Irish Champs, Classic and Relay
Early drive to Sheeps Head
Brenda arrived at our house pre 7:00 am and then we headed to pick up Martin. Stopped at PRALINE coffee shop in Mitchelstown for a break, had my second ever lemon croissant, funny that my first was the day before, on both occasions due to almond croissants not being available!. We booked two houses, we stayed with the Long’s and a few kms away Aoife was with the others.
I didn’t run the relay which was on at 2:30, it was nice to relax at the event and keep my legs fresh for the long distance the following day.
The relay venue.
Aoife helped GEN retain the women’s trophy for another year with two youngsters; looks like GEN will be holding on to this for a few more years yet.
Aoife handing over to Niamh. 
Dinner that night was a variant of the Ottolenghi veggie lasagne with salad and garlic bread. I had made this at home and brought it down, so delighted to see every plate emptied.
The Long Distance
With the potential of thunder storms it was with trepidation that I pulled back the window. Only to be meet with blue skies trying to break through bright clouds.
The nice morning continued up to 11:30, when the rain in the distance I could see, came rolling in. After 20 minutes this stopped and happily never returned, while the rest of the country was under a yellow weather warning.
The actual terrain for the course was terrible for the first number of controls, but later improved allowing me to run the majority of it. The slow traverse initially was due to long tufty grass mix with gorse. I had a few headless run abouts to get controls but also hit a few bang on. I knew I wasn’t going to win, but still surprised to find I ended up 3rd. With the same heart shaped ceramic dish going to the first three, I was more than happy.
Me coming in. 
My course and route.
Dinner that night was a leek, sweet potato and baked butter bean coconut curry with harissa baked cabbage and rice. It was a bit makey uppy, but another hit.
Steve and Nora were staying in Aoife’s house and brought out bottles of Somerset cider. Thankfully Jackie drove back to ours later.