I was really looking forward to last week.  It was to be the week after I had completed the Mourne way marathon during which I would be enjoying the first days of of the traditional follow up 4 week rest period which all marathoners unfailingly undertake to recover from the effects of the 26.2 mile race. As an added precaution I hadn't entered any of the Lisburn races, scheduled for the Wednesday night, 4 days afterwards, in case I was tempted to run. But due to an unwelcome visit from my Welsh cousin, Dai O' Reeagh, who suckered me into a series of unwise runs a few days before the marathon, I was unable to run. Therefore, no glory to bask in and no excuse for a long recovery but sadly also no entry for Lisburn – in the present economic conditions I couldn't afford the on the night entry fee – so the option was more spectating. As I had only just reached the stage of feeling confident to cough again I doubt if I could have run anyway, but it couldn't have proved any more traumatic than the events which unfolded and led to the conclusion that spectating can seriously damage your health.

It all started quite normally and excitingly as Liam Keenan stormed past, well to the fore in the 10K race, which he has targeted all season, eventually claiming 24th place overall, 1st Over 45 prizewinner and a new personal best in 36.41 – brilliant running by any standard.  Colm McNeill too improved on last year's efforts to post 56.57 –   everything OK so far.  But then the hallucinations began as out of the  gloom appeared the shape of Michael McKeown on his way to another personal best 1.30.36 followed by the flying Brian Hamilton, storming to 1.32.53 and first Over 60 prizemoney, an accolade he also earned in Rostrevor – of course this couldn't be happening as both experienced runners were  in the middle of their recovery from their marathon efforts 4 days previous, weren't they?

But the same illusion repeated itself next night in the final Hill and Dale race, where not only did the irrepressible Hammy appear but so too did Mourne Way finishers Harry Teggarty, Paul Fegan, Jim Erskine complete with throbbing hamstrings, Wendy Findlay, Ruth Francis and Brian Peters – it had to be a hallucination as all these people should have been at home with their feet up? Back in the real world Michael Degan was quietly and competently recording an excellent 1 hour 50 minutes for his best time to date.

And not only that but, as if to outdo Ladies Day at Ascot, Linda Cunningham appeared in the Lisburn nightmare I was having too, together with clubmates Roisin Gaffney, Deirdre Mount, Emer Moore and Sheena McKermitt, all on the 2.03 mark, with Bernice and Frank McCann completing on 2.29.  Pride of place on the night has to go to Helen Vint who cracked the 2 hour barrier, clocking 1.59.10, though if I hadn't known he too was resting I would have sworn husband Philip crossed the line at her side – more hallucinations?

So you can see why I have to give up spectating and get back to competing, it's much too stressful having visions of sensible, mature runners ignoring conventional wisdom and doing the impossible, but doing it very well.  Thank goodness I was dreaming most of it as nobody would believe these performances if they were reported as fact. So I must get back to running to avoid cracking up and in the hope that I can perhaps feature in the superhuman efforts portrayed in someone else's dream!

It was back to reality on Saturday however when the NI Age Group Championships took place in Antrim Forum.  Patrick Sheridan and Paddy Erskine turned out in the Under 13 Boys 1500 metres and in a race dominated by the powerfully built Springwell Running Club athlete it was clear from the outset that the battle was for the Silver medal. Patrick displayed a new found maturity and settled in with the chasing group of three, making his break at the bell as he took the initiative. But 400 metres is a long way to go after 1100 of cat and mouse and he was overtaken on the bend as they entered the home straight.  But no-one was going to deprive Patrick of his Silver medal and he mounted a blistering counter attack which saw off his rival over the last 50 metres.  A brave and well earned podium placing.  Paddy meanwhile was working hard to maintain an even pace and keep in contact with a group of three further back and he too staged a home straight sprint to claim 7th place in his first championship for the Club – a great effort from both lads.

On Sunday Elaine Burch set a new PB of 5.06 in the Under 16 Girls 1500 metres, where she made her bid for glory with 300 metres to go, after a cagey opening 3 laps, but was outsprinted by her two rivals and had to settle for the Bronze medal at the line – a courageous effort to be proud of. Caroline O'Hare produced her usual solid and consistent performance in the Under 17 Girls 1500 mteres, finishing in 7th place in the slow, damp conditions.

And so to something for the weekend – How about the Loughinisland GAC promoted 5.05 miles and 3 mile Fun Run on Saturday at 3.30pm.  Non athletic sports clubs are encouraged to send teams of four to contest the Team event which carries a magnificent cup for the winners and the bragging rights to the fittest team in Down for the next year – and of course all you individual runners are welcome as well.  The Fun Run will have medals for all participants and refreshments will be provided for all afterwards. Information from Loughinisland GAC or Joe Quinn 44614235 or 07933214894

21 June 2009