This famous road in Cork has hosted many a sporting occasion and today we finished the St Finbarrs AC 10k in the Lee Fields at the foot of the County Hall at the end of the road. It is also known as the Carrigrohane Road.
To help your sporting and social knowledge this road has hosted a Formula 1 race of its time, a leg of the Tour De France, National Road Bowling finals and a concert one time in the Lee Fields was headlined by U2. Various Kerry football teams would have used it as an escape route back to Kerry when they got a hiding from Cork down the Park.
But why do I mention it today? Well one of the features of this route was the fact for years as you turned onto the road heading for Cork you could see the County Hall for 2.5 miles in front of you (4km for the young people). It was long, and mentally tough, it appears late in the Marathon route when the energy levels are flagging and you are questioning your sanity.
Time stood still on this road, you were going nowhere, it was still there in front of you and no closer. Einstein’s theory of time and moving forwards and backwards could actually be tested while running this road of a hot sunny day. I once saw the County Hall moving in a heat shimmer but as it was around the same time as the moving statues in Cork I could never be certain what was going on.
So the good news as I ran in today towards the finish is that the trees on the right hand side have grown up, to completely obscure the view of the County Hall until the last half mile. The things we do to distract the mind while we run as I reflected on this particular route. Flashbacks to late 80’s when this was our regular lunchtime training run. Memories of the late Derry O’Driscoll who lorded over us and who sadly passed away earlier this year.
What about today. Super race, well organized by St Finbarrs AC. Great buzz and a race that catered for all abilities even for old fellas like me at the back of the pack. 15 minutes slower today than a handy training run 38 years ago. Madness, insanity, old age, resilience, stubbornness, delusional… or just don’t care and be happy to be running.
Thanks to my pals Danielle, Iosla and Daniel for your company at the start and waiting around afterwards for me 😃 . I was grand, don't worry …. !
Thanks to all who organized today and keeping up the great tradition of a St Finbarrs City race. It has been held in various locations and distances around the city but always one of the highlights of the year.
Sorry for wasting 5 minutes of your time with my ramblings. This is a diary post rather than a running education for anyone. Thanks Graham, Mick and Joe for all the pictures even if we look half-dead.
Every dream that I thought was mine
Well, it's all quite forgotten now
Lost without the double cross of you... '
St. Finbarr's AC
#pwr
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