Today I was seriously scared. I to tell you the truth I haven’t got the idea why. I had woke up couple of times during night, just to check how much more sleep I have left… Nervous about first Ultra run? Just 8 km more than marathon distans but still Ultra. New experience? Could that be the reason for insomnia?
Ok… anyways, I rather be to early than late. So, as usual early start of the day for me (and my Wife as well). Walk with the dog, coffee, toilet, shower and of to Donadea. Good that Donadea forest is so close to us, just about 25-30 minutes drive from house. Already, on the parking spot we have noticed couple familiar faces. Trailheads were almost all there already discussing tactics for a run, finishing time predictions. Most of them already had their bib numbers, prepared for the run… Me? Still had that strange feeling that in the moment I will experience something new. Like playing with the new gadget you just got…
Couple of minutes to start and there was chaos. Every one of these almost 200 runners, support, crews were gathering near the water station point. Crowded is just little to say. Anyway, not even 10 minutes to start and… where exactly is the starting line (or at least point). We were told to head straight and stop when told to do so. OK, that’s fair. But still haven’t seen any marks on the ground. Not important. We were in the right spot ready to ‘rock and roll’. Usually my toughts followed one route before run (and probably for the first couple of miles) – ‘Why the hell I’m running that marathon? There is so many nice things you could do now.’ But today was different. Line of thoughts – ‘Ready, steady, and whoevery is up there help me…’ Scared of distance, big respect for 50K run. Anto gave us race director speach (havn’t heard a word being in the back of runners pack) and after that his blessing to run…
10 laps of almost 5 km each (on the beginning we had to add almost 400 m extra to make it 50 km altogether). I wouldn’t consider loop flat. Depends of the running app it was saying that on the whole 50 km route there was 240 m incline, other showing just 150 m (two hills which you could easyly notice and to add up some ups and downs which were not worth to mention but still were draining your energy). Still quite a climb on each lap, especially at lap 6 onwards. On that particular lap, no 6, I knew that I will struggle quite a bit. Everything caused by me not following my running plan for that race. Suppose to be slow and steady, about 5:12 – 5:20 minutes/km pace. To give me total of 4:20 or 4:30. But… Deepak happened and for the first almost 4 laps our pace was 5 minutes/km or less. And I just couldn’t let go. Then have lost Deepak, actually he lost me. I was continuing run with the same pace and have joined Laurence. So pace was still strong. And that couldn’t end up good. 6th lap and the realization that it will be very tough run. Just 8 km longer than my marathons but being sick for last week (no trainings, just walks) and really under the weather wasn’t great prediction. 8th lap, and I have died. Pace – down to almost 5:20 for each kilometer. Was just hoping that still will be able to finish around 4:20. Predictions weren’t great. 9th (forlast) and I have just callmed down. Pace not strong but mentally great. Keep going, it’s not the pain I’m feeling. That is just mind palying game of tiredness with me. So, put your self together and run. OK. Last lap and euphory kicked in. Maybe pace not as it was on the beginning but still much faster than last couple of laps. ‘Go on you good things’. Passed couple of femiliar faces, anwsered question about why I had shaved my beard and run to finishing line. ‘Make noise’ just before finish and supporters cheered. Gone, bang – 4:11:39 in my first official ultra.
Great atmosphere. Anto and crew from Donadea Running Club has pulled off great event (as always I heard). Fantastic supporters crowd. Most of them knew me by my name, that was a supprise. But I won’t be complaining. Route in the nice palce, forest in Donadea is beautifull. Maybe not huge but really nic to run and walk. Definatelly we (me and Bozena) will be back there for a walks or maybe our running training sessions. Oh, that was my 25 marathon+ run. First Irish Championchips and I was 46th. Not bad…
Just keep it going. Conemmara 100 miles is waiting for me.
Picures? Yes, of course.
