Myles Splitz wrote: » I definitely think that there are a number of marathoners who are missing a trick with regards the benefits of the training in terms of not just strength and stamina but also the muscular development that can improve consistency during next marathon cycle.
ger664 wrote: » I 100% agree with this but the timing is the issue. Most club marathon runners would target Dublin as their race. XC running/races really need to be ran in August for a marathon runner to get any benefit for Dublin or late November when they have recovered somewhat from the race. Locally novices/master county are 3 weeks before Dublin and the Munster masters are on the day before. If you are serious about doing yourself justice in Dublin you will not run those races. So either move the calendar to early August or late November.
Ceepo wrote: » Is the date for Munster masters XC change as it is normally on been last weekend in November or the 1st week in December.
youngrun wrote: » No venues yet . the Autumn XC /Gerry F is first big one, surprised there is no venue for this usually in Park?
Sacksian wrote: » I’m really looking forward to that 4k Short Course Championship. Given the timing, just after Dublin masters with the national inters and masters still to come, as well as younger guys looking at indoors and with the road runners free, it could be the biggest field of the year. I’m sure it will be mayhem whatever the size of the field. Just getting back to it after being out May-June-July, (and March) - progressing from runs of 2.5 miles two weeks ago, so still a way to go yet. National novice is probably my main goal - top 50 would be great but I really just want to try and get some consistent running in and finish the xc season a little stronger and a little faster for indoor. Will see you all out there!XC Courses I thought the courses for the Leinster Novice/Masters, National Novice and National Intermediate last year were all good / interesting. As was the Novice in 2013. Hopefully the trends of decent national courses continues, rather than just running around a field, so looking forward to seeing where they are being held this year. Short course was previously held in ALSAA a few times - don’t know if that was a fixed location but it might good for numbers.
nobody told me wrote: » This is going to be my first cross country season since I was in school and I cannot wait. Embrace the pain. Can someone give me some staple workouts? I was thinking long tempos, fartlek and hills. My long run is 13 miles at the mo so I think I will need to increase that.
IvoryTower wrote: » whats the difference between novice, intermediate and senior?
KielyUnusual wrote: » In short novice = 6k intermediate = 8k senior = 10k Not much difference in standard between the novice and the intermediate. Senior can be a pretty high standard. Winning individual medal or team gold at novice can mean that you can't compete in it next year's novice. You can only compete at inter and senior. Do the same at inter level and you're up with the big boys in the senior as your only option. National novice is the best race in the country.
pconn062 wrote: » Really starting to get stuck into the XC specific stuff now, have done two decent workouts on grass in the last week. It's very different running fast on grass than on the road or track, requires me to use more concentration in terms of footfall. Few road races coming up to get the racing legs in gear, how is everyone else getting on?
Sacksian wrote: » I've had a decent couple of weeks. Even if I'm struggling a bit with pace, it's just good to be back running consistently and being able to tackle the Munichs without worrying about the calf or achilles. Haven't quite worked up to a session of Munich miles yet though! I've noticed that missing the track season has meant that my legs just aren't used to turning over quickly yet, so I'm a bit leaden and the Dublin novice is going to be a lot less fun than I hoped! Had thought about getting a race in before then but I might just try and get in some decent sessions instead.
Myles Splitz wrote: » When building back did you do any sort of progression style runs, strides or hill reps? I though building back up I would be the same but seem to have hit the ground running so to speak this week when I reintroduced sessions. Using short hills for turnover myself once every two weeks on top of strides and hill reps.
Myles Splitz wrote: » 3 sessions down this week and seem to have gone well for me, next week will be the litmus test as first sessions on grass. in two minds about my long tempo. probably gonna do it on an undulating loop on grass but little worried the fluctuating pace levels might hinder the aim of the session more than the specificity of the grass (I think realistically its probably just my ego talk and not wanted to see slower paces at harder effort on the grass :P)
Sacksian wrote: » I think that's a real benefit of doing all your running on grass - all you're focusing on is effort (and when you get on to the road, you're able to run much quicker for the same effort). Equally, every xc course is different, so all you can do is calibrate effort for the conditions rather than sticking to a predetermined pace. That matters less if your tempo is being done on a course for one of your xc race targets, but either way parking the ego is always good for training!
