Endurance Tom

29 May, 2019 - Peter Bell

Well this one was decided months before. Myself, Mikey, John, Kev, Kev's friend Paddy and Big Daddy Barry were all to travel. Again, all the talk was going on the weeks coming up to the race. The Bray head race defeat was a crushing blow to the big brother John and with that fear of a triple lose in sight the excuses came, so john was out! Next up was Mikey, these two races really suited his running strengths. Pure mountain running, tough climbing and fast descending. we had him tipped for a top 3 , but again disaster strikes as the Neighbors cat came purring to the door. Mikey selfishly gave up a glorious weekend of mountain running for a cat!!?? Race Day number 1 Mount Brandon... what a beautiful mountain! I still haven't seen it and have been on top 3 times! only thanks to Barry's sunny training photos do I know what it looks like. Arrive at the car park early for parking duty I spot Alan Alying, Patsy and Vivian, nice to see some of Leinster's finest down. Registeration was over and Barry was director for this one, gave the 3,2,1 and we were off! I took an early lead but was soon passed by Tom Blackburn, John Paul and soon down to 4th, i lost the top 3 in the fog and had another Munster man hot on my heels. I kept the run going while he opted for run fast, walk option. I would over take then be over taken with a short burst of pace, then a walk. I just kept my pace hoping he would soon break. Finally we got to the rocky section and i had managed to shake him only to have a new runner to appear right behind me and this guy seemed fresh. It was a good battle to the top. I was giving it everything i had to stay ahead. Coming up to the summit and the top two flew past at a blistering pace followed by third. I knew i had a chance so put the foot down. Mount Brandon offers some of the best downhill racing on the calendar , technical rocky sections near the top, to fast flat out boggy rocky stuff. great fun with lots of walkers cheering us on. Just at the end of the rocky section i passed third and let loose to try for second. As i come out of the fog Tom and John Paul were out of sight so i just took it home for third with a high five from my little girl Sophie at the finish! Nice leg soak in the river after and down to TP's for some warm chowder! Back to the scenic Inch Beach to our hotel for a shower and out to the pub. I hit the bed early and left the others as they were only getting going. The big race was still ahead and wanted to be as fresh as possible for my long awaited showdown with old man Barry! A couple of month's had passed since the Annagh hill race, where i was so close only for my expert navigation to let me down again. So no stone was to be left unturned for this one. Woke up to breakfast and views of the beautiful Inch beach on my balcony. Down to the beach for a light jog and swim to loosen up. As i came back to get ready i came across two broken men, in the shape of Kevin and Paddy the lads had got a lock in and drank late into the night. A good surf was there only cure. So off i went to the race start, the sun was shining on the beautiful Annascaul the home of the great Tom Crean. As i got to the start line i see Tom Blackurn, John Paul, Barry and Alan who's had a late night with the lads and probably wishes he was surfing too. I decide to start easy and just hang on to the top 3. Off we go and i am behind Tom and Barry. Barry takes the lead with Tom close behind. I follow in Ernest. We hit the climb and Toms endurance drives him ahead. I race close to Barry until near the top when i decide to go for it, push hard and get to the summit in second. Tom is only 20 seconds or so ahead so i push hard. I manage to close the gap to just behind and recover a bit. Then i go for the over take but we are both going flat out and im finding it hard. I take a bit of a leap of faith and it pays off, taking the lead. I try to run hard to put some distance but to no avail. Tom is a fast descender with the endurance to match. we hit the flat trail to the finish and Tom sails past. I had no response. A quick glance over the shoulder to make sure Barry wasn't going to spring a trap on me. Home for second! Back to the south pole in for dinner and prize giving, sun shining beer garden and a river for a wash... perfect! a few hours later and back to Inch beach for a surf and nice food with Sophie and Ciara. WHAT A WEEKEND!! Big Thanks to Barry and all who made the races happen and a well done to Tom on your double win on two tough courses. Next rip over west in Carrauntoohil classic, where the defeated Barry Murray will be aiming for revenge and hopefully i get another chance at endurance Tom.

Dingle Mini Mountain/Trail Running Fest

26 May, 2019 - Barry Murray

My second year residing in the Kingdom and I wanted to keep things ticking.

Mt Brandon was well received last year, such an iconic mountain, so I wanted to make more of a weekend of it. I ran it by the committee at the AGM... 2 races, maybe a BBQ, a beach run, a vertical kilometer.

It didn't get much uptake initially, I forget how far west this region is. Still, i wanted to put it on the calendar and give it the credit it deserves.

A baby boy arrived late april so it meant the first few weeks of May were a bit of a blur. the weekend approached and fortunately i had Mt Brandon arranged as per the previous year. I've mentioned this before, but when you call out for help to IMRA , you are always rewarded.Thankfully i had Niamh Abeyta and her Glenageenty crew who were wiiling to take over RD and organization of the Tom Crean race. Ever helpful, man behind the scenes, Robbie Williams, made sure i was sorted with the essentials - race box, prizes, food vouchers etc.

So morning of the Mt Brandon race arrived and all I needed was some good weather ! after a month of sunny skies, I was driving out west in a fog and mist. What can you do.

Again, the helpfulness and decency of IMRA/MMRA folk prevailed with literally a night before request for volunteers. Jane and Ger travelled up in their camper and Tricha and Tom Blackburn travelled up with the limerik box. We had registration set up before 12 and the mist started lifting. with a legend summit marshall last year of John Lenihan, I wanted to replace him with honors so I had younger legend in the making Shane Finn stepping in as the summit marshall for this year.

A hardy crew of 28 lined up at the start and they set off in a mild mist at 1pm. Mt Brandon is a steep uncompromising climb and descent no matter where you are positioned. Like a fine wine, Tom Blacburn came thundering down the mountain in first with JP O Connell in hot pursuit. My "pupil" who I thought would never listen to any of my training/nutrition advice came down in 3rd place. Some great runs also by the first lady, of Finnish decent, in top 10 overall. Lots of other great runs with the general review being "savage descent".

To add to the experience, I booked the afters at a bar out on the edge of the atlantic. One of these "believe it when you see it " places, and everyone was happy with the local food and drinks.

Sunday morning arrived and the mist was gone, just a bit of a cloudy head after a busy baby sleep. I had a classic arrangement with a local farmer for use of his field as a carpsrk so I headed up there with the Glenagenty crew. A lovely suuny dry mild morning, makes organization much easier. Thankfully, I was able to enter the race myself. As much as i like to do RD duties, it kills me to just watch ! so off we all went to Annascaul lake.... what a place it is... big valley, big views, big energy.

We had a juniors race planned but with only 2 registered. It would be great to attract more juniors to these races as there are lots of kids doing things like parkruns these days.... the trails should even entertain them more.

us adults headed off up the valley just after 11am. I had been joking all year about racing Peter, his brother John Bell, and friend Mikey .... one was minding cats , the other was off with the missus in a Brandon Hotel in the southest ! so I just had youngster Peter to contend with.... then along with vintage wine Tom and JP lining up too. I went off fast to try and build up a lead... lasted about 2km, then Tom caught me and towards the top I was caught by Peter. The descent was a tricky mix of rocky and boggy terrain. I lost some time to Tom and Peter, had to settle for 3rd spot.

A great race that was enjoyed by all. afters then took place at the famous South Pole Inn, set up by the man himself Tom Crean.

A full weekend and one that I hope attracts more in the future. the dingle peninsula is just a great place to see and visit..... with mountain and trail races, afters/prize giving.... it should be a IMRA runners must do ! Or maybe keep it on the low key so the old skool clued in folk like Patsy, Vivian , Ayling etc... can enjoy it to themselves !