Northern Ireland Running

Well done guys I struggled the last three miles of that race two years ago. I can't see the point in chip timing when they don't have mats at the start.

Went out yesterday the legs were like lead couldn't get going at all.

Still thinking of doing the Cookstown 5 on Friday evening.

I think the lack of a mat at the start last year was an issue also... oh well only a minor gripe on what was a good event. 

Waterside next methinks.... anyone any details/info on the new course this year? (doesn't see to be anything on the website)

Ricky I think it's a mix of the old course and the new course. I think they have taken out the bit were you run round the car parks.

Anyone know anything about the Decathlon Half Marathon on the 22 September?

Speed session tonight in the wind and rain. 10 x 2 mins on variable recovery 50,40,30,20,10 back up to 50.

Dont remember any car parks - last one I did was 2005 and it was a simple out and back - bit boring but flat apart from short sharp hill in last mile - had good PB potential though.

First I've heard of Decathlon Half Kenneth? Can't turn up anything on tinterweb either. Is it a local event?

Didnt venture out in the lovely weather tonight - did a slow 3 mile recovery run last night after the exertions of Sunday.

Ricky they changed the course from 2005. Starts and finishes at Gransha. When you went into the industrial estate you ran round the outside of carparks. This year I think they have taken out the carparks and go onto what was the main road out and back and finish at Gransha.

TG I don't know whether to give Waterside a go or the Duathlon. There will probably be a bigger crowd at Waterside.

Waterside will be the bigger one I expect Kenny but they shot themselves in the foot last year with no chip timing and making a mess of a lot of times so I would expect numbers will be down a bit due to that. The Belfast one is very late so not sure how it will take off. If waterside have nearly 1,000 in a race they should really be paying for chip timing as they'll be able to cover themselves.Not sure what the story is this year.

TG its back in the half marathon series so will have chip timing. With 1000 runners they should have chip timing.

Good point Kenny so they must have it this year.

Lot of people disappointed with it last year but hopefully if they get chip timing that'll sort it out.

Yet again raining today - I hadn't planned on using wet gear for the summer but this weather is ridiculous!

Think the Waterside Half is heading out to the airport and back so its a new route this year. There is a new dual carriageway out that way so I would assume that the run will be along the old original road which runs parallel to the the dual carriagway. As Kenneth said it starts and finishes in Gransha and no longer goes in around the DuPont factory. Theres also a lot of talk that Derry are having a full marathon next June as part of the City of Culture celebrations, starting in Muff direction and finishing at the Guildhall.

Waterside full one would be amazing....as long as its possible to park and be ferried out..otherwise a loooong walk back out to Muff.

How many would be expected at the Cookstown 5 mile on Friday...Ive only started this running malarky and would hate to think I would be way way out of my depth.

Never thought about that Mark. Maybe I heard wrong and they will start at the Guildhall and head out towards Muff. Not sure about Cookstown but most races have 100/200+ runners.

Mark usually about 200 at Cookstown. I'll be there good mix of fast and slow runners and a nice cuppa at the end.

looking at doing cookstown myself tomorrow, done it two years ago and enjoyed it then, from what i remember it isnt a flat course, but usually has 150-200 at it, hoping the weather will be similar to todays...

Good luck to anyone racing tonight see you on the startline

Well done to everyone at Cookstown last night. I was a bit slower than last week but not too bad.

Good to see you racing for the 2nd week in a row Kenny.

Enjoyed the run on Friday evening and improved my time by 25 seconds. Died in the last mile though. Rodney it's a long time since I raced 2 weeks in a row now looking a few more races before the end of the year.

I did 11 yesterday it was a lovely morning for running.

Did 14ml LSR saturday & 4.5 miles this evening with 8x200 hill reps in the middle.

Been invited to run Robin Hood half in Nottingham at the end of September by a pal living over there - tempted!

Anyone going to run Ballyclare on Saturday? I'm going to give it a go. It's a decent route, I run part of it regularly.