Northern Ireland Running

Anyone else heading to the first XC race of the season on Saturday ?  I did a 7 mile run on grass yesterday in preparation and hope Saturday isn't muddy. It certainly drains the legs more than road running.

Hi Rodney, having just read 'The Art of Running Faster' by Julian Goater, I'm convinced by his arguments that cross-country racing helps you become a better runner on any surface by developing strength, stamina and mental-toughness!

After Dublin Marathon, I'm tempted to enter some XC events. Although, looking at previous year's results, the small fields of relatively elite/hardened XC campaigners is a bit off-putting. I can cope with trailing around near the back - what was that about mental toughness?! - but getting detached is a newbie-fear that deters a little.

Doing Dublin as my second ever marathon and am looking at forthcoming races between now and then....Armagh and Dundrum...with Dundrum being a week before and on sand would it be one to avoid?

Mark, I doing Dundrum as my last hard-paced piece of work before Dublin - though I'm a marathon first-timer so my advice perhaps not so valid. I've followed the Pzitzinger & Douglas 18-week schedule and after Dundrum I will rest Sun & Mon, 6m recovery pace Tues, marathon pace 8m Weds, Rest Thurs, 5m Recovery & Strides Fri, 4m Recovery Sat & rest Sunday.

I ran Dundrum last year & now I have other races to compare it with, I would definitely recommend. The boardwalk & beach sections break up the road/track sections although, last year, the strong headwind made the 2m beach section really tough - but it's only 2 miles! The tide was well out (haven't checked the tide tables but assume it will be well out again!) and we ran close to the dunes on reasonably hard sand - my Garmin records show I was almost 1min/mile slower on the beach section.

You've reminded me to enter - hope weather is kind to us!

HMM - thanks for the encouragement! I know they say even the last-placed finisher beats those who don't make the start-line!!

Alwyn I'd give it a go. I always enjoyed cross country and was always at the back of the field. Some runners just can't handle the fact that people will lap them that is why they don't do it. I always stuck in their and finished the race.

Mark personally if it was me I wouldn't be racing this close to a marathon.

Cheers for the advice folks...just registered but will be taking it nice and easy...the runs up to Dublin with be pedestrian paced...parkruns and a couple of 5 or 6 milers..

Did 20 yeaterday and still feel a bit drained..

hi there. new to this forum, but if there are any runners out there up for the occassional long run, give me a shout. im used to doing half marathons... 1:48 ave time. ive got a ballot place for london marathon so need to start uping milage. want to finish around 4 hr mark.... let me know if anyone is interested. ta c

Hello all - been a few weeks since I checked in. Welcome Clareey & Patrick.

Some good running and great to see the excitement building for Dublin.

These dark nights are not good - I'm finding it hard going out in the dark.... Where I run is very limited in terms of streetlights. Is it just me but do cars actually hit the full beam when they see a runner so they can have a good nosey? I've been blinded countless times and nearly run off the edge of the pavement/into the ditch as a consequence. Does anyone run with a torch or a head LED light? (I have one of those miners light stylee straps with a powerful LED but have never used it for running)

Then there was the comedian that drenched me a few weeks ago by driving thru a puddle on purpose.... the air was blue that night I can tell you loll

Anyway still getting 3 runs in a week totalling around 25mls including a longish one at the weekend.  

Ricky I have never run with the head torch but have used it on the bike. Car drivers just love driving through puddles when they see a runner. Full beams disorientate you they do the same to cyclists they just never think.

Welcome Clareey good luck with the marathon. Where are you from?

Ricky, the dark nights certainly are a challenge - I'm fortunate to be able to run at lunchtime when I'm working in Lisburn but limits the mileage although I have been known to run up to 50 minutes and take a little longer than the official hour lunch-break!

I have run from Moira to Lurgan and back in the dark, wearing a head torch for illumination of the sections without streetlights either side of Magheralin and Dollingstown. When using the head torch, I'm looking down, only maybe 5m ahead to spot any obstructions on the footpath. Also helps with avoiding looking into oncoming car headlights.

Coming to the end of the training schedule for my first marathon, I think I've already decided against ever wanting to run a Spring marathon because of the challenges posed by running high-mileage December-March. Having said that, not sure I'm up for training again for an Autumn marathon either!!

Ricky, get yourself an Alpkit gamma. It's the dogs danglies. I run with it all the time, it actually makes cars dip their headlights when they see you! Also excellent for trails etc. Really awesome piece of kit. 

Alwyn - the main road is the only route I run also and the dark bits are downright dangerous with oncoming headlights.  Path opposite mcmullens factory also very overgrown this year and a bit of a challenge in the dark negotiating clumps of hedge poking out! Starting to think minor roads with virtuallu no traffic wearing a head light might be a better option!

I work in Lisburn also & could run at lunchtime I suppose but no shower facilites make it a no no.

Thanks for link Jonny - similar although more upmarket to what I already have. Think I'll try out the one I have first to see if its for me.

just back from 7.25 miles on a dark, wet evening - head torch worked a treat

too wet tonight....so did the walking test thats been brought into the works fitness test..(I just can't do the beep shuttle run test...run a marathon...yes...beep test no!

treadmill at 3.8mph

0 gradient for 2 minutes 

3 gradient for 2 minutes 

6 gradient for 2 minutes 

9 gradient for 2 minutes 

12 gradient for 2 minutes 

15 gradient for 2 minutes 

(so only 12minutes of your time)

give it a go if you're inside one of these cold nights....too easy?...mix it up by carrying a 7.5kg kettlebell in each hand...though that isnt in the test.

I've actually wondered about people doing that in the gym Mark! Now I know. 

I'd like to give the bleep test a go again, I was in the top 3 in school. (played lots of rugby)

5 miles in the rain last night. Lovely night the worst part was going out the door once out it wasn't too bad.

Well that.s the first XC race over with. Stuck with Leek for first 2 laps and then he moved away from me for the last 2 laps. Tough going as usual but always like the challenge.