Joy's Marathon

All things race-related.
afoley
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:26 am

Re: Joy's Marathon

Post by afoley »

well done joy, that's fantastic and an excellent time!
frankb
Posts: 1365
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:30 pm

Re: Joy's Marathon

Post by frankb »

Well done Joy, fantastic achievement and great time. Only question left to be asked...."when are David and Joy going to do the same marathon?" - now that would be interesting :!:
BShaugh
Posts: 829
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:35 pm

Re: Joy's Marathon

Post by BShaugh »

well done Joy - that's what I call a well timed run!
joy
Posts: 399
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:51 pm

Re: Joy's Marathon

Post by joy »

Thanks a million folks for all your good wishes, yes it feels good to be king of the castle :lol:

My day started off very nervous but with just enough belief that i would do it :x Whistle went and I settled into a nice steady pace , clicking each km off one by one and holding the pace. But it was definitely a tale of two halves. The first half of the course proved to be flat and easy going allowing me to settle into a rythmn and stick with it. We started in the city centre and the route brought us past UL and back in along the canal heading back towards the city again for the half way maker. I felt good going through here, having found the previous 20 km enjoyable, the sun was shining and great cheering on by the locals. We headed out of the city again runing on some quiet country roads. All was good here even though we were running away from the city I knew once we turned right we would be heading back into the city and nearer the finishing line. But that right turn took its time in coming and at about 30 km I could see my pace was slipping, quickly telling myself to hold this steady until 32 km and after that sure its only a 10 km race after that :!: Through 32 I began to feel tired and my pace became slower, this part was more challenging, we ran into a head wind and some slow drags but I took them all on and kept running. Back in the city centre and the crowd was swelling a definite buzz in the air but yet again we were directed away from the city for the final few miles. Past the Treaty stone, Thomond Park , a pull up past the Gaelic Grounds and right at the Union Cross all very famillar territory for me and my gang cheering me on at just the right moment. I could feel it in my grasp here as the four mile pacers where still be hind me and I could hear them shout. Turned onto Clancy strand with the city in sight, a man I spoke with at mile three ran past me giving me a pat on the back egging me on telling me that the four hour was there for me, he reckoned it was only .5 of a km away the finish outside savins shop which i knew to be on a hill and i thought no way not on a hill, but a marshal on the bridge shouted just around the corner to the line and on i went. Turned on to O Connell street and I could see the finish line and the clock. A chap flew past me making for the line and as I saw the seconds ticking I too made that dash, only 100 meters to go, the crowd cheering and at last I was there bragging rights won, plan achieved,I did it yipee. It was a good day, I didnt suffer too much and hey I think I will have to do another one and get it just right. As always you have to thank the support team and on the day that was left solely to David who seemed to be everywhere and at just the right moments too giving me those much needs words or encouragement.
don
Posts: 722
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:17 am

Re: Joy's Marathon

Post by don »

Serious stuff Joy, well done to you for all the hard work and effort put in to achieve that time. Hats off to you
Post Reply