Saturday, July 23, 2011
Congratulations to Ratoath AC's Eamon Wallace All Ireland U18 200m Gold Medal Winner
Well done to Eamon on a fine run today that saw him win Gold at the All Ireland U18 200m in a time of 22.5 secs.
Phoenix Park Family Fitness Festival 31st July family mile run at 10am other activities during the day. Just click this title :)
Great fun day out with the family. Remember to register for the mile run for free on the site.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Slane Castle 5km and 10mile Sun 21st Aug 2011 12pm
Click on the title for info.
This is Slane AC's 1st time holding this event and so please give them your support.
'The event will be part of the Slane Castle annual lady well fête ( www.ladywellfete.com ), where plenty of family entertainment will be provided on the day from music, games, food stalls etc.'
For Ratoath AC members if you are thinking of running the 10mile please contact me prior to entering for pricing info. ratoathathletics@gmail.com or 0876851261
Boyne Open Sports Sunday August 14th 2011 at 1:30pm
Open Sports Day in the Meadowview Sportsfield Drogheda. Competitions from Under 8 to Senior. Click on title for the info.
View Meadowview Sportsfield Drogheda in a larger map
View Meadowview Sportsfield Drogheda in a larger map
Congratulations to David McCarthy Teacher in Ratoath College on breaking his PB for 800m
Click on the title for the Athletics Ireland article.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
5 miler in the park
So this was the first of three races in the DCM race series, building up to the marathon in October. I had taken Friday off from training to prepare for it, the weather wasn't looking good though.
I sat in the car eating fruit and drinking water until about 09:30 and then did a warm up run of about 1.8k to the start line, or to be specific, the portaloos! There were lots, so I didn't have to wait long :-)According to the instructions on the website, and sent out along with the bib numbers, there were three wave starts. Wave 1 for sub 40mins, wave 2 for 40-50mins and wave 3 for +50mins. As my previous 8k time was 36mins, I went into the back of wave 1.
Anyway I set my Garmin to a "quick workout" and set it for 8km in 35mins. Then I reset it to 40mins, so I wouldn't be putting too much pressure on myself - glad I did that now.
There wasn't a starters gun, but I did notice the front runners move off rapidly, so I guessed we had started! It took about 20 secs for me to get over the line, so I started my Garmin then. The narrow roads in the Phoenix Park made it pretty congested. It took me about 1.5-2k to get past the walkers/joggers that had started in front of me, but I was able to get my pace up to 4:30-4:20min/k, which was my target really. There was one water station about the half way mark and I took a cup, but I can never get the hang of drinking from a cup while running. I managed two small gulps and dropped the rest over my legs, which actually felt good and cooled them down.
Then came the real test: Kyber Road, 1km all uphill. I focused on keeping running, slowing as needed and not looking too far ahead. I went down to about 5:30min/k, but that should have been ok along with my earlier pace overall. I tried to give encouragement to people who had to walk, and a few of them started running again. At the top of the hill, the finish line was about 200m away and I gave it all I had, although I was tired from the climb. The clock said 39:32, but my Garmin said 39:20, which would be more accurate. I was disappointed with my time, but given the crowds it couldn't be avoided really. I got a cup of water, two bananas and my goodie bag and started to breath normally again. I was cooling down pretty fast and started to feel cold in no time, so I jogged the 1.8k back to the car as a cool down run.
I sat in the car eating fruit and drinking water until about 09:30 and then did a warm up run of about 1.8k to the start line, or to be specific, the portaloos! There were lots, so I didn't have to wait long :-)According to the instructions on the website, and sent out along with the bib numbers, there were three wave starts. Wave 1 for sub 40mins, wave 2 for 40-50mins and wave 3 for +50mins. As my previous 8k time was 36mins, I went into the back of wave 1.
Anyway I set my Garmin to a "quick workout" and set it for 8km in 35mins. Then I reset it to 40mins, so I wouldn't be putting too much pressure on myself - glad I did that now.
There wasn't a starters gun, but I did notice the front runners move off rapidly, so I guessed we had started! It took about 20 secs for me to get over the line, so I started my Garmin then. The narrow roads in the Phoenix Park made it pretty congested. It took me about 1.5-2k to get past the walkers/joggers that had started in front of me, but I was able to get my pace up to 4:30-4:20min/k, which was my target really. There was one water station about the half way mark and I took a cup, but I can never get the hang of drinking from a cup while running. I managed two small gulps and dropped the rest over my legs, which actually felt good and cooled them down.
Then came the real test: Kyber Road, 1km all uphill. I focused on keeping running, slowing as needed and not looking too far ahead. I went down to about 5:30min/k, but that should have been ok along with my earlier pace overall. I tried to give encouragement to people who had to walk, and a few of them started running again. At the top of the hill, the finish line was about 200m away and I gave it all I had, although I was tired from the climb. The clock said 39:32, but my Garmin said 39:20, which would be more accurate. I was disappointed with my time, but given the crowds it couldn't be avoided really. I got a cup of water, two bananas and my goodie bag and started to breath normally again. I was cooling down pretty fast and started to feel cold in no time, so I jogged the 1.8k back to the car as a cool down run.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Meath AAI Confined Beach Run
Meath Athletics are hosting their now Annual 5k Beach Run & BBQ on Gormanston Beach at 8pm Firday July 15th.
The proceedings get under way with the underage races over distances of 200m to 600m from u9 up to u14. It is important to note that the the event is confined to only members of Meath AAI.
Directions drive to Duleek & straight through the village . At the Drogheda to Ashbourne road turn right and then take an immediate left at Duleek graveyard - you are now on the Duleek-Julianstown road.
In Julianstown turn right for Dublin. After you pass the second Apple Green Petrol Station which is on your left then you take the slip road on the left signposted for Balbriggan, Stamullen, Gormanston. Drive on and pass the Cock & Huntsman Pubs one on either side of the road.
Entrance to the beach is via the Gormanston train station entrance about 800m the Dublin side of the Cock & Huntsman Pubs.
For anyone comming from Enfield using M4 & M50 or Dunboyne using M3 & M50 then you turn off the M50 for the M1Belfast. Keep going North till you see the City North Hotel (can't miss it - it is a eyesore on the East Meath landscape) exit about 20k from Airport. Then follow signs for Balbriggan - Gormanston Stamullen and you will then come to the Cock & Huntsman pubs. Then follow directions as before.
Phone Brendan Meade @ 087 2533113 if in trouble and he promises to keep a burger for you.
The proceedings get under way with the underage races over distances of 200m to 600m from u9 up to u14. It is important to note that the the event is confined to only members of Meath AAI.
Directions drive to Duleek & straight through the village . At the Drogheda to Ashbourne road turn right and then take an immediate left at Duleek graveyard - you are now on the Duleek-Julianstown road.
In Julianstown turn right for Dublin. After you pass the second Apple Green Petrol Station which is on your left then you take the slip road on the left signposted for Balbriggan, Stamullen, Gormanston. Drive on and pass the Cock & Huntsman Pubs one on either side of the road.
Entrance to the beach is via the Gormanston train station entrance about 800m the Dublin side of the Cock & Huntsman Pubs.
For anyone comming from Enfield using M4 & M50 or Dunboyne using M3 & M50 then you turn off the M50 for the M1Belfast. Keep going North till you see the City North Hotel (can't miss it - it is a eyesore on the East Meath landscape) exit about 20k from Airport. Then follow signs for Balbriggan - Gormanston Stamullen and you will then come to the Cock & Huntsman pubs. Then follow directions as before.
Phone Brendan Meade @ 087 2533113 if in trouble and he promises to keep a burger for you.
National AAI Juvenile Championships
Anther excellent performance from Deirdre Healy last weekend when she finished a close 5th in the u 15 girls 800m AAI national championships with a time of 2 mins 22 sec.
Ciaran McCarthy also did the club proud in making the national finals of the u 15 800m.
Well done to both!
Ciaran McCarthy also did the club proud in making the national finals of the u 15 800m.
Well done to both!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Oldcastle 5k run & walk
Oldcastle 5k Run & Walk for the Marie Monaghan Memorial Cup
Hosted by St Brigid’s Athletic Club
on
Wednesday the 20th of July 2011 at 8pm in Oldcastle Co Meath
Map of race here, race starts at 8 pm and race registration is in the Naper Arms Hotel in town.
Prizes:
Senior Men & Ladies 1st Three , Junior Men & Ladies 1st Three, Masters Men & Ladies 1st Three,
O/ 40, 50, 60, plus Spot Prizes
Entries on the day 10 Euro per Individual
Refreshments Afterwards
For more information contact:
Martin 086 8564160
Pat 087 2657051
Gerard 086 2499886
Hosted by St Brigid’s Athletic Club
on
Wednesday the 20th of July 2011 at 8pm in Oldcastle Co Meath
Map of race here, race starts at 8 pm and race registration is in the Naper Arms Hotel in town.
Prizes:
Senior Men & Ladies 1st Three , Junior Men & Ladies 1st Three, Masters Men & Ladies 1st Three,
O/ 40, 50, 60, plus Spot Prizes
Entries on the day 10 Euro per Individual
Refreshments Afterwards
For more information contact:
Martin 086 8564160
Pat 087 2657051
Gerard 086 2499886
Ardee and district AC Open Sports
| Ardee Open Sports 2011 |
Boys School Field, Ardee, Co.Louth
Check their website for the full programme of events
Thursday, July 7, 2011
South O'Hanlon 5k
Short version: It rained and rained, we ran in the rain and it rained.
Long version: Well, it was raining...The race was due to start at 8pm and I got there just after 7:30. As it was raining I got out of the car in all my running gear, rather than get any other clothes wet too. In the hall at the GAA pitch I got my number (€12 for entry) and realized that it must be getting close to start time. So I jogged about 1k from there to the start line (my warm up!) while pinning on my number.
A few hundred runners were hanging around the start area (in the rain) waiting for the start, so I did a bit of dynamic stretching and got under a tree, although I couldn't get any wetter at this stage! We were told to get ready and we all moved up, then we had to move back behind the line, then we moved up and had to move back again (getting cold now) and eventually someone shouted "GO!". I was in the middle of the pack which, on reflection, was too far back to get a good start. After a couple of minutes I was able to break through the bunch and get up to a happy pace. I started out at about 4:15min/k pace, a bit too fast for the start. I had a look at the elevation the day before and it showed two hills, the biggest about 2.6k in, so I held back to save some energy. What I didn't know was that the elevation chart had "dramatized" the hills...grrr.
Anyway I kept a good pace and tried to run near someone who was going at the same pace as myself, so I wouldn't get carried away. That worked and when I realized the hills were a bit of a "no show" I put the pace on again. Photo below is me coming in to the only water station, less than 1k to go...
My last 1k I didn't have much to spare and would have liked to have gone faster but given the conditions I was pretty much going as fast as I could. In the distance I could see the finishing line and 22:xx on the clock. I couldn't make out the seconds due to people and rain etc, but I knew I was close to breaking my PB! I pushed again and when I got about 200m to the end I saw 22:50 (or so) and I knew I wouldn't get a PB. I kept going and finished strong (in the rain!). Unofficial time 23:33, just 9 seconds slower than my PB I set a year ago. We all got handed bottles of water at the end while we handed back the timing chips. In my head I was saying, "if I had done x or y I would have been faster..." but that's for another day.
I did a 1.5k cool down jog (in the rain of course) and headed in to the hall for the post-race refreshments: tea/coffee, sandwiches, cake and sticky buns! All the goody bags had been handed out already, as many more had turned up than they were expecting, but they know who got their bag and who didn't and I was assured that one will be sent out. I didn't get to meet any club members unfortunately, but I stayed and chatted for a few mins in the hall with other runners, did some stretching and got dried off and went home. Of course it had stopped raining by this time, ha ha!
Eoin
P.S. Race results here
Official time was 23:37
Long version: Well, it was raining...The race was due to start at 8pm and I got there just after 7:30. As it was raining I got out of the car in all my running gear, rather than get any other clothes wet too. In the hall at the GAA pitch I got my number (€12 for entry) and realized that it must be getting close to start time. So I jogged about 1k from there to the start line (my warm up!) while pinning on my number.
A few hundred runners were hanging around the start area (in the rain) waiting for the start, so I did a bit of dynamic stretching and got under a tree, although I couldn't get any wetter at this stage! We were told to get ready and we all moved up, then we had to move back behind the line, then we moved up and had to move back again (getting cold now) and eventually someone shouted "GO!". I was in the middle of the pack which, on reflection, was too far back to get a good start. After a couple of minutes I was able to break through the bunch and get up to a happy pace. I started out at about 4:15min/k pace, a bit too fast for the start. I had a look at the elevation the day before and it showed two hills, the biggest about 2.6k in, so I held back to save some energy. What I didn't know was that the elevation chart had "dramatized" the hills...grrr.
Anyway I kept a good pace and tried to run near someone who was going at the same pace as myself, so I wouldn't get carried away. That worked and when I realized the hills were a bit of a "no show" I put the pace on again. Photo below is me coming in to the only water station, less than 1k to go...
My last 1k I didn't have much to spare and would have liked to have gone faster but given the conditions I was pretty much going as fast as I could. In the distance I could see the finishing line and 22:xx on the clock. I couldn't make out the seconds due to people and rain etc, but I knew I was close to breaking my PB! I pushed again and when I got about 200m to the end I saw 22:50 (or so) and I knew I wouldn't get a PB. I kept going and finished strong (in the rain!). Unofficial time 23:33, just 9 seconds slower than my PB I set a year ago. We all got handed bottles of water at the end while we handed back the timing chips. In my head I was saying, "if I had done x or y I would have been faster..." but that's for another day.
I did a 1.5k cool down jog (in the rain of course) and headed in to the hall for the post-race refreshments: tea/coffee, sandwiches, cake and sticky buns! All the goody bags had been handed out already, as many more had turned up than they were expecting, but they know who got their bag and who didn't and I was assured that one will be sent out. I didn't get to meet any club members unfortunately, but I stayed and chatted for a few mins in the hall with other runners, did some stretching and got dried off and went home. Of course it had stopped raining by this time, ha ha!
Eoin
P.S. Race results here
Official time was 23:37
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