Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

20 April, 2020 - David Power

This report was posted in 2020 - 7 years after the event. Better late than never. Part of the "My Favourite IMRA Memory" writing competition during COVID-19. My losing streak continued on that front too...

“Out there running just to be on the run”
John Prine passed away last week and while he might not be known as a mountain runner, one of his memorable lines sums up the freedom of the mountains. While I don't have a criminal record, I have been chased down in many an IMRA race. My most memorable one is also one of my most painful: physically untouched but mentally scarred.
It wasn't a big championship race. It was on familiar turf. Ticknock, the closest part of the Dublin Mountains too many of us. I’ve ran up there hundreds of times. Even seven years later I feel it in my stomach when I think of that moment.
Picture the scene: a nice warm summers evening. Everyone in good form at registration. We contemplate the short enough route of 6km. Looking around I size up the opposition and thought “I have a chance.” Off we trot over towards the Bone Shaker. A good climb to thin out the crowd. I emerge in first place at the top by the masts, with some young guns in hot pursuit.
Upwards to the Fairy Castle, I'm getting confident about holding the lead. “Just don't fall on the Bone Shaker descent”. I fly down a bit recklessly. I hear heavy breathing and footsteps closing behind. I manage to hold off the UCD runner to the bottom.
“Great” I think. I’ve less than 800 meters to the car park finish. Or so I think. I emerge towards the mountain bike cabin. Surely less than 50 meters from the main barrier gate (and finish?). I'm smiling now “yes I have it in the bag!”
And then it's over. I hear a shout behind. I turn in horror to see a runner dart downhill through the gorse. “Damn, there was a turn. How did I not see it?” I perform a U turn and join the lower road. We finish with a loop of 200m on tarmac, to emerge at the gate from a different direction.
I soldier in deflated in 3rd place. I was so annoyed at myself. I could have blamed marshalls or tape, but the lesson I learned is: it's never over til it's over! That memory motivated me many times over the years since. I luckily have notched up a few wins. Never have I celebrated still I crossed that line. Neither should you: keep on running just to be on the run.