My journey for Dublin 2014 started on 29th Of December 2013 where I took to the roads to attempt my first 10 k after having my second baby boy 10 weeks previous. I had done a bit on the tredmill previous to this but nothing to rave about. I remember the night so clearly parking the car on the Lahinch Road I braved the wind and rain coming towards me down the by pass really beginning to question myself am I half cracked?? Id say two cars passed me during the entire run. On my return I started googling the prospect of Dublin 2014 what the training plan was, carb loading? Tapering? The runners you need? Garmins?You name it I googled it (probably driving my dear husband crazy in the meantime). On Facebook I came across loads of running groups so I began running with Tracy Guilfoyles group on a Monday and Wednesday evening, I was instantly hooked. I met so many that shared the idea of one day attempting Dublin and being able to run with a few people made the task of running 10k fairly easy, I suddenly became competitive with myself and my times and had to invest in my garmin. On speaking to Tracy she recommended to start running with the Clare crusaders on the Saturday mornings, so once again I braved the elements of the lovely January weather and began training with the crusaders every Saturday morning. I couldn't recommend this enough, what an amazing family that seemed to take me under there wing from day 1. Every morning whatever the weather they all seemed to battle the elements together with great chat and laughter along the way making such long runs seem very doable. the group seem to have qualities so rare and difficult to find in a group of its sorts.
I completed my first "competitive"10k in Doora at the Hurley/Hoey run where I seemed to come across hills that nearly killed me 😔 i began questioning my ability and training, albeit early in the year i seemed disheartened but completed it in just over the 48 minutes. That was it I had caught the "running bug" as such and started thinking tactics for the Pakie Ryan run which was two weeks later, coming in at just the 46 minutes I was delighted and felt much better in my run.
Unfortunately, the following Wednesday night I strained a tendon onto my groin doing speed work and that was me out of action, no amount of rubs from Physios or realigning from chiropractors seemed to straighten me out. I seemed to have tried every technique going between dry needling and shockwave therapy i suddenly realised running and your body was an education in itself. I was climbing the walls suddenly my plan to complete the half marathon in limerick in may was fading very fast. If I wasn't divorced during these 10 weeks I think my husband would put up with anything, talking about living with an antichrist!!! Long story short I started running too soon after having the boys and that's why it took so bloody long to heal so listen up ladies!!!
On returning to running mid June, the crusaders was just starting there marathon training the atmosphere and sense of excitement was electric, many had completed many marathons in great times Frank Landy hoping for a sub3!! where I just wanted to get over the line but deep down a sub4 would be a treat! But I have to admit I was still carrying a niggle on my right groin/ hamstring that just wouldn't go away so I was apprehensive about my abilities.
So week by week everything and anything seemed to be discussed running the country roads on the Saturday mornings and began training with a super group of the crusaders on the Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Suddenly the summer was over and all my limbs were still in tact and relatively niggle free, once I had started telling people of me doing the marathon I knew there was no return.
The weekend had arrived and after a lovely send off from the crusaders at the old ground hotel that Saturday morning we set off to Dublin that Sunday for registration, the nerves of doing your leaving cert exam seemed to come flowing back! the doubt and those nerves???
So after a dodgy night sleep I took off to Buswells hotel where I was greeted with such excitement, there was an unreal buzz around the place, the illuminous tshirts were all that could be seen and before we left, Flan Sheedy made the most memorable of speeches that seemed to put my hair stand at the back of my neck, realising what we really were running for, such amazing children who needed our support!
So off we went all of us in the 3.50/4.15 wave, the nerves seemed to just go as we all spoke amongst ourselves nearly oblivious to the crowds which surrounded us, on listening to everyone's advice I started out nice and steady and didn't go out too fast just hoping that I would get no niggles and have no major need for the loo. The miles seemed to pass on nicely meeting amazing crowds along the way with many orange t shirts on the mix! I never thought hearing "go crusaders" would give me such a pep in my step. Sticking in or around the 8.50 mark for the first 13/14 miles I seemed content and not too tired but suddenly I felt a surge of heat that seemed to come from no where I just thought it was me getting tired so tried to keep taking water. It frightened me how many people I saw dropping around me?cramping up? It's amazing how our bodies react to stress I just tried to distract myself with stupid things that seemed to keep me amused up until mile 20. Where I definitely began seriously talking to myself, I was tempted to walk for a bit around the 22 mile mark but as I slowed I felt my knees beginning to cease so kept on going meeting many more Crusdader runners and supporters along the way. I remember getting a spurt of energy at around the 24 mile mark and seemed to tuck in behind the excitement of the 3.50 pacer but my legs couldn't take it so I just battled on and continued having many arguments with myself
I finally came across the 25 mile marker and by god it was one hell of a last mile that seemed to go on forever but suddenly once I came to the blue cushioning that carried me over the finish line I knew I was home carrying a very big bag of mixed emotions!! But overall a very positive experience!
A grand aul time of 3.58.59
I completed Dublin 2014, what an accomplishment, definitely one off the bucket list, one that wouldn't have been achieved without my amazing husband and the amazing group of people whom I met in the Clare crusaders that seemed to carry me through many runs that I couldn't have done on my own.
Thanks guys! X
I completed my first "competitive"10k in Doora at the Hurley/Hoey run where I seemed to come across hills that nearly killed me 😔 i began questioning my ability and training, albeit early in the year i seemed disheartened but completed it in just over the 48 minutes. That was it I had caught the "running bug" as such and started thinking tactics for the Pakie Ryan run which was two weeks later, coming in at just the 46 minutes I was delighted and felt much better in my run.
Unfortunately, the following Wednesday night I strained a tendon onto my groin doing speed work and that was me out of action, no amount of rubs from Physios or realigning from chiropractors seemed to straighten me out. I seemed to have tried every technique going between dry needling and shockwave therapy i suddenly realised running and your body was an education in itself. I was climbing the walls suddenly my plan to complete the half marathon in limerick in may was fading very fast. If I wasn't divorced during these 10 weeks I think my husband would put up with anything, talking about living with an antichrist!!! Long story short I started running too soon after having the boys and that's why it took so bloody long to heal so listen up ladies!!!
On returning to running mid June, the crusaders was just starting there marathon training the atmosphere and sense of excitement was electric, many had completed many marathons in great times Frank Landy hoping for a sub3!! where I just wanted to get over the line but deep down a sub4 would be a treat! But I have to admit I was still carrying a niggle on my right groin/ hamstring that just wouldn't go away so I was apprehensive about my abilities.
So week by week everything and anything seemed to be discussed running the country roads on the Saturday mornings and began training with a super group of the crusaders on the Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Suddenly the summer was over and all my limbs were still in tact and relatively niggle free, once I had started telling people of me doing the marathon I knew there was no return.
The weekend had arrived and after a lovely send off from the crusaders at the old ground hotel that Saturday morning we set off to Dublin that Sunday for registration, the nerves of doing your leaving cert exam seemed to come flowing back! the doubt and those nerves???
So after a dodgy night sleep I took off to Buswells hotel where I was greeted with such excitement, there was an unreal buzz around the place, the illuminous tshirts were all that could be seen and before we left, Flan Sheedy made the most memorable of speeches that seemed to put my hair stand at the back of my neck, realising what we really were running for, such amazing children who needed our support!
So off we went all of us in the 3.50/4.15 wave, the nerves seemed to just go as we all spoke amongst ourselves nearly oblivious to the crowds which surrounded us, on listening to everyone's advice I started out nice and steady and didn't go out too fast just hoping that I would get no niggles and have no major need for the loo. The miles seemed to pass on nicely meeting amazing crowds along the way with many orange t shirts on the mix! I never thought hearing "go crusaders" would give me such a pep in my step. Sticking in or around the 8.50 mark for the first 13/14 miles I seemed content and not too tired but suddenly I felt a surge of heat that seemed to come from no where I just thought it was me getting tired so tried to keep taking water. It frightened me how many people I saw dropping around me?cramping up? It's amazing how our bodies react to stress I just tried to distract myself with stupid things that seemed to keep me amused up until mile 20. Where I definitely began seriously talking to myself, I was tempted to walk for a bit around the 22 mile mark but as I slowed I felt my knees beginning to cease so kept on going meeting many more Crusdader runners and supporters along the way. I remember getting a spurt of energy at around the 24 mile mark and seemed to tuck in behind the excitement of the 3.50 pacer but my legs couldn't take it so I just battled on and continued having many arguments with myself
I finally came across the 25 mile marker and by god it was one hell of a last mile that seemed to go on forever but suddenly once I came to the blue cushioning that carried me over the finish line I knew I was home carrying a very big bag of mixed emotions!! But overall a very positive experience!
A grand aul time of 3.58.59
I completed Dublin 2014, what an accomplishment, definitely one off the bucket list, one that wouldn't have been achieved without my amazing husband and the amazing group of people whom I met in the Clare crusaders that seemed to carry me through many runs that I couldn't have done on my own.
Thanks guys! X