“Inspiring stuff: an awe-inspiring tale of guts, passion and pig-headed refusal to surrender.” Richard Askwith, Author of Feet in the Clouds.
In July 2008, Moire O’Sullivan made a solo attempt on the Wicklow Round, a gruelling endurance run spanning a hundred kilometres over twenty six of Ireland’s remotest mountain peaks. After twenty one and a half hours she collapsed, two summits from the end. Battered and bruised, yet undeterred, she returned a year later to become the first person ever to complete the Round in less than twenty four hours.
“Mud, Sweat, and Tears” is the first book to tell one woman’s story about her passion for mountain running, a passion that has brought her to the heights of some of Ireland’s most impressive mountains and to the depths of her own human limitations.
Read the Reviews here from: Walking and Hiking in Ireland, Trail Running Nepal, and Inspiring Sports Women. Or find out how to pick up a copy from here.
Moire O’Sullivan is a well-known figure on the Irish Mountain Running Circuit. Twice winner of Ireland’s Mountain Running Championship, she has also won the Irish 24 hour Rogaine Championships with Andrew McCarthy. In 2008, she won the IMRA fifty kilometre Irish Mountain Navigational Challenge Series, the first female to win the event outright.
When not running, Moire works for an international aid organisation. As part of her work, she has travelled to some of the world’s poorest areas and worst conflict zones. Moire lived in Kenya for seven years, working with mentally handicapped children in Nairobi’s slums. She currently lives in Cambodia.
Interview with the Author
What was your first experience of Mountain running?
The mountain running habit all began in Dublin. My first ever mountain race was up Corrig Mountain, near Dublin with the Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA). All I remember was trying to run uphill and nearly dying. And then, just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, we tried to run up to the summit in the worst of Irish weather. The wind blew me off my feet. The mist nearly made me get lost on top. The bog and heather tripped me up again and again. I hated it and vowed never to return. Less than 24 hours later, I thought it was best thing I’d ever done, so went back the next week for more.
Very happy to be finished the Wicklow Round. Lara even gave me a bouquet of Bluebells to celebrate!
What advice would you give to anyone starting into Mountain Running?
To get into mountain running, it’s best to just turn up to one of the IMRA races. There is nothing like getting thrown into the deep end. Yes, you’ll hate it and probably won’t understand why anyone would do such a horrible sport. But once you do your 2nd or 3rd race, believe me, you’ll get addicted. Make sure you head to the pub after the race as there is nothing like talking to a few mountain runners to get properly inspired. For more details, visit the IMRA website.
What races would you recommend to someone looking to get a feel for the sport?
The Leinster League summer races are what most people start off with. The League starts in April with races of around 6 kilometres. Races are held every Wednesday until July, with distances peaking at around 12 kilometres. If you can’t wait until the summer, rock up to the Winter League that starts in January… just be prepared for a bit of mountain running in the sleet and snow. All of the Leinster League and Winter League races are marked trails. Where it’s really at is when the races are across open mountain and require navigation, and that’s something I’d really recommend people to eventually get into.
Having done the Wicklow Round, is it something you would every consider doing again, perhaps as part of a team?
I loved doing the Wicklow Round. The reason I actually wrote the book was because I wanted other people to realise what an incredible challenge it is, and to inspire others to give it a crack. So I think it’s now the turn of other people to go out and do it, rather than me try to go round all over again.
Just summiting Djouce Mountain after dawn during the 2009 Wicklow Round.
I understand that your work is taking you to many countries. Are you managing to keep up the running and have you any running challenges in mind for the future?
I always pack my running shoes when I go travelling. I was in New York at the end of September and had some great runs in Central Park. Recently I was in Seoul, South Korea and I got a quick river run in. In Cambodia, I still manage to run… though only if I manage to get up at 5.30am. After that, I find it far too hot to even jog. The only place I’ve not managed to run was Afghanistan in March 2011, and that’s because it would be practically impossible to run in a burkha. Such a shame, as its definitely got the best mountains in the world.
I’m hoping to run the Camino de Santiago de Compostela later this year, and I am hoping to travel around the Rocky Mountains the next time I’m free.
Taking the ferry back from Silk Island, Cambodia after a hard mountain bike spin.
Having raced in so many different countries, what are the strangest things you’ve seen?
Kathmandu marathon was definitely one of the strangest races. Despite the city’s crazy traffic and large race numbers, the organizers do not close the roads. This meant I ran into one of Kathmandu’s infamous stand-still traffic jams. I was slaloming around cars, motorbikes, and tractors, eventually ending up on the uneven pavement on the side. Even the pavement wasn’t easy running with pedestrians walking between shops, cyclists parking their bikes there, and cows and dogs lying sprawled across my path. And once I had passed the grid-lock traffic, I ran straight into a protest march of over a thousand people. Eventually I managed to pass them, but only to find that, in my efforts to circumnavigate the crowd, I was over a kilometre off the course and running in totally the wrong direction.
What Kathmandu lacked in organization, Hanoi made up for hundred fold. There I entered the 1 mile Hanoi Peace Run around the city’s Hoan Kiem lake. All the roads were blocked off in preparation for the race. There were boxy police cars from the days of Starsky and Hutch with flashing red lights and wailing sirens patrolling the block. The local ambassadors had turned up en masse, even the one from Ireland.
They were all kitted out in sporting uniform that they had all been given to wear on the day: baseball caps, 1970s polyester Adidas tracksuits and white gym plimsols. There were speeches, Olympic style marches, and children dancing salsa. We wanted to race with the Vietnamese, but we weren’t allowed. Instead we had to race in the ‘Alien’ category with all the other foreigners. I managed to cross the line first and got interviewed for Vietnamese TV. I even got 22 US dollars for the win.
Celebrating our win at the Annapurna 71km race in 2010, Nepal.
Running in developing countries is a different experience then, how does that fit with your career as a charity worker?
I think the most profound thing I’ve learnt from running in developing countries is how fortunate I am to be able to run. Most don’t have the strength because they don’t have enough food to eat. Most don’t have enough time or energy as they have to work all day in the fields, fetch water, look after numerous kids. Running is a luxury that so few of us can do. So when you’re complaining about going for your next run, remember those who don’t even have the choice.
Lastly, where can people get hold of the excellent ‘Mud, Sweat and Tears’?
Paperbacks can be bought from Basecamp, Great Outdoors, Amazon.co.uk, and from my blog directly. The book can also be bought for Kindles from Amazon.com and for other e-readers from Smashwords. All details can be found here.
Hi Moire,
I have just finished the book. Fantastic! I am not a runner- nor an athlete of any description really, just trying to stay fit by various means- but I identify with the struggle for achieving greatness in a particular field. In my case I am delivering health education in an effort to decrease maternal mortality in Malawi- and the sacrifice required in your personal life and the need for support from friends and family is so similar to what you have described brilliantly. Your book is an inspiration- even to a non-athlete. Your insight to your own feelings and the effect of your commitment on your nearest and dearest is eloquently articulated throughout. Even as a non-athlete I could identify with so much of what you write, your inner struggles etc. You are an inspiration to all – but particularly to women. Thank you for what you do and for writing the book. I have a 17 year-old daughter and I think your book should be on the reading list for our 16/17 year olds. Absolutely brilliant. Thanks very much. Best of luck in the rest of your endeavours.
Hello Moire.
I have just finished reading your book, ‘Mud Sweat and Tears’ and I have got to say I am very sad it’s ended!
I’m fairly new to fell running but coming from a mountain hiking/trail running back ground I have quickly fallen in love with the sport.
I found your book fun and inspiring and I really hope you write another book documenting your mountain adventures.
Best wishes in your pursuits
Naomi from England x
[…] About the book […]
[…] About the book […]
Moire,
Excellent book! I’ll recommend it to other who may be interested.
It brought back memories of my trip to Scotland and Ireland in ’08. I ran Isle of Jura and Carrauntoohil. Both epic events and great memories. The Wicklow Round sounds a lot like what we call “FKTs” (Fastest Known Times, see fastestknowntime.proboards.com ). A route is established and runners attempt to cover it at whatever speed they can. Many routes are in national parks or designated wilderness areas where pay-for-entry competitive events would not be allowed.
Anyway, I really enjoyed your book. I’ve run mountainous ultramarathons (Western States, Leadville, Wasatch, Hardrock…) for over 20 years, so it wasn’t too much of a stretch to identify with some of your experiences ‘out there’.
Best wishes,
Martin Miller
Helena, Montana, USA
[…] About the book […]
Massively inspiring read Moire – thanks. Finished the book then immediately booked myself on a beginners fell running camp in Snowdonia! Can’t wait!! Thanks and well done. Chris Coleman
Glad you enjoyed the book Chris! Hope you enjoy getting addicted to fell running next🙂
[…] About the book […]
[…] About the book […]
[…] About the book […]
[…] About the book […]
[…] About the book […]
WOW!! What an awesome story!! I couldn’t have read this at a better time, over the past 2 years I have made 2 attempts to complete a 100 mile ultra marathon with no success. The first attempt I gave into pain and negative thoughts and my second attempt was just a few weeks ago where I enocuntered horrible weather that slowed me down and eventually led to me missing a cut off at an aid station where race officials had no choice but to remove me from the race. I had made 60 miles and was heart broken when I realized that this years attempt at 100 miles was over. I got so much from your story of your own personal journey to succeed at something that is so very near and dear to your heart, something that consumes so much of your time and takes so long to prepare for. Thank you for sharing this!!! My next attempt at 100 miles is March 2013 I will definitely be thinking of you and your journey to complete the Wicklow Round as inspiration to just keep moving forward towards my finish line!! Thank you again!!!!!
Oh dear Erica, you poor thing. Such bad luck on your 2nd attempt. But sure, don’t they say “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”… so you’ll be a strong woman for 2013! Best of luck, and do let us know how you get on.
[…] About the book […]
Hi, just finished reading mud sweat and tears whilst on holiday abroad . Well done you. It made the morning forest run super. I run road races , marathons etc. 3 wks ago i ran up seefin , Torc and strickeen, not all in 1 day I should add, so at a cross road do to speak ….wild west run this year gave me a taste of it… Hard to explain. John
Thanks for leaving your comment John. Glad you enjoyed the read! Best of luck in your running endeavours.
Just finished reading Mud, Sweat and Tears. It took me a little longer than 24hrs. Fantastic read. All the more happy to have discovered your inspirational Blog. Thanks Moire🙂
Glad you enjoyed the read David! Thanks for leaving the cool comment🙂
[…] About the book […]
[…] About the book […]