I saw this one advertised and even though I have run at an event every weekend since August I simply had to go for it.
A 10 Mile run from Strandhill and out over to Coney Island and back before the tide came in. A fairly wet rather unique experience, fairly draining running across the water.
I had two
things to accomplish on this run, one to run at a constant pace of either 5:27 and two have fun. I had fun but failed miserably at the pacing at the start for the first 3k where I was 5.07, 5.06 & 5.06. I wanted to run slow because I signed up for my first marathon in April during the week and wanted to run at a set marathon pace to run it in 4 hours as per the Marathon plan I am going to follow.
The pace certainly slowed down when I hit the coast and then a 3k run across to Coney Island. I stopped just before hitting the coast to take a selfie and then recorded the run with my phone running across the sand and sea to the island. I got absolutely drenched; it was such great fun.
Then it was back onto terra firma where I started to see a few runners running towards me to run into the sea again on their way back. I splooshed on towards the turning point a further 2k ahead before turning back myself. Then it was back into the water where the tide was starting to come in a bit, and I had slowed right down to 6.00/k. The route back was mainly uphill, the small country road from the sea where the cars drive down to cross over to the island was absolute hell as it was so steep going up towards the main road. I thought that I had gotten a bit weak towards the end of my recent runs and decided to go up in gear and finish the run stronger. I was very happy when I saw the finish line!
Oooh that sounds like a good workout 😀. I bet the sea was a bit chilly 🥶. Running with wet feet can be a bit of a challenge too so well done. Great fun and something different 💪👍🏃♂️🏅👏
That’s a lot of events! I reckon you’re overdue for a cutback week (or two!) Still, I can see the appeal of this event and you still achieved a great time!
I reckon that trying to maintain a steady pace on this event would be a nightmare! There’s a serious drop over the first 3k then there’s the sand and running through water. I think that practicing pacing will be really useful for your marathon but a flatter route with consistent terrain would be much better for that, at least at first!
Which marathon have you entered? I’m sure you’ll achieve your goal in that (so long as it doesn’t involve running in the sea!)
I fully agree with everything you say above. The events were a bit like busses where they all came in at once. I have been doing marathon training since march to prepare for the first 3/4 and then carried on the training for the rest. The only one I went for regarding PBs was the Sligo Coast to coast in early August where like you I got the string of PBs. The other 3/4, the 5k on the airport, 10k and yesterday's event were just taken as a daily run, although I would have been running them easy if I was running them for training. Yesterday's run was definitely not the one to start the pacing on however, I was trying to discipline myself until I got to the coast. That was only because I did a lot of reading up about it the day before.
I will take this year as a learning experience and might not go for so many next year. I'm only running a year so it's a learning curve.
I am lucky enough to live in an area where I have great routes and most of my training will be here.
The marathon is the Belfast one, I saw it advertised as an early bird offer so went for it. I also booked a hotel up there for 3 nights so it will involve a bit of tourism with herself. I also signed up for the Tony McGowan 1/2 Marathon about an hour's drive from me in the middle of February. So I will start training for that at marathon pace and then carry it over for the marathon itself.
I don't think there was a rescue boat. However I do think the local farmers would get a few calls when cars are stranded when they get stuck going across 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks very much, I felt good enough the next day but am taking a few days rest now just in case. I might do a park run this weekend before starting marathon training.
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10 miles accountable post - update 
First 10 miles, and I'm over the moon!
HM plan week 8 -10 miles done!
I DID IT!!!! 10 MILES!!!!!! 🏃🏻♀️🥳
