Two recent local events caught the public’s
attention and showed our town of Cobh off in a hugely positive light. First up
was the Jailbreak Triathlon staged by Cobh Tri Club. The multi discipline sport
has seen a huge rise in popularity of late and one that I am very keen to
sample further down the line. For now, I made do with what almost seemed like a
bit part role in proceedings by taking up the run leg of the relay event.
Shuffling out for just over 9k made me feel like I was getting off lightly in
comparison to the triathletes who kicked out up to 40k in the saddle after
fighting extremely choppy waters to swim back to shore after setting off up to
1,500m away over on Spike Island.
Maybe it is my own shortcomings in the
water that makes me think that the swimmers achievements are so much more marvelous
but I do genuinely believe that to get yourself across that harbour requires
not only a sharp physical condition but also a serious mental toughness, maybe
even the slightest tough of madness too!
The following week it was the turn of
Ballymore Cobh AC to take centre stage when we hosted our annual road race over
a fast four-mile course which proved very popular with all who took part. It
was great to see so many varying levels of ability turn out on the night with
none other than former Olympian and current Irish national four mile record
holder Noel Berkeley lining up alongside a large number of novice runners, many
of whom had recently graduated from our Fit4Life program designed to take
newcomers from beginner to 5k. Upfront, Ryan Creech, representing race sponsors
The Edge Sports Shop, showed the field a clean pair of heels to storm home in
18.45 - nicely done by the Leevale AC man.
Of course, lots of us just turn up to these
races with the straightforward task of finding our way around the designated
route with as little trouble as possible. For the organising teams that ensure
we all have races to run in, it is an entirely different size of a challenge.
Race permits, course measurements,
sponsors, timing, registration, ambulances, doctors, stewards, food, drink and
prizes all need to be arranged before the starters gun can be fired, so great
acclaim must go to those whose trojan efforts allow us all to do what we enjoy
most, to go racing!
Preparations for the forthcoming Amsterdam marathon continued in Clonmel recently when a return to the challenging Tipperary course allowed me to record a half marathon personal best of 80.52. As much as the actual time posted, the controlled manner in which I ran was most pleasing. A similar effort over a flatter course in Charleville come four weeks time should allow me to breakthrough the eighty minute barrier.
As pointed out to me by my coach, the summers track + 5k times indicated I was capable of achieving the current levels of performance, the only question mark was could I work that recently acquired speed into the more stamina searching distances. It was nice to answer in the affirmative but there is still a long road ahead with a few twists and turns to be encountered yet.
As pointed out to me by my coach, the summers track + 5k times indicated I was capable of achieving the current levels of performance, the only question mark was could I work that recently acquired speed into the more stamina searching distances. It was nice to answer in the affirmative but there is still a long road ahead with a few twists and turns to be encountered yet.
One area of focus, which is
particularly paying off, is that of hydration. Strange as it may sound, it
wasn't until I recently started recording sweat loss by weighing in before and
after long runs that I truly began to realise how significant a part fuelling can play.
In comparison to water, isotonic
drinks, which will be dispensed along the route in The Netherlands, appear to
be allowing me to sustain a higher level of performance for a greater period of
time. Supplemented by caffeine ingestion before and during races, this recent phase of experimentation is already proving extremely worthwhile and should serve me
well come the big day.
Research and discussion are some of the
best means of gaining knowledge so don't hesitate to drop me a line on here or
chat to other fellow athletes about what works for them. No one has all the
answers but most people know what works for themselves and finding a routine
that suits you could help take you on to that next level. After all, that is
what this game of life is all about.
Moving on up.
