The Belfast Marathon

Well it certainly has been a while since I've blogged, so I thought after completing the Belfast marathon was a good a time as any to post!

So Yesterday I woke up reasonably early as you can imagine my mind was full of all sorts of things, will I be able to complete it, please don't let it be pissing down like it was in the middle of the night, and I hope I have some supporters along the way :)

I made my breakfast and was surprisingly very hungry, nerves didn't suppress my appetite thankfully. Adrian left me into town for about 8am, it was pretty darn cold and miserable at this stage but I was too pumped to care..

I wandered about a bit trying to keep warm, then Matt D popped by on his way into work, it was great to chat to someone as I was pretty much on my own at this point. Later on I thought right I gotta pee before this thing kicks off. I was just about to walk into one of the portable loos when I realised there was a huuuge queue, I stood waiting for about half an hr, finally got in did my thing, and rushed to the starting line!

So I wasn't standing long before everyone started moving, I don't even think I heard the starter gun, but just followed the masses over the start line..

This was it I was on my way, Tina's ipod strapped onto arm entertaining me on the way.. I felt good at this point, I was going nice and easy and just trying to keep a steady pace. The first spectators I recognised were Jennie & Andrew along the Hollywood road. Great to to see them and they were happy to see I was ok at the early stages, this was probably only a few miles in.

On I trotted up to the top of the airport road, there was a girl pushing another girl up the hill in a wheelchair, amazing strength!

Down past the airport was pretty dull, nothing to really look at and no spectators, but I kind of zoned out and kept on going really well. This all seems like a blur at the moment, I'm trying to remember where I went next haha. We headed back through town and up towards the Falls, everything still felt grand and I think we were coming to the 8 mile point. There were lots of water points along the way, I threw most of it round me, not cos I was hot, just because it's damn hard to drink out of a cup and run at the same time. There were a few coughing fits along the way, but nothing to hamper my performance ;)

I was very aware of the Antrim Rd coming up next, it's a long steady incline, I was not looking forward to it.. So I had a wee Dextrose energy sweet which helped, and on I went.

We were nearing the top of the hill, and a woman shout keep going half way point! I looked up and saw the sign saying 13 miles! I was so glad to be feeling grand and reaching this point! Then I was immediately traumatised because I had to do the exact same distance all over again :)

What also kept me going here was the fact that my parents were due to be at the top. I first saw my dad, looking all concerned and checking to see how I was. I then say Lisa form work taking a pic on her iPhone, which I knew would end up on Twitter. The I saw my mum with the camera out, she didn't really look at me, more concerned with getting a good pic, (just like me) I then saw my bro and his mate a few seconds later. So that was a great wee bunch of people to see at the summit, it kept me buzzing for in the incline. My mum commented aftwards that I guy reached the tope and shouted "Thank Christ it's down hill now" To be honest the downhill was nearly worst, it's a bit sore smacking the legs down, but it's nice to know your are coming down at the same time. Half way down the hill there was a lady handing out wee bits of choc biscuit, absolutely perfect timing!

The downhill continued right down to the Abbeycentre, still feeling ok here, wee bit of pain the old muscles, but plenty of strength left. This is were I saw Tina, asked how I was and took a picture of me, I think I was smiling :) Further on along there was an energy station, The were handing out orange wedges, Brilliant! I took two!

The next main point was down near Hazelbank in preparation for the jaunt along the motorway. Here I saw Jill's mum & Dad, they had just seen Jill off on her relay leg, and decided to wait and see if I turned up :) Then just a bit further on I saw Ali & Stu, I felt really pumped here and was all "yeah, high five'! A woman shouted at me "why are you not in pain'!! At this point I have no idea why I wasn't in pain this I think was about the 18 mile point, but not sure...

I started to feel it a lot more along the end of this stretch, strange that it wasn't any of my previous injuries. No knee pain, no ankle or hip pain! It was my muscles that were just beginning to scream a bit.. I said to one guy running beside me "are you enjoying yourself" with a wry smile! He said no, and I told him to keep er lit!

This part just lasted for so long, but finally we came to the Dargan Road part, this was a depressing point, all very industrial and no spectators. I had to stop and walk a bit as my muscles were aching and needed a good stretch. Also to stop for a pee, it was getting a bit dangerous to carry on, and I didn't fancy pulling "a Paula"

Finally we were coming back into town for the finish, I was a but delirious at this point at I thought at 22 miles I only had one more mile to do, forgetting that the marathon was actually 26 miles! Coming in round corporation street I saw my bro and his mate again (he later said he didn't think i was gonna make it, lookinga bit worse for ware at this point) Seeing him must have given me another energy burst though, because just round the corner I saw Robyn, and then andrew and they seemed to think I was looking good!

Not far to go now, I kept telling myself! Down the side of the embankment, with a bit more walking and jogging. Out I came onto the bridge on Ormeau, this is were I saw Richard from work with his big SLR I managed a smile and a thumbs up, this was at the 23 mile point! (the point were I thought it was over haha)

On through Ormeau park was next, this park has never seemed so big, it seemed to take forever to trample through it, and avoid random walkers out enjoying their day. The worst part was clearly the uphill Ormeau road, I had to walk a lot of it, and my face must have been a picture!

There was a volunteer at the top saying come on this is it all downhill now. So that was it I started running again and was determined not to stop until the end. Down the Ravenhill road, nice and steady, past my old abode at Oakleigh, the BP garage, and round the corner! few more leaps and bounds and I was running into the Ozone were it all ended. I had a strong finish, wouldn't call it a sprint, but pretty steady! Over the line, done! I completed the Belfast marathon in 4 hrs 54 minutes!

I don't think it has really sunk it what I have achieved, at the moment I don't see it as such a big thing. I'm just really glad I can strike it off my to do list. But more importantly I'm glad I was able to raise over a grand for Lupus UK,

strained smile in Ormeau park, Picture by Richard Lavery :)