So I woke up at 6am last Monday morning and systematically began preparing for the marathon. I cooked up some baked potatoes which I consequently couldn't eat because potatoes for breakfast is just bleugh! Swapped those for some Weetabix and jelly babies and began psyching myself up. My big sister got up early with me and we giggled and got nervous together and tried not to burn up too much energy. We walked into town with all the cars staring at me in my bright orange tshirt and marathon bib. At the line up I met with my friend Christopher who was running the first leg of the relay and we waited for the announcement to start running. I have never been so nervous, the adrenaline was pumping, my stomach was in knots and I was trying very hard to relax.
Once we got on the road I loosened up a bit and by mile 6 I no longer had that energy boosting adrenaline on my side. I left Christopher at his checkpoint and began the long lonely run around Belfast City. Just after mile 6 I felt my hip start to hurt. It pops out sometimes and causes me some considerable back pain but its been happening for so long I wasn't going to let it put me off. Coming up to the tenth mile I spotted some friends who topped me up with energy drinks and promised to be at the next checkpoint with painkillers. Angels from Heaven I swear! I kept on plugging away reluctant to walk until absolutely necessary. I could feel myself starting to weaken shortly after but then I spotted my aunt Teresa, cousin Sharon and her husband Stephen, my aunt Pat and uncle Tommy waving this huge banner (pictures attached) and it really boosted me, I knew I had to keep going.
I realised at mile 15 that my breathing wasn't as regular as before and I was really struggling. I stopped to walk for a bit and regulate myself but I found I couldn't really concentrate on what I was doing. I would focus on my breathing for about 10 seconds and my mind would wander somewhere else. I began to get frustrated with myself and got really discouraged, no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get into a regular breathing pattern.
I got to Gideons Green which cheered me up as I knew I was onto my last 10 miles. However, the run from Gideons Green to the checkpoint where my mum and Christopher would rejoin me for the last leg was the most hateful run I could have imagined. It was one long straight stretch of cycle path which seemed endless. I actually began crying at one point because no matter how I ran I didn't seem to be getting anywhere, it was like going the wrong way on a conveyor belt. At the 19 mile mark I saw Eoin's family again with all the kids cheering me on and I began to think of Meabh and how I was doing this for her and couldn't give up. I could feel the burning pain in my hip and back and I was so tired but I knew that if Meabh could be doing this she would and hopefully someday she will. So I kept going.
I met my mum and Christopher and by this time I was practically delirious. I couldn't stop singing at the top of my lungs and got this intense fear of the dreaded mini bus that picks people up who didn't finish the run within 6 hours. Every time I saw a mini bus I sped up and burnt out. At one point I could have sworn I was going to pass out, all I could see were stars and blackness. I kept stopping to walk then sprinting randomly. By the time I was almost at the finish line I really didn't think I was going to make it. Fortunately Christopher and my mum boosted me and kept me going. Running up the final stretch my mum told me to wave to my dad at the sideline. I couldn't see him and my mind was so fatigued I thought she was lying and he wasn't there. Eventually I saw the arm stretch out from the crowd and seeing my dad so proud gave me that final burst of energy to sprint over the finish. Apparently they called out my name over the intercom...I didn't hear it. I met my family and friends who all congratulated me and told me how proud they were.It was a great feeling and I realised that it didn't really matter how tired and sore I was, I ran a marathon!!! The pain would pass but that feeling would be with me for the rest of my life.
The money is still being counted but it is estimated that we raised just under £1000 for Meabh which may be going towards getting a piece of equipment to teach her to walk. Hopefully in the future we may be able to run the marathon together. Thinking of how every day must be like a marathon for Meabh and her family gave me the motivation to complete this run and has inspired me for the rest of my life. I am so proud to know each and every one of them and I hope I have been able to make some small difference to their lives.
Thank you to every one who helped out either by raising money, supporting me during the race, putting up with me complaining throughout training and helping me keep the faith.
Thank you to everyone who donated money.
Thank you to Christopher who went out of his way to make sure I crossed that finish line even if it did mean giving me a shove!
Thank you to Rosaleen and Bethany who kept me in supply of drugs, energy drinks and most of all support.
Thank you to Teresa, Sharon, Stephen, Pat, Tommy, Eileen for my awesome banner and your cheers which helped me climb my wall.
To John, Suzanne, Nora, Dee, Brian, Pearse, Donal and Darragh for the high fives, cheers, Lucozade and motivation.
Thank you to my mum for helping me out run the mini bus. You have been an inspiration all of your own.
Thank you to my dad for being at the finish line and for shedding some tears for my achievement.
Thank you to Laura and Dean who drove all the way from Dublin to meet me at the finish then drive me all the way back down to see The Kooks!
Thank you to The Kooks! My future husband Luke will be proud of my achievement when we finally meet. His music kept my spirits up.
Thank you to my wonderful sisters for mentally slapping me every time I didn't want to train, every time I whined about my injuries and who knew really that I would do it all along.
Thank you to Dave who purposefully told me I couldn't do it knowing rightly that that would only spur me on more. You still owe me money Dave!
Thank you to Eoin who always knew the right thing to say at the right time to stop me freaking out. You're my rock.
And finally, thank you to Meabh. You have opened my eyes to the important things in life and you will always be a treasure to me.
If I have left anyone out I apologise. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
We came, we saw, we conquered!
TEAM MARATHON, ROCK, ROCK ON!
