Northern Ireland Running

Not sure if I'm going to make the Seeley as I have a problem with my balance and I'm struggling to run in a straigh line. If I don't run I hope to up to support.

Alwynn read your article big improvement in such a short time well done.

mark some good pics.

thanks, guys for the encouraging remarks about my article in NiRunning - I enjoyed writing down my experiences as both a reminder to self of progress made and hopefully as a future source of encouragement when my enthusiasm for running may wane.

Ken, sorry to hear about your balance issue - hopefully it clears up as soon as it appears to have struck you down.

Club session last night, round the pitches in very wet & heavy going - gave me an insight into what you XC mudlarks love contending with! It certainly pulls on the hamstrings and calves - decided to rest up today.  

Great article Alwyn. Shows what can be done if you have the right attitude, even with the odd setback.

I tweaked my left hamstring last night at interval training but hope to be ok for Saturday. Using foam roller, ice, deep heat,ant-inflamatories and resting for 2 days. Will see how it is on a small warm up before the race and will decide then if I should race or run round at a slower pace with some of the other club members.

Hope you are feeling better soon Kenny.

Thanks, Rodney. Hope your self-treatment works well enough for your Plan A on Saturday.

I 'm also nursing a slight hamstring tweak this past 48 hours after interval training on Tuesday - just when I was starting to think my hamstring had strengthened & repaired nicely. No problems at all with it during Dublin.

I have in my head a determination to run a steady first half on Saturday and try to up the pace for a good negative split but from what I hear, Seeley can be a bit chaotic early-on! I will try to use any lingering doubt about my hamstring to take it out steady but race-craft & disciplined pacing are still major learning curves for me. 

Any improvement with the balance, Ken?

Martin, sounds like a good turnout for the Run-for-Mark event.
I ran a couple of the 26Extreme night 10Ks at Stormont last Winter and, as you say, it's a great effect with the headtorches - all the more given the numbers last night.

Not so many bright spots where I spent last night - at Windsor Park! Still trying to work out how 7 (or was it 8?) extremely close-range chances all went wide/over - very frustrating!! 

HMM/Martin - It wasn't just you that thought you'd got it wrong last night.  The rules kept changing by the minute.  I was marshalling the start with Joe Quinn and when it started we were both surprised the way it happened.  I just felt for all the 10k runners that were hanging around for 12 minutes in the rain after the 5k run had gone.  I had an even bigger headache at the finish but think it is all sorted now. Glad you enjoyed the run anyway - that was my regular Friday morning pre-work run prior to injury.

Just in from making up bags for collection for Seeley Cup.  923 entries - that's a lot of bags!  More to do tomorrow.

Alwyn I loved your article - very inspirational.

Magaret, your commitment to the running community is fantastic - whether it's marshalling or making-up goody bags, your dedication shines brightly!

How is your long-term injury?

I went out with the gang last night and did 6 miles. I pushed on for the first three and felt good but started to weaver a little towards the end. I am going to give it a go but may not get the seasons best I was looking for.

I hope everyones niggles clear up and you all have a good race. I hope to catch up with some of you tomorrow.

Mags your a star. I don't think there is anyone who has helped out at more races than you this year. See you tomorrow.

Alwyn, I made up your pack today and am sorry to say that we had to give you a smaller sized T shirt than you had asked for, but if you're report is anything to go by it should fit you you okay. As for my injury, it's a lot more 'long-term' that I had at first thought. Mind you, pounding round 26.2 miles in London in April wouldn't have done it any favours so I've only myself to blame.

Kenny, delighted that you're going to give it a go tomorrow.  I have all Springwell's race packs home with me as there wasn't anywhere to store everything when we closed today.  I'll have them at theOzone for 12 tomorrow for collection so will see you then. (As for the volunteering, Seeley tomorrow will be my 75th stint so far this year, including the parkruns.)

A mix of the cold weather and a strong head wind on the road made it a tough day today! Great event as always though. I was hoping for top 50 but struggled a bit throughout and ended up just over 35 minutes in 54th. Sounds like it was a very interesting battle up at the front!