I'm still on a nice break after the marathon and don't plan doing an exercise until the 14th. I had planned on a two week holiday and then to get back to training, but what to train for? The first time I ran a half marathon I took a three month break after it. It wasn't planned, but I had put so much energy into the half and no thought about what to do after it. I found with no target or plan I just did nothing, well not this time. I'm going to use this time to look at possible races for next year and maybe you can help m choose which ones. I ran three races in 2010, two 10kms and a half marathon. So far I ran five races this year, a 5 mile, a 10km two half marathons and a marathon, and maybe there is room for one more. I'd love to run 10-12 races next year with one of them another marathon and a few others challenging runs. So what choices are out there.
January:
The Great Health: A 10km run fairly close by in Co. Laois. Looks like a good possiblity for the first run of the year.
February:
Enniscorthy: A 10km run in the lovely and hilly town of Enniscorty. I ran a half marathon here this year and it was a tough one for me as I am un used to hills.
Wild West Run: A very scenic half marathon in the town of Kilarrney from Kenmare to Muckross House.
March:
Wicklow: A 10km or Half Marathon starting and finishing in Wicklow Jail.
Kinvara Rock & Road: An excuse to wear my kinvaras in Kinvara. This is a 10km road race in the town of Kinvara in Co. Galway. Looks like the sceanary will be fantastic.
April:
Connemara: A half-marathon, full marathon or ultra marathon in one of the most ruggid and sceanic parts of the country. A tough course from feedback I've received. Would be beautiful though.
Ballinaslow: A 10km walk/run in Co. Mayo. Doesn't look like there would be a large crowd at this one... I could be wrong. It is in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Wexford: Half Marathon or 10km run. It looks very well organised. The first part is uphill and then it is downhill all the rest of the way. Looks nice.
Great Ireland Run: A lovely 10km run through the Phoenix Park in Dublin. This was my irst ever road race in 2010 and I ran it again this year. A lovely run with ver 16,000 entrants this year, the largest race in Ireland.
May:
River Moy: Half Marathon in Ballina Co. Mayo.
June:
Strawberry Festival: A half marathon, 15km walk or 5 mile race. I ran this half this year and set a PR on a tough hilly course that my knees did not like me for. Lovely course though and great support out around the town. Really emjoyed it.
Cork City Marathon: This is supposed to be a nice run but doesn't have the level of support that their is in Dublin from the locals.
July:
Irish Runner: A lovely fast 5 mile run in the Phoenix PArk in Dublin with a few hills. A lovely run. Part of the Dublin Marathon Race Series.
Clontarf: Half Marathon and 5 mile race. Billed ast Ireland's flattest half. A great place for a PR then.
August:
Frank Duffy: A 10 mile run in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. Part of the Dublin Marathon Race Series.
September:
Mooathon: This a half or full marathon in Co. Donegal, boasting great scenary and no loop, just a stright point to point run with transport back included in the price of entry. There are miling stations along the way and I'm sure it will be hilly but it looks like it could be a lot of fun.
Dublin Half-Marathon: A lovely race again through the Phoenix Park in Dublin and part of the Dublin Marathon Race Series.
Portugal Half Marathon: Having run the Lisbon Half this year across the April 25th bridge this might be a plan for 2012. It is also based in Lisbon just that it runs across the other bridge and in warmer temperatures.
October:
Dublin Marathon: A lovely marathon in the fair city of Dublin with absolutely fantastic support as you run and a fairly flat course to boot.
November:
Run the Gauntlet: This is a race in the South West of the country through the beautiful landscape of Killarney in Co. Kerry. It is a half marathon over and back through the gap of Dunloe and looks very tough.
Gaelforce Turf Guy: 10km race through bog land in Co. Galway with a few obstacles thrown into the mix.
Mo Run: To celebrate Movember, where men grow a mustache in November to raise awarenss of men's health there is a nice 10km run in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. It'd be a bit of craic and a reason to try to grow some facial hair.
Blue Light Mountain Madness: A nice 5km up and down a mountain.
December:
Santa Dash: This is a 5km or 10km race where you get a Santa outfit as part of your entry and everyone runs in their outfit. The run is in Clontarf in Dublin and finishes on the beach, where you'll have hundreds of Santas crossing the finish line. Money from the event goes towards the Irish Heart Foundation.
Waterford Half-Marathon: Half marathon through the city of Waterford.
RNLI Reindeer Run: A 10km or 5km run to raise fund for the Lifeboats. Reindeer Antleers for all participants.
These are just a few options. There are also races outside the country that could be a possibility and local club races to keep an eye out for. I'm looking forward to next year.
If you were to choose just two or three races from the ones listed above which ones would you pick? Also if you ahve any suggestions for runs in 2012, maybe ones you have run that you found to be great runs please let me know... I'm open to all suggestions.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Dublin City Marathon - Race Report
So the day finally came and went. So much for a good night sleep the night before... I'm not sure if I was excited or nervous, either way I didn't sleep much. The alarm went off at 6am and with all my gear set out from the night before I got ready.
After a nice breakfast of porridge with banana and honey, Jimmy arrived to drive me to Dublin. When we got to Dublin most of the roads were already closed so I got out as close as to the start as possible and then off I walked. I got to the start line a good 90 minutes before the start, with plenty of time to drop off my bag and get warmed up.
There was a good crowd with 14,000 people taking part and there was a great atmosphere. The race was very well organised and started on time. Of from Fitzwilliam square we ran on past St. Stephen's green around Trinity College, across O'Connell Bridge, up O'Connell Street,
Parnell Street, Dorset Street, North Circular Road and into the Phoenix Park. These were very enjoyable parts of the run and my legs were beginning to wake up after a sluggish start. I started in the 4 hour 30 minute wave and was taking it nice an easy unsure what was to come as this was my first marathon. By the time we were leaving the Phoenix park I had past the 4:15 pacers and settled into a nice rhythm. The weather was great, nice and cool with the occasional short bit of rain. I was enjoying this.
At 16km I past Kilmainham Jail to hear my name being called. I looked across and saw three of the girls from the local athletics club. It was great to see them there and great to be cheered on. At 19km I past the trainer from the athletics club and gave him a shout as I past. Things were going well.
At the halfway point I felt a sharp twinge in the base of my left foot, which gave me a little fright. I tried to flex my toes but that just seemed to cause more pain so I favoured the foot for a few kilometres making sure I landed correctly hoping that it would hold up. At 24km I saw yet more people from the club. It was great to see so much support from Carlow up at the race.
From here on in it began to get tough. At 32km I had hit the furthest distance that I had ever run before and the running, or should I say shuffling, was tough. I think from 34km to 39km I may have switched off as I don't remember how I got through them. The worst kilometre was number 37. I stopped to stretch, which in hindsight was probably a bad move as it took ages to get my legs going again.
With a little over 3km left to go the heavens opened, the wind picked up and within a few moments I was saturated. I did get an extra burst of energy here. I'm not sure if it was because I was close to the end or if it was because I wanted to get out of the rain. So on we went around Trinity College for the second time...
and on towards the finish line. I was so happy to finish, doing so in 4:10:58. It was a great race for me and an emotional one also.
For those who have been reading my blog for a while would know I signed up to run the marathon 7 months ago, back in March. I decided to run this to try and raise money for the Irish Cancer Society as there is a history of cancer in my family, my cousin had been diagnosed with cancer and a good friend of mine had been diagnosed with leukaemia. A month before the marathon my friend with leukaemia got the news that it was terminal. 6 days before the marathon my friend lost her battle against leukaemia. We will miss her energy, vitality, sense of humour and joy of life. The world is a much better place because of the time she spent here. We miss you.
After a nice breakfast of porridge with banana and honey, Jimmy arrived to drive me to Dublin. When we got to Dublin most of the roads were already closed so I got out as close as to the start as possible and then off I walked. I got to the start line a good 90 minutes before the start, with plenty of time to drop off my bag and get warmed up.
There was a good crowd with 14,000 people taking part and there was a great atmosphere. The race was very well organised and started on time. Of from Fitzwilliam square we ran on past St. Stephen's green around Trinity College, across O'Connell Bridge, up O'Connell Street,
 |
| Passing the GPO |
Parnell Street, Dorset Street, North Circular Road and into the Phoenix Park. These were very enjoyable parts of the run and my legs were beginning to wake up after a sluggish start. I started in the 4 hour 30 minute wave and was taking it nice an easy unsure what was to come as this was my first marathon. By the time we were leaving the Phoenix park I had past the 4:15 pacers and settled into a nice rhythm. The weather was great, nice and cool with the occasional short bit of rain. I was enjoying this.
At 16km I past Kilmainham Jail to hear my name being called. I looked across and saw three of the girls from the local athletics club. It was great to see them there and great to be cheered on. At 19km I past the trainer from the athletics club and gave him a shout as I past. Things were going well.
At the halfway point I felt a sharp twinge in the base of my left foot, which gave me a little fright. I tried to flex my toes but that just seemed to cause more pain so I favoured the foot for a few kilometres making sure I landed correctly hoping that it would hold up. At 24km I saw yet more people from the club. It was great to see so much support from Carlow up at the race.
From here on in it began to get tough. At 32km I had hit the furthest distance that I had ever run before and the running, or should I say shuffling, was tough. I think from 34km to 39km I may have switched off as I don't remember how I got through them. The worst kilometre was number 37. I stopped to stretch, which in hindsight was probably a bad move as it took ages to get my legs going again.
With a little over 3km left to go the heavens opened, the wind picked up and within a few moments I was saturated. I did get an extra burst of energy here. I'm not sure if it was because I was close to the end or if it was because I wanted to get out of the rain. So on we went around Trinity College for the second time...
 |
| Outside of Trinity College |
and on towards the finish line. I was so happy to finish, doing so in 4:10:58. It was a great race for me and an emotional one also.
 |
| Coming up to the finish line |
For those who have been reading my blog for a while would know I signed up to run the marathon 7 months ago, back in March. I decided to run this to try and raise money for the Irish Cancer Society as there is a history of cancer in my family, my cousin had been diagnosed with cancer and a good friend of mine had been diagnosed with leukaemia. A month before the marathon my friend with leukaemia got the news that it was terminal. 6 days before the marathon my friend lost her battle against leukaemia. We will miss her energy, vitality, sense of humour and joy of life. The world is a much better place because of the time she spent here. We miss you.
 |
| The Medal |
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| The T-Shirt If you would like to sponsor me in my goal to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society there is still time. Please click on the image on the right hand column of mychairty.ie. Thank you for your support. |
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