Boarding the plane to Berlin for Sunday’s marathon almost feels like an achievement in itself. As is often agreed between marathoners, getting through the actual training for the 42km challenge is in itself something to be proud of.
In the afternoon of October 21st last, I sat in an Amsterdam-West hotel room recovering from a 2.48 effort around the streets of the Dutch capital. Thrilled, sore but hungry for more, I was happy reviewing a successful return to the marathon having last ran the distance in 2015 around the same course.
Debriefing with coach Emmett Dunleavy on the phone gave me every confidence that this was only the beginning of positive things to come for me and the marathon. As we both agreed, I seem to have improved further for the step up in distance as the year went on. No Derbys or Guineas for me, if I was a racehorse it would be the Eider, or if feeling really ambitious, they might throw me in The Grand National. Never sharp enough for the all out speed contests but capable of slogging it out to the last if thrown into a battle. And that’s the way I like it!
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| Olympiastadion Amsterdam, 2018 |
As that debrief call concluded last autumn, a sense of confidence and momentum was back in the air. I had just ran an eight minute personal best over the distance that was now clearly becoming the one that suited me the best. Not one to rest on my laurels, as the conversation drew to a close I made clear to Emmett my intention for the year ahead would be to raise the bar again and pursue a sub 2.40 run. Being the level headed type he is, the wise coach made note of his admiration for my ambition and balanced it with a brief mention of the amount of work it would require. The hard work would not bother me. At this stage I was already fully committed. The dread of not achieving would drive me on when things got tough.
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| Ready to roll at Ballyheigue Half On The Head 10k |
When news of a successful lottery entry for the 42nd edition of the Berlin Marathon came through the following month, the train really began got rolling. Selection for the successful Cork team at December’s All-Ireland Novice Cross Country and a two minute personal best in February at the Dungarvan 10miler done combined with the fact I knew I would be racing on the fastest marathon course around come September filled me with belief. A summer of chasing some speed over shorter distances did nothing to halt this ever growing sense that more good things were around the corner. A 5k bp at John Buckley Sports flagship event and a first road race victory over 10k in Ballyheigue continued the until now seamless preparation for the main event of the year.
It was around this time that a tendon issue in my left foot began threatening to spoil the party. With the excellent care of physiotherapist Joyce Wolfe and her team on my side, we erred with caution by skipping about 10days of training as well as a London race appointment. At this stage it became clear that to physically withstand the demands of the upcoming marathon specific training block I would need to spend more time on the treatment table in Ticknock, Cobh.
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| Physiotherapist, mentor and friend - thank you Joyce |
Being fit, healthy and fully mobile in advance of three weeks altitude training in St Moritz was now of utmost importance. The great adventure to the Swiss Alps was looming at it wouldn’t do to be looking out at the magnificent mountain vistas while laid up with any type of limiting injury. Thankfully, as previously reported, the training camp was a great success. Departing home on the premise of it being a once in a life time trip and returning with a strong case for it becoming an annual excursion says enough. More work to do in that quarter yet though!
And so we are, landed, ready and waiting for the day that has been eleven months and more in the making. Over 3,000km clocked so far this year. The hills of Cobh, the Line Road of Ballyheigue, the Royal Parks of London and the great Engadine Valley have all been conquered along the way. An absolute pleasure to enjoy the feeling of total freedom by running in so many wonderful places. Nothing beats it.
Life reminds me that every day I run I am lucky to do so. Lucky to have my health and to be able to use it as a tool for the challenges of life. Lucky to make the friendships I do from taking to the road. Lucky to be able to make a small difference to the lives of people who are not so lucky while thinking of those very special people whose lives have been cut short because of cancer.
Above all else, lucky that I can take to the start line this Sunday morning in the best shape of my life ready to take on my biggest challenge with the help and support of so many good people around me.
The force is with me. The force is strong.
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