Storm, What Storm?
Sunday the 10th of April 2016, this was to be my first attempt at completing an Ultramarathon. An ultra is considered any run that is over the standard length of 26.2 miles, in this case the distance would be 39.3 miles or just over 60km. This was my second trip to Connemara having completed the marathon here last spring. The day began with a 6am alarm call in our B&B Seamist house followed by a bus collection in Clifden at 7.15. The bus filled up as we were transported over to the race HQ Peacocks hotel, I was expecting a bit more chat on the bus but then again maybe the reality of what lay ahead was just starting to sink in! The run began at 9am on the dot, which was a welcome relief as the wind that was howling down the valley would have cut straight through you. The bunch of runners seemed to split into two distinct groups - those at the front who looked like they were heading out for a swift 5k and those at the back who were just out to enjoy the day. I found myself between these two groups and soon found a running buddy who was also completing his first Ultra distance race. As it turned out he was from Spain but was living in Dublin and we had a great many things to talk about.
The miles started to tick by and soon we had passed the first 13 of our journey to 39.3. So far so good although the weather was starting to threaten with what turned out to be the first shower of many more to come. The Ultra route is one big loop of the Connemara national park beginning in Maam cross and heading out to Leenane before turning back and finishing in Maam cross. On a good day you will be awarded views of The 12 Bens and the Maumturk Mountain ranges - on a good day. At some stage just after 11am the wind and rain decided that today was not going to be a good day, and from just after Lough Inagh the battle with the elements began. The temperature hovered between 4 and 7 degrees and the wind and rain were incessant, at one stage sleet and hail began pelting us on the descent into Killary harbour which just added to the extreme conditions.
At this stage of the run we were approaching the full marathon distance and despite everything my spirits remained good, after all the weather is something you cannot control so you can either embrace it or not. I passed the timing mat for the full marathon at the 4 hour mark and now for just the final 13 miles with the small issue of a couple of hills to tackle. This last section on the run was always going to be the toughest both physically and mentally, my running buddy had decided that he would tackle this section by himself but that we would try and meet at the finish line, so on I went with only my head for company.
Just after mile 34 you see it, it being the Hell of the West. This is the infamous climb that is tough going at just over 2 and a half miles long and hitting you just when your legs are protesting. I was encouraged though as I passed three lads also completing the ultra but who seemed to be going even slower than me. So the hill came and went and to say that I felt elated upon reaching the top is an understatement. Once the top had been reached, the end of this epic run was in sight only a mere 2 miles with even a slight downhill - Yippee. I was able to muster what felt like a sprint even though it probably wasn’t that fast for the last few miles and crossed the finish line with even the commentator getting my surname right. The end of an epic adventure and my first Ultramarathon complete.
I crossed the finish line in a time of 6hrs and 19 Minutes. This day will stay with me for a long time to come as not only did I complete an Ultramarathon but the weather threw everything at us and I was still able to get through it.
