Well, after all the trials and tribulations of recent weeks, and absolutely NO training, it was back to running, with a vengance. It was the First AND Last Dublin Port Tunnel 10K race, this Sunday, and having entered the race from the Apple Store in New York when I was there in November, there was a connection with my New York Flyer friends, and so despite no training, I was lining up at the start yesterday morning.
For those who have no idea what I am talking about, this race was devised to run through the new Dublin Port Tunnel, which is about to open to traffic next week, after 5 years of building, and way over budget! The tunnel is 4.8 km long, and 10,000 had entered for this unique event.
My son, Liam Óg had also entered, and along with an Italian friend working here in Dublin, Monica, we walked the short distance from my apartment to the race start at the Port entrance on the North Side of the Liffey.
It was an amazing experience, and amazingly (well it is Ireland) the race started with a climb up to the Tunnel entrance (We build our tunnels upwards!), and after a few hundred metres above ground we entered the tunnel to cheers and a surreal expierience as 10,000 people started to run into the hole. It wasn't a race as such for us, we were having fun, enjoying the singing as we entered the tunnel - It was the runners who were singing.
It was very hot in the tunnel, despite the weather outside, and after 2km underground, I was starting to feel the effects of the lack of air quality, what with 10,000 others fighting for the oxygen, but it was one hell of an trip. The view as we started to climb back up towards the exit of the North bound tunnel was amazing - The tunnel lights showing the heads bobbing ahead of us, turning around to see the mass behind, I hope that some pictures will be available from somewhere, sorry I didn't take a camera.
Just after half way we saw the light at the end of the tunnel, and emerged into daylight turning 180 degrees, welcoming the cool December air, and re-entering the southbound - downhill - tunnel. It was cooler and more relaxed as we jogged back towards the Port - Singing Olé, Olé, Olé - as we ran along, laughing, enjoying every second, and running very slowly. Eventually there was a little climb, light emerged and we ran towards the finish - crossing the line in a PW of 65:44 for a 10K (OK, it wasn't a serious race, just an experience), Monica loving her first race in Ireland, and for 10,000 of us, a unique medal, t-shirt, and when the congestion on teh motorways and tunnel syas there are delays of an hour on teh new tunnel roads, we will know, that we can run it faster :)
Good to be back running again, despite the pace - And just to let you know, mum is in a care home for a couple of weeks to get her strength back and looking great.
All in all, a difficult time, but revitalised by the Port Tunnel Race, and a promise of better things to come.
4 comments:
Welcome, welcome back! What a grand way to get back into running. Sounds like you three had a blast. So glad your mum is well on the mend, too.
It sounds like you had a good time, and I'm happy for you. I've been traveling a lot and haven't been keeping up with your blog, so I'm glad to hear your mom is OK, and sorry you had such a scare. All's well that end's well.
I was sorry to miss it. But after going to Dublin the previous weekend it really wasn't an option. I'm glad the hear that a lot of fun was had by all.
The tunnel run sounds like great fun. I just started reading you blog and look forward to it. Boy, you've done a lot of marathons. I even see you did two Pig's in my home town of Cincinnati. You got to come out to Arizona and run, you'll love it.
pat
Arizona, USA
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