Mr Happy's Story

The atmosphere was electric, the weather was dire but it didn't matter.

I felt very good. I had got up early and had a bowl of muesli and a banana. A cup of coffee 5 minutes before the off and some Lucozade sport.

I was very nervous before the race but then felt surprisingly calm. I ran an even 10 minute mile pace, drank water, consumed 2-3 gels per hour. My heart rate was comfortably below my half marathon rate (I've done 5 this year) and I felt very confident of a good race.

I loved the run in Phoenix park and by half way clocked 2:15 - roughly on track. I felt cool though I often feel too hot and the rain had washed off some of the Vaseline so my vest and shorts were rubbing a little. But I had no pains and the only problem I had was a full bladder. However I remained calm and waited for the next portaloo stop.

An accelerating Tractor boy - my drinking buddy from Saturday night passed me early in the race after a brief exchange of banter. A couple of times I chatted to ValP and Lou Powell and although we lost each other a couple of times we were roughly keeping the same pace.

Around mile 15 I stopped at the portaloo to empty my bladder and found an empty cubicle which someone had very nicely filled with loo paper and sh1t. Unfortunately the last person had failed to hit the target. but I didn't care - I just need to go. As I came out of the cubicle there were two ladies waiting outside - I tried to explain that I hadn't made the mess but I don't think they believed me.

The wheels fell off at 21 miles and I had 5 miles of progressively worsening agony. To say I felt emotional is putting it mildly. I just wanted to stop and weep. (But stopping is not an option is it?) An old Australian Guy ran with me and we kept each other going but I was still sort of shuffling and he was walking - AT the SAME pace as me! At around this point Sluggie charged past me. Being overtaken by a slug was a bit hard to swallow after 5 months of training! Well done Sluggie I don't know how you managed to stay so fresh.

So as I shuffled along the last five miles, my face contorted to hold back the tears, I realised that even though I felt like sh1t that I would have to do another Marathon within the year. If I don't get into London then I think I'll look for another Marathon in Autumn 2006 and If I earn a few extra quid I'll do Dublin again.

At about 300 yards from the finish line ValP ran up behind me and offered to run with me and help me over the finish. I told her to get a move on and leave me behind - she said she had also felt like crying for the last 5 miles. At this point I turned on the video on my mobile phone and videoed the last 300 yards - " Go Girl go" I shouted to Val P as she left me. (The Video)

A gent suggested that we should all sprint finish to which I said something a bit uncharitable. Put it down to the stress of the moment. (You can F off mate)

I was unable to find the energy to even increase my pace in the last 50 yards and loads of other runners zipped past me.

The commentator mispronounced my name - "Capassy" so I stood at the finish shouting my correct name until he pronounced it correctly.

Raj saini - sorry if spelt wrongly was helping remove timing chips because she was injured and couldn't race.

Murf finished a few seconds behind me and came to get me. She was a very great support when I was feeling so emotional. Then somehow I lost Murf and found Mr Murf in the crowd. It was so great to see a friendly face. I was exhausted and couldn't think straight. They helped me to Kennedy's and I think Mr Murf carried my bag.

Mark Landon was the first to greet me in the pub and buy me my first drink -I went for Orange and lemonade! . I wish he'd spent some time with the rest of us but he had a toddler to contend with.

I then met up with everyone else. Left Foot, Mr Left foot, Andy Brown, An Accelerating Tractor Boy, Doylie, Skinny Jim & Family, Moses K and his mates, Rory M, Supergirl Pam, Giller, Sluggie, Acesrwilde (Trevor) and Mr Aces. Shades popped in and sadly didn't stay long enough for me to buy her the Guinness I promised her. Later we were joined by Dave O' Regan and ValP and family. This was absolutely bloody fantastic. One of the best feelings I have ever had. It felt like meeting up with a load of really good old friends - people you are in tune with and people you can happily relax with and enjoy their company.

As Kennedy's shut and we were thrown out - we bumped into Jo and went to another pub. I would have liked to have stayed longer and drunk lots of Guinness but alas I had a plane to catch.

We simply have to make the effort to keep in touch!

Please join me for the Santa dash in Liverpool 4th December (Only 5k in a Santa outfit) and the Adidas Flora Half Marathon in March 2006 (Places open in Mid December)

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