Three hills…

Start loop, conquer three hills, repeat… That in short is Achill marathon. In short but there is so much more to that run…

Achill Island itself is beautiful. That can’t be ruined even by Irish Summer (especially one we had this year). Of course with bad weather it is hard to enjoy views when you there but… you just enjoy being there… So, that what we did over that weekend. Weather wasn’t too bad. Kinda windy, little bit rainy (time to time) but that was expected. Running, walking, being amazed by views. This is Achill… But for all coming down there. Remember to have cash on you… Achill has just one ATM, which is located at the beginning of the island. Yep, that could be a small hiccup. Especially when you need to use cash to pay for B&B. But what will happen if only ATM is ‘OUT OF ORDER’? And that has happened that weekend. I you lucky and need just 100 euro or less you are going to garage. Trying to purchase products for 10 euro which will entitle you to cash back option up to 100 euro. But if you need more you will need to by for 10 euro amount couple of times… Kinda funny… but not when you need cash.

Yep. Back to main event of the weekend. That was first time I was running that marathon. Again something new. And straight away I was put into role of a pacer for 4 hours. As you know already I like pacing, a lot. It is nice to help others and share running experiences. And I think personally that 4 hours is ideal time for that. Pace is not too fast, can talk and discuss. But it is not too slow as well, no way you will be walking at any stage. My idea of Achill marathon – hills. Was expecting two on each loop. But somebody forgot to mention about one more which was kinda preparation for two biggish ones. Of course I have checked as well the GPX for that run but missed that one hill as well. WELL… what you can do? Just run it. Make sure that runners can see you tied to the end of the balloon string (do not loose balloon next time Cezary). But cause there was about 50 marathon runners I knew that maybe my ‘flock’ won’t be too big but was surprised when started that besides me was about 10 marathoners. OK, but go back to the beginning of the day. Early start for me. 6 AM, to be ready for light breakfast in half a hour. We, pacers, were asked by Donna – race director – to be early at the starting line. We were there before 8 AM to see ultra runners starting their adventure on that challenging route. Between the ultras you could see some of the Sparthans – Don, Anto and Thomas. For them that was just a training run, but knowing Don he was aiming from the beginning in the win. Did that, of course. There was another runner who will be running from Athens to Spartha in couple of days. Brian Ankers, he was marathon pacer for 3:45. Anyways, nice companions. Very experienced. Being at the starting line you had straight away feeling that it is very intimate venue. You were getting that family feeling. When ultras were gone marathon runners started preparation process. For me most of the people were new. Not usual MCI or EOIM crowd. But that was nice. New stories, new friends. When we have eventually started there was nice amount of runners. Some sprinted forward having on their minds just winning, some stuck with Brian, me or Cezary. Loop was flattish till about mile 5.5. Before that we have been passing water station with some energy bits (mile 2). After grabbing some food there and continue to run I was surrendered just by 3 runners. And that was just beginning. And on the first hill there was just one companion for me. We had nice chat. For him that was first marathon (hard one to start with), but he run couple halfs in Achill so he knew the terrain. His goal was to finish in 4:30. And keeping my pace he was in 4 hours mark. We have passed first hill (one I missed in the preparations). Wasn’t too bad but after this one I was expecting just one more. And was really surprised that hill on the mile 7 wasn’t the last one. And that hill was demanding… serpentines downhill. Not really great for knees but you could rest little bit… and then in the not so far distance you could see next hill… Damn it. At this stage I knew that it would be nice to have couple of spare minutes in my pocket. Second lap will be slower for most of the runners and I would like to run with runners. At the end of third hill here and back with water station. Small hump and the rest of the loop, about 2.5 miles (or maybe more) was downhill. End up loop with 1:30 minutes spare. Had time to grab water, talk to my Wife. Second loop. Stopped at the next water station (that one on the mile 2 besides boxing club). Grab piece of Snickers, water and went back on the course. This time I was alone, my runner spent more time on that stop and never been able to get back to proper pace. Damn it, alone again. Kept the pace. After three hills on which I have passed Jerry on his speed car I have noticed that Leslie was trying to catch me. Would be nice to finish with a runner. Slow downhill (still plenty of time to spare) looking behind me to check if Leslie is there. Just before end of the race he came quite close. I have slowed down, clap my hands, shout at him just to get Leslie into 4 hours. And he has finished in 4 exactly… So, wasn’t alone at the end… Good…

Great event. Will come back to pace next year if will be asked. Will now remember that each loop has three not two loops… 6 all together… or maybe 9 for next year? That is the question.