me running…
Two years ago I have run Tralee. Back then I was happily surprised by my run. Wind, hills weren’t any problem… But that was two years ago. Now, two previous marathons in this year were barely under 3:45. Then there was back / chest injury was back. And I think that maybe I’m still too weak to get back in the heavy training. I think that don’t have base at the moment. Probably any marathon will be struggle for next couple of weeks…
But this time that stands for ‘Ohh jeez, what a mess’. That suppose to be weekend with easy b2b. First in the long time. Weekend runs in Offaly. For the first time MCI has organized marathons there. Saturday in Rhode – two loops, almost half of that on trail. Sunday loops in wind farm in Mount Lucas. I was happy for that b2b. But as usual nothing is simple and easy for me. Almost died during first day and additionally had three pit-stops. And second day stomach started to acting up straight from the beginning… So, it was tough enough. Too bad cause both routes were new and would be nice to conquer both.
and I will taunt you for at least 13.1 miles. Haha… That could be summary for my last marathon in 2015 and the first I have run on behalf of Make-A-Wish Ireland foundation. As I was landing in Dublin at 29th of December I have tasted Storm Frank. Little bit turbulences. But that wasn’t too bad. Trip to Armagh was really challenging. Wind playing around with the car on the motorway. Adding up rain and the trip was a ‘delight’. Anyway, thanks to Clive I had place to sleep before heading to Belfast next morning. Had a place to sleep but it was very hard to sleep when the whole house is shaking cause of wind and rain. So, instead of nice night sleep I had lousy 3 hours of a nap. Early morning, quick breakfast and off to Belfast. Still about 75 minutes drive and I had to have coffee before run. Cause I left before 6 AM there was no open shops at this time of the day. It was a rainy morning still. Not as windy as day before but as I was about to find out still quite challenging when running. I was at parking spot much earlier than I wanted. And actually could start at 8 AM with early starters. Have checked the weather and decided to opt out cause of the rain. It supposed to stop raining later. Now I know that early start wouldn’t be a bad idea. Maybe more rain for the first hour but definitely less windy. And wind for the first part of marathon, probably about 12 miles, was in your face. So, running first hour with less wind would be an advantage…
Clonakilty is always really nice race to run. Doesn’t matter if you are running 10 K, half-marathon or full marathon the atmosphere is always great. You always getting that special vibe here. You can feel like between members of family. Great buzz and much needed support for town itself. Usually there are two runs during the year organized by Clon crew (sometimes more). Ia and Bob always make us feel very welcome. I think that easily you can call that marathon the friendliest marathon in Ireland. And it doesn’t matter if that is ultra marathon in Summer or chilly marathon in December. This year was no different…
That was my third visit to Venice and must say that this time I was enjoying it quite a lot. First time when I was here was almost 15 years ago and from that of experience day I remember just an awful smell. Said to myself that Venice is not worth visiting again. But you never know what life will bring. Second visit in Italy and Venice was maybe 7 or 8 years ago. Short stay, just off email full day here. Decided to go to San Marco, left water bus at Rialto and walked there. Saw Piazza, got quick lunch and decided to walk back to car. But used streets not so popular with tourists. And has change my idea of Venice. Do not go where everybody goes. Use your imagination and allow yourself to be lost in Venice Right then you will start to feel that city,. That was second visit in Venice. And now we had in front of us prospect of another stay there. Wanted to surprise Bozena with that trip but as easy is to hide all preparations (organising B&B, flights, one day off from work with her boss) it is very hide to hide all that bill when they are appearing on the credit card. And Bozena is frequently checking our card spending for any unusual activities. So, there was no surprise for my Wife, she knew all before the trip. She told me that she was actually glad to know about that surprise cause she had could prepare proper clothes for herself and not counting on me being lucky with my choice. There was another thing as well added down the road. Bozena straight from Venice was flying to work conference, so needed to be prepared for that and probably surprise trip (idea was to pick her up from her office just 1.5 hours before the flight)…
Dingle Marathon was an unpleasant reminder of how far back I’m with my fitness. And as well as me not sticking to the plan. Not pushing to much on the first half and be comfortable on the second part of the run… And what I did? Run as hard as I could first 11 miles and paid for that later. Ok, but back to beginning…
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.
If someone had asked me to describe Malta in one word ‘chaos’ would probably be the one. Starting with day to day activities to the marathon organization. But you have to experience it at least once in your life (Leo, suddenly marathon in Nice is looking much better)… Me and Bozena were looking forward to that marathon. Malta, nice weather, sun. We couldn’t be more wrong. Wind, rain, lack of sun. But Sliema itself is great and you can just imagine how nice it can be when the weather is great. When writing these few first words (internet is BAD) can see that shy sun is showing little bit from behind the clouds. Still windy though. Anyway back to Malta marathon experience…