Mr Happy's Dublin Marathon 2006

I had a fantastic weekend. It was great to meet so many forumites.

I checked into my hotel had a bit of a doss and then headed off for the Expo at 4:30pm. There were no queues at that time of day so that's worth remembering for next year.

Saturday Night at Kennedy's was great but on reflection it would have been better to have stayed off alcohol altogether :) I was swayed by all the free drinks!

I did the breakfast run running with Supergirl Pam and her friend. It was great to watch the Irish dancing after the run and the goody bag was excellent. More people should make the effort to do this. It was fun.

More dossing on Sunday before going for a great meal at Luigi Malone's. It was great not to have to be Rugby Dad or Child taxi driver for a couple of days.

Race Day

I set off close to Ian 151. He steamed ahead and I couldn't catch him. I was shortly joined by Kay TW. Amadeus passed us and then Rob from my running club ran alongside us. We ran to Phoenix park together but lost each other at the water station. The atmosphere was much lighter than last year due to the absence of rain.

I mainly ran alone and was passed by AATTB I think somewhere between 10k and half way.

Ultra Gobi exchanged a bit of banter with me. I felt I was losing focus so started to breath rhythmically and gained a little pace.

later I passed KayTW at a bout 16 miles and then she passed me again at about 18 - I had started to slow!

My race then started to slow substantially - My legs turned to lead and although my pulse was racing I just couldn't pick them up. They hurt so I just did my best for the next 8 miles. I walked up hills and then ran down them. My face was contorted in pain. The crowds were excellent "Come on Jeff" "Good man Jeff" "You're doing well Jeff" but it didn't help - my Goose was cooked! I didn't feel particularly tired and although it was warm I didn't feel too hot although dowsed myself with water to see if it would reinvigorate me.

I watched the time mount up as I was reduced to from 9:09 minute miles up to mile 19 down to 12 and 13 minute miles over the next 7 miles. At this point I reached the conclusion that I would enter yet another Marathon and achieve my goal of sub 4 hours!

It was very nice to see Giller at the UCD Flyover and Moses K at Kennedy's.

I had very little left to give at the finish but tried my best to speed up and wave as I crossed the finish line.

And my overwhelming thought at the time- "Ain't running brilliant?"

I was greeted at the finish area by Rob from my running club and his girlfriend Jane came in about a minute and a half after me. Rob had finished in 3:50 - not bad for his first marathon.

A quick trip back to my hotel - showered and changed then on to Kennedy's before 3pm.

Several pints of Guinness at Kennedy's, a few more at the Pavilion in Trinity and then a curry with AATTB somewhere off Grafton street.

What a fantastic day and a superb weekend!

I just wish I'd got to meet everyone.

But there's always other races. Bring on the next Marathon!

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