Kildare Marathon 2013, by Dominic Horan.

I didn’t put myself under pressure to hit a time for this race, the plan was to run with Ian and Gary (sub 3 pacers) for as long as possible.

The conditions were a lot different to Rotterdam, about 10 degrees and steady rain. Headed up to Kildare and got the VIP treatment from Anto and access to the pacers room. Met the main men, Ian and Gary  along with Emer and a few others as we got organised. Headed up with Ian to start with a few minutes to spare as he got sledged by the woman on the PA.

Miles 1 – 6 [6:46 pace]

Started handy and stayed out of trouble, there was lots of movement in the sub 3 group so I just hung off the back of the group and let them at it. Went through a few water stations, took a few sips and one of my gels at 6. Ian disappeared at one stage to take one his many toilet breaks, what a pacer, he looked after the group toilet break average, so we felt no need to go ourselves.

Miles 7 – 12 [6:50 pace]

Feeling very relaxed still, my groin is playing up a bit on the few hills so I try to kneed it out and not let it bother me. Ian’s Garmin develops a mind of its own at this stage and tests the elevation reading responsiveness by hurtling towards the deck. The sub 3 group started thinning towards the end of this section, with some falling off the back and a few going with Pauline Curley as she made a break for home. Gel at 12.

Miles 13 – 18 [6:51 pace]

Went through halfway in 1:29:15, feeling comfortable, but I knew this was the hilliest section of the course from last year, so time to dig in and get through the work. As hilly as this section was the pace felt comfortable and we kept the hilly splits under 7. Had a chat with Ian at about 16 when he was checking how I was getting on and my response was ‘today is the day’. It feels like a training run, we check times on our watches, all is good and I note my average HR is 154 – perfect! Took a gel at 18.

Miles 19 – 24 [6:44 pace]

Some decent running in the 1st half of this section and we’re reeling in a few runners, I get through 21 with no issues. But do need to have a word with myself as we climb back into Kildare and over the M7 as Ian and Gary  drift a little ahead of me. I’m due to take another gel here but know I won’t stomach it, so decide to go sans nutrition to the finish. Thankfully I’m listening and soon back on pace. The climb around the back of the town is cruel at this stage, but we keep the pace where it needs to be and I’m also passing a few which helps. Soon the welcome right hard turn comes as you leave Kildare town and head towards the Curragh, it’s approximately 5k to go now. I’m starting to get a 2nd wind and make use of the slight downhill for a 6:36.

Mile 25 – Finish [6:21 pace]

Barring any accidents I know it’s going to happen now, so it’s all about places and time now as I gradually wind it up and focus on the bodies ahead. We’re heading slightly uphill but the wind at our backs. I pass a runner I know from Kilcoole and give him some encouragement and then drop one of sub 3’s shortly afterwards – 6:33 as we merge with the pointy end of the 10k. One more marathon runner within touching distance is duly dispatched as I get a shout from a Neil closing out the 10k. I can see the stand now and know it will be close for sub 2:58. Suddenly Joe emerges from the Curragh and gives me a fighting roar, I shake my fist at him in celebration and he runs a bit with me. He soon says ‘holy fook you’re running 6 min pace’, average 6:29. The final stretch is a bit twisty and I find it difficult to get myself around the tight turn and loose some momentum. As I round the last corner someone says 200 to go and I lift the pace. Great to see some familiar faces cheer me on (Olwyn, Joe, Niall), I shake my fist again and get a little emotional before seeing 2:57:4X and lift the pace again to finish at 5:54 pace for the last .27. Get across the line, break the tape for some reason? Stop my watch shortly after at 2:57:54, no official results yet.

Actually felt fine directly afterwards and celebrate with the family and some friends, wait for the pacers to share congratulations, before being whisked off for an interview with the local TV station – ha. Well there you have it, not ideal preparation, but it’s the results that matters. A bit of time off, before hitting the shorter stuff and a few marathons for fun, now the sub 3 monkey is off my back.