Venue- Carrauntoohil, The Macgillycuddy's reeks, Co. Kerry
Time: 10 am
Temperature: 7 Degrees
Duration (inc. food stop): 2 hrs 30 mins
Company: Mr Donncha O'Brien
Route- Hags Glen- Na Teanntai- Colmin Iochtarach- Heavenly gates- Just above the devils ladder- the peak- Devils ladder descending- Loch Gabhrach- Hags glen- Car park
After a late night the night before Donncha and I left my college house in Tralee before 9am and drove to the Macgillycuddy's reeks in the trusty pink (faded red) Hiace.. Once in the car park the realisation of how unprepared I was gave me a kick up the arse but i said nothing and braved on.. In my trusty Asic runners, running shorts, T-shirt and the most basic of basic wind sheeters Donncha (In all his fancy task specific gear) and I set off it. The pace started off as a gentle run along Hags glen from the car park and headed up the north side of Loch Gabhrach and part ways up the Colmin Iochtarach. From here we ascended up to the Heavenly gates (a surreal experience in the fog and wind) we then ran across from the top of the heavenly gates around the hill over to just above the devils ladder where the gradient again kicked and we ascended the loose screed covered bike trail like path. Partially snow covered with a violent wind chill I was absolutely frozen.. frugally dressed I was quite overwhelmed when we got to the top. Once at the top i fell into a slight trance i felt that I had accomplished something greater than what I ever had previously.. After 4-5 minutes at the top we began a rapid descent with fast feet and strong stability being the two essentials. Once we reached the top of the devils ladder the pace slowed a lot for me as I unwillingly descended mainly on my face, ass and hands but once over the final waterfall the pace again exploded as we charged majestically over the rocks and harsh Kerry terrain. Once onto the flat ground I only fell once or twice more, I put this down to my shoe deciding it wanted to break in half. As we neared the end of Hags glen near the car park a realisation hit me.. It was coming to an end, once i realised this i no longer asked Donncha "how far more" for the simple reason of I didn't really want it to end. The realisation of it being the most amazing run I had done in my life hit me like a train once we made it back to the van. I must admit sometimes whether it be exercise, the outdoors or just the experience you do get touched emotionally. It could be the fact that you are put out of your comfort zone for such a long period of time, it could be a buzz that only endurance and outdoor activities can provide you with. After this run i feel i look at my future training, my future careers and my life as a whole in a different perspective.. The human body can do so much more than you could ever make it.
"Into the void"
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