Leenane 5 Mile Run.

Finishing the Leenane run in fine spirits with Dara.

Leenane, or Líonán (as us speakers of Gaelic know it!), is the most picturesque of little Irish villages.  Situated at the foot of the Maam Turk Mountains in the west of Ireland, it boasts a view out over our country's one and only fjord - Killary.  Oscar winning films, such as 'The Field' and 'The Quiet Man' have been shot on location in or around this village, so, without any doubt it's offically a 'beautiful spot!'.  It can also be an isolated part of the country - a few years ago the main bridge connecting the village with it's nearest big town collapsed, a fate that meant ridiculously long journeys for the simplest of services (doctors etc). Thankfully the bridge was rebuilt and the community pulled together since to ensure that an ambulance service be provided in the area.  One of their fundraising drives is the annual Leenane 5 miler (annual since last year!) which took place yesterday!

Dara, myself, Setanta and Big Ron - a good day for all!

The day itself was gorgeous - one of those sunny winter days when a photo can subtract the cold and almost make it look like June.  There were over a hundred competitors and Rónán and I travelled out with our good wives to be amongst the great and the good.  A mate of Rónán's, Setanta, was parked and ready to go by the time we arrived.  Big Ron is seriously flying it these days and is actually in the hunt for honours whenever there is a small field such as this (he will humbly deny this fact but a fifth place finish yesterday exposes all humility methinks).  I didn't feel too great to start off with yesterday - bit of headache, but once I got going I was fine.  After mile one I caught up with a friend of mine, Dara, a fit man who was running his first ever race, and decided to run along with him for the remainder.  This turned out to be a very wise move, for as the saying goes 'giorraíonn beirt bóthar' (or to all you who still have to learn Irish:  two people shorten the road).  And boy, this road needed shortening....! Firstly we ran out of the village, heading towards Westport.  This part was fine, but a horseshoe loop of Glann, between miles 2-3.5, was very tough.  Thank God for Dara's company, for the stories kept our minds off the hill for sure!  I don't know what our finishing times were (had no watch), but all will be revealed on the local club's website next Wednesday.  I reckon we were in around the 40minutes.  As for Rónán, he finished in 31 minutes (5th, as mentioned earlier).  Setanta also ran a great race, finishing in 37minutes.  Now, I really should start running more than once a week again....

Route:  Leenane

Distance:  5 miles

Pace:  Around 8min or just sub.