No this picture isn't photoshopped, I actually won a race! Small event down in the East Clare hills overlooking Lough Derg called the "Madventure Marathon". I entered the half marathon race. I wasn't too sure how I'd be after the Connemarathon two weeks previous, I had heard you should take a days rest for every mile you run in a marathon, that didn't make any sense to me so Padraig asked would I be interested in heading down with him and I gave it a go! A small starting group of 34 people headed straight into the climb and I just went at what felt like an easy pace and ended up in the leading group, a very new position for me to be in! Good battle between myself and another guy up to the top and there it leveled out into a flat boggy section where I could push the pace a bit, then came a rocky descent where the Vibrams weren't any help and I was passed as if I was stopped. The road leveled out and terrain got a little more gravelly so I could push the pace a bit again and caught the leader, ran with him for a while before opening up a slight gap and about half way down I couldn't see him behind me anymore, I was actually winning a race. I couldn't believe the position I was in and with only 3 miles left I gave it everything i got to finish and take the win in 1:35:37. I was delighted! It may be the only win I'll ever get so I'll cherish that one. A great event and they couldn't have put on more food for us at the end, great organisation.
Congrats too to Padraig finishing in 7th position in 1hr 51mins, great day out all round!
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