Racing the waves - Ocean to City 2010

"Damhanfhalla", Rocket Media's company currach was in flying form last week, in the Ocean to City 15 mile rowing race from Crosshaven to Roches point and back in to Cork City. The conditions were perfect for rowing, a beautiful calm day with a small bit of breeze to keep us cool.
There were over 74 boats taking part this year, from kayaks to coastal rowing boats and the 10 seater Bantry bay Longboats.

Competition was fierce amoung the currach's - our club Naomhóga Chorcaí has 7 currachs in the race and the friendly rivalry ensured a blistering pace was set. Rocket Media's boat tucked in behind the lead boat and we followed them out to Roches point. There was a nice bit of swell which Damhanfhalla handled admirably. We then headed straight back to Cobh harbour where the first of the crowds were gathered. Cheered on we rowed past the the old dockyards and Passage. By the time Blackrock Castle was sighted, we were three hours into the race and the team were getting tired. We had opened up a 2 minute lead from our closest currach. The heads were dipping so the captain roared and the last mile was torturous but the city was in sight and so too the finish-line. We crossed it after 3hours ans 15 minutes to claim the prize of fastest currach in our class. There was a fair few celebratory pints downed in the sextant and the cup was filled up a few times. Team Rocket  - uber alles!

A Marathon session!

Team Rocket Media competed again in the 2010 Cork City Marathon, Ian, Martin & Edu joined an estimated 10,000 other runners on the June bank holiday Monday. Preparations for this years race included a complete abstinence from alcohol consumption, at least 6 hours before the race. Edu gave up smoking the day before and Ian had last put on a pair of runners 6 in early April.

At a hasty conference convened 10 minutes before the start, we decided our strategy. Due to the heavy rain, cold wind and general air of misery we adopted a lets keep going until the legs give out policy. Martin set a blistering pace, carving a swath through the field of runners. Ian meanwhile found inspiration from a particularly attractive female athlete, managed to match her momentum (not to be confused with stalking) and pass out Martin.

The weather then took a turn for the worse as the course followed the exposed shoreline of lough Mahon. The vertical rain was very refreshing, by this stage Ian inspiration had disappeared and Martin had caught up with him again. Together they battled the conditions until the 16 mile mark, at which point Martin baled out. Ian bravely ran on to the 20 mile mark where Edu picked up the pace and being on his homeground sprinted off into the distance thereby allowing team Rocket to well up the field in the relay placements. Ian continued to finish the entire marathon coming in at a respectable 4hrs 23 minutes.

Four days on he is still walking like John Wayne and the share of sudo cream have shot through the roof! The rest of the Monday was spent re-hydrating sensibly with burgers and beer. That's company policy - work hard, play harder!!!