Race Report: Connemara 64 km Ultra Marathon
Virtual Connemara Ultra Marathon, 64 km, September 20, 2020.
When Connemara Ultra Marathon race was postponed from April to September, I was relieved, as after running Kinvara Marathon I knew that I was not physically nor mentally ready. After Kinvara I took some time off from running, and I ran very little over the coming months. That is until June.
Late in May, after reading Vassos Alexander’s book Running Up That Hill, I discovered The Marcothon. This is a challenge that was originally created in 2009 by Marco Consani and Debbie Martin-Consani and which still happens every December. The simple concept of the Marcothon is to run every single day a minimum of 5 km or 25 min. To bring back the spark and dedication into my running, I decided to do it for the month of June; I had never run for 30 consecutive days, so this was a fascinating approach to me. In the end I ran every single day in June and swam in the ocean every day on top of that. That was all I needed to bring back my passion and joy for running!
Summer flew by in training, I didn’t have any particular plan, however I was concentrating a lot more on strength training than I did before, particularly upper body, as I knew that I would be carrying my running pack. Two weeks before the virtual race date, I did two recce runs to measure the distance of the route that I had decided to do. First run was 27 km, then one day off, and then a second run - 33 km. I wanted to start and end at Silverstrand beach, and include my regular running grounds around Galway City and Salthill. But also, to add something new, which ended up to being the area around Moycullen bogs. It was a beautiful route, and I was looking forward to running it all in one go!
The day of the race started with 5.00 a.m. alarm. I ate my breakfast, had coffee, magnesium water, put on sunscreen, as the day was promised warm, filled my water bottles with water and coconut water, put the bib on, and walked down to my chosen start line - Silverstrand beach. At 6:58 my partner, Mike, and friend, Ellen, waved me off and the virtual race started. The sun was rising at 7:19 a.m., I was looking forward to a run towards the sunrise along the Salthill prom.
At the 3 km mark, my friend Owen joined me for the first half of the ultra. As we both approached the prom we saw two other friends Aoife and Louise standing with a poster and cheering us on. It was amazing! Sun was coming up, friends were there beside me,the kilometres just ticked by. In Bohermore we turned around and headed back out all the way to Barna, to enjoy the views over the bay and then headed back towards my home and my main checkpoint for food and rest. My wonderful partner was there with the prepared food - pittas stuffed with plant based cream cheese, sweet potatoe, and sauerkraut. I had some pickles and pickle juice, along with tonic water. Washed my face, reapplied sunscreen and continued on towards Spiddal and up towards Moycullen bogs.
Briefly before Spiddal, Mike joined me on the bike to crew me for the second half, he carried spare water, salty snacks and other bits. As I reached Spiddal beach I also reached the 43 km mark, from here on I entered unknown territory. I had never run so far. It also marked the end of the footpath and the start of running on the road, which meant every time a car came I had to step off the road. The turn from Spiddal towards Moycullen also marked the beginning of a very, very long uphill. Honestly, it seemed I would never reach the top. Mentally it felt draining, as doubt appeared and I questioned what I was doing and why. The hill just seemed never ending. However, the view at the top of the hill was magical - the mirrored surface of the ocean, with silver grey clouds above my head, it seemed surreal. That whole section of the route is stunning; as you gaze back at a beautiful view over Galway Bay, while ahead of you are fields of heather in full bloom.
I was relieved once we turned off the Spiddal-Moycullen road and continued on smaller bog roads. It was fabulous to have these quiet roads to ourselves! Blooming heather and roses everywhere you look, and, trust me, there is always time to stop and smell the roses, which I did often. On these smaller roads, I finally started to get back into my rhythm and felt that I can finish the run. It felt good.
At the 58 km mark Mike cycled off to pick up swimming gear and to meet me on Silverstrand beach; my finish line. At this point it was getting really warm outside, and once again I returned to busier roads into Barna Village, so I had to be mindful of cars. I could feel the tiredness in my body and also mental exhaustion. Once I reached Barna, I knew the road and I knew that the last stretch towards the beach is all downhill. I saw my partner half way down the hill, and right at that spot where he stood I reached 64 km. I was thrilled, and exhausted, nevertheless I finished my first ultra marathon! I did it!
We walked down to the beach, tide was out, and I walked into the water and floated. It felt amazing to let the water hold me. Once I got home, I ate a pickle and peanut butter sandwich (don’t judge before you try it!) and drank kombucha, and went for a nap. An hour later I was woken up for dinner which I devoured. The rest of the day I spent eating, keeping my legs up the wall and resting.
The week after the run I rode a wave of feeling happy and exhausted! It was such an exhilarating experience, and I cherish every bit of it! I went for a cycle on the third day after the race, and for a run on the fourth day after the race. My body felt good, my mind was still a bit tired, and my stomach felt like a black hole, no matter how much and often I ate, I felt that I could eat more.
The 64 km Connemara Ultra Marathon sparked my curiosity for longer runs even more, to see what else I could do if I set my mind to it. So the idea of 12 h run on a track was born.
On September 20, 2020, I finished the sixth and last race for Run to Plant Trees, Connemara Ultra Marathon 64.04 km in 8:09:10.
Run to Plant Trees initiative in 2020 planted 586 native Irish trees with the help of Hometree Charity. Thank you to everyone who helped and supported!
