Second time 2 hills of Wexford

Straight after 50 K in Portumna I was on the road to Wexford. Portumna not too far from Dublin. Same Wexford from Dublin but Portumna directly to Wexford over 3.5 hours and all that after running 50 K. That wasn’t so pleasant. Tired after run and even more tired after driving there. But nice surprise when saw my B&B. Really nice. Quite big room, same with bathroom. Owners very nice and great views. Too bad that just for one night. Just outside Wexford, about 10 minutes drive to quays. Decided to go down for little walk before sleep. Stroll on the quays and Main Street. Was really quiet, most of the shops closed on the Saturday evening. Coffee on the go and… important shopping. Both 240 poop bags for dogs. What a ‘catch’. After that was time to prepare for next day run. That was my first b2b after injury, IBS. Was scared little bit. Was happy that I was pacing 4:15. Shouldn’t be too bad but still was little bit nervous about it. Ye, I suppose to pace. Debbie was missing 3:30 pacer. Not many can pace that, especially in Wexford. Have tried with Chris Grayson but he couldn’t do that weekend but Alex O’Shea was available. So, we had our speedy ‘Fireman’ to lead the 3:30 heard. I think he enjoyed the run… But back to my issues. Gear was ready but looked like it was shaking. My gear was shaking…

Next morning was nice. Sunny, but not too hot. Definitely no rain. 10 AM start but before that you need pick up number and pacer gear. And as last year in the hotel I have met many fellow runners. This year wan’t so lucky to receive number 1. Better runners deserved that number. After picking up number I went down to car to leave all unnecessary stuff and change. From there I could see starting line. Plenty already there waiting for signal to start. Last year I was pacing 4 h and back then haven’t got any idea about two big hills. This year I knew the route and I was scared. Even dropping to 4:15 pacer didn’t made me more confident in anyway. Sunny… we have started. Was checking pace all the time. Knew that I need to go slightly quicker before hitting first hill. When we were on the ‘flat’ section (still couple ups and downs). I had small group with me until probably half way up the hill. Even that Wexford marathon is considered small on the first hill there is quite a lot people to support runners. Almost in each running group you had someone who was local. They were getting quite a cheer. On the top of the hill I was alone. I lost everyone cause I was trying to keep predicted pace. Now, on the downhill I could relax. Allow to gain time lost during climb. On my way down I was caught by some of runners from my group. Some passed me, some stayed with me. But we were on the flat again. And that would stay like that till mile 18th. But I was tired, which was quite strange. Or maybe not. Bad shape, 50 K day before. Waited now for water station. Wanted to test Tailwind… test is too strong word. I was hoping that it will give me at least some energy back. Water station, please be located before second hill. Hill which now looked as a mountain. Never try anything new on the race day… This time I was really happy that I had tried. Energy was back. And even with tricky way to put powder into small bottle during it was really worth it. Got what I wanted. Was able to finish now. Still about 20 km to go biggest hill to conquer. On the hill I was alone… Sorry, that’s not true. I was catching with runners who were slowing down. That hill is a bit… On that climb I have passed 10 maybe 12 runners. Some already walking and cursing. I think Debbie knows what runners think about her when they are climbing that second hill. On the top of the hill small here and back section. Relaxing before lashing down the hill. Again… I was taking my time. Still on track with 4:15. When I was  jogging down I saw some runners going quicker and much happier than couple of minutes earlier when they were going up…

At the bottom of the hill was last water station. Same place as last year. Last year I have stopped there for about 2 minutes. Talked little bit with marshals and got caught one runner who wanted initially get better result but now was happy for me to get him under 4 hours. This year stopped for water and jellies… very hard jellies. Hmmm… strange. Until I have spitted it up. Yep, my tooth crown fell out. Nice… unbelievable things are happening when you run. Just below 2 miles to go. With fallen crown in my hand I jogged towards finishing line. Have passed some runners who overtook me early in the race. Some of them were still able to get to 4:15. So, I have picked up as many as I could (two) and push them little bit. They finished before me. So, all good.

Nice race. Tougher than year before. When you know the course it is always harder. What else? Ye, ‘war wounds’. Crown now rest in the special box.