Sunday 11th March 2010After my first escapades out with the IMRA group of running the Wicklow way trail run (26KM) I thought that this run couldn't be any harder but was I wrong. My first worries started seeping in when I saw how few people there were for the race meaning that this wasn't going to be an easy run. We started at 1215 once the oldest man I had ever seen running turned up at the start line (he was in the over 80s category) and off we went. The start was all uphill and after 1 KM I was in the top 10 and feeling good but was definitely going too fast. These guys around me were machines and I was just a newbie. After 2KM I had fallen back a bit but had found some sort of a rhythm until we had to go off trail where we were up and down over hills and mountains. Also getting stuck in mud and walking when the mountain got too tough.
The good thing about doing mountain running is that generally the up is the hard part so you just keep pushing your way to the top. On my way up I stuffed a power gel into my mouth which really helped. On the way down I was by myself most of the way and found myself lost due to poor mountain markings which was annoying when you running out of energy. After a few minutes I found my way and was off again. The downhill running is an art that I haven't mastered as one of the runner just thunders past me . I kept trying to run in different ways but being wrecked and sore doesn't help. Crossing the line was a sweet feeling.
Overall I beat the 1hr30mins and got in the top 20 out of 40 so I was pretty happy but always areas for improvements.
My results and my pics
Well done! Can't you just roll down no? ;)
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