The Connemara Adventure Challenge

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Connemara Adventure Challenge

Aidan Gill / 12.05.2010

The new race was a massoveE improvement on Gaelforce 2009 so hats off to the organisers, they got a lot of bad reviews last year aboout organisation, timing chips, lack of food etc but this year it really was an excellent event. The training top was excellent, the food at the end was cracking and the timing sheet when you finished was great to review.

Personally it was a "feat" just to finish it, 7 weeks out without any training put a major doubt in my mind but I finished in 3.26 so I was happy enough, but if I hadn't missed the 7 weeks, I could have been a good bit faster.

The first "leap" over a bog hole and up a bank was a surprise and I am sure there were plenty of "what am I doing here" comments. A nice run then through bog and forest until the 300m+ climb.
Time to dib - Time 17.54

The hill was boggy and slippy and never ending and the weather was warm so in the shade it drained the energy out off me.

Then to make it worse you could see off to the left to the bikes and the temptation was there just to cut a left and head down but instead we ploughed off to the right in near single file.
Once at the top it was again time to dib - time 20.28.

The descent was steep and slippy and I passed one poor lad getting his ankle strapped to a board by a medic, then later met the jeep on the way up for him. From all the events I have done I think this tops the lot for injuries.

The run down was a mix of running and "arse skiing" as I couldn't land on my right leg as my knee was too weak to take continual pounding. Bank to the left and into the bike transition. Dib - Time 12.03.

Picking up the bike and "no cycling allowed in transition" was the shout.

Onto the road and a man living on the right hand side had a hose stuck out to wet us, which was very welcomed. I took in some fluids and tried to get my 1/2 ton bike to move. I hadn't been on a mountain bike in over a year since I bought the Giant road bike and it’s some difference.

Leaving the tar road we went down onto a trail which was bumpy but not too bad. On the first hill I was being passed by "new generation" mountain bikes and hybrids. There were a surprising amount of road bikes and punctures to boot. On one very bad section I nearly came off as I hit it way too fast and the back tyre slide down the bank a little. I recovered "the tank" and ploughed on.

Onto the tarmac and the whizz of the tanks wheels told me that this was going to be painful. I'd been on this road a lot so knew the hills which lay ahead. Every few minutes I passed or more regularly was passed by better bikes. The frustration was telling but I could feel the knee tightening so knew that if I pushed I was done.

I got to the bike layoff, threw the bike down and was then off down the 1km run to the kayak - Dib - - Time 66.47.

I got chatting to a lad down at the kayaks and we decided to pair up. He had been kayaking once but that was probably more than most there. I took on some more fluids and a Mars bar, stretched as best as I could and then we headed off.

This was my 4th time in a kayak and with the head wind and current it was very tough going. We made good headway. He had to stop twice for a rest but I was going well. Got a few "clicks" out of my groin but I was sound with that and ploughed on.

We passed 2 other kayaks and got passed by one and I thought the end would never appear but we both agreed to stick together on the run as we were both comfortable.

The time for the paddle on the other lads watch was 24 minutes and I was delighted with that.

Pulling up at the pier he jumped out first then I attempted to get out ... and got nothing out of legs. Again I tried to pull myself up but both legs gone. Inside both groins and down the ITB of both legs. Pain! The lads at the kayak were sound, they had to pull me out of the kayak and onto the stones.

If I had doubts about finishing then this was the moment. I made 2 attempts to get up but each time the legs just couldn't handle it, locked up and I had to sit back down.

After 8 minutes I HAD to go, not that I was challenging for the lead but you are always fighting against time. Dib - Time 33.00

The girl at the kayak asked me did I want a marshal to collect me? I think the shock on my face was the answer, she told me to walk the rest and again my face answered that.

I managed to jog and someone said it was 2km from the kayak to the turn onto the Western Way. I even passed a few on the run and again was passed by some who looked like they had only just begun.

I made the Western Way in 18 minutes and was shocked at my pace of 9 min/km, I did Westport 5km in 24 minutes at Xmas. I cursed my knee a few times but just kept going, thankful that only 2 days earlier I wasn't going to be able to do this.

The Western Way was nice as we had the wind behind us, but heat again was a factor. I had no fluids but I had an energy gel which was liquid enough!

While every time I tried to push on the ITB started screaming so I had just to manage a quick walk/jog which was frustrating as I knew in full health I would have pushed on well.

I met a lad suffering with cramps and the 2 of us agreed to jog the flats and walk the hills, but we pushed each other on beyond what we thought we could do.

Onto another bog trail and there was the Mecca, the finish line! I landed up to my knee in a hole but luckily it was the left, no damage! I trudged on as best as I could and through the finish line
to finish. Time 55.53

For a 6km section that was probably the worst I have run, or even walked, but that’s the way it goes.

With a nice medal in hand I lined up for my timing slip and then headed over to get a lovely cup of vegetable soup and homemade bread, magic!

The most regular comments were "well organised", "the hill was hell" and the "kayak was a dog".

I picked up the bike and cycled the last 4km or so back to the car.

All being well I will be back next year, and I think a lot more will to. Gaelforce has a lot to live up to!
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