Volunteer's Report for the 'Round

09 July, 2015 - Jason Dowling

Most race reports are done by the runners themselves but time to break the mould a little and give a volunteer's viewpoint 'cause sometimes the runners can make the job of the race volunteer a very stressful one, but the good thing from the volunteer's point-of-view is that you get to share a tiny piece of the great achievement of watching the runners cross the finish line at the end of a truly epic run and only have to put in a minute fraction of the effort. I’m only messing with the stressful bit, but if they just ran a little faster during the race you wouldn’t have to worry about crossing the line with so few spare minutes in the Bank!!

As the title suggests, this report is about my time volunteering at the Wicklow Round attempt for Pól, Paul and Andreas furthermore known as 'the lads'. For me, this all started back in April after the Bray race in which I enquired with Paul if there was going to be another 'Round attempt this year. Upon confirmation that it was going ahead, I immediately volunteered. At the time, the intention was to try and get out in May but as it happened, the attempt didn't happen until the 13th June, the same day as the Wicklow Way Solo. This was a bit of a downer as I was hoping to volunteer for that event as well as I have hopes of attempting it next year but in the end, I went with the 'Round.

Pól was doing the organising of the volunteers. Upon notifying him of our availability on the day, we were given our timeslots. I was given the 12-6pm
slot which covered Wicklow Gap, Glenmacnass and Glendalough where I was taking over from Stuart who looked after Drumgoff with the handover in Glendalough. The lad's schedule was constructed so that there was an hour in the 'Bank' with a finish time of 12am. All I wanted from my shift was that the lads wouldn't drop any time and the refuelling points went as smoothly as possible. After 6pm, they were someone else's problem and I was off out for a few pints.

The day didn't exactly start brilliantly in that I had to pay €4 to gain access to the upper car-park in Glendalough. It's not the €4, it's the principle of simply having to pay it, especially when there's a perfectly good car-park not too far away which is free!! Anyway, for the sake of the day that's in it, I begrudgingly paid the €4 and waited in the car-park. I'd rang Stuart on my way down and got no reply but I knew he was in Drumgoff so all I could really do is send a message and wait for the reply when he left the mobile 'deadzone' that is Drumgoff.

Thankfully in Glendalough, I was sharing the volunteering duties with Dave (and Karen) who were also rostered to start at 12pm. I arrived a few minutes early and thankfully Dave (and Karen) turned up shortly after so at least I had someone to talk to until Stuart turned up. The lads weren't due into Glendalough until 12:45 so at least we had time for a bit of banter in the beautiful sunshine on the day. This was briefly interrupted by a message from Stuart saying he was on the way but that the lads were running a little behind schedule. While not great news, it was at least a little bit of relief as to why there was so little 'Round activity in the car park when the lads were only minutes away from their scheduled arrival. A while later Stuart (and Susan) arrives and drops the bomb-shell that not only are the lads running behind schedule, Pól had to drop out!! Oh man!! This volunteering malarky certainly wasn’t getting off to a good start. In that moment it was looking like (to me
at least) that this whole Round train was derailing quickly!! We setup shop in the corner of the carpark closest to the lake and wait. Not too long passes before James runs in giving advance instructions on getting the bottles filled etc. for the lads. Except now, 'the lads' consisted only of Paul and Andreas. 'The lads' arrive and sit down into their chairs with Andreas calling out for his beer. What the hell does he mean by his "beer" I say to myself? Is this his pet name for his drink of carbohydrates or something? After a fruitless search for his "beer", I am given instructions by the man himself to the location of the beer and it is indeed a bottle of becks!! At this stage I'm fairly dumbfounded at what I'm seeing. Here's a man over half the way into the 'Round skulling a bottle of beer at his refuelling stop!! Has he been doing this at his earlier stops? If so, how the hell did he get this far? The pitstop was relatively short and upon leaving Andreas hands me his beer. Pól was well enough to run a bit with them and after a brief stop so the lads, James and Pól head off towards Camaderry over to the next stop in the Wicklow Gap. It was at this stage, while still in a mildly perplexed state at someone drinking "beer" on such an epic run that I inspect the bottle. It turns out to be non-alcoholic becks which I later researched and found at least one study
(http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/nonalcoholic-beer-aids-marathon-recovery/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1) which proclaims that it can aid marathon recovery!! I'll leave that one to the boffins to discuss another day. Stuart and Susan bid farewell and myself and Dave/Karen load up all the gear, and there's a lot gear, in our cars and we head off to the Wicklow Gap. I think at this stage there was only about 20 minutes in the bank as per schedule which wasn't great considering the amount of distance and time left.

Upon getting to the Wicklow Gap, we were joined by Martina for her roster so at least there was a good few us now which helped pass the time away nicely until the gang arrived from Glendalough. The only thing was now, which way were they gonna come in from, the service road from Turlough Hill or the crazy way via the service road at Lough Nahanagan. We assumed the Turlough Hill way which Stuart (via James) later thankfully confirmed by text so all eyes were now on the shortcuts off Turlough Hill awaiting the lads and Pól. At the Wicklow Gap I was now getting calls from a couple of people asking for updates to the race. I was now a commentator, look-out and volunteer!! While it’s great giving good news, I never like giving bad news and letting the people know that the lads were behind schedule and minus Pól was not great to say the least. Anyways,
a while later we spot the three amigos coming down Turlough Hill and the scramble begins to get everything setup. This time 'round though, we will be running a strict pit-stop with the view to pushing the lads out as soon as possible in the hope that they can claw back some time whilst also encouraging them to refuel as much as possible. Everything is laid out waiting for the lads to arrive and Pól arrives first with the advance instructions. The lads arrive, but unfortunately Andreas needs a compeed which turns out to be a nightmare to find and the pit-stop ends up taking far longer than hoped for. Upon departure, Martina joins the lads for the run over to Glenmacnass.

We load up and set off for Glanmacnass. Pól is now sitting in my car and talk about trying not to mention the war!! Thankfully I was able to distract him a little by talking about work etc. as we both use to work for the same employer at different times in the past but I couldn’t help but feel some of the disappointment that he must have felt at that time. Thankfully it didn’t take too long to get over to Glanmacnass. We were joined at Glanmacnass by Ian, Helen and Brendan and at least I found out who some of the mystery callers earlier were! We chatted for a little and it was here that Brendan spoke about finishing in twenty four hours and twenty minutes due to unnecessary hanging around at the pit-stops. It is now agreed that the pit-stops were to be used for eating/drinking, not chit-chat in the hope to minimise the amount of time spent at them and hopefully accumulate some minutes in the Bank as the balance was dangerously low at this stage. The run was slowly clawing me into it at this stage, so instead of heading off at the end of my shift, I made up my mind to hang around until the end and Pól also had to make a phone-call so see if I can stay out after dark. Unfortunately there was no signal so we had to drive back down the road to make the necessary phone-calls. Upon arriving back, the lads were already camped up!! Holy panic stations!! And so much for super-efficient pit-stops that we were only talking about. This was a disaster but a
good thing in a way as we weren't expecting them for another 10-15 minutes so at least they made up a little time. At this stage, I was packing my car in such a way as to have easy access to all the essentials so at least I was able to get the gear to the lads as quickly as possible. The lads departed and myself, Pól, Dave, Karen and Martina all headed over to Lough Dan. Dave confirmed afterwards that they had only been at the check-point for about a minute at the most when we arrived back at Glanmacnass so I didn't feel too bad at that, but spare minutes were in very short supply at this stage but there was about 30 minutes or so in the Bank and every one of them was needed!!

The stopover at Lough Dan was a very brief one. Refill the bottles and onwards they went. Martina joined the lads for this part of the run over to Sheepbanks Bridge. We loaded up again and headed over ourselves. Dave and Karen had to head off at this stage and now most of the gear was in my car. As part of all the gear, I had 'inherited' Andreas' 'gas-bomb'!! This was a miniature gas bottle for cooking which looked like a prop out of the latest Mad-Max movie. Just better make sure I don't crash with this thing in the car or the evening sky will be full of fireworks comprising of bits of me!! We meet up with Aoife in Roundwood and we head over to Sheepshank and for the while, take no notice of the car already parked there. We are later joined by Dave and Karen so thankfully at that time of the evening, there's still a decent few of us about to pass the time with.

We spot a few people in the distance coming off Luggala and our spirits are really lifted as good progress is being made. However, this was relatively short-lived as it turns out that the people we saw were only just walkers and not the lads and Martina. Time passes, and passes and still no sign of them. Eventually, we see the pink top that Martina has but also notice another runner with them. We inspect the car parked beside us and it has the mountain rescue logo on it. Is it Mike, Gareth or someone else? At this stage, we were probably a bit too tired too even care but just decided on Mike just to end the guessing. Turns out it was Mike and comes in with the advance instructions. At this stage it is tight especially considering the climb to Djouce. A very quick pit-stop was essential and thankfully it ensued. The lads quickly moved on towards Djouce. We said our goodbyes and thanks to Dave, Karen and Martina. Mike joined the lads on the journey over to 'Liffey Head Bridge' on the Military Road where myself and Pól were headed. Aoife headed off to get some petrol and would meet up with us later.

We were sitting in the car at Liffey Head Bridge for a good bit hoping that the lads could make up some time and give themselves some breathing space but it has been a long day and if anything at this stage, you withdraw minutes from the bank, not deposit them and there wasn't much savings in the bank!! Brendan's earlier talk about a time of 24:20 was beginning to surface in my mind. It was going to be very tight. Dusk was turning into night and Aoife returned. To our delight, she had brought some chips and we sat eating them in Mike's car. The smell of the chips, the salt, the vinegar was truly amazing especially at after such a long day!! At any other moment in time, they were probably manky but at this time, they were Michelin star chips. They went down a treat (Thanks again Aoife)!! And the treats didn't stop there. Not long after we finished the chips and were complaining about our stuffed stomachs, Pól spots Mike who gives instructions to setup a pit-stop on the service road to Kippure. Talk about a bolt out of the blue!! The lads had made up some great
time. A scramble ensues and we set-up at Kippure but the lads just run by without stopping. Mike departs at this stage but whatever he said/did to them on that stage worked wonders as the lads were now motoring. As he drive off, he was probably wondering about the smell of of chips in his car and I wonder if he ever managed to succumb to the lovely aroma of the chips and get himself a big bag of chips on the way home!! Anyways, back to the 'Round and a quick pack-up ensues and we drive in front of the lads to protect a little from all the other wannabe rally drivers on the road. In some ways, the road section is the most dangerous part as it's dark and full of maniacs!! We make it to
'Dunne's of the Hill' at 11:03 with plenty of time to spare. Yes, you may have noticed now that I give exact times!! I've given up on the 'bank' at this stage, and let's face it, even banks these days don't know what they have in them! It was only myself and Aoife left volunteering at this stage. Pól had joined the lads for this section. The only thing worrying me now was some of the cars going by as a few of them were slowing down when they saw our cars parked up.

At about 12, we got into our cars to get ready for the arrival of the lads and finish off the journey. Nothing to worry about at all we think, this will soon be over. Then, out of no-where, one of these cars that were threatening to stop, does so, turns off the lights and some-one gets out!! At this stage, I'm ready for battle (but hoping to avoid it). What randomer just stops beside you in the mountains at 12 midnight? This is not good and I'm really gearing up for trouble. Andreas gas-bomb comes to mind but that it heavy and will probably take us all out if it explodes, so that idea is quickly discarded. Time for another one, and fast. “Are you part of the Round” says the person approaching. I couldn’t believe my ears. “Yeah” I hesitantly responded. "How are they doing?" I relax a little and give a brief update. We get talking and it turns out to be Jeff (the WW Solo RD). Probably not the best of introductions but after the long day that he’s had, he still pops by to see how the lads are doing!! Battle stations can be stood down!!

We wait for the lads to appear and wait and wait. At about 12:15, Jeff throws on his head-torch and we venture down a little to Old Boleys. Where the hell are they? We walk for another bit and we see what appears to be headlights approaching and quickly scarper back to the cars to get ready for their arrival and wait, and wait. We must've been seeing things or caught a reflection of Jeff's light or something but there’s no sign of them. What's going on? For me anyway, the relaxed state that I had earlier was quickly turning into serious
concern. It’s now 12:30(ish) and still no sign of them. Another 6-7 minutes pass and we catch a glimpse of a head-torch. This is thankfully backed up by voices, or am I going mad? Jeff and Aoife confirm the findings and it’s looking good, the lads are just about here. Jeff disappears and zooms off in his car. Was it something I said? Pól appears asking how long left in distance and what time is it? "It’s 12:39 and there’s 1.5 km left" I responded in a stern voice. My final instruction is to go to the finish line and turn on my lights to give the lads something to aim for. Aoife will give them some light on the road up. Upon arriving at the finish line, Jeff is already there with the lights on. He knew the script much better than me. At 12:47, the lads crossed the 'line' with 13 minutes to spare, delirious with joy and exhausted.

Upon crossing the line, Paul comes out with understatement of the day by stating that "there's nothing left in me legs"!! And there was me thinking that the only reason he was rushing back to the start was to begin the second lap!! I send out a couple of texts to a few of the people who I came across earlier on that day "They did it!!". It is definitely a moment I won't forget for some time to come. We all chill out for a few minutes and let the lads enjoy their moment (and their beer)!!

Overall, I was absolutely delighted to have hung around 'til the end. It was great to see the two lads cross the finish line and it gave great satisfaction to have played a very small part in it. It was definitely the first race whereby I got more satisfaction from spectating than from participating. The icing on the cake would've been to see the three lads cross the line but that just probably means another day out in the future to remedy that. Thankfully that was sorted one week later.