Dublin (26.10.15)
Dublin was a fantastic race for me as I got round in 3.59; a new PB and a lifelong ambition to go inside 4 hours. The evening before the race I met up with Michael and Carmel O'Reilly (Irish ME Trust) who told us all about what it's like for people with ME in Ireland. The group organise regular support meetings, run a helpline and set-up trips for people suffering with the illness to meet others and do activities. They are pushing hard for a specialist clinic where people can be diagnosed and treated but the main problem is a lack of researchers/GP's coming forward with an interest in ME. I had a lovely message from them after the race and they were very supportive of the challenge.
Start
I'm in the final wave of runners (4.20 hrs+) which in hindsight wasn't a great idea as I have to weave and overtake a lot of people during the first half of the race. The atmosphere on the line is fantastic, lots of Mexican waves, cheering and excited, nervous anticipation. The weather is a little drizzly but not too cold and as the gun goes off, I run for 1.5 miles with my good mate Ben Scott (who was running for Cancer Research UK) before heading off on my own trying to run steady 8.50 min miles. The support across the first third of the race is so good that I decided not to use my ipod. Even when we turn up towards Phoenix Park at mile 5 there are people there shouting, clapping and holding signs; my favourite being 'You guys have real stamina, call me later'. The park is a steady uphill but comes with some fantastic views as the drizzle starts to get heavier but there's a nice camaraderie between the runners and I feel pretty strong.
Middle
Heading towards Dolphin's Barn Bridge at mile 12 I overtake a blind man running with a guide dog, he's going at a decent pace and gets backslaps from everyone around him. I also pass leprechauns, nuns and a surprising amount of old people jogging along as I get to half way at around 1.54 -a little slower than in training but I think that was down to having to overtake and weave through the crowds. The drinks supply is fantastic and well thought through, water bottles that are easy to hold and larger Lucozade Sport bottles seem well stocked too. I'm grabbing jelly babies from kids on the way round and I'm feeling in flow and still posting sub 9 min miles, hoping to have banked enough time for the inevitable struggle that's round the corner. As the 4 hour pacemaker started 15 mins before our wave, I know I'm a little reliant on luck and mental arithmetic to get that magic 3. something. I know it's going to be close.
End
Up to 22 miles and things are going well. I don't think I'm going to hit a wall this time and the hot weather training of the summer seems to be paying off. I'm tired but still have running form and some good tunes propelling me forward. When we get to the University at 23 I feel my legs getting heavy and my left calf starts to hurt a little more. The rain is getting thicker, I've popped another energy gel and I'm seeing my times slip with not much left in the tank. Miles 24 and 25 take an absolute age and I'm starting to wonder if I might just miss 4 hours by an agonising few seconds or so. Repeating 'this is my race' as I'm stumbling through the last mile I suddenly get a sharp hamstring pang and stop for 10 seconds to stretch.
Having a quick word with myself and realising I've only got 6 mins to get the last 0.5 miles to go (plus the usual extra 0.3 that you have to do from all the weaving), I'm speeding up as best I can towards the roar of the crowd. I'm seeing people bent double against trees, one man getting oxygen behind an ambulance and quite a few people walking/grimacing their way to the finish. I'm delighted to see the long green carpet leading up to the line and to my relief I have 45 seconds to get over the last 50 metres or so. I cross the line, too knackered to punch the air, I'm leaning on the barrier feeling dizzy and desperately stuffing my face with the flapjack in the goody bag. It's a dream come true and as I hobble away I can't wait to see how Ben is getting on and to get myself showered and into the pub for a Guinness and steak.
Pics & Video
Pics here, 18.99 Euros for one picture is a little steep!
Video here
Gallery pics here
Weather
14C, a little chilly, light drizzle which got heavier throughout the day, strong headwind at miles 6-9.
Start
I'm in the final wave of runners (4.20 hrs+) which in hindsight wasn't a great idea as I have to weave and overtake a lot of people during the first half of the race. The atmosphere on the line is fantastic, lots of Mexican waves, cheering and excited, nervous anticipation. The weather is a little drizzly but not too cold and as the gun goes off, I run for 1.5 miles with my good mate Ben Scott (who was running for Cancer Research UK) before heading off on my own trying to run steady 8.50 min miles. The support across the first third of the race is so good that I decided not to use my ipod. Even when we turn up towards Phoenix Park at mile 5 there are people there shouting, clapping and holding signs; my favourite being 'You guys have real stamina, call me later'. The park is a steady uphill but comes with some fantastic views as the drizzle starts to get heavier but there's a nice camaraderie between the runners and I feel pretty strong.
Middle
Heading towards Dolphin's Barn Bridge at mile 12 I overtake a blind man running with a guide dog, he's going at a decent pace and gets backslaps from everyone around him. I also pass leprechauns, nuns and a surprising amount of old people jogging along as I get to half way at around 1.54 -a little slower than in training but I think that was down to having to overtake and weave through the crowds. The drinks supply is fantastic and well thought through, water bottles that are easy to hold and larger Lucozade Sport bottles seem well stocked too. I'm grabbing jelly babies from kids on the way round and I'm feeling in flow and still posting sub 9 min miles, hoping to have banked enough time for the inevitable struggle that's round the corner. As the 4 hour pacemaker started 15 mins before our wave, I know I'm a little reliant on luck and mental arithmetic to get that magic 3. something. I know it's going to be close.
End
Up to 22 miles and things are going well. I don't think I'm going to hit a wall this time and the hot weather training of the summer seems to be paying off. I'm tired but still have running form and some good tunes propelling me forward. When we get to the University at 23 I feel my legs getting heavy and my left calf starts to hurt a little more. The rain is getting thicker, I've popped another energy gel and I'm seeing my times slip with not much left in the tank. Miles 24 and 25 take an absolute age and I'm starting to wonder if I might just miss 4 hours by an agonising few seconds or so. Repeating 'this is my race' as I'm stumbling through the last mile I suddenly get a sharp hamstring pang and stop for 10 seconds to stretch.
Having a quick word with myself and realising I've only got 6 mins to get the last 0.5 miles to go (plus the usual extra 0.3 that you have to do from all the weaving), I'm speeding up as best I can towards the roar of the crowd. I'm seeing people bent double against trees, one man getting oxygen behind an ambulance and quite a few people walking/grimacing their way to the finish. I'm delighted to see the long green carpet leading up to the line and to my relief I have 45 seconds to get over the last 50 metres or so. I cross the line, too knackered to punch the air, I'm leaning on the barrier feeling dizzy and desperately stuffing my face with the flapjack in the goody bag. It's a dream come true and as I hobble away I can't wait to see how Ben is getting on and to get myself showered and into the pub for a Guinness and steak.
Pics & Video
Pics here, 18.99 Euros for one picture is a little steep!
Video here
Gallery pics here
Weather
14C, a little chilly, light drizzle which got heavier throughout the day, strong headwind at miles 6-9.
Ratings
- Course: 8/10 - Phoenix Park was breathtaking, wide open spaces, some tight suburb streets
- Expo: 9/10 - Easy to find, extremely busy, some fantastic stands, nice buzz
- Support: 9/10 - Absolutely fantastic, almost full coverage in wet conditions, not much music
- Refreshments: 9/10 - Plenty of stops, every 2.5m, lucozade, water, gels, jelly babies
- Goodie Bag: 9/10 - 2 drinks, cereal bars, crisps, t-shirt, high vis vest, alcohol-free beer, haribo, power bar/charger, washing powder.
- Medal & Pics: 9/10 - Lightweight, Dublin 2015 on ribbon, pretty smart (here)
- Time Completed: 3 hrs 59 mins - My run info here