me running…
…or maybe it is just visually appealing. But board of Blog Awards Ireland (http://www.blogawardsireland.com/) has decided that madITrunner.com is worth considering as a good blog…
First long-listed and now at the moment my blog has been short-listed for an Blog of the Year award… But most important thing will happen on the 7th of September. For two weeks, you, readers will be voting for best blog. And I would like to ask you for you help. I would like to ask you for your votes.
Friday early evening I got message from Mark Conlon asking me if I can give him a lift to marathon. My reply was that I’m not going to Donegal. He was probably surprised by my reply but texted back that he is going to Leixlip to run local marathon. I was planning to run that one but was convinced that it’s on next weekend. Confused? Yes, probably cause I have skipped couple of marathon weekends lately and this year that wasn’t a regular thing. Anyway, I wasn’t ready to run but on Saturday morning I have picked up Mark and couple of minutes later both of us were heading towards Leixlip. That was the first marathon of the two which were organised to support hospital.
Some ideas straight from one of the member of my CREW – Norman Hunter.
‘These are just what I think was relevant to the event. Firstly I had my running gear under my jog pants and hooded, but knowing that you are an excellent solo runner I felt to run with you would have only caused you distraction and irritation. I did however spend a lot of my time focusing on your form to see if the head was dropping your gait getting sloppy. If these things had happened then yes I would have ran with you.They didn’t so you didn’t need my lumbering presence beside you. I won’t comment on your food or drinks, you know your body and what works for you we are all individual in that regard. The event itself was small and intimate which was in my view brilliant. I would have liked to see a sign at the turns in the early stages just to avoid confusion. I know we had maps but it still it would have been nice. You had a travelling aid station which could not be faulted in anyway. The weather I believe required at least an extra 10% effort on participants behalf. The final 3 loops of Clifden I know is now a tradition but one I feel that is unnecessary cruel ( something I mentioned to Ray) it would be better at the start, there is no need to further test people that have completed over 97 miles. Lastly in relation to the event I accept it was a small field but I there should have been a small token to distinguish 2 and 3 if only a mention on the presentation medal. On a personal note it was a pleasure to be a member of your crew and I enjoyed the company I shared that day. To your wife again offer my apologies for constantly forgetting the pronunciation of her name, even though I’m confident I can say it now. As a crew we had some laughs during the event which made it fun and enjoyable. If you decide to try and improve your time next year I’ll happily crew for you again if I’m around.’
Remember that evening back in early February when I was shown my plan for ultra runs for 2015. I wasn’t convinced back then that I will be able to accomplish all runs – 50K, 50 miles, 100K, 12 h and 100 miles. In February it looked like distant future. Now, after the last of the runs that day when I saw ‘The PLAN’ almost fades away in my memory. Each longer race was preparing me for the Connemara 100 – Crown Jewel (at least for me and at least for now). I could say that my only preparation for that race was to make sure that I will have proper amount of miles in my legs. Second thing – make sure that I will have reliable crew. Mileage was down to me and it was going quite well. Crew was sorted out as well. So, everything was going according to the plan. Days and weeks were passing by. I was clocking miles, going into longer runs, running plenty marathons. Everything looked promising until event was moved forward by a week. Instead of 13th of August now it suppose to take place on the 8th. For me that one week wasn’t a big deal but some members of my crew had holiday plans for that time. I was already signed in and was missing full crew. Took me another couple of weeks to sort that out and at the end of the day I had three members of the crew: Bozena (my Wife) – knew me best and already was going through ultra experience with me as one man crew team, Norman Hunter – running buddy from MCI who I met last year in Ballina, where both of us were on the beginning of our marathon adventure and Lukasz Banasik – old friend from primary school who moved down here as well. So, between three of them there was ultra crewing experience, marathon and ultra running experience and huge enthusiasm. Explosive mixture which as it will prove during the race worked out really well. Mileage and crew was sorted out. Now I had to learn to listen to my body and control what I can eat and what shouldn’t I even try…
What is happening when you are injured? You not training. You trying to rest as much as can and try to recover. All good and sounds easy enough. But what if you injured and same time on holiday? Then you can be sure that your weight will go dramatically up. And that what just has happened to me during our recent holiers in Canada… Could run and train… but had always food in front of me. I know that I should be able to resist but food was so good that… I just gain couple of kilos. Now need to work on loosing these and getting back to proper fitness levels…
When I was using TomTom GPS watch I had HRM chest strap. But that wasn’t best solution for me. Never liked anything on me which could in any way interfere with my movement. And when next TomTom arrived, cardio one, I was very happy. It was using optical sensor to read heart rate from wrist. That was great solution for me. But there was small flaw with TomTom watches – battery life. Watch is ok for activities up to 8 hours, so any longer ultras that wasn’t good enought. TomTom had to go giving room to badass Suunto Ambit 2. Long lasting battery with more functions but no HRM again. Cause it is supporting ANT+ just and I don’t like chest straps my options were really reduced. Option 1 – Mio (two models from which one was old and confirmed to be not accurate), option 2 – Scosche rythem+ (first model wasn’t great this one apparently not so bad). Mio you are wearing on the wrist where as Scosche on the forearm or arm…
Now I’m in the phase of testing it and it is looking very promising. Used it already with watch and mobile. With watch it is working via ANT+ and to sync ok it should be on the same hand. When used on the treadmill with Endomondo on mobile device there was no problem at all either via ANT+ or bluetooth. During couple days of testing I learned a little bit about myself. What is that new info? It looks like I’m almost whole the time working in the high level of heart rate. When checking graphs for my runs I could notice that almost 95% of length of my run my heart rate is above 155 bits per minute with average of 150 – 151. Even when running about 8 minutes mile.
Looks like I will need to learn how to relax more during running and to get my heart rate down. That should allow me to be faster in the long run. Now I have the tool to do that. Thanks God for Canada and US. You can get here equipment for resonable price.
at least when it comes to racing shoes.
I have tried many brands. Started with three pairs from NB after that tried Asics, Mizuno, Inov8, Saucony. And can say that last two brands are good for trail runs but when I’m talking about New Balance’s all the way. I really like that most of NB shoes are light with kind of tight fit on the foot, especially the front part. So, at the moment can say that I did the full circle starting with NB 890, Minimus and 1400 running through couple shoe brands and back to NB 1490 now. Decided to buy again NB when I have run the midnight track marathon with my worn 1400. These are in very bad state but still was able to pull quite a good result. Was delighted. If could do so good in worn shoes that means brand is good for me. Bought 1490 and that proved to be a good move. Got 3:17 and 3:14 in the b2b marathons followed by 12 hours next weekend which I won… I think it is good recommendation? Don’t you think?
When comes to running shoes brand I’m very much in love with New Balance. Have tried many different shoe brands – Asics, Iv8, Mizuno, Saucony but still for me NB are the best. Keeping my foot where it suppose to stay, very light shoes as well. Only other brand regularly used by me is Hoka One shoes. Reason is very simple. Great shoes for ultra runs and recovery…
So, what you can get when you will combine love with practicality… You will get NB Fresh Foam Bracadale – 980. Have run just a short run in these yet but looks like it could be a contender for a Hoka substitution. Very light, cushioning big. Haven’t felt any pounding on my legs when run. But that just first impressions. Will see later…
There is that special place at the West side of Ireland and you cannot say that you have been to Ireland or living in Ireland if you never been to Achill Island… And with weather prediction showing really nice August that is the place to be at the end of the Summer. Sandy beaches, nice walking paths, breathtaking views and nice breeze (if weather little bit worse then wind could be stronger). So, if you think about getting last zips of sunshine before getting back to work go there. And if you a runner you will enjoy definitely ‘Achill Ultra’ event. 29th of August runner can try theirs abilities against hills of Achill on the three distances: half-marathon, marathon and ultra. 13.1, 26.2 or 39.3 choice is yours. Runners besides nice route with views you will be rewarded for your effort with great medal designed by race director Donna McLoughlin. Last year medal was ceramic so… what could be this year? For Donna sky is the limit so you can expect unexpected. Ohh, and I will be pacing 4 hours together with Cezary. We will be enjoying that run and hope that you will do the same with us or running at your own pace. Below you can find details for registration from active.com site.
Link to registration on active.com and the couple of words about that race.
One of the biggest challenges this year has arrived. On Friday evening we were heading north to Belfast. Usually before marathons I was calm but not this time. That was no marathon, that was 12 hours run, during which I could cover more than two marathons. Yep, I was nervous. It wasn’t for the first time that I knew how long I will run. Was pacing already marathons for particular time but now was different. Now I haven’t got the clue how much distance I will cover. And that was the point. Go for whole 12 hours and get as much distance in your legs as possible. Till now my longest distance was 100 km which I have finished in Portumna in 8:51. So, now I will run 3 more hours, hoping for the best…