it was a great morning about the place.
Overcast. Not much wind, perhaps a degree or two warmer than ideal but I reckon every single runner today would have snapped your hand off if offered it.
I trotted out from home around 09:10 past hoards of people strolling in.
I was in good form. I had a bad run last sunday but a decent workout on wed, easy run Friday and the great experience of the Ellen Cassidy shake out on Saturday. BPT had thoughtfully given me the shout for and it was honestly a bit of an honour to be involved in even the smallest capacity. It was nice to meet a few of the lads who post on here too. basically another reminder that running is a communal activity and people who run are sound.
Loads of hand shaking and photo posing and alla that till we shuffled down to the start.
Ellen's mother addressed the crowd and spoke about the yellow theme. about it being the person in your life what makes you smile. Emotional stuff. I happened to be standing next to a clubmate who has had a serious health crisis in his family and hadn't been around much and listened while he basically said the news was exceptionally good which had me absolutely fucking buzzing. Today was going to be a good day.
The flunky from analog wished us well and reminded us that no Analog components no Garmins lads and not to fucking forget it.
They wheeled out a Jimi Hendrix sound alike to play a electric verson Amhran na bhfiann which would have had Pearse turning in his grave but I thought was class. I used the musical interlude to squeeze up 30 or 40m to be up by the 90min pacers.
When I entered back in Jan or something 90 mins was the plan but recent results indicated I should be pushing the boat our a bit. Regardless time was up. Wacko Jacko's Beat it was pumping from the stereo and the race was on.
Nice and easy, down from Kennedy park to the Páirc looping around the astro, back up to the red yoke and loop around the other way first mile 6:23. kept trying to relax it. Buddy trotted past and I told him.6:40s was the plan, he was on a 6:18 schedule so I wished him well .
We merged into the marathon field as we came up the hill by Lee rowing club which was grand except you'd need your wits about you. Some of those fellas were beginning to start walking if they over cooked their first 15 so you'd need your wits about you as you'd come up on them fast. Mile 2: 6:34
The roundabout by circle k down to the idle hour and back to shalom park was the first taste of atmosphere with crowds roaring on the runners. Water station at modern tyres was busy, I passed my bottle to a fella outside who was stuck, I reckon this was the only "one side" spot for water. Mile 3 6:31
Out the link and up to turner's cross. Grand little gang of us getting a bit warmer now but relax and enjoy the ride. Mile 4 6:37, Mile 5 6:32
Getting into the heartlands now togher and Ballyphehane. A few of the kids from my group handing out bottles and high fives. Tonic for the soul..My 6:18 buddy carrying on all fours stretching his calf. Give him a proverbial kick in the hole and got him moving. Shame Is a powerful motivator. Plenty of Hills up by the park and the library mile 6. 6:40.
Down to the lough and around by Orchard Rd. We are fuckin motoring. Loads of support. The club vest pays off here. Mile 7 6:30, Mile 8 6:30.
Up the hill by leevale and the Randez vous. Another shot in the arm of support. real party atmosphere. Wait a fuckin minute 150m up the road one of my best friends.. I'd know the gatch anywhere. Slow mile with the hills. Mile 9: 6:40..HR getting a bit high and mighty but only 4 miles left..
Around now I should have taken a gel but I didn't trust my guts. forgive the image buy had had a soupy dump in a portacabin at the start and decided it'd be Pan y Agua. Couple of gulps on inchigaggin lane and a dousing on the neck. Mile 9 6:39 Distence to Buddy 100m
Now we're on the treadmill that is the straight road. You can check out any time you like but you can never leave. HR still ramping. Mile 10 6:31 and Mile 11, 6:32.
Up at the Kingsley now Buddy at 25m. Catch him at the 12 mile mark..Howya boy. I had burned a few matches catching him. Starting to feel it now. "Howya boy?" "Howya" and off he went. Balls. Mile 12. 6:39.
Existential crisis has landed..To the arms and fucking concentrate Mile 13 6:49 Booooooo
Now I'm at then courthouse, and the crowds are like a the alpe d'huez. A veritable wall of noise..Parting Like the red sea. Class. There are my kids and wife..Some boost. High five and go. 0.28 miles 1 min of running (by the watch) in 6:00 min pace. HR capped at 194. Haven't seen a number >191 in 15 years I'd say.
Fly to the finish in 86:44. Buddy put 20 seconds on me in mile 12.5 to the finish. That's okay couldn't have gone much better. Delighted. yeah mile 13 was ropey but that'll come on 4th June 2025 I had my first run in 12 months it was 2 mins on 1 min off x10
The other buddy with the calf cramp held on for an 89 and change. Gutsy stuff
As the fella said I
running
