The Drought

Take it easy

After the exertions of the 10 in 10 I had decided to take a break from running for a few weeks. Legs had felt really zapped over the last number of easy runs. Then I get a text message from Tom with a requirement to fill a pacer gap in Killarney for the half marathon. After much toing and froing I eventually get the call up on Friday morning to do the 2 hour slot. Traveled to Killarney with Paul who was on the 4 Hour slot and arrived to register pick up gear and acquaint ourselves with the other guys. Meet up with several of the 10 in 10 legends that evening for a few sociables before hitting for the bed. I was rooming with John Desmond and we ended talking about the lack of club run races in Clare and Limerick. Rose next morning to the magnificent view of the National Park outside the window. Ireland is the best place in the world when we get weather like this, more is the pity it only happens every twenty or so years. Quick breakfast, collect balloons get the pacer brief from John and bus to the start. Decided to join the portaloo queue in case of any movement from down below. It was quite long but passed the time chatting with some fellow runners of which two would be starting with me. Plenty of males and females jumping the wall to do paula radcliffe's. Could really have done with some more portaloos at the start. Not long before the start and we line up just behind the four hour guys Brian and Paul. My partner in Crime for today was Roger O'Mahony so with introductions done we set about our task. We had a big group at the start but even though the course is nett downhill there are 2 climbs in the first Three miles which broke up the group pretty quickly. First water station not a sign of a water bottle empty or full or even a volunteer. This was as cause for concern as temperatures were starting to rise. Pace wise it was difficult to hold the pace on the downhill sections and we had built up a cushion of 40 seconds. At mile 4 a support vehicle past us and I asked if they could get more water up to the stations as no one from here back had got any water since the start. He said he would, whether it materialised or not is another thing. When we got to the second station they had just ran out of water. As we passed some irate runner was giving  the guy at the water table a right earful, I left at this point before I blew my top with the wally. Picked up as many half empties as I could hold and gave them out amongst our ever dwindling group.

Courtesy of Kerry through a lens

Finally between Mile 9 and 10 we came across water and sponges, a welcome relief for us all, but in these temperatures for runners that are not used to running in this heat or distance it was really too little too late and they were already feeling the effects both physically and mentally. From here to the finish we kept a group of 6 to 8 runners going, my watch for some unknown reason reset itself shortly after at mile ten. I had a backup standard watch and Roger did a good job in keeping an eye on the average pace to the finish. We hit Miles 10 through 12 bang on bang time according to the pace bands. Finished 1:59:35 job done but a lot to ponder on with regard to the race itself. Post race atmosphere at the finish was quite good, and I availed of the leisure centre for a wind down. Paul wanted to get get home quickly after finishing his run so we didn't hang around but it looked like the party was getting into full swing. From a personal point of view I was royally treated on Friday and Saturday but I cannot ignore the fact that the paying runners around me were left with no water for 3/4 of the race when running in temperatures in the mid Twenties.

Getting the basics right

It is sad to say again another all sing and all dance race with scenic views, medals, goodie bags, burgers, bands, pacers and crack, fails to get the basics of a race correct. The lack of or no water in the early parts of the race for the majority of runners is unforgivable regardless of how much I personally enjoyed this event. All too often basic mistakes are been made in Marshalling, course measurement and delivery of promised facilities during these events. Afterwards we get an apology and reassured it will be better next year. While some people are of the view that voting with our feet will make these races sit up at do things right, I think this is not the case. There is sufficient numbers of non club runners who prefer these events to club races which will ensure their survival until they figure things out. This is something that clubs will have to address, why do these runners feel that they don't belong at the start line of many club races. Maybe Johns views on the lack of club races in certain areas of Munster is contributing to this. By getting more casual runners into the club running scene then maybe we can show them what is the difference between a good quality race ran for runners and razmataz event that loses sight of the basics. Its time for clubs to step up and take running  to the next level.

Bright Side of the Road

Always take the weather with you

Sixmilebridge delivered again. If running 10 Marathons in Ten days was going to be hard enough, the weather as usual made it a true test of stamina. Not since the summer of 95 when Clare finally kicked Biddy Earlys curse to touch have we seen temperatures in the high 20's and low 30's. As I have said before I don't think GOD likes us marathon runners too much or maybe he had an alternate motive for inflicting such conditions on the 23 or so lunatics about to attempt this challenge. Short story 23 legends were born over that week, they inspired a community and showed that faced with the adversity what the human spirit and body can endure. Eighteen of those got home on the final day but the five that fell had the hardest choice to make in pulling out. They had brought themselves as close to the cliff both mentally and physically before making the correct choice to let it go for another time. The motto on the back of the finishers t-shirt got this spot on. So many memories and emotions were experienced over the ten days, watching the joy on the their faces as we approached with Mr Freezes and Ice Lollies. Sharing their smiles each evening as they ran,jumped, walked or crawled under the finish gauntry to step closer to their ultimate goal. 

Some of the finishers

They say you get out what you put in, well I can honestly say I came away with much more then I gave.
As special mention must go to Tom and Richie, the success or failure of this event lay at their door. If it failed they would carry the can, well it didn't and was there ever any doubt in that. That been the case they fully deserve the credit for its success.

Dark Side of the moon

I could not pass up the opportunity to run at least one marathon last week. I had originally pencilled in Thursday but had to switch to Wednesday instead due to my own incompetence in looking at my calendar.  I know the course pretty well and had ran it on Saturday in the low 20's for a very uncomfortable and hard Two hour half marathon. How I was going to fare in the high 20's was another matter. Wednesday or Day Seven was the warmest so far but not as humid as other days well thats what I was telling myself. We gathered at the start with everyone trying to get under the small bit of shade that was been offered by one small tree. A quick loop of the town and we are on our way. I went along at about four hour pace with Denzil leading us out and two other day trippers James and Ed in close attendance. James kicked on shortly after the mart and I lost Denzil and Ed at the first water station. Fumbling trying to get a zym tablet out of the tube only to realise they had all stuck together with the heat. Got some into the bottle and another bottle to cool myself down. I was surprised that I caught up with Ed so quickly before Kilmurry but he was struggling with an injury and pulled up shortly afterwards. Got to mile 6, had planned on taking on some of my homemade gel drink spent more time looking for it to realise that it must still be in one of the cars circling the course. No worries as I have another at 12 and sure I get it from whoever has it soon enough. Heat was intense but I was feeling okay and still going around four hour pace, I was down time wise due to the delays at the two water stops, but wasn't bothered really as this was not a day for a PB. Tom said todays PB is getting around in one piece which was pretty sound advice. Ran into Paddy at Mile 7 or 8 so I tagged along with him for a bit. Finally got to meet Jennifer dishing out the ice pops, and the like at mile Eight stayed and chatted with Paddy until mile 12 where he was feeling the pace( he was on number two of a back to back in these conditions). I tipped on while he took a breather. Brian or Dave as I called him flew passed me here, thought about tagging on but his pace was a little too hot. Meet Thomas on the way out and he commented I was looking good, and I felt good at this point. Passed half way 2:01:23 on the clock told Sandra I'll get water off her on the way back. Got my gel at the finish and headed out on the second loop. The climb back out of the town broke me. In less than a mile I went from comfortable running to absolutely no energy in my legs. The (eddies) hill sucked me up and spat me out. From here to Kilmurry was a real struggle, I had to stop several times and walk, I was absolutely drained from the heat. Water at the stations was warm and was not helping me. Meet with Siobhan who had a chilled bottle which help a bit but I was still struggling. I was expecting it to cool down in the evening as the sun went down but this was not the case. Just after Kilmurry cross I came down a hill and in front of me was an angel. Bowl of ice cold water and a sponge. I drowned myself, relief,I was so happy I could have kissed her, I think I did too. From here on I was back, picked back up the pace to four hour pace again. Pretty soon I caught up with Gino who was running his 100th today and then I saw in the distance John who took off earlier in the race. He was my next goal so I set about trying to reel him in. It took the mind of the heat and gave me something to focus on. Finally caught and passed him at mile 22. Got halfway up the Bitch as Thomas calls it when again the legs gave out and had no energy. Walked about half a mile to the next station refuelled and once I got over the climb felt good again. I passed the mart(25) just on Four hours and set 4:10 as a goal. Ran from here to the finish but thought I was going to be outside the time. Mike (of Clare FM fame) came along side on the bike and pushed me out to the finish 4:09:50 and it was over. Tom then of course asked probably the most obvious question of the week. "Do you want a can Ger ?". To which I reply as I fell to the ground "Can a duck swim!". Okay there may have been a four letter word in there somewhere. As I skulled my can in the cold tub I was satisfied that today I completed my eighth Marathon in brutal conditions, and it had taken me nearly 47 years to accomplish. I pondered, tomorrow night 18 of these guys/gals would equal that in the same amount of days. This really brought home to me the enormity of this challenge, and what is required to complete it. 

June 29th  
          16 Miles Long 2:28:24 @ 9:14 HR 144

July 2nd         
          10 Miles Tempo 7 miles 54:37 @ 7:49 HR 163 with 1.5 Mile WUWD

July 6th
           13.1 Miles Easy 1:58:14 @ 9:02 NO HR  

July 10th
           26.2 Miles Long 4:09:50 @  9:33 pace, NO HR

One Step Beyond

Let the Madness commence

Today is Day One of a unique event been ran by B.M.O.H to raise funds for the Juvenile section of the club and School Building project for Kilmurry National School. It is also D-Day for the 23 elite runners as described in the Clare Champion or lunatic's, mad-men (and ladies) or whatever else you want to call them. They start their journeys into the unknown of running 10 marathons in Ten Days on the roads of Sixmilebridge.There will of course have other runners completing one or two Marathons over the course of the Ten Days as well, most notably Keith Whyte fresh from his 100K record setting run and Ruthann Sheehan current 24 Hour womens road record holder.
By Monday the people of the Bridge might be forgiven in thinking that the men in White coats need to be contacted, yes it the fancy dress marathon and I am really looking forward to some of the outfits that will be on display. 
Fortunately or unfortunately I have yet to get this level of madness or enlightenment depending on whatever way you look at it but I hope to be there most days to assist in whatever way I can in making sure that on Saturday 13th we see 23 runners complete this unique challenge.
So best wishes to all running this over the next 10 days, and as for the weather well its Sixmilebridge and we may even get snow in July.