For whom the bell tolls…

… by Metallica was my song before the Vartry 50 miles race. Don’t know why really but on the walk with dog on Thursday I heard it in my headphones and that was it. Rhythm, music and lyrics somehow were accurate…

…Take a look to the sky just before you die
It’s the last time he will
Blackened roar, massive roar, fills the crumbling sky
Shattered goal fills his soul with a ruthless cry
Stranger now, are his eyes, to this mystery
He hears the silence so loud
Crack of dawn, all is gone except the will to be
Now they see what will be, blinded eyes to see…

That’s the second part of the song. Just worked for me. And that was first time I actually got theme song. Strange… but maybe cause that was my first bigger ultra as well. Who knows… What was even more amazing it was that feeling of unknown. First time coming into 50 miles race. What to expect, will that hurts, how body will adapt, and nutritions prepared right? Plenty questions, not many answers. At least not before the race or in the early, early stages of the run.

Wicklow, Roundwood, Vartry surroundings… everything kinda familiar but different. Know these roads from my runs, from my 10/16 km runs. But trust me, roads looks different if you need to run them for such a long distance. Saying respect the road and distance gains new meaning. Music theme and distance respect sorted. Nutritions left. Bought gels (ones which I used in the past), lucozade, bags of jellies, jaffa cakes, energy bars, bananas, coke. Should be ok. Now something for comfort – Vaseline, sudocream, regular plasters, blister plasters, pain killers. Plenty things. Most probably won’t be used (and wasn’t) but better save than sorry. Besides that was the first run and I didn’t know what will work for me. And last but not least – crew. Best crew ever – my Wife. She was treating as well that run as first test before Great Connemarra 100 miles. Was I ready? Mentally – couldn’t say but with rest I thought I was ok… Just that bloody time of the start – 6AM. That was the hard one to start with. Had to be in Roundwood for 5 AM for briefing, which actually has happened 5 minutes before race. That was enough, cause we got from Don and the crew PDF with all the race details. But arriving there early caused me a problem. There was food. I stuck to my marathon morning schedule (this time not only coffee but banana as well). That was great but then saw all these energy ‘bringing’ snack – oaths chocolate cookies, caramel crisspies. These were calling me. So, got couple of them. But that was couple too many. Knew that straight away but was hoping that maybe I was survive without pit stops (wrong on that unfortunately). That leads us to the race itself. With number attached to belt (idea was that when changing t-shirt it will be easier, no safety pins needed to be reattached), wind stopper, hi-vis vest and head torch I was ready. Can’t say I was buzzing but excited with prospect of running almost double the marathon distance. Exactly 12 hours after 100 miler starters we heard the horn which was invitation to hard but great experience…

And what could I say? Just after start I straight away saw Ray Lanigan’s and Rocky Six’s backs. When we started I heard something about 6 minutes mile… What the hell? And I just wanted to finish and had in my head that new Vartry route is much harder that the previous one. Now, after 11 km you have to turn back and climb again leaving last 3 km fairly flat. That was before the end of the loop. Last couple of metres we have been running in the park (camping park). But let me introduce the rest of the route. Loop was starting with slightly downhill towards Newtown Mount Kennedy but just after less then 1 km we were turning right and heading up. Constant, slow, dragging incline till another turn on about 4th km. That turn marked huge step up. For about 30 metres we were climbing for about 10-15 metres. Energy draining. And when you thought that is the end… you were surprised with face wind and… guess? Constant incline. Till water station, which was placed just before 8 km mark, we were just climbing. After all that dragging all I think all runners were happy to see water, coke, jellies, jaffa cakes and other treats. From there almost all the time down till turnaround on the 11th km. And that was whole loop. Even that 160-170 metres incline on each loop wouldn’t be too bad if you would have to run just one or two. But in front of us we had prospect of 10, 5 or 3 (for 50K runners loop was slightly longer) loops. I just wanted to finish. That was my first 50 miler. Was thinking that 8 or 9 hours would be a great time. But still couldn’t predict anything. After first loop I was 4th. Surprise. After second I thought that maybe 1.5 h per loop is a possibility (at this stage my time was 2:50). Second loop I have finished together with Rocky Six. Haven’t stopped for eating or drinking. Went straight, wanted to start 3rd loop and be closer to middle of the distance (longest ever run for me at once). Wanted just to think that from that point is just ‘downhill’ (longer distance left behind you). 3rd loop – not much of a story. Little bit slower than on the previous laps but still had almost 13 minutes cushioning at the end of the loop. 4th lap. Pace went down. Started to think that runner who was behind me, probably about 4-5 minutes will catch me. Considering that I was really slow that was a possibility now. End of the 4th loop. Had to stop, drink and short shirt. 5th loop – jogging pace. At the turning point I couldn’t see the runner behind me. I think he had a longer break before last lap. When saw him he was at least 12-15 minutes behind me. At this stage I knew that nobody will overtake me, I won’t overtake Ray (at that moment he was already finishing). I was just trying to get time 1.5 h per loop. Was really hard but I got there. I was always thinking if finish below 8 hours every minutes will be a bonus. Finished below 7:25. Great time. And at the finish line hugs from my Wife. I think she was really proud of me. Wasn’t expected that time, wasn’t expected to finish second. Congrats from many friends: Don, Maria, Brian, George, Ruthann, Ray and many more (sorry for not mentioning). Was really glad to finish and receive the ‘medal’ and the second place award.

What I can say? Great event. Don and the crew thank you very much. Will come back next year. Who know, maybe for 100 miler. Hugs, smiles, words of encouragement. All that helped to get all of us through that finish line. Congratulations to Thomas Klimas and Lillian Deegan winners of 100 mile race. Massive running. Must say that Trailheads who run did great job as well. TJ – cracker with his first 100 mile, Stephen – all possible PBs, Dee and Mandy – great women running great 50 miles race, Paul, Darren, Fintan, Jason – running enjoyable 50K.

Pictures below: