10 Things I Think About Running

10 Things I Think About the Achill Half Marathon

1. Banshees of Inisherin

I think that the Banshees of Inisherin, Achill Half Marathon and running go well together. The film sells Achill and the half marathon brilliantly while also perfectly describing most male running friendships. I have never driven anyone, not even John Meade or Michael Herlihy to cutting their fingers off but I could imagine how that would happen if we were stuck on Achill Island and couldn’t find anyone else to run with.

2. The Cold Queue

I think that they will need to build a few more hotels on Achill after the film. We had to stay in Westport and drive up on the morning of the race as everything was booked up. Westport is only an hour from Achill so it’s fine as the race doesn’t start until 1030am. The parking is excellent as there are acres of sand dunes to park on. I left Rhona to join the short queue of people complaining about the cold while I ran up the hill to the Beehive Cafe for a warmup and to use the toilet for which there was no queue.

3. What About Tubridy?

I think that Brendan Courtney nearly caused me an injury at the start. I didn’t realize he was going to start the race and was distracted thinking wouldn’t it be very funny if I went up to him and said something about Tubridy to him. While I was picturing it in my head how funny it would be, the race started. Tudor and two other fellas took off up the road and I was left standing on the line thinking about Tubridy.

4. Same as Last Year Please

I think it was terrible that Gary O’Hanlon didn’t tell Tudor to take it handy like we did last year. I was hoping for a lovely run around Achill again at a civilized pace. Instead, this year we took off like uncivilized lunatics. I looked down at my watch after a kilometer and saw 5:08 minute mile pace with three lads a good bit ahead. “Do they know the course at all?” I thought. I kept going just in case they’d back off after a mile but they didn’t so I calmed down and decided they were gone mad and would pay the price later.

5. Wind, Wind and More Wind

I think that there is a special type of wind on Achill Island, on the drive over I noticed that the trees kind of face back towards the mainland like as if they would leave and walk away if they hadn’t roots. We had the wind at our backs for the first five miles which was negated by the huge hill we had to run up. They when we turned at what used to be a chipper at the bottom of the hill, we turned into a vicious headwind for the remained of the route back to the finish. It would have been fine if it had of been a civilized pace like last year but this year I was left solo in fourth to battle the wind.

6. The Field

I think that it was inevitable that an American would turn up after the success of the film. Once we turned into the wind Tudor and a guy in purple who I had never seen before were gone into the distance with the prize money for first and second. Between me and the only remaining prize money for third was what I correctly assumed was an American mainly because of his New Balance singlet which looked American.

7. Money, Money, Money

I think this is one of the few races I have run where I can honestly say that my primary motivation during the race was money. There is very good prize money in Achill, €450 for 1st, €250 for 2nd and €150 for 3rd but nothing for 4th. Unfortunately, after 7 miles of hard work I found myself in 4th unable to get within 50m of the American who was firmly in possession of my €150. Slowly but surely, I reeled him in by using my course knowledge from the previous year and my superior wind running ability. By mile 8 I had caught him and went to go by on the windiest section. He immediately tucked in behind which I was having none of, so we slowed down together to near walking pace and talked. I persuaded him to take turns, 6 telephone poles on and 6 off so we did.

8. Decisive Doogort

I think that I was particularly worried about the American stealing my money. He seemed very comfortable and looked like he was just out for a steady long run as he wasn’t breathing particularly hard and he had the efficient stride of a 1500m runner. I thought about telling him that I am a poor Irishman and that I need the money to buy my family potatoes so that he might let me come third. Thankfully before I had to resort to such tactics I was able to get a small gap on the steep climb out of Doogort. Now all I had to do was maintain the gap and I’d have my money.

9. Feed The Gap

I think that I was probably too worried about the €150. I spent from mile 9 to the finish terrified that the American was right on my back following me up every little climb. I was convinced that he was right behind me as I could hear footsteps right behind. As we passed the sign for the Deserted Village I counted the seconds between my passing and the next clap from the inhabitants of the nearby village, there was no gap so I assumed he was right on my back. Never look back though that would only give him confidence and I’d lose the money in the inevitable sprint against the powerful looking American 1500m runner.

10. Socks and Sandals

I think that it is amazing the power of the mind. I knew I needed a good gap on the American by the top of the last hill with a mile to go as during our brief exchange while we discussed cooperation, he said that he was very good at downhills. When I reached the top of the hill I could still hear footsteps so I pushed as hard as I could down the hill to the beach and onto the smooth tarmac of the finishing straight. I sprinted as hard as I could while asking the confused looking onlookers how much of a gap I had. No one would tell me. I got to the line in 3rd in the money and very happy. Then I waited for the American who I expected to be right behind but wasn’t. Was it an imaginary American? He turned up two minutes later, he’d cramped up as soon as I’d passed him and jogged home. Ah well, at least I got a decent time from it and most importantly €150.