Supposed to better than Prague

One week after marathon in Prague I was back Clontarf running with EOIM. I wanted to do 3 in the raw – running without toilet breaks. And at the end that was achieved. Time was less important but ideally wanted to do 5 minutes better than Prague, so 3:40. Pace around 5:15 should be ok. So, no stress…
I was feeling comfortablec regards running without any breaks and to get time I wanted. Learned from previous runs I have decided that not to push myself too much. Enjoy. When I have arrived to Clontarf I was many runners. You can see that marathon scene in east of Ireland is growing. I’m running just two years now but have noticed that more people are trying to conquer marathon distance than back in 2014. Small 20 runners events grew now to sometimes 60-80 or time to time even 150. Maybe this time it wasn’t so big but still about 80. I think all who run Clontarf before were eager to get their Hokas, Asics, NB… on the beach sand. I was amongst that crowd. We have started after usual ‘abusing’ and amusing briefing and traditional photo. First 2 km I was running definitely too fast. Below 5 min/km. After that I have slowed down to around 5:10. That was very comfortable. No problem at all. Plan would be completed. Beach, causeway, seafront and halfway point of first loop. All good. Seafront back to causeway. And… small breeze hit me. Something has happened which I cannot explain even now, three weeks after that run. Suddenly pace went down dramatically, legs not even heavy. These had weight of the huge stones. Barely could lift my feet 2 inches above ground. And that was 16th km. In my head was just one idea. ‘What is happening? How I will run the remaining 26 km.’ After that run was a big torture. Head was the only thing which was working ok. And that was the only thing which pushed me through finishing line. Read more

May 29, 2016June 18, 2016

LUX marathon

This marathon was long awaited one. I have made initial contact to organizers of the event back at the end of 2015 when I was pacing Munich. After some time after that I was contacted by Michael from Luxembourg who is responsible for pacers. We had agreed that 4:14 will be ok time for me, for my first time. And couple months later me and my Wife were in Luxembourg to run and support. I suppose to meet new pacing team and experience new marathon. When I was discussing with Michael times option he has advised me that Luxembourg marathon is one with quite an incline and challenging finish (last 12 km). He told me that usually it takes 15-20 minutes more than usual marathon time to finish here and same thing applies to pacing. So, instead of usual 3:45 or 4 h I was in pair with Holger to pace 4:14. Read more

May 27, 2016June 12, 2016

Running Prague

This year I was nominated to pace 3:45. Last year I wouldn’t been even think that time could be a challenge. But now with IBS still lurking and form being crap I was little bit concerned. Have I mentioned that in Prague was very hot. Had to buy shorts for myself. Never thought that it could be so, so warm in Czech when we were leaving Dublin. Same routine like last year. Meeting point – Praska Brama, before 8 AM. From our hotel we had just about 5 minutes walk. That was very handy if you compared that to last year 30 minutes walk (or slightly more). Even that we stayed so close to meeting place when we arrived all pacers were there already. All happy. Some runners I knew from last year, some I knew from Facebook. As usual some of them were running in wigs. After all greetings and small chitchat there was time for ‘press’. Many photos were taken. I was feeling really good. Still concerned but ok. Last visit to ‘toilet Jimmy’ and I was ready. Of course when I was ‘doing’ my last preparation rest of the pacers went to starting line and they were officially introduced to runners. As usual I have missed something. Read more

May 27, 2016June 9, 2016

Czech once again

Landed in Prague and what a difference. You could feel the spring, almost summer. Temperature about 20 and more, sunny, refreshing breeze. Nice weekend in front of us (maybe running in such a condition would be challenging but besides that… no complaints). Taxi into Old City to leave our luggage in the hotel (not best but will do, in the heart of Old Town) and of for walk. This time we were staying in the different part of the town. That was most rewarding. Close to all places we wanted to visit and as well allowed us to discover different places which we never have reached being in Prague last year… Read more

May 19, 2016May 31, 2016

First time in ages

Maybe not ages but long, long time. East Antrim Marathon Series marathon over May long weekend, Carrickfergus coastal route. Little different than the one from end of the last year. Instead of going all the way to Belfast airport and back this time it was three loops. Weather better than last time. Again, cause Carrickfergus is about 2 hours from home so overnight stay was needed. Stayed at Larne, nice small town north of Belfast. Spent one night in very friendly guest house – Derrin. Owners created warm atmosphere. Got upgraded to bigger and nicer room cause there was no guests that weekend. Even if that was Belfast marathon weekend, long weekend and quite good weather. Like that town, even spending just couple of hours. Beautiful view of hills and sunset… If will need any accommodation near there I will use same guest house in same small town. Read more

May 15, 2016

Back to my nemesis

I don’t know what is with that course in Longwood. Last year my body was in ‘braking stage’ so my time there was bad. Just wanted to get better time. Knew that could be a problem with IBS. But you have to try, right? So, came back. Needed to get there in the morning… Just over 30 minutes drive from home. On the way down stopped at Liffey Valley to pick up Dominika, another mad person. Was chatting all the time when we were driving down but inside I was terrified. IBS, form, no power to run whole distance… Read more

April 24, 2016

IBS and running

I have found short article by Lee Simmons about IBS and running on LiveStrong website – Running & Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Running & Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a painful condition that affects the large intestine and can be especially pronounced among runners. Running places a certain amount of stress on the bowels and in some cases can reveal underlying symptoms caused by IBS. Fortunately, runners can use a number of preventative measures to keep IBS at bay while pounding the pavement on a regular basis.

The effect of IBS on the large intestine can produce a number of symptoms, including cramping, abdominal pain, constipation diarrhea, and bloating gas. IBS does not permanently impair the intestine like other diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. The condition is limited to its basic symptoms and does not lead to inflammation or changes in bowel tissue. Read more

February 14, 2016February 14, 2016

And he’s gone…

Yep, that was the last words I heard during today’s Donadea 50K run… Unfortunately I have finished my race just after one lap – 5 km. After last week struggle with injuries – hamstring and shin splint I thought that maybe there is small, tiny chance of running… I was wrong. Read more

February 13, 2016

Ground-hog day

Another day, same wind, same rain… Nothing has changed. Ohh, maybe one thing. Decided to start at 8 AM. Was checking the weather day before and it looked like same old, same old, with slightly better morning. Of course that wasn’t the case on the day… Was trying to convince Cezary to start with me earlier but Cezary woke up too late. So, I took under consideration start at 9 AM. But still wanted to have that crappy weather behind me and if there would be any chance of running without rain and wind I will take it. Besides there was still chance of me getting lost. So, running earlier more chances to see runners using proper route and follow them. Day before, tried 9 o’clock and got lost cause there was not many runners running behind me. Ok, 8 AM start. Was sitting with Cezary till 7:40. He was having his breakfast and I decided to run without him earlier… Read more

February 8, 2016February 8, 2016

Clonakilty second attempt

And I’m back in Clonakilty… Second attempt to run marathon in here. As you probably remember last December run was postponed cause of the storm and floods. Hopefully this weekend will be better. It looks better now but not ideal. Weather forecast shows winds and rain on Friday and more winds on Saturday. But still they haven’t named the storm so maybe it won’t be as bad as two months ago. But needs to be prepared for all… Read more

Category: Runs