I signed up for the Roscommon 10-mile race in late April thinking 8 weeks training would bring me up to required fitness. I was recovering from a viral infection at the time, feeling sorry for myself which acted as motivation to make the commitment. I had run it once before and thought it was 2 years ago but on checking past results after the recent race found out it was 4 years ago; time goes a bit too quick as we get older! Ran just under 80mins 4 years ago and expectation between 82-85 minutes this time.

This would be my longest race since then, have avoided long races as don’t feel legs are up to long training runs anymore. Trained for the Kinvara half marathon 2 years ago and pulled out due to injury sustained on a long run, probably need to train smarter though and add more stretches, as maybe we all know but don’t do.

Training went well, long runs on a Sunday morning in Kilcornan up to 12k and joined Sunday morning crew in Craughwell for 14k run 2 weeks before the race. It’s a great way of getting a long run in with company and a steady pace. Planned to do 10-12k Sunday before the race and decided to run Bullaun 8K on Friday the week before. Bullaun went well, under 38 min, a great local race, fantastic atmosphere.

I was wrecked after it though and gave the long run on Sunday a miss and did an easy 5k on Tuesday. Race was on the Saturday and I have to say I enjoy races on a Friday evening or Saturday and have rest of weekend to recover and relax.

Race started at 11am on Saturday. Arrived in good time and was well organised in terms of registration and toilet facilities. Got my number and t-shirt, thought I hadn’t paid the extra for one (as have so many) and it was a freebee but had paid the extra, again the memory!

Weather was a lot cooler down from high 20s earlier in the week, was breezy and showery. I met Tom and Susanne Breen before the race and Tom said his car read temperature of 23⁰ C so could be a warm run. Did very slow 2k warm up.

Started the race in the mid-pack, saw Susanne and Tom starting 20-30 metres ahead of me. Was in sight of Tom all through the race and he finished about 100m ahead of me, didn’t have the energy at any stage to bridge that gap.

Race started near Hannons hotel. Went out steady 1^st km in just over 5 mins and as is often the case for me 1^st and last km were my fastest, both at 5.06 mins. First 2-3km or so went via back roads past the Golf Course onto main road – Galway Road, a gradual uphill on a straight stretch of road before a left turn onto a minor road with most significant downhill section in the race.  At around 7k a right turn back onto a main road, known locally as the ‘County Home Road’, flat but again a long straight stretch. Got to 8k in 42.32, so on target for around 85 mins.

There were water stops at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 miles and poured most of the small bottles of water provided over my head and top. It was warm and humid and at the 8K stage I felt it was about getting round rather than getting under 85 minutes. Passed a man, Joe from Cavan, around 5 miles who was walking and encouraged him to get running again which he did and had a chat for a few minutes before he moved on from me. A right turn then from main road onto a minor road, then left and another left to bring us back onto the main road.

I lived in Roscommon from age 9 to 21 near Athleague and the race route at that point was about 1km away from the homeplace so I knew the roads well. Back onto the main road and a right turn down through Moate Park with about 4 miles to go. Long stretch through open road with little shade and started getting warmer, the sun came out. The last 3 miles was tough going, though there was a bit of shade from trees in the forest for the last 2 miles.

I passed Joe again at about 8 miles walking and he passed me again at about 9 miles. Mary Keely came floating past almost running on her toes at about 8 miles and I saw her pass Tom also. With a couple of hundred metres to go I saw Joe about 20ms ahead of me and the competitive spirit (or ego!) in me took over and rightly or wrongly thought I didn’t want to be behind someone who walked some of race and had enough energy to pass him. Had a friendly chat with him after the race and his 18-year-old son who was with him for support.

My finishing time was just over 86 minutes, outside what I expected but happy enough given the conditions. An achievement to complete the 10 miles. Thought afterwards I need to get back to Wed speed training which have done since.

Met Tom and Susanne after the race with Susanne posting a PB, great achievement in the heat. Also met Kerri who I hadn’t met before, a newish member of Craughwell AC who has been going to speed sessions on Wed evenings and who ran a great time.

The ice cream van was there as usual with lots of takers, not for me gone dairy free since January induced by some gastric issues. So cut out lots of foods, in particular cakes, biscuits, milk chocolate and of course one of my favourite’s cheese. As a result, I lost a few pounds without trying too hard, restricting what else I eat or going on a diet and gastric issue is a lot less problematic.

There was some lovely hot food provided at the end, choice of vegetarian and chicken curry and rice which went down well. Had a couple of cups of coffee after and a chat with Tom, Susanne, Mary Keely and some of GCH runners.

An enjoyable day out and took some time for a walk round Roscommon and Athleague and called to the old home which my sister and family have now, they were away for the weekend but left them a surprise gift which may puzzle them!