Showtime!

19 June, 2025 - Brian Kitson

I experienced a mild wave of anxiety at the start line when I realised we were being started off with a count-up rather than the customary countdown. “ONE… TWO… (god, is this going to three? Five? Ten!?)… THREE” — and everyone took off running.

Settling into the race was greatly helped by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon vibes we were treated to thanks to DJs and musicians playing tunes as we wound our way up through the forest section over the first few kilometres. Nice touch.

The racing began in earnest after we passed the bongo player at the start of the mountain section. In an effort to temper the pace of the chasing pack, I asked him to slow down the beat — but he wasn’t having a bar it. A small band of our own — myself, Ben Mooney, Graham Bushe, Conor Nolan, and another guy — formed soon after. I realised, lamentably, that we were all so senior in years that we’d have to go with Man Band rather than Boy Band classification. One of us would push on to take the lead, only to lose it again. Fierce competition, and precious little recovery, especially on the long, gradual, runnable climbs.

I cursed my inner compulsion to compete and tried to convince myself I’d have a much more pleasant evening if I just slowed down and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. I tried not to glance at the climbs ahead, for fear of losing the will to live.

Still, I kept plugging away with my usual slow-but-consistent shuffle that kept me in the mix on the way up, then pushed to make up places on the flats and descents.

Like the Monaco Grand Prix, there were long stretches where passing was impossible, so it was important to get into position early — before the wider gaps — and then hold the line on the narrower sections. Our Man Band had split-up when i passed Graham and Conor by the time our tour reached it to the top of Trooperstown for the second time. I chased Bernard and Iosac on the way down. I caught Iosac and held him off with a sprint along that sweet little 80m downhill fireroad section to the line. Bernard was already out of sight (solo act).

This is a fantastic course, but it takes its pound of flesh. Everyone was broken by the time they crossed the line. The post race buzz was added to by billion flies that descended upon us; but not as much as the spectacle of mighty sprint finishes, chats, and river dips as we soaked in the balmy evening air.

Glorious evening.

Last Week is Still This Week

19 June, 2025 - Jeff Fitzsimons

In my ongoing efforts to rekindle participation in races (what I've done recently doesn't meet the bar for racing but I'm definitely participating) I've managed 4 races in 5 weeks. This is in stark contrast to 4 races in the previous 5 years, so if you're thinking I may be over-reaching, you're right!

Talk before the race was how last week was tough, legs were tired for days after etc. but wasn't it great fun. Well if this race had an entry cap on it meaning the commitment to enter was needed on Monday then I likely wouldn't have entered as I was still a bit dead of legs on Monday morning. But on Wednesday morning the weather was looking great and the stubborn old dog in me decided to give it a go.

Within a few hundred metres of the start I came to the realisation that last week was not in fact last week, but very much this week. My legs still had little to give and my head had little interest in encouraging them to give everything. So this was to be a bit of a battle of attrition.

I took a leaf out of Sheryl Sandberg and her Lean In principle and was leaning into the ferns hoping they would keep me upright at points. Overtaken on the final sprint for the line by not 1 but 2 people, the evening ended as it started, not much to give. But really, does any of that matter on a balmy June evening?

Dazzling

19 June, 2025 - Kevin Breen

After recovering from my first IMRA two weeks ago (Brockagh) I was ready to give it another go, an increase in distance but promising better weather and less midges.

Standing near the back for the start. Some sound advice from a veteran Dave, better for the morale to be overtaking then be overtaken.

My strategy was to settle into a nice comfortable pace and see what happens. There was a group of about five runners ahead of me at similar pace as we entered the woods, perfect. I was happy to follow them until the first big climb and then it naturally broke up.

Nice downhill after the first peak across soft ground. Further along here I took a tumble when I hit a embedded rock I didn’t see but no damage done. A reminder to keep the concentration up. It could be challenging with the dazzle of the sun.

Started to feel tired about 6km in but felt the worst of it was over in terms of elevation so the last few kms started to count down quickly. The focus of my competitive streak for the night was Seamus who got me into running in the first place. I hadn’t see him for most of the night but knew he wasn’t far behind. As inherently competitive as me there was no way he was going to be able to let me finish ahead of him. He passed me with about 3 or 4km to go. I wasn’t sure if I could stick with him but I decided I’d try and see how it pans out. It did pan out and I passed him on the loose rocky downhill from the peak. He then passed me again through the woods and picked up the pace a notch. Suddenly a runner between us and I was getting worried as I could see him pulling away. The runner graciously let me pass and I was on his heels again. I knew how it was going to go from here. I needed to stick as close to him as possible until we exited the woods and then it was going to be all out war to the finish line. As soon as we exited the woods and hit that last 100m of gravel we both went as hard as we could. It was a photo finish and a very satisfying end to the evening. When the results were posted I couldn’t believe it, I had pipped him to the post :)

The pooperstown

18 June, 2025 - Mikey Fry

So it’s the poopers time of the year and off we go nice newish route through the trees instead of the fire roads boom looping through the trees Brian Graham etc ahead onto the steep climb Bernard passes eventually Also Alex then Chris who I passed out about 20 times with him passing me back kind of funny left towards boots up boats the lovely juju was there taking so pics same buffs off we go down not right all the way down eventually right along track got a good bit before we landed on old track Dan passes me with done other dude Alex Chris still in front up up up Anna passes me I pass her out again around a bit some other guy with cap flys past then walks pass him out again the past the lovely rob on troopers summit I then try keep up a good hard run down nearly there Chris has fallen Alex has stopped I can’t cause I’d probably fall keep lashing on legs are so wrecked at this stage weaving through this lovely downhill Alex is lurking behind eventually make it to the last beautiful downhill through the forest no real pressure behind hard left and straight over the finish line I gladly sit down nice chats then a beautiful dip in the river more chats at car myself and Alex decide to head home there pizza to be make no chocolate for me I’m amazing good day everyone:))))))Mikey