I'm Back!

Yes, after a week's haitus in Sunny Spain I am back and looking forward to sharing my thoughts as the summer months arrive and running in Ireland see's some of that sun on my back. The vacation went OK, nothing spectacular, lazy days on the Mediterranean, lying by the pool, and eating and drinking a little too much in the evenings, but then again, that's what you are supposed to do, so can't complain.

Even managed to get in a couple of small runs along the coastal path. Only around three miles each time, but pleasant enough to tick me over. Now I'm home, and a few pounds heavier, the real work starts to get into shape for an attempt at a Boston Qualifier in Dublin at the end of October. At the moment it seems such a long way off, but time has a habit of flying when you're Marathon Training, so the hard work has to start immeadiately, so Monday lunch I was in the gym and shook away a few cobwebs and ran 5K in 23:50 to start the process.

Have a few rambling thoughts on non-running related topics that I'll share over the next few days, but for now, it's good to be home.

I'll be absent for a week or so!

Will you miss me? That could be one of those stupid questions that I'm only asking myself as nobody actually sees it :) -

Anyway, I have recovered well from Prague, been exceptionally busy at work, not run at all, just relaxed in the evenings, and prepared for a short vacation, starting tomorrow. I know, I only was away last weekend, but that was Running - This is Vacation Time - :) - This time tomorrow we will be sat on a plane to Malaga in Espana, and a week in the sun. It's going to be a lazy week, lying by the pool, catching up on that cheap novel I've had lying around for a few months, getting a tan which will hopefully last all summer, and re-charging the batteries.

Hope everyone who does pop by has a great week, may your running be productive and your life full of smiles :) - Here's another look at Prague, and an interesting photo of a "finisher" - And no, it's not me needing a lift!

See you in a week!

Prague - A Czech Spring Marathon

After my disappointment with having to drop out of the Belfast Marathon at the beginning of the month, my desire to run in Prague had switched from a gentle run through this Central European Capital, to one in which I had ambitions of breaking the “magic” 4 hour barrier. My training had been going well since Connemara in March, and with the exception of the glitch around Belfast, I had been running injury free. The only problem I could foresee was that I had put back a few of the pounds I had shed over the winter training, and that I felt “heavy” – I had climbed back to around 189 lbs, well above my fighting weight.

We flew out to Prague on the Friday, arriving to beautiful sunshine, and a city that thrives on tourists. Abundant with picturesque buildings, everywhere you look, every side-street you go down, there seems to be another hidden gem of a church or 16th century mural depicting a religious scene, with a gaggle of camera shod tourists having the meaning of the architecture explained. Prague is a city steeped in history, some bloodier than others, and it would be fair to say that following the collapse of communism, they have embraced capitalism and are hungry for the tourist dollar, or in our case, euro!

We sat out on the Old Town Square, enjoying a beer in the evening sun, watching the world go by, and relaxing, before heading to dinner and an early night. Saturday morning saw me up and out for a light jog. Now, with some 10,000 people involved with the Marathon weekend, with an 8K and a 4K fun run in addition to the Marathon, I would have expected to see others out for a morning workout, maybe I ran in the wrong places, but my 15 minute sojourn around Wenceslas Square simply saw me receiving strange stares from a population heading to work, or maybe they were late night revellers returning to their hotels, but I saw no other runners – We did have the right weekend?

When we booked the trip, it had not been top of my agenda to notice that the FA Cup Final (Soccer) was to be played this weekend. This event only triggered on my radar when the team I follow, Liverpool FC, made it through to the final. A dilemma… I like to watch a Big Match with others. Usually in a bar, and enjoying a pint as I cheer, boo, go through all the emotions that are invoked in a major sporting event. But I had a race to run on Sunday, could I have a couple of beers and still run OK. – Well, I met up with a few other runners who were like minded in their desire to watch the match, and so in mid-afternoon, Steve, Andy and a Canadian-Italian, Vincenzo, along with Dee and myself were esconsed in Rocky O’Reilly’s Irish Bar to watch one of the Best Cup Finals in living memory. Suffice to say Liverpool won, and despite a couple of beers, and a plate of nacho’s, we were all in good spirit and ready to face the cobbles of Prague on the following morning. Maybe we would have been better taking a tip from our Canadian friend and enjoyed a baked potato or rice, but it was pasta we sought, and then an early night, so we retired early, looking forward to the race.

Just realised that you have scrolled through 4 paragraphs of my ramblings and hardly a word about running, but Sunday morning came, and at 8 we were in the Old Town Square trying to see where the Rain that had been forecast may be coming from. Instead we were “blessed” with sunshine, and whilst poncho’s were being handed out, it was warm enough for me to be hanging around in my running singlet, and looking forward to the race. Steve, Andy and myself were all looking for similar times, so we had arranged to run together, and lined up between the 3:30 and 4 hour pace teams. There were around 3000 running the full marathon, and at just after 9 the race was off, and we wound our way through the Old Town Square and were off.

We had been warned about the course. In some cases quite negatively. There were to be cobbles and tram lines, and we had been told that these were dangerous etc… Well, like any race, if you watch where you are putting your feet you should be OK, and I have to say that whilst they were there as we ran in the Old Town, they never caused me a problem at all – it may have been different if it had rained and the cobbles had been slippy, but hey were nowhere near the problems we had feared.

We were trying to run a reasonable pace, and with the fact that Europe is metric this was to be a 42.195 kilometre race, rather than a 26.2 mile race, if you understand what I mean. We were all used to running Mile pace, and with 26 clicks of the watch to indicate our progress. No mile markers, but 42 K markers seems more daunting, somehow it sounds further, but we found an advantage in that the markers came around a lot quicker, especially in the latter stages. I had worked out a 5Km split pace, and we were looking for 27:30 for the 8 spilts, and then take the last 2195 metres in our strides – at least that was the idea.

The first few kilometres is run through the Old and picturesque part of town, crossing the famous Charles Bridge very early on. Despite the crowds we were running steadily and the first 5K came upon us before we knew it, and we had run 27:50 from the start mat (it was a chipped race), and were enjoying the craic as we ran. Crowd support thinned out as soon as we had left the main square. A few interested bystanders, others perplexed at these be-shorted visitors running around en masse. It would be fair to say that the Praguvians were not as savvy regarding their Marathon as New Yorkers or Londoners, but those that were there clapped politely as we ran along, and with bands interspersed along the course it wasn’t too bad. No sheep or cows as in Connemara to moo or baa us along!

Even at this early stage of the race I could feel the sun on my body as I ran along. Each water station was treated with respect and fluid taken on, and the 10K marker came up in 54:29, a 26:39 second split. We were running easily, the pace was steady, and whilst we may have been picking it up slightly, it wasn’t noticeable at this stage. I kept doing my body check to see if the niggles were coming back to haunt me, but everything felt great and as we came back into the city at around 12K, things were looking good. Dee was able to catch us at this point, shouting out and managing to get a picture as we ran along – life was good.

After the first 1/3 of the race, the course heads out of town, and into the first of the “boring” bits. Now, every marathon, in order to make up the miles and not simply have us making numerous laps of a city centre (a logistical nightmare I would suggest), has to have some boring bits. Here was our first ordeal. Up to 15K, and a 25:58 split, well on target for out sub 4 at this stage, and it was now that the heat, probably in the 70’s by now (and only 10:30 in the morning), started to tell a little with me. I could see that my younger running colleagues were running strongly, so at some point before the 20K mark I told them I was going to drop back a little, or more realistically allow them to go on and I would ease back to the 27:30 pace I was seeking. They reluctantly let me slip back, and I must have been doing something right as my split for that 5 was exactly 27:30!

The turnaround took place just before the Half-Marathon point, and I saw Steve and Andy as they returned. They were only around 20 seconds ahead of me at that point, a gap that would widen over the second half. According to the official timing I reached half-way at 1:54:37, still within my target range of breaking 4, a 2:05 second half would bring me in. But by now I was feeling that heat sufficiently to make me walk through each water station, ensuring I was hydrating, swallowing each cup of water and energy drink. It is so easy when running along to slop water into your mouth and not actually take much in, for me, in this weather, I knew I needed to take the fluid on-board, and walking for 20 seconds or so to ensure sufficient went down was a small price to pay.

The run back into the city was non-descript and at around 23K we crossed the river again, and then we had the really boring bit! On the maps, and by descriptions we had heard, this was to be the challenge. Out and back along a dual-carriageway for 7K up, and 7K back. As we went onto this stretch, it was hard seeing the 38K marker on the other side of the road, and knowing that I had to run up and back – Very tempting to cross over the carriageway and cheat at this point – I wonder if some did? (They would be excluded as there was a check-mat at 33K). 25K was reached in 28:16 and whilst I was feeling mildly light-headed I was trying to do some calculations as to what was needed to bring me home under 4 hours.

At this point I realised that 3 x 30 minute 5K’s and a strong finish would still have me home under target, and that was my focus for each kilometre along this empty concrete stretch along the river. 6 minutes per kilometre, easy, a gentle run. It was getting harder, but I can still run that pace can’t I? The other runners around were all non-english speaking, so little encouragement was to be had from those around, and no spectators at this point, and 30K came up with a 30:25 split – OK, not too bad, only just outside my time plan now, I could still do it – Only 12 K left to go, keep on target, concentrate……

Now, after the race, Vincenzo, my Canadian-Italian friend complained about the wind on this stretch. I have to confess I cannot recall a breath of a breeze anywhere along this highway, and as I approached the turnaround I was buzzed to see Andy and Steve still running together, although by now they had gained a few minutes on me, but they looked strong and well able to break that 4 barrier. Turned around it was heading for home, but my quads and other leg muscles were starting to tell me that they were getting tired as well, and the heat was still prevalent as well. Each water station walk was harder to re-start from, and 35K saw a 33:00 split – Damn! 4 hours was out of the question now, I was fading, or could I run sub 6 for the last 7 K, would that bring me home still within 4? Now, I pride myself on my abilities with mental arithmetic, but by now I was struggling with 2+2, and I was adjusting my time to anywhere from 4 to 4:15, still trying to think straight, and looking ahead to see where the bridge for home was to be.

Each K post was getting further apart, and I was relieved that they were not Mile Markers as at least they came around. At the 38K post we veered away from those still heading out along the highway, they were still at 23K, I didn’t envy them at all. I was thinking – Only 5K to go – no! - less – 4195 meters, counting my strides, 79, 80, 81…. That’s the 195 gone, only 4000 left, ten laps of a track, easy running, I could do this, 4:15 was going to be broken, could I manage under 4:10, of course I could – There’s the 39 mark, oh no, 7 minutes plus for that kilometre, I can walk it that fast, dig in………..

The last water stop was ahead, then the 40K mark, and the bridge back towards the old town again and the spectacular finish in the Old Town Square, under the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock. Dee would be waiting, Steve and Andy hopefully had finished – summon up one last bit of strength and drag yourself home, anyone can run 2 kilometres. Here it was I got a boost from three elderly Czech ladies, clapping along and encouraging me with cries of “Hop, Hop, Hop” – I trust that this was encouragement to run faster in Czech, rather than some attempt to have a laugh at my expense and get me hoping all the way home – They raised my spirits and as we crossed the river and headed for home, it was 35:22 for that last 5K, and I knew I could break 4:10.

Disaster nearly struck as I came off the bridge and turned left and the last kilometre along the river. Pedestrians were crossing the road between runners, but for some reason this idiot decided that he had the right of way and that some Irish inconvenience to his sight-seeing wasn’t going to stop him, and he stepped out directly in front of me. At this stage in a marathon, it is hard to make a sudden swerve, but easy to make a sudden swear! I yelled some expletive, just managed to avoid a direct hit, but I have to confess that my right fist did make an involuntary swipe at his back-pack and a finger was extended to express universal feelings to him. If he had been aggressive and tried to chase me, maybe I would have broke that 4 hours after all, but looking back now, I doubt he could have run for 10 seconds without falling over – Oh well, it takes all sorts.

As you read the above, so it passed the time for me as well – took my mind off my mathematics and thoughts of times, lucky not to have had a major accident and be scraped off the side-walk! 41K, wow, less distance than 3 laps of a track to go, I was nearly home. I turned the corner, the final long straight – The road lined with fences and banners indicating the sponsors, and finally a swell of a crowd, clapping, cheering, welcoming the runners home, a glance at my watch – In my mind I needed 80 seconds for that last 195 metres, where was the 42 mark – I could see it ahead, a glance at my watch – I could make it under 4:08 – A cry of YES! Erupted from my mouth, repeated three or four times, each one louder, and the crowd started to shout YES back, I dug in, passed fellow strugglers, summoning up that last ounce of strength in my tired limbs and “sprinted” for the line. I’d love to see a video of this “sprint” as it would probably more resemble a cart-horse plodding along, but it felt like a sprint, but I felt great, ecstatic, I crossed the line – 4:07:57 – A triumph where disaster could have been. 13 minutes faster than Connemara, that’s 30 seconds a mile better, or is that 20 seconds a kilometre, oh heck – I still can’t work that one out – who cares – I’m finished.

As soon as I had crossed the line I saw Dee, camera in hand, and she snapped me in my happy state – Smiling, no longer in pain, but I did want some water, and my medal – Makes it all worthwhile…… And most of all a kiss from my girl who was there for me at the end, now that really makes it worthwhile!

It was a little chaotic around the finish area. The surreal sight of tour guides still trying to explain the workings of the Astronomical Clock to oblivious visitors, more interested in the runners completing their task. I found the lads at our pre-arranged spot. Andy had managed a great run well inside the 4 hours, and Steve had suffered over the last few K, and just missed out on breaking 4, but set a PR and was happy. The race was over, we had all got around, were all happy, and it was time to look forward to a few Czech beers, after a shower at least! We enjoyed a meal, a few beers

No tales from Prague could be complete without mention of the local beer. Away from the main tourist traps, you can get some of the best beer in the world for 28Kr, which works out at around €1 per pint, or $1:25, or only 65 pence sterling! – Heard from Steve that he managed to find a pint for 15Kr – So, if you like a beer, and REAL Budweiser (not that lousy watery brew that stole the name in the US) – Prague is worth a visit. Not to mention that is is a beautiful city, and that they have a great Marathon to boot.

Sadly, all good trips have to come to an end, and after a day on Monday sight-seeing and relaxing in the Spring Sun – Sun I welcomed on Monday far more than on Sunday, it was home to Dublin, and thoughts of where to go from here in my running. Dublin Marathon in October will be next, with many a stepping stone in-between. A week back in the sun, this time of Spain, beckons from Saturday. My runners will be in my bag, but only for gentle jogs along the shore – Relax and unwind, ready to face the summer on the roads of Ireland as I prepare for my next race, looking back and reflecting on a great time in Prague, and despite failing to break 4 hours, learning a lot and enjoying a new M45 Personal Best -

Prague - The Short version

Morning - And home at last after the long weekend in Prague. I'll be brief here as I have to get off to work and only have a few minutes, but I do promise a full account later. The bottom line was that it was a lovely city, the course was great by my standards, with a few exceptions, but nothing major, met some great folk on our travels, and I ran a decent marathon, finishing in 4:07:57. Mildly disappointing as I had hoped to break 4 hours, but it was very warm and I have no complaints, in fact I am very pleased with the time, an improvement of some 13 minutes on Connemara. Full report to follow, and a BIG thanks to those who have supported me in this - much appreciated.

Last Run to Prague

Tonight, Thursday, in unusually warm May weather, I took a last run down to Phoenix Park, meeting up with my Training Partner Kieran, and we took a leisurely 6.75 mile run around the inside perimeter at around 8:30 pace, my marathon hope pace on Sunday.

I'll be away from a PC until Tuesday, so apologies for those awaiting news with baited breath, but just in case they post the results before I get home, my race number is 3848. Keep your fingers crossed, and all being well, I'll have an interesting race report to produce upon my return.

Looking forward to the Cheap Beer after the race, and the climb to the top of St Vitus's Cathedral on Monday morning :)

Government Services 5 Miler - Dunboyne

In only 4 days time Iwill be lining up on the streets of the Czech Republic for another crack at 26 miles. Today I am sat at my office trying to think of witty comments to post, both here, and in response to other fave blogs that I read. Last night, I travelled a few miles out of town to run a BHAA organised race in Dunboyne, County Meath. It was a 5 Mile race, and as this was my first Business Houses Race of the season, I felt I couldn't "bag" this one, despite it being so close to Prague.

It was an 8pm start and with around 200 plus runners, the car park was over filled even by the time I got there at 7, but I managed to find a parking space nearby, and registered and warmed up, whilst catching up with a few old friends. The BHAA races are organised by the Businees's around Dublin, and open to all-comers. They are low-key but well organised, and relatively competitive. I was hoping to run around 7:30 pace as a warm up for Sunday, so I was looking for a time around 37:50 for the 5 miles. But as ever, the best laid plans etc....

After a good warm up jog down to the start on a really pleasant warm, almost summer-like evening, the gun went off and we were away. The rcae is generally run on flat country roads, with a little incline around the 3.5 mile mark, but nothing to write home about. I settled quickly into what I believed to be a steady rhythm, not running too fast, or so I thought. I won't bore you with who I passed, or who passed me, but I hit the Mile 1 mark in 6:50 - What was I doing?

I kept going, amazed at my pace, and conscious that it was too fast, but it's hard to slow yourself down too rapidly and as we wound our way around the fields in the evening sunlight, Mile 2 was hit in 7:05 - OK, so the markers were unlikely to be out, why was I running so quick, this was suicide! I let people get ahead of me so that I could try and relax my speed, but Mile 3 was upon me in 7:18, still WAY ahead of my time schedule. My best time for 5 miles in the past two years is only 36 minutes, and this was meant to be a training run!

I physically restrained myself in Mile 4. I purposely took my foot off the gas, and allowed others passed - Some enquiring if I was alright as they sailed away. Mile 4 marker was 7:46, much better, I could relax now, and just coast home. In the last mile, I was closing in on those who had passed me, and as we entered the last few hundred yards, we came onto the cinder track and the finish. I recognised the guy ahead of me, we had chatted after races last year, when he was beating me by minutes in races such as these - I was closing fast, and as we approached the bend with 60 or so yards to go to the finish, I drew onto his shoulder - Now normally I would out-kick most from here, but last night as he kicked to ward me off, I decided not to go for it - a sprint finish was not what was called for, and I relaxed and let him pull ahead, and I crossed the line a few yards behind him with a time of 36:42, and a last mile of 7:43, well ahead of my expected time, but not the greatest pacing I have ever managed :).

I was pleased with my run, although kicking myself for going off so fast. In Prague I will have to reign myself in and tie myself to the 8:30 pace I want to run at. What does augur well for the future, is that I am confident that after this marathon, I can do some speed work, and next time around, I will be kicking away at this speed, and those sub 7 miles may become more of the norm.

At the tea and snadwiches after the race (very civilized here), I was lucky enough to win a spot prize, a gift certificate for a full body massage, which my SO was delighted with when I got home and passed it on to her, so we were all happy :)..

So, maybe not the witty comments, but a fair reflection on my run last night. Rest today, and a nice easy 8 miler tomorrow with my training buddy, then I can look forward to flying away to Prague on Friday - The joy of travel and running combined :)

6 Days and Counting - Prague here we come

Well, I'm really starting to get into Prague Mode now. Only three days left at work, including a nice trip to the Circuit Court on Thursday morning to deal with an appeal, then our bags will be packed and we will be off via Czech Air to Prague and the Marathon. Have been checking out the Forums over at Runners World and a mixed bag of advice. Lots of talk about cobbles, and terrible food, although pretty good reviews of the Beer :) - Could be an interesting weekend.

Was up North over the weekend enjoying shopping with my dear partner as she bought out Marks and Spencer's store in Lisburn for her holidays. I'm a saint ;) -

Managed a short run of 20 minutes and 2.5 miles on Sunday in my new Asics Nimbus shoes (having changed them for the right size on Saturday at the Up and Running Store in Belfast). Not as easy as it sounds as this is a run filled with hills and a good hard workout. Added to this, I took a 4 mile treadmill run today in 30:45 and tomorrow night I have a 5 Mile race in the BHAA series in Dunboyne, Meath. I always like to try and get a race a few days before a marathon in, so I can turn the legs over at a faster speed - it tricks them into feeling I'm running easy when I start the 26 Miler.

Let's hope all goes well over the last 6 days, and I can guarantee - NO SOCCER this week!

Easing back

Nice and easy today as I eased back into running after a few days enforced lay-off. Went to the gym at lunchtime and had a short session on the treadmill to check things out. Pleased to report that a 4K run in 19:05 passed without incident and without any discomfort at all from the groin.

It was with relief that I stepped off the machine and warmed down with a few exercises. Writing this a couple of hours later and no after effects, so I'm all geared up for my Prague Marathon in 9 days. Having had my taper :), I plan to just run through the next week, and ease back in the last couple of days. We fly out on Friday next.

Recovering Nicely

Well, this is a running Blog, and I'm not running this week, allowing the muscle to completely recover, and I'm pleased to report it is 99% healed. Proof will be when I go for a light run, maybe this evening. I knew it was only a few days away from being clear, and if my Marathon had been today I think I would have been fine, but C'est la vie!

The week has been plodding along. Strange not to think about training, just relaxing, catching up on some paperwork, and yesterday was my partner's Burpday, so once I had collected her from her extended lunchtime soiree to the local hostelry we came home, I cooked a nice meal, and we relaxed over a bottle of wine with the eldest and his GF. A mid-week relaxing time, and for the first time I can recall in ages, the TV never went on all evening!

I've never really mentioned the family in my tales, so just for the record, I live in Dublin with Dee. Between us we have 5 kids, three to her and two to me, all of whom are now over 18 with only the eldest, Neville, living at home, and he's moving out before Xmas. Dee's daughter, Lynn, is expecting her first child next month, so the next generation will begin. My son, Liam Óg, is at Queens University in Belfast (he's the one who designed the header here), studying Computer Science, Dee's youngest, Brian is working out in Spain at the moment (we're heading out later this month to visit him and take a vacation in the sun), before coming home in September to start College, and finally my daughter, Melanie, lives in England with her mom, but is a regular visitor.

So, a week off running, and thoughts turn to family and birthdays. It's great to have them around, but it's also great after the trails of them growing up, to see them making their own lives, facing their own problems, enjoying their own space, so we can enjoy ours. The kids all do some sport or other, although as yet I haven't managed to get any of them serious about running, they dabble from time to time.

Now then, about that running............................................................

Sense and Sensibility

OK, It's Tuesday, I'm home and you want to know how I got on.

Well, here's the Short Story - I dropped out before Mile 7!!!

The Long Story - Well, I had told you about my total lack of sense and my 5 a-side soccer game last week and the strained muscle. Memo to self - NEVER play any other sport in the week preceeding a marathon. Well, it had been responding to the ice, and on Saturday morning I went to my physio and had a good masage on my legs to get me ready for Monday's race. She advised Deep Heat on the strain, and all should be well.

Up to Belfast to collect my Race Pack, very low key, no hastle, in fact very little of anything! Sunday was spent resting, keeping hydrated, and ensuring my injury was treated and feeling fine.

Monday morning saw me up at 6 and up to the City, parked, changed, track-suited, and looking for my club mates well before 8 am, an hour before the start. It was chillier than expected, and I stretched, kept warm and finally discarded my gear with 10 minutes to go. I lined up near the front of the field, mainly to avoid the walkers who were starting at the same time as us, along with all the relay competitors - The Belfast City Marathon has a very heavy emphasis on the Relay, so Ray O'Connor and myself (He of Connemara Marathon fame) set up nicely near the front to get an even start. We were both looking at running around 8:30 pace.

The race started and we were quickly into out stride as we left City Hall, running out towards the River. After only a couple of minutes Ray called that we were running sub 8 pace, but I knew we would settle down once we cleared the city. Before the first mile marker we crossed the river, catching up with Gerry Ford in his wheelchair, and Ray eased back to have a chat with Gerry as he climbed the approach to the bridge. I kept on going and the First Mile Mark was passed in 7:20 - GULP!!!! - Wayyyyy toooo quick... But I actually felt that I was running well within myself.

I eased myself down, trying to slow down. This is actually harder than you think, especially when you are so full of running. An added difficulty was the numbers passing me, then I realised that these were the Relay runners, only running three miles on the first leg. Mile 2 was reached at 15 minutes dead by my watch, I had slowed a little but had still run 7:40. There were a few ups and downs in these early miles, nothing serious, but enough to bring variety to the cadence, and it was around Mile 2 that I started to feel my groin muscle. At first it was just a little nag, a tingle, but I could feel it. I kept going easily, through Mile 3 in 7:35, and as we approached the relay exchange I could now feel the groin on each stride. It wasn't agony or anything like, but a constant ache each time my left leg went through it's cycle of motion.

I tried to slow down further, hoping to run off any discomfort. My mind was racing now. I was running easily, well inside my target time, but not over exerting. My training was paying off, and Mile 4 was run in 8:05 and I knew I could crank out miles at this pace for a good while to come. But the leg was hurting now. The ache was becoming a constant reminder of the strain, and I still had 22 miles to run.

The first 6 miles of this race loop around east Belfast before heading back into the City and then out west and north, before returning to the finish. I had a decision to make. I kept the pace even and reached Mile 5 in 38:54, for an 8:14 mile, and this was run with a squally shower into my face (the only rain I experienced on the day), and it was back into the City and Mile 6 approaching. It was now or never I thought. Should I continue the race and risk the injury more, or should I take the opportunity of being back in the City, easy access to the finish and my clothes, and live to fight another day. I'm due to be running Prague in two weeks!

I have only ever dropped out of one other marathon, and that was due to injury, albeit one that occured on the course. That was a heartbreaker. This one was more a common Sense answer to the problem. By Mile 6, and a 8:07 mile, making 47:01 for a 6 Mile run, my leg was aching, again, not agony, but enough to know that another 20 miles on this would not be pretty. I made my decision. I pulled to the side of the road, waited for Ray to come along, he was looking good, I ran alongside him for another half mile or so, just to let him know that I was pulling out and explaining why, wishing him well etc., and then I pulled away from the race, walked back to the Finish Area, got my clothes, deposited my chip and siddled away, strangely with no regrets for having pulled out.

When I got home, my SO was disappointed for me, but I had a strange feeling of actually, for the First Time in my life, practicing what I preach to others, "There is always another day". If you are injured, you only do yourself harm - I have run through injuries in the past, and ended up missing weeks of training and other races because of it - This time, I knew I was doing the right thing. Sure I missed out on another medal, and the way I was feeling aside from my groin, probably a reasonable time, but I have Prague in Two weeks. The groin should have recovered completely by then, and I can have a crack at a decent run there.

Only disappointment I am feeling today as I write this, is that I wanted to complete an Irish Grand Slam this year. But much like our fabled Rugby Team - There is always next year!

P.S. The groin is feeling great this morning. I treated it last night, and I should be running easily by the weekend. If I had continued yesterday, I doubt I would be walking too comfortably. Onward to the Czech Republic and a nice little break and hopefully a more interesting run on May 14th :)