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Time for a New Adventure
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Thanks everyone
DD I literally scraped in under the four hours at 3:59:58. Honestly I thought the sub-4 had slipped away, I was sure that I was a minute over. It was soooo HARD, I've never had to dig that deep - I wanted to walk from 13 miles on, I don't know what was wrong with me, I wasn't feeling the love for it today. My legs were on autopilot but god was I glad to see I snuck in under 4 hours
Dilbert, it was so nice to see you on the route. Em apologies for the weird look on my face, I didn't want to scream out thanks Dilbert and by the time Conor came to my mind, I'd passed you. Also I was hurting quite a lot.
I have to say, Dublin is amazing, the people are amazing. I was never short of jelly babies or water or gels and the support literally carried me that last two miles.
p.s. How in the bejasus do you Ironmen and women do that after a day of swimming and biking?0 -
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I wasn’t sure about taking on DCM until after the Beast and thought 4 hours was a pipe dream but some great guidance and encouragement from some great boardsies (you know who you are) prompted me to go for sub-4. My training went well, I felt good on all of my training runs and I was looking forward to enjoying the friendly marathon. I knew it was going to be tough but I had no idea how hard it would be.
I stayed in the Charleville Hotel on the North Circular Road on Sunday night and had brought my porridge oats, dried sultanas and almond milk mixed up and ready for breakie on Monday morning. I slept ok but woke every now and then to check the time as I was afraid that the alarm wouldn’t go off or that I’d sleep through it.
I got a taxi into O’ Connell St. to drop my bag with my laptop and a present for himself for putting up with marathon madness into a storage area (I didn’t want to leave my laptop in the baggage area). The taxi driver mentioned the marathon and when I told him I was running, he said that ‘he wouldn’t even do 26 miles on a push bike’
. Then he started complaining about the road closures and asking why it had to start so early as it was disrupting people who needed to get to work etc. etc. etc. In my mind I was shouting ‘do you not realise that today is about the 15,000+ marathon runners and hundreds of volunteers and NOT about the inconvenienced workers’. But I didn’t, I told him it was to avoid the hottest part of the day (it is I think?)
I dropped my change of clothes at the bag drop and by 8:30 was heading for the loo, the lady on the microphone said not to use the loos around the bag drop and that there was plenty of portaloos in the green area, so I obeyed her and headed for the green start. Big mistake, the queue was massive and I had to go so I waited and it was 9:05 when I bolted from the portaloo and jogged to the big long massive snake of people. It was impossible to get through people and I could see blue balloons up ahead (but couldn’t see the time on them because I’m blind) so figured that they’d be the 4 hour guys, don’t sweat it and reel them in later (I did read the book the night before and did read that I should be following the red balloons but I forgot in my panic).
I trotted off nice and easy, the first mile clocked in at 9:30 because of the congestion and the second was around 9:00. I caught the blue balloons around the three mile mark. I can only imagine the look on my face when I saw the 4:10 on them – I was hoping to run with Nop and the other 4 hour boardsies from the Novices thread - this wasn’t working out at all how I’d planned. Then I remembered that Anna should be around here somewhere and I could run with her but everyone’s names are on their front which isn’t at all convenient for other runners to identify people, sorry I didn’t see you Anna.
I was worried a little but I remembered back to the Kinvara half when I lost the pacers at the start and how I reeled them in over 7 or 8 miles so I figured I’d do the same here and I’d be fine. I know I should have just ran my own race but I really wanted the comfort of at least seeing those red balloons in the distance.
As we were running though the Phoenix park, the doubts crept in, I was finding the going tough (@ 9:05/mi) and it was only early days, I’d a small niggle in my left quad that I was hoping wouldn’t turn into more than a niggle. I was telling myself that I’d done too much this year, that I’d pushed my body too hard and now it was repaying me and I was convincing myself that I’d peaked in Athlone and that I should have picked a Spring marathon instead. Next thing I know I’m overtaking an extremely tall man shrouded in green loose fitting robes, I look down at his feet and he’s running barefoot. I look to the person next to me and say, holy sh*t, he’s got no shoes on. Time to suck it up Néady, you’ve got your cushy runners on so get the hell on with it.
At about the 6/7 mile mark I spotted the red balloons, hallelujah, way way in the distance but I had sight of them and that was the main thing. I kept my pace even and the miles flew by until mile 9 – 10 which dragged forever and was a suffer fest. I tried to soak up the atmosphere as much as I could, high fiving as many kids as I could and taking in all the other people running around me. The support along the route was absolutely amazing, there was hardly a fifty meter section without any supporters.
I was so glad to see the half way point and I checked my watch – about 1 minute under the two hours so not doing too bad though I was wondering how the hell I was going to run the same distance again at this pace. I won’t lie, I wanted to stop and walk after 13 miles, I was really starting to hurt but I had those dam red balloons in my sights. I eventually caught the last pacer – well I was a bit behind him but I hoped to stay on his coat tails and I did for about three miles but I just couldn’t move my legs fast enough and I could see them drift off and with them my 4 hour target. I talked to myself to keep with them but my legs wouldn’t listen and I resigned myself to letting the four hours go.
Around the 16 mile mark, Dilbert gave me a shout out, thank you Dilbert, it really did give me the pick me up I needed – it made me concentrate and snap out of my misery. I dug deep and found some pace in my legs again and though still a bit behind the balloons, I was determined to keep them in view. I figured that I started well behind them so I had some time to spare.
This spurt of energy kept me going until mile 22, dear god, I was having to dig deeper and deeper to keep it going. All I wanted was to stop and walk and I kept remembering the advice from the Novices thread to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Mile 22 took me 10:00 minutes and I was going as hard as I possibly could, all the while the f*icking balloons were getting further and further away from me, I could barely see them now. At the bottom of the hill on this mile, a fire truck was trying to get through the runners and out onto the road so I stopped and shouted at the other runners to let them through, I was only stopped for 5 seconds max but I thought that was it, game over. I grabbed a bag of jelly beans from a little child though and I was off again. A spectator at the bottom of this hill was shouting that it was only 70 meters long and to drive through it, honestly, those little words of wisdom were what got me up it.
I was emptying the tank but a few calculations in my head made me think that if I could finish stronger than this I might only be less than a minute over the 4. I was going at what I thought was 10km pace and looked at my watch, 9:22/mile, how could that be, it was hurting sooooooo much. I could hear a person on my right telling a fellow runner that even though they were going through a rough patch, they’d run through it, she said ‘you ran yourself into it, you’ll run yourself out of it’. Who ever that lady was, wasn’t directing it at me but it sure as hell had an impact on me.
The cheering of the crowds on the last three miles were all that got me through. Mile 24 came in at 8:53. I remember a fellow hiker telling me before that if you don’t leave it all out there on the course, you won’t be happy with yourself and I can honestly say I was leaving it all out there. I told myself that whatever was on the clock at the end, I was going to be dam proud of because I was pushing through everything from the physical to the mental pain.
My brothers were on mile 25 and seeing them there was what got me over the finish line. About 500 meters from the finish line, there was a girl receiving CPR on the road, it was honestly the most sobering sight of the day. I later heard that they used the defibrillator on her and she was stable in hospital, thank god. The image of that girl lying lifeless on the ground will stay with me for a long time.
For those last 6 or 7 miles, while I was hearing the crowd, I was completely and utterly focused on nothing but the road in front of me. I couldn’t look at the other runners around me and I couldn’t offer support to anyone. I don’t ever remember being so focused on anything in my life, all I wanted to do was cross that line.
My watch read 3:59:57 when I passed under the finishing arch but I was sure that I was a few seconds if not a minute over. As soon as I got my bag and my phone, I called himself and he told me it registered two seconds under the four hours, wohooooo – talk about by the skin of my teeth.
It was hard work, from beginning to end. It was much harder than any training run that I’ve done and not at all what I expected. I thought that I’d be comfortable until mile 20 and have something left in the tank to kick on but it was far from that. The support from the people of Dublin was unbelievable, the words of encouragement were amazing and while it was tough, it was enjoyable. I’m so glad I’ve a marathon under my belt and I really hope the next one won’t be quite as tough
Back in January I made this vision board thingy and put it on my desktop. It’s all done now wohooooooooo. Now to start working on next years one 0 -
Superb debut from you Neady!
Massive congrats!!! Recover well and enjoy the rest:D
Thank you Ososlo My legs are basking in being in a horizontal position all day Brilliant, Neady! never doubted that you would do it... did you make it to McGrattans? Sorry we didn't get to say hello!
Thank you Anna and likewise, you did so well, delighted it went so well for you. I didn't make McGrattans in the end. I was a soggy smelly mess and a bit emotional at seeing my brothers and the car was parked about 2km away with a drive to Clare in front of us so I was dying to curl up in the back seat. The walk while painful did me the worked of good, I had loosened up a good bit by the time I got there and I was so glad not to have to get on a bus back to Galway
I'm so sorry I missed you and I missed up during the race too, I was hanging around the 4:10 pacers for a bit.Neady - what a brilliant result! I am so proud! You're a marathoner now!
From looking at your 10k splits, we must have ran practically together for hours, but I never spotted you, what a pity. I didn't manage to tough it out like you do, I had to stop and stretch, albeit briefly, in Clonskeagh - you must have passed me then.
Super well done again!
Thanks Nop, my plan was to run with you and the other boardsies but you'll read in my race report that the start didn't quite go to plan so I was only hanging on the coat tails of the 4h pacers for a few miles. I did look around for your orange top but I didn't see you.
Well done to you too, you did amazingly well So proud of all of us career move wrote: »Mighty stuff. Well done and well deserved
Thanks CM and thank you for all the advice during the year You and the other boardsies got me over that finish line 0 -
Great report, Neady... we were so close and yet so far I saw the barefoot guy just outside the park, so you were ahead of us by then, you must have zipped past me!!!
Fair play to you though for toughing it out! well done again 0 -
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I think you are the shiniest spot in the tri forum at the moment - a rising star. Your sincere enthusiasm and love for everything you do is what it's all about - you've cracked the secret wide open. Well done you. And welcome to the club. 0
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I think you are the shiniest spot in the tri forum at the moment - a rising star. Your sincere enthusiasm and love for everything you do is what it's all about - you've cracked the secret wide open. Well done you. And welcome to the club.
Well said Dory. To be honest, between Neady, Oryx, CM and yourself there's some impressive band of hoochies on TDAR.0 -
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Great report, Neady... we were so close and yet so far I saw the barefoot guy just outside the park, so you were ahead of us by then, you must have zipped past me!!!
Fair play to you though for toughing it out! well done again
It would have been so great to have run with you for a bit - next year, we'll both have a good go at the sub-4 and do it together
Am I really talking about next year already?What a legend
Yes, I saw the barefoot guy too, about halfway up the PP. I wonder how he got on?
You're so kind, thank you again
I saw him on the news Monday evening, he was over 60 years of age and was so thankful to the people of Dublin for the support.What a gusty performance. Wow girl, so proud as anticipated. That is tough going and you stuck with it. Good woman. NOW GO MIND YOURSELF.
Thanks so much A I really appreciate it, you're words of wisdom and encouragement kept me going. I fully intend to take it very easy for the month of November, I owe this body a breakI think you are the shiniest spot in the tri forum at the moment - a rising star. Your sincere enthusiasm and love for everything you do is what it's all about - you've cracked the secret wide open. Well done you. And welcome to the club.
DD, I started to cry reading this, thank you so so much, it really means a lot coming from youThis Fat Girl Runs wrote: »Fantastic race and fabulous report! Well done, you!
Likewise TFGR, you're an inspirationWell said Dory. To be honest, between Neady, Oryx, CM and yourself there's some impressive band of hoochies on TDAR.Ooooo......4-hoochie team event, anyone???
Me likey the sound of this *waves hand madly in the air like an over enthusiastic childCongrats on a fantastic debut Marathon Neady.
Likewise, sub 3:20 on your first time out, you're destined for great thingsWow.
You're bleedin' deadly 0 -
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Neady, has the unthinkable happened, and are you actually taking a break? :eek: It's eerily quiet here.I was going to post the same earlier. Brilliant, finally a rest.
I have a confession to make ...... it's been 11 days since I've done a scrap of training. It's the longest stretch of non-training days all year.
I've started a new project in work so been travelling to wrap up the old project and travelling to kick start the next. This has meant days of 2:15am and 6:16am busses to Dublin city and airport and silly o clock returns.
That and I have to admit, I'm tired, really tired and I've lost my mojo for training a little bit. I'm enjoying my free time though but starting to feel energised and looking forward to getting stuck into some light training and some hill walking. I hear there's a dusting of snow on the Reeks
I've also neglected Boards ....... I've soooooooo much catching up to do
In the mean time though, I'm following the world adventure racing championships in Brazil. I wince every time I read a report, it's sounds like torture. Even the top teams don't seem to be enjoying it too much.0 -
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The reason I love this log and this forum ..... the other boardsies keep me honest and give me the kick up the ass that I need when I need it, thanks A
I took two days off to go to Westport last week to get myself back on track, packed the car with all my running, hiking and biking gear, and low and behold hurricane Barney decides to cause havoc. So instead of training I read books for two days and did not much else but eat chocolate and chips.
My diet has gone to the dogs since DCM. You know when you go to the shop for a bar of chocolate and the regular 8 square bar of cadburys chocolate is €1.35 but the 40 square one beside it is €1.50 so it makes economical sense to buy the big one and sure "I'll only have the 8 squares and save the rest". I've been doing that A LOT lately and I have no problem eating all 40 squares. This has been a common occurrence since the marathon. The cycle then continues, I'm wired from the chocolate, stay up late, wake up with a pain in my head and can't get out of bed to train, need more chocolate to give me energy. It's a horrible cycle to break - Sugar, it is definitely the enemy. I've given the chocolate the ol heave ho now though so things are coming together. The last week of pulling myself back together has looked like this
Thursday Nov 19th: 4 miles easy
Friday Nov 20th: 3 miles easy (heavy legs & stiff :O from yesterdays 4)
Saturday Nov 21st: Nada bar a walk around the farm with my Dad
Sunday Nov 22nd: A walk along the cliffs in Kilkee with Mum
Monday Nov 23rd: 4 miles easy
Tuesday Nov 24th : Circuit training
Wednesday Nov 25th: Feet up & working late
Thursday Nov 26th: Circuit training
Team ARSE and our unofficial hiking group the Mountain Hares are hitting for Kerry at silly o clock tonight to do some hiking/climbing on the reeks at first light tomorrow. Weather permitting, a few of us will rope up and climb up Howling Ridge and meet the others at the top of Carrantuohill. I've the mountain bike thrown in the car to do some mountain biking around Gelnbeigh on Sunday if we don't overindulge in the hostel tomorrow night
Next week will hopefully see more structure in training, more time on the bike and some sort of a plan for the next month or so. I seem to work better when I have a plan to follow.0 -
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Nice plan Neady!
Are you setting sights on ITERA or it that a deep dark secret for now?
One of the ARSEs sent around a provisional team training plan for 2016 this week and ITERA was pencilled in so it's definitely on the radar
We'll have a proper chat about it tomorrow but I'm pretty sure we're going for it. I'm asking Santa for contributions towards my race entry. I could have a sun holiday for the entry fee and we only have until January 7th to get in before the entry fee goes up.
I'm also a bit afraid to commit, it will make it real then and I won't be able to go to the Alps
You guys entered yet?0 -
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career move wrote: »How was Kerry??? Report overdue! Tick tock tick tock
Storm Clodagh ruined most of our fun 0 -
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career move wrote: »Mmmh apple pie and scones though .... John Cronin sounds like my kind of man
Diet still going well then K?
Might be looking for some recommendations for run routes in Galway next week S - in the city prob Sun pm - Thur pm (in a hotel with no feckin' pool or gym :mad:). Nothing crazy mind...0 -
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career move wrote: »Boo hiss :mad:
Mmmh apple pie and scones though .... John Cronin sounds like my kind of man
He's a pretty cool guy and he makes sure that your car is safe in his farm yard while you're off wandering around. Great initiative by a farmer to make a few euro and keep the hikers and walkers happy. There's also shower facilities and camping pods If yer ever hitting the Reeks it's the place to go from. 0 -
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Sure thing, there's lovely running routes that can encorporate the prom (though the concrete is tough on the legs). If you can get out during the day there's lots of pitches around the University and nice track along by the rive. There's a running track in Westside thats open to the public for use at all time and outdoor exercise equipment.
I'm not sure where you're staying but you could PAYG at the pool at leisureland in Salthill: http://www.leisureland.ie/swimming/swimming-prices-schedule. If you're staying in town, short run to leisureland, swim, short run back to the city centre.
My pace is a lot slower than yours but if you fancy a slow run, I'll keep you company.
Kool and the Gang. Wouldn't mind a jaunt out the prom to see the spot where the legend that is Teresa Mannion stood for her report the other night. :P.
https://youtu.be/bzx3MeYonT8
If you're up for a jog happy days - no worry about pace; I'd rather company than a faster solo run. Will pm you. Timing is my only concern - I'll prob be out early mornings because I'm up for work with a gang so will be trying to fit it in between work and meals.0 -
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Geriatric pace, my eye. At 6:30 in the night, particularly against that wind, I was delighted with our pace.
Twas a lot less pleasant this evening - colder for one. Also, nighttime exercisers in Galway seem a lot less friendly than early morning exercisers - my mission to greet multiple total randomers fell on its face this evening. Either that or yesterday they were all greeting you...
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You could always come to Dublin for early morning runs
....new adventures???? well.... did I miss something?
Does a 5 day non-stop adventure race count as a new adventure?
Should be up in Dublin a good bit in the Spring for work so that could become a realityYeah...shiny new log title....
It's not very imaginative but it feels like it's the start of a whole new Chapter 0 -
Geriatric pace, my eye. At 6:30 in the night, particularly against that wind, I was delighted with our pace.
Twas a lot less pleasant this evening - colder for one. Also, nighttime exercisers in Galway seem a lot less friendly than early morning exercisers - my mission to greet multiple total randomers fell on its face this evening. Either that or yesterday they were all greeting you...
Ha ha they sure weren't greeting me but I agree they were very friendly compared to my usual experience and after being out with you, I've realised that I'm not great at saying hello myself. Will keep up the Dilbert sunshine hellos on the prom from here on in 0 -
Ha ha they sure weren't greeting me but I agree they were very friendly compared to my usual experience and after being out with you, I've realised that I'm not great at saying hello myself. Will keep up the Dilbert sunshine hellos on the prom from here on in
Bahahaha - Galway might grow to tolerate it. I don't normally get such a warm reception when I run in Dublin. Parents hush their children away and stare suspiciously at me. Other people prepare to fight or flee. Older people are better - they normally engage.
I just reckon you never know when you'll be the only person who says a kind word to someone all day.0 -
Does a 5 day non-stop adventure race count as a new adventure?
I was hoping you had decided to master the art of swimming and were going to sign up for a triathlon!I just reckon you never know when you'll be the only person who says a kind word to someone all day.
A kind word is free. A smile is free. You are so right, Dilbert, sometimes the most simple of acts can make someone's entire day. Thank you. 0 -
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I was hoping you had decided to master the art of swimming and were going to sign up for a triathlon!
A kind word is free. A smile is free. You are so right, Dilbert, sometimes the most simple of acts can make someone's entire day. Thank you.
So true, you two are little rays of sunshineNew log title, new adventure. TELL US more.
I've booked a course of swimming lessons for January so fingers crossed I'll be able to wander into the deep end without needing saving. This will be my third attempt at learning to swim, once as a kid and once as an adult. Third time lucky hopefully
The big new adventure will be a five day adventure race with a marathon thrown in as training maybe 0 -
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