You're right Ted. I used to be happy enough with me old bike, I used to get a big buzz out of just going down to the shops on it, you know? But after a while it just wasn't enough. I started going for bigger and bigger thrills, but I could give it up! Any time I wanted! (Fr. Dougal McGuire)
Where to start? Ironically enough, late 2013 is probably the best place, August 2013 to be exact... I had just completed the
Rose of Tralee 10K, my first competitive run at that distance, having joined the Born to Run Novice Group in June to train for the Rose race, that was now in the bag. Was I going to take the next logical step up to the Half Marathon or Marathon....?
Well us Cusacks never do things by halves, so Marathon it was going to
be.. We started training a few weeks later, and right up to Christmas. I did a
few 10K races in this period including in the UK with my sister Kate (who
encouraged me into running in the first place) and Los Angeles while on
holiday. The Christmas 2013 period proved to be very stormy, but my first
significant milestone was reached at this time when I ran 13.1 miles for the
first time in the great company of Mr. Brian Ó Sé.
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| Ultra Training Selfie |
Official training had been cancelled, but we took a punt during a clear
spell and got the run in, dodging around fallen debris along the way. Around
this time I also temporarily took leave of my senses and signed up for the
Tralee Marathon and inaugural 100K Ultra Marathon... Crazy stuff, but under the
astute guidance of Marcus Howlett and Jim McNeice, as well as a really close
knit training group it seemed a natural logical step.
I made many friends in
Born to Run around this time. A special tip of the hat at this
stage must go to Gretta and Catherine, hosts of the legendary Dashboard Diner.
On many early weekend mornings and weekday evenings the hot coffee and home
baking was a saviour.... It put body and soul back together, and was a great
way of getting to know more of the group. Maureen Kennan was a tonic on many a
morning with her banter :-)
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| Valentines Race February 2014 |
Many of you will be aware of my passionate support of the work of
Kerry Hospice Foundation. I decided to set a target of 5 marathons, Tralee, Limerick,
Cork, Ultra and Dublin to raise much needed funds... That seemed ambitious for
my first full year, and well we all know how things panned out! By the time I
ran the
Valentines 10 miler in February with Kate, my first marathon was only a
month away... Nerves seriously kicking in...
Actually, to say I was nervous is an understatement. The day of my first
marathon had arrived in the blink of an eye. We gathered at the
Wetlands around
8 am. I mingled a bit just to take my mind off the task ahead. Gathering at the
start line, time to get this done!!! I set off initially with Mazza, Caroline
and Carrie-Anne. We reached mile 6 at Ardfert with no dramas, I knew the
infamous “Mound of Opportunity” that is Barrow Hill was literally around the
corner and that was in the back of my mind.
We reached it, climbed it, but it was on the way back down that the game
changed. Caroline was in obvious discomfort so I encouraged the others to
go on and I would stay back to run with her... It was my first marathon, time
was unimportant to me. In Born to Run, no-one gets left behind. Caroline and I
slowly made our way to the Fenit switchback on the pier to find another
casualty Tommy Leahy in serious pain running past the West End... By the look
of him I didn’t fancy his chances of finishing...
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| Coming through Mounthawk on the Tralee International Marathon |
On and on we went, through the Spa, my home area of the Kerries and up
Caherslee. More walking than running, but getting the job done. The Skinny Mile
was torture, but Caroline singing
Timber by Pitbull on a loop kept me smiling. What followed was uplifting. Rounding the corner of Pembroke
Street my brother Paul and niece Ciara were there... My body was broken at that
stage, but seeing them gave me huge encouragement.
The run to the finish on
Denny Street will live long in the memory, crossing the line with Caroline to
complete my first marathon was thrilling. Tommy arrived shortly after and finished,
legend stuff! We partied the night away in the Abbey. The first of 5 marathons
for me... Or so I thought!
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| St Patricks Day, post Tralee Marathon |
It’s fair to say that the body was fairly tired after Tralee, but I
found the Ballybunion Half that I ran with Ann and Brian O’Shea on Easter
weekend to be hugely beneficial in keeping my “race head” on. Limerick was fun.
We started off a couple of hours before the Half Marathon, and I was delighted
to be running alongside Jim and Brendan McNeice.What I liked about this course
was that for the most part it stayed in and around the city, with a nice loop
around the
University of Limerick. My aim was to go Sub 5 Hour, and we tipped
along at a decent pace ahead of the 5 Hour Pacer. It was great to see Ann and
Brian, Den, Anne Kelliher and Michelle en route on the switchback. It gave me a
lift at that stage.
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| Satisfied after Marathon Number 2 in Limerick |
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| Pre Limerick Selfie with Ann & Brian |
Around Mile 22 passing Thomond Park, I began to tire and the 5 Hour Pacer
was like the Grim Reaper behind us... Jim McNeice, a veteran of 50+ Marathons
was exceptional in keeping me going when the body was failing... Feck it, I’m
gonna do this... I dug deep and as we headed for the Sarsfield Bridge for the
last time, we had put some distance between ourselves and the Pacer. The welcome
on O’Connell Street was amazing, we’d broken 5 hours, and Brendan had completed
his first marathon. Good news day all around!!!! Bring on Cork...
Only a 4 week turnaround from Limerick, this wasn’t going to be easy and
so it proved. Once again I had Jim and Brendan by my side, but the legs felt
unusually heavy from the start. Race began on Patrick Street and looped around South
Mall and Parnell Place towards Blackpool and out past Tivoli. I had let the
lads go on a bit ahead and listened to my music to keep me moving. I caught up
with them at the entrance to the Jack Lynch Tunnel. There was a nice pull up
exiting the Tunnel all the way to Mahon and over to Blackrock Castle. Good
crowd support at this stage.
The next few miles brought us along a walkway created from the route of
an old railway line. This was tough as it was quite narrow and there were very
few spectators. When we re-emerged at the Marina, passing Pairc Uí Chaoimh, I
was delighted to meet my sister Mary and her husband with some much needed food
and isotonic supplies. On we went up the South Link through Turners Cross,
Ballyphehane and The Lough, some decent enough uphills that would put manners
on you!
As we headed towards Model Farm Road I started to tire again and let Jim
and Brendan go... I started to walk and was very disheartened to see the 5 Hour
Pacer go past me... I tried running again but the legs weren’t responding. I
was running on empty at Mile 21... The final Isotonic stop was on Inchagaggin
Lane which connects Model farm Rd to the Carrigrohane Straight. I took some
fuel on board and started a light jog. I felt myself getting a little stronger
and before I knew it had reached County Hall at Victoria Cross. I took a 5
minute walk and as I entered the Mardyke, I looked at my watch and thought Feck
it., I’ll give it a go...
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| Finish Line St Patrick Street, Cork |
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| Ultra Training in Curraheen |
Summoning energy from I don’t know where, Miles 25 and 26 were both
around the 9 minute mark.... Emerging from the Mardyke and running up Popes
Quay I could see the 5 Hour pacer in the distance. I ran all the faster and
caught him on Patricks Bridge. The welcome back on Patrick Street was
phenomenal and Jim looked stunned as I crossed the line... Another Sub 5!!!!
Great to meet Ailish Hughes and Martin O’Sullivan at the finish line too. A
magic BTR day by the Lee.
All the while when I was doing my first few marathons August 2nd
and 100K was at the back of my mind... Training was progressing well on the
Ultra route, including the Half on the Head, and the legs were feeling
stronger. Still, I hadn’t progressed beyond 26.2
miles. That was about to change.
A good crowd of us from Born to Run arrived down to Courtmacsherry for the
Keith Whyte Waterfront Ultra Marathon on 19
th
July and it was my
first time meeting that unstoppable bundle of enthusiasm and energy that is Bob
Hilliard. He welcomed us as locals, and I could see from the start that this
was a Class A event. A really humid day (upwards of 95%) made for really hard
running conditions. A beautiful, scenic 18 mile roundtrip circuit was
negotiated twice. Fantastic support provided by Geoffrey and my sister Mary on
the day kept the legs moving. Gretta didn’t feel well but still soldiered
through. That woman is made of pure steel!
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| The BTR Gang take over Courtmacsherry |
I struggled a little from the last switchback to home, but on the last
few miles I met up with Hazel, and William and we all finished
together. A really well run event and a super medal depicting one of my all
time heroes, Nelson Mandela. I’ll definitely be back in 2015.
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| Top of the Short Mountain Selfie, Michelle's first time reaching the summit! |
And so to arguably the pinnacle of my running year, a 100K Ultra
Marathon, this is what I had trained for, it was time to take care of business.
Considering that I had only run 13 miles for the first time just over 8 months
previously, it looked like a case for the men in the white coats. But as we
lined up at the start line in the Wetlands at 6am, I was strangely at ease with
myself.
 |
| 100K Ultra, it all starts here.... 5.55am August 2nd |
“Break it up into twelve 5 mile runs” Marcus had advised us, it proved a
sound strategy on the day, don’t think too far ahead. Given the distance, I
needed a good support crew. And in Den, Maura, Michelle, Sarah, as well as my
sisters Mary and Kate I couldn’t have asked for better. Quite simply without
their help, I couldn’t have done it.
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| My amazing Ultra Crew, legends the lot of ye! |
The run to Ardfert, Ballyheigue (for the first time) and Causeway was
slow and uneventful. The body felt good and Sarah and Maura were keeping me
well fed and watered along the way. Around Kerryhead, and I stopped for a couple
of minutes with Michelle who was looking after a water station before she took
up duty as part of my crew. I reached halfway at Ballyheigue and felt good
though with a little pain in my left knee. I lashed on the Wintergreen and one
change of running gear later I was ready to roll for the second half. “Get up,
don’t stay sitting” urged Mazza, and in fairness it was good advice. I had
family in the shape of my brothers Ned and Paul waiting for me at Banna Cross
and that gave me great encouragement.
Den had started running with me at this stage, and we were joined by Michelle
and Kate. It was invaluable to have them during what is quite a lonely stretch
to Barrow Cross with little crowd support. And then, Barrow Hill... Not that
F***ing thing again, at 70K, you gotta be having a laugh here! Mind over matter got me through here and Churchill.
Great support from the BTR Brigade at Barrow Cross helped big time... Onto
Fenit, 80K, and the knee was in rag order at this stage.. More Wintergreen and
Den somehow manipulated the muscle so it didn’t hurt as much.. Michelle and
Kate ran with me towards the Spa, and at this stage my brain was fried from
fatigue and I was talking some desperate gibberish altogether... No change
there then.
We ran into the Kerries, my home ground. It never felt as steep or as
hard as this when I was a kid though. Feck it, I’ve done this hundreds of
times, can’t be that hard?! Mary met us before my house and we ran towards my
front gate where a huge number of my family waited to cheer me on and give me a
cup of tea. I was really running on empty at this stage and continually asked
what time it was to make sure I beat the 15 hour cutoff.
Down Spa Road and towards Lohercannan to Blennerville, I could hardly
walk, let alone run. Den and Kate kept giving encouraging words, I was so
fatigued I just snapped back at them, something they totally understood but in
hindsight something I felt really bad about. Sarah joined us for the lap around
Tonevane and in the canal to the Marina. Michelle had joined us and followed us
on her bike. Her knee was in agony, but she still wanted to be part of this,
what a legend....
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| Mr Den McCarthy who pretty much ran a marathon with me on the Ultra |
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| Best Buds do Ultras together |
My wonderful crew followed me to halfway down James Street. This was the
street where my Dad had grown up, how appropriate. Rounding the corner to the
finish in front of the Brandon is something that will live with me forever. To
cross the line and be met by the people I had trained with all year was
emotional to say the least. My nephew Cillian, working with the Red Cross even
did running repairs, keeping it in the family. By the end of the evening, our
entire training group had finished, bodies broken yes, but unbowed... Big respect to Mazza who truly smashed it, Randall who took on the pain barrier and beat it, and how wonderful to see Gretta and David Quirke finish together! Couch to
100K in 12 months???? DONE!
The October
“Triple Crown"
The 100K Ultra Marathon had left me physically and emotionally drained,
yet I still wanted to test myself with another challenge, what could I do???
How about running 3 full marathons in the space of 3 weeks? No, that’s just insane...
So is 100K and you did that. Yerra right so I’ll give it a go. Men in white
coats on standby again.... Honourable mention to another first for me around
this time, running the entire Rose of Tralee 10K in a tuxedo... Of course it
was Mazza’s idea, but tremendous fun all the same. It was significant too
because it was the first anniversary of my first competitive run. How time
flies.
I had continued to train through September and Lisbon came around
quickly. I flew out on October 2nd to take in the sights of this
wonderful city. I’d have to say however that if you weren’t a runner you
wouldn’t be aware that a big race was coming up on the following Sunday.. On
the morning of the race I was up and about at 6am to get the train to Cascais
where the race started. Public transport in the city was free for the day once
you showed your race bib. Maybe something the Dublin organisers could take on
board? The first 5 miles around Cascais and in towards Lisbon were on
cobblestones, which was tough on the knees. The route itself was relatively
flat along a beautiful coastal route. The humidity was quite high with a
temperature of 20c, so conditions were testing.
 |
| Lisbon Bling in the bag |
At one stage we ran past a group of volunteers who were waving various
national flags for a stretch of about 1 mile. I looked in vain for a tricolour,
disappointing to say the least as I had met some other Irish on the route who
were drawn to my tricolour singlet. We arrived back into Lisbon about Mile 21
and they brought us on a 5 mile trip through what can only be described as
pretty unremarkable roads to the finish line at
Parque das Nações, site of the World Expo
1998. Another Sub 5 in testing conditions, and some Rock n Roll bling, so I
couldn’t complain. Crowd support was good enough, but overall a 6.5/10 “Could
Do Better” for the Lisbon organisers.
I had
decided to visit my good friend Dave Nieuwold and his wife Moe in Toronto at
some stage this year. I climbed Kilimanjaro with Dave and his daughter Sam back in 2012, and we’ve remained friends ever since. When I saw the chance to check
out the beautiful city of Toronto by running it, I jumped at the chance. I
arrived in Canada on October 15th and did a little sightseeing and
chilled for a few days in Guelph where Dave lives, an easy 5 mile was done on
the Friday as a loosener.
 |
| Dave and I at the start |
Race
day, October 19th, we left Guelph at about 6.45am, traffic on the
freeway was light so we were parking up at about 7.45am. A couple of Tim
Hortons coffees and Clif bars en route and I was at the start line about
8.20am. Chilly morning, dry and about 4c, perfect...
I
started in the second wave about 9.10am, through the city streets and past the
landmark CN Tower. I ran towards the shoreline of Lake Ontario with “Titanium”
from David Guetta in my ears. Dave and Moe had taken off on their bikes with my
supplies and would meet me en route. I first spotted them around Mile 5 and I
was feeling fresh, there was superb crowd support. What I liked about this,
similar to Limerick, is that they kept it pretty tight in around the city
neighbourhoods. Glancing at my watch a few times, I knew I was on a good pace.
I next
met my “crew” about halfway as I headed towards the Greek district of the city
where the crowds were huge again and flags everywhere. Taking some fuel on
board, I continued to run strongly and little did I know that my progress was
being tracked 3,000 miles away at home in Tralee by my good friend Den McCarthy.
A switchback brought us through the Greek district again on the loop home. Met
Dave and Moe at Mile 21 again and took some last fuel on board, I knew I was on
a PB pace here.
The last
5 miles were flat and just a constant wall of sound, so much so, I took off my
headphones to soak it all in. I got a tricolour from Dave at 500m to go, and waved
it frantically over my head. Screams of “Go Ireland!” rung in my ears. I didn’t
want it to end, but end it did in a PB of 4:45... Part 2 of the Triple Crown in
the bag.
Thrilled,
I returned to Guelph for a well deserved soak in the hot tub and a couple of
Steam Whistle Beers (Highly recommended!). I went for a celebratory meal with
Dave, Moe and their family at Fionn McCool’s bar that evening. This year was
just getting better and better.
 |
| Dave, Moe and I at the finish, proud to be Irish |
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| The obligatory photo with the CN Tower, Toronto |
When considering 3 marathons in 3 weeks, I knew that the mere 8 day
turnaround between Toronto and Dublin was going to be a big ask, taking travel
and other factors into account. But I thought if weather conditions were
favourable it could be done without serious discomfort... No such luck as you
will learn.
 |
| Dublin Marathon Superheroes |
We had travelled up by train on the Sunday, booking into the Ripley Court Hotel, and headed straight for the Expo in the RDS. It was lovely to bump
into the Clon Crew at their stand, a great welcome as always from Bob, Ia and
Meadbh. A chilled evening and early to bed. We arrived at the start line in
good time on Bank Holiday Monday.
Good crowds and a good buzz around the place and lots of BTR runners,
including debutants Orla, Sarah and Poshey who I had trained with during the
summer. Fierce excitement altogether. Off we went towards the Coombe, around
the back of Christchurch onto the North Quays, Parkgate Street and into the
Phoenix Park. Conditions, as feared, were very humid and like Cork the legs
felt heavy early on. Nonetheless, my music kept me moving, nothing quite like
listening to “
Thrift Shop” by Macklemore as you pass
Áras an Uachtaráin....
As we left the Park and arrived in Castleknock, I felt more comfortable,
as I lived around this area and knew the roads. Down past Mount Sackville and
then looped back into the Phoenix Park. Onwards to Chapilizod about Mile 10
where I came upon Carrie Anne who seemed to be in difficulty, and wasn't feeling well. I ran and walked
with her for a while until about Mile 13/14 at Dolphins Barn. To be honest, I
didn’t feel great myself, I was suffering big style.
 |
| Ready for the off |
Carrie Anne had made a Lazarus like recovery, so I let her go. Lazarus was a great man, but he couldn't run a marathon like Carrie Anne Boylan :-) The next 5 miles through
Rialto and Kimmage to Terenure were a massive struggle, I had no energy and was
seriously thinking this would be my first DNF. The only highlight during these
miles was meeting Collette “THE Legend” O’Hagan who was competing in Marathon
300. Jaysus I thought, this is only Number 8 for me... Let’s get moving here.
Coming through Inchicore I saw a few of my BTR Buddies running and on
the sidelines, Colm and Caroline Lynch as well as Siobhan and Mark Cushen gave
some very welcome support.
From there on was a bit of a blur, down through Clonskeagh onto Fosters
Avenue where it was great to see BTR members Laura and Ita Daly cheering us on.
In the Stillorgan Dual Carrageway, through Mount Merrion, Ballsbridge
and onto the finish in Merrion Square. The crowd support was good, and I needed
every bit of it. I collapsed over the line in 5:15, Triple Crown completed.... But
the tank was completely empty. A treat also to meet Collette just as she
finished her 300th. What an inspiration that lady is.
 |
| Carrie Anne aka "Lazarus" |
 |
| BTR Dublin Runners at the Aquadome. Brilliant photbomb by Seanie Cleary :-) |
An unexpected surprise awaited me at the post race drinks in the Blarney
Bar. I was presented with a magnificent trophy to commemorate my hat trick of
runs in October... What a classy and thoughtful thing to do from my friends in
Born to Run. Despite a record number of dropouts, everyone in the club had
finished. What an astonishing result for everyone. Special mention to my good
buddy Brian Ó Sé who burned it up with a 4:07.. Serious running dude.
# 9&10 And
now, the end is near...Clonakilty Back 2
Back Marathons December 5th & 6th
Originally Marathon Number 9 was to be Sixmilebridge on November 16th,
but due to a family commitment I couldn’t make that one. It looked like I was
going to fall just short of my target of 10 for the year, not a disaster, family
always will come first, but a disappointing prospect to come so close
nonetheless.
Enter the aforementioned bundle of energy Mr. Bob Hilliard, who kindly
invited me to do Back to Back Marathons on the Friday (Directors Run) and
Saturday raceday. I had never done that before, so I was understandably
apprehensive. It still only took 2 minutes to decide though.
 |
| Start of the Directors Run in Clonakilty, with the legend Jerry Forde |
One of the songs on my running playlist is “
On the Road Again” by Canned
Heat. And considering my year so far, that seemed very appropriate as I set off
to Kinsale on the Thursday evening and stayed with my sister Mary there for the
night.
I arrived at the
Quality Hotel in Clon at 8.15am on the Friday morning
to be greeted like a long lost son by Bob. Jerry Forde was just about to start
number 299, what an honour to travel the roads with this man. And so off we
went, Meadbh was doing the 10K as she was on duty the next day. We ran together
and had great banter and craic, she in fact did more than the 10K to keep me
company on the first lap. The hill at the switchback in Inchadoney is a doozie
and had to be negotiated 3 times.. Long story short, it was an incredibly
scenic yet testing course. Day one, 5:15 marathon, 9 in the bag.
Meadbh of
Complete Physical Therapy got working on the legs straight after the race and that helped a
lot. Back to Kinsale, food sleep, repeat....
On the Saturday morning I arrived earlier to meet the BTR members who
had arrived en masse. It was another nice day so I thought, grand, just do what
you did yesterday. Sounds easy doesn’t it???? The previous day was taking its
toll and I was doing more walking than planned. Bob of course was out on the
course high fiveing. Den passed me in a blur, I had been running with Brian and
Mazza for a while, but Mazza had to drop back when not feeling well. It was
great to see all of the club members doing well, I gave Michelle a high five on
the way past as she headed to a PB. Great to see her back to her best!
 |
| Look out Clon, here comes BTR with shiny new running tops |
By lap 3 I am not exaggerating when I say that I was in bits... I was
passing in the opposite direction to Brian on a couple of occasions and he gave
great support. On the last switchback at the Quality, 4 miles to go, great
encouragement from the Clon Crew again, but the legs didn’t seem willing. I met
Brian on my way out the road again, he was 1 mile from home, I was 3, he
shouted encouragement.... “Mr 300” Jerry Forde kept me focused too... What an
athlete he is.
I walked mile 25 in its entirety and as I entered the last mile the body
was about ready to give up. Enter Mazza, Ann O’Shea and Jim McNeice who had
come out the road to meet me... Like the Tralee Ultra, my brain was mush by
then but I do remember Jim telling me that he was threatened (in a nice way) if
he didn’t come out to run with me. Wise choice to run Jim...
And so we entered the final straight, fantastic music and crowds and my
Born to Run friends to greet me when I crossed the line. Once again, everyone
in the club had finished, and Tom also had a Back 2 Back in the bag. To receive my medals depicting the inspirational
Rick and Dick Hoyt and to carry their message around on my race bib left me very humbled. And to receive a third medal with Polar Explorer
Patrick Keohane on it was just the icing on
the cake of an amazing weekend.
And Meadbh once again worked her magic to get
my very tired legs moving to the extent that I visited the local night club
later... Clon, I will be back! Memory of the weekend? Seeing Jerry Forde cross a marathon finish
line for the 300
th time, in tears. The Clon Crew challenge you to "Find Yourself" in West Cork.. I did so more than I could ever have imagined.
 |
| Thrilled and honoured to bring the Team Hoyt message on my journey |
 |
| This Back 2 Back Lark is a breeze.... |
 |
| Post Run Selfie in Clon with the BTR Angels |
And that is it, my 2014 running year. What will 2015 bring? Who knows?
I’m already committed to four marathons, including my first Major in
Berlin
with Den and Liam next September and probably more to come. It’s been quite a
journey, in the most magnificent company. Thank you all who encouraged me when
the will to do it was weakening....
It was amazing to train with fellas like Billy Lyons, Martin "The Machine" O'Sullivan and Tommy Horan who have seen and done it all at the very top level. I've met up with old school buddies like Eoin, Brendan and Danny. Thanks especially to my sister Kate for getting me running in the first place, and to Marcus and Jim for
their fantastic support and advice through the year and always believing in us.... I would encourage anyone to come to Kerry and run with us on the numerous
Run The Kingdom events.
The bling now hangs proudly from my
Medal Mates holder, it might need an extension. Ashley and Mark, I'll be onto ye. No sporting home should be without one..
But now for rest, or maybe a sneaky 3 or 4 miler... Someone please hide my trainers. It’s kinda addictive
you know...
 |
| Just some of the amazing people I have met through our wonderful club |
