Race Report: Killarney Half Marathon
Run Killarney Half Marathon, the most fun and scenic race I have run, July 20, 2019.
The Run Killarney Half Marathon was pure joy! My face hurt after from smiling throughout the whole race; and still when I think of this race, it brings a smile to my lips.
Two weeks after the Achill Half Marathon I got on the bus to Killarney. Race logistics for the Run Killarney Half Marathon were a lot simpler and required a lot less effort than Achill. Hence, I perceived this race as a fun race, I was not aiming for any records, all I wanted was to enjoy my first time on the Ring of Kerry.
On the race day morning I headed down to the breakfast hall and once again had my own pre-prepared breakfast - oats, chia pudding, yoghurt and berries, and a cup of coffee. I headed back to the hotel room to get dressed and put my bib on. The pick up point for runners was just a 10 min walk from the hotel my partner and I were staying. At 6.40 a.m. I stepped on the bus along with other runners to be brought to the start line at the Molls Gap. The morning was fresh and sunny, and the views over the Molls Gap were nothing short of stunning.
As we gathered at the start line just before 8.00 a.m., the race marshal announced: “This is the only time of the year when this part of the Ring of Kerry belongs to you runners and is closed for the cars, so don’t forget to enjoy the views as you run.” And off we ran as the start whistle for the Run Killarney Half Marathon went off!
The start line was at the top of the hill, which meant that the race started with a nice downhill, it was such a fast start and it took me few moments before I simply let my legs go, it might hurt at the end, but I wanted to enjoy the freedom of running downhill. The river of runners moved down from the Molls Gap towards the Ladies View, where I stopped to soak in the view and enjoy my first medjoul date and a sip of coconut water. After all, we were encouraged to not only run but also to enjoy the views! And I was glad that I wasn’t the only one, it takes only one to stop and soak up the views before few more join in. After the rain the day before, everything looked so green in the sun, so vivid. I felt lucky to be running in this part of the world!
After the Ladies View the race continued downhill a bit more towards the Galway’s Bridge and just before the Tunnel the race course evened out. The first 8 km of the race were all downhill, it was such a joy to run it and let the legs do what they do the best - move!
By the Torc Waterfall we took the left turn towards the Muckross House and Gardens, just before this turn the photo above was taken. After the turn, the race course was more or less flat with some teeny tiny uphills, that felt more like bumps in a road, all the way towards the finish line by the Gleneagle Hotel. Once you get out of the park, there is a short stretch where you run on a footpath along the main road, just before this stretch sub 1 hour 50 minute pacer stopped and encouraged every single runner in this pacer’s group to keep running, we got this! I remember that my legs were wrecked from enjoying the long downhill of the race, but the pacer’s words encouraged me to keep on going and keep my pace all the way to the finish line.
There were plenty of spectators gathered along the finish line, and once I saw the big clock above the finish line I gave it all I got and finished with a new PB!
1:48:54, once again I bet my PB by 7 minutes and 42 seconds! My gratitude to the sub 1:50 pacer, your encouragement in the last few minutes of the race was invaluable. Thank you. I also set my PB for 10 km distance during this race. Incredibly proud.
Run Killarney Half Marathon was one of the most fun and joyous races with absolutely magical and stunning views, thrilled and grateful that I got to run it as a part of my Run to Plant Trees initiative.
As I learnt after the race, science has shown that when we smile while running, we feel that our perceived effort is far less than the effort we exert when we keep a straight or grumpy face throughout the race. When we smile, we tell our minds that we are enjoying what we are doing, it might be hard and exhausting, nevertheless we are enjoying it, and so our bodies are less tense and more relaxed. Smiling while running helps our minds and bodies to relax. Just like Eliud Kipchoge, Lucy Bartholomev and Courtney Dauwalter recommend - smile while you run and enjoy the movement!
On July 20, 2019, I finished the third race for Run to Plant Trees, Run Killarney Half Marathon in 1:48:54.