As you all know we got all four seasons [a new name for the

Connemarathon: the "Four Seasons' Connemarathon" - Ed.] in one

day in Connemara last Sunday.

I got to Leenane in good time. Received a lift from Oughterard

with Mick Rice - no buses for me!

We passed the Ultra marathoners on the way as we travelled to

Leenane via Recess rather than directly. They were at around

five miles and looked well.

We saw Peter and he looked great.

Then we met the full marathon crowd at Lough Inagh. They were

ready to take off. Seems to be a great buzz around the place.

Arrived at Leenane around 10.30 AM. My God, what a busy place it

was. Buses, one after another, all over the place. Crowds

everywhere. Sun shining but very cold.

We got our first shower of hailstones soon after!!! Even though

we were waiting around for an hour and a half, everyone seemed to

be in great form.

The walkers went off to great cheers just after 11:00 AM.

So then it was time to line up and get ready to go ourselves. I

put on the Athenry AC singlet and met others from the club; it

was great that there were so many of us doing the half together.

Just before we took off, we received another blessing of

hailstones. It was nice and dry again when we got going though.

Going up the first hill, a few of the lads passed me out and

cheered me on. Thanks, guys.

For the first mile there was a lot of banter, which was fun, and

we were at the one mile banner before we knew it.

Mile two and three passed easily enough too and I was feeling

fine. Don't know why, but miles four to six always feel sooooo

loooooong.

Then we got another awful shower of rain and hailstones, but we

were lucky the wind was behind us all the time.

I remembered Alan saying to us on that awful Tuesday night (11

March at Dangan track) "Well done for coming out tonight! We

could get this wind and showers in Connemara - you never know

what you might get out there."

If he only knew. Maybe he did!!!!!!!!!!

At mile 7, it's great because you know you are already past half

way. It's was down hill into Maum Bridge from there.

Good crowd there, so that got us going again.

Water station ahead before you're ready to take on THE HELL OF

THE WEST.

Up the hill and I meet Peter: he was going well, we say hello and

smile; he was at around 34 miles and I'm only at 9!!!

Took the hill nice and steady. Thanks to all those supporters

who just stand in the middle of nowhere and cheer us on when we

need it. Found the last climb hard enough.

But then you see the 11 mile marker and you know it's only two

more miles. Down hill and fairly flat too.

I felt great at mile 12 and could pick up a little speed again.

It was really great to see some girls from the club shouting me

on.

I noticed my time about half mile out so I was delighted to push

on and ran as fast as I could.

Really pleased to see the finish line and the clock still in the

1.39s.

Never thought I could do that time but I am really happy with my

efforts.

Would I do it again? Of course I would: roll on next year.

Thank to everyone in the Athenry AC; you are a great bunch.

Maire-Treasa Beatty - April 2008.