Monday, November 21, 2016

The Gingerbread Run

Great day out in Portarlington for the Gingerbread Run. Fantastic showing by all the RSPers on display, on what was certainly one race when nobody could come up with the excuse that it was TOO HOT out there....

Thanks to Christine Mc as ever for the lift over, and congrats to everyone who ran, especially Orna who had a brilliant run in the 10K and Francis who bombed the Half Marathon. Personally I had an almost great run, with just a little hiccup around 17/18 kms when a spot of cramp held me up for a brief while, but thankfully not enough to make serious dents in my aimed for time. ...

5K Splits of 25:41,25:09, 25:16, 27:09 tell their own tale, with the last Km and 97 m in 4:54 plus 25 seconds for my Band time of 1:48:34...... Official time came in at 1:48:41 for 143rd out of 484 participants. Fastest Km of the race, Km 21 !!!

Almost an 8 minute Age Best, and my second fastest Half Marathon since 1998 - Yes, you read that right, and nearly beat that from 2003, missing out by 20 seconds, if the cramps hadn't flared, I would have........ This old dog can put his feet up now, that was my last "race" of the year - May run a parkrun or two, but a little R & R now - Happy Runner Here - The Gingerbread Man Did!

Wednesday, November 02, 2016

Pictures from Dublin Marathon

Dublin City Marathon - Sunday 30th October, 2016 - Not quite on target, but, What a Great Day!

I wrote this for my Facebook Running Group, #RSP, the Runners Support Page, posting it here to save for posterity.

An up and down day, emotionally. I didnt want to post my experience last night, as I wasnt sure how I felt. This morning, having slept on it, had a pint too 😎 , its easier to reflect. ...... Id stated my aims clearly, seeking that Boston Qualifying Time, under 3:55, so a hostage to fortune.... Thanks to the one way system to get to Merrion Sq., I missed the RSP photo shoot, and nearly missed the damn start, due to loo queues. ....... The run itself started so well, keeping myself in check, all the way to 7km, all fine, all on target, felt great..... Then, the hamstring decided to tweak, pull, whatever the expression is, mine was more like, CRAP!.... I kept going, out of the Park, back in, but soon realised that with 30k to go, it would be a long day. My old friend from Athenry, Peter Lowney joined me with his blisters, and we exchanged was wounds, on and off, for a few miles. I met a guy from Newcastle, Co. Down, and we walked and talked for a mile or two., then Janet from Mallusk in Belfast was crying along the way, so she got a hug. ...... Wearing the RSP top brought cheers to help, friends Rory & Cat at Dolphins Barn encouraged me along, seeing Michelle from my Wednesday night Run With Beers gang, sorry about the sweaty hug, Julie from Waterstown parkrun, all helped with the crushing disappointment of the hamstring. ..... After 30k, it was only a wee trot home, and I dug in and despite the pain, I ran most of the way home, up Roebuck Hill, with Christine in great form there, then on towards the end, with Rachel, Denise, Trina & Aoife, not mention Stuart at cheerleader central, and most importantly, my better half Paula 50 yards on, with a big hug.... Now I could finish.... Head down, smile on face, and crossing the line, and raising a smile to Joe looking down on me.... Ok, 4.49 was an hour away from what I wanted. Sure, I was disappointed, but, the support, the cameradi, the fun out there is second to none. And then, onto McGrattans, and seeing every smiling face, made it all worthwhile. Yep, my time was nowhere near what I wanted, but the day itself was awesome. If Carlsberg did Marathons, it would be Dublin................. A heartfelt thanks to each and everyone who were involved, running, cheering, watching on from afar...... Far too many names to mention, but I appreciate it all.... To the two lasses from Roscommon who told Trina that I was their inspiration, I pass the baton back, everone I have met, in person or on line here at #RSP had inspired me........ Who cares about finishing times, or even finishing lines, its about friendship....... You cant pay for that...... Thanks....