Flat – ish

Hello newbie. How are you? We’re you fast on your first half? Enjoyed that? Do you think that you will last for rest of the race? What will be you pace little bit later?
Questions, questions… Most answers where, let’s call it, negative. Ver fast (for my standards) beginning of the race. Remembering route profile I was expecting longer drag from km 2.1 till 7.3. And that wasn’t as easy as that. There was plenty ups and downs, not just that one hill. Was checking all the time millage on my watch to see where that climb will be, but that was just before 7 km when proper uphill started. Wasn’t too bad. Of course pace went down but that was in plan. But there was no such a hard work on the beginning in the plan. Top of the hill and down hill. Expected longer run down but again down and up. Mostly down, but when I was picking up the pace another hill happen. And the whole way was like that. I know that I prefer steeper hills and good run down than constant ups and downs. My race in Tyrone was almost exactly same as Dingle week before. Fast, fast until I die. I know, not best. But funny enough I was able to repeat same crap performance twice in a row. That is something extraordinary. Not to be missed. Know that I’m in bad for and even worse shape but you should always find a funny side. Was missing that for a while. I should be more possitive. Know that my banner ‘Run Fatold, run’ is very adequate and I have missed with the Form by 2 months (too early) but it will end. I will bounce back and start to run faster.
Must say that marathon was organised quite well for such a small event. And according to organisers they had just 4 months to pull it off. If that’s true some of the bigger venues or ones which are there longer can learn a lot from them. Mary Anderson Foundation together with Rainbow Club were brilliant. For just 30 pounds we were getting race pack with shirt, bus drop to starting line, water stations every 4-5 km, professional photographer and medal at the end of the race. That is value for money even if marathon route is not for everyone. It is worth to try. And if you are not a marathon runner you can always try marathon relay. 4 runners running 42.2 km in total. I think there was no rules saying what distance needs to be covered by each runner. Only rule which heard (maybe was more) was that runner with bib starting with letter A needs to start race and one with bib starting with D needs to finish. Rest was up to the team and their tactic. Have noticed that when running in Northern Ireland there is plenty of runners which I don’t know. I’m assuming that location is not convenient for most of runners I know. I have noticed that as well in Achill and little bit in Dingle. But maybe these two are not as popular cause of the hills.
Forgot to mention that for the first time I have decided to drive same day as marathon run where journey took me more than 2 hours. Actually it was closer to 2.5 and it wasn’t the best expirience. Had to be in Carrickmore before 8 Am to pick up the racing pack and get the bus to starting line. As usual I wanted to have some spare time just in case. So, just in case was aiming to get there on 7:30. And to do that I had to wake up before 4 Am to be ready for departure at 5. That was last time I done something like that. 1.5 hour drive is tops what I can do without staying for a night before the race. I know that sometimes I will be somehow forced to do that but if not I will arrive day before. So, again it was a long, long day. Early morning, 2.5 hours drive, marathon run, 2.5 hours drive back. Was so wrecked that at 8 I was already in bed sleeping.
Tough? Yes. Would I run it again? Probably, just need to be prepare better.
Have found couple of pictures by CMCA IMAGES on Facebook so will put these here.