Route: Clonegal to Marlay Park
Distance : 127k
Finish: 18h57m
Elevation: 3000m (or 4500m according to Strava)
Strava : https://www.strava.com/activities/1630213191
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| Photo: Paul Daly |
My time in 2017 was 19h16m which i feel could have been less in the right conditions. The start of the run was wet and this continued whilst heading up Djouce mountain where my shoes and feet got really wet. A sock change at Glendalough did little to improve things and my feet hurt badly for the remainder of the race.
As soon as the race was over last year it was clear i needed to take drastic measures to ensure i didn't experience the same foot problems when competing in the UTMB in September (Race Report). Turns out a book called Fixing Your Feet was the biggest help and it taught me about taping blister prone areas, blister powder for keeping my feet dry and also the advantage of toe socks and wearing another thin pair over these. This approach worked well for me and i spoke to numerous other runners at the 2018 event who were wearing 2 pairs of socks.
I didn't have the miles on my legs going into the 2018 race but the weight and speed training I'd been doing otherwise should benefit especially on the downhills.
The check-in involved a mandatory gear check which is essential for a race like this in Ireland when the weather can be so unpredictable. We got a bus from Marlay Park down to Clonegal and i was hoping to get some rest but that's almost as absurd as thinking you'll sleep well the night before a race.
We arrived at 1040pm and lots of us were concerned what we will do for the hour until race start as it was starting to get cold. The local pub were nice enough to let us wait inside but they didn't have coffee which is what most people wanted instead of pints ! A bag of crisps and some chatting to other competitors made time go fast.
About 100 runners toe'd the start line and we began at midnight on Saturday 9th June. The field dispersed quickly which was surprising considering how you need to pace yourself properly in a race of this length. There is quite a lot of road and forest in the first 17k to the Rahennakit checkpoint and it didn't take long for me to start feeling some fatigue in my legs. I caught up with Clare Keeley, Chris Dunne and Jason Dowling who were also pacing themselves for the time being.
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There is a steep descent into the Dying Cow known as Coronary Hill that was rough on the legs but it's short enough and the checkpoint was right at the bottom of this. It was important to refill properly at this aid station as the next one would be Ironbridge 24k away. Rice pudding, crisps and a bottle of flat coke would keep me going for the next 3-4 hours
All this fueling went down well and it started to get bright about 4am. I was crossing trails around an area called Ballycumber Hill and it was refreshing in the cool, morning air. The forecast was for a very warm day and i was keen to stay cool and well hydrated no matter what. A salt pill every hour managed to keep cramps at bay. This side of the Wicklow Way is less familiar to myself and most other competitors and although it's less scenic than the 2nd half there are still many nice areas.
It was quite a long slog into Ironbridge and I started thinking that there's still 50 miles remaining when we get there. I needed to stay more positive only 6 hours into the race. I wasn't concerned about my placing as i knew i could move up the ranks later on if i kept a steady pace.
Arriving into Iron Bridge was in one way a relief and also the most horrible attack of midgets I've ever experienced. They were sticking all over my sweaty face and arms and it was hard to get fueled up when trying to get out of there as quickly as possible. Respect to the volunteers who waited around there for hours on end. I think they will move the checkpoint here if another south to north version of this race happens ! There was lots more road at this stage and going past houses with angry dogs wondering who was out on the roads at this early hour.
It was only 13k to Glenmalure but it still took me 2 hours due to the rolling hills and occasional steep ascent. My stomach had been feeling heavy all day Friday and it wasn't improving which was slowing me down a bit too. I knew that there would be rasher sambo's and coffee at Glenmalure as well as real toilets so there was motivation to arrive there with a decent stomach ! I didn't have my poles at this stage as this half of the route has less descent than the second half. They were in my bag at Glendalough and i would decide at the time whether i needed them.
There is an area here that's road with the forest to the left and it's easy to miss the WW marker to move onto the trail instead of staying on the road. You eventually turn left, onto the boardwalk and then it's some descent. As we were making another turn we saw 2 runners coming up from a different direction, turns out they missed the marker and stayed on the road so was good to see they didn't get more lost. I was chatting to a French runner who was enjoying the run and the Irish scenery as i think it was his first time running Wicklow !
It was very warm arriving in Glenmalure and the sit down with real food was great. This part of the course always comes sooner for me which helps psychologically. The base of my right shin was hurting on the downhills which i was worried about but turns out my socks and gaiter were too tight and that was the only issue !
It was 17k to Glendalough and there is a nasty climb before a long descent into the visitor center. There was also a route diversion here but was easy enough to follow the temporary signs.
Like many others, I didn't read where the aid station was and when i arrived at Glendalough visitor centre 3 runners from the UK who has dropped told me it was still a few k's away. I couldn't believe it but then again the further it was the shorter to the finish. I caught up with 2 other entrants, Avril and Claire and we slogged up the hills. I continued on and missed a left turn to the military road checkpoint. Thankfully some hikers told me i was off the Wicklow Way and told me to take the turn i missed. Another runner went 10 mins the wrong way before the 2 hikers told him to go back.
The Military Road checkpoint at 83k felt like a milestone because i was close to 100k and had my large drop bag where i changed my t-shirt , picked up my poles and changed my shoes and socks. My feet were starting to swell in the heat and the double socks were pinching my small toes. I was apprehensive about changing my shoes but glad i did it as a single pair of socks and fresh shoes were more comfortable. I had blisters already but they were not hurting for the time being. I brought some turkey burgers and sweet potato to eat here but it wasn't going down well so i left it. The volunteers were on hand to fill up bottles, offer coke and even ice-cream !
The Wicklow Way route itself was now getting very busy as it was such a nice day. The names on the race numbers were a great touch as we got lots of encouragement from hikers along the way. The boardwalk parts of the course approaching Djouce seemed to go on for ever but the higher we got the nicer the breeze as it was more than 22 degrees at this stage. It was much more exposed in this area compared to the forest areas we had been in previously.
I had initially thought i could shave an hour or 2 off my time from last year as i had no foot problems but the further i went the clearer it was that this wouldn't happen. I'd be lucky to beat my time from last year at all considering how warm it was.
Arriving near the top of Djouce felt good as Crone isn't too far away now and there's a fair bit of downhill to take advantage of. I could still run the downhills as my quads were not too sore. Any opportunity to stop,turn around and enjoy the cool breeze was amazing. I was drinking so much water due to the heat. Coke worked out better than gels on the day and gave me a boost when needed. It was the first time using Clif Shot Blocks which i now prefer to gels.
Crone was the 104k mark which in one way felt great but when i started breaking down the course it seemed like it was going to take ages. I didn't even consider getting out on the road near Johnnie Foxes and then back onto the trail at Fairy Castle before the final descent.
Some of the competitors were sitting down at Crone and clearly hurting due to the heat which is understandable. A quick rice pudding and coffee and I'm off again, no time to waste. There's plenty of ascent in this part of the course so it's just a matter of hiking and taking short breathers any time there is shade.
I was getting out of breath really quickly which reminded me of the UTMB where i was hiking up those never ending mountains. My legs felt strong and i was managing to run quite a lot of the uphills once i got into a rhythm. It's too easy to start walking more and more as time goes on.
I was surprised to overtake about 6 runners after Crone. A couple of remaining steep climbs and the worst is over. I knew the Boranaraltry Bridge 115k checkpoint was close and i was determined to run all the downhills to there, grab some water and get out quick. Getting onto the road was good but running that part felt longer than usual, i just wanted to get back onto the trail ! Climbing up fairy Castle I overtook another 4 runners as i was ready to finish this beast of a race.
My wife texted me and said i could make sub 19 hours if i sped up a little. As it was all downhill i decided to put the foot down and run as fast as i could towards the end ! I overtook 2 more runners who shouted encouragement at me and made my way down the final bit of trail towards Stackstown Golf Club. I was still flying and feeling more determined than ever, it was like someone was chasing me ! My fastest split for a kilometer in the whole race was 4m44s at the 125k mark ! Moments like this really convince me that so much of this sport is based in the mind and not the body.
Turning into Marlay Park was great as I was minutes away from finishing. I asked locals for directions but missed a left turn into the forest towards the finish. Instead i took the long way around the park and learnt my lesson if i ever do this again !
The only thing in my mind in the last few minutes before finishing was how nice it will be to see my wife and, lie down in the shade and have a cold beer at home. It was a beautiful evening in Marlay Park and such a relief to be finished. I finished in 18h57m which is about 20 mins faster than last year. I initially thought the south to north route would be easier but i was definitely wrong about that !
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| Photo: Paul Daly |
