Race report thread

Great report Aero. And well done on the PB, great racing - 56sec sounds like a large chunk at that level.

aero2k wrote: »

...on the Garmin. I use 0.5 mile splits, and I was relieved when the next split was a much more sensible 5:45.

Great idea, I must setup my own Garmin like this.

Well done again Seán.
Super running.

There's a lot of credits to me in there, can I claim the PB??

(And your 5m halfway time is better than my 5m pb...............my list of 'competitive friendly revenge' is getting longer by the week

Given the choice, would you do Dungarvan or Trim next year??

The Mt Juliet ½ marathon and 10k runwas on Saturday. In preparation for the Ballycotton 10, I signed up for the 10krace. It’s a bit pricey (€25) but it suited my training plan, it was local and AAI credited so it ticked a lot of the boxes. My plan was a sub 39min – it would be a PB and I felt it was very much achievable, even allowing for the hills on the 10k route.

The start is in the pleasan tsurroundings of Mt Juliet estate. Within the first 500m I knew there was a good chance of a top 5 place - unusual for me, especially in a race of 300+ participants. There was a constant drag running through the estate and I was glad to see the end of it did. I was running with one other chap with two lads up the road from us - they didn’t seem to be hitting their race pace for the first 2 or 3 miles asthey weren’t gaining much ground on us and appear to be very relax, shooting the breeze – and no one seems to be near us from behind. We started coming upon the ½ marathoners about 2 miles in (they started 15 mins ahead of us). I welcomed this as I wasn’t comfortable been left out on our own, ahead of the bunch. I was aware of the second hill, coming out of Stoneyford, which is reasonably long but not very steep. But the firsthill, I had no idea of – someone said to me beforehand it was short and sharp – it was sharp but it didn't feel short!

As I climbed the hill, I notice my companion wasn’t with me anymore so I figured I must be climbing okay. Working up the hill was hard labour so I was surprised to hear two lads behind me chatting away – I figured they must be two½ marathoners taking it easy. But theywere pacers for the 40min mark. This was really frustrating for me – I knew the hill was slowing me down but I didn’t think I was falling that far behind. 40mins pacers – I was way well behind my planned pace. We crest the hill at the 5km mark and I didn’t get the rebound from the downhill liked I hope – I went ahead of the pacers but not at the pace I’d hoped at. Then we start climbing the second hill at the Stoneyford and the pacers left me behind – very annoyed the way they went ahead of me with such ease! I tried to make some time back on them on thedownhill but it was limited. But when I entered Mt Juliet estate, I was surprised to see the finishing line just infront of me. For the first time during the race I checked my time and it was reading 37m 2Xs –a pleasant surprised and I even picked up the speed with the hope of getting a sub 38min. But total misjudged the distance by about 300m and came in at 39m 12s!

Initially I was happy with it, especially when 40min looked unlikely (basically the 40mins pacers were goingtoo fast). And it is a 10km PB. But thinking back on it, I'm disappointed with it. The race itself I’m not concerned about – it wasn’t an important one and it’s far from a PB course. But I was hoping for a sub 63min in Ballycotton, now in three wks time, which is an A race for me – sub 63 is a pace is quicker that what I could hold for 10k on Saturday! There was no real big miles in my legs coming into this (I did a mini taper) so no excuse there. The link to my performance on Saturday is here - I would welcome the thoughts of anyone who knows more than me (i.e. nearly everyone!) to what I should realistically aim for in Ballycotton.

As for the race itself, I found itquite good. Feedback from previous yearswas generally negative but from what I saw yesterday, it’s very much unjustified (or the organiser learned from their mistakes!). As I said above the race is pricey (€25) butthe organisation is very good. The roads are clear and well marshalled. It’saccurate (I know that should be obvious but plenty of commercial races aren’t!)and there is a nice spread + atmosphere afterwards. T-shirt is grand too. The route itself is very hilly, verytesting. The race itself is targetedtowards the fun runners, which is reflected in the field attending. While the first two were home around the35min mark, third was only 38:59. I even managed fourth! But anyone interested in it next year, it's a recommendation from me.

A few friends have said to me over the years that I dont celebrate my successes or give myself any credit when I accomplish something. I know it might sound silly to a lot of people, but I find giving myself credit for anything a very hard thing to do. I was raised very much in the Stoic mould so any kind of self promotion or even the hint of self promotion makes me very uncomfortable. So thats why Im writing a report on this race, as a way of celebrating a success. But dont worry there'll be no "Booms" or selfies or "Go me's", just the facts and an honest appraisel of how I think I did.........

There was fierce craic over on the sweepstakes thread but to be honest I'm not a big gambler so I hadnt a clue what the hell was going on. I just enjoyed the banter and it was a really good thing Pat and luke did and it was probably the only thread in the history of this forum that didnt denegrate into petty squabbling. So it was a good vibe all around.

As for my training.......well I've cut back on the amount of running I do. I started this last year and ive cut back even more this year. Id run every second or third day, with weight training on the other days. I've never liked the ultra skinny look, and so I made a decision to gain some weight in the form of muscle mass. I did that and went up to 153lbs(from about 143) so I knew going into this race I'd be dragging extra mass around with me and so a fast time like I did before wasnt gonna happen. But I was happy with that. I actually love racing and I have to restrain myself from doing one every week. I think in a race you get to really find out a lot about yourself, in ways that your every day life just doesnt do. So with no major goal or target in the pipe line I decided to do this half, in one part to help out Pat and his cause but also to test myself.

The Race:

So me and Dave arrived down to Bohermeen with about an hour to spare. I collected my number warmed up a bit and then strolled to the startline. And this was where I made a rookie mistake, because when I say I strolled to the startline I mean I literally just ambled up the road at my leisure. And this was with a minute or so to go before the gun went off. I always like to take it handy before races, Ive never in my life done a stride or any kind of speed work before a race. I like to jog a little, maybe chat to some friends and then calmly line up near the front. And normally this works out well for me but in bohermeen the start is very very narrow and this is something I had forgotten completley. So When I got up the road I reached a point where I physically coukdnt move up any further. I thought I was only a couple of rows from the front so I wasnt worried, but when the gun went off I was shocked to see there were hundreds of people ahead of me and the road being so narrow, I ended uo being caught in some serious human traffic. I dodged and weaved and a couple of times had to come to a complete stop to avoid a collision. I was getting frustrated with myself for making such a rookie error and in the end I had to jump into a ditch and run along that to get by people. I had planned to go off easy but not that easy and my first mile was relatively slow.

Got going and passed a lot of people, I didnt panic just wound it up gradually. I was very conscious of my lack of training and the length of the race so I made sure not to get myself into a situation where I was very uncomfortable early on. Usually in a half I'll give it 4 or 5 miles before I show my hand, that way if I do blow up it'll be fairly late in the day and I wont it wont be that catastrophic. I did notice how strong the wind was though and I knew there were stretches where it was gonna be pretty bad. Plus being so far behind where I should;ve been with the slow start I knew I'd have to run the race by myself and end up in no mans land quite a bit.

Hit 5 miles in 30 mins dead and I made the turnaround to head back up by the club. This was a part I knew was gonna be tough. The wind head on and me in no mans land catching runners every now and then. It was hard and I was thinking to myself, man you're gonna have to do this again only next time you'll have more miles on the clock and in all likelihood and have someone trying to pass you and take your place. Something to look forward to so.......There was a good crowd at the clubhouse and I got a few shouts, but mostly I was taking in the terrain and making mental notes for the return journey. I knew this would the strecth where Id have my test.
So it was about 7 miles gone by this stage and thats kind of a funny part in a half. Youre fecked enough already and theres still a good whack left to run. Its the kind of thought that can break you, so I just continued saying nice happy things to myself like, Do not let that motherfcuker in the stripey red singlet catch you. All the while I was working but I was definitley in control and it wasnt getting away from me, I had enough in the tank for a negative split. I was still passing people, lads were now starting to look ragedy and dying deaths on their feet. Got to about 8 miles gone and I could see the first lady up the road with her Bodyguard. I didnt cop it at first but as I drew closer to them I realised that I knew the bouncer: It was my old friend aero2k. He looked stong and was moving well. I thought to myself, fair play Sean you look strong. But as I approached 9 miles gone aero seemed to fall back from pauline curley a bit. And then a bit more. I went by and said nothing because I knew he must be suffering. I never say anything to anyone in races because ive been in that situation myself, where Ive been dying on my feet and someone goes by me and starts saying sh1t to me which is designed to be encouraging but to be honest is just annoying. It happened to me in the kildare half one year when I had done my calve and was hobbling along when a guy goes by and starts shouting at me to come on. I have never felt like killing someoone so much im my life.......so from that day on I promised never to say a word to anyone during a race, and thats why aero, I said nothing, hope you didnt mind.

Anyway got to 10 mile point in just under 60 mins and so I knew despite the wind that I was doing ok. It wasnt gonna be a steller time or anything but it would be respectable. And at that point I just stopped looking at the watch and focused on passing people and not getting passed. I passed a pair of lads in blue tops at about 11miles. By this stage we were approaching a hill which I knew could be trouble. I made the decision to slow down a little and take it handy up the hill and not blow my finishing kick out the window. I could hear the footsteps of the two boys behind me gaining ground. I could almost read their thoughts and what they were thinking: Hes fooked, we have him. But just as the caught up with me we crested the hill and I accelerated and left them behind.......for now anyway. 12 miles gone and I caught a donore lad who was dying a death. Up the road about 50 meters was the first lady, pauline curley.
So now into the headwind and on that long long last mile or so to the finish, as so often it happens in my races, I was faced with a test. I could let pauline curley go and justify it by saying I had done well already I didnt need to do anymore or I could try my best. I was fooked at this stage and that weak part of me really wanted to capitulate and not try. But then I hear footsteps and they were getting closer. I had a quick look around and it was the two boys in the blue T-shirts. Fair play to them they were going for it. And now I had a choice: That voice in my head was telling me that it was only two places, whos to know? You can go back to the hall after the race, have some tea and rice krispie cakes and tell everyone how great I did, ommiting the part where I gave up and let two lads take my place. Nobody would ever know.........nobody except me and this is what I was talking about when I said you get to learn so much about yourself in a race because you realise in these moments that it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks about you, in sport or life. Its all about being honest with yourself and doing yourself right.
So one of the blue shirt guys draws level with my shoulder and thats as far as I let him go. I know he thinks he has me, but I accelerate and surge forward. Now theres only one set of footsteps, I burned off one of them. The remaining guy tries again. Again I dont let him get beyond my shoulder and this time I kick hard. Im absolutley fooked but I go anyway. In all the excitement i realise ive caught the leading lady. I go by her aswell. 200m to go and now I have to keep it going, I cant surrender now even though that voice is still calling for me to quit and let them pass me. I catch a donore guy and give everything I have to pass him, some guy shouts 100 to go and thats it, I sprint as hard as I can and I make it over the line without giving in or surrendering a position.

The time wasnt my best, far far from it, but bloody hell that was probably the best race I've ever run. I was tested and I didnt give in and when you do that, regardless of the time, you're good.

Time: 79:05
Place 22nd

Brilliant report man.

Calvin Johnson wrote: »

Great report Tunguska, you have a way with words.

Didn't realise I was standing next to you in the clubhouse, nice disguise.

You have me there, I didn't realise I was standing next to you either. That's nuts isn't it. Did I say hello? I must've, I said hi to everyone in the immediate vicinity. If I didn't I apologise, it was seriously crowded in that hall and I had Niall shouting at me about Lennox lewis every 2 mins.

Saturday March 14th

St. Laurence O'Toole 10K Race

46:03 on the watch - 7:25 per mile pace - New PB by 3 minutes, 37 seconds

This also included a new unofficial 5K PB of 22:43

Was aiming for around 47:40

Chip time not available on PrecisionTiming.Net yet...patiently waiting.

Mile splits:

Mile 1: 6:32,
Mile 2: 7:31,
Mile 3: 7:47,
Mile 4: 7:32,
Mile 5: 7:36,
Mile 6: 7:31,
Last 0.21: 1:34

Loved this and I am totally buzzing now.

As usual, I took off too fast and suffered a bit for miles 2 and 3. I was conscious of this at the start and kept telling myself not to do it but I did...again...I just can't get the hang of getting the feel of my starting pace right.

Mile 3 had a pretty bad hill too but it was the only one along the course really. This was the only mile where I missed my 7:40 pace target which I didn't think I could hold nearly as well as I did.

Lovely course, great spread afterwards and I'd recommend it to anybody next year!

7 seconds ahead of meself Tones! Agree about you re the race. Great event!

That's me!!

Brian Boru (Clontarf) 10 Mile Race Report 06/04/2015

Pre Race
I had only run two 10 milers prior to this; the last two Frank Duffy races, the quicker being in 2013 with a chip time of 1:16:xx. Since then, I lowered my 5 mile PB to 34:xx in last year's Terenure race (pacer assisted). Surely there was room for improvement ?! However, there were little or no signs that anything positive was to happen today; a number of poor runs, mixed in around GAA and life stuff, and the fact that I hadn't really trained for a race in ages.

On the day I arrived at the Red Stables at about 9:00 to a quick and easy number and chip collection, after which a lap of the Parkrun course, mixed in with a bit of fartlek, got the blood pumping in plenty of time for the off. We were to run two small laps followed by one little one, and two big ones. Confused? You're not the only one!

Miles 1-2
I lined up alongside Dave Brady, and another guy from Raheny who seems to run in most of my races. I decided to let the field separate out on the two small loops at the bottom of the avenue, while I got my bearings for the rest of it. I should point out that the route was very different from last year's (see the race thread). We then ran the entire length of the avenue before turning around and coming back down again. I was trying to hang on to a guy in an orange Meath Spring Marathon top, but soon realised that wasn't going to work, and dialled it back a wee bit on the way down.

Miles 3-6
Near the bottom we turned left onto the Parkrun course, before bearing right just after we crossed the little bridge, then right as we headed for the south eastern corner of the park. RedRunner was there supporting on the downhill, as I was trying to keep pace with a group of 3 or 4 a few yards ahead. I caught a lady runner around the 3 mile mark, but then turning left up the short steep hill took a bit out of me, and I didn't really gain any positions for a while. Being familiar with most of the park was a help though; I realised that if I kept this pace up, I was certainly in with a shout of a PB. The course changed again down the avenue, as we turned right at the rose garden and down around the bottom of the park again, before some badly needed water (at last!) on quite a warm day....and off we turned again....

Miles 7-10
Even though I had managed to catch and pass a Donore guy, I still felt a bit weak at this point, and as I passed the baggage area at the bottom of the avenue I was on the brink of stepping off and grabbing my gear. But then I thought, there's a shot at a PB here, I'll probably have to fight for it though! With DNF demons cast aside, I pushed on again, and although I wasn't making up too many places, not many were passing me either. The second run up the hill gave me a bit more of a boost, as did a slight return to the Parkrun route before the 8 mile marker.

Turning back down the avenue, I knew we wouldn't just be running straight down to the finish. So where would we turn? Right at the rose garden, looping back near the start. Just when I thought we were heading straight back to the avenue, we were diverted left again! I was suffering a fair bit now, but even so I could finally see the finish line, and picked it up down the straight for a while, before easing up and crossing the line, arms raised knowing the PB was in the bag of almost a minute, as it since transpired! I'm fairly chuffed with that, especially as it happened on such a warm day and on a course with so many twists and turns.

Position: 97th
Time: 1:15:40 (1:15:31)

Post Race
I sat down for a few minutes to relax, then after a bit of chat at the finish, went for a coffee and scone in Tír na nÓg before heading home. Next up in terms of races is the K-Club BHAA event on Saturday. In the meantime, I've some Moet to finish on this sunny summer like afternoon; life's good in my running world again!!

Adding a pic. Don't know if that's allowed on this thread but sure I'm a bit of a rebel. The 13 year old daughter snapped this at km3. I like to think it captures the 'concentrated but comfortable' feel that you're looking for with 6/7ths of the race still to run. Funny thing also is it is one of the extremely few stretches not on tarmac and not descending so that when I look back at this race in a few years time, I'll have a completely incorrect memory of it!

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

Cracking time, well done. Have you gone to the tomato throwing festival in Bunol? If memory serves me right, Bunol is near Valencia?

And there was me worrying about attaching pics!! Now we're REALLY going to go off topic. Yes, I did. Only once though. It's a good laugh once you're prepared for it. Old clothes and trainers/flip flops cos they'll be heading to the bin immediately after the event.

The only thing I'd change was the weather. We got unlucky with a coolish (it was probably about 24 degrees, but by then that was cool) day and the public showers afterwards weren't as welcome as they usually would be. In any case you'll still find a few tomato pips in strange parts of the body 3 days later.

great run and report aero

aero2k wrote: »

It's long, but it took five years to get there, so no apologies: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8N2ILvWdxnodjI0eVd6UUV0Y0k/view?usp=sharing

Bib number 15439 for pics and video.

A super report to capture an exceptional performance.
Well done Seán.
Totally deserved