On Track

To mix things up a little, I've chosen to use this latest blog to firstly recap on a recent busy race period and then bring you up to speed on my favorite run shoes that I just can't get enough of.

An overdue return to Ballyheigue gave us a chance to catch up on some nice family time. Our colourful and welcoming hosts at O'Neill's B+B made sure we were stuck for little as we perched ourselves inside the beautiful bay tucked south under Kerry Head peninsula.

Running the 10km as part of the Half on The Head event gave me a chance to get the racing legs revved up at the start of a big week. With an eye on last years times, I had an idea I might have my work cut out to win the race but fancied a chance at finishing in the places.

If I could do this without burning too much oil I would leave The Kingdom a happy man with bigger challenges ahead in the coming days. So, sure it was that the eventual winner, Tommy O'Brien of An Riocht AC, set off a good gallop. I was happy to sit in behind amongst the chasing pack and move on from them after about three miles or so. With no intention of leaving all my effort on the Kerry roads, I kept a handy distance between myself and those behind and cruised home pretty comfortably for what I was surprised to realize afterwards was a personal best along with a first ever top three placing.

A couple of days relaxing by the seaside done no harm before heading back to the Rebel County for Round 4 of the John Buckley Sports Graded League. The plan was simple, break 10mins for 3,000m. Near perfect conditions coupled with a high level of confidence set things up nicely and despite having to push pretty hard in the last kilometer, the job was done. Another barrier broken, at a distance I would not likely see again this season.

The last of three races in eight days was to be over 5,000m, again at CIT, in the Cork County Track+Field Championships. Body and mind seemed to be in good order before the race but when the field split in two early in proceedings, I was left running alone with a safe distance between the pursuing competitors and myself while the front runners when out of sight.

Running alone on the track is hardly ideal for a relative novice but if all you have for company is an unraveling shoe lace, that's probably worse! Occasionally glancing downwards to ensure I wasn't at risk of tripping myself up, I never found the pedal to get firing and ended up finishing in fifth amongst nine athletes.

Given the week that was, I was happy to accept the days work before filing it as another learning experience. Later I was assured by my coach how the 5,000m could be a 'brutal mistress' when things began to go wrong. I could see how!

Overall, I must say that this last couple of months racing on the track has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my running story to date. The change of scenery coupled with a welcoming atmosphere, regardless of ability, has allowed me to concentrate on building speed that will no doubt translate into sharper times over the longer distances ahead.

So, whether or not you have ever ran on the track before, regardless of how fast or slow you might think you are, make it a goal of yours to sample racing on the tartan some time soon and I am sure you won't regret the decision. I, for one, certainly don't.

When looking to run faster, shedding any unnecessary weight is a good starting point. The trade off with racing flats is that they leave you open to greater impact forces than your normal training shoe, which offers more protection.

For me, the adidas adizero adios Boost 2 breaks the mould. While light of weight with a breathable fit, it still retains a nice amount of bounce through the sole for the longer distance athlete. Saying this, I would imagine most runners would be comfortable covering anywhere from 5k upwards in these.

After purchasing a pair towards the end of last year, I would easily rank them as my favorite shoe amongst those that I have worn. Available in a number of different colours including orange, purple, black and grey, they retail on the manufacturers site from €90 upwards.

Oh, and Dennis Kimetto set the Berlin roads alight in these when stopping the world marathon record clock at 2.02.57 last September.

If they’re good enough for Dennis...

Going the distance

Up until the last Bank Holiday weekend my planking activities had been modest to say the least. Two minutes, at a push and only on special occasions, would have been the most I could possibly bear the core crunching, bone rattling experience of the physical exercise designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles, where one performs a press-up and holds the raised position for a set period of time.

So, in anticipation, my friend and strength coach, Katie decided to dangle a carrot. If I could hold a good form plank for five minutes I would get that week's session free of charge. Following brief negotiation we settled on four and a half!

When previously attempting the plank I would normally succumb to trembling much earlier in proceedings. Yet, just as I was beginning to accept the challenge, I was mentally preparing myself to go further than I had been before. 'I'll just have to hold on', I convinced myself.

As if my mind was opening the gate, my body followed through. With some resistance of course, but hard work and sweat never killed any one! The phrase 'how much do you want it' is often pondered upon in life and here was an example of the incentive being great enough to warrant a bigger effort than had ever been summoned or thought possible before. It's not whether you can do it, more whether you believe you can do it. 

Close by on the Rebel City roads my club mates at Ballymore Cobh AC were laying down their own efforts in the Cork City Marathon on what can only be described as a pretty horrendous day, weather wise. I might have popped out and back from my work place on a couple of occasions to witness the enormously humbling sight of a marathon finish but I really had no idea of how difficult the conditions were. To fully appreciate the added challenge it presented, I think it's fair to believe that you had to be out there. Between the barriers. In wind. And rain. Wet. But not wilting.

Each like soldiers returning triumphant from the battle field, the Black and Amber singlets came home one by one. Many having overcome distances, they never imagined themselves running six or twelve months ago. Here now the power and the glory was all theirs.

Catching up with so many of the heroes later that evening and feeding off their inspirational efforts just fueled my desire to get my marathon effort underway. While the clock is always ticking, the big hands tell the current tale. For now, the figures look good.

To date, 5km, 5mile, 10km + 10mile personal bests have been chalked up this term. A recent track debut also allowed me to improve on my only previous effort over 3,000m. The current focus towards the shorter distances and the resulting improvement over same lays down the speed to which we'll blend endurance with once the marathon specific preparation begins.

The sun is shining and the racing is coming thick and fast on the back of a solid training period. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Upcoming Races

13/6 Ballyheigue 10Km
16/6 CIT Graded League 3,000m
21/6 CIT County T+F Champs 5,000m