Former Rás winner David McCann explains what the race will feel like for many of the riders, especially those riding for the first time. Above, winning the final stage of the 2011 Rás into Skerries (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan - Inpho)
By Brian Canty
David McCann has offered two very useful pieces of advice for those riders doing the An Post Rás for the first time; embrace the pain and know that everyone is having a hard time.
The seven-time stage winner will manage the Irish national team and having fulfilled many roles in teams over his career, he knows exactly what goes through riders’ minds – of all abilities and experience.
“If it’s your first time doing it, the biggest thing to keep in mind is to be perfectly happy and accepting that you’ll feel absolutely awful for most of the week. It’s totally normal to feel that way.
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“You see some guys complaining of bad legs but everyone feels like that, even when you’re up there contending for the race.
“After day four, everyone is tired and has heavy legs and staying happy through that is key; that’s what you signed up for, that’s what you’re after.
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“In general, you need to separate your physical tiredness from any sort of mental fatigue.
"You’ll find the guys who have done it 20 times; they just enjoy it and if you can enjoy the challenge of getting through it while tired.
"You’ll get a lot more out of it than if you’re rejecting that tiredness. That fatigue is what you’re after, that’s why you’re doing it.
“Not only does it help you enjoy the week it helps you challenge yourself further, getting a kick out of how far you can push yourself when you’re tired.
“The other simple thing is reminding yourself you’re surrounded by people who are in the same boat.
“A lot of people fall into the trap of saying ‘everyone else is so much better’ but they never are. Everyone is hurting. Everyone is doing the same thing.
“If it’s your first time, it’ll be the first time you’ll experience that level of fatigue. You’ll be suffering and still be 100 miles from home.
“It’s hard to believe people sign up to do this but that’s what it is and once you accept that, things go a lot better.”
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