a “must see”. out on DVD since late 2008!

as last sunday the morning started of perfect. sun all the way!

i picked up simone 1,5 hours prior to the start and the weather just went bad. typically ireland. when we arrived at st.annes park in dublin it was slashing raining and we were complettely soacked after picking up our numbers.

as mentioned prior in this blog, raheny 5 has one of the most competitive fields in ireland and is the first big test for all runners across ireland. the field was huge so the start got a bit messy. after 1/2 a mile i was able to run without any problems or other competitors in the way.

as uli was telling me some days earlier i didnt went out to hard as most of the field just tries to make the move on the first (downhill) section. i got a nice group but the speed was tough anyway. i never really kept “rolling” and the legs werent relaxed after, so far, 90 km this week. its very hard for me to maintain the speed in such “short” races. it seems that i have to work on my technic for races like this. i have the power and the endurance but i cant get it to work the way i want in races like this. but eventually im not training for that distance so for the marathon i have to focus on different aspects. but after rotterdam i definitely have to maintain my current 5 k & 10 k performance.

after all i ended up with a 29:08.

the after race excitment was a good dinner and pints and then the streets at the olympic theatre. brilliant show!

training this week went alright. had to get my long run in during the week as i want to have fresh legs for the 25th Annual AXA Raheny Five this sunday.

it was pretty tough to go out in the rain and wind on a wednesday evenning to get a bit more then 2 hours training. after a full days work i found it pretty tough to do such a long run. next time i plan a long one during the week i have to get it in before i go to work.

now im looking forward to one of the true classic road races in dublin on sunday – the raheny 5 miler. (for all km guys: 5 miles = 8.04672 kilometers 😉 )

it was a cold but lovely and sunny morning. i decided to cycle the 10 k to the start just a littlebit outside the town where i life, naas. the roads where frosty and so a bit slippery. all the fields and the wicklow mountains where covered with a tiny bit of snow. a beautiful scenery.

when i entered the transition zone in front of the main stand at punchestown race course there wasn´t a sign of any bikes! i met rob (“triathlete´s cant bike!”) and he told me that they cancelled the duathlon and instead of going out for the run-bobsleigh-run competition there will be a run only race around the ambulace track. duathlon cancelled!

the weather turned lousy: rain, snow and wind. it got worser and worser. a good decision to cancel the duathlon. sp everybody got ready for the run and lined up in the rain.

the start pace was very defensive so there was a little lead group of 8 guys travelling during the first of the three laps. i hang in there and it was very handy to draft in the group as the wind got heavier and heavier. the first round was over and the tempo increased. i had to pay tribute to 2 day in a row speed sessions and fought my way to 6th place in a time of 38:37. nobody really knows how long the run was. i suppose it was around 10.5 k.

shortly after my finish it started to rain and storm again. i just got a very handy lift back home and went directly under the shower where i remained for 2 hours 😉

the first race of the season is just hours away.

í´m racing the first race of the local duathlon series, the Naas Wheelworx Dirty Weekend Duathlon, tomorrow.

this seasons training is completelly run specific so i wasnt working out on the bike at all. despite the missing kilometers i want to race. its the third year in a row i´m racing that duathlon. it is a nice and handy hard workout.

the distances are 3,5 km run on the red cross track around the local horse racing track and a bumpy 20 km bike out and back course followed by the same run again.

this monday runssel cinema shows a nice hill workout of ireland´s finest – alistair cragg. enjoy!

another training week is over.

my health is back in perfect condition and im in a regular training rhythm. with one rest-day (tuesday) i was able to cover 110 k this week.

the long-runs on the weekend were nice. saturday we went out for mountain running and did the “wicklow trail” race route. a stunning 22 K run through the mountains.

sunday shane, adriele and i picked the infamous bob marlay park to go out for more less “easy” 30 K.

my legs feel alright and im thinking of racing the annual wheelworx duathlon in punchestown next sunday.

a new toy in town.

just got a “balance board” today. pretty nice and simple gimmick for the strenght workouts.

back on the island after a 2 week christmas break in the “vaterland”.

training at home went pretty solid. the weather was cold but dry and often sunny.

i enjoyed running in the forrests around my hometown and got a good amount of miles in.

also i found the way to my local pool again… i wasn´t swimming for ages as ireland doesnt provide the same “puplic pool culture” as germany. im not a gifted swimmer, but i miss regular training in the water.