Cross Country Training Thread

Leinster intermediate and uneven age taking place in JFK Park New Ross Wexford on 8th November.

pconn062 wrote: »

Trained on the "Munich mile" for the first time at the weekend (raced on it once before), what a great resource to have access to.

Just a note on the Autumn open XC, seems to have been a great success? The open race seemed to attract plenty of runners and AI probably deserve some credit for getting more people competing at XC. Are these open type of events the way to go to increase the popularity of XC, or is this one simply living off the reputation of the Gerry Farnan? I know my own club has an open XC event (the Rás) and apart from a few guys and girl from DSD we really struggle to get Dublin clubs to travel down.

I think the Autumn Open is largely an elite event. The numbers are artifiicially inflated by the fact that it doubles as a selection race for the British and Irish masters races. If you look through the field, the vast majority are masters runners and then the rest are mainly accomplished club runners.

If you can't run the Novice or Intermediate races then there aren't too many XC races out there for the top class runners to compete against each other so events like this are probably necessary as preparation for the Inter Clubs and the likes. A lot of counties might not even have very competitive senior county races.

For introducing people to cross country, I think the BHAA races are great. Huge diversity in the field from the likes of Sean Hehir and Mick Clohissey to people just starting out in Fit4Life groups. Everyone is made feel welcome and they have a great, relaxed atmosphere at them too. Plus the brack. Its mainly about the brack, of course.....and the tea, couldn't forget about the tea.

Sacksian wrote: »

Thought it'd make more sense to move the discussion here from the Steve Jones thread...



I think Leinster Novice/Masters are always the day before DCM. Not many Dublin teams travel. In fact, the numbers can be lower than the Dublin novice. but it's still a good race at the top end. Donore, Liffey Valley and Sportsworld seem to compete regularly. Crusaders, Raheny and Rathfarnham did in 2013, but not in 2014.

I guess it depends on the club targets, and possibly location too. If you've the same people on Novice/Intermediate/Senior teams for county/province/national races, then it's probably right that it's the provincial race that gets missed.

Do your clubs set squad targets for xc at the beginning of the season? Or is it more discussion between athletes?

I bloody spent the last 3months solid trying to get out a team for the novice Sunday, only for it to disappeared into thin air last minute. The marathon has certainly sucked a good few potential athletes away.

youngrun wrote: »

Cross country team organisation thats always the way , it can be a headwreck!! I think you have to factor in a 40% drop out in advance for whatever reason, usually mystery illnesses or overnight health crises .Add in a 10% drop out in the race worst case .. So if you need a six to score you need twelve on your list to run a week out..! Usually the mid packers the most reliable too

Or club not registering you and Athletics Leinster digging their heels in less than 24 hours after register shut-off......:rolleyes:

Myles Splitz wrote: »

2 days of rain, 10k XC has never been more daunting.

Anyone else racing this weekend?

Yea, for my sins. Not relishing the prospect of it but we might have a decent team depending on who shows up. Would be great to get a senior team medal but its a tough ask with the likes of DSD, Raheny and Rathfarnam. We'll definitely be missing a few of our stronger runners too.

What other XC races have you lined up before Christmas? A lot of options between now and the National Novice.

Myles Splitz wrote: »

The three teams named always produce very strong teams for Seniors alright and I would imagine Donore will be there to with a very strong team.

For me the big one I am targeting is Dublin Intermediates (week before Novice) and then will probably do the Vodafone BHAA in Marlay on 13th to wrap up the year. Not doing National Novice though opting for the other Waterford race that weekend

You're just in it for the hat

Myles Splitz wrote: »

The three teams named always produce very strong teams for Seniors alright and I would imagine Donore will be there to with a very strong team.

1-4 at Inter Clubs earlier this year was Clonliffe, Raheny, Donore and DSD in that order. So, it should be between those again, depending on availability of key men. Mark Kenneally ran the Autumn Open, so he may be there for Clonliffe?

Myles Splitz wrote: »

May have been to put himself on radar for European XC team? Dublin Seniors not usually one athletes use to show form (Although a number have ran it in the past).From what I hear Clohisey is running the Inter Clubs in a few weeks so could well make an appearance to.

I'd say you're probably right. Maybe there will be a few looking to keep their powder dry, but surely it's good timing ahead of Inter Clubs? I think both Clonliffe and Donore had depleted teams last year, so it'll be interesting to see how they go this time around. I don't envy you racing it!

Myles Splitz wrote: »

Would agree (bar the Claw as probably weighing up recovery)

Would love to see him do well at interclubs though if only to create an Irish running Trivia question of being the only man ever to win the Inter Clubs twice in the same year

You not running yourself?

I raced every Sunday in October so I just want to get back to some actual cross country training (and the Munichs) at the weekends now. And racing 10k - over any terrain - is not on my list of things to do for a long time!

Myles Splitz wrote: »

It's mad to think just how many races there are. I think my shift work is a blessing at times because trying to get that many sunday's off is difficult.

Just looking at the calendar for November it doesn't look much better

Nov 1st - Dublin Seniors
Nov 8th - Leinster Intermediate
Nov 22nd - InterClubs
November 29th - Dublin Intermediate

I won't be doing any of them! And that's without the two BHAA races that are normally on in October in ALSAA and Santry - I would have done the Santry race.

pconn062 wrote: »

Meant to be running county senior at the weekend, but twinged my calf on an easy run yesterday. Physio doesn't think there is much damage, seems to have been a cramp that as left a little residual soreness. Hoping a day or two off will help it settle down and I can run on Sunday.

Calf seems to be holding up, did 40 mins today with a few surges on grass with no ill effects so looks like we should be good to go. Don't know whether to be happy or sad about that! :pac: At least it's giving a good day Sunday.

Good luck to everyone racing tomorrow.

It was a good race, the three of them in a bunch to the last km and Clohissey had the legs for the finish.
You first in for Crusaders? (I couldn't remember what you looked like :pac:)