I’m sure I’m not the only one of us to have courted death and arrest whilst getting in a few miles. Here’s 3 of the more stupid things I’ve done over the years.
In trying to take a shortcut, I inadvertently ran through an Spanish Air Force base and onto a runway at Lanzarote airport. Military police picked me up, after some questioning, they thankfully made the decision that I wasn’t a terrorist, and escorted me back to the road.
3 weeks into doing countless hours of training on the treadmill during snowy December 2010, I took the bizarre decision of going for a 23 mile run on snow and ice. Highlights of the three hours included getting chased by a dog, a lorry nearly jackknifing and killing me on the N2 and falling on my ass a number of times.
On a long run in the North of France, I accidentally ran onto a dual carriageway heading for Calais. French lorry drivers don’t seem to have a great sense of humour, and those 5-10 minutes were probably the most terrifying I ever had running. Eventually, scrambled up a bank, ripped my legs asunder and climbed over a fence to get back on the road.
In Jordan with work a few years ago I went for a a run and after a while a kid on a camel galloped up beside me and made gestures for me to race him. 🐪
Went to a wedding in Killarney 2 weeks before DCM 18. Last 20miler booked for Sunday. Warm up pints Friday, 10 miles Sat morning, off to wedding, hard at it till 5am in the residents bar at the wedding. Walked back to BnB. Decided I could either go to bed for 2 hours before the run or just go now. Changed into running gear, put on the high viz vest, strapped on the head torch and went out at 5.37am for the 20 mile run. I have done alot of my long runs building up to my two marathons hungover due to clashing with weddings/stags etc. I think it stands to you mentally but physically it takes so much effort out of you even as a long slow run, it's probably detrimental 14 days before the marathon.
Tried to cut a run short by running down the M50, Firhouse exit, crossed over and up the Tallaght exit.
I was late for indoor footy, must have been before I drove.
Down in Hook one summer, went down a beaten track and found a stoney beach, started exploring and climbed. Tide came in behind me and couldn't go back, so had to continue climbing, ended way up on cliffs and had to negotiate a curvy clifftop to get back on to grassland.
Ignored a little dog barking at me. It was about 5:30am and I was at the roundabout halfway up Stocking lane.
The barks got louder and scarier, when I looked behind, I was being chased by the tiny dog and his horse sized mate.
My mile marker beeped just as I sprinted down the other steep hill heading west, 3'22 mile pace or STH ridiculous for a couple of hundred meters untill the barks faded.
One other funny one, although at the time I was plssed off. Racing the Dungarvan 10, maybe 2009. Thought I placed myself 5 rows from the front but not really paying attention as left it late to duck in. RD was on the mic giving instructions and then everyone turned 180, I was now 5 rows from the back.
Ran a very angry first mile and I'm almost certain I ran 70'01 or 70'10, aiming for sub 70.
