Northern Ireland Running

That's me confirmed for Waterside - Race no. 489 emailed through today!

Mark - agree with Margaret - WHM shud be good for a PB as its nice and flat, Dambusters probably fantastic experience with all that scenery and prob a great training run for Dublin.. I would watch the injuries though if the going is rough/off road.

Alwyn- I'm in Magheralin (moira's easier as the majority haven't heard of Magheralin!)... yes we probably have crossed paths. I would be the grimacing plodder that gets in your way!
My runs tend to be late evening dusk/dark apart from LSR which is usually late Sat anoon. Some great routes around country lanes in the area as I'm sure you know all too well.

Well done all who raced tis weekend some cracking times recorded.

Enjoy your holiday well deserved to the volunteer of the year. You have put so much back into the sport since you were injuried.

After last week when I was a bit down as I was struggling with my running I am actually looking forward to Waterside as things have picked up over the last few outings.  I hope to meet a few of you there. I am trying to pace one of my girls round to a PB so will be in over the two hours.

http://www.paulryantimecalculator.com/ might be useful to boast of a personal best !

Doing the results in Portglenone tonight hope to see a few of you there.

Portrush Parkrun starts this Saturday first ever baech Parkrun.

HMM looks like we could get a little rain on Sunday. The new course has to be better than the old one. See you there.

Anyone doing the Decathlon HM or 10k? I've signed up for the HM. First time doing a proper HM and hoping for a decent time. Looks like a fast course!

Hi B_Kins I am doing Waterside on Sunday I had looked at the Decathlon and the date did suit.

Thinking of doing Portglenone myself Kenny but not 100% sure yet. Maybe see you there.

Not doing decathlon but sounds like a fast course from what I can hear.

Good luck to everyone in Waterside.

HMM how many until 40? Is it at this point you send us the blog which I haven't read in a long time...

Hoping to get to Portglenone Kenny, although 7.00pm starts can be a problem.

I'm in for Waterside as well, looking forward to it.

See some of you tonight in Portglenone.

No bother to you HMM. Would love a 1 mile race just out of interest! Plenty left in the calendar though you mightn't have much time at the weekends!

Picked up an injury at portglenone last night but hopefully not too bad. Good running Rodney - I think the heart rate stuff will get you there but just be patient. Kenny I saw you in the distance but you were a bit busy.

Over 200 entries last night a lot of new runners who weren't on the system. I think everyone had finished before I started to put in the results. So many people arrived at the last minute. I finally got the results sorted should be up shortly.

TG I hope your injury isn't serious.

Trial run at the Portrush Parkrun this afternoon if I have the energy.

HMM you may double up Parkrun in the morning another race in the afternoon.

Good work with the results Kenny. Big turnout. TG, hope injury isn't too bad.

I'm a little disappointed with my time of 19.23 but hopefully wil see some improvement come Bangor.

Great job yesterday as always Kenny.  Sorry for last minute arrival - tailback of traffic going into Portglenone was terrible.  Very good turnout last night and a different course since I was last there.  Good to speak to you Rodney, that's a good time.

TG, were you lapping the football pitch afterwards?  I saw someone in your club colours and would have said hello if I had thought it was you.

Paul I wasn't fit to lap afterwards... That was likely Gregory Walsh. I think I know your face now so must say hello. Claire Connor won the womens race by the way!

Bad tailback coming from belfast at randalstown.

Good luck all for Waterside tomorrow - say hello if you see me - no. 489!

Training has been patchy recently so a little worried now!

Bit breezy & a bit of rain forecast for the morning.

Hi everyone. I have just signed up to this site and am looking for some advice (sorry if this is not the correct part of the forum). I have been going to the gym for 2 years but have grown sick of it and would like to move to the great outdoors and start trail and road running.

I live in Carrickfergus and there are quite a few dams and forest trails to run on but is there any trails you would recommend traveling to to run, whether it be for the intensity or even just the views?

Also can anyone recommend some reasonably priced gear to buy for the trail and/or road running?

Lastly can someone give me some general advice on how to approach outdoor running and any tips or tricks as I am completely new to it all?

I am aware I am asking a lot here but any response, if even to one question I asked would be helpful.

Welcome to our forum, Ryan. My advice is to just get out and do it. There are nice routes on the roads around Carrickfergus out the Beltoy and Marshalstown Roads. When you're up for a challenge, try going up the Knockagh Road. If you prefer the trails, the dams at Woodburn are nice for a run. Tardree Forest also has good trails, or even just take a run around Cave Hill. This is all my playground for runs and bike rides.

All you really need are decent running shoes. Road running shoes will do you for the trails, unless you take trail running more seriously. You may want to get you gait checked in a running shop first, before you buy shoes.

Why not try the 5k parkruns to start you off? See www.parkrun.org.uk for information on the local ones. The only other advice is to run gently, build up slowly and enjoy the freedom.