The organization for the starting pens was very slick as we lined up in Upper Fitzwilliam Street for the start.
I chose an orange pen (sub 3:30 ) placing myself midway in that group,
We trundled forward towards the start line in Dublin’s fair city on a dull but warmish morning, temperature around 12c.
The first two miles or so were meandered around the city roads but annoyingly kept coming to a logjam where some of the twists and turns slowed the runners down.
Once mile three had arrived the roads were longer and straighter and i decided to tag along with the 3:15 pacer as he had a giant orange balloon tied to him I thought that this might be the safest way to stop me from getting lost. Passed six mile mark in 42 minutes by this time we had reached Phoenix Park.The group I was running with were still quite bunched so much so that a few competitors tripped up over the speed bumps in the roads.
Still with the 3:15 balloon at ten miles I was starting to get slightly miffed that the big orange orb kept hitting me on the head about every 3-4 paces so decided to try and quicken up reaching 13 miles in 1:32 ish just about spot on for the time I was looking for.
Stopped at 15 miles for a call of nature ( mostly due to bombing to much free water and energy drinks inside me) I was running alongside another bod who looked like he was a seasoned runner, he had a better idea. The runner in question had carbo gels cross strapped all over his body in the same way the Mexicans had their bullets in old wild west films.
So back to the race; after my comfort break I managed about another half mile and the legs gave out. Noooo your having a giraffe, still 11 miles to go!!
So 11 miles of run, jog, walk, well at least it gave me a chance to take in the sights as i finally slumped over the line in 3:26.
I feel better for the experience and may even do another marathon some day.
For those wishing to do Dublin Marathon, its well supported by the crowds, well organized, fairly urban with a Phoenix Park insert and undulating but no big hills. A bit expensive to enter though 70 euros minimum.
Keep on running,
OK Chris
