On a sunny spring day, the Sportsworld contingent descended upon Straffan. Arriving relatively close to the race start time (as I usually do!), it was great to see so many club mates there already warmed up and ready to go! It had the feeling of a typical Saturday morning session, but with less wind and rain than recent weeks! In fact, I spent so much time meeting and greeting everyone that I suddenly realised that I had ten minutes to do my warm up! After a few lengths of the car park, my legs felt a lot looser than normal. I took that as a good sign before starting my first 10k since September!
After a slight delay at the start line, the crowd eventually moved back the required ten metres and the race was underway. The course left the grounds of the K Club and went out approximately 2KM on the country roads around Straffan. The route then consisted of two 3KM loops and returned back along the original 2KM to a slightly uphill home straight. To be fair, it is definitely one of the flattest routes around so it is ideal for fast PB running. It may have been a few metres short, but not short enough to take the shine off all the great times run!
Trying to be patient for the first half of the race, I eventually found myself latching on to Mark from about KM2 to KM7. Mark then cruised home to finish with a very impressive time of 34:52. Myles was well positioned throughout the race at around KM 2, 5 and 9 and in full voice, as always, with great encouragement. At KM 9, he was cheering for Wes and I. I didn’t realise that Wes had been sitting on my shoulder for the previous couple of KMs! With his cover blown, it was at this point that he powered past me and finished in a fantastic time of 35:12. Despite my waving to Myles, I don’t think I could’ve gone any faster to hang on-great racing by Wes!
At the front of the race, Karol flew the flag for both The Teachers Team and Sportsworld and finished a very credible 5th place in 32:05, backing up his 3rd place finish in the Tubbercurry 10k last week! Phil continued his recent run of good form to finish 25th in 34:08. Stephen pulled out his usual classy performance and finished 38th with a time of 34:35. Kevin made a great return to racing with a solid performance. Other standout performances came from Ronan (smashing his PB), Conor, David, Neil and Eoin who were rightfully pleased with their showing. Will had a great first 5KM and bravely toughed it out in the latter half.
In the ladies, Lisa went from strength to strength and finished a sensational second place with 38:12 in her first ever 10K! Unbelievable achievement! Not to be outshone by the great men’s results, there were some other fantastic performances by the ladies! I didn’t get a chance to chat to everyone after the race, so all results can be seen below… https://bhaa.ie/race/k-club-10km-2019/ All club members who participated earned the fantastic spread laid on by the K Club from gourmet hotdogs, to delicious fruit tarts; it was a brilliant ending to another superb day of racing for Sportsworld and many more to follow!
The next big race for me is Rás UCD 5k on the 6th of April with all proceeds going to a great cause, UCD Volunteers Overseas. It would be great to see you all there!
It wouldn’t be Paddy’s weekend without the annual MSB 5KM. Well
except for last year when it had to be cancelled due to snow. No such
conditions this year. The weather was perfect despite me causing mild
panic on the whatsapp group that morning about it being Baltic out and
causing everyone to rethink their race attire. It wasn’t, I was just
being overly dramatic! The race HQ and bag drop was in the Mansion
House. It was like stepping into the twilight zone with the fluorescent
lighting and a lady playing the harp. I looked around for some familiar
faces and spotted Peter Knaggs sitting on the floor looking like he was
at a festival not about to run a race . He claimed he needed a rest
after running 10 miles up the waterworks the day before (he still went
out and broke 20 mins)!
It’s one of my favourite races.
It’s seldom you get the chance to run around this part of the city.
There were plenty of Sportsworld singlets to be seen warming up in St.
Stephens Green. After the obligatory group photo we climbed over the
barriers to the start line and we were off. A ripple of amusement went
through the crowd of runners as the commentator announced “see you all
back here in about 14 minutes” We wished!! It’s a fast, flat, course
starting and finishing on St. Stephens Green North, taking in Baggot
Street, Fitzwilliam Place, Leeson Street. I was nervous beforehand
having been out since the new year with a hip injury. I knew I wasn’t
“race fit” so just set out with no time expectations. I was pleasantly
surprised with my time. I was looking at the backs of Anne Sweeney and
Conor Kenny for the entire race but couldn’t quite catch them (That 1
second will haunt me forever Conor ????). There was also great support
along the route from the ever present Emily and Myles. Thanks also for
the shout out’s and photos from Maura, Michael, Olive, Maria and Gemma.
Everyone came across the finish line smiling (except Eoin who came
across crying – there’s a photo to prove it).
After the
obligatory post- race analysis and photos it was off to Brasserie 66 for
lunch, kindly organised by Anna Carrigan. There was a great crowd there
and as always a few of the usual suspects (no names, no scandal) went
on to the Long Hall for “1 more”. Soon the few people became a few more
as Sportsworld began to take over the pub and the “1 more” became “1 too
many more”. But, I digress. This is meant to be a race report so…..
Big
Congrats to Gareth Murran who had another a great race finishing in the
top ten. Congrats also to Ann Marie Clyne who bagged herself a
fantastic PB knocking 1min30secs off her time! Sportsworld was very well
represented as you will see from the results. Well done all!
The National Indoor Masters Championships took place on March 3rd in AIT Indoor Arena in Athlone. After the enjoyment of the Leinster races the week before I was looking forward all week to competing with the best M35 in the country over the 800M and the 1500M in Athlone. From the club, Michael Cunningham was also running the 1500M in the M40 race. Athlone is a great spot for running with a Greenway to Mullingar, Indoor and Outdoor tracks and only 80 minutes from Dublin.
A fine day in Athlone
Despite my first race the 800M being on at 1:40 PM I was on the road early. You never know if the event will run to schedule so I’d rather be early and relaxed. I was far from relaxing when we were waiting to be called. I knew from the start list that I was racing for a 2nd place in the 800M. The eventual winner Denis Coughlan is the best Masters runner in the country over the distance and can still mix it in a good senior race.
I was drawn in lane 1, the inside lane. Inner lanes on indoor tracks are generally slower (because of the tight turns), so they are generally not preferred. I managed to get off fast and was sitting nicely in 3rd place. I was moving well going through in 30, 61, 1,32 and 2.04. Having not done much speed work I was happy to be only .3 seconds off my indoor PB. I finished hoping I’d run 2.03 but it wasn’t to be. A bit disappointed with that but 2nd place in the National in my weaker event.
Indoor tracks are banked
The setup in Athlone is different from Abbotstown. It’s a smaller arena with a warm-up track on the upper level. I prefer running on the tighter track as the atmosphere is better, with the crowd on top of you. The smaller venue does make warming up difficult. I did a few strides after the race but then went and did 5K on the Athlone Greenway with a fellow runner from Sligo.
Athlone Indoor Arena
Next up was my favored 1500M. I used to prefer the 800M but chasing a PB has gotten progressively harder as my 30’s catch up with me. We were drawn in with the M45 runners so I wouldn’t get a chance to race MC. They often combine races but you win the title for your age group, not the race. I fancied my chances in the race and the age group. It went out at a very steady 35 seconds for the first 3 laps. At that stage of the race, all the runners were just strung out in a line.
800M 2nd Place
The leader Mark O’Shea from Drogheda picked up the pace and me and Shane O’Neill from Rathfarnham went with the pace. As all good championship races so it just kept getting faster. I made one mistake in the race by sitting in with 3 laps to go. At that point, I felt really good and should have pushed the pace a small bit. You need to balance your pace over the whole race. Too fast and the lactic will get you and too slow and you just won’t run fast. Unless it’s a very slow race you can’t rely on a fast finish. I went past Shane with 2 laps to go but he came back at me with 200M to go. I was feeling the 800M and struggled to kick back. I finished just behind the 2 lads, 3rd in the race but first M35 in a time of 4.13. Both these guys were in the M45 category, and have run sub 4.10 this year, a very impressive feat. Michael ran in the race just after mine. he took 5 seconds off his time from last week running 4.43 with a fast finish.
1500M First Place
I set the goal to win the gold in the 1500m last year and missed the indoors and finished second in the outdoors. A hard winters training and many early starts have made all the difference as I am running betterer than ever. I didn’t run any personal bests over the season but lets see what the faster outdoor season brings. It’s now on to the outdoors. I can’t wait to start training up in Tallaght on March 30th. The 400M track is easier to run on but it will seem gigantic for a while as I found out recently in Portugal.
Rare photo opportunity with the Chairman
This year, the Leinster Senior & Masters Outdoors are on June 2nd with the National Seniors on July 27th. I haven’t run Seniors in 4 years but may give the heats a crack this year if I can keep the fitness levels up and shake off some love handles. The last track event of the year is the National Masters Outdoors on August 18th. That is getting close to Sunday, 29 September which is my main target for the year the Berlin Marathon. I’ll have to see if I can get the long run done midweek and sneak down to Tullamore. If it’s not on Strava it didn’t happen after all!
race report by AnnMarie Clyne, photos by Deirdre O’Connell
Last Sunday saw the Sportsworld ladies travel over to Abbottstown in Blanchardstown for the final cross-country race of the Meet and Train league. Abbottstown is the home of Athletics Ireland and was a great opportunity for us to run on the national cross-country track.
There was plenty of excitement arriving at the course as
this was the last cross-country of the season and more importantly Sportsworld
Team A was leading the Diamond league.
Our first thoughts about the course was that it was well manicured and
more reminiscent of a golf course – this is cross-country Dublin style! In typical cross-country form though the
weather gods came out in force for us with plenty of rain and wind. If you had
to write the script for a cross-country this would be it!
At 11 a.m. we were off on 4 laps of the 3KM course which
transpired to be nearly a 4KM race by the time we finished. We did hear a story about a man measuring the
course and rushing off to celebrate his mothers 80th birthday but I
think that story is better for another day!
The general consensus was that the course was not too bad
but every one of us were very thankful for the group of supporters at the top
of the hill particularly on the final lap.
This was my first time competing for Sportsworld, this event
is very inclusive everyone plays an important part on the team, even if you are,
like me. one of the slowest runners. It is an event for all levels and abilities
with the overall theme being that it is competition with the fun factor. The camaraderie between team members is
fantastic and a great way to get to know other members of our club. Also despite it being a competition the
camaraderie between other clubs is not something you normally see at other race
events.
Results came in later in the evening and unfortunately
Sportsworld Team A were beaten by Crusaders Team A in a closely fought battle
on the day. Hard luck guys but
congratulations nonetheless.
Congratulations are also extended to Sportsworld Team B who came second
in the Silver Division and Team C and D who were well placed in their
respective divisions. A shout out should
also go to the runners who took part as individuals, well done to you too.
Full results have been posted on the club noticeboard.
Many thanks to all the supporters who came out to cheer us on, the encouragement coming to the finish line really does work! Also thanks to Deirdre, Naoise & Trish and all those that helped with stewarding and with the after race teas and coffees, your support was very much appreciated.
After the high of the Clontarf 5 mile back in November, I started to look at other races of similar distance and signed up to the Lusk 4 mile event. To my horror, I discovered that the last race of the Meet and Train and the Lusk 4 mile were scheduled for the same day. Not to worry the races were scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. respectively and it seemed possible to do both. Not one for doing things on my own I persuaded Alison Mackey and Michelle Byrne to sign up and be as mad as me in doing two races in one day. There is comfort in numbers after all!
Race day came and as weather conditions worsened we began to question our decision. We left the comfort of the Meet and Train post-race tea and biscuits to head across to Lusk. We arrived in Lusk with plenty of time to check out the race start area and decided to head to the nearest coffee shop to take cover from the heavy rain. Seemingly Lusk is a farming town and there are no Starbucks, Costa or similar coffee houses to be found. We headed to the second pub in the town where the bar man was kind enough to direct us to the bar area and placed us in front of an open fire. This is where we did the warm up of our wet runners, socks and clothes. It brought a whole new meaning to pre-race warm up!
The new Nike Ad
It was hard to leave the pub and our pots of tea but as we had travelled this far we were now committed. By the time we got to the start area we were wet again and decided to take some cover in the local church porch some might say we were looking for divine inspiration to get us through the race. Alison, Michelle and I decided we would run this race together, we were feeling so miserable at this stage that we needed each other to get this race over and done with. The course was a relatively flat 2 lap course with a 200m hill to the finish. The route takes participants on the outskirts of the town onto the motorway and back in passing building sites and warehouses. If you read Catherina McKiernan’s race report (female winner) she is much more positive about the course!
Despite the rain and being soaked to the skin, we enjoyed
the run and delighted with ourselves that we managed to run two races in one
day. We were also delighted that we
managed to complete the course before the snow came down. I’m not sure I’d recommend this race but the
goodie bag certainly made up for the crazy day we had!
The Leinster Senior and Masters Indoors took place at the national indoor arena on Saturday March 2nd.
The club had 3 runners taking part this year. Gareth Murran (M35) and Michael Cunningham (M40) ran in the Maters 1500M and Derek Saville (M40) in the Masters 400M. The first race was the 1500M, a combined M35 – M45 race. Often the races are combined but medals are awarded for each age group, going up in 5-year increments.
The 1500M is 7.5 laps indoors. The lack of straights means it is often more difficult to pass other athletes, compared to the wider lanes on the outdoor track. Gareth took the lead from the begging of the race and ticked off the first 5 laps, running a steady 35 seconds for 200M.
With a lap and a half to go in the race, one of the other runners came up on the outside so there was a need to pick up the pace and hold the line. The last 300M was covered by Gareth in just over 48 seconds to take the Gold medal in a time of 4.18.
Michael, running in the same race finished in a time of 4.48. Outside the medals but running well.
After a long wait and a cool down around the cross country course, Gareth was up in his second race of the day. With 10 in the race, Gareth received a good lane draw in lane 3 but also had to share.
Determined to stay out of trouble in the race Gareth was out fast, going through 200M in 30 seconds. On tired legs the next couple of laps slowed to 32 seconds, a very manageable pace, more akin to a fast 1500M race.
With 200M to go Derek gave the shout to Gareth that he had 2-3 meters of a lead, not knowing what was behind, all that was needed was to hold the pace in the last lap.
In the last event of the day, Derek ran in the 400M. The M35 and M40 ran together. Derek managed to win a gold medal in a time of 59.54. A good day for the club with 3 medals. Roll on the Nationals next week and then some outdoor sessions.
The
Wicklow Hospice 5k, 10k and Half Marathon took place on Saturday in the
stunning Avondale Forest Park in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, as a fundraiser for the
Wicklow Hospice Foundation. Avondale Forest Park is the birthplace of both
Irish forestry in the 1770s and Charles Stewart Parnell in 1846, and this was
the first time for me to pay it a visit.
My
colleagues Aoife and Carmel had both run in the various events previously, and
were making the journey back down again for the 10k, as they had really enjoyed
the run the previous year. When myself and my husband found that we would be
going to Wexford on the same day, we decided to head off a bit early to
participate in the 10k as well, which was to be a mix of trail and road
in Avondale Forest Park and Rathdrum itself.
We
arrived in time to collect our race numbers and do a very quick warm up and
have a quick chat with my colleagues who described the course as hilly but
lovely. All 3 races had different starting points so I only saw clubmate Louise
Jackman in passing before the start and then as she was finishing the half
later on. The event was not chip timed but instead the old school method of
race starter phoning the clock starter ensued, much to our collective
amusement. 10 second countdown and then we were off (see Denis McCaul’s
Dunboyne race report for further explanation (http://sportsworldrun.wpengine.com/news/bhaa-dunboyne-5-mile-2017/)
We
started with a short down hill and then we were up and on to the trails, past
Avondale House to do a loop of the grounds and then we headed out of the park,
and on to road to Rathdrum. I had been advised that there would be 3 miles of
uphill and the course did not disappoint! I love the challenge of the hills and
for the most part there was a bit of a break in between them, but there was one
particular stretch when we turned left at Avon Motors to head towards Avoca,
when the hills went on for 2km in to the wind…this was mentally tough but I
just visualised Emily standing at the top shouting at me to keep going and
before I knew it, the climb was over!
As
I approached the finish line, there were shouts for the race director that I
was 1st female and to make sure I told the race timer as I crossed the line!! I
was really happy with my run, which I had just treated as a good hard training
run rather than a race, and the win was a bonus. There was great atmosphere at
the end, where the 5k and 10k finishers were gathering. There was a fantastic
spread of biscuits, cake and freshly made sandwiches whilst we waited for the
prize giving. I was honoured to be presented with my winners plate and prize by
Wicklow Hospice Patron Fionnuala McCormack. The men’s 10k winner was local
running legend Mick Byrne in a spectacular time of 35 mins on a tough
course.
Huge
kudos has to go to Louise for doing the half marathon which would have taken is
most of the hills twice…not a bother to her though after the Art O’Neill
Challenge!
The event itself raised €11,000 for the Wicklow Hospice Foundation who have been working tirelessly for the past 10 years to provide a hospice and palliative care services for the people of Wicklow. The hospice build itself is due to be completed this year. They are hosting a 4 day festival of running in June – more info can be found here:
Home to world-renowned beaches Portugal and more specifically the Algarve is a sun seekers paradise. But those who venture away from the sand and high rises will be rewarded by this bountiful country; cobbled hilltop villages, verdant headlands, and captivating sun-baked plains demanding exploration.
Running trails in Lagos
With the masters and the senior cross country season behind me for another year and some time on my hands, I decided to head away for a week’s training in preparation for the upcoming indoor and outdoor track seasons. I asked around about winter training and the Algarve sounded like the good option with a mix of 18C temperatures, great off-season value, the legendary trails around Monte Gordo and the almond blossom cross country course near Albufeira.
Almond blossom cross country course near Albufeira
There is a good reason why many of the worlds best athletes light up those Instagram feeds over the winter, in the Algarve training. The beautiful beaches, incredible trails over the cliffs and through the orange groves and the ease of travel and lifestyle make it the perfect location to balance hard training with a perfect break. With Brian Bryne going on a trip in May I said I’d write up a few tips and good routes.
The Ryanair flights to Faro are inexpensive over the winter months with return flights typically costing less than €80. Despite there being an infinite amount of places to run in the Algarve the two most popular destinations are around Albufeira in the West and Vila Real de Santo António in the East.
Regions in the Algarve
I choose to stay at the Alfamar apartments which are 35 minutes West of Faro and set between Albufeira and Vilamoura. The pine forests and Albufeira nature reserve surround the hotel and it is only 400 meters away from the fabulous 6 kilometers long Falésia beach. Score!
The hotel has its own track, indoor and outdoor pools, and gym and triathletes can swim in the sea and enjoy the many safe cycling and running trails. The hotel is also less than a kilometer from the cross country course. There is another hotel nearby in the top left of the image below, which is where Brian byrne had previoauly trained.
A quick disclaimer, the hotel I stayed in is conveniently located for those with sporting intent but it’s quite basic and not a good location for a week of sightseeing without a car. On the other, and if you just wanted to run and lie by the pool or the beautiful beach them knock yourself out. I believe there are bus transfers for €15 from faro but the car was only €150 including the 500 kilometers I drove along the coast West of Faro.
Falesia beach is 6K long and 400M away
Back to the running bit. Running alongside invigorating cliff top paths with the exhilarating Atlantic Ocean smashing menacingly upon dramatic cliffs provides runners with a refreshingly diverse landscape in which to train and improve fitness levels and performance.
Go for a run, but love the trails. It’s valentines.
Added to the above, the Algarve is a rural location. You don’t meet traffic on the roads, it’s not far removed from Connemara, apart from the 300+ days of sunshone. The gentler roads cut through groves of orange trees that run alongside long stretches of fine sandy trails. I promise I’m not on any commission, just check out the pictures.
Map of the hotel and surrounding areas
Typical trails in the area
When you are away for a training week you need to make the most of it and push the weekly mileage a bit higher than you would at home. It’s a good opportunity to try running twice a day if you have never done that. I set a plan for the week as follows.
Day
AM
PM
Monday
–
15K
Tuesday
15K
10K
Wednesday
10K
Track Session
Thursday
15K
15K Tempo
aturday
XC Session
10k
Sunday
30K Long Run
–
On Monday I got the early flight so by 11 AM I’d landed in Faro and was on the road way too early to check-in. With DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Portugal in hand I headed to Tavira and Loule to do some touristing.
Beautiful plants outside a house in Loule, Portugal
By 3 PM I was checking in and ready to get my recovery run out of the way. The 4 AM start and national master cross country the day before. I used it as an opportunity to see the place and get my bearings. Over the course of the week, I would manage to get lost quite a few times but made a few friends.
My favourite Portuguese donkey
Despite the warm midday sun, the overnight temperature in Portugal can be in the low single digits. Even on the coldest mornings, you can still see the sun and the moon. the On Tuesday morning I ran from the hotel toward Vilamoura. Its a good run on trails and asphalt. If you get out early running the cold temperatures and sunrise in your face on country roads makes for a memorable experience. All you can hear is birds chirping and life is good.
On Wednesday after a 12K morning run, I headed for the track. It is not right beside the hotel, which is good for getting a 1K warm-up done. I arrived with the intention of doing 16 x 400 Min around 70-72 seconds with a 45-second floating recovery. Quickly I was told by the grounds person that I needed a ticket, despite there being nobody else using it.
Workout Wednesday
Finally, 15 minutes later than expected I was starting my session. Having not done the much fast work in months I took the very first 400M very handy but ran 76 seconds. A bit gutted I tried to pick up a bit and ran a 71. Then on number 3 something clicked and I just started to get into it.
Delighted with the overall pace once I got moving. My take away is to check with reception on track availability. Track workouts are particularly rough by yourself so bring some electrolytes and loads of water.
Thursday as all about doing 10 miles or 16K easy in the morning and then do the same loop again in the evening at tempo pace. The morning all went to plan. In the evening, I decided last minute to do the lap in reverse, got lost in the first few kilometers and well there isn’t exactly anyone to stop and ask for directions. If you go South from the hotels there is a trail of about 3-4 K into Vilamoura whilst if you go North it is about 6-7 away. Once you get to Vilamoura there is somewhat of a ring road with good footpaths for runners and not too many traffic lights.
Running around the Vilamoura golf courses
One other thing I figured out is that some of the golf courses have public paths, just learn what “Quatro” in Portuguese means. you really can just make it up here.
North or South routes from Hotel
On Saturday I was up early to do 5 x 2K with 2-minute recovery around the cross country course. Despite the European club cross country champions the course wasn’t well marked in parts. I was quite pleased with the session, running an average of 6.30 for each of the 2K laps. The course is tough with two huge sand traps, log jumps, and sharp hills. It’s not mucky but the sand is almost as bad as a day out in Galway, almost!
Challenging hills
On Saturday afternoon I found myself doing a run around Lagos, having spent a few hours at a couple of the epic beached in the area. I wouldn’t recommend this approach for sessions but for easy or recovery runs it’s great to just throw some gear in the car and go explore.
By Sunday I was starting to get to know the place and picked out a route for just over 30K. I started at the hotel headed North and crossed the main road. You can run on the main roads, there is a cycle lane but Portuguese driver are erratic so best to stick to the side roads. As can be seen on the unintentional runner shaped Strava plot below, there’s plenty of running North of the hotels and beach on quiet roads. it’s super quiet you have the odd hill and plenty of scenery.
No traffic, blue skies, perfect for a Sunday run
One quick word of warning that it’s easy to get lost and you do occasionally have to turn around and try and retrace your steps. It’s also so remote that ladies might want to runs in twos. I only found out how to enter this area at the end of the week but if you run towards the equestrian center there is an entrance to the nature reserve with miles and miles of trails. This area is majestic with the suns shadows bouncing off the trees. You really do feel like there isn’t a problem in the world running through here. You do have to jump a river at one point but be spontaneous.
I wound up a great week of running with a final lap of the cross country course before the run for home and an awaiting glass or fresh orange juice from some of the local trees.
Running between trees in an orange grove
Inevitably I compared the experience to the International running challenge in Lanzarote. The challenge is more of a holiday than a training week but the fitness benefits I found to be similar. The accommodation in Lanzorate is nicer and there are fewer options for dinner in this part of Portugal unless you get a kitchen or have a car. Overall if you are looking for a getaway from everything holiday to improve your running it is perfect
Most of the afternoons I spent exploring the Algarve West of Faro, spending a few hours each day at the beach or walking along the hill tops. There are some really beautiful spots with a lot of Roman and more recent history.
Brian Byrne is going to the area in May and I’d advise anyone with some spare holidays that is keen on getting in a week of training with some good relaxation to give it a shot. If you want to see a bit of the place get a car. M top spots are the beach near Lagos and towns of Silves, Tavira and Alte. There is a great strip of restaurants with an Italian called Pizza Falesia.
The mark of a truly dedicated runner is one who gets this out the night before a race:
Deliah did herself proud at the second Meet and Train event this year, with scones, brownies, lemon cake and biscuits all featuring strongly at this event. Sorry, focus, this is supposed to be about running and not cake.
For me, 2019 has been a year of many firsts and yet another first took place this morning at Cherryfield Park, Firhouse (Brothers Pearse home ground). My Meet and Train cherry was surely popped last weekend and what an experience! My maiden cross country voyage took place last weekend in Dundalk at the championships. My brave pants were firmly strapped on that wet and windy day. Talk about a shock to the system!
The Meet and Train last Sunday morning was definitely a more casual affair – much less striding and stretching (great to see) and a gentle warm up with lots of ladies nattering happily on a chilly, brisk and sunny Sunday morning – (this is our church!). Suddenly it was lash on your spikes time and go. The course was winding and curly, quite flat for the first 2k with a rather skinny track along certain stretches. The skinny track perturbed me – maybe it’s the claustrophobic in me or maybe this is the norm for cross country, I’m not quite sure. I’ll report back when I’m a more seasoned cross country racer! I managed to dodge almost all of the twigs and branches along the way too – bonus. The rubber mat section was intriguing too! It beats spikes on tarmac I suppose. The wind was definitely quite brisk on the early pitch section of the run but the latter stage was nicely sheltered with a couple of juicy hills to keep us occupied.
The extra 0.5K around the small field was quite frankly unnecessary and unwelcomed after I had programmed my sleepy brain to just hang on in for 3K. As my watch happily buzzed at 3K, we turned the corner into the last pitch and “ah FF sake” resounded clearly through my ears. I’m not sure if it was me who omitted it or someone else. Clearly all ladylike mannerisms were left behind at the start line. But the après-run Deliah treat of biscuits, cakes and pancakes alone were worth getting up early for and sure what’s an extra half a K amongst friends? Although every half K is tough in cross county land.
I think you learn something new every time you run and as my stomach lurched as I crossed the finish line I decided to ask the oracle that is Emily what this lurching business was all about. “Ah that’ll just be the shock to the system. Many a great runner has peuked coming over the finish line “. Interesting – #newgoals #lurchforyourlife
A huge congratulations to our A team – Katie, Jess, Margaret, Elaine, Sibheal and Maria – you ran like the wind and are heading the league. Keep going ladies!
Well done to all the other Sportsworld teams and individuals running also.
Thanks so much to all of the amazing supporters and smiling faces along the way, especially Michael who must’ve strategically incorporated his Sunday run to swing Ballyboden way! All the support really takes the pain away, but momentarily, from the legs and the lurching and it’s greatly appreciated. Thanks Emily for your huge cheers and for coming out on yet another Sunday morning. Oh and I won a cook book! Spot prizes are great. Thanks Olive for the lift, pre and post run lols and for the extra little impromptu tour of the vicinity with a minor sat nav error! I’m sad we didn’t click my Garmin on and attempt the Tesco lap at breakneck speed with handbrake turns on the way home – next time we’ll donut around it! That’s my Oscar acceptance speech over with now. I’ll look forward to the next meet and train in a few weeks and then will be hanging up my spikes for a while!
The idea that I’d make a disciplined start here is an absurdity that flies in the face of every cross-country race I’ve run since the Obama-Kenny era. And so it was with the Charlotte Winter Classic. The gun fired and despite prerace delusions of sense, I marauded down the opening kilometre with gay abandon in a stampede of comically short-shorts, colourful singlets and high V02 maxes. The start was slick until we reached a bit of gravel and then a slight bump a kilometre in. 5min miling instead of the planned 5:20s. Oops. Conservatism was out the window: adrenaline and adolescent competitiveness took over and I was fucked for the latter stages in this 8k grind. I was in a mediocre frame of mind beforehand with a lot of miles in my legs (being without a taper and all), so perhaps the struggle and sluggishness ought not have been a shock. And yet it was one of those beautiful, blue and cloudless North Carolina days that makes me glad to live in such a place. The yellowy-brown and bright blue conditions in contrast with my native Irish green and dark grey for which I’m accustomed to on cross-country days. I get nostalgic because it reminds me of the ferocious Irish championship races I miss each winter. But I’m grateful to be here today with the Bull City Track Club team competing in a team event, something pathetically rare in this state. And it is beyond astonishing to me that these “club” races charge us $50 for the pleasure of oxygen debt. That is a perfect scandal but I’ll leave it to another day to debate.
The course was quite snaky but flat with a few humps that barely registered a groan. That short gravelly section on the opening drag was the only trouble-spot really. Once I settled in to a more sustainable pace I focused on surviving the mental struggle and not losing places. I enjoyed a little battle through mile 2 with two Asheville Running Collective runners. Chris caught up with me for the second lap – his more sensible opening mile now paying off. We ran together at a decent clip on that final lap but I honestly never felt capable of pushing it harder. With around 500m to go Chris picked it up to finish strong. I managed to hold off some Asheville lads who were gaining ground, finishing in 27:00 utterly exhausted. Slightly disappointed with that, because I felt confident of a 26:?? today after how well training’s been recently. Then I remembered it was better than the last two years, so it’d be churlish to complain. Older yet faster: I’ll take that. We ended up third team (out of three, to be fair!). The rest of the lads were seemingly uninterested in the spoils of a podium finish (fancy Balega socks anyone!) because they hurried to the cars, leaving a bemused Eric and myself to join the Asheville and Charlotte teams for an embarrassing group photo. The BCTC women took the gold (plastic trophy). Well done ladies, and to all those you raced. There was fine banter and company in the luxurious McIver mobile on the drive. #Brexit and its discontents were even broached. To top off a brilliant day with the crew, we dined at a Charlotte BBQ Smokehouse where I also enjoyed a sublime coconut porter. Gavin 23rd, 27:00.
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