Well oiled machine

20 October, 2024 - Andy Keeling

Last year after I did this race I told myself "Never again". It was a painful experience. Blew out my quads running leinster league style down the very steep descents between Clonegal and the Dying cow. And paid for it the rest of the 100 odd kms home to Marley park. But after a while I thought that maybe I needed to go back and try and give it a go running a bit smarter.
After a busy race season building up my races trying to complete leagues and chamionships I was on for 100 races soon so it seemed fitting to aim for the WW to be my 100th race. And with the aim to take all the learnings from mistakes made last year and have a more positive experience at the race this year.
I set out training on mainly the Dublin Mountain Way and Wicklow Way trying to harden my legs to the harder compact trails and roads. (Not doing this was mistake #1 last year)
The starting lineup was full of familiar faces with some very strong ultra running names. I resigned myself to not get caught up in the race and to just stick to the plan and run my own race. As we climbed out of the city it was clear it was going to be a great night. The lights of dublin were a lovely sight from the top of Kilmashogue and a full moon too. Over the first hump and passed some cheering supporters on the Glencullen road the snake of headlights moved up towards Prince William Seat and over the border to Wicklow. The pack started to stretch out here and the first Cp at Crone seemed to come quick enough. With the help of volunteers I was in and out quicky and up into the woods. The jacket was put on for the night here. I knew once I got out onto the open mountain it would be quite exposed and with not much cloud it was probably going to get chilly (Mistake #2 last year was realising too late that I was cold).
Over Djouce shoulder, I took in the clear night sky and was lucky enough to see a wee shooting star. Down the boardwalk and was starting to get a steady pace going. A nice bop. Not overstretching myself. After getting through pier gates I was starting to get cramps in the ribs and abdomen. Too much tailwind and not enough water. I told myself I'd get some in Glendalough soon enough and bundled on. On past lough Dan and along the edge of Paddock Hill and down towards Glendalough.
Here, like some sort of wild moose, i crashed the wrong way through the beautiful, fairy-lit aid station that the volunteers had curated. I was helped by the volunteers and was quickly out again and on my way. But, in my stupid race brain i had fogotten to get the water and now with belly and chest cramping I climbed up towards Mullacor with nothing but strong sticky tailwind onboard. D'oh! This next leg was tough and I really didn't consume a lot from my pack. I did however realise that the night was bright enough to run the fire roads without the torch which was really cool. I was accompanied by bats flying quite close and not too far off I could hear stags calling out in the forest. Through Glenmalure and up over Slieve Maan I kept the momentum up through the cramps. I felt like I had loads of nutrition in me but not enough water to process it all. But Mucklagh wasn't far. I'd get sorted there and as I ran through the woods towards Iron Bridge I kept it in my mind that I was well into the second half of the run now.
Mucklagh Cp was a very calm experience and was helped out by the crew to get myself sorted and was in and out quickly enough. But, BUT, i had forgotten AGAIN. I had just taken my premixed tailwind bottles and loaded up. Ah jaysus. Feckin eejit. But I was ok...ish. Not consuming much had kind of levelled me out though I knew I would pay for it on the long leg to Dying Cow. I tried to remember where there was clean water sources along the way but couldn't remember. And after a bad experience drinking river water this summer I wasn't brave enough just yet to fill up there.
I bopped on, past Ballycumber at first light. Absolutely stunning. A low mist clung to the lowlands with all the hills of south Wickow popping up through. Then, Zing! In the back of my right calf. Look down, big dirty wasp stinging my leg. Cheers mate, I was just admiring the beauty of it all. But, over the next while it actually served as a nice distraction from the chorus of other pains building up in me.
Through the gates of Tinahely and down towards the bridge. Thought I was dreaming to see Andre and an ice cream van by the road crossing. Amazing! Was offered a cone but decided water would be a better choice right now and filled a bottle. This really sorted me out and I was feeling great. On through the grassy bohareens I was keeping it steady and now the Dying Cow was coming up soon. Again stellar volunteer service here and left with two full bottles of delicious cool, clear water. Having gone from 5th position to 6th and back to 5th race mode had kicked in and it was time to hit the sugar. I had a gel set aside for the cruel ascent to Raheenakit. Must be one of the steepest road sections in Ireland. After a recce weeks before I drove up this section in my fiesta and with just two people in the car had to drop from 2nd to 1st to get up. The well timed gel really helped. As I was on the bottom of the impossible slope I could see Rory up ahead. I hoped he hadn't seen me (later he told me he had) and followed up the hill with 4th position in sight. He wasn't far ahead in distance terms but on this gradient that was still a big gap time wise. The 90° angles of Raheenakit proved for good stalking and I managed to get ahead into 4th after some digging deep.
I had one gel left for Moylisha Woods and I barrelled on. Over Moylisha and on to the tarmac. Clonegal was now playing a cruel trick on me. At every bend in the road I expected it to be there and every time it dissapointed me. This section was so long. Finally I started to pass the first houses and signs that a town was nearby. And then, there it was, I could see the hi vis bibs of the finish line volunteers. Around the corner and touched the sign marking the southern end of the Wicklow way.
What an amazing journey it had been with many more lessons learned this time. And aside from belly aches it had been a very positive experience and a real privilige to be able to do. To witness the moonlit night sky roll slowly into day while travelling the Wicklow hills under your own steam.
Thank you so much to all the hard work of Lillian and the team of selfless volunteers who are the life blood of this race. Many come back year on year to be a part of this well-oiled machine. It was great to see so many friendly and experienced faces along the way. Thanks to IMRA for 100 great races and heres to many more.
To anyone thinking of giving it a go, after all the pain and lessons learned, it's worth it.
Now, where's the Epsom salts? I'm in biiiiiits!