tired – mad IT runner

August 17, 2016

Was that really a reward?

Last year about same time I was enjoying my almost 9 hours run in Portumna. Finding these 20 loops really nice. Finishing that race I’m 2nd place got me free entry to this year edition. Oh, I wish I could run same this year. Unfortunately this year I wasn’t ready. Didn’t want to forfold. So, Decided to downgrade to 50 K run. Run, not race. Can’t called it race if I’m not able to get 3:30 in marathon. Isn’t that crap? But nonetheless I wanted to participate. Even if there was another marathon next day in plans. And looks like that other one was more important. I supposed to be a pacer in Wexford marathon. Just for 4:15 but those two big hills could kill anyone. But first to first part of the weekend. Cause there was quite amount of travelling involved that weekend Bozena stayed home. Besides she couldn’t get from work early on Friday. So, I was alone. This year I decided to stay closer to Portumna Forest and rented room in the village on the Main Street. Small room but that was enough for one night. Wasn’t staying there even for 12 hours. When I have arrived about 8 PM decided to go for a walk. Just to relax, then back to room to watch game before going to sleep. But that wasn’t good night sleep. There was some party that night in the village. I have been waken up couple of times. Last time just before party ended about 5 AM. So, I wasn’t rested on Saturday. 7 AM start of 50 K and 100 K. At 6 AM I was on site starting my preparations… Read more

May 30, 2016June 13, 2016

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

September 15, 2015

Unpleasant reminder…

Dingle Marathon was an unpleasant reminder of how far back I’m with my fitness. And as well as me not sticking to the plan. Not pushing to much on the first half and be comfortable on the second part of the run… And what I did? Run as hard as I could first 11 miles and paid for that later. Ok, but back to beginning… Read more

July 26, 2015July 27, 2015

I wish I had more time…

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… Read more

June 21, 2015

Learning curve

Stick to the plan – FAILED,
Do not hydrate upfront – FAILED,
Do not rush anything – FAILED,
Have a great and helpful crew – CHECKED.
Have as much nutrition prepared, even of not needed – CHECKED,
Have couple of gear sets ready – CHECKED,
There is no reason to be angry, especially on your crew – TO BE REVISITED,
Trust your crew, they know better – CHECKED,
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

February 16, 2015

Still in pain

I can just laugh now. Should run slow and steady. Instead of that I have run quite fast… and that was just the first ultra. Definitely too fast. Result was quite nice. Can’t complain about that… but just these 8 more kilometers… Read more

December 11, 2014

Tired as hell

For the first time in long time I’m feeling really tired and low…

Did my two training sessions during the day, one on the treadmill (usually that one is harder then on road one) and during lunch break run on the road (and that one was really tough, freezing rain and low temperature). Nothing special but I think that early mornings just cought up with me. I almost fall asleep in work, missed phone call from AC guy (which I have actually invited to check our faulty unit)… I couldn’t even start my excercises in the evening… Read more

June 5, 2014

Surprise

Before marathon me and my Wife we had two days pasta party to get as much carbs into body as possible (at least me 😉 )… Was trying to avoid irritation to stomach. Just in case before run I had bar of chocolate. And everything seems to be working well (was just missing my runs during weekend). Read more