- Average Number of Runners: 123.5
- Average run Time: 29’12”
- Average Number of Runs/Runner: 6.2
- Biggest Attendance: 402
- Female Record: 19′ 19″
- Male Record: 16′ 26″
I woke up this morning with the onset of one of the worst ailments to ever befall a person….man-flu! My throat was sore, nose was blocked, joints felt a bit stiff – This I thought could go full blown!! It was windy and a bit drizzly out, the bed was warm and comfy. As I lay there having a rethink about the morning plans, convincing myself, sure what’s one Saturday down out of a whole year of Saturdays I suddenly remembered the interview from yesterday and all the well wisher comments on social media and I said to myself, why the hell could I not have done the interview tomorrow. I’m going to look like a right eejit now if I cry off. So I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for the Cabinteely Park Run.
It’s only about 5 miles to Cabinteely which was just as well because as they say in some parts, It was so windy the hen laid the same egg three times! I have never been to Cabinteely park before, despite the fact that I have been living so close to it for 25 years. It is beautiful with an impressive stately home. There were certainly some very well off folk around these parts a hundred or so years ago. Although I did notice one particular feature about the park, it’s basically all on the side of a hill. Yes, a runners dream – hills and wind.
The starting format of all Park runs are fairly similar. People gather near the start point and the race organiser, using a megaphone, gives out some do’s and don’ts, gives a few tips about the course and congratulates any milestone runners. One participant was doing her 50th Park Run! The start is at the top of a steep hill and I thought to myself, I’ll feel every inch of that hill at the end. Well as it turned out, I didn’t have to wait till the end to sample the delights of the hill. Cabinteely is a three loop run, one short, two long but they all include the hill. It’s a lovely run and in fairness the hills or the hill x 3 didn’t take from the kick of just being out there. The third time up the hill, which is the home straight, demanded a big push and I was surprised that I was moving relatively well up it. But just on the off-chance that I may get carried away with my running skills, a lady who was at least 10-15 years my senior, powered past me with an encouraging ‘You’ll get there’ shout out of support. I did get there and congratulated the lady at the finish line.
It was yet another very mediocre run-time but you have to understand, I was running with developing man-flu. You may think finishing the race is praise worthy but as far as I’m concerned, the fact I survived at all to tell the tale is bloody miraculous!! But as usual, the Special Olympics folk out-heroed me once again. As I was coming home from the run, my wonderful niece Clare texted me a picture of her just finishing the Monaghan Town Park Run. To be in such company is deadly!! The adventure continues.
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