Dublin 2012

3 and a half days now. My worry isn't about training now it's about how to transport my gels during the race. I have bought an SIS marathon belt but not so sure if it's going to remain in place. Last think i want is the belt wobbling about annoying me. On the other hand I can't carry 6 gels by hand and I need to take them with me. What is everyone else planning to do gel wise?

SPI belt for me. Amazingly expandable, slots for the gels int he sides. You might be able to pick one up at the Expo otherwise Google is your friend. 

I bought a triathlon number belt with the gel slots but the hi5 gels fell out so I use an okd digital camera case (soft leather velco top) and  case and I put 8 gels in it

Used it without camera case in a 3/4 Marathon and lost gels used it in marathon with case and no problems

Thanks for the good wishes everyone. It looks like I'll be fit to run on Monday.

I've spent the 10 days doing everything possible to get my ankle working again after my acident and it's about 85% normal now and getting noticably better everyday. The swelling has just about gone and I've survived a couple of 90 min low impact gym sessions.

With another 3 days to go, I'm confident enough that I'll at least make it to the start line. I'm still not 100% certain that I'll finish, but time will tell. It's not exactly been a text book taper into the marathon, but at least all the hard work had been done when I went down so I've only missed a few easy sessions. I'm hoping that, and my sheer pigheadiness will get me around.

As far as gel belts go, I'll probably carry a very cheap Hilly waist belt that I bought for a recent adventure race and put some gels in that. I've also found that if I don't want a belt, then I can poke a couple of gels into the waist band of my tri shorts and they stay put with minimal bother.

Weather Forecasts are a bit mixed but most are20 to 30% chance of rain, mild, 13 mph wind

I was practicing with SIS gel belt last night. I find the belt stays in place and the SIS gels stay also, but I got really annoyed by the top and bottom of the gels 'flapping' about. So went with putting the gels in the pouch of the belt and tucking the pouch into back of shorts to stop that flapping... which worked well!

Will make full use of the gel stations at miles 15 & 21 so wont have to carry too many on route.  Only managed to get 3 or 4 down me when I did my only other marathon (Dublin 2010) before feeling yukky - will see how it goes this year!  Perhaps if High 5 did Guinness flavoured gels, I may feel more inclined to take them! 

Usually loads of folks handing out Jelly Babies etc which is a real morale booster - the youngsters get really excited if you take the time to have something they're offering! Then again, it depends how super speedy you aim to run.  Bit worried that the clocks go back on Saturday night & I lose an hours daylight - may have to pack my headtorch!!  

Many thanks to you all for being so inspirational when the training's got tough & the self-doubts creep in.

Safe journeys to all..& Good Luck!

Monday Forecast BBC

As I live 40 Mile from Dublin I have not been myself but apparently this is where people go straight after the race www.mcgrattans.ie/  at 76 Fitzwilliam Lane, Baggot Street, Dublin 2 for a quick pint

Got to Dublin yesterday afternoon, went to the expo this morning. Getting very excited! My last marathon was the infamous Manchester one in April, so fingers crossed the conditions are ok tomorrow!

Good luck everyone. It looks like I spoke too soon when I said I'll be running. When I tried a test run today on my treadmill, my ankle was still giving me a lot of pain even when taped up and had a skinful of ibruprofen, so I won't be running tomorrow. I couldn't get above walking pace before it got painful in the actual joint.

I'm gutted. My first marathon isn't going to happen, I've done all the training and there's no other marathon to book into at this time of the year. 

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