Brno Revisited! The Scene of my World 48 Hour Indoor Track Record
I could have shaved off 15km by running from there towards Germany and bypassing the city. But why would I have done that! Brno has always been a special place for me since I broke the world 48hour record in 2007. A message from my former Irish team mate Eddie Gallen told me it was still listed on the IAU current world records list last January. Please read next blog posting below for that race report.
Tomas had his bicycle attached to his car so as he could cycle crew me to the Brno Trade Fair Pavilion Z. Vasek, his friend drove his car and helped me enormously too, Thanks to everyone concerned. So on I ran, it was a very nice day, a bit overcast, but that’s ok by me. We even stopped for a non- alcohol beer near a park picnic area.
Svata, a local runner joined me for about 6km. For some reason I was hurting badly, very tired.
I have been focused on Brno these last six or seven weeks now since leaving Istanbul and have noticed in the past when I reach a much focused destination which has required a big effort, that the tiredness often hits me like a bolt of lightening.
Svata was a great help here but I refused ‘ the tour ‘ Often people point out universities, libraries, the vet they bring their dog to and for some strange reason usually the courthouse. Why do they always tell me that! In the grounds of the pavilion we meet David who works for the company. I was told last week it was locked up in between trade shows but pleaded with Daniel Oralek, my friend from my competitive days to beg a few laps for me and other runners to run.
Daniel thankfully managed this, he was to join us in the afternoon. The deal was sound, the Pavilion wanted David to take some photos for their Facebook page, so everyone was happy
With Tomas and Svata we ran some laps. I could almost hear the noise from my fellow runners seven years ago , the spectators, the chanting for they knew something I didn’t. The last time Tomas ran a lap with me was to mark the final spot where my foot landed right on the 48 hour hooter for a world record I was oblivious to! It was with a tear in my eye I left the arena. We met Daniel and then ran towards Tomas and Vera’s house about 20 kilometres away. Yes Daniel is a genuine ultra running man. He told me he gets a four hour lunch, for many business do a four hour siesta here. No Daniel doesn’t sleep. Jokingly I asked him if he ran for the four hours every day.
” No ONLY for two or three hours a day! ” Daniel runs 60 races a year but ONLY 20 ultra marathons, easing down only one day before and is back running the next day! 8,000km a year he runs, enough to run around the world. So we ran for about 12km through some nice parks and cycle ways, he has to go back to work running back to his office on the other side of Brno. He is an IT specialist. I had brought my computer over to him to see if he could sort out the problem I was having as mentioned in my last blog posting.
Then realized we had no internet. So I explained the problem to him, he suggested I change browser, and hey presto when we got home it worked! Thanks Daniel. Briefly another friend of Tomas a cyclist called Pavel joined us.
Then it was just down to Tomas and this slugger hacking my way through another of Brno’s wonderful trail parks. Half an hour later we got to the house. The toughest and happiest 35 kilometre days in many a long year. Ah Yes, I remember when it all seemed so easy! Tomorrow Friday, a rest day Please read my ” Uno in Brno ” race report in blog post below. . .
July 24th, 2014 at 11:02 pm
tony this is one of the best blogs and set of photos you have given us to enjoy. the excitement is palpable. the photos are brilliant. well done then and well done now!!!! keep it going. kevin
July 24th, 2014 at 11:27 pm
Good Man Tony, You look great in those photos. It is wonderful that you could take in Brno on way back and get such a warm reception from all your old friends. As Kevin says “Well done then and well done now”. Congrats and keep it going.
July 25th, 2014 at 12:18 am
Great photos Tony and a wonderful experience returning to Brno. So glad the cert finally downloaded with Daniels help, had my heart broken trying to sort, take care Ann -:)
July 25th, 2014 at 9:41 am
Wah,look u r more energy now and enjoy u europe route…keep it up !!!