Valentines day running - 10 miles

After all the rain of the last few months, it was great to wake on Sunday to blue skies, it was a day made for running, the temperature was low but not too cold.  Heading into Tralee, I quickly found parking. I had everything I needed for my run water, phone, earphones I was missing only one thing sunglasses, the sun really was that strong...
A short walk down to the wetlands gave my legs a stretch, after the requisite toilet stop I was ready. I would be running solo none of the girls were able to make this one. The atmosphere was good and I felt quite relaxed....

There was nothing left to do only to head to the start line. There were pacers but I didn't know where to place myself, I knew where I'd like to finish but not wanting to put my 'delicate' running psyche under any pressure, I hedged my bets and lined up between the 1.45 and 2.00 hour pacers.  I did a few squats to keep the legs warm and soon enough we were off.
I knew I was going faster than I could maintain but I moved with the crowd and as the first mile passed, I didn't feel too bad. As I headed up Caherslee, I was able to ease in to a more maintainable pace, there were plenty of people out cheering us on which was lovely. As I hit the roundabout and turned left out into the country road, I felt a slight twinge. Aghhh!! A stitch but a quick stretch and I felt fine once more. I was really enjoying the run. I felt comfortable. Out in the Tralee countryside, the road stretched ahead I tried to run relaxed and smile, which wasn't too hard considering what a beautiful day it was.
I no longer felt a chill in fact I was quite warm as I turned left toward the Kerries.  I knew the road for next few miles was hilly with a few twist and turns, so I paced it as best I could, I walked one hill, ran another and then once more...Stitch!  I did the same as before, stretched but kept moving forward. The view at the top is lovely and offers a beautiful view over Tralee Bay.
What goes up must come down and as I headed down the stitch was there niggling.. The road climbed slightly and so did I slowly. I stopped again to stretch..  As I hit the 8th mile, I was thankful for the water offered, looking out at the Atlantic ocean is always uplifting but heading past Blennerville windmill and along the canal was tough, the stitch was a constant.

I caught up to a  runner I knew Elaine from the 'Kilgarvan ag rith' running group, she had picked up a bit of a knock herself. Over the next mile or so I walked a bit, ran as best I could but I was not enjoying it at all. As I headed towards the Brandon Hotel,  Elaine passed and offered encouragement as did another runner who said the best think for a stitch was to run through it, which I assure you is a lot easier said than done! (The runner I later realised was a pacer so they do know what they were talking about).  As I crossed the road, Susan was there she said just go for it  and some how I just kept looking straight, literally with my teeth gritted I sprinted towards the finish line as fast as I could.
Crossing the line I knew what was going to happen, I got as far as the white van and began to dry heave which quickly turn into the regurgitating of every sip of water I had drank since I woke..The stewards were extremely helpful and patient, fantastic!
Having retrieved my bling and stopped my trusty Garmin, I found a bench sat down and gathered myself. Susan and mum found me and my new bit of bling taking a few deep breaths. I finished just within the 2 hours.

Eyes in need of sunglasses..

Looking back on the run, I really did enjoy it as a whole the first half I paced my run well which I really happy about. And although I didn't finish as strong as I would have liked, I know I am capable of a good strong 10 mile run at some time in the future....

Rain, pace, wind, bling - Clonakilty 10K

Originally the group were heading down to take part in the rescheduled Clonakilty run but due to previous commitments, illness and the business of life by Friday evening, only mum and I were going to be running.

So early Saturday morning we set off to West Cork, we bought our cheerleader with us, Susan who is just coming back from injury. It was a cold morning, the rain showers that fell were heavy. As we arrived into Clonakilty and headed to the Quality Hotel as that was the race HQ.  We parked the car in the showgrounds and went in search of a bathroom. There were queues outside every toilet, so we joined one. Everyone seemed in good spirits despite the weather outside, around us people were preparing for the inclement weather, there were many people rubbing Vaseline and other creams on various parts of their bodies.

Toilet humour...

As we exited the bathroom with not much time to spare, we were not alone the front lobby of the race HQ was full. We headed outside it was cold and waited to start, I tried to warm up as best I could. I did a few stretches, a squat or two  but I definitely didn't warm up as I should have.

They released the balloons and the run began unlike other years everyone began together 10K, half marathon and marathoners.

And their off...

I took off at a pace I knew I would pay for later on. The route took as through the town centre there were a few people out to cheer us on which is always a lovely boost. As we headed towards the coast road I found myself slowing down. I was mentally out of sorts but I was boosted by the amazing runners I saw around me. There were runners singing, talking, jumping and above all else smiling. Also the scenery along this stretch of the run really is so beautiful. I passed the half way mark smiling but as I crossed the bridge which is quite picturesque the wind hit me full on. As the road turned and I headed along the Inchdoney road, I was thankful I didn't have to run up the hill towards Incydoney. The marshal directed us to head back across the causeway, the rain which was now falling was biting cold.
There was about four or five people running around me, I spent the next mile or so passing or being passed by them. It was great to have something to focus on. The spectators were few and far between at this stage especially considering the weather but some people out cheering on family members also gave us some much needed support. By the fifth mile I let the runners in front of me slide away, I could have ran up the big hill but I walked, my fast pace start was coming back to bite me... Heading towards the finish I was determined to keep moving, I could see some of my runners just ahead of me I tried to keep the momentum going but with a couple of metres to go I had to take a breath. I sprinted to the finish and crossed the line wanting to vomit... (giving it my all)!

Get me to the line...

And so I was done, not the quickest 10K I have ever run but having ran Clonakilty for the last three years it was my quickest there.   At first I was a bit disappointed with the official time I had run, even considering the weather conditions but having checked my time on my trusty garmin I didn't feel too bad.
Having recovered I collected my bling woohoo!! The girls will be so jealous. I missed them on the run although I'm sure they did not miss running in the rain...

I met up with Susan she like me was wet and cold. Its not easy cheer leading and taking photos..

Cheer leading stylishly

As I drank a welcome cup of coffee,  we waited for Mum to finish. The rain began to fall heavily
although we did get a quick photo at the wall.

My hair, my expression ...

I thought about all those who were still out running, would I have the stamina to keep going in this weather over the distance of a marathon? Maybe someday I'll find out!
We had come to Clonakilty done our race, collected our bling now it was time to leave. The weather really was horrible it was fabulous to change into warm dry clothes, is there anything better after running in the rain.
Will I head to Clonakilty again this December? If I'm honest I'm undecided. I'll revisit it during the year.