Hi as I begin to write this latest post I'm finding it more than a little difficult to motivate myself to even lift the pen (yes I do still write it first!) Not because I have little to say, that'd be a first, or because I don't want to give you my months news, I do, but simply because I am still in my 'post marathon recovery phase' and I have to take it easy! That phrase has a lovely ring to it and of course is missing only one word 'success' to be inserted neatly after marathon.
Taking part in the Dublin City marathon was of course the highlight of the month so I'll start there ....well not quite there. I'd like to take you back to July when I contracted pneumonia just at the time when training needed to be cranked up a gear. I'm not sure that I really believed at that point that 600 training and event km's later that I would cross the line of the first of what I hope will be many marathon finish lines.
Crossing the line while still upright was of course success in itself but having done so I have received a vital psychological boost on the way to Ironman completion next July. OK I still haven't completed all 3 elements at the relevant distances in the same event but now, having done so seperately, I believe is something that will stand to me in 9 months.
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| No.1 Fan, Ella my Grand Daughter and Aidan my Son |
How did I find my first marathon experience? Well I'll describe it to you in the same way that I did to Mary, Aidan and Ella shortly after crossing the line - 'that was one savage test'. It tests fitness and stamina of course but it also tests perseverance, spirit, resolve, guts and patience and it is passing these tests about which I am perhaps proudest. My highlights from the day, apart from finishing the damn thing, were undoubtedly hearing the cheers of my loved ones as I entered the finishing chute, (isn't it amazing how, amidst all the shouting, cheering, announcing and general din of the finish you can still pick out their voices the clearest) and the amazing support from the thousands who ran with me or lined the course. Do I hear you shouting 'what was your time John'? Well it was 4.49 and therefore 20 mins the far side of the goal time I'd set myself to break - but you know, and I didn't think it would, the time it took lost all significance about I second after stepping across that line!
What is significant however is the news that this month I got myself my first sponsor for the IRONMANAT50WTFN challenge. The Westgrove Hotel, Conference Centre and Leisure Club, Clane have generously agreed to sponsor my training leading up to July. Given the level of swim and gym training that I will need to do it will present me with significant savings not just in terms of finance but also time- its literally around the corner from the house and in the same building as work! And if that wasn't enough they have provided me with the services of their senior physical trainer, Niall Herbert, who has put together a training plan for me which will have me at 'my' peak fitness level by next July. Thanks to General Manager Jerry Russell, Michelle and Niall I'll display and wear the logo with pride.
Lest you think that I'm resting on my laurels I'm also well into my very tough turbo sessions with Niall at Wheelworx and putting together some nice plans for a bit of fundraising for LauraLynn house which I will tell you more about in future posts.
I'll finish this months post with a bit of a challenge to you. ...don't discount yourself as a potential marathon finisher, or any distance for that matter,...it might take time but if I can do it so can you. Decide, Sign up and Follow a simple training plan...don't put it off any longer take your own huge step.
Till next time.......
