Over, around and through

Oisin11178

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

According to Yiannis Kouros that means you just ran your first ever "real" ultra.

yeh i didnt understand that before but i do now. Even conn is a blip in the road compared to this.

Oisin11178

I only really decided to do the 100k in portumna a couple of months ago. I had planned to get as many long runs in as i could using the paced marathons along the way. Limerick and kildare where fine but i see in hindsight pacing 3.30 in cork was a bit of a mistake. Pacing 3.30 was no problem but it left me with a few niggles that i brought into the race and that would cost me time on the day.


Myself and Eamonn and his partner Ally and her daughter arrived down in portumna on friday. We were sharing an apartment in the shannon oaks complex which ended up being really nice and spacious. Ally cooked us a lovely dinner and we went down and had a look at the finish area as Eamonn had not been down there last year and wanted to suss the place out. Went to bad at about 11 bells but with a mixture of noise and the heat i only got about 3 -4 hours sleep and we were up at 5 o clock. Eamonn had a breakfast and we both organised our bags and walked down to reception where we meet the other runners. A bit of banter and we walked to the start. We were told a few basics, were to put bags, what refreshments were available ect... and we were off.


Was a strange feeling in the first couple of hundred metres knowing how much time we would be out there but the spirits were high. There werre only 12 competitors in the 100k(real men:D) and the field started thinning out early. Myself and Eamonn, pat quinn and a guy from waterford i pipped in conn nemaed paul were running around the same pace so we bunched together. Eamonn started his run walk after the first couple of miles and we lost him so it was just 3 of us. To be honest the first 20-25k were uneventful and were running around 8.58 a mile. I could see pat wasnt into the pace we were running and we would lose him soon which happened when he needed the loo. The 50k started at 8 so that broke the monotany for a bit. A bit of banter and fresh blood to the course. It was about 30k my left leg started getting sore at the knee and then the hip. I.t. Band had rared its head. One of the niggles from cork. If i was running marathon distance it would be no probs but i knew it was to early for this. I had started taking gels at about 10k and was taking 1 every 5 k now. I took the first of my 500ml bottles of flat coke with electrolytes in it at 25-30 k.


We passed marathon distance just as we passed the marathon competitors waiting to start and they gave us a great cheer. Marathon in 3.55. The pain in the left leg was coming and going but it was coming back worse everytime but it was still bareable. Every now and again we would pick up a bit of company from the marathon or 50k field but it was short lived . The weather was absolutly mental. Sunshine, torrential rain, sunshine, wind even hailstones near the end. The course had begun to fill with big puddles which were getting unavoidable and my runners had become very wet. At about 50k(5.40) i realised the souls of my feet were stinging badly. Blisters due to the moisture in my runners. A sock change and feet drying were in order but i knew this would probably be the end of my running buddy of nearly 35 miles but so be it. I figured if i could change the socks in about a min or 2 i could gradually catch him and the next x amount of miles and make it something to concentrate on. Into the finish area at the end of my 11th lap(55k) and straight over to my bag. Bag not where i left it. Some kind soul had moved it. Took me 3 mins to find it and by time i changed my socks and put on blister plasters i had lost 8 mins. My feet were worse than i had thought but i was lucky i stopped when i did or it would have been alot worse.


Switched on the second garmin as i didnt think the first would get me through to the finish. I ran about another 5 miles to get me through to about 40 miles and the left itb had gotten worse where i knew running to the end was out. My B strategy came into play. Run .9 and walk .1 and reavaluate every 5 km. This seemed to work preety well to be honest . The pain would subside during the walk and id run again and i was taking on a lot of solid food and caffinated gels every 5km. I got another 4 laps and i needed another stop as my socks were socked through again. Only lost a couple of mins this time. Started into my jellies and eat a whole bag of them which would prove to be a mistake of sorts. I ran with finn o mara for a few laps around this time and we yo yo,d past each other as we were both run/walking . She eventually pulled ahead of me. I was finding the 2 stretches of open trail mentally tough as they were exposed and it was pouring down and the wind was in your face bur it was a great refief when you got through one of them. I started feeling sickly from over comsumtion of sugar. I was feelling a bit sorry for myself to be honest but i knew the end was coming. I chatted to Eamonns other half on a short walk break. Probably my lowest point of the day. I eventually made myself get sick about 10 mins later and felt 10 times better. About 80km i switched to .5 miles run and .05 walk and found this mentally easier to handle as reagrds the pain. I came though the finish at what i though was 85km and the guy at the laptop said 4 laps left. I had miscounted. I was disgusted at myself. How the **** did you do that i was thinking. Answer, 2 different garmins:D
The course was becoming very isolated now with only a handful of ultra (100k) runners on the course. Paul my long time running mate was suffering 2 but he was managing to take a couple of hundred metres out of me on the odd lap. Took my last gel at 8okm. Ok thats it i have enough in me to get to the finish. Cramp was also a worry at this stage but ruthann sheean gave me some salt capsules which i eventually got down. 10.30 was the worst case senario target at this stage but i started increasing the running segments, urgin myslef on making sure to take on some water. Myself and eamonn had been passing each other at the same point on the lap for about 30km . 85Km, 90km,95km came and went. Right 1 lap left. The course was desolate except for eamonns girlfrind ally who was on the road was near the finish. Made my way through the forest thinking. Every major landmark i saw that it was the last time i would see them. My legs were in absolute bits at this stage. I slowed at the water stations with 3km to go and tahnked the girl for her help. Right no more walking, lets go:D
Starting picking up pace, as much as my leg would aloow witout giving way. Came to the 99km sign and got a little faster. I could see ally in the roadway near the finish. One of the most welcome sights was the finish line. No big celebration to be honest. The course and the weather had fought me all the way but i was delighted with myself.


I was 20 or so mins slower than i though i would do but the reality of it was so much different. The whole spectrum of emotions were felt during the race. Fun and laughter for the first 30-40 kms. Frustrations withe the itb and the weather. Anger with myself and some clown cycling the route who kept whizzing by me. The euphoria and the last lap and the joy of finihsing through cocstant pain near the end


Myself and ally waited on eamonn to finsih which he did a while later with his usual showboat celebrations (showoff). We stayed and thanked the couple of people left and had a bit of banter. A few drinks and another feast made by ally and a well deserved sleep. Kept waking in the middle of the night with cramps in my neck:(
If i knew then, what i know now id take 30 mins off yesterdays time(10.20.55) but hindsight is a great thing. If your reading this paul that makes it 1-1:D

theboyblunder

great report frank - I was wincing by the middle of it. well done - fantastic achievement!

Oisin11178

Lost the nail off the other bigtoe. Good ridence to be honest, it was always giving me grief. Thats 4 ive lost now. I feel like a ****ing mutant. 2 massive blisters on the souls of my feet also. legs are back to normal nearly. Just a little pain in the itb on the left leg.
Physio asap:D

menoscemo

Are you still planning on doing the 24 hour race after all that?

hot to trot

Im Soooo proud of you . You put in a great race. Congratulations and enjoy the feeling.
Get that leg sorted , have a few easy weeks and get back in the saddle for the 24 hour event. The legs will recover quickly but the rest of the system takes longer.

And- You only THINK you felt pain on Saturday..... you need to go a bit further to really check it out

liamo123

Congrats Frank... Great physical and mental effort....Huge achievment... Now for god sake take is easy for a while before u tackle ur next adventure

Oisin11178

menoscemo wrote: »

Are you still planning on doing the 24 hour race after all that?

5 marathons before them:-)

claralara

Well done! Cracking stuff (you freak! )

claralara

I hope the post race refreshments and celebrations were up to your usual fruity standards...

Aimman

Well done Frank, it was a race well run and you battled past all the stuff that tempts you to give up and kept it going. I didnt realise that unscheduled toilet break on the last lap cost me 10 minutes, but when you and Ally got Seb to come looking for me, that was taking the p***.

PS, Here's you're first lesson in 'showboat' celebrations if you step through the photos, lol.

Fair Play, You've moved it up a notch nicely. That will have you sorted for Belfast. See you there.

TFBubendorfer

Epic! Brilliant!

chinguetti

Well done, savage day's work.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

That does not want to make me do an Ultra:) Fair play Frank, it sounded like it was painful but enjoyable at the same time.

Krusty_Clown

Well done Frank. An epic journey and an epic read. Hope the 'hurts' heal up soon.

Oisin11178

Blisters nearly healed, toe no pain anymore. A little pain from the knee but not much. Friday ill start back.

Oisin11178

Physio in the morning. Knee getting worse. No probs walking but if i stretch its its very sore.

Oisin11178

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94722804
First 35miles from portumna 100k. Other 28 are on another garmin that wont fit into my cradle. Manged to 40 at this pace until the leg got to sore to run constantly.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94722772
10 miles yesterda after the physio
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94722757
10k today
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94722757
Both those runs done very handy. Think im ok now.

Oisin11178

2 rest/work days sunday and monday.
Today 10 miles very handy. Just trying to keep things ticking over till next week. Decided on my tactics for the 5in5. 3.59, 3.59, 3.59, 3.59, ???.
looking forward to it.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/95554641

Oisin11178

Knee is bad again. Bigtoe on left foot i can barely fit into shoe. Looking bad for next week and even the first 24 hour.

hot to trot

Would you consider not doing all 5 and recover for the 24 hour?

theboyblunder

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Knee is bad again. Bigtoe on left foot i can barely fit into shoe. Looking bad for next week and even the first 24 hour.

sorrt to hear that frank. rest rest rest. hope it clears up soon

RacoonQueen

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Knee is bad again. Bigtoe on left foot i can barely fit into shoe. Looking bad for next week and even the first 24 hour.

What did they say was wrong with the knee? Did ya do all your exercises?

Whats up with the toe? Swollen? Infected?

I've had a couple of infections in the toes, I just lash savlon cream on them and it takes the swelling down in a couple of days.

Oisin11178

What did they say was wrong with the knee? Did ya do all your exercises?Said it was a muscle strain near the fibular cap? Just needed rest, seems to be working now though. No pain today.

Whats up with the toe? Swollen? Infected? Bit of both. Its a bit better now and seems to be on the mend

I've had a couple of infections in the toes, I just lash savlon cream on them and it takes the swelling down in a couple of days. Yeah ive been soaking it in Dettol twice a day and dressing it. Took an antibiotic to:D

ultraman1

htfu....real men run with injuries........or rest them;)

Oisin11178

new structure triax 14s today. The old pair i had for 3 months. The 100k decimated them.

RacoonQueen

Whats happening then? Not heading to sixmilebridge?

Oisin11178

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Whats happening then? Not heading to sixmilebridge?

I am yeah:D

Oisin11178

1 down 4 to go :-)

Aimman

Are we getting a full race report for each one, or just an omnibus edition at the end? :DFair play, best of luck on the other 4.