This Weekend’s Rogaine

The Irish 24 hour Rogaine takes place this weekend. For the last two years, Andrew McCarthy and I have teamed up for this race. And for the last two years, we have won the event outright.

Andrew McCarthy and I being presented with the Rogaine cup by Dave Weston in 2007.

However this year, neither of us could compete. And so, with much regret, we handed back the perpetual cup to the organisers, Setanta Orienteers.

The Irish Rogaine Cup.

It would have been a fun event. The race start is close to Kippure and uses the brand new Dublin Mountains map. The last I heard, 19 teams were entered in the 24 hour and a similar number in the 6 hour sprint. Hope you get good weather for it – the last two years, we definitely didn’t!

The Worldwide Club of Hashing

Hashing is great way to meet and run with others all around the world.

Running the Hash in Kenya - kinda cool, ain't it!

I am a hasher. It all started back in Nairobi in 2003 when, looking for places to run in this crowded and confusing African capital, someone suggested joining the hash. For two years, I met up with them on a Monday night, and joined in on an hour’s run around the streets and suburbs.

Early Morning Road Running in Ho Chi Minh

You gotta get up early to get a run in in Ho Chi Minh City. So by 6am we headed out onto the Vietnamese capital’s streets, hoping to avoid the day’s heat and the city’s mad traffic.

The city is full of a French colonial past. Saigon was captured by the French in 1859 and was under their rule until 1954. During their century’s stay, the French constructed wide boulevards and tree-lined streets littered with impressive neoclassical buildings. Thankfully, they also left the country fresh baguettes and great coffee for perfect post-run breakfasts.

Our morning run first took in the Opera House, then on down Le Loi Street towards the already busy Ben Thanh Market.

Ho Chi Minh City's Opera House

Writing the Second Part of my Blog

Despite the title of this blog, I’ve mainly written about “Running over Mountains”, Irish ones at that. Hopefully from now on, the “around the World” part will have more of a say. Because tomorrow … I’m on a plane leaving Ireland … going straight to Vietnam … to run around there for a while.

All packed and ready to head to Vietnam.

I hear there’s great mountains out there too… I’ll keep you posted!

A Long Way up Lugnacoille

Last weekend saw IMRA’s annual race up Lugnacoille, Wicklow Mountains’ highest peak. Standing at 925 metres above sea level, the route provides a total climb of 718 metres, with an out and back length of 10.5 kilometres.

Race Route up Lugnacoille. Courtesy of OSI.

It’s a fair old hike up Lugnacoille.

Sorrell Hill no Sweat for Walsh PB Shoes

It’s been a long time since I’ve worn my Walsh PB fell running shoes. In fact, despite owning them for a year, I’ve only worn them once.

My Walshes PB Mountain Running Shoes.

They were bought on a whim last year during a wonderful Lake District vacation. To be honest, I needed an excuse to visit the Pete Bland Sports Shop in Kendal, a small establishment steeped in fell running history thanks to their infamous founders. Being on holiday, I took the time to chat to the staff about this and that runner and race. And before I knew it, I found myself in the shop’s shoe section and had purchased my first pair of Walsh PB shoes.

I did it for the grip.

So many races – But how many to run?

It’s summer, it’s June, and we’re slap bang in the middle of the mountain racing season.

The Mountain Running Events Calendar from www.imra.ie

As usual IMRA has put on an array of mid-week and weekend races to test speed and skills over a range of distances and terrains. There are titles too to contest for, such as the popular Leinster League, the Irish Championships, or the Leinster Championships. In addition to these, there are places up for grabs on the Irish international teams bound for the European Championships and the Mountain Running World Trophy.

The terrible temptation is to try to vie for them all.

A Relaxed Run of the Mourne’s Seven Sevens

The Seven Seven’s is a 30 kilometre race over the seven peaks that are over seven hundred metres in the Mourne Mountains. Traditionally, the Seven Seven’s is a challenge walk run by the Spartan Red Sox Walking Club. However in recent times, the Northern Irish Mountain runners (NIMRA) have also opted to race this classic route.

The Mournes on a Gloriously Sunny Day!

The walk and running race normally takes place on the first weekend of August and, for some reason, I always tend to miss it. This year as well, I know I won’t be around for the event. Not wanting to miss out on all the Seven Seven’s fun, and what with the fine weather Ireland is having at the moment, I decided to just head up on my own and to do the course at a leisurely pace.

So to start the run early on Tuesday morning, I drove up from Dublin on Monday all ready for a bit of overnight camping.

Salomon’s Fast Wing Hoodie II Jacket

The Fast Wing Hoodie II Jacket - Courtesy of http://www.salomonsports.com/

What with Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains being located right along the coast, there’s nearly always a sea breeze cutting right across your run. Salomon’s Hoodie II jacket is my new answer to windy days like these.

However, not only does this jacket stop wind dead in its tracks. It’s also got quite a number of other funky gadgets in its pockets and up its sleeves, as described in full graphic imagery here on Mud, Sweat and Tears.

Top Marks for Tibradden

I’m a great fan of the old Tibradden track. It’s just right for the days when I want to go for a 90 minute mountain run, but don’t want to travel too away far from home. On days like these, Tibradden is the place where I’d be headed.

New signs welcome visitors to Tibradden.

Tibradden is right in the middle of the Dublin Mountains.