Northern Ireland Running

Tommygunn from his responce in Magherafelt I wasn't hopeful.

Irene, well done on breaking the 4 hour barrier, I am sure you are chuffed to bits - and what a bloody awful day to do it!

well feeling only a bit stiff today, no flu and not even crawling downstairs! i know the weather was pretty horrendous but it seems to have agreed with me.

Well done everyone! I was down at the finish line and the look on some of the faces just reminded me so much of Dublin. Even finishing in that weather is a great achievement. 

Jonny probably felt even better after finishing in that weather.

Has any-one ran the Ards Half? - Looking a bit of advice about the course, easier or harder than Larne would you say.

Was going to enter Lisburn Half but have heard organisation is better at Ards, so probably go for that.

Ards is a bit more of a climb than Larne, and you do it both on the way out and also on the way back. Two years ago, someone had written 'welcome to heartbreak hill' at the bottom of the climb. But it's a nice course out in the countryside, and you get a great feed & a cup of tea afterwards in the leisure centre. Lisburn is a nice course too, but has got very crowded.

Thanks Paul

I did Belfast as my first marathon other day and it was a great experience.  Was delighted to complete it and was pleased with my time of 3 hours 35 minutes.  Am looking to do another marathon on first weekend of June and have the choice of Newry or Cork marathons.  I was just wondering if anyone has experience of either marathon and which is easier and overall better marathon?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Definitely Ken! Though at the end of Dublin I just wanted to go home to bed  

Any supinators here? I do, and have been running most of my tempo/races in Saucony Kinvara 2s. They've worn out after 94 mile. Completely dead.  

what makes you say they're dead johnny? something must be up if a pair of trainers are dead at 94 miles - i usually get 450-500...

Ah rats, Jonny. I've just  bought a pair of Kinvara 2s. I was a mild overpronator when last checked but hope I get more than 94 miles out of them. I'm not convinced about them so far, and I think I prefer my old Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11s for the support.

Colm, I've done Newry but not Cork. Newry was good but there only only a few hundred doing it, so I was running by myself a lot. It's a nice course and flat over the 2nd half, so if you prefer your own company ...

Thanks Paul.  Appreciate the response.  How would the Newry marathon compare to Belfast one in terms of difficulty?

They're fairly similar to me. On their first half, Newry has an undulating road while Belfast has a long gradual climb. Both are quite flat over the 2nd half. There isn't a lot of crowd support in Newry, but there were plenty of gels and sports drinks along the way. I did Newry 4 weeks after Belfast, finishing Belfast in 3:53 and Newry in 3:59.

Give Newry a go.

Super thanks Paul

Colm, I've ran Newry twice and both times were just after Belfast. Probably similar courses but if you get it right in Newry it is a faster 2nd half.

Mixed emotions tonight. Went for a run on grass to see how the knee would react. Legs were a little sore but eased into the run and did 4.1miles with no pain in the knee at all. Great that this is the case but so annoyed that it was sore on Monday and ruined my marathon.

Rodney, that is frustrating. It is pretty hard to swallow that of all the days it has to bite you it does it in that day. As they say what doesn't kill us makes us stronger and I bet you will go out and smash a distance pretty soon, but as a novice even I understand that the marathon is a biggy given the prep that goes into it.

I am looking at the forthcoming half marathons that are coming up, trying to decide which one to aim for. I am thinking Ards or Lisburn. I want to do more marathons but want to have a far stronger base under my belt before I have another go. So my plan is to increase my weekly mileage to closer to 45 and sustain this whilst doing more 5ks, 10ks and half marathons. That should set me up nicely for next spring to launch an assault on another marathon. I had originally considered Dublin but think the above strategy will serve me better.

I am planning on going for my first post marathon run on Friday, Knee is still sore so i will stick to grass.

dprovan I always advise anyone thinking of doing a marathon to get a good season running up to half's before building up the milage for the marathon the following year.

Rodney did you ever think your not susposed to run anymore marathons. Stick at it someday it will all fall into place. The worst thing about having a disappointing marathon is you can't go and run one the next week to get it out of the system.

Tommy the wear on the outside of the sole is incredible, and the cushioning has just gone completely. Was really expecting more than 100 miles from them. 

Paul, I love them despite the wear. Lightweight shoes make lots of sense to me. Going for Adidas Adios next, they are cheap on wiggle. (and bright green)

I've emailed Saucony to complain, but haven't heard back. I see the Kinvara 3 has new harder wearing rubber exactly where my pair are worn excessively, so it must be an issue.