CLONAKILTY WATERFRONT MARATHON

My first race in over three months saw me make the long journey south to the west cork town of Clonakilty,for the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon.It was my first outing under the 'William Sichel regime'.Over the past couple of months training was going well and I could see noticeable improvements.The week before the race I ran a 5k PB in a training time trial so things were looking pretty good for this race.I knew beforehand that it was not going to be the easiest of courses and so I wasn't banking on beating my current PB of 2.38,and as the race went on I realised I wasn't going to get anywhere near it.

The marathon started the same time as the 10k so I got a little caught up with the early pace running the first 3 miles with the chasing 10k group.As the race thinned out and the marathon and half marathon went there separate ways I was on my own running out country roads with lots and lots of hills to get over !! I have ran hilly races in my time,but I have never seen so many in one race !! I mean it was relentless !! It was hill after hill after hill after hill.The last 4 miles were flat but I think by the time I had got to mile 22 my legs were in a state of shock.I managed to cross the finish line in first place in 2.44:18. I did manage to get a good workout even if the time wasn't that impressive ! It's never easy racing a marathon on your own from start to finish,especially on a hilly course but all in all I'm very happy to have rounded off the year with another victory.

For anybody looking for a scenic winter marathon on a challenging course this race has it all,and more ! Everything from race organisation to stewarding to aid stations to atmosphere(at the start and finish area) was top notch and I could not fault anything with my experience in Clonakilty.

I would also like to thank my sponsors Kinetica who were also one of the main race sponsors on the day as well.They provided runners with everything from energy gels during the race to recovery drinks after.

So that's my racing finished with for 2011.Next up is The Irish 50km Championships which will be held in Donadea in February 2012,and maybe a warm up in the Gloucester 50km in January,just to keep me on the straight and narrow over the festive period :)

              

(views of scenic west cork)