"Finished 2nd to Darren Molloy in the Munster Intermediate XC in Enniskeane today.
Some experience.
#Bus
Myself and Michael
Creed got a nice bus from the GAA pitch where we parked, up to the
course.
#Numbers
Arrived at the offices (a tent in a farmers cow shed) to be told
"there's no Leevale numbers". This wasn't true, they'd just been taken
by the Leevale ladies team.
Turns out the numbers were pointless anyway as they were blown off
within about 5 minutes of the start.
#StartingTime
All of a sudden it was decided that the junior men and intermediate
women would run the same race. Time for a quick 5 minute warm up,
unfortunately Tomas
Kenefick had gone for a proper warm up and missed the start.
#Howmanylapsdoyewanytodo
At the starters discretion there was a brief discussion about
shortening the race because of the weather. We eventually persuaded
them that we wanted to run 8k as that's what the race was supposed to
be. I think everyone just wanted to go home.
#start
Fast start off down the hill into a tight corner. I tried to take it
out hard but was passed by Darren and Alex O'Shea. I thought this was
an unusual tactic for an Ultramarathoner so I just tucked in behind.
Good decision. The Alex
O'Shea fan club were vocal in their support throughout the race.
#course
The course itself was really well thought out, just a pity that the
weather was apocalyptic, sheets of rain, wind and cold. A 2k lap with
good hills and some nice open flat sections. One of the better courses.
#muck
Today's muck was different to the muck in Dundalk, while it was mucky
it wasn't sticky so you could just about keep the legs turning over.
Muck rating 9/10.
#race
I adopted the Chris
Mintern patented wheel sucking XC tactics for the race. I sat in
behind Darren and tried to pass him on the downhills. In hindsight this
was as pointless as a the Social Democrats election manifesto. Into the
home straight Darren just kicked away. I never had hope despite
finishing within 2 seconds of him.
#rememberyournumbers
The much sought after numbers had been blown away so had you had to
remember your name and number crossing the line, otherwise you didn't
count. This is challenging after 8k in the muck flat out.
#GAAfacilitiesarefantastic
Back to the GAA pitches for a hot shower after a warm down with Darren.
The GAA have good showers.
In summary a great day out.
Leevale and Cork teams finished 1st.
Great fun.
https://www.strava.com/activities/488175498
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1042676004
"
Munster Juvenile Boys Under 10 Inter-County Cross-Country Relays Enniskeane Cork February 2016 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.
Munster Juvenile Girls Under-12 Inter-County Cross-Country Championships Enniskeane Cork February 2016 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.
Munster Juvenile Boys Under-12 Inter-County Cross-Country Championships Enniskeane Cork February 2016 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.
Munster Juvenile Girls Under-14 Inter-County Cross-Country Championships Enniskeane Cork February 2016 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.
Munster Juvenile Boys Under-14 Inter-County Cross-Country Championships Enniskeane Cork February 2016 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.
Munster Junior Women Cross-Country Championships Enniskeane Cork February 2016 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.
Munster Intermediate Women's Cross-Country Championships Enniskeane Cork February 2016 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.
Munster Intermediate Men's Cross-Country Championships Enniskeane Cork February 2016 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.
The latest three video uploaded were taken from the (relative) "comfort" of an animal trailer - one of those 'cow carriage' whatsits, with (animal) eye-level viewing slats...a long way from what you'd expect as a Sky Sports pundit. Unfortunately Cork Athletics budget doesn't extend to providing such luxuries!