I am not quite certain when I got it into my head that I would one day run the Dublin Marathon and drink a pint of Guinness straight after. Years passed and unfortunately due to my job being somewhat restricting in terms of holidays and being able to guarantee to get back to work in time, I never got the chance, until this year. This is also the first time I travelled to another country to run a race, which is normally against everything I believe in. However, it had to be done.
We set off very early on Friday morning, around 3 am in order to get a flight from Stansted to Dublin. It was a cheap flights affair with Ryanair. Super quick I must say, which made me wonder why I never ventured that way considering how easy it was. This was also my first time in Ireland. I love the Irish people and was very lucky to meet some throughout my life, starting from the time I worked in Bosnia for the British Government. The kind who will always be up for fun and mischief. We spent most of the day mingling around the city and went to the expo. The children were a bit disappointed after being at London’s ExCel, however it was really well organised and it did not take that long despite there being a massive queue when we arrived. I was so excited all day long. We discovered some lovely pubs, live music where ever you go. We ate in a traditional Irish pub and decided then to lazy about for the rest of the day, which really was not too difficult as we were all pretty exhausted. One thing that shocked us all was how much colder Dublin was than home and the wind from the sea just made it even worse.
I woke up early on Sunday morning because the clocks moved. Andy and the children were still asleep so I took a quick shower and took all my stuff to tape and patch up in the coffee bar of our hotel. I took a strong coffee with some fruit and yoghurt for breakfast as I was worried that my stomach may not cope with anything else. I was so nervous, like any other time. I went to Dublin to enjoy this race. I made a mistake with London in April thinking that I could go and beat my Norfolk time, but all I needed to do was just enjoy the moment. Then of course, I did not feel that good anyway and the moment was spoilt. I thought this time I would go with no expectations and just enjoy the atmosphere.
The plan was to walk to the start near one of the central city parks. I was in a second wave. The city was pretty much gridlocked anyway. However, when I got out in front of the hotel I met a lovely Irish lady and a lad from Kent, Lucinda and Mike who were getting a taxi into the city. I joined them, which was really nice just to chat with someone and forget about my nerves. She said she was planning on trying to get into the first wave in order to avoid being held back by the crowds. We split up once we got there. It was difficult to push through into the first wave anyway. The organisers were checking numbers and making sure everyone joined their wave. Unfortunately, I had to join a toilet queue. Which was rather long. I could have just gone to the start line, but having had issues with my stomach in London and being uncomfortable, I just thought this was more important. As it happens the queue was fun. I got to meet some newbies to marathon running and a very funny Irish girl in her 20s who used the f word quite a lot (must say almost every person we spoke to in Dublin did, it was used in all sorts of occasions to express all sorts of emotions). By the time I got to a free toilet, my wave was on its way. I ran from the toilets to the start line to catch up. That, of course, was hilarious. I was having to duck and dive around fellow runners to find a clear spot for my feet, which meant my pace was all over the place. And like that for several miles. It is not London, but all seasoned big event runners will know what I mean when you are fighting for your small spot of tarmac all the while avoiding being tripped over. Finally, we got into the biggest park in the North West side of the city, Phoenix Park, which is just simply fabulous. Apparently it is a home to an American ambassador to Ireland. And some deer. I loved running through there. I felt light. Found my pace and without effort was passing runners who left the start line before me. I had a cranberry squash and a few haribos. I tried to drink as much as I could and space it as well as I could. It was a cold and wet morning. I did wear my long sleeve top underneath RntS t shirt, new style. I felt great, until I did not. At around mile 22 I felt faint. This was something new. I ignored all my pains and am used to hurting. Mainly my left foot with plantar and the usual painful toes because of bruised toenails. However, I could not ignore feeling faint. I realised I screwed up my fuelling and it was too late by this stage to do anything about it. I chose not to take gels and then remembered that I have been fighting off a cold for the last few weeks of the school term. Silly girl! You can fool about in a half marathon, but not on 26.2 miles. No hiding here. Every decision can be costly. I just thought I would slow down a bit and see how it goes. And it did for a few miles and then at 25 it got so bad I was having weird thoughts of collapsing and being taken away. Not finishing is my biggest nightmare. I kept saying to myself that was the main thing. I am so close and yet so far. What do I do? So I slowed right down to walking and crying. Not sure how long I did that for. People were shouting around me. I just walked and cried. Thankfully it was raining. Then I screamed really loudly and pushed myself forward. Nothing mattered at that point other than crossing the finish line. I was angry with myself for not being as well prepared as I should have been. Forgetting that my body needed more care and that my mind doesn’t work in synchrony with it. I did my best to just focus on the now. I was imagining that pint of Guinness and thinking who I was dedicating this race to. No fainting on the finish line would be ideal. So I got there. Strava says it was a PB but just because I ran almost 26.5 miles. It did not matter because Andy was there at the end to greet me with the kids.
So Dublin! It is a lovely race. Well organised, picturesque route and a great support all the way around. The people are superb. A lovely running spirit. I recommend it, but not sure how easy it would be to get into it. I was lucky as I had a GFA from London. It is very expensive though. Nevertheless, every race is educational. I learnt something again. Not just about racing, but also about myself. I have to say that I prefer smaller events for full enjoyment of running. However, you cannot beat the feeling you get when with 1000s of other human beings battling their personal demons to reach the finish line.
Gordana Sucur-Hills – 3:29:24