New Race! Race Report East Cork Harbour Marathon.

About 4 or 5 months ago I heard about a new race on the calendar. In a place I hadn't visited before nor heard of. All good reasons to travel and try it out.

The Race: East Cork Harbour Marathon. The place : Aghada, County Cork. The race is organised by members of Aghada GAA club with the support of Aghada AC.

Aghada GAA is the club of former Football All Star Conor Counihan. In the neighbouring village of Cloyne you can see the statue of the infamous Christy Ring outside the Cloyne GAA ground. There is a very strong GAA background here.

Christy Ring statue in Cloyne!

Arrived the night before the race and stayed in a B&B in Shanagarry. To get there we had to drive passed the gates of the infamous Ballymaloe House and Cookery School. Once we found the B&B and settled in we set of to Aghada GAA for the number collection. This went smoothly and was accompanied by a big welcome and even bigger smile.

This demeanour was a constant for the duration of the race on Saturday. Scores upon scores of marshals and volunteers all with big smiles and matching attitudes. This alone will make you want to come back. A huge, big thank you to all at Aghada GAA and the organisers for such a fantastic event held in great spirit.

Then on Friday evening things got a bit hairy. Setting off for Dinner in Garryvoe Hotel 1.5 miles from the B&B the weather turned within minutes. By the time we arrived at the promenade in Garryvoe the waves were literally crashing over the rocks onto the promenade flooding it and some of the roads around the Hotel instantly. Got to the Hotel and had a nice Dinner during which the weather became even more inclement. The walk back ensured being soaked to the core.

Yet this is Ireland. So when waking up at 6.30am for breakfast the skies were blue and free of clouds! There was a 10K and Half Marathon at 10am and the Full Marathon at 9am. We had separate car parks that were a good walk away from the Start and even further from the Finish. I suppose you can only use the space you have :)

As usual the Marathon Club Ireland gang where there in full force. Great chats were had pre race with wonderful people who travel the length and breadth of Ireland nearly weekly to do what they love most. Inspirational people they are; like Collette O'Hagan, Eimear Hurley, Ann Moloney, Catherine Guthrie, Gerard Fay, Derek Mackessy, Adolfo Garcia, Brian O'Se, Jim McNeice, Simon Hallissey, Conor Cusack and so many more!!

You can watch their official Video of the races here https://www.facebook.com/EastCorkHarbourMarathon/videos/512480955622447/

I also spotted another familiar face in the crowd. I hadn't seen Noel McCarthy at a race for a while. This is the man with whom I ran the second Half of the Limerick leg of his 6 Marathons in 6 Days in 6 Munster counties for Bumbleance exactly 1 year ago. It was great to meet up again Noel and thanks for the excellent company during the first 10 miles (and no I don't know where the 7 mile marker went either :) )!

Here's picture of Noel and myself after finishing Day 2 of his 6 in 6 last year!

As for the race I felt great throughout on Saturday. I'm running more often during the week again and that is the secret for me to feel better during races. Nearly 0 tapering, just 6 to 8 milers during the week beforehand. I'm not asking you to try this at home, just like the 3 pints of Smithwicks the night before a race this just works for me ;)

Though I don't run on times anymore as regular readers might know, I effortlessly moved from the 4.45 pacers to the 4.30 group and at mile 14 was about to tag along with the 4.15 crowd when we took a left turn up a hill. It might be my imagination but we climbed all the way to mile 22 (there was a few downhill sections but they were tiny compared to the uphill sections). This made for a very interesting, challenging section which I thoroughly enjoyed albeit at a slower pace.

At Mile 14 just before the 'hilly' section!

Just as the hills were starting to take their toll a vision appeared. A white car. With a hand sticking out. Holding Jaffa Cakes. And a voice shouting 'Look what I have for you Patrick!'. Add to that an ice cold energy drink and I owe a massive debt of gratitude to Dolores Duffy, the angel in the white car! Your generosity is remembered and you came at exactly the right time as I was being caught by the 4.30 gang again. And you helped so many others too. Thanks so much Dolores!

After that boost came a downhill and a straight few miles to the Finish line. It was on that straight I met Philip from Waterford. Philip was running his 5th Marathon, his first in 2 years. We started chatting and easily ran ahead of the 4.30 pacers, reeling in a few runners as well. Thanks Philip Knox for the company Mile 22-26!

Finish East Cork Harbour Marathon with Philip Knox!

At the Finish Line we got personal congratulations from the Race Director, a nice t-shirt, medal and burger with Ballymaloe relish!! There were plenty of activities at the GAA pitch for all ages and tables in tents with all kind of goodies too.

This was their inaugural Marathon and for a first it was very well organised and the friendly faces and great energy were infectious. I recommend this race and will try to come back myself!

To top off a wonderful Saturday for my 51st Marathon, I also received the 50th Marathon medal of Marathon Club Ireland from an absolute legend in long distance running; Collette O'Hagan. I have immense respect for Collette and she is my number 1 running inspiration. To get the medal from her made it extra special for me. Thanks Collette!!

Getting the 50th Marathon medal from Collette!

What's next?? In 4 days I'm running Craughwell AC Marathon in yes you guessed it Craughwell, County Galway. It is my 2nd time doing this race, I'll let you know next week how number 52 went!!

Miles with Smiles!!

Patte xxxxx

Race preview: East Cork Harbour Marathon.

And we're off! To a place I've never been before. So that's a double whammy then. A Marathon and travelling to new places. 2 things that make me happy.

Destination: Aghada, (East) County Cork. Event: East Cork Harbour Marathon.

This is a new marathon on the scene, organised for the most part by members of Aghada GAA Club supported by Aghada Running Club. I met these wonderful people at the Expo of the Barrington's Hospital Great Limerick Run. The were very enthusiastic and energetic about the whole thing so I decided to sign up.

With new events comes wonder, another thing I like. Wonder about the course, wonder about the people, wonder about the facilities, hills, scenery and so much more. And even the course profile is full of wonder as I am completely new to the area. Here's a link to the routes for those in the area or taking part or supporting! http://eastcorkmarathon.com/the-routs/ And here's their Promo Video which looks great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHbSks1QMXg

This time 2 years ago I had completed 15 Marathons, in the next 2 weeks I am running numbers 51 & 52 and I am privileged and very thankful to receive my 50th Marathon Medal from the amazing and wonderful people at Marathon Club Ireland tomorrow.

I'll let you all know here on Monday what East Cork was like.

One more thing. A Big Massive Thank You to all of you who read and share this Blog. A Big Massive Thank You to all of you who have ran with me over the last 2 years or more. A Big Massive Thank You to all who support us running.

Thanks to all of you this Blog is possible. And thanks to all of you this Blog has been shortlisted for the Littlewoods Ireland Blog Awards 2016 in the Sports Section. You can vote here until Tuesday: http://blogawardsireland.com/

Have a wonderful weekend,

Miles with Smiles!!
Patte xxxxx

Tralee 100K inspires!

I thought about writing a race report for last weekend's Tralee 100K. Then didn't. Because I didn't race, I crewed. And learned. And was in awe. And learned. And got inspired. And learned. And saw pain. And learned. And saw persistence. And learned. And saw elation. And learned. I will write to people individually over the next few days/weeks to congratulate them.

100K is more an experience than a race. Just like the 40 miler was for me earlier this year when I fell in love with the unknown. http://howmanybelgians.blogspot.ie/2016/06/run-kingdom-40-mile-ultra-race-report.html

Crewing for Shane Dunphy (Congrats again on your wonderful achievement), who ran with an equally impressive Derek Mackessy, was an experience too. I saw the highs and lows of Ultra running. The beauty of growth through pain. The pureness of mind over body. The graciousness of people in flow.

 Crewing the 100K for Shane Dunphy with Brenda Barrett Dunphy was quite an inspiring experience! (Pic Run The Kingdom - Frederick Loveridge).

The magnificent tandem of enhanced human endeavour and natural beauty of places like Kerryhead, Ballyheigue, Banna Strand, Fenit Pier, Barrow Hill etc...

It was poetry in motion. Movement through stillness. Calmness in wilderness.

It was utterly beautiful. And inspiring.

Count me in. Next year. Tralee 100K.

It's prominent on my list of so far 8 Ultra's for next year. I'm hooked to the beauty and mindfulness of the solitude of the long distance runner. With a bunch of wonderful running mates thrown into the equation.

I'm taking the rest of this year to prepare for the running experiences of 2017 by training 5 to 6 days a week, eating better, cross training and doing 6-7 more single Marathons and one 30 mile Ultra. Pure fun!

Congrats Marcus Howlett and Jim McNeice for the experiences this year in Tralee. I'll be back!!

Miles with Smiles,

Patte xxxxx

Why crew when you could run? Crewing at this weekend's Tralee 100K.

All the reasons I am starting a new venture called The Intentional Academy are in it's mission statement. It reads: 'Our vision is to promote, communicate and inspire belief in a way of life that is based on purpose, self-reliance, contribution and well-being.' For those who may be interested I've started a new blog on this at http://itsallintentional.com/

Distance running fits in beautifully with that vision. Among other things it serves the purpose of creating headspace, facilitating meditation and meeting like minded people. It can be quite self reliant at times when running on your own at mile 29 of 39 in a 50-60mph head on wind & hailstorm on top of a hill range (Connemarathon this year). It most certainly assists with my well-being both physically and mentally.

Now for the contribution part. I am happy to assist novel runners with training programs and even to go run with them. I am happy to share my stories in order to hopefully inspire others to start moving and exercising. I am happy to help out at running events because runners know what runners need.

What I haven't done yet is help crew for someone at an Ultra Marathon. Having run my first 3 ultra's this year (Connemara 39.3 mile http://howmanybelgians.blogspot.ie/2016/04/connemarathon-ultra-race-report.html, Portumna 50K http://howmanybelgians.blogspot.ie/2016/06/portumna-forest-marathon-race-report.html and Tralee 40 Mile http://howmanybelgians.blogspot.ie/2016/06/run-kingdom-40-mile-ultra-race-report.html) without crew I guess that once you go towards 100K or more it might be nice to have a crew to look after food, ailments, mental health, support etc...

As I am preparing for longer races in 2017 and because I like to contribute and give back I have volunteered to help crew for a good friend, Shane Dunphy, who is doing his first 100K race this Sunday in Tralee! http://runthekingdom.ie/events-calendar/aug-tralee-100k-ultra-marathon/

Shane will do the running, his fellow Marathoner wife Brenda is in the car with another Marathoner Paddy Mockett and myself. We start Sunday at 6am with a 9pm cut off time. The Cut off time means we all work together to get Shane to the Finish Line before that time, with Shane doing most of the work obviously. Personally I have agreed to jump in and run the last 20 or 30K with Shane if wanted/needed. Here's the route! http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/926232191

I am so looking forward to what will be an adventure, a long day and an exhaustive day. I'm also looking forward to supporting all the other athletes en route, many of them come from our wonderful circle of friends in Marathon Club Ireland, Born To Run Tralee, Kerry Crusaders and many, many more! What a glorious way to spend a Sunday! And don't tell to many people, yet this race if still on next year is on my to-do list. :)

I'll be sure to have a report here on the event and how we got on next Tuesday as I'm staying in Tralee Sunday night and returning Monday afternoon!

In the mean time I'll just go for a wee 6 to 10 miler each day this week to warm up for it!!

Miles with Smiles,

Patte xxxxx

Race Reports: #50at50 completed at Marathon Club Ireland B2B in Offaly!

I am purposefully choosing a life of intention, direction and being present on a daily basis. This means perpetually doing more of what I love most. And trying to contribute with the same level of intention and direction to the world around me.

Doing this releases you of a burden. And once you drop that burden, there is actually no need to pick it up again.

What is that burden? Others' expectations.

I recently decided to remove some of them to check what would happen. It is liberating. So now all your and others' expectations of me are of no more use to me anymore. I'm giving them back to you, they are yours to keep.

How does this Intentional Living work? I'll keep it short. You figure out what you love doing most and then simply start doing it. Then set an intention. Case in point is my love for long distance running.

My intention is to run for as long as I can, as often as I can, as far as I can go, as long as I keep loving it. Then I set a direction I want to take it in. This year that was #50at50. To have completed 50 Marathons before my 51st birthday. Then on a daily basis I do what I love most to move me toward that direction. Simple and oh so effective.

I try and do what I love most every day. Makes me happier, living in the moment, creating moments as they happen.

My 51st birthday is in February 2017. I completed the #50at50 yesterday, with more than 6 months to spare. Why? I just kept doing what I love most on a daily basis. Simple. And effective.

Medals 49 & 50, completing #50at50

 

On Friday we travelled to Tullamore, Co. Offaly for my third ever Back to Back Marathon weekend. 26.2 miles on Saturday from Clonmore Harps GAA club. 26.2 miles Sunday around Mount Lucas Wind Turbine Farm about 5 miles South of Rhode.

These weekends are never just about running. They are about an extended family of friends who genuinely care for and support each other. Whether they are from Marathon Club Ireland, East of Ireland, East Antrim Marathon Series, Kerry Crusaders, Born To Run Tralee or any other Clubs that come to these smaller races. This was more than evident this weekend.

Big, massive thanks go to Brenda and Shane Dunphy who put us up in their home for the weekend and provided shelter, food, hot drinks and more. To Elaine and Denzil Jacobs and family for opening their house on Friday and Saturday evening to about 15-20 people and again providing food and beverages. To Maura Coppinger for the wonderful MCI Rocks cake. To Mary and David Toomey for the company and lifts. To Maryse and Derek Mackessy for being excellent company. To Catherine, Lindsey and Vincent Guthrie for everything you do for us and the Club. To Aiden Swords and Johnny Healy, Race Directors for 2 excellent courses and races!!

 Running is Fun with Mary Toomey Roche & Brenda Barrett Dunphy.

 The gorgeous MCI Rocks cake!!

MCI is one big happy family, hydration with Maryse O'Connor Mackessy, Derek Mackessy, David Toomey, Shane Dunphy and Brenda Barrett Dunhpy.

With Shane Dunphy in the 'Bog' on Saturday.

Big, massive thanks to all the runners both Saturday and Sunday for your messages of support and your well wishes (Yes Shaun Boyle that's you too and you are in the Blog :) ). Your words and hugs were very much appreciated. To Tiger O'Flaherty for your inspiring speech to celebrate your 100th Marathon, respect and congrats. To Eimear Hurley for the biggest hug I have gotten in ages and your kind words. To Theresa Grimes for continuing our Tag games. To Tiger, Shane and Valerie De Burca for the company in the bog. To Angela Ross Ines for the 20 odd miles of excellent company on Sunday.

The happy 4 who finished Day 1 together. With Shane Dunphy, Tiger O'Flaherty and Valerie De Burca. Both Tiger and Valerie ran their first ever Back to Back's.

Ran from mile 6ish to 26.2 in the Wind Turbine Farm on Sunday with Angela Ross Ines. Thanks Angela!

 The hero of the weekend! Tiger O'Flaherty accompanied by his son Paul getting the 100th Marathon medal from Vincent Guthrie.

Group picture with 100th Marathon man Tiger!

Big, massive thanks to Carol Madden, Philip McEvoy, Carmel Doherty, Brenda & Mary for the pictures to remind me of #50at50.

And I'm probably forgetting people. Thanks to you all!

Saturday we started at the Club house of Clonmore Harps GAA club. Here's another thank you. To them for opening their facilities to us. We ran a 6.5 mile out and back route twice to make up the 26.2 miles. Some of this on country roads and then a couple of miles on trail of road. Trail? Or Bog? You decide. To navigate this section was interesting and a nice change. It was a warm and humid day and the lack of rain made the bog easier to negotiate. For once no rain was better :)

 The Bog that was part of Saturday's Marathon :)

Sunday we ran the entire race in Bord Na Mona's Mount Lucas Wind Turbine Farm. This made my 50th Marathon a very unique experience indeed. We ran a 7k loop followed by 7 loops of 5K. While they are big when you stand under them, they don't make that much noise. We started of with a big shower of rain which made me smile and everyone else point at me, asking to remove the stupid grin of my face :)

The Wind Turbine Farm at Mount Lucas was Sundays scene for the Marathon.

The weather improved throughout the run and in the end we had blue skies and humid conditions.

That's it. #50at50 done within the embrace of the wonderful MCI family.

What's next? I'm taking a wee break from racing to build up some strength again via training. Next Marathon is East Cork Harbour August 20th. That's 4 weeks away for once :) After that I will run the races I feel like running for the rest of the year and see where that takes me.

Running is part of who I am and a big part of what makes me happy!

As for the intention. That stays the same. Run for as long as I can, as often as I can, as far as I can go, as long as I keep loving it. And I worked out my Direction for 2017.

12 Multiples or Ultra's for the year or 1 per month. Anyone know a good hashtag for this????

A Multiple is more than 1 successive Day racing Marathon or longer. Ultra's are any race longer than 26.2 miles. 12 of these for the year (and a few Marathons as training runs). Hopefully this will include races like the Quadrathon in Donegal, a multiple in Ballina, Connemara Ultra again, Tralee 100K and a Double Marathon in Sixmilebridge, the Wicklow Way Ultra etc...

Thanks again everyone for all your kind words, for reading this blog and for running alongside me. You are all awesome! You are all unique! You can all live intentionally too!!!

Miles with Smiles and 50 hugs each. xxxxx

Patte

Race Report: MCI Tralee Back to Back Marathons!

"Talk to me not of time and place; I owe I'm happy to the chase." - William Shakespeare!

This weekend to me was as much about Marathons as about reconnection with self. I wasn't in the happiest of places before heading to Tralee! I had some mental injuries and was tending to them when the weekend came up.

I travelled with 2 certainties. 1- This was the right thing to do. 2- I love running long distance and the people I meet doing it.

At the other end of the weekend I have only fond memories, renewed friendships, a stronger reconnection with my core and a sense of purpose that is rock solid. Result!

And I ran Back to Back 26.2 miles on Saturday and Sunday.

Let's start the race report with a one liner :) If a certain beer brand did Marathons they would probably not be a patch on those organised by Marathon Club Ireland.

Both days the Race Director, the volunteers, the marshals and the fellow runners were amazing. These races MCI put on are solely focused on making it easier and better for us runners. I always forget people and apologise for that but special thanks for this weekend to Race Director Brian O' Se, Vincent and Lindsey Guthrie, Kirstie McTrusty and Brian Byrne. You all did stellar work and gave up 2 days of your time just for us runners. Love and respect to you all!

On a personal note also thanks to Catherine Costello for the Tralee welcome and company on Friday evening.

Saturday morning I woke up at 6am for an 8am start. Breakfast in a local B&B was laid out for me and I enjoyed it looking out the window with a smile. It was raining. Finally! I know, I know. But this is about me OK. I looooovvvveee running in the rain.

By the way thanks for pictures Mary Mockett, Lindsey Guthrie, Vincent Guthrie, Kirsty McTrusty and Valerie De Burca!

 Running in the Rain makes me happy!

Tired but Happy :) 

Walked the 15 or so minutes to the registration in the Rose Hotel who very kindly offered us a room during the day for both days!! Met with lots of running buddies which shatters any pre-race nerves. The camaraderie and laughs are always plentiful at these events. Found out that there was a Garda enforced change in route with an initial 2.3 mile loop followed by 6 loops of 4 miles.

The same loop some of us did the 40 Mile Ultra on. Groundhog Day x 2! 2 days of 6 more loops on the same course we did 10 times 2 weeks ago.

I feel like an Army Recon Unit now. I can give you the exact location of bends, potholes, houses, gates, fences, trees and colours of bay windows on the entire loop :) There is a very disturbing looking Leprechaun on the route as well, or was that an effigy to a Kerry footballer? Repetition does strange things to the mind :) Also 13 hills each day, for 2 days! Sweet!

 Start Line Day 1!

Start line Day 2!

It rained though. Both days. Sunday heavier than Saturday. Not fun for most runners, pure bliss for me. Saturday I felt sluggish and slow. I had lost my personal mojo and was tired. This was the ideal way to shake all that off. 26.2 miles of a reconnection run. It worked. Firstly thanks to Eamon Egan for the company on the first 11 miles. It was such fun chatting with you as the miles melted away. Thanks Eamon.

With Eamon Egan on Day 1!

I have to say the same thanks for Sunday, when my good friend Cathy Quilter joined me for about the same distance of 10-11 miles. Thanks Cathy, it was as always great fun running with you!!

On both days I played a game of tag with another great running friend, Theresa Grimes. Theresa and myself would pass each other on several occasions on the laps and were always encouraging each other until we met again. Thanks Theresa, big hug!

I felt much better on Sunday. It might have been the consistent rain. It might have been as Brian Byrne reminded me muscle memory, your legs know the course and the distance. Truth is this was only my second Back to Back and just like last time the second day was easier!

I believe on this occasion it was also the mental release I got from the Saturday run coupled with complete rest afterwards. I only got up for food and the customary 3 pints to sleep better.

2nd ever Back to Back!

Getting the hugs and medal from Paddy Mockett after Day 2!

With Valerie De Burca at the end of Day 1!

For those into results. Day 2 was about 15 minutes faster than Day 1, just like on my first B2B. And these were Marathons 47 & 48.

What's next? Marathon Club Ireland are going nuts (in a good way) this July and are organising another Back to Back in 11 & 12 days in Offaly. Saturday in Rhode and Sunday on Mount Lucas Turbine Wind Farm. I'm signed up and ready to go! You can join me by registering via the link for only €10 per Marathon!! http://www.active.com/ireland-ireland/running/distance-running-races/marathon-club-series-2015?int

As Muddy Waters used to sing: Got My Mojo Workin'

That's the Mojo workin', can you sse it yet??? ;)

Miles with smiles and hugs,

Patte xxxxx

Tralee! Again? And what's a Back to Back?

I love Marathon Club Ireland events. There is always a gathering of wonderful, wonderful people at them. People who run, laugh, dance, talk, inspire, love and be together. People who look after each other, encourage each other and care for each other.

We are meeting in Tralee this coming weekend. I hear you think all the way over here in my Limerick office. Tralee? Wasn't he there about a week ago? Yes, this will be my 3rd trip to Tralee this year. I'm getting to know it better and better. And I like going there. And as you remember from last week I was made an honorary member of Born To Run Tralee Marathon Club. So I'm kind of running a little bit at home Saturday and Sunday :)

In March I did my first Back to Back Marathons in Tralee. So it is fitting that my second attempt at it is in the same place but on a different route.

What's a Back to Back? 2 Full (26.2 miles) marathons in 2 consecutive days. You can do just the 1 yet quite a number of us will attempt the 2.

For me it is a wonderful way to spend a weekend with friends and do one of the things I love most, running!

Here's the route we will follow. 3 laps of 8.75 miles each day! https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/958709914/share/0?lang=en

I will probably start at 8am both days. If you are around Tralee, come give us a shout. I'll be there from Friday to Monday morning.

And I'll have a Race Report Blog on Tuesday next!

Have a wonderful week! Miles with Smiles.

Patte xxxxx