile.

Fri 11/2 - Rest

Sat 12/2 - BHAA Alsaa XC

I only decided to enter this on Friday, as my legs felt like they could handle this one. We didn't have a team in the Garda XC. Thankfully today we had the required three. I knew it would be long anyway, as the entry point into the bottom field had been changed from previous years. Not to worry, as I trundled around a warmup lap. I deliberately started slow and near the back of the field, for the second of the long (5 mile) BHAA cross country events.

Four and a bit laps, in and out of several fields. Nice to get some encouragement from Laura_ac, who had run the women's 2+ mile race before ours. It felt strange not running a cross country with the intention of finishing as far up the field as possible. Instead I just kept it fairly steady, even through the clumpy grass (see also: Cow Park) down by the abandoned throwing circle. Thankfully, although the ground here can be bottomless at times, on this occasion it was more than manageable. There was a chap following me grunting and snorting loudly for a lot of the first half. I was kind of happy to let him off, just so I wouldn't have to listen to that. I actually caught and passed a guy early on the last lap, running alone into the wind having taken its toll on him. On another day, I might have gone hard after G and the aforementioned grunter, as they (and one other) were certainly within range of my racing self on the last lap. No panic. Keep it steady. Finish it out. Couple of clubmates supporting on the finishing straight. Pick up the pace a bit, give the fans what they want and all that 😄 44:10, I later found out. Course was long by anything between 900 and 1000 metres, depending on who you asked. Today I wasn't bothered by that. I was just glad to get it finished, with warmup and cooldown bringing my tally to around 8 miles for the day. We won a team prize as well, so that's the entry fee recouped !

Sun 13/2 - 4.33 miles @9:56/mi

Easy, really slow recovery miles. Back to one of my parklaps routes, this time starting with Porterstown, working my way down to Tír na nÓg, and lastly a tour around M50 Park. In the bag, to finish off a mentally draining week.

Next

The coming week brings us up to the halfway mark in the plan, as the hill reps max out, and there's another 2E / 3 @10k /1E tempo. Thanks for reading! J.

Forgot to mention before, that the Inishbofin Half Marathon and 10k are back this year (May 14). For fun and friendly (although not PB friendly, quite the opposite! ) races, with some beautiful scenery included, I highly recommend them. Sadly, I won't be able to travel this year. Fingers crossed they'll be on again next year. Maybe Pat will throw in a few old man prizes then too 😁

The Great Western Conn Job Resurrection - Week 12 of 18 - Room To Improve

Mon 7/3 - Rest

Tue 8/3 - 6.05 miles @9:00/mi

The brief for Tuesday's runs has changed to "4-6 Hilly Run Undulating Route". I used the same starting point as I did for one of these in 2019. Up and down the roads that link Griffith Avenue to Home Farm Road to start, and a few tougher hills after this, including Washerwoman's Hill and the climb from the bottom of Violet Hill past the Tesco up to Finglas.

Wed 9/3 - 5.39 miles @9:00/mi

I knew there wouldn't be a chance to run tonight, so as I was in the office again, it was another super early start (5:10 AM). Nothing much of note in the run itself, apart from the surprise of meeting another runner before the end of my stint.

Thu 10/3 - 6.26 miles @8:16/mi

A lie in (relatively) as I started the warmup some two hours later, in Porterstown Park this time. The two occasions I had attempted the 2E / 4 @10k / 1E session in 2019, I had failed to complete it. Hence I was feeling a bit apprehensive about it this time. I didn't want to blow myself out too early, so a 7:40 seemed like something I could sustain for another three laps. I needed to slow down and/or stop a few times due to walkers and dogs - grip on the wet grass wasn't great. Even so, happy to say I at least managed some consistency, with splits of 7:41/7:38/7:41 for the other three miles. Not amazing, and probably around HMP by the time I get to Connemara, but I got through it.

Fri 11/3 - Rest

Sat 12/3 - 3.00 miles @8:30/mi

Having got through the longest continuous tempo on the plan, I was feeling a bit more confident about what was the hardest session I completed in the lead up to the 2019 GIR. This was 2E / 3 x 2 @10k pace (5 mins). Three years ago I ran around the Porterstown grass track, on a very wet and windy morning. This time it was dry, but I stuck to the paths. We won our first match of the hurling season last night, and a few celebratory beers didn't finish till 1 AM. Not ideal prep, but still doable, you would think. However, even in the 2 mile warmup I felt devoid of energy. Not to worry. Only two fast ones, then a break. Or so I thought. I was probably a bit quick anyway (as in, not a sustainable pace) but along the top of the park, I got a rush of extreme tiredness, when I felt like I was about to collapse. That only lasted a few seconds, but it did make me realise that another five "fast" miles wouldn't be realistic this morning. No pain, might I add - but I couldn't go back to sleep afterwards either. Probably the cumulative effect of all the early mornings, and not forgetting a HM last week. At least I get another crack at that session in two weeks time.

Sun 13/3 - 10.05 miles @9:13/mi

I'm reluctant to let this one go, so just one day after the above fubar, I was the first car parked at White's Gate, for what the plan called "10 L Undulating Route". Well at least try. I didn't have a route picked out as such, but I think the one I went with worked out well. Up White's Road, down Tower Road and into PP at Knockmaroon Gate. In and out of the Furry Glen a few times, plus I went up and/or down all the hills on the lumpy side (apart from Wellington Road). To complete my stint, I decided on a climb from the Glen Pond to Knockmaroon Gate and back up Tower Road (125 feet in 1.1 miles approx.) with a nice run down White's Road to finish. I was worried I wouldn't get through this today, but on this occasion my fears were unfounded. Two thirds of the way through the plan now - probably can't get away with too many more slipups. We were well represented in the Bohermeen HM today - still kind of glad I flew under the radar for my half last week.

Next

More hills and tempos to navigate, as the week finishes with our club race out in Abbotstown. Currently I'm thinking of running it to finish off my LR. Hope to see some of you there. Thanks for reading! J.

The Great Western Conn Job Resurrection - Week 14 of 18

Mon 21/3 - Rest

Tue 22/3 - 4.89 miles @9:10/mi

Pre work hilly start to the week. Not enough time for Strava art, so instead I settled for a selection of ups and downs between the Papal Cross and the Magazine Fort. Think Munich hills and BHAA Garda XC, for those of you who know the territory. Legs were heavy throughout.

Wed 23/3 - 5.84 miles @9:07/mi

In the office today, plus I didn't fancy a 5 AM start. Instead, a post work shuffle from home through White's Gate, then around to Castleknock Gate and home through Laurel Lodge. Sticky out there. Miles in the bank.

Thu 24/3 - 5.79 miles @8:35/mi

Up to Porterstown at lunchtime for another 2E / 3 @10k session. I wasn't perturbed beforehand, having done it over the Wicklow hills and for parkrun last week. Yet this time I just felt tired. Possibly the cumulative effect of a six day week last week, added to the start of this, with only one day off. I know it was warm, but my splits were 7:53/7:48/7:40. Not intended as a progression run, might I add - just how it turned out. Long before I'd completed this stint, I knew I wouldn't be running on my next scheduled rest day !

Fri 25/3 - Rest

Sat 26/3 - 6.07 miles @7:30/mi

This was a return to the session I bailed out of two weeks ago - 3 x 2 miles, 5 mins recovery. Better prepared this time. Earlier to bed, no drinking. Still in Porterstown early, as I was volunteering at the parkrun later. Not quite two miles for a warmup, mainly around the grass track in bright early morning sunshine. Up to the parkrun start for the session itself. About half way through the first lap, I checked my pace and saw 7:01. Doubt I'll keep that going, so I consciously eased off the throttle. Even with the standing recoveries, it was difficult to go through the gears again, but my energy levels were higher today, and I managed to dig it out. A couple of longish stops due to human and animal traffic disimproved the splits for my last stint. For today, we had 7:08/7:32, 7:26/7:32, 7:40/7:45. For comparison, at the same stage of the 2019 plan, my splits around the wet and windy grass track were 7:26/7:38, 7:52/7:55, 7:54/8:06. So maybe I'm not quite as unfit as I think. I also tried a similar session last July - 2 x 2 miles (4 mins standing), splits there were 7:02/7:14, 7:22/7:22.

Sun 27/3 - 10.07 miles @8:56/mi

The same route as two weeks ago, but it felt a lot different. This time I knew I could do it, I was feeling more confident, and also I felt more energetic, even with a poor enough night's sleep and the clocks going forward. A great morning to be in and around the Phoenix Park. My splits were more consistent today, and also I was a couple of minutes faster than the previous effort. Only one week to go till the start of taper time. Fingers crossed I can maintain this form. Thanks for reading! J.

The Great Western Conn Job Resurrection - Week 16 of 18 - Feels So Close

Mon 4/4 - Rest

Tue 5/4 - 6.21 miles @9:04/mi

Between the weekend's work and an early (7:20 AM) start, I was feeling fairly tired for a lot of this. Nothing to do with the hills themselves, you understand. From opposite the Papal Cross, down the Khyber, up Wellington Road, out the main gate, and back into PP at the NCR Gate, via the CCJ and Infirmary Road. From there, back to the base of the Khyber, but now into a series of loops that involved three trips up the longer hill used in the BHAA Garda XC race. The wind was right in my face for those. At least the pacing wasn't too bad.

Wed 6/4 - 5.73 miles @9:10/mi

According to Strava, that is. However, some of their lines have me climbing over walls, through people's gardens etc - actual distance was much nearer 6 miles. From the house to Clonsilla roundabout, then twice around what I call the Lidl loop - roughly 2 miles via Applegreen, Lidl Clonsilla, and Ongar Road. Wet and very windy this evening - I wasn't feeling the love for this, although visualising the potentially even wetter and windier upcoming conditions in Connemara helped with the motivation somewhat.

Thu 7/4 - No running

I had a session planned for today, but unfortunately from a running point of view, it was one of those days where life took over.

Fri 8/4 - Rest...

...as I thought two sessions and a long run on consecutive days might be over egging it.

Sat 9/4 - 4.02 miles @8:31/mi

The plan said 6E with 6 x 1 min race pace / 1 min off. I'd planned to do a longer warmup before parkrun, but between chats and whatnot it was quite short. We haven't moved to the new route yet, although there was a slight amendment to the course as the works have commenced. I decided to throw the pace bits into the second half of parkrun. Surprisingly hard to pick up the pace mid parkrun - reps 2, 3 and 6 were good, the others a bit sluggish. For my 154th parkrun, I crossed in 25:06, which on this occasion was good enough for 16th of 66, and first of four in my age category.

Sun 10/4 - 10.00 miles @8:49/mi

The last double figure mileage run on the plan. I got to White's Gate before 7:30, just as well as a Garda was placing cones all the way down the road, due to an event in Farmleigh. My early start meant I could run the same undulating route as two and four Sundays ago. Not going into much detail, just to say I felt more in control here than in the previous two. Very happy with that, considering I literally made it up as I went along for my first time on the route. Back to White's Gate in time to say hello to the 9 AM starters, before home for a deserved warm shower.

Next

With just two weeks left, it seems the end is fast approaching. Another reduction in activity next week, although hopefully I'll actually complete the 1 min on/off session twice as per plan. Thanks for reading! J.

The Great Western Conn Job Resurrection - Week 18 of 18

Tue 19/4 - 5.90 miles @8:49/mi

Another pre work 6 x 1 mins around the grass track. Up early, into it quick, feeling strong. Last of the sessions.

Wed 20/4 - 5.83 miles @9:02/mi

Recovery again, two laps of Carpenterstown, two Porterstown laps.

Thu 21/4 - 5.84 miles @8:44/mi

I wore the old 2016 Connemarathon top for a bit of nostalgia. Run itself was a trundle around the Clonsilla Lidl/Ongar Road loop.

Fri 22/4 - Rest

Sat 23/4 - Travel

Beautiful day as we headed to our hotel, barely a cloud in the sky. We stopped in the city to pick up my bib en route, everyone in good form and looking forward to a sunny race day. Seeing the mile markers for the Ultra (from Recess) and Full (from the start at Lough Inagh) got the excitement levels up. I kept the alcohol to one pint of Guinness in the afternoon and a glass of wine with the dinner in the evening. Not easy when the company is eating and drinking whatever they want. Sure all this training and self discipline will be worth it tomorrow.

Sun 24/4 - Connemara Half Marathon

At long, long last, the end of this particular journey. I originally entered the 2019 full marathon some time in 2018, but subsequently downgraded to the half. Work commitments meant I had to defer the 2019 entry to 2020, and then with all the race postponements it was another two years before I took the start. In fact I couldn't remember whether I'd asked for the bib to be posted out or not, until I had a root through my email archive a week or two ago. In total, six years had passed since my first attempt at the half. Report from that one is here.

Training went fairly well overall, apart from losing a weekend and a full week due to Covid ( weeks 2/3) and another (Week 9) due to injury. Races along the way weren't being targeted at all, although Trim 10 still sticks in the mind as a fubar. Good sessions along the way - I used the same plan (John O'Regan Conn HM plan) as during my original prep for the 2019 half, which was replaced by the Great Ireland Run. I got a PB in that one, three weeks after another 10k PB in the BHAA K Club race. Plan was all good in other words.

Fairly relaxed this morning, apart from a bit of panic due to some confusion on my part regarding bus departure times. *Of course* 9:20 was the first buses leaving Clifden, fill one up, it goes, fill the next etc. Breakfast was coffee, brown bread, a banana, and a small bit of OJ. Early arrival in Leenane, so loads of time to put on suncream, bib etc. I had a lovely catch up with ReeReeG at the start - due to our nattering, she just about got her gear on the baggage truck before it pulled out 😁

I lined up between the 1:30 and 1:45 pacers. For those not following me on Strava, I had four goals.

A: PB (1:34:05, Ratoath 2019)

B: Course PB (1:40:40, 2016)

C: Sub 1:45

D: FTFT (kudos to Ultrawoman, who instantly guessed correctly what that stood for 😄)

All quite attainable, although I was mindful that the A goal was a bit of stretch due to the hills. Right so, this is it. With the tune of Sirius (think Chicago Bulls) going through my head, the gun went off, and we were away. Six years waiting for a rematch, and here it is.

Mile 1

Short downhill stretch back into Leenane, with Killary Harbour on our right. I let the 1:30 pacer ease out, and after a couple of hundred metres we're into the first major climb. I remember this from before, but jaysis the shock to the system. Getting up the steepest bit is hard enough, but then the wind is straight in our faces. Don't panic. This is supposed to be hard. Sun is shining, but I've the cream on, and I had remembered earlier to apply the vaseline where it was needed (more on that later). Keep it steady. Still feels tougher than my recollection. Another corner and more up and up. There's a Crusader a little bit ahead - I'm kind of using her for a marker at this point. Pacer is pulling further away, but I'm not worried about him. One done. Right, that's one of the hardest.

Mile 2

Continuation of the first mile as far as the overall climbing goes, but one or two little downhill bits early on. I can feel the temperature rising, and with not much cloud cover, it's potentially a tougher afternoon in store. Come on, stay with it. Yet even before we've cleared the long first climb, my legs are really feeling it, more than I think they should after 1.5 miles of a HM. Cru girl is gone further ahead. So much for her being my mark. Over the hill, but even on the downhill I'm struggling. Before I even hit the Ultra Mile 28 marker, let alone our 2 mile marker, the 1:45 pacer and his merry band have caught me.

Mile 3

This mile is mainly downhill, with a few rolling bits. Yet even here, I'm not getting any increase in pace, and the sight of the 1:45 group pulling away is really setting off alarm bells. Firstly I'm thinking, not so bad, I've over 10 miles to recover this, but with the passage of time comes the realisation that even the C goal above is looking like a leap of faith. I should be powering through the course, but nothing happening. I've been caught and passed by some of the marathoners - I know one of our two lads has gone through. We've another lad coming behind, who I reckon will catch me soon if I don't pick it up.

Mile 4

As I recall, there's a good bit of downhill here too. Water on board at the 3 mile mark, which I'm hoping will give me a boost, but it doesn't. Some Raheny lad who I don't recognise goes by me. Can I stick with him ? Of course not. How am I going to make this work ? Already I'm in FTFT territory. It isn't supposed to be like this. Loads more half people going by, few more marathoners too and possibly one or two ultras as well. I was catching ultras last time, although to be fair they'd a full marathon in the bag when I started. I'm thinking I ran the uphill first mile quicker than this. Can't be good, can it ?

Mile 5

Mainly flat or downhill here too, but the couple of bumpy bits are taking their toll more than they should. It seems to be getting warmer too, and in the open country heading towards An Mám, there's no respite from the wind. As I struggle on, thoughts are turning back to the 2018 Clontarf half. I'm losing power fairly quickly, it seems. I should be flying down the hills, to give me momentum for the little uphill bits here. No joy. Roughly around the 31 mile ultra marker, there's a junction where a marshal and a Garda are situated. I'm not getting any better here, and I know what's coming, including the Hell Of The West, which covers most of miles 10 and 11. I'm still weakening, to a greater extent than I'm thinking is feasible to enable me to finish. For any F1 fans here, think of the radio comms where you can hear the change in the engine noise - "Stop the car, Max". Very reluctantly, I decide to pull the plug while I'm still of sound mind and judgement, rather than risk doing myself any more damage.

I walk back to the junction, and sip on a water bottle (courtesy of said marshal) while waiting for a lift to the finish (organised by the garda). V passes at some stage, and offers her phone to ring wifey, but I explain that she would be a bit nervous seeing a number she doesn't recognise (given I've had one or two race related medical episodes over the years) My clubmate eventually reaches me, looking bloodied in spots having forgotten to apply the aul vaso. Unfortunately his training didn't get the deserved outcome, although he did finish. Minibus arrives, and I'm transported through the field, passing a still comfortable looking V around the 9 mile mark, and finally getting to the finish ahead of the 2 hour pacers, running without company by then. I step off the bus before the gantry, sheepishly slunking down the side and into the finish zone amidst many very happy runners. Sure why wouldn't they be. Fair play to them all. Chat with a very happy Jmcmen, second placer in the full marathon here (3:04), just three weeks after a 2:57 in Paris. I don't bother taking a medal - I've loads of medals from races I actually finished. Goodies afterwards only so so - I remember flinging some peanut based protein bar into one of the bins. Find my bag, check in with wifey, and board the bus back to Clifden, feeling seriously p1$$ed off and wondering what the f0ck that was.

Aftermath - Unlucky For Some

As I've alluded to above - kind of - I was seriously thinking of packing in this game as I headed for the finish. Con job is right. Fraud. I have a finishers top, but I don't feel good about the thought of wearing it in public. Who am I doing this for ? Should I not be spending more time nursing wifey back to full health, instead of five days a week of running, and for what. Thankfully I was willing and able to reenact a favourite run of mine on Monday morning, before the long drive back across the Shannon to D15. Good for the soul.

Hard to know why this one fell apart as rapidly as it did. Training was consistent over most of the 18 weeks, and I was a lot lighter in body and mind than in quite a while. I've actually completed HM distance over similar hilly territory in hot weather - the Wings For Life run in 2016, if anyone remembers that one. In other words, it's not like warm weather has been my running related kryptonite through the years. The last eight months have been mentally draining for me, due to my wife's serious illness, although as I type she seems to be over the worst. Hence, it felt like more of an achievement than normal to get to the start line for this one, in what I thought was pretty decent shape for a strong race. Did I put too much pressure on myself to perform ? Possibly. Certainly before I spoke to her I was thinking I'd really let her down, dragging her across the country for a race I didn't get even halfway through. Well I was wrong on that one too 😀 Great weather, and we really enjoyed our little break apart from that. Dinner and drinks were good for the morale, helped by Celtic's win followed by the Reds keeping the bitter Blues in the relegation zone.

This was my 21st half marathon. My first attempt at the Connemara Half was my 8th HM, so 13 between the two. It was my 13th time to stay in our hotel, 13 years after my first. Most likely just coincidence. I find weird stuff like that mildly amusing sometimes.

Next

Yes, there is a Next. Having dispelled the negative thoughts of chucking all the running gear in the bin, I'm taking a few days off before easing back into it. I plan to go back training with the club in May - I trained more or less alone the last few months, bar one or two Sunday mornings in PP, and a few parkruns. I've a few shorter races in mind over the coming months, hopefully building to the Ratoath HM in September. As mentioned above, that race has been very good to me in the past. Here's to a happier ending in that one! Fair play to those of you who stayed with this saga over the last 18 weeks - your patience is to be commended !

And so it's time to close this little sub log. Back to normal musings in the not too distant future. Thanks for reading ! J.