Tag: ballina

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Let start again…

Ok… First marathon booked now. For now only one and for fall next year – Amsterdam. Sorry… This is not true. I have just got spot in Dublin Marathon through ballot. I couldn’t just say no to that. At the moment plan for Amsterdam is for my Wife to run half-marathon and me full with my Cousin from Canada (hopefully covid will allow this). As my Cousin wants to run her first marathon I will try to help her out with that and if possible to get her to 4 hours. First thing is to get myself to fitness level when I can get full distance… I would like to get back to pace I was running marathons couple years ago but I know that I need to put much more work into it. But would be nice. Read more

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What now?

Picnic area

Injury… Sessions with physio. No running at all. Just some stationary biking and swimming. But all that is not the same. I was walking little bit, not much cause muscle on the shin was still in pain…

I was never out for so long. Still haven’t got green light from physio to back to running training. He allowed me to try and run one run over weekend. That was that weekend when there was festival of marathons in Ballina. Plan was to try and run one marathon and if ok then maybe more…

We took one day off to have nice, longer weekend with friends in Ballina. Three days, four marathons. I wanted to do as much as my fitness level would allow me. Without running for last two weeks. It was a strange feeling. Last year same time I had already couple marathons done that year, form back then was good. Year ago me fears about 3 marathons were in my head this year I was afraid of my physical form and body. And I was correct. Started strong. No problem with keeping 4:51 – 4:53 pace. 28 laps to do. Was ok till lap number 4 where IBS kicked in. Thought that one visit in toilet and I will be ok, will need to slow down little bit. But no, when I have stopped running, midway point of the race I have visited facilities already 5 times. Energy needed for running waisted in toilet. Bad feeling… still sick…

Ohhh, I wish I was as healthy as last year and in the same form.

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What you are missing when you are sick…

Missing this one

It looks that end of the year will be time when IBS will be coming back. Crap… Last year I wasn’t able to spot the beginning of the RETURN and I have was still trying to race every weekend. Tried in Clonakilty, had to use toilet about every 7 km. Ended up walking with my Wife almost 20 km. When walking could avoid pit stops. Then was Clontarf where I had to DNF cause of time on the half way (couple pit stops) and had to bring my Mom and Wife to airport. Had to finish in 3:30 or under to manage that. And cause of IBS that wasn’t possible. And than was famous ‘Lock up the year marathon’ where I have spent over 20 minutes in bushes. It took me couple of weeks to put sickness back into remission. But if I would spot earlier symptoms, especially when I was running previous races or on the training sessions I could start intensive treatment earlier and probably stay out of races. Same thing this year. But now I’m little bit more aware of all simptoms. I know that remission is gone and sickness is back. Decided that I need now to stop running races. I will be training but need to be healthy again to seriously race again. For now training and medication. My last marathon run where I wanted to get 3:25 (that is ok time for me now when my body is so beaten up after whole year of running) suppose to be one in Ballina…

Still dust hasn’t settled on my crap display in New York City marathon and I was back in Ballina trying to race. Of course I have stayed with Daria and Cezary. Couldn’t miss opportunity to visit them. And still don’t know why do they like me? Mystery for me. Anyways, arrived at their house Friday evening. We had our usual catch-up chat. We talked as well about preparations to next day marathon. That day was again a long one but you cannot have it any other way if you are with Lubinski family. I was glad that I was with them that weekend… Bozena was gone again on another conference and I was still in the bad shape after New York. Week before NYC I was running in Venice and was great. So, what has happened in New York was very disappointing. I was blaming jetlag, marathon logistics and hunger. Whatever reasons for that were I needed quite ok run to bounce back. So, was really looking forward to that run. Marathon day looked more as usual run day. 6 AM woke up, light breakfast and coffee. Toilet after that and another one. Shower done. Ready to be on the starting line at 8 to have time to register, help with putting up race clock. Got my bib number, gave Daria buggy for younger one. I was ready to run. Plan for the day was to get between 3:30 and 3:25. I was feeling good. Was little bit cold and wet but that was ok. Almost ideal for running. So, after long, really long ‘speach’ given by race director – Cezary, we have started. Straight away you could see group which was going to run strong and was going to fight for a win in the race. I was somewhere behind them, at least on the beginning. I wasn’t racing that day. Just wanted to stick to planned pace and keep going. First stretch over 2 km up the park path, slightly up. All great. First turn into ‘The Hills’ of Belleek Forest. After that there is first noticeable uphill. And that was place where I felt that something is wrong with belly. But at the downhill it was ok, so I thought that I will be able to control it. All I needed to do was not to push too much on the inclines. Try to relax. But another up and another and I knew that pit stop will be needed. Will I finish first lap without stopping? Not so lucky. When finished first lap I was just 12 seconds behind 3:30 time. Not too bad. Hopping that rest of the run would be without any nasty surprises. Again long first straight and was ok. Was feeling much lighter. But again when ups and downs came I knew that guts will cause problem soon. Is that actually happening? Not even 10 km and two pit stops. Unfortunately that was reality that day. I had still 1 km to finish second lap. I was asking myself if I will be able to continue and if that is the end of the toilet visits? Decided that I will review that at the end of the second lap. But before I reach the end of that loop I knew that another ‘number two’ will taunt me in next 2-3 km. I hate that sickness. Forcing you to do plenty walks from your sofa to toilet every day. And it is getting worse when running. So, dedicated that I won’t be enjoying the run that day if I will be force to stop at least once every lap. I had still 6 laps in front if me. I had to DNF. Cezary was asking me if I maybe rest little bit I will be able to continue. Maybe but I was there to enjoy running not thinking all there time where I can stop or when I will stop. I just pulled off. And I think it was right decision. Remember when I DNF for the first time it was a disaster for me. I was grumpy for next couple of days. But now I knew that it was a good decision and cause I have already run so many marathons this year I took it quite good. I think. Didn’t make any sense to force myself into continuing that race. Lesson was learned from last year. I could go on and suffer but why? Recover and be back stronger…

That day I have spent most of my time with Daria’s and Cezary’s older son. We have played games, watched TV. I was relaxing. Daria came back late afternoon and Cezary in the evening. We have plenty of time to discuss what has happened that day. Cezary gave me his views at IBS. Was sad, not cause I have to drop out from the race but that I won’t have that nice medal in my collection. But knowing Cezary next year medals will be at least good as this year if not better…

Next day weather was horrible. Rain, wind. We were all happy that such a weather wasn’t during marathon run day before. But me finishing early haven’t seen that circumstances weren’t as good as on the beginning if the run. We couldn’t go even for a walk that Sunday, so we just sat in the living room trying to stay calm when both kids were trying to beat crap of each other. Lazy morning and early afternoon but I had to go back home and pick up our dog in the way down.

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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…

This year there was more runners than last July. I think that success of the previous marathons organized by Cezary brought many more participants. Definitely Ballina marathon is regarded now as a great event. Runners coming to that town in Mayo from all over the Ireland to participate in the run. Hope that it will stay the same way for the next years. Recently I have looked at the pictures from last year. I was scared, overwhelmed by presents of MCI members. This year was different. I was ‘full right’ member of our club, confided of my running abilities. My only concern was marathon run day before in Curragh. My goal was to run around 3:35. Everything below that would be a bonus. I knew that this year I won’t be able to finish on the same place as last year. This time there was more stronger runners. Much stronger and faster than me. Plan was to finish, if possible in good time. Keep the pace and do not race. And that what I did. Kept the pace through out the whole route. Finished in 3:24, same time as day before. One minute faster than year before. But back then I wasn’t even thinking about running back to back. Then I was thinking that running 2 marathons is already something… How many things has changed since last July…

At the end of the run I was enjoying little chats with fellow runners. I have already run with Valerie Glavin but never had a chance to talk to her. Was really nice to hear her story. Probably would talk little bit longer but sometimes you can’t. There is so many other runners who you want to talk to. Another conversation. This time with Norman Hunter about crewing for me in Connemara. This will be a huge thing and it is not long to go and will run 100 miles… Plenty to talk about but not so much time.

Some pictures from the day…

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And that was a real challenge 3 marathons in 2 days

2nd medal

It is hard to give it a right name… 3 in 2 challenge or ‘At least 3 ways to die in 2 days’ 😉

I knew it will be hard… but really wasn’t expecting that. I did already couple of back 2 back’s and each of these was tiring, energy draining and tough. And now I had to do same plus squeeze another marathon between two mornings.

Good that we were so lucky to have place to stay. Daria and Cezary with kids are great hosts. We felt like home. Food, warmth and atmosphere. So, that side of the whole trip was sorted and what just left was to prepare myself for hell of a running…

First marathon – 7 AM on Saturday morning. Route – same as last year in Summer, one small 2.5 loop and 5 almost 8 km loops. That was just second marathon starting so early (Malta was the first one). From last Summer I remembered ‘the hill’. 35 meters incline on the 500 meter stretch. And I was really suprised that now it was just a hill. Nothing scary, nothing too though to run (even 5 times). Maybe that was caused by my pace then and now. Last year I was trying to get best result and this time I had to remember that there are another 2 marathons to run in next 28 hours. This time I was running my comfortable pace. Not too fast, not too slow. Just what I wanted. Finished in 3:37 not even tired. Or so I tought. I wasn’t tired but you cannot cheat your body. Legs felt that run as usual. 42.2 km clocked. I was happy, just needed shower and maybe quick nap. Both things happened for me. But at this stage I don’t know if nap hasn’t cause my legs to be more stiff than they should be? Anyways, 3 PM and next run. Same route, just this time opposite direction. Shouldn’t be a huge difference. Shouldn’t but… weather has changed everything. 2.5 km in the forest – that was weather resistant, but getting on the open road… that was a huge task to ask. Less than 5.5 km on the road but at least 3.5 km from that run against really strong wind. I have finished this one in 4:52 but how I get there was quite interesting. 1st big loop was quite fast, 2nd ok, but on the 3rd wind was strongest and rain heavy. Pace went down to 6:30 minutes per kilometer. That wasn’t even a jog. After 3rd loop I had to stop on the water station to dring some coke and get some jellies. Was really tired and not convinced that I can continue. In Polish I had replied to Cezary what was just a chain of cursing words. But apparently I said in the way that everybody who was there was able to understand that 😉 Coke and jellies worked. I had at least some energy back. I started to getting faster and at the end I was even second (only reason for that was – Aiden having stomach problems, Deepak wanted to avoid injury and Maciej starting too fast). So, it wasn’t so bad… But wait. There is still another one to go. Sunday 9 AM. This time 8 loops of 5.3 km and whole route in the forest. 2.1 km slow incline and after that what is called ‘the hills’ by members of Ballina AC. Constant ups and downs run on the forest path. That day we were spoiled with choice. We could run half-marathon (11 AM start), marathon (9 AM start or 8 AM if you opted for early start) or 53 km ultra run (start at 8 AM). And must say that I was tempted to do ultra but at the end of the day decided that one more hour of sleep do me better. And I was right. Didn’t know the route, so haven’t got the clue how challenging it will be. And it was really hard. On some stage I just wanted just to get to water station and DNF. Head wasn’t right between 4-6 loop. Was hard to get around idea of running so many loops. But after 6th loop I saw my Wife, supporting. And the hope was back. Probably Seamus screaming behind me ‘I will kick your ass if you DNF’ had something to do with that as well. Finished again, first from group which run at 9 AM. And I was very happy. Barely walking, glad that it was over and suddenly very chatty. Talked to all runners – Ruthann, Aiden, Maciej, Deepak… We were all in bits but still confident if someone would tell us that there is run with 3 PM start at least 10 of us would be there on the starting line 😉 After cup of tea, some sandwiches we drove to Cezary’s house to take shower before heading home. Left some groceries as a small ‘thank you’ for having us and for nice even. Said ‘goodbye’ and headed home… Three hours in the car, driving, with legs in pain. Stiff, heavy, barely walking. Funny walk last for next 30 hours. Reminds me early days of marathon running.

Really tought events but will try that again… but need some time now. Will come back there next year.

Some pictures and gif animations…

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9 seconds less…

And I have run my second marathon now… This time it was in Ballina, Co. Mayo. Small marathon, just about 40 participants but atmosphere was great. We have met MCI members as well as organizers from Ballina AC. You can actually say that it was a family weekend not just a race.

It has all started couple weeks before when I was booking my place in the run. I have ‘met’ Cezary, one of the organizers, via Facebook. We have started to talk about the run and everything and end up meeting him and his lovely family evening before marathon. Daria and Cezary thank you for lovely evening and plenty of energetic chocolate.

Anyway. Even thou the weather wasn’t best we have blast during run. Very nice race course, besides river Moy banks, in the forest, some on the road and the ‘killer’ hill on the way as well. Race itself was planned as five 7.9 km laps plus 2.5 km extra on the beginning. If you would run the lap maybe once or twice you wouldn’t notice even that 35 m incline but when you need to climb five times that hill you are just thinking ‘why I’m doing that again’. I was struggling since about 24 km. My right ankle was hurting me, couple miles after that leg muscles were giving me a small hint that they are still there (and I should remember about that always cause in other case these will start to hurt). I think that I have hit my first wall (probably). I thought that I will need to just stop running. It was on the 24-26 km, just after my ankle started to hurts. Maybe that was because of the pain but still wasn’t nice. I started to hyperventilating, trying to breath fast and very shallow. That was a disaster. But I haven’t stopped, I have reduce my pace (not that I could do anything with that) and push for the finishing line (which was still about 17 km away). Again I was talking to my ‘hurting buddies’ or if you wish ‘hurting body’. Was trying to convince my ankle that it is ok to hurt but not too much and I won’t stop anyway so it can give it a rest. Besides the pain (which is still on the horizon, 3 days later and 3 days before next marathon) I can say that this marathon was a great experience. Nice views, nice route, nice people… definitely marathon to run next year.

Additional info… My biggest supporter – My Wife, has been joined by my former (now) boss Leo. So there was twice amount of people cheering for me 😉 And forgot to mention. I have new PB, which is now 3:24:13, better by 9 sec than the one set in Cork City Marathon. Cause it was very small venue, just about 40 participants, enjoying the run I have end up being second with my time. I should remember my second place, cause it won’t happen again… That is a fact, I was lucky.