Well, now that all the aches and pains have gone, I just thought I would give you a quick summary of the event.

 

The day started off as a normal day in Ireland......cold, wet and windy! We climbed aboard the coaches at 0730 for the hours ride to the beach, I was full from my breakfast of yoghurts, bananas, jaffa cakes and a couple of energy drinks, which I was hoping would kick in when the starting pistol sounded. As soon as we got to the beach, the queue for the toilet was horrendous, but I managed to find a vacant sand dune to dispel my nervousness!

 

The pistol sounded and now was the start of the first leg, which was the run to the kayaks. A total psychological first leg as you could see the kayaks as you broke the crest of one of the hills, unknowingly, there were more hills to come and a lot more miles to do before we reached the kayaks! On finally reaching the kayaks, it was a case of topping up water bottles and finding a partner that would accompany me into the cold water. After five minutes of searching, a victim was found, unsurprisingly I found out on hoofing the kayak down to the waters edge, he hadn't kayaked before, and with my limited experience, it was never going to start right. Our first and last mistake was as we rowed out, we got called back due to having the kayak the wrong way around!! A quick dip in the water and turning the kayak around, we climbed aboard again and started rowing. Against the tide and the wind, we crossed the harbour in about 9 mins.....which was a great effort from 2 amateur kayakers!

 

Next came another run up hill to our mountain bikes. Eventually finding mine I clambered on only to find a flat rear tyre.....a quick few blasts on the pump and I was hoping it would stay up long enough to last me to the end. Thankfully it did and off we cycled......32 km to go! Which I'm sure would have gone better if the bike would have gone into gears 1-5.....something was jamming the gear linkage in that ratio and I just didn't wish to stop and probably end up damaging it further! Over the next 32 km, I stopped twice to stretch off some fellow competitors and the debt was repaid on top of the last hill where both my calves tensed up and required some stretching.

 

I was dreading the next stage and then suddenly it was upon me. This was the hike and scramble up Croagh Patrick, and what a scramble it was....all 764m of it! There was no direct route to follow so it was a case of follow your nose to the top by whatever means! My first thought of what have I let myself in for was half way up when a stretcher was being carried down by the mountain rescue team, thankfully I later found out my fellow competitor was going to be ok. The ascent to the peak was emotional and when someone on the way down shouted to me, keep going, about 15mins to go and you're there, I thought, lets get a spurt on.......how that fellow spun me a line!! The descent went much better, especially when I decided to follow this mountain goat of a bloke and we got down in a really good time. As we hit the bottom, I refilled on liquids and fig rolls that had been laid on for us and moved on to where I had dumped my bike......amongst thousands of others who had done the same!

 

Next came another cycle and this was about 80% downhill and the roads were littered with well wishers and people cheering and clapping which was an emotional experience. The end seemed just out of my grasp but I kept on pushing. At one stage I wondered if I had missed a turning as there was no one in front or behind me, but a bit further on we came across a marker. I then realised where I was and I knew the end was right around the corner, With all the well wishers and cheering we kept the speed up and raced to the end where it was a case of throwing the bike onto the rails and running across the finish line to be greeted with cheers and the sight of the beer tent!

 

After a refuel of water and a cheeseburger I managed to regain my composure and look back at the days activities..

 

I can honestly say it was the hardest event I have ever done but thoroughly enjoyable and I met some great people and made some new friends. I completed the event in approx 5hrs 14 mins and came in approx 450 out of the 2500 entered.

 

I would like to finish by thanking you for your generosity in sponsoring me, and more importantly, Leukaemia Research, where all of your donations have gone. We have managed to help thousands of children by funding research and buying equipment needed to save lives. I thank you once again and the hard graft during training and the event itself made it worthwhile for this great charity..

 

All my best wishes

 

 

Karl