Helping to get you over that finish line

Last year’s winner of the Achill Half Marathon Martin Lyons crosses the finish line. Organisers of the race will be doing
everything in their power to ensure all participants get to finish the race. Pic: Brian Farrell

Helping to get you over that finish line


Anton McNulty

IT is the phrase all long distance runners hate to hear, especially when it is about themselves; ‘he’s hit the wall’. With the body getting drained of its energy, you start getting doubts that you can finish and all of a sudden your brain tells you enough is enough and like the flick of a switch you stop in the middle of the race and say ‘to hell with this’.
‘Hitting the wall’ is caused by the depletion of glycogen stores in the muscles which manifests itself by sudden fatigue and loss of energy. The condition can be avoided by eating or drinking carbohydrate-rich substances but the decision to suddenly quit largely comes from the mind which can be harder to overcome.
To help runners overcome their challenges ahead of this year’s Achill Half-Marathon a workshop on improving your performances and removing your doubts will take place in Keel Community Hall on the eve of the race.
Health and Life Coach, Ute Klinger will be performing the workshop on Friday, July 1 from 7pm to 10pm and aims to show the runners how to maximise their performance.
“Real success comes from the awareness and the experience of capability, from letting go of your doubts and from orientating on the target. In any case, your mind is full of chatter and can hardly stop thinking.
“With EFT you can switch off your thoughts, your self doubts, your fear of failure, putting yourself under pressure and whatever emotionally stops you being successful,” the German born EFT Practitioner said.
The workshop on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) will be one of many events taking place over the Achill Half-Marathon weekend for both the runners and the general public to enjoy. A number of activities to enjoy in the tented village to interest runners, their families, guests and supporters.
The Road Safety Authority will demonstrate their roadshow shuttle on the day and invite the visitors to take part in their demonstrations which aims to highlight road safety. As well as the shuttle which will have interactive simulators to test your driving skills, there will also be an Audi A4 fitted to a hydraulic platform which can simulate a 90-degree and 180-degree roll-over.
Elvery Sports will also have a demo to help athletes and non-athletes ensure they are wearing the proper footwear to ensure they can perform to a high performance. Athletics Ireland and McDonalds will also have an agility tester for younger runners which is aimed at getting young people interested in running and sports in general.
The tented village will also be catering for people who are looking for some pampering and TLC with holistic therapy and reflexology available to help those get over any aches and pains. The unique double decker ‘bia bus’ will also be on site to ensure nobody goes hungry on the day.
Helen Applegarth, Race Director for the Achill Half-Marathon, said the organisers wanted to ensure the race day was a fun day not just for the runners but for all their supporters and people visiting the island.
“The runners always bring a number of family and friends with them to support them and we wanted to ensure that they are entertained and enjoy themselves as well. It is important that people on the day enjoy themselves and it is a great day out for everyone,” she said.

More information on the activities surrounding the Achill Half Marathon can be found on the website,
www.achillmarathon.com