Wednesday Night Runners
a bunch of people who love to run (the banner above is a photo of tallaght waterworks taken during one of our runs)Nature versus Nurture documentary “The Making of Me”
Anyone watching the BBC documentary with Colin Jackson looking into Nature versus Nurture with athletes. It’s very good. Only athletes born between September and February are any use at all. Of course I already knew that…
Rob’s Nice Ironman
Ok Rob when you do the ironman we’ll officially take back the pink hoodie you were awarded the day that photo was taken. Promise. 
(Best of luck by the way! Rooting for ya!)
Gobi News
Well they’re nearly finished. Check out all the latest news over at Endurance Racers! What they need a rest day for I don’t know since they’ve barely done 40 hours….Check out the Guestbook here.
They’re Off!
Photees here of the big weigh-in in Pauls’ house last weekend. Big thanks to Paul for the barbie, great way to send them off!
Kildare Co. Co. Triathlon and Triathy
Well done to Rob for an easy win in last week’s Kildare Co. Co. triathlon. We’ll expect no less in the ironman in a couple of weeks.
Bronagh is competing in tomorrow’s Triathy so best of luck! I’m so in awe! You’ll be absolutley flying Bronagh! Give it socks!!! I might make a trip down to lend support.
These runners better do fab in China cos these triathletes are showing us all up!
UPDATE: Tara and Eoin were competing yesterday too and had cracking runs in the Sprint distance. Bronagh did an incredible 2:38 in the Olympic! Congrats to all, brilliant performance in hot conditions.
What’s this triathlon lark about……?
Ok I think it’s time we took the pink hoodie back…..
(read the May 6th entry!)
What we’ve been up to…..
Apologies for the lack of posts lately. I’ve been doing most of my blogging over at Team Geared Up, most recently about our Avon Ri Total Experience Adventure Race and the IMRA mountain races.
Well done to Niall for a smashing time in the national 10k road race, (35th position in a time of 33.46) and to Karen in Knockdhu.
Our most recent outing involved a few of us heading out to Dalkey Quarry for a very successful abseiling session with Neal and Nige from Irish Climbing Coaching. The fact that me and Tara took our feet off terra ferma was a huge accomplishment in itself….
Anyone fancy helping out at Wednesday night’s Hellfire race let me know as I’m race director. Although I’d prefer to see the Clonliffe chicks running to ensure our super team record from last year continues!
Rotterdam and London Marathons
Clonliffers out in force again! Bronagh 3:20, Marie 3:51, Annette 4:13, Eugene 3:14 and honourary Clonliffer Anthony ran his first marathon in 4:25. I gave an account of my outing here.
Well done to Tony and Liam on their double ultra!
All girly Clonliffe team is heading out for the Total Experience adventure race (mentioned here) on Saturday. Should be fun 
Adventure Races for this Year 2008
I’ve had a trawl through the various websites and from what I can tell these are the main Adventure Races for this year. Also events like Rogaine etc. should be there but I can’t find a date for it yet.
Adventure Ireland 12th April Co. Antrim http://www.adventureireland.com/cushendal08.html
Avon Ri Advenutre Race 19th April 2008 http://www.sleepmonsters.ie/calendar.php?event_id=5915
Cuchulainn Challenge 2nd – 5th May 2008 http://www.causewaycoastar.co.uk/id88.html
An Turs Beag 10th May 2008 (Entries closed) http://www.irishadventurechallenge.com/
An Turas Mor 14th – 21st June 2008 http://www.anturasmor.com/
Kilbroney Challenge 21st June 2008 http://kilbroneychallenge.blogspot.com/
CLEC 12th July http://www.clec.ie/
Adventure Ireland 28th June Donegal http://www.adventureireland.com/donegal08.html
Outsider Ballyhoura Blitz and The Beast of Ballyhoura 2nd – 3rd August http://www.adventureireland.com/ballyhoura07.html
Gael Force 6 and 12 23rd and 24th August http://www.gaelforcewest.ie/
CCAR 4th October 2008 One day race http://www.causewaycoastar.co.uk/id85.html
CCAR 4th – 5th October 2008 2 day race http://www.causewaycoastar.co.uk/id86.html
CCAR 29th November 2008 One day race http://www.causewaycoastar.co.uk/id85.html
Upcoming Adventures for the Wednesday Night Runners
The blog’s been a bit neglected lately so I just thought I’d do a quick round up of what all the Wednesday Night Runners are doing. Firstly on the 6th April we have a gang heading to Connemara, Rob and Tara are doing the half and the long list of members heading to the ultra includes Tony, Gary, Liam, Paul, Eoin, Dave. Also some friends entered include Dave Brady and Martin Francis.
A week after that lots of Clonliffe ladies are hitting the streets of London and Rotterdam for their best marathons ever! Myself, Bronagh and Finn are looking to storm around the Dutch streets in what will hopefully be a “cool” marathon, unlike last year’s Spring ones with their soaring temperatures.
Same weekend sees those Gobi-bound running the Wicklow Way 22k and 44k. Don’t ask me for directions…….
April 19th see the next installment of our adventures with the Avon Ri adventure race run by Sean Murray and Brian Kehoe. Remember the laugh we had last year? And I don’t mean at the gang that fell in…. lamha suas for this year, anyone?
We’ve also got Eoin and his “ultra-marathon triangle”….link to a post I did about that here. Best of luck to everyone in all their endeavours!
Have I forgotton anyone or anything?
Lezan Article – Racing Against the Hatred
Photo of the Aidan O’Hara article in yesterdays Sunday Indo (only reason to ever buy that paper!). I don’t know if there was an on line version?
There’s also a post from me from last week over at Team Geared Up.
Clonliffe Lovelies – National Intermediate Cross Country
Congrats to the lovelies out in force today in Wexford for the National Intermediate Cross Country in Wexford. Finn and Ailish walked away with some County bling and super runs were had by Tara, Karen, Bronagh and the Clonliffe chicks. The sky’s the limit for the Clonliffe lovelies, bring on the Seniors!!
Three Rock Winter
IMRA winter league Race 2: Three Rock Winter
What a day! Savage weather; hail, rain, wind and freezing temperatures were all part of the fun and games last Sunday. The race starts at the car park and follows up the boneshakers to the ariel. We did a loop round a trail at the back of the ariel and then back again. I can’t remember the middle!! Off to Two Rock where the wind and hail battered us blue! The wind was so strong you weren’t sure where each foot would land and the gusts as we headed back down were crazy!
It was incredible stuff so for once I wore clothes, well just about. The Clonliffe chicks showed us what volunteering is all about as they huddled under a brolly at the finish. When they’re not running, they’re still super!
Photo is from the IMRA website, John Shiels.
Trail Blanch 2008 – Snow Race
Check out these champion skiiers…or maybe just check out the rest of the photees here.
List of Items for Trail Blanch – Snow Race
Here’s the Document put together last year for the trip:
Snow Race 2007
Trail Blanch Font Romeu
Packing Light. Baggage limit of 15 kilos which is size of average sports holdall. Previous hand baggage allowance was: max weight 10 kilos and dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20cm.
New rules about flight carry on items: see attached.
Info about new carry on restrictions
Warm clothes needed for everyday wear, not excessively cold last year though, jeans are ok with jumper/ warm socks/ jacket. Very cold at night particularly.
Warm fleecy pyjamas for bed and warm socks! (Seriously very cold at night!)
Not much “dressing up” gear needed.
Hairdryers and tea/ coffee facilities in each room, I think.
Swimwear for two trips to thermal baths.
Water bottle for carrying around or for making up drinks
Bars/ food/ high 5/ electrolyte stuff etc. especially if carb loading
Tylenol/ Anti inflammatories/ Bio Freeze for after race
Sun block/ lip balm
Aspirin (we took one a day before, during and after trip– supposed to help with flight and altitude sickness).
Pre-Race Running Gear:
Gear for two short running outings before race day. (Leggings, long sleeved top and jacket – probably re-use as you won’t get very sweaty!!).
Suggested Race Day Running Gear:
Jacket (may or may not be needed/ compulsory?)
Long Sleeved Top
Full length leggings
Trail shoes (see bit at the end……)
Gloves (I swear by my Lowe Alpine pair that I lost!)
Gaitors
Sunglasses
Buff/ Ear Warmers or Hat (I didn’t wear one)
Cropped top/ underwear
Tissues/ wipes
Camelback or means of carrying compulsory items:
Water, bars, gels
Whistle
Survival blanket
Head Torch
Running watch
Vaseline/ Deep Heat if you use it
Compeeds
Tylenol or Nurofen
First-Aid Items – up to yourself
Gear to change into after race and bag/ backpack to put it in: leggings, ski trousers, ski jacket, dry gloves, tops, hat, dry runners/ trail shoes, underwear. Bag for wet/ dirty gear.
Baby wipes for after (no shower facilities after race that I can remember).
In total at least 4 pairs of running socks.
Ski Gear
Jacket
Trousers
Ski Gloves/ Hat etc.
Requirements and things to remember:
To do now: Race entry form to be filled in and posted off to Barry
To do now: Payment with euro cheque or money order – can’t use regular cheques even though it’s all euro – made out ARAVO Aventure (€25 or €30) and it willm cost €6.35 for this.
To do now: Barry’s form for skiing/ hire etc.
Medical Cert (Barry knows someone in France will do it for €21 – bargain!)
Passport
Flight codes/ print outs (Web check in?) (7036 and 1985 our flight numbers).
Holiday Insurance – bring details with you esp. if it includes ski insurance
Payment for B&B
Money for Ski Hire/ Ski Lessons: private ones can work out better and save lots of time/ hassle than being part of a class.
Camera/ Video Camera
Don’t forget the tri-colour for photo-ops with the gang! (Clonliffe vest even just for the picture?)
Flight is at 6pm Thursday 18th Jan. Check in will probably be from about 4pm.
Arrange to share taxis/ book a taxi or book parking, Quick Park , although their website only works half the time. €6 per day.
Websites:
Snow Race
Cool website for Packing Tips .
To keep an eye on the weather: Local Ski Weather .
Does no harm to brush up on the French!
Gauche is left
Droit is right
Tout droit is straight on
There’s lots of websites with free lessons!
A good phrase to learn is ‘’How Much further?’’ cos the route isn’t marked in kilometres! (When you find out let me know).
Shops for Gear:
Great Outdoors off Grafton Street.
Amphibian King in Bray. Only sells shoes but they do that gait analysis thing
53 Degrees North, Carrickmines (website not working), great shop though.
TKMaxx for ski bargains.
Millets.
John Buckleys sports shop in Cork.
North Face New Shop on Temple Lane South
Just a bit about trail shoes:
Salomons Trail Shoes: about €140 in the Great outdoors. I have these and they’re pretty good.
Inov 8 and Puma Trailfox available from Amphibian King. Inov8 are very popular among the Adventure Racing community so they must be good.
Nike Gortex off road shoe available in 53 degrees north and you could try the Nike outlet in Kildare for a bargain.
Walsh’s available from John Buckleys in Cork, by post about €90.
p.s Grace will bring the GHD.
The Lovelies love their bling…
Yes they sure do. Another medal haul for the best looking club in Ireland. The lovelies again brought home the gold in yesterdays National Novice. We expect nothing less at this stage as they cleaned up with (1) overall winnder Becky Woods (2) winning Club (3) all four were Clonliffe members on the winning Dublin team.
And if Bronagh hadn’t upset the bus driver the day would’ve been perfect…..
(Photees here, sorry about the picture quality, them girls move fast….)
Saturday Training Run
Here’s one for you early starters (but not for you Clonliffe Novices!!). We’re planning an early morning Saturday run from the Old Mill at 7:30am (yes really!!) Probably do the usual loop. Just think you could be back in bed by 10….
Me and Rob so far. Any takers? (Not for bed just for the run…)
Christmas Outing and Lunch
Wednesday Night Runners had their Christmas Lunch and outing today; that involved running around Glendalough into the fog and rain and back. Mad fools. Those that had the guts to step off the sleepers can be proud! Those that didn’t, well, you know who you are and how you can sleep at night is beyond me……
Anyhoo, photos here of the fog and rain and the exchange of gifts over lunch. Next year, no plastic bags will be accepted as Christmas wrapping. It’s just not us, we’re all about the presentation!
And I’m ordering hoodies in the morning so if you fancy one for friends and family with our newly designed logo then text me quick!!
The Lovelies…
The lovelies were out in force again last night. This time with their clothes on. Check out the photees here.
T-Shirts or Hoodies for WNR’s
Rob has suggested that we don’t have enough gear and that we should get some t-shirts or hoodies done up with the WNR logo. So ideas for a slogan or logo please…..
I’m gonna check out the cost with the Masita crowd as Tony has some dealings with them and they have an embroidery and gear company. Let me know what you think or if you have any better ideas. The plan would be to have them for the Snow Race in mid-January.
