A Day To Remember

That's the thing about confidence, it ebbs and flows. One moment you're questioning what it is that you might need to change to spark a return to your former level. Not that I felt I had drastically lost form, more a case that I was just lacking that extra gear to move into. So you work harder, you dig deeper and all of a sudden, you wonder what all the fuss what about.

Racing in your hometown is a rarity, so when the chance comes around I look forward to it immensely and last weekend certainly did not disappoint. With conditions looking particularly tricky on the morning of the race, I briefly wondered if the blustery winds would require me to adjust my goal of a sub 65minute finish. The one thing we know for certain about the weather is that we can't change it, so why worry about it. Better to concentrate on things that I could have an affect over.

Trialing some advice received from my coach, I was up before first light for a ten-minute shuffle around the estate I live on. Regularly undertaken by the all-conquering Kenyans who refer to the practice as 'sleepwalking’, it certainly felt early enough in the morning for it anyway!

After the shakeout run, next on the agenda was ten minutes in a cold bath to really wake the body from its slumber before warming up the muscles with a hot shower afterwards. To some it might seem a little extreme or over the top, but I enjoy taking the extra steps in preparation and firmly believe that the more calculated approach develops a sharper mental edge which is paramount when facing any challenge.

Once we got away from the start line, pacing the early part of the race was always going to be important. I often think the second mile of this course to be crucial in determining your finish time. After a fast downhill start, a more conservative effort needs to be applied to the flatter section, which precedes the first of two major climbs. Once the ascent is managed steadily, you can pull back some of the time lost when you get onto the level. Go too hard on the first hill and you'll be recovering until you meet the next one, and you don’t want that!

Running amongst a group of five or six, we got through the halfway point in 31.38, and although this set me up for a sub 63 finish, I felt I had plenty more to give. I went on from the group I had spent the last few miles with and tagged on to the next target ahead of me. Making gains on those ahead of you is a great confidence booster and another reason to temper that earlier enthusiasm which can often lead to feeling like your going backwards in the later stages.

Winding up for a strong finishing mile and a half, finding more as we closed to the line seemed easier than normal with the local streets full of people encouraging you home. I was very pleased to get round this challenging course in 61.47, a marked improvement on last years effort of 73.09. The key to progress is the simple, sometimes boring, things - hard work, preparation, determination, hard work, preparation…

Honourable mention must go to my mother, Phil, who took on the 4mile race with great gusto. Needing little encouragement, she got round with a more than respectable effort which brought a smile to all our faces. My brother, Adrian, made it a real family affair with his own highly impressive time of 70.57 posted for the longer event. If we can get him to do a few extra training runs, he will be passing me out pretty quickly!

To be witness to so many people, young and old alike, each gaining their own sense of achievement from the pure and simple joy of running was a sight to behold. To bring such fulfillment to my family, the people of The Great Island and all my team-mates at Ballymore Cobh AC, while raising funds for the brave men and women assisted by the Irish Cancer Society, made it truly a day to remember.

Home Run

Hard to believe we are quarter of the year through already, how time flies. The two main focuses for the first half of my running year were the Ballycotton 10 and the Great Island 10. Having been unable to fully commit every effort into the former due to a slight calf strain, it’s back to the local roads next Sunday for what should be a decent performance to finish well within 65minutes.

The course itself is challenging and anyone tackling it for the first time will have a good test ahead them. With a fast opening mile, temptation awaits for those looking to burn up early gas – just say no! Saving some energy for the later stages is vitally important on this course. A controlled effort through the first four or five undulating miles should set you up nicely to attack the second half of the course.

An exciting addition to this year’s events in Cobh will be the inaugural running of a four miler on the same day. This will surely be of great interest to people looking to get involved without having to undergo the training required for the longer distance. One such new recruit is my own mother, Phil. Young at heart and full of what life is all about, I’m very excited for her and glad to say preparations have been coming along well for us both.

Another lady of note set to appear on the islands roads next weekend is none other than Sonia O’Sullivan. To have an athlete of Sonia’s illustrious standing amongst the field is something that is quite unique. I can’t think of many sports where you get the chance to line up in the same event and partake alongside an Olympic medalist and multiple European and World Champion.  

Myself, Sonia, Phil + father Joe (Head Coach!)

 

Sunday will mark a break in my longer distance racing, with the ensuing couple of months geared towards building more intense speed work into the schedule. The John Buckley Sports Graded Track and Field League commencing next month will give me an opportunity to sample the track side of athletics for the first time. It’s something I am looking forward to, and confident that it offers me a chance of improving if approached in the right way.

Focusing on shorter distances will add a bit of variety to my training before time comes to begin concentrating on an autumn marathon in Amsterdam. Although a while away yet, I am starting to get excited about the visit to The Netherlands, with a flatter course and the expected mild conditions offering a decent opportunity to break the three hour barrier.

For now though, it’s time for us all to look forward to next weekend and the rare chance of racing on the local roads. So, when it gets tough and the time comes to dig deep, you can think about the many cancer sufferers whose lives you will enhance by helping to raise much needed funds for the provision of palliative care through Irish Cancer Society. Without exception, every family in the land is or once was affected by the illness. Putting your own personal battle with the 10miles in line with that of those whose challenge is cancer can allow you see through a clearer light. Many people would love to take to the roads and run, all of us lucky enough to take part have the choice to do so.

Enjoy and give thanks!