Connemarathon 1/4/2012

adamski8 · 20-03-2012 4:18pm

elvis jones wrote: »

I forgot to e mail about changing from full to half, just did it there now. I hope they let me:o

did they let you change after?

jester1980 · 20-03-2012 4:35pm

My first Marathon as well and i'm getting very nervous. I shouold really try and just concentrate on giving it my best and stop worrying about times. The last few weeks have flown in.

Oisin11178 · 20-03-2012 5:41pm

Izoard wrote: »

I'll aim to get through the marathon in 3.50 and hope to hang on from there, so good to know there will be a few others in the same boat

Yeah 3.50 is fine but if your aiming for 6 hours and youve done the training i reckon 9 min mile pace for about 3.54 through marathon should do you.

TFBubendorfer · 20-03-2012 5:53pm

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Yeah 3.50 is fine but if your aiming for 6 hours and youve done the training i reckon 9 min mile pace for about 3.54 through marathon should do you.

If you want to beat 6 hours, going through the marathon in 3:54 is cutting it very fine. I know you can do it, but a first-time ultra runner might have a much harder time.

The first time I ran the ultra it took me 2:05 to stumble through the final 13.1 miles for a 5:40 finish.

Marthastew · 20-03-2012 5:59pm

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Id be happy to form a group if enough people wanted to have a pop at 6 hours.

ultraman1 wrote: »

ill be drivin the 6:30 bus if anyone wants to hop on .have concedded to aimann,but we mite catch him:P

Izoard wrote: »

I'll aim to get through the marathon in 3.50 and hope to hang on from there, so good to know there will be a few others in the same boat.

Apologies to Non-Ultra runners for hijacking the thread

So.... Oisin is driving the 6 hour bus and Ultraman is driving the 6.30 bus?

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

If you want to beat 6 hours, going through the marathon in 3:54 is cutting it very fine. I know you can do it, but a first-time ultra runner might have a much harder time.

The first time I ran the ultra it took me 2:05 to stumble through the final 13.1 miles for a 5:40 finish.

I'm now thinking I was a bit optimistic and should be on the 6.15 bus if there is one....
Any other bus drivers/passengers?

6 hours
Oisin
Izoard
Marthastew

6.30 hours
Ultraman

I'm sure somebody can make a nice UltraBus table

Izoard · 20-03-2012 6:02pm

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Yeah 3.50 is fine but if your aiming for 6 hours and youve done the training i reckon 9 min mile pace for about 3.54 through marathon should do you.

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

If you want to beat 6 hours, going through the marathon in 3:54 is cutting it very fine. I know you can do it, but a first-time ultra runner might have a much harder time.

The first time I ran the ultra it took me 2:05 to stumble through the final 13.1 miles for a 5:40 finish.

I'd rather get through the 26.2 with a bit of time banked, however if it takes TFB 2:05 to do the last 13.1, then there is not much hope for me anyways..:(

In Donadea, I went through the marathon in 3.45, so would hope for similar. However, sticking with a sub-6 group will be the priority.

menoscemo · 20-03-2012 6:15pm

Izoard wrote: »

I'd rather get through the 26.2 with a bit of time banked, however if it takes TFB 2:05 to do the last 13.1, then there is not much hope for me anyways..:(

In Donadea, I went through the marathon in 3.45, so would hope for similar. However, sticking with a sub-6 group will be the priority.

I think your startegy is sound Izoard. By going through marathon a bit early you are also giving yourself a chance to run an even better time if all goes well.

You are definitely in good shape for sub 6 going by the donadea performace you should even be OK for 5:40-5:45

menoscemo · 20-03-2012 6:18pm

On the bus Idea.

My plan is to go out at 8 min/mile and go through marathon in 3:30. That means at worst I should finish in sub 5:30 but if everything goes well and I feel good after 26.2 can keep up the pace and finish in 5:15- 5:20.

Lets call it the sub 5:30 bus. Any takers?

TFBubendorfer · 20-03-2012 7:46pm

Izoard wrote: »

I'd rather get through the 26.2 with a bit of time banked, however if it takes TFB 2:05 to do the last 13.1, then there is not much hope for me anyways..:(

In Donadea, I went through the marathon in 3.45, so would hope for similar. However, sticking with a sub-6 group will be the priority.

The 2:05 I mentioned were back in 2007 - I improved to 1:50 in 2010 and I'm hoping for a significant further improvement this year.

I'd stick with your original idea of going through the marathon in about 3:50 - as should all the sub-6 hopefuls, but that's just my personal opinion. That leaves you 2:10 for the last 13.1 and should be ok.

Oisin11178 · 20-03-2012 8:36pm

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

The 2:05 I mentioned were back in 2007 - I improved to 1:50 in 2010 and I'm hoping for a significant further improvement this year.

I'd stick with your original idea of going through the marathon in about 3:50 - as should all the sub-6 hopefuls, but that's just my personal opinion. That leaves you 2:10 for the last 13.1 and should be ok.

The thing about groups in conn and esp with our group of 3 last year, they more than likely will fracture at leenane. We rolled in and were all in great nick. 1 toilet stop and meno had trouble finding his bag. Plus the hill will be the first tester for most and groups will naturally part ways anyway. Im fine going through 26.2 in 3.50.

Canine Marathoner · 21-03-2012 2:12pm

menoscemo - i think i will take the same bus as you...but it'll be tough for me to stay on board for the last ten miles - but i will give it a shot...
i'm not being reckless, but i'd sooner give 5.30 a shot & fall short than play it too safe & wonder what would have happened if i'd tried...however, remaining responsible & realistic all the same

elvis jones · 21-03-2012 2:18pm

Re number collection, is it ok if my sister collects mine on the Friday ?

corkrunner71 · 21-03-2012 4:41pm

menoscemo wrote: »

On the bus Idea.

My plan is to go out at 8 min/mile and go through marathon in 3:30. That means at worst I should finish in sub 5:30 but if everything goes well and I feel good after 26.2 can keep up the pace and finish in 5:15- 5:20.

Lets call it the sub 5:30 bus. Any takers?

Great stuff. I'm also planning on the 8min pace strategy on the day and will see how I feel for last 13.1 miles. My number is 39122
Really looking forward to it now.

corkrunner71 · 21-03-2012 4:44pm

elvis jones wrote: »

Re number collection, is it ok if my sister collects mine on the Friday ?

Have you tried contacting them through the email on the race website. Photo id is a requirement according to the email i received last week. Having said that, I guess your sister may be able to bring your photo id and confirmation email to get your number. Would def be worth getting them to confirm this week if ok.

menoscemo · 21-03-2012 5:11pm

Canine Marathoner wrote: »

menoscemo - i think i will take the same bus as you...but it'll be tough for me to stay on board for the last ten miles - but i will give it a shot...
i'm not being reckless, but i'd sooner give 5.30 a shot & fall short than play it too safe & wonder what would have happened if i'd tried...however, remaining responsible & realistic all the same

corkrunner71 wrote: »

Great stuff. I'm also planning on the 8min pace strategy on the day and will see how I feel for last 13.1 miles. My number is 39122
Really looking forward to it now.

Good to have you on board guys

I'll be number 39065
Wearing a red and yellow Tallaght AC singlet, give me ashout if you see me before the race, otherwise we should fall into a similar pace on the course.

Marthastew · 21-03-2012 5:18pm

Oisin11178 wrote: »

The thing about groups in conn and esp with our group of 3 last year, they more than likely will fracture at leenane. We rolled in and were all in great nick. 1 toilet stop and meno had trouble finding his bag. Plus the hill will be the first tester for most and groups will naturally part ways anyway. Im fine going through 26.2 in 3.50.

I'd say by the time we get to Leenane you'll want to push me in a ditch if I'm as chatty as I usually am:) I'll have to find some new marathon/half marathon friends to annoy for the last 13.1 miles, alhtough I imagine I'll run out of steam and be happy to follow the road at that stage

digger2d2 · 21-03-2012 5:29pm

menoscemo wrote: »

Good to have you on board guys
I'll be number 39065
Wearing a red and yellow Tallaght AC singlet and carrying a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and a 12 pack of King crisps, give me ashout if you see me before the race, otherwise we should fall into a similar pace on the course.

:D

digger2d2 · 21-03-2012 5:34pm

Marthastew wrote: »

I'd say by the time we get to Leenane you'll want to push me in a ditch if I'm as chatty as I usually am I'll have to find some new marathon/half marathon friends to annoy for the last 13.1 miles, alhtough I imagine I'll run out of steam and be happy to follow the road at that stage

It's your job to keep CL talking, it worked at Donadea...:)

My plan was to look at about a 6:15 finish time but might consider trying the 6 hour group and see if I can last home. That said, it might be a long, lonely last 9 miles if the legs are as bad as they were on my recent 30 mile stint

Boethius · 21-03-2012 9:49pm

ebixa82 wrote: »

Hi,

When do you think the latest day should be to do a long run?
I'm doing the half.
I plan to run the loop around Sutton-Howth (10 miles) tomorrow as it is meant to have similar hills in part to Connemara.

If I do this run and a 10km run on Friday would it be ok to do a flat 10 mile run on Sunday, or is that overdoing it?

Thanks in advance

All this ultra talk is demoralising for a halfy....

Ebixa, I reckon even a flat ten mile combined with racing a 10k might be a but much 7 days before. I've finished my longs with a 12 miler last week and am gonna drop to maybe 6/7 this weekend.
I would have thought the 10k race alone would be a good taper?

This is my first half though so asking more worriedly than with any great authority... :-)

Canine Marathoner · 23-03-2012 10:43pm

The last weekend prior to the ultra - I'm thinking back-to-back easy ten-milers? maybe a six-miler on each of Tuesday and Thursday...

any opinions on this gratefully received.

menoscemo · 23-03-2012 10:54pm

sounds good canine marathoner. I'll be doing 5 or 6 on sat and 15 on sunday. All the same though.

neilc · 24-03-2012 3:57pm

19deg down west today:eek:

RacoonQueen · 24-03-2012 4:05pm

neilc wrote: »

19deg down west today:eek:

Was fairly warm there both years I did it.

I'm out of the half now. Disappointing to miss out on Conn two years in a row, will have to do the directors run and the ultra to make up for it next year.

Have fun kids.:)

ct_roy · 25-03-2012 7:16pm

really looking forward to this day next week. I hope it's not as warm as today! Last year was pretty warm if I recall. It was a scorcher in Dublin that weekend but the 'ol Connemara mist kept things manageable

Last year I ran it in 1:54 on virtually no training and paid for it with a bad niggle with kept me off the road for about a month after.

This year I've been training reasonably well for the past month so expecting better things this time around.

Does anyone have any good last minute accommodation recommendations for around Galway City?

ultraman1 · 26-03-2012 11:11am

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Was fairly warm there both years I did it.

it was always warm years ago:D....

tHE vAGGABOND · 26-03-2012 1:20pm

How is everyone doing with taper madness?

Get some hot weather runs in this week, for the near tropical weather which is bound to hit Conn this weekend :eek:

EauRouge79 · 26-03-2012 1:58pm

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

How is everyone doing with taper madness?

Get some hot weather runs in this week, for the near tropical weather which is bound to hit Conn this weekend :eek:

We didnt get such a roasting down here in the south yesterday. Lovely day but a nice cool breeze. Did 10 miles.

Looks like the temp might start dropping a bit from Friday onwards. Might only be looking at 10/12 degrees over the weekend in the west.

Heres hoping anyway!

corkrunner71 · 26-03-2012 2:30pm

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

How is everyone doing with taper madness?

:eek:

Most people would assume the 4 hr runs would be the tough part of any training plan, but I think it's actually the taper. Going out for small mileage after all the long runs just makes the week or two before a race go all too slowly. Roll on Sunday

Marthastew · 26-03-2012 3:39pm

Less than a week to go and no one has posted a weather forecast yet:)
I thought in depth weather discussion and forecast comparing was a definite in taper madness....We must be all too busy enjoying this heatwave

Krusty_Clown · 26-03-2012 3:45pm

Marthastew wrote: »

Less than a week to go and no one has posted a weather forecast yet:)
I thought in depth weather discussion and forecast comparing was a definite in taper madness....We must be all too busy enjoying this heatwave

I stopped, because Thomas just gives out to me. But just to annoy him:
1'C-10'C, sunny, light breeze, 2m/s.

TFBubendorfer · 26-03-2012 4:32pm

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I stopped, because Thomas just gives out to me. But just to annoy him:
1'C-10'C, sunny, light breeze, 2m/s.

That's not what metcheck.com says ....
but it's reasonably similar :rolleyes:

Would do me just fine, but I won't take too much notice of what they say until at least Friday.

Krusty_Clown · 26-03-2012 5:27pm

My report came from yr.no. Light breeze has now been downgraded to 'light-air'.

Marthastew · 26-03-2012 6:39pm

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

That's not what metcheck.com says ....
but it's reasonably similar :rolleyes:

Would do me just fine, but I won't take too much notice of what they say until at least Friday.

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

My report came from yr.no. Light breeze has now been downgraded to 'light-air'.

That's more like it:D
We need a few more reports and I can tick the "Weather discussed incessantly" box on my taper list...
Now, I just need the "superstitious good omens" to start appearing, I'm off to find a black cat chasing two magpies

26-03-2012 9:50pm

How are ya lads

Doing half next week.

Can anyone tell me what the story is with spectators. I have an aunt and uncle in Galway who were going to drive out from the city and cheer me on, but from reading the website it looks like they have to get a bus out there?? There doesn't seem to be any parking?

Or am I misreading the website? It wouldn't be the first time :pac:

adamski8 · 26-03-2012 10:17pm

im doing the hald marathon, bus leaves at 9.20 should be a the race start by 10. that leaves 2 hrs standing around! is this just a bit mad????

Confused2011 · 26-03-2012 11:40pm

Hi just wondering can some one switch from the ultra to the full marathon? I think I saw something about it on this thread but I can't search on my phone! Thanks in advance

belcarra · 26-03-2012 11:50pm

Confused2011 wrote: »

Hi just wondering can some one switch from the ultra to the full marathon? I think I saw something about it on this thread but I can't search on my phone! Thanks in advance

I think it was allowed up until the 1st of March but no longer.
It may be worth giving them a call or emailing them.

digger2d2 · 27-03-2012 8:46am

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

How is everyone doing with taper madness?
:eek:

Didn't have time to taper vagmeister so not suffering any madness

digger2d2 · 27-03-2012 8:47am

adamski8 wrote: »

im doing the hald marathon, bus leaves at 9.20 should be a the race start by 10. that leaves 2 hrs standing around! is this just a bit mad????

Just check to see if there's another bus... 9.20 might be the first one.

digger2d2 · 27-03-2012 8:49am

Deleted User wrote: »

How are ya lads

Doing half next week.

Can anyone tell me what the story is with spectators. I have an aunt and uncle in Galway who were going to drive out from the city and cheer me on, but from reading the website it looks like they have to get a bus out there?? There doesn't seem to be any parking?

Or am I misreading the website? It wouldn't be the first time :pac:

Hi stunner.. You are reading the website correctly, spectators have to get a bus

digger2d2 · 27-03-2012 8:52am

Confused2011 wrote: »

Hi just wondering can some one switch from the ultra to the full marathon? I think I saw something about it on this thread but I can't search on my phone! Thanks in advance

belcarra wrote: »

I think it was allowed up until the 1st of March but no longer.
It may be worth giving them a call or emailing them.

Confused, there are a few boardsies who know a few important people...

Lads, anyone there with a contact to help Confused here... RQ, Meno, Oisin?

adamski8 · 27-03-2012 8:52am

digger2d2 wrote: »

Just check to see if there's another bus... 9.20 might be the first one.

yeah im hoping thats the case

spurscormac · 27-03-2012 9:24am

digger2d2 wrote: »

Hi stunner.. You are reading the website correctly, spectators have to get a bus

Now this I just can't understand. They don't have road closures on the N59 (main road to Clifden), so how can they stop someone from parking along that road & walking down towards the finish line?

Anyone with any knowledge of whats happened in the past care to fill in us Connemara newbs?

digger2d2 · 27-03-2012 9:48am

spurscormac wrote: »

Now this I just can't understand. They don't have road closures on the N59 (main road to Clifden), so how can they stop someone from parking along that road & walking down towards the finish line?

Anyone with any knowledge of whats happened in the past care to fill in us Connemara newbs?

The site says that any cars parked around the start areas or anywhere on the route will be removed... Not sure if you could park elsewhere and walk though..... I'm sure someone on here will enlighten.

RacoonQueen · 27-03-2012 10:49am

digger2d2 wrote: »

Confused, there are a few boardsies who know a few important people...

Lads, anyone there with a contact to help Confused here... RQ, Meno, Oisin?

I've pm'd confused

spurscormac wrote: »

Now this I just can't understand. They don't have road closures on the N59 (main road to Clifden), so how can they stop someone from parking along that road & walking down towards the finish line?

Anyone with any knowledge of whats happened in the past care to fill in us Connemara newbs?

There is VERY limited parking in Maam Cross. I was picked up from there a couple of years ago. Getting back to Galway is a nightmare with the traffic.

TFBubendorfer · 27-03-2012 11:04am

spurscormac wrote: »

Now this I just can't understand. They don't have road closures on the N59 (main road to Clifden), so how can they stop someone from parking along that road & walking down towards the finish line?

Anyone with any knowledge of whats happened in the past care to fill in us Connemara newbs?

There is no room for parking at the finish, which is precisely why they're asking you not to drive there.

If you want to abandon your car somewhere on the roadside and walk towards the finish, that's your own business.

spurscormac · 27-03-2012 11:35am

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

There is no room for parking at the finish, which is precisely why they're asking you not to drive there.

If you want to abandon your car somewhere on the roadside and walk towards the finish, that's your own business.

I'll be running, so its a bus for me, its some spectators who want to go out that I was wondering about.
I was just confused as regards the "ban" on parking.
Obviously there will be no access to turn down towards the finish from Maam Cross, so its up to them to decide if they want to avail of the park & ride, or take their chances with parking on the main road and making their way on foot.

Krusty_Clown · 27-03-2012 12:08pm

spurscormac wrote: »

I'll be running, so its a bus for me, its some spectators who want to go out that I was wondering about.
I was just confused as regards the "ban" on parking.
Obviously there will be no access to turn down towards the finish from Maam Cross, so its up to them to decide if they want to avail of the park & ride, or take their chances with parking on the main road and making their way on foot.

The risk is that emergency services may need access to the race route. So if vehicles are deemed to be causing obstruction, they will be towed. Was it last year or the year before that the ambulance (in a rush to take an injured runner to hospital) took out the finish line gantry?

Cabaal · 27-03-2012 1:18pm

Tapering is going as expected somewhat anyway, the last 3 weeks or so have been crap for me, all going fine up till then and was knocking time off my 20mile LSR's on each run but then got sick and have been slowly recovering since.

The last 20mile run last week ended badly, also managed to injure my left leg somewhat, its not too bad but muscle hurts abit still.

Going to find these hills hard going due to the massive lack of hills in most of my training

Kittycat77 · 27-03-2012 2:18pm

spurscormac wrote: »

I'll be running, so its a bus for me, its some spectators who want to go out that I was wondering about.
I was just confused as regards the "ban" on parking.
Obviously there will be no access to turn down towards the finish from Maam Cross, so its up to them to decide if they want to avail of the park & ride, or take their chances with parking on the main road and making their way on foot.

I have both watched this race as a spectator, and ran it in the past. I know a few people who managed to drive out and park somewhere in Maam Cross, but really I dont think its worth the hassle, the bus service is excellant. When I went to spectate I drove to Oughterard, and just hopped on a bus straight away, and same with leaving after the race after, the buses fill up really quickly and leave straight away, so its really convenient.

Connemarathon 1/4/2012

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