Northern Ireland Running

is that the 10 miler Jonny?

Ricky it's a 7 miler. Used to be a 10 but you only do one lap and then back to the finish. A good wee run sorry I can't make it this year.

Ricky, I did the full marathon in the Robin Hood a couple of years ago & the 1st half of it is the half marathon course.  ITs a bit hilly but really lovely to run round, plenty of parkland & nice scenery, definitely would recommend it!

Ah ok Kenneth - remember doing it when it was the 10 - was a nice undulating country course from memory with a bit of a climb up to Ballyeaston?

Thanks for that Heather - the organisers of Robin Hood claim a "brand new flat/fast course" this year for the half which hopefully might help me achieve my next goal which is sub 1:50 - here's hopin!

I see Decathlon 10K & Half on 23rd Sept @ Holywood/Belfast is now on athleticsni website - but can't seem to get much info on it? e.g. route/course etc

Ricky the Decathlon Half is 2 laps of the 10K course. Just looked at the entry fee £24 for a half is a bit steep.

Thanks for the info Kenneth - It is a bit pricey - £25 for unregistered bods like me! And only a t-shirt for first 100 entrants too!

Found the link for anyone else interested:
http://pioneer-group.co.uk/

Hey guys, just peeking in to say hello! And hoping somebody has some info on the cross country championships in NI. I haven't don'e any cross country racing before and i don't run with a club. I'm in a triathlon club so I don't really have the time to run with a running club as well, though i might consider it... Does anyone know if i can enter as an individual, and how i would go about doing that? Also would you wear spikes? Any info on it would be great. I was on athletics NI and i can see the fixtures, but it seems that runners generally get registered through their clubs. 

B_Kins just turn up on the day, register and pay. I run with a club and do the same - in fact everyone in the club would. You'd be recommended to wear spikes as some of them can be mud baths and you'll not have much fun running up hills covered in mud with trainers...

Cheers tommy, thats what i was hoping for. Hopefully i'll make it to a few of them over the winter. I have an old pair of spikes that i've actually never ran in. It would be good to get some use out of them. Would you bring both runners and spikes and decide on the day or can you always be sure of wearing spikes in the xc races?

You'd be better just running in spikes really... The ground is never solid enough here. If you buy spikes then get two lengths of spike and use the shorter one on a good day.

One of the guys on here - HMM - wore trainers in a cross country at barnetts last year and I doubt he'd recommend it!!

HMM, yes met up with some old team mates and we watched the hockey with Simon and his brother Sean Kurly (who is commentating) very sad. I am now in a state of shock as to how easily GB fell apart.  I played in Holland and they are very talented but I did expect a closer game.

Come on Mo bring a smile back to my face

Is anyone from Belfast heading up to Cushendall in the morning for the Lurig race?

I have a lift home so just need a lift up there. mail me on madmickieatyahoodotcodotuk

thanks

Had a decent run at Ballyclare, felt weird walking from the house to a road race for a change! Struggled with the hillier bits, but was pleasantly surprised with my pace considering I've been training at such a low HR for so long. I think it's working, definitely had plently of endurance. Left it too late to pass Paul OH, but a 7:18 last mile had me catch right up on him, nice to meet you sir! 

Wanted to break the hour mark, managed a 57:12 according to the Garmin. I should definitely race more, I enjoy it. 

Well done Jonny. Glad to hear the HR training is working as I've just finished my 3rd week of it.

It's weird Rodney, I think my struggles around halfway were purely mental. I consciously slowed from an 8ish min mile to a 830ish pace. I got passed by a few that I'd ovetaken early on, so I kicked a wee bit to catch up and maintain the gap. This kinda made me realise I'd plently left in the tank. So, it's definitely doing something! 

good running Jonny - Low HR training seems to be paying dividends?!

I did my LSR today - 15mls @ 9:50 m/ml pace.. twas warm work!

What about Mo tonite - awesome...star of the Games for Team GB in my book.