Raheny Shamrock 5

Sunday afternoon in January - Slightly milder than it has been for the last few days, and a lot better than last year, when I recall almost freezing at this race. The race is a very well organised event, hosted by the Raheny Shamrock Club, and this was the 23rd time the event has been run, although only the second time I have run it. Last year I ran a good 36 minutes, but this year, my training is 5 weeks behind last year due to Xmas and illness, so my expectations were nowhere near 36, I was looking to be under 45, realistically maybe around 42 minutes.

A good friend of mine from England, Andy, had flown over on Saturday to run the race, and enjoy a weekend in Dublin, and Saturday did see us out for a few hours, but not a late night, and as I am tee-total until April, there was plenty of Diet Coke flowing, but little alcohol! Andy was hoping to be around the 36:30 mark, after a disappointing half marathon last weekend in Helsby, England, and as this was the first time he had ever raced 5 miles, he was certain of a PR.

I let Andy move nearer the start than my pace warranted, and dropped back. We had a minutes silence for Pat Quinn a stalwart of the Raheny club who was a key figure in the organisation of this race, and the Raheny club, who had recently passed away at the youthful age of 54, and then the race was off. There were over a 1000 taking part I believe, and whilst the start was a little crowded we were off and running smoothly.

The course is relatively flat with a couple of gentle down hill slopes towards the coast, with a gentle, but testing climb around the 4 mile mark when we came of the coast road to head towards the finish. I eased into a rhythm, running alongside two young women from the Clonliffe Harriers Club who seemed to be running at a good pace, and one that I hoped I could live with. A fair bit of dodging and weaving in the first mile saw a 8:19 clocking, and subconsciously the pace felt good, even if a little faster than I had envisaged I was capable off.

The race was uneventful for most of the time as I was relaxed and feeling good. Mile 2 was 8 minutes dead, and thoughts were beginning to wander with regard to my hoped for time, maybe I was in 40 minute shape - amazingly! Mile 3 had the downhill to the coast road, and was run in 7:53. so maybe I was up for it - a long way from the 45, or 42 I was hoping for - on the plus side!

Running along the coast road did see a little breeze and as we turned to start the climb and homeward bound, I was beginning to feel a little tired, proven by my Mile 4 time of 8:07, so quick maths made me realised that 40 minutes was not on, but sub 41 was a definite, despite the gentle climb, which would obviously slow me down. I dug in, ran the 400m of climb, relaxed at the top, and started to look ahead and see who I could pick off. Two guys wearing Soccer shirts with the numbers 16 and 5 printed on their backs were my targets - Number 16 was some 10 yards ahead, and Number 5 was another 10 further away - I dug in, pushed a little more, digging on those reserves and number 16 was hauled in and passed with less than 200 to go. I heard the announcer calling off the 40 minute mark, and I was about to turn for the last 50 yards - missed it, but boy was I a lot closer than I had imagined possible - I kept my head down, heard Andy shout from the crowd, and focussed on Number 5 - He was only about 20, but this old man was having him, 5 yards from the finish line, I got him, and lunged for the line - Sprint finish and dipping - I must be mad.

My time was 40:09, the last mile, including the climb was 7:50, maybe a little more at teh beginning and that 40 mark would have been bridged. Amazing, I was hoping I could run under 45, maybe 42 if really good, and here I am moaning I was just outside 40 - Can't please me can you!

Andy ran 35:55 and loved the race. We received nice little plaques to go with our goody bags and this was a perfect start to the season for me - Onward and Upward.