Team Twomey Photos of the Big Day

The Marathon 26.10.2009

What was it like?

It was great. Great for 21 miles and then I discovered that Anthony Walsh knew exactly what he was talking about when he told me that the real marathon begins after 20 miles... I was flying along for the first 3 hours - I was loving it. I did some of the best running that I've done over the past three months - my time, my pace, my breathing, my body - everything was going well.

And then all of a sudden my body wanted to take it easy. Mentally I was fine and I was telling myself that I didnt train for 4 months to walk a marathon and so I kept going; but then I'd have to walk for a while and grab some more jelly babies off some kind bystander. At one point, around 23 miles, I was picking up discarded water bottles to finish them. Yes, I was dehydrated and low on energy but I kept going. The last mile went on forever - I was averaging under 8 min a mile in the first half of the race - the last 1.2 miles took me 14 minutes!!How did it feel to cross the finishing line?

I hardly heard people screaming even though my family were yelling their heads off. I remember smiling and putting my hands up just in case there might be a camera around somewhere. But to be honest, I was too tired to care. All I wanted at that point was an extra small t-shirt and something decent to eat in the goodie bag. I sat on the footpath and opened the bag. A cheese sandwich made with white bread - I never eat white bread. It was too much for me so I started crying and suddenly I was surrounded by four fit men all looking concerned and telling me that I'd done great. I just waved the white bread at them and cried some more...

I have to say that the crowd throughout were fabulous and it was an amazing experience. I loved every bit of it in retrospect - it was just the final 4 miles that really pushed me. 3:58:08 was my final time so came in the top 30% - not bad for a newbie!

Would I do it again? Of course! I can't not run my own city's marathon!!!!! June 7th 2010!

Week 18/18 - 2 days to go

This time in 48 hours I'll be lined up at the starting point for Dublin Marathon. The sun will be shining down on me gently and I'll have my orange lightweight poncho, courtesy of Woman's mini-marathon courtesy pack, wrapped around me to keep me warm. I'll be surrounded by 14,999 others all excited, nervous and ready to go; ready to start the marathon journey around Dublin city.

After a busy week at work I'm sitting here with a list of things to do today. Need to get plenty of water into me too - as advised again and again by veteran runners (thanks John, Anthony, Anthoni & Andrew!!!).

Toni & I are heading up on the train tomorrow, together with an expanded Team Twomey, half of whom will be sporting glorious tans. Need to book an italian restaurant in the minute for Sunday night when the Twomey clan will all get together and break bruschetta (as opposed to bread) together ahead of the big run.

Feeling good - excited, nervous and pleading to every god out there to help me run well and strong.

Forty eight hours and counting!!!

Week 17/18 - 23 miles, 8 mile long

M-day approaching fast at this stage. Last week I feared the event; I doubted myself, my ability and had a new ache and pain everyday. Physio on Wednesday stressed the importance of stretching and lots of water so I've been doing both. Still feel a bit stiff at times and still have a bit of a limp but feeling much more positive today.

Did 8 miles yesterday out the Straight Road and back with Toni. Felt really good which has boosted my spirits - was afraid this limp would impact my running too but if anything I loosen out when I run. Was warmed up at 2 miles and loved from 5 miles onward. Did some great daydreaming!!

Not much running planned for this week - might try to get a lap of the village done one or two mornings - am going to keep away from the treadmill as at this stage I don't think it does me any good and I much rather running on the road - much less tortuous!!

Received chia beans in the post today from Dervila. She says ultrarunners swear by them - I welcome every bit of goodness at this stage.

Imagine, it's week 18 of 18 as of tomorrow!!!!!!!!

Week 17/18 - Fundraising Target Achieved!

Thanks to last night's contribution from my next-door-neighbour, Majorie, I've now hit my target of €2,600 - one hundred euros per mile. And for those of you pedantic enough to be pointing out that a marathon is in fact 26.2 miles, the plan is to put 20 euro in myself - so there!!

Thanks to everyone who supported my charity, Marymount Hospice - talk a drive out the link road if you want to check where your money is going.

Go raibh mile maith agat!

Week 16/18 - target 26 miles, actual 0...

Almost there with two weeks to go. Last Monday woke up with a limp - bursitis the physio told me on Wednesday and advised a few days off. Busy at work with week 1 of UAT so was glad of the free time. Had great plans to run on Saturday or Sunday morning but decided on a full week's break.

Glad to report that I am back on track tonight - did my usual 8 mile route in and out the straight road and feel pretty good. Bought some 'Deep Freeze' as recommended by Rathmore physio. Am discovering a whole new side to aches and pain!!!

Hit my fundraising target of €2,600 earlier today so thought of all my sponsors, the numerous people who have shown such faith in me and thus I sailed through my eight miles. Only need to do three times that on 26th!!!

Week 15/18 - 25 miles, long run Cork to Cobh

Ached a bit last week after the long runs on the two previous weekends. Had a busy week at work and play so was out doing laps of Ballincollig village at dawn on Wednesday and Thursday.

It was strange on Saturday morning not having to dedicate a few hours to warm up, long run and cool down... Instead of pounding the pavements I went for brunch in Kinsale with Dervila, who was down from Dublin for the weekend. Lovely!

Sunday was the BHAA Cork to Cobh road race - 15 miles. Woke at 4am feeling dehydrated after half a bottle of wine with a gorgeous dinner and a fabulous date at Fenn's Quay. Vino the evening before a long race - not very clever and a lesson I certainly learnt again and again as I ran through Glountaune & Fota with its never-ending series of corners. Fortunately Team Twomey was on hand to dole out the Energise. The team had a new recruit with week - Marguerite, team photographer!!! Twelve to fifteen went by in a blur but I was definitely happy to come down the hill and past the Comm... Suffered some leg cramps afterwards due to dehydration - first time ever but again, lucky me, I had my own personal physio, Toni, with me.

I'll have a little bit of celebrating re turning 27 again this Wednesday and then am going to be a Father Matthew patriot for the 3 weeks up to the big day. Focus!! Sans vino...

I'm delighted to report that fund-raising is now over €2,400 - there's obviously a lot of people out there with a lot of faith in me. Thank you!