Author: mad IT runner

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Silent Hill…

Eat two

Actually plenty of hills. 5 loops of 5 miles and on the beginning one small one. Nice route, some in the forest, some on the road. Very enjoyable course. Even with incline of (depends of application) 500 to 700 metres. That was another back 2 back for me. Second week in the row. This time I have run twice same route on both days – Saturday and Sunday. Starting at 8 AM in Avondale House Park in Rathdrum. Not too far away from house but still one hour drive. So it was early start for me on both days. First day I went there with Cezary cause he and his family was staying with us. To get there at 7:30 AM we had to leave house a hour earlier. We knew that there was a good chance of getting lost on the way down so we had make sure that GPS is working. Actually two GPS’s. Arrived there on time, still with some time to spare. Plenty runners there. Most of them have already run for at least one day but plenty had two marathons in their legs. Registration was quite quick. Got number 260 and then 262 for Sunday. Straight away I knew that I will amend my number and will run my 50th marathon with slightly different bib. Sunday, 50th marathon. On my bib I added up some small details. Instead number 262 I was running with 26,2. Marathon distance. Small other addition like ’50 done. Half way there’… Ok, back to important stuff. Read more

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Glad to be back

Small Ballina medal

Second day of another back 2 back. We were back in Ballina, back with Cezary, Daria and their two boys. We always enjoy time spent with them. If it’s in Ballina or here. True Friends found cause of running. We met them last year when Cezary was organizing 1st Ballina marathon and I was just starting my running adventure. Year ago… that was my second marathon, first one where I had to run loops. At this stage I was still asking race directors if the marathon route is flat. Ballina wasn’t like that at all. First, small loop – nothing out of ordinary but the remaining 5… hmmm. That was another story. Each lap with ‘huge’ incline. Whole course probably with about 250 metres. Year ago I was really scared. Was afraid that I won’t be able to finish. This time that same route looked different. Not as bad as before. Incline? Yes, but not ‘huge’ any more. Just regular uphill. Route hasn’t changed but my view has. Back then I was really focused on running, this time we were enjoying visiting Cezary and Daria. Happy to run another b2b but that wasn’t the most important thing… Read more

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Silence of the lambs…

Eating EOIM again

You can just get that in the movies. In reality sheep are very loud. Especially when you are running besides them or actually racing against them sometimes. Before, every times I was passing fields of Curragh driving on the motorway I was amazed how many sheep are there. Despite that you could still spot plenty of runners there too. That Saturday I suppose to be that runner as well. How was it? How was to run in the open spaces surrounded by all that animals? Read more

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Running for charity

Hey Everyone,

I’m doing a fundraising event for charity!

I would very much appreciate your support in helping me to raise funds for my chosen charities. I have created a fundraising page on www.mycharity.ie. Read more

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Out of the blue

Pinky medal

Just before midnight marathon last Friday I got text from organisers of Waterford marathon that I could pace in the event. Even that it was pacing for 4:30 I was glad that I was asked. I was happy. Next opportunity for me to help other runners and same time work on my slow pace. Everything just to prepare myself for 12 hours run and Connemara. Pace was for me but I was there for others actually. I wasn’t really important. Had a task to do – help runners to achieve their time… Read more

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Tired legs – part two

Medal for second marathon

4:01:43 – time I got for the trail marathon. Same route as the one at the end of the 2014. On the New Years Eve I got 4:07 but back then my IBS was in the full swing and my time was sum of me running and me spending time on the pit stops… So, I was assuming that this time I could get time below 4 hours without even trying. Oooo, I couldn’t be more wrong. But back to the beginning. Read more

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Hamster – part one

Medal for first day

That was night to remember… For the first time I have run during night. Start was scheduled exact for midnight… Hard to work out when to eat last time and how to fight tiredness after early start in work that day. Again new experience. Lately have plenty of these. And last but not least that was marathon run on the track… 95 laps on the lane number 7 or 8 (measurements were taken on the inside on lane 7). And I think that was the biggest challenge. Get the head around that… Read more

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Learning curve

Green medal - by Kasia Skowron
  1. Stick to the plan – FAILED,
  2. Do not hydrate upfront – FAILED,
  3. Do not rush anything – FAILED,
  4. Have a great and helpful crew – CHECKED.
  5. Have as much nutrition prepared, even of not needed – CHECKED,
  6. Have couple of gear sets ready – CHECKED,
  7. There is no reason to be angry, especially on your crew – TO BE REVISITED,
  8. Trust your crew, they know better – CHECKED,
  9. Good GPS watch – CHECKED.

That was the first ultra run which had three digits in the distance length, first 100 KM. Me and Bozena knew that this run will be a test for both of us. Me as a runner and for My Wife as a supporting crew. Portumna Forest Marathon was a great event to get us through the experience… Read more

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Are you the winner?

Violet medal

That was the question I have been asked by some kids twice today on the Main Street in Wexford. Some confusion caused by number I was wearing. For the first time I was given number one. So, runner walking with number one bib and the medal… what can the kid think? Had to explain that all finishers are getting that medal and number one is just a starting number… Read more