Rene Borg

20 April, 2011

TEAM RESULTS

MEN
1. Armagh AC 30 (1 Paul McAnespie, 11 Padraig Muldoon, 18 Jason Shevlin)

Ian Conroy

13 April, 2011

Well, I said I'd write a report and here I am. Better late than never, bit like the latter stages of my race - but back to that later. I'm always hoping for a breathtaking ascent, it's something I relish with much gusto. In fact, just before we entered the town (Carlingford) I pointed at a mountain to Gerry (Brady) thinking it would be a helluva climb. Lo and behold Gerry proceeded to stop and park the car, took out a map and the mountain in question was the Slieve Foye of the race title. I half groaned and half cheered internally. Be careful what you wish for.

Our party (Gerry Brady, Brian O'Mhurchu and myself) was here to race and that's what we'd have to do. As per usual I had neglected to recce the route, despite the offer from a previous weekend (unfortunately I had prior plans, I was to rue that decision). I didn't see this as much of a problem, a minor oversight. I like to race up the hills without much knowledge as it means I just have to keep going until the summit has been reached. The twists and turns, ups and downs are more a joy then.

So anyway, we were led up to the race start after the usual registration, all with mandatory kit requirements (just a waterproof this time) and the usual pre race nerves, banter, posturing and stretches. The 'gun' went and we were away into the spring sunshine. Which on this occasion was blisteringly hot. I had doused myself from a sink many times beforehand but it tended to dry off very quickly. Away we went, and after only a couple of hundred yards the early race leader (me) took a wrong turn ('follow the yellow man' was the cry to me from Helen White after the race ended)! No harm done, I quickly rejoined and retook the lead a short while later. It took care of some early nerves anyhow, though it was a portent of things to come.

So up we went, first on tarmac, then a nice trail, over a fence and continued onwards and upwards I found myself looking back every so often worried I was heading the wrong way, not because of the race marking more because I was in unchartered territory. So on I went, and on and on. I couldn't believe how far it was, I had kept a lot in reserve so I wouldn't 'blow up' but towards the summit I did wonder. Knowingly nearing the summit I had to stop and ask directions, I think my brain was overheating at this stage. I stood still for what seemed like an age and asked a nearby walker (who turned out to be actor Don Wycherley) where the 'Yellow Man' was? He replied that it was to the right. Looking back down the mountain I could see the second placer now gaining. I had lost quite a lot of time, time to go! Luckily the trail was easy to find after that. So I continued up and up.

Now it really started to be almost vertical for the very last bit, more climbing than running for a short few metres and then it was into boggy terrain. I found the walkers young and old alike gave great encouragement and stopped me from flagging. Sure weren’t they out enjoying the mountain and the day too?! On reaching the summit I had to reach and touch the rock marking the highest point and then set off for home. A feeling of elation. I passed the second placer and gave him words of encouragement, as with any runners I would pass on the descent. In my haste to leave the summit however I had veered off top the left of the mountain and before I knew and could rectify my mistake I was climbing and jumping down metre and a half size rocks. I continued down this way for a fashion, feeling there was something wrong, with no runners or walkers coming upwards I knew I had made a hames of the descent and had lost valuable time. Eventually I made it to flatter ground and could see the lead three in the race.

They were minutes ahead of me!! I came briefly to a complete stop and uttered as John McEnroe was wont to say - you cannot be serious!! I gave up feeling sorry for myself and after a quick thought as to whether I should just pick the shortest and straightest route back to the course I concluded that it was my own fault and I couldn't take any short cuts. So I rejoined the course having run an extra few minutes having already lost time. I feel I lost about 4-5 minutes all told.

Once I was on course again I got going quickly enough and descended quite well even though some of the fight had left me. The legs were stronger than in the past, shows what training can do for the body. A short while Later Zoran (Skrba) caught me, descending slightly better on some of the rougher stuff. I knew I couldn't catch the lads ahead of me but I was damned if I was going to give up another place! I knew if I stayed in touch and launched myself on any good ground I could finish ahead. So that's what I did and when we hit the tarmac again I put in a sprint. I ran in all the way to the finish from there. Fourth place. All that effort on the ascent and outside the medals! Still, as Gerry said afterwards 'a moral victory' just like all those 1-1 draws in the football. Still, lesson learned, if in doubt, recce!

I brilliant day was had by all and compliments to the race organisers and everyone who helped out. Glorious sunshine made for one of the most fun events I ever partaken in. It might have been painful in some aspects but the fun won out. Congratulations to the race Winner Paul McAnespie and I hope to race him again, it's just a pity we didn't get to descend together.

I can't wait for the next one!


P.S. Just one final note, as usual there was much talk about what footwear was best suited to the terrain before and after the race. I myself used very minimal Inov-8 190s and found them more than adequate. I would hate to have anything heavier. If anything I would be thinking towards something lighter such as the Inov-8 baregrip 155s. The going underfoot was grand the whole way and my footwear gave me the grip when I needed it but were light enough and flexible enough to let my feet bend and move with the terrain. I noticed quite a lot of Walsh's out there. I think they perhaps keep the foot too rigid though. I would add my tuppence worth to this Vibram/barefoot debate that seems to rage on the forum. I run regularly barefoot and wear very minimal racers or mountain shoes the rest of the time. I have found the Vibrams to be a useful tool to start with but there's no substitute for as nature intended (though I don’t run naked!). It strengthens the feet and muscles in the legs as well as correcting posture. It can only help one run. However, many words of caution, it’s a very gradual process and cannot be undertaken overnight. Start with a few minutes and add on some more as your body and feet see fit. Noel Carroll used to say to listen to your body, especially so in this case. The bones of the feet will be weak and will hurt after a short while if they’ve been encased in shoes for most of their lives and then of course all the other leg muscle groups will also need to be eased into it. Whatever you do, always run for fun!

Gerry Brady

10 April, 2011

Beautiful day and a great new course set by Eamonn McMahon. Eamonn was 13th in 1990 and 12th in 1992 in the up and down World Cup races and a member of the bronze medal winning team in 1991.

The start was moved which had the effect of shortening the road section (and the course) by around 700m each way. This worked well as it enabled runners to wear shoes with more grip which are useful on the initial descent off the summit.

Ian Conroy (Raheny Shamrocks) led off from the start and, despite the much said advice to follow the yellow men, he proceeded to ignore the first way marker. Undeterred Ian was off again and he gradually pulled away. Emma Donlon and Helen White were in the chasing group at this stage with Emma climbing particularly well. Thankfully John Shiels was not on duty to record this :)

The middle section of the course was along the Tain Way (a good quality grassy mountain path) which is very visible on the ground and a pleasure to descend! However the last section of the course was a steep windy climb on a gradually less visible path. Around 50 walkers were resting at the base of this climb, and they looked on in interest under the hot sun.

Conroy had a considerable lead at the summit from Paul McAnespie with a further gap to Turlough Conway. He was descending well on the top but alas he was lured into an inviting reentrant that soon turned out to be a very steep and slippy descent. Realising he was gone wrong, he must have lost 2-3 minutes deciding on how to get back on course and rejoined the race in fourth place. What could have been a sweet first championship victory had slipped away. Still these experiences are what improve your mountaincraft and teach you to have a Plan B to recover quickly (ideally one that shortens the course!). Other runners joined in erring on the descent showing that every twist and turn needs to be marked when the descent is steep.

Bernard Fortune did his proverbial fast descent to move into second around 30 seconds behind Paul McAnespie (Armagh AC) and a similar distance ahead of Turlough. Emma Donlon led Helen White at the summit with both in the top ten runners and they finished in this order. Karen O'Hanlon was third. Dermot Murphy presented the prizes and Eamonn left early to unmark the course. For those of you who missed it, mark it down for 2012.