Well, I've signed up for half-marathon #2 (which will be Wayne's 1st) and we're running it together! April 7th, 2013 is the Connemara Half Marathon (and full, and ultra) and I decided, what better 30th birthday present to myself than 13.1 miles of moutainous punishment in a race, known internationally, for it's difficulty?? (I'll turn 30 on the 3rd of April)
No, I can handle the hills, the real reason I'm doing this is not sadistic punishment but because I've been told about this race by every single running friend for an entire year now. I've met at least 30 runners who have completed this race, not once, not twice, but many four and five times over. So, it may be grueling but they also say it's some of the most spectacularly beautiful scenery on planet earth. That is why I signed up. And...also because I'm fiercely competitive and if someone says it's the hardest race in Ireland, well then, I've got to give it a try. Honestly, I'd rather train for a race that everyone is a afraid of, because I know I won't ever delude myself into thinking I'm ready. I'll train fiercely, up until the day, out of pure fear (in a good way).
As you know I like to do, here's the description from the website:
"The key to the event's success has been its ability to offer a unique package of experience. The popular sport of long-distance running is transformed for runners and walkers in the dramatic setting of mountains, glacier lakes, rugged green-brown landscape which winds in and around the challenging mountain wilderness of Galway in the west of Ireland. The course meanders past bogs, hills, lakes, and the Twelve Pin mountains rising up over the great expanse of Killary Lough, through the quiet village of Leenane, around the Maam Turk Mountains and all the way back up to Maam Cross. International participants enjoy the Irish welcome, the sense of comradeship on the lonely route and unmistakable buzz throughout the day. No other sporting event sends people away with such a taste of Ireland and all its highlights."
No, I can handle the hills, the real reason I'm doing this is not sadistic punishment but because I've been told about this race by every single running friend for an entire year now. I've met at least 30 runners who have completed this race, not once, not twice, but many four and five times over. So, it may be grueling but they also say it's some of the most spectacularly beautiful scenery on planet earth. That is why I signed up. And...also because I'm fiercely competitive and if someone says it's the hardest race in Ireland, well then, I've got to give it a try. Honestly, I'd rather train for a race that everyone is a afraid of, because I know I won't ever delude myself into thinking I'm ready. I'll train fiercely, up until the day, out of pure fear (in a good way).
As you know I like to do, here's the description from the website:
"The key to the event's success has been its ability to offer a unique package of experience. The popular sport of long-distance running is transformed for runners and walkers in the dramatic setting of mountains, glacier lakes, rugged green-brown landscape which winds in and around the challenging mountain wilderness of Galway in the west of Ireland. The course meanders past bogs, hills, lakes, and the Twelve Pin mountains rising up over the great expanse of Killary Lough, through the quiet village of Leenane, around the Maam Turk Mountains and all the way back up to Maam Cross. International participants enjoy the Irish welcome, the sense of comradeship on the lonely route and unmistakable buzz throughout the day. No other sporting event sends people away with such a taste of Ireland and all its highlights."
http://www.connemarathon.com/course-profile
There are alreadysix twelve of us from my running group who will make the trip for this race and that's only after one week of peer-pressuring the rest of them into joining. I think we'll end up with quite a large group which will make the road trip even more amazing. (Connemara is about a 2 1/2 hour drive, straight West, from Dublin) Now, who wants to fly to Ireland for the weekend of April 7th, to watch Norah while Wayne and I kill ourselves on this 13.1 mile trek through the mountains? Any takers???
There are already
No comments:
Post a Comment