Some great stories and times on here. Glad everyones training and hard work has paid the deserved dividends. I'm now back in Scotland and a few days of partying in Dublin are sadly over. Time to go a bit further into detail on my race experience.
Preparations as you all know had gone really well so on Monday morning I was feeling really enthusiastic and confident. I had avoided caffeine for a week and then an hour before the race took a red bull shot having done a bit of research on this. Got down to the start and after a trip to the loo, took an energy gel and lined up in the first wave.
The aim had been for some time to run 3h30 and my training had been focussed around the 8 min mile pace. The plan was to run between 7:50 and 8:10 for the first few miles, getting to halfway feeling as if I hadn't expended much energy. The first mile was actually slower than intended (8:25) down to a combination of me trying to not get carried away on legs that felt really fresh and also due to it being pretty crowded and a few bottlenecks. I wasn't really concerned though as I knew there was plenty of time to make that time back. The next few miles were largely uneventful. Someone clipped my leg in Pheonix Park but it didn't knock me and it was them who stumbled slightly. That aside I just kept a really steady pace throughout.
Having started the race about 30 secs back from the 3h30 pacers I managed to kick past them about 12 miles. (although I did take one of them momentarily in the park when he stopped behind a tree for the toilet much to many of our amusement)I got to the half point a little ahead of target and feeling in great shape although aware that in a marathon things can change within a few strides. Nutrition wise I was taking on a gel every 30 mins and this seemed to be keeping the energy levels high. From mile 14 I actually started picking up the pace every so slightly and was able to continue this for the next few miles.
I kept expecting that rough patch to come but as I got through 20 miles it had still not come and I found I was in a really nice rythmn. I was enjoying running sections of the course that my mind had no recollection of from last year where I was so focussed on just putting one leh ahead of the other. The only semblance of a sticky spot came between miles 23 and 24. Mentally I knew the finish was nearby but we all know 3.2 miles of running a lot of time can be lost. I was a little bit late getting my last gel and was not going to take it but when I did I felt the benefit within 5 minutes and the last couple of miles I picked it up again.
I have to say that while the crowds are amazing and inspirational throughout, in this last couple of miles it really is astounding. I actually found myself choking up a little bit in the last mile and a half when I realised what I was about to achieve. Last year when I completed the race the feeling was more of relief and I don't think I fully appreciated what I had done. This year I was completed aware of the achievement and soaked up that last run towards the line, pumping by chest and throwing arms aloft as I crossed the line in a time of 3:25.42, a time I still find hard to comprehend!
What an amazing race, city and support. I made the most of high fiving kids on the way around. I found this a great motivator and it's the least we can do to give something back to the supporters who give so much to us. Towards the later stages I even ran a wide route round a corner to high five a little girl who had her hand optimistically place out awaiting reciprocation. I haven't decided what my plans are for running next year.Such is my rate of progression just now, my time this year was 34 mins quicker than last year, that I need to figure out where I go next. If an Autumn marathon is in
