Are we there yet

06 July, 2023 - Warren Swords

My first race in six weeks after a break. With so many outdoor gigs in Dublin, I swapped Wednesday night runs in June for overpriced pints in Dublin's city parks. Depeche Mode, Pulp, OMD followed by an Irish Hill Running Record, the very first (recorded?) completion of the Dublin Mountain Pub Round.

Starting at a pint at Merry Ploughboy, we ran across the hills to Johnnie Foxes. A swift pint there before running to The Blue Light. Arguably the best pint of the round, myself, Brian Kitson and Dave Gowan headed to Taylors Three Rock, three pints deep. The fourth pint and some cracks began to show but undeterred we were on the home straight as we made it back to the Merry Ploughboy. As we drained the fifth pint and entered the IMRA history books, we stopped the clock at 5 hours 25 minutes for the World's first Dublin Mountain Pub Round.

All of which is to say, I was in peak Pint condition last night but perhaps there were some doubt over race fitness. Undeterred, I started the race fast and furious like the rest of the field. It was easily the fastest IMRA start I've been involved with in years. Frantic position changes in the first km as I jostled to keep in the top 10. I tried a bit too hard as within five minutes I was on my arse with a thump. The runner behind me let out a "Ooofff!!!" to confirm that indeed it was a rough fall.

Back up and I eventually settled in and started to catch people on the fire road after the mast. Through the woods and the legs began to resist the pace I was setting. Up the Foxes climb and the legs deserted me. A few runners came by as I struggled to get into a run/hike groove. Over the top and feeling every single pint I had in June, I struggled on to catch the back of a group of 5 or so. A good descent followed and perhaps a top 10 place was on.

The climb around the back of Ticknock put paid to that. The turn through the woods took ages to arrive. When it did I was able to pick up a couple of positions and spotted Brian Furey ahead. We swapped place a couple of times early in the race but he disappeared as soon as the trail went uphill.

The last cruel climb over that hump gave the legs a wobble but I was catching Brian. I tried to run hard but softly on the last downhill section so as not to alert Brian but he was onto me and gave a last push to finish ahead.

Brilliant racing. There wasn't a moment's peace on the course.