The bulk of my time since December has been taken up training for the Quest Glendalough Challenge. And yesterday was D-Day.
So off I went. The weather was not on our side with quite a bit of rain during the week preceding the race. Even on the morning, it was a little moist.
Nothing for it.
No such thing as bad weather, just in appropriate clothing!!
I have to admit that I did fancy my chances of, at least, finishing. My big worry, really, was the first stage of the race which climbed up a mountain. Relentlessly. On a bicycle. And I will concede that the first three of four kilometers had me worried. But then the second wind came and I got into the groove. I actually passed some people!!
The second stage of the race turned out to be the deal breaker. The trail run down and up a mountain in soaking conditions was not what I was expecting. The route was so wet that it was changed to miss a higher peak, a fact that probably saved me. Getting back to the bike, the finish line seemed very far away.
The next stage was a rather longish bicycle journey thorough the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. The first couple of kilometers being a rather sporty dash down the mountain we just climbed. The brakes did well, I have to say.
Stage three saw us running up a mountain again, and down to a lake. By this time, I had nothing left in the tank, and the 1km kayak that followed was a welcome respite, just being able to sit down.
The last five kilometers back to the start was the longest five kilometers of my life. Literally.
I put on a brave face...
I really enjoyed the race. My knee is not happy with me, but it will come around. I might just be back next year to give it a better go.
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