Brian O Murchu

02 September, 2012

Carlingford Slieve Foye

This was one of my favourite races of 2011 and it was fitting that this fantastic race was the last IMRA race capping off 2012. The weather was like last year, it was so good the kit requirements should have included sunglasses and suncream.

As I am geographically disadvantaged for hillrunning living in Dublin 5, the only hills I run are in the races themselves. The last x 3 races I've done were the trail league, therefore the last mountain I ran up was in the Stone Cross to Lug relay more than a month previously at the end of July. I was a bit concerned I might be 'mountain rusty'. This turned out to be not a problem as I was setting the pace in the main group early on up the road. When we got on the trail which included jumping a fence it ended up myself and Bernard running together with another runner ahead. The last time I ran an ascent with Bernard was Mount Leinster, where I managed to hang on for about 3/4 of the way up the hill before Bernard distanced myself. This time I was feeling good, and on the col/saddle between the two peaks after the switchback I pulled ahead slightly.

When I got to the craggy section near the top, it got quite wet, boggy and really steep. I was following the line of the runner ahead and not really looking out for the red and white marking tape. I started walking on the steeper sections and when Bernard caught back up with me I said "I don't remember this part from last year". Turns out we had missed the markings and gone too far to the left. We made our way to the summit and I don't think we lost much (if any) time with our detour. Myself and Bernard touched the summit marker together in 2nd and 3rd. As soon as we turned around for the descent Bernard gapped me straight away...doh!

On the way down I passed all the other runners coming up. I had a good gap over Kyle Heron, but he wasn't long catching up with me. When Kyle caught me on a descent in the Devils Glen I was able to speed up to stay with him, but the difference in speed between us coming off Slieve Foye was so big I knew I wouldn't see Kyle again until the finish. Last year on the descent I was enticed left too early and too soon losing my way and many places. This year I hit all the markers on the way down but still lost x 4 places as I'm still struggling with technical, steep and craggy descents. Am open to any descending coaching offers?

Once we came off the craggy upper part of Slieve Foye, I was able to get going again. On the first switchback I was able to snatch a glance at the fantastic view of the bay and the Mournes. I caught and passed one runner shortly after the switchback. The descent was fast and rocky in places, but I was able to keep a good speed going. The most challenging part was trying to negotiate my way through a group of hillwalkers coming up who took no notice of my shouting "SORRY". Near the bottom of the trail, I came to the fence again and I was pleasantly surprised to find the little wooden gate next to the fence was open. So there was no need for any attempted vaulting. Back on the road, I was starting to close in on another runner but the finish line came first. After summiting 3rd and finishing 6th, I was half hoping there would be a 'worst descender' spot prize as compensation. As there wasn't, I'll just have to work on my descending skills for next year.