Connemarathon
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Thanks for the effort to organize Connemara 2007, there are no words to say how beautiful was the day, and without a proper organization the weather would not have been enough (and the marathon would just not exists).
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Thanks for a great day on Sunday, really enjoyable and very well organized. Overall the organisers did one hell of a job in organising this great event and as far as I'm concerned it was a fantastic day and I'll definitely be back.
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In an internet café in Galway. Just wanted to say thanks. We had a brilliant day. The race, as always, was superbly organised, and a great craic was had by all! We'll be back next year.
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I just want to thank everyone on the Connemara Marathon team for making yesterday so special. It was a day from heaven - even if large parts of it did fell like hell :)
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Hi Ray, Mick and all the Connemara Crew. Many thanks for putting on another splendid Connemara events of marathon, ultra marathon and half marathon. We were all blessed by good sunny weather.
Day 10
Wed, 21/05/2008The final day
Here we were. 10 still standing and the 11th standing with us. Much has been written about the comraderie that forms in groups that push themselves to the limit. About how a unique bond forms and where you make life long friends with strangers. I could cry thinking about the good times on this expedition. Life changing in the extreme!
And here we were.
Day 10. The last day. I hated that phrase. I wanted this journey to last longer. I wanted to do 20 with these people. I wanted more.
But there was a job to be done. Hobble to the start for one. Hobble to half way for two. And then the world opened its arms and wrapped me in the warmest feeling of exhiliration I have ever felt in my life.
The main event of the week was the 1,000 participant Windermere Marathon. The leader passed me as they started one hour later. then second place passed. Instead of focusing every nano second on the leader ahead of him he actually put his thumb up and said fair play to you. I smiled. Then third place did the same and it lifted me. then fourth, then fifth. I couldn't believe it. They were actually acknowledging my effort. And that was the turning point. My pain instantly lifted and I picked up the pace. Ran up the hills, ran down, coasted along, ran with 7 min milers, ran with the leading women, ran some of them to a walk such was the pace. It was amazing. I couldn't explain it.
Before I knew it I was shooting down the finish line with a tri-colour over my head, screaming - I'm doing it!!!!!!!! and then it was over. 4.19 (sub two hour second half).
I laughed, cried, drank beer, drank champagne, cheered, celebrated, danced, laughed and cried again.
10 marathons in 10 days with some of the best people I have ever met.
Bridget Anne had made the trip to see me finish and It made it all the more exciting. Thanks BA and everyone who supported this effort, for the encouragement, emails and texts, sponsorship and for being there for me through this epic journey. And thanks to my very very special team mates Paul & Susan, Steve and Teresa, Phil, George, Jim, Mathew, Michelle, Selina, Malcolm, and physios Amy and John, Scott and all at Brathay. We will all meet again.
Pictured with two of my kids Alex and Evan at a celebration and Photocall on my return to Galway Airport.
Marathon Ray O'Connor
Even bigger effort to keep this blog going!! Well done Ray, it was a pleasure and a right laugh to run with you and I think we taught the special one a few things......Maybe not!!
Ray, it was a pleasure to
Ray, it was a pleasure to get to know you. Everyone's saying I regretted saying I was lonely on day 6, fact is, it got you lazy buggers working harder so I had somebody to chase! I couldn't have done it without you guys, Ray, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me through this incredible journey. Keep in touch, see you in Connemara 2009. (Teresa says unless you want to come and do the Luton M with your flick knife in December!)
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