Update 1st November 2017

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I completed DCM on Sunday 29th October in a time of 4 hours 17 minutes :) It was the most painful and the best experience of my life all rolled into one! The morning was bright and sunny which were beautiful conditions for spectators but a bit warm for the runners. The buzz around the city was amazing and I didn't have any pre-race nerves. I think I had done so much training that I just wanted to get the race started...and finished! The first few miles passed quickly and we were in the phoenix park before I knew it! I ran the 5-13 miles portion of the course faster than planned (no watch to see what pace I was doing) so I paid for it later in the race. At the halfway point I felt good but started to feel the effects of the faster few miles. I hit the wall at 19 miles and the 19-21 mile portion of the course was really tough. I had to just put the head down and dig deep putting one foot in front of the other. I started to come better at mile 22 as the end was within touching distance. The last 4 miles were tough physically and mentally....my legs were screaming at me to stop and my mind was telling me to keep going. At last I saw the finish line and crossed it with a smile on my face. Many tears of joy followed as the volunteer put the medal around my neck and gave me the biggest of hugs (because I looked like I needed one!) I couldnt quite believe I had run a FULL marathon, me? a marathon runner?!

I had a few (secret) goals ahead of last Sunday and I am proud to say I achieved all three. They were (1) to finish the race with a smile on my face (2) Finish in under 4:30 and (3) Run every step of the marathon.

The third was the toughest one to achieve but I am stubborn as a mule and once I had decided I wasnt walking AT ALL....thats exactly what had to happen.

At the moment I am still on a high but the truama of the marathon is also fresh in my mind.....so I have not signed up to another one yet. I expect this will be similar to childbirth and in the months and years to come I will look back fondly through rose tinted glasses. I will forget about the pain and only remember the glory!

Thank you so much to all for your support through my marathon journey....I cannot thank you enough!

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Update Tuesday 24Oct17

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As the big weekend approaches the excitement is finally kicking in. I was so excited to reach the taper stage of maramthon training that I never considered that the toughest stage might yet be ahead of me! Mentally yhe taper stage has been difficulat, from not wanting to do ANY of the training runs to feeling guilty that even sticking to plan maybe I am not doing enough. I have kept reminding myself to have faith in the many miles I have run in training, have faith in the training plan and more impoetantly have faith in myself! 

5 MORE SLEEPS :-)

Training Update Sunday 8th October 2017

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So here I am with only 3 weeks to go to Dublin City Marathon 2017. WOW, I cant quite believe its this close. Getting really excited now and on the countdown. 21 more sleeps until 26.2

Marathon training is tough, that goes without saying, but nobody can prepare you for the exhaustion when you are hitting those big mileage weeks. After hitting some big long runs in August the first week in September saw me visiting the physio with a niggly right calf....just par for the course when the legs are absorbing so much mileage. Thankfully two dry needling sessions later and I was back in action. I was focused on hitting my big mileage runs in September and staying bang on plan. I did an 18 mile, 20 mile and then finally my longest ever run of 22 miles all in September. Completing the 22 miles around the backroads of Carrigtwohill and Midleton very early on a Saturday morning made me realise that I can complete the 26.2 miles course in Dublin - the cows around the backroads were not great supporters so I'm sure the crowds in Dublin will be great!

Last Sunday morning saw me completing my longest race to date - Cork to Cobh BHAA 15 mile Road Race. I really enjoyed the race from the lower glanmire road in the city, to running on the dual carriageway, passing little island and glouthane before going on to Carrigtwohill where the lovely Carrig AC guys were handing out some much needed water and jellies, aroudn the roundabout, down fota road and up the winding hills to Cobh! I ran most of the race with a group which really helped and contributed to me pushing myself and finishing in a time of 2 hours 20 minutes.....for me that was fast!!

It is officially taper time and I am delighted to have the huge runs behind me for now...(never mind the minor matter of a 26.2 one still to go!) 

Sticking to the training plan, getting rest when I can, eating well and minding myself are my main aims heading into the final three weeks.

Thanks so much to those who have supported me so far and donated to this great cause.

Feeling positive and strong :)

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Currently in training to run DCM2017 for Ronald McDonald House Crumlin.