Well, I made it round. As I suspected I didn't break any records and missed out on my own (lately adjusted) target by 6 mins. I came in at 4hr 36 mins.

Had really bad and continual cramps in the last 6 miles. Until then I felt really good. made the half marathon at 2.14 feeling good and with plenty left (as I thought) and was all set to push on before the cramps came. think if i had made my 20 mile training run I would have benefited greatly.

However, I am really chuffed. I had setbacks in the last couple of months. two strains and a bad cold for starters. so all in all I am over the moon. thanksto those who offered advice.

Anyone else do it? Would love to hear how it went for you all.

Congratulations KD! Hopefully, you'll be able to knock those 6 minutes off at your next marathon!

Congrats on overcoming your setbacks and finishing in a respectable time. That last few miles sounded hard.

So, what is next?

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0 - 14 Miles in 6 months, 2 hours, 13 minutes and 58 seconds.
Start weight: 18 st 4.. Current weight: 14 st 8.. Current Goal: Duchy Marathon, 8th March 2009

Grant, thanks.
Hrun - what is next is cold, fizzy, brown in colour and waiting for me in the fridge!!!

In all honesty I haven't thought about it. I would like to do a half marathon and really go for it time wise because i felt really good until 18 or 19 miles today.
Not sure I can commit to another Marathon too soon. It does have a huge impact on family life.

Most of all I am looking forward to a six mile run in about two weeks time with no pressure.

I think the six minutes might persuade me back to Dublin next year. The people on the route were amazing and gave me a real boost. It really is well organised and mostly a very enjoyable route.

But do you know what I really think about the whole experience? Taking part and Finishing is everything. Time is a bonus.

When is your Marathon Hrun?

I am running in March 09. At the moment it is a one off so I can say I have done it

Looking at my training schedule I understand what you mean about it being a commitment! But it is similar to the time I have committed to losing the weight.

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0 - 14 Miles in 6 months, 2 hours, 13 minutes and 58 seconds.
Start weight: 18 st 4.. Current weight: 14 st 8.. Current Goal: Duchy Marathon, 8th March 2009

Well done KD! Sounds like you had a tough end to the race, finishing a marathon feels amazing though doesnt it When I finished Edinburgh this year I said I wouldnt do another but here I am getting geared up for the training again for Edinburgh 09

Enjoy the next couple of weeks off and recover 100% no matter how tempting it is to run a couple of miles and then really enjoy your first run back.

O.

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Well done KD, great to hear it went so well, you should be very proud.
I did it as well. Found it hard to motivate myself for the race after doing Berlin last month, was lying on the floor in my hotel room at midnight last night wondering if I should run at all. Finally decided to give it a go. Actually ran a PB of 3:20 in the end, surprised even myself.
It was a perfect day for running out there.
What did you make of the route and the Dublin experience as whole KD?

Well done Eau Rouge, that's some going!! I thought it was superb. The 'Friendly Marathon' lived up to it's name. The people en-route were great. the organisation was excellent (although I have nothing to compare it to, but i listened to a few friends moaning about Belfast!) I thought the route was fine and despite the large numbers taking place it was never crowded - except the log jam leaving Merrion square at the start. The last climb around UCD was hard going but I suppose that is part of the challenge. Slept like a log last night but now wide awake and my head is buzzing. Despite what I said yesterday I would definitely do Dublin again.
As you say it was a perfect day for it, sunny but not hot, almost wind free. Dublin looked beautiful. I think they could include a run along the Liffey at some stage don't you? I think that would be nice.
Despite the cramps I ran every step (which was also a target of mine) even after the stretches, came in at a reasonable time (for me!) and as far as I can tell I am injury free.

Yep, I would recommend Dublin and I think I will do it again. some day.

(Oh, highlight of my day - I over took a certain former high profile Tyrone GAA star at about half way, who, according to the Marathon Website, finished in just under 5 hrs!!!)

Great stuff KD, glad to hear thev experience was a good one. Fantastic achievement to run the whole way. Merrion square was a bit of a squash alright, you finally get jogging and then your back to a walk again....they really should run a little more of it through the city centre and along the river, I wouldnt be a fan of the last 5/6 miles, its boring and straight into the wind, at that stage you could do with a little scenery to take the mind off the pain. Anyway, well done again. hang that medal proudly!
...I bet it was nice passing Mr Canavan, who knew we could reach those fitness levels and stride on by them!

Well done to KD - HAIL.
Dublin was one of the best yet pre and post run everyone was so freindly and well supported- certainly beats a well famous run that we can not all get in.
The weather was right, course fantastic, the best I have ran(that was number 8)
I managed a pb 3 54 a whole 16mins taken off my Berlin time of a few years, will I go back again- you bet.

Well done Robbo. I fully appreciate now how hard sub 4 hrs must be. I think that might be the thing that draws me back. Must have felt great when you realised you were going to do it.

Eau - the last 6 miles is pretty poor IMO. Agree with you on that. Far too straight and passing the RDS thinking 'this was a fair drive from the city centre on Saturday for the expo!' was not the most encouraging of moments for me.

Legs are getting back to normal, well, not normal but I can walk down stairs. Spent half an hour on an exercise bike and had a good stretch and sauna this morning. Felt good.

Well done Robbopsr, great run. Thats a nice chunk to take off your PB.
Im off out tonight for a well earned few pints......

Eau Rouge well done on that awesome time , have a beer or two for me as I am working all night.....

Well done, I know exactly how you feel after doing my first marathon on Sunday.

How did it go dan? Which one was it? I am still a litle sluggish after two weeks. Back at my five a sides and weight training. Probably shouldn't be but was absolutely flying the other night at football (fitness wise anyway!!)

I spent half an hour on the treadmill last week and found it a struggle though. my legs didn't want to do it. I'm going to lay off it until December and then get out and build the mileage up again. Really want to do another marathon and improve my time.

How are you feeling now? interested to hear how different people recover and what they do to help the process along.

Is it just me or is eating like a horse part of the post marathon recovery? I am constantly hungry and my sweet tooth has gone in to over drive! I had the will power to do a marathon but not to resist the multitude of leftover halloween chocolate things that are in my cupboard!!