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.
In the past we have lived in Leixlip for the short time and I know that village quite well. For the first time when they were giving details of the route I knew exactly where we would be running. No mistakes in the plan this time. But knowing Leixlip gave the inside of any nasty surprise that course could bring. That nasty surprise this time was Capitans Hill. Street which goes from village main Street up, up, up towards GAA club. That up was really hard. And running that hill four time was bad. But that wasn’t the only hill on the looped course. There was another sneaky one behind Intel factory. Wasn’t as steep as the main one but was one which could be described as the drag of the hill. So, two big hill on loop, 4 laps and here and back on the canal at the beginning. That canal bit was about 6 km. And must say that this route was actually quite demanding if not hard. Considering that my fitness levels are really low, diet is crap that run was a challenging for me. 3:28:28 was a bad result. I think if everything was OK with I could get probably time about 3:17 – :20. But not now. That won’t be happening for me in the near future. I need to focus on training and start to keep the diet straight. Little bit disappointed that I won’t be able to run the second marathon. I think I’m sign I for another venue.
What was interesting about that marathon. New course and seeing Mark receiving his medal gór running 100 marathons.
Unfortunately there was no picture taken. So, just one… eating again.
Kellystown Lane is tough on the bike let alone running it. And Captains Hill… Well done Alan!
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Well done buddy thanks for the lift
Seriously the fact u can run 3.28 without training many can’t do that even with good training just keep turning up that’s a great time
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Your fitness levels are high Alan, but you have fatigue from the 100 miles which can hit 1,2 – up to 4 weeks after the event. You will run faster times when you rest & taper properly for them, not by running 1 a week with training in between – thats physiology /science. You can run 3:05 this year with rest, maybe sub 3 ???? you are fit & strong, just not enough rest/recovery after the 100. I predict you will have a fast one 6-7 weeks after the date you did the 100 (training effect lag)
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Well done dude …
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