Silver sweetness for Paula and Ireland

It’s 6am on Sunday, June 28; the temperatures did not drop below 20 degrees all night - but I slept. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture, and I don’t need anything else against me today. It’s hard to do anything in this heat, even eat.

First up a cold shower, it cools everything down even the mind. A bowl of cornflakes, electrolytes, and the gear goes on. A friend pops in to help put on the race numbers. During race morning time quickly passes by; a mix of emotions; nervous, anxious, excitement, but there is something calming when it comes to putting the gear on; the process, the vest, the race numbers, the running belt, that moment where everything you need is on you, where everything you needed to do its done and now it’s just about getting on with it.

The race starts at 8.30am, I slowly leave at 7.30am; a short walk to the action, talking to myself about what needs to be done. Promised to reach 39 degrees, the temperatures have already shot up. Racing and winning team silver on Friday under baking sunshine, has given me a confidence about today’s event. The first part includes running two miles of the toughest part of our uphill race from Friday. Having already ran this and knowing I’ve two miles of fast downhill running after, maintaining and controlling pace in extreme heat will be the biggest factor today.

On reaching the square, my body is sound and my head is sounder. It’s about staying in the shade, a half hour of staying sane, staying cool and taking it all in. Music blaring, water spraying, a rainbow of colour, what a beautiful day, what a beautiful place and what a beautiful occasion. We chat, support and build ourselves up together as one. Checked in ok, I’m at the front, packed in like sardines, no shade, no air, sprays of cold water, feeling like raindrops on a hot day back home.

The cameras are everywhere, the photos keep clicking, the countdown seems forever, finally we’re off. A gradual climb out of the village, the heat beaming up from the road. I have a good place, a little room to step it up, I see two up ahead- I’ll be keeping an eye!

The climbing continues off road, onto an off beaten track of clay and grass. I keep running at a fast but controllable pace as I know what’s coming soon. A mile done- happy days- water and fuel before the real challenge begins.

Passing a farmhouse, crossing a bridge, boom- out into the beaming heat, a wide-open mountain of grass, the steepness begins, tip toeing up, pumping the arms, passing a few while moving well, we are on the ski slopes; they go on and on, they get higher and higher.

The track narrows, the male athletes are flying down to the left, it’s hard to overtake. I get a space I’m gone, passing the first I had my eye on, then the second, when one gets a chance to go here, go for it. Next up, another competitor from my category, I run close behind her for shelter, today its from the sun, she is breathing heavily, but strong. I calmy hold, we’ve a mile of climbing yet.

Hearing a Czech supporter shout - in their language - she’s behind you. I think ‘not for long’. He’s given me the push, I gain a strength and hang to the left, pump the arms, overtake and push on. Head down, getting into my zone again, nearing the top of this beast, I see the water stop, I hear the Irish and I am in a feel-good place. Waving so passionately for the crew, they are screaming back, I love it. My hands wide out for water, I have no intention of stopping, there’s a downhill ahead and I’m gunning for it.

Soaking the body from head to toe, firing the sweets in while I have a chance, the first descent begins. I take off, my legs and arms are moving so fast, we hit the ski slopes, my head is thinking I need to slow this down but I can’t; I control the arms, it balances me, I shout to indicate I’m passing, because anyone in the way would get sent into the middle of next week.

Gullies to jump over, levelling a bit for me to get into a controllable rhythm of downhill running that I can push so hard but safely run. Another uphill ahead, the legs are burning now, not alone from the sun but from the intensity of racing the ups and downs.

For every person I see, I smile. For every person I know, I cheer back. For the cameras, I give the thumbs up. I begin to start the next climb, in through the forest, the shade is bliss, jumping over trunks is an added obstacle, the sun hits again, hotter than before.

An Irish flag ahead, I focus on getting to the green, white and gold. I need this next push; an Irish legend, screaming for the Mayo woman, and Mayo for Sam! I smile back, thumbs up, I’ve got this. In many a race, in many a location, people have shouted Mayo for Sam. Sometimes I give a smart one back, but today I smile, because I know it’s genuine, it’s from the heart, and this time Mayo will smile back!

Running fast down the next hill, passing the next lady I’ve battled with, a shout of one mile to go. It’s hurting now, a gulp of flat coke, its rotten but at this stage its like rocket fuel. Another dirty hill, short but leg busting, keep pumping, I know what’s coming: a steep, sharp descent on concrete.

I zig zag down it- fast but safe, crowds of support, the bottom a tight corner, I don’t want to mess up now, screams of 500m, 300m, keep going. I catch a glimpse from behind, the girl I passed earlier, pumping hard, that’s it I’m gone, head down, and just go for it.

The crowd is alive, the heat is pipping, I’m to the max, the line is passed, I’m in ahead, people everywhere, water everywhere, heat everywhere. Leaning on the fence, my hands protecting my roasted head, sprays of cold water calming the body down.

I am completely overjoyed, taking a moment to see where I am at; I tell myself I’m finished, I know we’ve done well and now its time to celebrate. I begin to slowly walk back to the line. Another green vest comes in, my teammate. The cameras are over, the Irish gather, we begin to sing – Ole, Ole, Ole. Arm in arm with teammates, we’ve won a world team silver for Ireland again, I’m roaring out the green and red of Mayo, the gang join in. I’m interviewed, the good times keep flowing, the laughter, craic and happiness continue. I stand on the steps that I stood on this morning; race completed, medals won, the anthems of home, the crowd of Irish; runners, supporters, families, managers, the passion, the pride, the happiness.

Nothing will replace this moment, the memories will last a lifetime, the achievements will last forever, the friendships will be everlasting. The Irish have done amazing, and Mayo are on their way. I’ll be home for Croker and the All-Ireland semi. It’s all happy days.