Seaford Half Marathon - 5th June 2005

[Sweder]

Following my FLM exertions I had booked in with my Mayfield Golfing Society pals for a trip to Southern Ireland. This was by way of self-congratulation, R&R (rest & recuperation, or rack n ruin as it’s known in the forces) and a general letting down of the little hair I have left after a pretty hectic Spring schedule.

I packed my running shoes in the expectation of finding green fields and rolling hills through which I could plod should the mood take me. I did so in the knowledge that this would be a serious Guinness drinking expedition tinged with occasional golf, but still looked to the old Baden Powell maxim: Be Prepared.

Arriving via the Red Eye from Gatwick to Cork we had taken on a full Irish breakfast followed by 18 holes of leisurely golf at the Water Rock Golf Club. Avoiding what appeared to be certain precipitation we sank a few local brews and moved on to our digs in Macroom. Macroom, I must tell you, is a gem of a town; wedged firmly in the 1950’s, adorned with any number of peculiar shops and hostelries, the latter cunningly disguised as curio shops, general stores, or, more frequently, someone’'s living room. Our hotel, The Castle, proved well appointed, blessed with a decent bar/ restaurant, of which we took full advantage.

The evening slipped surreptitiously into night and a few brave souls ventured into the town, concerned that the quality of the Guinness might be variable. Testing proved inconclusive, though it is fair to say a great deal of effort was put in by certain parties to complete a thorough examination.

continued . . .