Marathon day for all usually begins the night before, number pinned, gear laid out, bottles mixed, last of the carbs eaten and roll into bed by 10. I’m afraid I’d a date with Nidge before turning out the lights. Then God bless the mother-in-law, a double bed all to myself. Out of the bed for 6am, shower, breakfast and on the road to Dublin @ 6.30. We’d a Nidge moment on the way into the city. Down toward the 5 lanterns, the road was closed off, garda vans and specials branch everywhere and it was only 7am. I said to Ricky “is this for the marathon or is it a murder”? “A murder” she said and sure enough today’s paper carries the story. Met me wing men @ 7.30 to drop drinks and gels. Before I knew, it’s 8.30, loo stop, warm up, claim position, locate GPS, loose GPS, spend the next 10mins waving me arm in the air trying to locate it again, then a quick prayer to the man above and all of a sudden you’re off over that staring mat and you’re in it, no turning back now. You’re trying to find space for the first mile or two, settle into position, settle into a pace that you’re comfortable with. Down the Quays and into Phoenix Park with a wind in our face. The battle had already begun. Mile 10, 1st wing man to the ready. To be fair, all they were short were the deck chairs. They’d been there from about 9am, settled on the side of the road, having a picnic, watching the elites in action. On to mi14, wing man landed as I was running by so he got a ‘will you c’mon’ and he’d to run up alongside me to hand over the goods. Just as well he’s no slow Joe. Hit mi18, still feeling good and saw wing man, but he didn’t get to me and I to him as they were deep in conversation with An Garda Siochana who were ready to arrest them if they didn’t get off the course which was fair enough. One of the lads was trying out his Cork diplomacy with the Guard, ‘no bother bud, no bother’. Mi21, all good, then crack. ‘What was that’? asked the fella next to me. “My toe” said I and sure enough 2nd toe broken. No time for medics, on through heartbreak hill and mi22. One of our lads was on it later and asked a woman, ‘where’s the hill they all talk about?’ Shocked, she turned to him, ‘you’re on it’, ‘oh, he said, I thought it was bigger’, ‘typical man she said and huffed off’. At this stage, 4mi to go, head down, ass up, no distractions, just concentrated on the task in hand. Rounded the corner to the finish, saw the clock on the car and took off for a strong finish only to find out when I reached the car that the finish was another 200m further on. I can tell you, if I’d have found the **uc*er who put it there – they’d be a dead man. Fell over the finish on 3:02. Delighted but wrecked, I had no more to give. They all started trickling in and then herself. As she said, it just wasn’t her day – and that’s just it, it either is or it isn’t and she just didn’t feel it yesterday. Positive as she is, she parked it, got herself a large Americano and enjoyed the rest of the day. Met the gang last night for a lovely dinner and few well earned drinks. Post marathon post mortom, then the crack began. I even committed to a waxing of the chest to raise money for a Burka Boiler for xCountry. The Youghal Ladies wouldn’t believe I’d hair on my chest, considering the state of me head. We might roll with this one at a later date, courtesy of Norma Stone. Finally said no to Coppers and was glad to be in my bed for 12. Of course the following day beings with sore quads and the what if’s? Post marathon, regardless if you think you’ll never do one again, I believe you should do a quick analysis of your run, download your garmin, see what you did, where it went well, where you gained and lost and see if you know the reasons why. Record everything, nutrition on route, weather conditions on the day, how you were feeling – everything. Write it all down when it’s fresh in the head. Move on 8months when you take another mad notion to repeat Dublin and it’s all there along with details of your training plan for you in black and white – a very good base to build on. The training is only one part of the day, the conditions and nutrition plan play an integral part of the day as do the crowd. I have to say in the 4 years I’ve done Dublin, yesterday was by far the best crew of supporters I’ve ever encountered. I’ve never seen so many green hoodies in one city on one day. If the Youghal Crew were to be billed by mileage on those bikes, they’d have had a hefty bill. It’s a pity there’s no medal for the supporters as it would be well deserved. So to the Youghal Gang and Midleton crew - thanks for the shouts and getting us through to the end! A job well done. We’d emerged alive, to fight and run another day. THIS IS THE LAST POST OF THE NIGHT SO WHEN YOU RUN, RUN FOR FUN (enjoy the rest)
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 20:29:33 +0000
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