Racing 795

Blackstairs adventurers, PJ, Mike, Barry, DavidT, Alan and Jim. Click for more pics.

[Report by David Tully]

This was a fantastic event. Yes the memory of the pain has faded and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The day started off early, heading straight towards the bike drop near Ballymurphy, then back to Rathnure for registration.
Rathnure GAA complex was base and was well set up. There were nearly as many marshalls as entrants, with an array of motorbikes and quads at the ready.
795 out in force, with our own personal team motorbike rider James along for the day!

The race was 7 steps: 10.5k run, 9k cycle, 3k kayak, 25k cycle, mountain run 6.5k, 11k cycle, 1k run
After looking at previous results, I thought 4:30 was achieveable. Then looked again – 4:30 would’ve been 8th overall last year – not achieveable!
4:45 maybe..

Jim had a plan – Alan, Jim and I would run the first 10.5k leg together, then cycle into Graiguenamanagh as a group.
We lined up at the start line – announcer blamed the Germans for the state of the roads and we were off!
Mike and PJ went off like bullets. Team795 stuck to a steady pace. Barry saw the logic in pacing ourselves for what was going to be a long day and stuck with us. James was cruising up and down the road, giving us updates on Mike and PJ’s progress as well as encouraging us along the way.
Barry ran with us for the first 8k of climbing, until the track started descending. Off Barry went like a mountain goat, gaining 500 metres by the time we were at the bottom!
On the bikes then for the 2nd step and Jim, Alan and I ate up the road, passing 3 on the open road and another one at transition, which was 500m from the kayaks. Quick run over the bridge and down the quays and a team were there to don lifejacket, helmet and set you on your way in the kayak. Great to see Kate, Lorraine, kids and James all there in support!
Mike and Alan had the edge in the kayaks, bringing their own and a bit of previous experience made up valuable time. The lack of a turning buoy caught out most of the field, but it affected all, so no odds in the grand scheme of things. What was a 3k kayak turned into a 5k kayak.
Mike out of the water first and leading overall! PJ next, then Alan who had blitzed the kayak times and overtaken Barry. Jim and I were next out.

The 4th step was a road cycle from Graiguenamanagh to near Kiltealy, around the roads south of White Mountain. Jim warned me to take it easy on the climbs and not to push it. That worked until James came up alongside me with the update from the entire field, as well as pointing out that I was on the last big climb – so I stood up on the pedals drove it on. I saw no one on the 25k stage, hoped I hadn’t taken a wrong turn now and again also..

Arrived into transition – the only one with water. This race (maybe all adventure races ??) demands self sufficiency – can’t be handed food or drink. I deliberately finished off the second bottle coming in knowing this. off the bike and started to run. I could see someone a few hundred metres up the road, walking. Passed him and on up the road. On the steeper sections of fire road, I met another competitor who was struggling – passed him too. Such a novel feeling, passing people!
Up on the open mountain then and a 3rd, down with cramp. On I went, the long distance MTB spins paying dividend now that I was approaching 4 hours. On the toughest part of the run/climb I noticed it was 1:42 and Joy should be wrapping up her marathon in Limerick in the coming minutes. Great distraction thinking about how the marathon was going, what the finish line would be like etc. Anything but climbing this bloody mountain! 4th competitor in my sights now, trying to stretch out a cramp! On to the top now and across lumpy heather and hidden rocks, then down through fields to transition again. James at transition with a load of marshalls and well wishers. Update from James – where’s Alan – gone, where’s Barry – gone.. I get the picture.
Alan had a strong cycle and had kept ahead of Barry, who found a group partner on the road and powered over to Kiltealy. Barry had a strong run and had passed Alan on it.

6th step and back on the bike – so good to be sitting on a bike again! Only thing was a headwind to contend with. James encouraging on the motorbike alongside as I reach Rathnure. Land in Rathnure GAA, drop the bike and the run is around their pitches.
Wasn’t sure the legs were going to work but there was no way I was walking – I could see the 795 colours at the finish line.
Big 795 crowd there, with the organisers laying on an array of activities and bbq. Great to run down the home stretch with the kids running alongside.

Mike 3rd overall – fantastic result!. PJ 5th and would have been on the podium if he had used Mike or Alan’s kayak.
Barry finished strongly next in 13th, followed in by Alan in 15th. I finished in 18th overall, in a time of 4:38 – delighted with the time and overall race.

Thanks to the organisers for putting on such a well run and enjoyable event – I’ll be doing this again next year and am looking at other adventure races also.
Thanks also for all the support on what was my first adventure race. First multi disciplined race actually – never did anything involving changing from run to bike to whatever before.

To answer David Furlong’s questions – we all wore runners, mandatory kit is a grey area and Barry can run down a mountain the same as he can cycle down one.

Results

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Thumbs up, mission accomplished!

[Report by Joy Furlong]

Eighteen weeks of training, which went injury free, had me ready and confident for this race. I spent the 3 days previous to the race carbo loading, oh what joy that brought, must have been one of the few women who stepped on the weighing scales the night before and shouted with delight yes I had gained a kilo! I knew then that I was ready and armed!

Race day, I was up early, alarm set for 7.00am but a restless night had me up at 6.30. Leisurly breakfast of porridge, OJ and toast. Later sipped on sports drink and a banana in the car on the drive in. David keeping the chat lighthearted until it came to parking the car! Eventually got a spot and a short walk up to the start line had me there for 8.50, only ten minutes for the real nerves to set in. The atmosphere was great, it was a beautiful morning, the sun shining and lots of smiles. It was a small crowd only about 700 competitors which made it easy to spot the pacers.

Race plan was to go with the 3.45 pacers and keep it steady. Hoping I could hang in there with them as long as I could. Average pace to be 5.18 min km. Start gun went at 9.02 we were off , I started with a smile , determined to be smiling at the end.First few kms have you running through the city centre before turning off for a stretch along the canal, this is a lovely section, Ger Harteman brings his elite runners this route. The chat and pace was easy at this stage, about 25 or so going with the pacers.Out towards UL then with lots of cheers from my family and cousins at mile 4.Through 10km mark on target, (one down only 3 more to go). Around UL and over the Living Bridge what a weird sensation that was, with such a large crowd going over it at the same time you really feel the movement underfoot, thought motion sickness might set in! This section is relatively flat and I was still feeling good. Turned at mile 9 and back towards the city, knew I would be passing family again at 12 mile point and wanted to be looking good then. The sun was out in force, getting hot at times so taking water on at every water stop. Gels were going down ok but the water was making me feel very full. Did not want to take it but persisted. More cheers from my crew, time for some high fives for the kids and on again to the half way mark. Through at 1:52:16 bang on I thought Happy Days. I felt I was going steady and strong.

The second half is a more challenging route, once through 13:2 mls it’s a drag up past the old army barracks, felt strong here and then a nice few flat miles out the country side. At mile 16 I felt a twinge in my right knee and I thought is this the beginning of the end but some banter in the group distracted me and I didn’t think of it again! Getting hotter now. On we went, lots of twists and turns in this new route and drags, through lots of housing estates which is great for support but narrow in places. At mile 17 the pacers inform me I am the only woman left in the group, no pressure Joy! The banter is good, some offer to carry me over the line if still together at the end etc. On I push, once or twice the pacers seem a few steps ahead of me, usual form for me is to let them go, but not today. Mentally telling myself not today, push with them. Again through the next clock at 30 km bang on time. Confidence is good now, a slight down hill sees me pushing slightly ahead of the group as I could see the Crescent flyover looming ahead. From a distance it looks huge! Ran up this very strong, delighted with myself. Grouped up again on the decline, pacers inform us that the hill has decimated the group only half a dozen of us left now. I am now thinking stay with them until mile 20 and any mile after that is a bonus. This is a lovely run into the city, with the sun out its the city at its best. Lots of support on the streets and David who is on his bike keeps popping up unexpectedly and brings a smile. Through mile 20 our group is now down to 3, staying focused now . ~The last six miles have you leave the city centre again , this part is riddled with hills if you ask me. First real test came at mile 22, running through a housing estate with a very long drag, had to dig deep here and thanks to Brian the pacer I got up it still on pace. A little respite then to catch my breath and wave at my smaller kids who are delighted to see their mum still with the guys with the balloons.

Mile 23 is the hill at the Gaelic Grounds, how I hate this hill, more so now…. Lots of people walking up this, lots of casualties around. This was very tough I pushed as hard as I could but couldn’t stay with those balloons, Brian is yelling at me to squeeze a little harder I try its just not there. I get to the top a few metres behind but have nothing left at this point to push to reach them. On they go but I was dogged determined. Only at this point did my average pace slip from 5.18 to 5.19, quick calculations tell me not to let it slip 5.20 and I would still make 3.45. The mind is good the legs are less so. Feck its only a few kms ….. It’s lonesome in this section, runners very strung out no one in sight to try and pick off.. well I could still see those balloons but its too far. David shows up then with some coke (the liquid type) tells me to have a sip I don’t want to but I do and then tell him ever so politely to take a hike. He goes ahead and informs me as I pass him that those balloons are only 30 secs ahead of me. Jesus but I dig deep now, running under the banner that marks the last mile.I can still see the pacers Brian gives me one final thumbs up . I want this soo bad and doesn’t everyone deserve their day? Oh the things that go through one’s head, I pass a garda who is marshaling he yells come on Joy nearly there, I think how does he know my name and what does he know about it, he is only watching after all, a quick glance at him and hey he is a bit soft on the eye and on I go laughing and grimacing now. And then the Buzzzz, coming across the bridge more cousins give me a shout, the turn onto O’Connell street its electric , there it is the finish line and clock I see 3.45 and the seconds are ticking. Suddenly my running form is excellent, its a straight back, high knees and pumping arms. I sprint (well maybe just a little) to that line, Fantastic so happy, The pacers are there to greet me and a hug from Brian, it was a pleasure to run with me he says but I think the pleasure is all mine today, and I think yes Limerick you’re a lady!

Stats Avg pace 5.19, Garmin 42.32 km. Official time 3.45.19. 14th woman of 138. 6th in age group of 55. 1st km 5.12 pace 42nd km 5.12 pace. Happy with that.

It’s a great race, well organised, minor probs with speed bumps and traffic cones, other than that it’s thumbs up.

What’s next…………?

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