Cork City Marathon

The long version.

I Lined up with Pat and Thomas at the start line with 10 minutes to go. Thomas and I had completed a dynamic stretching warm up taken from Matt Fitzgerald's "Brain Training for Runners" to the amusement of those around us. The buzz was good and the cloud cover kept us cool. We were a few rows back from the front and well positioned for the start (No weaving in and out over the first few miles like last year).

Soon enough the gun went off and we all charged down Patrick Street, Pat and I trying to keep the pace - Over the first mile and a half I kept pointing out to Pat that the pace was a bit fast as Thomas was only a few steps ahead on his 07:10 target pace. I must admit the pace did feel very comfortable. The first mile was a lap of the city centre before running west along the south quays across the north gate bridge and back east along the north quays (we could see the leaders across the river) The first five miles were flat and were churned out without any difficulty.

36:57 in 07:25, 07:13, 07:20, 07:24 & 07:35 with the HR remaining below 154.

Past the first relay changeover at Mile 5.2. New batch of fresh runners running past eager to be on their way. Brendan from work flew past at sub- 6 minute pace. I met up with a guy who had run the Belfast Marathon 4 weeks earlier in 03:30 and was now aiming for 3:20 - so we chatted for a few miles - good to pass the time away. I eventually lost him around mile 9. Miles 5 to 10 saw us run along the Glanmire road and through the Jack Lynch Tunnel under the river Lee. This is where my Garmin appeared to lose about 02:30 off the stopwatch as mile 8 registered as 04:50 (not the 03:38 in my previous post). Still feeling good as we rose out of the tunnel (first real incline) and along the south ring road to Mahon (another incline up the slip road). I was passed at this stage by Seanie Barrett (the guy who pulled me home to get the 1:30 in the Bantry half marathon 4 weeks ago) we chatted for a while and he was on his way (although I could still see him ahead of me up to mile 17.5). This was turning out to be a very sociable marathon. Perhaps I may have done better if I had socialised less and concentrated more on running. Approaching the 2nd relay change over at mile 10.5 Pat was struggling to keep pace.

Miles 6 to 10

36:52 in 07:10, 07:31, 07:36, 07:28 & 07:07 with HR rising gradually from 151 to 160.

Shortly after the 2nd relay changeover I met up with Adrian and "Puds" who were cycling the course encouraging friends and offering support. Puds offered me his cap to keep the sun off my head as I had forgotten to bring mine. They also provided assistance to Pat in the form of "deepheat".

Mile 12 and 13 brought us past Blackrock Castle and along the Marina where I got chatting with this guy who said it was his first marathon and he'd be happy to get under 4 hours. I told him he was doing very well as I was on sub 3:20 pace but he reassured me that he was unlikely to maintain that pace for the entire run. He did manage to keep 10 to 20 yards ahead of me until about mile 17.5 (don't know where he finished).

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I crossed under the halfway clock at 01:36:42 (01:36:36 chip) nearly a minute ahead of 07:30 pace and, even split permitting, heading for sub 03:14.

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Past the third relay changeover at mile 13.9. I really felt uplifted running through the changeover points (especially the later ones) as the applause from those waiting for their team member to arrive felt great. The next mile took us past City Hall and out the south link road past mile 15 and on to Turners Cross. I continued to run well with no niggles in the legs although the course was now proving to be slightly more challenging - at little undulating on less than fresh legs (although no sign of calf cramps or IT band pain).

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Miles 11 to 15

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36:44 in 07:09, 07:25, 07:30 & 14:40 (07:20/mile) missed the 14 mile split as still euphoric after passing relay changeover @ 13.9 miles - HR 160 to 162 (well in control)

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Miles 16 to 20 were the most undulating, taking us past the Lough to the Model Farm Road (Familiar training run territory). My pace did drop over these miles pushing marginally above 07:30 per mile. Just after Mile 18 I came across John Meade, one half of a three legged ensemble (legs connected by about a foot of nylon rope and arms locked together). I came alongside John and told him I always though he was a mad Bas*ard and wished him luck. It's hard enough to keep the head and legs on pace for 26.2 miles, but to be locked to someone else's head and legs for over 3 hours must be torture. I think all prospective couples should do it before they get married. Just before the 20 mile mark we passed the last relay changeover point and again I was lifted by the crowd applauding. The 20 mile clock showed 02:28:33 (02:28:27 watch) as I passed it. 1.5 minutes ahead of 07:30 target - this margin was slowly whittled away over the last 10k.

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Miles 16 to 20

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37:54 in 07:34, 07:34, 07:32 & 15:14 (07:37/mile) missed 19 mile split - HR 164 to 167 (rising but manageable)

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The last 10k - I had thought before the marathon that if I got to the 20 mile mark in 02:30 I could do the last 10k in 45:00 to get me home in 03:15. I obviously hadn't done the math to check it out as it would require 07:15 miles. Now that I was on the final 10k I was revising the time towards 48:00 and beyond but still reasonably confident that I would make my sub-3:20. I was taking nothing for granted though remembering my last marathon in Dublin where a 2:29:30 at 20 miles gave me a 3:22 finish (blew up over the last 4 mile finishing on over 9 minute pace). So I was not inclined to up my pace just to squeeze out a few more minutes and risk blowing a BQ opportunity.
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Mile 21 was a gradual climb out the Model Farm Road. I was passed by two ladies along this section - both of whom finished over 3 minutes ahead of me. I was grateful to the guy with the garden hose and sprinkler along this section and Just before the 21 mile mark at the top of the last hill on the course Safan, my daughter was waiting to cheer me on. She had cycled the 3 miles from home waited for a hour just so that she could high five me for a split second and then I was gone. What a girl.

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While the remainder of the course was downhill and flat it was the most challenging as fatigue began to set in and the mind games began. Poor Adrian cycling beside me couldn't say anything that would help and anytime he spoke I felt compelled to reply. I think i'm the type that likes to retreat into my mind at time like this and cease communication with the outside world. Miles 23 and 24 were along the Straight (never ending) Road. I just wanted it over. However the pain and anguish was not as bad as it could have been given my poor preparation (Last 20+ mile long run was a 21 miler 8 weeks before). Finally I was turning onto the Western Road with 2 miles left still maintaining form and keeping reasonable pace. I don't remember much about these last miles expect that when I finally turned onto the North Mall at Mile 25.5 I could smell the finish line. I was passed by one or two relay and marathon runners over this last mile but did not care. I was delighted turning on to Patricks Street for the last 200 yards amid cheering crowds and when I saw the clock at 03:17:xx I knew my mission was accomplished and unlike previous marathons I was already looking forward to my next build-up and new marathon PB. The attached photo was taken with half a mile to go (chewing wine gums and utterly knackered - a perfect weekend) The other photo captures the three legged marathon world record holders at the same spot.

Mile 21 to 26.22 (10k)

48:38 in 07:50, 07:39, 07:56, 07:32 & 17:41 for 2.2 Miles (07:58 pace) - HR 167 to 171.

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Pat came in in a very impressive 03:21:42 for a 19 minute PB, although he must have pushed himself to the limit as he had to be wheelchaired off (just a precaution as he was very weak crossing the line and had to lean on a steward).
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Richard likewise PB'd by almost 25 minutes in 03:35:14 - well done. Looks like there'll be more PB's there.
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While I had a positive split of 03:53 (01:36:36 to 01:40:29) the half marathon splits in the results shown that I was passed by 3 and passed 35 between the halfway mark and the finish line (although some runners I passed passed me back towards the finish - e.g the guy who came in in front of me passed me out in the last mile but had a half marathon split of 01:27:24 - he must have stopped for a pint).

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While my calves were very stiff after the race and still remain a little stiff I have no issues walking down the stairs. However I will resist running for a week instead opting for the bike completing 18 miles after work today to loosen out the legs. I think my ITBS must be on the mend as I did not feel a thing on monday and if a 26.2 mile run does not flush out injuries I don't know what does.
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On a final note my chances of running in Berlin in September have been quashed as registration is closed (they reached the limit - he who hesitates and all that) S0..... I think my sights are setting on the ING Amsterdam Marathon on 19th October.