Resting HR - 48bpm
WWU Report:
I set my alarm to go off at 4:30am for a good breakfast and time to make sure I had everything in order for the trip and race day fuel and equipment. I intended to leave at 5am to give me plenty of time to get to johnny Foxes pub in the Wicklow mtns. 3 hours trip, there at 8am, meet Johnathon and just relax until the 9:30am start.
That was the plan but plans generally don't always work out as I would find out to my cost as the day unfolded.
My alarm didn't go off but luckily I woke at 5:15am and even luckier I had myself more or less organised the night before.
A quick breakfast and wash and I was off.
The morning was still and clear with no traffic so I made good time and with a few inevitable wrong turns got there at 10 minutes after 8.
The overflow carpark was already a hive of activity with the early starters busily pinning on numbers and sorting through there backpacks for the 8:30 start.
I registered, left my drop bags at the gate and as Davy and Jonathon arrived slowly got ready.
Before we knew it we were ushered to the start. I met my strava friend Tomas Klimas for the first time and it was nice to see Eoin Kieth and Don Hannon at the start. My Western way friend David Noone also made the trip.
Before we knew it we were off and as Jonathon and I agreed, we would stick togeather until a point when I felt I was holding him back.
The first few miles were on the road and downhill so we ran down at fair pace until we hit the bridge and began the slow climb over Prince Williams seat.
I had a strategy of carrying two isotonic drinks and taking a gel every 60 mins. This didn't happen gel-wise in the second half but that's for later.
The climb went very well and I was feeling very strong at this point. This is where I made my first mistake. Hitting the downhill hard and passing numerous runners was just plain stupid With Jonathon even remarking that my downhill legs were stronger than his at this early stage.
At the bottom we fueled up and chatted, just taking in the simple pleasures of such a beautiful day.
The start of the next climb up Djoiuce at about the 8 mile mark felt comfortable. We even stopped for photos of the breathtaking scenery that marks this fantastic trail.
On reaching the open mountain I began to fade. At this point Jonathon went ahead with a clear intention of catching Tomas. I took a gel and tried to perk myself up but on reaching the boardwalk my foot began to complain and it was a slow struggle down to halfway. In fact my foot got so troublesome I even considered pulling out at halfway.
A change of shirt and a cup of chocolate milk with a banana and I decided to keep going. I marched up to the flat of the hill and so began a torturous climb back up Djouice. I was being passed constantly now by Ultra runners and I found this disheartening. On reaching the top just before the dip I regained some strenght and began running again at a fair clip. However, this was short lived. Ascending the steep valley back to the open mountain was very tough and this was accomplished slowly.
I was now descending and finally I could run again. I found I could now pick up my pace and I was feeling comfortable.
I thought if I keep this steady and keep on top of my hydration I could possibly sneak in at about 5:10.
I reached the aid station feeling tired but pretty ok. Grabbing a bottle of coke and Jonathons jelly beans I headed off for Prince Williams seat for the last time.
I was passing people again now and feeling quite strong.
I hadn't taken a gel in a while so I scoffed a GU and hiked strongly up the gradual incline.
Yeah, I thought I have this! Then, on reaching the rocky outcrop at the very top, my legs started to cramp violently. All went south fast now as I realised I also had to shit. This was going to prove difficult with a line of runners behind me.
I jumped into the bushes and on cramping legs disposed of my load.
Back on the trail now I stretched my shot legs and slowly began to run again. After about 10 minuits, I started to feel good again and started to push out the remaining 3 or 4 miles.
Got to the finish in 5:25. Hoped for sub 5 hours but I'll take it.
Lessons learned:
Not properly trained. Training has to be race specific.
Didn't take on enough fluids.
Have to look at a better fueling strategy.
Have to hold back and not go out so hard.
Work has to be done on slow hill climbing.
Gear:
Nike Wildhorse
Nike Trailshorts
Inov8 Trailsocks
Platapus race sack
Fuel:
GU gels - 2
Clif shot gels - 3
Lucozade sport - 3
Coke - 1
Sportbeans - 1
Chocolate Milk
Water
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