Apologies for the delay in this as I had web connection issues yesterday. A full report to follow but for now I've enclosed some reports from our members on this years Dublin City Marathon.

Caroline Freeney:

Delighted to now be a marathon runner, the atmosphere was fantastic as was the support. The last few miles were harder than I'd expected, I cried a little at mile 23 because I'd missed the 22 mile marker and was so happy to see it say 23 not 22. A lot of people were walking around me the last few miles and it took a lot to convince myself not to join them, delighted I didn’t. What a great sense of achievement! It's all thanks to the club of course; I would never have thought it possible without.

I have great admiration for all of ye who come back every year for more.

Maired Blake:

The Dublin marathon started off well for me, my knee was holding up & the crowd were fantastic. I met Caroline, Yvonne and Marie all shouting great support. I was doing around 8.30 minute miles at that stage.  But I hit half way & it all changed as I felt my legs get tighter. I said ‘I’m just going through a rough patch it will pass’ so I slowed down (under 9 minute miles) and kept going for another 5 miles. 

It really started to get hard at mile 18 and for the first time I stopped to walk, thinking I could take a break and get back into it. So I started up again and nearing mile 19 stopped again and nearly cried but a lady gave me a jelly and patted me on the back so I went another bit. 

From mile 20 (9.53 minute miles) I stopped a good bit but by mile 21 (10.51), the s**t had hit the fan. I remember looking at one point that I had an hour and I could do it under 4 hours but every time I would run my legs felt like I was going to pull something and would have to stop again. Along the way I saw Frank and Owen, experienced runners. they knew my days were numbered. Angela, Speedy and Mary passed me on the route trying to encourage me.   I passed Pam holding out a bottle of coke and a bag of sweets for me and all I could do was shake my head, if I injected them into me it would not make any difference. 

Mile 22, 23 and 24 I was averaging just under 11 minute miles.  When I thought things could not get any worse mile 25 with a 12.07 minute mile. I had lost it all, I had joined the Walking Dead and at mile 26 the pacers for 3.50 powered passed. I passed Jane Mangan on the way and I could not even pretend to run a bit and just kept walking her face said it all trying to encourage me on.

The final 800 meters I was going to forget about the s**t run and power home. I was doing it for my son John, I gave it my all.  I felt I was running through quicksand and at a pace of 10.27 minute miles my best effort, sweet Jesus even John would have passed me out.

I passed the finish line 4 hours 6 minutes and was brought over to the barrier and I cried or I tried to but no tears were coming so felt a bit stupid standing there trying to cry so thought things must not be that bad if I can’t even shed a tear.  As I walked on one of the helpers, an older gentleman,  just looked at me and gave me a hug. I moved on and collected my medal and then my t-shirt.

Love my t-shirt, love my medal and loved all the brilliant support that got me to the finish line and on to collect my medal. Dublin marathon done, Thanks Be To God.

Angela Sweeney:

This was my first marathon experience, alot of disabilities going into it and against Doctors advice I went ahead and I’m  glad I did it. As long as I had my little bag of biofreeze, voltoral gel, nurofen, paracetamol and compeed plasters around my waist I knew I would be fine and finish. Was comfortable up to mile 11 when I had my first pain relieving pit stop, trainers and socks off and sort relief for nerve pain, shoes back on and set off again. Had 7 more stops before the Finish Line to do the same. From mile 23 it was a killer with plenty of walk breaks. I enjoyed the whole experience from the feeling at the start line, high fives to the kids and supporters, the shouts for Up Athenry and encouragement to keep going, the Craughwell supporters rooting for Athenry, the jelly/sugar offerings, the impossible hills but most of all the super feeling of seeing the Finish Line in sight. For me this was a race not about time but determination and spirit to enjoy the experience and finish in one piece despite the challenges I had. Finished in 5:23:19 and I know if I did not have to stop and sit down on pavements to undress(!!) along the way I would have been under the 5 hours. 

Cheryl Winston:

Can't believe I actually have a medal for running a marathon!! To say I am delighted is an understatement. I used to pass runners and think to myself "I wish I could do that" not thinking for one minute one day I would!! 

My first experience of DCM wasn't as good as I wanted it to be I must admit - from mile 17/18 it started to go downhill and not in a good way.  Will I do it again? Yes! Hopefully with a better experience :0-)

The reason I joined Athenry AC was to meet people from Athenry. Coming from Scotland I knew no one, and I must say everyone has been extremely nice/helpful on advice tips etc. I have to give a special mention to my running buddy Caroline Freeney, she was the one that encouraged me to run DCM and I am glad she did.

Ronan McCarthy:

I could write a 10 page essay but I'll give you a brief synopsis....

First marathon, short notice, no long runs done, no time targets, no expectations, no idea what was ahead......These were all pros, and cons in their own right as I headed for the start line at 8:30am. The first 32kms was one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had in my lifetime, cheering crowds, high fiving kids, great weather, a nice even pace that I was sure I could maintain until the end. 

The last 10kms was one of the most excruciating painful experiences I've ever had, the legs had stopped working, my left knee decided it was no longer to be used as a knee and my stomach was cramping so hard I was bent over the bonnet of a car at one stage trying to breathe. I had gone from smiling from ear to ear and high fiving kids, to avoiding everything that moved and talked for fear of expending the last bit of energy that would get me to the finish line. 

When the line finally came in to sight it was heaven. I had pretty much been reduced to a rag doll with 500 metres to go but heard a familiar roar of " Go Speeds" from the barriers, my long suffering fiancé. I managed to shuffle across to give her a kiss and then turned back for the finish line; the crowd was so immense and emotional that I actually burst in to tears about 20 metres from the line. The last 10km had been all about just making it back, but looking down at the watch and seeing 3hrs 54mins I must admit brought a small smile to my face. 30 minutes afterwards I was asked what I thought.......... "It was my first and last marathon, glad I've done it, another one ticked off the list but never again". 

24 hours afterwards I was asked what I thought..........."It was my first marathon, not exactly ideal preparation but so glad I did it, can't wait to go back next year".

Martin Keane:

It hurts me to write anything about Monday's race as I really had a very disappointing run but what annoys me most of all is not being able to transfer what I'd done in training on to the race day. I stopped somewhere after 17 miles and could never get going again and yes it hurts like hell watching everyone pass you by, especially runners that your capable of beating.

Jim Leahy:

Terrible, crashed in to a guy at the first water station at mile 3 after he stopped in the middle of the road and I was completely winded. At mile eight a guy stepped in front of me and knocked me over. After that I got a stich at mile 10 which lasted for the rest of the race, I found it hard to drink and couldn't take any gels. I got to the finish line and collapsed and was hauled off to the medical centre so it was an interesting day. But that's an end to 2014, rest for 2 months now and hopefully 2015 will be better. Frances finished in 4.20 which is a 2 minute PB. It was very hot for marathon running, very few PB’s.

Chris Deakin:

It was another unsuccessful attempt at a good time in Dublin for me but the disappointment has passed already and I can't wait for next year. I was going for 3:15 but cramps arrived in both legs at 21 miles and I shuffled home with all the grace of the pirate with wooden legs from Family Guy. A spectator saw my pirate impression and offered to give my leg a quick rub down. I took the offer and told her that the other leg was bad as well so she called someone else over to work on that one. So now I'm standing on the side of the road with two random strangers trying to help me get to the finish line. There's just something about Dublin. I finished in 3:30:50.

Brian Burke:

My god! I was well on course for my +or- 4 hours at the 3/4 mark. It all went downhill at the uphill around mile 21. I'm just glad I finished my first marathon even if it was 33 mins over my target time. Oh well, there's always next year...

Patrick Forde:

It was hot and humid but I was very happy with my race even though I was just outside my PB. Delighted for all club members who completed their first marathon and also for those who ran great times. For those whose day didn't fully go to plan - not to worry - your club is there for you and don't think that you are ever alone. We all will take something from the day but it's the good moments that will linger.

Jane Ann Meehan:

Ok really, disappointed not to crack sub 3 but the three loo stops didn't help! Legs felt very strong once the above was dealt with and last 2miles were as fast as first. Onwards we go. Support was fabulous.

Aidan Madden:

It was a day of mixed emotions, 3/4 of the race went well, at one stage I was thinking about when I should push on!!! The last quarter was a nightmare (cramps, dodgy tummy, dizziness which lasted for most of the day, the heat and so on), it took 1:17 for that final 10k. To see the 3:20 pacers disappear in to the sunset & to watch the 3:30 & 3:40 pacers gallop pass you in those final miles was tough. No words can describe this. To all those that said not to run with an injury, don't take prescribed painkillers before or during a marathon (a very stupid decision), to slow down in training, stepped up miles too quickly, there is another race other than Dublin, and many many more..... It goes against my better nature to say, ye were right. On the other hand, I have a PB, completed first marathon, a few weeks of rest & physio coming up (at the moment, the latter frightens me more!!!!) Plenty of points above for wannabe runners on how not to do things over the last few months. A special thanks to all for those many tips over the last few months, well the ones that I listened to!!!!!!! Already looking at when the next one is coming up.

Maria Hehir:

Well done to all, it was a very humid day and yes a lot of people were falling over. Unlike most of you who had been focusing on DCM I was happy tipping away at doing half marathons this year and hadn't planned on DCM. So when an acceptance letter came in my door 3 weeks ago I was surprised. During a conversation with Paul while out training the OTRA gang one morning he was telling Esther and myself that the Hughes Family were attempting to break the largest family entry to complete DCM. 31 members were taken part and he would like if we could go up to support them. ‘Sure’, we said, thinking we would be on the side lines. Ahem, how we took that up wrong! 



So when the letter arrived I had just 3 weeks to train, I increased my mileage and got to 15 and 2 x17 miles managing to do a small bit of damage to my foot "plantar fascia". I thought there is no way I'll do it now, but as the day drew nearer my head had other ideas & sure enough I found myself there on the day. I was to be in the 1st wave but pulled back. I had set my watch to a very slow easy pace between 10-11 min. To get through it I knew I would have to. The first 18 miles I was happy with, tipped along nicely but at mile 19 my foot started to play up so I slowed down a little at this stage. I was surprised to see so many people walking and struggling; a little relived it wasn’t just me. In the last 3 miles I met up with Esther, she too had an injury and had never run a marathon before. She was also doing it in memory of her sister who passed away a year ago. She was struggling too, we dug deep and gave it what we got and we were so glad to see the finish line. It may not have been one of my greatest times but it was one of my greatest achievements and it was lovely to cross the line together and to see my family there waiting.

Kieran Guiry:

Felt grand up to 17 or 18 mikes then the lack of proper training and going out at a pace that was unsustainable in the conditions hit hard. Struggled home in 3.35 and change. A reminder to respect the distance.  Great club support as always on the course.

Kenneth O’ Hara:

I wasn’t as psyched coming into this race as for previous but I still felt I was good for a PB. The plan was for an average 7.30 pace for the first half & push it on for the second if I was feeling ok. I never felt ‘In the Zone’ and the park was tough but the wall of noise in Castleknock got the adrenaline pumping & things started to flow a bit better.

I eased back on the hills & picked it up on the downhills & by 8 miles I was delighted to see an average pace so far of 7.30. Bang on, even though I felt like crap. Back out of the park for the last time & into Chapelizod for another wall of noise & some great support from Athenry members (It’s amazing the adrenaline boost you get from the support).

By the time I got to Kilmainham I was looking forward to the next roar from the crowd to get my adrenaline fix but when I passed through the crowd & my body didn’t respond a few doubts started to creep in. I got to 11 & felt I was labouring but my average pace was still 7.30 so I figured I’d be OK. I kept telling myself ‘the first half is the tougher half’. Just after 12 miles I suddenly became dizzy & nauseous & had to stop & sit down. I was a bit weak & it took a couple of minutes to settle myself. I jumped back in as Dee, Maeve & Siobhan were passing but only lasted a half mile further before I had to stop again. My head was swimming with my tummy swimming in the opposite direction. From there on it was a run / walk strategy.

They say you learn from your bad races but all I can take from this is that I know I can grind out a result when things go pear shaped. My head never dropped & I kept telling myself, it’ll pass, keep going. When it did pass around mile 23 I was practically home & I just coasted in to enjoy the fantastic crowds.

3.53, over 30 minutes slower than hoped but happy to finish. Not sure what went wrong but after seeing the carnage in the second half of the race I don’t feel too bad.

Claire Forde:

Training was going really well and I was feeling good until 2 weeks before DCM when I got a stress strain injury out on my last long run. Physio and 10 days of complete rest was required to get to DCM 14.  I was still a little sore, the niggle was still niggling but I hoped it would hold out - with the help of Nurofen.

Started Monday morning and felt good.  Ran 10km under the hour and was holding a steady pace. Half marathon was just over 2 hours and was still feeling good.  I was still ahead of the 4.10 pacers at this stage so I was very happy.



However, around mile 15 the pain came and even more pain killers did not ease it.  I started to walk / run shortly after that as it was easier to walk and the pain was not so bad.  I met lovely people out on the course walking also; a lot of them had reoccurring injuries.  We all had the same goal at that time - just finish the marathon! I could not get over the amount of people sitting being treated by medics. At one medical station they had a row of chairs outside an ambulance and each one was full with injured people - I felt lucky at least I was still moving.  I don't know if it was the heat exhaustion, but it appeared that there were more people walking home than running!

Congrats to all on completing DCM 14 and a sincere thanks to all who came out to support and cheered us on - all the words of encouragement and the flat coke and jellies!! It was one tough day out there but I finished it with my son Michael holding my hand crossing the line.  A memory I will hold forevermore!