Last Sunday saw Race 4 of the Run Clare Series, the Sonny Murphy Memorial 10 mile race in Kilnaboy Co Clare (to those of you who don't know where Kilnaboy is, it's the home of Fr Ted's house!).
Race Route
The morning of the race was very wet and generally miserable, but the day turned out to be a beautiful one. It was a sunny blue sky kind of day and so was perfect for the final event in such a brilliant series.
The pre-race atmosphere was electric. Everyone was so excited to be competing in the final race of the series. It was also bittersweet knowing that the series was over. None of that distracted from the craic though. The music was pumping and a local lady had the crowd fully warmed up with a brilliant routine.
The race started, and finished, at Kilnaboy church and took us down towards The Burren National Park. The views were fab and a bit distracting, which is a good thing as it stops you from thinking about actually getting over the finish line in one piece! I'm not too familiar with the roads that we took but we ended up running along some lovely quiet country roads into Corofin and then back to Kilnaboy. There were 4 water. Stations, which were needed because it ended up getting quite warm.
There were a few inclines but nothing too bad, that was until the last 600M when we had to run up the hill and take a right into Kilnaboy. That hill was tough and for me it's the only one that I remember!
At every house and crossroads,and just randomly along the road, there were supporters cheering us on. One little girl in Corofin had even made little banners to cheer the race participants. It was a hugely supported race by locals, tourists and passers by.
My 10 Miles
If you have been reading my blog posts you will know that I was quite sick the week leading up to the race. I was actually off work so needless to say I didnt get any training runs done prior to the race. Following my disastrous attempt at The Abbey Run in Quin the Saturday prior I was on bed rest for a week. By Friday I felt somewhat good again and by Saturday I had made up my mind to participate in the 10 mile (plus me being so stubborn I couldn't not do it, especially after training so hard and building myself up for it!). I decided that I would run as much as possible and when I felt weak I would walk and that's exactly what I did!
Orla said that she would stay with me for the whole race, as she was worried that I might get weak and faint or collapse but I made a deal with her that when I started to walk that she was to keep running. In fairness to her she pushed me without upsetting me or my rhythm.
I ran slow and steady until just after the 4 mile marker and I then began to walk for 1/2 mile before running again for 1 mile. I repeated this pattern until the 9 mile marker, where I ran steadily until the finish line. I crossed the line in 2hours 0 mins 59secs. I can't but be happy, even though I didn't run the full race, I did damn well considering how sick I was all week!
I did feel that I could've ran on to the 5 mile mark but I was so worried that I would get a weakness. Orla had warned me to ring if I got into any trouble but luckily I was fine. My energy levels were very low, due to being on bed rest and not having eaten as normal all week so Orla's concern was well warranted.
As normal we met the lovely Mary and Christina before and after the race. Both ladies completed all 4 races with us and it was so nice meeting them at each race.
Well done to all involved in the organization of another great, successful race. Thank you to John O'Neill, Ennis Injury Clinic and Kilnaboy AC for the photographs.
Until the next time, always remember to be:
Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow
Dee x
Dee x
