Relay - the Sweet Desert of the IOC

My two favourite races in orienteering and hill running have to be Jukola (7 man relay) and the Stone Cross to Lug Relay.

Relays bring out a clubs competitive side. Everyone loves relays. It makes the race be more than just about your run, its your club mates run, your best mates run. There is 3 times the amount of possible mistakes and 3 times the adrenaline rush... Its not you nervous about you run, its you nervous about everyone's runs due to its effect on your run... and there's nothing you can do about it! Also, you've got the crazy spectator value!

This morning saw the final event in the Irish Championships take place. The Irish Relay Championships.

CNOC as always would make sure ever club runner got a run, even if they didn't! Don, been the chairman was the boss. What he said went, but we had some input... or at least he let us feel as if we had!

The teams were decided on Saturday afternoon after the Classic distance (my worst Irish result ever, finishing an appalling 11th, 10mins down on Nick).

The first 3 finishers on M21E would make Team CNOC Van Halen aka the CNOC number one team. The 4th elite, along with Conor and Niall would make up CNOC White Snake!

As results panned out - the 3 on Van Halen were Seamus, Ruairi and me. Hugh was last leg for White Snake.

The relay legs were easy to decide - Shea first leg - because he won't lose the head, roar second leg because he's always clean and I'd bring us home, because god help anyone if it comes down to the final meters.....

Jumping forward to 09:55am. Shea jumps into the start pen. And the heckling begin - for a few minuites Team Van Halen were extremely worried as Shea was been badly distracted by Ciara in the box... bad start!

After much screaming of "show us your abs", the relay took off and only 3 runners actually went to the start kite - Shea been one of them....

I couldn't see much so I got changed and pumped for the race. Running around I really didn't feel too healthy - possibly the rake of pints (1) from the previous night!

Running to the top of the earth bank, the first runners come into view.... Ciara and Niamh, both missed the control with Ciara recovering quicker... Niamh gave chase and got a gap crossing the bridge, also she had a tiny gaffle on the near side of the bridge so she took first leg easy to let Orla out for CNOC's Womens team.... Meanwhile, a battle had emerged out on the far slopes, runners begin to come into view... Is it Dobbs? No... Is it Shane? No.... Darren? No.... The boss, Seamus O'Boyle comes beasting across the planes with Shane on his shoulder. Completes the loop and is first to the bridge - sadly he stuffed the 2nd last and Shane pipped him for the glory of first leg. Shea comes in just behind - unleashing Ruairi who has to give chase to Marcus Pinky Pinker.

I find shea, make sure shorts are ok and leg it back to the car to strip down to minimum clothes. Once this is done, I suddenly begin to feel really sick. I drank a wee bit of water and then everything comes up.... after a few seconds I have it all up and my stomach is empty - panic! Running a race with no fuel is dodge! I began to see who has some chocolate! No one... Finding Niamh, in a flap I ask what she has... calming me down, she brings me back to the car and takes out a big white bag.... instantly curious, she put on a big evil girly smile and goes its Glucose! This was news to me, I was never aware you could buy bags of this sort of stuff! Think of a concentrated sugar, made from concentrated sugar! More commonly known as rocket fuel!

Finding an empty bottle she dumps in loads! Having no water to dilute it, we dilute it with sports mixture! Its one hell of a sick cocktail. Necking the bottle I'm off to find Shea to inform him of what I just drank... When I inform him I just downed 100g of pure sugary carbs his eyes light up like Christmas has come early.

The pre race discussion was as follows

S "don't fuck it up"

C "i'm fine, I won't"

S "your not fine"

C "I am"

S "your not, you haven't blinked!"

C "I told ya, I'm fine :P"

S "Good man"

S "Think Curragh, but faster!"

And with that I was off warming up... I was pumped!!!

Striding out I yell to the boss to keep an eye out for Roar. I go into the pen and collect my map... the heckles from CorkO begin to come strong and fast. I ignore them. Focusing on my own race. This is finally it. A chance to show people what I can really do - the IOC was crap so far, time to leave on a high. I look in the distance and I see Pinker running for the last, followed by Ruairi. I could see from his run that he was in a world of hurt..... Pinker in, Bill out.... I jump the tape... Ruairi in, Colm AWAY!

As I leg it out of the run out, I hear Senan yell stay focused, or something along those lines.

Running to one I just wanted to stay calm. Reading the features, getting a feeling for how it was mapped. Seeing the telephone lines and earth banks was a nice give away. Heading for 2, it was another easy leg. Straight for the gate, then the end of the forest. On crossing the road I could see Bill. I put him to the back of my mind. He wasn't relevant to my orienteering. From the end of the trees I saw a control to my right and ignored it, heading straight into my depression. From this point I knew the orienteering would be fast and easy, just keep focused. Heading for 3, I had cut the gap to Bill further. Running along the slope of the hill I dropped to 4, Bill appeared to be all over the shop! We hit the fence crossing at the same time. I was on top of him as he attempted to cross it. I took off and spiked 5 in the technical area, out again, ignoring Bill I got 6 and headed up to 7 which was a common control. I punched it directly after him.

I headed back in the direction of the technical area, he went else where, I questioned his route choice but then forgot about him. Clearing the ditch, I new the race was mine for the taking. As I headed for the fence, Ger went flying by, followed by Dav - both about 4:30mins off the pace.... As I jumped the fence I focused in on the map and made sure of 9... Heading for 10 I ticked off the features, on seeing a big depression, I notice a control in it - I continued to run but a small bit of doubt began to creep into my mind and if that control was actually mine.... after about a milli second, I told myself to shut the f**k up and get on with it. I was shit hot and there was no way I was making a mistake... Confidence was through the roof, I knew I had the title in my grasp. Down into the depression, spiking 10, I knew I was right, bada bing bada BOOOM..... Up out of the sandy depression and on to 11. I was floating. Checked the control description and just saw my hill, ran around the base and spiked it ouvit.

12 was my worry.... running own parallel to the fence, I remembered Niamh and Ciara missing it epically. I tried to read the contours but I couldn't. Using distance and angles, I was looking at the earth bank where the CNOC army had assembled. I saw Roz vanish into a pit and I dived in after her. The title felt closer.... I took off up the hill to 13, heading on a direct baring for the house. My compass was irreverent. Hill top, hill top, in , spike and gone. My feet aren't touching the ground, I can feel the adrenaline running through my body. I veer around the hill on route to 14, not the ideal route choice but it didn't matter. I had a minute on Bill at this stage. Accelerating out of 14 I head for the end of the earth bank... I resist the urge to scream at the CNOC posse who were going ballistic. Down and up to 15. 16, the last difficult control. A depression in the arsehole of nowhere. Using the track as my visual hand rail I see the lip of the depression.... Only one control to go... Staying focused, I align up the buildings and head for it, check the codes and the title is as good as mine... I accelerate towards the last control, there is a crowd gathered. Don't know who, all my focus is on the depression. There is a lot of noise, I jump over the edge into the soft sand... punching the control, I resist the urge to kiss the SI box. Shea and Roar are on top of the depression, going crazy.... I take off up the hill. It feels so so sweet. My legs are on auto pilot. Nothing else matters.... I wonder when I'm allowed to go ballistic myself.... passing through the gate I flip out.... pumping my fists... shout out random stuff.... Punching the finish I collapse. Shea and Roar jump on me... It is the sweetest feeling.... IOC victory. CNOC are Irish Champions!

Whatever about an individual gold... A team relay senior gold with guys that you've raced with and against all your live... With guys that you've suffered heart break with at world championships, guys you've felt the pain of losing, been second best, time and time again.... to win, when the chances of it were so 50:50 was perfect...

Self christened Dream Team. No victory could be sweeter after such poor performances over the weekend.

Shea and Ruairi did the hard work. With Seamus's sheer will power (lets face it, he doesn't train ;) ) he almost beat Shane over his own kinda terrain to Ruairi who clearly was the monster of the team, getting the long gaffle and battling back for every second against Marcus. They made my job easy!

Whats not mentioned, is that CNOC White Snake, with Niall out running Ruairi, finished the relay in 5th position - one hell of a result.... No ones relay position is safe.... Unless CNOC is unleashed apron JUKOLA!!!!

Go on the CNOC!!!!

O yeah, and did I mention, our ladies team, CNOC Cacophony also demolished the opposition to make it a double senior win!

Its a sweet sweet day!

The 6 inches

As I down another coffee while taking a break from typing up my final year project, my thoughts drift towards orienteering (as usual).

My first serious senior race. Inishbofin 3 day. It was a beautiful summers day. A slight breeze. A perfect afternoon for a fast middle distance. I remember going out hard and having an ok run. Finishing 3rd I think. Following the race after the race analysis and splitzing... I realised I had taken a few nice scalps - the one I was most proud of was Andrew Quinn. He had won the national championship there two years previous.

I was cocky as hell. Writing off everyone the next day. Thinkin I was the man.

Needless to say Andrew destroyed me and the entire field. It was a harsh lesson in respect.

2 years later, 2 years stronger..... Last year I took another silver in the Irish Championships.

Putting the so called Elites to the sword, running hard and aggressively on beautiful open mountain.

It's 3 days till the biggest race of the year. People can say its WOC, people can say its Tiomila, people can say anything. The Irish Championships is the race I want to win.

Some people dream of a WOC final..... I just want to say I'm number one.

I'll tell you this

in any fight

it is the guy who is willing to die

who is going to win that inch.
And I know

if I am going to have any life anymore it is because

I am still willing to fight

and die for that inch

because that is what LIVING is.

The six inches in front of your face.

I can only control me. My actions, my thoughts, my result.

Bring on the Irish Championships!

The Bray Bust up

When a car full of CNOC orienteers goes to a Hill run you know you'll be up for a laugh. Been crushed behind the long legged Ruairi Short in the back seat is something that has to be tried to be believed. Excusing a near fatal side sweeping it was all good.

Arriving at the start early, been 3rd entry on the list as usual gave me plenty of time to warm up and get the head sorted. Getting changed it was remarked how nippy things were getting. I knew this wouldn't last long.

For the warm up I headed up the hill, climbing slowly the legs felt fresh giving the track session the previous night. Hitting the mud, I cursed Gerry for his suggestion of flats... unknowing how far the mud and roots would stretch. As I hit the road at the bottom, I was joined by Paul Mahon and we went up again. I silently noticed how heavily he was breathing as we climbed slowly.... Race tactic sorted - go hard, burn em all off.

At the start there was a BIG crowd. I wiggled my way to the front and waited. Slightly nervous... waiting.

And with a go we were gone. I went out and sat at the front, watch Eoin Keith and Niall McA. Taking the race at my pace. Going up the climb, I stuck to the front and ran comfortable at my pace. Reaching the steps, I upped the pace, hoping to drag some of the guys with me to help me keep a high pace. No one took me up on the offer, so I wasn't going to hang around and run someone else's race.

I didn't look back, I just kept climbing at an up tempo pace. At a turn closing on the top I took a glance back and I had a big gap. Reaching the rocks below the cross I bounced up, happy out. As I looked behind on the final face up to the cross, I looked back and I reckon I had 30seconds on Eoin Keith. Happy days.

On the small descent I focused on keeping a good pace, then I came to the first junction. From the map and everything else I began to run straight through the junction... Suddenly the Marshal began to yell at me that I was going the wrong way, I looked back at him as he was pointing to the right, I hesitated and took off to the right, mean while, Eoin, beasting down the hill yelled at me saying that I was going the wrong way.... I stopped, completely confused. Eoin began to yell abuse at the marshal, clearly very pissed off. After realising the marshal make a muck up, I took off again after dropped 10seconds (how the hell do you drop 10sec on a mt run!). Running up the track my legs began to feel the burn. I set into an all right pace but my rhythm was gone. As I fought to get it back, Eoin passed me, closely followed by Drute of SligoAC. They were clipping along a little to fast for my liking so I decided to get them on the descent. On reaching the up to the second peak I was reeling them in, I heard the summit marshal scream at the two of them so they also took the wrong track...! As I reached the cairn, I took the corner really wide, not expecting such a tight turn around. Down the descent my vision was going blurry. I fought to regain focus, and my balance as I upped the pace. As I rejoined the main track back I saw Roar turn off for the final climb, he was running well.

Descending hard my right foot began to feel weird, I looked down and realised that my shoe lace had come up done! Another WFT moment, I had forgotten to tape my shoe laces! I debated for a few hundred meters if I should continue to run or stop and tie it. After careful consideration, and realising that I may A) break my neck on the descent and B) lose a final sprint in, i skidded to a stop and tried to tie my lace. Although it seems like an easy thing to do, when your attempting to tie it with lactic flowing through every part of your body, your hands are shaking and your heart rate is close to 200, it makes it ever so slightly more challenging! (another 10sec down).

After the brief freak attack I was shocked that no one had passed me, I took off again, assuming that I would never see Eoin or Drute. As I climbed back up the small rise, I began to see pretty colours in front of my eyes.... This amused me and my pace dropped, but see'ing a different marshal at the junction switched me back on again. On the final descent I was at the limit of my kit, flat racers. Another WTF moment. I got blitzed by Healy coming down the muddy section, my road runners unable to give me the grip or confidence that my mud claws usually provide. As we neared the steps I saw a flash of yellow.... Turns out Drute can't descend either.... Hitting the final cement section I was pretty flat out.... I didn't have the same kick I had on Crone, shit happens.

As I ran by the finish, Eoin crossed the line to take the win, I followed in 4th, 35seconds down.

What I really love about IMRA is that they are more hardcore than the AAI. All the XC races this year have been under distance - they all claim to be 10km races but there usually 7-8km. IMRA however say its a 5km race, as with Bray... but when your racing for 29mins, you'd think its a dam slow 5km, until you look at your GPS that night and realise its actually 6.5km! WIN!

13% extra free :)

JK 2010

To sum up the JK in a few words....

CNOC came, CNOC saw, CNOC conquered!

Once again I left for England at some time before 7, actually we were almost at the ferry by 7, at which point they decide to text saying its delayed until 12! Typical.

A nice fry, followed by a nice coffee and another one and we were on route across the sea. Then numerous hours in the car and we arrived at the CNOC / IJS stronghold. So much so that the CorkO guys legged it up the coast to prepare for the onslaught that CNOC was about to unleash.

Race One was the Sprint at Bicton College. I somehow ended up in the elite seeded start at the end, 10th last start inbetween Hector Haines (apparently he's a W21) and ex world champion GG! Is was shaping up to be an epic!

Laced up and ready to lock and load I dumped my kit with Hugh and entered the start box. I was pumped but focused. -3... staying calm, -2... checking out the map, I feel confident, completely focused on myself and orienteering, almost reaching the perfect balance in my mind when I hear a Colllloooommmm! Colm!! I turn around and see my mother with a concerned face wondering where I dumped my kit (she got a slagging afterwards).

Refocusing, into the -1 and I'm bouncing. look at the clock..... the trible beep and I'm gone, blitzing down the hill to the first, it was a mudfeast! I was orienteering well, but I hesisated at control 5. Then slugging it across a "field" and into the buildings. I was running well and Hector had only gained 9 seconds on me. I was pretty much on fire! Then a misread in the map cost me time. I took long routes from 11-12 and 12-13 dropping serious time - going by the splits if I didn't cack them up I may have beaten Hector and would have be 1-3sec down on Shane Lynch. These things happen.

The rest of the race I was clean and hammering it hard. Had an epic sprint in, keeping ahead of Hector coming down the hill and taking off coming into the finish - in the process I had the fastest run in and beat Nick by 1 second. Every cloud has a silver lining!