Defining Moment

Back in April 2001 I went for my first training run of 5K in preparation for the Dublin Marathon and struggled to run the distance without stopping and walking.  I stuck with it and went on to complete the Dublin Marathon 6 months later and used that race as a stepping stone to a race that had first put the idea of running into my head.  This race was the Marathon des Sables, a 150 mile self sufficient foot race across the Sahara Desert and making the decision to run this race was to become my Defining Moment.

Lateral Vision Productions feature Documentary on Irish Ultra Runner John O'Regan.  Shot on location in Ireland, Greece, UK, French Alps. Sahara Desert, N.Pole Antarctica, and the Yukon Territory.
A fascinating case of one person against the elements.  What are the ingredients that make an ultra runner go through such grueling mental and physical pain?  How is an ultra runner different from a marathon runner?  This intriguing documentary reveals what makes him tick using the background story of his participation in the 2010 “Spartathlon”.  Four hundred and fifty of the world’s top ultra runners passed the stringent entry criteria for the 246km non-stop race, but just 128 crossed the finish line within the 36 hour limit.

Just like the Yukon

Race Kit 

It's two weeks since my injury and according to my doctor I should be able to run after two weeks but no contact sports for six to eight weeks so I'm back in action.  

The snow has returned and falling heavier than before so rather than have a definite plan I decide to go out and just do what I can staying close to home and running a loop that allowed an escape route if needs be and I could repeat the loop as often as required. 

  

Mile 50 on the Dawson Trail.

The snow was deeper than I thought and took bit more of an effort than expected but when I got going it was just amazing.  Rather than risk a fall I went to a local park and without thinking about where I was going I just ran and let the terrain and visibility decide my route.  Within 20 minutes my mind was wandering and I was back in the Yukon.

When running in cold weather my technique varies slightly and rather than run slowly to gradually warm up I would run faster than usual to warm up and then I slow into my pace.  I dress in layers but would always be slightly cold when starting off and as soon as I feel myself starting to heat up I take off my gloves or hat while slowing into my pace and when I'm in the zone I put them back on.  If I need to take my hat off I'm going too fast!!

In warm weather you ration your water and in cold weather you ration your sweat.

I ran for just under an hour and stopped because I decided to rather than needed to as I think it's important when returning from an injury that you take a step back before going forward and don't try pick up where you left off.  I had done one or two short runs over the last few days before starting back today just to check my recovery and during these runs I avoided hills and made the effort not to over work my lungs by running at a very easy pace and for a very short time.

Yukon Arctic Ultra

This day 4 years ago I was in a town called Whitehorse in the Yukon territory of Northern Canada to compete in the Yukon Arctic Ultra.  The race followed in the wake of the Yukon Quest dog sleigh race which runs from Whitehorse to Dawson city along the Dawson trail.  The two events were similar in format with ours being human rather than dog powered.  During the race we had to cope with extreme temperatures and worst of all, sleep depravation.  I can remember having very vivid hallucinations and at one point can recall seeing a camera man on the trail and he was in my sight until I was almost close enough to touch him.