Everyone is talking about the swine flu these days. This morning they announced another 7 affected people in Ireland. Lucky enough epidemics like that make their way to the green Ireland not that fast. As i was feeling sick for the last 3 days i was a bit concerned that the whole “pig hype” is in me. At the moment it looks more like the “good old” flu that’s putting a serious break on my training schedule.

Before that i had a good start in the week. Did a nice hard workout on treadmill on Tuesday. Since ages a rendezvous with the “endless road”. I was running intervals with a 3.5 % gradient and 1.5 kg dumbbells. It was tough – but i really liked it. A good core workout combined with a speed session. I try to get more of those things in, as it is a good preparation for the 5 borough bridges.

Speaking of the big apple it’s just 14 weeks until the sound of the gun. I’m exited!

Hopefully I’m getting better fast. I change training now to “bed-ing” and try to sleep the virus away. This Monday is a bank holiday and i hope i get back on track to get some running in on the free day.

Next Saturday night is “Streets of Galway” Time. I need to be up to full power for that one!

Don´t ask questions!

If you train on your own the best speed session you can get in is a race. Lucky enough Dublin provides a wide range of road races. So today the Royal Hospital Kilmainham had a 6.5k “Fun Run” organised. A view on the actual course map made that run even more interesting.

Starting from the hospital park through Kilmainham, the actual hospital area and then on into the city and back out again passing the Guiness Factory.

500 runners and walkers lined up on a beautiful evening. The usual faces were there in the first rows. One well known face, not running wise, was kenny egan. as far as im concerened he knocked only himself out today.

A gardai representative startet of the stampede. Quickly there was a gap between the “front pack” and the rest of the field. I was in 6th position and drafted one guy out of kilmainham into the city. The course was very twisting and some nice up and downhills made the race even more interesting.

I started of in a nice smooth pace as i wanted to get a step closer to a good tactic for me when it comes to “shorter” races. The speed was okay until 4,5k were i couldnt really hold the pace. i fought on and shortly before the finish there was a little surprise. a nice steep long climb up to the hospital. I was wrecked and had to give it everything.

For the last 100 metres to the finish line i had not much left. So i ended up with a 22.15. OK for a Thursday night race.

Pictures HERE

Feidhlim Kelly leads the race out of the Hospital Park.

Me warming up in the park.

Thanks again to Darren from RACEPIX 365 for the great service he provides with his website.

The Tour is so rockin´ this year. I´m constantly chasing the live-ticker since the last couple of weeks.

Today was a brilliant day again.

The Schleck Bro´s showed that both of them a serious contenders for the next few years!

After Jens Voigt´s shocking crash yesterday that win was the best medicine for Saxo Bank.

Decent 115k spin with 2 X shane and dave along the coast road and parts of wicklow.

Nice “shake out” after the fatiguing 5 miler on Saturday morning. We successfully escaped the rain. On the last 500 metres heavy showers started off – good day out!

Perfect running conditions this morning for the first race of the adidas series in phoenix park.

After a good training week i was keen to race. Around 5.000 people lined up for that 5 Miler. The warm-up was pretty short as shane, martin and i had the usual trouble getting to the start area.

I should have learned from the last few races that going out fast is NOT good for me. the gun sounded and i didnt think one second and just ran on. The pace felt alright as the road was going slightly downhill. even after the 1st mile when the course went really downhill i thought the pace is fine – it wasn´t.

i couldnt really relax and i never found my rhythm. the endurance is there but, as previously said, my running technique is a pain in the &%$@65. i stretch and i focus on technique training but it slightly gets better. i need to “de-stiff” that 1,90 meters!

anyway – i ended up with a 29:16 in 60th place on that hilly course. my worst 5 Mile time ever.

Thanks to Darren from RACEPIX365 for the pictures!

if i do track workouts, ill have run them on grass.

the track facilities in ireland are oldskool.

but after a couple of months i have to say i really like them.

Thanks to Britta from Nike UK. Lunar all night long…

After a couple of weeks where i wasnt really happy with my training this week went pretty good. to change my training to the morning is a huge bonus for me. the quality of the workouts are much better and the optional second training is a advantage.

after solid runs during the week i was staying with a friend in west-cork. beautiful area down there. saturday and sunday i got decent runs in and i enjoyed the roads around clonakilty.

next week i have to work on my speed as im racing the adidas Irish Runner 5 miler in phoenix park on saturday morning. the annual irishtown 5k will be on wednesday evening. dont know yet if i should running.