My tale...

20 June, 2015 - Graham K. Bushe

Djouce (New Route…) Though for me, with the exception of Bray Head which I ran in 2012, all the Leinster League Races are ‘New Routes’
My build up for this started on Sunday morning while out for a good run with a couple of the lads. Tales were told of an impossibly steep descent through trees, getting lost coming off Djouce and ending up in Crone Woods etc.
So with eager anticipation I join all the runners at the start, getting our last minute instructions. Then in a flash 3-2-1-GO!
The front group moved out at a very quick pace down the trail. In the back of my mind I wanted to improve on my lowest finish (14th) so I decided to keep in touch. I’m getting to know some of the faces and names. I could see Robert Costello up with the front runners. We crossed a stream and started to weave up through the trees. I reckoned I was in about 11th position. As we made our way up I was on Robert’s heels. In a flash 2 runners passed both of us. Dropping 2 places spurred me on, so I followed and passed Rob. I didn't want to burn out too quick (Djouce still a bit away) or get left behind (and get lost) When we got into an area cleared of cut trees I spotted Mikey Fry ahead. He was tailing Alan Lawlor. A bit of a gap back, so I cruised along for a bit. Then for once on a League race I knew where I was, as we came out onto at track where I had ran the previous Sunday. Up to the stile. This was where I turned back on Sunday, so back on new ground. Looking up, I head for Djouce keeping the 2 boys in my sights and still comfortably ahead of any follower. As I was following the Wicklow Way up the gentle slope I wondered what sort of pace the solo runners passed by the same spot the previous Saturday morning. Back to business as we hit the tough ascent! I gained a bit on the pair in front but it looked like the front group had all tightened up a bit. At about half way up the steep climb I met the lead man Diarmaid Collins on his descent.
All 'walking' now I suddenly realized I could hear someone behind me. My first thought was John Bell and how he always catches me before the summit and leaves me for dead on the descent. I caught a backward glimpse of a green t-shirt and waited for the inevitable - mental note 13th place. (Positive thoughts are scarce crawling up Djouce)
Then my mobile phone starts to ring… I ignore it! As I continue the slow slog up I'm trying to count the runners as they turn; get to 10 but tell myself I must have missed someone. Yards from the turn I try to get going again and while the climb is over, my legs are like rubber and the descent is tricky. The phone rings again! I hope it's not important...
On the way down, focus is completely on footing and finding the best track. A voice cries out 11th and it takes a couple of seconds to realize it is Robert. By the time I can even consider a reply we've gone. I'm half way down when I see that Mikey has passed Alan and they're both well ahead and already at the bottom, but also remember that I haven't been passed. (obviously it wasn't John on my heels earlier) back onto the Wicklow Way and it's a nice gradual downhill with good footing which encouraged me to push on a bit again, though despite my best efforts, I wasn't making any ground on Alan. But I remembered when I failed to catch him on Scarr, that he had told me he likes this type of run. So I was happy to wait for the steeper drop through the woods (though admittedly I didn't know what to expect). Back over the stile and turn left followed shortly by a right at the gate, I believe some runners missed last year- well marshalled this year. As I wove my way along the path and through some new trees my thoughts turned to this 'Steep Descent' and the possibility of maybe catching Alan. By the time I got to the edge of the woods I was only a few yards behind. Then we started down. I was in follow mode. I noticed Alan make a sharp right back up a bit and realized that we had both left the course but thankfully only a little off. (another mental note - look for the markers!) The drop got steeper and steeper and I got closer and closer.
Then BANG! Several things happened at the same time and so quickly I can't remember in what order!
Suddenly, it was like my legs couldn't hold me any longer. I was falling- and though I was still upright I had no control whatsoever over my limbs. Alan stepped to the side and kindly said I could go ahead (possibly after I nearly got tangled up with him last week on Sorrell Hill, “Sorry about that!”).
My 'going ahead' was something I was NOT in control of - I couldn't stop, I couldn't do anything, keeping my feet under me was taking all my effort. I was actually travelling sideways when I passed Alan and rapidly turning backward as gravity was fast winning the battle. With one final desperate effort I managed to turn my shoulders and use a tree to twist my body in the right direction. I figured it was that or crash into one or several trees. Terrifying stuff for a couple of very long seconds! Now with no navigator to follow I scan more intently for the markers, following the twists and turns and hear that I am coming close to the stream we crossed near the start, but I get disorientated, follow the path in front of me up a bank then I hear a voice "Turn Right!" I see a marker to the right, so complete my way over the bank and then turn right when I hear the voice shout again "No, turn back here" so I turn around, by now guessing that I should have turned right before the bank and gone around it. I panicked a bit then unsure where I was. The marshal thankfully set me straight and I was off again across the stream where another marshal informed me of the 200m climb ahead. As I round the turn I first spot Mikey about half way up in front of me, then the van at the start/finish. There is just enough for one last push. I didn't catch Mikey, but I did reduce the gap to 19 seconds!

I shared in the “Congratulations all around” with my fellow runners. Recounting the ups, downs and thrills of it all, a nice walk back up to the car. Then off to Plucks.
Where my son Kevin picked up his junior first place prize and a raffle prize! And we had a couple of lovely sambos!

What a night!

A huge thanks to Alan Ayling and all the team of volunteers for another fantastic IMRA evening.