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…
Anyway… Friday was 17th, so Paddy’s Day and we could drive down on the civilized hour not straight after work. Just over three hours drive. Not too bad. But weather was really bad. Wind, rain whole way. After picking bib I was still not convinced that I should run next day. Was so bad that we decided that restaurant we will go to be just three floors below. Anything not involving going out into bad weather. Forgot to mentioned that we weren’t booked in Rose Hotel even but the weather was crazy and we didn’t want to stay outside Tralee so we cancelled B&B and decided for the hotel. Just walking distance from start and finish of marathon…
When we were in the hotel we met Eamon, our friend from London who we met back in 2015 in Clon. Back then Bozena and Eamon walk marathon, actually Bozena forced injured Eamon to finish. Now he was in better shape. After sort conversation we have agreed that I can try to pace Eamon for 4 h next day… ‘But would I run?’ Whole night was windy and rainy still. Weather forecast mentioned that rain should stop at 7 AM and stay like that till at least 3 PM. But… next day in the morning it was still bad. You could hear wind hauling outside and see sideways rain. Despite the weather decided that I will at least go to starting line and try…
Wet, cold… didn’t want to run. But then Eamon appeared. So, the deal was on. 4 hours. Two loops. First canal for two miles against the wind. Then mile 3 mark and first hill. We were all the time with 4 h pacers. No problem for me. I was talking to Eamon all the time. About everything, our runs, health, PBs, form. Eamon was mentioning that 15 seconds quicker than 4 h pace will break him on some stage. But he was doing ok. Mile 9 was again hill but before that there was open road with side wind again. Just drains the energy out of you. 9 mile mark on the top of the hill. Actually same hill as the one on the mile 3 but accessed from other direction was slightly higher. Then down. Canal. Around Rose Hotel and loop done. Passing clock and I could see that we were 4 minutes ahead of schedule. Eamon was concerned. It was little but to fast for him. Me and pacers have slowed down. Canal on this loop was tougher. Wind just picked up. I could see that Eamon is getting weaker. Pacers were far in front of us. On some stage we lost them. Wind was stronger and somehow hill on the 9th mile got really high. I waited for Eamon on the top. We still had some time to spare and now was downhill. And after that just less than 4 miles on the flat. Canal, wind in the back. Then I turned around. Eamon wasn’t there. Lost him on the downhill section. It was just 4 km to go. Have noticed Eamon at the other side of the canal. He was walking. He was correct when he said that he will pay the price for that 15 seconds quicker pace on the first loop. Whole time Eamon was telling me that if he will just stop I should just continue. But until I knew he was done I was trying to wait for him and push him. I have just continued slowly. Finished in 3:56. Waited couple of minutes for Eamon. No trace. After 15 minutes decided to go back to hotel. On the way back saw Eamon. He was walking. He was still before 4:15 pacers but not far ahead but finished before 4:15.
Weather was better. No rain, still windy. Took shower in hotel gym and we went back. Stop for restaurant and next 3 hours spent in the car.
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