The morning dawned overcast, drizzly and breezy – and that was just my changing moods in the face of the 26.2-mile insanity that is the Dublin City Marathon.
This was my second marathon.The first was two years ago, also in Dublin, and had turned out to be a wonderful, if gruelling, experience. I had finished then in a time of three hours 47 minutes, but was highly doubtful of repeating the feat given the extra years and a somewhat patchier training schedule.
The most important aspect of my preparation was the iPod playlist. Now, the organisers aren’t crazy on runners wearing headphones. One of the reasons they give is that runners will not be able to hear the rhythm of their bodies. Frankly, the last thing I wanted to hear was the rhythm of my body, so I duly set about putting together five hours of music to pull me through.
Having dropped my bag off and performed a few stretches, I went to the holding pen where the announcer was spreading some Orwellian good cheer amongst us. I was reassured to see quite a few more scary, bulging-eyed middle-aged men, as well as various groups running for all sorts of charities. Many T-shirts bear witness to the illnesses or difficulties of family and friends, and it is really moving to see people’s strength in facing adversity with such positivity and determination.
At 9.10am, off we went, up Fitzwilliam Street, right onto Leeson Street, then past St Stephen's Green, up Clanbrassil Street, left at Christ Church, down to the river, over the James Joyce bridge and up Manor Street to Stoneybatter – a sort of speedier Leopold Bloom. Once in Phoenix Park, I decided it was time for the iPod to kick off. At my wife's suggestion, the first song was Planxty's The Starting Gate, and as Andy Irvine and co swung into gear, a feeling of exhilaration took hold – maybe this wouldn't be such an ordeal after all.
We swung by Castleknock (amazing support – thanks) and back into the park, then out by Chapelizod gate. Prince's Alphabet Street, Stevie Wonder and Laura Mvula were keeping me moving.
Just beyond Dolphin’s Barn, we reached the halfway stage. I shuffled on towards Walkinstown and down to Kimmage, munching on the sweeties the kids were handing out at the roadside and ignoring the stiffness in my legs and hips. The thought occurred at Rathgar that I could just veer off to the right and be home in bed in 25 minutes, but as my wife, Valerie, and son Fergus were waiting at Milltown to cheer me on it might have seemed impolite not to turn up – so on I went.
I chundered on through Milltown and Clonskeagh, spotting the great Gooch, Colm Cooper, handing out Lucozade, and, somehow less thrillingly, Senator Shane Ross urging us on. More encouraging was the sight of my mum at the bottom of Foster's Avenue. I was on the home straight, feeling strong, though a bit sore. Elbow's Lippy Kids gave a lyrical quality to the pain as the wounded fell around me on Nutley Lane.
Round the corner on to Merrion Road , Northumberland Road, Mount Street, END!!! The clock stopped at three hours and 52 minutes – I was more than happy.