Drive to Galway… In my head – 4 hours pacer and the big question – can I do it?. The whole 3 hours were like that. Talking to my Wife, listening to music but head was occupied with something else. I was really afraid. Got to Galway late at night, so we only got time for ‘visit’ to local shop to get cash for B&B. Prepared myself for run. Next day I had to be there 8 AM to pick up my number. Very limited free parking spaces. Plenty pay and display ones. Parked there, went to pick up number, collected my balloon. First time in a long time I was in the right place and time for MCI photo. Hectic morning. We weren’t even running yet and I was ‘running’ here and back like headless chicken. Ok… calm down. Get in your running gear and prepare yourself for run. Toilet, balloon, starting line, chat with Gary… ready…
Start… Not very confident about pacing, about running altogether. But I was there and had to do it. Weather wasn’t great. Grey, no sun, breeze from ocean, temperature about 10 – 11 degrees. Nice weather to run, not great for sightseeing (or pacing). Oh, well, 4 hours run in front of me. Nice crowd gathered next to me and Norman. We knew that most of them will eventually drop out but we were counting for brining some of the runners with us to the finish line. First marathon, besides 4:30 in Waterford. With a chance of bringing people with me in 4 hours. Proven wrong again. Me and Norman brought just one runner with us in 4 hours. Some runners were quicker than our pace and finished ahead of us. But from initial group we had none, yet again. Norman had one runner who started stronger but became weaker and weaker with every mile. But he supported him and both finished under 4 hours. For the most of the race I had two, maybe three runners following me. One of them – Marek – was running strong up to 31st km (just little bit more than 2 loops to go). He dropped then and finished in 4:03, PB for him. I have ended up without any groupies but noticed one of early starters – Catherine. First lady home in Connemara 100 this year. She started 30 minutes ahead of us, so her time would be 4:30 if she finished with me. She did great and finished probably around 4:27. Maybe little bit less. I was enjoying that run. No stress, checking my watch constantly for pace and heart rate. Both were in norm. I was feeling comfortable. Weather was getting slightly worse. Little bit colder and breeze picked up as well slightly towards end of the run. Probably I would be feeling even better if I wasn’t talking the whole time. That is something I’m not doing regularly. Usually running alone in silence listening to my steps and breath. 2000 participants on different distances – 10 km, half marathon, full marathon. Big groups of runners running together. Sometimes was hard to overtake people in that crowd. Support was brilliant. You can clearly see that town was prepared to cheer up for runners. Marathon organised well. As usual when Ray is the race director. Must say that head was in the right place when I was running that marathon. Still legs needed to follow but it was good. For the first time in the past 4 – 5 weeks I was actually enjoying race. No DNF ideas. And just before finishing line, when I have already pushed Catherine towards her sub 4:30 I stopped and rooted for rest of finishing runners. Shouting words of encouragement, clapping. Spent there maybe 30 seconds and cruised towards finish line in the ‘plane style’. Again, for the first time in ages.
Some of my Friends asked about the race. If I was enjoying it and how I feeling afterwards. They were concerned about me. But they could see straight away that I was in right place. Joking at the end of the race. That means something. Great race to run. Will be back there next year to enjoy again. What was left to do that day? Hmmm… get into the car and drive to Monaghan for next marathon. But first lunch in Tai restaurant. First b2b in long time. It was just to check how legs will behave running marathons in two consecutive days. Plan for next day was 3:45 – 4 hours. Just to get through hilly woodlands of Monaghan Town.
I think head is ok. Lets wait for legs. See that marathon in pictures… Read more
