Heading Up North

The title says it all, we are heading Up North, towards Belfast, and the Marathon, taking place on Monday. I'll be away from my PC until Tuesday, so I apologise in advance for being behind the times at posting my report, but hopefully it will be worth the wait.

The last few days have been eventful, although not in a positive way. Like an idiot, on Wednesday evening I played 5 a side soccer, and along with improving my blisters :), I managed to strain a muscle in my groin stretching for a ball, and stubbed my toe to boot! All good preparation for running a marathon. The toe is OK, the blisters I have learned to live with, and as I write this on Saturday, some 48 hours before the race, the groin has responded to ice, and hopefully will be 95% recovered by Monday - See, I'm getting my excuses in early :)

All being well, I will run a decent race on Monday. I'm not looking for anything earth-shattering, so don't get too disppointed if my time seems ordinary - the object is to get around, enjoy the race and build from this towards Dublin in October.

See you all on Tuesday..........................................................................................

5 days to Belfast - 25 years in the making

Only a few short years ago, to many, the thoughts of running around Belfast did not conjure up athletes in vests and shorts, but more harked back to the days of balaclavas, cars hijacked and set on fire, with the running being done by frightened citizens as Army Land Rovers raced from one violent outbreak to another, usually chased by youths practicing their field sports, such as rock throwing.

At least that is how the media portrayed it.

The truth of the matter was always different. The communities within the city went about their business, the vast majority law-abiding with desire in their hearts to have the same leisure pursuits as their counterparts in London or Dublin, New York or Sydney. And they did.....

It may suprise those from outside this island, that this year sees the 25th Running of the Belfast Marathon next Monday, and for the first time, I shall be lining up as the Gun goes off. It's not the first time I've entered it, but for one reason or another, it will be my first time running. The course has changed a lot since those early days, and the numbers running have increased dramatically as well. I'm looking forward to this race.......

Looking forward to the crowds on the streets cheering runners on, simply becasue they are runners. In a pair of shorts and a running vest there is no discrimination, there is simply graft from the runners, an admiration from the spectators, maybe questions of sanity in us running 26 miles, and maybe, just maybe, someone in the crowd will think about running the race themselves next year.

Belfast has come a long way in the last 25 years. Here's to the next 25, and who knows what the City will be like by then..... I hope I'm still running around to see it........

Weekend Passes

Monday morning, and back to work for a rest after a hectic weekend :).

Saturday saw me taking a 200 mile round trip up to Belfast to drop junior off, then back to visit my mum and then a frantic dash home so as to catch the soccer and get dinner ready. (For those who follow English Soccer, Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 in a gripping, nail-biting, FA Cup Semi-Final). I used to live in England, and support Liverpool, and being an eejit, I will be in Prague preparing for the following days's marathon, when the Cup Final is taking place next month, clever me.

Anyway, back to this weekend, and Sunday was the London Marathon, with full TV coverage. I watched the first half hour of the womens race, eventually won by Deana Kastor, then I switched over to a local channel which was showing highlights from the Connemara Marathon I ran last month - Great 30 minute showcase for the race.

Well with all this encouragement, I was off to the Park by 10 to meet up with Kieran and we ran a 9 mile loop, including a last mile burst up the Kyber Pass. This was my final hard run before Belfast next Monday, and I'm now officially on taper, although I will probably include three 5 milers this week to keep ticking over.

The weather yesterday was very nice. Sunny, cloudless skies, and warm enough to be running in a singlet, in fact today I can see where I caught the sun during my run. After the run, it was lunch outside, watched the rugby, then relaxed last night and prepared for the week ahead.

If only every weekend was so restful :)

TGIF - I know it's a cliché

But sometimes cliché's are nice to use.

Another weekend approaches and I have to fine tune my body for Belfast whilst at the same time trying to do "family" stuff. I have to get my son back to University after his Easter break, then I have to visit mum again and mow her lawn, there is a big Soccer match to watch, Liverpool v Chelsea in the FA Cup, Sunday see's the London Marathon on the TV, and a big Irish Rugby Match between Munster and Leinster to take in. Somewhere in that I'm meeting Kieran to have a 10 mile run in final prep for Belfast - I'm tired just writing all that :)

Last night, Thursday, I went down to the Phoenix Park to meet up with a young girl, Lisa, who I am coaching. She injured her knee at the beginning of March, and last night was her first attempt back since. Sadly it didn't go too well, and it looks like it will be another two weeks, at least, before she is back running. We have a target of a 5 Mile Race on July 8th for her, so hopefully she will be OK. It's great helping others to achieve something, I really enjoy that side of running.

Today I managed a 4 Miler at the gym in 29:25, 7:21 pace, at lunchtime. Hate having to run in the gym when the weather is so nice, but needs must.... Happy weekend to everyone....

Goals - Goals - Goals

In this week of the Boston Marathon, I may have mentioned once or twice about a goal for this year to qualify for the Great Race for 2008. One or two have mentioned in comments about following the Holy Grail as I set about this task, and I thought I would share some thoughts I had at the beginning of the year, and my progress to date.

As you can see from my two sets of Personal Bests showing on the Blog Page, my times as a Master do not equate much to my personal bests from younger days - they are far from even being close. There are a number of reasons for this, and I'm not making excuses here, one reason was injuries, but teh biggest reason of all was a lack of motivation and an overall lack of confidence in my own capabilities. I lost interest in running around 2002, and the comeback trail was peppered with good intentions, which fizzled out after one disappointing run after another. By the end of 2004 I was ready to hang up my runners for good.

A very good friend of mine changed my attitude to running, reminding me that I was not getting any younger and that my times were unimportant - I should be running for pleasure, and not expecting to be setting new records. Last year I did just that, and my enthusiasm was rekindled. Having been re-fired as to running, I decided that 2006 would be a good year. I would train properly, and set myself targets that were attainable, whilst still challenging. At Xmas last I weighed 198 lbs, and that was my first Goal - To reduce the weight to 170 lbs by the summer.

I then looked at challenges on the road. Here in Ireland there are only 4 Marathons in the year, and I decided I would take a crack at the Grand Slam, run all 4, but not simply run them, set a target of 16 hours for the 4 races. The first of these, Connemara, has been completed, 4:20:48, so already 21 minutes down on my average time, but that is the toughest of the group. Next up is Belfast in 10 days time, and I'm hoping to run this in around 4 hours. The last two are Longford in August and then Dublin, the Primary Marathon on this island, in October.

Tough enough when you have been inactive for a while, but I then added in the Prague Marathon on May 13th, as a vacation run as well, so not being easy on myself. Obviously Prague will not be run flat out at all, just simply enjoyed as a long training run and a chance to relax in a beautiful city,

I also set targets at shorter distances, all achievable with work, but faster than I have run for a very long time.

5K 21:00
5M/8K 34:00
10K 43:00
10M 75:00

So when I reviewed all these goals, I then realised that for the 2008 Boston race I get another 5 minutes to Qualify, 3:35 for me as I hit 50 in March 2008, and I can set that qualifying time any time after September 25th. So, rethinking things, and tying this in with my Goals for the year, I set myself a further target, 3:35 in the Dublin Marathon on October 30th.

There you are, my goals written down for all to see and judge me by as I run this year. Hope you can stay along for the journey, I'll update as to where things are going, and how they have been progressing so far this year soon. For now, I'm training through to the Belfast Marathon and the last couple of days have seen me in the gym for a 4 miler and a 5K at lunchtimes. A longish run on Sunday and next week relaxing and getting mentally up for the challenge of the streets of Belfast.

There's a pic of me finishing in Connemara at the top of this - Do you think it was a little wet? It was tough, but One down, Three to go for my Grand Slam.

Easter Passes me Over, Feeling Eggstatic!

A four day break, where did it go? I'm already starting to repeat myself in these ramblings about time passing by and me missing out, but I'm back home after a weekend away at my mum's. I should tell you about her. She's 92 on May 2nd, and whilst she is less mobile than she used to be, her mind is still 100%, and she loves our weekend visits. She still lives at home, on her own, very independent, and I hope that I am still as able when I'm her age.

Anyway, my son and I (He's the guy who designed my blog masthead by the way), made the 75 mile drive on Friday and spent the afternoon and evening chatting to mum before heading out for a couple of pints and catching up with some old friends. Had to be careful on the beer as I had a booking for Saturday morning at a new Sports Massage Clinic in Banbridge, run by Jane Waugh, who is Ireland's Number One Triathlete, and on Saturday morning I presented myself to Jane, who duly showed her sadistic tendancies as she gave me a full deep tissue body massage :) - Must admit it was tough, I have tight calves and hamstrings, and Jane had to work hard to loosen them.

I felt the benefit of them on Sunday morning, when I drove over to Castlewellan Forest Park and went for a run around the lake. Sunday was the first real spring day this year. The sun was out, and I actually felt some heat as I ran in my T-shirt and shorts, the first time this year I haven't felt cold dressed this way. It wasn't a fast run, or even that long, but it was enjoyable, scenic and somewhere I plan to return to regularly on my Summer trips up to see mum.

Over the weekend I also went to get my feet checked at a running store, Up and Running in Belfast. I have been having some problems with blisters and wanted to check that my gait hadn't changed any. Generally nothing different, still a neutral to mild pronator, and whilst my Asics 2100's are fine, I took the opportunity of investing in a new pair of Nimbus shoes, although they won't be broken in until after my May races.

That was basically my weekend. Checked on Monday to see how the Boston Marathon had gone for those I knew taking part, and thought how wonderful it had been to run there back in 2001, and how much I want to go back. My goals this year are to make the grade again, still a long way to go, but as Chairman Mao said a long time ago, a "Journey of a Thousand Miles, begins with a single step" - I need to build on the steps so far this year, and Boston will be Beaconing (sic)!

Where is the Year Going?

Dateline Thursday April 13th, or Maundy Thursday as it's known as this is Holy Week.

Yes, it's Easter already and with e-mails from friends planning their graduations this summer and thoughts ahead to vacations in the sun - in December!, the year is slipping past. I used to think that it was impossible for time to move faster, but certainly as age has crept ahead of me, it seems that way. This year is flying by.

This Easter has seen my son, Liam óg, down from Queen's University for the holidays. It's great to see him here, and how I envy his ability to be a student on vacation and lie in bed until 2 in the afternoon, get up, watch TV, check his email, watch TV, eat something, watch TV - Basically, do nothing! The joys of being a student on vacation! When I was his age, I couldn't wait to get up and explore, do something different each day, plan where in the world I could go to next - Things change - Then again, when I was 20 I didn't run either, now I do - and I still want to explore the world!

Anyway, this is meant to be a running BLOG (spelt right this time!). so what have I been up to since Sunday? Very little actually. Monday and Tuesday saw me take a couple of days off work. I had to do some chores and planning for my Law Course, so I decided not to run, and allow the tiredness in my legs to clear. Wednesday saw me head back out on the road, despite the weather turning a little wild. I hadn't actually realised how windy it was was until I got out on the road.

It was a nasty early evening, still light thanks to DST or whatever it's called here in Ireland, and I went out for a 5 miler. The wind was right into my face for the first two miles, then just as I turned out of the wind, it started to rain - great, all I needed. I should stress I'm not a fair weather runner, but I wasn't too prepared for this, only had a light wind jacket on, and was wearing my glasses, so climatically an unpleasant evening. The rain continued, and whilst I had the wind behind me on the climb between miles 3 and 4, I couldn't see too much as my glasses needed wipers, so I just put my head down and ran.

Ironically, the last mile, back into the wind, felt the smoothest running. I had got into my rhythm, something that often happens with me. I struggle to warm up, legs feeling lethargic etc, but after 4 miles or so, I descend into a running tance-like state and just maintain. I got home in 38:45, around about 7:45 pace, feeling wet, but pleased with my run. Belfast is only a little over two weeks away, and I need a couple of long runs before then, tied in with a few races locally as well to stay sharp -

The summer series of races are underway already - where is the year going?

Gt Ireland Run Sunday April 9th

I might have mentioned that the weather hasn't been too kind to us this spring so far. Still cold, still wintery, and not the ideal weather for racing in the spring. On Saturday I was marshalling at the first BHAA Road Race of the spring, organised by my company athletics club at Dublin City Council. Standing around with a flag ensuring spectators don't encroach on the runners as they fly by is something us runners take for granted when we race, so it was nice to put something back into the sport, even if I did freeze my proverbials off! It was only a 4 mile race for the runners, but we stayed out there for the last runner and retired for a welcome hot cup of tea and then I was off shopping and relaxing before Sundays Race.

Sunday morning saw a blue sky, a rare sight this year, and we left for the Phoenix Park nice and early to join the 7000 or so others who had registered for the Great Ireland Run, a 10K race in teh Park, having it's 4th running, sponsored by BUPA, a private health care company. As a somewhat different style of T-Shirts for participants, all were encouraged to run for their Counties and special shirts were made for each of the 32 counties, with a trophy for the county with the best average time for the race from all it's runners - Nice concept.

We met up with my running buddies, Kieran and Mary, along with Kieran's friend Carl, and the repective partners, and stretched, chatted, compared injuries and tactics, before lining up for the start, and realising that K and myself were far too near the back for the times we were hoping for, so we snuck out of the crowd, walked along the line and climbed over the fence into the 45 minute area (nothing was corralled, we just were too busy chatting to have thought about it previously).

Whilst the skies were still blue, it was not warm, and there was a nice little wind that would play a part in the race. Up at the front Craig Mottram was looking for his 4th consecutive title, being the only male winner to date, a feat he was successful in (28:51). On the womens from we were denied Sonia O'Sullivan's participation due to injury, although she was there supporting, and the favourite's tag went to Meselech Melkamu, the diminutive Ethiopian who was bronze medalist last week in both races at the World Cross Country Championship, and she easily outpaced Fernando Ribiero in 31:41 to win here.

For Kieran and myself, we were looking at trying to run 4:30 splits, and when the gun went off we settled easily into this pace along the long main straight. As we had got into a good position this time out, we were not hampered by the slower attention seekers who walk these races, but like to start at the front and get in everyone's way (A usual rant from me!). The first half of this race is the easiest, with the wind behind us from 1 km onwards and the main down hill parts of teh race in this half. We were spot on for 5 K, running even 4:30 splits, but after the long descent of the Kyber Pass, and halfway in 22:30 exactly, I knew there was trouble ahead. I was starting to feel the affects of my recent marathon and the track race on Thursday last, and as we begun a climb back into the wind, my legs were beginning to feel leaden. Dropping 15 seconds in the next kilometre made me reassess my targets, and with a further 20 second loss by 7K, 46 minutes was becoming harder to perceive.

I urged Kieran on as he was looking strong, and I struggled on, locking onto varying county shirts as my pull system, but my legs were not responding well, and another 20 seconds was lost. The crowd of runners in the field certainly kept me going, and I tried to keep an eye on Kieran, but he was disappearing away up front, and I was trying to keep pace with another fellow Down shirted runner. We reached the 9K mark, and I knew then that I had to run under 4:20 to break 46 minutes, not something I was confident off, given the way my legs were feeling. However I knew that the last 500m would have the wind behind me, and when I turned the corner, I tried to pick up the pace and run home hard. Normally I have had a good strong finish, but although I knew I was running faster, I couldn't quite summon up the energy to "sprint", but as the finishing gantry came closer, I put my head down and ran.... I wasn't looking at the clock as I was running on a Chip, so as I crossed the line and stopped my watch, I looked down and saw, 46:01, just missed it, but given the lead in my legs, I was happy enough.

Kieran had run 45:35 and was delighted with his personal best. We all met up again, Mary haveing ducked under the hour, and Carl in his first race well pleased with his run a shade over the hour. Along with Dee and Liam Og (my son), we headed off to the pub for a well deserved Guinness and talk about the events. Whilst I was outside my Masters PR, that was set almost three years ago as a 45 year old, so when I got home I looked up the WAVA Comparative Tables and worked out that my effort yesterday would score me 65.70%, bettering my 45 year old record of 65.46% , so I can be very happy, with the knowledge that there is more to come. I finished 782nd out of the 5672 that took part, so onwards and upwards.

Where is my cherry blossom?

The last day of the working week, and I'm feeling very pleased with myself, despite the weather still being colder than it should be for April. Frosts are not supposed to be around now, we should have cherry blossom and spring days where the winter long sleeves, gloves and hats can be discarded and packed away until the clocks go back in October.

Why am I pleased? Well, last night I made my first outing at a Grand Prix Series, run by local club Clonliffe Harriers. A pal of mine has talked me into joining this series, and last night was my first race, a 4 Mile Track Race. It's a fair while since I ran track, and I was looking forward with trepidation. With no speed work in preparation, given I am training for Marathons this spring, plus the fact that most of the runners in the event were speedsters, and all were Club Runners, I was expecting a tough time.

The run actually went better than I had hoped. My last road outing over 4 miles was on Paddy's Day and I ran 29:30, so I was hoping to be a little faster than that, but being only 10 days out from my Connemara expolits, it was more hope than judgement. My first mile was completed in 6:59 (Ouch!), and on a cool, breezy backstraight sort of evening, this was faster than I expected and I was running solo as well. I kept up a fair pace, was lapped a couple of times by the speedsters, and managed to lap a few people myself, including my pal Ray (sorry Ray!), and at the bell, I checked my watch and tried to pick up the pace for a strong finish, although by now I had no-one to aim for, and although not looking back, I could tell no one was on my tale.

I ran 1:32 for the last 400, and crossed the line in 28:31 by my watch, not bad for an old fella training for another Maarthon in three weeks.

So, we may be short on cherry blossom, but I was very happy with this run, and with a 10K race to come on Sunday, spring is blooming for me - Keep those good vibes heading my way too and thanks to everyone who has passed comment on this embryonic project.

Thursday April 6th The Year is rushing along

Hope it's not going too fast for everyone. Since my wine fuelled run on Sunday I have been quiet with only a couple of running episodes. Did manage to enjoy a few pints with my son on Sunday night in the City, at the Porterhouse on Nassau Street. A good live band was playing, so we hung around for a few hours, and a few micro-brewed beers.

Maybe it was the beer, but my run on Monday evening wasn't the best either. I had planned a slow and steady 4 miler, but cut short the run at around 2 and a half miles, running at around 8:15 pace, and my shins feeling sore as well. Can't blame the beer for the shins, but what with the wine on Saturday night and last night's beer causing a few problems, are you noticing a pattern here?

Anyway, Tuesday was a rest day, and I rested. Busy at work, but relaxed evening chatting and watching a bit of TV. I have a race of sorts tonight, a 4 Mile Track adventure. A pal of mine has roped me into a local running clubs Grand Prix series, which involves around 20 races over the year, varying form 800m on the track, up to 10 miles on the road, with everything inbetween. You score points based on a handicap, and count the best so many to produce an overall winner. Sounded like fun when we talked about it, but 4 Miles on the Track - Gulp!

In view of pending race, I went to the gym yesterday and did a lunchtime speed session, well speed for me ok, and did 2 miles in 14:24, after a nice warm up. Actually still felt a little queasy after this, so maybe it's not the booze that was causing the problems - We shall see.

I have a little matter of the Great Ireland Run on Sunday as well. A 10K race in the Phoenix Park, so tonight's entertainment will show me what I might be capable off then. Given I've been on Marathon Preparation, my speed work has been negligible, so this will be a little diversion before getting back on track for Belfast - See you soon......

Sunday April 2nd - Restarting

Sunday. One week after Connemara, and although I had a little run on Tuesday to blow away the lactic left in my legs after the Marathon, I have had a week of rest, relaxation, far too many beers, and I guess a week is a long time of inactivity.

So today, Sunday I went out for a run. Not far, just 5 miles, in windy conditions around the local roads. Have to admit to feeling under the weather, somehow connected to the bottle of Medoc I polished off last night, but I got around at a little over 8 minute pace, and from a running point of view, feeling OK.

I actually have a busy week, with a Grand Prix event at Clonliffe Harriers on Thursday, a 4 mile track race, followed by the BUPA Great Ireland Run on Sunday next, over 10 Km in the Phoenix Park. Back into the swing of it tomorrow as I launch straight into a busy month, climaxing in the second leg of my Irish Grand Slam, up in Belfast on May 1st.

This Blog is a new venture for me. I have been writing posts on running fora for many years, but never thought to devise my own personal space and keep my records together, for me to peruse, and others to enjoy. It's in its infancy at the moment, but I'm working on improving it, and providing more details about myself and my running. I hope to amuse, inform, keep myself motivated as I work through the year on my goals. I'll post more about them as I go, for now, I'm enjoying my running, and looking forward to Belfast.