I used to run a bit and one of my goals for this year is to do the Achill Half Marathon.
My virtual running buddy has, sadly, abandoned me and I'm wondering if anyone here is up to the challenge. 13 miles in beautiful scenery.

There are 10 week schedules online for all levels - so no excuses if you're a total beginner.

My aim is to complete it comfortably and I'll be using the beginner schedule because I haven't run much since I got injured last year. Paula Radcliffe need have nothing to fear.

Some blurb from the website http://www.achillmarathon.com/register.html to entice you.

Quote :

The race will take place on July 5th 2008 starting at 11.00am.

After another successful half marathon event in July 2007 we look forward to an even bigger & better event for 2008. All proceeds will go to the Silent Masses charity. Your participation is greatly appreciated and we would ask you to consider running your race for Silent Masses. Please indicate your intention in the area marked on the registration form and we will send you a sponsor pack.

We have many extra events lined up for 2008 including a free beach Bar-B-Q for all participants after the race and everyone can browse through our "Tented Village" where there will be many interesting stalls and events. We hope that you will enjoy the race along with all the other events of the weekend. You can look forward to participating in one of the most beautiful runs in the world. Click here for prizes.

Any takers?

Go on, go on, go on....

Sure no problem - I can virtually run ..

Auditor #9 wrote:

Sure no problem - I can virtually run ..

Excellent! There are 14 weeks to the race I think so that means that even if you're starting from absolute scratch - ie, virtually run, a few weeks at the first level (week 1) will see you right.

Great stuff, Auditor.

Now who's next?

no - i can only virtually run ...

Auditor #9 wrote:

no - i can only virtually run ...

You're almost there? Haven't quite taken the first real step?

This, my dear Auditor, is the spur you have been waiting for.

Were I in any fit state to I would. Alas, I am not.

Me neither. I keep an ambulance parked on the landing, in case I have to run up the stairs.

Im making progress in that regard - I've started to cycle from Rathmines to Sandyford every morning to work - one of these weeks I'll be able to go all the way without having to stop for emergency oxgyen at the Beacon on the way!

Best of luck with tho Kate!

Just giving this a bump.... any takers?

My running buddy has well and truly broken my heart and some virtual company would be appreciated.

Go on....

What's the route in Achill?

I would, were I not in the midst of such upheavel with various things

I keep meaning to do the full marathon at some stage

Kate P wrote:

Auditor #9 wrote:

no - i can only virtually run ...

You're almost there? Haven't quite taken the first real step?

This, my dear Auditor, is the spur you have been waiting for.

What is a virtual running buddy?

cactus flower wrote:

What is a virtual running buddy?

I presume it is you both follow the same training schedule keeping each other up to date with your progress over the net whilst you do it. Letting each other know what you are struggling with etc.

Then if all goes well you can go and run the race together!

johnfás wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

What is a virtual running buddy?

I presume it is you both follow the same training schedule keeping each other up to date with your progress over the net whilst you do it. Letting each other know what you are struggling with etc.

Then if all goes well you can go and run the race together!

This sounds like a nice idea.

I'm not crazy about the route. A real marathon would be from Keem through Keel and on to Doogort and maybe the Golden Strand. That's the best scenery, bar climbing a few mountains.

905 wrote:

I'm not crazy about the route. A real marathon would be from Keem through Keel and on to Doogort and maybe the Golden Strand. That's the best scenery, bar climbing a few mountains.

A worthy 5,000th post! Excellent choice of thread to post it on, 905!

It's only a half marathon and the route will do fine for now. There is a Connemara Ultra Marathon as far as I know, which is 40 gruelling miles up hill and down dale.

But 'not crazy about the route' isn't terminal....

All right, I'll bloody spell it out for you. I'm too lazy to do it. I don't want to do it. I am a bad person, physically and morally weak.

Happy now?

Loud and clear, 905.

I'm going to be in Belgium for the race itself, which I know will make me really wussy about doing the training. How about I give the training a shot, and then send my brother to run the race with you? (He's actually planning on running it; it wouldn't be a complete shock to him.)

I heard the organisers are banning the use of mp3 players and such like from next year, and they're discouraging it for this year. What's the rationale behind that, anyone know?

TheBear wrote:

I'm going to be in Belgium for the race itself, which I know will make me really wussy about doing the training. How about I give the training a shot, and then send my brother to run the race with you? (He's actually planning on running it; it wouldn't be a complete shock to him.)

I heard the organisers are banning the use of mp3 players and such like from next year, and they're discouraging it for this year. What's the rationale behind that, anyone know?

That would be great, TheBear. Thanks.

I'm off to do a couple of miles now - it's a nice morning for it - and will be glad of the virtual company.

Have you had a look at the schedules above? I'm working from the beginners one - but maybe you're fitter than I am...

The women's mini-marathon is on in a couple of months - maybe that might be a focus for you if you can't do Achill. What do you think? It's 6 miles/10k and doable....
I don't listen to music when I'm out and I never really have. Firstly there's not much point in aerating the brain only to fill that headspace with music instead of thought and secondly there's a safety issue for me because I like to be aware of what's going on around me - cars coming around bends etc.

A race would be much more sociable if people engage with each other - that's the only reason I can suggest for the organisers banning them on the day.

Kate P wrote:

http://www.achillmarathon.com/achillmap.html

Is it the Connemarathon? How far is it? 6 miles? When's it on?

Auditor #9 wrote:

Kate P wrote:

http://www.achillmarathon.com/achillmap.html

Is it the Connemarathon? How far is it? 6 miles? When's it on?

July 5th - 13 miles - not Conemara - which is way too gruelling for me (and probably full by now anyway) - interested?

[/quote]Thank you for supporting the Achill Half Marathon event. We are now taking registration for our upcoming events in 2008. The race will take place on July 5th 2008 starting at 11.00am.

After another successful half marathon event in July 2007 we look forward to an even bigger & better event for 2008. All proceeds will go to the Silent Masses charity. Your participation is greatly appreciated and we would ask you to consider running your race for Silent Masses. Please indicate your intention in the area marked on the registration form and we will send you a sponsor pack.

We have many extra events lined up for 2008 including a free beach Bar-B-Q for all participants after the race and everyone can browse through our "Tented Village" where there will be many interesting stalls and events. We hope that you will enjoy the race along with all the other events of the weekend. You can look forward to participating in one of the most beautiful runs in the world
[/quote]

13 miles? woah !! I have never run that far in my life. I have variously tried it in my life, the running, but just couldn't do it. I prefer walking Kate, sorry. Hiker is my man...

No problem. I've walked a couple of full marathons - it's good fun and the medals are great! Happy hiking!