Race Report: Connemarathon
Connemarathon, the first race for Run to Plant Trees, April 14, 2019. Photo by Andreas, doorusphoto.net
“Not much improvement. Final update tonight. Expect a tough day.” - announcement from the Connemarathon race organisers on April 13, 2019, the day before the race.
After that I spiraled into a panic mode and rushed to the local outdoor gear shop to check for a light waterproof shell and gloves. In the end I bought only gloves (which I wore exactly for 5 min on the race day) as I already had a waterproof-ish jacket; and you never wear anything new on the race day! Just before I fell asleep I re-planned in my head what layers to wear and how many layers to wear to avoid hypothermia and also to avoid carrying extra unnecessary layers, that will only get wet and heavy.
I don’t think I have ever followed the weather updates as much as I did before Connemarathon on April 14, 2019.
The race day arrived with two weather warnings in place - one for wind and one for heavy rainfall. On Sunday, April 14, on the race day, I woke up from the sound of rain outside. I checked one last time to see if the race was still going head. It was! Heavy rainfall, strong gusts of wind and temperatures dropping as low as -1C. Nervous, excited and scared from what might be ahead of me, Connemara on the best days can surprise with sudden weather changes, I started to get ready. I put on my race gear - a dry-fit t-shirt (to keep my trunk dry), merino long sleeve top (to stay warm), and a waterproof-ish jacket with a great hood, that stays up even on the windiest of days, shorts (yes, I still went with shorts, a bit mad, but I rarely run with anything else), knee length socks. In my 2l waist pack I put in - a spare pair of socks, plasters (in case of blisters), my brand new gloves, a 500 ml soft flask filled with coconut water, 10 pitted dates, a bag with sour snakes, one cliff bar to eat before the start, and a zip lock bag for my phone and headphones, to keep them dry.
I asked my partner, who despite the weather still said that he will come and wait for me at the finish line, to bring a flask of hot tea, a bag of salt vinegra crisps, a bottle of kombucha, a cliff bar, my big jacket and a dry pair of shoes.
The rain did not ease, and it was time to make our way to a bus that would bring me to the start line, from Galway City to the coast of Lough Inagh. It was 15 min walk to the bus, I thought it would be a good idea to walk it, to start to warm up my body for the movement. I got soaked! I left the wet layers with my partner, and stepped on the bus. It was filled with excited and equally nervous people. I sat beside an older lady, and was glad I did. She had many stories of Connemara, she had finished the ultra and this was her 4th time running the full Connemarathon, and her advice was: enjoy your run and stunning scenery, but don’t start too fast, keep your strengths till after Leenaun (the village marked the half way point). She was full of wisdom and jokes, and by the time we arrived at the start line I felt a lot more relaxed. More importantly, we decided to which layer it was the best to attach the race bib; a question that did not allow me to sleep the night before.
At the start line the bus driver was kind enough to let us finish getting ready for the race on the bus, as the rain was still coming down. We got out of the bus, and had exactly enough time to leave our bags and go to a porta potty. As I was in one, I could hear everyone roaring outside and clapping - ultra runners were passing! They seemed like completely different beasts, and I had a deep admiration for them all.
Lost in thoughts and the Lough Inagh scenery, I didn’t hear the start announcement and almost missed the start! So half confused I started running my second marathon and the first race for the Run to Plant Trees initiative.
The first half of the race flew by! The rugged beauty of Connemara always takes my breath away no matter the weather. As I arrived in Leenaun, the half way point, I felt strong and full of energy. I could not believe that I am already half way through. In Leenaun the course leads to the right towards Maam Cross, and there around the corner was one of the first big uphills, immediately I understood the lady’s advice to start slow and reserve energy for the second half. Soon heavy rain, hail and strong gusts of wind started! There were moments that I thought whether it is worth to continue to fight it all, however I also knew that I can run the marathon distance, I have done it before. So I can do it! And there in my mind I made a decision, that I will finish this race.
Mindset is important in any race, and if you are not sure about your why behind the running, you might be in your best form physically, yet you might not reach the finish line.
As I approached the last uphill, I saw everyone walking up it, I tried to continue to push and run against the wind and rain, but eventually gave in and walked. There another runner told me, that this part of the race course is called “The Hell of the West” - uphill, against wind and rain, exposed to all the elements of Connemara. It was really true to its name!
Once I got to the top of that hill I started running again, soon enough I could see the tower of the Peacock’s Hotel, the finish line, and plenty of supporters, who had all walked 3 km from the finish line to cheer on the weary runners. There before finishing, I stopped and ate some sour jelly snakes to finish this race on a sugar high!
I was soaked wet to the bone, and incredibly grateful to my body for the strength, and my mind for trusting the body that it can. And guess what? With all the weather, hills, and elements, I still improved my marathon time by 11 seconds. It might not seem much, but to me it confirmed that I can achieve anything that I set my mind to. And that this choice is mine and mine alone.
On April 14, 2019, I finished the first race for Run to Plant Trees, Connemara full marathon in 4:24:22.