An Tobar Ardmore 5

Race number 4 in the Ger Wyley Sports/Skins West Waterford AC Summer Series took place in Ardmore last night, Friday May 23rd at 8pm. I took a lift up with Tom & Ray, and had a good pre-race warmup.

Mile 1: slightly downhill. I felt ok, and settled in to a nice rhythm with Kate Organ and Catherine Condon. Time 8:12

Mile 2: Going through the village, I felt the effort to stay with them too much, and they opened a gap of about 30 metres. Time: 8:39

Mile 3: I knew that this one was going to be slower as there was quite a long uphill section. I was happy to take it very easy for about 500metres before the hill, and when I got there, I pushed really hard. I was a bit surprised that I did have strength in legs to push uphill, and by the top I had closed the long gap to 10 metres. Time: 9:29

Mile 4: when I got back with both ladies, we settled in to a nice pace and kept it going. Time: 8:37

Mile 5: Just at the corner, I pushed on a little and again. I knew that there was a short tricky hill coming up. I pushed really hard again here, and even though I faded a bit on the last half mile, I was focused and able to catch three runners ahead of me by the time I got to the village. The last 100 metre sprint was a really hard effort, one that gave me great satisfaction. Time: 8:01

Overall, I am very happy with my running. In January I was at 47 minutes for the Kilmac 5, and I had very little stamina. three weeks ago in Portlaw I ran 43:21 for 5 miles, but the first mile was on a steep downhill course so it really was not a true time. Tonight, for the first time this year, I realised that my training  is paying off.

Touraneena 5k next week, and it will be interesting to get back to the shorter distance.

Photographs courtesy of Dave Coleman / John Coleman

Christmas 2012

It's Christmas! I was supposed to be running the half marathon in Waterford today but I did not get my entry in time. Instead I will run a half marathon in Clonakilty next week.
Lovely morning stroll to town with new Nikon D60 camera. Usual Bagel Bar hot chocolate. Home again now to hoover and put up the Christmas tree. Bring on Christmas. Dragged the tree from the attic, and later Meabh helped me finish it. Results very impressive I think.

BEAUTIFUL beautiful bacon & cabbage for dinner.

At 9.30 I dropped Meabh to the Lady Belle for a party, and decided to go in for one. Great night with many of the cycling club who were there after the usual Christmas Ballyhoura mountain-biking day out....left the car and will collect in the am.

Putting up the tree is hard work