A simple test

27 May, 2024 - David Power

Up and down. Out and back. 4+4. Walk or run?
Slievenamon, or Sliabh na mBan, towers alone over the Suir Valley at 721m, looking over at the Comeraghs to the south in Co Waterford.
It's history is long - what links Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Michael Collins, Charles Kickham and 50 mountain runners on a Sunday morning? They've all pulled a crowd up a hill somewhere.
My dad came up for the spin to Kilcash. A handy check-in at the IMRA van in the village square, opposite Kehoe's Pub for the tea and sambos afterwards. We got soaked for a bit, hiding under a tree. It was that kind of showery but warm and calm day.
Off we went, not a flat inch on the course. Uphill from the off. Sean pulled ahead, never to be caught, even if remaining in sight all the way up. Nearly within touching distance, both he and Kealey held a consistent running style, whereas I reverted to power walking for many of the steep bits. The ground is firm and I tell myself it will be over in 20 minutes. Only 4km.
I did another 5 miler on Friday night in Naas. That was dead flat. This 5 miler has over 500m of climbing. Horses for courses.
Kealey jumps by me, moving into 2nd briefly. We stay neck and neck to the cairn at the summit. She's flying. On the descent my yellow whistle, purchased that morning for €1.50 in Cahill's Tramore flies out of my pocket. Better not lose the bivvy bag Robbie gave me.
Flying down now, steep as hell but grippy. Hoping I won't get caught. The views open up on the Suir Valley, wow I shout. What a view. Flying down, my heels hurt, it's like I have pebbles in my shoes. Turns out later everyone had the same feeling. Blisters will appear, ouch. No time to slow, I get passed eventually by John, my hopes now to hold onto 3rd.
Off the mountain, past the holy cross, down the rocky lane, onto the tarmac back down to Kilcash. My feet are burning. Happy to see van, pub and people again.
Nice chat in the pub, an excellent spread. And we didn't even get wet up there, as we contemplate the rain bucketing down outside again.