Build-Up

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic I had only raced twice in 2020, so like most athletes going into the race it was hard to gauge a sense of specific fitness.

I had planned to do the Antrim Coast Half Marathon a few weeks out from London, but I was unable to do so due to the Isle of Man’s regulations which require people to isolate for 14 days upon arrival back to the Island. This would have been a perfect opportunity to run a fast half and get the legs moving a bit quicker, but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be.

There was about 8-10 weeks of solid marathon training, with weekly mileage reaching 120 miles, and sessions accumulating to 24 miles in volume. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a few setbacks in my buildup, but on the whole, training went well and I felt ready and eager to toe the line in London.

The ‘Bubble’

Once I landed at London City Airport I was picked up and taken to the London Marathon hotel, situated in a TOP SECRET location!

What should have been a 30 minute drive turned into 2 hours thanks to the infamous London rush hour. Once we finally arrived at the hotel I was instructed to go for a COVID test, and was then informed on the protocol regarding the following few days ahead.

All athletes, event staff and security had to wear face masks and a ‘Bump’ device at all times, bar a couple of exceptions. The only times we were able to be free of the mask and the ‘Bump’ was when we were in our own room, running, and eating meals in the dinning area – however we still had to maintain a 2 meter distance.

All athletes had access to the grounds around the hotel to use for walking or running, however it seemed like the whole time we were at the hotel it was torrential rain and strong winds – so these runs were not pleasant.

The big day itself 

The race itself was held on a 2.15km loop around St. James’ Park, and finished in the same iconic location as the traditional London Marathon – along The Mall.

As forecasted, the weather was appalling with persistent wind, rain and cold temperates, reaching a maximum of 9 degrees – lovely. I naively thought these conditions would be conducive to running fast times, but as time would tell I was very wrong.

The race had three/four paced groups with the slowest being the Olympic qualifying group (2:11:30) paced by Matt Clowes and Mo Farah. I decided not to go with this group but to run my own paced race with Jack Gray at around 2:13/2:14 tempo. I thought going off at this pace was sensible and if we felt good there was scope to pick the pace up in the latter stages. 

Ollie and Jack Gray stick to their own pace early on, agonisingly close to the assistance of the the pace group. Photo: Jon Super for Virgin Money London Marathon

Overcoming adversity mid race

Once the gun went off, we got into our running and it was very comfortable and we dialled into the pace. However, once we hit the 8-mile mark I felt a sharp pain in my hamstring, as though someone had shot me with a paint ball. Rarely having issues during a race this took me by surprise.

Trying to ignore the pain and push through it I pushed on, but it was to only get worse.

At 20-miles still on for the 2:14 pace, my body was having none of it. I began to slow dramatically, finishing in a time of 2:19:40. As soon I finished, all I wanted to do was to get warm, but once I’d stopped running, I found that I could barely walk without the aid of someone helping me.

I got to the tent and couldn’t even bend down to take my shoes off due to the pain in my hamstring. However, concerns quickly turned to the fear of missing my flight due to the tight turn around (and the fact that I was now operating on one leg). Luckily I hopped to it and did make the flight with a bit of wiggle room to spare.

Reflecting on a big experience

After some ruminating, I feel somewhat disappointed with my result – particularly because the time does not reflect how training went.

Regardless of this, it was tough out there! Stepping back a little, as an outsider looking in, I take pride in knowing that I did everything I could to give myself the best chance of performing on the day. Unfortunately there are some things we simply cannot control – in this instance: the weather and how my body held up in the conditions.

I can however take a lot from this, and learn from my weaknesses. It wasn’t all doom and gloom either – there were many positives to running through the pain, and ultimately finishing the race, including achievement of a Commonwealth Games standard and breaking an Island-Record, which has stood since 1974! 

Yes, the time wasn’t what I wanted, but with lessons learnt, and more experiences to benefit from, I know the time will come. This race has given me a good opportunity to set my sights very clearly for Birmingham 2022, and beyond. 

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The post Reflecting on the 2020 London Marathon appeared first on Fast Running.

Northern Irish athlete Stephen Scullion ran a personal best time of 2 hrs 9 mins 49 secs at the London Marathon run on a loop around St James’s Park on Sunday (October 4). His time knocked two times off his previous best of 2:11.52 run in Houston last January.

Scullion’s time is faster than John Treacy’s official Irish record of 2:09.56 set at the Los Angeles Olympics of August 1984 when his gutsy run brought him a memorable silver medal. In April 1988, Treacy ran a faster time of 2:09.15 at the Boston Marathon, which because of the course’s slight downhill profile, is not considered legal for record purposes. He finished third in that race.

In a vastly changed athletics world of today, where pacemakers are the norm and shoe technology is helping re-write the record books, Scullion’s time, though excellent, saw him finish only 11^th in London.

Despite the autumn weather, he ran at a consistently strong pace to finish second European behind Norway’s Sondre Nordstad Moen, who was ninth in 2:09.01.

Finishing 26^th of the 29 finishers in 2:18.52 was Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock AC.

In the women’s race, Mayo woman Sinead Diver finished eighth and first W40 in 2:27.07. Diver was representing her adopted nation of Australia. Her best marathon time of 2:24.11 was set at the London Marathon of 2019.

Nearly 200 runners in Belfast 5k

Locally, leading home 196 finishers at the Les Jones Memorial 5km in Belfast on Saturday (October 3) was Darragh Crossan of Foyle Valley AC in a time of 15 mins 41 secs. Peter McGarry of North Belfast Harriers was second in 15:52 while in third place, Conal McClean of St Malachy’s AC was the first of four junior athletes finishing in the top eight. His time was 15:57.

First M40 in ninth place was David Clonliffe of PACE in 17:10.

Rachel Gibson of North Down AC was first women in 17:59, with East Down AC junior Anna Gardiner second in 18:09 and Judith Lonnen of City of Lisburn AC third and first W40 in 19.00. Fourth woman and first W55 in 19:59 was Irene Clements of 1Zero1.

At the My Run Club Series with Avondale Sports Day 4 in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow on Thursday (October 1), junior athlete Joe Byrne of Sliabh Bhuidhe Rovers AC was the winner in 16 mins 26 secs. Derek Crammond of Parnell AC was second in 16:40 and Niall Sheehan of Gowran AC third in 16:44. Myles Gibbons of Sliabh Bhuide Rovers AC in fifth place was the first master in 17:12.

Catherine O’Connor of Parnell AC underlined her recent good form by finishing first woman and first W40 in 18:58. Her Parnell clubmate Sheila O’Byrne was second in 19:32, with Corrine Kenny of St Laurence O’Toole’s AC in Carlow third woman and first junior in 20:55.

inov8 athlete Sarah McCormack storming to victory in Italy. Photo: Damiano Benedetto/ corsainmontagna.it

Sarah McCormack wins and Zak Hanna second

Sarah McCormack of Ambleside AC completed a great weekend for Irish mountain running when she finished first woman at the Trofeo Nasego, a classic 21.5km race with 1,336m of climb, in Caso, Italy on Sunday (October 4).

McCormack, the World Cup winner last year and pre-race favourite, completed the gruelling race in 1 hr 52 mins 32 secs. Although she had gone into the lead in the first half of the race, she struggled on the tough climb.

When no-one managed to catch her, she gave it her all on the downhill to the finish. Over a minute behind for second was Francesca Ghelfi of Italy in 1:53.36, while third in 1:54.34 was Elisa Sortini also from Italy.

A day earlier, Zak Hanna of Newcastle and District AC had finished a fighting second at the Vertical Nasego at the same location – 4.4km uphill race with a 1000m climb.

In difficult weather conditions, Hanna led the race until the final 500m when pre-race favourite Henri Aymonod of Italy pushed to the front. He went on to win in 35 mins 47 secs with Hanna second in 36:22, followed by Patrick Facchini of Italy in 37:01. A total of 67 finished the race.

Hanna lined out a day later for the Trofeo Nasego, finishing 14^th in 1:41.39. Winner was Sylvain Cachard of France in a new course record of 1:34.11. Scotland’s Andrew Douglas was fourth in 1:37.36.

At the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday (October 3) , Sean Tobin of Clonmel AC finished ninth in the men’s 1500m in 3:49.92 while Michele Finn of Leevale AC was tenth in the women’s 3000m steeplechase in 10:31.19. The town’s altitude of 1795m might not have been beneficial for the visiting sea-level runners.

Cross country all over the country

Track star Amy O’Donoghue of Emerald AC won the women’s title at the Limerick Cross-Country Championships held in Newcastle West on Sunday (October 4).

O’Donoghue proved the class of the combined senior and intermediate field winning in 17 mins 46 secs, with Murna Griffin of Dooneen AC second in 18:25 and former Irish international Rosemary Ryan, also of Dooneen AC, third in 18:25. With five in the top seven, Dooneen took the team title ahead of West Limerick AC, who were led by Fiona Burke in fifth place.

Winning the men’s title in 27 mins 28 secs was Niall Shanahan of An Bru AC. A close second in 27:33 was Declan Moore of Bolboa AC, with John Kinsella, also Bilboa, third in 27:53. West Limerick won both the inter and senior team titles; Limerick AC was second in both with Dooneen AC third inter team and Bilboa third senior team.

Events for all ages

Over 60 women turned out for the Cork Novice and U23 Cross-Country held at Slieveroe, Riverstick, on Sunday (October 4).

Leading them home was Leevale’s Emily Knox in 15 mins 53 secs; Irene Eighan of St Finbarr’s AC was second in 16:32 and Joyce Wolfe of Leevale third in 16:35. Winning the U23 category was Katie Walsh of Carraig na bhFear AC. Best of the ten teams entered was St Finbarr’s on 23 points, with Leevale second on 46 points and East Cork AC just a point behind for third place on 47 points.

A total of 113 finished the men’s race won by Frank O’Brien of Midleton AC in 20 :22. Ben Leen Smith of Leevale AC was second and first U23 in 20:32 and Denis Hegarty of Watergrasshill AC third in 20:34.

Surprise winners of the team title with 43 points was Cork Track Club, led by Anton Marcotte in sixth place. Watergrasshill AC was second on 48 points and Leevale AC a close third on 50 points.

Multiple races across the country

Navan Adventure Centre was the location for the Meath Junior, Novice and Masters Cross-Country held over two days on Saturday and Sunday (October 3/4) where on Saturday, Niall Cornyn , better known as a triathlete, won the men’s 6km race ahead of his Dunboyne AC clubmate, George Snee. Cornyn finished in 20 mins 10 ses, with Snee, who was also first M35, clocking 20:37 and Richie Bell of Fr Murphy AC a close third and first M40 in 20:39.

In the other age categories, Ciaran O’Dwyer of Dunsuahglin AC was frst M45, Michael Counsel of Trim AC first M50, David O’Connell of Bohermeen AC first M55, Pat Corcoran of Trim AC first M60 and Brian Donovan of Kells AC first M65. First of the U18 men was Adam Canning of Rathkenny AC.

Dunboyne AC was first of the 15 teams entered, with Trim AC and Dunshaughlin AC in the minor placings. Dunboyne also proved best in the M35 masters team catgory, ahead of Dunshaughlin AC and Trim AC plus 17 other teams. Winning the M50 team category were Trim AC from Na Fianna and Dunshaughlin.

Multiple days of cross country racing

A day later, Edel Gaffney of Trim AC won the women’s 4km race in some style.

Her finishing time of 15:38 put her well clear of Sarah Clarke of Na Fianna AC who finished in 16:12 and Ellen Vitting of Trim AC in 16:16, with Vitting, another triathlete, also first W35.

In other age categories, Aoife Parella of Star of the Sea AC was first W40, Linda Fahy of Dunshaughllin AC first W45, Karen Lavelle of Star of the Sea AC first W50, Mary Watters of Navan AC first W55 and Linda Gunning of Bohermeen AC first W60. Winning the junior and U18 girls race was Ava Costello of Trim AC.

In the novice team category, Dunboyne AC beat Trim AC and Na Fianna AC, with Dunboyne also best of the masters teams ahead of Trim AC and Star of the Sea AC.

Masters and youth cross country

U18 athlete Sarah Rowland of Naas AC won the women’s 3km race at the Kildare Novice, U18 and Masters Cross-Country in Coolcarrigan House and Gardens, Naas on Sunday (October 4),

Rowland’s time of 11 mins 33 secs put her six seconds clear of Joan Kinsella from Clane AC who was first W40. Third and second under 18 was Orla Reidy of St Coca’s AC in 11:51.

Lynda Gormley of St Coca’s was first W45, Teresa O’Reilly of Celbridge AC first W50, and fromer Irish track champion Bernie Kavanagh of Celbridge AC first W55.

In the team categories, Naas AC was first novice team with St Coca’s AC second and Clane AC third. Clane AC won the masters’ category ahead of Newbridge AC and St Coca’s AC.

Making it an U18 double in the men’s 4km race was Eoin Richards in 12:50. His St Coca’s AC clubmate Alexander Walker was second and firast M40 i 12;54, with Brian Conroy of Clane AC thrid and first M35 in 13:09. In the other age categories, Derek Gilmartin of Celbridge AC was first M45, Christy Maloney of Clane AC first M50Frank McDonald of Celbridge AC first M55, and Brian McGrath of Le Cheile AC first M65.

Newbridge AC beat Naas AC and St Coca’s AC for the novice team title, with Celbridge AC taking the masters’ team title ahead of Newbridge AC and Le Cheile AC.

Correction: Last week’s Waterford Cross-Country Championships took place at WIT in Waterford and not Dungarvan.

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The post Record breaking run from Scullion – Irish roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

Born in Glasgow and now living in London working for and supported by Lazard Asset Management, Steph Davis ran her first half marathon in 2017 and first full marathon in 2018 (Berlin, 2:41:18).

Steph burst into the marathon-world limelight after running a 2:32:18 off the mass start at London Marathon in April 2019. Three months later she was announced as part of the scottishathletics Marathon Project targeting the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham in 2022.

At the time she was selected that seemed like a sensible target which would allow time for a promising young athlete to develop. However, with her fierce but fun work ethic and under the guidance of coach Philip Kissi at Clapham Chasers, Steph’s talent has developed at lightning speed.

She rounded out 2019 with a confident performance at Valencia Marathon of 2:27:40 which not only placed her fourth in the UK for the year and ninth British and third Scottish on the all-time list but also fast-tracked her competition plans by landing her an Olympic Qualifying time alongside Jess Piasecki, Charlotte Purdue and Steph Twell.

Steph Davis at 25km in Valencia
Photo: Tom Craggs

FastRunning: What were you most excited by in your running last year?

Steph Davis: The highlight has to be running the Olympic qualifying time (2:27) at Valencia. My training block had felt bumpier compared to London so I had mixed feelings about the shape I was in. It goes to show that if you have a goal never give up – anything is possible if you keep focus and as much consistency as you can.

FR: What are you most excited by looking to the year ahead? What are your key goals?

SD: My key goal is to stay healthy and injury free so that I can train to my full potential. I am really excited to run as part of the elite field at London marathon and at the Olympic trials. It will be my first female only race so it is quite scary too! The standard of female marathon running in the UK is red hot at the moment so it will be a good race for the spectators aswell.

FR: Why do you think the GB women had such a great year last year?

SD: It is incredible to see so many women in the UK close to the Olympic qualifying standard. I think when the competition is so high, it pushes us all to train and race harder. I hope that as women, we are inspired and motivated by each other, I certainly am.

FR: Who do you think is flying under the radar but destined to surprise everyone this year?

SD: There have been a lot of outstanding performances that it is difficult to pick one.

FR: What do you think about the decision not to preselect anyone for the Olympic team?

SD: For me, being ranked 4th in 2019 with only 3 Olympic spots available, the decision to not preselect anyone was a good one. It is all still open to complete for.

FR: Will you be running the London Marathon and if so, are you willing to share your goal for it?

SD: I am running London. For me, it will be like any other marathon – I’ll aim to work hard and continue my progression. Once I am further into my training block my coach and I will have a chat about my race plan and target.

FR: What shoes do you train in / what shoes do you race in?

SD: I do my everyday and recovery runs in Mizuno Wave Inspire. I’ve used this shoe for a while and like the support it offers when running slower.

For my training sessions (track and tempo), I wear Nike Zoom Fly. This isn’t too dissimilar to the Vapourfly Next %, which I currently use for races, so it allows me to practice in a shoe that has a similar shape to what I will race in. At the moment I am trying out some different shoes but there are so many out there it becomes a bit of a minefield.

FR: Are there any supporters that have helped you over the last year that you’d like to mention?

SD: There are too many to mention that I don’t want to get into trouble for missing anyone out. I couldn’t do the training without my coach and teammates so I owe a big shout out to them. My boyfriend and my family are super supportive (and patient with me!) during the training bouts and at all my races. It is definitely a team effort.

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The post Steph Davis chasing marathon greatness appeared first on Fast Running.