me running…
I have run that marathon couple of times already… and almost every time was different. This time was very sunny, quite warm, just that very cold wind was causing that everybody runner or not was shivering before the race (supporters have suffered little bit longer)… So, that was a run where I decided to put sleeves on the arms. And I was so glad that I did that.
That was participants record for Paris Marathon. With such a number of runners that marathon become 3rd biggest one in the World, behind New York and Chicago. Huge. That is only word I can think of now. Starting with size of the expo and finishing with length of finish area. On expo we were talking to Warsaw Marathon team and they told us that for the first time they got such a high stand number (something above 400). And that was just for stands which contains nutrition or info about other marathons. There was second part of expo where you could find just a running equipment. Over 3 hours spent there. Pasta party took us just 10 minutes, rest was just walking around and exploring options. Tons of brochures about marathons, new Compress Sport running pants (don’t know how to call them) was the outcome of expo. After expo we headed to hotel, hit the bed or laptop. Saturday was a very quite day if won’t count over 12 km of run. Including bucket list experience which is was to run under Eiffel tower. Did that. After run and quick shower walk around Paris. We saw a all the thing I saw during my morning run. We saw little bit more. Ended up with 18 km walk which lasted over 7 hours. Baguette at the end of the day and next day marathon…
It’s a very strange feeling to go to marathon run outside Ireland being alone. Even that both of us (at the moment that is the plan) should run we are getting to Paris separately. Bozena had business meeting yesterday in Orly. So, when I writing these words, sitting in the shuttle bus heading towards Paris, she already has been enjoying capital of France for last 24 hours. My Wife probably will say that it wasn’t anything pleasant cause of the strikes in here for the last two days, time spent travelling from meeting to hotel and the weight of the suitcase. Anyways, now I’m just 75 minutes from Porte Maillot. That is just 3 km walk from our hotel. Of course I will be there before checking-in time but… yeee it is Paris. Time to enjoy the city. Neither my Wife nor me ever been to that city and now we have a chance to use the marathon as an excuse for a visit. ‘Peage’, just saw that sign over the motorway number. We are so familiar with that – paid motorway. When in Nice we always have in car change for toll (sometimes change means 10 euro). Now on the motorway to Paris. Will see if that’s the city of lovers. That marathon will be my second on French soil. Mentioning that cause would like to join Globetrotter Marathon Club in the future and to do that I need to run marathons in 10 different countries. To be provisioned for a member you need to run marathons (or longer) in at least 5 countries. At the moment it doesn’t look too simple for me. I have Ireland (obviously), France, Malta and that is it for the moment. Still in plans – Czech with Prague marathon, Northern Ireland (hopefully treated as UK or separate) with couple of runs including Belfast 12 h, Italy – Gargano if everything will go according to the plan. There is of course US with New York marathon which I’m already sign for but… additional costs are huge. And the last but not least first marathon in Szczecin. September, don’t know if that won’t collide with any other runs but I would like to running this one. Would be a pleasure to race in my hometown. That will give me 8 – if all would be a go. Still missing 2 countries. Spain, Netherlands, Germany, England if NI is treated as separate country? Relatively close, marathons should be in nice places. But that probably next year or even later. Ohh, plans and future. Now I need to focus on the run in two days. I’m still have cold, probably flu as well but… run is a run. Yesterday (Thursday) I have managed to run over 10 km on the lunch break and (another toll on the motorway now) felt good. Pace was ok. Enough for marathon, even much faster than expected. In the evening second session on the treadmill – 15.2 km. Was really hot and running inside was a struggle when breathing. Yesterday I have as well printed document needed to pickup race no. It was so funny to see predicted finishing time (given by me 10 months ago) – 3:45. Now I’m much slower cause thinking more about distance not speed but back then 3:45 would time which I was setting as average for marathons. Long way since my first marathon in Cork… still not even a year.
Can’t wait to see my Wife. Journey is quite long now. Considering that I was up at 3:15 today (in bed just after midnight) and now is already 10:25 CET I have been awake for last 6 hours (little sleep in plane but that really doesn’t count). Oh, and Thursday. Bozena was flying out to Paris. Similar time of waking up. Gave her lift to airport. So, Thursday was as long day 3:30 AM to 12:10 AM. Almost an hour into bus journey. Looking outside the window. Weather – sun behind the clouds, temperature about 17 already. If will stay like that we can prepare ourselves for tricky run. Definitely sun glasses needed. I think that slowly we are getting to Paris now. First industrial estates, tunnel, traffic getting heavier. Maybe it’s because of sickness now but I think I have deja vu. Strange feeling that I know that what is outside the bus, that I was here before. Maybe that’s just a France that I love so much? Who knows. Smog – there is no such a thing in Nice. In here you can see that from miles away. Especially now, when sun is high and shining strong. Would that be a problem during run? Don’t know yet. Just want to get out from that bus.
… by Metallica was my song before the Vartry 50 miles race. Don’t know why really but on the walk with dog on Thursday I heard it in my headphones and that was it. Rhythm, music and lyrics somehow were accurate…
Never thought that I will be able to run a marathon… and now little bit ove two years after I started to exercising in gym and not even two since I have run my first 10 km without taking a break to rest I have 33 marathons or longer runs under my belt. First marathon run over June bank holiday 2014 in Cork. Now adventure continues. Started with 100 kg on me. Thanks to gym and running went down to below 70 (now little bounce back cause of addiction to eating), got fitter. My life has changed. I’m happier, less irritated… but have just little bit tired legs 😉 Taken that road and I’m willing to go all the way… 50 K – done, 50 K in mountains – done, 50 miles – just week away, 100 K – June, 12 hours – July, 100 miles – August…
Resting this weekend from running marathons but still involved in race. I’m a marshal in Donabate run.
When I have woke up today I was very happy that I won’t be running. Wind was so strong and it just started to rain. Could just imagine how bad it can be on the seaside. Now I know sitting on the cliff pointing runners in the right direction. But go to beginning. Got here with Karolina, Gary’s friend. She was starting early and I should be here as well as early as possible so we ended up being in Donabate very early. Need to stop writing runners are approaching counting on me to show them where to turn. First wave gone. They still look happy despite wind. Nice. Taking some photos now as well. It’s kinda strange feeling not to run and just watching others. But always nice to be able to help.
First Ultra and I went literally extra mile during that run… Should be very tired and wrecked after race but I wasn’t. At least not as I was expecting and not as bad as sometimes after marathons with high incline. I was amazed myself. I knew that I won’t be able to run as strong as usual on tarmac and I knew that I will be as fast so decided that I will run just run where ever and whenever I will be able. Rest will spent looking at the tremendous views. Especially that weather was so nice…
I think that was the first time when I was expecting route to be more hilly than it actually was. Nice surprise. Everything started with email with document I should sign and bring with me to expo. In the email there were as well links to half-marathon and marathon route. Both led to same GPX route. So, I have assumed that same route just two loops. One thing was was just bothering me. It was said that big hill which was daunting runners was taken out from marathon route and on the GPX for half one I could see really bad incline. So, I have prepared myself for two loops with one big incline on each. That expectations but still weren’t sure about the legs after Ballina. Couldn’t say if the legs were heavy or wobbly. Usually before start I can say how I feel. It’s either crap or I’m buzzing can’t wait to start the race. Last Sunday I felt nothing. Completely empty. That was very strange. Didn’t know what to expect. All I knew is that I want just to run my comfortable pace. Knowing that body probably still hasn’t recovered from previous weekend I wasn’t trying to push too hard.
It is hard to give it a right name… 3 in 2 challenge or ‘At least 3 ways to die in 2 days’ 😉
I knew it will be hard… but really wasn’t expecting that. I did already couple of back 2 back’s and each of these was tiring, energy draining and tough. And now I had to do same plus squeeze another marathon between two mornings.
After Lusk b2b continues… this time route near University of Limerick…
Just before getting into the car I have asked Cezary what kind of shoes I will need for the run. Ansser was – ‘Road runners would be ok’. So, took my Hoka’s. But already on the way down I knew that there will be problem. Most of the route was along the canal, on the forest path (proper forest, not tarmac). But I had to ‘work’ with what was there… Anyways, arrived into Castletroy Park Hotel. Really nice but very busy. So, decided to eat in near by Chineese restaurant – Chungs Cuisine. Just to let you know – food not great, OK maybe and the stuff… not organized at all. And there wasn’t much guests in there…