Well now that I got my first race of the season out of the way I could focus my attention on the Euro's.My last four to five months training have been specifically based on peaking for the Euro 100km this coming Saturday.
Two weeks ago I ran the Connemara Ultra will the sole intention of using this as a race pace training run for the Euro's.The pre-race plan was to run at my goal 100km race pace for the first 26 miles and then take my foot off the gas for the final 13 miles and save whatever was left in the tank for France.
Running a fast time or placing well didn't come into it....like I said it was all preparation for the 100km.
I ran a nice comfortable pace going through the marathon in 2.50. Up until then I was in second place and it was at this point that I passed the leader who seemed to be struggling......possibly from taking it out a little too hard in the early miles ??

My pre race plan was working a treat.I was running the pace in which I had set out to run and had also found myself in the lead as well.It was now time to wind it down and start saving the legs for three weeks later......but I was leading.....was I going to take my foot of the gas and throw away a chance of winning ??

I kept it steady for a couple more miles than I had planned,but once we hit mile30 I knew that I had a decent  lead and that I could now allow myself to ease back on the pace.
It was at this point where the course gets difficult and also when we faced into a very strong headwind,and fortunately for me others behind me started to struggle with these very tough conditions.

So even though I won quite comfortably in the end I was also very conscious of the threat posed from those behind me.

On reflection I couldn't have asked for a better start to the season......

* A training run which worked to perfection
*A very enjoyable win
*Great preparation for the Euro 100k

So next up is the European Championships in Belves,France on Saturday.

Fingers crossed Dan and myself can put in a strong Irish performance on the day !!

LET THE RACING BEGIN !!

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=31366

Today I received confirmation from Athletics Ireland of my selection to the national team for the European 100k Championships,which will be held in Belves in France.It is always a privilege to get the opportunity to represent my country on the international stage and I am very honoured to be earning my 6th senior international vest in 2 years.The race will take place in 3 weeks time on the 27th of April.

The team will comprise of Dan Doherty and myself.Dan recently won the ACP 100k,keeping up a winning tradition for Irish athletes after I won the same event last year.

I started training for this event last December with the hope of being selected and the last 4 months training have been fully geared towards this race.Most major ultra distance championship events are staged on a short course with multiple laps (eg. 10 x 10k ),however this particular race will be one big 100k lap.

The support team will play a vital role here given the logistics of the course and a lot of emphasis will be placed around adequate re-fuelling during the race and given temperatures will be somewhat warmer in the south of france this time of year than what we are used over in this part of the world,it will be very important to keep an eye on hydration levels throughout the race.

With John Collins,Kevin Belton and Jeff Fitzsimons keeping a watchful eye over us and keeping us fuelled throughout I'm very confident we'll be in very capable hands.

The rest is up to us............  

Before all that though I will be making my first outing of the year on Sunday when I take to the start-line in Maam Cross for the Connemara Ultra(39.3 miles).

This should be a good training run for the Euro's and give me an idea of what to expect in 3 weeks time.The Connemara course isn't the easiest of runs so it will provide me with a good test of speed endurance and also allow me to experiment with various pacing strategies and pratice taking on fuels and fluids in race conditions.

So it's all systems go from now on.Hopefully I will have some good race results to report back with over the coming weeks  !!!

Dan Doherty and myself after last years world champs

SKECHERS TO SPONSOR IRISH INTERNATIONAL ULTRA MARATHONER

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                

Skechers Performance Division is delighted to announce that they will be the official footwear sponsors for Irish international Ultra marathon athlete Keith Whyte. Keith will wear the Skechers GoRun2 in his first race of 2013 in the Connemara Ultra marthon in the west of Ireland this coming Sunday. He is then hoping to be selected for the Irish team which will compete in the European 100km Cahmpionships later this month in France.                                                               

Here is a list of Keith's achievements from 2012.......

Anglo CelticPlate 100km Champion 

Longford Ultra marathon Winner

Dingle 50 mile Ultra marathon Winner

Represented Ireland in both European and World Championships

Finished top of the European rankings and 2nd in the World rankings over the 50 mile distance

http://skechersperformance.com/running/all

               

DOHERTY WINS ANGLO CELTIC PLATE 2013

I'm absolutely thrilled for my Irish team mate Dan Doherty who yesterday won the Anglo Celtic Plate in a personal best time of 7.05:24.

Dan was representing UltraRunning Ireland as an individual and won the race outright just as I did last year.It is a fantastic achievement for Irish athletes to win back to back titles especially against such stiff opposition.

Dan has been in flying form of late and won quite a few races in the lead up to the event,and well and truly delivered yesterday in Scotland.

Dan and myself are hoping to be selected for the European 100km Championships later this month in France.
If there was ever a year in which Ireland can win it's first ever team medal at a major championships in ultra running this is that year.