Bob Burns at 60 – Run 60 miles on my 60^th Birthday…

There's a saying, "Proper planning prevents poor performance". Well I thought I had planned for this to be an attainable goal. I had contact with two running clubs in Ireland and that was the reason for the original routes, more toward the 'hospitable' center of the country. The weather, while never predictable is better in central and eastern Ireland. Next I talked to people who had run ultra-marathon distances and got many valuable tips and strategies (Jason Amadori, a local Orlando friend, had a lot of great insight, he ran the Leadville 100 a week after competing in the Leadville 100 MTB race). And finally the nutrition, and my local cycling friends were instrumental in getting that sorted out for me. I was using Hammer Nutrition products leading up this and I ordered their products based on good advice. I even called them to insure delivery to my hotel prior to the time of the 'run'. So I thought everything was ready to go.

We (my daughter Sydney and I) arrived in Ireland on Saturday the 27th and the things started to go astray immediately. We took a shuttle to the Hertz RAC facility and the only cars they had left were stick shift (I specifically ordered an automatic). They tried to get me to take it by offering discounts, free tank of gas etc. But the problem was my SAG person can't A) drive a stick shift and B) even if she could wouldn't drive in first gear for 60 miles. So back on the shuttle to the airport. All the rental facilities are just inside the terminal, so I started my negotiations at one end by getting their best price and going to the next and so forth. I finally got the 'best deal' (Budget RAC) for an automatic car (they're scarce), remember they charge more money on site versus making the reservation prior to the trip. The Budget cars were not the best looking or in the best shape but it was OK so we took it and started the drive. It was a good forty minutes into the drive that I remembered my cell phone adapter for the car, I plugged it in and nothing. I pulled over and checked the lighter receptacle and it had been 'burned' out. I needed this for my GPS/heart rate monitor as the battery only last 5/6 hours. So back to the Budget RAC for an exchange. Well they didn't have another automatic on property and didn't know when they would. We unloaded our gear and started back to the terminal when they 'found' another car. I'm embarrassed to take pictures of this car; I couldn't clean it up with PhotoShop. But it would have to do, at least it ran well.

We got on the road for the second time, about 4.5 hours after landing. I will admit this is a beautiful country and we enjoyed the drive to the hotel about 20 miles west of Dublin. The hotel was located just to the south of the highway that took us there so nothing seemed odd at this point. We checked in and were told the room wasn't ready (Euro hotels have a later check-in time). I asked if there was a town close where we could eat and they said the closest was Enfield (about 2K) but we should go to Trim (about 15K) as it was very nice. Trim is the site of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne where King William defeated King James and Ireland fell to British/Protestant rule (for you history buffs). Anyway the drive to Trim was on one of my running routes and it immediately became apparent that this would not work. If I was running and the sag car was following at an idle speed it would be extremely dangerous for the sag car. The roads had no shoulder with high hedgerows and many blind corners.

So I worried about this for the rest of the day on Saturday. The hotel had an exclusive spa, pool and gym facility and I spoke with a few of their people about my planned run. They said that I would be crazy to run the routes I had received from the running clubs in Dublin. They said the people from Dublin were crazy as well and the best area would be in the west of Ireland.

So I decided to check out and move to Galway on the west coast. So Sunday morning we packed up and started the drive to Galway. On the drive was the city of Athlone and we stopped to eat. Now the city of Athlone is the geographic center of Ireland and in my mind it's famous for another reason Ireland's Oldest Bar (I had been here before).

Well after our stop in Athlone we continued to head west and I decided to show Sydney the Cliffs of Moher which are just to the south of Galway.

Well it was at this time that I remembered the Hammer Nutrition products that had been shipped to the first hotel. I had forgot to ask about them when we got there. That hotel was a Marriott and the one in Galway was a Marriott so I could have them call when we arrived. After checking in they made the call and the products were not there. I opened my computer pulled up the email receipt from Hammer Nutrition and clicked on the shipping number link to track the package, the shipping company was listed as FedEx and the number came up invalid. It was Sunday night in Ireland and I wouldn't be able to reach them until Monday MST which was 7 hours behind us. I asked the front desk if there was a store to buy nutritional supplies and was told yes and given directions. First thing Monday morning I had the desk call the original hotel to see if they received the package and they had not. So we headed to the local store and they're closed on Mondays. We then asked about health food stores or bike shops and the search was on for supplements. Most of the products I found were for weight/muscle gain and they had no idea what I was looking to accomplish. I found a computer store that let me use their internet and I printed the sheets for the Hammer products that had been shipped. I still couldn't find anything close ratio wise but I found two different products that contained 'most' of the ingredients, just not to the ratios of the Hammer product. I bought them anyway (better than nothing you would think). I did have the Race Caps and Endurolytes with me. It was late Monday and we drove two roads out of Galway to get a feel for the area. This area had better visibility but the roads still scared me because of the aggressive traffic flying up to an idling car. I have to admit that I almost said the hell with it I'm not running. Monday night I looked at the weather and saw the rain forecast (Sat., Sunday and Monday were perfect weather).

Tuesday morning, the day of the run, I got up at 5am and it was cloudy and cold and it was then that I decided that the coast road would be the best course. Sunrise would be at 0720 and the locals said traffic would not be bad until about that time. I figured I could start an hour before sunrise and it would help.

I was wearing the Roadie long sleeve jersey with a light wind vest at the start, but it was apparent that would not keep me warm. I also had the ORC wind jacket that really helped.

The plan was still for 60 miles as I started the run. I felt good through the first 10 miles, the temp was OK (45ish) but the wind was very gusty but it hadn't rained a lot. I had twenty-five miles until the road turned north so I figured once that happened the wind would be bearable. My plan was to run the first 30 miles and then walk for 2-3 miles and then run 8 and walk 2. But it started to really rain in the second ten miles and continued to get worse, the wind coming straight on with stinging rain. I guess I was hoping it would be like Florida rain and blow through until the next one.

By mile 15 I was soaked and starting to get cold. My arms were really cold but the light wind vest and wind jacket kept my chest warm; I told Syd I was afraid if my core temp went down I would be finished.

At mile 20 I was not reacting well to the nutrition mix that we had and the cold was making my legs cramp.

Syd said that's it, we're done. I said OK I'll turn around and run back the same way at least the wind will be at my back. That helped a little but I was still cold and I told her I'm at least doing a marathon after all this. So with that now decided I ran on.

This was the finish in the town of Spiddal. We then went into the local pub. While Sydney ordered a pot of tea and scone I used their rest room to change. Sydney knew I was cold so she ordered me a pot of tea as well. When I saw the second pot I said you're drinking a lot of tea, she said no you need this to warm up. I said the only way I'll drink that tea is with a shot of Bushmills. And that's just what I did.

I really appreciate your support, thanks guys. I also want to say that Sydney did a great job of being my crew and number 1 cheerleader. She's the best. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!