Well what a week I had,
I had week off work so, I based myself in Enniscorthy for a few days to change up the scenery of my training and get some proper down time before the Wicklow Way Ultra.
Everything was going to plan, until the track session on Wednesday night, got a little niggle in my knee but, I've learned my lesson from before and I stopped immediately. I went for a 20km run on the Thursday morning in what seemed like storm chasing conditions that just got worse as we went along. I felt a bit better so decided to rest up for the day and took Friday off, with Saturday looming on the horizon, and bringing with it the 51km Wicklow way ultra.
"Wicklow Way Ultra 51km"
This was my 1st of 4 events this year for Team Gavin Glynn.
The race kicked off at 9.30 in snowy cold conditions. Knowing the hills that lay ahead of me I decided to put in a good effort at the start so not to lose to much ground on the hills. All going well as I approached the hills with 15mins in the bank to get up to the boardwalk where I could kick on and get to the turn around point by 12pm - Nope, not happening, the course kicked back the wind wound up in anger and stopped me dead in my tracks. Each time I tried to run and fight the wind, the wind fought back harder, each time my two feet left the ground I was thrown about like a leaf that had just fallen from a tree. Time to change tactic's, hunk down, dig in and walk, All I wanted was to get off the boardwalk to where I could settle down into a run again and make up for time lost.
Once I got off the boardwalk I knuckled down and headed for the turn. I did manage to pick up some time lost. As I approached the gate I was greeted by David, Sandra & Ethan Pegman all smiles and shouting encouragement. In turn, this gave me a timely boost, quick sip of coke and water and away back up the hill to the boardwalk (again), the thoughts going through my head were - not the wind again, no, I couldn't possible do that again, then my phone went and a text message from Andy Hayes with his usual wise words that gave me a good pick up and on I went. Got up and over the boardwalk and got in a good downhill all the way to Crone Wood and again picked up time, all looking good - stop, coke, water, send update by text to Andy (crone wood in 3:55) and back on the road again. I had just over 1hr to get back to the finish line. Dug deep (probably could have dug deeper now looking back) and hit the road knowing I had a massive climb to come, so, need to move as quickly and as effortlessly as possible. Got to next check point at 4.30 and 30min to get to finish line, but, but, but, the hill in front suggested not, I knew once I got to the top I could free wheel all the way to the finish, mission 1, get to the top, 1 foot in front of the other, just get there. As I approached the crest of the mountain I couldn't help but get excited by the magic of the downhill that greeted me, off I went and just kept passing others who seemed to have ran out of steam, as I kicked with each stride, harder and faster, I knew at the bottom there was road and as I hit the road I knew I was home, time to open up and kick for home, 2km to go, lets do it. Up the last hill onto the main road, Boom, hat, gloves and jacket off, lets finish strong, as I came closer to the finish line I saw the familiar face of David Pegman (again), again I picked it up, handing him all my gear, I knew I could run harder again.
Knowing I had just completed my first IMRA and my first race for Gavin Glynn was amazing and to be able to finish strong felt even better. I was aiming for 5hrs but none the less, 5:22 was a good result and I went home happy finishing in 21st.
| YEAR-TO-DATE | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 922.3 km |
| Time | 85h 8m |
| Elev Gain | 12,157 m |
| Runs | 59 |
