Northern Ireland Running

Aye, Mags, I've just entered for the ultra. I fancy the first 13 miles running along the beaches before the world awakes . I'm not so sure about the next 26 miles though. No matter, it's only a bit of craic.

HMM you are not winging another event are you LOL. Good luck I am jealous that I am missing the Causeway Off Road as I really enjoyed the marathon. Next year maybe the Ultra who knows. Good luck to everyone at the Causeway enjoy the views and I hope the weather is kind to you.

For the racers good luck at Bangor and I hope to see lots of PB's posted on here.

Good luck to all doing the Caiuseway I was hoping to get down to see the finish by have to pick the wife up at 3.00.

Hill session last night 3 sets of hills x 3.

Hello all,

Ive been having groin/hip injury problems for nigh on 15 months - used to be a marathon runner.

Just had a hip arthrogram scan and am due to see the specialist again at Musgrave in 2 weeks - he suspects a labral tear and/or femur-acetabular impingement. Pretty serious stuff (am on the femur-acetabular impinge thread on this website). Only way to treat these issues is keyhole surgery but i understand the NHS in NI don't carry out this op but they fly you to hospitals in England for the op.

Anyone suffer these injuries in Northern Ireland - I'd be interested in hearing your experiences and in particular if you had to go across the water for treatment on the NHS, or anyone who went private.

Trying to prepare myself for seeing the specialist in 2 weeks when he decides the best path forward, and trying to arm myself with as much info as possible.

Many thanks

Hi Parklife I was sent across to England for an op on my foot. My op was done under the NHS but at a private clinic. I got a call on Monday to go that weekend. They arranged flights and picked us up at the airport and took us to the hospital. My wife could have gone too and she would have been put up in a hotel. They did the op on the Sunday and flew me back on the Monday. My wife couldn't go but they dropped us off at Manchester and I had to make my own way through checkin etc. An older man had his son with him and helped me by carrying my bags. If I was going again I would take someone with me. I hope this is of some help.

Thanks Kenneth was the op on your foot a success?

Do you remember much about the process and how long it took from when the consultant deceided you needed the surgery and when you actually got it?

Thanks for help

Can't remember. The op was a success but the after treatment was crap.

But I can still run up to half marathon when I try any more I get problems.

Ultra marathons hurt. The Causeway cliff trail has a lot of ups and downs, with steps and stiles to punish tired legs, and powerful wind gusts yesterday which would push you in a direction you didn't want to go. Like over a cliff edge. But it was a great experience. The first 13 miles were the best, running in the early morning along the beaches from Portstewart to Portballintrae. And the sea was absolutely spectacular yesterday. My time was 8.58, but I was happy just to finish it at all. There were a lot of familar faces there and the great company made the long miles seem that much shorter. 

Did you enjoy the half, Irene?

Well done Paul - that's fantastic!  Don't know if 'enjoyed' is the right term but found the half quite tough due to all the climbing and the strong wind. However the time passed quite quickly as the terrain was always changing.  Managed it in 2hrs 25'06" which is just a few secs faster than last yr but felt I managed it better. Mind you, having to pour your own water at the refreshment station was a bit much.  Onwards to Dublin now!

Irene, what time you aiming for for Dublin?...4 weeks togo...so if Ive got it right two weeks solid training then tapering off for the last two weeks....what have you planned for the next month....still a newbie to all this...

Mark, I'm probably aiming for around the 4hr mark though it all depends on the day!  Will do one more 20+ miler LSR next weekend, and then probably 16 and 12 the following weekends. Will also try to get 3 other runs in during each week.

Cheers and thanks for sharing...If I get under the 5'15 from my first at Belfast I'll be happy...20 miles tomorrow..couple of small ones during the week.....same next week then dropping down to 13 and 10 for the last two....

Enjoyed Bangor 10k. Not my best run ever but happy enough with my 53 mins. Big turnout and well organised. 

Any-one run the Gr8 Dundrum run before? - Plenty of pre-entries, so thinking about entering myself. Nice day out, assuming the weather is kind

Some excellent running at the weekend. Well done everyone at the Causeway from talking to some of our guys the going was tough.

15 Miles yesterday with the Dublin gang. We got caught in a heavy shower at mile 10 but kept going even though we were soaked to the skin.

I ran at Dundrum last year Bracken and would definitely recommend it.  It's a mix of road, trail and beach.  The weather wasn't great but it's an enjoyable event, even when doing battle with a strong wind coming off the sea.

Saw you at Bangor Rodney, hope you had a good run. 

Thanks PaulOH - think I'll go for it, sounds good

Thanks Paul. Ran 40:20 which is a 30seconds improvement from Lisburn 10k in June. Not sure what to think of the time. Could easily run that much faster because of a different course, rather than any benefits from HR training. Tried to tuck in behind Leek after he passed me but couldn't stay with him in the last 2km.

 Having a sports massage today and an easier week, followed by more HR training in preparation for Seeley 10k in November. Doing a few XC before that and will hopefully see more improvement by then.

Well done to all who ran in Bangor or Causeway.

Stick at it Rodney, I'm bringing my "running only at low HR" training to a close. Am starting training for the Seeley as well. I'm actually going to train for a 10k! hoping to break 45mins, will continue with my long runs etc at very low HR. 

Just on the HR thing....if you goto itunes and type in marathon....under podcasts you'll see a range of marathon podcasts....theres one relating to HR long runs