Cheers lads. Nice to have the national championships in your home club. Iām totally biased but itās a cracking half marathon. Great community atmosphere.
Any joy with getting an entry? Donāt know if Dublin half next week selling out earlier than usual has pushed more people to Ratoath. Havenāt seen any spare entries being sold in my groups.
I wonder if the presidential election taking place on the Friday had anything to do with it. Dunno if that National Show Centre is a counting placeā¦although the RDS used to be. Maybe they just changed back after people complained.
I had assumed the RDS was unavailable due to the Presidential Counting initially. I think the Dart is out of action for the weekend again as has become tradition.
Great running from @Bandage and @Wexford1996 this morning . Nice to be introduced to @Bandageās club mates as āhis friend from Wexfordā
Itās one of my favourite events as the route is so favourable and the test around the racecourse at the finish is always a good mental challenge when youāre tired. Happy enough with my own run considering where Iām at. Went out to try do sub 1:45 and came in 3 mins ahead of it so canāt complain.
Iāve done more 26k+ runs in the last 4-5 weeks than I managed before either of the marathons Iāve done. Everything is just slow and steady to try get the body used to the load. Plenty of niggles but feels like itās working. And hopefully the speed will come.
The first 10km today was as enjoyable a run as Iāve ever had. Felt extremely comfortable and moving well.
Haha. Yes, it was a great morning for Irish athletics with @Wexford1996 blazing a PB, your Sophie OāSullivanesque gutsy display off low mileage while on the comeback trail & I was happy to dip under 1hr40 after a spell where my times seemed to be heading in the wrong direction. @fenwaypark reaching out to put some structure on my training definitely helping me - thanks again pal. Iāll hopefully take some confidence into this last stretch before the marathon but Iām sure my inner voice will find some negatives/doubt to occupy me. Sure didnāt I run a 1hr39 half in 2022 during the DCM training block & then run a very disappointing marathonā¦