31st October 2005

WET AND WINDY

The flight from Exeter was straight forward and only took an hour but it was already pouring with rain.  The idea of going the day before the race was to have less pressure to sample the nightlife.  Registration took place in the afternoon which involved lots of queuing but was relatively simple.  Sunday night, more pasta and just one Guinness and then an early night. 

Monday morning, Bank Holiday, so should have expected rain.  It didn't really start to pour though until all the gear was off and in the baggage area.  A walk of about ¹/2 mile to the start meant getting extremely cold and wet but the buzz of being involved in another mass race kept my enthusiasm high.  I enjoyed the throng at 8 minute pace maker and in the crowd of 10,000 came face to face with the old opposition - Pacers. Pleasantries were exchanged and then at last we were off.  Still pouring, we ran alongside the Liffey and then across and out of the city towards Phoenix Park.

Windy had nothing to do with the weather.  I started to feel uncomfortable in the stomach after just a couple of miles and I put it down to the usual nerves, but things got worse and I was forced into a first pit stop in the loo at the park.  That did my race plan no good at all but for a little while things settled down and I continued. 

The rain continued to pour and I was now seriously concerned about taking on water, and whether I should continue.  Towards mid-day another serious attack and this time I had to make an emergency stop in a local pub that was just opening.  A drowned rat clutching his stomach must have been a fine sight to the locals.  Back on the road, 13 miles - half way, no point in stopping now.  1hr 48mins I thought a reasonable time considering and because my stomach was so painful I hadn't thought about my legs.

No more emergencies although always uncomfortable I battled on to the hill at 20 miles which shouldn't have been a problem but it felt like hell.  Back into the city was a slow drag a mixture of jogging and fast walking until the crowds got me going again and the final mile to the line with my thighs hurting so much the stomach was all but forgotten.  Never have I felt so bad at the end of a race.  Was it lack of training or something I had eaten?  First pub sighted and they didn't sell Guinness but the next did so a slow recovery took place during the afternoon.  The result wasn't near my best but under the circumstances I was happy with the 3:43:33.

The legs repaired over the next couple of days as we shopped and drank Guinness. 

Bob

The Stowmarket Striders results are:-

10m Race Results

There were 331 finishers.  Click for the results.