Date: 29th August 2004
Location: Longford, Ireland
Course type: Country roads.
Fee: 35 euro
This event has both a full and half run at the same time. About 600 or so
(just a guess) participants over the 2 races. The start is shared by both
events, with the course splitting in 2 after 7 miles. Registration (at a
local school) was simple enough and goodie bags and t-shirts were given out
before the race. The race start was about 5 minutes jog up the road into the
town. At 10:00 we lined up and set off. The 1st mile was a loop within the
town. Dodged the usual walkers who started at the front and went through
mile 1 in 7:24. Mile 2 took us out of the town into a headwind.7:24 again.
At this point I could feel my left shin tightening up. By the time I reached
the 1st water station just short of mile 3 my left calf had tightened up as
well. I was running with a limp so I was forced to stop and stretch. At this
point I was looking at my first dnf. After a minute or so of stretching I
gingerly rejoined the race. I ended up running alongside a woman who was
doing a steady 8:15 pace. I stayed alongside her while I ran off my shin
problem.
At mile 7 the course split in 2. The marathoners continued on and we turned
back towards the town. I felt comfortable enough to pick up the pace again.
With the wind behind me I set off at about 7:15 pace. A guy in a red top
took up the challenge and followed me. I decided to try picking runners who
were 40-50m ahead of me and try to reel them in. I followed this plan until
mile 12. Red-top guy was behind me all the way. He passed me at a water
station but I overtook him again straight away. Over the last mile I could
hear him getting closer behind me until he overtook me with about 1/2 mile
to go. I was tired and I decided I wouldn't try to catch him. Then I saw the
finish about 300m ahead. He had a lead of about 20m on me at this stage. I
sprinted up alongside and past him. He responded and caught me. I speeded
up. He caught me again. I put my head down and sprinted as hard as I could
and crossed the line just ahead of him. My El Guerrouj moment :-)
Time: 1:46. A PB by 3 minutes, but not as good as I had hoped. In the end I
was happy just to finish.
Afterwards: Massage, shower and change. The massage area was particularly
well-staffed. Plenty of post-race fluids on offer as well. Then we were fed.
Dinner was a choice of pasta, chicken, pizza and/or salad. Plenty of bread,
cake, tea and coffee too.
My verdict: I'll be back. Challenging course, well organised, plenty of
extras.
--
Colm