With thanks to Paul for this fantastic report…
Are you doing the marathon? People kept asking me. I don’t know, I don’t know, stop asking, I don’t want to even think about it! The 2014 DCM was such a disaster the thought of doing another one didn’t sit well with me.
I had to do something different this year if I was to consider it. So all the talk was Hanson. The Hanson training method. What’s this all about I thought, so I fired up the Kindle and there it was. Longest run 16 miles, how could that possibly work? The more I read the more it made sense. The science behind it, how it prepares you, the reasoning behind slow running, the tempos the intervals, the cumulative mileage and how it all fits together.
Well I figured I’d start the plan with everybody else and see how it went. Still not really willing to admit I was considering doing another one, the unmentionable, not even to myself. I started half-heartedly which is probably not the best way to start marathon preparation or whatever it was I was doing. As the training marathon group formed, I got caught up (again) in the talk and plans of the big event. I’m not doing it, I insisted, I’m just tagging along for the run and the chat.
The weeks went by and I stuck to the plan rigidly. I completely underestimated how difficult the schedule was going to be. One day after another, 6 days a week. I lived for Tuesday night, because after Tuesday’s session I had 48hours before I had to run again! Monday and Friday’s run had to be done before work so that meant a 5:30am alarm. 8 miles done and I’m at my desk by 8am. I must be mad, either that or yes I guess I was doing the marathon. I could only comfortably come to this decision with clear goals in mind. So I set them
1. Finish it
2. Enjoy it
Doing a PB and breaking the 4 hour mark would be a bonus but it wasn’t what I focused on. This helped me relax and be positive about the big day. No pressure, right?
We went on holidays in August to amazing Maine, in the US. And to spend some time there with Lisa’s(my better half’s) family. As always it was a wonderful fun time spent with family, in a camp, in the woods, on a lake with swimming and bonfires and marshmallows and fishing and fourwheelers through the woods and …… running! I had a 15 miler to do after all and a schedule to keep up. So off I set in the morning before anyone was up. Down the trail, through the woods and onto the road. Running along, head down, not really awake, barely aware of where I’m going, one step after another and suddenly there’s a snake on the road and I’m about to step on it. A frigging SNAKE! I somehow managed to lengthen my stride and miss it, almost falling on top if it at the same time. My foot landed where the tarmac stopped at the side of the road and I went over on my ankle. Regardless I doubt anyone ever covered the next 100 meters faster than I did. I finished my run, made it back to camp and asked why nobody had ever told me there were snakes in Maine. You never asked I was told and anyway, they’re not poisonous. It didn’t make me feel any better. You wouldn’t get it in the Phoenix Park I thought.
Although the training was hard, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyable. Particularly the weekend longer runs. A group of us assembled at the Castleknock gates to the park every Sunday morning at 7:30. And what a group! After the first few steps, moans and groans the BS started to flow and flow freely. It didn’t matter that it was ridiculously early to be up and running on a Sunday morning. There was John (Muscles) O’Malley, Garvin (Blocker, Thunderbirds are go) Blake and Mick (Mr. motivational speaker, you’ll never get up Roebuck Hill, I’ll be waiting for you with a big plastic pipe to whip ye) Bailey to name a few. The banter was good and the training was paying off. 16 miles, no problem, at around 12 miles the pace would pick up, the chat stopped and all bets were off!
Race day came and despite my best efforts to relax and take it in the nerves were jangling. I had a plan and I was going to stick with it no matter what. Despite feeling better prepared than ever and encouragement to the contrary of starting with a faster group I was going to start with the 4hour pacers, stick with them to Myo’s in Castleknock and then for the next 4 downhill miles push on a little and see what happened. So I set off and felt great. The day was less than ideal, a little breezy but there wasn’t much I could so about that so I didn’t really think about it.
I realise it’s a cliché to say it but the support was just incredible. It gives you such a lift. I got such a cheer from the Dunboyne crew in the park that guy next to me asked if I was some sort of rock star! I felt like one! Anyway, up through the park, the Castleknock cheers, suburb after suburb, the DAC motivational signs, my amazing wife meeting me at 12 miles with gels and a drinks, the come on Dunboyne shouts from strangers. I think I waved and I thanked every one of them. At around 15 miles we were straight into the wind and I found some equally tall lads to run behind. The only problem was they were all going too slowly so I went from tall person to tall person thinking this isn’t going to last but I figured I’d keep going anyway. My pace was reasonable and I felt strong. Then out of nowhere, Kevin was running beside me and feeding me Jaffa cakes! Another lift, thanks Kevin, at the very least I owe you a beer!
Anyway the miles flew by, 18,19,20, up Roebuck hill. There was no wall. I loved every single minute of it. It wasn’t till I got to the Merrion road I felt myself tiring a little bit but there was only 2 miles left at that stage and I retained my pace, actually moving faster. I realised at this point I was going to achieve what I’d set out to do. Finish, enjoy it and yes even break the 4 hours barrier. I somehow managed a negative split by 4 minutes for the 2nd half. Finishing time 3:54 and bettering my PB by over 10 minutes. There was a little more than a lump in my throat when I crossed the line!
In my humble opinion, to prepare and complete a marathon, not only do you need to be fiercely determined but you need the support of the people around you. In this sense I have always been very very lucky. As a Dad of two young boys I couldn’t do any of this without Lisa. She always understood and always supported me in my pursuit. Thank you so much Lisa, I love you, it’s your turn now!
