Charity run provides some welcome fun

There are lots of choices in this world. Sometimes we might not know if it’s the right or the wrong path we have taken and that’s okay because we learn from our mistakes. Every path is a journey and our world is one of exploration and lifelong learning. If we didn’t have choices we would be limited but when you open your mind to the many choices, it provides fulfilment, happiness, growth, friendships and helps us in many ways, including mentally.

If we limit ourselves to the same routine and don't move out of our comfort zone or test ourselves, we never know our true worth.

The tough decisions and choices made in sport teach us many life skills; they strengthen us, give us confidence, motivate us and give us a focus to achieve. Sometimes we must decide between sports, decide on specific events or decide it’s not safe to train, be it too slippery on the road, too dangerous for driving, too windy for a match… sometimes we have no choice but to train indoors. Over the past week, with thick fog coming down, the most powerful lights couldn’t see through the bad weather so training gets cancelled. This week, with promises of snow and ice, we must replan and make new choices.

I remember many tough decisions in life and sport, one being choosing between an All-Ireland semi-final football match and a World Irish dancing championship. Thankfully, the decision was taken from me in the end as the match got postponed so both were achieved. In sport, we are constantly making decisions; some we have time to think over and some are instant, like when we take a shot at goal instead of going for a point, or when we take the extra solo instead of passing, or when we hold it together and do not retaliate, or when we go to the speed session over hill repeats. Each week these decisions go on but that’s what keeps us interested – choices provide us with options, variety and fun, decisions, learning and exploring.

We all make different decisions based on our likes and dislikes, our characteristics, our beliefs, our culture, creating us as a person and making us all different and unique. A right decision for one person might not be right for another. We must accept our teammate’s decision, for example if they don't pass us the ball and don't score. We must accept they made the decision, not us.

Many of us have expectations in life, we set goals and want to achieve so therefore we make decisions and choose different paths. Goals are what drive us, keep us focused, make us get up to train.

Sometimes there are consequences to our difficult choices, like when two matches collide or when something from our personal life collides with a sporting event we have trained so hard for. We try in every way to see can we make both but sometimes we must make a hard decision. I like to first take some time out alone, running, to analyse and weigh everything up. The mind is always clearer on return and it becomes easier to decide. Once the choice is made, it’s final and I must be happy with it, with no reminiscing, no ifs or buts. If I am happy and content with my plan, then it will be the right one.

Choices are sometimes limited by time, by outside influences or by pressure. On lots of occasions I don’t have a choice as I must go to whatever I can fit in around family life. On a recent Saturday, I have three choices of events to go to (I’d be as well off if I had no choice, because I cannot make up my mind) but the road takes me to a charity run. I always try and support, local, charities and causes where possible. Adrenaline has pumped fast at work this week so when Saturday morning dawns, I have a need for speed; a fast, tough 5km will tick the box. Months spent running long miles has now given me the want of some fast pacing. The road takes me to Peterswell near Gort in Co Galway for a fun run where everyone in the parish partakes, the youth walking the byroads to the start, the parents laden down with home-cooked food and the rest either taking part of stewarding.

Everyone is together for a local cause, in memory of community member, to do something healthy and to take pride in their parish and place. The camaraderie, enthusiasm, and community bonding is tangible and the atmosphere one of encouragement rather than competition, where everyone is celebrated for their efforts, regardless of their pace or performance.

I begin warming up around the local roads, getting a sense of where we are and where we’re heading. I see the first big hill ahead and realise this is going to be a tough 5k and maybe not as fast as what I hoped for. As we gather at the start line, the children eagerly eye up their friends, neighbours and relatives who today are their competition, wanting to beat each other, to win and to come in ahead of the grownups. The energy is palpable, with cheers, music and laughter creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a festive celebration. The excitement brings a smile; today I just want to have some fun.

Balloons are released so we pause and reflect. As I look around, in a parish in rural Ireland, where there is a church, a hall and a school, where many of the youth have left, where there is no bus service, no main road, no shops, a strong community togetherness still exists, where there is friendship, happiness, nature and freedom. Today we run the roads freely, safely and enjoy the simplicity of rural life.

The kids take off like bullets and we trek in behind. I am not sure where the legs are at but I use the arms to get a rhythm and face into the first big hill. I’m getting a sense from the landscape ahead that we have a lot of climbing to do today so I tiptoe into the climb. I begin to pass the children, some already out of breath; I tell them to slow down and they will get stronger, to work together not apart. Then a lovely steep downhill so I take off, that wonderful feeling of running fast downwards through a boreen, with no cars, just open road. The need for speed is being met and I want more. Passing some participants up ahead, I get into my stride and at every house there is a spectator, on every bend there is a steward and at halfway there is water. It’s November, we are dressed for summer, no breeze, no rain, a bright sky over the mountains.

The fast-running today is pumping the endorphins, improving the mood and alleviating any unconscious stress. I can hear someone behind, this pushes me on. I catch up to a local guy, we work together. The surrounding culture gets noticed. I thought I had travelled through most villages in Mayo and Galway but this today is new. Another hill, the man pushes on, I take it handy, I reach the top, another burst of speed, I work with the body to just run, fast and down, the arms moving like wings, the legs striding out, to feel alive, to laugh, to wave, to smile, to pass people. I encourage the man to come along.

We pass St Peter’s holy well after which the village is named. My new running friend explains that many believe the well has healing powers and is a source of wisdom and prophecy. People would come to the well to seek cures for various ailments, to pray for their intentions, to make offerings and vows. I wish for us all to be healthy and happy and to make the right choices. but right now, I’m not even sure where the next road goes.

I move on into the last half a mile and see the church, I hear the music, and there’s a serious downhill. I am in heaven, running fast, pushing on, hearing people panting behind. I leave my company and head for home. The line’s up ahead, a great sight. I’m second lady home to a youth, but that's okay.

The Community Centre is awash with homemade food, treats, local produce and local people. You can sense the fun, laughter, chats, sense of achievement and pride throughout the clusters of smaller groups gathering, discussing how it all went. Then the prizegiving, the pictures, the celebrating, inclusivity and togetherness, in a small hidden place.

As I bid farewell and drive out through the meandering roads of Co Galway, I smile. Today I made the right choice; the need this morning was for a burst of speed and those downhills me that need while the uphills pumped the adrenaline, all while contributing to a charity, community event.

When taking part in sport, you often must navigate through personal challenges, home demands, work commitments, family needs and many other obstacles to get to train or compete and be able to do what the body loves and needs. Choices are made every day that can enhance or inhibit performances.

Sport teaches me coping mechanises, makes me stronger as a person and most of all, clears my head to enable me to focus clearly on all the decisions I must make in a day. The lessons learned from decision-making in sport serve as a microcosm of the challenges and triumphs faced in everyday life.

I think my road ahead will flow and meander, will have many twists and turns, and hopefully will be long, happy and healthy and present many choices – just like I whispered for, passing the Holy Well today.