Monday 27 February 2012

Distance Running Observer: Kawauchi's Statement

Distance Running Observer: Kawauchi's Statement

Decision time looms !!!

Well with very few runs in the last two weeks I am struggling.
The good news is my adductor and hip flexors seem to be improving everyday.

I have ran 5 x 3.5 mile runs since Hell & Back race and one track session.

The plan now is to increase the long run from 9 to 11 this Sunday and the following week
I will race the Debra half marathon.
Connemara will be a case of getting around but id still like to run sub 3hours.

Great news is that we will be sponsoring the bohermeen athleticclub half marathon and the Kinvara half marathon.

Well done to Gary and Siofra our sponsored athletes who both got medals at the National cross country championships.

http://www.bohermeenathleticclub.com/

http://www.rockandroad.ie/

Friday 10 February 2012

Hell & Back

After my long run on the Sunday I ran 3-4miles the next few days after but my adductor got
so bad I couldn't run further than 5minutes without pain.
I decided it was time to rest and book in with the physio.
Not the best prep for Hell & Back but we rocked out with Colin and Neil to Kilrudery
for the second edition of this race.The first one i had ran when not very fit and finished 4th place so i was aiming for top spot even with my injuries and interuptions the week before.

The race started and i felt sluggish at the start runnign side by side with mick Kavanagh my AK
teammate.Alex another AK teamamte had made a terrific start and blasted out of the pond in first place.
After 2k I made a move past the leaders.
I started to feel comfortable at this stage but once we hit a slight incline I was caught by Damien lawless who looked strong and full of running(even if he let the funniest noises when jumping obstacles)
Mick had gone slightly back at this stage and i don't think his choice of footwear was helping on the muddy conditions.
After we came off the top of the Sugar Load a big move was made ont he descent by Ritchie Healy and i thought he was gone but as the field leveled out myself and Damien caught him.I felt very comfortable at this stage and could hear both lads breathing heavily.
The race was to stay like this and with 1k to go i put the head down and went for the win.
I didn't bother to look around as this shows a sign of weakness but I could sense I had a few metres on the two lads.
As i approached the last field i heard shouts from behind and the lads where telling me I had gone of course and i had to run extra metres to get back on course.
to my suprise my lead was longer than i though but now was no more than 20metres.
as we approached the water I took a heavy fall in a gutter and after pulling myself up was still leading.
This was followed by a heavy fall int he pond which I didnt realise was so deep.
I managed to crawl my tired body out of the pond and muster up one last drive for home.
my body was tired and my mind wasn't working @ 100%.As I approached the hay stack ritchie was hungry for his first win and was slowly eating into my lead.as I got to the final hay stack which was 3 high Ritchie joined me and was quicker coming of the back and sprinted to the line for a well deserved win.After looking at the video of the finish Damien had similar problems to me and had two bad falls.
mick did well to finish 4th place and out team packed well with Alex in 7th and colin in 10th to take the team title.

Since the race my adductor hasn't been good and I havn't been able to train.Physio treatments are all i have been doing and I hope to get back running int he next 10days as Connemara is fast approaching.