Back Running - Through a Tunnel!

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.

Sorry Guys - ALL IS FANTASTIC

Really sorry I haven't been able to update this, but I was a little tied up in the last week, and I truly appreciate the emails and calls etc. I am VERY happy to report that mum has made a remarkable recovery and last Friday she was released from hospital, back home.

Yes, back home. Eight days previously I was told she wouldn't last an hour - and now, she is back home - recovering far faster than anyone has the right to. I hope beyond hope that I have inherited the same constitution, and can fight the same way when my day comes close.

I haven't laced my runners up for three weeks now, and will need to spend some time working on my body (weight!) and get going again. Now all is settling down, I can hopefully get back into things and back to running. Supposed to be running a 10K this sunday - God help me. Well, he helped mum last week so I reckon our family have had their fair share of his help this month - So maybe I should start training again.

Thanks everyone -