Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon 2014

Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon 2014

In December 2013, I headed to Clonakilty to run my first Half Marathon. Having listened to those in Born to Run who had run it the previous year, it was suggested that it would be hugely beneficial in my preparation for my full Marathon debut in March 2014 as it was a testing course. My brother told me beforehand, that I would learn a lot about myself and race management doing a Half Marathon.  How right he was! 

I went there full of confidence, even though I hadn't covered that distance before, as my training up to that had gone quite well. What did I learn?

1) Do not go off too fast at the start. Yes, it's great to be running your first half marathon, you feel good and are swept along by the crowd.
2) Set a realistic target.  Or you will be surrounded by people who will sweep you along at their pace and cause Point 1 to happen.
3) Respect the hills - both going up and coming down  - and walk them if you have to. I was bunched by the time I got to the first hill (as a result of points 1 and 2) and had to watch the pacers pull away with ease. I had to take the downhill sections carefully too as I felt my legs were going to explode.  I was neither strong enough nor fit enough to attain my target time in the 1.40's. Yep, I dream big!

I finished with very little in the tank in 1:54:43 minutes. I was delighted - but my overriding thought was, "How on earth am I going to be able to run double that distance in less than 100 days?"

What a well organised event by Bob and Ia Hilliard and all the Clon crew, how well we were looked after - before, during and after the race, the runners high of my first half marathon and being able to celebrate with the Born To Run gang meant that I would definitely return to Clonakilty in December 2014.

Fast forward 12 months

Now, with full marathons, 18 milers, more half marathons, 10 milers and 10k races in the legs, hundreds of miles training and numerous trips to the hills - Barrow, Tonevane, Bullock and the Short Mountain, I am ready to tackle the gentle hills of the new route at the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon V.

Today's the Day - 6th December

Before I describe the brilliance of Waterfront V, I have to acknowledge the legend that is Jerry Forde who completed his 300th marathon.  What a thorough gent and inspiration! Knowing that we share the road with a person of that ilk is such an honour.  Roll on the next 100 Jerry.

 
Indeed, all the members of the Marathon Club of Ireland are of a similar DNA. The friendship, camaraderie and love of life that they exude is great to be around.  Now, what does it say about Bob and Ia Hilliard and the Clon crew that so many MCI members would choose Clonakilty as the marathon to reach their milestone.  I'll return to that later.

I decided a few weeks ago to do the Half again this year.  I have put a fair few miles in the legs and have had a few aches over the past while.  I do not want to risk an injury given that the Tralee International marathon is less than 100 days away!

I elected not to have my number posted to me when I registered, as I like to do the journey beforehand, in case there is any roadworks or delays on race morning.  I was off on the Friday so I hit for West Cork with the hope of catching up with Born To Run members Tom Foley and Conor Cusack, as they were doing the Back to Back - Directors Run on Friday and repeating it again on Saturday.

On arrival at the Quality Hotel, I was met by Tom, who looked more like he was heading out for a stroll, than a man who had just run a marathon in 4.02.  His fit looking demeanour was down to the magic hands of Meadbh O Leary Physical Therapy.

Even though I had only met Bob for the first time in Courtmacsherry in July, the welcome I got was like I was a family member returning home.  Even though he was up to his eyes organising for race day, he still made time for everyone. The craic and banter in the car park with everyone, for the next hour was epic. Conor arrived home a short while later with marathon number 9 in the bag and was made feel like a champion.  Jerry was afforded the same reception, when he completed his 299th. Medals and photos at the finish line and acknowledgement of a job well done.

With Conor Cusack and Tom Foley

I took some time to drive the route as Tom had said there was a few hills.  My first impression was a good one.  A few humps and bumps with a decent challenge (hill) before the turnaround for the Half and 10k races.  The full route would continue this challenge for another bit  so as to loop around the Inchydoney Hotel. It was nothing that we hadn't faced before.

After a hassle free collection of numbers and tech tops, it was back to Tralee to prepare for the big one.  I decided to go with sweet potato and raisins instead of dates this time as I found the dates, while good, just too much effort to chew. Anything that looked like a vegetable was juiced so I ended up with a lovely combination of carrots, beetroot, ramiro peppers, sweet potato, cucumber, apples, kale and ginger. I was going to take this on the trip down the following morning.

After an early start with the great company of fellow half marathoners Catherine and Michelle, we arrived in Clonakilty just before 8.00 and the excitement was building nicely. The Hotel was packed as many chose to keep warm in a bit of comfort. What a great way to get psyched up for a race - being surrounded by friends, fun, laughter and photos. Born to Run were well represented as we sported our new club tech tops. 

Some of the Born to Run gang - ready for the off.

Before we knew it, it was time to line up. Full participants were off first, then the Half and finally the 10k group. I have to acknowledge the brilliant start..... Countdown....Bang....Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Can't Stop - full volume. That really set the tone!
 
The Half Marathon group started a few minutes later.  You'd swear I was afraid I'd miss the start, with the way I moved through the crowd. Strangely, whatever aches and pains I had during the week (similar to Dublin Marathon), they had now disappeared - and I felt good.
The first mile, which included a gentle climb was covered in 7:36. There is something satisfying about catching up to and passing out runners in front of you.  The fact that were were passing out the Full marathon runners didn't matter because, psychologically, it was positive and I felt that I was going to have a good day. (Hi Brian, Mazza and B2B Conor). The second mile had a nice long gentle downhill and was covered in 6:49. (What was the first thing I learned in 2013 - and here I was going faster than last year and about to face into a decent hill!)  What a difference a year makes because the hill was no biggie. My third mile was still under 8 minutes.
The new route came into its own at the turn around point just after mile 3, where we headed back to the start. I was now facing all those that were behind me and was on the look out for the BTR gang. It was a good feeling to give and receive words of encouragement and the occasional high five.  I arrived back to the start line with an average pace of 7:38 for the first loop.  I had only taken one sip of water, and, because the running conditions were good, I didn't need it.
The second loop was slower by an average of 18 seconds per mile. I was wearing my wider Mizuno Wave Inspire which allowed my toes to continue their recovery from the previous weeks training.  However, they are not as supportive and I began to blister again, à la Dublin, though not as bad. I was keen to try my sweet potato/ raisin concoction but, as I was happy with my running, I decided to leave it until the final up hill between miles 11 and 12.  It went down very well and one I will try again in the future. 

It was great, to finally run a race in West Cork. where I had a bit of energy for the last mile.  I finished, a very happy man, in 1:43:12 (7:49 min/mile or 4:55 min/km).  I was followed home by the wonderful David Hughes shortly afterwards. With some great running from the BTR crew and plenty PB's to boot, it was not long before we were all back at base with big happy heads on us.

With the Quality Hotel providing free showers and use of the leisure facilities and Meadbh O Leary Physical Therapy providing post race massages, we were soon all back out waiting for the rest of the BTR gang, sporting out new tech tops and Team Hoyt medals. While I was always going to run Clonakilty 2014, on hearing that Rick and Dick Hoyt were going to be honoured on the medal, nothing was going to stop me from taking part, even if I had to crawl.
And what fantastic medals they are. 

Yes You Can

While we waited for the full marathoners, there was an endless supply of teas, coffees, biscuits and Berocca boost, music, dancing and spot prizes, craic, banter, photographs and selfies

This is Our Day!

Some of the BTR Lady Legends

with Catherine and Michelle

After Run Antics

The welcome home afforded to all finishers by Bob and Ia and the super Clon Crew, the photographs by Liz Cardoso and Global Click Photography  made for a wonderful day.

I think the new route can be deemed a BIG success. 

Phil Hilliard described it so nicely saying "We sent them off with smiles and they came back with bigger smiles".                             WE PLANNED, WE PREPARED AND WE PREVAILED

                                                                       and
                                                         WE WILL BE BACK.

To finish, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful people in Born To Run. To have Ann, Mazza and Jim run out to meet Conor and accompany him back to the finish and thereby ensure he completed his first Back to Back, shows how special a club we have. #Nobodygetsleftbehind
I had a special day that will live long in the memory.  Thank you, one and all.

In the meantime, Roll on Courtmacsherry 2015


Den