The Day Before Marathon Number 8
So it's an amazing day out, not a cloud in the sky, clothes drying on the line and I'm sitting in the shade in shorts and a t-shirt hiding from the sun with my poor black puppy zonked out with the heat. It seems as good as a time as any lay down my thoughts about tomorrow, next week and how I found myself here.
Early tomorrow morning, Anneve and I will be up early, dressed and on our way down to Roundwood in Co. Wicklow for what will be my 8th Marathon and my 4th in 2014. I am really looking forward to the run, part of the East of Ireland Marathon series which I have been lucky enough to participate in a few times already this year and hope to do so long into the future.
I won't lie, I am quite apprehensive about tomorrow. First and foremost, never underestimate the challenge it is to run a marathon and never take for granted your own ability to toe the start line regardless of what time it takes you to get to the finish line. One thing I took away from reading about Gerry Duffy's exploits is that I GET to run, I don't HAVE to run. Respect the distance and enjoy the fact that you can take on the challenge.
That said the recent heat is going to make the race, starting at 9am somewhat more difficult than I'm normally used to. Add in a 1550ft assent over the 26.2 miles and I'm certainly sure I won't be setting any records tomorrow. All the same I am looking forward to waking up in the morning, lacing up my runners and taking to the hills.
Why? Why would anyone, of a warm Saturday want to spend several hours running around the hills of Roundwood?
Well lets put aside the satisfaction you get knowing you've covered the distance, lets ignore the runners high which when it hits is like crack on steroids and lets take note of the company. Tomorrow is nothing like the mass gatherings of anonymity that a city marathon is. Tomorrow will rather see the relatively small get together of probably between 50 and 100 very like minded individuals, all there because of their love of running and especially of running long distance. All of us come together from many different walks of life to lace up and spend a few hours running together and in reality while it is a race and there is a league, the only person each of is racing is ourselves, the only person we are pushing to beat is ourselves.
A few years ago I had it in my head that I wanted to run a marathon. In 2012 I signed up for the Limerick marathon, then didn't train for it and wussed out of running it. By the time the Dublin Marathon came around in October I finally took to the start line and made my first voyage around the 26.2 mile distance. Thing was when I crossed that finish line that day, tired and sore as I was, the only thing going through my hear way "I can't wait to do that again!" So then in 2013 I decided to push the boat out a little more, taking on 3 marathons in Kildare, Dingle and again in Dublin. At this stage a thirst had developed. The desire to run a marathon had been satisfied, the drive to run 100 had taken its place.
I'm a pup in the company of the many of the runners I will run with tomorrow. Many have achieved 25, 50, 100 even 200 marathons. Others have achieved other major milestones, 50k runs, 39.3mile runs, 50 mile runs, 100mile runs, 24 hours worth of running. However apart from the respect that these individuals deserve, they are the most humble group of people you will ever meet. They offer words of wisdom in casual conversation, never preaching but always suggesting things that might be worth trying. Out on the course we run together, passing each other and the odd time even lapping each other, each time passing words of encouragement, double checking that everything is ok, that a small walk break is just that and not an injury or struggle being pushed too far.
It is an atmosphere that helps you stay grounded and helps you enjoy the experience all the more. There are many memes of inspiration posted everyday on facebook about running and runners and how mad a group of people we can be and while I often share and repost these things there is a pleasure in being surrounded by people who consider what you do normal and fun. Some of these folks are running a marathon nearly every week. They train hard and these races are their reward.
Maybe some day I will reach the point where I can run marathons more frequently but for now, if I can manage one a month I am more than happy. So after Belfast and Staplestown in May, Howth in June, tomorrow I will head to Roundwood to take on a marathon for July...
...Did I mention my August marathon is tomorrow week...
Early tomorrow morning, Anneve and I will be up early, dressed and on our way down to Roundwood in Co. Wicklow for what will be my 8th Marathon and my 4th in 2014. I am really looking forward to the run, part of the East of Ireland Marathon series which I have been lucky enough to participate in a few times already this year and hope to do so long into the future.
I won't lie, I am quite apprehensive about tomorrow. First and foremost, never underestimate the challenge it is to run a marathon and never take for granted your own ability to toe the start line regardless of what time it takes you to get to the finish line. One thing I took away from reading about Gerry Duffy's exploits is that I GET to run, I don't HAVE to run. Respect the distance and enjoy the fact that you can take on the challenge.
That said the recent heat is going to make the race, starting at 9am somewhat more difficult than I'm normally used to. Add in a 1550ft assent over the 26.2 miles and I'm certainly sure I won't be setting any records tomorrow. All the same I am looking forward to waking up in the morning, lacing up my runners and taking to the hills.
Why? Why would anyone, of a warm Saturday want to spend several hours running around the hills of Roundwood?
Well lets put aside the satisfaction you get knowing you've covered the distance, lets ignore the runners high which when it hits is like crack on steroids and lets take note of the company. Tomorrow is nothing like the mass gatherings of anonymity that a city marathon is. Tomorrow will rather see the relatively small get together of probably between 50 and 100 very like minded individuals, all there because of their love of running and especially of running long distance. All of us come together from many different walks of life to lace up and spend a few hours running together and in reality while it is a race and there is a league, the only person each of is racing is ourselves, the only person we are pushing to beat is ourselves.
A few years ago I had it in my head that I wanted to run a marathon. In 2012 I signed up for the Limerick marathon, then didn't train for it and wussed out of running it. By the time the Dublin Marathon came around in October I finally took to the start line and made my first voyage around the 26.2 mile distance. Thing was when I crossed that finish line that day, tired and sore as I was, the only thing going through my hear way "I can't wait to do that again!" So then in 2013 I decided to push the boat out a little more, taking on 3 marathons in Kildare, Dingle and again in Dublin. At this stage a thirst had developed. The desire to run a marathon had been satisfied, the drive to run 100 had taken its place.
I'm a pup in the company of the many of the runners I will run with tomorrow. Many have achieved 25, 50, 100 even 200 marathons. Others have achieved other major milestones, 50k runs, 39.3mile runs, 50 mile runs, 100mile runs, 24 hours worth of running. However apart from the respect that these individuals deserve, they are the most humble group of people you will ever meet. They offer words of wisdom in casual conversation, never preaching but always suggesting things that might be worth trying. Out on the course we run together, passing each other and the odd time even lapping each other, each time passing words of encouragement, double checking that everything is ok, that a small walk break is just that and not an injury or struggle being pushed too far.
It is an atmosphere that helps you stay grounded and helps you enjoy the experience all the more. There are many memes of inspiration posted everyday on facebook about running and runners and how mad a group of people we can be and while I often share and repost these things there is a pleasure in being surrounded by people who consider what you do normal and fun. Some of these folks are running a marathon nearly every week. They train hard and these races are their reward.
Maybe some day I will reach the point where I can run marathons more frequently but for now, if I can manage one a month I am more than happy. So after Belfast and Staplestown in May, Howth in June, tomorrow I will head to Roundwood to take on a marathon for July...
...Did I mention my August marathon is tomorrow week...