Advice from the experts
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Half Marathon Trip Away
Half Marathon Trip Away
Given the current weather conditions here Dermot Bates and Conor Kenny have started the plans for a Sportsworld trip out of snow infested Ireland. There has been a number of very successful club trips away over the years. The half marathon allow newer runners to get their first half marathon, more established runners to get Personal Bests or add to a growing list of places they have done half marathons in. The trips away also get club members to meet other people in the club they might not train with and you get to combine a holiday with exercise. So the contenders for the trip are – The Hague March 14th Lisbon March 21st Berlin March 28th Edinburgh April 18th Sheffiield April 25th Wexford May 2nd There is a comment section below if you have done any of the races before and can comment on the type of course, likely weather conditions and if it was well organised. Generally the most popular race among the people who want to go is the one chosen.
Waterford Half Marathon Day Trip 2009
Waterford Half Marathon 2009 A Winters Tale Jack Frost was waiting with Jack Tyrell (or was it his twin Billy?) when the Bus arrived at Club Headquarters. Just after 7am some rather reluctant but punctual runners emerged from the shadows. Our destination was Waterford for their pre Christmas Half Marathon. We were off and Dublin traffic was silent. The first hour was hushed and the sun made a dramatic easterly entrance. Before long we were driving through the plains and watching the last of the November floods. Even though it was dry, everything looked damp. It didn’t take long before Joe Byrne upped the stakes. Joe had a plan. The stakes were soon to become our very own Sweepstake. Fantasy merged with Fairy Tales as we guessed our arrival times. Egos were bruised and predictions were wild. There was a big prize to win, seconds would decide it. Like a great bookie, Joe waved his wedge to encourage full compliance. We made our guess and gave in our fiver. It was fun. At race HQ we were joined by Jack’s brother Billy (or was it Jack?) and the sleepy athletes were waking in anticipation of 13.1 arctic miles. Amy joined us too. A pre planned cycle morphed into a late entry. As ever, club mates united and we jogged to the start. A 7 foot tall Garda in brown shoes and Half Marathon Bobble hat took total control. He was at the start, the finish and seemed single handedly to manage the entire operation. He was a Guard but a big running fan too. Over 1,000 began the journey. Through twisty streets and twisting roundabouts we longed for straight country roads. Rhythm was needed on [...]
Lanzarote International Running Challenge 2009
For those who don’t know each year members of the club travel to Lanzarote for a week to take part in the International running challenge which takes place at Club La Santa over four days from November 22nd. As one of the club La Santa newbie’s I was elected to write the report. Travelling on Friday the 20th this year we had plenty of time to get acclimatised before the first run on Sunday. Club La Santa offers more than 30 sports facilities, which enable you to practice almost any kind of sports. The roads that surround the resort are excellent for runners and cyclists with almost zero traffic and lots of choice of terrain. With the first race only a few hours away we spent Saturday lounging around the pool, doing a slow 10K loop around La Santa to get familiar with the terrain, the pre race weigh in and then the annual Sportsworld crazy golf competition, which Susan McDonnell won with ease. Mr Iron man himself Ed McEntee arrived (as an aside as well as racing four times Ed did a mini-tri and duathlon on race days and performed excellently in both) on Saturday evening and over dinner Ed suggested we do 2K on the track each morning at 7am to warm up for the races. At 7 am on Sunday morning the ritual began. Five pale Irish men running laps and strides around the La Santa track before breakfast to get the system going. Ed’s words of advice clearly worked as a great weeks racing was in store. As there is so much to cover it’s not possible to mention everything that happened in the races. I’ve included my perspective on each [...]
Waterford Half Marathon Day Trip
Half Marathon – Waterford – December 12th Now that winter nights are upon us it’s time to set a training goal or two.A few brave souls have already committed to the Waterford Half Marathon on Saturday, December 12th. It’s an out and back course and you can get full details by clicking here. The entry fee is €20 (Online entry). We have booked a 14 seat mini bus which has 6 seats left. It’s a day trip departing Bushy (approx) 7:00am returning to Dublin (with a dining stop off) at around 6:00pm. The European Cross Country is in Santry the next day. The mini bus fee is €20 per head return.It’s on a first come first served basis.If we need a second bus, no problem. To reserve your bus pass – please contact Sean O’Byrne or myself.Sean 087-266 1606 or Conor 087-662 2801 Conor Kenny