Race Reports by Margaret Crowley and Karl Chatterton
Photos by Anna Delaney, Joe Byrne, Conor Kenny, Denis McCaul & Eoin O’Brien. For a full album: Click here
Full Sportsworld results below.
Womens Race by Margaret Crowley
Race Reporter Margaret
It was a fantastic day for a cross country race. The glorious sunshine was almost too good to be true but such rare weather conditions should only be welcomed and enjoyed and I was prepared to do both.
The ladies team was never so well prepared for a race. We had a good team, received details of what we were to bring (an essential list for anyone’s debut to cross country) along with where and when we were meeting so all we had to do was show up, there is no turning back once you show up!
After arriving at the Phoenix park, I was pleasantly informed that everyone had set up camp to behind The Last Stand Café, was I at the right place? I certainly was with the café being the mobile tea and coffee van! After all the ladies gathered together behind the “café” off we went for a very entertaining warm up, full of laughter and giggles which definitely somewhat neutralized the pre races nerves.
After a good jog around the bigger lap of the race, we went back to camp, blissfully unaware of the full blown stride session we had ahead of us lead by Emily at one end and Aileen at the other end (don’t underestimate Aileen by her friendly smile, no rest was allowed at her end, she just about permitted a 10 sec breather).
At the end of it all, I was not the only who thought I was ready to go home, whatever about a race! Off we were called to the start line, I had previously named this the firing line but as it was the start of a new season, I was willing to let go of any grudges.
The race itself was a bit of a blur. The top four runners were not long breaking away from the rest of the pack. Helen and Noreen came home in second and third place and earned themselves well deserved medals.
Kate also managed to stay nicely settled within the top ladies. Patricia ran a very strong race and was also nicely working her way around the course, as were Catherine and Gemma. Maria and Angela took part in their first cross country race with the club and ran naturally through the fields like they had done it plenty of times before and have great potential for the rest of the season.
The results of the ladies are listed below. Sportsworld ladies team won the gold medal for the team event. That’s Emily’s and Myles’s Christmas present sorted for this year. This race reports has me off race report duties for another six months at least!
The one thing that I do remember was the outstanding support from the club. People came with their families, children, pets and some even appeared after spending the morning working. It was all greatly appreciated and helped us all run that extra bit faster and harder.
Mens Race by Karl Chatterton
Race Reporter Karl
Last Sunday Sportsworld’s mens and womens senior teams toed the line at the first cross country race of the new season, the Dublin Novice Cross Country. This was my first time running this race but having done some other cross country races last year, I knew not to be fooled by the word Novice! This is far from Novice with some of the best club runners in Dublin lining up on the start line.
I headed down to the Phoenix Park just after lunch in time to get a good warm-up and watch the Sportsworld ladies team race for gold! More on that from Margaret above.
I met some of the other lads on the team and we had a light jog around the course as a warm-up. The sun was beating down and the ground was pretty firm which was far from the cross country races I was used to.
We had a strong team of nine runners lining up for the 6k novice race, with Stephen O’Donnell, and Paul O’Bierne both making their cross country debuts. The race was to be four 1.5k laps around what is known as the Munich Hills. So named because this is the route that Eamonn Coughlan regularly trained on prior to the Munich Olympics.
The race itself was as tough as expected. The early pace was fast and furious and the leaders were quickly pulling away at the front of the race. I started to pay for that quick early pace around the mid-way point the race and from there it was a case of trying to hold position as we went into the last lap. Justin came past me just before the end of the 3rd lap looking very strong. The support from the women’s team and other Sportsworld runners who had come out to spectate all around the course was amazing and it certainly helped to drive us on around the last two laps.
Photos from the race Facebook page. For full album: Click here
Saturday morning 1st October in the capital of culture. The Galway Bay 10K starts just over a half hour hence at 10.30. While the other racers limber up at Nimmo’s pier in the Claddagh, one disorganised Sportsworld member is running out his door five kilometres away up the Rahoon road.
I run up Bishop O’Donnell hill, down Taylors hill, cutting across to lower Salthill via a network of alley ways and finally down Grattan road on to the Claddagh. I arrive at the bag drop at 10.26. I throw my bag at the poor young fella behind the fence and do my strides (sprint) up to the start point. There’s a large crowd lined up so I jump a couple of walls and approach the start line from the front, skipping the queue. I’ve arrived with two minutes to go to the start.
Race reporter Fergal in the thick of it
I spot a familiar red and white singlet ahead of me, it turns out to be Will Greensmyth. His calm and relaxed demeanour is the polar opposite of the nervous wreck in front of him. We shake hands, wishing each other a fast one. I realise I’m surrounded by slender athletic looking people. I slink my way backwards from the ticker tape until I see a few lads who have divided their free time a bit more evenly between the running club and the pub. I stop next to two lads who are wearing singlets from the Manuela Reido foundation, started by the great Shane Lennon to keep her memory alive. I shake their hands and say “fair play lads”. Her death is a tragedy that haunts the people of this town. I hope her soul is at peace.
One minute to go to the start. I realise I’m wrecked after my dash to make the start line. No time to think about that now, ten, nine, eight…. the nervous energy builds and we’re away. We pass the Claddagh hall on the left. Some of my old rugby friends are gathered there. The boys are en-route to Monastery field in Clifden to play Connemara in the Connacht Junior league. My sister has grassed me up to one of my mates for running a race in Galway wearing the insignia of a Dublin running club. I get appropriate abuse- hissing, boos and a few pebbles thrown at me. Given that I have been known meet criteria for involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act for depression whenever Galway lose a hurling game, and probably went through a full manic episode when Connacht beat some bunch of Nancy’s to the Pro 12 title, I really should have chosen my attire more wisely. “Dublin has him now” is the comment that stings the most and brings a big laugh from the boys. We head out on to Grattan road. Someone says “go on sportsworld”. Clearly there is someone else from the club here for a race besides Will and I. It’s someone that doesn’t know my name, but that doesn’t narrow it down very much. I appreciate some encouragement having run an orchestrated gauntlet of abuse.
Two kilometres in and I meet some more familiar faces. It’s my best mate Sean (more of a brother really) with his wife and two daughters, the youngest of which is my Godchild. I have a fan club of three who are cheering for me. Sean is looking on with a dejected look on his face. We’ve trained together for years, “torture buddies” his wife calls us. We’ve done well over a hundred races from adventure races and marathons down to 5k’s and countless training sessions. He is not back to full training following an ablation to correct atrial fibrillation. An international class oarsman in his heyday, he looks on jealously as I run up the road waving at my second family. I know how lucky I am to be able to run the race. I thank my lucky stars. He has chosen that spot on the route because he knows the 8K mark where I lose time over the 10K distance. When I pass this point again it will be the 8K mark and I’ll be suffering.
But for now all is good. It’s the part of the race where the frantic start is passed and you settle into a rhythm. We turn left at the end of Grattan road and we hit the Salthill prom. It’s a beautiful morning. The sun is shining and there’s a light cooling breeze blowing from the north. The Clare hills to the south come into view. The hills of Connemara rise from the bay on the opposing side. It’s difficult to distinguish the clear blue of the sky from the clear blue of the Atlantic at the mouth of the bay. This may well be because I need laser eye surgery, but for now I’m in my element. This inlet has inspired poetry of bards and songs of troubadours. The views carry me happily to the end of the prom past some more familiar faces. Feels like home.
At the end of the prom comes the only undulating part of the course. A slight incline brings us out of the seaside town and up Gentian hill. We pass the Galway bay golf club and the caravan park on our left. We will be turning down into the caravan park soon. First we must get over Gentian hill. On the far side we meet the race leaders coming back in the opposite direction who have taken the 360 degree turn down near the Barna road. I see Will coming back up the incline towards me having rounded the farthest point from the start line. He’s working to maintain his place near the front of the race. I expect maybe a nod of acknowledgement as he passes. “Good stuff Fergal boy, keep it going” he says as he passes. I’m going down the hill but haven’t the breath to respond in kind. To encourage a club mate at that point in the race says a lot about the naturally reserved Limerick man. Gent.
Soon after, I’m around the turn myself and away up the hill that leads back towards the prom. We dip right off the main road and down through the caravan park on to the embankment. A short run along the embankment leads us back to the prom with four kilometres left to race. I’m starting to struggle. I’m regretting my sleep in and missing the 411 bus into town. The negative thoughts creep in. I try to focus on the seascape. It’s magic is somewhat lost on me at this point. I try to concentrate on form and to breathe with more purpose. I want to quit. In my mind, I split the remainder of the race into segments. Getting to the turn for Grattan road becomes the focus. Once there, I focus on getting to the point where I know my second family are. As I approach, Sean can see I’m struggling. The 8K hoodoo strikes again. If he was racing he would step on the gas about now, knowing I would not let him get away from me on pure bad mind. “Come on” he says. This is not encouragement. He knows when you’re feeling like that in any sporting event you just have to put mind over matter. He expects me to show a bit more toughness than what I’m managing as I pass. I’ve been told off. I try to lift it but there’s nothing in the tank.
We round a corner and the finish comes into sight dead ahead. To the uninitiated we appear to be near home. But a hard right takes us into a famine memorial park, the groans of people who didn’t know this diversion was part of the course ring out. A few drop off. Purely psychological, they thought they were nearly home. Out of the park and on to Grattan road and again the finish is in sight. One more surprise, as we hit the nine kilometre mark. We turn out on to the access road to Mutton Island sewage treatment plant, pretty appropriate for the way I’m feeling at that point. Halfway out the access road another 360 turn and back down towards Grattan road again. We turn and the finish line comes into view. It’s no mirage this time, we’re here for real, six hundred metres to go. The race announcers voice gets louder on the tannoy. A slight left, a final push and the torture is over.
Someone puts a medal around my neck and I enter the refreshments tent. Will is at the cake stand and I ask how he did. “Ok, thirty eight something”. Wow, I think to myself, what would he consider a good time? He’s doing justice to the lovely spread of cakes from O’Hehir’s bakery as we talk. He says he and Siobhan, who has won the ladies race at a canter, are making a weekend of it in Galway. His mother is from the town and his uncle lives up the street. Neither Will or Siobhan look like they have just completed a race while I feel like I’ve been dragged backways through a bear pit. Sickeners, these athletic types. I spot an Erdinger beer stand. To hell with these cakes, I’m away. It turns out to be alcohol free Erdinger. I’ll try anything once. I’ve read somewhere beer is actually quite nutritious except the alcohol is a diuretic which leeches the nutrients out of your system. So alcohol free is dioralyte with a foamy head. The job. I take two.
Outside the tent I meet some more heads I know and have the obligatory chats. I meet Sean again. I tell him I’ve done a shade over 43 minutes. “Not bad, were you struggling worse than usual though at 8K?”. I don’t tell him about the 5K I ran to make the start line. Maybe it’ll sound funny in the pub later and I won’t get a slap on the head for being stupid. (It doesn’t and I take my punishment). My Godchild has no hug for me today. I am sweaty in her defence. She takes the beer out of my hand and spills it on the grass and puts the plastic cup in the bin without saying a word. Alcohol free or not, I guess you still look like a lush with a beer in your hand at 11.30am. She tells me what she wants for her birthday next week. Fair enough. Maybe I’ll get a hug then.
With the dust having settled, Will is awarded Man of the Match for a great run and the sportsmanship award for encouraging a lesser light at a tough point in his own race. He has placed 17th in 38.52. The real stars of the show with due respect to the aforementioned, are the organisers. It was a great race on a beautiful course with beer at the end (albeit alcohol free and taken off me by a soon to be four-year-old). Hopefully next year there will be more than two to fly the Sportworld flag in the 10K race in this wonderful corner of the world. Having learned my lesson about lining out to represent a Dublin club, I’ll be wearing my Manuela foundation t-shirt even if it means Eoin stings me for another race report. I’ll be trying to improve the 49th place finish for a 43.09 time.
Sportsworld Results
10k Race
17th William Greensmyth 0:38:52
51st Fergal Duffy 0:43:13
Half Marathon
4th Catherine Bambrick 1:30
5th Andrea McNamara 1:34:11
Thanks to Anthony Gillen for the race photos and Liam Lenehan for the cover picture.
Full Sportsworld results below – 35 finishers!
Arriving early for once to collect my number, there was a small crowd warming up and jogging down to the start line, but this quickly changed as the high numbers for this run turned out on the sunny Sunday morning.
The race started just before the Tesco in Rathfarmham and went downhill for the first few meters until hitting the turn up towards tenure which took a little more effort. Once back on the flat, past the bank of Ireland and running back towards bushy park. However not home yet as the race past the park and moved back towards Tesco with about 600 meters to go towards the finish.
One of the best things about being in a running club is the number of people you know along the route cheering club members on. Thanks for those who came out to support.
The final 200 meters was the longest ever, your nearly there I heard a few times! (why did this 200 meters seem longer than normal!).
After crossing the finish line, I saw the sea of Sports world colours all gathered together after the race. There is lots of chatter about results and the upcoming awards night!
After missing the last years Berlin last year through injury I was entered again this year determined to give a good account of myself on what is the fastest course in the world.
To be honest after building up to this race for the whole year I was very nervous setting off from Dublin on Friday evening. I bumped into Diarmuid on the flight and we made plans to meet up after the race on Sunday.
Saturday morning I joined the traditional “Breakfast Run” and 6km jog from the palace at Charlottenburg to the Olympic Stadium.
Olympic Stadium
There is a great atmosphere at this run with people from all over the world decked out in their national colours and flags.
The jog finishes in the Olympic stadium which is now home to the Hertha Berlin soccer team, but of course this was the site of Jesse Owens great displays in the 1936 Olympics and more recently Usain Bolt set world records here at 100m and 200m in 2009.
The warm sunshine was pleasant but I know it would probably be a factor in the big race the following day.
After picking up my number at the expo across town it was time to relax and prepare for the main event.
On Sunday the weather was near perfect in the early morning. This race is superbly organised and even though there are 40,000 entrants there seems to be much queueing up needed.
At 9:15am we are off around the streets of Berlin. The support out on the course is fantastic with big crowds, DJ’s, bands and all sorts of entertainment.
There is also no shortage of aid stations with everything from water, sports drinks, bananas, even tea.
As with every marathon it is crucial to get your pacing right. I’m targeting between 3:25 and 3:30 so I’m trying to stay at the slower end of that range but the GPS watches are not much use as the signals are affected by all the tall buildings.
I keep an eye on my times at the 5km intervals and am happy enough with my progress. I get through halfway in a time of 1:43:05. This puts me bang on target so just a matter of keeping things together for the second half of the race.
Easier said than done though as the pain increases with each km marker and the temperature heads ever higher.
I’m really hanging on a bit after 40km and I’m never as glad to see the sight of the Brandenburg gate. Remembering the advice from last years runners that the finish line is a little beyond the gate I save something for the final straight and am delighted to see a finish time of 3:26:56.
I didn’t exactly give Kenenisa Bekele a run for his money but I’m delighted to take over 20 mins off my marathon PB.
Sportsworlds Adrian and Diarmuid meet up before starting the race
The post-race atmosphere is truly amazing and I again meet up with Diarmuid for some post race beers and to exchange war stories.
This is truly a great experience and it’s a race I’d recommend to anyone, as long as they have the training done.
After a day of battling Berlins many, many steps in name of some sightseeing it’s time to head home after a job well done and taking with me a medal and some great memories.
Sportsworld Results:
Diarmuid O’Suilleabhain 2:59:25 (PB)
Adrian Lanigan 3:26:56 (PB)
As 9000 runners descended on the Phoenix Park for last Saturday’s Dublin race series Half Marathon, I was feeling more optimistic than I was for the last half I ran in Clontarf a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been in training since then and was interested to see what kind of time I could dig up despite the rain and wintery conditions.
The atmosphere was electric and all looking very organised until the end when I tried to retrieve my bag (more about that later ……)
I knew there was a good contingent from Sportsworld running and I first bumped into Peter Knaggs who told me he was planning on taking it easy (Yeah right Peter, check out his time below :))
I walked towards the start line and saw Denise Kilkenny ready to go so jumped in beside her.
And we were off ….. my plan was to start steady and try to quicken up for the second half of the race but as often happens, I got carried away with the crowd and ended up running faster than originally planned. As I got to the 10k mark, I was hoping I could continue at the same pace for the next 11kms or so and thankfully I did. For me it was a nice course with downhill’s and some uphill’s but all in all a good challenging route which took in Farmleigh and most of the park.
I saw a few Sportsworld vests during the race and everyone was looking first class.
Thanks to Paddy, Myles and Emily who all shouted some encouragement and were positioned towards the end when you most need the support.
I came in at 1:49:34 which was a whole 10 minutes faster than Clontarf so was delighted. My glass of white wine obviously did me no harm on Friday evening ……..
A few of us gathered after the race to swap notes and take a few customary photos as we wouldn’t dare leave without some evidence of being there!!!
Then the real fun began ….. the bag drop tent. I’m not exaggerating when I say the queue was 20 people deep and nothing moving. A few of us joked that there was more chance of picking up a Dublin bus than our bag at the rate it was moving. We were hanging around almost as long as it took to run the race. I managed to shout over to a kind man who was standing near my bag and retrieved it for me. After which, the barrier came down and it was like a first class mill to grab your belongings.
Congrats to all the club runners for a great weekend’s running, partying and celebrating …….
Sportsworld Results
Kevin Curran 01:19:34
Justin McKeever 01:22:35
James Brady 01:23:20
Jim Manning 01:25:21
Sean Duffy 01:25:22
Paul Brady 01:30:16
Damien Geraghty 01:30:32
Noel Tobin 01:33:32
Peter Knaggs 01:37:15
Johnny Dwyer 01:39:30
For the 3rd year running myself and Judith entered the ‘Ronde Ceretaine’, a 20km hill run in the foothills of the Pyrenees. I’m not going to bore everyone with the same details as last year except to say that the route had not got any shorter, the hills were just as steep and the weather just as warm. Unfortunately for me the time had also not improved. One thing I did learn though if you want to complete a hill run doing 800,s and 1000,s on the flat in Bushy Park is not the best preparation. Nevertheless we finished it. Being the gentleman that I am I held back on the 2nd. lap so allowing Judith to finish ahead of me getting 2nd in her category and a place on the winners podium. Till next year!
Photos by Denis and from the Grant Thornton 5k Facebook albums: Click here
Prepare yourself for shocking revelations of;
Women loving my short shorts
Ringers Heightism
Starting Corral Snobbery
Flat courses not being fast
Mad Voices in runners heads
Post race conversations to avoid
Obvious Drug Taking
Journeys win over Destinations
Yes the Grant Thornton 5k on the outside may seem like a corporate fun run. But underneath lurks the murky world that few ever get to see.
Around five years ago Grant Thornton started a race series of 5ks. You can only enter as a business team of four so individual members of Irelands workforce are not welcome. Being self employed I am therefore excluded. No way I would be doing this then, shunned by the Corporate giants.
When I got a text from clubmate Stephanie that she needed someone to fill in for a fallen comrade from her team called Gulliver (not his real name), I stuck to my guns and said no way, I was no sell out. After finding out it would be free I said yes. So I was to be a ringer, pretending to be someone I am not.
4,453 runners crossed the finish line. It was a very competitive affair up the front being won in 14.29 and you had to run sub 17.40 just to make the top 100!
I recently moved to Donnybrook so decided I would jog into town as my warm up. So with foam rolling completed I strapped on the shoulder bag and began the short commute. You know those guys you see while sitting in traffic who jog/run home from work with a bag on their back containing their work clothes etc. I often wonder if the bag would drive you mad jostling around with each stride, and are those lads Gowls? Well I quickly discovered that yes it does, and yes they are so after 80 metres of pretending all was fine the jog became a walk.
Women loving my short shorts
Passing through Ballsbridge I was wearing my very short race shorts with the split high up the thigh. I knew it would only be a matter of time before they worked their magic. Soon a female cyclist pulled alongside and started talking to me. It turned out to be Anna Delaney. Obviously weak at the knees for my legs her bike wobbled all over the place while we chatted race tactics. Eventually as she was a danger to herself beside me she pretended she was late to meet her team mate and pedalled on.
Anna Delaney
Ringers Heightism
The hub of operations was operations was Grand Canal Dock where there was a bag drop. Stephanie arrived promptly at the 6.45 meet time with my race number in hand.
Stephanie Bergin
Here is where the shocking heightism in Irish Corporate running reared its ugly head.
(Some names have been changed to protect the innocent)
Me: Hi Stephanie, who am I filling in for today then
Stephanie: A guy called Gulliver (not his real name, but you can see where this is going…)
Me: I hope he is not like a super fast elite
Stephanie: He is very tall
Me: Oh he must have a long auld stride
Stephanie: He is the complete opposite of you Denis
Me: Oh really, in what way?
Me in my head: (He must be brutal looking)
Stephanie: He is over six foot I’d say, he is very tall
How I see Myself
How Stephanie see’s me
The Six Foot Plus Guy Guy I Was Filling In For Who Was Indosposed
And there you have it, dealt a crushing low blow before a step has even been taken.
I dragged myself to drop in the bag and off the two of us went for what seemed to be the longest warm up either of us ever did as the race start was not until half seven.
The race takes place on the quays and warming up we jogged over Matt Talbot bridge and turned right heading for the Point Theatre where a bunch of wineo’s were having a screaming match that was threatening to come to blows. When we passed them on the way back they had calmed down and one was sitting on the railings with his can, separated from the rest. Apparently the naughty step is employed for all ages. I wondered would they join in when the race passed by.
Starting Corral Snobbery
I had been warned by Sportsworlders after asking advice on Facebook to line up at the front. Myself and Stephanie joined in at a point that I felt would be fairly reflective of where we would finish. We were probably about 150 to 200 people back ish in the first Corral for people finishing between 15 and 20 mins. I normally try and start where I think I will finish as that way I won’t be in anyone’s way. In hindsight when I saw the two girls standing beside me with phones in hand, leggings and giant headphones I should have realised the take off was going to be a bit of a mess.
And so it turned out to be. I aimed to go out hard for the first time ever to see what would happen. When we were here a few months back Kate Kelly from the club took off faster than me and I spent the whole race trying to haul her back in and failed by one second. So I took her advice afterwards and set myself a goal of 3.30 for the first k and hang in for the last four!
Flat courses not being fast
The first k was a mix of two 90 degree turns over Matt Talbot bridge where everyone ran into the back of each other and then being blocked in behind a walls of runners which meant a lot of weaving in and out. The course might be only 5k long but it crosses the Liffey four times.
How is it that you line up behind maybe two hundred people but when the race starts after around 500 metres you get past a good few but there still seems to be around 3,000 in front of you?
During the long stretch down the North quays the runners ahead of you end up running past you in the opposite direction on the other side of the cones. This is the Athletics equivalent of a few hundred slaps in the face. Well if that’s the leaders, and we have only gone 2k I thought to myself then the 180 degree turn must be just up head, I couldn’t be that far back, surely.
I could have made tea, drank it and washed the cup by the time the turn arrived.
As I ran back up towards The Samuel Beckett bridge I heard Maura Ginty shouting out encouragement.
Maura Ginty
I had the Sportsworld vest on so probably stuck out. Fair play to her for the shout I thought to myself, I couldn’t shout back as by now I was struggling to keep breathing and running at the same time.
You don’t realise how steep the rise onto a bridge can feel until you are tired. After crossing the river we were sent on a loop around a block of buildings. More turns, bad road surfaces and congested narrow bits made what I thought was going to be a fast course not as quick as expected. Started to feel shagged at this stage and the old inevitable internal conversation starts. I assume everyone has these monologues when things start feeling bad.
Mad Voices in Runners Heads
This is what the voice inside my head sounds like nearly every time…
Jesus Denis boy you can’t even feel your arms, they are numb, legs are tired now, no more juice left in them, oh God I would love to stop now, no one will think any less of you if you do, this pain can all be over straight away if you just move over to the side and start walking. Two k left, oh that’s a long way, that would be five laps of the running track in Tallaght, five like, you know how long one can feel like, lads are starting to pass you now, your pace is dropping, stride getting slower and longer, slow down a bit before you die, aw sure look you have come this far, keep going, it will be the final km marker soon, you always feel better and run faster in the final k, sure the first four are just you tolerating it until the last k, keep your cadence up, you are not going as slow as you think you are, just keep moving, the last k is coming up, you didn’t go through all this pain to stand at the finish line and see you missed your time by a few seconds so cop on and dig in, you could be injured again next week and not have this chance again, you have enough training done and videos watched and vegetables eaten and hours stretching and foam rolling to endure this. Now power up, open that stride, swing those arms, mimic the posture of the track runners, breathe harder, now pump and lift those knees and drive, strong level hips, fast rythmn, maintain it, pass the next guy in front, now aim for the next one, the finish line is just over the bridge, what time on my watch, I have 40 seconds to make it, that looks like a long way to cover in 40 seconds, I could never do that, oh shut up and start sprinting, you call that sprinting, they go quicker than that going into Bingo, 200 metres to go, come on just one last rattle down here to the line, I think I might puke, don’t puke before the line, one last push, look at the clock, stop my watch, am I going to puke, nope, thank God that’s over, that was pure torture, jesus never again, wayyyyy harder than I thought it was going to be, lot of pain, keep walking, just keep walking and don’t fall over, left, right…
Post race conversations to avoid
It’s amazing how quickly after a 5k that you feel better, you can go from dying to grand in a matter of a minute. Unless of course you bump into Conor McCarthy. While I hadn’t run as fast as I hoped I was feeling good that I didn’t give up and might have snuck in for a pb.
Conor McCarthy (at the cake sale!)
Me: Hey Conor, how are things boy
Conor: Ah not bad Denis. I think the course was short…
Me: What?
Conor: Yeah I got 4.87km on the watch, my buddy got it short too
Me: Ah sure you can never trust the watches. What time did you do?
Conor: 16:39 and Karol ran 15:15 I think
Me: Was that a PB for you?
Conor: It is but I’d say the course was short alright . How did you do?
Me: (With head lowered!) 18:27 My watch says 4.89k so might have been short, don’t know
And there you have it, you can go straight from oh that exam wasn’t too bad and then you meet other students outside who gave different answers to you and you doubt everything.
“Hi Denis” came a voice from behind me while we picked up water and bananas. An old school friend Patrick Casey, oh thank God, I hope he didn’t run 16 something as well and tell me the course was definitely short…
As we walked along we chatted about how it went and I began to feel a bit better again when we came across Will Greensmyth, he ran 17:30, feeling crap again!
Made my way back to Grand Canal Square where I met Karl Chatterton, 16:48, Jesus who am I going to meet next, Mo Farrah?
Obvious Drug Taking
At this stage I feel like I should start taking drugs to speed up. And that’s when it hit me, these lads must all be on drugs. I immediately felt better. Am looking forward to my pharmaceutically enhanced performances of the future. (Just kidding, kinda!)
Maura Ginty arrived and was in great form after her run, Stephanie arrived and ran way faster than she originally predicted breaking 20 minutes. So after a few photos and post race chat it was time to head home. While walking home I bumped into Grainne Dilleen who has been doing some Parkruns in Marlay lately and enjoyed a great run too. Did you know that in 2013 Grainne ran 3:43 in the Dublin Marathon. She never forgets to tell me that every time I meet her, great memory that girl.
I posted some photo’s to Facebook and got landed with the job of writing this report by Eoin.
Tip: If you want to avoid doing a race report, don’t be the first one to post to FB after the race! Seriously though Eoin is doing an amazing job with the weekly club communications by Email and updating the website so well done him.
So in summary while I expected it to be a fast course I actually think Rathfarnham 5k next Sunday would be a quicker track. It has a better maintained road surface, less twists and turns, long straights with plenty of room, yes it does have one hill but the fast start and finish more than compensate for it.
I haven’t run since the Grant Thronton as have been laid low with a cold (could be Ebola, who knows) and am typing this in bed drinking Lemsip waiting for the All Ireland final between Mayo and Dublin to come on but hope to be back running by next weekend. When someone else can write the Rathfarnham race report which will be far more challenging as half the club is running that one and Eoin will be expecting 2,900+ words from you too whoever you are!
In closing I will leave you with the lessons I learned Tuesday night.
Your shorts lads, less is more, a big hit with the ladies
Apparently I am the opposite to tall (that came as quite the shock Stephanie)
If you see someone beside you at the start wearing headphones move forward 10 rows
When things get rough learn to drown out the negative crazy voice in your head with something more positive like images of Cork winning All Irelands
Don’t talk to Conor McCarthy after a race, no good will come of it, just nod and carry on eating your banana
If anyone finishes quicker than you don’t compare yourself to them, they are probably on drugs
Achieving a goal or pb is often an anti climax compared to the time you spend training for it. So enjoy the training with your clubmates as much as you can, it’s the best part
Journeys win over destinations
I thought I was cursed for the last 18 months with injuries and illnesses. If someone had told me then how long it would take to get back to where I was I am not sure I would have bothered. And am still not 100% fixed. But I enjoy running more now because of the setbacks than I would have if they never happened. I have got to run with every group in the club and met way more people because of it. And in hindsight I can see now that before the injury I was obsessed with times and improving and was a bit full of crap about it all. Am not running Olympic times like. Now I know to shut up more and value just being able to get out and run with people from the club. No matter what the pace or weather. I have even discovered that I don’t melt in the rain. I can run all day with the club but couldn’t run to the end of the street on my own. Which I guess proves that the really enjoyable part is the training and you, the people I get to run with, you are far more important than the races or the PB’s.
So a big thank you to everyone who has put up listening to my whining for the past year and a half.
I promise to never mention an injury again (unlikely to happen) and not to hark on about pace and times and running form articles (equally unlikely, if not more).
Until of course the day ever comes I break half an hour for the 5 mile and 5 mins for the mile or ever win a Parkrun.
Then I probably won’t shut up about it for the rest of my life.
(Feel free to unfriend me on Facebook if that ever happens, or even now to avoid the rush J)
Sportsworld Finishers Grant Thornton 5k
Karol Cronin 9th 15:15
Paul O’Connell 16:34
Conor McCarthy 16:39 (PB but his watch said course short so committee says no PB)
Karl Chatterton 16:48
Will Greensmyth 17:31
Denis McCaul 18:27 (PB)
Peter Knaggs 19:05 (PB)
Stephanie Bergin 19:39
Catherine Mulleady 20:24 (PB with a sore knee, that even rhymes…)
Anna Delaney 21:08 (who also followed up four days later finishing 2nd female in Ballincollig Parkrun 21:35, she should write a race report about that Eoin)
Damiano Celestini 21:32
Anne Dalton 21:54
Maura Ginty 22:18
Grainne Dilleen 22:29
When you’ve missed much running and racing through injury, it’s normal for the seeds of doubt to set in. Of course, the murderous tales Johnny Dwyer was about to tell us trumped all of that. More later.
The Lakes 10K around the shores of Blessington has always been a calendar race for many Sportsworld athletes. Today was no exception. “I will if you will” gathered pace and car-pooling arrangements were made.
Blessington
Also known locally as the Blessington Lake, the reservoir was created when the waterfall at Poulaphouca on the River Liffey (which flows from the Wicklow Mountains to Dublin) was dammed by the ESB for a hydroelectric plant which is still in use today. The valley was flooded and the resulting lakes extend over approximately 5,000 acres. A small village was submerged by the damming of the waterfall, and the remains of roads can still be seen leading down into the lake.
In addition to electricity, the lakes also provide water for the locality and the Dublin region as well as a leisure resource. The lake is also extensively used by boatmen and fishermen, and is a training location for the Irish Air Corps HQ divisions from Baldonnel.
Bad weather
The weather was not kind. We were reminded of the Warriors who braved the recent Frank Duffy and were thankful our 10 was kilometres rather than miles. It was grim but none of our number bailed out and cries of “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just weak men” were everywhere.
The view from Adrian Lanigan car at the Blessington Lakes
Car park antics
There are 3 car parks. 2 flat, 1 on the slippy side of a big grassy hill. Conscious of sliding quickly to the bottom on such a wet mucky day, we asked the marshals if we could park in No.1 or No.2 flat gravel based car parks “No, they are the overflow. Please go on ahead to slippy, slidy, grassy hill as instructed”. We did. This was the first test of the day. Would my little front wheel drive car get us up the hill? Never fear, Farmer Browne had laid substantial amounts of hay to give grip. Our turn came as athletes began to watch this new automotive sport. To cheers from within our car, our turn. Up we went slipping, spinning and sliding and we were parked. The rain got worse but numbers had to be collected. Out, out, out we went.
“Oh My God, would you look at Missus and Miss Paris Hilton?” Have you ever, I mean ever, seen experienced athletes walking around in full race gear and walking, in singlets with …. an umbrella? Enter Ms Val Power and Ms Anne Sweeney. No getting wet here but we did confess to jealously admiring their joy de vivre.
Johnny Dwyer’s stories were still ringing in my ear.
Off we go
I laughed at the fella who, with just 10 metres run, cheerfully shouted out “Only 10K to go Lads”. We were off.
It is a beautiful race. Starting out in the middle of Blessington Bridge, (complete with its 7 concrete arches and built in 1935) the route is a lovely rural road pulling slightly uphill for 5K to Manor Kilbride. You could be anywhere in Ireland but you’re just 25K from O’Connell Street yet Manor Kilbride overflows with the history of Ireland, our struggles and of course, the massacres of 1798 were in the fields around us.
(In 1798 over 20 persons massacred nearby by the Ancient Britons and local yeomen. The rebel camp at Blackmore Hill near Blessington was abandoned after attack by Sir James Duff’s forces and a new camp formed at Clohogue).
At 5K there’s a natural turn right which acts as a clear ‘half way’ symbol. If you’ve competed here before, you know what’s coming. What we didn’t know was, at exactly the 6K mark, you begin a very tough climb of almost 1K but today, a fierce wind and even worse downpour added salt to an already pained body. However, this is where running club training shakes out the steel and grit. Everyone reported passing people on this terrible tempest of a hill.
At 7K the road gives up its battle to kill you and you can almost hear it say “Fair play, here’s your reward”. That reward is 1.5 miles downhill and any loss is quickly recovered. The bottom of the hill veers left and there’s a long but beautiful straight sheltered by the most beautiful elegant trees. “Keep going, that bend ahead is just 500 to go”. You round it and, in the distance, you see the narrow bridge and the welcoming gantry. You’re in, you’re home, it’s over …. Almost. I’m still thinking about Johnny Dwyer.
Olympians
Not many know it, but Sportsworld has its own real Olympians. Lots know Mick Dowling who represented Ireland twice. Less will know Emily’s long time training partner, Ailish Smith, who ran the Olympic marathon.
Full of Rio on our minds, we waited for Anne Sweeney to rock home. Anne is Mum to a future Olympian – Carla Sweeney and today was Anne’s first race in 18 months. No easy jaunt for her, straight in to 10K.
We realised that the commentator was perhaps not as au fait with athletics as some. It was an opportunity we couldn’t resist. You see, she became conscious of the many Sportsworld singlets and I could hear her asking anyone she could grab “Who are Sportsworld, where are they from, there’s loads of them”
Anne Sweeney was in sight, about 200 metres out. Carmel, who told us she was born with a gift to spot anything interesting at over 1,000 metres gave us the “She’s coming” warning. Turning to the commentator, we asked her if she wouldn’t mind giving a plug. “Can you give a special shout out to Anne Sweeney? She’s a former Olympian”. Well talk about lighting a fire, it went something like this;
“And now, and now (higher pitch) here comes Anne Sweeney, the well-known Irish Olympian who has represented her country on numerous occasions”. Anne, who was recently voted the most photogenic Sportsworld Member, trotted gracefully across the line and said (not remotely out of breath) “Who is the Olympian?” In chorus, we said “You”
The Long Walk
One of the nice things about The Lakes is the walk back to the start. It allows for chat, fun and sounding off. After the personal battles come the shared stories and support. It reminded me of a conversation Mick Dowling and I had, in the waterworks, about 15 years ago. He said “It’s only later in life, when you’ve been in the club for many years, you realise that it has given you so much more than running” In the end, friends and family are all that matter.
We took off to Avon Ri, got a great big table, superb food and even better chat. Today, people ran really great races on a tough day but that was never what this was about, it was about a road trip, a challenge, running hard against yourself, supporting one another and having fun. If that was the test, we scored 100%
Special Kudos Awards
The Understated Award – Johnny Dwyer for saying he ran “43” but actually ran 42:57
The Delightful Debut Award – Margaret Crowley for a blistering first ever 10K … with a nasty stitch too.
The Lazarus Comeback Award – Anne Sweeney for choosing a 10K to start her racing return.
The Keep Me Company Award – Aileen Melody for synchronising our finish so perfectly.
The Paris Hilton Umbrella Award – Val Power
The Make 10K look Easy Award – Adrian Lanigan en route to Berlin
The Best Lakes First Timer Award – Orla Greaves for running so well on her debut.
The 20/20 Visionary Award – Carmel Dolan for spotting Anne Sweeney & Val Power in a car from 1,262 metres away.
The ‘I Just Enjoy Running’ Award – Clare Finnegan for reminding us that time is always second to enjoying the journey.
Back to Johnny
Johnny Dwyer is a lovely guy who smiles forever and is always cheerful. If ever he gave up running, we’d miss him. On that note, if you notice Johnny absent for any length of time would you please go straight to your nearest Garda Station? We are worried;
You see, when I collected Johnny today along with Carmel, we remarked on what a lovely sylvan suburban house. Quiet, private and safe. Well, that’s what we thought until Johnny told us more. Not one, but two wives, on that road, decided they might possibly enjoy life more without their Dearly Beloved and, before long, they were all gathered in churches listening to “Dearly Beloved”. It seems that ‘twas murder they wrote. Yes indeed, 2 women put paid to 2 husbands and not even on the same day!
Now Johnny, next time you decide to tell us your version of Tales of the Unexpected, would you mind doing so ‘after’ the race?
The Results
Johnny Dwyer 42:57
Adrian Lanigan 43:10
Margaret Crowley 43:54
Aileen Melody 48:43
Conor Kenny 48:43
Val Power 51:04
Clare Finnegan 53:56
Carmel Dolan 54:14
Orla Greaves 57:43
Anne Sweeney 59:35
Sunday 21st August started off a dull calm day weather wise and after the gales and rain from the day before the bunch of Sportsworld Masters set off to the National Masters Track & Field championships thankful they weren’t on the day before!
Race Reporter Aileen picking up a gold medal!
First up on the track at 12 O clock were the girls taking part in the 3,000m race. They were Ruth Kelly, Anna Delaney, Lucy Darcy and Sandra Gowran. Everyone ran a great strong race and congratulations to Lucy who came away with Bronze in her age category.
A special mention to Sandra who had come back from holidays the day previous and had had to endure a 5 hour longer trip on a car ferry than she should have in stormy seas and gales, despite not being fully recovered she lined up and stormed home (excuse the pun!)
Next up were the lads in the 5,000 at 3pm. Damian , Michael and Justin ran hard and played a blinder though the competition was strong.
Then we had a long wait until half past 5 for the Ladies 1500 in which I was the Sportsworld representative. Why didn’t I go in the race earlier in the morning!! My race started well but with my lack of recent training I struggled in the last lap but I managed a medal in my age category we will say no more about that!!
Following straight after in the Men’s 1500 Martin, Wesley & Declan gave it their all.
Even though the races were hard and the competition strong everyone did the Red & White of Sportsworld proud and had a bit of fun during the day even if it was just to slag Nick about not knowing his wife’s age but all is forgiven!
A big thank you to Emily for all the coaching and encouragement and support on the day.
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]
[/ezcol_1third_end]
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]
[/ezcol_1third_end]
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]
[/ezcol_1third_end]
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]
[/ezcol_1third_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
