Sometimes is not about running

Expo

The expo was busier this year in comparison with others but the Pacer Stand was extremely quiet,  maybe because we were hidden away in the Amphibian King Stand. I still got fielded the weirdest query ever, a female runner was disappointed that she didn't receive her free pacer in the goodie bag. I tried to explain but in reality she just wasn't getting it and went away even more confused. Other then that it was sort the pacer gear and I hit away early as I had a job in Newmarket to finish on the way home. I would also miss the photo shoot later on for the club as a result but sure not to worry I would be running with the celebrity pacer Mr Dargan tomorrow so I would no doubt get my mug into plenty others.

Early Race

Meet up before hand was for 8 o’clock at Race HQ. I picked up club mate Paul on the way down and parked up around the comer under a street light. Reason for this was car would be parked overnight as some yellow wine would be consumed after the race. Meet the rest of the gang inside and got my race bag. What's inside ?  Yes !! real chocolate, so someone must have been reading my blog. I now had something to look forward to after the race.  Soon we where at the start lining up for photos and having the usual shadows behind us. Off we went with quite big group who where in good spirits. After 2 miles Eamonn asked was everyone enjoying themselves to which he got a great cheer in response. There was a couple of club mates in the group so chatted away with them along the early miles and also had a good chat with Tom about Marathons and Ultra’s through UL.

The living Bridge

Frightened the living bejesus out of me. Having crossed it 6 times in the Human race with only a small group no problem, but with todays big group the bouncing sensation caught me by surprise much to Eamonn’s amusement. I thought the thing was going to collapse and I was glad to be back on solid ground once we got off it. Shortly afterwards we meet Conor coming flying against us after leaving the 3:15 group and was looking good for smashing his 3:10 target.

Mile Markers

Well try finding one on a pole, not a hope we had all these nice smiley people looking at us with big photos of themselves. One candidate was even giving out water on the course, bet we wont see him next year. It didn't really bother me from a pacing point of view as I use the markings on the road which in Limerick are noticeable.

Crowds

I found this year support along the route was up on other years and vocal in particular some old dear who thought runners where nothing but an inconvenience and was letting us all know as we passed by. Our time group generally gets us back into the city as the 6 milers and milling around the start. This is a great opportunity to pick up the pace as the crowd will generally lift peoples spirits. One noticeable cheerleader was Joe Dunne, he just kept popping up every where and was vocal that he made me and Eamonn sound like pussy cats. We still had a group of 8 –10 with maybe 6 more slightly ahead of us. Turning down Clancey’s Strand we had at least a minute which would be given back on the climb to Thomond Park.

Hell of the West II

Even with being able to drop the pace by a minute a mile our group disintegrated. At the end of the climb up Thomond and the Ennis road we where left with one solitary pacee Cliona who now had to put up with the two of us to the finish. Suddenly Jane from the club appeared out of nowhere beside us. At mile 24 Eamonn asked again was everyone enjoying themselves which was answered with a deafening silence. Jane was going well so she kicked on again leaving Cliona alone again but now with 3 pacers. Anto had ran back to meet us to so he could clock his 1000th mile for the year. Coming over the bridge I asked Cliona was it her first marathon, she said yes, I then asked did she enjoy it. A bemused told me that was a rather silly question to ask but she replied to ask her when we finish. Once we got over the bridge Cliona kicked on for home. A girl from the 4 hour group that fell in with us for a while but lost us on the Ennis Road came steaming past us here as well. Meet Cliona at the finish with a big smile on her face so that answered my question.

The big jump

A the end we got over in 4:29:18. There was no one else to bring over so all that was left to do was the Dargan Jump over the finish. Unfortunately the photographers at the finish line where asleep and I saw several diving for cameras as we made the Jump. Unfortunately we where too quick and no photographic evidence exist of my one and only attempt at that madness after 26 odd miles.

Aftermath

Back to Race HQ for my Twix and quick pamper wipe shower and we set off to the George to meet up with others and consume some yellow wine. Everyone was in great spirits and sure it was no wonder as everyone had a great days running. Everyone from the club got home, which numbered 33 of which 19 ran the marathon. For such a young club this was an outstanding achievement and credit really goes to Kate for this, who unfortunately had to pull out on the morning of the race. Derek got his 25th Marathon medal after a brilliant impromptu speech from the MCI leader herself. Conor kick the Seville Monkey of his back in Style, Luke got himself and Ray under 3 hours, Olwyn ended up winning her category but the best prize went to Jeo who won best supporter for the day. I left and got the Bus back to Ennis and managed not to fall asleep and end up in Galway this time.