With thanks to Ann for sharing her experience with us when asked. This may very well plant a seed among Ann’s fellow Fit4Lifers or indeed a Senior clubmate. We look forward to more reports in the coming days.
Marathon day finally arrived, after 18 weeks of training. Bernie, Laura and myself met at 7.20am to make the journey into town. We met some of the Dunboyne gang to wish each other a final good luck, before heading to the start line. As the race started, I was immediately overwhelmed by the supporters lining the streets around Stephen’s Green and suddenly felt excited about the run. The runners surrounding me were in high spirits, all enjoying the cheers of encouragement, as verses of Molly Malone, ole ole ole
were sung en route. As I went through the Phoenix park I was happy to see lots of Dunboyne AC supporters calling my name. My family were at the Castleknock Gate, their kisses and hugs give me such a lift.
The amount of hills on the route took me by surprise, but I got through them hearing Mick and Alan’s words “swing arms and legs will follow up the hills”. The marathon brought me to parts of Dublin I have never discovered, which helped me ignore the “screaming legs”. Along the route I met my fellow Dunboyne runners, exchanging words of encouragement to keep going. At
around mile 15 my running buddies Laura, Bernie and I parted company; the mind battle had started and I needed to run my own race as did they.
The crowds continued to give me a lift and I was amazed by the support for Dunboyne throughout the route, I was proud to wear the Dunboyne T-shirt! I was particularly delighted to see club mates along the way. My fellow runners became quieter as the miles stacked up, it was an effort to keep moving as my walls appeared from Mile 19 on. I started a walk run strategy, which kept me moving. The goal of completing the marathon in 4hrs 30 mins no longer of importance, just to finish was the goal!
I got encouragement from other runners around me, “we can run 5 miles easy”, a barefooted runner passed by a number of times, providing a further push to keep going! Prayers to my late dad to give me strength, thoughts of the charity I was running for all helped me get closer to the finish line. At Mile 25, I knew I was close to becoming a marathoner, I got a sudden wave of energy and ran to the finish, crowds lining the street, I felt like a
superstar! I believed and achieved and became a marathon runner last Monday!
Special thanks to our mentors Alan and Mick and all the Dunboyne supporters and runners. I would also like to thank Vivienne who provided lots of encouragement and inspired me to think I could take on a marathon!
