Team Geared Up

DUBLIN, IRELAND (Team Geared Up) The race isn’t the hard bit, it’s getting out of bed that’s the killer. On an extremely wet and freezing cold Sunday morning I could think of better places to be but there I was stood on the line for the second race in the Irish Mountain Running Association’s Winter League. Jeez it was savage weather and we knew from the off it wasn’t gonna get any warmer or drier as we headed upwards. Truth is, it was so enjoyable. I like running uphill. It involves very little risk and no loss of control. I also like the rain. Hailstones I could have lived without. But seriosuly it felt kinda great being battered by wind and hail and knee deep in puddles and mud and a wind so strong and powerful that where my next step landed was anybodys guess.

It was a new route and involved various loops at the top of Three Rock, Two Rock and Fairy Castle (highest point in the Dublin mountains). The tricky nature of the downhill meant I lost a few places to faster descenders but I really enjoyed the climbing. This was a scary event for many of the mountain running first-timers who showed up. The strength of the wind and severity of the conditions meant that newbies were a bit shaken and I think it may have put a couple of people off. If you were there let us know what you thought….. Results here. Next up is Trooperstown in 2 weeks.

-Aisling-

Photo by John Shiels of the start line.