The Long Run

Remember that evening back in early February when I was shown my plan for ultra runs for 2015. I wasn’t convinced back then that I will be able to accomplish all runs – 50K, 50 miles, 100K, 12 h and 100 miles. In February it looked like distant future. Now, after the last of the runs that day when I saw ‘The PLAN’ almost fades away in my memory. Each longer race was preparing me for the Connemara 100 – Crown Jewel (at least for me and at least for now). I could say that my only preparation for that race was to make sure that I will have proper amount of miles in my legs. Second thing – make sure that I will have reliable crew. Mileage was down to me and it was going quite well. Crew was sorted out as well. So, everything was going according to the plan. Days and weeks were passing by. I was clocking miles, going into longer runs, running plenty marathons. Everything looked promising until event was moved forward by a week. Instead of 13th of August now it suppose to take place on the 8th. For me that one week wasn’t a big deal but some members of my crew had holiday plans for that time. I was already signed in and was missing full crew. Took me another couple of weeks to sort that out and at the end of the day I had three members of the crew: Bozena (my Wife) – knew me best and already was going through ultra experience with me as one man crew team, Norman Hunter – running buddy from MCI who I met last year in Ballina, where both of us were on the beginning of our marathon adventure and Lukasz Banasik – old friend from primary school who moved down here as well. So, between three of them there was ultra crewing experience, marathon and ultra running experience and huge enthusiasm. Explosive mixture which as it will prove during the race worked out really well. Mileage and crew was sorted out. Now I had to learn to listen to my body and control what I can eat and what shouldn’t I even try…

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…

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