Clonakilty 10 K...group trip

Where to begin...
Arriving the night before, we headed to the Quality Hotel HQ for the Clonakilty Marathon, we were here to do the 10K. I had the pleasure of travelling with Bernie and Tina (secretly, I was hoping some of their fast pace would transfer itself to me , maybe by osmosis, I don't know, sometimes I rave). But I digress, we collected our numbers and tech shirts. Our group had decided to go on our first group field trip outside of Kerry, exciting stuff...  We booked into our base for the weekend the Emmet Hotel, soon after Michelle, Anna and Karen arrived. It was time to eat, discuss run tactics (hahaha!!!) and make elaborate plans to run marathons in foreign lands...We also met Kate, Karen's friend who played an integral part in the success of my weekend!
The run was starting at 9am, so alarms were set for 6.30am, for 7am breakfast.

Looking well even in the early a.m...

The amazing thing about breakfast was Kate's ability to eat the cooked brekkie before the run to say we were impressed, doesn't really convey our sense of awe especially as I ate my toast and banana, anything else and I would be sick. As usual before any race I hadn't slept very well and a few bathroom trips were needed, although I don't think I was as panicky as I usually am.
The morning itself was a tad chilly but it was a blue sky day. We walked up to the starting area, all in good spirits and basically looking forward to finishing. I met up with my mum to give her race number which I had collected for her. Karen who came with the intention of doing the 10K, is still injured and feeling a twinge decided not to push it and prolong a full recovery. So, Susan and Karen were the cheer squad, bag and jacket holders for the race and may I say they did a great job. People headed in search of  bathrooms and like every race the world over there were queues. At around 8.45 a.m. we headed toward the start line or so we thought!!!

Startline selfie..

As we waited, I could feel the nerves kick in. It was after 9 before, they told us we had to head to start line which a bit of walk and jog away, so we were nicely warmed up when we crossed the start line. And, we were off... The road had a bit off a pull, which just wiped you straight out. It seemed to make the first mile so long even though in reality it wasn't. I found myself pushing myself up the hills but being bloody wrecked at the top and not pushing forward. (Something to work on!) By the time I hit the straight, heading into the major climb between mile two and three, I was alternating between running bursts, shuffling, walking but falways forward motion. I was also looking at all the runners heading down towards me, first I saw Bernie and then Kate who gave me a high five as we passed each other and my god what a boost. Love it! I had little pep and as I headed up the hill, I bloody well needed it..
At the half way point, we had to go under a timing gate which brought a smile to my face because we had talked about ways of not doing the run and getting a PB  i.e sticking race numbers to Anna, hiding behind a ditch, I know, I know too much time but hey whatever gets you to the start line smiling. As I headed back down into the straight, I was glad I had just worn a t-shirt as the winter sun was adding to the heat I was feeling. As I met the half marathoners and marathoners coming back toward me again, I truly felt sorry for them and so glad for me that I was nearly done. I think heading back was tougher then running out maybe because your legs are tired. I walked up the last tough hill and suddenly, from across the road I heard 'Hi, Majella' it was Siobhan my cousin, she was motoring through the half marathon. The last part was the nearly the worse because you know you are nearly there and you want to stop but you have to still keep going.
As I went through the roundabout heading right, I saw Anna, she was there 'Come on you can do it, you're nearly there', she began to walk with me, then shuffle I tried to do a bit of running, Anna kept saying we won't stop and that's all I could think of doing. As I turned into the Quality Hotel, my legs paused, took a time out, will they ever learn? I had decided I wanted to finish strong and so, I kicked in and headed across the finish line. I then had to take a moment or five to recover as I truly thought I was going to 'throw up'. Having gathered myself , I went in search of my bling which is 'tres importante'

Happeeeee..

Everyone one was glad to have it done. Poor Michelle had a miserable experience arriving back with both feet blistered.
Overall, although the course was tough, It was one of the more enjoyable running experiences I had this year. I also did a good time for me no PB but not too far off it, I can only take the information from my Garmin as my official time has not been found by the timing company.
Race done there was only one thing for us all to do, party. Every good trip needs a theme, a song, an anthem if you will and so ours is....

And so as this anthem sears into the memory of our group, it will always bring a smile to my face as I remember running the Clonakilty 10K and partying with 'the fit, fat and elderly'...