We had six members competing in Berlin in what’s referred to as one of the world’s marathon majors. On Friday Claire, Alan, Greg and Mick set off for the start of what turned out to be a brilliant weekend with Dave and Fintan following. We also had Stephen Douglas completing this great event.
Claire to fit in with the boys was tagged with the name Clark. Claire/ Clark despite being quite tentative for what she may be getting herself into decided to lay down the law and indeed mailed the boys the rules prior to their departure using her skills as a school teacher to good effect.
Berlin Mammy Rules:
- Please be sure you are tucked into bed tonight by 10:00 tonight(this is a mandatory Berlin curfew)
- In the morning you must ensure to do the following- a) Eat a proper breakfast b) dress in your running gear-including matching socks c) brush your hair & teeth d) tidy your room e) Use the bathroom f) Repeat number e at least twice more before our roadtrip as there will be no stopping on the motorway
- Engage in a little sing-song on the plane- if at any stage we run out of tunes, I know a song for every letter of the alphabet. I have used this before on long journeys to good effect
- At the venue, do not wander off on your own or stray away unattended. This will make me worry
- At the startline I will give you give you all the last minute checks to make sure you’re presentable- including the essential lace check and making sure that your numbers are pinned perfectly straight
- If,and only if, someone dares to pass you in the race do not, I repeat, DO NOT sit down on the side of the road and claim that this is unfair, that they cheated or that you don’t want to play anymore.
The weekend was full of lots of laughs and customary abuse which is expected from this bunch with one of its highlights being Mick singing ‘Danny Boy’ with microphone in hand in the Olympic Stadium to thousands of adoring fans after completion of the marathon breakfast run the morning prior to the main event. He was captured on the large screens surrounding the stadium as he fulfilled a life long dream to sing in a stadium.
At this stage it was very obvious they would be unable to de- lady Clare so following a emergency meeting, Clare was promptly changed from Clark to Princess Elsa as she was perceived to resemble a Disney princess and the lads claim they witnessed some cartoon birdies flying from her shoulders.
Race Day:
The gang met for breakfast at 6 with Fintan and Dave now joining the group. It was then off to the start as the song of the weekend ‘Let it go’ was chanted by the gang (even Greg). All went their separate ways as each went into their assigned starting areas to join the rest of the 40,000 runners.
‘What a marathon’ – perfectly organised from start to finish. Optimum room for all at the start with little congestion for the 40,000 runners. Water, fruit, sponge and tea stops as well as unofficial beer stops which was not passed by one all sporadically placed along the course as well as firehoses to cool us down as it was a warm day.
First home for the club was Alan McKernan who ran his second sub 3 marathon running a comfortable 6:43 average pace to come home in 1,354 position. Alan set out steady and ran the second half 2 minutes quicker than the first. Alan woke with a sore throat which turned out to be the start of a cold and what’s now a chest infection so knew he had to run steady but did manage his first ever marathon sprint finish and air jump at the end of a pace increases finishing run as he ran through the Brandenburg gates to the finish. (Probably best not to mention the sub 3 to Alan should you come across him although chances are he will).
Second home was Greg McLoughlin who ran a blistering 2:59 with an average pace of 6:49 to join the sub3 gang and be christened S3G although he has alluded that if this is said to his face, there may be words. Greg was over the moon as all his training had paid off and even said there may have been a tear in his eye post finishing although he did put this down to the Berlin sun as he enjoyed his 15 minute PB finishing in 1,704. As sub 3 is very difficult and a great achievement for Greg who designed his own training plan which was predominantly carried out at lunch time around Dublin’s business district.
Next home was Princess Elsa (Claire Ni Fhaircheallaigh) with an impressive 3:11 marathon with an average pace of 7:12. This was a 20 minute PB for Clare which is fantastic and her joy was visible as she danced across the line with the squirrels, bunnies and butterflies in tow. This is one of the fastest ladies marathons in the club over recent years and indeed to come home 163rd lady in such a large marathon is nothing short of brilliant. Not only this but Claire was second Irish female across the line after Olympic qualifier Lizzie Lee! A massive well done to Claire who was regularly seen looping around Dunboyne as she trained hard for this event but it was very much worth it. Claire set a lesson for those running a marathon as she ran a near perfect first and second half split.
Fintan Crehan followed in a time of 3:19 which is a great time. This was Fintan’s 11th marathon and there are plenty more to come from the pocket rocket. Fintan’s usual ‘foxtrot’ approach to pacing (slow,slow,quick-quick, slow…) was dropped and a relatively even pace was run throughout. Well done to Fintan who is now enjoying an extended Berlin stay as he takes in the sights.
Next accross the line was newcomer to the club, Stephen Douglas, running a superb time of 3:23 and just outside his personal best. This is Stephen’s second marathon of three which he is running for charity. Dublin next on the cards and more to come from Stephen in Dublin.
Deadly Dave Galbraith was next home in a quicker than planned 3:36, running an incredible 17 minutes quicker in the second half. Dave felt strong at half way and decided to push on. He probably would have pb’d too, showing that his charity run training is having a positive effect on his running. We wish Dave the very best in his run across Ireland on 12th October over the 5 days.
And finally, last but by no means least was Mick ‘the hammer’ Foy, crossing the line in just under 3:45. Mick had set out his stall early running 7:49 pace but the heat and an untimely pit stop broke his stride, forcing him to dig deep to get around the remainder. Mick was fighting a cold and kidney infection on the week leading up to the marathon so was very relieved to make the start line. With time goals out the window Mick enjoyed some German hospitality just shy of the 41k mark by downing a beer and some schnapps from the crowd. Refuelled, he promptly galloped the remainder with a skip in his step.
After they gathered at meeting point ‘E for Elsa’ and regrouped, a well-deserved visit was paid to McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts.
Showered and refreshed, the team then waddled in the general direction of Alexanderplatz to the Beer Gardens where a great night of drinking and singing was had with one of the highlights being the group standing on tables doing The YMCA to a very confused German crowd smile emoticon
Super end to a super weekend. If Carlsberg did marathons they wouldn’t even come close to this one!
Well done to our runners and all the texts and well wishes from home. It made every step worthwhile knowing they were supported from back home which sums up the great comradeship within our fantastic club.
Well done to Elsa and her merry men!!!
