This was my 3rd Dublin City Marathon and, although I was ready and very excited to run it, I was a little sad having just dropped off one of my best friends at the airport for an early flight and a long journey home. As a result I was (uncharacteristically) very, very early for the race and had plenty of time to park and potter before getting anywhere near the starting area. I even had time for a cappuccino from Starbucks, not ideal preparation but it felt appropriate for the day.
On the was there I was asked by a guy to take his photo with his phone, it was for his wife and of course I obliged. We were walking in the same direction and naturally chatting as we walked. He asked about my goal and I said anything under 4.30 would be great, he said “stick with me and I’ll get you under 4 hours. I laughed not realising he was serious… really serious!
He kept repeating it and made me promise that I’d stick with him, it slowly dawned on me that he didn’t want to run alone and to be honest I was getting a little scared. We got to the baggage area and his tent was some distance from mine. The area was crowded and he told me (yes, told me!) to wait where I was while he dropped off his bag and we’d walk to my tent together. He made me promise I’d wait… of course I said sure, I’ll be here, but as soon as he was out of sight I took to my heels and darted through the crowd like my life depended on it. My tent was around a corner and somewhat out of sight but even so I stood in line nervously looking back the way I came just incase I had been followed by my stalker. Finally I ditched my bag and made my way to the start area, occasionally looking around terrified that I might be tracked down.
After much mingling the appointed time had arrived and we were off. I felt really good from the start and focused on keeping a steady pace, I was looking for another personal best and after sticking to my training plan I had no reason to fail.
At around 20 miles the going got really tough but that was to be expected and I ran through it with confidence that it would pass. Unfortunately it didn’t and I struggled for the last 6 miles but I did manage to keep the pace up and crossed the line in 4 hours 23 minutes (and 54 seconds), that’s a pace of 10:00 minute miles! My best ever!! YAY!!!
 Here’s my race: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/54497401