The Wheels on the bus

I sang this song to myself and laughed today.
Probably around 19 miles, so you can guess why I was singing it.
My cold had gotten slightly better by this morning, and I felt well enough to take no pain killers. I had a relatively good sleep, and was up at six for the breakfast.
Breakfast, tea, bodily function, good to go. Walked down for the bus, met the gang.
It was fairly subdued on the way in, everyone slightly nervous, and the wind and light rain was always a concern in the background. Even at this late stage, I had no plan. I didn't feel as fit as I had for London, the weather wasn't great, and my cold was still bugging me.
Something Brian C had said to me two days before was ringing in my ears though. A 1:25 half is sub 3 territory, sure you have to give it a go.
I didn't have to, but the seed was sown, so I lined up behind the balloons.
At the off, the start was less congested as it had been on the old course, and the runners moved relatively freely. The pace was slightly quick for the first few miles by about 5 seconds per mile, but comfortable. I got a bit of a surprise when I passed Sonia O Sullivan at two miles, and it did worry me a bit!
The wind was mostly on our backs for the first 10k, ( 42:31) and there was a light drizzle. The first doubts started to creep in at that point when we left the park on a slight uphill I found I had to dig in a bit, which wasn't really a good sign so early on. That was about 9 miles and then we hit a downhill section, which lulled me into a false sense of ease. Again at 12 miles, after the series of hills, I found my self digging in a bit harder. I undertook then to maintain the pace to the half way point, and re-asses. At halfway, 1:30:11, I felt  very different to how I had at London, and knew it was not going to be possible to maintain the pace. I didn't have the same energy, and my legs were very heavy.
I started to implement plan B, slow to 7:00 min miles, for a 3:05. Looking back, I should have taken it back to 7:10, the 7:00 was still tough, and at mile 15 this started to slip, badly.
Panic was starting to take hold, i had been here before a few years ago in Limerick, and I knew the damage had been done. I tried to run at just what felt comfortable, which was about 7:30 as it turns out.
30k, 2:11:24, all I could do was put one foot in front of the other, the wheels on the bus had definitely come off. My club mate Karen blasted by me just after the 30k, looking strong and confident, and I envied her her strength. I knew at this point it was just the goal to finish. I also knew , it wouldn't even be sub 3:15. My hips burned like never before. It was if the had just stopped working. I actually felt ok, not necessarily glycogen depleted, but my legs just refused anything faster than a pitiful shuffle.
Mile 19, 7:37
Mile 20, 7:36
Mile 21, 7:53
Ouch, I walked a bit. Once you walk, it's all over. What a difference this race was to London.
Brian went past me, head down working hard with the 3:10 pacers, i didn't even attempt to try to hang on, I knew enough to know it was pointless.
Mile 22, 9:16, walk, shuffle run, hips screaming at me. I also knew at this point I clearly did not have enough long runs done. A previous assertion that I still had London on the legs turned out to be wishful thinking. The wind was on our backs now, and an encouraging wave from Mo and family gave me a lift. The song 'everybody's shuffling' also came to me delusional mind, but at least I had a little chuckle.
Mile 23 9:34
Mile 24 10:36, FFS! When is going to be over! F##king marathons! who had the bright idea to start this sh#t!
Mile 25, 9:07, only due to some slightly faster shuffling!
Only one more mile to the finish, a consolation sub 3:20 surely. Great support along the way from the club mates encouraging me on, I felt humbled at their generosity, I was surely a pitiful sight!
Mile 26, 8:24, and so to the finish line. 3:18:59.
Three years ago, I had a similar experience at Dublin, and I was devastated. This year not so. Strangely, maybe it was the delusional state of mind, I smiled after collecting my medal, and was really rather grateful for being able to run 26.2 miles, regardless of the time.
Over the last year, a few things have happened which have made me realise how precious your health is. I didn't really enjoy this marathon, entirely my own fault, but I enjoyed the experience, if that makes sense.
Well done to all who finished, regardless of times. And as Gerry Duufy would say, 'I get to' have another go at some stage. Many are not so lucky.

Gerald Says

So it looks like I got away with it, just about.
I started to feel a bit unwell on Friday, just a sore throat, but ok for 9 miles at an easy pace.
Saturday was the last blast. After Wednesday tempo, Thursday and Friday, I set out for 13 at marathon pace. One mile warmup then I set off at 6:50. The first few miles were quite tough, as has been the case a lot recently. I don't really get into a nice rhythm until about 5 miles.
Once I settled in the pace was nice, and I was steadily maintaining a 6:45 pace. I anticipated tiring a bit, but it never really came until around 12 miles, and at that stage I was committed, going through the half marathon point at 1:27:45, on onwards to finish the 14 tempo at an average of 6:44. A half mile cooldown was over 15 for the session. It was tough enough, but after I had showered I felt pretty  good.
The next day my sore throat had gotten worse, and I had a nasty headache. Monday I felt quite miserable, but went out for a speed session of sorts. 1 mile warmup, then 4x1 mile at 6:00 min pace, with 60 second intervals. Tuesday was 1 mile warmup, with a two mile tempo at 5:50 pace, with a mile cooldown.
The idea was small miles at fast pace. I had hoped to do similar on Wednesday , but a I was feeling very miserable at this point, and the neurofen dose was increased.
I was surprised that it was lasting that long, and wasn't worried as there was plenty of time to next Monday.
No running Wednesday or Thursday, so I am lucky it is taper week, although is would have liked to keep going with some short fast miles.
On Wednesday I chatted with Gerald Flemming of met Eireann, who sits on a shared committee on a professional forum for work. I mentioned that I was doing the marathon on Monday, and enquirer as to the weather I could expect. His face spoke volumes, with a 'it will definitely be cool and fresh' response not filling me with great hope of a nice day.
I still need to shift this cold, but sure there is plenty of time, right?

Meeting an old Enemy

Training for Dublin has been a bit hit and miss.
Last weeks tempo on Tuesday was very tough, 9 miles at 6:35 was very hard work.
Wednesday I did something I have only ever done once before, I got up early before work and ran. It was really nice, a beautiful morning as many have been recently, 10 easy miles.
Thursday some speedwork, 3 miles warmup, and 5x1 mile at 6 min miles, 60 second recovery, 2 miles cooldown, it was a good session.
Friday an easy 10 at 7:25.
Saturday was supposed to be 18 miles, but I had hoped to do 22.
I did the first 15 at 7:30 and then decided to up the pace for negative splits.
Mile 16 at 7:10, 17 at 7:06, 18 at 7:10, 19 at 7:14. And then we met, the old enemy who calls himself the wall! He arrived quickly, hitting me hard. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised. I went out for my run at 12, having had breakfast at 9, so at 2:30 I was literally running on empty.
I struggled home miserably for 20:03 miles, the last mile at 8:10, with memories of my early marathon days, walking the last four miles.
There wasn't much soreness after the run, and Sunday was an easy 7 miles.
Monday and Tuesday rest due commitments.
Wednesday, out before work again, another beautiful, if not a little chilly morning. A mile warmup, and a planned 9 miles at 6:40. The first few miles went very easily at 6:30, the fresh legs after two days rest obvious. I fully expected to slow at four miles, but the pace was comfortable up to 7, and I pushed the last two a bit, to finish with a solid 6:30 pace for the 9, a mile cooldown.
Today was an easy 7 on grass, with the marathon so close, I am worried about injuries.
Gary doesn't really do conventional tapers, with a full schedule of runs this weekend, the long one being 14, a speed session thrown in for good measure.
Meeting the wall worried me, I don't think I have the training done that I had for London.
Time will tell, marathon day always amazes me.

Counterintuitive

It's a lovely word that we like to use at work.
Due to work, almost all of my training was concentrated in a short space.
Monday was 7 miles easy enough after doing a 4 mile race in 23:55 on Saturday, and a crosscountry 6k on Sunday.
Tuesday no running, Wednesday no running.
Thursday, one mile warm up, 9 mile tempo at 6:35, one mile cool down for 11.
Friday 10 miles avg 7:20.
Saturday 20 miles avg 7:25, with miles 17 to 20 at 7:15.
Sunday I was quite sore from the previous days run. I went out intending to do 6 easy. Easy they were, and the longer I went, the better I felt. I finished on just over 10 miles, and felt like I was just getting into my stride, although the pace was between 7:45 and 8 minutes.
The funny thing was, after my shower the soreness of the previous days run had totally disappeared. And for the rest of the day, it was as if I had done no running at all. Counterintuitive! 59 miles for the week, but 51 for four days, happy enough with that.
As I was lost in thoughts on my long run, I was thinking that the longest runs I had done up to this point were two 17 milers. When I hit 20 fairly easily, I knew that I obviously had the core work from London still on the legs.
Dublin is getting close now, looking forward to it.