King of the Mountain

This morning I was up before the birds and stepped out into the cool morning air.  I knew it was before the birds as I couldn't hear any of them chirping away in their morning chorus.  Anne and I were doing the YMCA King of the Mountain race.  It is a yearly race from the YMCA to the radio towers on top of Mt Gillen.

Anne and I set off from Sadadeen YMCA at 6:30 on the dot and walked along the footpaths towards Heavitree Gap.  The roads were closed by the Police and Firies.  It's a nice feeling having a policeman close off the road so you can cross.

We walked through the gap and then made our way round to the base of the climb.  By this time we were both making pretty good time it was when we hit the bottom of the climb and started to head up, up and further up.  After a few minutes I could see that Anne was struggling.  It seemed that her asthma was playing up and that plus the lack of training made it even more difficult.  At the half was mark, about 100 metres up, was the ambulance station.  Anne had to stop there and have a bit of super ventolin.  I don't know what it was but it came in liquid form with a canister.

After about 5 minutes she was feeling better and ready to climb again, however, after about 20 metres she had to turn around and head back to the ambulance as she was suffering from some of the side effects of the gas.

As I neared the top of the hill (without Anne) this was the view.

I kept going.  I went all the way up to the top and made pretty good time.  I made it to the top and after a quick drink of water I turned around and headed back down to Anne at the Ambulance.  After a climb of 217 metres it was a great accomplishment for me.  I'd said it for a while that I'd have to do it before leaving.  That's another thing off the list.

After meeting up with Anne at the Ambulance again I gave her her medal and we had to have a photo.

On the way back down I almost forgot to have a photo.  This is me, tired but happy that I did it.