5 YEARS 10 AND 1/2 STONE LOST TO GET TO THIS 100KM ULTRA IN PORTUMNA FOREST GALWAY

During a marathon a person lives through one lifetime, but during an ultra an athlete lives through a few lifetimesThere’s something special about 100km. It’s not ‘only 50’ miles, which is eminently do-able if you’re the least bit trained. It’s not the epic 100-mile distance, which carries you through the night and into the next day. Sixty-two miles pushes you over the edge into the realm of philosophy; you have to dig deep to get it done, but you’re still showered and in bed by midnight, to lie there and contemplate what amazing thing you’ve just accomplished.

So on race day i was ready to go, only about 40 entrants.  Looked around at what others had for gear, and hoped my choices were correct AND after a great day and very enjoyable run didnt walk one bit of it which for some reason im taking away as my biggest achievement . Really learnt a lot about myself, and about ultra running that race  I am hooked.  I remember finishing and sitting down with some others, and they said " wecome to the 100km club".  I knew then that i was in elite company and doing things many think is crazy. 

One of the noticeable features of the stops was how relaxed the runners were. Anybody who has run a marathon or half-marathon will be familiar with the way that water stops tend to be a mad dash to collect as much water as possible in as short a time as possible. On the 100KM run, as people entered the station they slowed to a very casual walk. They looked at the drinks and food on offer, made their selections, spoke to the people providing the support, spoke to each other, savoured their food and drink, replenished from there bags and set out again.In terms of the event, the people were brilliant, the fellow competitors were great, the route was the best I have run and will do it again next year