East Cork Harbour Half Marathon 2018

The opening 2 miles bring you past the entrance to the Aghada GAA grounds and in the foreground the choir were belting out 'Something inside so strong'. I couldn't think of a more appropriate motivational song for this race. We were soaked threw at the start line in east cork that morning. There had to be something inside that was strong enough and tough enough to finish.

'This could be one of those days where we race to finish'. Racing to finish is our last resort tactic. If everything outside your control on race day like the weather goes wrong then you run what ever pace your body can handle and get over the finish line even if it means walking.

I roared into the last 5k and for awhile it worked then I blew a fuse.

Andrew BurnsAugust 12, 2018Fitness, Running, East Cork Harbour Marathon, Half MarathonComment

Coachford 5 Mile Race 2018

I have raced from 5 km all the way up to the infamous Marathon distance and back again for more. I always go back for more, Why? I'm ambivalent towards running itself. I neither love it nor hate it.

Andrew BurnsJuly 18, 2018

CPO 5km Race

I did everything to undo my mistake in the last kilometre and emptied the tank. I finished 16 seconds shy of my 5k PB.

Andrew BurnsJuly 5, 2018Comment

Courtbrack 5km Race

I came over the hill and my chest was raging. My lungs were stabbing me repeatedly and forcing my mind to think give up and go home. I couldn’t do that I was swept away in the excitement of finishing another race. My self talk kept saying push harder.....STOP WHEN YOU’RE DONE.

Andrew BurnsJuly 1, 2018Comment

Lee Fields 4 Mile Road Race 2018

Literally when you are running you are striving together with 100s, 1000s if not 10s of thousands. The spectators want to see you finish. You competitors want to see you finish. I want to read how you decided to write a blog about mastering mental health through running. So yes running is the hyperloop away from isolation and depression.

Andrew BurnsJune 17, 2018Comment

Cork Marathon 2018 City Half Marathon

What a rip roaring success. This has been not something I have ever said about the Cork Marathon. In fact, I was almost inexorably left disappointed every year since my first involvement in 2010 when it came to June and I ran some portion of the Cork Marathon.

We made course changes again to the Half Marathon in 2018 which took us down to Pairc Uí Chaoimh. This is what we should be doing showcasing Cork keep this at all costs (bar moving back to Monday).

Andrew BurnsJune 7, 2018Comment

Sonia O' Sullivan Cobh 10 Mile Road Race 2018

I am running in group of approximately 10 people we're breathing hard. I listen carefully for a moment we're all struggling against this hill and we're all panting. For a moment the sense of struggling together is reassuring.

The Cobh native and great former World Champion Sonia O' Sullivan was behind me and closing in fast.

Andrew BurnsApril 30, 2018Comment

Kenmare Bridge Run 10k March 2018

The race directors instructions were simple 'The route is sign posted and marshalled at every turn if you get lost you need to get your head examined' Common sense was the order of the day.

I was running alone up a tough hill, taking in the view and listening to the water trickle gently in the background. I was in running heaven.

Andrew BurnsApril 4, 2018

Loop De Haag Half Marathon March 2018 - The Pursuit of a Personal Best

My personal best time to complete a Half Marathon is now on the Loop De Haag course in the Hague Netherlands.

Andrew BurnsMarch 23, 2018 Comment

Dublin Marathon 2017 for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

Marathons are terrifying. Everybody knows if you're going to run a Marathon pain is inevitable in order to finish. Never mind running for time if you want to do that like I did then you accept that you will be in pain, you're going to run through it, you're going to force the issue and that when you finish you probably won't be able to stand upright without feeling a twinge or ten ( ten is no understatement).

With 200 metres to go my head my right hamstring locked. I was in trouble.

Andrew BurnsNovember 23, 2017

Race 3: Dublin Half Marathon Newbridge Demense

I was struggling to stay steady. I have scared myself a few times in the course of road running. This was different. I was losing control of my balance and my mind was incoherent jumping from vague thought to fuzzy vision

Andrew BurnsOctober 2, 2017

Race 2: Frank Duffy 10 Mile Dublin Marathon Race Series 2017

Disaster.... Disaster ...... Disaster the words wouldn't stop ringing in my head as I collected my shirt after the race. This was not my best 10 Mile in fact it was officially my second worst 10 Mile Road Race since I began running competitively in 2012.

Andrew BurnsSeptember 2, 2017Comment

Race 1: Fingal 10k Dublin Marathon Race Series 2017

I noticed how excited we both were about this 10k race. We have run a 10k race before, a few times actually, but this was different this was the beginning of a journey. A metaphorical start line to a challenge that would take months and involve 4 races covering a total running distance of 89.3 km ending in an epic marathon. There was a palatable atmosphere about this race, a feeling that this was both one leg of a long journey and a test to see if you were fit enough to continue the journey

Andrew BurnsJuly 27, 2017

Dublin Race Series for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind 2017

Andrew BurnsJuly 26, 2017