(With thanks to Fit4Life member Siobhan Campbell for sharing her marathon experience with us when asked. Congratulations Siobhan on a great achievement.)
I was the “reluctant marathon runner”. I never had any ambition to complete one. I just wasn’t committed or dedicated enough to undertake this challenge. However, when I saw how excited and enthusiastic fellow Fit4Lifers were about the experience both this year and last year I wondered…When the ballot for extra places opened I put my name in and decided to let it make the decision for me. If I got offered a place it was meant to be. I did, so it was! Having the support of the “marathon gang” and the “lads” as I continued with the training was fantastic. The one promise I made to myself was that this whole experience would not take over my life, and happily I don’t think it did.
I decided that if I was going to take on this challenge, I would raise sponsorship For Lauralynn. In 2014 I ran the Ray D’Arcy Half Million Half Marathon so it seemed fitting that I would support them again.
The marathon itself was above and beyond any expectation I had. What a day! After all the miserable, wet long runs we endured we were rewarded with a gift of a day. The atmosphere from start to finish was only amazing. They say a crowd will carry you on days like this. Well, as far as I’m concerned they propelled us! Everyone was so generous with their time, encouragement and goodies.
Having Jackie for company from start to finish was fantastic. There is so much truth in the old Irish proverb “gíorraíonn beirt bóthar” (Two shorten the road). Seeing my family in the Phoenix Park twice as well as in Kilmainham and being chased by my granddaughter in her buggy was just the support I needed and they know how grateful I was for that! It was lovely to see so many fellow club members en route, even in some of the most unlikely and less crowded places, thank you so much everyone! Claire and Rob, how did you manage to capture everyone on camera given the crowds out there? A huge thanks to Alan and Mick. You gave such sound and practical advice and encouragement and every email made me laugh!
While there are parts of me that ached having finished the marathon, the biggest of those aches was in my face, from smiling so much. And that’s an ache I can live with!
[Editor’s note: Siobhan did her fundraising the old fashioned way with a sponsorship card. If you would like to support Lauralynn please talk to Siobhan directly.)
