Runkeeper – jumping back on the horse with an app

While most people are probably starting to move there training from outdoors to inside as winter starts to get a grip, the opposite is true for me. My running always seems to lag during the summer, maybe this is partly due to enjoying the hops, barley and water combination too much, but probably has more to do with my enjoyment of winter running.

Running in the dark has also always been my preference, and with the shorter days there is now little other choice. The other obvious aspect of the coming winter is the cold, wind and rain (and snow if we are lucky)which again is something I rather enjoy running through. No matter how horrible it looks from inside the bricks and mortar, once you get going its far more enjoyable than running on a nice day, and there’s always a sense of achievement from getting a good ole soaking.

It wasn’t quite as bad as this.

With the rain and wind beating down last night, I finally dragged my ass out for a run for the first time in nearly a month. I’m still persisting with POSE running and last night was the most comfortable run I’ve had keeping decent form throughout, and not too bad a pace for being quite out of shape.

I finally think I’m striking the ground correctly and didn’t have to spend the whole time thinking about form, just enjoy the rain and wind and push myself on. The ability to use my calve muscles this morning was also quite a nice plus, and quite a long way from the balls of lead that I was left with after previous runs.

I suppose I should mention Runkeeper. While I was out pounding the streets I was also running the Runkeeper Pro app for the IPhone for the first time. Runkeeper tracks the route utilising the onboard GPS, and gives a nice wee statistical breakdown of the run, much like a Garmin Forerunner, and probably does a whole load of other things that I will never fully utilise.

Just using the default settings, I was a wee bit surprising when Tinie Tempah faded out to a female voice telling me my distance and average speed after 5 minutes, it was definitely a good motivator, however I need to change the units to imperial from their default metric!

It looks like a promising training tool, which I may or may not write more about in the future, however I would question the accuracy of the GPS plotting on the map and the altitude, not that these make any real difference to me.

Mourne Way Marathon 2010

They say you should get a good nights sleep in two nights before you're event, but I don’t usually follow sensible advice, and last week was no different. Sleep the night before was fitful at best, that is after packing again and again and making sure I hadn't forgotten anything. As with most things of this nature, I was up well before my alarm went off and decided to just get moving. Beans and toast consumed, it was time to race down to Kilbroney Park in Rosstrevor.

Driving through Rathfriland the morning light made most of the Mourne’s, and it would be one of many fine views I would get before the day was out.

I had left way too early and had a couple hours to kill before the busses left for Donard Park, and the start. After registering and having a wee walk round Rosstrevor, there was nothing left to do but read the Times, eat flapjacks and crisps, keeping the fluids up and some how losing my racing number, at least I still had my championchip!

The bus journey round was rather uneventful, other than listening to the Newry City Runners’ banter and trying not to get too nervous. Eventually we spilled out at Donard Park and made our way to the start point, and mid point for the Ultra runners who had started their epic 52 miles before I had even left my bed. Every now and then an ultra runner would come though to a small round of applause, quietly admin themselves and then head back into the forest for the second half of their race, pure madmen.

Twenty minutes was spent lounging in the sun, devouring more flapjacks and downing a bottle of Powerade before we lined up for the start. After a couple words from the organiser the klaxon sounded and it was time to set off.

I decided to start near the back presuming that everyone else would be in far better shape than myself, however I soon wished I hadn’t as some people were moving so slowly. I knew it was only the beginning of a 26 mile course, and I had never ran a marathon before, but part of me felt like it was dying inside being stuck behind people moving so slowly. This wasn’t helped by the first major ascent coinciding with the forest road diminishing to a tight trail that slowed everyone to nothing more than a dander.

At the end of the climb we emerged out of the forest with a stunning view of Newcastle and the Mourne’s below. In front of us was half a mile of descent which I thought would allow the rather tight field to stretch out and some sort of rhythm be gained, but there was clearly quite a few runners who had never left tarmac and I became a bit frustrated. I ended up being quite cheeky and just passing people where they were being pusillanimous with small obstacles or running off the path to get in front of them. Eventually we entered the outskirts of Tollymore Forest and the wide forest roads were a welcome change, even if it was on a descent.

Passing a water pump station of some description we left the forest road and returned to a thin grassy trail. Once again passing those in front wasn’t an option, but the pace was far more agreeable. We finally descended onto the actual Ulster Way and the route I had walked with Ryan two weeks previous. Returning to forest roads we climbed again, running the flatter sections and walking the steeper ones while replacing fluids/eating jelly babies.

Descending down to the valley of Tollymore forest and crossed the Shimna River I dipped my cap for the first time of many, before following it for the next mile or two and making our way to the first feed station at the Trassey Track. Eight miles in I was feeling pretty fresh, stopping for a cup of water and half a banana before heading upwards and onwards. Once reaching the wall it was a nice run on the relatively level grass all the way past Fofanny Dam Reservoir to Slievenaman Road, and the start of the largest road running section.


Climbing up to the road, past a small forest, we were greeted by another feed station and the first Championchip station. It was the half way point and I had come in at 02:09:18. With another half banana and a fill of water it was off up the road passing the Ott Mountain Car Park and starting the descent from hell, one which I hadn't expected as it was the alternate Mourne Way route.

This descent was probably the least pleasant section of the whole race and by the end of it I really wished I had taken a more cushioning pair of shoes with me than the Mudroc 290’s. We finally left the road and descended to a footbridge that crossed the Bann, I stopped to freshen my cap in the river and loosened off my quads that had just taken a bit of a pounding.

The next mile was one of the sections I was worried about going off course on but the boys of 26extreme had done a good job of marking it with bamboo canes and mine tape (in fact the entire course was extremely well marked, between spray paint on the ground to mine tape and arrow markers).


The trail undulated a bit but was again mainly on the flat, and after crossing a stream and following one of the many stone walls I was at the third feed station and the start of Hen Track, 17 miles done 9 to go. My legs were certainly starting to feel a bit lethargic and after downing some water, having another half banana and trying an energy gel (rash, won’t be trying them again), I decided a quick stretch was in order.


The climb up Hen Track was rather slow with the flattest sections being ran before giving into walking, however I seemed to be in good company and I think most were doing the same. I was very thankful to finally reach the end of the track, or as far as we had to go and the following descent beside Rowan Tree River via a thin trail was a nice change of pace.


Crossing over Rocky Water via a footbridge the last major climb across the Rocky Mountain and Tormarock saddle was in my sights. The climb was slow and hard, but soon enough the struggle up was replace with the concentration of the descent, with the next feed station in sight.


I was now on the final leg of the marathon, with 20 miles covered in 03:34:20. After another cup of water and banana it was time to set off again Thinking back I must have been looking pretty rough as one of the guys manning the station asked if I was running the ultra!

The last six miles were by far the hardest of the entire race, even though there was little in the way of ascent. I was struggling to keep running and seemingly constantly walking. I suppose this is what many would refer to as the wall, but I’ll just say I was pretty wrecked! I was expecting it to happen as I hadn’t done enough training; I knew that, so I just kept pushing on and ran as much as I could. Even the smallest ascents were now an excuse to walk.



The last feed station left 3 miles to the finish and was a welcome break, another half banana and cup of water. My lower back now started to become sore from time to time, probably from the waist belt, but there wasn’t much more to go.

The further I descended the more I couldn’t wait to finish and that was really the driving force to keep running, to make it end! Descending through the forest, glimpses of Carlingford Lough came into sight, and soon some sort of settlement could be made out. Longing for it to end I eventually came across a marshal in a high vis vest and after passing round a corner I could see the finish across Kilbroney Park. A final descent through Kilbroney Park and I was running through the streamers and crossing the finish.

View Mourne Way Marathon 2010 in a larger map

4:36:11, more than chuffed!

After picking up the medal, buff and goodie bag, lying down for a bit was high on the priority list, before climbing into the Ice pools that were loaned from the University of Ulster. Ice pools are the absolute unit! If you’re ever doing anything strenuous jump in the nearest river or Ice pool if they are on hand, they are responsible for me being able to walk and drive home!

There was a great feel to the event and a strange camaraderie that is built up while running and bumping into the same guys over and over again usually swapping no more than a couple words, but still. I wish I had the time to stick about for the nights festivities, but alas I had other fish to fry.

It’s probably the toughest thing I’ve done yet, but I’m definitely going to be back next year for another run and hopefully go sub 4 hour with the time. I think I’ll also be sticking about in Rosstrevor for the after party which I’m sure would be more than worthwhile!

What’s next then? I think the Causeway half or full marathon has to be seriously looked at, the Mourne Mountain Marathon will definitely be visited if I can get a partner again, and maybe I’ll take a trip down to Dublin for the marathon there?

4:36:11

Well chuffed!

Mourne Way Marathon 2010 is a go

Starting to get a bit excited/nervous/anxious about tomorrow. The final instructions have finally came through the email box, and after getting a new exhaust fitted to car rather last minute, I'm nearly all ready to head down and bust out 26.2 miles of trail.

Just need to load more carbs into the furnace, keep hydrated pack up everything I need and get a good nights kip in, maybe even try to get to bed before double figures? That should be doable, if it wasn't for finding new episodes of the US "office" to watch

I must avoid watching the office! I must avoid watching the office! I must avoid watching the office! I must avoid watching the office. I must avoid watching the office!

What's up?

There's plenty going on at the minute, or at least it feels like it, not that you know it from the lack of posting on the blog.

First off I added another digit to my age on Sunday and I'm now a stately age of 24. Being the serious athlete that I am, and attempting my first marathon over arduous terrain in less than a fortnight away I certainly didn't give in to my friends' requests and spend the evening pretty much eating meat, returning to alcohol after 4 weeks of abstaining and getting clean wrote off my face.... oh wait :(

At least after the hangover cleared up I was still in possession of a couple rather nice gear acquisitions, in particular a pair of Inov8 Mudroc 290's and a Terra Nova Laser 20L pack. The 290's will replace my dying 330 O's which have served me well and probably should have been retired sooner. The Terra Nova Laser 20L will takes it's place as the smallest volume pack in the stable and will enjoy duties of running, day hikes, lightweight overnighters and mountain marathons.

Elsewhere, I'm finally getting back down to the Mourne's for an overnighter! I was supposed to be away this morning and would have got a couple nights in before the weekend, but got called into work, so the plans got pushed back 24hours. No major issue, and it's given me and my walking partner another day to find kit which has decided to hide itself in the darkest corners of our households. The weather is supposed to stay rather nice so maybe I'll just take shorts and a vest with me?

Final preparations are also being put to next weeks Wednesday Evening Event that myself and my friend Jenny are planning and organising on behalf of Lagan Valley Orienteers. It's the 6th of the series and will be ran in Belvoir Forest Park in South Belfast, anybody that's even remotely interested in orienteering, curious to see if I'm a bit of a douche, or in the area should drop in for a wee run/walk, and you will find all the necessary details HERE.

And finally (and most importantly) the real countdown has started for the Mourne Way Marathon that I am going to attempt to drag my ass round. A week and a half remains until the 26 miles of fun. In part the main purpose for heading down to the Mourne's tomorrow is to reconnoitre(I love that word) the route before running it, as well as just finally getting round to returning for a night. Starting to get quite excited/nervous about it all, and I'm hoping that I won't be embarrassing myself to badly on it.

Something I learnt at the weekend is to...

... not try to run 20 miles in the evening sun after working for 8 hours in the sun, having no intake other that a bottle of Powerade before hand and lunch 5 hours previous, serious school boy error. Another one would be not considering the finish time for such a run seeing that I was starting at 7:30 PM, even if there wasn't much of an option if I wanted to get in my long run for the week.

View Outbound to ards in a larger map

(I particularly like the circuit of trail I did around 20:30 while trying to find my way from Helen's Tower to the Lead Mines, I never can find the right path to take!)

At least I had taken some money with me to grab a Mars bar and bottle of rehydration juice before dragging myself back from the metropolis that is Newtownards, to Helen's Bay.

Mourne Way Marathon, 12th June 2010

Talk about trying to put you off entering:

Physical examination is not required to compete in the Mourne Way Marathon. This race is characterized by high elevation, hills, extreme distances, uneven terrain, roots, rocks and general trail conditions found in a forest and on mountains. It may be hot, cold, wet, snowy, windy and generally stormy. If I participate I could die or be seriously injured. Having considered all the options, I agree to participate at my own risk.....

DIY Icebugs

I haven't been out running since before Christmas now, partly due to frosty footpath conditions but more due to being a lazy oaf. Now that I can actually be bothered with going for a run the whole of Great Britain and Ireland is covered with snow, and where its not covered in snow its covered in ice. Its for just these type of conditions that Icebugs, a Scandinavian shoe brand, were developed with retractable carbide tips built into the soles.

Images thieved from OM

"They would be useful right now" I here you say to yourself, well how about you get yourself a pair, not by going to a shop and buying them (which I believe might be nigh impossible in the UK) but by getting some short nails or screws and nailing them into the sole of an old pair of runners. Yes its crazy but from online reports it seems to work.

Photo from adjustablecrumpet

For the original source (as far as I'm aware) and a short instructable, check out The Sunday Adventurer. Originally seen on Kate's blog where she was putting them into both her runners and her crutches, eeek!

POSE Running - Fixing your running style

The first time I heard of Pose running it was from my friend Alan, who like myself has spent probably too much time road running and is starting to incur sore knees from it all. He had heard from his brother about a new running technique which removed much of the impact on your knees; describing it as how you would run if you were bare-footed i.e. running around the garden as a child. This sounded quite interesting as I had stopped running long distances regularly, due to recurring knee pain. Unfortunately this conversation took place while we were walking across the Mourne’s as part of the Ulster Way, and no further research took place.

That was until learning of Crossfit while reading the comments on PTC’s blog: Craig, a Crossfit instructor had ran a 4 hour marathon without running further than 5 miles and was planning on running the entire West Highland Way with a similar method of intense weights and low cardio. Sounded very interesting to me, being able to run an ultra without having to spend half your life pounding tarmac.

Fast forward a couple of Google searches and I came across the Crossfit website and the following Pose technique videos, which I think will interest anyone that spends any amount of time running. Some are a bit long winded, some contain profanity, but they explain simply the theory and how to better your running technique.


Pose Running Can (shamelessly stolen from here)

• Reduce impact on knees by 50% (Scientifically proven)
• Dramatically improve training and racing performance
• Give you a competitive edge
• Help prevent injuries
• Help you loose orthotics for good
• Help you enjoy your running for the rest of your life!


A basic introduction to Pose, and what it involves.

Are more expensive shock absorbing shoes actually worse for you?

The fall.

Correcting running technique.

Technique for running up and down hills.

I really like it when he says:

“You are all kinda screwed after this weekend, ‘cause you’re never gonna stop thinking.... running’s never going to be the same.”

This is very true as I have found anytime I’ve went out trying to Pose, you are constantly analysing technique; am I stretching out too far? Is my foot landing below my CGM? Are my knees locking out? Etc. Even if you have a lapse and drift away from these thoughts it will always come back and you return to trying to evaluate your technique. It's annoying in a way, but is far more agreeable to coming home with sore knees!

I thought the last video would be of interest to anyone that spends time fell running, something I wouldn’t mind partaking in if I thought it wouldn’t eliminate my ability to walk by my thirties.

This book, is apparently a pretty good insight to the whole thing if you don't want to shell out any money for Dr Romanov's books. Just back from trying to pose, one now has sore calves, but apparently thats normal for the first couple weeks.

Happy running peoples!

Ireland Four Peaks

Like many things that happen in my life, it all began over a couple of beer's, in this instance it was a couple of Steins of Paulaner while up at the Belfast Oktoberfest celebrations. Aaron was wondering what anyone thought of covering the 4 tallest peaks in Ireland, obviously I said I would be up for it, as did a couple of other boys. A week later and after pretty much forgetting even discussing the matter I got a phone call off Aaron asking if I was still up for it, another yes from myself and it was decided that we would just go for it this weekend.



View Larger Map

The Irish 4 peaks cover the highest mountain in each of the four provinces; Mweelrea 814m (Co Mayo) Connaught, Carrantoohil 1039m ( Co Kerry) Munster, Lughnaquillia 925m (Co Wicklow) Leinster and Slieve Donard 850m ( Co Down) Ulster.

Plan as it stands is to head off on Friday morning bag 2 peaks, drive to the next one, bed down for a couple hours, then up and down and on to the final peak before falling down in a big dirty heap. A couple of fish suppers and pints of Guinness might also make their way into the itinerary, but its still very loose at the minute.

I think I'll take my Holux M-241 GPS logger on the road and trail to keep track of how fast we get up and down the hills. Except for a couple of runs it hasn't been out too much, I'm sure the 700 mile round trip will remedy some of the neglect its probably feeling.

Theres a good bit to be done before we head off, top of the list being picking up the maps and burn off a couple of CD's for the hours of driving ahead of us. Time to go find some of the things needed for our adventure.

Hopefully the weather will be kind enough for views like this.

Read more about the Irish Four Peaks >HERE<

Mourne Mountain Marathon - ideas to take away

There is quite a lot to take from the weekend; some things are specific to mountain racing, some are personal observations, while others could be applied to hiking in general. I truly believe anyone out there interested in getting their pack size/weight down should come along to a race and see how little some mountain racers carry, eye opening it is.

Either way here’s some tips for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure to experience a mountain marathon.


As far as myself and Alan are concerned, a bit more running and a little less alcohol in the week before the competition would probably have been quite a good idea. You won't be able to win the event on your fitness alone, however it will certainly mean you can enjoy it more and take less regrets home with you.

Getting onto the hills with each other and seeing how fast you can actually go without being useless the next day would certainly have been worthy. Looking back at Saturday’s performance we both recognised that we could have pushed ourselves further and covered the ground with far greater speed. Six hours for Saturday's 20 Km is rather pedestrian to say the least, whereas on Sunday our progress was far closer to the lead until Alan cramped up. Doing a practice run will also give you the chance to see if you’re partner has actually been out training or just sitting around eating chips!

Being able to find the control points is obviously quite important, but the route you take is nearly as, if not more important. Route choice will either make or break your times; deciding whether or not contouring is the best course of action or just going over the peak all has to be taken into consideration. Is it better to run longer on an easy surface/incline, or shorter on a harder/steeper surface (Long easy Vs. Short hard)?

Take it in turns to run in front of each other, this may sound trivial but it will help spur each other on, especially if you're having a low point. Talking of which, keep the sugar/food/water intake up throughout the race not just when you feel you need it, this will help delay any crashes until the end of the race ("by the time you feel hungry/thirsty it’s too late").


Check the weather forecast! If the weather looks like its going to be terrible, re think your kit choices (maybe add a fleece) and dry bag/waterproof anything essential (sleeping bag, warm kit.) Likewise if it’s going to blue skies all the way, you might be able to leave some things behind.

Make sure you both know how to put the tent up and that there is enough room in it for you to have a certain amount of comfort. Check you have all of it with you; getting to the campsite and realising you have left the pole or pegs behind might lead to teddy bears being thrown about.

Actually run in the shoes you are going to be racing in; finding out they are going to give you blisters/aching feet 2 miles into 20 mile race is not going to lead to an enjoyable time. Grippy shoes like inov-8s or Walsh’s are a good call to help stop you from sliding about the place.

Trekking poles, are either a God-send or an inconvenience for people, but I’m a total convert to them and would advise anyone that has the coordination to use them while running to take them and save your knees a bit of a battering. On the long climbs they were worth their wait in gold!

If you want to carry the smallest/lightest sleeping bag while still being warm and don’t want to shell out a ton of money, use a cheap 1 season synthetic bag and add a foil survival bag (which you are going to have to carry as per the rules) to the outside of it.

Bring a spare pair of socks and plastic bags with you. Let your feet air, and if you have to move about the campsite, wrap the bags around your dry socks; this will let you keep dry feet and socks while walking around a possible quagmire of a campsite.


Everyone has there preferences when it comes to carrying water, but I don't see the point in carrying any more than 500 mils as you can usually fill it from streams/rivers while out running. Carrying an empty bladder for the campsite is definitely worth the >50gram weight penalty. However, not bringing one led to some entertainment and acts of ingenuity. I'll let you decide where placing a carrier bag inside another to move water about falls under.

Eat like a king, going lightweight is one thing, but not taking enough food with you is plain stupid in my eyes, take something you've had before and know you will actually enjoy. If you can't cover the ground as quickly as before because there’s an extra pack of sausages in your pack, something is wrong. We all had 2 dinners on the Saturday night, and I know I would have suffered on Sunday without them.

Jelly babies/midget gems/your favourite sugar based delicacy should be kept handy and ate throughout the race to keep sugar/energy levels up. A couple of sachets of rehydration salts, will make it into the kit list next year to keep the chance of cramps at bay, they really did not look like fun!

Remember not to leave your sense of humour in the car, you are there to enjoy it!

If you race hard and aren’t used to it, you will most likely be in bits for the next day or two. Everyone I know that took part was looking for a wheelchair and a stair lift for the couple days after.

That’s about all I can think of right now, if I think of anything else I’ll throw it up.

Both myself and Alan, as well as everyone else I know that competed thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, and hopefully he is stupid enough to compete with me again next year.

Read the full report on the Mourne Mountain Marathon

Mourne Mountain Marathon - day 2

Crowing crocks and braying donkeys announced the beginning of the new day. Opening the door to have a look, I got a pretty wet arm from the masses of condensation that had collected on the fly, but was rewarded by the view of daybreak.

Day break on the campsite.

Having two people in the Laser Comp was certainly quite cosy, in respect to both warmth and space, but it was still comfortably large for us both to get a decent amount of sleep in. Sleep was punctuated by a bit of careful rotating in my Rab top bag, as to not leave my un-insulated side open to the cold, donkeys braying and a couple dogs that felt they should be listened to.

A distinct popping sound was heard throughout the campsite during the evening, and it wasn’t till the morning that we figured that it was a balloon bed, a favourite with moutain racers, taking lightweight low bulk sleeping mats to a whole new level. Interesting product, however hearing one guy say that all but one of his balloons had burst during the night didn’t fill me with the greatest confidence in them.

A check of the times and leader board put us in 29th position after the first day, not too shabby, but still a whole two hours off the lead! If we could stay in the top third both of us would be very happy, but a full days racing was left. Back to the tent and time for some breakfast, hot chocolate and half a dozen pancakes were on the menu. After stuffing our faces it was time to get packed up shake out the tired legs and get pumped for another days racing.

The mass starts were beginning 15 minutes between each class, and it didn’t feel like too long after the call for elite runners to move that the call out for c class was given. The mass start certainly gave a more competitive edge to the start something which was lacking from the first days racing. Standing with the rest of the class, the whistle sounded and it was time to collect route cards, quickly mark maps and then move off.

The first control wasn’t far from yesterdays last, and after 15 minutes plodding up a track we had dibbed the first control of the day. Probably the most annoying thing of the day was the massive bottleneck on the slim track leading to the first point, resulting from the mass start. Thankfully from the first to second point the class started to thin out and a bit of progress could be made.

From the first to the second control was the greatest ascent for the day, and in the morning sun and surprisingly little wind it was hard work. As we were making the slow climb over the heather I was roughly counting the teams in front of us and placed us 35th at that time, not too bad after spending the beginning of the race crawling and stuck behind others.

The constant climb led to most people putting the head down and following the man infront, when we finally arrived on the summit nearly every team was slightly disorientated and ended up doing nav checks. There was a lot of confusion on top of Chimney Rock Mountain. I could say we were fully aware of our position and knew we were moving in the correct direction when we came across the second control, however it was pretty much pure luck.

A quick map check and then it was a run down a thin peat path to the Mourne Wall, again we climbed on top and ran on the wall, but this time only for a couple hundred meters. Jumping down I managed to find a nice cushioned area of bog, sinking up to my shins, and completely soaking my previously dry feet. Crossing a stream, then dropping down to base of a rock face and then contouring onwards to the third control.

Although now considerably stretched out it was impossible to avoid a large contingent of fellow runners, and from here to the fourth control at the saddle of Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard, we were in company of those moving at a similarly pace. We had been warned to watch cut off times before, but it wasn’t until we got to the fourth control that we even considered them. We were still easily within the top 35 runners of our class but had only made the cut off time with only 15 minutes to spare. I would have been very surprised if half the teams out had made it before the stipulated time.

Onwards and upwards, following the wall up towards the peak of Slieve Commedagh, before leaving the wall for a spot of contouring. No doubt those out walking for a Sunday stroll on the paths below us must have though we were mad, running across the side of a mountain for no foreseeable reason.

Looking down to the saddle of Commedagh and Donard, pre race day.

We were still managing to stretch out the legs for a run when on the flats and descents, but once we hit another incline the brakes were put on. When we finally hit the fifth marker there was a bit of a scramble to get dibbed, as for some reason the control had been placed on the other side of the wall. Amy and Chloe were climbing back across the wall when we came across the marker; watching them clamber across I was thankful not to be carrying a 55 liter pack and a 4 KIlo tent.

Following the wall for another couple hundred meters before descending to the main walking path we both praised the walking poles again for helping us keep our knees and ankles intact, definately one of the most useful things we had brought. After returning to the marker at Hares Gap we descended the bouldery path to where I had fallen the day previous and continued on the Trassey track before leaving for the far side of Luke’s Mountain and more cross country ascents and contouring.

Shortly after getting the Seventh marker misfortune struck; Alan suffered a sizeable fit of paralyzing cramps effecting his hams and calf’s. Around 7 minutes were lost waiting for the cramps to cease and then trying to stretch the muscles out. Thankfully we were able to move on at a reasonable pace, but from here till the end nearly all running ceased. Fortunately we had made it over two thirds through the race before Alan cramping, but it was disheartening to see the mornings work going to waste; as teams that we had passed on the tough inclines were now overtaking us on the relatively easy declines. At least we knew we were on the home straight; crossing over yet another dry stone wall returned us to Tollymore and a couple of K’s until the finish. Alan was pushing himself as much as he would dare, and running when possible, stopping before the possibility of cramps set in again.

Eating again.

The shortest route was now taken, as we weren’t going to be moving quickly over even the best of paths. All the same, descending through a deciduous forest is not too high on my list of things to repeat, even if it was faster that the 1200 meters detour we would have had otherwise.

With the final marker dibbed all that was left was the “sprint finish” following the taped streamers. Possibly better described as a fast jog, all things considered it was still a reasonably swift end to the race, even if it seemed never ending at the time. Running in to the finish we recieved a small round of applause from those who had came in before us and after downloading and dropping bags it was time to get some fluids and food back into us.

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching and waiting for the rest of the teams to come in, eating, discussing routes and tactics with other teams and checking the results board to see how we had faired in comparison to the rest of the class. We both agreed that atleast 20 minutes was probably lost to both stopping and stretching off and also the inability to run, however there wasn't much point of crying over spilt milk.

For the last week I is mostly been wearing this.

It was a hard race and the most I've pushed myself in a long time. From the speed we covered the ground on the Sunday we probably could have pushed harder on the Saturday, but thats an issue of experience, and we might have been in a worse way on the Sunday if we had.

For our first race with little preperation, we are very happy with ending up 28th of the 86 that completed, that said when we return next year hopefully we will finish less than 3 hours off the lead.

Day 1 - 20 Km - 6:28:27 - 29th
Day 2 - 16Km- 4:07:58 - 33rd

Over all - 10:36:25 - 28th

Read the full report on the Mourne Mountain Marathon