Running Into The Atlantic Ocean

Just like to remind those still ringing my old number that this got damp along with my camera, and ipod last week.

Please phone me (for world jog related logistics only)  on this number 086 2033672

I also see the Spot tracker is still not updating properly.

Still raining hard, been the same for over a week now. Am getting a headwind now as I get closer to the coast.

 Outside of Abbeyfeale there was another long drag of a hill, ran on soaked to the skin again. Through Tralee and on and on through breathtaking luscious scenery. The roads are getting narrower now, sometimes I am holding up the traffic. I have to switch sides of the road to run on.

I am really enjoying the run, the World Jog goes on and on.. My spirits are high, the rain will never dampen them. The body has adapted well.

I’m wet and cold and stuck between the two main towns on this part of my route, Tralee and Dingle.

Colm phones again and says, ” I got a place for you tonight, when you get to the Inch crossroads John Foley will be waiting for you, you are staying in his bar tonight. ”

Before I left I had considered not taking a mobile with me as I thought a ringing phone at an inopportune moment could ruin a beautiful peaceful moment when I am at one with myself and nature.

I now know the answer to that one….  turn off the phone! 

” That’s great, Colm, tell him I will be there in an hour ”

Right enough John was there and the World Jog was commuted the 3km to and from Inch for the night.

Next to Foley’s bar were cottages rented out to tourists in the summer. In the winter they are vacant.  John’s wife, sorry I can’t remember her name, got problems in the name department before I even leave Ireland!

Says its nice to give something back to the community and is delighted at the opportunity to put me up.

I light a log fire in the cottage fireplace making an attempt at drying out my clothes, shower and eat the plate of rice and stirfry veg John gave me before rushing off to Indoor football training.

The next day, Wednesday, my last day on the road in Ireland, rain again, what else down towards the Dingle peninsula. I ran by The South Pole Inn in Annascaul, birthplace of legendary south pole explorer, Tom Cream DETAILS 

Got my first dog encounter outside Anthony Flattery’s pub, not much to talk about, the dog didn’t like wine gums and soon lost interest as the distance increased.

On into Dingle, more funny looks. Went into a clothing store for directions, ” Straight on, ye can’t miss it, next stop America ” That was north west on the R559 towards Ballyferriter, I getting excited I can smell the ocean now. Beautiful, glorious running up and down the hills, though it always seems more up than down. Feel I could run forever. It’s now my tenth straight day, will miss this during my forced rest transit period to Cape Spear.

I run into Ballyferriter, deep in the Irish speaking Gaeltacht area. Colm is an avid language speaker with a large network of local contacts. He is also the editor of Suil newspaper. He calls me around 2.30 tells me to run on to Louis Mulcahy’s Pottery shop. He tells me there is a photographer there. On I go thinking its in the town, turns out to be 3km the far side. I get there but the photographer has gone on to Krudgers bar in Dunquin. No worries as I am treated to a cup of coffee and cake.

Outside my pace quickens to around 11kph as I sense the end, have been running around 8 at what I call ‘ zero effort, ‘ or as it comes. I run into Dunquin, down towards Krudgers, a big yellow building. In this area much of Ryan’s Daughter was filmed. The photographer Daithe also Donal and Joe,my host for tonight are waiting with a couple of other locals. A big cheer as I run up to them. I ask where is the most western place. They point towards it. I fast foot it down a boreen for about 2km towards Dunquin Pier. I wonder is the photographer following me as Colm has commissioned him to photograph me running into the Atlantic. Then I wonder did he just think it was the photo in the car park. I stop and wait, then I backtrack, yes he is coming. Daithe drives on, I see there are many places to go down to the ocean, don’t really know where he is. Eventually I see his black car, it’s getting dark as I run down the twisting ramp towards my destination. Towards the bottom I see tourist coming back up, they wonder what is happening. I continue running down and down about eight ramps. Its slippery at the end. I see the water. I grab the rails and run into the freezing cold water as Daithe snaps about 10 photos, front, back, drinking out of water bottle, pressing stopwatch, arms aloft.

I am elated, have crossed my country running every almost step except for about 600 meters walk through Borris last week. I look out at the Atlantic Ocean. They say the next parish is America, North America, for me the nearest piece of land will be in Cape Spear, the most eastern part of that continent where I will place my next serious foot mark.

 You are next my friends.

Tonight I am staying with Joe and Aine from Clogher Head about 10 km from Dunquin. Joe and I went out for Dinner in John Murphy’s bar in Dingle. To celebrate I had one of my favourite meals, sheppard’s pie.

Aine can’t do enough for, mothering me, asking if I have eaten enough fruit.

We stopped at Moran’s service station on the way back. I went in for a copy of The Kerryman newspaper.

The assistant laughed and said, ” There must be something special happening when a Dub is buying The Kerryman! ”

” Yes, I said..

” Just checking out page 77,”

Right enough there was Mondays photo from Castleisland, this time the journalist did mention the website.

The remnants of the horse fair were evident with my left foot clearly placed in the horse shit.

One thing is for sure, the Irish people are a great people, they came out in force with huge hearts. Taking me into their homes with enthusiasm and great acts of kindness.

Nenagh Olympic,Limerick,West Limerick and Roicht Athletic clubs have done Irish athletics proud.

Thanks for being with me I will update on my return to Dublin before going onto North America Fri night/Sat morning.

My run into the Atlantic is dedicated to the good people of Ireland that made the Irish leg of the world run possible…But remember, Ireland is incomplete, I got a date to keep Rosslare Harbour to 7  Merrion Square North in just under 3 years time.

My run across Ireland is dedicated to the memory of my late, great step-father, John Foley, the kindest and most gentle person I have ever known. John would have been one of my greatest supporters.

Total for Ireland: 377.6km.

Go raibh maith agat, Tony

A Long Way From The Dublin Marathon Finish Line.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 at 11:08 pm and is filed under jogging. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.