Pic: Ray pictured at the finish with the Physio Team "The Body Rehab". 
 
Everyone at Athenry AC who has been following Ray O'Connor's exploits in the UK over the last week or so can't fail but to have been impressed, not to say amazed, by his achievements. It's one of those occasions where saying 'well done' doen't seem to get accross what you intend to convey.
 
 
True, there have been longer single ultra-runs, there have been harder courses over which races have been run (although not that many !) and there have been faster marathons (Ray has run some of them). All of this however missed the point. The challenge set last week was to run ten consecutive standard road marathons under normal conditions. The toll taken on the normal runner in completing a single marathon race is significant but to complete ten consecutive races of this distance is an enormous personal accomplishment.
 
Ray - Well Done. We're impressed. Seriously, we're impressed.
 
 
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At long long last the final 26.2 miles.

 
Day 10 is often considered the 'easy' day. Apparently we're to be in celebratory mood, elated with our achievement as our tired bodies are carried over the finish line by a gentle herd of pixies and our feet won't touch...

 
Brimming with additional confidence instilled by the every present Maria the final day was looking good. I had new strapping to my tired left quad and lots of work done to relieve some tensing muscles. The main work was done to my head though, sending me off with a hug and the words 'you know you can do it'.

 
Big crowds gathered to see us off one hour before the main Windermere Marathon field of 1,200. My targets were 
1. Sub 4
2. Sub 3:53 to duck under 38 hours
3. Fastest marathon of the 10 - not likely
4. To beat the first of the main field home - not likely

 
When the gun went off, so did I, like a dog out of the traps. I wanted a strong start as I felt that my aerobic fitness was able for it and the legs seemed to be able to handle it, but a 6:59 mile after 4 was a sign that I might be going just a tad fast :-)

 
Steve Edwards was behind and I was third on the road. While I knew he'd catch me, my only chance of pushing hard was to try to keep him behind for as long as possible. Cruising through the miles it was a great relief to be looking at 8.0somethings this time. And the support was brilliant. Pockets of people all over the route, and some following in close convoy stopping ever few miles to bring us home one last time.

 
It got emotional at times, but I stuck to it and kept Steve behind until mile 19 when he slowly overtook. 'I have to beat the lead marathoner' - All I could reply was I was going for sub 3:36... as if!

 
My maths brain was all over the shop so I just concentrated on each mile individually, keeping a steady sub 8:30 pace going as long as my little legs could. And before I knew it I  reached the dreaded driveway. I could hear the announcer telling the crowd that the lead marathoner was on the drive, so without looking round I legged it as quickly as ever I could and sprinted down the finish. I couldn't believe I was going to make it and held him off. 

 
I had no idea what time I had done but the 10 was done and that was all that mattered. The rest of the team found their own way to the finish in some very good times and everyone was in big time celebration mood especially when Michelle and then Alyson conquered what I can only describe as an unbelievable battle through the pain barrier to finish their race.

 
I found out some time later that my finish time was 3:35:07 a PB for the 10 in 10 2010.
I had a Sub 4
I got under 38 hours
I ran the fastest marathon of the 10
and I beat the first marathoner home.

 
Looks likely that my average marathon time for the 10 will be 3:44

 
Some result!