The Great Limerick Run, 2 May 2010

Amazotheamazing · 26-03-2010 05:58AM

The riverbank is a big worry alright, I really, really hope they get it right. Anyone been down there recently able to say the state of the place? I'm away at the minute, alas.

Cartman78 · 26-03-2010 09:46AM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

The riverbank is a big worry alright, I really, really hope they get it right. Anyone been down there recently able to say the state of the place? I'm away at the minute, alas.

Can't say it's changed a whole lot one way or the other - still prone to getting a bit muddy in spots so a couple of dry days before the race would be helpful.

Would have a slight concern about this section and the possible triathlon overlap but one would have to assume that the organisers are well aware of thes issues too and are dealing with them accordingly

jamie998 · 26-03-2010 03:22PM

talking to some people out in UL the other day, i was told that the marathon will have come and gone through the area which overlaps with the Joey Hannon cycle route! I myself am running in the half marathon and think it will be a great event.......havent been doing nearly enough training though so i'm starting to worry a bit!!!!!!!:eek:

gilmore · 26-03-2010 03:34PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

The riverbank is a big worry alright, I really, really hope they get it right. Anyone been down there recently able to say the state of the place? I'm away at the minute, alas.

There's about a 40 metre patch which was badly damaged due to the flooding. They have filled this in with quite large stones which i think will be a safety concern if they dont get it sorted before the race. Other than that it should be ok as long as they make sure the 'u' gates are removed and they stop the dog walkers from entering for a couple of hours on the day. I dont know the numbers for the marathon but i cant imagine it being much more than a thousand so i would think that we'd be nicely strung out by the time we reached the bank, hopefully.

--amadeus-- · 26-03-2010 09:22PM

gilmore wrote: »

There's about a 40 metre patch which was badly damaged due to the flooding. They have filled this in with quite large stones which i think will be a safety concern if they dont get it sorted before the race. Other than that it should be ok as long as they make sure the 'u' gates are removed and they stop the dog walkers from entering for a couple of hours on the day. I dont know the numbers for the marathon but i cant imagine it being much more than a thousand so i would think that we'd be nicely strung out by the time we reached the bank, hopefully.

Is that section on the route? I thought the marathon went down by the "old" new bridge and left past the boathouse?

Most of teh C gates can have the gate part removed which will open them up (still single file though). They can't move the metal poles (the white railway sleepers that they have to stop cars coming down) or teh boulders (I think one of them is a mile marker!). And the gates at the top of the new paths by the canal can't be moved, as far as I could see whn I went past them last.

That said the field will be spread out, the surface is good and it's a nice route that most local people will know from training on it. And apart from teh humpback bridges it's very flat.

gilmore · 27-03-2010 11:22AM

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Is that section on the route? I thought the marathon went down by the "old" new bridge and left past the boathouse?

Sorry Amadeus, you're right. For some reason i had it in my head that the race was entering the bank behind the tennis courts.

RedB · 29-03-2010 01:51PM

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Is that section on the route? I thought the marathon went down by the "old" new bridge and left past the boathouse?

Most of teh C gates can have the gate part removed which will open them up (still single file though). They can't move the metal poles (the white railway sleepers that they have to stop cars coming down) or teh boulders (I think one of them is a mile marker!). And the gates at the top of the new paths by the canal can't be moved, as far as I could see whn I went past them last.

That said the field will be spread out, the surface is good and it's a nice route that most local people will know from training on it. And apart from teh humpback bridges it's very flat.

I did my 20M run around most of the marathon route on Saturday. It goes out to the UL front gate after coming back over the "old" new bridge and then turns right, down the old side access road which is gated and normally locked. This brings you back towards the Boathouse but the access onto the river path is messy unless they route it through the Boathouse yard which is also gated. I went to the right of the Boathouse as it looked more accessable so maybe there's better access on the left side?

I think there's only one 'C' gate which would require temporary removal of its central section. The poles and boulders will probably be staying but the big gate on the canel stretch can be unlocked. There are removable bollards on either end of the canel stretch which will also need to be temporarily taken out. So apart from the odd minor pinch point its pretty ok IMHO and worth it for the river run.

There's a bit of a hill up Edward St towards the Barracks in town and a small one passing Old Crescent RFC towards the overpass but nothing major. The overpass at the Crescent S.C. is also a slight bit of bother at that stage of the run.

I think the route is a good variety of city, river, countryside, etc and the field should be spread out enough to avoid difficulties. There won't be supporters on lots of it but that's not a huge deal for me. There will be a buzz around the town with the HM and 10k crowds and that should help as well.

It'll be the traffic management that'd be my next concern as it'll be interesting to see how they manage that, especially along the main roads but even out by the Golf Course. As the field will probably only be about 500(?) I can't see them closing off all roads, especially near the Hospitals! So either a lot of barricades or stewarding would be nice. Hard to do over the full route so there might be a bit of traffic to contend with. It'll be early on a Sunday morning but there may be crowds heading in to do the 10k which could make it interesting.

MarieC · 29-03-2010 01:58PM

Well done on your preparation RedB. Im jealous that you have at least one 20miler done already of the route....

Cartman78 · 29-03-2010 02:21PM

Cheers for the info RedB- pretty much what i was thinking myself re: the river bank bit. It's a lovely place to run and will be a nice feature of the marathon regardless of possible minor pinch points.

Will be on the bank later on - missed my long run yesterday so trying to get it in after work. I thought my main problem would be squinting into the evening sun but the weather has gone bananas today.

That incline at the Crescent S.C. could be a toughie alright - coming down it could be rough of tiring quads.

--amadeus-- · 03-04-2010 03:18PM

I had a very bizarre experience today. I was in karate waiting for the kids class to finish and my own to start when a guy I'd never seen before walks over and with a deadly serious look on his face asks me to step over to where he was at for a word.

I thought I was being asked to step outside for a fight but it turns out he is teh Race Director for the Great Limerick Run and he wanted to talk about pacing!

I wasn't able to chat for long and I'm not sure how much of what he said is for public release at this point but... A top quality sports drink provider has been lined up and the plan is to have gels as well as sports drink on teh route. Water supplier is on board as well but I didn't think to ask if will be in bottles. Lots of timing mats (I think 5) and ~900 registered for teh full marathon at this point. Course is AAI certified and is fully Jones counter measured. If anyone has any specific questions please yell and I'll see if I can get answers. And teh organisers have no association with the Dingle races or organisers.

He specifically wanted to talk to me about pacers. Nothing concrete yet but it's looking probable, if we can get the heads organised in time. So if any of you reading this feel like pacing PLEASE drop me a PM on here or mail to pacer (at) flexability.ie. Once he's confirmed the details with me I'll do a full recruitment push.

--amadeus-- · 03-04-2010 07:05PM

OK, we are all systems go!

Anyone who is interested in pacing let me know, free race entry, €50 expenses and 2 nights hotel accom if you are from outside Limerick. Drop me a PM or mail and I'll fill you in on the background

baza1976 · 03-04-2010 09:57PM

Pity, if I'd know 4 months ago. I'm all paid up. But I look forward t folloing one of the boardsies around.

seanynova · 04-04-2010 07:15AM

Amadeus, can you post a reply if/when you find out about gel/sports drink confirmation please, it would be good to now the brands are on offer so that peopole can train with the specific brands before the race....
also with regards the water, surely a large event like this will have bottled water no?

thanks,

baza1976 · 04-04-2010 03:12PM

Last LSR today:D taper taper taper taper:D

How is everyone else doing???

edit: think I miss read my training plan

lol

RacoonQueen · 04-04-2010 03:34PM

baza1976 wrote: »

Last LSR today:D taper taper taper taper:D

How is everyone else doing???

edit: think I miss read my training plan lol

You a week ahead of your self?

baza1976 · 04-04-2010 03:52PM

Don't tell Mrs Baza, I promised her this morning that this was the last LSR:o shhhh

MarieC · 13-04-2010 10:36AM

this has fallen to page 3 folks! I hope we can drum up some enthusiasm in the last few weeks now.

How is everyone set for May 2nd?

Cartman78 · 13-04-2010 10:59AM

Hi MarieC -
Was flying a couple of weeks ago - have overtrained though I think. My calves fell apart last Thursday on a 10 miler. Took a few days off and did a fairly decent-ish recovery style 5k on the track last night followed by 30 mins on the bike. Off to physio next Monday so hopefully some more dry needling and massage might get me back in shape.

A bit concerned that my longest run is only around 27km and it's been 5 years since last attempt at full marathon but think I should be ok on the day.

How r u fixed?

MarieC · 13-04-2010 11:09AM

Hi Cartman. That dry needling is intense but fantastic. Got it before on one of my calves, and on my gluteus maximus :eek:

At least limerick is as flat as a pancake so we wont have any scary hills to worry about. I did the Connemara half at the weekend and found the heat to be the hardest thing. I was happy enough with how I felt on the crazy hills.

The last couple of runs I've done though, I am getting a brutal brutal stitch about 3 miles in and its taking a mile or two to get rid of it. Not too sure what that is about. No crazy running planned between now and limerick, just going to focus on getting some good runs in, keep up this level of fitness and eat and sleep right! Looking forward to it now though I have to say.

Cartman78 · 13-04-2010 11:30AM

Looking forward to it as well big time - also hoping that the marathon training will push me to 10k PB glory later in the summer.

Re: your stitch - I think you can get over these by a breathing technique. From wikipedia - Exhale when the left foot hits the ground, and inhale when the right foot hits the ground

onthehorizon · 13-04-2010 02:52PM

I am entered, just doing the 10k it will be my first. I have been working really hard,when I first started my training I couldn't even run for 30 seconds without dropping, now I can do over 3k!! I don't expect to run the whole lot but I do train on very hilly ground and I know the Limerick Run is a lot flatter so I hope to better than I do usually in training. Just to complete it would be great.

Really looking forward to it. It has definitely started an addiction for me with running!!

maddogcollins · 13-04-2010 03:42PM

Having a disaster of a month/or two..Had entered for the marathon, but popped a bone in my ankle a few weeks ago. Came back from that and did damage to my quad..Thinking ill have to just stick to the 10k for the moment and do a marathon later in the year..possibly Dingle..not a happy man these days..still have a few days to see if ill attempt the half marathon tho..see how the leg goes..

MarieC · 13-04-2010 03:46PM

maddogcollins wrote: »

Having a disaster of a month/or two..Had entered for the marathon, but popped a bone in my ankle a few weeks ago. Came back from that and did damage to my quad..Thinking ill have to just stick to the 10k for the moment and do a marathon later in the year..possibly Dingle..not a happy man these days..still have a few days to see if ill attempt the half marathon tho..see how the leg goes..

sorry to hear that mad dog. You have til april 20th anyway to change what uv registered for. you don't want to overdo it and do serious damage that could affect your running for later into the year though.

maddogcollins · 13-04-2010 04:09PM

MarieC wrote: »

sorry to hear that mad dog. You have til april 20th anyway to change what uv registered for. you don't want to overdo it and do serious damage that could affect your running for later into the year though.

Thats is Marie, Id prefer to walk do the 10k here and do full later in year than attempt half or full and do more damage that could rule out a good attempt later in year.

RedB · 13-04-2010 04:18PM

MarieC wrote: »

At least limerick is as flat as a pancake so we wont have any scary hills to worry about. I did the Connemara half at the weekend and found the heat to be the hardest thing. I was happy enough with how I felt on the crazy hills.

Well done on your Connemara time MarieC - that was a cracking time for that course in those conditions. Sorry I didn't see you.
I was a tad disappointed during it myself but I've come round and am happy with it now. I didn't like the heat or the crazy hills!
Did you do that 22M? When was your last long run?

I'm getting pre-marathon anxiety where I don't think I've done enough and starting to cram it in. I'm thinking of a going semi-long again this w'end before tapering then.

Its going to be a good weekend with the festival, the Joey triathlon, the GLR and the rugby. Really looking forward to it now

.

Reaganomical · 13-04-2010 05:00PM

Yeah, looking forward to it now. I've entered the half and am hoping to break 80mins. At the moment, I'm thinking 82ish might be all I can muster. I'm racing the National 10k at the weekend and that'll be a good judge of how close/far away I am. It should be a great day, there's gonna be so much on in Limerick - fingers crossed the weather is like it was last weekend and we'll be laughing! It'll be great to run in a big race around our own town, hopefully there'll be plenty of support en route.

MarieC · 13-04-2010 05:16PM

RedB wrote: »

Well done on your Connemara time MarieC - that was a cracking time for that course in those conditions. Sorry I didn't see you.
I was a tad disappointed during it myself but I've come round and am happy with it now. I didn't like the heat or the crazy hills!
Did you do that 22M? When was your last long run?

I'm getting pre-marathon anxiety where I don't think I've done enough and starting to cram it in. I'm thinking of a going semi-long again this w'end before tapering then.

Its going to be a good weekend with the festival, the Joey triathlon, the GLR and the rugby. Really looking forward to it now .

+1 to the above RedB! It will be a few months of happenings packed in to one weekend in Limerick so it should be a hoot! fingers crossed the weather is nice-ish and we'll be laughing.

To be honest, not getting anxious here. I know I could have done more running but cos of PhD/exhaustion etc Im happy to be even able think about lining up for the full. I did a 21miler the weekend before last and managed that in 3:02 approximately. Probably did it a tad early but thats the way it worked out. My focus for between now and May2nd is plenty rest, eat healthy and still get 4 decent runs a week. I kinda figure if Im lining up not exhausted, my stubborn legs will haul me around the route.

How are you set yourself? Whats your target for Limerick?

baza1976 · 13-04-2010 09:21PM

Good to see this thread on the first page. Fair play Marie;)

I finally completed my last LSR on Sunday. did just over the 20 miles in about 2.40ishish. I made a mess of reading my plan the previous weeks which meant the last 3 Sundays I ran 20 miles each time!!!!:eek: lol so that should stand to me. Was due 4 miles this morning but decided to cycle to work and back which works out at 16 miles. Trying to mix it a bit.

don't forget to stretch and rest

MarieC · 14-04-2010 07:55AM

baza1976 wrote: »

I made a mess of reading my plan the previous weeks which meant the last 3 Sundays I ran 20 miles each time!!!!:eek: lol so that should stand to me.

How the hell could you mis-read it 3 weeks in a row? (Im jealous really that you got on all thsoe long runs!);)

Whats your target for limerick?

baza1976 · 14-04-2010 09:03AM

Yeah

if it's possible to make a mess of something I can do it .

I have 3 x 20 milers and a few 18's and 16's I think. So the miles are in there i reckon. I haven't done any speed work, don't really wan to eb pushing to hard.

I reckon I'll trot in under the 4hrs alright and considering the continuing health scare I'll be very happy with that. Would ahve liked to been allowed to push for sub 3.30 ........but there'll be others.

How about yourself Marie, what you planning on winning the race in ??!!??!!??;)

The Great Limerick Run, 2 May 2010

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