"The winds of change are blowing wild and free"
What amounted to a somewhat lousy summer has now well and truly been and gone with a cooler air and evenings shortening, time moves on.
Five weeks out from the seasons climax, it's re-assuring to report that (almost) everything is on track for October 18th and the Amsterdam Marathon. The only slight concern being a niggling Achilles’ tendon, which for now we are keeping a lid on with ice treatment and stretching.
Regular 50/60mile weeks highlighted by a midweek marathon specific session before the long revealing weekend run are what it's all about. Of course, the off-road preparation needs to be right also and the extra attention to sleep and diet allows the body to adapt to the increased demands.
The sense of fulfillment gained from the training alone is massively gratifying and it can sometimes require an element of self-control to ensure you don't become complacent. The work is never done and the marathon and all that it stands for helps to keep that in mind. Whether you are talking to the world record holder or a casual first timer, few will exude ultra confidence ahead of the event and given the great element of unknown that lies within the 26.2mile journey, this is understandable.
My final race preparation takes place next weekend in Charleville where a flat and relatively straight half-marathon course should see a large turnout for what will also decide the Munster Championship for the distance.
The same weekend will be a hugely exciting one in our hometown when the people
of Cobh and beyond will gather to pay tribute to one of the country's finest
ever sportspeople.
Celebrating twenty years since a 5,000m World Championship Gold in Gothenburg, Sonia O'Sullivan will take to the streets of The Great Island along with hundreds of runners who are expecting to join her in a unique 5km race the likes of which only come around once in a while.
A fast course awaits those taking on the challenge and a replica of the gold medal captured on that balmy night in Sweden will be given to everyone who takes part. An event not to be missed, make sure to get signed up at http://www.sonia5k.ie/cobh/
The following day will see a remarkably life-like statue of Sonia unveiled in the town centre after many months of hard work carried out by Cobh Tourism, sculptor James McLaughlin and the numerous local businesses who have helped fund the project.
From the hills of Cobh to the summit of the distance running world, Sonia's hugely memorable career was played out in the living rooms of the nation and with it she became and will forever remain a national icon.
Many folks marvel at statues, some help in their sculpting but it is only the true greats who become the subject of them and I can't think of a more fitting tribute than to have our greatest athlete forever commemorated in the town she helped put on the sporting map.
What amounted to a somewhat lousy summer has now well and truly been and gone with a cooler air and evenings shortening, time moves on.
Five weeks out from the seasons climax, it's re-assuring to report that (almost) everything is on track for October 18th and the Amsterdam Marathon. The only slight concern being a niggling Achilles’ tendon, which for now we are keeping a lid on with ice treatment and stretching.
Regular 50/60mile weeks highlighted by a midweek marathon specific session before the long revealing weekend run are what it's all about. Of course, the off-road preparation needs to be right also and the extra attention to sleep and diet allows the body to adapt to the increased demands.
The sense of fulfillment gained from the training alone is massively gratifying and it can sometimes require an element of self-control to ensure you don't become complacent. The work is never done and the marathon and all that it stands for helps to keep that in mind. Whether you are talking to the world record holder or a casual first timer, few will exude ultra confidence ahead of the event and given the great element of unknown that lies within the 26.2mile journey, this is understandable.
My final race preparation takes place next weekend in Charleville where a flat and relatively straight half-marathon course should see a large turnout for what will also decide the Munster Championship for the distance.
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| Sonia pictured at a recent training session with some of the juvenile athletes + coaches of Ballymore Cobh AC. |
Celebrating twenty years since a 5,000m World Championship Gold in Gothenburg, Sonia O'Sullivan will take to the streets of The Great Island along with hundreds of runners who are expecting to join her in a unique 5km race the likes of which only come around once in a while.
A fast course awaits those taking on the challenge and a replica of the gold medal captured on that balmy night in Sweden will be given to everyone who takes part. An event not to be missed, make sure to get signed up at http://www.sonia5k.ie/cobh/
The following day will see a remarkably life-like statue of Sonia unveiled in the town centre after many months of hard work carried out by Cobh Tourism, sculptor James McLaughlin and the numerous local businesses who have helped fund the project.
From the hills of Cobh to the summit of the distance running world, Sonia's hugely memorable career was played out in the living rooms of the nation and with it she became and will forever remain a national icon.
Many folks marvel at statues, some help in their sculpting but it is only the true greats who become the subject of them and I can't think of a more fitting tribute than to have our greatest athlete forever commemorated in the town she helped put on the sporting map.
