Irish Mountain
Running Association

Brockagh

Authors

Greg Byrne

Losing third for the third time; reckless or careless?

Tonight's start line seemed to confirm that everyone loves Brockagh, including the midges. Michael was back post-Comrades, Diarmuid was back to confirm his cankle story, Jason looked keen, Paul Keville was bouncing, Mikey was bemoaning the lack of decent cliff like drop-offs, everyone asked if Graham was tired… and then there was Alan wearing a rather fetching red ensemble from "Adi" Dassler.

Warren gave out the instructions…. Wicklow Way, yada, yada, ferns, yada, yada, summit, old route, finish. As usual I’m pretty sure that I’ve missed something, but the midges have us keen to start. The first 100 metres is a complete blur. Bodies are thrown forward in the hope of getting a position in case there is no passing for the next 2.5km of fireroad. Bernard is on my left and Part is on my right, but we down are 20th at the first hump. By 400 metres the enthusiasm settles and we see that Michael, Diarmuid and Jason are pursuing Brian O’Murchu. Brian seems to have adopted the Diarmuid Collins approach for the evening. Brian leads us up through the Wicklow Way. Pat catches the group as we leave the fire road. As the course narrows the gaps closes, then opens with the descent.

The first hairpin brings an unexpected fireroad climb… I don’t remember this in the briefing, was it before ‘yada’ or in between ‘yada-yada’? Michael and Jason are now clear and engrossed in their own battle. Pat has assumed a tactical position. Is his calf still niggling from Djouce or has he been resting & recharging the batteries of desire? The fireroad speed is crippling. All I can think of is the Noel Carroll line: “It isn't the distance that kills but the speed”. Eventually we turn into the ferns and I’m not sure about the change of scenery. The narrow track brings the temptation of control the chasers, but Michael has started a run-walk strategy. Jason is building a gap and the thought is there that Michael might come back to us. Surely a Comrades up year must knacker you? Suddenly Jason stops. Laces? Michael gets ahead, but Jason is going again before we can reach him.

Out of the ferns and we hit the remnants of some mountain heather. The charred remains make for easier running than might have been. I can glimpse Pat on one shoulder and I think Brian is on the other. We are scattered as we try to find a line. Have they marked a track or just put out a few bits of tape for guidance? Did I miss that in the briefing? There isn’t enough time to scout for a trail and we plough on through patches of knee high heather and swathes of scorched ground. The false summit is a killer, but I attempt to make a surge incase the others feel the same. Off the summit Michael is leading, Jason second and I’m third for about 5 seconds. Pat has been eyeing up my road shoes and plotting… He surges past and tries to make good his escape. I chase in the hope of catching. There is a rustle of shoes through grass. I’m being chased as well as chasing… Bernard? Diarmuid? John Bell? Mikey Fry? Brian O’Murchu? Focused on Pat I push for the summit of Brockagh East and pass on the rock slabs. Pat lets me know that he’s got something left by shouting encouragement to Ger Power. For the third time in ten days I am running third with about 2km to go… sure it is only downhill from here...

The frenetic descent see us lose about 150 metres in the next mile. Having given me a lesson in descending on Saturday Bernard has the confidence and stretches out approaching the gate. Diarmuid is standing on the corner without his race number. I’m confused, but I’ve no time for curiosity. Bernard hits the gate an pauses briefly, Henny is next and holds the swinging gate for Pat, then opens it further and I get the cleanest line. Later discussion reveals that Jason vaulted the gate in the winning move of the race. Pat is holding onto Bernard like a limpet on the fireroad. Hitting the crossroads the gradient softens sharpy. Still we’re running downhill, but gravity has lost most of its influence. Pat makes his move and Bernard must be hurting from Saturday as he only briefly keeps with the surge. Suddenly the gaps is 5 metres and I push thinking Bernard might be tiring. No such luck, the sudden gaps acts like a double espresso and Bernard is quickly back on form. I chase to the line and then run away from the midges.

Congratulations to Jason and Sonya on their wins. Well done to Michael McCarthy, savage effort considering his recent Comrades.

Thanks to Warren and volunteers.. Not sure what is worse for standing around in, wind & rain or midges?