Race Report by Miriam Wall on Her Recent Marathon Run In Paris

The Beginning:

A note of warning – this is a marathon report (i.e. a long one). There are no short cuts to the finish line.

The idea of running a marathon was never my game plan. As a relatively new runner (my first 10KM was in April 2005) I was happy doing the odd race here and there. Following that I started doing triathlons and joined Galway Triathlon Club. With access to the club coach Ray and gaining advice from the other athletes my running times began to improve without me doing more running. I only ever ran two days per week until January of this year. The long slow run was my main run every week. However, I was supplementing this with swim sessions and bike rides.

I joined Athenry running club in January 2008 and can safely say that I am now hooked on running. The support offered by the club to new runners like myself is wonderful. From the elite runner to last last man (or woman) home Athenry AC embraces us all. Thank you!

Running Loughrea 5 Mile Road Race 2008

I entered the Paris marathon last November after a very persuasive pitch from Sarah King – I was beginning to wonder was she on commission.

The Plan and the Training:

I decided to follow the marathon plan from the First institute: Run Less Run Faster. I got the book as a birthday present (thanks Aidan). The training plan involved three days running and two or three days cross training (swimming or cycling in my case). I felt this approach would work for me, as I am very limited time wise in the amount of training I could do as I have three young children and a husband! A big thank you to my family especially Dermot for letting me do my long runs every week. It is a big chunk gone from family life every weekend. The cross training meant that I did not totally neglect the other two parts of triathlon.

The training leading up though the marathon was hard but enjoyable. The challenges were trying to stay healthy and un-injured. A big ask when you are out pounding the roads (the grass in Dangan was too wet). My main adversary on a lot of those long runs was the wind (gale force at times). To try and keep injury at bay I did Pilates every week and scheduled in some sports massages during my training. On paper the plan looked easy but as the weeks rolled by, the fatigue built up.

The training schedule was based on three runs per week: one track session, one tempo run and one long run. The long run started at 13 miles week one and increased very quickly to 20 miles over four weeks. All runs were at a specific pace defined by own running ability and previous race times. I found for the first few weeks I could not make the targets for the tempo run and track. I was able to meet the target times for the long runs. After about 6 weeks I noticed my times were improving and I was feeling strong. I did the 8km race in Maree as a guide to see how my training was going and I did a PB for this distance (35.30min) so I really felt my training was paying off.

Luckily, I managed to have company for all my long runs except my last (by choice). I wish to thank all my" long run" buddies: Valerie, Ruth, Dave, Grainne, Deirdre and Frank. It is so much easier to run 20 miles with a friend than with your iPod. A special thanks to Valerie who paced me for my first 20 mile run and made sure I got home in good time! Also thanks to John Donnellan and Paul who kindly ran with me and paced me for some of my tempo runs. (My tempo pace is probably their long run slow pace so thanks guys).

On The Run In Paris...!

I managed to stay healthy (no colds or flu) during the training but I did have a hamstring scare and had to take a week off my training with just 5 weeks to go. My legs were getting tired and fatigue was building up. I was able to return to training after a week and built up my speed over another week. Race day was fast approaching and the taper was upon me before I knew it. I enjoyed the taper and the break from the training. I started going to the swimming pool to sit in the Jacuzzi instead of swimming (a first for me). Some people hate the taper but I loved it (guilt free lazy days).

The Race:

The hardest part of the marathon was getting to the start line ... I suppose this adage was true until I was standing at the start line saying "OH MY GOD what am I doing here?" Thats right I was in Paris and I was going to run 26.2miles. Pas de problem! C'est ne pas difficile". The mental torture had already begun. The weather in Paris on April 5th was beautiful. The sun was shining (about 18 degrees) and it was humid. Ideal weather for a stroll down the Champs Elysee or a walk along by the Seine but not so good for us mad Paddies about to run. A week earlier we were running in the wind and rain back home. Good job we packed the sun cream.

The start of the race was truly amazing. Aidan and I dropped Sarah to her start zone and then we headed to ours. The Champs Elysee was packed to capacity with 31,373 runners. Once the race started it took us a few minutes to get to the start line. I already needed to go to the toilet ... I just had to wait and hold it in! Aidan and I started together trying not to run too fast and blow up. Aidan was running about 5-10 seconds a mile faster than me so I did not stay with him. I felt I would be just a little outside my comfort zone ... and was warned by everyone to run within myself. After the first water station the race came to a complete stop for 20-30 seconds as the course was so congested.

At 10km I stopped for my first toilet break … what a relief! So much for hydrating before the race...men have such an advantage. There are never ever enough porta loos. The course was marked out in both kms and miles, which was great. I met Cora Grimes around the 10mile mark and we chatted for a little while. It is so great to see a familiar face. The French support along the way was great. The Parisians were out in full force screaming their lungs off "Allez Allez Allez" and "Ma petite fille ... Allez Allez Allez". It was a great experience running along the streets of Paris. Wow ... The miles / kilometres slipped by. I was running comfortably, not fast but steady and I could hardly hear myself breath.

I thought after a few miles the field would open up but not so. So it was a matter of looking where you were going for the full race. At the half marathon mark my time was 1.52min and I knew I was running slowly (this compared to 1.46 in Connemara with hills). The course was flat but I did not reap the benefit from this. I felt the weather being so warm had slowed me down. I did not panic. I did the maths and told myself that if I could do a negative or an even split I could do a 3 hour 45 min marathon. I felt that this was possible, as I knew that I was not pushing myself too hard.

Another stop for a second toilet break and I met Cora again. She was running really well and was full of energy, bantering with the supporters and having a great time. I ran with her for a short while again but did not stay with her, as I did not have surplus energy for talking. I was in conservation mode and not conversation mode.

Rory Brennan and Monenna (the support crew) shouted at me from the 15-mile mark. It was impossible to miss them dressed in their Irish finery. It was such a boost to see them...and the miles went by.

I still felt good and I hoped that I would never meet the dreaded wall. We entered one long underpass. The air was awful and it felt claustrophobic. Apparently when we came out of the tunnel the Eiffel Tower was on our left. I knew it would be around 30km but I missed it, as I was so busy looking where I was going!

At this stage in the race I had lost count of the miles so I decided to treat the water stations like 5km races with a water and gel break between. It worked and the numbers were easier on the brain. I walked through the stations and drank a full bottle of water at every station. I found it mentally tiring trying to concentrate all the time as I was continuously weaving around other runners.

I ran really well between 18-21 miles until I stopped at the second last water station. I had a moment where I could no longer feel my legs and the endorphins were floating through my bloodstream. Was this hitting the wall? I felt great! I stopped at the water station (35km) but was sorry after, as I never regained that feeling. My pace was beginning to slow to 9-minute miles and a 3.45 finish was slipping away. I was still feeling strong (but not fast).

With only 7km to go I knew I was on the home stretch. I tried to increase my pace but was only maintaining it. My legs and my brain were no longer linked. I skipped the last water station as knew I could keep going. On the home stretch with just 1 km to go I could feel my toenail falling off. While I was trying to convince myself it was a phantom pain Cora caught up with me like a lucky penny. I told her she was bringing me home and we ran as fast as we can to the finish line. Will I make it under 3 hour 50mins (the ever changing goalpost) and qualify for the Boston marathon. It was so great to finish with Cora. We were able to walk (hobble) to our meeting point together wearing our hard earned medals and emerald green capes. It was one long hard race. We were winners and we felt like champs!!

Life after the Race:

Will I run another marathon? Watch this space!

What would I do differently?

• Would refrain from shopping for sports wear with Sarah the afternoon before. I could not believe my roomie was a worse shopaholic than I was.

• Pick a colder marathon (climate)

• Pick a less congested marathon

• And yes ... one with a hill (but not Connemara) ... I missed the hills

A Job Well Done...!

Results:

• Valerie Glavin 3:22:40.

• Miriam Wall 3:49:40.

• Cora Grimes 03:49:04

• Aidan Hanley 03:50:56

• Bairbre Ni Mhaille 4.35

• Grainne Ni Mhaille 5.00

• Sarah King 04:35:44

• Jen Garty 03:57:01

• Grainne Sheehan 04:33:42

C’est Fini!