me running…
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.
and of course I have missed that. Again. Focusing my attention on the part Clare Burren marathon… Have sign in for the run without even checking route. Just knew that it will be in County Clare and that it will start in the small village. Didn’t even know the village name. I was totally relaxed before run… till I met all my friends on the starting line. Then I heard: ‘You need to add at least 20 minutes to your marathon time’, ‘It’s a trail run’, ‘You are climbing here’. Ohhhh crap. Mistake again. Haven’t done my homework again. At least I took with me trial runners and Hokas. Decided for Hokas cause it was quite dry so terrain would be hard. Choice was good. Now on the starting line. Nervously talking to other runners. Plenty of friends and familiar faces… But I was feeling uncomfortable still. Didn’t know the route, didn’t know what to expect. Decided to go with the flow. ‘What will be will be. All I need to do is to run’. These were my thoughts. Before start Cezary just said to me not to follow the runners on the head of the whole group cause they are running just 10 K race…
So, now I have two pairs of trail shoes. All covered in mud Inov-8 TrailRoc 245 and new pair of, and now suprise again, Saucony Peregrine 4.0. Bought (bought is too big word, got two gift vouchers to Amphibian King, so could afford these) these cause I think I need trail shoes with better grip than Inov-8. Don’t get me wrong TrailRoc 245 are great but I think that sole if quite flat for trail shoes (had couple of slips during the runs)…
I wish I could say that looking at that picture… Unfortunately that just picture of gear after training session in Wicklow Mountains…
Really nice session with Trail Heads. Over 1.5 hours of running up and down the hills, avoiding (not too much) mud and muck and trying to keep your feet dry when crossing the rivers (didn’t work at all)… Must admit that on the beginning of the whole trail running I wasn’t great fan of that. But now I really enjoy it. There is small issue at the moment thou. It is my eye sight. If I’m not wearing contact lenses I’m blind like a bat and even best headlamp won’t help.
Have decided that I need to have at least one pair of trail shoes cause I’m running now with Trail Heads on the mucky paths in the mountains.
Last time when I went with them to Three Rock I was just sliding all the time. Even that I was still able to run I couldn’t cause my legs were ‘going other way’. So, when I saw in the ’52 Degrees North’ sale with trail shoes I just thought maybe I can try. Have found Inov8 pair which were ok. Price was great (over 35% below previous price), size looks to be to big but when I put these on my feet felt good. Just need to test them. And today is the day (actually tonight) to try Inov-8 TrailRoc 245…
That wasn’t pleasent surprise. 3/4 of whole course run through forest. Forest duct, loose chipping, stones. Felt like trail run, not road. I think that just runners from Monaghan and surrandings knew the route. Don’t get me wrong. I was enjoying that run but could choose better shoes, consider trail ones.
So… I have decided to join the runners club. It isn’t regular athletic running club, it’s more of a trail running club. Name of this club is Trailhead – http://trailrunner.ie/. Having talked to a couple of runners about Don (owner and running coach) and his philosophy I decided that it will be the best way to go. I had to talk to Don first and that’s what I did when I was there on Sunday (assessment) and today… Now I can’t wait for results.
And apparently my fitness level is not too bad. It is funny feeling when you know that somebody is watching you during whole run. Checking if you can run uphill at full speed and repeat that. You are trying your best to show that you are not a wimp, but when it comes to proper ‘running coach’ you won’t hide your weaknesses and if you would like to show-off you just won’t be able . It is proper assessment, nothing will go unnoticed.