Glad to be back

Second day of another back 2 back. We were back in Ballina, back with Cezary, Daria and their two boys. We always enjoy time spent with them. If it’s in Ballina or here. True Friends found cause of running. We met them last year when Cezary was organizing 1st Ballina marathon and I was just starting my running adventure. Year ago… that was my second marathon, first one where I had to run loops. At this stage I was still asking race directors if the marathon route is flat. Ballina wasn’t like that at all. First, small loop – nothing out of ordinary but the remaining 5… hmmm. That was another story. Each lap with ‘huge’ incline. Whole course probably with about 250 metres. Year ago I was really scared. Was afraid that I won’t be able to finish. This time that same route looked different. Not as bad as before. Incline? Yes, but not ‘huge’ any more. Just regular uphill. Route hasn’t changed but my view has. Back then I was really focused on running, this time we were enjoying visiting Cezary and Daria. Happy to run another b2b but that wasn’t the most important thing…

This year there was more runners than last July. I think that success of the previous marathons organized by Cezary brought many more participants. Definitely Ballina marathon is regarded now as a great event. Runners coming to that town in Mayo from all over the Ireland to participate in the run. Hope that it will stay the same way for the next years. Recently I have looked at the pictures from last year. I was scared, overwhelmed by presents of MCI members. This year was different. I was ‘full right’ member of our club, confided of my running abilities. My only concern was marathon run day before in Curragh. My goal was to run around 3:35. Everything below that would be a bonus. I knew that this year I won’t be able to finish on the same place as last year. This time there was more stronger runners. Much stronger and faster than me. Plan was to finish, if possible in good time. Keep the pace and do not race. And that what I did. Kept the pace through out the whole route. Finished in 3:24, same time as day before. One minute faster than year before. But back then I wasn’t even thinking about running back to back. Then I was thinking that running 2 marathons is already something… How many things has changed since last July…

At the end of the run I was enjoying little chats with fellow runners. I have already run with Valerie Glavin but never had a chance to talk to her. Was really nice to hear her story. Probably would talk little bit longer but sometimes you can’t. There is so many other runners who you want to talk to. Another conversation. This time with Norman Hunter about crewing for me in Connemara. This will be a huge thing and it is not long to go and will run 100 miles… Plenty to talk about but not so much time.

Some pictures from the day…