This page contains Tony's race reports.
SURGERES 48 HOUR MAY 2007
BRNO 48 HOUR WORLD INDOORS RECORD
SOME STATS ON BRNO WORLD RECORD
ACROSS THE YEARS 72 HOUR RACE 29TH DECEMBER2006./JANUARY 1ST 2007
BRIEF REPORT ON EUROPEAN 24 HOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN VERONA,ITALY,September 2006
WORLD 24 HOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS RACE IN TAIWAN,2006
April 19-20th 2003 -- GOING THROUGH THE MILL: A WORLD 24 HOUR TREADMILL
RECORD IN DUBLIN,IRELAND BY TONY MANGAN.
When I lived in Colorado about a year and a half ago, I sometimes took long
training runs on a treadmill in a local gym. It was winter—and winters in
Colorado can get very cold! The roads were icy dark and snow abounded. Why
wouldn't I spend those nights on a treadmill in a warm gym in front of a
television? It never occurred to me to go for any kind of world record; I
only got the idea to have a go at the treadmill record when my friend Scott
Eppleman claimed it with a run of 186.75 km (116.04 miles) last November in
Texas. The previous best was 169 km (105 miles). Scott then held off two
close challenges from William Sichel (UK) and Lars Saetran (Norway). All
three were very supportive in my attempt and in true ultra running spirit
offered me advice on everything from diet to cooling fans and socks. They
sent me good luck messages before the attempt and their congratulations
after it. Then in January Canadian David Deubelbeiss raised the bar to
210.55 km (130.82 miles). Now I would have to run at a speed of one km per
hour faster!
Scott had mentioned to me his mind target was just 169 km even though he is
capable of running well in excess of 200.He advised me to go for David’s
distance, as it could be ratified by Guinness Book of World Records the next
day. I would have to run close to my national (outdoor) record of 213.6 km
(132.72 miles). It was clear to me that I had to be highly motivated and
couldn't afford even one bad hour.
The day arrived. I had put a lot of gear in place the night before with gym
manager Enda Heronne. My main organizers were Eamon Dolan and physiologist
Michael Farrell. These two were to be my main handlers and would also keep
the log book. I had been ordered to forget about the logistics and just
think about running. I owe a lot to Michael in particular; during the last
year helped me with a very bad foot injury through deep, painful massages
every Thursday night after our club run. We have become great friends and I
even confided in him many things in my personal life, so he's almost become
my mentor and sometimes my parish priest, as I often admitted to a sin or
two!
I had a timing clock above my treadmill and had instructed them to log every
km, as well as the interim distance between kms into the distance log book.
The whole of the attempt was video recorded and the treadmill was overhauled
and certified for accuracy in advance. Likewise, an unused standby treadmill
was available in case of mechanical failure. We also used another camcorder
to record about six hours of highlights and vital moments, such as changing
the tapes for the 24-hour camera, with particular reference to me running
under the timing clock. We also recorded the two times I reset the treadmill
at 99.9 and 199.9 km.
I walked the short distance to the gym at 10.30 a.m. It was in the oldest
part of Dublin, an area called "The Liberties." I had attended in two of the
schools I passed by on the way and lived in two houses within two minutes of
the attempt. I even passed by the house where my mother was born and where I
took my first steps. Now I was hoping to take 200,000 steps to set a world
record here in my own backyard.
I walked up the steps to the Iveagh Fitness amid well-wishers, mostly the
staff and gym patrons. My hairs were truly standing up on end. I made my way
upstairs holding onto the handrail. Wouldn't do to fall down the stairs now!
The area around my Cybex 685 treadmill was cordoned off. All my motivational
signs were in place. I changed into my Metro St. Brigid's running gear and
proudly wore my Ireland tracksuit. I put my feet up on a table, closed my
eyes and tried to meditate a short while as people worked out on other
equipment and my committee put the final bits and pieces together. There was
only 30 minutes to go until the noon start. The press, photographers,
friends, club mates and spectators started to arrive. They signed the
witness book and those whose evidence was required signed the evidence
forms. I did a couple of interviews and took off my tracksuit. This was it—I
was ready and there was no going back now!
An announcement was made over the public address system. I pressed the start
button after checking with my handlers that everything was in place. To loud
cheers I was on my way. My biggest fears over the last couple of weeks were
that I would get injured, hurt or that someone else would put the record
beyond my capabilities. None of that happened. I was on my way and it was
now up to me. I settled into a steady low arm lift and stride from the
start, going through the first hour with less than nine km and feeling
great. I was enjoying every moment. National television (TV3) arrived and I
did an interview on the run.
After four hours I started to have stomach cramps. I was taking in too many
calories. I cut the Sustained Energy mix from two scoops to one and a half
and was fine after that. I was replacing too many calories than I could
manage. I had told the company rep I would be burning up 750 calories per
hour and that the body can only replace 280 in comfort. He told me that we
have in excess of 100,000 stored in our bodies, so, I felt I knew what was
happening.
I was positioned directly under a window. William Sichel had suggested
facing out a window, but I couldn't spend 24 hours looking at a wall! I had
a cooling fan at each foot and one in front of me. Overheating was a concern
as treadmill running can get hot with no wind to cool the body down.
After six hours I considered changing shoes, as the big toe area of my right
foot was feeling a bit tight, but I just ran through it. I reached the
halfway mark with 107.2 km completed. My final goal of 216 km had given me a
half-hour cushion in case I slowed down during the night. I was only about
five minutes behind schedule, but was not concerned as I was feeling so
good. All that brutal training, up to 12 hours on a treadmill, was paying
off.
Halfway was also my birthday! I had started at age 45 and wanted to finish
with a world record a year older. My family and friends brought out a
birthday cake; I blew out the candles on one of my walking breaks. I had
attached a black bin liner to the opposing wall at the end of the gym and
was focusing on that a lot. Blank out the mind and it would get easier. When
I stuck this up and told my crew what it was in aid of they really thought I
had flipped out!
I had only listened to the radio for one hour and in the small hours of the
morning watched about three hours of Father Ted comedy videos. I don't think
it's possible to be tired while watching Father Ted. A few people came in
through the night. The town was deserted, as it was Easter weekend.
Michael and Eamon were really keeping a close eye on me, filling up my
bottles and adjusting the fans. I had cut off the bottom of my club singlet
for extra ventilation and only put on a tracksuit top at around 2:00 a.m.
Adidas Ireland had kindly donated a set of their wonderful “Response” range
of gear and the tracksuit top was very light and ideal for this kind of run.
Dawn came with a new 100-mile treadmill world record of 17 hours, 59
minutes, and 10 seconds. I was still running strong and was honing in on
Scott’s ratified record. "I'll never do another 24-hour again," yawned Eamon
as he handed me another bottle. "Yeah! Me too,” I said. We all had a good
laugh. At 21 hours and 50 minutes one arm went up as I felt mixed feelings
taking the ratified record from my friend Scott. Also, I still had
unfinished business. I wanted David's record and was still hungry to get it.
The gym started to fill up. People were coming in to work out: family,
friends, neighbors, and media. My club mates from Metro St. Brigid’s did
their Sunday morning runs on other treadmills, but I wouldn't let anyone run
on a treadmill beside me as I didn't want a pacemaker.
The clock moved into the last hour and a half of the run. I gave up my
walking breaks, running steadily instead. It was really mind over matter.
The atmosphere was building. I felt like I was at a football match. The
crowd was lifting me. Could I lift the pace? "No, keep doing the same," said
Eugene. This was no time to pull a hamstring or a groin. With an hour to go
Eamonn Coghlan, the "chairman of the boards" who is our club president, gave
me a call from a Spanish beach where he was on holiday. "I'll have a San
Miguel for you Tony," he said. "No I want Guinness!" I replied.
Then at 23 hours, 29 minutes, and six seconds, the pending record was mine!
The crowd was screaming frantically. I was almost crying at that stage.
After another television interview I wanted distance and increased the pace
gradually.
I was feeling great and enjoying every minute. I increased the speed up to
12 kilometers per hour. By now I was working really hard. It was all mind
over matter. Into the last 15 minutes and the display showed my speed at 13
k.p.h. The weight sessions in the Iveagh gym were really paying off now.
With about 11 minutes to go I clocked 214 kms. I still had time to get the
target, but the pace would have to go up. Now I was at 13.8. There was a
huge din as every km was counted down. I couldn't hear the three songs that
I had picked especially for the end with the CD player at full blast. I
savored the moment. The spectators were lifting me. I was nearly there.
Those songs, " Keep on running", "Born to Run" and Lindisfarne’s "Run for
Home" took me to the finish at 14.5 k.p.h! The timing clock struck 24:00 and
it was all over. I was screaming to Michael to record the final distance in
the log and sure enough it was 216.37 km, or 134.45 miles. My family mobbed
me as my friends swarmed over. I eased down slowly and stepped off the
treadmill for the first time in 24 hours.
I fell into a chair and pulled off my shoes. There were no blisters or
toenails hanging off, maladies peculiar to long distance treadmill running.
I just had some redness where my shoes were a bit too tight. More media
interviews. A speech. The champagne was uncorked and I could finally relax
and enjoy the moment. I couldn't believe it—I was the new world record
holder!
I was driven home ate a meal and fell into bed for a three-hour nap. Later I
went to “The Brazen Head," Ireland’s oldest pub circa 1198 A.D. The band
“The Brazen Hussies” gave me a great welcome and kindly donated their
collection to the official charity, Our Lady's Children’s Hospital, Crumlin,
Dublin. We hope to raise between 5,000 and 10,000 Euro. The celebrations
continued into the early hours and that night I felt I had set another kind
of “Guinness” record!
My recovery was remarkable. I did my first run four days later with my club,
just an hour. I was a bit sluggish and got dropped from the group at about
halfway, but wasn't too bothered. We had a great celebration night after
training in the clubs local "The Mullingar House" where I was presented with
a specially engraved crystal cut award. The drinks were flowing, yet more
champagne. Then on Sunday I went out running with the club and ran very
strong for about 80 minutes.
I did some photo shoots, radio and newspaper interviews.
Some stats:
Food and drink: About 15 liters of Sustained Energy, about four liters of
water, 10 portions of Hammer Gel, and 80 electrolyte E-Caps. No solid food
whatsoever.
Hours one to 23: Least distance covered: 8.80 km. Best: 9.10 km.
Final hour: 10.47 km.
First 12 hours: 107.20 km; second 12 hours: 109.17 km.
Age: Start 45, finish 46!
Ireland sent its first ever team to a major ultra running championships for the 2006 world 24 hour championships in Taiwan 25/26th Feb. The team format was 6 men maximum with best 3 to count.
We had Galway's Richard Donovan who is the North Pole and also Antarctica marathon/ ultra director. Richard had run a 100km race on Antarctica a few weeks before and is the record holder for the Mallin Head to Mizzen Head circa 600 km run from north to south Ireland. Marty Rea from Belfast who ran 2.38 in the Dublin marathon last October and a month before this event had warmed up with a cracking performance to finish 2nd in a big 45 mile race in England.
Eoin Keith originally from Cork is a tough hill runner,
mountain biker, multi day adventure runner who holds the record for the
Wicklow Way 50km trail race and was 2nd in the Tooting 24 hour with a best of 198.5 km. I am from Dublin and have set several ultra records on the road, track and treadmill. So, we had one runner from each of Irelands 4 provinces. We had decided this would also serve as the Irish 24 hour championships.
The course was a really testing! - a 987 metre loop in a local park close to Taipei city. It was near an airport so there were planes taking off and landing all the time! about 600m of which was run on concrete paths, a short sharp hill, 9 turns plus bends a narrow pathway where we ran parallel with another the separate open 24 hour race for about 150 metres every lap.
Later during the rain this area flooded and was to prove difficult as it was difficult to get by slower runners and the walkers who were often 2 abreast. There were a few large bollards covered with high viz cones on the path just before we turned into the finishing straight. Slippery wooden boards over some potholes and drains. A maintenance crew were repairing one at one stage while we were running over it!
Humidity was about 90 per cent and temp was pretty cool at the 10 am. start. The flags of the 20 odd competing nations were around the course. At times the wind was strong and it rained straight for 10 hours through the night till about 2 hours before the finish.
The Irish team all started off nice and steady. Richard and I were running about 10 km an hour while Eoin and Marty were running together about one lap less an hour. We were gratefully aided by the New Zealand team manager Sandy. The team tables were lined out alphabetically and when Sandy offered we asked if we could have our table shifted! Thanks Sandy!
I enjoyed meeting many of my friends from the ultra running community from around the world - especially team USA many of which I knew and competed against from my 8 years living over there.
In the early evening we were all still running strongly and no doubt doing well in the team competition.
I felt I had probably gone off a bit too fast. In my mind I had settled for the " dream distance" (which never worked for me before) as opposed to the " realistic distance " for the 24 hours.In the previous 10 months due to work commitments and injuries my training was all over the place! I somehow
managed to keep the long runs ( about 30/35 ranging from 32 - 50 km ) going. My training was such a mess that I lost interest in keeping a training diary. My work in construction is very physical and I felt this was also key.The long runs were mostly loops in Dublin's Phoenix Park. This park is surely one of the best city parks in the world to train in as it has such a variety of testing trail loops just 16 minutes run from my home and across the road from my running club house Metro St. Brigid's A.C. I often ran to the park ran with the club for a while and continue on on my own.When injured I ran very slowly on a treadmill.
In Taiwan I was taking my usual race diet of liquid carbohydrate food,
energy gels and electrolytes. I threw up just after taking a gel and decided to supplement it with bananas and the odd energy bar. I was also walking the short 50 m sharp hill most laps as much for a mental break as for a recovery break negating this hill and using the slight downhill for further recovery. Sometimes while I was walking up this hill I felt myself swaying and almost as though running in my sleep!
At the half way mark just as the rain started I got a blister on the middle toe of my left foot. I had tried running through it but it wasn't working.
The American doctor, Andy Lovy lanced it and I was out of the pit stop in 2 minutes, thanks doc! Later I was to lose that toe nail.
The locals were out cheering us on through the night in the terrible
weather.I was still keeping the 10 k.p.h. pace going.
At the end of each lap our laps were recorded by a champion chip as we ran over a mat under the timing clock. There were also manual backup recording by the local High School kids who were very enthusiastic about the race many staying for the entire race and always had a smile and words of encouragement to offer. I learnt how to say " thank you " in Chinese and it went down a treat.I never knew what position was in.
A couple of hours later my pace dropped to about 8.5 k.p.h. I was feeling a bit sluggish. It was very tough going. Richard and I went through the 100 miles in around 16 and a half hours which was about 15 minutes outside his Irish record. We both wanted the Irish 24 hour road record of 209.5km set by Don Mc Donald in 1992 and my overall record (track) of 213.6km and the Irish 24 hour road championship. We were pushing each other hard. It would be no good for either of us to finish 2nd! He looked much stronger and was about a lap up on me. At this stage Marty and Eoin had problems and started walking
more.
Eoin, unfortunately had to drop out with calf problems while Marty
took an extended break. Richard told me he was going to take a short break and I managed to lead him by 5 laps upon his return.
We ran together and he then had to retire due to an old injury. Marty was back running strongly again. I knew the records were mine if I could just keep running but it was hard mentally. Other than a half dozen bathroom stops and to pull on my windbreaker with spare numbered Irish singlet, the blister and sometimes slowing to get refreshments I was moving for the entire race.
I find it hard to recall details exactly after a race and comments are my
best recollection. Even to time a lap if I made a note of the time at the start by the end of the lap I would have forgotten what it was at the start!
Think I was running about 7 minute laps With about 2 hours to go when I bagged the records I was asking myself what was the point of the punishment? Someone told me I was in 21st place.Then I realized I was wearing an Irish singlet was lucky not to be injured and wanted to make the record a bit harder for the next attempte. With 220km a possibility and 140 miles a significant milestone in 24 hour ultra running.
My best calculations told me I was going to be about 2 miles off this. Every time I ran by the Irish table Sandy and the boys were cheering Marty and I along. Marty was running really well. With an hour and a half to go I pulled off the windbreaker and went for home! I couldn't believe it from a tired sluggish canter I was lapping some of the best runners and was quickly moving up the field. I never knew who was on same lap or near me I just kept going with the 140 mile carrot. In the last hour I was flying and often holding myself back in case I blew apart and managed my best hour of 12 km.
With 10 minutes to go I managed to get just over 2 more laps in.Its truly amazing what the body and mind can do when given a challenge.
At last the hooter went on 24 hours. We had been given markers to mark our partial laps on the last lap. After marking the exact spot I was quickly given a chair which I gratefully collapsed into.This was just opposite the first aid station! I limped over with the volunteers and had my old ankle injury treated. The injury had just reoccurred. Timing is everything I guess! Two weeks later I am still a bit tired. I did a short run last week and was very stiff. I will probably start back again tomorrow as I miss it!
The Irish team finished 11th.
I finished 16th in 228.299km/ 141.85 miles. Nobody was more surprised than
me! There were 2 more places within less than 600 m.
Marty finished in 41st place in 192.9 km
Richard finished in 55th place in 163.9 km
Eoin finished in 66th place in 145.1 km
That night we went out and had a celebration meal and went to a sports bar called the Brass Monkey. We had forgotten that Ireland was playing Wales in the 6 nations rugby tournament. The match was just starting and we celebrated a great win for the Irish team.Before the race we had avoided having a Chinese meal for fear of getting sick. The first thing I did when I got back to Ireland was to home order one for some friends with a bottle of champagne!
Posted by Tony Mangan.
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