My ponytail is famous…

I have just finished  Marathon des Escargots in Portarlington and was waiting for quick massage session when I was approached by somebody who just greet me like that – ‘I have recognized you by your ponytail’. That was little bit spooky. But after couple of minutes this guy has explained that he is working in Santry just opposite side of the street where I used to run over the lunch break. He told me that he felt ashamed seeing me ‘doing’ laps every day. He explained that there was one thing which you could count to see between 1PM and 2PM on the Old Airport Road and that was me. That was very nice. Somebody over 80 km away from home and 100 km from Santry actually recognized me. Funny, to be famous person in that part of city. As My Wife already called me – Santry Tourist Attraction. Had to unfortunately disappoint my new friend by telling him that I have changed to place of work now. His reply was funny. He said that sometimes he is driving via Ballycoolin and he would be very surprise to see me running so far during lunch break 😉

Ok, back to race now. Route us quite nice for runners who starting their marathon adventure. There was just one almost 40m incline and after that was fairly flat (maybe that one small hill just after 40.5 km which could be a killer if you are tired at the end of the race). Cause the weather was ideal to run (no sun, no wind, clouds) I cannot say if the surroundings very particularly nice. But we were running on the back roads of Laois county. For the race which weren’t to big I need to say that it was organized quite good besides last 300 m before the finishing line where there was total chaos. Cars going in and out, not allowing runners to get on the road and run. I was finishing my race running on the grass. Anyway, easy run… if your right ankle not hurting since kilometre number 14. It seems that my ankle hasn’t healed since last marathon. During last week training sessions I could say that ankle wasn’t working in the proper manner but was hoping that two days rest before marathon will allow to recover and heal. Haven’t worked out. So, little bit painful 28 km of run for me. But cannot complaint. My choice. And apparently wasn’t so bad cause I haven’t been talking to any part of my body during whole marathon.

I have been asked today by Claire, who we have met before race, on the parking lot, what is my hardest moment during the marathon. I had to think a little bit about that question (even if I have just run two marathons in my life). Definitely last couple of miles, 6 maybe, are very hard. You running out of ‘steam’ at this stage and the only thing which is pushing you towards finishing line is your mind, your will. Today that has been confirmed again 😉 But I have mentioned Ballina marathon with its 5 laps and 35 m hill. Have said that knowing you still have couple of repetitions of that incline your will power was weakening…

Today will power was strong… that allowed me to get me new PB – 3:23:09 and finish on the 7th position from 100 participants.

As usual, couple of pictures below.