me running…
That feeling day before race – mix of anxiety and excitement. Especially when it is your first in ages. Like a small kid and on the race day it’s getting even crazier. I was really excited and kind of stressed but Bozena was ok. I supposed to run half marathon and Bozena was running 10 K. And she was calm as cucumber…
During my longer races I and my Wife have learned a lot about my running and nutritions. So, that was sorted before Connemara 100 and we coming into last week before the event. What we missed at this stage? Beacon light… I was really freak out by that. Couldn’t find anywhere that, no chance of ordering that via internet. Last idea was to talk to friends in construction business. Beacon – checked. Plan was to leave Dublin around 3PM to be able to get to briefing at 7 PM in Clifden. So, everything has to be prepared latest on Thursday evening. So, remaining fruits, fill up stock of protein and energy bars, flat coke and regular food for the crew. Everything done on Thursday. What’s left at this point was to get into the car, show up and run that race… At 3:25 PM Friday me, Bozena and Lukasz were sitting in the car heading towards Clifden. What should be about 3:15 journey became 4 hours nightmare with huge traffic in and pass Galway City. Instead of being early we were late for briefing. Our man, Norman, was already there so no reason to panic. Briefing was quite short… according to Ray. Rest would argue. Later nice dinner at Station House bar. That night I was sleeping ok but too short. 3 hours is not enough. In the morning (night rather) I was feeling ok physically and mentally. Usual morning pre-race routine and I was ready for 6AM start…
There was 15 of us ready to tackle 100 miles. Most of runners knew what the distance will demand. For some of us like me that was totally new. Usually before marathons I have last thoughts sounds in my head similar to that: ‘Why do I run that 42 K, do I really need it?’ Not this time. This time there were no questions like that. I was focused on the race. This time crowd was different barely recognize runners. Maybe 2-3 familiar faces. Rest people were from Ultra Universe, Universe at door steps I’m now trying to get in… Route? Demanding, not as hilly as you would expected. Crew? Ready. Me? Focused. 3… 2… 1… GO. 1 mile loop in Clifden and then up, up and away… Uphill, not to steep but still. For the first 5 km we were accompanied by Garadai car. They were leading the pack, behind them – me running my plan. As long as I can to keep pace of 5:24 minutes per km. Beginning of the race was quite easy. Till the first checkpoint most of the crews hasn’t been following their runners. They just wanted to be sure that no mistake will be made on the planned turns. My crew waited on both turns shouting encouraging things at me and passing me the fluids. After second turn in Tullycross they started to follow me. I think to them the race has started at that moment. At the route to first checkpoint we have passed cottage which we has once rented for whole 36 hours (yes, 36 hours. Left when our dog got almost eaten by ticks) and almost missed turn to Lough Inagh. Had to ask Norman if that is the turn. They were convinced that it will be next one (map in the car seems not to be detailed enough, haha). Arrived first at the checkpoint. Small food, toilet and left second. Never saw Malcolm Gamble again. Even when tried hard on the beginning to catch him I couldn’t. Gave up and was back to my planned pace. There was good reason for me not being able to regain first place. Malcolm is very, very experienced ultra runner from Australia. That was his second 100 miles in Connemara (he knew the route quite well). By the way, he was 3rd in Belfast 24 hours race 3 weeks before (same one I was running 12 hours). At the end, despite of the weather, he finished below 16 hours. After coming to my senses and abandoning idea of catching Malcolm I called down and continued to very unfriendly spot (again, according to Ray) Maam Cross. That part on the N59 was kinda scary. Heavy traffic and first signs of head being tired. Had to stop, take a rest, eat rice. Minutes waisted. At that stage I knew already that this race is not about speed, it’s all about endurance and ability to finish. In Maam Cross we passed angry looking crowd (or maybe we were delusional and started to believe what Ray told us). Anyway, from there, according to Norman (he run that route backwards on Connemara Ultra) should be just downhill. I think he just wanted to spare me thinking about that uphill which led to downhill (what comes up can then come down). Downhill was easy, had to take a small rest again and eat some rice. Turn to Leenane and little after that things got ugly. It was not just wind any more. Lashing rain, raining sideways. Instead of buff needed cap, just to get rid off water from the face. Wasn’t enough, needed sunglasses. Soaked wet got to second checkpoint. Changed top, sock, shoes, running pants and even underwear. Food and on the way for 7 km of constant incline in headwind and cold rain. Horror has started. Pace went down, cold was starting to ‘touch’ each bone in my body, mind started to play the tricks on me. Checkpoint 3 was in the same place as checkpoint 1 what meant that would run part of the route that I already knew. But it was different this time, more ups and downs and rain wasn’t helping. There was no chance of catching Malcolm so I have focused on making sure that my second place is safe. Checkpoint 3, third set of running gear. This time change much longer, muscle stiff, needed help to take even top of. Too long… Limping back on the road. Crisis was near, could feel it. But it wasn’t the one I was expecting. Was expecting physical exhaustion but not ‘sleep running’. You know that feeling, when you blink your eyes for a split second and when opening you are in totally different spot. That has happened to me. Asked for couple of minutes of sleep in the car. 10 minutes tops. Oooo, I needed that. Apparently fall asleep in couple of seconds. After waking up I was cold but had all the time in the world to got warm. Wasn’t raining any more. Energy levels were high again. Was quite fast considering that I had over 70 miles behind me. Now towards to Roundstone, towards checkpoint number 4. We were informed that on that stretch between 79 and 85 miles is called ‘Death Valley’. Pretty name, don’t you think? Why you ask? Cause on that part most DNS are happening. Ups and downs to Roundstone were quite tiring. Still in the second place. At this stage I had started to calculate how far left and how long it would take me to finish. Estimation were really shifting from mile to mile and legs were getting heavier and head… I just want to go to sleep again. Crew has ‘set my bed’ just before Roundstone. If I knew that we were so close to village I wouldn’t stop. I would just went on through the Main Street and stop for a nap after mile 83 outside village. Which I actually did cause nap number 2 before Roundstone was really bad. No recovery at all. Roundstone, traffic, crew car stopped, run with Ray for a moment. Nap on the mile 83. 18 minutes, energy back this time. There was not even a marathon distance left. That was the part of the route where I present of my crew was so important. They were encouraging me all the time, pushing me, giving liquids, feeding rice. Wasn’t too far away. Knew that weather prevent me from fulfilling my running plan. At this stage I didn’t care about time wanted just to finish and if possible on the second position. According to rules I should be running with headtorch. Was delaying moment of putting the headtorch. Usually it is not heavy but back then after over 90 miles of running I knew that it will be huge burden. Additional 20 kg on my head. Delay, delay, delay… oh, falling asleep again. With 12 km to go took the last nap. 12 minutes, remember that I was even dreaming. Don’t remember dream but was dreaming. I was brutally awaken by Bozena. She was shouting at me that if I want to stay in second I need to move. They saw Sam Kilpatrick (he was in third) headtorch in the distance. Jumped out of the car just asking for directions. To build up distance between me and Sami again I was running for first 2 km in pace of 5:30 min per km. Eventually got my headtorch as well. Last couple kilometres leading to Clifden was a constant calculation of how long to go. Couldn’t see any lights behind us, so I was safe. Just wanted to get to Clifden and start the loops. At last village but which way now? Right, left, straight? Hasn’t remembered that part of the Clifden loop. Stopped for split second and decided to go left. Good choice, hill, that how it suppose to be. Turn, Texaco, I was on the loop. Just three to go. Even that it was still three miles and at my pace it would take me probably about 20 minutes I was almost home. That 20 minutes felt maybe like 10 or less… After climbing hill for the last time and turning right I could start celebrating. Second home in 18:03:59. Couldn’t be more happy. My crew and I did it. Were able to conquer Connemara 100 together… Epic…
Without Bozena, Norman and Lukasz I wouldn’t be able to do that. They got my motor going for whole distance. They were pushing me. Changed my clothes. Talking rubbish at me and encouraging me as well. Told me some stories and… have informed me that I’m officially not normal – thanks Lukasz.
Would I do that again? Yes, definitely. Connemara? Yes, nice event. Regrets? Yes, not finishing below 18 hours and missing Sparthatlon cut off. When next one? Don’t know. Maybe as quick as end of September… BUT I WILL BE BACK TO DO 100 AGAIN…
Gallery…
Race is called Energia24. I was planning to do 12 hours run but besides that one there were three different distances or type of runs. There was 24 hours run for all those crazy runners ;-), 24 hours relay – 4 runners team and the last group was running 100 K. Festival of running was starting Friday evening. 6:45 PM runners started their race for 24H, relay, 100 K and the first group of 12 hours. I wanted to run fresh, not after whole day of work so decided that I will start my shift in the morning but still to the track on Friday evening to check the atmosphere of the place and to see all these determine runners. Hard to describe what I saw that Friday. I saw happiness, focus, determination and on that stage not yet tiredness. I was admiring them. John, Don, Thomas, Brenda that just some of them… Everyone of them was prepared to fight with their weaknesses, pain and much more. And I was joining them next day. When I was on the track trying to pick up my racing pack and the number. Unfortunately there was no one who could registered me. That meant showing 15 minutes earlier and making sure that I will be able to pick up all needed. So, Friday evening was spent on the chat to Ed – Energia24 organizer and watching glorious battle. Emotional? Yes. I knew that in less than 12 hours I will be on that track running with all these ‘heroes’. Went back to hotel to prepare for the race. Four sets of tops and buffs, two sets of running shorts and socks. At this stage I was wreck tired and stressed out. Went trough nutrition list with Bozena. All prepared: me, Bozena and the food. I was well after midnight when I went to bed and felt asleep…
Big day has arrived. Coffee, three toasts slices, quick shower and I was ready. What I really meant was ‘not ready for 12 hours of run’. I don’t think you are ready ever for 12 hours run. Especially when it is your first one. At 6 AM we have arrived to the track. We had plenty of time for my registration and to set the tent. When I was on the briefing Bozena started her tiring job. Job of a supporting crew. She was great from the beginning till the last second of the race and even after that when I was in bits locking my wounds. Set the food station with all necessary supplies for me. All put in order to ease my breaks as well as for her to know exactly what I have used and what needs to be refilled. Now I think that it is actually her who was doing the more demanding job during these 12 hours. I was just running in circles, nothing else. She was helping me, nurturing me, trying to do everything for me. I know that runners always appreciate their support crew but I think that support crew need to be mentioned more in reports, in discussion. It is them who actually keep you going and deserve much more attention not the runners. 6:45 AM 18th of July I have started my first 12 hours run. Plan? Try to cover 120 km, when running to average speed of 11 km/h. 120 km in 12 hours was giving me coverage of 10 km in each hour. Very difficult. But when was I setting my goal I haven’t got the clue how tough the race will be. And again has learned that keeping the pace slower is more important than speeding up on the beginning and being very tired later. During such a race when you are tired it is very hard to recover. Back to me not running as I suppose to. Started much faster than planned. On the watch I was reading pace well below 5 min/km. I knew that on some stage that will bite me in the ‘backside’. Was feeling ok, was really grateful to Bozena for setting the food station. Box was even signed with ‘mad IT runner’ and my name (still that hasn’t stopped other runners from using my stash). My 12 hours shift started slowly. Everyone but me was pacing themselves. Quite quick I was in the lead with couples laps to spare. I could control my 12 hours shift but haven’t got a clue how good were the runners running during night. And organizers didn’t want to give that information away. Maybe that was smart move preventing day runners from trying to catch the distance of the previous participants. Only info you were getting was amount of the laps you did and even that wasn’t always correct. From that you had to work out yourself distance already covered. In fairness I wasn’t paying attention to amount of laps I was running with the watch. That was apparently a mistake cause GPS grid covering that track is off and adding up distance. For me laps were just indication how big is my advantage. In the first 5-6 hours advantage was fast building up. I was running quite fast having in mind that there is still another same time period to run. At this stage I haven’t eaten much yet. Plenty of liquids but not much solid food. I knew that I will be slowing down soon. Strength slowly was deteriorating. During first couple of hours my pace was as high as relay runners but that would change later. Cause of the weather I had to change my tops 5 times (got just 4) in the morning was sunny but after that cloudy with rain going on and off. Bozena has force me to stop and eat some rice. All together I ate just 5 jaffa cakes, half of protein bar, half of energy bar and 4 spoons of rice. Not much. I think now that I should maybe more often to keep my energy level higher rather than waiting until you are hungry and missing the strength to go on. Last 2 hours were really tough. Bozena told me that my watch is of by 4 km, I was thinking of the distance which I would like to cover. At my pace I should be able to do that without any problem but then something has happened. I couldn’t run, wanted just to stop, mind tricks. Was that the famous wall? If yes, that was my first time I have experience that. I think I have already run 110 km. Bozena convinced me that I had to go on. Decided that I won’t stop will just walk for the moment. Have walked with Bozenka for about 2.5 laps and then started to run again. I wouldn’t call that running but I was going faster than walking. At the end I wanted to finish strong but body was so tired that my last fast try was just 20 second before finishing. Stopped, knew that I achieved my goal even with that 4 km difference. Now had to wait for Ed to get to me with measuring wheel. These couple of minutes were very long. Lasted for ages. Couldn’t stand so I lay down covered by thermal blanket. Apparently runner on the floor covered with thermal blanket is an alarm. Suddenly by me there was two members of medical stuff. They thought that I was collapsing but I was just laughing. Had to wait for race referees to measure everybody distance from the beginning of the lap. First 24 hours runners, after that us – 12 hours. So, it took some time for Ed to arrive with measuring wheel to take my distance. After that I had get up and limp back to our tent. And must say, changing your clothes after long run is the most difficult and awkward thing to do. I was in pain, knew that I had blisters, muscles were very tight. I did 121 km running but now I was barely moving. It took me about 25 minutes to get into dry clothes and now I had to walk about 50 meters to tent where medal presentation was organized. Ouch, ouch… That was me going to that tent, passing others. Cause I haven’t got a clue about times night shift runners got I didn’t know what was my final position. All I knew was that I have covered most km from runners who were running during day. Plenty of laughter during the ceremony, tired faces but everyone was happy. Awards were given away for relays – great new record set by A team from Dublin Bay Running Club, 24 h race for men and women – both well over 100 miles mark. After that was the one which I was waiting for 12 hours. First woman – just couple of km shorter than me. And… men. I wasn’t on the third place, wasn’t on the second place. So, there was always option that I was below 4th but when Ed started to introduce winner of the category he just have mentioned that this person wanted to be sure of the track location, number pick up and all the race details cause of that arrived on the track 10 hours earlier to check all of that. After that I knew that he was talking about me… First win in the important venue. Nice… Have covered over 121 km. More than happy… I won’t achieved anything if not for my Wife – Bozena. She won that medal with me. And I think she deserve it more than me…
Big challenge, big lesson… Learn from that and continue what both of us doing. Go team ‘mad IT runner’.
Pictures:
First thing first. My Lovely Wife decided to surprise me and do the marathon in Clonakilty as well. So, this time I wasn’t alone on the 26.2 mile journey (I’m never alone, massive amount of runners is sharing experience with me). Cause Bozena didn’t want to slow me down she asked me to run with runners where she has started with early starters. Bozena started after 7 AM and me at 9 AM. New Clonakilty course was set on the about 12 km loops (you were running to beach and coming back) so that gave us opportunity to see each other couple of times during run. Cause Bozena was supporting one of the injured walker she end up walking the whole marathon and that gave me chance to catch her and Eamon (supported walker) with still at least 15 km to go. There I have decided that I will accompanied my Wife to finish line and we have walked together till the end. When I told that story to rest of the guests in B&B (as well runners) girls said that it was very romantic…
If they just know the rest of the story. We have stayed in B&B where food provided was all home-made and very tasety. Brilliant scones after we have arrived and toasts with jam in the morning and that just caused problem during run. Actually three problems, visits to loo (and I was not even on the half way mark). After about 18 km it started to calm down. But again diet and my ‘never ending’ appetite put me into troubles. As I was mentioning in previous post https://maditrunner.com/dont-slip-now/ I need to get a grip and stop doing like that. Next chance on Saturday in Clontarf/Howth marathon. That’s the bad from the run…
Now little about marathon route itself. From Quality Hotel to Inchydoney beach and back. One loop was about 12 km, so runners have in front of them 3.5 loop course. Over whole route over 400 metres incline. Hard route but great views, so you couldn’t complain. Even that I thought that course wasn’t easy it was piece of cake for Garry O’Hanlon. great run from the champion. He mixed the route adding up over a mile but still was able finish below 2:30. He was going for the PB during that run but there was couple of runners like Dave, Brenda or Lilliane who run that marathon on Friday morning, drived to Howth to run 8 PM marathon there, to come back during night and run main Waterfront Marathon in Clonakilty on Saturday. 28 hours or so and clocked 78.6 miles… Respect… For endurance and the idea – 3 marathons and two car routes for 3.5 hours (that not counting “relaxing” drive to and from Clonakilty)…
Hopefuly one day I will be able to do the same… but for now I hope that Bozena will add something more to that post 😉
Pictures as usual:
My ignorance was one thing but weather was another. Yesterday was a gorgeous day. Sunny, small breeze from the sea. Irish man would say that it was a grand summer day. But that was yesterday. Today was no sun, cloudy, temperature just right but wind in the face for 2/3 of the run and rain. Irish man would say typical day in Ireland. Anyway, weather was much worst than during Dublin City Marathon.
At this stage I don’t know my official time but my watch showed 3:13:22 exactly same as time in Charlville. I have strange feeling that it will be officially 5 seconds worse. Was aiming for new PB here but haven’t got myself familiar with route before the race, weather wasn’t great and made a rookie mistake. It all adds up to no new PB result. Now on the bus on the way back to Nice thinking about tactic I should have used during the run – equal splits, not run as mad man when you can. You need to have plan. Mine was called – ‘none’. I started like a silly runner. First 23 km in pace about 4:20 minutes/km. With the first incline my pace got worse – about 4:30. That was decreasing unfortunately and ended up over 5:15. My only concern was to get to the finish line before 3:15 hours. Those are the thoughts about marathon when sitting in the bus returning to rainy Nice.
After taking a shower we went for the lunch/dinner. But beforehand I got my official time – 3:13:20 (position 505 from over 6800 runners), which means that I have new PB! Beat the Old one by whole 2 seconds. That’s a good one. That’s for the result. Now back to marathon atmosphere during run. I was writing in the post ‘madITrunner on tour’ that on the expo everybody was so open and friendly, but it was very different on the marathon day. Runners talked just to each other when they were running together (same club or friends). There was no chit-chat with strangers. I spoke for about 10 minutes with runner from the UK and that was it. When running in Ireland I remember that there were plenty people you can talk to during your run. What is most important, they want to talk to you. Huge difference between Irish and French runners. There is one more thing which annoyed me much – supporters. They were very quiet (not my Wife) and didn’t interact with the runners. No high-five with anybody and they completely ignored my ‘make some noise’ gesture. That wouldn’t be the case in Ireland. That’s for sure.
Wifey told me about one organization hiccup which was a huge queue for buying train tickets. As a result that she missed me on the 15 km mark. Everything was ok for the second meeting which was scheduled on the 31 km mark. At that stage I was so tired, wearing dark sunglasses which were wet from the rain that I almost missed My Wife. Next time we need to use a flag or something to make it easy for me to see Wifey from far away.
Really nice marathon. Not necessarily pleasant run because I was not entirely prepared but would like to do it again. Not next year (have a few marathons planned for outside of Ireland to consider) but some day… Will get a better time.
Pictures as usual below. Don’t forget about videos on YouTube:
– Runners are preparing for Alpes-Maritimes Marathon 2014-11-09,
– Just before start to Alpes-Maritimes Marathon 2014-11-09,
– Runners seen from train – Alpes-Maritimes Marathon 2014-11-09.
P.S. I was running with my knee strapped in Rock Tape for the first time and must say knee was OK. No pain at all. At least till tape hasn’t been sticky anymore and had to get rid of it. Pain started again. But at least was not as bad as in Charlville. First marathon in ASICS and special laces. Everything was great. Can’t complain.
P.S.S. Forgot to mention one thing, when I was still waiting with the rest of runners for the marathon to start I was approached by a guy from theregional TV. Haven’t asked many questions, just one actually – ‘Where are you from?’ but that could mean one thing. I could be on TV (probably local channel and just for 5 seconds but always) or just took part in the promo for the Alpes-Maritimes Marathon.
So, how it went? We have decided that I will be jogging and walking with her. I will be supporting her all the way and if needed I will help her. But Bozena is very stubborn and she didn’t need any help from me. Just maybe some courage words during whole route. From my own experience I knew that on some stage that Bozena will feel pain in her legs, pain which she never experience. I was right. After first 12 km, which we have run without any break, Bozena had to rest a little bit. Having said rest ment start walking but still moving towards finishing lane. From there we have been jogging and than walking and back to jogging again. Couples kilometers later Bozena has told me that she never felt such a pain in her legs and funny enough when she is walking is worst then when jogging. But we couldn’t jog all the time, we had to take breaks of course.
I know that physically Bozena was struggling sometimes but mentally she was (is) very strong. My only concern was that maybe her body could failed her. First time she was completing marathon. I couldn’t be more wrong. Bozena being so mentally strong proved that you can finish marathon… Time, wasn’t too bad for the first time – 5:42:42. That was Bozena’s. I was slower by one second. Stay strong and you will accomplish what you want.
Videos from that marathon you can find on my YouTube channel.